Chapter 12

And so, I returned to the guild, "Girnerize."

Earlier, the cafeteria where I was told of my expulsion from the guild was still filled with the executives and members, discussing future plans.

I rushed through the cafeteria and prostrated myself on the floor before the executives.

"Please! Revoke Girne's expulsion from the guild!"

The room erupted in chaos at my sudden appearance. I pleaded again, this time with a louder voice.

"I will take full responsibility! Please bring Girne back to the guild!"

However, laughter soon followed.

"Oh, Tim. We don't need 'that' anymore."

I looked up to see Nier, the new guild leader, wearing the ring that Girne used to wear, a sinister smile on her face. In her right hand, she held the white staff that Girne had relinquished.

"You can see it, can't you? All the treasures and relics that little girl collected over the years are now in my possession."

She sighed as if admiring them, then looked down at me again.

"With this, I have obtained power equal to that of the little girl. So we don't need 'that' anymore."

"..."

My mind went blank.

Girne can't come back.

It's all my fault...

"But I'm glad you came. This 'leftover' is for you, isn't it? Dispose of it."

Nier reached into the handbag Girne had left behind and pulled out a neatly wrapped bento. Then—she threw it to the floor.

The colorful dishes, which had been carefully arranged, scattered across the floor.

"I've been preparing this diligently since yesterday. It's clear that it was right for 'that' to be gone from here."

"The food..."

I picked up a piece of tamagoyaki with my trembling hands and put it in my mouth. It was a dish I had told Girne was my favorite, and she must have put a lot of effort into making it. As I savored the sweetness of the sugar and the perfect grill marks on my tongue, I chewed thoroughly and swallowed.

The sound of mocking laughter filled the air as they watched me eat the food from the floor. Nier muttered, "This isn't a human, it's a beast," and laughed loudly.

"Oh, right. This is just a cheap ring, so we don't need it. Here, you can have it."

Nier then threw the ring that Girne had last removed to the floor.

"It's just a cheap ring with 'To my beloved Girnerize' engraved on it. It must be a family heirloom, but what a foolish girl to have such a thing."

"..."

I picked up the discarded ring and carefully placed it in my right fist.

—So it wouldn't fall out even if my fist hit Nier's face.

"AAAAAAHHHHHHH!"

Driven by rage, I lunged at Nier.