The Crisis World XX

Chap. 143: Pursuing Attention

"Good bye."

That voice echoed inside my head. Like a vague dream, I can't remember it too clearly.

"I'll leave Anna-san and Black Rain to you, Iraya. Then .... This name 'Ririsaka Herlin', I'll throw it away."

I opened my eyes and jumped out of my sleeping position. But all I could feel was the pain in my stomach and back. And maybe I was late to realize it, but now I'm on a bed in an orphanage with a lot of people surrounding me— who turned out to be just a member of Black Rain.

"Iraya! You're finally up!"

Mei-senpai worriedly hugged me who just woke up, it seems like my condition is quite severe huh until they are so worried?

"Me-May-senpai?"

"We found you passed out with a big wound on the back hill. Were you attacked by the enemy? Who can attack you that badly?" ask Ishikawa-san.

Also true. My last memory was at night on the back hill, but it was also vague and not very clear. I looked at my stomach, there was still a hint of blood piercing through this bandage.

"Yesterday night ...."

I try to collect as many memories as I can. That night, I should have been alone with Herlin. Yesterday was a very beautiful night because I could see loose laughter and Herlin's very rare smile, but ....

Suddenly my stomach was pierced by a sharp object. I didn't know what exactly it was, but as hard as I could remember that the one who attacked me was a woman in a long white dress.

In other words, Banshee.

"Herlin .. attacked me," I said.

"What?!"

"Did you guys fight? But isn't he a little overdone for this one?" caramel.

Of course they were surprised. No one would have thought that the person who attacked me this badly was my own friend.

"So, where is he now?" ask Nigiyaka-san.

Then I told him all the things I remembered, slowly my memory returned more than when I just woke up. I told him that before attacking me, Herlin had told me that he had met someone who knew his real name.

The man told her that Herlin had to leave here if she wanted to know everything. Herlin then chose it, then did it secretly without telling anyone else.

I deliberately didn't tell them about Herlin's love confession because it was embarrassing and also unimportant.

"But why attack you?!" asked Mei-senpai in an annoyed tone.

"It seems like he thought that if he didn't paralyze me, I would stop him. But that's what I'm gonna do, anyway."

"Then do you have a clue? Whether it's the guy on the radio, who does he want to meet, or where does Herlin go?" Ishikawa-san also asked.

But I shook my head. "Unfortunately I don't know anything." Herlin didn't tell me anything, he completely closed his problem and didn't want anyone to interfere.

I suddenly remembered her crying that night. Remembering that made me bite my lower lip upset, when it was clear that there was something strange about his nature last night, but I was stupidly carried away.

The atmosphere became silent, no one knew what to do. Because they don't have the slightest clue. But when we were almost desperate, suddenly someone came.

"So she decided to go, huh?" That person is Yuuki-san. He came with water for everyone here.

"Yuuki-san?!"

Yuuki-san then sat down and chatted with us. "Had lived here long enough, even when he first came, he was still about three months old." Yuuki-san started to tell me.

"Oh yeah, if I may know, does Yuuki-san know who the person who took Herlin to the orphanage is? It seems like he came when he was very young."

"The one who brought her was .. her own parents along with Oita-san. They leave Herlin-chan— no, it's the name Oita-san gave her and also as a disguise so that her parents ask her directly so that she can live safely here. Then they both made me take care of it until now."

"What?!"

"So about her name ...?"

Mei-senpai asked and Yuuki-san nodded. "That's a fake name. When I saw her I also knew that she and her parents were not from Japan, an angel as beautiful as her made me stupefied when I first saw her with her lashes and her beautiful straight blonde hair," yuuki-san explained further.

"Then .. does Yuuki-san know where Herlin came from?"

Yuuki-san. "I don't know. I don't know anything about him. Oita-san told me that all I need to do is take care of her like I take care of my own son."

"So who knows everything is just Oita-san?"

Yuuki-san also nodded. Is correct. That's what I'm afraid of. There was no information I could get even just a little bit, everything was so quick to happen that I thought we could finally deepen our relationship a bit. God fucking.

Finally we all decided to put this matter aside first, as there was nothing we could do either. I also immediately went home. Even though my injuries haven't healed perfectly, but I don't want to trouble Yuuki-san any further.

**

In the morning, a few days after that incident, my life had to go on. I was ready in my uniform and just left.

"Are you okay?" ask Caramel.

"Ah .. yes," I said limply.

"If you're still not feeling well, you can't go to school just yet."

"It's okay. I haven't been in too much, and I don't want my absence to be messed up."

I don't know where she guessed it from, but it seemed like it was written clearly on my face. I then set off without a word while being ushered by Caramel to my doorstep.

Even when I walked to school, most of the gazes I gave were blank and not focused on the road.

"... Yea?"

I couldn't go to school just yet, but why would I insist on going in, huh? No. gabe. If I just stay at home then I will be more thoughtful, so as much as possible I have to busy myself.

"Iraya!"

My eyes widened. Someone's voice called me a few times from behind, which made me look. My hopes were slightly raised when someone called me, because usually the one who did that was Herlin. But reality is not what I expected.

"Don't I tell you not to daydream when you're walking?"

"We called you from earlier."

The one who called me was Kudou and Hira.

"Yes, it's us. Who do you expect?" ask Hira.

"Nope-no ...."

"Hmm?"

The two of them walked back and then I followed the steps together. The atmosphere became colder and awkward than usual, there were no small chats we used to do during the trip.

But suddenly Hira stopped walking and started talking in an annoyed tone. "alright. Now what's up?"

"Hira?"

"Something happened and you didn't tell us, did you? Are we not to be trusted anymore as your friends until you don't want to tell us about your problems?"

"No. That's not ...."

"Then what?! I'm sick of this shit! If you have any problems, tell us! Is that so hard for you to do?!"

The problem now is really not that. Even if I tell you, there's nothing they can do. This was a matter that was out of their reach and had nothing to do with them at all.

"Is this about the Exception? Whatisit? We ordinary people are too weak to know, are we?"

Hira lifted my collar aloft so much that it was regrettable, but it was not too high from the ground due to our difference in strength. "Jawab and look me in the eye, damn it!" I dare not look him in the eyes. Forgive me for being such a coward.

"That's Hira!" Kudou then moved between us and directly passed through it. "Iraya, all you need to know is that we were your friends before you became what you are today. So I beg you at least don't forget us" continued Kudou.

He does have a point. Before meeting Cecilia, I was just like them. My mind became a little calmer thanks to Kudou. Even though they couldn't help, but telling her could calm me down. I don't think there was any harm.

"I understand."

"Hn?"

"Herlin is gone. And it looks like we won't be able to see her again." In the end I told them what I had become.

"Eh?"

But the three of us were distracted by the sound of a bag falling behind us. It turned out that it was Anna-san who seemed to hear the conversation of the two of us.

"That's a lie ..., right?" Anna-san still doesn't believe it.

"...."

"Please tell me it's a lie! Herlin-san ..., Herlin-san can't just leave!" Anna-san gripped my uniform tightly, then tears fell down her cheeks.

I let go of Anna-san's gentle grip. "I'm sorry, Anna-san. I tried to hold him back, but he insisted."

"But! He didn't say anything to me! I didn't know he had a problem either! Why is she hiding it from me anyway?!"

"Sorry .. It's my fault I didn't notice it earlier. I also don't have a clue where he's going." And if I had known, it wouldn't have been like this. It's all my fault because I'm too stupid!

"I .. I'm sure Herlin-san has a reason. All we can do is trust Herlin-san."

"Eh?"

"I don't think there's any other choice but that" Hira said.

"I think so too." Kudou also agreed.

"That's it, huh?"

It seems like there is no hope anymore. They can take it better than me. And now all I can do is stay focused on my goal— which is to protect my home and the precious people for me who are still left here.

I took a deep breath and saw my friends. Now I have one more goal in my life and to achieve it, I still have a lot to go through.

"Thank you, guys. Sorry to make you worry." And they all smile.

We then walked to the school with a better feeling, although this feeling of sadness and obstruction in our hearts still could not go away.

**

After school, I walked alone to the hill behind— where Herlin and I used to train.

I still clearly remember what he said after he attacked me. Farewell and leave everything here to me. Come to think of it, he would say so.

"It's so selfish of you" I murmured.

I focused my aura and created the green-colored sword aura that I used to wear. Thanks to Kenshin-san, I now have the right sword hilt to hold this sword.

The handle is not like other sword handles— even more suitable said to be a holster that protects my grip, because it is made of leather.

And seeing this made me remember that I also still have to pay for this 800,000 yen sword. He left behind something very big and expensive that I had to endure alone. What the fuck.

I drained my aura and strengthened the horses, then after that slashing the sword in front of me created a strong gust of wind that cut through several large trees.

Is this enough? Am I able to brag about myself and tell Oita-san up there that I can protect Herlin and the others with this kind of strength?

"No. .. It's still not enough." I'm aware of that. My sword technique is still lacking, I was even defeated by Herlin who was not a sword user. My strength is also the same, my stamina as well, intelligence in fighting, concentration, reading the strength of the opponent, and most importantly, the desire to kill in every fight.

I don't have any of that. I'm still raw, weak, and stupid. What is this result that Herlin taught after almost a year? No, I'm sure he must be disappointed. So he didn't take me, he must have felt that I would only be a burden that hindered him.

"You finally understand." Suddenly Cecilia spoke.

"Huh?"

"You're the raw boy who just jumped into a bottomless pit, and you already feel like you're the strongest? Don't make me laugh."

"You suck at entertaining someone. But I guess that's exactly what I need, there has to be someone slapping reality into my face."

"So from that, stop complaining and move your body. Herlin will walk even further if you just curl up self-pity."

Cecilia's right. There is no time to complain. I have to practice, practice, and practice half-dead. That's all I can do to catch up with Herlin. Then one more thing that can make me follow more is ....

Awakening my own Unique Skill.

Seriate