Facing Layla’s sudden grasp, Keti fell silent. After a long moment, she slowly turned her head, then coldly said to Layla:
“Willing to do anything? How much determination did you have to say something like that? I’m an assistant at the Lidel Magic Academy, with a high salary, respectable status, full board, and even a chance to enter the Magic Tower!”
“Shouldn’t you be happy for me? You’re just an ordinary adventurer. Can you really take responsibility for someone else’s life? If you can’t do it… then don’t say it!”
“But I really… really don’t want you to leave, Keti! Without you, we—”
“There’s no ‘but’!”
Hearing Layla’s trembling voice, Keti’s emotions suddenly flared up. After a long breath, she shouted, questioning fiercely:
“If that’s the case, then why did you make me leave the team in the first place?! When Alice drove me away, did any of you oppose it? Why do you insist on making me come back now? Why?!”
The atmosphere suddenly fell silent.
Layla stood frozen in place. After a long while, her lips quivered but she couldn’t say a word.
There was no way to explain, no way to reveal her selfish thoughts now. Otherwise, how would Keti see her?
If the one Keti truly liked was Alice, and not herself… then she might have no chance at all from now on.
The air remained heavy for some time. After a long pause, Keti sighed deeply, shook her head, and continued:
“Actually, I’m not blaming you. But… sorry, I’ve already thought about you all too much. Please… stop only thinking about yourselves and start looking forward.”
With that, Keti sighed again and quickly left the room, leaving only Layla and Sylvia standing dumbfounded, silently watching Keti’s retreating figure.
Huff—
Stepping out of the room, the silver-haired beauty couldn’t help but shed tears at the corner of her eyes… She knew she couldn’t turn back.
No matter how unwilling she felt inside… but when she saw the expressions on Layla and Sylvia’s faces just now, maybe… she would still soften.
So, she had to say things firmly, coldly, in order to cut ties with the past and move forward—for the chance to still be friends with them in the future, rather than continuing to hold them back by returning and repeating a story they were already tired of.
Having said the harsh words, Keti left with a somewhat wistful heart. Behind her, Layla collapsed onto the floor, utterly limp, helplessly watching the girl walk away, a tearing pain ripping through her heart.
She probably never imagined that once, by not stopping Alice’s plan to make Keti leave the team, things would become so complicated.
Nor did she expect that after roaming outside for a while, Keti wouldn’t want to come back?!
Why… why is this happening? Is their Hero’s team such a difficult place to stay? This… this—
Oh gods, why is it like this?! My… my love, my Keti, ah—!
The more she thought about it, the more tears flowed uncontrollably, and the anguish inside grew, even leading to regret. Keti’s last words echoed endlessly in her mind…
“When Alice drove me away, did any of you oppose it?”
Yeah, why didn’t I oppose it back then?! I…
I don’t want… I don’t want to lose Keti! Ugh…
After a long, long time, the purple-haired big sister with jellyfish-headed sat helplessly on the floor, crying for quite a while. Only then did Sylvia slowly stand up and close the door behind her.
She turned back and met Layla’s gaze, wiping away tears. The priestess even felt somewhat ashamed for crying so heartbreakingly… but the tears just couldn’t be controlled.
Actually, Sylvia’s expression wasn’t good either. There were clear traces of tears at the corners of her eyes, but she was doing her best to hold back her emotions.
Knowing that crying wouldn’t solve anything—after all, Keti was already gone—this elven lady sighed deeply after a while, shook her head, and walked back to Layla’s side, speaking:
“Alright, stop crying for now… Layla, let’s talk openly and honestly. I’ll start: my love for Keti is deeper than for anyone else in this world! So even if Keti turns into a girl and never changes back, I will still pursue her!”
As Sylvia spoke, she took a deep breath, as if summoning courage to declare something important… and indeed, this was the first time she confessed her feelings for Keti, even if not in front of her.
Still, the elf’s cheeks flushed faintly with embarrassment. Then, she looked resolutely at Layla and asked:
“I like Keti for who she is, regardless of her gender! Whether she’s male or female, I like her! But… what about you?”
“Layla, I know you’re the kind of girl with… strong desires, so I don’t know what you think. If Keti can’t change back, or doesn’t want to, and is without that thing anymore, will you still like her?”
“Uh—”
Suddenly labeled a lustful woman, the purple-haired jellyfish sister felt a bit awkward. Hiss… M-mainly, how did Sylvia come to that conclusion?! Hiss…
Our rooms are separated by only a single wall at the base—could it be… that night when I was entertaining myself, she heard it? Or was it when I forgot to put away my toy, and she saw it?!
Ugh…
Despite everything, Sylvia’s question really hit the core of the matter. The priestess immediately lowered her head and nervously thought for a moment.
If Keti had always been a girl, then I…
N-no, no! That’s impossible! How could Keti never change back? She herself said she’d find a way; it just needs time!
Besides, Keti has been a man for more than twenty years. No matter what, she wouldn’t accept being a girl forever, right?
Judging from how she reacted in the fitting room last night, she didn’t even want to wear the little skirt—she clearly isn’t used to this life!
But—
What if she really can’t change back? Then… then how can Keti and I continue living a happy life together?
“N-no, no! It’s not allowed. Keti must change back! I will help her when the time comes! Ugh…
But even if she is a girl, I still love her! That’s how it is…”
“Hm, hehe, I knew it.
You’d say that for sure~”
They are crazy