"Dear hero! Thank you for your service!"
Cheers, flowers, fairies, and fireworks all flew in the air as my service as a summoned hero comes to an end. It was a joyous occassion as the people outside the temple also celebrated such an event.
The evil demon king has been defeated, and peace has been restored across the nations fighting "that" and its kin. In short I meant is that I am now on the decision of whether I should return to my home world or stay here.
"Hero...."
The saintess in front of me whom I had a lot of years spending with as one of my traveling buddies looks at me worried, as if she already knew my answer to the question she asked to me years ago.
I have been a hero at this world for a decade now, and the decision I have regarding whether I would live here or to return to my world is....
"Haaaaah"
The knight beside her sighed, he knew me well enough to know what I have already decided.
"It was a good time being in the company of great people, but I think what I am looking for is not in this world"
The cheers faded into a distant hum as I turned my gaze skyward. The blue of this world's sky… it had become familiar, comforting even—but not quite home.
The saintess lowered her eyes. Her delicate fingers clutched the hem of her ceremonial robe, knuckles white.
"So… you're really going--" she whispered.
I nodded slowly.
"I've thought about it for years. I've seen lands no map dared to draw, fought beside legends, danced under starlit skies in elven groves… but even after all that, there's still an emptiness I can't shake."
The knight scoffed quietly.
"You're a fool," he muttered—but there was no malice in his voice. Only the weariness of a friend who knew goodbye was inevitable.
I turned to him and offered a small smile.
"I know. But you already knew I wasn't the type to settle for half a heart."
A faint laugh escaped him. He stepped forward and extended his hand.
"Then go, stubborn bastard. But if you find yourself wandering back here someday, make sure you bring someone who puts that look in your eye."
"Deal." I took his hand, gripping it tight.
The saintess stepped forward as well, her eyes shimmering like morning dew.
"You'll forget us," she said, almost bitterly.
"I could never," I replied softly. "You all became part of who I am. But…"
"But you're still searching," she finished for me.
I nodded.
Behind us, the portal shimmered like a pool of liquid glass. It pulsed with gentle energy, waiting patiently for me to step through. My passage home. Back to the place where I once belonged. Or maybe still belonged.
Taking one final breath of this world's air, I looked over my shoulder at the people who had walked with me through fire and blood.
"I hope," I began, "that somewhere out there… there's someone waiting. Someone who'll make my heart race just by smiling. Someone who'll hold my hand, not because I'm a hero—but because I'm me."
And with that, I stepped into the light.
The world blurred, and the sound of fireworks, of cheers, of heartbreak… faded into silence.