Chapter 40: Erza’s Partner
That morning, after dropping by Gantz’s place, Jin headed to the guild in search of a new request. When he opened the guild doors as usual, he saw Erza happily chatting with an elf woman who looked like a magician.
"Hello, Aria-san. I’ve completed the subjugation request for Magna Village. By the way, judging from Erza’s expression, could it be that her partner has returned?"
Jin went straight to Aria. Officially, it was to report the completion of the Magna Village request, but in truth, he wanted to know more about what was going on with Erza. Handing Aria the certificate of completion signed by the village chief, he asked her.
"Yes, thank you for your hard work. …That’s right, she’s Erza-san’s partner, Shirin-san. It’s been about a month, and it seems they finally met again just now."
Aria accepted the proof, praised Jin, glanced over the document, and then answered his question.
"That’s great to hear. Now Erza will finally be free to move again."
Thinking of how long Erza had waited for her partner’s return, Jin smiled warmly. But when he happened to glance toward the two, the cheerful smile that had been on Erza’s face froze in an instant. After exchanging a few words, Erza suddenly raised her voice.
"Why?! We promised we’d work hard together!"
There stood Shirin, looking pained, while Erza pressed her in a loud, anguished voice. But Erza’s outburst didn’t last long. Her face went pale, her lips trembling as she bit down, while Shirin only looked back at her with a tortured expression. The guild’s atmosphere tightened like a drawn bowstring.
(This isn’t a place for me to step in.)
Jin winced at Erza’s sorrowful look, but reminded himself he was an outsider and shouldn’t meddle. From her words, it likely had to do with Shirin’s future. As merely Erza’s friend, it wasn’t his place. Even if she looked hurt, even if she seemed on the verge of tears…
"No, this won’t do. I can’t just leave her like this. Excuse me, Aria-san—I’ll come back later."
Muttering to himself, Jin excused himself with a word to Aria, stood, and walked toward the two.
"Hey, Erza."
He deliberately spoke casually. The two, who had forgotten anyone else was even there, looked up at him in surprise.
"Sorry to intrude. I’m Jin, Erza’s friend."
He gave a polite nod to Shirin, hiding his unease as he continued.
"Erza, if it’s something important, you should talk somewhere calmer. For now, let’s step outside."
He coaxed her and half forcibly guided them out of the guild. Shirin followed quietly behind. Jin led them to a table in the bustling square just outside. He reasoned that a place with a bit of background noise would keep things from getting too heavy compared to a closed-off room. Quickly buying drinks, he returned to find the two still silent.
Placing the cups before them, Jin spoke mainly to Erza.
"Forgive me for butting in. But I think you two really need to talk it out. I won’t interfere anymore."
He bowed his head and made to leave, but Erza grabbed his hand.
"…Stay. Please."
Her face still downcast, Erza asked him. Jin looked at her, then glanced at Shirin, silently confirming her feelings. Shirin gave a small nod. So Jin sat with them. He had already stepped in—he wouldn’t walk away halfway.
After a while, Shirin finally found the resolve to speak.
"I’m truly sorry. I’ll tell you everything from the start. You know I’m a noble, right? I only told you I had some business to take care of…"
The truth was, when she had returned home, it was because her father was gravely ill. Not long after she arrived, he passed away, but she was able to speak with him one last time. Though their relationship had been strained, in the end, he acknowledged her right to live as she wished. At first, she had intended to return quickly. But after his death, the question of who would succeed to the house arose. If she were to leave again, all responsibility would fall on her younger brother, who was still a child. That could even threaten the survival of the family itself. So she decided to inherit the household.
She felt sorry toward Erza, but she could no longer return to the life of an adventurer.
That, in short, was the story.
Shirin looked straight into Erza’s eyes, determined to convey her feelings.
"For someone like me, who ran away from a life being forced upon me, meeting you in this city, Erza, was without a doubt the greatest fortune of my life. We went through so much, but our adventures together were fun—and the dream we shared, to rise together as adventurers, was never a lie. But now that I’ve reconciled with my father, I’ve been given the chance to live the life I thought I’d lost. The real reason I chose to quit being an adventurer is not out of worry for my brother, but because of that. It hurts not to be able to adventure with you anymore, but there’s another dream I just can’t give up. I’m sorry."
Having spoken everything honestly, Shirin waited silently for Erza’s response.
Erza had been listening with her head lowered, but after a pause she raised her face and asked:
"Are you truly fine with that? Won’t you just end up being forced into things you don’t want again?"
"Yes… Perhaps a little. But unlike before, at least I can choose who I marry, and I’ll have much more freedom than I used to. More importantly, there will be far more I’ll be able to do. Things I once gave up on might finally become possible."
Shirin’s face as she answered was shining with determination. It was clear that she wasn’t in the state of mind of someone resigning herself to being sacrificed for her house.
"I see… in that case, I can only say congratulations."
As if she’d finally sorted her feelings, Erza managed a smile at last.
"Erza…"
Shirin, all too aware of her own selfishness, found herself at a loss for words in the face of Erza’s blessing.
"We’re friends, Shirin. If it’s what you want, then that’s enough."
Erza went on.
"You came in person instead of just writing a letter—this is your way of settling things, isn’t it? I’ve received your feelings. But now you should go back. Leaving your house unattended in this situation must be dangerous. You’ve pushed yourself hard to come here, haven’t you?"
"I’ll be fine. Just for one day…"
Even as she said it, it was obvious Shirin had forced herself to come. The sooner she returned, the better.
"Don’t. If something happened during that one day, I’d never forgive myself. Besides, this isn’t farewell forever, is it? Someday I’ll come visit your house. Make sure you prepare a good meal for me when I do."
Erza’s words carried a touch of humor. Even if they were apart, their friendship would remain.
"…Yes. I’ll even bring out my best wine."
Though her eyes grew misty, Shirin answered with a smile. Dabbing lightly at her eyes with a handkerchief, she then turned to Jin, who had been watching them quietly.
"Jin-san. Please take care of Erza. She seems to trust you deeply."
As she said this, Shirin glanced meaningfully at Jin’s right hand on the table. It was still being held tightly by Erza.
"Wawawa—! S-sorry, Jin!"
Noticing Shirin’s gaze at last, Erza flusteredly pulled her hand away.
"Hehehe… I’ve never seen Erza like this. …With you here, Jin-san, I can return without worry."
Shirin laughed at Erza’s rare embarrassment, then smiled warmly at Jin as well.
Perhaps she was a little older than Erza, Jin thought, and maybe she had always teased her like this. At last, the mood between them had returned to normal. Jin smiled back.
"Erza is my friend. I’ll do anything I can for her."
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gotten involved in all this to begin with. He said it as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Thank you. Please take care of her."
Standing, Shirin bowed deeply to Jin. Then she stepped up to Erza and embraced her tightly.
("You’ve found a good partner. Treasure him.")
("He’s not a partner, just a friend… But I do treasure him.")
("Hehehe, well then—do your best.")
The two of them whispered softly in each other’s ears, words only they could hear. Jin wasn’t so tactless as to try and listen in.
Finally, after hugging Erza one last time, Shirin let go and turned to face the two of them.
"Then, Erza, I’ll be writing letters to the guild, so make sure to reply once in a while, okay? And Jin-san, thank you for everything. Please take care of Erza for me."
"Yeah. See you, Shirin."
"Yes, take care."
With their voices sending her off, Shirin walked away. She would probably join up with the guards waiting nearby and depart immediately after. From Jin and Erza’s perspective, all they could see was her retreating figure—but Shirin, though tears slipped free at last, kept her gaze firmly forward as she walked.
"You sure you don’t want to see her off all the way to the city gates?"
"No, this is enough."
Erza’s reply trembled faintly in response to Jin’s question. Jin said nothing further, simply staying at her side in silence.
After a while, once her voice had returned to normal, Erza finally spoke.
"Thanks, Jin. Because of you, I was able to talk with her properly. At first, I thought she’d betrayed me, and I was really shocked—but thanks to you, I realized that wasn’t the case. She must’ve gone through a lot just to make it here, so being able to talk without wasting time… I’m really glad. Thank you."
"No, I knew I shouldn’t really have butted in, but hearing you say that puts me at ease. …So, what now, Erza?"
"What do you mean, what now?"
Erza tilted her head at Jin’s sudden question.
"Well, if you feel like venting, I’ll join you for drinks tonight. Or, if you’d rather blow off steam by moving your body, we could take a subjugation request together tomorrow."
"Pfft—fufufufu…! My answer is already decided!"
Erza couldn’t help but laugh, then declared with a bright smile.
"Hahaha. So, which one?"
Jin, buoyed by her lively smile, asked back with a grin.
"Both!"
Erza’s confident answer made Jin burst into laughter. Soon enough, Erza joined him.
""Fufufu—hahahahaha!""
For a while, the two laughed together. At one point, Erza wiped at her eyes—but that was only because she had laughed so hard that tears came out.
That’s how it is.
Partings are painful. But if it’s what the other person has chosen, you can endure it. And when that happens, you should smile. Even if it’s just a brave front, smile and wish for their happiness. Don’t lament the farewell—be grateful for the fact you were able to meet at all.
And so, the two of them laughed.
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