#########-Kouki-#########
After finally leaving the labyrinth, we asked for assistance to take Meld-san, Allan and the other knights to a place when they could be taken care of.
That boy was telling the truth.
While we were fighting on the lower level, Kaori treated Meld-san's wounds, after that, she wanted to confirm whether the boy had told the truth, Meld-san guided them to where the knights were defeated.
...Apparently, they were hidden behind a wall, how did they found them? Because the wall had written "Knight hiding spot" on it, when they took down the wall, Allan and the others were there, heavily wounded but alive.
Kouki [Nagumo, that thing you said about the boy in the blue cloak taking Shimizu's body away... What does that mean?]
Hajime [It's as I said, Shimizu is dead and that guy took the body with him]
Kouki [...How did it happen?]
Hajime [I killed him]
Kouki [...I see...]
Hajime [...Won't you ask how did it happen or why I did it?]
Kouki [It doesn't matter, I probably won't understand...]
Hajime [...If you say so...]
??? [Papa~!]
An adorably melodious voice approached us from the front.
??? [Wait, Myu! You're going to fall if you run like that!]
A beautiful girl running after her.
Myu-chan and Shea-san, I guess they were waiting for Nagumo to come back.
I could hear a few voices shouting in unison behind me "Papa!?", "Nagumo's got a daughter!?", "Also, there's another pretty girl" and so on.
When Myu was finally in front of us, she stopped, she probably expected to be held by Nagumo but he was busy lending me his shoulder, she had a confused expression, the kind that meant a child wanted a solution or there would be crying.
Kouki [I can walk from here]
Hajime [...Right...]
I didn't need someone to tell me who had to move away.
Myu-chan jumped at Nagumo the moment I wasn't in the way.
I felt a hand on my shoulder.
Ryuutaro [Kouki-]
Kouki [Sorry, I want to be alone for a while...]
Without waiting for an answer I walked away from the noise behind me.
#########-Hajime-#########
Amanogawa left on his own.
Myu [Papa~, ehehehe~, welcome back~]
Hajime [Yeah, I'm back, were you a good girl?]
Myu [Myu is a good girl!]
Hajime [Of course you are, does that mean Shea was the bad girl?]
Shea [Hajime-san, that's so mean-desu~, I did a good job taking care of Myu~]
Shea's eyes became teary after hearing my exchange with Myu.
Shea[-Wait! Hajime-san, your arm is gone-!?]
Hajime [It's fine, it's a prosthesis]
Shea [That's not what I mean-desu!]
*Sight*... What a noisy rabbit.
Myu [Is Papa hurt? Does Papa need a "Pain pain go away~"]
Hajime [I'm fine, don't worry, but Yue and Tio are not feeling well so they may need some]
Myu nodded with a smile a headed to Yue and Tio.
Shea [Seriously Hajime-san, what happened down there?]
Shea at least could see something serious had happened.
Hajime [Did anyone leaving the labyrinth got your attention? Preferably someone really flashy]
Shea [Hm~... Not really]
I see, I supposed as much...
We'll need to be extra careful from now on...
Hajime [Sakagami]
Ryuutaro [Eh? Ah... What's up?]
Although being honest, there was something else I couldn't get out of my head.
Hajime [What's wrong with Amanogawa?]
Ryuutaro [What's wrong with you?]
Hajime [I did my very best]
Ryuutaro [...*Sigh*... Being honest, I don't know, he's been out of it for a while but this time it was pretty bad]
Hajime ["Bad" is a funny way to put it]
I looked at Yaegashi who was still spacing out.
'Would you love me?'
'Would you stay with me forever?'
Amanogawa had never been the tactful or reserved type but I could understand he probably had never said something like that.
It didn't really feel like a love confession either, the mood was too bad for that.
It sounds like a pain...
I kinda want to know though...
Should I ask Yaegashi too?
Kaori [Nagumo-kun!]
Hajime [Shirasaki-san...]
She looked at me with a expression that said she was going to say something very important.
Kaori [Nagumo-kun, what are you going to do from now on?]
Hajime [I'm going to continue clearing the labyrinths]
I raised a bit my voice so at least a few of them could listen.
Hajime [There's an old magic at the deepest part of every labyrinth, if I collect all of them, I'll probably find a way to return to Japan]
The reaction was to be expected, going back to our world was a goal that all of us shared.
Kaori [Nagumo-kun, let me go with you]
Her words were direct and without a single doubt.
Daisuke [W-wait! Kaori, You can't go with that guy! He's dangerou-!]
*Bang*
Daisuke [-Pugya-!]
That felt nice...
Hajime [It's fine, it's a rubber-]
Kaori [That doesn't matter... Nagumo-kun, what is your answer]
It doesn't? I know that Hiyama is not very popular, I myself have a few reasons to use real bullets on him, but still...
Also, in the labyrinth, when Amanogawa was at his limit and fell flat on the ground, Shirasaki-san kinda just ignored him...
I know that I'm indebted to her because she was always kind to me, but being honest...
Isn't Shirasaki-san becoming somewhat dangerous?
Even now that she's asking to come with me, it doesn't feel like she's actually asking, it feels like she's giving me the role of saying yes...
Am I in a bad situation right now?
I looked at Sakagami, he shook his head with a complicated expression.
I looked at Yaegashi, she was still spacing out, shouldn't you be coming back by now?
I looked at Amanogawa...
...
...Right, he's not here.
I'm sure he would have tried reasoning with her, in the current situation though, I'm not sure how it would have gone.
I looked at the others around, they'll be preparing for the war, swinging swords in the training grounds and leveling up in the labyrinth, I'm sure losing 50% of your healers sounds bad.
...
...They looked away, is it because I knocked Hiyama out?
This is weird, not having anyone around to voice their opinion when I'm sure someone should be saying something feels kinda heavy...
Hajime [...Are you sure-?]
Kaori [I am, I promised that I would protect you]
Ah... Right, that... Thinking about it, that was a very big promise done in the heat of the moment...
Still, the word "protecting" hits in a sensitive place right now, Shirasaki-san is saying that she'll get in danger for my sake.
I looked at Yue, she and Tio were pampering Myu.
I remembered vividly what had just happened in the labyrinth...
Shirasaki-san wants to protect me, will I be able to protect her if something happens to her?
...
...Calm down, don't be afraid...
If there's an enemy... Then I'll have no mercy...
Hajime [...I guess... It's fine...?]
Kaori [I'm glad, thank you for taking me in]
Hajime [Y-yeah]
This is bad, I know that Shirasaki-san doesn't mean bad... I hope she doesn't... But...
Kaori [I'll go get my luggage, where do you want to meet?]
Hajime [...Right here is fine...]
Shirasaki-san grabbed onto Yaegashi and pulled her along with a smile.
Yue [Hajime, are you alright?]
Hajime [I'm not sure]
Ryuutaro [Sorry... Please do your best]
I guess I'll have to...
??? [I found you! Nagumo-kun!]
A small figure was charging at me at full speed... Six other figures followed closely.
Ryuutaro [Is that... Ai-chan-sensei!?]
Yeah, this is bad.
Sonobe, Miyazaki, Sugawara, Aikawa, Tamai and Nimura were right behind.
Aiko [Finally! It took us soo long to find you]
Hajime [Sensei, what are you doing here?]
Aiko [Looking for you of course! We heard you were heading to Horaud so we went out of course and came as fast as we could]
Is that so?
I don't really feel flattered.
Hajime [Still, I'm surprised, even if I wasn't planning on staying here this long you came her quite quickly]
Aiko [We would have gotten hear earlier but when we noticed our map was gone, we were in the middle of nowhere and had to wait for someone to pass by to ask for directions]
I see, that sounds awful.
Hajime [Is that so, but why chase me all the way here]
Aiko [Because I was worried!]
I see, so she was worried about me.
Aiko [If we leave you alone, who knows what kind of dangerous thing you would do]
That sounds like I'm some kind of problem children.
Aiko [...Wait, your arm is gone-!]
Hajime [It's fine, it's a prosthesis]
Aiko [Also, Sakagami-kun? And everyone else? You all look horrible, what happened here?]
Hajime [... It's a bit of a long story...]
#########-Shizuku-#########
Kaori [I can't believe it, Nagumo-kun is alive and he's back~]
Shizuku [Yes...]
Kaori [Still, he came with a lot of pretty girls, there was small boobs, there was big boobs and also bigger boobs! It has to be boobs afater all, but I won't lose!]
Shizuku [Yes...]
Kaori [And also a daughter! How did he get a daughter so fast!?]
Shizuku [Yes...]
Kaori [No, it's fine, I can do it, if it means I have to become a mother right away, then I'll do it!]
Shizuku [Yes...]
Kaori [Shizuku-chan should also come with me, I'm sure you'll also see Nagumo-kun's good qualities in no time!]
Shizuku [Yes...]
Kaori [Right? You should prepare you luggage right away]
Shizuku [Yes...]
Kaori [...]
Shizuku [Yes...]
Kaori [...Shizuku-chan?]
Shizuku [Yes...]
...?
There was a strange sensation in my face.
When I looked in fron of me, I saw Kaori pulling my cheeks.
Kaori [Earth to Shizuku-chan~]
What's going on? Why am I being assaulted by my best friend?
Shizuku [Wash ish goon on~?]
Kaori [You're finally back]
Shizuku [Why are we in the inn? More like when did we get here?]
Kaori [Shizuku-chan, are you worried about what Kouki-kun said in the labyrinth?]
...Ah, right...
Shizuku [...That is a way to put it...]
Kaori [Well, I don't blame you, I was also surprised, Nagumo-kun was there and I was just about to jump into his arms but then all that happened and then a love confession in fron of everyone!? Who does Kouki-kun think he is!? Everything happening right next to Nagumo-kun, how was I supposed to get close to him!?]
..."A love confession"...
'Would you love me?'
'Would you stay with me forever?'
...
Shizuku [...Did that look like a love confession to you?]
Kaori [...It wasn't?]
It didn't feel like one.
Kouki's eyes when he looked at me were... Cold.
I've never seen Kouki like that.
He wasn't expecting an answer.
'I know what you will say', is what I felt from him.
I felt scared.
If I were to tell him the truth, what would happen to him?
I felt an embrace, kaori's arms surrounded me and she pulled me against her chest, it was soft and warm.
Kaori [Shizuku-chan, I'm going with Nagumo-kun, I won't be with Kouki-kun and the rest of the class from now on]
Shizuku [...I see... That's great, Nagumo-kun is safe, just like you hoped]
Kaori [You should come with us too]
Kaori gently caressed my head.
Kaori [I know Shizuku-chan is worried about Kouki-kun, but you're not obligated to look after him]
Shizuku [...I'm not...]
Kaori [Even if Kouki-kun acts like a little child, he's not one anymore, Shizuku-chan is not obligated to be his older sister or his mother]
I processed kaori's words inside my head.
I don't have to be by Kouki's side.
Kouki is not a child.
I'm not his sister or his mother.
Shizuku [*Nod*... I'll go with you]
Kaori rubs her cheek against mine.
Kaori [I'm glad... I would have been worried if Shizuku-chan was all alone]
"Alone"?
That word stayed in my head like an echo.
Would I be alone if Kaori leaves?
The answer came faster than I could formulate it in my head.
Shizuku [Kaori, can you wait for a bit?]
Kaori [Of course but, you're going to talk with Kouki-kun, right? Do you want me to come with you?]
Shizuku [It's fine, I'll do it myself]
This may be the last time I talk with Kouki as a friend, I don't want to get Kaori involved into this.
I left the room and headed to the town.
I asked Sakagami for Kouki's whereabouts but he wasn't sure.
Ryuutaro [He said he wanted to be alone and went somewhere]
Maybe this is for the better, we'll have some privacy to talk.
The problem is I'll have to find him.
As I walked around, I asked for a place where someone could be alone and heard about a small bridge in the middle of a non concurred area popular with young couples.
I take back what I said, if Kouki is there, we'll move somewhere else.
When I pass by the bridge, I see a tall figure in the corner of my eye.
It was Kouki.
I discreetly approached to the bridge.
But then I noticed that there was someone else talking with Kouki.
A figure in a blue cloak.
Shizuku [Kou-!]
??? [*Shhhh~*... The hero and the retard are busy right now...]
When I looked at my right, there was a figure sitting on a bench at the side of the street, with a long black cloak that covered his left side but left exposed his right side, a hood covering the upper half of his face.
??? [If you really want someone to talk to, I'll make you company]
He stood up and walked towards me, I reached for my sword hanging from my belt.
??? [I'll just warn you... I'm in a very bad mood right now]
#########-Yuuki-#########
Yuuki [...
Kouki's figure disappeared, the scenery and aura changed.
It's not like everything else changed, we are the ones that moved to another place.
Yuuki [...One... Floor...?]
I feel my head spinning, before blacking out, I strengthen the grip on the demon race woman, Cattleya, thas is unconscious in my arms.
Yukitoshi [What... The hell... Did you do just now...?]
Shimizu-kun sounds like he's having a hard time, did the leap affect him?
He was hanging on the back like hes was not even able to sit properly.
Yuuki [Sorry, that was my limit, I leave the rest to you]
Hearing my words, Kirin moved, the wind feels nice.
The place where we are... I think it should be fine, if it's from here we probably won't find any problem on the way back.
After close to half and hour, we reached the entrance, it was quite fast but still good enough time to get some rest.
Yuuki [Kirin, thanks for your help, you can go back]
Kirin disappeared in my treasure trove.
I passed through the entrance with cattleya-san on my arms, I covered her hair and ears with a cloth so her demon race factions wouldn't get attention.
I also treated her wounds as much as I could, the bleeding stopped and her shoulder is better but her hand is still gone, I feel a bit bad but I may not have enough time to sit and heal her.
Shimizu-kun followed right behind while staggering.
We just look like a party of adventures that went one floor too deep for their level so we didn't get any attention.
We immediately headed to out of town without taking any road to get as little attention as we could.
We walked until we were on a foresty area when we wouldn't get any eyes on us.
I leaned Cattleya-san on a tree and leaned by her side, shimizu-kun leaned right next to me.
Yuuki [Shimizu-kun, are you alright?]
Yukitoshi [No, I feel like shit]
He probably will be fine.
Yuuki [...Why is your nose bleeding?]
Yukitoshi [That's a good question, I also want to know]
Suddenly there was a cold sensation in my neck.
Cattleya [Don't move]
A dagger was being pressed against my throat.
I'm really curious of where was she hiding it?
Cattleya [I don't know what are your intentions but I'm not planning to thank you in any way]
Yukitoshi ["Intentions"... I don't really care but that's a good point]
Yukitoshi looked at me with the bare minimum interest.
Yuuki [Shimizu-kun, can you get up?]
Yukitoshi [I think I can walk just fine]
Cattleya [I don't think you understand the situation-]
I locked Cattleya-san's wrist against my neck to stop her from moving around, the knife didn't cut me, it was stopped by shaping "
I grabbed the knife by the covered blade that was now as sharp as wood and took it away from her.
I stood up and threw the knife away.
Yuuki [Can I ask you, Cattleya from the demon race, now that you failed, what will you do?]
She looked at me with surprise.
Cattleya [What kind of question is that, I'll go and try again of course]
There was a bit of anger in her voice.
She tried to get up herself but I unsheathed Teiko and pointed her at her face.
Yuuki [I recommend you to go back]
Cattleya [What!? Do you think you can order me around-!?]
I pressed the blade further, almost grazing her skin.
I lowered the blade to her neck, then to her chest and pointed it at her cleavage.
Cattleya [!?]
He face became pale for a second.
The blade slowly, gently entered her clothes and-
*Rattle*
I pulled out a piece of jewelry hanging from her neck and slowly lifted it up with the tip of Teiko's blade so she could see it clearly.
Yuuki [I can't stop you from dying another day, but yo should go back while you can]
I pulled Teiko back and walked away, shimizu-kun was actually already a bit far, he probably just walked away without a care.
We headed back to Horaud leaving Cattleya-san back.
#########--#########
Cattleya looked at the two that for some reason had stopped her from dying.
She tried to stand up but noticed that the hand she used to support herself was still gone although the wound was closed.
She reached her shoulder with the hand she had left.
It was also healed, but she could feel the scar.
Next she reached for the tiny piece of metal hanging from her neck, she opened it and saw the picture inside.
Cattleya [...I can still die another day...]
She stood up and turned to the opposite direction of Horaud.
Cattleya [I'm sorry for failing... And I'm sorry for being a coward]
She started walking...
Untill...
Cattleya [!? Who's there!?]
Right in front of her, in the middle of the road that she was following there was a person standing, looking directly at her.
The body shape and clothes told her it was a woman.
It wouldn't be strange to see travelers in a road that heads to a town or a city.
But Cattleya's instincts screamed that this wasn't it.
She was wearing a pristine, spotless and perfectly well fit into her body maid dress.
White gloves fit inside her long sleeves.
Under her thigh length frilly skirt there was perfectly black stockings with not even a particle of dust.
On her face, a white mask that covered from her forehead to the tip of her chin and even her ears.
Not even a millimeter of skin exposed.
The only part of her body that could be seen was her long black hair.
She was standing gracefully, looking at nothing else but Cattleya herself.
Cattleya immediately felt danger.
She prepared to use magic.
The maid gracefully grabbed the hems of her skirt with the tip of her fingers and bowed down perfectly before fixing her posture again.
Cattle prepared for her move.
Cattleya [...?]
Then she fell.
Cattleya's body rolled on the ground in a bizarre pattern.
When it finally stopped, she couldn't move.
Then she looked up, she saw someone standing, was that person behind her the whole time?
But then she noticed...
The one standing was she herself...
Blood gushing out of the neck that should have been conected to her head.