Chapter 7 — An Uninvited Bestie

Nearly an hour later, the three former Bravers stepped out of the bar. The streets had become quiet, and the rain had washed the city clean, leaving the asphalt glistening beneath rows of streetlights.

Saki stretched both arms above her head.

"That hit the spot."

Roland chuckled.

"You only say that because you ordered enough food for three people."

"I was emotionally eating."

Endou shook his head with a tired smile. For the first time in two weeks, the crushing weight inside his chest felt just a little lighter.

The three slowly walked together down the sidewalk as people occasionally recognized them. A young couple bowed respectfully, an elderly man thanked Roland for saving his apartment building during the invasion, and a little girl excitedly waved at Saki.

Saki waved back with a bright smile. Despite everything, people still believed in the Bravers. It made Endou wonder what would happen if they learned their greatest hero had vanished.

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Eventually, they reached a crossroads, and Roland stopped walking.

"Looks like this is where we split."

Saki smiled.

"Already?"

"My wife will kill me if I miss dinner."

Saki laughed.

"Fair enough."

Endou looked at him.

"Are you sure returning to active Braver duty is okay?"

He paused as he looked at him seriously.

"You have a wife and a daughter. They also need you."

Roland's expression softened.

"They're exactly why I'm doing this."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a photograph. His wife was smiling in it, while his little daughter sat happily on his shoulders. Roland looked at it fondly before putting it away.

"I talked to my wife before coming. She didn't hesitate. She told me..."

He smiled.

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"'Go bring your friend home.'"

Saki smiled warmly.

"She really is amazing."

Roland nodded proudly.

"She is."

He looked toward Endou.

"Taichi is family too. If our family is hurting, you don't ignore it. You help."

Endou nodded quietly.

"...We'll find him."

Roland extended his hand.

"We will."

The two men shook hands firmly, but Saki immediately forced her hand between theirs.

"No dramatic guy moments without me."

The three laughed, and for a brief moment, it almost felt like old times.

Roland began walking away, waving over his shoulder.

"See you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow," Endou answered.

Saki waved enthusiastically.

"Drive safely!"

Roland laughed.

"I walked."

"Then walk safely!"

Still laughing, Roland disappeared around the corner.

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Silence returned as Saki watched Roland disappear down the street.

"...He's worried."

Endou nodded.

"I know. He hides it well, but you can hear it."

Saki looked toward the dark sky.

"We're all scared."

Her voice became quieter.

"...I just don't want to lose another teammate."

Endou looked at her.

"We won't."

His answer came immediately, almost instinctively.

Saki smiled.

"I hope you're right."

The two walked off in the opposite direction, neither noticing the pair of crimson eyes watching from above.

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On the roof of a twelve-story office building, someone sat comfortably on the ledge with her legs swinging back and forth. Long crimson twin ponytails danced gently in the night breeze, while an impossibly wide smile stretched from cheek to cheek across her pale face.

Greed's narrow, delighted eyes watched Roland disappear into the distance as she rested both cheeks in her hands.

"Awww..."

She sighed dramatically.

"That's soooo unfair."

She puffed out her cheeks like a sulking child.

"They had a reunion... and nobody invited me."

She dramatically wiped away an imaginary tear.

"My feelings are sooo hurt."

She giggled.

"Hehehehehe..."

Nearly a dozen tiny black goblins sat around her feet, each one staring at her adoringly. One climbed onto her shoulder, and Greed gently scratched beneath its chin.

"You would've invited me, wouldn't you?"

The goblin happily chirped.

"I knew it!"

She hugged it tightly.

"You're such a sweetie!"

Greed looked back toward the street where Roland had disappeared, her delighted smile widening even further.

"I missed seeing everyone together... It reminded me of the old days."

She placed one finger against her cheek.

"Well... almost."

Her voice became strangely nostalgic.

"I guess Endou still makes that serious face, Saki still eats waaay too much, and Roland still worries about everybody else before himself."

She burst into cheerful laughter.

"Hehehehehe!"

"They really haven't changed at all!"

One goblin tilted its head, and Greed gently poked its nose.

"But..."

Her tone became softer.

"...They'll change soon."

She slowly stood as the moonlight illuminated her black sailor uniform and the deep red ribbon at her chest fluttered gently in the breeze. Black shadows began gathering beneath her feet as Greed clasped both hands behind her back and rocked happily from heel to toe.

"I've been planning something extra special... just for Roland."

Her delighted eyes sparkled. She spun gracefully once, her enormous twin ponytails tracing crimson circles through the night air.

"I wonder... will he cry?"

She tilted her head.

"Will he scream?"

She placed both hands against her cheeks excitedly.

"Ooooor..."

She giggled.

"Will he finally understand how wonderful despair feels?"

The goblins around her squealed happily, and Greed nodded enthusiastically.

"Exactly! We should throw him a party!"

She clapped her hands, and the goblins instantly gathered into neat rows before her. Greed began pacing dramatically in front of them like a commander addressing her loyal soldiers.

"Today's mission!"

She pointed dramatically toward the sleeping city.

"Our guest of honor..."

She paused for effect.

"...is the Green Braver!"

The goblins cheered with excited growls.

Greed laughed.

"Hehehehehe!"

"We'll need decorations, games, music..."

She suddenly snapped her fingers.

"And presents!"

Her eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Oh! I already have the perfect present."

From within the darkness beneath her skirt, something slowly emerged: a second Living Uniform. Unlike Greed's own sailor uniform, this one resembled an oversized black sweater with a green ribbon resting neatly at its collar. Its empty sleeves hung limply at first, then twitched as long black tendrils slowly crawled from within them like living snakes.

Greed lovingly hugged the uniform.

"There you are... my sleepy little cutie."

She gently patted the sweater's shoulder.

"You're going to meet your new best friend tomorrow."

The empty uniform gave a low, hollow whisper.

Greed giggled in response.

"I know, I know... I think Roland will look absolutely adorable wearing you."

She hugged it tighter before looking toward the city one final time, her impossible smile somehow becoming even wider.

"So..."

She whispered happily.

"Let's go make some memories together."

The shadows beneath her expanded, swallowing Greed, the goblins, and the Living Uniform of Sloth. A moment later, all of them vanished into the darkness.