After the battle, they quickly carried Satou into the carriage and rushed toward the nearest village.
The moment they arrived, the villagers helped bring him into a small room at the local inn.
Blood had soaked through the bandages on his back.
Dia kept casting healing magic over and over.
"Rosalia-san, stop," Leo said firmly. "You've already used too much magic."
"I'm fine," she insisted.
But she didn't stop.
Again and again, healing light poured from her hands.
Hours passed before the deep wound finally began to close.
By the time the bleeding stopped, Dia's body was trembling from exhaustion.
Leo sighed.
"You should get some rest, Rosalia-san."
"I'm fine," she said quietly. "Let me stay beside him."
Leo hesitated for a moment.
Then he nodded and slowly left the room.
---
The door closed behind him.
Silence filled the space.
Dia sat beside the bed.
She gently reached for Satou's hand.
Thank goodness.
His hand had started to warm up again.
Back then… it had felt so cold.
Her fingers slowly tightened around his hand.
If Satou-kun disappears…
What will happen to me?
Her mind drifted back.
The ambush.
The bandits.
The moment he protected her.
And then—
The promise.
"When we grow up, let's get married. Right here in this cabin."
Satou had said it so confidently back then.
Dia let out a quiet laugh.
"Hehe… you were so cute at that time."
Her gaze softened as she looked at his sleeping face.
Satou-kun always protected her.
Always.
Even during the bonfire earlier that night.
"Besides, this time I'm here to protect you."
He had said that while patting her head.
"We all have each other's backs, right?"
Dia lowered her head slightly.
Satou-kun…
You keep sacrificing yourself for me.
And yet… I've never done anything for you.
A strange feeling slowly spread inside her chest.
Warm.
Heavy.
Overflowing.
I love you.
Her dark eyes slowly deepened.
Something else mixed into them now.
Fear.
Anger.
Desperation.
And love.
I love you.
I love you.
I love you.
If Satou-kun disappears…
What will happen to me?
I love you.
I love you.
I love you.
That must never happen again.
i love you i love you i love you i love you
i love you i love you i love you i love you
i love you i love you i love you i love you
i love you i love you i love you i love you
i love you i love you i love you i love you
Dia leaned closer to his sleeping face.
Her fingers tightened around his hand.
"Hehe…"
"This time…"
"You're not allowed to leave me, Satou-kun."
---
Satou slowly opened his eyes.
A different ceiling came into view.
"Where am I this time…?"
He tried to move.
"Ugh—"
Pain shot through the right side of his back.
Then he felt something warm holding his hand.
He turned his head slightly.
A pink-haired girl was sitting beside the bed, asleep.
"Dia-chan…"
He whispered softly near her ear.
Her eyes slowly opened.
For a moment she looked confused.
Then relief flooded her face.
"Ah—Satou-kun! You're alive!"
She quickly leaned forward and hugged him gently.
"Are you okay, Dia-chan?" he asked.
She slowly let go and smiled brightly.
"Yep, I'm fine~"
"Thanks to you protecting me."
Satou blinked for a moment.
Then he looked at her face.
Her pink hair.
Her soft smile.
And her black eyes.
Hm?
Something feels different…
Maybe it's just my imagination.
He shook the thought away.
"Right… where are Leo and Taiga?"
"They're at the inn," she replied.
"I see. Could you call them for me?"
"Okay~"
Dia stood up and quietly walked toward the door.
As she left the room, Satou leaned back against the bed.
So I survived…
He let out a small breath.
And I managed to protect Dia-chan.
Slowly, he closed his eyes again.