Hero of Harmony (Continued)

Chapter 323: Returning Home!

"Thank you, Michelle." Said Yuki softly as she glanced at the pot of food and sighed before grabbing a fork and eating.

"Of course, Yuki." Said Michelle with a wry smile as she removed her apron while glancing at Yuki, who seemed to hardly enjoy the food.

Cleaning the kitchen, I grabbed my plate and sat opposite of Yuki at the table as I ate lunch; the two of us mostly sat in silence, not that we disliked each other, it's just that these past weeks have been rather stressful.

It's been two months since Alex, Lazuli, and Talis left, twice the time he said it would be, and we've received no information about their well-being. For all we know, they could have been killed, and we'd never know.

'No, don't think like that, Michelle. They're alive and fine; they've just encountered a few problems.' Thought Michelle as she shook her head and reaffirmed her confidence and belief in Alex.

"So, um, I overheard you finally became a B-class Adventurer, Yuki. Congratulations!" Said Michelle with a smile as she looked at Yuki, who didn't match her enthusiasm and merely nodded.

"Yeah, it was only a matter of time." Replied Yuki lightly as she raised her head and glanced at Michelle, who awkwardly coughed.

"We should host a celebration; you, me, and Chloe can go somewhere to eat. A buffet, perhaps?" Asked Michelle with a lovely smile as she began making mental plans, only for Yuki to shake her head.

"No thanks... I just want to stay home. Thank you, though." Said Yuki lightly as she flashed Michelle a soft smile before continuing to eat.

"Is it because of that adventurer group?" Asked Michelle softly as she looked at Yuki, who briefly froze before glancing at her.

"Um, I overheard you complaining about them a few nights ago in your room. Being an Adventurer is dangerous work, and without Lazuli or Alex by your side to help you, I wanted to help fill that gap; I'm not strong, but I figured I could at least talk about your problems." Added Michelle lightly as she earnestly looked at Yuki, who softly sighed before shaking her head.

"Most my life, I've been a lone Adventurer, so this is nothing new, but yeah, that Adventurer party, the Damned, they're pretty annoying. They arrived a week after Alex left, and once I successfully upgraded my rank to a B-class, they've been incessantly trying to get me to join their group." Stated Yuki with an annoyed expression as she aggressively tapped the table, leaving a finger-sized hole in the wood while Michelle nodded.

"Is that why you've been avoiding leaving the house? Are you worried they may get forceful?" Asked Michelle in concern as she looked at Yuki, who scoffed before proudly raising her chest.

"Hmph, I'm not scared, Michelle." Stated Yuki solemnly as she raised her head high and glanced at Michelle, who slightly frowned.

"I don't think you are, Yuki, but that doesn't change the fact that you're alone. It would be stupid to fight a group by yourself." Said Michelle softly as she ate food while Yuki clicked her tongue and nodded.

"Well, compared to before when I was alone, I don't just have myself to look after... I've got a family now, even if half of that family is currently missing." Remarked Yuki lightly as she looked at Michelle, who softly smiled, before furrowing her brows and glancing at the front door.

"Ha, I know. I woke up every day hoping they'd return as well. Though most of all, I just wish we had some way of confirming their well-being." Muttered Michelle softly as she gazed at the front door alongside Yuki before sighing in defeat.

"Anyway, I'm going to pick up Chloe. Do you want to come?" Asked Michelle with a raised eyebrow as she stood up, placing her dishes in the sink before cleaning her hands.