Asuna immediately drank up the beverage in the flute glass that just arrived, then just like me, let out a long sigh. She used her light brown eyes that had let their guard down somewhat to look at me, and murmured to me with a barely audible voice, “We...anyway, for today...thanks.” “Heh!?” Asuna stared at me, who’s looking shocked, and said again, “It’s a word of thanks. For guarding me.” “Ahh...no, well, erm, y- you’re welcome.” Normally, in our clearing group meetings, I would often debate with her intensely over the weaknesses of the boss and the positioning of the vanguards and the rearguards, so after hearing such an unexpected thanks, I was really flabbergasted. Asuna then chuckled and leaned back against the chair. She then stared off into the sky with a expression much more gentle than before, and whispered, “It felt like...that was the first time...I slept so soundly since I came here...” “Is...Isn’t that an exaggeration?” “Not at all, it’s true. Normally, I’ll sleep for 3 hours at most before waking up.” I wet my mouth with the sour-sweet fluid in the cup and asked, “That’s not because the alarm clock woke you up?” “Yeah. It’s not as serious as insomnia...but I would get a nightmare and end up waking up.”