---

**Hero Zion’s Rehabilitation Week 21.**

The Rehabilitation Center was in a flurry of activity to welcome guests.

“Come on, hurry, hurry~! Today is the day Hero Zion’s companions are coming, so we need to be quick~!!”

Under Mirae’s command, the staff moved efficiently.

But more than that… I thought to myself…

“Mirae! Have I ever ordered this kind of stuff?”

“No? Never, right?”

“Then what on earth is all this?”

I had never instructed the staff to do anything like this. They’d prepared flower paths and banners without saying a word to me.

Colorful flowers lined the walkway of the center, creating a festive atmosphere to welcome the guests, and at the entrance hung a banner that read, “We welcome the beloved Princess Now Troiat, companion of Hero Zion, and Director Hanamana Cherrybell.”

“This is a gift we’ve prepared with one heart since the schedule was announced last time.”

“If you were gonna do something like this, you should have told me! Why do it secretly?”

“Because it was obvious that Hero would refuse.”

“…….”

It was indeed the type of welcome event that would be canceled if Zion found out, as Mirae stated, but for the staff to prepare this without informing me, the director?

It was a situation that made me sigh involuntarily, but I couldn’t scold them since it was all done with good intentions…

“Ha… What about the costs?”

“Umm~ One heart, one purpose?”

“Seriously. Do you have receipts?”

“Of course, we do.”

“Then bill it to the corporation. I’m gonna process the expenses.”

“Yes, understood~ Yay, that’s our teacher~!”

Seeing the receipts were already in hand, I guess they thought it was a given.

Seriously, why do our staff like Zion so much…

“Teacher Hop? What’s going on here…?”

Was Zion also perplexed? At some point, he wheeled himself out to check outside.

“I didn’t order this; the staff really wanted to welcome the princess and Hanamana.”

“It’s quite a grand welcome party. When the two of them come in later, are we all going to stand in line waving or throwing flowers to welcome them?”

“Um…”

I wondered if they really planned to do that, but given that this had all progressed without my knowledge, I couldn’t guarantee they wouldn’t have such preparations.

“I have to tell Mirae to stop that.”

Anyways, today was the day Now and Hanamana were visiting our center.

In fact, we even received an official letter from the Keroa Empire saying the princess was coming.

What on earth could be the reason for Hanamana to visit here as well?

Officially, it was stated as just a tour, but it clearly looked like they were coming to see Zion. Perhaps they wanted to check on his rehabilitation progress?

Or maybe the whole Hero Party simply wanted to gather after a long time to reminisce.

The patients and staff at the center seemed extremely excited about the fact that the former Hero Party was gathering here, so I had to get my act together and welcome our guests.

Now and Hanamana weren’t just members of the Hero Party; they were distinguished guests from various countries.

********

“Princess Now Troiat of the Keroa Empire has arrived.”

Now appeared from the teleportation gate in the Noden Kingdom’s Magic Tower.

“You’ve come, Now.”

“Hanamana…”

And waiting for her was Hanamana, who had already arrived.

“I never imagined that you would be the first to suggest we meet up.”

“Y-yeah? It’s surprising, isn’t it? To think I’d have the gall to invite the princess and the hero…”

“Hanamana hasn’t changed much since three years ago. You’re still going around saying such things?”

“I’m sorry! Anyway, things won’t improve with me…”

“Really, Hanamana…”

It had been almost three and a half years since they’d last met, and even though it felt like a headache facing the unchanged Hanamana, she also brought a sense of nostalgia that made me smile.

“By the way, you’ve met Director Hop?”

“Since Hanamana is the director of the Sacred Law Country Rehabilitation Center, my senior came to check on me.”

“Ah, I’ve heard about it. Is the center doing well?”

“It’s probably similar to other rehabilitation centers, busy every day and overflowing with patients…”

“You’re working hard.”

“Thank you, Now. But about Zion…”

Hanamana shifted the focus to the main topic.

The reason the two of them decided to visit the kingdom’s center together was…

“The decision to give the sphere of Iris to Hop must have been made by Zion, right?”

“Of course. I handed the sphere over to Zion, but I can’t force him on how to use it.”

“In that case, we need to verify if my senior has the right to possess that.”

Hanamana’s eyes were resolute.

Though she appeared very different from usual, Now didn’t seem too surprised.

She had somewhat anticipated that the mood would turn like this from the moment Hanamana called for her.

Hanamana usually showed signs of clumsiness and lack of confidence, but now, having thought it through and made a careful decision, she was completely a different person. Sometimes, it could even be an issue when she spends more time deliberating than necessary.

Anyway, quick decision-making was Now, while long-term planning was Hanamana. The two had always made decisions for the Hero Party based on the situation.

“But, Hanamana. It was Zion’s decision…”

“I wouldn’t object to a different decision, but passing that over is different. Iris isn’t just Zion’s companion.”

The two exchanged opinions simply and then got into the wagon headed towards the rehabilitation center from the Magic Tower.

“Furthermore… there might be other companions besides Iris that need to be handed over to my senior.”

“…….”

Only after they got inside the carriage did Hanamana broach the truly important topic.

It had been three and a half years since Iris’s death, and truth be told, who held Iris’s sphere wasn’t really important at this point.

What mattered was that Zion decided to hand it over.

What mattered was how Zion viewed Hop.

“Now, can we trust the current Zion? If it were his prime, I wouldn’t doubt his decisions, but honestly, I’m not sure. I’m worried that Zion, having softened, might make a wrong decision…”

Hanamana trailed off.

Her words raised heavy suspicion about both Zion, who was a former companion, and Hop, his rehabilitation senior.

Of course, it was natural for her heart to grow heavy.

“If you ask me if I can believe him, I can’t confidently say I do…”

And remembering the question, Now recalled the expression on Zion’s face when they were in the carriage together.

The face he made when he said he wanted to give a hundred-day anniversary gift; she had told him that was something only lovers do.

The way he blushed, resting his hands on his cheeks, was a look she had never seen before, even after having many adventures with him.

Zion truly looked… so happy in that moment.

“I still want to believe. Maybe Zion has truly found happiness.”

Now wished for Zion’s happiness. And that was not just her thought; Hanamana likely shared the same sentiment.

From now on, the two were headed to confirm that.

What kind of relationship did Zion and Hop have, and what feelings did they hold for each other?

***************

“Thank you both for coming. I am Hop Harvey, director of the Kingdom Rehabilitation Medicine Center.”

“It’s been a while, Director Hop. Now Troiat, 3rd Princess of the Keroa Empire.”

“I am Hanamana, director of the Sacred Law Country Rehabilitation Center. Nice to meet you.”

I greeted the two as they stepped out of the wagon with a brief self-introduction.

“I, I’m…!”

Was Zion wanting to introduce himself with some kind of title?

He could just introduce himself as hero Zion Laurel.

But perhaps suitable titles didn’t come to mind. As he stumbled over his words in confusion, he eventually lowered his head.

“Ugh. I’m Zion.”

“You don’t need to use honorifics here, and there’s no need to force yourself to introduce. Hero Zion Laurel is a name that no one in this world doesn’t know.”

“Now…”

Now smiled and comforted him, but Zion just gave a bitter smile, seeming not very comforted at all.

Titles… Now thought back to the time when they were at the Sacred Law country; Zion had said he felt like nothing in this world.

Was he still worried about such things?

“Um… Speaking of which, Zion also has work to do at our center, so how about we consider employing him as an honorary member later on?”

“Huh? Employ? Me?”

“Zion is our center’s hope and icon. He’s actually helping in the treatment of patients, so he has a role. I’ll think of a fitting title for him; something he’d like.”

“Teacher Hop…”

Zion finally smiled faintly.

“…Thanks. You don’t have to worry that much.”

“How can I not worry when you look like that?”

“That expression? Me?”

“Zion will probably never realize how much his feelings show on his face throughout his life.”

“Ugh. Am I really that transparent?”

Of course, you are. Even now, as you ask that, Zion’s exasperated expression is all over his face.

“You look good, Director Hop.”

“What?”

Hanamana suddenly chimed in, startled, causing me to blurt out in surprise.

Oh no, I forgot the guests while talking with Zion.

“I’m sorry, Hanamana. And Your Highness. Let me show you inside.”

What was that atmosphere from Hanamana just now…?

Did she say I look good, or was she just distracted by Zion?

With such a sudden visit and an unusual mood, I felt a bit flustered but had to gather my thoughts.

The Hero Party was all gathered together. Right now, the most urgent thing was to figure out why both of them decided to visit at the same time.

 

---