The Hero’s Brother Is Bound To Be Depressed

236 – Promises that cannot be kept

Upon arriving at the academy, Navier pointed to the main building.

“There is an alarm spell and an anti-thief spell on the outside wall of the academy building. In other words, intrusion from outside is impossible.”

I wanted to tackle Navier’s confident voice for no reason.

“I don’t know, maybe they used magic that leaves no trace that we don’t know about.”

“Even if you use ancient magic that no one knows about, in the end, if it is magic, traces of magical power are bound to remain. The material of the outer wall is magic marble. “In the first place, after the last academy attack incident, a security spell was placed on the window, so if the window had been opened from the outside, a security engineer would have been dispatched.”

If you say that much, I have no choice but to admit it. As we entered the main building, Navier pointed to the central staircase.

“The 5th floor is a warehouse where important items are stored, so there is a magic that allows you to check who has used the hallway. In a situation where outside intrusion is impossible, if the stairs corridor was not used as the article said… .”

Navier trailed off and raised a finger. She has a face full of happy smiles. I also slightly raised the corners of my mouth.

“It was a perfect secret room. A great thief who can’t even predict the method has appeared. Maybe the culprit is… “It might not be a person, but a ghost.”

Certainly, as Navier said, the thief who robbed the pension department warehouse must have been extremely talented. There is no way to get to the warehouse without using the stairs.

At that moment, countless thoughts pass through my mind. I can’t say for sure, but I thought I might already know how.

I couldn’t believe that, but I laughed and shook off the uncomfortable feeling. Navier, who had closed her mouth and was looking at me with eyes full of anticipation, asked as if floating.

“Did you remember something?”

I’m not stupid enough to make hasty guesses. I shrugged my shoulders and said it was no big deal.

“… “Do you think we should do a better job of controlling doors in the future?”

“Hey, what is that… ! If Ross were to listen to my explanation, he would immediately say, “This is it!” “I thought they would catch the culprit.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Navier’s clearly disappointed look.

“Am I a detective?”

“huh? Wasn’t it?”

I was rather taken aback by Nabi’s tilted head as if it was obvious. Do you really think that way?

I belatedly realized that I was playing a prank when I saw Navier smiling with the corners of his mouth raised.

“But Ross is the most detective-like person I’ve ever seen.”

Saying that I’m similar to a detective is definitely a compliment, but why do I feel uncomfortable when Navier says that? I said with a sigh.

“Okay, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Navier smiled without answering, said that he was looking forward to our next date, and turned to head towards the combat club dormitory building.

***

The next day.

The boring winter break ceremony was over. Principal Nelson seemed to be sad to say goodbye, so he brought up all sorts of things that had nothing to do with the ceremony. As a result, the ceremony ended 30 minutes later than scheduled.

When we returned to the club room, Aria shouted, hugging her overstuffed suitcase with a face that looked like she was about to shed tears at any moment.

“Everyone, make sure to come to Bold Snow Mountain this winter vacation! That’s what I promised!!! I’ll prepare a lot of really delicious food this time too! Everyone, come prepared to gain weight!”

Following Aria’s logic that since we gathered during summer vacation, we should also gather during winter, we promised to meet at Aria’s house a week before vacation ended like before.

Aria, who was crying, narrowed her eyes and glared sharply at Kane.

“Especially Kane! Don’t make excuses later by saying you weren’t there and didn’t know! You must come! “You have to reply to the letters I send regularly and draw pretty pictures!”

Yesterday evening. As predicted, Aria held her briefing session and announced her travel plans to us.

However, Kane did not attend the briefing session. He later said he had to leave because of personal business he needed to complete before the holidays.

Aria said it was an excuse and got very angry, swinging a pillow at Kane’s face. But yesterday, just like now, Kane just smiled bitterly without making any excuses.

I looked back at the members. Everyone’s face looks worse than usual. The regret of a breakup is difficult to get used to. When I was alone in a club room that was always full of club members, the empty space felt bigger. Now, I have become a body that cannot exist without my members by my side. Because I realized what the feeling of ‘loneliness’ was.

Luna had a face that did not want to be separated from me more than anyone else. She often told me how boring and slow-moving the summer vacation was without me.

Each time, I nodded with a happy face, but Luna truly wanted to be with me throughout the vacation. Of course, I felt the same way, but there was so much I had to do during vacation. These were of high importance, so they could not be postponed.

Still, we made preparations to appease the members’ disappointment in a sensible way. For the first time in a while, we prepared lunch for the members who will be leaving for a while. We set up a table last night in the best location on the island, next to the hideout.

We ate delicious lamb sirloin steak with peanuts and beer sauce under the warm sun and talked endlessly to try to break up our relationship. We laughed and continued our conversation endlessly, but now it was really time to part ways.

I left the academy and saw the members off to the portal station. When they arrived at the station entrance, Luna and Aria burst into tears they had been holding back. After coaxing them both hard and promising to reply to their letters about 20 times, I was finally able to send the members.

I hurried back to the club room before my heart filled with regret. It’s a nice winter break starting today, but I promised to meet Bella in the afternoon. After that, she had to stop by Modest to look after her Estelle, who was probably curious.

When I opened the door to the club room, I could already feel the emptiness of the club members. For some reason, I feel a sense of deja vu. I think I felt this bitter feeling even during summer vacation. When I let out a light sigh without realizing it, I felt strange for some reason. It was a strange feeling of discomfort.

It was definitely the same club room, but it felt different from summer vacation. Aside from the new closet, I feel like something small is annoying, like a thorn stuck in my palm.

As I slowly looked around the club room, my gaze stopped at one place. The puzzles that had been scattered in my mind for a moment became one. I reflexively turned and ran towards the portal station.

I hope it’s not too late.

***

Because the regions were different, portal usage times were different for each person. Luna was the first to leave with her greeting and a sad look on her face. Immediately after that, Rakar left with the words, “See you when you grow up next time.”

Aria, who was sitting on a chair and drinking juice, glanced at Kane and asked in a hesitant voice.

“… Kane, is something wrong?”

At those words, Kane felt his heart sink for a moment. She said that Aria, who usually behaved like an immature child, often showed a sharp side as if she had become a different person.

It seems that Aria sensed the sincerity hidden behind Kane’s smile.

“No, nothing happened.”

Kane thought he had a calm voice, but Aria did not let him down easily.

“If anything happens, you can tell me. We… You’re a very close friend. “If you’re having a hard time, it’s okay to tell me anything.”

Aria’s voice was lower than usual. When they were alone together, she had a serious look that she only showed to Kane.

Kane met Aria’s worried gaze and awkwardly nodded. Kane still hasn’t gotten used to Aria worrying about her. Because the person who truly cared about her was Kane, who she thought would no longer be in this world.

“… thanks.”

“I’m telling you not to be discouraged! “In your second year, you have to travel around with me to find more delicious food!”

The day of waiting for hours with Aria for a delicious dessert was definitely boring, but looking back, it was a happy memory. Kane, who realized through Aria the joy of eating delicious food with someone, had no choice but to always be dragged along, pretending not to be able to win.

Aria grabbed Kane’s hand. It was a warm hand. Aria spoke to Kane, who hesitated as to whether he should take her hand away.

“Do you really have to come see me? In the meantime, I will not forget and write down what I want to say. I have to listen to all the things I couldn’t say during vacation. “Okay?”

Kane could feel that Aria, who was looking at him, was somehow anxious. Her children were said to be quick-witted, and Kane wondered if Aria instinctively sensed that this was her last meeting.

Kane suppressed his emotions and spoke as calmly as possible.

“Okay, then.”

Aria, who was staring at Kane’s face as if trying to read his expression, got up from the chair and grabbed the suitcase when it was time.

Aria suddenly held something out in front of Kane. Kane knew what it was at a glance. It’s a coupon card for a dessert cafe that the two of us often go to. Aria’s happy face came to mind as she was told that the macaron set would be free in just three more trips.

When Kane inadvertently raised his gaze and looked at Aria, Aria smiled brightly and said.

“Kane keep it and give it back the next time we meet.”

Those words made Kane curious about what kind of expression he was making. He probably had a sad smile. She knew she shouldn’t, but she didn’t want to hurt Arya already.

Although he knew it was a promise he couldn’t keep, Kane had no choice but to say it.

“… huh. “Definitely next time.”

Aria, who was biting her lip in response to Kane, said, “Yes! “Then I’ll see you next time!” she said, vigorously dragging her suitcase and heading towards where the portal was.

Kane, who was watching Aria disappear, put the coupon card Aria gave him into his pocket, dragged the suitcase, and headed toward the portal to the southern region.

The station employee, who checked the portal ticket, motioned for Kane to enter. Kane, with heavy steps, stood at the very end of the queue. After a while, a wizard with a tired face shouted.

“I will enter the direct portal to Southern Union. “I would appreciate it if you could wait on the magic circle in order.”

The line narrowed, but Kane stayed still. Because she realized that once she takes a step, there is no turning back.

The coupon card he had in his pocket was clearly made of paper, but strangely enough, it felt heavy to Kane.

Still, Kane walked toward the portal, feeling fortunate to be able to meet Aria face to face one last time.

There is no turning back anymore. No, maybe I wanted this kind of ending somewhere in my heart from the beginning.

The moment Kane passed the wizard, someone’s shout was heard from behind him.

“Kane!”

I know whose voice it is. So Kane pretended not to hear her and tried to walk with her head down. But she wasn’t long before her arm was grabbed.

Ross, who was breathing heavily, spoke in a strained voice, probably running towards Kane, who did not turn around.

“… “I’m sorry, but I have a meeting with the manager.”