Event Story – THE LINK OF GUNSLINGER, ch.18

[kozvme]

Marion: Looks like you finally managed to work together decently enough to show it off in front of an audience.

 

Ren: Marion...

Marion: However, North has its own way of doing things. To keep winning do things my way from now on.

Gast: You bet. You're our mentor, after all, Marion.

Ren: I'll be in your care from now on too.

Marion: ... Hmpf, so long as you understand.

Jay: You're so reliable. How was your coaching training, Marion?

Marion: !!

Jay: Training sessions to nurture mentors have been held often lately, I think we're truly living in a good era.
The rookies looked like they wanted you to teach them, you know. You should make good use of what you learned from training and coach them without holding anything back.

Marion: Y- You... Who told you I was getting trained...

Jay: Eh!? Uhmm, I heard it from instructor Lily, but I think she said she heard that from Dr. Nova.
Don't tell me I should have kept it to myself...?

Marion: Kh, shut up! Forget everything!
You too, pretend you didn't hear that just now!

Gast & Ren: What-

Marion: Gh... I'm going to take Nova to task.



Jay: Hey, wait a second, Marion! Please don't blame Dr. Nova...!

Ren: What was that?

Gast: That means Marion also did his best in secret as we trained?
Kinda looks like I should be grateful to a lot of people this time. Of course... that goes for you too, Ren, thanks.

Ren: Why are you thanking me?

Gast: I wouldn't have gotten this result even if I trained alone.
I think I could win the single competition because I was able to see my movements objectively when practicing teamwork with you, Ren...
It's all thanks to the things we did together... that's why I'm thanking you.

Ren: ......

Gast: Also... I'm truly sorry for being late for the competition...
For prioritizing the guys... sure I caused you lotta trouble.

Ren: That has nothing to do with this, there's no need to say it again either.
... I would have thought something was wrong with you if this morning you had... abandoned your gang.

Gast: ...!

Ren: It's a given we won the pair competition, but I won't lose in the single one next time.

Gast: Ren...
... I was really happy when you rushed to me.

(As Ren told me, up until now I feel like I've only been thinking about stuff like protecting the guys or those younger than me, or how I gotta be dependable.
But, that ain't it. Ren's not one of the guys, he's a hero of the same team.
It's natural it won't work if I treat Ren the same way I treat the guys. Haha, I'm so slow to realize.
... So this is also what Marion was referring to.)

Ren: ... I helped you because I owed you one, that's all.

Gast: Owe me? Did I do something?

Ren: ......

Gast: Ah! Right, Ren, you fixed your unsteady balance, huh. Did you have Jay teach you?

Ren: That's... right, but...
I'll do anything to become stronger... If I think listening to you is for the best, then I will.

Gast: ... Sure. If there's anything bothering me I'll tell you anytime.
If there's something you're concerned about, you'll tell me, right?

Ren: Okay.

Gast: Let's do our best together as rookies of the same team. ♪

Ren: Kh, hey... You're too familiar. Don't get too close.

Gast: Ahah, 's fine, right~? Reminds me, wanna take a pic to commemorate our victory? 

Ren: You're too cheerful, it's embarrassing...

Gast: (I never thought I would become a hero a few years ago, but...
Spending every day like this might unexpectedly be not that bad.)

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