Character Story 6: Where Did This Weakness Come From?

Scene: The countryside.

It's another normal training session with Rei and Yuuki.

Rei
Then, I'm going! Yah!

Swords clash.

Rei
Mm, you've also grown a lot stronger. Your agility has also improved.

Rei
... But still, something doesn't feel quite right...?

Rei
Ah, sorry. It's not about you. It has something to do with me.

Rei
For some reason, today, I just can't move around as well as usual... Even just now, I was feeling sluggish.

Rei
We've been practicing every day, so I don't think I could've become this much worse so suddenly...

Rei
Ah...!? What is this... I feel dizzy all of a sudden...?

Rei
This is bad... I can't stand...

Rei collapses.

Scene: The guild house.

Rei
This is... our guild house...?

Rei
That's right... I fainted while I was training with you... You must have brought me back here. Thank you.

Rei
To think that, up until I passed out, I could have been that out of touch with my own body's condition... What a mistake on my part.

Rei
But, this, right now...? I feel like I can't muster any strength at all...

Rei
This is the first time that my body has ever felt this weak...

Rei
Up until now, I've been completely focused on becoming stronger... Could it be that, because of this, I pushed myself too far without realizing it? I never thought that I would end up hurting myself this way...

Rei
... I wonder if I'll always be this weak from now on.

Rei
If it does turn out that way, then please, just forget about me... Go on with Hiyori and Yui, and keep on searching for the Tower of Sol with them.

Rei
I don't want to drag everyone down...

Yuuki
1. "I would never abandon a friend."
2. "Please, drag us down as much as you need to."

Option 1.

Rei
... I figured you would say something like that. You're too kind.

Option 2.

Rei
You don't care if I'm a burden? You're too kind...

End of branches.

Rei
But I would never be able to live with myself that way. That's why...

Rei
Cough, cough! I'm done for... Not only does my body feel heavy, but I'm starting to get chills...

Yuuki
1. "... Doesn't that mean you have a cold?"

Rei
A cold...? You mean, this...?

Rei
I see, so this... This sore throat, and nasty feeling all throughout my body... This is a cold? Cough!

Rei
I've actually never had a cold before... So I guess this was why I wasn't performing well earlier.

Rei
Then, I guess I don't need to be too concerned about it... How embarrassing... I guess I was mistaken.

Rei
Um, uh... Please, forget that stuff I said earlier. I was in a daze because of the cold, and I guess I came off sounding a little weak...

Rei
I should be better once I get some sleep, so don't worry. It would be bad if I got you sick as well, so please, leave me be.

Yuuki
1. "I could never leave a friend who's suffering."

Rei
You really are too kind... No matter what I say, you won't be able to go, huh.

Rei
I get it. Then, I would ask that you take good care of me.

The next day.

Rei
Yawnnn...! Good morning. After sleeping through the night, I feel a lot better. All thanks to your care.

Rei
What is it? Your complexion looks bad... Could it be...

Yuuki falls down.

Rei
Hey, are you okay? Seriously, this time the caregiver was the one to collapse...

Rei
Don't worry about a thing -- I also look out for my friends. Until you're well again, I'll be right here by your side.

Filled with gratefulness, Rei stayed by Yuuki's side, caring for him until he recovered.