Sorry, I’ve Got No Clue What’s Going On

“Cid… why are you in a place like this…?”

Senior Rose’s eyes went wide as she spoke.

“Well, you see, I came to the Oriana Kingdom because I was worried about a friend. Then things got complicated, and I ended up a suspect…”

I gave her my best performance of a background character caught up in a false accusation.

“T-that’s… to think you’d go so far out of your way because you were worried about me…”

“Eh? No, not really…”

I hadn't actually written a backstory for who exactly I was ‘worried’ about, but wait—wouldn't it be more convenient to just lean into her misunderstanding?

“Yeah. After everything that happened, I was just so concerned…”

“Cid…”

She gazed at me with eyes that were intensely earnest.

“I’m so sorry. This is all my fault… but even so, you recognized me instantly, didn't you?”

A small, slightly happy smile played on her lips.

“No, it’s fine. It’s just something I decided to do on my own.”

“That’s not it! I… I can’t… I can’t go back anymore…”

Tears welled up in her honey-colored eyes as she shook her head and looked down.

“Can’t go back?”

“…Please, just forget about me.”

“Huh…?”

“…I’m sorry, I can’t tell you why. If I did, you wouldn’t be able to go back either…”

“Uh, what are you even talking about?”

I’m sorry, but I literally have no idea what she’s talking about.

“My feelings haven’t changed. On that day we last spoke, I asked you to believe in me. And you did—you believed in me and you worried for me. Knowing that you trust me is enough. I don’t ask for anything more. So… it’s okay now… I don’t want to cause you any more trouble because of my own problems…”

She squeezed my hand tightly.

“Please don’t worry about anything, Cid. I’ll make sure arrangements are made for you to get out of here. So, please. I’m begging you. Forget about me…”

“…Alright.”

I gave her a solemn nod.

Oh, right. She's a high-profile fugitive now. If a common mob gets tangled up with a major criminal, it's just a recipe for a headache.

Still, I guess she’s that determined to reclaim her throne. Fine by me. If that's the path she's chosen, I'll adjust my plans to match.

“Thank you. From now on, we’re just strangers who don’t know each other’s names or faces… Our paths will never cross again…”

“…Yeah.”

“Goodbye.”

She said it with a smile, even as tears overflowed from her honey-colored eyes.

“Goodby—”

I was just about to finish the word when it happened.

“Hey, you the one they call Cid?”

A hand clamped firmly onto my shoulder. I turned around.

“I’m Cid, but…?”

Before I knew it, a group of prisoners from the Doem Faction had surrounded me.

“You were talking with Marco and his crew, weren't you?”

“…Marco?”

Never heard of him. At least, I don’t think so.

“Don’t play dumb with me!! I know those guys called you out!”

The man grabbed me by the collar with a terrifying intensity.

“Whoa, wait, hang on…”

Seriously, I have no clue what’s going on. Today is just one mystery after another.

I caught sight of Zack nearby and shot him a look. He just gave me a subtle, cryptic nod.

Okay, I still don't get it. What is that nod even supposed to mean?

“Calm down.”

A hand landed on the shoulder of the prisoner who was manhandling me.

“Boss…”

It was the grey-haired Handsome Boss I’d seen back in the Underground Storehouse.

“The name’s Maximilian. I run things around here. That group of five asked you for a favor, didn’t they?”

“Uh…”

Oh, right. The mission to drug Clara and kidnap her.

But I’m pretty sure I abandoned that mission via chest-punch.

“Those five were all killed by someone last night.”

“Oh…”

Wait, am I a suspect now?

“You’re going to tell me what you know, right?”

Maximilian’s tone made it clear that "no" wasn't an option.

“Ah, sure…”

I had no choice but to nod. Then, with my shoulders firmly gripped, I was led away.

Just then—

“Out of the way, move it.”

One of the prisoners shoved Senior Rose aside. She had just been standing there, frozen.

“Ah…”

She watched me with a worried expression.

“Hmm? You know her?”

“…No.”

“…I don’t know him.”

I shook my head, and she quickly averted her eyes to hide her face.

“Move it.”

They started dragging me away.

Even then, I could feel her gaze on my back the entire time.