Chapter 231: An obvious injury
Esper Blake took a few more moments to gather herself, and when she did, she was clearly embarrassed. Kellen was surprised by how many people he’d seen crying in the last few days, including himself.
Well, he wasn’t heartless. He knew why, but it felt strange. He wasn’t normally at the center of so many people crying. It felt...uncomfortable having to face people who...cared enough about him to cry.
Being on the front lines hadn’t been like this. For seven years, people had stoically said goodbye to each other with laughter and smiles, never knowing if this was going to be their last gate or not. Plenty of times it was, and so you had a pleasant memory to carry with you as you continued your life.
Kellen...Kellen had had very few people that he used to joke with like that. He’d been a loner by choice in the beginning, and after that? Well, people tended to avoid him. A C Class who gained notice from the other Guilds? Spelled money, but also spelled trouble.
Jealous people had torn up his tents, his clothes, his packs. He’d had to delay several missions or go in practically naked because of the antics some Guides and Espers had gotten up to. Either because of jealousy, or greed. Kellen was used to it.
Honestly, he wasn’t sure why he was so surprised his friends here had betrayed him. It wasn’t like it was out of character for the people who he got involved with. Honestly, Blake being so upset that she’d ’failed’ was an oddity for him. And crying? It was something he’d never gotten used to.
He was thankful for the Captain being by his side, because if he had been alone? He would probably be panicking by now.
"Blake, I know that this isn’t the best time, but we were looking for you for a reason." The Captain spoke up first, and Kellen was grateful for it. If he said it, there was a chance it could have undone all the work he had put into putting her back together.
"O-Oh?" She asked, sniffing. She finally looked up, meeting their gazes.
"Yes. Mom needs some help. She can’t leave Dad’s side, but she needs some clothes and things. You wouldn’t be in charge of grabbing her things, Gwen would, but because of what happened...Well, she doesn’t feel comfortable sending Gwen alone. Because of how well you did, I wanted to ask you if you could accompany her. Maybe with two other Espers, just to be safe? I know all of you are strong, but it never hurts to be careful." Blake nodded slowly, processing his words.
Kellen watched as she glanced behind his shoulder, towards Gwen.