Chapter 20 Reward.

Soma's body stiffened and the inside of his head was in a quite mess because of the swirling thoughts that appeared clouding his judgment. He didn't expect the situation to become like this. His prediction was off the mark in a sense.

He felt a mixture of complex feelings, as he felt that he didn't deserve something so grand for the elder person before him to bow his head to a youngster like him.

Shooking his head vertically, Soma, who was flustered, jerked his body up flapped his hands to the side, and opened his trembling lips.

"No, Please raise your head, President".

The president raised his head and saw the figure of a flustered young boy. He straightened his posture and observed the boy before him with a meaningful smile.

"Okay, but I will tell you once more, Thank you for saving both of them".

"Yes I understand, so please don't do that kind of thing!".

"Understood!".

The president lifted the corner of his mouth and gazed at the two couples before nodding his head.

Soma whose mind was tired just from the opening of the discussion, sat back on his respective sofa and leaned his now drenched back, sighing.

With his stern face and the tense atmosphere from earlier. Soma was ready to argue and even prepared himself for the punishment he would get for giving the two relics to the demon.

However, contrary to all of that. The president was a person who was kind at heart like in the novel, and all of that preparation he already built was blown away because of the unexpected gesture from the president.

The president extended his right hand before grabbing the handle of the cup and bringing it closer to his mouth. The fragrant aroma of the branded coffee entered his nose and he put his lips into the still hot coffee before taking a sip.

Soma straightened his posture before exhaling all of the agitating feelings he was having inside. Then he turned his attention toward the president again, who finished savoring the coffee.

"Um president, I..".

The president raised his right hand up to stop Soma from going any further.

"Please, enough with the stiff atmosphere. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Ito Daisuke, and I am the president of the Awakeners Association that is affiliated in Japan. Nice to meet you".

"Ah, yes. My name is Soma, I was tw-fourteen years old. A student. Nice to meet you too. Mr, Ito".

Soma almost let his tongue slip, for saying his age. But it seems, the others didn't think about it thoroughly. Probably they assume that it was just Soma being nervous.

"Um, president. I would like to apologize to you about the two relics that have been stolen by the demon. No, …I give it to her so..".

"Before that, can you tell me what is happening there? Of course I already heard it from the two of them, but I want to hear it from your perspective".

Mr. Ito cuts off Soma's explanation, then he turns his stern gaze at Soma opens his ears, and wants to listen to the story.

"..Okay then".

Soma hesitated at first before he opened his mouth and began to tell Mr. Ito the event of how the unknown boy tried to save the two unknown awakeners from the demon.

He started to tell the story from the beginning when he just got home from his part-time job. Luckily, the part where he is transmigrated inside the novel and the memories from Soma in the world were somehow connected in a lot of ways, Except, for his background.

Mr. Ito sits motionlessly as he gazes at Soma listening to his story. The story wasn't any different from the story that Hiroshi had been told.

However, all of the people inside the room began to squint their eyes as the story began to enter the part when Soma began to conduct his reckless act by making the Soul Pact with the demon.

The husband and wife knitted their brows while listening to the story again. Even after hearing it for the second time, they still couldn't believe that this little boy made such a great sacrifice, with his life on the line just to save the two unknown people that he just met that day.

Mr. Ito particularly didn't have much change in his expression, but Soma noticed the brief twitching from Mr. Ito's muscle face and described how shocked he was hearing the story.

"..And then came the time when I was Stabbed in the back and almost lost in the side of death. In my blurry state, I just kept clinging to the side of life before I lost consciousness and I didn't remember what happened after that".

"I see. Thank you for telling me all of that?".

"No, problem. Then all of a sudden I woke up lying on the hospital bed and was told that everything was over''.

Soma's throat feels barren because of the long talk he committed. He extended his right hand grabbing the handle of the cup before drinking the content inside to give his throat solace. A bitter taste that stung his brain made his eyes wide open. "This is good". Soma muttered, before placing the cup on the table.

"Just one thing that bugged me?".

Mr. Ito began to pose a question that made Soma's entire body tense. His mind was greatly stirred after what happened the other day when he showed his new status to the couples. He knows that he trusts both of them but what if?

"Why were you willing to go that far just to save an unknown person you just met on the street?".

Soma opened his eyes wide seeing that unexpected question being thrown at him. Mr. Ito's gaze was the most serious as far as Soma met him. His gaze told him that he didn't need a lie, only the truth. Mr. Ito needs to know in his heart why Soma is willing to go that far.

Looking down, Soma began to cross fingering his hands and soon met Mr. Ito, gazing head-on. "..Because, I don't want any more regret in my life". Without Soma knowing, His mouth opened by himself.

Mr Ito's eyes opened wide after hearing the words that Soma said in front of him. Then Soma continued

"..At first I intended to run away with the relics in my possession but, Mrs. Hisakko word keeps bugging in my mind..". Soma took a couple of breaths. "..What if she and her husband die and leave their only daughter alone in the world? What will happen to that child? Did she could receive her parent's death and move on, or become a walking avenger?..".

The two couples gasped, as they heard the words that Soma said, and a realization shook their core to what they had done at that time.

"..Well, I don't want to let the child undergo the same experience as I do. So, before I know it I act recklessly and..".

Before Soma could finish his sentence his sight was blocked by Hisako. She straightened her foot from her seat, approaching Soma while opening her hands wide and then embracing him on her chest.

Soma whose body was stiffened. Because of the sudden warm and soft feeling that enveloped his entire body.

"..I'm sorry Soma, and ..Thank you for reminding us of what is important".

Hisako said those words in between a sob. Then a single line of tears began to travel along her smooth cheeks toward her jawline before it dropped at Soma's cheeks calming his raging mind.

The quiet room was filled with a sobbing voice from a mother who realized her faults, and a resigned sigh from the husband who sat still leaning his back toward the sofa. Closing his eyes.

Mr. Ito is the only one who wasn't affected by the situation and kept observing Soma while taking a sip from the coffee that turned lukewarm.

***

After the commotion is died down. The two couples bent their upper body toward Mr Ito. Apologizing for showing their lack of manners.

"We were sorry, President Ito for showing such a shameful display".

Hiroshi opened his mouth as he pleaded to Mr. Ito and Mr. Ito just shrugged his shoulders and waved his hands.

"Don't worry about it. I think you guys could learn from the young boy's word. What matters for you guys in your life".

""Understood"".

Mr Ito lifted the corner of his mouth and nodded his head pleased by the answer from the two couples. Then he turned his gaze back at Soma who already emptied the cup content as he watched the unfolding event with a smile.

"Soma as thanks for protecting the two S-rank awakeners, and also because of my personal judgment, I will act accordingly and will give you a reward".

"..Huh? I mean shouldn't I get punished instead for losing the relics?".

"..Well, I think it's fine if I tell you. The truth is that matter is already being settled".

"What do you mean?".

Soma tilted his head not understanding what Mr. Ito meant.

"A few days ago, the person who made the request for the relics was found dead in his luxurious apartment. So as per the awakeners regulation, the request is canceled, because of the death of the person responsible. Of course, I couldn't let a slide of the failed request that these two awakeners had made. So as punishment, they are banned from their activity as awakeners for two months".

"I see, but my matter had nothing to do with that..".

"You don't need to concern yourself with that".

"..Understood".

Soma covered his mouth and fell in deep thoughts. "Was he killed by that woman? If that is true then it was a rather stupid choice she made. Or is it someone else?". muttered Soma.

"So, Soma what do you want?".

Mr. Ito's loud voice brought him back from his submerged state. He turned his gaze to Mr. Ito and pondered as to what terms he should ask. Besides Mr. Ito has said that it was his intention to give him a reward himself, so it would be a rude thing if Soma declined it.

"..Um, Then, can you give me a temporary permit to enter the gate or dungeon?".