Honkai Impact 3rd: Don't Die for Me/ Book 1: Promise

Chapter 31 Night Raven

<Paris Pub>

"Hmm, your best friend sits in front of you yet you're listless. Staring off into the distance imagining the sensation of her lush lips against yours, her passionate gaze locking you in plac-"

"Enough Will, bloody hell, don't be exposing me in public."

Fred and Will arranged a date to catch up and hang out. It was about one in the morning and they were at a pub playing a round of pool. Will carefully aimed a shot and let it rip. The clackle of pool balls resounded throughout the pub.

"Nice one."
"I think so too. So how's the progress on your endeavor?"

"We've decided to take some time away. The alps. Adrie's family owns a cabin there."

"I guess I'll be missing you for a few more weeks then."

"It's only a long weekend."

"I'm happy for you. I really am."

Will tapped his pole stick up and down, despite teasing Fred about being listless Will too had his mind elsewhere.

"Honestly, I never would have thought you would be able to commit."

"What?!"
"Your track record validates my statement."

"Hey, I learned to be better."

"After how many sleepless nights? Do you know how difficult it was for me to stay awake? Everything I said went in one ear and flew out the other."

Fred snorted, it was his turn at the table and he lined up his shot and took it.

"So the letter you sent, did you get a response."

"Yes, a short one. He told me to take a year off."

"Hah, man he's quite generous."

"What did you write in the letter?"

"You didn't read it?"

"I trusted that it would be cordial."

Will let out a laugh that shook the pub. Friendly faces chuckled with him, if the priest was happy so were they. They wanted to talk with the priest but they respected his private time with his friend. Will, who always seemed like a saint, became a human just like them. A sense of connection and comradeship intertwined Will and the people of Paris.

"What did you write?"

Fred's face flashed with concern. He trusted Will, that's why it was Fred himself who seeked Will's help to request some time off. He never thought Will would use the opportunity to mess with him, nor his uncle. Uncle Cain didn't take too kindly to being pranked.

"Let's just say it was a gamble. It seems I appealed to the humanity within your uncle."

"A gamble?"

"If I failed, your workload would have doubled."

"You! You, ah forget it, I already got the best result."
"Yes, the means don't matter as long as the end result is the same."
"You don't believe that."
"I don't but in the context of this situation I do believe it to be so."

Will leaned over to line up another shot. It was his turn.

"You're children, you better make me their godfather."

"I haven't even crossed the line."
"You'll eventually get over that bridge, so just make this one small promise."

Fred sighed, Will's tone carried a hint of sadness.

"I would have done so even without you asking me."

"I know, I just wanted to hear you say it."

"You're acting weird Will, did you catch something?"