[A/N: hey, guys, I hope you had a wonderful Easter, and it's nice to be back from the short break. Now I'll get on with the continuation of ACMR, and no I haven't dropped the series. I've received a contract offer, actually, it's been almost three months since I did, and with the expiration date drawing nearer, we might be having A Certain Magical Reincarnation contracted by the end of this volume or next, yay! More details in this later or some other time. Enjoy.]
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*Chapter 51 Leon's Conviction*
A brief pause enveloped the area, a subtle ebbing of the lively atmosphere that had filled the space just moments before. The question I had posed hung in the air, and a sense of unease settled in.
"Did I say something?" I asked awkwardly, my eyes shifting between the group: Don, Lia, Trise, and Kyle, their expressions forming a silent response.
The once vibrant energy now felt like it had been punctured, akin to the delicate deflation of a balloon. It seemed as if I had inadvertently cast a shadow over the gathering, transforming the jovial ambiance into something more subdued. Uncomfortably, I coughed, clearing my throat as if to dispel the awkward tension that had materialized.
In that moment, my seemingly innocuous inquiry carried an underlying plea for assistance, a silent request for someone to navigate the nuances of the situation.
It struck me as peculiar. I hadn't noticed Leon among the others right from the start; it just hadn't occurred to me to ask until now.
"Tsk. That guy. He blew us off, claiming he's got something else to do or whatever," Kyle responded with displeasure and irritation, answering the question meant for Don. The sentiment seemed to resonate among the others as well.
"...He...blew you off?" I responded, a bit perplexed by the implications.
"Leon has been up to something lately..." Don continued with a follow-up, tapping his chin with a peculiar expression.
"'Has been'? You say that like you've been in contact with him all through the time you were supposed to be grounded." I remarked, sending Don a strange look. He pretended as if not to have noticed and continued.
"Whenever I ran into him, he'd always look... strange," Don paused, his expression conveying a sense of concern. "Each time, he'd appear beat up, battered, and exhausted. And he'd always seem out of it." He narrowed his eyes.
'No wait. Weren't you supposed to be grounded?'
Biting down on my tongue, I focused intently on Don's explanation, sensing an underlying issue.
He took a moment, his eyes reflecting contemplation. Then, turning to the rest of us, he continued, "Each time I tried cornering him for some answers, he'd skillfully remain evasive and shrug the whole thing off casually, telling me it's nothing." Don concluded with a resigned sigh.
So, Leon has been exhibiting odd behavior for the past few weeks or days, evading the group and even skipping today's meet-up. Alongside, there are concerns about his physical state when spotted.
"What exactly could he be up to? What's so important that he'd choose it over hanging out with us?" Trise whined, kicking off a pebble from the ground.
"Well, it's Leon we're talking about. He should be fine. And if it's anything serious, I'm sure he'd have said something already, probably. In any case, I don't think we should pry."
"Are you kidding?! What if he's getting bullied...or...or beat up like Don." Kyle stepped forward, pointing at Don, eliciting a side remark from the latter.
"Hey!"
But this tantrum did grab my attention, somewhat.
"No. Reo is right," Don broke a strange cough, and added, "We shouldn't pry too much."
Hearing Don say this caught me off guard. He wasn't usually the one to think objectively...
'Or think at all, actually.'
But my upgraded impression of Don lasted only as long as a single inhale and exhale from him. In the next second, his words flowed with an unexpected vigor.
"Right! We're just gonna have to confront him head-on."
"Didn't we just agree not to pry....?"
And so, like that, we all embarked on the great expedition to Leon's home. Because apparently, subtlety is overrated.
# # # # #
After a brief journey, we reached Leon's residence, a charming abode adorned with an expansive compound. The front yard boasted a majestic, towering tree complemented by a petite lawn. Encircling the property was a sturdy stone wall, mirroring the protective fortifications of our own and neighboring village homes. As we approached, the imposing yet inviting front door became the focal point of our attention.
A gentle KNOCK KNOCK resonated through the air, signaling our arrival. In response, a melodious feminine voice emanated from the other side of the door, accompanied by the hurried cadence of approaching footsteps. "Coming!" she exclaimed, creating an anticipatory atmosphere on the threshold.
The door swung open with a gentle creak, unveiling a striking scene – a statuesque woman with cascading, braided golden hair flowing over her shoulder. Adorned in a pristine white apron, reminiscent of Layla's customary attire, she exuded a timeless elegance.
Upon catching sight of our arrival, the enchanting woman graced us with a welcoming smile, a gesture so warm that it sent a flutter through my chest, leaving me with an inexplicable warmth. In that moment, a realization dawned on me – the inhabitants of this world, both men and women, possessed a captivating beauty that seemed almost unjust. If I were still Trevor, without a doubt, I might have found myself falling under the spell of this captivating lady.
"My, it's the hero's party," the blonde woman chimed in with a delightful giggle, her voice exuding charm.
"Good morning, Mrs. Crossfield!"
"Morning, Leon's mom."
Cheerful greetings resonated as Don and the others acknowledged the blonde woman, revealed to be Leon's mother. Observing her, I couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance, understanding where Leon inherited his good looks.
Mrs. Crossfield, bending down with a maintained smile, inquired, "Morning, Don. And what brings the whole party here?"
"We're actually here for Leon. Is he home?" Don posed his question.
Mrs. Crossfield, placing a finger against her chin, took a moment to contemplate. "Leon should be out back," she responded after a brief pause.
"The backyard then. I see. Thank you, Leon's mom."
"No problem, hero Don," Mrs. Crossfield said, offering a playful salute.
In admiration, I found it difficult to divert my gaze from this captivating woman. A silent acknowledgment echoed in my thoughts: she truly was a goddess. As if sensing my admiration, she flashed a smile in my direction.
'My heart probably just skipped a bit.'
Upon reaching the backyard, the clash of cutting air and wood resounded as we discovered Leon engaged in a fierce struggle on the ground, panting from the exertion.
"Leon!" Trise's voice prompted a reaction, causing Leon to rise and turn in our direction. "Eh? Y-you guys..." he uttered, wearing a perplexed expression.
"What are you guys doing here?" Leon questioned as he got up, still visibly bewildered.
"Oh, we just thought we'd check out what that important 'thing' of yours was," Kyle remarked, adding a touch of exasperation to his voice while making air quotes with his fingers.
A sigh escaped me at the mention of air quotes—a gesture that seemed to persist across worlds.
Leon, seemingly at a loss for words, avoided our gazes and lowered his face. Lia, breaking the silence, inquired, "U-uhm. Leon, what's going on? Even I am curious as to why you blew us off today."
"Ah, morning, Mr. Ridge," Don greeted Leon's father, a figure with a robust build and short white hair, the dissimilarity between him and Leon almost striking.
"Don... I see you've mostly recovered as expected," Mr. Ridge acknowledged.
"Of course I won't," Don replied.
"Um, Mr. Ridge," Trise interjected, seeking clarification. "Yes, Trise? What is it?" Mr. Ridge turned his attention to her.
"Why is Leon all beat up? I'd—we'll like to know," Trise inquired, echoing the concern etched across our faces.
Leon, visibly worn out and sprawled on the ground, panted heavily, leaving us all curious about the reason behind his condition. As Mr. Ridge began to explain, he was abruptly interrupted by a determined vo
ice from Leon.
"I want to get stronger!" Leon declared, his voice, resolute and full of conviction.
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DBM's notes:
Please vote and drop your chapter comments. It has come to my dure notice that we do not have much of a review, and would appreciate you guys to help with that, please and thank you for the support.
Seriously though, please vote.