After Lisa got back, we stopped our talk there as it seems like Lisa brought back with her a bunch of documents. We all sat down at the table, looking over all of them, however I still have no idea what any of it says, only seeing it as a bunch of scribbles.
"Is this what I think it is?" Charlotte's the first to speak as she looks over at Lisa.
"Yes. They're our new jobs."
"But Shiro still hasn't gotten used to using her mana."
"I know. But apparently this is urgent. And with everyone busy with other matters, this got shoved onto us."
So I'm guessing Charlotte and I will have to go out and kill more people? I guess I'm fine with it. It's been a while since the last set of jobs, so I was wondering when this would happen, however Charlotte doesn't look too pleased about it.
"Is there really no one else that can do this?"
"Not people that are able to do this, no."
"Hahhh~" Charlotte sighs as she skims over the papers on the table. But in the next moment, Charlotte's eyes widen. "Wait, this is Furor?"
"Not quite, but they're a group that helps them. That vampire you kept alive back in that hotel finally spilled the beans."
That's right... Charlotte did leave one of the vampire's alive. I'm not too sure what 'spilled the beans' means though as it almost feels like it doesn't make any sense with what's being said.
"The authorities have helped track down where this group will be heading to."
"And you want me to go there and get more info from them?"
"Correct. It won't be an assassination mission like last time."
"Hmmm." I watch as Charlotte flips over the pages once more. "It just says the location, not how many?"
"Correct. It's why this was passed onto you. There's too many variables to consider, so do take care."
"If that's the case, then maybe Shiro should stay here."
"Huh?" Hearing Charlotte say for me to remain here leaves me a bit surprised as my voice escapes me. "Charlotte?"
"If it was a simple kill and leave, I'd take you along, but this kind of job can be a bit risky."
"But don't you remember? I can't die."
"I know, but we don't know what they'll do. They could find- other uses for you... Or something..."
What does Charlotte mean? Uses for me? Is she maybe thinking that they'll harvest my limbs like back in the white room? Also why does Charlotte seem a bit off towards the end there...
"Well, we're not working with that man this time, so I can allow Shiro to remain here with me." Lisa ends up saying more words that only makes me chest feel tighter than before. Does she also want me to stay behind?
"No!" Not wanting this to continue, I end up standing up from my seat, raising my voice accidentally. "I uhm... I want to be by Charlotte's side."
"Shiro, I understand, but If I take you with me, I worry that it might be too difficult to look after you and do the job."
"What?"
"I agree." Lisa too? "I know you're upset, Shiro, but Charlotte's right. I think it's also best for you to remain here. Stealth missions are best with less people. If both of you go, the likelihood of you two being found will increase."
"But Charlotte..." I remember when she always cuts her palm when she fights. I don't want her to have to do that. And also that time when I was shot... What would happen if Charlotte would've got shot? Would she die? What if she dies now when I'm not there? As I think all these things, I notice that I've been digging my nails into my palms, balling up my hands into a fist.
"She'll be okay, Shiro. She's arguably the strongest fighter amongst us."
"Mhmm." Just then, I felt Charlotte place her hand over my balled up hands as I inevitably relax them after feeling her warmth. "I've done this sort of job many times now. I'll be fine."
"But what if something happens to you?!" I end up raising my voice once more, staring directly into her eyes as my chest starts getting tighter and tighter, the heat only spreading making it harder to breathe.
"If it's something I can't handle, I promise to return straight away."
"Y-you promise?"
"Nn. I promise." She ends up wiping a tear that dripped down my cheek. I didn't even know that a tear had formed...
"...Okay." I end up giving up as the warmth of her hand against my cheek gives me the comfort I need as I gently hold her hand there with my own, wanting to feel her warmth on my face just a bit longer.
"Hehehe. Your wife's worried about you Charlotte, how adorable."
"Oi."
"Pfft. Joking~"
I guess it is unrealistic for Charlotte and I to always be together. There'll be sometimes like this where we might have to part ways. But this feeling... I trust that she'll come back.
After a few more seconds, I let go of Charlotte's hand on my face as she gives me another smile before returning her hand.
"H-how long will this take?" Having calmed down a bit, I end up asking Lisa.
"Depends on Charlotte, but it shouldn't take more than a day, right?"
"Yeah. It's just to gather information anyways. I shouldn't be too long. I should be back by tomorrow morning."
Tomorrow morning... So that means I can just go to sleep and when I wake up Charlotte will be there? Realizing that, I find myself smiling ever so slightly. For some reason I thought maybe this would take a lot longer than that.
"Hehe, yeah I won't be too long."
"Do keep in touch with us though."
"Mhmm."
Yeah, I don't feel as worried as before...