> Kira PoV <

　　�

　　Gather the mana.

　　�

　　Mold it into an image.

　　�

　　Give it a direction.

　　�

　　And, release!

　　�

　　"------ [Firestorm]"

　　�

　　A tornado of flames appears above the tower. I爓ave my staff to guide the spell, and it sways along.

　　�

　　It moves gracefully like Ellie does during her training. The fierce glow is just like the glint in her eyes whenever she focuses. And when it went out, it`s almost as if-

　　�

　　... went out?

　　�

　　Guh, I got distracted again and lost the spell. No good, I need to keep training my focus. If I don`t properly guide the mana, I can`t sustain the spell`s form.

　　�

　　It`s mostly okay during a job since the tension helps me concentrate. But at home where there`s no danger, I can`t do it.

　　�

　　My mind drifts off to Ellie at every opportunity. Somehow, if she`s not next to me I can`t settle down.

　　�

　　That first night we met, she already stole my heart. Her wonderful, elegant form just gripped my soul and wouldn`t let go!

　　�

　　That look that seemed to say `I will accept all of you` without doubts! Then, the softness of her body and the taste of her lips!

　　�

　　Kyuuuuu!

　　�

　　"Red, you alright?"

　　�

　　Who dares!

　　�

　　Kelly recoils when I glare at her.

　　牋

　　"Red, your eyes were scary just now..."

　　�

　　...

　　�

　　Oops, I got carried away again! She`s looking at me with a worried face.

　　�

　　"Sorry Kelly. And no, I don`t feel too good."

　　�

　　"You didn`t look too good either. Your breathing is ragged and your face is flushed.

　　�

　　I keep seeing you like that ever since I came here yesterday. Something tells me it started earlier than that, though."

　　�

　　That can`t be, right? Surely Ellie would tell me if she noticed something obvious like that.

　　�

　　She`s super kind, after all. She treats even the slightest scratches on me with utmost care. Even if she goes overboard sometimes I can`t bring myself to hate her for it.

　　If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.�

　　It`s all for my sake in the end.

　　�

　　"Red, you`re doing it again."

　　�

　　"Uuuu, I don`t know what to do with myself."

　　�

　　"Hey Nano, you`re always watching the girls right?"

　　�

　　{Please don`t say it like I`m a stalker.}

　　�

　　{But yes, I watch OVER them.}

　　�

　　"So you must`ve noticed Red`s condition right?"

　　�

　　{I did notice symptoms like these earlier, they started 3 days after the dragon hunt.}

　　�

　　{However, they were much more subdued and are like no sickness I know.}

　　�

　　"Hoooh, I see, I see, it`s like that huh?"

　　�

　　Kelly starts nodding with a knowing smile.

　　�

　　{Kelly, you`re familiar with these symptoms?}

　　�

　　"Aye, I`ve suffered a few times like that."

　　�

　　{Is it some magical disease after all?}

　　�

　　"That`s wrong, it`s not a disease, it`s something natural actually."

　　�

　　"Then can you help me with this Kelly? I can`t focus on my training like this."

　　�

　　"Sorry, Red."

　　�

　　Kelly shakes her head.

　　�

　　"It`s not something I can, uh, assist with.燦ormally I would be able to give some pointers but...

　　�

　　There`s certain, ummm, mechanical issues, with this case."

　　�

　　"Ah!"

　　�

　　I just remembered something. Something rather vital.

　　�

　　"Thanks for your help Kelly, I think I know what you mean.

　　�

　　Nano, I`ll be needing your input later!"

　　�

　　{Hmm, so it`s something I didn`t know about after all?}

　　�

　　Kelly let out a chuckle at Nano`s question.

　　�

　　"Well, to be fair Nano, there`s no way you could know.

　　�

　　After all, you`re not a person, right?"