---::The Essence of Light Sub-Arc:---

[Chapter 20]

[-•¤Yuuki¤•-]

"You're here early?"

Nori asked confused, noticing me waiting at the table in the inn that we're all very familiar with. The sunset outside seemed less joyful to me, almost as if it knows what I'm feeling. The bar's environment grows emptier. My face was a mix of sorrows and discouragement.

Everyone else looked somewhat exhausted with the levelling session, but couldn't help but feel excited about tonight. I can see it in their eyes.

It's currently 7:49, half an hour after Akato ran off without saying a word. I don't know what to tell the guild. Do we go alone, or should I search for him when I have the chance?

"If you don't mind me asking, where's Akato?" questioned the salamander in armour, looking around for the man in question. Great, now I have to tell them.

Sighing won't help me now... might as well be straightforward.

"We... went shopping together at Panareze. Then had an EXP grinding session for a while..."

I gave a genuine tone to my words, but the context itself is disheartening for them to listen to;

"It was going so well... until he got a message about something... and had to leave in the last minute."

Without a moment passed, Jun's face already told me exactly what he was about to say. He wasn't having it. Gripping the table with all his might, grinning his teeth, he leaned towards me from the other end of the round table.

"He did NOT JUST ABANDON US!?"

"Wh-what?" Siune gasped as she held on to her staff, backing away in disbelief.

"I-I didn't say that, Jun!" I objected. "He said there wouldn't be a raid if he didn't go. Something must've happened. We don't know." I calmed the situation, standing up and staring dead into his eyes.

Tecchi who was also a bit shocked at the sudden news, when normally he would've been less likely to be taken by surprise, spoke;

"There should be a reason for that right? He helped us a ton already. We shouldn't be speculating on things we aren't sure of."

Everyone started to make a fuss, I couldn't help but wonder too.

Talken, who was the last to walk through the door, followed on the point given by his fellow party member;

"Right? He seemed like a nice guy too, you know? He wouldn't just run off and left us... that's too cruel..."

My eyes looked down, hoping he won't proceed with his sentence. I'm... afraid to admit it... Talken... please don't say it...

"Or..."

"Would he?"

I furrowed my eyebrows, looking at my guild. Visibly upset but careful to not go beyond my judgement, yet still making my point clear. I slammed my hand on the table.

"He isn't like that! We went through shop after shop, street after street, monster after monster! He showed dedication! He was sincere, you all know this!"

"So what if he did?! He still decided to leave without telling his guild leader, didn't he?" Jun's remark caught me off guard, his heart couldn't seem to accept it. "He had all that time for himself, but he bailed on us and left you alone. Doesn't he realize the importance of this?"

That... that's... but...

I clenched my fist, head spinning out of control...

I knew it, everyone seems to be on edge with this sudden news.

If I kept this hidden until the final minute, would things still work out? Would it have been worse? Should I have covered for him and... lie? Shouldn't I make an excuse and say he was suddenly sick?

Hah... how could I?

Everything was in order. I thought... I will... get a happy ending with everyone already... win against the boss, carve our names on the monument... I... deserve it, right?

All those tears... They have to amount to something...

No,

I'm not gonna let just one problem ruin this for us. It's not about me anymore, it's about everyone in the guild.

They shed hours' worth of tears where no one could hear them. They fought battles, more gruesome than most could imagine in both virtual and real worlds. In those moments of despair, they never blamed anyone else...

As their guild leader, it's my responsibility to make their wishes come true. That's my calling. That's what I have to do.

Before I could share my words with those around me,

Nori grabbed my shoulder, giving off a warm smile. Her Warhammer stood tall in her grasp. The light in her eyes was soft, looking at me as if she was saying... 'I'll handle this.'

"I trust him." her words came right from her lips.

"N-Nori?" Talken and Jun looked at her, dumbfounded.

"Everyone knows he's not the open type, acting all cool and comfortable with anyone he meets and such. It's quite obvious he's always hiding things for the better of everyone around him."

"Nori..."

"Honestly, the reason why I acted out of character with the guy ever since we met was to see what type of person he is. I'm not an expert, but as a guild member with the highest charm, I'm the one who should inspect any bonus members that join our party to avoid any risk of unwanted situations like this. Sorry if I didn't ask for your permission, Yuuki."

"Huh? Wait, what are you saying?"

"Akato, despite his cold demeanour, has a warm heart. I assure you, he's not easily swayed by simple things like attention. Or, dare I say, girls." she stated, finally revealing the true purpose behind her advances.

"Not to mention, he gives his all during a fight. Whether it'd be against people or bosses. Remember what she used to say, Yuuki?"

"Hm?"

"There are things you can only share with someone by fighting. For instance-," she snaps her finger aloud and pointed towards me. "-how serious you are. Right?"

My eyes widened, my heart erupted.

Memories of Aiko flashed across the scape within the mind. All instances of her existence, her laugh, her cries, her smile and her eyes...

"He won't just leave us like that, we all saw his way of fighting. Passionate, aggressive and lively. He's like a constant rotating gear, growing faster at every turn. That determination is nothing inferior to our guild leader here, they are all but different from one another."

"If I trust Yuuki, then surely, I trust him too."

The guild members had rays scattered across their being. What used to be an atmosphere of doubt and mild anger turned to a bright, comforting vibrance...

Jun, smiling as he heard those long-sealed words, bringing back some form of nostalgia.

Tecchi, gazing upwards into his thoughts about the vividly preserved past.

Talken, trying hard not to show his sad affection towards sentiment.

And Siune, who remained silent for most of the argument, finally shared with us take on the situation;

"It's been too long since we heard those encouraging words, Yuuki." she stepped closer to me, "Nori is right, he can be trusted."

An honest flow coursed through her;

"I was afraid at first. I didn't think this guild should've allowed anyone outside of our circle to be acquainted with us. We're fragile as a party already, and exposing us like this truly frightened me..."

She held her chest, "But it's not like that now. I've seen what Akato is like, his friends, his family. I can tell there's no possible threat with him that could ruin our dreams. I..." she struggled to admit her truth;

"I trust him too..."

An apologetic bow was given to me as she finished, "I'm so sorry for speculating, Yuuki."

"..."

I reached out, wrapped my arms around them, and poured my soul into the embrace.

I couldn't help it. I was simply powerless over my body.

Siune and Nori, they've always been there for me and the guild for years. The days of my life passed by faster with them pushing me forward, encouraging me to always give it all I've got. Their hugs, one I haven't felt for what seemed like ages...

It was true intimacy between friends, ones that will be with me till the end.

The bar lights shined, and the boys did nothing but looked. Holding each other's shoulders as they too shared the moment.

The night has come, and finally, the fight will soon begin.

With their hands patting my head;

"Even when you're our leader, that doesn't mean you have to be burdened with the responsibility yourself. We look out for each other, okay? I'm sure Akato will come to save us soon."

"Yeah... thank you,"

[End of Chapter 20]

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Author's Notes

I legit had a packet of tissues on my desk while writing this. I kid you not, some parts of this scene were not what I had in mind when I started. I came up with these on the spot after looking back at the anime, and this was what came out of it. So for the duration of the night, I ended up crying god-awful amounts of tears in the process. It was unreal.

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