59 Acceptance And Ominousness (1/2)
”Hey, how was your hunting? I hope you did listen to me and train hard as I told you to.”
Kazumi's cracked into a wild smile.
”Of course we did! Those hounds stood no chance, just two hits were enough to kill them.”
Kazumi was gushing, however, Leo couldn't afford to. He stood still saying nothing while Amaterasu fidgeted with her hands and avoided eye contact with Shesmu.
”Haha, that's great then. It's good that you guys are having fun. That's what video games are for in the first place, isn't that right?”
Shesmu then looked at Leo trying to establish eye contact before the latter immediately broke it.
Shesmu didn't sigh or try to look away. He stood frozen in his place as if a spell was cast and time was stopped.
”Leo, you know, I'm getting a bit worried about Ryan. It's been a while and he still hasn't woken up.”
For a moment, Leo's eyes drifted to the face hanging from Shesmu shoulder. DepressedRyan was still asleep, a smile stuck to his face. Leo clutched at his heart. All this time, he has only been selfishly thinking about himself, while his friend's fate was still unknown.
”Yeah, I think I'll log out and go to his house. I need to check on him.”
Leo's words didn't come as a surprise to Shesmu. In fact, he welcomed them. Shesmu walked closer towards Leo and tapped his shoulder.
”Leo, once Ryan wakes up, I'll tell the both of you everything. Is that okay with you?”
Leo nodded at Shesmu's words before looking at DepressedRyan's face. Even while sleeping, he seemed to be at peace.
”Ryan really likes you,” Leo muttered in an inaudible voice.
”What did you say?”
”Nothing.”
Leo smiled at Shesmu before he turned into colorful particles and disappearing.
”You heard everything, right?”
Amaterasu looked at Shesmu with a resolute expression, no longer being awkward and trying to avoid eye contact.
”Yes-yes, I did.”
”So, what are you going to do? You might lose a friend, you know?”
Shesmu stayed silent, only looking up at the blood red sky covered by the white mist.
”And, what can be done about that?”
Shesmu's answer flared up Amaterasu.
”Are you really going to let things go this way?!!”
Shesmu looked at Amaterasu in the eyes.
”You know, Amaterasu, friends, it's a two-way thing. No matter how much you cherish someone and you care for him, the choice rests with that person at the end.”
Amaterasu didn't know what to say. The energy that fired her up just a second ago vanished and her shoulders dropped down.
”It must be hard for you.”
Shesmu looked at Amaterasu's sad face before smiling at her.