Book Two – Chapter Ten – Part Four – A Secret Revealed & A Small Trip

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

“Crap, I gotta get rid of the chairs.” Servi and Fisher stood up, and the chairs disappeared like they weren’t even there.  “We can continue this later, right?”

Fisher nodded, speaking in a tone different from the one he had used minutes before. “I’ll start on the design as soon as I can. I’m no architect, but as long as I can lay out the specifications, Governor Blasé can give it to the people who turned that warehouse into an arena. They can do the rest. Once they do and I get it back, I’ll hand it to you for final approval.”

“Sounds good to me.”

It sounds good to me, too. Itarr added on.

“Servi? It’s me, Momo.”

“And Claire!”

“Come on in,” Servi half-yelled. The door handle twisted open to reveal a smiling Momo and a relieved Claire.

Instantly she stormed over to Fisher and started reprimanding him. Her red hair joined in her rage, scattering and fluttering when she angrily shook her head. “See, I knew this was too dangerous. She almost died to an unknown—”

“Claire, I’m fine. I saw the red thing and thought I could take it. Clearly, I couldn’t. I thought I had it under control. It’s not his fault, but mine.”

“Servi...” Momo whispered her friend's name.

“Hmph! Still, it only happened because he wanted you all to fight a juncea. It was still too dangerous!”

Servi looked and Fisher, and he smiled. “Claire, I’m sorry. I realize now that I should’ve done something else for my exam. Servi, can you forgive me?”

“Yeah. I'm sorry, too," Servi smiled.

Seems like it’s nothing but secrets that surrounds me. I know one day I can tell everyone the truth. And I’m sorry, Fisher, if Dineria and Claire, or anyone else gives you a hard time. When I can, I’ll be sure to properly apologize to everyone.

“Now then, I have some things I gotta do. Oh, I did promise that I’ll take you all to that sweets shop. Momo, Claire, you’re more than welcome to come. How about we meet at 7 at the headquarters? If any of us see Silverado and the others, be sure to let them know. Of course, that includes Dineria and the other girl that’s training under her.”

“Thank you, Fisher! That’s very kind of you!” Momo's ears twitched when she realized she had a chance to eat Canary’s chocolate again.

“Yes, that’s kind of you. If I get off in time, I’ll come along,” Claire sarcastically said with a bit of edge in her voice as she mockingly waved him away. She didn't think she would ever forgive Fisher, but she wouldn't bring it up again if it had the chance to sour the mood.

“Very well. I see you all later,” Fisher nodded at Servi and walked out of her room.

Immediately, Claire turned to Servi and hugged her while Momo watched with a smile.

“I’m so happy you’re okay!”

“Thanks, Claire. I’m sorry to have worried you.”

“And now you know not to wander around at night to chase mysterious monsters. It’s a stupid thing to do.”

“Claire… I… I’m sorry. I’m so, so, so sorry,” Servi hugged Claire a bit tighter, and the Elf responded by slowly stroking her soft black hair.

“As long as you know and learn from it, it’s okay,” Claire broke off the hug, and Servi saw her eyes were red from crying.

Servi then turned to Momo, who flashed a smile. Her blue eyes were also raw and red, no doubt from wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

“So you don’t remember what happened?” asked Claire. She took a seat on the terrible mattresses along with Servi and Momo. Since she was on break, she had some time to relax.

“I don’t. I don’t even remember seeing a red creature,” said Servi, “The last thing I know, I’m walking over to a weird noise, and I wake up in my room. Hey, who carried me back?”

“Feral,” answered Momo. “He was carrying you so softly like he didn’t want to accidentally hurt you.”

Servi smiled a melancholy smile. “I’m going to have to thank him and the rest of my class. I caused nothing but trouble for them.”

“But if you think of it this way, you showed them how dangerous it could be going off on your own,” commented Claire.

“That’s right! So don’t beat yourself up, okay?” Momo stared directly at Servi.

“I won’t. I’ll take it to heart and learn from it.”

“Good. Now, I have some good news for both of you.”

“What is it?” asked the Singi.

“It’s about your promotion quest. I put in the application a day ago, and you both got approved!”

“Really?! Servi!!!” like when she woke up, Momo pounced on Servi and embraced her in a big hug. “We did it!! Servi, we did it!!” this time, she didn’t fall.

Servi wrapped her arms around Momo’s back and hugged her. “Yeah, we did it! Good work, Momo!”

“But, because of the tournament coming up, I would highly suggest you two focus on that. The quest isn’t going anywhere,” Claire couldn't hide her genuine happiness. She beamed from ear to ear.

“Right!” Momo pulled back from the hug. Unlike before, she wasn’t embarrassed about hugging her best friend. Especially not now when she sat there for an hour or so hugging her best friend’s hand while she was unconscious.

I can’t believe I was afraid of even hugging her, even if I did hug her a few times. I know that sounds weird, but I’m not that Momo anymore. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if we hugged whenever we accomplished something good. I now know that unexpected things can happen when out on a quest. If I have something to do or say, I just need to say it. That’s it! I decided I’m going to tell her she’s my best friend. I just need to find the right moment.

“Very well, then. Just let me know when you two want to take it, and I’ll get everything prepared.”

“Momo, how about two days after the tournament? That’ll give us some time to rest and relax.”

“That sounds good to me! But, what if neither of us wins and doesn't get the camping set?”

“About that… We just received a newsletter that isn’t supposed to go out until tomorrow, but I guess I can let you guys know. One of the sponsors of the tournament runs a camping supply store. For three days after the tournament starts, all of their camping sets are discounted for every Rank 10. It’s not free, but it’s far cheaper than buying it outright. And both of you have your loans paid off, right? I’m not saying you’ll lose.  In fact, I have the highest hopes for the both of you to make it very far and win. But you can always take out a loan.”

“Servi?” Momo looked at Servi to ask her opinion on the matter.

“That’s fine with me. But let’s not count us out just yet, yeah?” Servi grinned.

“I would never. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to work,” Claire smiled and left the two friends alone.

Now’s the time!

“Hey, Servi?”

The girl in question turned to her friend, whose ears twitched in anticipation of a response to a question she most desperately wanted to ask. It was something she needed to know, and she couldn’t put it off any longer.

“Yeah? What’s up?”

“I gotta be honest. When I saw you unconscious, I was super scared. I was afraid that I wasn’t gonna have another chance to talk to you. And there was something I wanted to say to you when you got back.”

“Momo, I really am sorry. I put my whole team in danger when I went off alone. I even promised you I wouldn’t do anything stupid…And I swear I….” Servi couldn’t get the words out, and her sentence trailed off.

“I know, Servi. You didn’t mean to do it, and if you’re like me, you’re beating yourself up inside. I know it all too well. But I wanted to say something to you. And here it goes.”

The Singi took a deep breath while her best friend watched with careful eyes and a smile.

“We’ve been party members for a while, and we’re friends, right?”  Momo looked at Servi, awaiting a response.

The room was deathly silent, all except the voices of two people.

“We are,” Servi replied.

“Well, for a while now, I’ve kinda con-considered you to be my b-best friend,” Momo said, stuttering cutely over her words.

“Well, guess what? I consider you to be my best friend, too. For a while now. I just didn’t know how to bring it up.”

“Really?!” asked Momo. Her tail wagged like a dog's would before it realized that it belonged to a Singi, then it slowed down, becoming upright. Then it began to slightly move back and forth.

“Really. I consider you to be my best friend. And that’s why I’m kicking myself over the stupid mistake I made. What kind of tank goes off alone and almost gets hurt?” Servi sighed and slowly rubbed her head.

“Honestly, I probably would’ve done the same thing. If you think I’m mad or upset or anything, I’m not. If anything, I’m just super relieved you’re alright,” after Momo said that, her stomach let everyone know it was hungry.

“Hehe, I guess I’m kinda hungry,” Momo said as she rubbed her stomach, her hand gliding over the warm leather of her armor. Her face took on a familiar red hue.

Servi got up and held out her hand. Momo smiled and took it, using it to get to her feet. “Why don’t we go and get some breakfast? Or lunch, I guess. What time is it, anyway?” Servi glanced around the room for a second before she realized she didn't have a clock.

“Hmm… I don’t know. Maybe 11 or 12? I don’t know. Where do ya wanna go?”

“You’re letting me pick?” Servi asked.

“Yep! Consider it a gift. You passed your exam, after all. With that said, congratulations, Servi!” the pink-haired smiled at her very best friend in the world.

“And that reminds me, how did you and Srassa do?”

“I’ll tell you all about it over lunch. But basically, we both passed--  Whaa!” Servi went for a hug and wrapped her hands around her best friend. Momo was surprised, to be sure, but it wasn’t a bad feeling. She touchingly wrapped her arms around Servi.

“That’s awesome! I’m sorry I wasn’t there to cheer you on, but I was cheering in my heart!”

“I was cheering for you, too!”

“But, if I get to choose this for my gift, then what about you? What do you want?”

Momo pulled back from the hug and grinned. “Don’t worry about me. You heard what Fisher said, right? He’s taking us to Madam Canary's Sweetie Tweety! That means I can get that chocolate again!”

“That is right. Then I hope it tastes extra yummy for you!”

“Hehe, thank you!”

“Now then, let’s go get something to eat. I think I want to try that chicken again.  The stall was called Lucky’s Chicken, I think?” Servi went to the door and opened it, allowing Momo to walk through.

“Thanks! Oh, that place was called Lucky Lucky Chicken, but that’s close enough.”

The two friends walked down the stairs and reached the lobby. Since it was almost the tournament, there weren’t that many people doing quests. They saw Claire off to the side, behind one of the eight windows. An older man, a Dwarf with white hair, was talking to her.

“I hope Claire's not in any trouble,” Momo said as she walked out of the door. The bright sun was high above as its light washed down on her.

“I don’t think she is. That Dwarf didn’t look angry. Anyways, let’s go get some food.”

“Okay! I’ll be right here with you!” Momo looked up at her best friend and smiled.

I can’t believe I told her, and I'm so happy she feels the same way about me as I do her. Servi, I’m so thankful I listened to grandpa’s advice. Servi, if I would’ve judged and left you, then I wouldn’t have you as my best friend! Here’s to a lot of fun adventurers ahead of us!