{At the Hospital}
After arriving at the hospital, we were lucky enough to get the last room available.
It seems that some sort of operation happened in which numerous organization members got injured.
Some injuries were so fatal that I heard some nurses whisper about some members who were now permanently crippled, with some even dead.
The hospital was extremely hectic today so even if we had to share the room, we were in no position to complain.
Me and Fred were orphans before coming here so we had no qualms about sharing our room.
But who would've thought that we had to share the room with the very people who were the reason we were in this place in the first place?
"Hey, Jericho."
"What?"
"How did you know it was me? My face should've been beaten and bandaged up."
"Really? I didn't see any difference"
"…Damn you."
"…"
"…Jer"
"What?"
"…what the hell happened?"
"…I'd love to ask the same question."
A few hours ago, when Fred was all newly patched up and we just settled in our room. The door outside suddenly burst wide open and three new patients were brought in.
We didn't mind it at first since we were already informed from the start that we would be sharing the room, but after finding out who the three were things got a little complicated.
When I looked at their states once more they certainly looked much better, especially Darius. Because of rage, I ended up hurting him more than necessary so the fact that he looks fairly well surprised me.
{someone with a healing gift must've treated him, if I had waited a little longer maybe Fred could've been treated as well. Oh well}
When they were unconscious things weren't so problematic. But after a few hours, they of course eventually awoke which resulted in this current awkward situation.
Looking to the right of Fred, I saw Darius laying with a down look.
I thought he would be all pissed and loud but his surprisingly quiet. And instead of mad he looks more depressed.
I thought that it was just gonna end with us never talking judging by his current state but he suddenly talked when I least expected it.
"Hey…Jericho was it?"
"Oh, you knew my name?"
"Of course… but that's beside the point here…hey…don't you think it's embarrassing?"
"Embarrassing?"
"That I'm ranked 31st"
"Ahhh, I get it with your strength, you could've ranked much high—"
"Lower right? After all, I only got this far because of my background."
"Huh?"
Confused by his answer I tried to say something but stopped after hearing a few sobs coming from him.
"I'm useless…sob… I thought I could do something without relying on dad but… sob… I am a disgrace."
"…"
{No self-confidence huh? For someone who acted all arrogant, to think he was this fragile}
"I even lost to you who only ranked in the 50s…sob…I hoped that my actual skill rank would be closer to my true rank… but just as I thought it doesn't…. a useless slob who only knows how to rely on others…I don't deserve to be here…sob... I should just—"
"Could you shut up for a second."
"wehh?"
"All that whining is starting to get annoying so shut it."
"…"
Darius closed his mouth shut. It was his first time laying out all his insecurities and feelings to someone else but to think he would be told to shut up… this took him by complete surprise silencing him.
"You talk like losing to me is the biggest disgrace in your life. Who the fuck do you think you're talking to?"
"Oh? Jericho's started to curse, this should be fun." (Fred)
"I have a friend who's in the advanced class, although I do admit that she might win if we were to fight for real that doesn't mean I wouldn't stand a chance!"
"…"
"And you talk as if losing to me means that your weak… the fact that you almost beat me proves that you're strong!"
"…"
"…Arrogant? Is that the word I'm looking for?" (Fred)
"Shut up."
"Yes."
"…"
"sigh.… I'm not saying that I'm some sort of special being. I know my limitations and the fact that against the top 30 I am at a disadvantage."
"…"
"But that doesn't mean I'm weak… I'm just being realistic here. Hmph!"
"...but… that doesn't mean I proved myself…. To the eyes of others, I will always just be a spoiled brat in the shadows of his parents. No one will ever think of me as capable—"
"I do."
"…"
"I faced you myself so I know how capable you are."
"…But I've never accomplished anything."
"…Almost beating Jericho."
"Huh?"
"That's going to be your greatest achievement a few years in the future."
"…"
"If you say that to anyone from the future I'm sure they wouldn't believe you because of how unrealistic that sounds, but just insist."
"…pffft.. kuha..hahahahahah!"
For 2 long years, ever since he started becoming self-conscious, Darius had never laughed wholeheartedly.
But the arrogant words of the black-haired boy were the most outrageous thing he had ever heard in his 8-year life.
{Hahahaha! This guy…. Must be crazy!}
"Hmph…you might be laughing now, but just wait and see"
"No, I believe you."
"Hm?"
"You…I'm sure you'll shock the world someday"
"…"
...…..
After that incident, Fred and Darius were discharged the day after, thanks to the combined effort of organization members who received healing-type gifts.
Fred was discharged a little earlier so we weren't able to leave with Darius. But after a while, we started hearing rumors about what happened to him.
I heard that after he was discharged he, along with his two lackeys, personally went to all the victims' rooms to apologize. It was said that he even went as far as to kneel to those who were injured and promised them compensation.
Because a lot of people saw me beating Darius, I started getting weird looks of gratitude which honestly, just made me uncomfortable. Although I'm glad that they feel thankful, that doesn't mean they should immediately make way and greet me whenever we meet.
This made my trips to the library very embarrassing that even the librarian started teasing me about this.
"But hey… at least they don't go out of their way to follow me around."
Or so I thought, but-
"How is the tea boss!" (Darius)
"…"
"Not to your liking? Then I'll prepare another one immediately! Hey you two, make a new set!"
"Yes sir!"
"…"
{I somehow got a lackey?!}
...….
[Darius POV]
{One day he will become an existence that will shake the world}
That was my impression of Jericho.
And just to clarify, I was not saying this because I thought he was really cool when he saved me from my constant self-deprecating or anything.
But rather because of the aura I felt when he confidently stated his future achievements.
It was an aura I was highly used to… the same aura my dad gave when he sits on his chair located on the highest floor of his building… but even stronger.
"If a day were to ever come where all his words were to come true… I hope that I would be able to see with my own two eyes, every step he took to get there."