Nozomi silently resumed her departure, pulling her finger out of Hina’s grasp.
“Can we not fight anymore?” Hina hurriedly asked. “Please?”
Nozomi paused again. She looked back at Hina from the corner of her eyes. Seeing Hina sorely reminded Nozomi of Erica, further tugging at Nozomi’s heartstrings. Nozomi sighed softly. Just as she thought she was beginning to cope with it…
“Why do I need to?” Nozomi’s tone softened considerably. “You did as I asked.”
“Huh?”
“The spell you tried to use on me thrice. Can you use it on my mother?”
Hina’s eyes shone with happiness and relief. “Of course!”
In her excitement, Hina hugged Nozomi, while Nozomi sighed again in defeat.
“When should we go?” Hina backed off and asked enthusiastically.
While Nozomi was still thinking, Yosuke suggested, “Weren’t you on the way to see Hikaru? Go see him first while I get treated for my wounds. Then, we can go together.”
Nozomi nodded then left.