A/N: Hello everyone! This is a cannon of what could have happened if Naofumi reacted differently than he did and what the outcome would be. This is after the difference, but maybe you'll see some difference in the story itself. It's not YAOI (Boy Love). Also, Naofumi's past is a little changed by me. Hope you'll like it!

WARNING: There will be cursing here and mention of heavy bullying, bordering on murder

Naofumi was with Filo and Raphtalia on the way to their new mission. They were on too little food and water for a long time, but only Naofumi felt it. When everyone looked away, Naofumi would dirty his dishes and tell his companions that he already ate, even though he didn't and gave everything to the others. This went on for months until Raphtalia and Filo decided to go to the King and the other three heroes. They were still a few weeks from Meloromarc when the two girls noticed that Naofumi went slower and his movements sluggish.

"That's it! Filo, we're going to the castle for a talk with the king and those three other heroes. No one would be that heartless to let Mr. Naofumi die.", said Raphtalia with resolve.

Filo nodded and changed into her monster form and ran, with Naofumi and Raphtalia on her back, as fast as she could to Meloromarc. While they were on their way back, Naofumi passed out and was held, without any difficulty, by Raphtalia.

'He's gotten too thin! He almost weights nothing!', thought Raphtalia and told Filo: "Try to get near the Meloromarc. I don't think that Naofumi can hold on any longer with no proper bed and care."

"Understood, Sis!", said Filo and picked up her speed.

They took every third day a break before they were back on the road. Luckily, a nice Nobleman gave them an old carriage for free. That way, the risk of Naofumi falling was less likely and he could even lie down! The journey was still long and they were five (5) times teleported for the Wave, but they never showed themselves, afraid to leave Naofumi alone while he's weak.

"Water...", muttered Naofumi, only for Raphtalia to shush him and say: "We're almost there. Please hold on."

Filo was feeling more power and ran to the castle with her last strength. When they were finally in front of the gate, Filo turned back to her human form and helped Raphtalia with carrying Naofumi, blankets and all, to the throne room where the king and the three heroes were. The girls brought Naofumi in the furthest corner of the room, where it was dark, and then went themselves in the middle and bowed.

"King of Meloromarc, please listen to our request and help Mr. Naofumi. He can't find somewhere to buy food and the money runs out faster than we can earn. Would you be so kind as to give us enough money for a hotel room and a little bit of food?"

"Why should we believe you?", asked Motoyasu Kitamura (Spear Hero).

Before Ralphtalia or Filo could answer, Naofumi walked up to the throne and knelt unsteadily on the ground, begging: "P-Please, I'm begging you, King of Meloromarc, release them from their b-burden. Release them from m-me as their Shield, as their M-Master. I can't keep them safe l-like this and I won't be responsible for their d-d-death when I can not p-p-protect them."

After speaking, Naofumi begun to sway on his place and his eyes were already rolling back in his head. Ren Amaki's (Sword Hero) eyes widen and ran to Naofumi's side, fast enough to keep Naofumi's head from colliding with the floor and injuring himself. The King stood up from the throne and was already walking away, shouting to everyone that this request was not granted and that everyone was dismissed.

"Guys, he's burning up. We can't leave him alone when he's this weak. He would die within a week!", said Amaki while feeling Naofumi's forehead.

Itsuki Kawasumi (Bow Hero) snorted and said: "He's just faking it. I bet that after he gets the money, he'll 'mysteriously' gets healed by some magical angel and can go further with their journey."

Raphtalia and Filo gasped, not believing how anyone could say that after seeing Naofumi fall down. Amaki wasn't even trying to grasp what Kawasumi said and looked if there were visible injuries in places that weren't covered by Naofumi's armor. After a few minutes of looking, Amaki decided that it was probably only fever and small dehydration and a little hunger, but nothing serious that would trigger 'DEADLY!' to him.

"How can you say that after everything you have seen and heard? Nevermind, I'll take him to my room until he's feeling better.", said Amaki with a glare and picked Naofumi, bridal style, up.

Kitamura didn't feel like he was a good role model, the 'Hero', in this and said: "Let me take Iwatani, Ren. He's too heavy for one teenager to carry alone."

Amaki blinked and said: "Actually, he's skinnier than Itsuki and me. And he weighs less than a teenager of, average height and weight, does."

"That can't be possible! You are probably just used to heavier things than just one man. Just give Iwatani here before you're overworking your body.", said Kitamura and took Naofumi roughly from Amaki's arms.

Amaki was shocked that Kitamura could be so rough with a sick person, let alone someone they needed alive. Kitamura, however, was shocked by what he felt. Naofumi was weighing less than he thought and the urgency in him suddenly flared up and intensified. Some part of him begun to feel a little protective of Naofumi already. Kawasumi wasn't believing any of it and walked to Kitamura. He looked at Naofumi with no real hate in his eyes, which made Amaki and Kitamura more trustful toward Kawasumi, only for him to throw Naofumi out of Kitamura's arms.

No one was expecting that and could only watch how Naofumi went down, landed on the ground with a loud 'CRACK' before Kawasumi could right his mistake. Kawasumi looked shocked. He couldn't believe that Naofumi didn't stop his fall. Raphtalia and Filo ran to Naofumi's side, followed by Amaki.

"CALL THE HEALERS! You three, don't move him. We don't know where he's injured.", said Kitamura, taking on the lead role as the eldest of them all.

Not even ten (10) minutes later, a team of healers went to Naofumi's side and begun to examine if he was in danger if they moved him. Like, did he break his back or did he get a hairline fracture on his skull? Did he get an awful concussion or is there possible neck injury? Those were all checked before they ever would decide to move someone. Luckily, they were professionals in their expertise.

"If he can be moved, bring him to my room.", said Amaki while Kitamura nodded in agreement.

The healers nodded, picked Naofumi carefully and slowly up until they were on the mobile bed. A bed that wasn't on wheels, like they knew from their world, but the mobile bed that was flying and listened to the strange words that the Head Healer, who they needed to know the name of, said. It would have been more interesting and exciting to see if Naofumi wasn't the one getting on it and looking smaller than he should be.

The Head Healer turned to the group and explained: "Due to his armor, we are unable to see anything and have decided to bring Mr. Shield Hero in the Medical Facility. And maybe later, he could be transferred to the best-suited room out of you three heroes."

Before anyone could ask the Head Healer anything, he was already gone through the left door, what the three heroes assumed was the way to the medical facility. After all that excitement, everyone has begun to take everything in and could think a little clearer as to what happened and how it happened so fast all of a sudden. Then, Amaki turned to Kawasumi and punched him in the face.

Kitamura held Amaki away from Kawasumi, who was on the ground from the force of the punch, but Amaki didn't really struggle and yelled: "HOW CAN YOU BE SO HEARTLESS AND HURT IWATANI WHILE HE WAS ALREADY DOWN?! YOU ARE ONE HEARTLESS BASTARD, ITSUKI!"

Kawasumi came out of shock and whispered: "What have I done? How could I hurt someone when he's supposed to heal quicker than the MC's? This is a game, not real life where we have to worry about food and such! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!"

"Hem Hem... The Shield Hero has been brought to the Spear Hero's room. Please follow me. I would like to tell all the heroes about their companion's diagnosis.", said the Head Healer and went in the direction to Kitamura's room.

All three heroes followed the Head Healer quickly while Raphtalia and Filo ran after them. After they arrived at Kitamura's room, they went inside. Raphtalia and Filo were forbidden to enter by the healers. The three heroes didn't even glance at the two girls and went to the bedroom while thinking that Naofumi was already completely healed and only resting, but when they were at the bed, they gasped in horror when they saw Naofumi.

Naofumi's face was as white as a ghost. His sunken in cheeks, flushed red from the fever, while he had black rings under his eyes. His mouth and nose were covered by an oxygen mask, which helped Naofumi with breathing easier. The rest of his body was still covered with three, big, soft blankets that were fit for a king, what looked to be from all three heroes' rooms.

"My God... What happened to him?", asked Kawasumi, asking the question everyone wanted to know.

The Head Healer walked in front of the three heroes and explained: "The Shield Hero seems to have suffered an injury a few weeks ago that, sadly, wasn't treated right and got infected. He's also severely dehydrated and malnourished. There are also fresh fractures on four of his ribs, left side, and his leg. Those aren't the problem her-."

"What do you mean 'not the problem' He broke his ribs!", said Amaki in shock.

The Head Healer glared at the three heroes, not like to be cut off, and threw the covers from Naofumi's body. Naofumi shuddered from the sudden coldness, but other than that, he stayed perfectly still. The three Heroes gasped in shock and horror. You could see which ribs were broken, hell you could see every single bone that wasn't covered. His body especially looked skeleton when they saw the cast on Naofumi's right leg or the underwear that looked around ten (10) sizes too big and the I.V., that was hooked up in the crook of his elbow, wasn't really helping.

His skin covered his bones with almost nothing else. Kawasumi and Amai couldn't do anything but turn around and take a few steps back, feeling a little bit sick after seeing what happened to Naofumi in those months they hadn't seen him. Then, they wondered how he hid it when they were called to battle the last five times. After thinking that, Kawasumi and Amaki looked back at Naofumi, still looking a little bit sick but hanging on. Kitamura took a step forward and sat on his bed next to Naofumi. Then, Naofumi opened his eyes a little bit, but they were glazed over with the fever.

"B-B-Brother?", asked Naofumi confused while looking straight at Amaki.

Amaki looked confused, so Kitamura whipped Naofumi's bangs away from his eyes and said softly while stroking Naofumi's hair: "Sorry, Iwatani. He's not your brother. He's one of your friends. Do you remember me?"