Deep within a cave connected to a kilometer long abandoned mineshaft outside of town, Clara and the boy sat at a camp fire late at night, the boy uneasy about the events of the day.
"Was it alright to just leave her there?"
"What, you're still on about her? She must've really turned your head around, huh…"
"It's not like that! We don't even know each other yet! But she seemed nice…"
"Yet?"
"You know what I meant!"
"All I know is that you start obsessing over a girl we will probably never see again."
"Fine… I just felt like she could be a part of it…"
"Part of what?", Natsumi asked standing behind him.
Thee boy jumped off his seat and crawled away backwards in shock, and Clara pulled out a knife and jumped back as well.
"Okay, it's getting creepy now… How did you find us…? You must have not even waited a minute then…"
"Hey, I was waiting there for a really long time! But you guys didn't even bother covering your tracks, so I could easily catch up."
"Who the hell are you…? I covered our tracks just fine. But then again, you spotted us earlier too… So you got a knack for reading tracks, is that it? Some sort of magic or ability to track people down?"
"You guys were really mean. You didn't even introduce yourselves, and barely answe any of my questions! I'm still suspicious of you guys, so I will keep an eye on the two of you from now on!"
"Not a chance."
"I'm sorry but I wasn't asking. You guys might be the key to a bigger mystery I'm trying to solve, and I can't afford to let you go just like that."
"What bigger mystery would that be?"
"You answer my questions first! What thing should I be part of?"
"Yeah no, Leo let's go."
"Leo! Now I know both of your names, even though you refused to introduce yourselves… I feel rude. My name is Natsumi. Let's get along from now on!"
"Hey, Natsumi… I'm Leo… The thing I was talking about was—"
"—-Something that's absolutely none of her business! Weren't those your words earlier?"
"Yeah, but… She's exactly the kind of person we look for, or not?"
"You don't know her, for god's sake! She could be a priestess of the Absolute Empire for all we know!"
"Why would a priestess go through all this trouble by herself if she already found us? You said yourself she doesn't look dangerous."
"Yeah, that was before she tracked us down out of nowhere. I can be wrong too, y'know?"
Natsumi felt as though she had pressured them into an uncomfortable position, causing conflict only because of her own investigation regarding the Absolute Church. Seeing them fight made her feel guilty, even though it was nice that Leo seemed to want to trust her. But there was only one thing she could do now. Bowing down, she spoke loud enough to interrupt them.
"I take it back, I'm sorry!"
"…What?", Clara spoke genuinely surprised.
"I was acting selfishly and inconsiderate of your own situation and goals. I should not have forced myself upon you or threatened you, that was never my intent… I only wanted to help, but it seemed I made it worse for the two of you, and I myself do not even have something to show for it. I'm sorry I disturbed you, I'm sure you had different plans in mind before meeting me… I did notice you travelled lightly, so in case you want it, please take this bread as an apology… I don't really own much, or have access to large financial assets, so I'm afraid it's all I have to give… I'm just going to leave it like that… Goodbye…"
Leaving the packed bread, which she bought in advance with all the money she had brought just in case, on the seat Leo jumped out of, she turned around and walked away, looking incredibly sad and helpless. She got too carried away and ruined another thing, as she always did one was or another. Those were the thoughts she had while walking away. Even though a small part of her had hoped they would stop her and tell her it was alright, so she could join their secret friend club or whatever it was Leo mentioned she might be able to join. But there was no such interruption or call out. Instead, shs left without either of them stopping her.
Her mission had been a complete and utter failure. Maybe it was best for her to just go back to the Absolute Citadel. Though, it was not like anyone there was waiting for her return or would be worried if she was gone for a couple of days. Which was why she never bothered telling anyone about her departure. That and of course the secret nature of her investigation.
So, she decided to not go back just yet, because she felt like being alone right now. She did not care for the rain that began pouring down as she sat curled up on the street. She barely felt it anyway, and it covered up her tears. However, something most unexpected happened. Because the steps she assumed to belong to a passing by pedestrian suddenly stopped in front of her. Looking up, it was someone she definitely did not expect. Holding an umbrella, as well as a large rectangular box strapped over her shoulder, and also carrying an additional umbrella with her, Lucy looked down at the sitting Natsumi, who had her arms around her legs with no intention of taking the umbrella from Lucy, despite appreciating the gesture.
"Ah… It's been a long time, hasn't it, Lucy? You and I have some catching up to do, I suppose it was only a matter of time before you came to talk to me… I'm happy to talk to you but… Could it be another time? I'm feeling a bit under the weather today… Get it? It's a pun… Because of the rain…"
Natsumi looked back down, not sure why she made a joke just now. Lucy did not laugh, yet Nastumi herself could not stop herself from smiling just a bit.
"I'm not here because of that. Yamato sends me."
"Huh? What does he want?"
"He wants to know if you are alright."
"I find that hard to believe… How would he even know where I was… And that I'm in a situation where I could be "not alright"…"
"He said you'd say something like that. To that he only said that you are an open book, and running through the Absolute Citadel draws more attention than you seem to think."
"So he told you to tail me after I bumped into him because I acted weird… That makes sense… I've been acting weird for a while now… Or maybe ever since I was born… I don't know…"
"He said you should take a look at the sun, because his next metaphor revolved around that… But I guess the whether isn't playing along for that, guess even a god is wrong every now and then…"
"He isn't God…"
"Maybe. But to me he is. Y'know, I first tagged along with the intention of leaving after a month or two, but I've come to see the incredible things he can accomplish. What I once thought to be the limits of humanity, seem to be but a stepping stone for him. He is without a doubt incredible beyond words. So I made the decision to support him in any way I can. Because I find the idea of humanity surpassing divinity not so bad myself. And he represents the peak of humanity, and all its potential. But that's part of the conversation we should postpone for when we have the time. Right now, all you need to know is that he is worried about you, and how it will affect your ability to reunite with Yuki. And, I quote, "I am genuinely curious to see if your kindness can surpass my current strategy, against all odds and reason. Because if it does, I am willing to adapt to it. So go on, beat me and show me, if you truly are as divine as your sister.". Those were the words he said. What do you think?"
"…What is he talking about…? Can't he just mind his own business…"
"I believe he's giving you a chance, and opportunity."
"For what?"
"I was under the impression you would know that part."
"Seriously…?"
"Honestly, his schemes and thoughts are beyond me. Yuki's are just as bad, but with her I get at least what they are aimed at most of the time. Anyway, if you dont intend to return to the Absolute Citadel today, you should take this. It is my understanding that you cannot catch a cold, but maybe looking a bit more dignified would not hurt your cause."
Lucy stuck the open umbrella between her arms, before turning around and leaving. But then she turned back and crouched down to be eye to eye with Natsumi.
"Sorry, he said this was important."
"What?"
She patted Nastumi's head before running off, leaving her confused and uncertain about whether she should treat this as a pat from Yamato or Lucy, one of which of course being far worse than the other. However, either way this whole encounter was incredibly weird to her. So she chose to mostly ignore it for now, focusing on the part where she would prove to Yamato that kindness was superior to his evil schemes. Somehow motivated again, she was about to stand up, when Leo and Clara stood in front of her as well. She seemed to have been so deep in thought that she did not even notice them approaching.
"You win, snowflake."
"Win what?"
"You're in."
"I still don't even know what I entered."
"Which is why we will show you. Now come on, you can't stay out here, can you?"
"O-okay!"
Earlier, after Natsumi had left the two, the following happened.
"See what you did, Clara!? If you'd just stop acting like my mother and just trust me a bit more, maybe this could have been avoided!"
"Like your mother? Please, you're just naive. And a child."
"You're like six years older, maybe tone the paternal act down a notch. And that's not even the point! She even bought us bread!"
"Obviously poisoned. Did you seriously buy that sad puppy act? No way she genuinely thought we'd take her in."
"…You know what? You're right… We should just burn it."
"Now you're making sense."
Leo took the bread, but immediately took a huge bite out of it and swallowed it as fast as he could.
"Have you lost your mind!?"
"Either I'm right and live, or not and die. But if I am right, then you have to trust her as well. And apologize."
"Are you serious right now…?"
He took another, smaller bite, chewing it more this time since he did not want to waste the food, at which Clara finally gave in.