Lunaria, Letran City.
"So you're telling that Zold disappeared out of the blue?"
In Zold's villa, Chongji sat on the chair with a solemn expression, looking at the twins across the table who had pale and exhausted faces.
Seeing their weak expressions, his heart softened, and he couldn't help but worry about Zold too.
He knew his best friend too well.
As a matter of fact, Chongji could confidently state that no one in the world knew his best friend better than him.
Their friendship started as early as high school. During those years, Zold had beco an irreplaceable part of his life. He was like a brother to a different mother. And he knew damn well his brother wouldn't do sothing like this without a proper reason.
But what could that reason be?
Thinking of this, Chongji couldn't help but frown heavily.
He shifted his gaze to the twins, asking them as calmly as possible.
"... How long has it been?"
Leo didn't answer right away. He opened his mouth, then answered weakly.
"Almost a week now…"
When he didn't see his teacher that night, he comforted himself to sleep, thinking that perhaps he was just overthinking it.
Maybe his teacher had a sudden ergency, or was called by soone else…
While his teacher might seem cold and distant, from Leo's observation, Zold definitely cared about them.
In truth, he could see it in Lia's joyful expressions whenever Zold was present.
If Lia could feel comfortable about soone, that ant that she could trust them.
Unlike his sister, Leo didn't have an instinct for people. His thoughts and impressions of people are always based on their actions.
But Lia was different. By instinct, she knew if a person was good or bad imdiately.
This was sothing that even Leo envied from her.
But he didn't need Lia's opinion to decide Zold cared about them.
Leo saw it from his teacher's actions, and that was why it hurt even more.
When his teacher always joined them for breakfast or dinner, he was around.
When his teacher never scolded them, even if they played in the villa noisily, or stayed up for too long.
Even when his teacher left when he had to go sowhere, he always told them where he was going and left behind so money in case they needed it.
Their teacher had even been planning on enrolling them once schools were back.
Maybe to others, all of these were nothing.
But considering how the two of them had forced Zold to be their teacher that fateful night, this was more than they could ever ask for.
His disappearance didn't just hurt them, it felt like it reopened a scar.
Leo and Lia thought that perhaps they had done sothing that made him angry at them.
Seeing their increasingly worse expressions, Chongji sighed softly.
"I know Zold, don't worry. Even if he left, it might be for a good reason…"
As he thought of this, Chongji suddenly paused, his heart churning.
Considering Zold's situation, there was only one possible reason that could justify his actions.
"... Maybe he didn't want to put you two in danger." He continued, forcing the words out of his throat.
As he said this, he had a strained, ugly smile.
Because Zold didn't tell him either.
Hearing his words, Leo and Lia's heads lowered further, their bodies shaking.
"Again, it's about our weakness…"
Their parents died because they were weak.
They almost died because they were weak.
Now, even their teacher left, because they were weak.
Chongji fell silent, then comforted them.
"I'll find a way, okay? Do you know anyone that Zold had talked to recently?"
"Yeah…"
Leo raised his head and nodded quietly.
Chongji raised his brows.
"Who?"
"It was… a girl called Maria Auburn," Leo said, recalling that night. He hesitated slightly, then continued: "But… that night, I saw that she went ho crying…"
Hearing this, Chongji suddenly lowered his head with mixed feelings.
Maria Auburn—the Princess of the University, had gone to Zold's house and went ho crying…
'What the hell?!'
Just as he thought, ever since that day, he knew nothing about Zold anymore!
"Princess Maria…" Chongji blurted out.
Leo widened his eyes slightly. "Princess?"
"I an, Ms. Maria," Chongji coughed awkwardly. He continued. "If I rember correctly, she's currently out in Olympira right now. I'm afraid we won't be able to see her until she returns."
Leo and Lia's faces fell.
"How about this," Chongji cleared his throat, causing the twins to raise their heads. "If you guys don't mind, I'll stay here for a while to accompany you guys? Then, when Maria returns, we can ask her ourselves."
Leo and Lia exchanged glances.
"Of course, if you don't like it. It's okay," he added, shaking his head.
But then, Lia spoke.
"It's okay!"
Leo and Chongji widened their eyes in surprise, glancing at Lia.
Lia spoke sincerely, her eyes shimring softly. "If… if you're teacher's friend, then you're also a good person. We're fine with that, Mister Chongji!"
Hearing that, Chongji suddenly turned his head, a hint of embarrassnt showing on his face. This girl was too cute… damn it, Zold, where the hell are you?! I thought you promised to back up?!
He grumbled inwardly.
After regaining his composure, Chongji sighed.
"What mister? Aren't you Zold's cousins? Call Uncle Chongji. and your cousin are brothers!"
Leo and Lia suddenly exchanged a glance.
Chongji probably still believes that they were cousins with Zold.
Seeing their hesitation, Chongji furrowed his brows.
"Is sothing the matter?"
Leo hesitated slightly, looking at Chongji's face.
"It's like this…"
"..."
After a long explanation, Chongji finally realized why they hesitated.
Looking at the twins with anxious expressions, he suddenly laughed, shaking his head.
Then, he spoke. "So what?"
"Zold is not my real brother either, but he's still my brother. So what if you're not real cousins? If you two think so, then that's what it is!"
Leo and Lia's expressions softened, a small smile erging on their face.
"Alright, stop worrying about Zold for the mont and go play so gas. I'll handle this, we're friends for a reason. Believe in your uncle!" Chongji mused.
Lia suddenly said. "Okay, Uncle Chongji!"
Then, Leo followed with a smile. "Okay, Uncle Chongji!"
Chongji laughed heartily, waving his hands.
"Alright, go, go."
Leo and Lia nodded and went upstairs.
"..."
At that mont, Chongji's expression suddenly changed, turning somber.
Zold's situation was more likely complicated than it seed.
But…
Why didn't he call him, his best friend?
'Am I too useless?'
Chongji let out a quiet breath.
He had lost his mother in the First Era Ending Calamity, and his dad had turned mad from reality.
Was he going to lose his friend as well?
Chongji couldn't accept that…
'I can't… but how?'
Then, sothing he had seen a few days ago resurfaced in his mind.
After the Global Summit, nations sent each other Awakeners.
Liberty, in particular, requested Awakeners from all nations to help them with their villain problem.
He lowered his gaze, eyes burning with resolve.
'There was that assistance program in Liberty, right?'
It was decided.
He was going to Liberty after eting Maria.
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