After that day, they told me that after all this, they wouldn’t let me go home. It was good for me though. I’ll be leaving the house I’ve been living for so long with nothing but hate. Still, I asked them if I could have the chance to at least thank them for the things they’ve done. It was granted by the leader and I was accompanied by Dabbi. We talked a lot along the road when I went home. He’s sure a funny and talkative person. Despite the thing that happened, I did not feel doubted by him. The moment we got there, I felt nothing. It’s not like they felt relieved when I got home, in fact, they got happy when I said I am leaving their house. Dabbi, who is watching me from afar, had a tear in his eyes. I told him that it’s not that big of a deal but I can’t stop feeling a bit of happy when I knew that someone cared.
I got to sleep in the room Lacia once had. For 3 days, I took the chance to observe them when they are on a mission. I also got to learn a bit on how to use the powers though I still don’t know how to execute it. Others do still doubt me. Well, it’s not like I can prove my innocence since I lack evidence. Speaking of doubt, I do doubt them. With what I have seen after the night of Lacia’s death, I don’t think I can trust all of them. But still, I still lack information whether that is real or fake. I still did not go under investigation on the Black Jack’s UTS base. It was busy and their eyes were locked on me.
Sometimes I would ask Lal for some advice during my observation. Lal was at the same level with Dabbi in terms of friendliness. They are approachable and so nice to talk to. Sanae-senpai is very informative. Regardless of her age, she’s way much mature than me though she could be childish at times. Hana was uhmm.. I think I did not get to talk to her. She’s always running away when I try to talk to her. Her older sister, on the other hand, was very strict with the chores inside the base.
In a short time, I got to at least associate myself with everyone even though some were busy like the boss and very quiet to the point that they’ll only be pissed off when bothered like Shizuka. Eva and Ravi were also very busy with the reports and paperwork. Sometimes, Eva would complain at night on how tiring her work could be. Ravi would give off a smile when we passed each other. We talked one time when he apologized for his serious behavior during the introduction but he got a point during that time. I apologized to everyone for being rude to them after that.
With all the things that happened, Lacia’s death was forgotten for it was accepted by everyone that Lacia was gone and that there’s nothing they can do about it.
|December 31, 2020: Before Midnight|
The night was long and tranquil. It was almost midnight and the people here were in their rooms, I think. Just by then, I saw Eva.
“Eva-san! Should I help you with the paperwork today?”
“Huh? Ahh.. We’re on break today.”
“Eh? Oh! It’s New Year’s eve. I totally forgot about that hahaha.”
“Well, days like this could be busy but since there are no reports of sighting a shadow, we’ll probably gonna celebrate it.”
“Perhaps, you’ll want to celebrate it with Lacia, not me...”
“….”
“Oh! I-I did not mean to..”
“Stop that.”
“I’m sorry...”
“Don’t be,” she said solemnly as she hugged me.
All I wanted was to be loved. Despite what happened days ago, I felt most relieved when I am with them. Whether this is fake or not, I don’t care, at least for now.
“Hey Marco.”
“Yes Eva-san?”
She looked at her watch and then said, “Countdown with me.”
“Ehhh it was already that late”
“Ready?”
“Ehhh W-w-wa-”
“10”
“9”
How great is this.
“8”
The world I once saw as nothing.
“7”
I start to see it as a whole new world with a meaning.
“6”
“I thought we’re gonna celebrate with everyone?”
“5”
Well, I wouldn’t be able to not because of a certain person.
“Whaa! Whaaa! Got to call everyone!”
“4”
As I was supposed to take away my yesterday, someone gave me a reason to keep on moving on.
“3”
“EVERYONE COME HEREEEEE”
“2”
Yes, it was thanks to you, Lacia-
“1”
Everyone showed up at the last second.
“0”
Party poppers in hand, the fireworks outside, and the people with me right now made this new year a whole lot better.
“HAPPY NEW YEAR”
I was greeted by everyone.
“And welcome to the Black Jack, Marco”
And was accepted despite the fact that I’m still doubted.
-Yes, it was all thanks to Lacia… and also to them
“Thwankyuu berwii muchhii”
My eyes were full of tears. I can’t even pronounce words properly. This time, my tears were filled with a lot of joy. This time, I celebrated a new year with people I will be living with.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
|January 1, 2021: Afternoon|
“Marco… Marco...”
That voice was so familiar. Whose was it again?
Little by little I gained vision. I saw this black scenery, black monsters and…
“AHHHHHHHH!”
Lacia’s corpse in my hand.
“MARCO! MARCO!”
I woke up. I sat and saw Dabbi beside me.
“Are you okay? Did you have a nightmare?,” a question of concern from him.
“No, no, no. I am fine. Thanks.”
I got silent. My heart won’t stop beating fast. To remember such an event, that was so sudden. I’m starting to think my reason why I am her-
“Was it a spider that jumped on your face?,” a question out of nowhere from him.
Here I am wondering and thinking that I must’ve misheard, so I asked, “What?”
“I’m talking about your dream, I mean spiders could be scary. Hahaha?”
“Pfft, hahahahaha”
“Ehhhhh”
“Sorry, sorry hahaha. That sure came out of nowhere”
He smiled. “Now, you really look fine. You looked tensed.”
“Thanks,” as I smiled back to him. “Dabbi..”
“Yes?”
“I want to get to know you all.”
“I’m sure everyone feels the same too.”
“This may sound like I’m asking for information but can you tell me everyone’s powers?”
“Well, sooner or later, you’ll know them. I’ll just tell you what I know kekeke.”
“Thanks again”
“First, let’s start with me. My power...hmmm... I think it’s making things hard 10x of its original hardness.”
“Ehhhh, how does that help during missions? I thought normal means do not kill shadows?”
“It does actually. For example, making the paper hard, it could actually hurt the shadows.”
“How?”
“I think it’s because a power is applied to it.”
“Makes sense, for me at least.”
“Okay, moving on, the leader’s ability is a secret. Only some of us know it. Even though he does not say it, we don’t doubt him. We believe there’s a reason as to why he is hiding it. As for others..”
He explained everyone’s ability as to how he understood their power.
|Abilities|
Fellal Blame – Sword that has different skills
Mary Luckborg – Ice
Hana Luckborg – Bow and Arrow/ Sniping
Sana Wizmith – Gravity
Ravi Helms – Spatial Barrier
Geneva Hugo – Snake Whip
Shizuka Yamamoto – Sound
“And that…. concludes it”
“Last question.”
“This sounds like an interrogation.”
“Why did you join Black Jack?”
“Now it sounds like an interview. Hmmmm, probably because I want to make full use of my power. It’s such a waste not using it. Not everyone can have this kind of power. It’s also possible that I joined this for fame and honor. You get to be recognized by others with what you’ve done good to them. At least, even though all I think about is myself, I get to help others unknowingly.”
“Thank you.”
“That’s a lot of thanks today, huh. Well, you’re always welcome. Feel free to ask more questions. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to know more about your friends.”
“Friends..”
“Oh, did I get it wrong? A-Are we not friendsss???”
“No, that’s not it. It’s been a while since I’ve last heard that.”
“What about you?”
“What about me?”
“You told us before that you’re suicidal and then you decided to continue living when you met Lacia but then, Lacia died. Right now, do you have a reason to live?
“I-I-I”
“Oh, I did not mean to be offensive. It’s.. uhm.. there’s..”
He sighed and added, “If you don’t have one, we’ll give you a reason.”
What the heck is wrong with me. What is this guy saying to me? Why does it touch me? I’m supposed to be doubting them. Why? Why? Why? It’s weird. I’m weird. How in the hell am I to doubt them now. How? I’ve just thought that I want to protect them. A protection I failed to give to Lacia but how? Supposedly her death wasn’t an accident and the culprit is one of them. Just why? Why do I love all of them now.
“Hey hey hey, easy there. Don’t cry.”
Tears just fell. I’m still powerless. I’m still a crybaby. I’m not strong enough. But when time comes, when I’m not the same way I am today, I’ll be sure to protect them.
“I do have a reason now.”
“Whooooaa, smiling looks good on you.”
A reason is not a mission. It’s true that I want to find out more about the death of Lacia. I see it more of a mission than a reason. My reason for living... I don’t know. I just said I do. Forget reasons, just being with them is enough to live.
Suddenly, someone knocked at the door.
“Come in.”
It was Lal.
“Oh lucky, you’re also here Dabbi. Sorry to interrupt you guys, Leader has something to say to the both of you. He says it’s a great news for you, Marco.”
“Eh me?”
“Just go to him already. He’s waiting for you guys there. And I still have an extermination mission at the capitol now, so, see you later,” he said with his matching peace sign.
“Thank you for telling us. Take care.”
“Shall we go?,” Dabbi asked.
I nodded. I washed my face and brushed my teeth and there we go to Leader.
As we go there, I saw Eva-san, Sanae-senpai and Ravi watching something, Shizuka listening to music as usual while reading a book and the sisters were preparing the lunch. We saw the Leader going in his room so we followed him there.
He sat and started talking. “Are you ready, Marco?”
Dabbi and I looked into each other. Without an idea in mind, I asked, “For what, sir?”
He opened a folder and continued talking. “Case number 3662: A report of shadow possession in Mirum City. Unknown cause. Request: Support for finding the cause. Additional: Not that big of a case. Might as well send only 2-3 people for extermination only. Dabbi, Marco, I give this case up to you. Marco, this will be your debut mission. I expect a lot from you. Dabbi, Mirum City is a place you’ve gone before. You know that that place has a lot of tourists. So, if ever he gets lost, at least give him a map and a place where you can meet. I give you 2-3 days to finish this mission. Understood?”
We both shouted, “Yes sir!”
“Thank you for entrusting me this, sir.”
“I don’t accept thanks, I only accept success. Be professional. We are a team of elites.”
“Tha- I’ll do my best!”
“Good. Now prepare your things and leave.”
We prepared our clothes and a sword for protection while in the land since we’re very vulnerable and powers were not possible to use in the land.
“Whoa, what an outfit, Dabbi.”
Dabbi was wearing a yukata like he’s going to a festival.
“Oh this, this is actually for when I use my power. It’s not very convenient bringing paper and other things while in there. It affects my mobility.”
We traveled by boat. It almost took 7 hours before we reached it. While traveling, Dabbi told me the favorite attraction there that made the city a popular visit for people around the world. It sounds so fascinating that I wanted to see it as soon as possible. The carnival was also one of the thing why they visit it.
“And we’re here~~~ Welcome to Mirum City”
It was already almost 10 pm when we got there. And what I saw fascinated me. The lights that were glowing throughout the city as if they were fireflies was one of the great treats you get to see by going here. It’s wonderful
“It’s beautiful.”
“I forgot to tell you that it was also called The City of Light. Even though I’ve seen this before, it never ceases to amaze me.”
“What a great way to start a year.”
“Isn’t it? It’s all thanks to Leader. So, shall we go?”
“Yes.”
We looked for the hotel we’re going to stay at. We put our baggage in our rooms and then we went out to see the attractions and all before starting the mission tomorrow.
“Where shall we start?”
“The Lighthouse! Let’s go for the main one.”
“You sure are excited to see it, huh.”
There were a lot of people along the way though not as many compared when it’s afternoon. It’s already late and a lot were asleep but a lot were also awake. We went to the highest point of the lighthouse. As you go up, pictures of how the city was before were framed and hung in the wall. At the top, you can almost see everything around the city. After all, it is a small island separated from the mainland. You can also feel the cold breeze brought by the body of water surrounding it. It’s cold yet so warm thanks to the thousands of lights in this place. We walked around after and tried a lot of foods. It somehow made me remember the time I’m with Lacia. Dabbi also showed me some of the good spots there. We took lots of pictures of the city and us together. The last place we visited was the carnival.
“Whoa there’s a lot of people in here than I expected. Marco, hold on to my clothes so that you won’t get lost.”
“Okay.”
We forced our way in to the crowd. I saw a lot of people dancing, showing off their bizarre talents and singing. It was a fun event everyone will enjoy. But how can you enjoy it with this crowd. The venue was small to be occupied by a lot of tourists. So, we decided to back out and stay at our room to rest.
“Hey kid! Don’t run!”
There’s a commotion among the crowd. The guards were trying to capture a person amidst the crowd. There I saw a kid, crying while asking for help. It was my mistake not to stretch out my hand to him. Who would’ve known that he greatly affects on what will happen to the disaster happening 2 days after our meeting. Maybe things would have changed if I helped him then.
Chapter 3 end.