Day-22
...
The silence around our table was almost suffocating.
All of us could only stare back at one another. For some reason, not a single person spoke.
Yeah... none of us had the strength to start a conversation in an atmosphere like this.
At that moment, I found myself hoping that someone—anyone—would say something.
And for once...
My wish actually came true.
"Hey."
The voice sounded strangely familiar.
I turned toward it and saw someone waving at us.
"Hey, hey, hey! So this is where you guys were! I can't remember your names, but it's been forever since we last met! How've you all been? Still hanging in there?"
The man's enthusiasm was impossible to contain.
"...Kikkawa," Haruhiro muttered.
"Yo, yo!"
Grinning broadly, Kikkawa—or whoever he was—raised his hand and went around giving everyone a high five.
Including me.
Without really thinking, I returned it.
After that, he pulled over a chair and sat down with us.
Then he ordered an alcoholic drink, just like most volunteer soldiers did around here.
Well, this was a bar, after all.
"So! So! So! So! How've you guys been? How's life treating you? Everything going well? Making lots of money? That place... what was it called again...? Damrow! You guys hunt around there, right? I heard all about it! Seriously, I really did! I ran into Manato here not too long ago, so I heard everything from him! Come on, tell me! Tell me! Has hunting been going well?"
He spoke so much and so quickly that I honestly couldn't follow half of what he was saying.
The only thing I understood...
...was that he knew Manato.
Maybe he even remembered the rest of us.
His boundless energy was enough to overwhelm me.
I've never been good at dealing with people like him.
"...Things haven't been going very well," Haruhiro answered quietly.
"The truth is... Manato... Manato... Manato—"
Before Haruhiro could finish—
"Whaaat?!"
Kikkawa leaned backward dramatically.
"What? What? WHAT?! No way! Don't tell me...!
HE'S GETTING MARRIIIEEEED?!"
He shouted it with such ridiculous exaggeration that, for some reason...
...it irritated me.
"No..."
I interrupted.
"Manato...
...he's dead."
I spoke loudly enough for him to hear.
Even saying those words...
...hurt far more than I wanted to admit.
Accepting that reality was still painful.
Kikkawa immediately fell silent.
"...Whoa."
Scratching the back of his head, confusion—and a little guilt—spread across his face.
"Sorry... Seriously, I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean anything by it.
It's just...
I never imagined he'd be the one to die.
I always thought he was the kind of guy who could solve any problem. Different from Renji... or maybe not that different. I'm not exactly good at understanding people. But—hey! Looks like our drinks are here! Okaaay! Let's make a toa—...Actually, yeah, this probably isn't the right time for a toast. Well, whatever. Let's just have a drink together. "
There was no need to think about it.
I hated this guy.
I hated people who couldn't read the room like he couldn't.
Maybe he meant well.
But...
...good intentions weren't always welcome.
I lowered my head, not wanting anyone to read the expression on my face.
I quietly tried to calm myself.
The others continued talking in the background.
With an awkward smile, Haruhiro asked,
"So... you've been doing well, huh, Kikkawa? Did you manage to find a party?"
"Yep! Right after we split up, I joined a guy named Tokimune. He's a good guy. Kind of an idiot, though. Hey, is he here? I'll introduce you guys."
"No... don't bother."
Haruhiro answered immediately.
"I get it. No need to rush things. Manato was a priest, right? The backbone of the party. Priests don't exactly have a low death rate. They're the enemy's easiest target."
"...Really?" That was Mogzo.
"Isn't it obvious?" Kikkawa took another drink before continuing.
"What were we talking about again? Ah, right. Priests. The enemy knows priests are the party's healers, so naturally they'll try to kill them first. That's why warriors like me stand between them and the priest. Protecting them. That's basic strategy."
Hearing that...
...made me realize just how badly I had failed in my own role.
Sure, I wasn't a warrior like Mogzo.
Or Kikkawa.
But still...
Still...
I felt like protecting Manato should have been my responsibility.
"...I didn't protect him at all." Mogzo's voice was heavy with guilt. "I was the one asking him for help..."
I slowly raised my head.
I'd calmed down a little after sorting through my thoughts.
Looking at Mogzo, I spoke without forcing my usual smile.
"No, Mogzo...This isn't your fault.You don't have to blame yourself. If anything... This was everyone's mistake."
The moment I said those words...
...I couldn't help thinking how ironic they sounded.
Kikkawa patted Mogzo on the back.
"Yeah. He's right. This isn't just your fault. Don't beat yourself up over it. Everyone fails. Mistakes and failures are just the first step toward finding the right path. It's okay. Everything will work out."
"...But..." Mogzo lowered his head. "Manato isn't coming back."
"True." Kikkawa raised both hands in agreement.
"That's true. But if I were in your shoes... I'd keep moving forward. You probably think I can only say that because I've never lost a teammate. But on the other hand... Maybe that's exactly why I can say it...Wait. Isn't that the same thing?Well, whatever. For now... Don't keep looking back. Keep looking ahead. Stay optimistic."
Easy to say.
We all knew we had to move forward.
But...
Even knowing that...
didn't make it easy.
"Even if we do move forward..." Ranta finally spoke. "No matter what waits ahead... our party doesn't have a priest anymore."
He was right.
Even if we found someone to replace Manato...
Whether we'd ever be able to accept another priest...
...was an entirely different matter.
"In that case..." Kikkawa leaned forward.
"What if you just found another priest? Wait, wait—I already know what you're about to say. 'No priest would ever want to join our party.' Right? Oh, by the way!I'm not a trainee anymore. I've officially signed with Crimson Moon. I'm a full-fledged member now. Want to see? You wanna see?"
"...Not really." Haruhiro sighed. "But... you're right. No priest wants to join us."
"Actually..." Kikkawa grinned. "There is someone."
"...What?"
"I know a lot of people. And a lot of people know me. Someone from Crimson Moon. There's a person I know. You guys might actually be able to recruit them."
"...Who?" Ranta leaned forward immediately.
I was a little curious too.
After all...
Who would willingly join a group of beginners like us?
A party that hadn't even become full-fledged volunteer soldiers yet.
"But before that..." Kikkawa looked around the table. "What were your names again? Sorry! I've really tried to remember them... but I honestly forgot. Mind introducing yourselves one more time?"
Hearing that...
I let out a long sigh.
"Haaaaaaaa..."
Then slowly exhaled.
Hopefully...
...the person he had in mind was a good one.
...
Here is the latest chapter; there isn't anything truly special about it—except for the fact that I wrote it at the office during some downtime.