Soon after Fugo returned to his run-down shed of a home, Lina wrapped up her duties for the day and joined him. As they settled in, Fugo began recounting the events involving Irene, focusing on his impressions of her.
"This girl... do you really think she has value?" Lina asked, tilting her head curiously.
"It's not about what I think," Fugo replied. "It's about what *she* thinks of herself."
He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "I feel it. Even if it was just for a moment, we connected. She shares the same pain." His hand instinctively moved to clutch his chest, as if trying to hold back the weight of old wounds. His mind drifted to the past—the lonely days before Lina had come into his life.
Being raised in a Magic Familia wasn't the fairy tale most people believed it to be. The fourteen familias were seen as living in luxury, basking in fame and recognition for their supernatural deeds. And while that image wasn't entirely false, it didn't tell the whole story.
Every familia had its "bad eggs," and Fugo had been one of them.
Born into the Almaty family, renowned for their unparalleled strength and chaotic prowess in battle, Fugo had always been an outlier. The Almatys were known for their fiery orange hair, vast mana reserves, and overwhelming magical power.
They were warriors to their core, revered and feared in equal measure.
But Fugo?
He lacked their power.
His magic affinity was embarrassingly low, and his physical abilities fell short of even the average familia member.
"I get it," Fugo sighed.
"Not meeting expectations... it makes you wonder what is the point of it all."
"Why?"
"Why was I even born?"
"Just to be a failure?"
"Just to... exist as a disgrace?"
His voice cracked as the weight of his words hung in the air.
"It feels like I was born to fail."
Fugo took a deep breath, steadying himself before his emotions could spiral out of control. Lina, sensing his turmoil, reached over and patted his back gently.
"I don't know this girl's story," she said softly.
"But if she's making you dig this deep into your pain... maybe it's better if you don't see her again."
Fugo shook his head firmly. "I can't promise that. I'm sorry."
"Why not?" Lina asked, frustration creeping into her voice.
"She already turned down your offer, didn't she?"
Fugo wiped the tears that had formed in the corners of his eyes. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"It's fine. I remember turning down your hand three years ago, too. And yet, here we are now—together."
Lina's eyes widened at his words before narrowing. With a huff, she pinched his cheek, her annoyance barely masking her concern.
"Fine! I got your point. Just... do not let her drag you down, okay?"
Fugo chuckled, rubbing his sore cheek. "Do not worry. I will figure it out."
The next day, Fugo met up with Renjiro by the Guild's entrance. Despite the disagreement yesterday, Kael still showed his face a few minutes after their arrival. His sudden appearance caught Renjiro off guard.
"Morning! You came to see us?"
Kael replied, "Yeah, sorry about yesterday. Was kinda bummed out at first and acted without thinking straight."
"I had told myself already that I'll judge you all when exploration starts. So, backing out before then sort of feels silly."
Renjiro gladly pulled Kael's hand forward for a wide hug.
"Thanks man, I was worried for a second."
Kael pushed him off, "So, you still set on that Irene person?"
"No, I hate to admit it, but you were right yesterday. We should focus on someone else. Too bad, I wanted someone pretty among us."
"What's with the pretty requirement being a thing?"
Hearing Renjiro's new stand, Fugo had no choice but to intervene. "Wait a minute! Let's not give up on her yet."
Both Renjiro and Kael looked over at Fugo, surprised by his words.
"Dude, you of all people shouldn't be saying that," Kael said.
"No kidding, you didn't even know her before yesterday. And you did not show interest in her when we met either."
Fugo bowed before the two men, "Please, give her another chance. I'm sure, if we keep pressuring her, she'll crack eventually."
"But why? Why are you suddenly compelled to do this?"
"She already turned us down."
Fugo lifted his head, with a resolved look that was new to Kael and Renjiro. Neither of them knew Fugo could have such intimidating eyes, until he looked up at them.
"After seeing her.... I've made up my mind."
"I want to work with her.... I'm drawn to her," Fugo told them.
But his words only brought confusion to the other two. "You two would never get it. Imagine it, what her value could become if I managed to bring her out of that shell."
"What shell? Speak clearly damn it!" Renjiro started to complain.
"He means self-doubt, right?" Kael answered for Fugo.
Kael added, "You think you're doing us a favor by playing a life-changing mentor role in a girl's life? Please spare me. I know your thought process Fugo, and I can't agree with it."
Fugo's face softened. "Okay, that's fine by me."
He turned around with a subtle wave of his hand. "Good thing Kael came back Renjiro. Since I'm leaving."
"Wait, what!?"
"That's right. That girl, I'm going to see her right now."
"Man! I didn't know you were this all over the place, you didn't even show interest in speaking with her yesterday."
Fugo started walking alone, not looking back. Renjiro lets out a scream, before he tagged along behind him. "Damn it! Let's just go with."
Seeing the two heading off, Kael sighed and decided to follow along as well.
Renjiro never figured until now that Fugo was a stubborn individual.