Previously: After the poisoning incident at the party, Zenos finished his meeting with Becker.
After finishing his meeting with Becker.
Zenos returned to the research wing of the Royal Healing Institute and collected the luggage he had left there.
Umin and Cresson came to see him off at the road leading away from the Royal Healing Institute.
“Well then, I’m grateful for everything.”
Zenos, with Lily in tow, looked back at the two.
“What are you saying? We’re the ones who should be grateful.”
“That’s right, aniki.”
Umin and Cresson spoke, sounding reluctant to see him go.
“Even though Zenos-san prevented the poisoning, everyone’s memories are hazy, so I’m frustrated that no one really knows whose achievement it was.”
“I agree. I want to tell those guys from the Goldrun faction, ‘You were saved thanks to aniki!’”
“No, please don’t do anything that would draw attention…”
After all, I’m a healer who operates in the shadows.
It would be better for me if the special trainee quietly returned to his hometown after finishing his training period.
Zenos admonished them thus, and took out a letter from his pocket.
“This is enough for me.”
It was a letter addressed to Zenos that Becker had prepared. Umin had searched the laboratory and found it for him.
It probably contained information about his master, and obtaining this was the original purpose of coming to the Royal Healing Institute.
“Well, shall we go, Lily?”
“Yeah. Umin-san, weird big brother, see you later!”
“Yes, thank you for everything.”
“Lil’ Siiiiis, I’m so happy you called me big brother in the end~~~!”
With Umin waving and Cresson sobbing behind them, Zenos and Lily stepped onto the road bordered by green grasslands.
Zenos looked back once along the way and responded with a raised hand to Umin and Cresson, who were still waving. Beyond the two, the pure white building of the Royal Healing Institute, where they had spent some time, was visible. Gazing up at it dazzlingly, Zenos opened his mouth slightly.
“—Goodbye, Royal Healing Institute.”
Umin and Cresson, who were left behind, still stood there even after Zenos’s back disappeared from sight.
“Ahh, he’s gone…”
“…That’s right… sniff”
“How long are you going to cry? It’s creepy.”
“That’s harsh, considering we’re classmates, huh?”
Cresson wiped his cheek and glared at Umin.
“You too, are you okay with this? Letting Big Bro go.”
“What are you talking about? There are many people waiting for Zenos-san. I have no right to hold him back.”
“But you’re in love with Big Bro, aren’t you?”
“W-W-W-What? That’s not—”
Umin’s face turned bright red, and she waved her hands frantically. Cresson shrugged lightly and said.
“I know, you know. We’ve been classmates since training school, after all.”
“…”
Umin fidgeted with her mouth, looking uncomfortable.
“No, well… I respected him as an amazing person, but I didn’t have that kind of feeling. But when I thought that Becker-sensei might have poisoned everyone, my mind went blank, and I just stood there like an idiot, unable to do anything…”
Umin placed a hand on her chest and looked at the road stretching straight ahead.
“At that time, Zenos-san said he would save everyone… He continued to cast healing magic on everyone, even though he was so tired he could barely walk… It’s not fair, if you show me that kind of figure, any girl would…”
Umin swallowed her words there. Cresson interjected, looking somewhat exasperated.
“You have to show that kind of feeling more, or the other person won’t understand.”
“I-If I could do that, I wouldn’t be struggling!”
“Well… that’s true.”
Umin pouted at Cresson’s easy answer. Eventually, she exhaled deeply and said with a calm expression.
“…But it’s okay. Zenos-san isn’t someone who can be contained within the framework of the Royal Healing Institute. I can’t hold him back.”
“Geez, you’re so quick to give up. You won’t be happy that way.”
“S-Sorry.”
“I won’t give up.”
“Eh?”
“In the future, I’ll be the one standing next to aniki.”
“…Huh?”
Umin’s eyes behind her glasses widened.
“D-Don’t tell me, Cresson, you’re one of those people?”
“N-No way! I meant that I’ll become someone worthy of being recognized by aniki!”
“Oh, that’s what you meant. I was a little surprised.”
Seeing Umin sighing in relief, Cresson scratched his cheek.
“That’s why…”
“Yes?”
“If I become someone amazing enough to stand next to aniki. Then, with me…”
“What is it? Your voice is too quiet, I can’t hear you.”
“It’s nothing.”
Cresson held his neck and sighed, then turned his face forward. He took a deep breath and shouted loudly.
“Seeee yaaaa, aniki! Thanks for everythiiiing!”
Umin, smiling slightly, cupped her hands around her mouth and raised her voice as well.
“Goodbye, Zenos-san! Thank you so much for everything!”
Their voices echoed and reverberated in the blue sky.
It rode on the refreshing field wind that crossed the road and disappeared into the distant mountain range.
A/N: Arc 2 is (mostly) complete. Thank you for sticking with me until now.
There is one more chapter, a kind of appendix, where I plan to touch on Becker’s letter.