A little while after that.
Paul said something, but I couldn't think of anything good to respond to it.
Stiff responses with no thought just continued to be repeated.
Before anyone noticed, the only customers left were us.
Any time now, it wouldn't be strange for them to come and ask us to leave so they can start closing.
It seems Paul realized those signs as well.
"Rudi, what are you going to do from here on out?"
In the end that's what he asked.
"For the time being, I'll escort Eris to the Fedoa region."
"However, there's nothing left in the Fedoa region?"
"But, we'll still return."
We have no choice other than to return.
Phillip, Sauros, Ghyslaine as well, it seems no one has been found.
Even if we return there will be no one around.
However, we have no choice other than to return.
Why?
It's because that was the objective of the journey.
Realization of original intention.
First off we'll arrive in the Fedoa region, then look at the current state of affairs and confirm it with our own eyes.
After that, it would be alright if I head to the northern regions to search in Central Continent.
If we ask Ruijerd he could return to Magic Continent, and he could look in various places.
For the time being, it might be good to go to Begarrito Continent as well if I can understand the language.
"After that, we'll look in other places."
"I see."
Just like this the conversation quickly paused.
I don't know what to say.
"Here."
Just at that time the master of the bar left some cups in front of us.
There was steam coming out of the wooden cups left before us.
"It's service."
"Thank you very much."
Just as I realized, my throat was completely dry.
My hands were clenched tightly, and my palms were covered in sweat.
At the same time I realized my back and sides were awfully chilly.
My bangs were clinging to my forehead.
"Hey boy. I don't know the details, but.."
"...?"
"Please look at his face."
After hearing him say it I realized it for the first time.
I haven't looked at Paul's face even once.
Ever since the first time I avoided his eyes, not even once, I wasn't able to look at Paul's face.
I swallowed deeply and looked up at my father's face.
It was a face filled with worries.
It looked like it was going to cry at any moment.
It was a terrible face.
"What's with that face?"
"What do you mean what?"
Paul's face making a bitter smile was lacking energy.
Coupled with that expression, the cheeks that are sunken in, it looks like a different person.
However, I feel like I've seen a similar face somewhere before...
Where was it?
It was in the past.
The past.
I remembered.
I was looking in the mirror at home.
One or two years after I started secluding myself from being bullied.
While thinking I can still make it, but a time when I still couldn't allow myself to go along with my surroundings, and was too self-conscious.
I was too afraid to go outside, overcome with nothing but worry and impatience, it was my first unstable period I believe.
I get it now.
It's that kind of thing.
Paul is feeling insecure right now.
The people who he's looking for are still missing, no matter how long he waits no news will come, worrying, and worrying, maybe they were injured or something. Maybe they came down with some kind of illness. Or else, maybe they're already... Thinking that...
Worrying and worrying...
The one who finally showed up was me, since I was so different and easygoing from what he was imagining, he unintentionally got irritated.
Even I have such recollections.
That was soon after the time I started to seclude myself.
An acquaintance from the time I was in middle school came by to visit, he talked about various things from school.
Even though I'm this depressed, even though I'm this upset, he continued to tell me thoughtlessly about his life in school, I couldn't stand it and suddenly started to spit out severe words, venting my anger on him.
The next day, if he appeared again, I thought I would apologize to him.
However, he never came again.
I never went to him myself.
I had a strange pride.
I remembered.
This face is the face from that time.
"I have a proposition."
"Rudi?"
"It's this situation, we have no choice but to become adults."
"Yeah, well, certainly I don't think I'm greatly popular right now... What do you want to say?"