Extra's Descent

86  Sorrow [2]

The Guild was quick to act.

As soon as the Academy sent out the request for investigation, the Guild immediately sent out rankers to investigate.

"Bunch of hypocrites."

Investigate? n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

What's there to investigate?

Brandon was no idiot.

It was obviously a publicity move. Just to show that the Guild did not completely abandon Everglade, and that the students are always protected.

After their 'investigations', several Wraith and Mana Beatss bodies were found. Using that as a leverage, the Guild soon confirmed it to be the reason for the missing person cases.

And for Oliver, they had pronounced him 'died in the line of duty.'

The entire ordeal infuriated Brandon, even Vanessa.

It was disrespectful to the victim's families.

Excuses after excuses, all just to cover up the Guild's incompetence.

Even more reasons just for Brandon to not join any guild in the future.

It has been a few hours since his return from Everglade.

For the rest of the trip, Brandon sat alone in the backseat.

The same went for Sarah—who sat with Vanessa on the front.

The two had not patched up yet. But Brandon couldn't blame her for her reaction.

It was only logical.

Out of his request, the Academy did not inform Belle and their parents about Brandon's involvement.

He didn't want to worry them.

But that proved to be useless.

Ever since arriving back in the apartment, according to Belle, Brandon appeared lifeless.

Seated on the couch, dark circles were visible under his eyes, as his expressions remained blank.

Ever since that night, he had been unable to sleep.

He was exhausted. Both physically and mentally.

There wasn't even any effort to hide it as Belle seemingly noticed.

"...Brandon."

Though Belle didn't know what transpired during the trip, just the look on her little brother's face told her as much.

He was having a hard time.

It looked as if he was about to cry, but he was holding back.

As Brandon was stayed on the couch, staring at nothing but air, that was when Belle approached him from behind.

"...!"

With widened eyes, Brandon was taken aback.

A sudden warmth enveloped his body. Looking down, a familiar arm was wrapped around him.

Realizing what was happening, Brandon's eyes started to moisten.

His shoulders started trembling, and a strange sound escaped his mouth.

"Hic."

Closing her eyes, Belle continued to embrace her little brother.

"I don't know about what you've been through. But I can tell that the path you took wasn't an easy one."

"..."

Softly rubbing Brandon's head, Belle leaned close to his ear and whispered.

"It's okay to cry. Let it out. Your Sister will never judge you."

"..."

Opening her eyes, she looked at Brandon who looked at her back.

With a warm smile, she softly spoke.

"It's been hard, hasn't it?"

Drip. Drip…!

As those words parted her lips, the tears that refused to come out of Brandon's eyes had started flowing down.

"Ever since coming here…"

Despite his best attempts, his voice gradually cracked.

"...E-everyday has been so hard."

Drip. Drip.

The tears wouldn't stop. And Belle just continued to listen to him.

"...Expectations, expectations, so many expectations."

And then…

His voice eventually cracked.

"Everyone's been… been putting so much pressure on me…"

Frowning, his tears continued to stain the couch.

"...But w-what about me? I… I don't get a say in it?"

Drip. Drip…!

"I'm just… so tired."

Shortly after those words left his mouth, silence filled the room. No words were further exchanged between the two.

The only sound that came was from Brandon's occasional sobbing.

Belle continued to embrace her little brother, as he cried his heart out in her arms.

The entire time, Belle did not leave his side. Softly rubbing his head until he fell asleep.

Brandon had finally fallen asleep.

Realizing, Belle left him in his slumber on the couch, and went inside her own room.

.

.

"Thank you."

All of a sudden, a voice reached Brandon's ears.

A little girl's voice.

Then, a figure appeared before him.

Brandon was familiar with her.

After all, she was in the first vision he had seen.

Verina, the first victim.

Brandon was taken aback. 'Just what am I seeing?'

The space was dark. A vast expanse of darkness.

The only ones that stood in the middle were him and Verina.

Was this his guilt coming back to him?

Another curse?

He was unsure.

But…

He needed his own peace of mind as well.

"Please, rest."

Her voice yet again reached his ears.

"But—"

"Because of you we are now free."

Verina stepped forward and Brandon stepped back.

"Because of you we can now rest."

As soon as those words left her mouth, several figures emerged from behind her.

They were…

The other children.

They looked at Brandon with warm smiles on their faces.

"So please be at ease. Do not worry about us."

All of a sudden, another little girl ran towards the front.

Approaching Brandon, her eyes lit up. Looking at him, she opened her mouth.

"Thank you."

"...Emma."

All of a sudden, all the children present spoke up in unison.

"Thank you!"

Drip. Drip…!

Though Brandon was unsure if it was all a dream, at the same time, it all felt real

The emotions he felt were definitely real.

The tears he had thought had already been cried out had begun pouring down once again.

All of a sudden, the children started glowing a bright gold.

The children at the back had turned into bright gold particles. The particles fluttered above.

The same went for the other children at the front.

…Verina followed shortly after.

With a warm smile on her face, she too had turned into gold particles.

And lastly…

Thud!

Emma embraced Brandon. Due to the height difference, she was only able to hug his leg.

22:21

She was gradually glowing as well, just like the other children.

Before she turned into particles, her mouth parted open to say,

"Take care of my Sister for me—"

After imparting those words, Emma had turned into particles as well.

Brandon's mouth continued to twitch, unable to find the right words to say.

Drip. Drip…!

That day.

Everglade had never gotten its closure.

The families had never gotten a proper closure.

But the children…

They have finally gotten theirs.

Brandon had given it to them.

And the children had given it to him as well.

***

—The next morning.

Brandon had finally been able to rest.

Leaving his room, an enticing aroma reached his nose.

Tzzz—

And a sizzling sound followed.

Tracing the source, it came from the kitchen.

Walking towards the kitchen, the person he had least expected was present.

Her pitch-black hair was neatly tied to a ponytail. She wore some kind of black dress while adorning an apron at the front.

But for some reason the turtleneck was a little off…

The upper part of her back was completely exposed for Brandon to see.

"...Uh?"

He had expected it was Belle, preparing breakfast for him like she always does every morning.

But…

"Goodmorning."

As soon as she turned her head back, her hair smoothly swayed to the side. Her dark crimson eyes met his gaze.

With a smile, she turned back around and continued cooking.

"Feeling any better?"

"Uh? What are you doing here, Rachel?"

"Hmm? Your Sister asked me to take care of you for today."

"..."

"Take a seat, and…"

Her lips pulled to a curl.

"Enjoy the view."

"..."