Fatal Bullet (Various x Female Reader)

Chapter Forty (Attack of the Bazalt Joe)

        We made it back to my place with no casualties. XaXa or Death Gun or whatever he's calling himself now hasn't shown himself again since shooting XeXeeD in the interview. The air was thick and heavy with the tension of the night's events. I sigh out, catching the attention of my friends. Zeliska speaks up.

"What should we do about the remaining keys we've yet to find?" I look over at her.

"We can head out tomorrow and search for those. We should probably head off for the night and get some rest to get back on the hunt tomorrow." Explaining this, Kureha and Itsuki seem to agree. Hikaru stands up a little straighter all of the sudden.

"Master, you've got a message! It's from Joe..." I want to facepalm. What does Joe want now? Another fight to win Hikaru away from me?

"You can read it out, Hikaru." I tell him and he nods.

"Alright ! This is the last time I'll ask you this. I want one more duel. If I lose, you'll get what's most important to me. We'll fight in the Remnant Wasteland. I'll be waiting for you as long as I have to. I'm a man of my word. It sounds like Joes wants another battle." I really do facepalm now. I called it. And did he seriously... I groan out loud, obviously done with Joe wanting to do these fights.

"Did he seriously say that he'll wait as long as he has to? Why can't he just take no as an answer and be done with it!" I exclaimed exasperatedly, causing Kureha to laugh.

"You really don't have to feel obligated to go see him, (Y/N). You've already given him more than enough of your time as it is." Kureha chuckles out, laughing at my expressions. Zeliska lets a little laugh escape as she nods.

"I agree with Kureha on this one, although... knowing him, I bet he literally would wait for you as long as it took." Zeliska saying that causes Itsuki to nod, a slight smirk resting on his lips.

"He probably would too. For both better and for worse, his stubbornness is his most defining trait, by far." I sigh This is making me feel even worse if I just up and ignored his request. Hikaru speaks up.

"Master, I don't think Joe is a bad guy." Hikaru's got it right.

"I know Joe isn't a bad guy. He's just really stubborn, like you said Itsuki." Zeliska smiles sweetly.

"You're both too sweet, (Y/N), Hikaru. Either way, if you plan on doing this, (Y/N), just know I'll have your back." I think for a moment before nodding.

"I'll go. I'd have a guilty conscience if I didn't and he did end up waiting around forever." Hikaru pumps the air.

"Alright! Just make sure you bring me with you, Master!" Hikaru exclaims. Itsuki looks at the two of us in interest. There seems to be some curious expression behind his eyes as he looks at me.

"I think I'll tag along too. I'm curious to see how it'll all pan out." Kureha hums in thought.

"I bet Kirito and the others are going to want to come too." Zeliska smiles at that.

"In that case, why don't we do this tomorrow instead of continuing to get those keys? I'll bring some lunch and we can make this a nice little get-together!" She smiles. Zeliska's eyes have a happy shine to them. I guess I can't back out of this now. Not that I was going to...

"Well then, I'll send out messages to everyone and let Joe know we'll meet him tomorrow." With that, we all logged out, getting prepared for the day ahead.

Everyone met up at the teleporter leading out to the Remnant Wastelands. Zeliska, Leafa and Asuna were carrying picnic baskets with the day's food. Whatever they all made smells amazing! Kirito seemed to agree from beside me.