Interlude 3 - The Taste of Iron Sweat

「Are you okay, Newbie?」

As the low voice echoed, its owner’s otherworldly lavender hair noticeably began to change, fading into a soft, navy silk.

And, while the transformation seemed like water had drained the unnatural dye from the fibres that stemmed from the girl’s head, the majesty of such metamorphism was the least of Shizuka Mayumi’s concerns.

After all, it took the entirety of her being to simply remain conscious.

「R-Rin-san…?」

「I’m sorry. I should have gone with you instead of leaving you to scout by yourself.」

In response to the orange-haired girl who desperately strained her voice in order to call out to her friend, Rin calmly conveyed her apologies.

Though with that said, as a few beads of sweat rolled down the young, navy-blue girl’s face, Mayumi could tell that Rin was not as calm as she originally believed.

『It’s not your fault!』

The girl with scruffy hair tried to say, unsuccessful as her voice unconditionally failed her.

And so, without understanding Mayumi’s intent, the calm girl continued to speak, her voice growing in intensity as her features twisted in an amazing manner.

「But that asshole! That was 《Cross’》 counterpart, wasn’t it? I’ll never forgive him for doing this to you!」

Upon witnessing Rin cursing to herself, couldn’t help but feel a sense of urgency.

After all, Mayumi knew that her friend had always been suspicious of the entity called 《Cross》, ever since the beginning.

And she also realised that Rin thought Saito Junichi was the reason why Mayumi was in this state.

Which meant that Mayumi had to quickly clarify that the dark-haired youth was not an enemy.

However, it was getting hard for her to think.

Sweat was dripping down her face.

Her body was getting unusually cold.

Her eyelids were getting drowsy.

And it was then when Mayumi heard Rin’s frantic worrying from the edge of her consciousness.

「Hey, Newbie! Keep it together!」

(Ah-?)

As Rin gently nudged the scruffy-haired girl’s body, the sweat which dribbled from her head fell into Mayumi’s mouth.

An iron flavour assaulted her tastebuds as she once again lost herself to the darkness of sleep.

However, before she entered her slumber, she was struck by an epiphany.

It wasn’t her sweat which poured heavily down her face.

It was blood.

「Newbie!」

「Newbie!」

The girl with navy blue hair anxiously shook Mayumi’s shoulders, her complexion paling as concern vividly showed across her face.

Yet, in spite of her panic, Rin was still able to think things through rationally, her mind racing as she began to contemplate how she should deal with the situation.

(This isn’t good. I have almost no experience in first-aid.)

『It would be best to hurry up and take her to a doctor.』

In the midst of the girl’s turmoil, a voice similar to Rin’s echoed distinctly throughout her consciousness.

A voice which bore no ill-will as it made a calm suggestion.

『Right. Shizuka-sensei would know what to do.』

Understanding what she needed to do now, Rin nodded to the voice’s instructions as she quickly lifted Mayumi onto her back whilst affirming her next objective.

And then, with all her might-

(Please, Newbie. Don’t die!)

-the girl pleaded thus as her ponytail twisted wildly behind her petite frame.