The Real RPG of Life Series: Memoirs of Friendship [FIN]

Chapter 17: What Had Happened During My Absence (Chris)

“I would like to thank you for all of your hard work for these past few weeks! I am truly grateful, not only to finish 3 days ahead of schedule, but to be able to do this much with our teamwork and cooperation.” The student council president stands up, bowing down saying, “Thank you so much!”

Everyone started clapping, others have found a reason to shed a tear or two. But as for me, a sigh of relief was enough. I soon started thinking of the possibilities I had passed over just for committee work: going out to hang out with my friends, going home early like the others and most importantly, being able to log in back into Grandiel. After the final meeting, everyone started to go out. I waited till the crowd got thinner and soon made my way back to the classroom to pick up my bag. Along the way, I soon found Brianna headed the same way.

“Finally it’s all over!” Brianna stretches her arms wide. I guess even someone like her would get tired from committee work, despite being energetic and cheerful.

She soon sets her sights on me and stares at me sharply.

“I hope you haven’t forgotten about ‘that’, Chris.”

“That?” I was confused as to what was she referring to.

“Our duel! I still haven’t won against you fair and square!”

“No you did! You just won’t accept it.”

“Oh no let’s not start over again with this Chris. You lost intentionally. I-N-T-E-N-T-I-O-N-A-L-L-Y!”

“I already told you the reasons right? I fought you with all I’ve got!”

Brianna and I would often settle on this topic. She was stubborn about it, the last duel we had. We would go on and on about it until we part ways in front of the school gate wherein she would we riding home with her father while I would go home via the same train station.

As we left the classroom after picking up our bags, we still continued conversing.

“You know, it’s been fun.” Brianna spurred out.

“Fun?”

“Talking like this, arguing about the small things, it really makes me happy.” Brianna smiles sincerely, as if behind that smile something else was hiding.

“Brianna…”

“Our classmates are kind to me, I found someone on par with my skills. Ah, I think I’m living in such a bliss.”

“You’re overreacting too much.”

“And I, only have to thank you, Chris for all of this.” Brianna stops dead on her tracks, turns back and leans towards me whispering, “Thank you.”

As we went outside the school gates, Brianna’s father, the principal, was already there. Saying our goodbyes, I wave goodbye as their car moves further away. I was about to walk to the station when I was stopped by a familiar voice.

“Chris.” I turn my head to see who it was.

“Penelope?”

“C-can you accompany me? I need to know something, please.” She looks serious, and you barely see Penelope looking like this. I nod and soon found ourselves in the convenience store near the station.

Popping open one canned coffee, I sip as I wait for Penelope’s question.

“What is it Penelope? You seem… troubled.”

“Y-yeah, um… has… Nat called you recently?”

“Huh? No, not yet.”

“A call perhaps? Did she leave a message of some sort?”