"......"

So that's it. She did it because of that reason.

After a moment of silence, Anna blushed.

"Goodness... I'm quite strange, actually saying embarrassing things to Ryuto. Well, let's hurry over, time is short after all."

...

You said that yourself, I don't remember holding a gun to your head.

"Uh... oh... right, I haven't returned this to you yet."

With that, Ryuto handed back the gemstone necklace he had taken.

After all, Ryuto was a loser, he couldn't possibly have something like this. No, just holding it already caused a severe aversion. Of course, the reason it didn't bother him much before was simply due to enduring it constantly.

Looking at the gemstone necklace in her hand, Anna murmured thoughtfully.

"I never expected this thing to come in handy today... and, it's actually okay if Ryuto doesn't return it to me."

"Huh? Not returning it? How can that be? This thing doesn't match my identity, it feels a bit uncomfortable to have it with me. You better take it back."

Otherwise, I won't be able to restrain myself and might secretly sell it off.

Perhaps it was to avoid making Ryuto feel awkward.

"Fine, I'll just hold onto it for now."

Anna nodded somewhat helplessly.

...

Hey, hey, what do you mean by holding onto it for now? Wait a minute, isn't this yours? If it's not yours, why did you bring it to give it away so casually?

This doesn't seem right. But wait, why wear it on you? If it's not yours, wouldn't it be more appropriate to keep it at home? No, even if it's yours, it's better to keep it at home, especially since we are about to infiltrate the enemy's headquarters. It can't just be forgotten, right?

You remembered to change clothes, but forgot about this? That's just not acceptable. And if you left it at home, that would be fine, but if you forgot to leave it at home, that's just absurd. Is there a special reason, like being instructed to carry it with you, or maybe the necklace serves as a talisman, but...

Using a gemstone necklace as a talisman is quite extravagant. And it even has such a large gemstone on it. If it were me, I'd probably... at most use a manga book as a talisman, although it's a bit bigger.

Hmm...

Damn bourgeoisie, are they trying to force a proletarian like me to the edge? Do they want me to hang myself before they are satisfied?

"Well then, let's hurry over."

"Uh... sure."

Ryuto, who was still lost in his own thoughts, was pulled back by this sentence.

Thus, the two of them approached the little girl on the side.

Upon entering, Ryuto was about to say something, but...

"Thank you very much!"

However, he was cut off by the girl, who bowed to him and expressed her gratitude with a smile on her face.

"Huh...?"

This really confused Ryuto.

I didn't lose any money, what's going on?

Perhaps sensing Ryuto's confusion based on his tone, the girl lifted her head and spoke.

"Thank you, big brother, for helping me out."

"Helping you out? Wait, you..."

The little girl simply nodded at that.

"Yes, actually, I knew that those two people threw stones. Even though the sound seemed similar to others, I can clearly distinguish it since I can't see with my eyes."

"...If that's the case, why did you...?"

Why pretend not to know and purposely thank those two people?