He, too, followed them so he can watch over them a little more.

...

......

“Ah... to think I would really lose...”

The sun has finally set. The sky gotten dark and the miner were walking back home together.

The competition between Aonair and Laoch ended up with Aonair's lost. Laoch kept mining for 5 hours straight without taking break, while Aonair was only manged to do 3 hours load of works.

It usually didn't end with such an obvious result. Now that Laoch knew how to utilize his skill, he became more durable.

Beside the sad Aonair, Laoch just laugh and pat his back.

“Don't think too much about it. We can do it again next time.”

“But that skill of yours is too strong!”

Aonair couldn't handle his frustration and started to acted like a brat. Laoch smiled wryly and consoled him.

“It's not that great though. I couldn't even compared with Mister Zel after all. He kept swinging his pickaxe for more than 8 hours without stopping at all.”

That was true. Zel didn't stop to take breaks at all and focused on mining. He's strong enough to bust all of those irons and coals in one swing.

The person himself was walking beside the two boys and listening to them.

“You know, you both can be a great entertainer if you want to.”

“Oi, do you want to get punched?”

“Gahaha! Well, I have business to do after this, I'll meet you boys tomorrow, okay?”

Zel laughed heartily at Aonair and eventually walk faster than them. The only one left were Aonair and Laoch.

Laoch too has something to prepare. He will meet Aonair once the clock became 7 P.M. after all. That's why, they bid farewell after they reached the village.

Aonair took a look at the clock. It's still 5 P.M. there's still two more hours before the meeting with Laoch, so he decided to go a bath and went home.

On the way home, Aonair looked at the village. Kids are playing around and elderly talking while sitting on the bench.

Peace. It's the only thing he thought when he saw the scene. He really likes this kind of situation, where people are in peace.

Everyone wakes up, go to work, enjoying their life to the fullest. Aonair has always thought that as the best way of living.

Nevertheless, he knew that the world is not a kind one. Danger lurks everywhere. One cannot sleep well in the eye of danger. May it be danger from monsters or war.

One day... maybe one day, Aonair will be the one who fight in those wars. No one knows, even Aonair himself couldn't imagine himself standing in the battlefield.

But what if he actually went there? Can he survive?

Aonair deep thought made him feeling uneasy. He tried to distract himself, but his mind was too busy thinking about the cruel possible future waiting for him.

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“I... I...??”

“Hey, what are you doing there, standing alone like an idiot.”

Then, a voice snapped him out of the nightmare . A high-pitched voice came from a girl wearing a dark red dress.

It is Deas.

“W-what do you want…?”

“What do I want? I'm just happened to meet you here, that's all. So, what are you doing here?”

“Nothing... really.”

Aonair decided to keep those creepy thought for himself and feigning ignorance. Deas frowned her brows, but she sighed and shake her head.

“Well, if you don't want to say it, keep it to yourself. I don't want to hear it too anyway.”

(tch.)

Aonair internally clicked his tongue. But now, he felt calmer thanks to their banter. He knew Deas did it in purpose and wanted to thank her for that, but his pride won't let him do that.

“Then, what about you? Where do you want to go with that frilly dress?”

He turned the question toward Deas now. Contrary to the hesitating Aonair, Deas answered his question clearly.

“Hmpph! You see, I was invited by someone! So I prepare the best version of myself!”

“I see, I see. Someone has the guts to invite you, huh. I might have to be wary of him too now.”

“Watch your mouth, Ao.”

Deas glared at Aonair, but she immediately stopped and continued her talk.

“It's the first time I was asked out like this. I might bore him though, since we never talk alone before.”

“Oi, are you sure you're going to be okay?”

“O-of course I am! Don't you underestimate me!”

The fact that you never talk alone is worrying enough for me, was what Aonair would say if Deas didn't crack her knuckles.

“... But maybe it's because of me acting like this, he will start to hate me.”

Deas who was going to be mad at Aonair, suddenly put a sad face.

“What do you mean acting like that?”

“Like a short-tempered girl who punches everyone that annoy her. I don't want him to think of me like that.”

(I see, so you can act like a girl too sometimes. But regardless of the weird act of her, she might be serious this time.)

Aonair thought to himself as he thinks for the best answer to cheer Deas up. She is one of his best friend after all, even with all of those punches and kicks he received.

“... I don't know who is this guy you're head to heels to, but believe me, if he thinks of you like that, then he missed a lot of things.”

“... Eh?”

“I mean, you're a passionate woman. Your actions seem harsh, but it's your way to care about others, right? You're good as you are, don't let him affect you.”

Aonair didn't think much and started to spouting praises and consolations. He himself was sweating bullets, worried if he said something wrong.

“... pfft... Ahahaha…!”

But Deas didn't mad at all. She instead laughed and wipes the tears that formed in the corner of her eyes.

“Are you okay now?”

“Yeah, thanks, Ao. In the end, I always show you my pathetic side and complains a lot to you.”

“Good for you to realize that.”

“At least let me finished my thanks, this oaf!”

A shark kick sent to Aonair's left leg and successfully made him felt to his knees.

“Ouch! What was that for?”

“Shut up! You are always like this!”

Then, she ran away back to the crowd. But before she disappear, she turned back and whispered.

“... Thank you. I'll be counting on you again, Ao.”

A strong woman with a good heart. Aonair thought of Deas as one of those kind of woman. He might not show it to anyone, but he has high regards to her.

“She came and befriended with me, after all.”

(It's a given everyone will like her.)

Aonair stood up albeit still wobbly and walked to his house.

(Looks like the pain will not heal soon.)

The ache was still there even though the cause was no longer to be seen.