Ash skillfully gathered the Sword Maiden's long hair. He didn't dislike this task. Although he wasn't obsessed with hair, the Sword Maiden's silky, smooth hair felt like satin. Helping her tie her hair brought inexplicable joy, and the back of her neck, revealed by the gathered hair, was equally pleasant to look at. First, he tied a small ponytail with the front hair, leaving a loop, and then threaded the big ponytail through it, ensuring the hairline didn't get too tight and the large ponytail in the back didn't droop due to being lifted by the small ponytail.
"Nothing will change," Sonia suddenly said. "I will still hate you, but still don't want to leave you."
Ash paused, finishing her hair.
Sonia turned to look at him and stated a question in a declarative tone: "Even though you apologized, you're still not going to change, right?"
"Yes." Ash almost forced himself to say this word.
"Then that's how it's going to be," Sonia said softly. "This is the only way it can be."
