Editing Unlimited Fafnir:Brynhildr Valkyries Chapter 2 (section)

===Part 6===

"Okay, to celebrate passing the test, cheers!"

Miyako raised her full glass of orange juice and took the lead.

Inside my not particularly spacious room, all members of Brynhildr Class had gathered, including Haruka-san.

"Cheers~!"

I concurred and bumped glasses with everyone.

"...I thank you all sincerely from the bottom of my heart for volunteering to join the Dragon Subjugation Squad. Let us gather our powers together and fight when an emergency comes up."

Haruka-san bowed her head slightly and thanked us.

"Onee-chan, is the Dragon Subjugation Squad that in need of people?"

Finishing her orange juice in one breath, Miyako asked Haruka-san.

"Well, there are very few people willing to take on risky jobs. Although Ds wield potent powers, there is no obligatory reason to fight."

Smiling wryly, Haruka-san replied.

Indeed, hopes were placed on Ds as trump cards in battles against dragons. However, from our perspective, this was merely one out of various options to contribute to society. Whether we fight or not was a choice for us to make on our own.

Hence... It was only natural that the majority had no wish to put themselves in danger.

"Umm, I have a rather impertinent question—"

Lisa-san spoke hesitantly to Haruka-san.

"What's your question?"

"Haruka-san, do you have a reason to fight?"

The answer to Lisa-san's question was something I also wanted to know. How was Haruka-san going to answer? With my lips pressed to the edge of my glass, I secretly observed Haruka-san's expression.

"Well... I do have one—but it might not be the kind of noble reason that would resonate with you girls."

Hearing this, Firill-san tilted her head.

"Is it... something like revenge against dragons?"

"No, I don't have any motive as clear-cut as that. Although my parents had suffered from the dragon disasters caused by Vritra—before I was born—that's something too far off in the past for me. On a personal level, I don't feel any particular hatred towards dragons."

Miyako nodded at Haruka-san's explanation.

"We never got caught up in any dragon disasters."

"Indeed—If there is a target to hate, it would be NIFL if anything."

Haruka-san whispered in a voice of revulsion.

"NIFL...?"

I wondered what this was about while repeating her words.

"Back when I was sent here, Midgard was still under NIFL's management as an isolation facility for Ds. As it so happened, the Ds' human rights movement started at the time, so I did not suffer any inhumane treatment. However, living under strict and total control was very stifling, to be honest."

Haruka-san clenched her fist and spoke forcefully.

"Does this relate to the Dragon Subjugation Squad?"

Lisa-san leaned forward and asked Haruka-san.

"Indeed, I want to prove that myself—and all Ds—are beneficial to humanity. That we are more valuable than those people at NIFL who treated me like a monster."

"Onee-chan hates losing after all—"

Miyako smiled with a shrug.

"Miyako, please hold your tongue. Well—Consequently, I went to assist in transmuting scarce resources while actively participating in the planning of operations to take down dragons. Before I knew it, I was already holding office as both student council president and the captain of the Dragon Subjugation Squad."

Haruka-san coughed then went back on topic.

"—Oh I see now. Thank you for telling me all this, Haruka-san. It will be very valuable for reference."

Lisa-san bowed her head solemnly and thanked Haruka-san.

"Not at all, no need to thank me. Rather, I was afraid I might've disillusioned you all..."

"Nothing of that sort! I believe that your intentions are very noble, Haruka-san!"

As Lisa-san shook her head frantically, I also concurred.

"Haruka-san, you are fighting for the sake of all Ds—I respect you very much!"

"Ooh... Stop flattering me."

Haruka-san shyly avoided my gaze.

"Haruka-san is blushing. That's so cute..."

Haruka-san's face grew even redder after she heard Firill's murmuring.

"Onee-chan is someone who easily gets embarrassed! Come on, let's all continue to praise her! Make her turn even redder!"

"Enough, Miyako! I give you an inch and you'll take a mile!"

Haruka-san smacked Miyako, the culprit who was instigating us, on the head.

"Oww—that's so mean, Onee-chan!"

Holding her head in an exaggerated manner, Miyako smiled happily.

I also relaxed my tense expression.

Haruka-san was truly amazing. And today, after joining the Dragon Subjugation Squad, I had gotten one step closer to her.

Although Nii-san, whose whereabouts were unknown, was still far beyond reach—As long as I kept on working hard like Haruka-san, one day, surely...

I prayed intensely in my heart for Nii-san to join in these happy everyday lives of ours.

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