Retribution

Lina was walking through the city streets with Gen in her arms, and then she said, "You can stop pretending now, Gen. We've gone far enough.", but Gen continued unresponsively in her arms.

She then said, "Looks like I'm going to have to let go of you to make you stop this act.", but Gen continued in silence.

Lina then said, "Well, I told you so.", and then she let go of Gen, letting him fall, and then Gen opened his eyes in fright, but before he could hit the ground, Lina caught him again.

Gen then said, "Ouch, my back! What's the need for that, Lina?"

And Lina said, "Well, I warned you. Just answer me the next time I call you, and besides, what's the need for you to pretend to be passed out?"

"If Raja knew I was awake, he would definitely make me stay for the party, and I'm exhausted."

"Even though you're tired, I don't think it would hurt to stay for a while at the party."

"You don't understand, Lina. Since I left the ruins yesterday, I haven't stopped for nearly a moment. I helped out on an expedition in Diton, then I partied with them, and the party caused a huge mess."

"Did you overdrink again?"

"A little, but it wasn't my fault."

"Knowing you, Gen, that's hard to believe, hahaha."

"But it's true, let me tell you what happened. I had just left the ruins, and I was-"

"Gen, if you're going to start from this part, take a moment and tell me everything that's happened since you left here."

"Okay, so ...", and then told Lina everything that happened.

When Lina finished listening, she said, "Got it. This Gerald guy you mentioned is to blame for what happened, but if you think about it, at the end of the day, it was you who caused all the trouble."

And Gen said, "What do you mean it was me? Didn't you hear what I said? It all started because Gerald made me drink that strong drink at the bar."

"If it wasn't your fault, tell me, who was it that brought the matter to Tólis?"

"Well, I was the one who asked about the ruins, but there was no way I could have known that was going to happen."

"Indeed, but that doesn't change the fact that you started the matter, and that matter is what led to the situation where he made you drink with him, which is what created all the chaos."

"... You have a point, but regardless, the fact is that I am exhausted after all that has happened."

"Didn't you rest after the party?"

"How can I rest with that bastard, Raja, by my side? He talked me out of sleeping at the inn across the street from the bar and then made me follow him practically all night through bar after bar. I was only able to get some rest when we started traveling here in the wagon of an old man we met at the last bar we went to, and even then, I didn't even get three hours of proper sleep."

"Hmm, I see. It makes sense that you're tired. Especially after today's fight, where you used your essence to exhaustion."

"Tell me about it. The only thing I want to do is get home and sleep."

"Tonight, you'd better sleep at the restaurant. You're all bruised up from that last hit, and besides, it's been a year since you've been home. If there's one thing that it must be, it is dusty."

"... You're right. I'd better stick to the restaurant today."

"I know I'm right."

"You ... What's the need to say that? Couldn't you have just let it go?"

"I have to remind you who is the boss of this town."

"Your mother, right? I already know that you don't have to remind me."

"You ... You're lucky you're hurt."

"Maybe it's your luck, Lina."

"Shut up before I get angry."

"Hahaha."

The two then arrived at the restaurant, and Lina said, "Can you stand on your own for a while so I can open the door?"

And Gen said, "Sure."

She then let him down from her arms, and he stood, but after a short while, his legs failed, and he started walking backward until he leaned his back against the wall next to the restaurant door.

He then said, "Whew. I thought I was going to fall on the floor, hahaha."

And Lina said, "I didn't know you were this weak."

"Neither did I."

"Let me help you."

Lina then approached Gen, and as she got close, she bent down to pick him up again in her arms, but she stopped in the middle and then stood up and started to look at him.

Seeing this, Gen said, "What's the matter, Lina? Are you embarrassed to pick me up because I'm awake? Don't worry about it. I was awake at the bar, too."

Lina then approached Gen and asked, "Gen, why did you protect me from that blow?"

And upon hearing this, Gen said, "What do you mean why, Lina? Do you think I would let you take that hit? We have our rivalries, but at the end of the day, we are friends, aren't we?"

"I know that, but you also know that if I had taken that hit in your place, no one would be badly hurt right now. You know I have the Resilience."

"I know, but then you would have to spend all your energy to defend yourself from that blow, and when you stopped using your essence, you would definitely be weakened for several days."

"That is if I received the whole blow, which wouldn't happen because you were going to get us out of there."

Gen then said, "... That's true but-", but then Lina interrupted him and said, "Gen, enough of this! Tell me why you protected me?"

Gen then looked at her, sighed, and then said, "I ... don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know? Why don't you just tell me why?"

"I'm not lying. I really don't know what happened to me. The only thing I remember was thinking, 'Lina's going to get hurt.', and then when I realized, I had already pulled you close."

"... I see."

"Well, let's go inside, Lina. I'm really dead tired."

"Okay, but before we do, it's time for you to pay for what you did."

Lina then held his neck with one hand and armed a punch with the other, and seeing this, Gen said, "What do you mean, Lina?!"

"You need to pay for what you did to me last year."

"Calm down, Lina, we can work this out later. I'm exhausted and all bruised up right now."

"I know that, and that's exactly why it has to be now."

"What?! Why?"

"Now that you have a Gen essence, it's going to be a lot harder to deal with you if you're at your hundred percent. So I'd better settle this right away to avoid trouble later."

"Easy there, Lina. I promise you that I'll let you punch me when I recover, but not now. I might die if you punch me now."

"Relax, Gen, I have faith that you won't die."

"Lina, please. Let's calm down."

"No, Gen, it's time for you to pay."

Lina then punched Gen's face, and seeing the punch coming, Gen closed his eyes and thought, 'Damn it, Lina! You'll see when I recover. This won't stay like this. I hope she doesn't hurt my jaw. The only thing I'm missing is a week of not being able to eat properly.'

A few seconds passed, and then it came, but what came wasn't a punch like he was expecting. Realizing this, Gen was startled and opened his eyes, which made him see Lina in front of him, staring at him. The two of their faces were close together, and Lina was kissing him. This continued for some time until Lina broke away from him.

Gen's back slid down the wall until he sat on the floor in shock, speechless, and Lina then said, "I told you I was going to make you pay for what you did last year, Gen.", but Gen continued without saying anything.

Lina then bent down in front of him and said, "What is it, Gen? Why aren't you saying anything? Did you think I was going to punch you? Unlucky you, it seems like you, Gen, don't know me that well, hahaha."

She brought her face closer to his with each sentence she spoke, until a point where their noses were almost touching, and then she said, "Now we are even, but wait for me, it won't stay like this for long, hahaha.", and she then started to walk away.

Upon hearing what she said and her laughter, Gen snapped out of the shock he was in and then clenched his fists. He then used all the strength he had in his body and advanced toward Lina before she could get up, knocking her to the ground and standing over her.

Gen then put his hands on the ground, one on each side of her head, for he was exhausted, and then said, looking into her eyes, "Enjoy it while I'm like this because, when I recover, you won't even stand a chance against me!"

And Lina then said, "We'll see about that!"

The two then stared at each other for a while until they heard a voice say, "Ahem!"