(NEW Version Created)Trying To Survive: This Forsaken World Won't Let Me?|Ended|

Chapter 62: Heartbreak

It'd been a long time since an official meeting was held in the citadel. And Hayato couldn't remember one time when Sarah Katayama banned all students from attending them.

     But at this one, only Golden Saint members were allowed to attend, aside from the staff.

      So the Golden Saints are all here...

      Hayato's heartbeat sped up as he walked to the meeting room.

     How should he act around them?

     Would they even speak to him?

     It wasn't like he lived like the other Saints, so would they even consider him one of the members? And with Sensei Yuki still treating him like he was a child with his wooden sword, he doubted they would ever take him seriously.

     Hayato finally came to the room, but lingered out in the corridor. Subconsciously, his fingers found the hilt of his toy sword and slowly ran across the hilt.

     I can't do this...

    He saw clearly the small group of elite Warriors, trained to be assassins with their magnificent weapons, waiting for him in silence. The second their eyes landed on him, their mouths would contort into a smirk. Then the defening sounds of laughter would fill his ears.

     Hayato took a step further back into the corridor.

     Surely Katayama-sama can survive without me one time...

     "Hayato-sama, what are you doing?"

     "Fwuah?" Hayato spun around, surprised to see Iris standing behind him, clutching her school books to her chest. Her long ears were droopy as she gave him tilt of her head.

    "O-Oh, I-Iris-chan, it's just you... Um... I was... It's just..."

     "They're talking about me, right?"

     "...?"

     Hayato made a confused sound before realizing what she meant. Iris's shoulder's feel as she looked down at the ground, her ears falling even more.

     It's been three days... since she killed her...

     Hayato tried to push down the overwhelming guilt and fear working it way up. Guilt for--- once again--- not protecting Iris. And fear for the warning both Sensei Yuki and Katayama-sama had given him the day after Zoey's death.

     "Keep this up, and you're looking for indefinite suspension," Yuki told while standing beside Katayama in the leader's office.

    "Let's not worry about that now, Yuki-san. For now, we must foucs on preparing for the Itou family to arrive in less then a week. They heard about the incident and wanted to visit Hayato," Sarah added. It was meant to change the subject and help calm down Hayato, but only made it worse.

     Here he was, a useless body guard. And his parents were coming to see him? For what? To laugh at him?

     That, or thrash him into being useful for once in his life.

     Hayato shuddered at the thought.

     Small finger's locked onto his, breaking him away from his depressing thoughts. Hayato looked down at the small Elf standing beside him, still gazing at the floor as she pressed her books firmly to her chest with her other hand.

    "You're probably trying to figure out how to explain they're having a secret meeting about me, huh?" Iris sniffled. "It's okay, I knew something like this was going to happen. All the teachers were whispering to each other today... and Sensei Hitori was being weirder then normal..."

    "E-Eh?"

    Hayato blinked twice, unable to reply. How was he supposed to explain it? Everyone now thought of what he'd been trying to hide the the entire time.

     Now they not only lost complete trust in Iris, but himself as well.

     There was no easy way to tell her.

     Iris squeezed his hand. "Can I please sneak inside?"

     "Sn-Sneak?!" Hayato finally managed to speak again.

     He could just imagine angry Katayama finally kicking him out for letting Iris listen in on the meeting undoubtedly about the Elf. Or how heartbroken Iris would be in seeing and hearing everyone's opinions...

     "Er... Iris... I don't think that's such a good idea. You see---"

     "Ehhhh, Iris, what did I just say?" Bane popped up out of nowhere, folding his arms. "Hayato isn't going to sneak anybody in, even himself, if Katayama says so."

      "What the---?" Hayato made no effort to hide the annoyance in his voice. Bane simply shrugged, not meeting his withering scowl. "Where in the world did you come from? Iris and I were having a private conversation here."

     Bane shrugged. "I was hiding in the room next door. Plus, not like you were really having a conversation there. All I heard was you grunting."

     Hayato balled his fist. "Would you just go?! I need to talk to---"

     "Look, Iris and I don't have all day. We want to see the meeting before it ends. And there was no harm in trying to sneak in politely first." Bane finally looked him eye, but with a scowl equal to Hayato's. "But if you won't help us, please go and leave us be. We'll do it without your help. Come on, Iris!"

     Bane jumped forward and pulled Iris away so quickly Hayato was knocked off balance. Iris gave him a sorrowful look before following Bane down the corridor.

     Hayato stood there for a minute, watching them walk away before his temper got ahold of him.

     He ran over, pulling Iris back with all his might and grabbing her into his other arm. Bane spun around, with such a dark expression it sent a chill down Hayato's spine. But the Gnome was too angry to care.

     "Bane-kun, stop being so irresponsible! If you keep having her break the rules, she will get kicked out for sure!"

     Bane grabbed Iris's arm, barring his teeth. "Hayato... back off. I'm sure Iris can decide for herself who she wants to go with."

     "G-Guys, stop figh---"

     "Look who's talking!" Hayato tightened his grip around Iris. "You were the one that forced her to go to the village and then she was stabbed. You were the one that forced her into that stupid bet and now Zoey's dead! And---"

     "Stop!"

     Hayato was pushed off his feet. It took him a moment to realize Iris had pushed him down so she could stand beside Bane, tears falling her down face.

     "Stop fighting, both of you! Stop fighting because of me!"

    Iris threw down her books and spun her heel. She took off, leaving a shell shocked Gnome and Jengu behind.

     After a moment of silence, Bane turned back to Hayato, his withering scowl making the Gnome want to run and hide.

     "All of this could have been avoided if you had just listened to me and told Iris the truth. Now who's in the wrong? Me, who made that bet to keep Iris from being kicked out by Sarah? Or you?"