Chapter 156: Chapter 156- Leave
Kevin turned to Nia, his voice a little rushed. "That’s fine, right?" He glanced at the others, as if asking for permission.
Luke gave him a reassuring nod. "Go ahead."
Rea smirked, raising his cup. "Just don’t start getting all lovey-dovey in front of us."
Kevin flushed. "It’s not like that!" He stood quickly, then looked back at the group. "Excuse me for a bit."
The door closed behind them, leaving the room in a sudden, heavy quiet.
Julian leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing. "Do you think Kevin will be alright?"
Rogan gave a low whistle, grinning like a cat about to enjoy a show. "I was thinking the same thing. That woman might be about to drop a bombshell that’ll leave him completely wrecked."
Rea leaned back with a grin. "It’s fine. If something goes wrong, we can cheer him up."
Rogan eyed him, unimpressed. "You’re way too relaxed for this."
Luke, ever composed, spoke evenly. "Don’t worry. I’ve only known Kevin for a short while, but he strikes me as someone with a strong mind. He’ll manage."
Leighton tapped his fingers on the table thoughtfully. "If you’re all that worried... why don’t we just peek in on them?"
Julian turned his head, genuinely surprised that the usually composed former teacher would suggest something like that.
Leighton felt the weight of that gaze and frowned. "What?"
Julian shook his head faintly. "Nothing."
Rogan, however, lit up with enthusiasm, slamming his hand against the table. "Now that’s an idea I can get behind. Honestly, I was thinking the same thing. Let’s go spy on their little talk."
The group exchanged quick glances, and before anyone could argue further, Rogan was already on his feet. "Come on, let’s go before we miss the good part."
Rea staggered up as well, still clutching his drink. "Heheh, this is gonna be fun."
Luke sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "This is ridiculous... but fine. Just keep it quiet."
Leighton stood too, adjusting his suit as if he were still a dignified teacher, though sneaking toward the door said otherwise.
Julian exhaled, the faintest twitch of annoyance on his face, but in the end he rose with them. Better to keep an eye on this mess before it spiraled.
They crept toward the back hall where Kevin and Nia had slipped away, their footsteps awkwardly heavy on the old wooden floor. Rea nearly tripped over a chair, earning a sharp glare from everyone.
"Shh!" Rogan hissed, pressing his ear against the thin wall. "I can hear something, hold on—"
The others leaned in close, forming an unsteady line of eavesdroppers. For a moment, silence fell as they strained to catch the muffled voices inside.
From within, Kevin’s voice reached them, quieter than usual, almost trembling. "Nia... why did you really come here tonight?"
The group froze, their hearts beating faster as if they were the ones about to hear a confession.
Nia drew in a quiet breath before speaking. "There’s something I want to tell you."
Kevin tensed, his chest tightening as if bracing for impact. "W–what is it? You’re not... worried about what the others might think, are you?, In Lightdawn, no one thinks of you that way. They all care about you. Everyone’s been worried, wondering why you haven’t been with us. I’ve been worried too. Belle especially, she doesn’t show it, but she’s the one who worries about you the most, so—"
Before he could finish, Nia cut in, her voice steady. "Kevin... I want to leave Lightdawn."
The words hit Kevin like a blade slipping between his ribs.
For a moment, he could only stare at her, his mouth half-open, but no sound came out.
Finally, Kevin forced a breath out. "...Leave? What do you mean, Nia?" His voice cracked, betraying the weight of the dread settling in his chest.
Nia didn’t flinch. She kept her eyes on him, unwavering. "Exactly what I said. I don’t belong in Lightdawn anymore."
Kevin’s heart lurched. He took a step closer, shaking his head.
"No. Don’t say that, Nia. You do belong in Lightdawn. You’ve always been a part of us."
His words came out sharper than he intended, his voice echoing in the dim, abandoned shop. He clenched his fists, trying to steady his breath.
"You think you can just walk away? After everything we’ve been through? After all the times we fought, and laughed together?"
Kevin’s eyes burned, as if anger and fear had tangled together in his chest.
"Don’t throw it all away like it was nothing."
Nia stared at Kevin without flinching, as if his shouts were just like the wind passing by her ears. Her face was gentle, but her gaze was firm, there was no doubt.
"Kevin," she said softly, yet clearly, "I know how precious Lightdawn is to you. It was just as precious to me once. But I can no longer stand on the same path."
She took a deep breath, still keeping her tone from being swayed by emotion.
"I’ve thought about this for a long time. This isn’t about you not caring about me, or me feeling cast aside. In fact, it’s precisely because you care... that I don’t want to become a burden holding you back."
Nia bowed her head briefly, then looked at Kevin again with a faint smile.
"So don’t try to stop me with your anger. I’ve made up my mind."
Kevin’s breath hitched as if the air had suddenly turned too thin to breathe. His voice cracked when he spoke, no longer sharp, but trembling.
"Nia... please, don’t say it like that." His hands clenched helplessly at his knees, eyes darting between her calm face and the floor. "You’re not a burden. You’ve never been a burden. Without you, Lightdawn, without you, I—"
He swallowed hard, desperation seeping into every word. "If there’s something wrong, tell me. I’ll fix it. Whatever it takes, I’ll make it right. Just... don’t leave us. Don’t leave me."
His tone had lost all trace of pride, it was no longer the voice of a leader trying to hold his ground, but of a man terrified of losing someone he couldn’t bear to lose.
Nia let out a quiet sigh, her expression still calm but resolute. "Kevin... I’ve made my choice. I’m joining another group now."
Kevin’s eyes widened instantly, a mix of disbelief and frustration flashing across his face. "Another group? What’s so great about them that you’d just leave us like this?"
Nia remained silent, her gaze steady but unyielding.
Kevin’s frustration boiled over. "Don’t just stay silent! Answer me!"
Her lips pressed into a thin line, still refusing to give him the explanation he demanded. The silence between them grew heavier, Kevin struggling to keep his emotions from spilling over completely.
Kevin took a step closer, his hands gripping her shoulders lightly but firmly. His eyes burned with a mixture of desperation and frustration.
"Nia, stop dodging me!" he said, his voice trembling but commanding. "You have to tell me!"
Nia blinked, her calm demeanor flickering for just a moment, but she shook her head. "Kevin... I’ve made my decision. I can’t change it."
Kevin shook his head vehemently, refusing to accept it. "No! I don’t care what you’ve decided. I need to understand. I need to know why you’d leave us for someone else. Don’t keep me in the dark!"
The intensity in his voice, the raw urgency, made the space between them feel smaller, heavier, as if the air itself was charged with the storm of his emotions.
Nia let out a long, quiet sigh as she studied Kevin’s desperate expression. "I no longer owe you an explanation," she said softly but firmly.
Kevin’s frustration boiled over, his voice almost breaking. "W-what..."
Without another word, Nia gently released Kevin’s hands from her shoulders. "I came here just to say that. Nothing more."
She stepped past him, her movements calm and unhurried, leaving him frozen in place. As she walked away, she added over her shoulder, her voice steady and faintly melancholic: "Thank you... for saving me that time. Goodbye."
Kevin remained rooted to the spot, the weight of her words pressing down on him. The silence of the room felt heavier than ever, echoing with the absence she had left behind.
Nia walked toward the door, her steps calm and measured. As she approached, the group who had been peeking quickly scattered, each trying to busy themselves with something else.
Rea wiped down the table with exaggerated motions, Luke started whistling softly, and Mr. Leighton swept the floor in quiet, deliberate strokes. Rogan polished glasses with the care of a bartender, while Julian remained seated at the bar, sipping his drink as if nothing had happened.
Nia didn’t acknowledge any of them. She didn’t spare a glance, walking straight past their feigned distractions and out of the shop.
After Nia had left, Luke let out a low whistle and muttered under his breath, "Wow... this is a complete mess..."