Editing Masou Gakuen HxH:Volume 11 Short Story (section)

===Part 2===

The trees that were sparsely growing were gradually increasing, by the time they arrived at the center it had completely become a deep forest. Branches and leaves were growing thickly above their head, obstructing the sunlight. The space there wasn’t afternoon or night, but a mysterious space.

「This is……」

Inside the dimness, a bluish white light was blanketing the space.

It was flowers.

The flowers resembled a lily, however they were a white flower he had never seen before.

Their petals were faintly emitting bluish white light.

「This is……the remaining investigation?」

「Yes. I want to see it together with Kizuna……」

「Is that so……eh?」

Kizuna sent her a questioning gaze.

「Ah」

In a panicked state, Aine crouched down and start plucking flowers.

「Rather than that, quickly collect the sample!」

Aine’s fingers snapped off the base of that flower’s stalk. At that moment, the light of the petals became faintly stronger.

「Nn……this aroma?」

A choking sweet aroma tickled Kizuna’s nasal cavity.

──’Did I only not notice it until now?’

Aine made a bouquet of flowers and held it on her chest.

「This is a nice smell……though I didn’t notice it until just now.」

Aine brought her face close to the bouquet and breathed in that aroma.

「……-?」

Aine’s body suddenly staggered.

「Aine!?」

Kizuna immediately reached out his hand and caught Aine’s body.

「Tha, thank yo……it’s nothing. I’m only staggering a bit.」

Kizuna felt uneasy, but Aine was persistent that she was all right. Kizuna gathered the scattered flower before returning to the beach while constantly being watchful so he could support Aine any time.

「Aa, captaiiin! Where have you gone desu?」

Sylvia dashed on the beach towards him.

「My bad. There is a plant that we forgot to collect for a bit……」

「Is it the flower bouquet that captain is holding desu? It’s giving off a really nice smell desu.」

Kizuna pulled out a flower from the bouquet and fixed it in Sylvia’s hair.

「Tha……thank you very much desu.」

Sylvia’s cheeks puffed red and her eyes narrowed bashfully.

「Muu……」

Aine bluntly puffed up her cheeks and she grabbed away the bouquet from Kizuna’s hand.

「I’ll take this to the tent. Thanks for coming along with me okay!」

She said that with angry yell, and with a back that spoke how angry she was, Aine walked towards the tent for storing the collected sample.

Sylvia tilted her head in wonder.

「Did something happen desu?」

「No……it’s fine if she is that energetic.」

「?」

Kizuna led Sylvia who still looked puzzled and also headed towards the sea where everyone was waiting.