4-4: The me they want

“...Uh…”

“It’s awakening!”

When I opened my eyes, I saw the infirmary's ceiling. At my right, Fran and Cloe were sitting in two chairs with worried expressions.

“What happened…?”

“...Amelie told us that you pushed over too much.”

“I see, it was just that…”

I felt relieved. If it was only that, I could go back to practice immediately.

“Can you both please move? It will be hard getting out of here if-.”

Just when I was about to move from my place, Cloe slapped me very hard.

“Don't you realize that's what made you end up like this?!”

“What are you-.”

“Fran told me everything…Studying every day without resting, recharging your curses every day, talking trash about the things you love to do…What is wrong with you?!”

“...I don’t care, I must do something important…”

“It cannot be more important than your health and your likes!”

“You cannot tell…I-.”

Fran slowly approached me and looked straight into my eyes.

“What are you doing…?”

“Who is it?”

“Huh?”

“Who wants you to do this?”

“What?”

“That look in your eyes…There’s someone you want to please.”

“...”

“Is that someone important to you? Is that someone okay with this? That someone hates the real you that much?”

Hearing that…was weird…That’s how I’m treating them? I’m trying to protect them…but why does it feel like I’m doing something wrong?

“Tell us what is happening, if it’s something…or someone important, we’re gonna let you do your thing, but we deserve an explanation.”

“...I can explain it…but it’s complicated…”

“Then, give us that complicated explanation.”

“...Okay…”

Totally cornered, I explained how Leonard threatened me with sensitive information and how he wanted Cloe with him. Their reactions were what I was waiting for.

“That idiot!”

“So that’s why you’re doing this…”

“Yes, if I lose, both reputations could be ruined just for being my friends, and Leonard wouldn’t be kind with Cloe…”

“...”

“Just…Let me continue…I can’t win if I don’t do this…”

Suddenly, Cloe sat on the stretcher where I was and talked with a disappointed tone.

“Your acting is terrible. How did you forget all your lines?

“Huh?”

“You’re supposed to decide that you will defeat him with your own style and show him that he’s underestimating you. And then I scream to you for not telling me this from the start after your victory.”

“...”

“I get you wanna win, I get you wanna protect us. But if you need to destroy yourself and your unique style, it’s not worth it.”

“Cloe…”

“She's right. We don't want to be protected by a guy who spends his time learning how to use the most powerful spells. We want to be protected by that funny guy who could win a fight and make us laugh at the same time.”

“Fran…”

“Whatever it’s gonna happen, we’re not gonna support a boring magician, we’re gonna support Kazu.”

“...Even if I lose…?”

“We know the idea of losing is scary, but you will totally lose if you only think about it.”

"You can stop doing this, you can't win without being you."

Those words felt like someone had just cut a rope that had been tied to me for who knows how long. That feeling drove me to get up from the stretcher.

“...I see…”

“Kazu?”

“Looks like my fans are expecting a real show…All right! I’m ready to give my best!”

If they hate a logical plan, then my only option is doing a great act.

“Hehe, that's what we wanted to hear.”

My chances of winning were still slim, but both of them gave me an idea. It's risky, but even if I lose, this could be a good opportunity to have fun with both of them and finally put on a show for more people.

“Unfortunately, I can’t visualize myself winning in normal circumstances…It would be so good having a crazy girl and a talented musician with me.”

“Hehe, I’m not that good.”

“Crazy girl?!”

“I want both to fight at my side. I have a great idea that requires two people.”

Even when they were supporting me, they doubted my proposal. I guess this can be a little intimidating. But, just for this time, I really wanted the things to be done how I wanted, so I decided to use my best card.

“Of course, my comrades couldn’t work with me without knowing what we’re risking.”

“...You mean…”

“First of all…that nickname, it’s actually my name.”

It was hard, but I explained to them as best I could that I came from another world, a more advanced world, without magic and with much better shows than the ones I usually do.

“...”

“...”

“And that’s the short explanation.”

Of course, that was too much for both of them, so they were a little slow to answer. But when they were able to do it, their reactions weren’t what I was expecting.

“So that’s how it is.”

“I see…”

“What kind of reactions are those?”

Their expressions were like someone I just told that I stole food from the refrigerator instead of what someone should have after hearing a secret like that.

“We’ve been friends since childhood, I noticed that you were weird.”

Chloe was right. As a child, I was never careful with my secrets.

“Well, it was obvious that you weren’t normal. That was supposed to be a secret?”

The songs I played with Fran probably made him suspect that I wasn't even from this country.

I don't know if they both suspected it because they're my friends or because I was really bad at hiding it.

“...I struggle with saying this and that’s the reaction I got? I have the worst fans.”

“So, how is that world? It has even more weapons?”

“How is the music from there? Is it good?”

Now that the confusion and anger were over, all they felt was curiosity.

“...I guess you both are my friends for a reason.”

While I was recovering from those days of pushing my body to its limits, I answered many questions about my world and even drew some pictures to explain things like weapons, music, and my old job.

Now that I trusted them with everything, we were on the same page.