By the time they made it back to the adventurers' guild, Kuro was convinced he still had the taste of burnt death on his tongue.
Lucien stretched his arms behind his head, whistling. "Well, that was a productive morning. We didn't die, didn't burn the forest down… all things considered, that's a win."
Mika shot him a glare. "You're still breathing. That's a miracle, not a win."
Lucien grinned. "You say the sweetest things."
Kuro just trailed behind them quietly, clutching the mission papers they'd completed. His head was full of half-formed thoughts and the faint buzzing sound that meant Elvastia was awake.
[You really shouldn't let him cook ever again.]
{It wasn't that bad.}
[You coughed up smoke.]
{...Okay, fine, it was bad.}
Mika's ear twitched slightly, but he said nothing, though a faint crease formed between his brows.
They pushed through the guild's main doors, and as always, it was chaos.Adventurers drinking at ten in the morning, dice clattering, laughter echoing, and the faint smell of ale and steel mixing into something oddly comforting.
The moment Mika stepped in, though — silence.
Every table went still. Every pair of eyes turned.
Even the bartender froze mid-pour.
Kuro blinked. "...Did we do something?"
Lucien leaned down slightly and whispered, "No. He's just terrifying."
Mika ignored everyone, striding straight to the counter. "We finished the job."He dropped the sealed report on the table. The clerk, a trembling elf with shaky hands, nodded so fast he looked like he might pass out.
"T-Thank you, S-Sir Mika," the clerk stammered. "I-I'll process it right away!"
Mika said nothing — just stepped aside, arms crossed, eyes sharp enough to slice stone.
Lucien leaned close to Kuro again. "See what I mean? The guild probably has a 'don't make Mika mad' rule by now."
[Correction: they do. Section 9B of 'Surviving Mika 101.']
{That can't be real.}
[Oh, it's real. There's a study group and everything.]
Mika blinked once, slowly, then looked toward Kuro, his voice calm but cold. "If you're going to let him make fun of me, at least laugh quietly."
Kuro startled, eyes widening. "W-Wait— you—"
Lucien frowned. "Who's he talking to?"
"...No one," Mika said quickly, jaw tightening as he turned away.
Kuro pressed his lips together, trying not to look suspicious.
[You see that? He knows. Oh, this is great. We're so dead, Kuro. Dead twice.]
{You're not helping!}
Mika's fingers twitched slightly.
Lucien tilted his head, whispering, "Why do I feel like there's a conversation happening I'm not invited to?"
Kuro coughed nervously. "No reason. Just… guild air. Really thick."
Mika muttered something under his breath that sounded dangerously close to, "He better shut up," before turning toward the counter again.
Then, the heavy double doors at the end of the hall opened.
The guild master walked in.
A tall, broad-shouldered man with an eyepatch and enough scars to tell a lifetime of stories, his presence alone made the air feel thicker.Everyone in the room instantly straightened up.
He looked at Mika first. "Report."
Mika handed it over, his tone clipped and respectful. "Mission complete. Bandit group eliminated. No casualties."
The guild master nodded. "Good." His gaze shifted — and landed squarely on Kuro.
"And this one?"
Kuro stiffened. "M-Me?"
Lucien stepped forward slightly, trying to ease the tension. "He's new. Joined under Mika's supervision. Handled himself surprisingly well out there."
The guild master's good eye narrowed. "Is that so?"
Kuro swallowed. His palms were sweating, but he stood a little straighter anyway. "Y-Yes, sir. I… tried my best."
For a long moment, the man said nothing — then suddenly grinned."Ha! Good! You've got guts, boy. Keep it that way."
Kuro blinked, confused by the sudden warmth. "O-Oh… thank you."
Mika exhaled quietly, tension slipping from his shoulders. Lucien smiled faintly.
But as the guild master turned away, his voice dropped low — just enough for Mika to hear."Keep an eye on that one. Power like his doesn't come cheap."
Mika's jaw tightened. "…Understood."
Kuro, of course, heard none of that — too busy bowing politely as the guild master disappeared into his office.
Lucien patted him on the shoulder. "You did well today."
"Thanks," Kuro said softly.
[He's right, you did. You didn't even faint this time.]
{That's not funny.}
[It's a little funny.]
Mika's eyes flicked toward Kuro again — his expression sharp, unreadable — before he muttered under his breath, "Tell him to shut up before I do."
Lucien blinked. "Who?"
"No one," Mika snapped.
Kuro's cheeks burned. {Stop talking. He's getting mad.}
[He's always mad, I'm just giving him a reason to stay interesting.]
Mika's eye twitched.
Lucien glanced between them again. "I swear I missed an entire chapter of this story."
Mika finally turned, brushing past them both. "Let's get upstairs. You need to rest."
Lucien tilted his head. "And what about me?"
Mika didn't even glance back. "You can rest somewhere else."
Lucien smirked. "Jealous again?"
Mika stopped mid-step. "What did you just say?"
Lucien raised both hands. "Nothing, nothing."
Kuro, caught between them, sighed. "Please don't fight in the middle of the guild again…"
Mika just grunted and started walking. Kuro followed quickly, while Lucien trailed behind — still wearing that infuriatingly calm grin.
As they reached the upper corridor, Mika slowed for a moment, glancing at Kuro from the corner of his eye.Kuro didn't notice — still smiling quietly to himself, lost in his thoughts.
And that strange, hollow ache Mika had seen in Kuro's eyes before… was still there.Hidden. But there.
[You should tell him, you know.]
{Tell him what?}
[That you don't need to pretend you're fine anymore.]
{…Maybe one day.}
Mika's hand subtly clenched at his side, and he murmured under his breath, "One day better be soon…"
Lucien blinked. "Did you say something?"
Mika shot him a glare. "I said keep walking."
And they did — disappearing into the quiet of the hall.