Straight from the Fox Girl's Mouth

Mina's POV:

What's gotten into Hotaru-san?

Ever since he went to help the harvesters in the fields, he's been oddly quiet.

I hope they didn't work him TOO hard!

He's a good kid, I think. Just a bit sheltered. Which may be for his own good…

Am I making excuses for my actions?

Maybe. I could be completely at fault, for hiding so much from him. It's just that Noriko-san gave off a completely different vibe than him: like someone who was practically born to fight, and become a hero.

Unlike Hotaru-san…

Who wishes to become a warrior, but seems to lack the true spirit of one.

Is that a mean thing to say?

I just don't want him to get hurt, or killed, by trying to act tougher than he really is.

However, if there was a choice between death and being forced to live a life like mine, I wonder if maybe it would be more merciful to go with the former...

But either way, he'll have to learn soon—