The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress

Logan stiffened immediately upon seeing Hera in tears, his expression transforming into one of flustered confusion. He had no idea how he had managed to upset Hera to the point of tears. As students around them paused in surprise, casting him accusatory glances for causing Hera’s distress, Logan felt a wave of shame wash over him. "S-Senior!" Logan attempted to wipe Hera’s eyes with his sleeves since he didn’t have a tissue or handkerchief, but his action was a bit rough, unintentionally making her look worse than before.

When Logan saw Hera’s distressed state, his heart skipped a beat in nervousness. Glancing around, he noticed that everyone was watching them, they all seemingly ready to pounce on him.

"S-senior, please don’t cry. I’ll listen to you, okay?" Logan’s voice wavered as he tried to calm Hera down. When she heard him promise to listen, Hera stopped pretending to cry and looked at him expectantly.

"Really?" Hera asked, her voice tinged with concern, her pout aimed at Logan. She ensured her expression was visible to everyone around, knowing Logan appeared sensitive to public criticism. She hesitated, torn—it felt like reopening a wound that had already festered. Yet, she understood that if she didn’t act, Logan would remain trapped in a cycle of fear and pain inflicted by his supposed best friend.

She felt torn about intervening, but deep down, she knew how much she valued a helping hand in navigating dark times. If she were in his position, she’d feel isolated and afraid of making more mistakes, worried about others’ judgment. Yet, she wouldn’t abandon her passion. If she didn’t offer this young man a chance to achieve something, she’d feel she wasn’t using her influence for good when she had the ability to help. He appeared lost and confused.

This reminded Hera of how fortunate she was to have a best friend like Athena. Athena wasn’t jealous or malicious; instead, she was protective and nurturing, qualities that had shaped Hera into the person she is today. Thinking of this brought a smile to her face, and she felt a strong desire to pay forward the same kindness Athena had shown her years ago—spreading the good karma, as they say.

"Yes," Logan nodded slightly, his shoulders starting to relax as he reverted back to the Logan she had first met—a person with a clear, cool voice, who gathered his courage to ask for directions.

"You’re not going to ditch me halfway, are you? I’ve already called my manager and promised to bring a friend along," Hera continued, looking torn and worried that he might actually leave her.

But upon hearing Hera call him a friend, Logan unexpectedly smiled slightly. Perhaps he didn’t even notice he was smiling, but he genuinely felt happy to hear someone refer to him as a friend, especially after the encounter with his supposed friend earlier.

"Um, I apologize, senior, for thinking of leaving," Logan said with a smile, determined to keep his promise.