Chapter 78 - Feat

_ Hazel: " You can let go of me now, thanks again. "

Maïko and I take our arms off Hazel's shoulders. Then, Son comes forward to give us each a fist bump.

_ Son : “ I knew you’d make it! ” he said, his face beaming with pride.

_ Maïko : “ Of course! I’m Super Maïko, after all! ”

It’s our turn.

_ Son: " Well done guys, I wouldn’t have forgiven you if you’d failed. "

Hazel and I smile. One after the other, Maïko is caught off guard by Kona’s embrace. His arms close around her in a warm and unexpected hug.

_ Kona : “ I’m glad you’re okay. ”

_ Maïko : “ Yes, I’m glad for you too. ”

Then, she walks over to her best friend, crouching down to her level.

_ Maïko: " Is your thigh feeling a bit better now? "

_ Shailly: " The bleeding just stopped, so yeah, it's better, thanks. "

_ Maïko: " Sweet. "

A straightening of posture follows, and a gaze connects with the other twin. An approach with a neutral face looms.

_ Maïko: " Glad you’re not hurt. "

_ Kaya: “ Don’t feel like you have to say it if you don’t mean it. "

_ Maïko: “ Seriously, would it kill you to say thank you for once? ”

_ Kaya: “ I already did, you just weren't there. ”

Their eyes rolled upward, a quick, sharp motion that betrayed their exasperation.

_ Maïko : “ Ugh… Anyway, I don’t know why I’m even talking to you. ”

_ Kaya : “ … ”

Right after that, Kona comes over to us, wanting to mimic what she did with Maïko. Then, she gives me a hug. "Despite my apparent stoicism, I am hiding how unsettled I feel by this gesture. Although I understand the context, I am unsure how to react to it.

_ Kona: “ Thanks for coming back and saving Hazel. ”

_ Ayden: “ No problem. ”

Once the embrace ended, I headed toward Shailly to check on her injury, cleverly leaving my friend Hazel alone with Kona. Facing one another, they gazed intensely at each other. Gradually, the twin’s face turned neutral, her piercing stare slightly unsettling Hazel. Then, without warning, she slapped him, to everyone's astonishment. Emotion took over for Kona and her eyes grew misty, though no tears fell.

_ Kona: " Never do that again. "

Understanding the implication behind those words, Hazel lowers his eyes with a smile on his lips. Then, he looks up, the smile still there.

_ Hazel: “ Alright. “

The sound of a kick hitting the ground rings out, shattering the atmosphere.

_ Edna: “ Are you done? Have you finished your little scene? “

Everyone stared at her, their eyes filled with suspicion.

_ Kona: " Leave us alone. " she said, her brow furrowed.

Oblivious to his remarks, she shifted her attention to another orphan.

_ Edna: " You. "

She moves slightly closer to me.

_ Edna: " How did you know there was a bridge and lava here? "

I straighten up, leaving Shailly aside.

_ Ayden: " As for the bridge, I had no idea. But I’m not surprised about the lava; as we got closer to this spot, I felt a wave of intense heat. I didn’t know the lava was there, but I realized that this extreme heat could be our way out. "

_ Kaya: " And how is that? " she asked, drawing closer, her own curiosity piqued.

_ Ayden: " Because, as you have noticed, animals detest fire. "

Everyone is staring at me with their mouths open.

_ Ayden: " In the book I borrowed, it mentioned that animals are afraid of fire, so I gave it a shot. "

_ Kaya: " I don't believe it… " she said, her eyes widening.

_ Hazel: " Wait. "

I catch his eye.

_ Hazel: " Now, tell me how you knew Kona and I were in deep trouble. "

_ Ayden: " Because even with your mud ability, I figured it wouldn't be enough against those hyenas and their sheer aggressiveness. "

_ Hazel: " Okay, but the others were probably in danger too, so why me? "

_ Ayden: " While we were escaping, the moment we split up, I memorized every face in every group. "

A look of astonishment spreads across his face.

_ Hazel: " No… Seriously? "

_ Ayden: " Yeah. For example, Son’s group was able to pull through thanks to Maïko’s Source. "

_ Son: " Even with Shailly injured?! " he said, waving his hands frantically.

I’m keeping an eye on my friend nearby, watching him wave his arms around.

_ Ayden : " Yes. Since there were three of you, I knew you’d do what was necessary for Shailly while Maïko dealt with the hyenas. "

_ Kona : " You thought of all that... even while you were being hunted yourself?... "

My achievements command a certain amount of admiration in their eyes.

_ Shailly : " That’s crazy… "

_ Maïko : " Wait, wait... Did you even think about your whistle? The one I still have?? "

_ Ayden : " Oh, that? No. But even without it, you guys would have managed. I just had faith in you. That being said, I'm glad it came in handy again. "

The confidence in my words dissipates their doubts, putting an end to their questions.

_ Edna: " All I know is, you didn't lie to me about the embankment. You're not such a bad guy after all. "

Then pivot and look toward the horizon.

_ Edna: “ Anyway, I'm outta here, farewell. "

Her back turned, hood pulled up, she walks away. As the downpour gradually clears, a new sound emerges.

_ Ayden: “ Wait. “

She stops, her head barely turned, only the corner of her eye visible.

_ Edna: “ What now? “

A new doubt is brewing among my peers, who are watching everything play out.

_ Ayden: " We don't have the same goal, but we're bound for the same destination, so… "

With bated breath, everyone tried to decipher my thoughts, eager to know what happened next. I stepped forward twice before speaking again.

_ Ayden: “ How would you feel about coming with us? “