Solo Cultivation in The Apocalypse

The lair was nothing different from a cave. Rocks were shaped in a cuboid for sitting, a wooden table was set in the middle, and Hitori was offered water in a plastic glass– nothing wrong with that.

Akira kept the glasses on the table and then went off to a room at the end of the hall. Kyoryu was already inside, and now Eya followed Kakashi to the room.

Hitori was not sure if he was supposed to follow them. But since they did not call him, he decided to sit where he was and admire the feeling of living in the Stone Age. Now, what was left was hunting which, Akira does sometimes when he is 'bored'.

Reon was sitting beside him, sipping on her water like sipping on wine like an upper-class lady– licking her lips after every sip– trying to look modest.

Hitori gulped the water, then banged the glass on the table. He looked at Reon, she was still sipping on her 'wine'. "What do you think they are doing inside?" he asked.

She shrugged. "Maybe preparing breakfast? Or forging a plan—"

"A plan? Without us? Why would they—"

"Chill, Hitori. We are still alive after that insane battle, so chill out and express your happiness."

"I… am not happy, actually. Tengoku is still alive, you know?"

"I know." She nodded. "But at least we are safe here. I am worried about my brother and parents. They freaked out when I told them I was in Mage Prefecture."

Hitori raised his eyes. "You told them? What did you tell them?"

"That I am here for a friend's funeral… they could not understand what friend I was talking about. Why had I gone without telling them and why did I not call them for weeks? I just listened, never answered."

Family. Parents. And her brother. She gave them just for her crush who is dead. She gave up all that for a dead person. Hitori doubted whether he could do the same– he just hoped the time for that never comes.

"Are they worried?"

"Duh. I am a teenage scientist going off to Mage Prefecture without any protection (they do not know I have got, not one, but two guns), of course, they are worried. They wanted me back, but I bought myself some time."

"When did you last call them?" Hitori asked, and he was imagining the worst-case scenario here. What if, during the battle, she had…

"Before Tengoku attacked us. Perhaps two days ago… I do not remember."

"Oh crap. And you never told them you are in danger, did you?"

She shook her head and gave him a stare saying, 'Is that not obvious?'

Hitori was speechless. How could this girl do such a thing? "What if you were to die tonight? What if you were killed in the battle? You would have left your parents wondering and worrying about you… how can you do that?"

"Then what, Hitori, do you want me to tell my parents, 'My Weapon Engineering professor wants to kill me and my friends. Things are personal with this one guy who happens to be my crush's best friend. I might die tonight, so take care.' No way…"

Now that she said it out loud, Hitori realized how stupid and foolish it might sound to her parents. They might hire a hitman to find and bring their daughter back (if they could afford one).

He did not know her parents personally, but if his daughter would have killed him sprouting this nonsense, he would not have bothered about it.

"I might as well add: 'Do you remember Onogi? The topper? Yes, he killed the man I loved. He asked me to sleep with him, then harassed me, and now wants to kill the only people I care about.' How does that sound to you?"

"Bad. Totally bad. You are right…" Hitori nodded.

"What are you two talking about?"

Hitori raised his head and saw Akira coming from the hall's end. He had a smile on his face, a smile he had put on to show how grateful for being alive.

"Nothing," Reon said, "just how worried my parents might be."

Akira walked to them, then took a seat beside Hitori. Hitori was thinking about the topic, trying to find a solution.

She can not tell her parents about the truth, but at least she can make them care less about her (in a good way), and make them believe she is alright here.

He looked at her. Reon was done sipping on the water, she leaned forward to keep the glass when Hitori said, "Do you have your mobile with you?"

Reon leaned back, then frowned at him. "Yes, I do, why?"

Akira raised his hand. "I do not think it will—"

"Oh, one minute, Akira, just one minute," Hitori said, he almost snapped at him. "I want you to call them, Reon. Tell them you are alright. Keep them updated about your situation."

"Call them?"

"Yes. I understand if you do not want to call them, but I think you should– I want you to call them. Do not leave them hanging– they will believe you are safe, that way, and let you live here till we resolve this matter."

"About living here…" Her lips tried to spread, but she suppressed the urge. "I plan to live here even after the matter is resolved and we are alive."

"We will be alive and—" He stopped. "What?" Creases formed on his forehead. "L-Live here, why?"

"Because I like it here. The attention I get from you, the love I get from Eya-nee, and the protection I get from Kakashi make me feel at ease… I might get over Kamiya that way."

"Kamiya—!" Akira exclaimed. His eyes widened and he put his hand over his mouth. "Shit," he muttered, "no way."

Hitori glanced at him, then turned back to Reon. "That is after we deal with this. For now, make a call to your parents—"

"I-It would not work," Akira said, "no service in the forest."

Hitori and Reon stared at him open-mouthed. Reon pulled her phone and checked the service. And the bars were down for real. A groan left her throat as she threw her arms and sat back down.

"Uh…" Akira said, "maybe, you can go to the north side, as close to the lair's barrier as possible, and try again? The mobile phone signals are better than radio signals, so it might work if you get as close to the city as you can."

Hitori nodded. Yeah… let us do this." He got up and pulled Reon off the rock.

"But, just make sure you do not cross the barrier," Akira stood and said.

Hitori and Reon were already leaving the lair. "Sure!" Hitori called with a wave.

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