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This chapter starts from Reina's POV
Alma-san has been bedridden for two days since we got news on Kajikawa-san going missing.
She hasn't been eating well and sits all day on her bed while staring blankly and occasionally talking in delirium.
...It's so hard to watch her like this.
Both Hiyoko and me are worried sick.
Kajikawa-san would have Fast Travel-ed here right away if he was still alive, yet we haven't heard a pep from him.
...According to Neora-san, he ran into Demon King, so you'd normally think he'd been killed.
But Kajikawa-san is not normal. He's anything but normal. In all sort of ways.
He's not someone who'd go and kick the bucket just like that. He's so persistent he could be on the verge of dying one moment and then back on his feet fully healed a moment later like nothing.
Since they couldn't find his corpse, I bet he's just knocked out cold or unable to move.
I'm sure he'll get in touch with us sooner or later, there's really nothing to worry about. I think.
But Alma-san can't help but worry it seems.
I get it, I really do. She had been stressed out just from not seeing him for days and then that news came up.
Didn't think she'd pass out though.
...Sorry to say Kajikawa-san, but I'm way more worried about Alma-san than you.
Her parents' words won't reach Alma-san at all.
She'd only mutter 'Hikaru, Hikaru' every time she opens her mouth, her eyes look lifeless. She's gonna collapse at this rate.
Now that it's come to this, it falls on me to get her back on her feet...!
"Oy, brat."
I heard a man's voice behind me out of nowhere.
Dukeris-san? No, he's not this young sounding... More like.
"Who you calling a brat! Rude much?!"
"Who are you, if not a brat. Ya sure got one hell of a fighting style tho', I give you that."
It's the black haired swordsman who fought Alma-san during the semifinal, Alancyan Aizawa.
He's got a foul mouth and attitude, but he's a better swordsman than Alma-san. He's got a foul mouth tho'. Foul mouth. Gotta repeat that thrice cause it's important.
"Where'd you spring up from. What do you want?"
"My business ain't with ya, I'm here for Alma. Where is she?"
"What are you even talking about out of the blue. Actually, are you still aiming for Alma-san? This after losing your match despite saying stuff like 'I'mma win and make you mine guhehehehe'."
"I ain't that vulgar dangit! Who you take me for, damn brat!"
"Quit it with brat! I'm of age and an Advanced Job holder already!"
"....For real."
"For realsies."
He can't seem to believe I'm already an Advanced Job, his mouth is agape. Take that!
Yup, thanks to all the level ups during the Stampede the other day, both Alma-san and I Job Changed to Advanced Jobs.
I'm currently Lv54 while Alma-san is Lv57. By the way, Hiyoko-chan is Lv55. Gununu...!
I'm 'Kunoichi Mochizuki', while Alma-san is 'Master Paladin'. We both obtained new Skills.
By the way, what does 'Mochizuki' (Full Moon) mean? Is it like that mochi snack Kajikawa-san made for us... Uh probably not.
"Alma-san is not mentally stable, she's still bedridden. I was about to drag her out of her room to cheer her up, don't get in my way."
"Talk about drastic measures... Well, I ain't one talkin'."
"What are you planning? Ha, you can't be trying to make use her moment of weakness to force your way--"
"No I ain't. Take your delusion and dump it in the trash bin, you precocious brat... Those two instructors asked me to perk Alma up somehow or another. Heard she been brooding bad ever since that weird flying masked old man went mia."
"You mean Alma-san's parents asked you? Ah, so Lunatiara-san brought you here with Teleportation magic."
Those two must have never imagined it would come to this after separating them to make them realize something. It must be weighing bad on their minds.
They're currently going around all over the fourth continent with teleport and their own feet but they couldn't get a hold even a single clue.
I think it's partly guilt and partly because they can't stand Alma-san looking like that.
Wait, this guy knew Soarer is Kajikawa-san.
Did he see his face when his mask broke during the end of the tourney?
"Lemme have a talk before you drag her out. I ain't gonna do anything as vulgar as your imagination goes."
"...Are you trying to woo her while Kajikawa-san's gone?"
"Think whatever you wanna."
"Well, I don't mind so long you don't get rough. Doesn't matter if it's Kajikawa-san or you, so long as Alma-san can be happy."
"Ha! That so."
He quickly went in Alma-san's room after I told him.
Doesn't seem like he's given up on Alma-san yet.
...Sorry to say after I said that, but there's no room for you between the two of them.
~~~~~~~~Alma's POV~~~~~~~~
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
Why, did this happen?
Is it because mom and dad took Hikaru away? No, it was simply a bad timing.
Is it because those guildmasters asked Hikaru to join in the fight? No, it's him, he'd have joined one way or another.
Is it because of Hikaru's personality that keeps putting himself in danger? ...But that's what makes Hikaru, Hikaru...
No. No no.
I can't put the blame on other.
What I ought to do now is to think about what to do.
What should I do.
What do I do.
Just what it is I can do.
What is it I want to do.
I have to go find Hikaru.
Where? If even mom and dad can't find him anywhere, what good will my addition do, but nothing will change if I do nothing, I have to hurry even if it's pointless I have to go find--
"...Oh man, this is worse than I thought."
.....
A familiar man was standing in front of my room's door before I realized.
"...Alan, cyan?"
"You ain't gonna ask me how long I been here, are you? I knocked and got no answer, I talked and got no response. Was sure you were sleeping with eyes open."
"Sorry, I didn't notice."
"...Yeah?"
He scratched the back of his head while smiling wryly.
He seemed genuinely shocked from me not noticing... I'm sorry.
"Heard you been down in the dump ever since that flying old man went poof... Gotta say, ya look real terrible."
"...Really."
"Putting that look on someone as expressionless as you. You seriously love that old man, eh?"
"..."
Stop it.
...Please, stop.
It feels my chest is squeezed hard when I hear the word 'love'.
Moreso now I can't meet him.
"I see, it's real eh. Ain't ever see ya with that expression."
...Shut up.
Don't speak like you know my feelings.
No, he probably understood that and said it anyway--
"I don't like it."
"...!?"
Alancyan gripped my chin.
Strongly but not roughly.
He put his face close enough for our lips to almost meet and continued talking.
"That man's figure is ever present in your eyes."
"...Let me go."
"I mean I got it. I lost to ya and that guy coulda twist me into a rag easily. Women always gravitate to strong men, it's only right."
"What, do you know."
Yes, Hikaru is strong. He's more reliable than anyone, it takes everything just to keep up with him.
But, that's not what attracts me--
"But I'm bad at giving up y'see... I ain't givin up on you just yet."
"...You lost, in that match. Are you, not satisfied with the result."
"Nah, not at all. I lost and that that. I ain't pathetic enough to make a lame excuse."
"Then..."
"I just gotta keep challenging you till I win."
"...Wha?"
"I ain't ever givin' up. I may be nothin' to ya and that old man, but I'mma beat the two of you one day and make you mine. I'm gonna keep fighting no matter how many times."
.........
What is this man talking about.
I'm feeling down right now. I have no strength to listen to your story. Really, what is he even going on about.
"Keep acting like that and ya gonna lose yer' edge. I'mma shoot past you in no time flat."
"...Is that supposed to be an encouragement?"
"Aa? I just wanna drive some gusto in ya. Don't get it wrong, this ain't me tryina pep you up... Go on and lose to me once. You're gonna be mine."
Ah, yup, he's not lying. Those eyes are serious.
Like a predator eyeing their prey.
Sharp and thin... But they're somewhat gentle somehow.
"That all I had to say. Later."
He took his hand off my face and walked to the door with his hands in pockets.
I must be imagining his ears looking reddish.
...Yup, I got it.
He let out his true feelings. He's not lying about making me his.
And how he was trying to encourage me in his own way even if he couldn't put it into words.
"Alancyan."
"...What."
I will respond in kind.
"I won't lose next time. And the next one, the next one after that, I won't lose to anyone but Hikaru."
"...Haa. Then quit lyin' on yer bed. Go and swing yer sword or sumthin'."
Alancyan declared he's going to beat both of us.
That means Alancyan believes in Hikaru's survival.
Even someone who must see Hikaru as a thorn on his side believes in him, yet look at the state I am in.
...Un, I have to leave my room and do what I must--
BAAAAAAM!! My room's door got flung open along with that loud sound.
"Gwoaa!!?"
The door hit Alancyan hard in the face.
He's rubbing his glaring face while his body quivered.
"Alma, you in there!?"
"...Neora?"
Hero Neora-kun got in my room... He looks as easily mistaken for a girl as ever.
I heard he fought in the battle on the fourth continent along with Hikaru. Wonder if mom brought him in here.
"Hm, aside from looking slightly pale, you're surprisingly peppy."
"Were you worried about me? I'm sorry."
"Nah, don't mind me. More importantly--"
"Oy you bastard! The hell you tryin' to pull, you okama!"
"Huuuuh!? I dare you call me that again, you damn brat! ...Wait, what's up with that bump? Look real painful, uwaa."
"You frickin' did this, you damned okama! Let's take this outside!"
"Okama this, okama that, shut the hell up! I got no time for you darn it!"
"...It's only been seconds since we got in. Why are you two fighting already?"
『Pii...』
...These two are in bad terms. I don't think it's because of any event in particular. They just don't match with one another.
Reina and Hiyoko who got in with Neora couldn't believe their eyes. They must have brought Alancyan and Neora here.
"Good timing tho'. You, stay and hear this out too."
"Aa? I got zilch to do with yer' stuff."
"Yes you do. Just shut up and listen."
"...Tch, the heck's yer' deal."
"What, happened?"
"I received a message from Kajikawa-san. I'll narrate it for you, please listen carefully."
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