Life 1—1 Exile for the Sake of Everyone's Happiness(Part 1)
"Jin... our journey together ends here. In the name of [Hero] Rika Arias, I hereby expel you from the party."
Her clear soprano voice, that of my childhood friend, echoed through the quiet room.
The two sitting next to her seemed to have no objections, silently watching.
Yūri, Lusika...
They, too, like me, had supported Rika as companions.
The fact that neither of them protested likely meant this decision had already been made.
I, too, felt that this was the right moment, so I had no objections.
"...I understand. Thank you, both of you."
Rika, who had the blessing of the [Hero], and I, with the blessing of [Early Bloomer], had left a small village to journey together.
Then, [Saint] Yūri and [Sage] Lusika joined us, and we defeated many of the Demon King's generals.
At first, I was the one who often took the lead due to the nature of our blessings, but as the battles grew fiercer, I found myself being a burden more and more.
I harbored no ill will toward their decision.
If anything, I was grateful that they had saved me, someone unable to step down on my own, from this situation.
"Jin-san. We will carry on your feelings," Yūri said, gripping my right hand.
Her kindness had saved me countless times.
"We think of you as our greatest companion. Past, present, and future. This is proof of that," Lusika added, placing a necklace she had worn into my hand.
It was something she had cherished as an elven talisman.
I never imagined she would give it to me...
"I... I, too, am happy I could travel with the two of you!"
I held back the tears that were about to come and turned to face forward.
I wanted to exchange words with my childhood friend, the one I've known the longest, at least one last time.
"Jin... do you remember our promise?"
The promise... the one made when we set out on our journey, the contract we made with the kingdom's priest, saying that if I became a burden, I would leave the party.
It was unheard of for an ordinary villager like me to be a companion to a [Hero].
Looking back now, I’m amazed the kingdom allowed it.
"Yeah, of course."
"I see... I'm glad."
Rika smiled, as if a burden had been lifted from her.
She was probably worried that I might be dissatisfied with this decision.
I gently stroked Rika’s golden hair.
"It’s alright. With you guys, I know you’ll win for sure."
"Yeah, I’m not worried about that. Just wait here. Once we defeat them, we’ll come back for you."
"Heh, thanks."
Rika squinted her eyes in a way that seemed almost shy.
...This would be the last time I could see that face up close.
She said she would come back for me, but that would never happen.
After defeating the Demon Lord, she and the others would become heroes and rise to ranks far beyond someone like me.
It would become difficult to even speak to them like we did before.
I felt so frustrated. The fact that I couldn't fight by their side until the end.
It was so lonely. Not being able to share the joy with them anymore.
"Well then, I’ll head back to my room. I need to pack up my things."
If I stayed here any longer, I’d only feel more reluctant to leave.
Before my emotions got the better of me, I decided to leave them behind.
"Thank you so much. I pray for the glory of the three of you."
With a weak smile, I said my words, cutting off the feeling of being reluctant to leave, and closed the door behind me.
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After Jin left, Yūri and Lusika also exited the room.
Both of them had sad expressions on their faces.
I felt the same way.
Jin had always been my ally, my hero.
The blessing of the [Hero] granted me immense power, unlocking the limit of all abilities I have.
It was without a doubt Jin who gave me kindness when I was treated as an outcast because I couldn’t control this power.
<"I'll always be on your side, Rika."
"…Really? Always?"
"Of course! Rika is an important part of my family."
"Then... will you marry me after we defeat the Demon Lord?"
"Haha, well, that depends on whether you still like me by then."
"...I promise. Absolutely.">
A memory, a treasure of mine, that has lasted since I was five.
Jin said he remembered this promise.
The reason I became a [Hero] wasn’t because of those who turned their backs on me the moment they realized I had the power of a [Hero].
It was because the Demon Lord, who threatened the peace, stood in the way of me living a happy married life with Jin.
It was a pleasant surprise that Jin had the blessing of the goddess too, and that we could travel together—two birds with one stone.
But, for now, that ends here.
I heard the Demon Lord is strong, and if anything happens to Jin, it would be a disaster.
My ultimate goal is to marry Jin, have about ten children, and live happily together.
So, for now, I’ll have Jin step away.
We’ll defeat the Demon Lord in a day, I’m sure.
I’m brimming with the strength to do that much right now.
Defeat the Demon Lord and marry. Defeat the Demon Lord and marry...
Naturally, my breathing becomes more hurried with the thought.
"I need to go buy a wedding dress."
I want to make everything just the way Jin likes it.
After we defeat the Demon Lord and return, I’ll go out with Jin to the town.
Just the two of us, for the first time in a while.
I don’t dislike Yūri or Lusika, but compared to the early days, the time I spend alone with Jin has gotten much less.
And that, too, is lonely.
"Jin... I love you."
I turned off the lights and lay down on the bed.
With dreams of a happy future, I drifted off to sleep.
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