-1464- Our hero

Since Mistgun is a floating academy city governed by student autonomy, naturally, the ones engaged in commercial activities are also students.

Primarily, it's the students from the Economics and Business Management Division as well as the Logistics Support Division who, once school is over, immediately start engaging in business, bringing the commercial district to life.

As a city governed by students, both Mistgun and the other floating academy cities do not encourage behaviors that create wealth disparities.

Therefore, in these cities, the tax rates on daily necessities are set very low, while luxury items are heavily taxed. This allows students to lead a fulfilling academic life according to their own means.

In the past, the S128 Special Forces Squad had a habit of finding a café to sit down in after training, to enjoy some coffee or tea together.

Now, Rozen and Yuri, after more than a year, are strolling together once again and naturally find their familiar shop from the past, sit down, and prepare to enjoy Rozen's homemade lemon pie as their main dish, accompanied by some drinks.

Out of habit, Rozen orders a black coffee right away, and Yuri, seemingly wanting to compete with Rozen, also orders a black coffee. However, she ends up staring at it without the courage to drink, leaving Rozen no choice but to order her a cup of tea. Despite this little episode, the overall atmosphere between the two, although still filled with banter, has improved considerably compared to before.

It's important to know that before, due to Rozen's decision to step down and no longer participate in the squad's activities, Yuri not only argued with him several times but also had a combative attitude every time they met. Now, they only engage in minor bickering, which is a significant improvement.

Of course, if it were back when Rozen was still active, this wouldn't have been much of an issue.

After all, the reason Yuri joined the S128 Special Forces Squad was entirely because of Rozen.

Simply put, Yuri joined the S128 Special Forces Squad because she admired Rozen.

So, after successfully joining the squad, although she remained serious and strict, Yuri followed Rozen around like a shadow, trying to stick close whenever possible. Especially during training, she would always seek Rozen's guidance.

At that time, even outsiders could tell how close Rozen and Yuri were.

Now, though they bicker with each other occasionally, it's hard to tell whether their relationship has improved or deteriorated.

Thinking about these things, Rozen couldn't help but smile faintly.

Naturally, Yuri misunderstood.

"…Senpai is just like before, always making fun of me. Is it that fun to tease me?"

Yuri's face was full of displeasure.

"You're really accusing me of something I didn't do. I've never bullied you."

Rozen's face was full of innocence.

"Don't even say that. You've been doing it since before…!"

Yuri wanted to retort, but perhaps remembering the past and thinking about the current situation, her expression dimmed, and she fell silent.

Seeing Yuri like this, Rozen was completely certain.

"Is there something you want to say to me?"

Rozen asked straightforwardly.

When Kanata personally sought Rozen out to arrange this meeting for Yuri, Rozen had already guessed that something must have happened with Yuri.

If it were Chloe, she might have done something like this just for fun, but Kanata was different.

That man was fundamentally uninterested in matters of love and affection, focused solely on the duties, mission, value, and responsibility of being a Sky Wizard. While he usually acted frivolous and unpredictable, during such times, Kanata always had something in mind.

It was the same this time. The reason Kanata suddenly and inexplicably arranged a meeting for Yuri with Rozen must have been because something had happened with Yuri that he wanted Rozen to resolve.

Rozen saw through this, which is why he directly agreed to the meeting.

If Rozen's guess was correct…

"Does it have something to do with me?"

Rozen directly brought it up.

This put Yuri in silence.

If it were under normal circumstances, Yuri would certainly deny it, right?

Even if it were true that she was concerned because of Rozen, with her personality, she would never admit it.

However, this time, Yuri didn't deny it.

This made Rozen realize that Yuri was serious this time.

And indeed, she was.

"…Since Senpai has asked so directly, please allow me to speak plainly as well."

Yuri raised her eyes and looked directly at Rozen.

Then, with a seriousness she had never shown before, Yuri said one sentence.

"Please give up joining the Alchemist Division and return to the front lines, Senpai."

Yuri finally expressed what she had been contemplating for all these days.

Upon hearing Yuri's words, Rozen had only one feeling.

"So it's about this after all." Rozen said somewhat nonchalantly, sipping his coffee as he spoke. "We've already argued about this for over a year. Haven't you given up yet?"

This persistence really surprised Rozen.

However…

"I'm serious, and I'm not joking with you." Yuri looked directly at Rozen, no longer impatient or impulsive as before, and said earnestly, "When Senpai announced that he was leaving the S128 Special Forces Squad and even the Sky Wizard Division to join the Alchemist Division, I was indeed very angry. Even though it later proved that Senpai brought great contributions to the Alchemist Division, I still couldn't come to terms with it."

These were Yuri's true feelings.

Yuri knew this was just her own unilateral selfishness.

But Yuri just couldn't let it go, which is why she always showed Rozen a cold face whenever they met, while at the same time hoping Rozen would pay more attention to her, leaving her feelings very conflicted.

Over time, Yuri realized that there was no other way and was almost ready to give up inside.

However, after witnessing Rozen's power again during the Shinjuku [2] attack, Yuri found herself unable to let it go once more.

"After all, Senpai is crucial to the Sky Wizards."

"As long as your voice resonates in our ears, everyone will be motivated."

"As long as your figure appears on the battlefield, everyone will never give up."

"Your power, your command, even your name alone brings courage and victory to everyone."

"To us Sky Wizards, Senpai is that important."

For the first time, Yuri expressed her true feelings to Rozen.

"That made me realize that Sky Wizards can't be without Senpai. As long as you continue to stand at the forefront, on the same battlefield, no matter who the enemy is, we will surely win."

"You are our hero."

Yuri seemed to have made up her mind, pouring her heart out to Rozen.

"So, please stay in the Sky Wizard Division."

As she spoke, Yuri bowed her head to Rozen.

This gesture showed just how much effort Yuri had put into this.

The problem was…

"Do you think I can only realize my true value in the Sky Wizard Division and that joining the Alchemist Division is a waste of time?"

Rozen cast his gaze on the bowing Yuri, his eyes slightly moving as he posed this question.

To this, Yuri replied.

"No, I believe Senpai is indispensable in the Alchemist Division as well."

Yuri denied Rozen's assumption.