Mountains and Buffalo.

Chapter 32: Wonted Duty.

Sleep wasn't brought by my collapse. I was plagued by a lingering restlessness, a prickling bit of caution that blocked my eyes from fully closing. Instead, I used my granted time to keep watch of the door whilst against a desk, an arm slung over my knee.

"Ya look like a sorry sort. More like a midget than a kid."

Juke joined me in my resting. The both of us eyed the door, keeping careful watch for any sudden enemies. It wasn't the best course of action, I realized, as that dean was likely to get in trouble. But he was out of sight, and thus, for the time being, out of mind.

Besides, I had a verbal jab I needed to address.

"There are thousands of better ways to say I have a sullen or exhausted face. Take your helmet off; I'm certain you aren't faring any better."

"Y'know, that ain't a bad idea."

He did just as I suggested, laboriously lifting his laden helmet and setting it aside.

"Well?"

"...It's about what I expected. At least your facial hair looks clean."

"Really? That thing's messy all the time."

"Maybe exertion has a reverse effect. I've heard of things like that happening."

He stroked his lengthy stubble in contemplation. I let him do that and continued glaring at the entrance, waiting but hoping not for something to pop out.

"I'm surprised either of us are still standing here. I didn't even bleed from that fight."

"I ain't bleedin' either. But that bastard scratched my helmet. 'Least he didn't dent it."

He grabbed it and rotated it to spot the marks left by the Bringer's blade. They were very obvious once he pointed them out, making me feel dumb for not noticing them.

"I'm glad, cuz it means I ain't gotta get a new one. And if I had ta, I can't, since I'm stuck in this crazy place. And ta think I still got another tower to fight..."

I tried to empathize with him, but my state inclined me to be backhanded.

"You only have yourself to blame. You and I could've left if we stopped caring about the letter."

He sighed and shrugged. That gesture indicated that he heard my point, but he still had a retort.

"C'mon, kid. We agreed on somethin' back in that alleyway. 'Specially in times like these, ya gotta keep yer word."

"...Yeah."

Though I had my frustrations, he was right. I was convinced, not just by Juke, but by my own distorted feelings to go back and fight. I was as to blame as he was. Still–

"It's so stupid. I don't like any of it"

"I ain't liking any of this either."

"I know! I know you aren't; you'd be a maniac if you did. But still"

Juke chuckled a little. I rolled my eyes and clicked my tongue. Little gestures like that dulled my festering feelings. He returned to his resting face. But when I looked at it closer, it was more rigid and fierce than the face of a resting man.

"I'll tell ya what, though. I wanted no part of fighting for this damn Pillar."

"Y-Yeah. That I agree with."

"It ain't amountin' to anything either, is it?"

"...?"

At that, I had to tilt my head.

"It's a detour, certainly, but this furthers our goals, doesn't it? The Retaliation Crowd are going to help us with our goal after this."

"...I guess yer right. But it doesn't feel like it."

He adjusted his posture a little, rolling his shoulders and releasing a lengthy sigh.

"Dennis still ain't here."

"..."

The bubbling fumes within me died down immediately. It was difficult to stay mad when I saw Juke's forlorn face. But at the same time, I struggled to see it justified.

"I don't really get it. I mean, I understand wanting to help an acquaintance, but you make it out as if he's a lifelong friend–"

"I get what yer sayin' kid. Ya ain't entirely wrong, but it's more complicated than that. I know ya well enough to make it click. Gimme a second."

He scooched across the floor and sat with his front facing me, holding both his hands out to help himself explain.

"Think of it this way, kid: let's say I got an apple, and that I need to eat it within twenny minutes, and if I don't eat the apple in twenny minutes then I should jump off a buildin'."

"--!? W-What!?"

Such an analogy was one thing, but that extreme turn made it seem like a joke.

"Hold on, Kenny. Ya gotta think about it more. Why would any sound man kill themselves cuz they didn't eat an apple?"

"...You aren't pulling my leg, are you?"

"Do ya see my hands on ya? Nah, I'm serious, kid."