Journey Out into the World

The others were already uneasy about the way Riena approached and confronted Seiya. Her aggression made them fear how he might react.

Hearing Seiya's words to Riena, Hayne's body tensed in alarm, and he instinctively moved to step between them. But he wasn't the only one on edge. Before he could act, the bulky senior had already stepped forward.

"Riena, enough already," the senior said firmly. His voice carried weight, and Riena averted her gaze, scowling.

Swallowing hard, the senior turned to Seiya, his expression resolute.

"You're asking us to follow your lead," he said, his voice steady, his face rigid. "How much of our trust can we place in you?"

A heavy silence followed. Seiya offered no response—only a cold, unblinking stare.

The senior's eyes drifted shut, his lips curving into a tense smile, waiting for an answer that never came. Frustration flickered across his face, his patience wearing thin.