Tsukuyo Inaba released her hand and turned slightly toward the direction Lili had disappeared in-though all that remained there now was an empty street.
"A passerby said she was from the Soma Familia."
Tsukuyo's words stopped the objection on Onigawara Rin's lips dead.
The Soma Familia.
That was also the name of the Familia those men earlier belonged to.
At the time, Onigawara Rin had wondered about what Miss Tsubaki had said: they were all children of the same god, so how could they not even count as companions?
Not until today.
She had seen with her own eyes how those burly men had beaten a little girl from their own Familia within an inch of her life over a few magic stones.
Their viciousness had been nothing like how anyone would treat a companion.
"I know it's the Soma Familia..."
Onigawara Rin's voice grew quieter, somewhat muffled.
"But that's exactly why I want to help her even more."
"How is she supposed to survive in there alone?"
Onigawara Rin was straightforward, and once she believed something was right, she would not back down.
To her, drawing her blade to help when she saw injustice was only natural.
It did not matter which Familia they belonged to.
"We can help her once, but what about next time?"
Tsukuyo Inaba sighed softly, slowly turning her eyes toward Onigawara Rin.
"We helped her this time, but she still refused your help, and it wasn't just because she didn't want to owe us."
"More importantly..."
"She's afraid."
"Afraid?"
"Afraid that if we keep helping her..."
"Once she returns to her Familia, all of this will turn into persecution."
"Those people would beat someone over a few magic stones."
"So if they found out she could get help from us..."
"Would that be saving