CHAPTER 4.6 | Takanashi Kiara

"I'm tireeeddd...", I said as I leaned on the table.

After hours of answering most of the Villagers questions, I finally got the time to rest and relax..

"Good work out there Kiara!", Steven said.

"Thank you, I think that was the most tiresome experience I've ever had. Well, it's not like there have been any though."

"Yeah, even if you did do these kind of stuff before, you would've felt the same thing that you're feeling now."

"Probably.. And also, what are you doing?", I asked since he's been peeking from the window every split second.

"Well I'm the chief, so I'd like to check things outside while also checking your condition."

"Ehh.. Being a chief must be tough."

"Not really, I enjoy what I'm always doing. Checking the Villagers and stuff."

I guess he meant that if he doesn't enjoy what he does then he's always tired, like my situation now actually.

But since he's always energetic and alert, that means he enjoys being the chief of the Village.

"Can I ask you something personal Steven?", I requested.

"Personal? Like, on what level?"

"It's not that deep of a personal question, I just wanna know how you became the chief of this Village."

"Ahh.. I see, a little story time doesn't really hurt."

I bet this is going to be a long story telling..

"Do you know about Mike's situation now?", Steven asked out of nowhere.

"He's.. An assistant of yours..? And also, why that question?"

"Well, yeah he's my assistant, and also my best friend. But, he's also one of the reasons why I became who I am now."

"By reasons.. You mean..?"

"Mike was always bullied since we were kids, you do know that he works on the background right? Like the system or other complicated stuff that I don't understand?"

"Eh? I didn't know that."

"Eh? I thought you already know, since he's the one who mostly prepared for your introductory event. I only handled the paperwork."

Ehh.. He really did.. do something that far for me..

"Now that you mention it, I did remember that guy from earlier. He called Mike something right?"

"Yeah, Sid was always the one who bullies him ever since we were all kids."

"Eh? He's that mean??"

"I can't really judge Sid, because even though he's a bully, he also lived a very tough life. I guess that tough life is what made Sid the Sid now."

I don't really know what Sid's life is, but I don't really think that throwing your grudges towards other people is right.

"But what Sid did earlier was still wrong right?"

"I guess so, but Mike already got past those stuff. He still gets bullied but he said that it doesn't affect him anymore."

"Perhaps he became strong?"

"Yeah, he did get strong. And also, if he wasn't into those kinds of stuff like technologies or whatever. I would've gotten a problem of understanding those by now."

"True, I guess everything does have a reason."

"And that's the reason why I wanted to become the Chief since I was still a kid. I want to help others, and understand their situation."

Steven said those while still looking outside from the window, but I guess he did explain stuff pretty clearly.

And now I also know who Mike really is.

"People would've gotten to the dark side actually.", Steven suddenly said.

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"N-Nothing.."

Eh? Dark side? What did he mean by Dark side?

"Anyways, it's getting really late now. You should be go to bed Kiara."

"It's okay, even though I'm tired, I don't really feel drowsy."

"Hmm, is that so? Well, I better get going. They might need my help outside."

"Okay!"

"Are you sure your okay here?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine here."

And with that, our conversation ended and Steven left the house so that he can help outside.

But still, Mike's life must be really tough. I can't really imagine what his life was like, and Steven didn't specifically say how long that bullying lasted.

But I'm kind of glad that it doesn't affect Mike now.

Sid's life is still a mystery to me, but I don't really want to know the life of a bully. Since he's the one who's always bullying Mike.

Wait.. Am I defending Mike..?

Eh?! Eh??? What am I—

Eh?!

"Kiara, I heard that you needed something from me?", Mike suddenly arrives.

"Eek—!"

M-Mike?! Why of all time did you decide to show up now?!

"Hm? Are you okay?", Mike asked.

"Uhh.. Umm.. I'm okay!"

"Are you sure? Why are you red?"

"N-Nothing! Don't mind it!"

"O-Okay.. Anyways, did you need something from me?"

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"Eh? Steven told me to come here because you needed something from me.."

"Hm? I didn't request such a thing though.."

After a moment of silence. We finally realized it.

"Steven that bastard—", Mike said.

That BASTARD!!!!!!!! WAS THAT WHY HE LEFT??????

I'M REALLY GOING TO PUNCH HIM!! AND ALSO I FORGOT TO SLAP HIM!!!

I'LL REALLY SLAP HIM NOW!!!!

"That guy... I'll really smash some nails on that guys head.", Mike said.

I feel the same Mike! I really want to punch him!

But, I guess.. Steven did something that can really help me..

"M-Mike.. Can I ask you something..?"

"Hm? What is it?", he asked while still looking pissed.

"Why.. Why did you go so far for me?"

"Hm? What do you mean?"

Don't pretend you don't know you idiot!

"Like.. Um.. Preparing.. My introductory event.. And.. Um.. He-helping me.. Earlier from Sid..", I looked down as I said those.

I really can't face him directly!

"I see, so you did want something from me."

Nono.. That part was all Steven's plan. I didn't request such a thing.

"Well, let's see. I just wanted to help you."

"But.. Why?"

"Hm... That's kinda.. Hard to answer.. It's just, I felt like I needed to help you."

"Is.. That so..?"

"But don't mistake it like you were asking for my help though, I'm not saying that you can't handle those kinds of stuff.."

"I-I'm not thinking about it like that.. It's just.. I'm thankful.. For what you did."

I slowly raised my head to look at him, but by the time our eyes met. The both of us looked away.

"W-Well.. I'm kind of.. Also thankful for you.. For no reason actually.."

"E-Eh? Wh-What do you mean..?"

Thankful? For me? I didn't even do any thing for him..

"It's just..", Mike was trying to say something but I can't really figure what he's trying to say.

Well, it's not like I can read minds though.

"A-Aren't we tired though??", Mike said.

I immediately get what he tried to say now.

"Y-Yeah! I'm feeling really, really tired now!", I said.

"Then, why don't we take a rest for now?? Shall we??"

"S-Sure!"

Mike slowly stood up, and went outside.

Eh? I thought he meant by going to sleep?

Oh well..

I slowly stood up and went upstairs to the room that was provided by Claire earlier.

It was apparently a room for a Guest, looks like they've always prepared for something when a Guest like me arrives at their Village.

"I haven't really checked what's inside..", I muttered.

I slowly opened the door, and I expected it to be dusty since no one has been here.

But to my surprise, it's all clean.

"Looks like Claire did some last hour cleaning here..", I muttered.

I immediately head to bed, and it feels nice..

Today was really exhausting..

And, I guess my relationship with Mike.. Just got.. Deeper.. I think..

And without noticing it, I suddenly smiled whenever I think about Mike.

And by the time I noticed that I was smiling just by thinking about him.

I immediately grabbed the pillows from the bed and covered myself.

"Aaahhhhhhhhhh— This is so embarrassing!!", I said while still covering my face using the pillow.

"I wonder.. What will happen tomorrow though..", I said as I slowly put the pillow away from my face.

I kept thinking and picturing the things that might happen tomorrow.

But the more I think, the more I get sleepy.

And without noticing it, I fell asleep.