A/N: 21.08.12 — Every italic in this chapter is from either the novel or the anime.
xi. (the) strength
is Oreki Houtarou
.
"He'd be strength, of course. It fits him perfectly."
Eru had doubted it.
'I often find Oreki-san being able to sharply observe things that are out of the ordinary. But most of the time Oreki-san tends to be slow in getting things done. So it's hard to determine whether he's a reliable person or not.'
With the number of their anthologies in mind and the Kanya festival awaiting at the next sunrise, she prayed.
"Please bless us with good fortune for the next three days. Please let us overcome this mountain."
And at last, Hyoukas were sold out, every single one. She was exhilarated.
"Actually, I think Houtarou's figured out one or two things about the Juumonji incident."
Needless to say, her curiosity was still peaked by the incident but almost unconsciously, she knew that their success was all thanks to him. She knew.
"Oreki-san, you never do anything for yourself. Why did you want to look into this today?"
Days after that, she was so glad she decided to go to the public library with him.
"I guess it's less of being 'insensitive' and more of 'not knowing how someone feels'. Though, I'll probably never meet him again so it's not like I'd need to know how he feels."
All at once, she finally realized what she'd known for a long time but had never been aware of it before.
"That's.. very.. I don't know how to say it.. I'm glad I could see a different side of you today."
And Eru was certain.