Editing Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica:Volume 7 Chapter 1 (section)

===Part 14===
 
Ousawa Akatsuki said in a very firm tone.
 
"Even though I think you are happy that you become increasingly better friends me, Miu and CLass Rep. At the same, somewhere in the back of your mind there is an indescribable fear that this genuine friendship will suddenly disappear...... and whether you would withstand the loss. So you proposed this party -- right?"
 
So ......
 
"...... Haha, I surrender."
 
Along with the self-mockery, Chikage through her hands in the air.
 
"It is as you say Akatsuki. There is a part of me that always wants to be needed by someone. However, doesn't everyone have these kind of thoughts more or less? Furthermore isn't it only natural for friends to accommodate to each other? I don't think there is anything wrong with that."
 
It should also be understandable to maintain a persistent attitude.
 
Chikage evasive eyes revealed such a message.
 
However Akatsuki won't endorse Chikage's excuses.
 
-- At the sleepover today, Chikage and Miu's bonds with everyone had deepened.
 
Except, Chikage was still wearing a mask.
 
Making all that effort totally meaningless. If it wasn't the real Chikage there was no value in the current situation.
 
However, Chikage smiley face mask was very strong, and won't come off so easily.
 
Still to have some meaning today's get together.
 
Ousawa Akatsuki -- can't stop at this point.
 
"Before Listy returned to the room with all you guys she seemed a little apprehensive, so I played a little prank on her to get her mind off it. If I guessed right......it was because she worried and probably saying 'she will become a burden to everyone', right?"
 
"Amazing, you completely foresaw that......you really know Listy-san's personality like the back of your hand."
 
Chikage was trying to pretend to be calm. Akatsuki continued to press on, intending to break that mask of her's.
 
"-- If that was the case, then you guys probably said something like 'we will never abandon you.'?"
 
Just as he finished .....
 
"-!"
 
Startled, Chikage gasped. Proving that everything he surmised was unmistaken. Then her shoulders started to shake at first followed by her whole body shaking.
 
Therefore, Akatsuki pressed for an answer.
 
"However from the outset those words were not for Listy. If today you gave up on has Listy, the moment you became a burden it is likely that you would be abandoned. Your deepest and darkest fear."
 
"I, I ......"
 
Chikage said with trembling voice, her face lost its previous confidence.
 
Her mask -- had been stripped off.
 
Then Akatsuki lightly touched Chikage's shoulder.
 
"-?"
 
Chikage's whole body received a shock.
 
She looked back at Akatsuki.
 
Looking back into Chikage's eyes, Akatsuki floated a wry smile on his face.
 
"When I went to the room before to see if "someone" was crying. Actually, that someone I was concerned about was not Miu or Listy, but you."
 
While saying that he pulled Chikage over.
 
"-----Ah!"
 
Chikage let out a feeble voice. Akatsuki hands wrapped around Chikage's back, and look into her eyes.
 
"Why is it that you think people don't need you? Is it anxiety? Do you think that if you don't play the good classmate, the good friend, the good sister no one will need you? However, doesn't this mean you don't believe in your friends, and don't trust me and Miu."
 
"B-because......"
 
Chikage looked down at the ground.
 
"A little while ago, you felt it was very painful. With much effort everybody got closer to each other, but you could not open your heart and connect with everyone. For that you hated yourself more than anything."
 
"B-b-because......!"
 
Chikage looking up, staring at Akatsuki.
 
Crying.
 
"Becoming the person everybody needs, isn't that common desire of everyone ......?"
 
Chikage said,
 
"I don't want a person to be all alone ... ... I'm tired of being alone -- I can."
 
She squeezed out her heartfelt cries.
 
The root of Chikage Izumi's suffering.
 
Therefore......
 
"-- Don't worry, I won't leave you."
 
While saying, Akatsuki tightly hugged Chikage.
 
"Haven't you've been by our side all along, and on the other hand...... haven't I always been by your side, isn't that so? Ah, beside me there is Miu, you are not one bit alone. Chikage -- I am the same as you, I want to become the person you need."
 
"......Akatsuki, you do?"
 
Chikage raised her voice in surprise. Akatsuki nodded "Ah" and released her.
 
"Or do you not want me by your side?"
 
".................."
 
Chikage was quite for a while. At last,
 
"......How could... ... I not want that....."
 
She quietly said with her voice trembling, then embrace Akatsuki on her own.
 
Therefore, Akatsuki embraced her closely in return.
 
Her actions signified that Izumi Chikage took off her mask, and a completely new bond was born between the two.