Chapter—A Reason for a Celebration
The small meeting room was quiet.
Five chairs surrounded the circular table, and every one of them was occupied. The room still smelled faintly of fresh paint, and sunlight filtered through the single window, landing softly on the tabletop.
This was their guild base.
Small. Simple. Empty.
Loid leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, eyes roaming around the room. After a moment, he broke the silence.
"So," he said, tone blunt, "we bought a base… but we're doing absolutely nothing here."
Chika swung her legs lightly under the table. "When you say it like that, it sounds depressing."
Uno said. "But he's not wrong."
Marin rested her elbows on the table and sighed. "It's not like we're being lazy."
Loid raised an eyebrow. "Then?"
Marin explained calmly, "There are no E-rank dungeons detected nearby. And the government hasn't assigned any missions to us yet."
Luke listened quietly.
So it's not just us…
"The guild system is still reorganizing," Marin continued. "New guilds usually wait."
Chika groaned dramatically and leaned forward, resting her head on the table. "So what do we do? Sleep?"
Everyone instantly reacted.
"Nah!"
"Absolutely not!"
"This is a guild base, not a bedroom!"
They all spoke at once, half joking, half serious.
Chika raised her head, offended. "Hey! What's wrong with sleeping?"
Loid smirked. "Sleep at home."
Uno nodded. "A base should mean activity."
Marin smiled slightly, then turned her gaze toward Luke.
"Luke," she said gently, "what do you think? What should we do?"
All eyes turned to him.
Luke froze.
"…Huh?"
He hadn't expected that.
Why me?
He looked at their faces—curious, expectant, trusting. His mind raced. Government jobs? Training? Strategy meetings?
Then a simple thought surfaced.
"…Well," Luke said slowly, "since the government hasn't assigned us anything, and there are no dungeons nearby…"
He paused.
"And Christmas and New Year are coming."
Everyone leaned in slightly.
"…Why don't we throw a party? Here. In our base."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Luke's eyes widened.
Did I mess up?
"…Did I say something wrong?" he asked nervously.
For half a second, no one moved.
Then—
"THAT'S AMAZING!"
Chika jumped up so fast her chair nearly fell.
Loid slammed his hand on the table. "Why didn't I think of that?!"
Marin's eyes sparkled. "A party… yes!"
Uno smiled warmly. "It's perfect."
Luke blinked. "Eh?"
Chika pointed at him dramatically. "Luke, you're a genius!"
Luke panicked. "N-No, I just—"
Loid laughed. "A Christmas party, a New Year celebration, and a new base inauguration all in one."
Marin nodded enthusiastically. "We can celebrate our beginning."
Uno added, "And strengthen our bond."
Luke scratched his cheek. "I just thought… it would be fun."
"And meaningful," Marin said softly.
Chika clapped her hands. "Okay! So what do we do at the party?"
Marin answered immediately, "Since it's Christmas, we can sing carols,dance."
Loid smirked. "Games too."
"And food," Uno added. "Lots of food."
Chika grinned. "I like where this is going."
Everyone laughed.
Then Marin paused.
She turned to Luke again, expression thoughtful.
"Luke," she said, "why don't you ask your cousin sister to come?"
Luke blinked again. "Shuri?"
"Yes," Marin said. "It's her holiday, right?"
Luke hesitated. "It is… but—"
"She can see our guild," Marin continued. "Experience the atmosphere."
Uno nodded. "That's important."
"If she comes," Uno added, "she can decide properly whether she truly wants to join."
Luke considered it.
She's changed…
"That's a great idea," Luke said finally. "But I need to ask her—and her parents."
Loid shrugged. "Fair."
Chika grinned. "If she comes, we'll adjust."
Marin clapped once. "Alright! Roles!"
She started pointing.
"Me and Chika will handle decorations."
Chika saluted. "Leave it to us!"
"Loid, Uno, and Luke—you handle carols, games, and food."
Loid smirked. "I'll plan the games."
Uno nodded. "I'll manage logistics."
Luke smiled. "I'll help with food."
"And Luke," Marin added, "your duty is to ask Shuri."
Luke nodded. "I will."
Marin smiled. "Good."
She stood up. "Then that's it for today. Let's go home."
Chairs scraped as everyone stood.
As they stepped outside, the evening air felt lighter.
---
On the way home, Auru walked beside Luke hiddenly.
"I'm really excited," she said cheerfully.
Luke smiled. "Me too."
Then he added, "But… sorry. You won't be able to enjoy fully."
Auru tilted her head. "Why not?"
Luke looked ahead. "Because If any one see you it will be danger for me"
Auru laughed softly. "It's okay. I enjoy seeing people smile."
Luke glanced at her, surprised.
She winked. "Especially you."
Luke laughed awkwardly. "You're strange."
"Rude."
---
At home, Luke explained everything to his parents.
"A party?" his mother said, surprised.
"At your guild base?" his father asked.
Luke nodded. "And… I was wondering if Shuri could come."
His parents exchanged looks.
"She's on holiday," his mother said slowly.
"But she's still young," his father added.
Luke bowed slightly. "I promise I'll take responsibility."
After a moment, his mother smiled. "We'll call her parents."
The call lasted longer than Luke expected.
He stood nearby, heart pounding.
"…Yes… it's a guild base…"
"…Luke will be there…"
"…New Year too…"
Finally, the call ended.
His mother turned to him. "You'll have to go to hometown and pick her up."
Luke blinked. "Me?"
"And," his father added, "you'll leave her there until New Year."
Luke's eyes widened. "That's fine!"
His parents smiled.
"Then it's settled."
---
The scene shifted.
In home town, in a quiet courtyard, Shuri stood alone.
Aura flickered faintly around her hands—not wild, not explosive, but controlled.
She breathed steadily.
Her movements were precise.
Gone was the reckless girl who once showed off her power.
Now, every strike was calculated.
Every pulse was refined.
Again, she told herself.
Sweat dripped down her face.
Then—
"Shuri!"
Her mother's voice echoed from inside the house.
"There was a call—from Luke's parents!"
Shuri froze.
Her aura faded.
Slowly, she turned.
Her eyes glittered with excitement.
I knew it…
A small smile formed on her lips.
For the first time in a long while, her heart felt light.
---
End of Chapter.