Vol. 6 Ch. 9: 〈Spiral Flame〉

Casey had always been a bright, cheerful girl. She was the big-sister type, dependable, and always took Monica by the hand to lead her onward.

Yet now Casey walked beside Monica as if clinging to her hand. The hand in Monica's grasp was clammy with cold sweat, and she could feel it trembling faintly.

As Monica stared at that hand, Casey gave a weak smile, her face pale.

"I'm sorry. I ended up showing you such an embarrassing side of me."

"N-no, not at all. After something like that happens... anyone would react the same way."

"Haha, I guess you're right."

Casey tried to laugh as she usually did, but her laugh came out awkward.

That laugh, that pale face, that weakly trembling hand... all of it tore at Monica's heart.

The two of them were walking down the hallway of the East School Building. The infirmary was still some distance away.

Monica bit down on her lip once, then slowly opened her mouth...