章 184: A Journey Anew

The question seemed to be mutually unknown between the four of them, Aiko having just returned from her "morning tea time"--adjusting her gauntlets as she sat down on a fallen cedar. 

"Macheo still needs some time to adjust to his arm, and your body is still layered in bruises, Ren."

Iris responded, going over this as she looked down at her hands, circling a strand of her azure hair around her index finger. 

"I'm fine."

"I'm okay."

Macheo and Ren responded in unison, shooting glances at each other at the unexpected synchronization. 

"You--you're not fine, both of you!...Ren, you told me about it, didn't you? Purgatory...it's unforgiving, right? Why're you in such a rush?"

"I was alone before; that's not the case anymore, is it? Part of that hell was....looking for you. I wasn't able to think clearly, but I'm fine now, really, Iris."