Epilogue time! Well, minor setback aside, Volume 2's over and done with it. Leave a review and stay tuned for Volume 3!
ooo000ooo
Little Wing It
Volume 2
Photon Art Online
Epilogue
ooo000ooo
"Hey, kid, happy birthday!"
"Oh, haha! Thanks!"
I thanked the Little Wing member who greeted me as I walked through Clad 6. I had no idea who they were but I was still thankful, regardless.
It's only polite, right?
Yes, today was my birthday.
It didn't start out great, far from it.
Yesterday, I got into a fight with the boss because he threw away the gift I was gonna give to him.
Even though it was obviously a gift, wrapped and all, he still threw it away so quickly even though we were trying to stop him!
Ugh, just thinking about it makes me angry again! Who throws away a gift?!
But, I think I can forgive him this time.
I know my boss isn't the smartest of people, and he did have no idea it was a gift for him.
So I'm gonna be the big one for now. After all, he did give me these nice earrings!
Then, we were assigned to guard duty on Neudaiz. Boring. I don't know if I should be thankful that monsters broke into the facility.
There, we met a Guardian named Lumia Waber.
Ugh, I know, right? Of all people, it had to be a stinking Guardian!
And she was so stuck-up too! She kept acting like she was better than us, and every second of it was infuriating!
And that's not all. We had to fight this giant two-headed dragon. Talk about a bad ending to a bad day.
But, in the end, we beat it. In fact, we beat it more easily than I thought. Must be because it was a test creature or something but I'm not gonna rain on my own parade.
Too bad Yut knocked himself out, though.
But we got to tease Lumia about her 'too cool' attitude so...
Maybe not a bad ending after all?
And after we got back, the best part of the day happened.
I thought we were being called in for causing problems but imagine my surprise when they were actually preparing a surprise birthday party!
And for the biggest surprise of all, it turned out it was Boss's idea! And he even gave me a birthday present!
It was the last thing I'd ever expected from him, that's for sure!
After that, we had fun, we ate great food, and opened more presents.
It was... one of the best days of my life.
I used to be just this kid who caused trouble and did nothing around here...
But now even people I didn't know were greeting me a happy birthday!
It's a little shocking how big a difference working a bit harder made in my life here in Little Wing.
I can still clearly remember when it all turned around.
It was the day I met my then-would-be-partner, kind-of-teacher, and best friend, Kara Draken.
It's almost been a month now since he joined our little outfit. He started off mean and stand-offish but...
Nah, he's still this guy who thinks he's cool by being quiet and wearing black. And he has a girl's name, heehee...
But he's been with me since then and I've had his support whether I succeeded at something or messed everything up.
So even if he's sometimes rude to me, annoys me, or calls other girls cute...
I'm still happy he's my partner!
"Hey, Emilia, got a sec?"
Oh, speak of the devil!
"Hmm? What's up?"
He crossed his arms and averted his eyes. It almost seemed like he was actually fidgeting.
I wonder what he wants?
"So, uhh... I didn't get a chance to say this before but... Happy Birthday."
I know it shouldn't have been a surprise. It was my birthday, after all.
But after the words left his mouth, I still felt a little tugging feeling from the bottom of my stomach.
I felt happy earlier, when everyone surprised me, and when boss gave me the gift.
I felt happy when we celebrated, and when everyone I passed by greeted me.
But this time, I felt a different kind of happy. Like, I couldn't stop a silly smile from forming on my face.
I don't understand why it's different when he greeted me but it's rare that my partner acts like this.
I can't afford to miss the chance to tease him!
"Oh? You always act so serious but... you actually have a cute side?"
"... Whatever, you annoying girl."
Look at him, still trying to be cool.
And hey, who exactly are you calling annoying?!
But, nevermind that. He did go out of his way to greet me. I'm sure it's been a surprise to him too. I've never actually told him my birthday, after all.
So maybe I can let this one slide.
"Anyway, I'll get you a proper gift later so, uh... hold on to that gun I gave you earlier for now."
"Huh? You mean this dirty old thing?"
"Hey, that's been through a lot with me. Don't call it dirty."
I summoned the dirty old gun and faked a grossed-out expression, holding the piece away from my body with two fingers.
But wait, I seem to recall him mentioning that he's planning on buying a new gun...
"You're just giving this to me so that you don't have to throw it away, aren't you?"
"Ye- I mean, no."
"You were about to say yes!"
"You can't prove that."
I was only trying to mess with him a little but teasing him is actually quite fun!
Too bad I couldn't get him mad, though.
"Like I said, that gun's got me through some tough times. I wasn't gonna throw it away."
"I know, I know, I was just kidding around."
"Tch. Troublesome kid."
"Who's the kid here?! I turned seventeen today!"
We were arguing but I was smiling all throughout. And I'm pretty sure I saw the corner of his lips twitch a little.
Heh.
I don't know why, but this all just feels... right.
"Anyway, if you don't want the gun, you can give it back."
"Nuh-uh! I'm keeping this one! You already gave it to me!"
"... just make up your mind, already..."
I just gave him the widest grin I could muster.
To be honest, I wouldn't even care if he didn't get me a proper present.
I wouldn't have cared if he didn't even greet me a happy birthday.
Those words he told me earlier...
'I got your back.'
Just him being there for me.
I think that alone beats any gift or greeting he could ever give me.