CH 54

“Chapter 54: Again”

I wanted to forget.

I wanted to forget about everything before that night.

I’ve surrounded myself with good people. I’ve polished my talents. I live a fulfilling life.

There’s someone I’m interested in.

I wanted to forget.

I wanted to forget how much they humiliated me.

But as soon as I see him I can’t stop the memories from coming back.

– Harukawa Akito.

I uttered the name of my classmate.

– That’s right, Nagami! It’s me! How many months has it been? Man, I’m glad I found you.

A blatant lie. He says it like I got lost on my own.

It was you who caused it.

– Takaya, who is that?

– Meirir-san, remember what I told you about before I joined Searat?

– Of course I do. A family of about 40 people who threw you away. Is he…

I nodded.

This is a concern I’ve had ever since I discovered my capabilities.

When we came to this world, my classmates were just as clueless as me.

We were all just thrown into another world after an accident.

They may have kicked me out for being useless, but that’s what allowed me to grow. I met Meirir.

Which led to me learning about my dormant skills.

If they hadn’t abandoned me, I wouldn’t have found Meirir. If I hadn’t found Meirir, I wouldn’t know about my skills.

– Harukawa, why are you here? (Takaya)

It’s not hard to imagine his answer.

They finally caught on.

They realized how useful my skills are.

I don’t know how he found me, but there are 37 people in the class. Someone probably has a skill that helped them.

– Hey, hey. Why so on guard? We’re classmates, aren’t we?

Akito’s clothes were full of dirt.

He wasn’t wearing his school uniform anymore. He had a frayed cloak, a steel longsword that looked like it would break at any moment, and gauntlets that had lost any shine they previously had.

Clearly, he was having a rough time.

– Nagami, come on. Come back with us. We were stupid. We didn’t know how this world works.

– Of course you didn’t. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have kicked me out.

Out of the 37 people, not a single one could fulfill my job.

Someone with the skills to do the dirty job that no one wants.

– But now we know. So we came to look for you. What do you say?

Akito kneeled in front of me.

He was… pleading to me.

How pathetic do you have to be to come back and beg for help when you were the one that kicked me out.

– Please, come back with us. Please, Nagami, help us. We’ll protect you this time.

– …No thanks.

I bluntly declined.

I already have friends.

Friends that actually care about me.

Meirir, Dike, Roar, Rudra, Feria, Mike, Ever, Akane, Letty, Mumuruu, and the people of Bay Road.

– I’m not going with you. I’ll live here, in Searat, with everyone else.

– Takaya…

Every minute Meirir kept closing the distance between us. I’m also a part of her life now.

I’m not just a visitor in this world anymore.

– I see. They care about you, unlike us.

Akito stood up and stopped crying once he realized the negotiations were over.

– You’re taking a no for an answer?.

– Well, you’ve already decided. There’s no point in trying to persuade you.

Slowly, Akito stepped away from us.

– Did you really think I’d say that?

Lightning flashed before my eyes.

Somehow Akito managed to appear behind us.

– Ugh-

– Takay―Agh.

Akito hit both of us with an electric shock.

I can’t move. Did he paralyze us?

I’m starting to lose consciousness.

Meirir dropped to her knees and then fell to the ground.

– Sorry, Nagami. I’m taking you with me. You belong to us.

– Kh… Meirir-san… Anyone… Help…

I could only curse my powerlessness as I looked at Meirir laying on the floor.