"Finally, I got everything Rem asked for. That talk with Anastasia was rather helpful, all things considered."

As he was seen holding a bag full of food and other necessities, Akira had a look of satisfaction on his face. In this one small trip to capital, he learned some interesting things. However, he had to think about why? Why did Crusch need so many weapons and Earth Dragons for what she needed? It didn't seem like the Royal Candidate was going to war. If war was being deployed against Lugunica, Akira was sure the Imperial Knights would be the first ones dispatched.

"If not a war, maybe she's on a hunt? But what would she be hunting to need supplies of this magnitude?"

"There you are, you bastard!!!!"

Hearing this familiar voice, Akira sighed as he merely stepped to the right as he saw someone flying by him in an attempt to kick him. When he saw the person who failed their attempt, a smirk appeared on his face as he was looking down on the girl.

"That was the loudest sneak attack I ever witnessed, good job, Felt."

"Seriously, were you always such a cheeky bastard?!"

Seeing the embarrassed look on Felt's face, Akira did what any good friend would do and started laughing hysterically. Angered by this, the young girl tried to kick the boy only for him to quickly start running off as she chased after him. While the two of them were running, a smile could be seen on each of their faces. Though Akira was holding tightly onto the bag holding everything he had to shop for as if his life depended on it. Soon the two of them stopped running as they noticed that were now in an alleyway. As the two of them finally caught their breath, they leaned against a wall as Felt looked at Akira.

"Old Man Rom said you had your answer.  Obviously I didn't want to hear it from him. After the crap that happened in the castle that day, I figured ya had business to take care of."

"Yeah. Honestly, even I sometimes question why i'm this nice to Subaru. You would think i'd ditch him the first chance I got."

"I wouldn't think that. Despite how much of a smart ass you are, you're definitely better than most of these damn nobles here. You're actually a more decent guy than you let on."

Akira could be help but blink a bit at Felt's response. He didn't actually expect for the girl to think that highly of him. In his mind, Akira could never be a decent person. Yet, for some reason, he wanted to believe Felt's words. He wanted to believe someone else when they said he was a good person, but he just can't accept it. He couldn't accept it, at least not yet. The boy merely shook his head as he looked at Felt, the young girl having a serious expression on her face.

"I know I put you on the spot before, but my offer still stands. You already told Old Man Rom your answer, but I want to hear it for myself. Akira, will you join my camp?"

"........."

The silence grew as the tension was high. Both of them were scared in this moment. Akira scared of hurting one of the few people he would actually consider his family, Felt being scared that this question might drive him away. However, Akira clenched his hands into fists as he shook his head. This was a decision of his choice, he had a right to speak his opinion on the matter. This was the first step, the first step to him changing. As he looked at Felt, the young girl noticed how Akira had an unusual look of determination in his eyes.

"Felt, I want to thank you. Thanks to you and Rom, I had a roof over my head. Despite my lack of knowledge before now, neither of you looked down on me and even helped me to learn. Most importantly.....for the first time in a long time, I got to experience what it was like to have a family. But, I already started something with Emilia and a certain id-.....no. I already decided to help my friends. I can't turn my back on them now, not when they need me."

"I get it, you're not the type to half-ass things and abandon something you started. Heck, remember when I challenged you to a milk drinking contest back at the loot house. Both of our stomachs were aching and you looked so smug when you beat me!"

"Damn right I did, and i'd do it again! I don't chicken out when I commit to something!"

"Huh?! I don't lose to the same person twice, you white haired bastard!"

The two of them laughed at the nonsense they were spewing out. No, it was more accurate to say it was nonsense only to those who didn't know them. But for Felt and Akira, this was their way of seeing each other off as they each chose a different path to walk. Instead of a depressing goodbye and making it seem like they would never see each other, they'd rather laugh like idiots and look forward to when they see each other again.

"Well then, I better get going. I get the feeling a certain knight might get his undies in a bunch if I stay out for too long."

"And I got a depressed friend to look after."

Soon the two of them nodded their heads as they each began to walk in a different direction. Felt stopped in her tracks as she began to think to herself. Despite how short the time was, it really did feel like her family was complete. It was a strange feeling to her. While she was a bit sad that Akira and herself won't see each other as much, she couldn't help but feel proud of the boy. This was the first time that she saw him so determined about a decision he made by himself. As she turned around, Felt yelled at Akira with a smile on her face.

"Next time we meet, let's have another milk drinking contest, ya hear me!!!"

"Felt...I hate milk, you damn brat. The only reason I drunk it last time was because it was with you and Rom."

Having said that, Akira was now gone from Felt's sight. Seeing this, Felt was turning around as she was heading back to her camp. However, if one were to look at her face, they would see a bright shade of red as a pout was plastered over her face. After letting a sigh escape from her lips, the royal candidate merely ran faster to where everyone in her camp was waiting for her.

"Saying stuff like that in the end.......you idiot!"

~Nighttime~
"Welcome back, Akira-kun."

As he made it back to Karsten manor, Akira was welcomed back by Wilhelm. While Akira was looking around, he noticed how Rem and Subaru weren't there to greet him. Noticing this, Wilhelm merely nodded his head as he tried to inform the boy of the situation.

"Felix is currently tending to the boy's gate as the maid is keeping an eye on them. I will help with putting your supplies away and let them know that you returned once they are finished."

"I see, is there anything else I should know about?"

As Wilhelm shook his head, he simply motioned for Akira to walk along. Seeing this, the young man followed him as he was curious to see as to where this goes. However, while walking with Wilhelm, Akira decided to kill the silence between them. A question now forming in his mind as he looked at the man in front of him.

"I'm curious, why are you following Crusch Karsten?"

"May I ask what brought this question to mind?"

"Wilhelm van Astrea, you introduced yourself as such when we first met. Doesn't take rocket science to know that you are at least somewhat related to Reinhard. From what I know, the House of Astrea are a noble house that are direct descandants of the first sword saint, contributing to the Sword Saint role and title which they have continued to pass down through generations. You're pretty high up, yet you reduced yourself to a butler? That's when I got to thinking, what if Crusch had something that can even make an Astrea walk under her? A bait that not even you could refuse."

A deafening silence was present as Wilhelm and Akira looked at each other. The old man could only think of one word to describe the white-haired boy:dangerous. This boy may not look the strongest physically, but Wilhelm could tell. Suzushima Akira was a dangerous individual, right down to even his intellect.

"You can say her goal just so happens to be able to coexist with mine. Both of us hunt for the same beast."

"I see, so it's a mutual goal to a degree."

"Now then, may I ask you something. Someone of your caliber could probably become a high ranking imperial knight in no time. You have the potential to be held in the same esteem as Julius and the others. Or you could've joined hands with the Sword Saint as I heard you and the Royal Candidate he pledged himself to are quite close. Yet what compelled you to remain where you are? Who do you pledge your sword to?"

"I pledge my sword to myself. Whether it saves someone or just kills an enemy is all up to circumstances. That's what I b-.....that's what I want to believe. But as the days go by, I find myself growing more and more attached to those idiots. It's to the point i'm scared, scared that the moment I let down the guard I kept up for so long....i'll be too attached and it'll hurt much worse when they're gone. But that's why I remain, so those idiots I grew attached to don't disappear. It's my way to atone...for failing to do so the first time. I may not be qualified to save someone, but......i'll drag the bastards who harm them down to hell with me."

A lie. One single lie escaped from Akira's lips. Without him knowing, Akira died three times. All these deaths weren't because of circumstances. These deaths of Suzushima Akira....were because he followed his own choices.His deaths were because of the first wish he ever made for himself. The wish to save the man named Natsuki Subaru.