NOVEL NEXT Chapter 196: Important Decision
"So that's what Pearl did." Mei finished her explanation, casually fiddling with Hailie's hair while sitting on the poor healer's thigh face-to-face much to my dismay, it seemed like she was giving Hailie a braid?
Mei had taken off her giant wizard hat and placed it on the table, taking away 75% of the space, so Lady_Valerie noodle bowls had to be scoot over alongside my dishes before anyone came around a collect them.
For the last thirty minutes, Mei had been braiding Hailie's hair and explaning everything that happened regarding Omnitetris, New Destiny, Lion's Parade, and finally: Pearl's aka RapelZapel's post on the forum explaning the situation, inviting people for a greater future.
Hailie didn't frequent the forum. Matter of fact; I'd be surprise if she even have a account, because the amount of chronically online insufferable human beings on there were… Astounding.
"So that's why we extend an invite to you! Cus you're a fun person to be around, you can do wonders and makes a lottt of money on the side!" Mei proudly added.
But when I saw that Mei was scooting closer to Hailie, so much so that her flat chest was pressing against the poor girl's nose like a head hug, I cleared my throat very loudly, telling her that she should know better than to do this, this little brat better knows her limit and stop abusing my precious baby girl.
"Stop touching her, geez! Hailie's annoyed, she's just too nice to tell you!" I yelled, crossing my arms as I sat there.
I was unable to be an unreasonable bitch aka my best here, since my katana was on my hips, and I was being stared down by the calm heterochromiac Lady_Valerie, who was willing to cut me down, since her own sword was on the table and it's much easier to grab and swing at this angle.
Hearing my complaint, Mei seemed to take it seriously… Somewhat, and her lower lips protruded out, making a sad face, she then put on a puppy eyes as she turned back to Hailie.
"R-Really? Aw~ You're annoyed? Do you want me to stop? Maybe I'll stop." She said, pulling herself away from Hailie, but very, very, very slow.
"Oh I… Um-" Hailie hesitated, obviously, looking back and forth at the both of us, "I don't mind…"
"Ahem," I cleared my throat, slight bit of anger showing through, Hailie… You're caving to peer pressure, dear ♪"
"It's fine, Cory! I um- Mei's showing me a new style, I hope it's cute!"
"Yay~" The mage was obviously happy, turning back at me and winking behind Hailie's back, or technically, in front of her.
"Grr…" I gritted my teeth.
But that didn't deter us from the main point of the conversation we're about to have, as I felt the air tense.
The seating were very awkward, now that I had a second look.
Lady_Valerie sat back to my left, her chair almost on two legs at a weird angle as she leaned, staring directly at me, as if she was very much ready to strike at any moment.
And in her home turf, it's easy to predict who'll win, especially since we're both right handed so she's at an bettle angle.
Across from me, aka on Valerie's left, were Hailie, and Mei was sitting on the poor girl's thighs, wrapping her legs around like clomping, to toy with the girl's hair.
Yet for some reason, the person I feel most unpredictable here was that said neurodivergent-looking energetic mage, as I stared at the hat on her table.
She spoke.
"You asked me about Marc, Akira, and Rina, didn't you?"
This question was directed at me, so I nodded without a verbal response, despite her not being able to see.
"Apart from Akira, who was more interested in the quest life… Marc and Rina agreed to join our mercenary company. And they'll hold a higher authority, of course, I was thinking Rina could be vice-head of contracting. and Marc could lead a team."
"Fuck you and your brother, Mei."
Before those words left my mouth, I already saw Mei got both hands on Hailie's ears, blocking the sounds, even if barely.
"Eh?" confused Hailie noises.
Before I can say more, Mei started doing this weird horror movie shit. She had her back turned against me; that we established, and with both palms flat out pressing on Hailie's ears—almost like an anchor—she leaned backward so far that I could see her throat, and that she was looking back at me upside down.
"Language, Cory, a cutie patootie is listening~"
I moved my hips slightly for an ease of an angle to unsheathe my katana, but of course, Lady_Valerie would be there, her hand already on her broadsword handle before I even moved mine.
She moved like… A trigger, to put it, a visual indicator, she only moves when I have any ill intention.
Mei then removed her hands from Hailie's ears, lowering her voice again, still with that childish and cutesy tone of hers.
"I believe Cory will not be with us, just like Akira~ That's a shame, our reputation will literally sky-rocket and we'll be the #1 guild in no time if we establish one with you there." She giggled, "What about you, Hailie? Will you leave us?"
"Oh? Ah! I- Um…"
"HEY!" I yelled, slamming my hands on the table, ignoring the blade right at throat, "You're phrasing it to coerce her and forcing her into an awkward situation! A fair phrasing would be would you like to join a mercenary group to senselessly murder random people for money just like how Lady_Valerie did to you?"
"Someone's being hypocritical today I see." Mei chuckled, "But yes, the choice's yours, Hailie."
"..."
I sat back down, so did Valerie.
We waited for a long second, even Mei's hand movement on the healer's hair slowed down as she went to the second braid (she was doing it on both side parts, then probably behind too, for 2 small braids and one big one, weird style).
I fully expected Hailie to start sobbing or protesting, trying to be the mediator, asking if both sides could compromise, like, can I and Akira form a separate group that allied with the mercenary group without any intervention of each other's business… Some shit like that.
But yet, she just spoke very calmly, though her voice did startled me for a second, because I couldn't see her mouth.
"I- um… I actually know what I wanted to choose a while ago." She looked up at Mei, "Can I have a second?"
"Sure." Mei answered, moving away from Hailie's lap and pulling her own chair on my right, across from Valerie.
Hailie looked at me in the eyes, with a faint smile, before ultimately diverting away.
That split second of her eyes moving away from mine sank my fragile heart.
"I'm sorry, Cory."
All the muscles in my body let loose as I found myself half-turning back to my non-newtonion state.
"What do you mean, Hailie? You're joking, right? You're gonna… You want to join them?" I said.
"That 'them' sounds antagonizing sis." Mei tilted her head.
"I just don't understand!" I raised my voice a bit, though not enough to be confrontational, "What is going through your thought proce-"
"Cory, please." Hailie stopped me, "Um- You're my best friend, Cory! Of course I would never leave you! And you have to understand that… I've noticed you prefer to play alone."
"I- I don't-"
"Please, I want to finish."
Hailie stopped me again, taking in a deep breath as she glanced to Hailie.
"I choose over here not because of the mercenary thing, but because Marc is here, and Mei is here, alongside Pearl, Rina, and Akira, of course! But I especially like those two because they're very attentive and very patience in teaching me the game, and… How to put this, they're very friendly to a lot of new players, I've seen the way they act, and um- I trust that they're good people."
"You have to understand that in game we might be different factions, but outside, we're still best friends, right? Please don't hate me, Cory… I- Um- Oh my… gulp I think that I prefer to play with a big group, that's the gist of it, I feel fulfilling that way, either if I stay as a healer or change my class to a tank."
As I heard those words, I almost break down crying.
She was so gentle, so careful with her words, yet the fact made it even worse. I felt like a horrible god damn person, I felt undeserving of that much empathy, but at the same time, narcissism kicked in and I felt the need to point out how I'm a better companion than them and I could probably get her into a stronger and bigger group that a few losers.
But alas, I just sat back.
As Mei quietly stood up, went behind Hailie, and started braiding her hair, after both sides were already done.
"I respect your decision." I forced myself to let out those words.
Even though deep inside, I do not know if I was being genuine with myself.