As an almost inactive author, it's embarrassing to say this but...

Please be patient for those who want to read my story quickly. I'm not a full time writer after all. But don't worry, I'll still write and will be updating as soon as I can. Of course, I'll update after I do the editing. Need to minimize the mistake.

* * * *

It has been 3 days after Shou, Takeharu, and Selia stay in the Dargan town. And without Shou knowing, Mao and are also in the very same town for 2 days.

Early in the morning, at the inn Shou’s group stayed, someone knocked the door.

“Yoshitaka, can I talk to you a bit?”

Selia is calling up Shou to meet up with him in front of their room while Takeharu is asleep.

“Eh? Selia? Sure, what is it?”

“Actually--”

Both of them discussed about something passionately. If Takeharu see this, he might think that both of them might have an affair.

“Hmm, in the morning I would like to search around for Mao, so I guess around noon is okay.”

“Still searching for her info? Can’t be helped then, this noon at 2 AM meet me at the central plaza! Remember it right Yoshitaka!”

“Yes, I won’t forget.”

-At the same time-

“Hal, I wanted to go out in the noon for a bit.”

Mao told , Hal, about everything. And now she’s trying to search information about irregularities while searching Shou’s whereabouts.

“Shall I accompany you? I’m good at 1 or 2 o’clock in the noon.”

“I think that’s unnecessary but… You will follow me regardless right?”

“Ahaha, well…”

“Haa~ah, can’t be helped.”

Mao can only hung her head and sighed. No matter what, Hal will follow her anyway. She resigned to his persistence and gives permission to follow her to Hal.

-That noon-

“Yoshitaka, come on let’s go to the next shop!”

Selia was happily pulling Shou’s arm with a bright smile. Just like a maiden in her first date with her beloved (although it wasn't). Both of them didn’t wear their battle gear. Selia wear casual clothes with skirt. Although she didn’t use her armor, she still brought her sword. Well, for Shou, he only took of his protective vest he got from Blaze, and left the magic staff, Eltain, and magic cloak behind so he only took Blaze’s dagger and a gun with him.

“W-wait, don’t pull me that… HARD!! OUCH!”

“So-sorry! Are you okay?”

As always, Selia's strength doesn’t match her figure.

'Even Mao isn't this strong...' that's what Shou thought while holding his own arm in pain.

Both of them going in and out to various shop while Selia seems to be in high spirit looking at the merchandise. Shou also seems to be looking at the goods such as accessories and armors.

After a few hours of going in and out from various shop in the district, they finally decided to buy something.

“Ah~, at last we found something good.”

Shou stretch his arms upwards and smiled. Selia seems to be also in a good mood while hugging a bag which is the things she and Shou bought.

“Thanks...” Selia fidget a bit while saying something. "With this--"

“What have you been doing all this time, Yoshitaka Shou?”

A voice calls out to him. Hearing this, Shou shifted his attention to the front, where the voice originated from.

“Eh..? Mao?”

There stood Mao in front of him, looking with cold eyes towards Shou. Besides her was Hal, who Shou knows that he is from Mao’s world.

Just by looking at her expression, it was clear that Mao misunderstood the situation.

“I’ve been searching for you these past few days. When I finally found you, you are actually playing around with a girl…” Mao took a deep breath. “Was the promise back then is a lie?” Mao's eyes seemed to be virtually blackened. Shou already guessed that she is angry.

‘The promise back then’, Shou’s body and heart felt like received an impact but he stayed still. He knows what she refer to was when they promised to search for each other when they ever got separated.

“N-no, that’s not it Mao. Even I was searching for you--”

“HOW MANY DAYS HAVE YOU BEEN IN THIS TOWN?!”

Mao suddenly raised her voice. Even the pedestrian turned their attention at the sudden ruckus.

“… three days…” Shou can only answer silently.

“For three days? Then why hadn’t you found me? I’VE BEEN HERE FOR TWO DAYS SEARCHING FOR YOU! AND HERE YOU ARE, PLAYING WITH A GIRL FOR THREE DAYS?!”

Shou fell into silence towards Mao’s words.

‘Two days? She’s been in this town for two days? Damn, why can’t I find her earlier?! Because we missed each other’s way on our search?’ “I’ve also--”

“No need for your excuse… to think that I’ve desperately search for such a guy.” Mao turned around wanting to leave the scene. “Let’s go, Hal.” Mao’s words pierced into him. He felt frustration towards the blind guilt Mao has been charging him with.

“WHO SAID I WAS PLAYING AROUND?!” He taunted Mao back. It was unintentionally, but he raised his voice. “ISN’T IT YOU WHO HAVE BEEN PLAYING AROUND WITH THAT GUY?!” This time it was Shou who raged out. His mind felt like it was clouded. His mouth moved beyond his will.

“I'VE ALSO BEEN SEARCHING FOR YOU IN THESE PAST DAYS! BUT I DIDN’T FIND ANY INFO! AREN’T YOU THE ONE WHO HIDE IN THE SHADOWS AND PLAYING AROUND WITH THAT GUY!!” ‘No… I shouldn’t blame Mao… I know I shouldn’t but…’

“Me?! Then why are both of you seems so happy going around the town together? Aren't both of you seemed to be enjoying yourself!” ‘Why do I kept blaming Shou? I know that it might be just us missed out each other when we went searching. But… but…’

“FINE! I was in the wrong! Sorry for not searching for you properly! And I won’t search for you or want to meet you again! SO, NO NEED TO SEARCH FOR ME!” ‘Shit, what am I saying? I had been desperately searching for her, days and nights. Of course I wanted to meet her as soon as possible. Why must we…’

“Oh then it’s all good. I ALSO DON’T WANT TO MEET YOU EVER AGAIN!” ‘That’s not it. I don’t want to be separated again. Why must we…’

Shou and Mao turned away from each others. Their backs meet up once again just like before, but now with a different purpose and feelings.

“Let’s go, Selia!”

“Let’s get away, Hal!”

‘‘Why must meet again to fight like this…’’

* * * *

“. . . . . .”

At the inn, Shou sit down on the chair with gloomy feeling.

“Er… Shou..?”

“Don’t talk to me.”

“But--”

“I told you to not talk to me.”

Shou gives chilling cold eyes just like a murderer towards Takeharu.

“H-HIEH!” Takeharu fell onto his back.

“Takeharu-sama?!”

“His eyes… it seems like he’s going to kill anyone who carelessly talked to him…”

Shou right now is in a foul mood. His eyes lost their shine and now looking at everything coldly.

“Hey, Selia, what happened to him?”

“The truth is--” Selia took a deep breath and narrating the story from when they promised this morning.

“Sigh, so that's why… and I told you guys that you don’t need to buy anything for me. Why are both of you seemed to be eager to give me something?”

“Sorry, we thought that Takeharu-sama would need a new gear as your armor is getting worn-out now.”

Selia seems to be a bit apologetic as she hung her head down.

“Sigh, it’s alright. You guys already went out and buy this armor for me, I’ll use it later."

"Really?!" Selia's face suddenly brighten up. "I love you, Takeharu-sama!" She jumped happily towards Takeharu and hugs him.

"Shut up! Riajuu, die, explode, get out!" Shou who is in a bad mood, couldn't stand it and chase the two away.

The two ran away quickly. Outside the room, the two began to worry about Shou again.

"Cough, that was insensitive of me." Selia fixed her composure.

"But now more importantly…” Takeharu and Selia peep inside the room, finding Shou who lays his face againts the table once again.

“. . . . . .”

“We really need to fix this gloomy feeling…”

* * * *

-In the same town-

“Sigh… what have I done..?”

In the pub, Mao is behaving almost the same way as Shou. Placing both of her hands on her temples, Mao sat down with the same gloomy feelings like Shou.

“W-well, I was also surprised that Mao is lashing out towards a guy.”

“B-but that was--”

“You felt jealousy because he walks around happily with a girl?”

“… yes.” she nods.

“Then you have no right to get angry without knowing the situation clearly.”

“But he--”

“You are also seen to be together with me. Don’t you consider the possibilities that he felt the same?”

“Urk…”

Mao then lost for words. She knows that she might be just misunderstanding things and she felt guilty about it.

“And moreover you kept pushing the blame to him. If I was him and I really searched for you these past three days, I might felt rage towards the blame you charged blindly on me.”

“. . . . . .”

“Well, I’m sure most people would no longer want to see such a girl like that.”

“… W-what should I do..?” Mao lifted her head. Her eyes are wet from tears and it surprised Hal.

“Geh! No, well… it’s the guy you trust right?! He also might be saying that just by the spur of the moment!"

"Doesn't that mean it's what he think honestly?"

". . . . . ."

"Why did you become silent?!"

"I-it’s okay! You guys will make up later! I’ll help you!”

“We’ve been squabbling for many times before but it was the first time he said it… what should I do, Hal?”

“Um… isn’t it okay? I mean it might went away as both of you cooled down your heads right? My parents told me that lovers spat will result stronger bonds later! Well, if they do make up though…”

*Sob* *sob* Tears that well up on Mao seems to be ready to burst.

“GEH! C-come on don’t cry!” ‘Such a troublesome girl!!’

* * * *

-Shou’s perspective-

Sigh, I messed up.

I need to apologize to Mao later.

But… will she forgive me? Rather does she still want to see me?

Sigh… I really messed up a big one this time.

It seems like its normal for us to have a small squabble, but this time…

Even Myste and Eltain kept silent now. I guess I gives out the aura that I don’t want people to talk to me huh?

“Erm Shou, me and Selia going out for a bit, okay.”

“. . .” I didn't even feel in the mood to respond to Takeharu. They probably want to get away from me, seeing my bad mood.

Sigh, I really need to cool my head a bit.

I'm such an idiot, really.

‘Regret comes later’ huh? Damn, I felt like an idiot for lashing out.

* * * *

-Mao’s perspective-

Urk, now that if I think properly. Hal’s word might be true.

I’m such an idiot. To be swept away by blind jealousy.

Sigh, I wonder if Shou still want to see me?

This is no good.

“Alright then, I’ll go back for a bit. You should go back properly too.”

“Hmm.” I only nod at Hal. Seriously I need to calm down for a bit.

‘Regret comes later’ what a befitting phrase for this pathetic me right now.

* * * *