Why is it more painful for Ryuto to see her injured than for herself to be injured? This, Ryuto doesn't understand. Why does she feel inexplicably heartbroken? This, Ryuto equally doesn't understand.

Moreover, on the premise of all this, Ryuto is even more puzzled. All of this is based on the premise that she is injured, but Ryuto does not believe that she is injured, not just physically, but even internally. Just as mentioned earlier, as the person involved, oneself should have the most say. Amagi Ryuto's inner self, only Amagi Ryuto himself is the clearest.

The feeling is that there is no injury. The conclusion drawn by oneself as the person involved is that there is no feeling of being injured, not even minding being hated. This is not a lie.

So, could it be that she misunderstood? Misunderstood?

Even though she thinks so.

"I..."

But in the end, the words couldn't be uttered. She lacked confidence in this conclusion for some reason. Though there was no basis, there was still no confidence, regarding this matter...

Just then.

"Ding—"

The silence was shattered by the ringing.

Hmm? A phone call? Who was calling?

So, naturally, Ryuto took out her phone.

"Hello, who is this?"

She inquired.

However.

"Ah, it's you."

She immediately understood upon hearing the voice on the other end.

"Ah, have you arrived already? Quite early, earlier than I expected at least. Please wait a moment, I'll come down right now."

After a brief exchange, Ryuto hung up the phone.

"Ryuto, is there an emergency?"

Seeing Ryuto finish the call, she asked, but without knowing who it was, she probably felt she shouldn't ask until Ryuto volunteered the information.

"Ah, just a little...urgent matter."

"What about them? They seem to be waiting for Ryuto to assign tasks, and Ryuto mentioned it last night."

"Well, I'm not too sure about that. Just do as you see fit, Space."

"This won't do. This kind of thing must be decided by Ryuto."

Suddenly becoming stubborn about this.

"I really don't know about this. Consider it a favor from me. I'll thank you when I come back. Will that do?"

"...Alright then."

For some reason, Space, who was initially a bit firm, suddenly agreed.

"Oh, by the way..."

Ryuto looked at the empty bowl in her hands.

"I'll take this. Ryuto will leave now."

"Thank you, then. I'll head out now. The porridge was delicious. Looking forward to the next time."

With that, Ryuto rushed towards the stairs.

Watching Ryuto's departure, holding the empty bowl, Space muttered happily to herself.

"What will Ryuto use to thank me? I'm so looking forward to it, even more than being able to eat greens on holidays."

At the same time.

In a room just separated by a wall from the corridor.

A certain blonde girl who had somehow already woken up was quietly leaning against the door, to be precise, against the door that connected to the corridor.

Since when had she begun leaning here? How long had she been leaning? None of these girls were aware, so no one knew the answer.

Hearing the rapid footsteps running away on the corridor.

The blonde girl silently lowered her head. Although her expression was hidden by her long hair, a slightly helpless smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, just like the one from the night before, with a hint of bitterness.