Last Footsteps

[With quiet steps, Leo exited the company building and headed toward his car. He opened the door, sat behind the wheel, and let out a long sigh as he stared at the road ahead. A sense of relief gradually settled in his chest, as if a heavy weight had finally been lifted.]

He clasped his hands around the steering wheel and muttered to himself, "Grandfather was right about everything..."

He started the engine and drove back to his apartment—one last time.

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Z: By the way, if you're wondering why he owns a car despite not being the type to care about such things, it's simply because of the beverage project. But that's another story…

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[Inside the apartment...]

[As he opened the door, an odd feeling washed over him. This apartment had always been his refuge, the place he returned to after long workdays, where he spent nights staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. Yet, for the first time, it no longer felt like his.]

He stood in the middle of the room, looked around, and took a deep breath, inhaling the familiar scent.

"Alright, let's finish this."

[He began tidying up carefully—picking up scattered items, wiping the tables, putting everything back in its place—even though he knew this would be the last time he did so. Then, he started packing his belongings—his clothes, books, everything that held a fragment of his memories here.]

[Hours later, everything was ready. The only thing left was meeting with Baroness Emilia, the strict landlady with those piercing eyes.]

[At the door...]

[He met Mrs. Emilia, who regarded him with an unreadable expression before extending her hand to take the key.]

"I didn't think you'd leave this quickly," she said coolly.

"Everything has its time, doesn't it?" Leo replied with a calm smile.

She nodded slowly before saying, "I hope you didn't leave a mess behind."

Leo chuckled lightly. "Relax, I cleaned the place as if I were planning to stay forever."

She said nothing, just gave a small nod—as if silently acknowledging that he hadn't been a bad tenant. Without another word, Leo turned and left.

[Before stepping out of the building, he spotted Mrs. Margaret's cat sitting on the stairs, watching him with sharp eyes, as if studying his final steps here.]

Leo smiled, bending slightly toward it. "Are you saying goodbye too?"

The cat let out a faint growl before continuing to groom itself. Straightening up, Leo muttered, "Guess I should see that annoying old neighbor one last time."

[At Mrs. Margaret's door...]

[The moment he knocked, the door swung open violently, revealing the old woman with an angry scowl as she shouted:]

"You thief! Coming to steal something before you leave?!"

Leo raised his hands in surrender, laughing. "It's me, Leo—your neighbor, the one who saved your cat from falling out the window. Remember?"

The old woman squinted at him, then, after a moment of realization, her tone softened slightly. "Ah, you're that boy… So, what do you want?"

He looked at her for a moment before saying quietly, "I just wanted to say goodbye. I'm leaving."

But she frowned and shouted back, "What? Are you hungry?"

Leo sighed, trying to suppress his laughter, then repeated louder, "I said, I'm leaving."

"Whaaaat?"

Shaking his head in defeat, he turned to leave. "Never mind. Take care of yourself."

She waved him off dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, but don't come back to steal my food again!"

Leo smirked to himself and continued toward his final destination…

[Grandfather's house.]

[When he arrived, he stood before the door for a moment, taking in the sight of the house where he had spent his childhood. The place was covered in dust, yet every corner carried warm memories.]

[He set his belongings aside and began cleaning the place slowly. His fingers traced over dust-covered tables, he opened the windows to let fresh air in, wiped down the furniture, and rearranged things.]

[Despite everything, the house still held the scent of the past—the scent of his grandfather, the scent of days that were simpler… and perhaps, happier.]

[Evening had fallen.]

[The dim light of a single lamp cast long shadows across the small living room. Leo sat on the couch in his new home, staring at the ceiling in silence. The cold air crept in through the open window, carrying the scent of old dust. Despite spending hours cleaning, the house still retained an aura of the past.]

[His phone suddenly rang, cutting through his thoughts. He glanced at the screen, and when he saw the name, he couldn't help but smile.]

"Rianel?"

[He pressed the answer button, but before he could say a word, Rianel's lively voice burst through the speaker:]

"Finally! Do you know how hard it is to reach you? It's like you've become some ridiculously busy man—have you joined the mafia without telling me?"

[Leo chuckled lightly, leaning back against the couch.]

"Oh, Rianel, it's great to hear your voice. What do you want?"

"Oh, how cruel! Can't I just call my dear friend to check up on him?"

[Leo raised an eyebrow, then said sarcastically:]

"Checking up, huh? I haven't seen you at the apartment for a while. Seems like you've replaced me with your dramatic hunter life, your magical powers, your new status… and of course, your luxurious apartment."

[Rianel stammered for a moment before launching into his usual excuses.]

"Ah, you know how it is—work, responsibilities, commitments… I've been incredibly busy!"

[Leo smirked and teased:]

"You traitorous scum!"

[Rianel burst into laughter before responding playfully:]

"Don't be so dramatic! I didn't betray you—I just… let's be honest, having maids around is simply better than living with another guy! You have to understand, Leo, they cook, they clean, they make life easier!"

[Both of them laughed, and Leo shook his head.]

"I can't believe you just said that."

"Well, it's the truth!"

[After a moment of laughter, Leo asked curiously:]

"Since you're living among hunters now, tell me, are there any hot girls in your guild?"

[Rianel paused for a moment before responding smugly:]

"Oh, plenty! More than you can imagine, and some of them are insanely strong too."

[Leo felt a slight twinge of jealousy but quickly masked it, replying in a calm tone:]

"Sounds like you're living the dream."

[But the conversation took a different turn when Leo suddenly asked:]

"By the way, why did you choose Alexander's guild specifically? There are a lot of bad rumors about it. Everyone talks about it like it's some shady place."

[Rianel was silent for a few seconds, as if caught off guard, then replied with a small smile:]

"Hmm… let's just say they're not as bad as people think. I mean, sure, their reputation isn't the best, but there are always two sides to a story, right?"

[Leo narrowed his eyes, considering his words.]

"So, you're saying it's all just rumors?"

"Not necessarily… but I have my reasons, just like you have yours for doing what you do."

[Leo didn't respond immediately. He mulled over the statement for a moment before saying:]

"I see… but what about your leader? Alexander himself? I heard he's not exactly someone you can trust easily."

[Rianel let out a light chuckle, shaking his head.]

"You're wrong about him, Leo. Sure, Alexander isn't your typical leader, but he's not what the rumors make him out to be. Since I joined, he's looked out for me in ways I didn't expect. And it wasn't just out of kindness… He saw my potential. He told me I wouldn't regret joining, that he'd make sure my place here wasn't just by chance."

[Leo looked at him for a moment before smirking.]

"So, it seems you've found someone who truly values you. Maybe I should start looking for a place like that too."

[Rianel laughed.]

"Oh, don't worry—with your usual luck, you'd probably end up as a personal servant to some E-rank hunter."

[Leo scoffed, amused.]

"Or maybe just another tragedy to add to my list."

[Rianel quickly changed the subject.]

"Anyway, how are things going with you? Are you doing okay?"

[Leo tilted his head slightly, considering the question. Then he said:]

"Actually, I moved into my grandfather's house… and I quit my job."

[Silence lingered for a moment before Rianel sighed.]

"So, you finally did it, huh?"

"Yeah."

[There was no shock or surprise in Rianel's voice, only a mix of happiness and concern.]

"You know I'll always support you, right? I know you think things through before making decisions, so I'm not worried about you. But… just make sure you know what you're doing."

[Leo closed his eyes for a brief moment before smiling softly.]

"I appreciate that, Rianel."

"Alright, I'll come visit you soon in your apartment—oh, I mean, Grandfather Arthur's house."

"I'll be waiting."

[Rianel laughed before adding:]

"But before I hang up, any final advice for your hunter friend?"

"Yeah, be careful and don't get too reckless in those dungeons. The last thing I want to hear is that you ended up as a meal for some monster clan."

"Hah! As if I'd let that happen! Anyway, take care of yourself, Leo."

"You too, Rianel."

[Leo ended the call and set his phone aside, lying back on the couch as he stared at the ceiling once more.]

[Inside him, he felt something rare… something he hadn't felt in a long time.]

[Peace.]

[Meanwhile, at that same moment, Rianel stared at his screen for a few moments before running a hand through his hair and muttering:]

"Damn… I'm a terrible friend."

[He sighed in frustration and continued, speaking to himself with a hint of sarcasm:]

"I couldn't even say anything meaningful… just the usual nonsense."

[Then, a faint smile tugged at his lips as he slipped his phone back into his pocket.]

"But at least… he seems okay. More or less."

A faint growl echoed from Leo's stomach as he lay on the couch. He sighed lazily before slowly sitting up. He hadn't eaten much since the morning, and now hunger was forcing him to move despite his exhaustion. Throwing on his coat and slipping into his shoes, he decided to head to the one place he could always rely on for good food—Uncle Joe's Diner.

[Stepping outside, he ignored the slight chill that brushed against his face and walked at a steady pace toward his destination. The place looked just as familiar as he remembered, but the moment he stepped inside, he noticed something different. The usual lively atmosphere had dimmed, and the diner was far less crowded than before, as if its popularity was slowly fading away.]

The aroma of delicious food filled the air, reminding him just how hungry he was. Approaching the small bell on the counter, he reached out and pressed it. After a brief moment, a young voice called from the kitchen,

"I'm coming!"

[It didn't take long before a teenage boy appeared, likely still in high school. His light blond hair was slightly messy, falling to the middle of his neck, adding to his energetic and lively appearance. His bright green eyes gleamed with restless energy and ambition, while his athletic build—though not particularly bulky—suggested impressive agility and speed.]

Leo smiled at the sight of him and greeted in a friendly tone, "Yo, hey Jack."

Instantly, Jack's face lit up with excitement, his eyes brimming with affection as he exclaimed, "Big bro! How've you been?!"

[He rushed forward, looking as though he was about to throw himself into Leo's arms, but before he could, a large hand grabbed him by the collar, stopping him mid-motion.]

"Where do you think you're going, you little rascal? Your shift in the kitchen isn't over yet!"

[The gruff voice belonged to Uncle Joe, who stood behind Jack with a firm expression. Yet, beneath the stern look, there was a faint smile barely hidden in his features. When he noticed Leo, his expression shifted slightly before he spoke in his deep but warm voice.]

"Ah, Leo! It's been a while. You still look the same—or rather, even skinnier than before. Are you eating properly?"

Leo chuckled softly and took a seat while Jack shot him a pleading look, as if silently begging for help.

[They chatted for a bit, and soon enough, Jack started complaining about his grandfather, grumbling about the strict rules imposed on him and how he barely had any free time to himself.]

"Grandpa makes me work here way too much! I hardly have time to finish my homework, let alone play!"

Uncle Joe laughed, ruffling Jack's hair roughly, making the boy recoil in annoyance.

"That's what happens when you're learning responsibility, kid. Now quit whining and get back to the kitchen."

[Jack groaned but ultimately relented, disappearing back into the kitchen while Uncle Joe took a seat across from Leo, placing a cup of coffee in front of him. Letting out a sigh, he asked,]

"How are you really, Leo? And don't give me that usual 'I'm fine' answer."

[Leo stared at the coffee for a moment before sighing as well, replying in a quiet voice,]

"My life hasn't exactly gotten any brighter since my grandfather passed, that's for sure."

[Uncle Joe slowly nodded, as if Leo's words had struck a deep chord within him.]

"I figured… Even at his funeral, you weren't yourself. You barely spoke, barely moved."

[Leo remained silent, vividly recalling that day. The world had felt hazy, distant. He couldn't even bring himself to cry.]

Uncle Joe sighed, his voice softer now. "I felt the weight of his loss too. He was a dear friend… and a loyal customer. We talked a lot whenever he stopped by, and trust me, he always talked about you."

Leo's gaze lifted slightly, a bit surprised. "What did he say?"

[Uncle Joe smiled faintly, as if reminiscing old memories.]

"He bragged about you like you were the greatest person in the world. He told me you might be quiet and a little gloomy, but you have a kind heart. He said you'd grow into a great man someday, even if you couldn't see it yourself."

[Something heavy settled in Leo's chest, but he said nothing. It was rare for him to hear about his grandfather's thoughts, especially words like these.]

"I quit my job, at least I feel a little more at ease now."

[Uncle Joe raised an eyebrow.] "You quit? You always hated that place, but you still stuck with it all this time."

"It wasn't for me. I don't want to stay somewhere that makes me feel trapped anymore."

[Uncle Joe nodded in understanding before standing up with a small smile.]

"If that's what makes you feel better, then that's all that matters. But for now, let me get you something to eat—I bet you haven't had a proper meal in days."

[A slight smile tugged at Leo's lips, and despite everything, warmth spread through his chest.]