"I'M REALLY SORRY!" Koen exclaimed while bowing, forming a perfect 90 degree angle with his posture.
Though I appreciate him revealing the truth he really need to learn more about timing.
We were making our way through the town when he suddenly went full honest mode and spilled his own beans, in fact we had spent the last twenty five minutes listening to his story.
He also revealed that he had intended to actually do this earlier at breakfast but chickened out at the last minute. Now he is apologizing for both lying to (the majority of) us and almost keeping it that way for god knows how long.
"Get your head up Koen, you're drawing too many eyes." Midori scolded.
"Ah!" He quickly followed the command and stood up straight, but he still lowered his head and avoided eye contact.
Seeing him like this really makes me feel bad. He wasn't a bad guy and we all knew that, but no matter what keeping a secret in a situation like this wasn't exactly the best course of action.
Is what I wanted to say if I too were in the dark.
As you all know this revelation wasn't new to me so I am guilty of being an accomplice in this plot of his. If I were to fumble in my speech which this time I'm sure I will Midori wouldn't have any problem in putting two and two together, and should that happen it'l only serve to create a gap between Koen and me and the team.
That's why I remained silent, out of consideration and not to save my own skin. Not that I have the right to voice out anything to begin with.
Comparing my notes with Koen's own it couldn't be more obvious that I'm in no place to say that I understood him. Excluding the fact that it was done for the greater good even for our standard it is still be considered as henious.
Midori is sharing my shoes in this one, he too didn't do much killing beside the occasional self defence (although I still think that most of the time he himself provoked those attack) and I know for sure that he's not the guy who would tread out of his place.
The only ones who has the slightest of idea of what he actualy went through were Momoiro and Aogiri, and it looks like the understood this as well.
"Koen-kun this wasn't something that you should kept to yourself, especially in a time like this...." Momoiro started.
Koen could only lower his head further, sinking further into the pit of shame.
"I...."
I was curious of what he wanted to say, but before he can utter another another word Momoiro suddenly embraced him.
"!"
"It must be hard... carrying such burden all by yourself...."
"....."
"It's alright. None of us here are going to leave you, we're all in this together now aren't we?"
And it was at this moment I realized that I might have been wrong. Had I used the reasoning of not knowing what he had gone through as an excuse? I was so caught up in the gap between us that I didn't even bother to try and reach out to him at all and instead told him to grit his teeth all by himself.
I was his closest friend and yet I failed to do my most important role propperly.
Seconds into the hug and Koen's facade finally crumbled. It began with a sniff, then it turned into a sob, and finally he started to wail.
Like a child to it's mother he cried, burying his face on Momoiro's shoulder without a care. Whispers and looks immediately went our way but we ignored them all, the fact that it was a shameful scene only make it more obvious of how much he had went through.
And how much of a bad friend I have been.
It took another five minutes before he finally calmed down. He was dishelved and both of his eyes were red, but his expression was a tad brighter compared to the stiff mask he had worn yesterday.
Aogiri suddenly approached Koen, and for a second I thought that he was going to pinch him for getting all comfy with is wive.
I was right.
"ITEEE!" Koen screamed as Aogiri's index and thumb crushes and pulled his cheek at the same time.
"W-What was that for!?"
"Stopping your crying. It worked didn't it?"
Yep it actually did, and Koen realizing this turned silent. Adding more to the confussion the husband proceed to pet the short blond's head.
"There's no need to worry. Even though you indeed had done terrible things it's obvious that you regretted all of them, and it's not like you have any intention of doing those stuff again right?"
"....Of course not...."
"Then there's no problem." He said before ruffling Koen's hair. Normally that would earn him a pout but the effect is the exact opposite this time around.
"HUWWA~! AOGIRI-SAN!" He bawled before giving the ironically younger male a hug.
He obviously didn't mind the gesture and accepted it with a smile, and before we realized it all of us are smiling to. Guess the power of the moment is a real thing after all.
Surprisingly it was Midori who spoke next, though I was refraining myself from talking due to obvious reasons.
"Seriously, if you're afraid that we're going to ditch you the don't bother. Your skill as a rogue is invaluable after all, especially when it comes to gathering information."
Again he's going with the realistic approach huh? His choice of words are a bit nicer than usual though.
"And if you think for a second that you're leaving Akaba with us then you've got another thing coming."
That's true, that guy sure can be a handful.....
Wait...
"HAH!? THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?"
He fixed his glasses like in the anime and proceeded with his elaboration
"It's exactly as I've said. Getting rid of someone who is actually willing to handle you without any compensation would be pure idiocy. I honestly found it baffling that Koen would hang out with a troublesome person like you."
A tick mark suddenly appeared on my forehead.
"Well pot's calling the kettle black! Heck, between you and me I'm obviously the nicer one. I'm the one who remind you to get lunch everyday for god's sake!"
He only huffed and turned his head away.
"I never recall asking for any reminder."
Remember that tick mark from earlier? It just popped.
"WHAT ARE YOU!? A TSUNDERE!?"
"DON'T YOU DARE UTTER SUCH TROPE WASTEFULLY!"
"I DON'T EVEN GET WHAT YOU'RE SO ANGRY ABOUT! BUT THIS JUST PROVE THAT YOU'RE TWICE AS IRRITATING AS I AM!?"
"SO YOU DO ADMIT THAT YOU'RE A NUISANCE!"
"NOT AS MUCH AS YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY!"
Since I was too engrossed in my 'conversation' with Midori I failed to notice that the happy couple are having a discussion of their own.
"Aren't both of them Tsundere though? Just different types."
Aogiri nodded. "Midori type A, Akaba type B. Both are tsundere."
Momoiro stiffled a giggle that once again escaped my notice.
We continued our bickering for another five minutes and for whatever reason is now arguing about the best dere archtypes (probably to compensate for our lack of entertainment). We probably would've gone at it for another hour or so if it weren't for his laugh.
"Hehe~...."
We both instantly turned towards the source, expecting it to be the either two of the couple.
To our surprise however it was Koen who was holding his stomach, his usual grin now returned.
He let out a lazy sigh before addressing the both of us.
"As always you two couldn't read the room at all huh~?"
"..."
"..."
HE'S RIGHT! WE WERE SO CAUGHT UP IN OUR ARGUMENT THAT WE'VE FORGOTTEN ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE!
Whispers and glances once again flooded, and although Midori wasn't bothered in the least something like this was really bad for my health.
"Sorry..." I was the one who suggested keeping it low profile, so it was even more embarassing for me.
"No-no, it's fine. In fact it's kind of refreshing, this is how we've always been after all." Momoiro's assurance was backed by a nod from Aogiri.
That certain topic was a bit touchy but her timing couldn't have been more perfect. All of us was greatly shook by this whole 'transported' thing, some more than others. Forcing all of us to act as we were before is undoubtedly almost impossible, but since we made it to this point naturally then there should be no demerit in keeping it that way.
We're not avoiding reality, we have already accepted that we're on another world and that we're going to be here for a while. With all that said however everything is better with good company, so there's nothing wrong with us middle aged office worker undwinding ourselves a bit whlist finding a way back right? Sounds like a plot to a light novel though.
"So what are we going to do today?" Koen excitedly asked.
"Our main goal remain the same, and it's obviously finding a method to go back to our world." So I started. "And if we want to do that the we gotta skip town ASAP."
Long story short great evil have been revived blah blah blah, Summoning heroes from another world Yadda Yadda yadda, this city being an epicenter of a political struggle and so on.
"Not that we mind but where are we going? And what about our guild identification?" Momoiro asked.
"Didn't we already received our guild card though? The one with our fake names and all that." Koen countered, being followed directly by Midori.
"If you ask me we got it far too easily, but that's the thing isn't it?"
I nodded "I already asked the guild receptionist and the process for guild transfer and registration are practically the same."
I can see the realization dawning on Koen's eyes. "But that means..."
"Yep. We're going to have to 'prove ourselves'."
In truth transferring to another guild is as simple as signing up to be an adventurer, but as the rank goes up so is the difficulty to advance. This was also the case for migrating into another territory/guild, at least it does for high ranked adventurer.
Obviously higher rank means more priviledge as well as profit, but it also comes with even more occupation hazard as well as pressure. Nevertheless a high ranked adventurer would inspire those of the lower echelons, so their very presence is definitely welcomed anywhere.
The problem is that if someone would try and take advantage of this, the prime example being pretending to be a high rank before drafting people from lower rank and leech from them. It had only happened once in the past and the swindler was quickly caught, but every guild as a whole sees this as a major threat.
And so they developed a guard mechanism dubbed as rank test which is where a group or an individual is forced to perform a mock battle in order to validate their credential, naturally whoever pick this method would be the center of attention and that goes against our very goal of alying low.
There are two other methods to complete this so called rank test, but the first demand an inhumane amount of luck while the second was out of the question.
The first alternative method is the exact same one we used to instantly boost our rank, to complete a mission accidentally. And since we already pulled that of once I really doubt that the universe will be kind enough to cut us another slack like that.
The second is to show our status view to the corresponding guild administrator. Though it sounded extremely basic and uncertain it is actually a sure precaution. Unlike papers or other means a status cannot be altered no matter what, so the guild would hastily and gratefully welcome anyone with
But for us it'd be impossible.
A single title would require an entire lifetime and an endless drive to be obtained, genius will manage in a quicker pace but the human limit remains the same. There was only one person who had ever obtained two titles, and he was the previous savior of this world.
Now back to the present each and every one of us have three titles. With how dire things are forget about getting forcefully drafted we might even get executed for not being human in a sense.
"It's going to be a pain but we have no choice." I concluded and unexpectedly nobody mind it that much.
"The we'll just look at the bright side, we can let loose a bit after all~"
"Break some bones." Oy that comment is a bit dangerous you know.
"Honestly I'm quite interested in this world's martial arts." Of course you are.
"Maybe I can get behind them and do a knockout chop!" You don't have anymore problems with being an assassin don't you?
"Okay.... well let's get strated then, even if all of us are content with it we still got a lot to do."
Everyone nodded, looks like all that's left is to assign roles.
"Aogiri, Momoiro, you two go and survey all of the available equipment store. Look for the most reasonable, we're going to need sturdy arms for the long run."
"Leave it to us~"
"Won't dissapoint."
I know they won't, they're the best when it comes to finding a good establishment after all.
"Don't try to engage in bargaining untill Koen and I get back, negotiation is our Forte." I wasn't patronizing the both of them, but their speciality simply lays elsewhere.
"Midori..." I turned towards the man as I continued. "It might be a long shot but try an scour for any books about the hero summoning. I'll give you half of our entire cash and if you happen to find it in a library...."
"Knock the librarian out and steal the book. Got it."
"....Right." I was going to say stealthily displace it but whatever, we won't be here by the time he or she will wakes up after all.
"You and me are going swindle a coachman and enlist him as a cheap getaway driver. Aren't we senpai?"
I smirked. "Don't put it like that Koen. Think of it more as.... you know what? you're absolutely right."
And with that everyone broke into a small fit of laughter. Who knew that everything between the five of us would return to normal in less than a day? I know that our trek will be a long and filled with all sorts of problems, but with these four I know that it'll be a fun one (even an old guy like me still want to adventure just a teeny bit).
"What are you guys standing around here for then? Hurry and get to work!"
"Hai~Hai~"
"Understood."
"Whatever...."
In order Momoiro, Aogiri, and Midori confirmed before departing towards their task.
"We should get going to. If we want to be done by lunch and take care of the equipment we don't have a moment to waste."
"It's also because you indirectly bragged to them isn't it~ Senpai~?"
Dang it this kid is sharp.
"Well you're obviously recovered so I figured that we'd be done real fast."
"Ehe~ I'm embarassed~. You're overestimating me you know~"
".....Whatever. Let's just get it over with."
"Alright~!"
Our search for transportation was mostly filled with silence. Excluding the instance where we query the local for direction Koen and I echanged not even a word. Oddly enough however things weren't at all awkward.
We almost arrived at the first transportation site when he finally speak.
"Ne senpai."
"What?"
"If you had said what Momoiro-san said.... I think I would have gotten angry."
"....Is that so."
"...."
And just like that our dialogue came to an end. The finish also removed any lingering pang of my guilt, and I finally realized that I did made the correct call last night.
It was a good day, and looks like there isn't anything that could ruin it.