THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

"Ahahaha!!!"

"You have the worst luck I have ever seen. That's incredible."

"That's why I said I didn't want to play to begin with."

I don't know who invented these board games or whatever, but that guy was the stupidest man ever. He should have a statue of him as the world's stupidest man. The very principle of this game is stupid, to begin with.

Advancing a pawn depending on the numbers you get from the dice until one reaches the goal is already stupid. But going as far as placing obstacles along the way like some that will bring you back at the beginning makes this thing a complete waste of time.

"How do you guys even enjoy playing this?"

We have played this thing four times already.. On the four, I fell into an obstacle three times and had to go back to the beginning, so obviously, I lose. Then for the game, the four dices just kept stopping at one no matter how many times I was throwing them.

"How can we no enjoy it when there is somebody like you to entertain us. Ahaha!" Well, seeing Roxcia smile when I am here is a rare enough event to make it worth it, I guess.

"Is that so? You haven't won yet, though." It is my turn so I take the dices and throw them on the table. Sadly.

"Ahahaha!!"

"Ahaha!! How goddess, my stomach. I can't laugh anymore!"

"Woof! Woof!" Nobody asked you anything K'nor. So shut up.

They all laugh at me after the dices all gave me one again. But somehow, it doesn't bother me. It doesn't feel bad. Being like this, with them, in this atmosphere, I feel at ease. I feel happy.

"Why are you smiling like that?"

"Maybe he thinks it will change. But even if it does, I am still first, you know." You really like to be the first everywhere, Farner.

"Thank you, guys."

"Eh?"

"Where did that come from?"

"It's nothing. Let's continue."

***

Having played and laughed like crazy, everyone is now dead asleep wherever sleep found him. Excia and Roxcia somehow managed to squeeze themselves on the couches K'nor was. So now they are sleeping while using him as a pillow. Samson stayed on the couches he was in and just covered himself with a blanket. And as for the two naughty girls…

"You guys do know that there are other people here, right?"

"Yeah but we are quiet, right?"

"Yup."

The three of us are on the couches right in front of Samson but that doesn't stop us from seeking skinship. Though we are just cuddling and kissing from time to time. But even with just that, I am sure I won't sleep.

"Why did you thank us earlier?"

"I said it was nothing, Farner."

"We both know it wasn't."

"Sigh…I never played like that with other people. So this was my first time."

"Really?" They don't seem to be surprised. Lanuvel asks me without looking at my face.

"Yes."

"Then congrats, I guess."

"Thanks, Lanuvel."

"By the way, what will you do when the war ends?" Out of nowhere, Farner asks me something I didn't even think about. But it is true that I should think about it.

"After the war…I wonder, really. For starters, I will go to the land I was granted by the king and try to manage it, I guess."

"Oh, it's true that you are a noble." Farner, you…You really have a bird's brain sometimes.

"What about you, Lanuvel."

"I don't know. I was thinking of going back to Floras and restore my father's household but…"

"I see." Restoring the Grandcross household, huh…That certainly won't be easy after everything that Borgas has done. But still, if it is her, I think she can do it.

"But now, I am not too sure. I just want everything that is Grandcross to stay in the past and look at the future."

"Whatever you guys decide; I will support so don't worry."

We are just talking about us but what about Farner? Her fate is sealed. It was from the moment she came to Schamerin. To fight the Longinus until she either dies or vanquish them. She cannot have plans. She cannot have desires. She cannot escape. It is really…

"If only we could always stay together like this."

"Eh?"

"Wait, are you…" They both turn red after I said that. Why? Did I say something wrong?

I read Lanuvel's mind and…Ah, I get it now.

"Well yeah, sort of. If you guys don't mind being with me. We could get married once the war ends."

I didn't know I was proposing but since it is the case, why not? It would be good to be with them, waking up with their smell filling my nose, their beautiful faces under the morning sun. And maybe eventually, having children…Having children that I will protect, no matter what. I will protect them with my life and soul. Even if…I look at Farner but she looks really sad.

"Farner?"

"…Well, I will come to visit you guys from time to time."

"What are you saying that?" I look at Lanuvel as well and she is just as sad. "What is happening?"

"Kevin, you know…The church won't ever accept that I get married. Nor can I live a peaceful life. I am a hero. I must fight so that you guys can live while smiling."

"Not this again."

"I am sorry. I really want to be with you but it is just not possible. Besides, there is your judgment that will be held after the war as well. We can't jus-"

"It doesn't matter." I hold her hand and take Lanuvel's hand as well. "The only thing that matters is what you guys want."

I leave the couch then stand in front of them. You don't have the right to be happy because we have to be happy? You can't live freely because you have a duty? Then I shall take it all from you.

"Tell me. Do you want to be happy?" I look at Farner but she just lowers her head.

"Even if I want to, there is no escape."

"I didn't ask you if there was an escape. I asked you if you wanted to be happy."

"I…" Lanuvel takes her hand as well. "I want to be happy. I want to be happy with you."

"Then that's all I needed to hear. I will make it into a reality for you. A reality where you don't have to sacrifice. A reality where you can be like any normal person. I swear it right here, right now. As the Dragonroad."

"K-kevin, your hair! What is happening?! And your eyes too!"

"So, it really was you after all."

"Fuaa…What is happening?" Farner's sudden scream has woken up everyone. Also, it seems my hair and eyes changed color. Could it be?...

"Cissa?"

"…" Still, no answer. But why then?

"What are you screaming for?" Excia is the one who woke up. But it seems Samson is up as well since the blanket is moving a little.

"Excia, look! Kevin's hair!! They have turned silver!"

"What?" Excia frowns while looking at me. She even rubs her eyes and looks again. "What are you talking about? They are as black as the night; like always."

"No, lo…" Farner looks at me again and from the way her face changes, it seems they went back to their black color. "Oh…O-okay."

"Sigh…You guys should sleep. Stop playing games in the middle of the night."

"Sorry. You can go back to sleep now."

"Right."

We should sleep as well. Tomorrow is another day.

***

The next morning, there are soldiers outside the house of the heroes. What do they want? We all leave the house and they greet us with a bow then two of them walk to me.

"Sir, you have been summoned by the commander for an interrogation. Please, follow us."

"Okay."

"What is happening? Will you be okay?" Lanuvel grabs my hands anxiously.

"Yeah. Don't worry." I pat her head to reassure her then follow the soldiers.

We walk for a while until we reach the same place as before. When we enter, the commander is here with two priests, a man, and a woman. The saintess and the protector are nowhere to be seen. Reading their minds, it seems Rebecca went to Syldavie urgently to inquire about what happened yesterday.

"That's a clever move." I look at the commander as soon as I sit on the chair in front of him. There are the two soldiers behind me, the two priests and the commander before me, and dozens of soldiers on the second floor. Though they are trying to hide.

"…Kevin Dragonroad." The commander takes a sheet of paper from the priest to his left and starts reading it. "Third-degree noble under the royal family of Syldavie and the Koersombre's family as well. Received the title of Star of Mercuria after an arduous…Pfff, arduous…" What is so funny?

"Sir?" See, even the priest is lost.

"No, it's nothing, let us continue."