Book 3 - The Merchant from the Depths: Chapter 24; Rendezvous at Midnight

The screen turned on as the chapter title played "Chapter - 24; Rendezvous at Midnight".

Yuu had walked back up to Ramshackle dorm as she saw that the building was definitely more fixed up along with the courtyard and gate.

As she looked at where she was when she whispered to herself "I walked back to Ramshackle Dorm out of pure habit…"

Just then a bunch of what almost looked like green fireflies started to appear as she thought 'What are all these yellow-green lights?' but instead only said "Ooh, that's a pretty sight." as it was.

Just then that same tall boy with horns appeared again as he spotted her and said "Hm? You're…"

She smiles at the much more welcoming familiar type of face as she said "Well, if it isn't Tsunotaro, the ruin explorer."

He tilted his head and asked "Tsunotaro? Who is that?" As he looked around confused before his eyes widened and he pointed to himself as he asked her "Are you…referring to me?" She shrugged and reminded him "You said I could call you a name of my choosing."

He laughed rather happily, before saying "Me, being called "Tsunotaro"! You really are fearless, it seems. No matter. It was I who told you to use a name of your choosing. I'll indulge this liberty and permit you to refer to me by your…curious nickname."

He then asked her "By the by, I've noticed that this dorm has seemed rowdier as of late. Are you taking in more students?"

She sighed and looked away as she explained to him "See, the dorm was taken as collateral, and…"

Once she was done explaining he asked "What? You made a deal with Ashengrotto?" Which she rather sadly nods to.

He then says "Well… I suppose that does explain it. Then once the sun sets tomorrow, I suppose this place will belong to him and become a hotspot for noisy students."

She frowned at the fact that he had just assumed that no matter what she would still lose her bet.

He then snorts out what seems to be a laugh before saying "You look like you take issue with my statement. You don't like me speaking as though your loss is a given?"

She shoots him a glare with some hurt hidden in her eyes about the fact that absolutely no one thinks she can win this, even though she helped deal with two overblots in this school already while being magicless.

After that glare he seemed to think about something for a second before he seems to decide on switching the topic as he states "Incidentally, the walls of this dorm have some rather impressive gargoyle sculptures."

She thinks 'Talk about an abrupt topic switch…' but ultimately asks him "Gargoyles?" rather confused about why he brought them up.

He then explained to her "At first glance, these gargoyles appear to be imposing, dangerous monsters… But in reality, they are a kind of drainage spout built to keep rainwater from sullying the walls. They look frightful, and yet they are beings devoted to the preservation of their home."

She thought about it for a second before saying "There's a stark contrast between what they do and how they look, huh." Tsunotaro then stated "Sometimes, what you see with your eyes is the complete opposite of the truth."

He then avoids eye-contact himself as he admits to her "And…I, too, would prefer to avoid this place becoming rowdy every night." He then looks her in the eye before giving her the encouragement "Continue fighting to protect your dorm."

Before he disappeared in another flash of light.

She spoke aloud rather cautiously "So what I see…isn't always the truth?" and thought about it for a second before walking off while thinking 'Tsunotaro sure enjoys acting like he's got all the answers.'

The screen then fades to black as "To be continued" plays before it turns fully off.