The Power of Kotodama
Despite her lack of confidence during our first meeting, Kyra diligently participated in every training session.
But...
H-hiyah...!
Kyra, running over at full speed, threw a punch with all her might at the training dummy.
Harder!
...Harder?
But... I'm too weak...
Kyra's physical abilities... are far below average, to be honest.
Captain, I'm sorry...!
Kyra's sorry for being a wimp...
At this rate, she can't even beat a kid, much less a slime...
In situations like this, it would be better to focus on the Journey member's strengths rather than their weaknesses.
And Kyra has a special power that no one else possessed.
Kyra.
Yes?
Why don't you give that Kotodama thing a try?
K-Kotodama?
No...
Last time, you didn't get hurt because you were just lucky.
You'll definitely get hurt this time, Captain.
Let's test that theory, then.
...Test?
Even if Kotodama affects you, you're strong enough to handle it?
No... You don't get it, Captain.
Kotodama doesn't work the way Kyra wants it to.
There's no telling what might happen...
I don't fully understand Kyra's Kotodama either.
So my talk about being immune to it is just a wild guess at this point.
I can't say I'm not scared, but...
I wouldn't be the Journey Captain if I couldn't properly assess my members' abilities.
I'll be fine. Let's do it.
Uh... Are you sure?
Really, really, really sure?
Yeah. Let's start with that dummy over there.
Kyra hesitated for a while, looking anxious, then finally nodded.
I'll... I'll start, okay?
Okay! Go for it!
Ngh...
F-fall over!
Kyra mustered up her courage and shouted, but the dummy didn't budge.
It's no use.
...Kotodama doesn't work the way Kyra wants it to.
Don't give up! You can do it!
...
Ngh...
All right. I'll try again.
Kyra lowered her mask slightly and glared at the dummy with a serious expression.
Fly away.
A sudden gust of wind kicked up a cloud of sand and dust.
Ngh...?!
...Huh?!
A-are you okay?
I'm sorry, Captain.
Are you hurt—
...Hmm? You didn't fall over?
I'm fine. Just got some dust in my eyes.
Thank goodness...
What happened to the dummy...?
...It's over there.
When I turned my gaze to where Kyra was pointing...
The training dummy has crashed against the wall and shattered to pieces.
Wow, that's some serious power!
I-I just got lucky this time...
If I had messed up, you could've been blown away too, Captain...
I knew it... This is way too dangerous.
Kyra... shouldn't have signed up for the Journey...
Captain, you don't have to push yourself for someone like Kyra...
As Kyra fidgeted with a toy, I reached out to comfort her, when...
Ah, no!
STAY BACK!!!
With her shout, a massive gust of wind roared around us.
Hrrrgh...!!
I was startled, but... my body and the surroundings were unharmed.
I'm okay.
...That can't be. How...?
I-I just...
I got scared, and...
Once again, Kyra's Kotodama affected the area around her, but had no effect on me.
Despite the windstorm, I felt no force or pressure against me.
...Want to try saying something else?
I-I shouldn't...
Captain, it's really dangerous...!
It's okay. I don't know why, but...
It seems like your Kotodama doesn't work on me.
That can't be...
Trust me. Go ahead.
Really...? Is it okay?
Captain, you could seriously get hurt, you know?
Ngh...
Okay... Here it goes...
M-move away!
Along with a gust of wind, a dummy slid across the floor and toppled over.
...Whoa!
...Ah?
Th-then...
Go away!
Be more forceful!
More... forceful?
...V-vanish?!
The remaining dummies creaked and shattered on the spot.
But standing in the middle, I remained completely unharmed.
...You were right...
For some reason, Kyra's power didn't affect me at all.
From now on, when you're with me...
You can say whatever you want, Kyra.
With the Captain... I can actually talk...
...Yeah.
Okay.
...Captain?
Hmm?
...Never mind.
Kyra stared at me with a peculiar expression before smiling faintly.
For reasons unknown, her uncontrollable power has no effect on me.
I hope this has lifted some of the burden she was carrying.
That being said...
I should probably clean up the shattered dummies before Claire sees them.
Ah... Ahh...
Someone I can talk to freely...
Someone who isn't put off by my power...
Captain...
For the... for the very first time...
I've found someone I can really talk to...!
Captain...! Ahh, Captain...!
Right now, I just want to keep talking...! I want to say everything...!
Ahh...!