Sky Striker Princess, but the swan song of Valkyrie.

"It feels like I've gone back to that time."

Pulling Rei from outside the door into the room, Kohinata Mirai felt a little emotional. Then, she naturally began to tidy up the bed in the room.

"Let me state upfront that I am not going to sleep in this place."

Stepping inside, observing her actions, Lingyi made a prior statement to prevent the other party from having any unrealistic fantasies.

"Is it wrong to bully someone?"

Kohinata Mirai paused for a moment, then turned back with a pleading look in her eyes.

"I have no problem with you sleeping here tonight, but I can't rest here."

Rei shook her head, crossed her arms, and shook her head again, shattering Kohinata's fantasy about the future.

"...It's alright. It's good that you're still willing to come, Lingyi. But, it should be okay if we just sit together on the edge of the bed."

Kohinata Mirai was somewhat disappointed, but then she thought of something and tentatively asked.

"That's fine... Hey, is there really such a rush?"

Before Lingyi could finish speaking, Kohinata Mirai, as if afraid she would change her mind, pulled her to the bedside.

"No... I'm not in a hurry, I'm just too curious about what you're going to tell me."

Pulling Lingyi to sit on the edge of the bed, and leaning against her, Kohinata Mirai took a breath, put on a smile again, and tilted her head to explain.

Rei remained silent for a moment after Kohinata Mirai's actions, but ultimately did not object, and simply silently took out her Flash Blade.

"Lingyi, what's going on?"

Kohinata Mirai didn't quite understand this action.

"Seal off this area, because what I'm about to tell you is my weakness, so the fewer people who know, the better. Flash Blade Sky Domain? Zero Zone."

While explaining this to Kohinata Mirai, Rei activated the Flash Blade in her hand. Soon, a high-tech beam of light extended from the two of them, spreading throughout the entire room.

"In this way, intelligence in this area will be blocked, and there will be no risk of being eavesdropped on. So, are you ready to listen, Kohinata?"

After putting the Flashblade back in place, Zero breathed a slight sigh of relief and looked at the somewhat nervous Kohinata Mirai beside her.

Chapter Forty-Four Mental Illness

The light and shadow covered the surrounding walls, rippling and blocking various types of information, including sound, light, and electromagnetic fields.

"Post-traumatic stress disorder and paranoia, you must have heard of these two concepts to some extent, right, Kohinata?"

In the glowing room of Kohinata Mirai, Rei, after careful consideration, asked her the question first.

"well? "

Her blue-green pupils trembled violently, and after hearing Zero's question, Kohinata Mirai's expression wavered drastically.

She was familiar with the concepts of these two terms, having heard of them more or less in daily life; they were terms for two very serious mental illnesses.

After developing such a mental illness, one often experiences intense mental anguish, is unable to control their behavior, and suffers from a variety of distressing symptoms.

Now, after her earnest request, Lingyi solemnly uttered these two terms to her, and the answer was self-evident.

"Lingyi, do you mean that you are currently suffering from both of these mental illnesses?"

Realizing this fact, Kohinata Mirai forced herself to remain calm and tentatively confirmed it with Rei.

What if she misunderstood? What if Lingyi had other intentions? After all, judging from her usual calm and composed demeanor, Lingyi is quite different from those patients.

"It seems you already understand, that's exactly right."

With unwavering gaze, Rei confirmed Kohinata's guess about the future.

"Well, you may still have some questions, after all, my behavior doesn't exactly qualify me as a patient with a mental illness, right?"

Since she had already decided to speak, Lingyi planned to answer all of the other party's possible questions directly.

"In this respect, it's because I used reason to restrain my mind. Mental problems stem from the inability to rationally view reality, so I used strong rationality and a lot of observation methods to forcibly restrain my mental rampage."

"For example, paranoia is caused by a misjudgment of the probability of harm happening in reality, leading one to believe that there will always be some kind of entity that wants to harm them."

"However, if I can use technology and reason to grasp all the information around me, then I can alleviate this paranoid symptom to some extent."

With her pupils remaining calm and still, Lingyi continued to explain to Xiaoyinxiang Mirai.

"Is that so...?"

Kohinata Mirai was still in disbelief. She never imagined that Rei, who seemed so strong, would suffer from such a mental illness.

"Lingyi, is there no cure for your mental illness, like seeing a doctor or something? Could it be because..."

Kohinata Mirai showed concern subconsciously, but then realized the inappropriateness of her words.

"Hmm, it seems you've figured it out, Kohinata. That's right, my paranoia is quite severe, so it's impossible for me to put myself completely unguarded with the 'doctor'."

Rei calmly explained the fact that Kohinata Mirai had realized.

"In fact, even now, I am still wary of you, Kohinata. The only reason I let you around me is because you are weak, too weak to cause me any harm."

“If you were a player like Tachibana or Chris, someone with the ability to wear Symphogear, I would never have let you end up like this today.”

In a calm tone, Rei explained this fact to Hinata Mirai without any emotion.

"How could I? I would never hurt you, Zero!"

Hearing Zero's doubtful statement, Kohinata Mirai became somewhat anxious.

"But you can't prove you can't, can you?"

"Even if we take a step back and assume you don't have any intention to cause harm, what if someone instigates you, what if you are used by someone, and many more 'what ifs'?"

But then, Zero calmly and slowly stated her opinion, rejecting Kohinata Mirai's suggestion.

"I……"

Faced with Rei's question, Kohinata Mirai had no way to refute it; she indeed could not guarantee the situation Rei described above.

"Of course, I know these are all very unlikely things. I am very clear that you, Kohinata, as well as Tachibana and Chris, have no ill intentions towards me."

"But my mind doesn't think that way. Once my reason relaxes even slightly, emotions such as doubt, vigilance, and fear will dominate my behavior."

Lingyi continued, saying that she was not stupid and naturally knew about the information of the people who were her enemies.

Knowing is one thing, but she couldn't let her emotions get the slightest bit involved in the situation. Her inner anxiety kept her on edge whenever she was around others.

"This is too painful. So, Lingyi, you can't trust anyone else now, and you can only continue to suffer like this?"

Listening to Rei's story, Kohinata Mirai lowered her head, a wave of sadness washing over her.

If what Lingyi said is true, then it means that she will have to keep her mind on high alert from now on, unable to relax, unable to trust, and will have to endure mental anguish.

To make matters worse, according to Lingyi, she is now trapped in an unsolvable cycle.

Lingyi's mind, tormented by post-traumatic stress disorder and paranoia, needs treatment, but treatment requires the participation of others. However, due to her mental state, Lingyi cannot trust anyone to help her.

In that case, Kohinata Mirai couldn't figure out how she could help Rei and help her resolve this mental anguish.

"Ugh……"

Seeing the pity mixed with despair in Kohinata Mirai's eyes, Rei sighed, reached out, and wiped away the sadness from the corner of her eyes.

"Zero clothing?"

Attracted by her movements, Kohinata Mirai raised her head again.

"Kohinata, you don't need to make that face. I actually have a way to solve my current psychological problems."

After drawing her attention, Lingyi casually recounted the fact.

"Hey, there's a way to solve this. What is it? If I can help..."

Upon hearing what Lingyi said, Kohinata Mirai subconsciously asked if she could help in any way she could, and said she would do anything to help.

"I regret that I cannot tell you this. You should know the reason very well, Kohinata. This is a very important plan for me, and I cannot tell someone I cannot completely trust."

Moreover, since you know all this, my goal of making you give up has already been achieved.

Shaking her head, Rei coldly rejected Kohinata Mirai's kind offer.

Chapter 45 We cannot separate yet.

[Lingyi is serious.]

Inside the room, Kohinata Mirai looked at the girl's expression and understood that this was the bottom line that the other party would never give up no matter what.

At the same time, an overwhelming sense of sadness and helplessness arose in her heart.

After this brief conversation, she realized that none of the actions she could take at that moment could melt the wall of ice that had been built into Lingyi's heart.

The word 'distrust' is so simple, yet it can justly shut out all warmth and conspiracy, concern and malice, sincerity and deception from one's heart.

You can rest assured, no one will be able to harm Lingyi again. Under the defensive wall built by suspicion and power, harm is impossible.

You can give up now. No one will be able to enter Lingyi's heart. All the warm and caring words will be covered in dust under the weight of doubt.

"So, it was a failure, Ming. In the end, I still couldn't convince you, Lingyi."

With sadness in her eyes, Kohinata Mirai lowered her head and dejectedly admitted that she had no way to help in this matter.

"You've done enough, and I appreciate your concern. However, my problems can't be solved in just a few words."

"So, you should take my advice and stop worrying about me. It will be easier for both of us."

Seeing that Kohinata Mirai had finally given up, Rei breathed a sigh of relief and gave her what she considered to be the most correct advice.

After all, her initial intention in telling Kohinata Mirai all this was to prevent the unrelated person from continuing to move towards the center of danger because of her.

"...Zero Clothes".

Kohinata Mirai did not respond to Zero's suggestion.

She raised her head again, looked directly at her former friend whose expression had remained unchanged throughout, and opened her arms.

"Kohinata, what's going on?"

Rei didn't quite understand Hinata's actions.

"I understand that there's nothing I can do to help you, Lingyi, but please, just consider it my selfishness, how about we sleep together tonight, like before?"

Kohinata Mirai's blue-green eyes held a complex mix of emotions, and her words carried a pleading tone.

"...I can only say that I will be beside you while you sleep, but it's impossible for us to sleep together. I can't let my guard down in an unsafe place."

Lingyi nodded and agreed to Kohinata's not unreasonable request without much hesitation, but she also expressed her attitude.

"It's okay, this is fine."

Shaking his head, Kohinata Mirai didn't say much. He took off his coat, hugged Rei's body, and pulled her down to lie on her side.

The fluorescent light had been withdrawn by the time the discussion ended, leaving only a few specks of starlight streaming into the room from outside.

On the warm bed, Kohinata Mirai hugged Rei tightly, burying her head in Rei's chest, and remained in that position without changing.

"Kohinata, you... never mind..."

Lingyi felt a little uncomfortable being treated like this, but then she felt the wetness and sobbing from her chest, which made her temporarily give in to the other person's actions.

"I'm sorry, if only I had been more vigilant back then... I'm sorry, if only I hadn't been so weak and dragged you down."

I know this is all useless regret, but I can't control these feelings. At least, I hope you can accept my apology.

A faint apology, tinged with sobs, echoed in the dark room, was accurately received, analyzed, and displayed before Zero's right eye.

There was no response. Although the current situation was touching, Lingyi was no longer swayed by such matters. The leniency she showed was the greatest response she could give.

After expressing her feelings, Kohinata Mirai, even though she felt unwilling, no longer harbored any regrets or desires.

Right now, all she wants to do is enjoy this rare moment, which she may only be able to reminisce about in her dreams, and cherish the time she spent getting close to her long-lost friends again.

The time spent embracing is like a lazy nap in a warm bed on a winter morning—warm, comfortable, yet fleeting.

As starlight is replaced by sunlight, even the longest dream will end.

Soon, after a slightly tighter hug to the soft, comfortable 'pillow' in her hands, Kohinata Mirai groggily opened her eyes.

Then, her still remarkably clear, extremely bright green pupils, and her uniquely charming face, were reflected in Kohinata Mirai's eyes.

A blush crept onto her cheeks as Kohinata Mirai recalled what had happened last night.

Then, thinking that she might not have such an opportunity again, she gently inhaled the other person's breath and closed her eyes again.

"Hey, Hinata, now that you're awake, I have work to do, so please excuse me."