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Ryu's POV
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We went to a bench along an empty street away from the crowd that was watching the fireworks.

The fireworks were still loud, but we had the opportunity to watch them alone without any other onlookers cheering.

But even so, Akari didn't seem to be paying any mind to the brilliant display in the air but was instead still crying into my arms.

"Akari... I'm sorry. I really am. I just... I couldn't..." (Ryu)

"Why! Why did it... take you so long?! I thought you'd come and... and get me! I waited for days! But you didn't..." (Akari)

"I'm sorry... I really am. I couldn't... I was... I am... I'm scared..." (Ryu)

I tried my best to prevent my voice from trembling as I talked, but no matter how hard, it didn't seem to work as Akari's tears stopped as she started to look up at me.

"What... What happened Ryu? You told me to run... and, and I did! I ran here! I ran to Old Man Frien... and he let me stay... but you never came..." (Akari)

"I couldn't... They... They killed..." (Ryu)

My mouth stopped moving as soon as I saw Akari's tear-stained face as if it had become frozen.

"Ryu...? Who... Who did they kill?" (Akari)

"They... They--" (Ryu)

"Ryu? What are you doing over here?" (Airi)

From behind me, from the direction that Akari and I had come from, Knight was strolling down it, wearing a casual brown dress, with a straw hat on her head; vastly different clothing than what she usually wore.

"Knight...?" (Ryu)

"Ah! Is that your sister? What was it... Right! Akari?" (Airi)

Hearing her name called from over my shoulder, Akari's head perks up, her eyes still filled with tears.

"Ooh! She's so cute! How old are you, Akari?" (Airi)

Knight walked over to the front of the bench as she called out to us, kneeling in front of Akari as she asks for her name.

"...Nine." (Akari)

"Oh, so you're three years younger than Ryu. My name's Airi, I'm a knight that's in the same squad as your brother." (Airi)

"Knight...? Squad...? Wait... Ryu?! Are you... Are you a knight?!" (Akari)

From a single question, Akari's mood seemed to have shifted dramatically.

"Eh? Ah, I guess...?" (Ryu)

"Waah! That's so cool! Are you really a knight?! Do you fight monsters?! Do you kill dragons?!" (Akari)

"Haha... I'm not that good yet, Akari..." (Ryu)

"Ah! You should see our Captain then! He's this big, and he was an SS adventurer before." (Airi)

Knight demonstrates Captain's size as she speaks with her arms, throwing them out to her side. She hadn't said much, but whatever she did seemed to enrapture Akari in a mind of her own.

"You want to go see him?" (Airi)

"... Yeah! Ryu, Ryu! Let's go!" (Akari)

Following Knight's question, Akari hopped off the bench and began pulling at the sleeve of my top, attempting to pull me along.

"Alright, let's go back..." (Ryu)

Though reluctantly, I follow along behind the two, watching as Akari laughs along with Knight. Seeing her laugh like that brings memories back, and I slowly drift away into my memories, now only absent-mindedly following behind.

It was only after Knight called me that I realised that we were back with the squad, watching as most of the villagers on the street slowly began to disperse as the fireworks show had ended. Some had still stayed, sitting at the several tables that were on the street, drinking happily.

Since I had started to look around, I missed Akari's first impression of Captain, but she seemed to have a good one as she started running around him, poking his sword and hanging from his arms.

It certainly is strange seeing her again, but it doesn't feel like much has changed since she hasn't grown much taller, and she seems to act the same as she did before.

But a new set of problems have now arrived. There was a reason why I had stayed away from Akari for three years. I mean, I was planning on staying away for even longer, long enough for me to become strong enough to protect her.

But right now? I can't do anything for her. I couldn't even answer her questions because I was scared.

Right. I can't do anything for her. But seeing that face light up with joy, I can't be selfish and act like I'm the only one who can protect her.

After seeing Akari play around with Captain for a few more minutes in the street, I watch as she yawns, and walk over to her.

"Akari, let's go back to Zi's. You don't want to miss the morning of tomorrow's festival, yeah?" (Ryu)

"Mm..." (Akari)

"Alright, let's go." (Ryu)

Without much effort, I lift Akari up onto my back and begin walking to Zi's house, but not before walking past Captain and whispering to him.

"I'll go to your room in the Inn when she's asleep. I need something." (Ryu)

I start walking towards the house without giving him time to reply.

It doesn't take long for us to reach the house, and I quickly head to her room and lay her in bed. She was half-awake as I sat beside her, holding her hand. We had a quick back and forth before she slowly fell asleep, loosening her grip on my hand.

Pulling my hand free, I leave Akari's room, but not before taking a single look back at her peaceful face. After I close the door, I make my way outside as quietly as I can and make my way towards the Inn.

It takes me a few minutes as the darkness of the night finally sets in, but as I arrive, I see Captain sitting at one of the tables in the lobby of the inn, drinking from a mug.

"Captain..." (Ryu)

"You're here... Well, let's go." (Captain)

He doesn't give me a chance to reply as he finishes his mug and starts heading up the stairs, making his way to the room he had entered.

I close the door behind me as I enter and take a deep breath.

"Captain." (Ryu)

"...?" (Captain)

"I... I need you to protect Akari." (Ryu)

"Hmm? Where is this coming from?" (Captain)

"There were a few reasons as to why I never came to Akari. One was that I couldn't protect her with how strong I am currently. I... I'm scared that she'll die in front of me." (Ryu)

"...Why? Why would she die in front of you?" (Captain)

"The... The No-Names... They don't know where Akari is... I was scared that if I met her, they'd find out..." (Ryu)

"... Do you think they're watching you?" (Captain)

"They have to be. I don't see why else they would let me live..." (Ryu)

"Right. So? How do you want me to protect her?" (Captain)

"I... I don't know. But... Please, just do something." (Ryu)

"... Alright..." (Captain)

"...! Than--!" (Ryu)

"--But! You have to tell me why you think they are watching you." (Captain)

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Author Notes
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It's finally a new chapter and it's a decent length this time! Well, I'm back after getting my Covid jab, and I've survived the side effects of it, so I'm now back to writing.

I'm not too sure how I feel about this chapter, but it ended up where I wanted it, so I think I'm happy with it.

But thank you for reading as always, please continue doing so!