I’ve been stripped of my place in the world, and I’m so tired of life that I’ve decided to die! Goodbye, everyone! Whatever happens next, I don’t care anymore. - Chapter 1

Dolman, the party leader and a Hero, spoke bluntly.

“I’m sorry, but you’re out as of today.”

“I see…”

Dolman and I are childhood friends.

“We’ve come this far together, supporting each other as comrades.” That’s what I thought. But it seems I was wrong.

I thought I had been doing my part…

The Sword Saint, Elza.

The Saintess, Cecilia.

The Sage, Isabel.

And Dolman and me—the five of us made up the S-Rank party known as Black Wing.

A bit of an over-the-top name, but with Dolman as the Hero, and the rest of us including a Sword Saint, a Saintess, and a Sage, it felt fitting.

Surrounded by such incredible childhood friends and comrades, I thought I was happy.

That’s what I believed.

It’s true that lately, I’ve been falling behind. My abilities as a warrior haven’t kept pace with the others, whose growth has been propelled by their superior jobs.

That’s why I focused on contributing in other ways.

I worked harder than anyone else—waking up earlier, staying up later, taking on all the chores.

Because it was for my precious comrades, it didn’t feel like a burden.

And yet, they’re still kicking me out… It’s hard to accept.
I’m still A-Rank. If I leave, I could easily join another party. There are plenty of opportunities out there, and I wouldn’t have to cling to this group.

In fact, in a less exceptional party, I’d be highly valued. Even if I dropped to B-Rank, I’d probably have people lining up to recruit me.

I know my worth.

But still… “I want to stay here.”

I want to remain by the side of my childhood friends and comrades.

Dolman… everyone… Is this really the end? Do I truly have no place here anymore?

“You understand, don’t you, Fudra? You can’t keep up with us,” Dolman said.

“Yeah, you’re right. As a warrior, I can’t keep up with you in combat.”

I don’t have an extraordinary job like Dolman and the others.
So, I did what I could—cooking, cleaning, laundry, paperwork. I did everything I could to support the party.

But that’s not enough, is it?

I know everyone loves Dolman.

“As a Hero, I need to achieve great things to advance.

Unfortunately, I can’t do that with you. Please understand. Even if you leave the party, you’ll still be my friend.”

Friend.

Childhood friend.

I never wanted anything more than that.

That was enough for me.

And yet, you’re taking away my place.

You’re taking my lover from me…

You’re scorning everything I’ve done…

What about everyone else?

I looked into Isabel’s eyes—my ex-girlfriend. Her once-gentle gaze was gone, replaced by cold indifference. I know she’s Dolman’s woman now.

And that’s fine.

Dolman is amazing, even to me.

“I agree with Dolman! You can’t keep up with the party anymore. Sooner or later, you’ll die or get seriously injured… It’s better for you to quit now. I’m saying this for your own good,” Isabel said.

What she really means is, “I love Dolman more than you. Let’s go back to being childhood friends.”

That’s fine, Isabel.

But does that mean I can’t even stay by your side as a friend or a childhood companion?

Am I such a burden to you all? It hurts.

“As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”

Even if I just wanted to watch over you as a friend, even if I wanted to bless your relationship, you won’t even allow that?
On her ring finger was a ring I didn’t recognize—probably something Dolman gave her. She no longer wore the ring I had given her.

She loves Dolman more than me.

And that’s just how it is.

Dolman really is amazing. I understand. As a man, I’ve lost.
The other two—Elza and Cecilia—wore the same type of ring.
Everyone loves Dolman.

That’s what it means, doesn’t it?

In this harem party, I’m not needed.

I understand that.

It’s sad, but it can’t be helped.

But… does that mean I can’t even stay as a childhood friend or comrade?

You all were everything to me.

We grew up in the same village and spent our lives together.
You were my entire world…

I thought we’d continue to be together…

But now, I’m not needed by anyone.

Fine.

I understand.

There’s no point in throwing a tantrum.

“Isabel, I get it! It’s fine… You don’t need me anymore, right?”

“That’s not true! I—”

“It’s fine.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry.”

So, there really isn’t a place for me here.
Childhood friends? Comrades? Hah… Those words mean nothing.

“I know you love Dolman. And that’s okay… But I thought we were still childhood friends, still comrades. Was I wrong?”

“You knew?”

I saw it with my own eyes…

“If it’s Dolman, I can’t blame you. He’s a Hero and an amazing guy! I’ve accepted that. I don’t even want to go back to being your lover… I just wanted to stay in the group as a childhood friend. Is even that too much to ask?”

“I’m sorry!”

“I see. Don’t worry about it anymore… I’m sorry for troubling you.”

I’ve had enough. I’m done.

I was rejected. My ex-girlfriend moved on to Dolman. That’s all there is to it.

Even accepting that, I can’t stay in this group…

“You were never needed here to begin with.”

That’s what it feels like they’re telling me.

So, I’ll leave.

“Go back to your village and become an adventurer there. Or join a weaker party,” Dolman said.

“Dolman, I understand. I’m not needed here.”

Even if I accept everything, I can’t stay.

Dolman… Why are you smiling?
Are you that happy to see me go?

No matter how amazing you are, no matter how much I respected you, this hurts.

“Goodbye, Fudra.”

“Goodbye.”

“Sorry, but Dolman is—”

The three of them spoke their goodbyes together.
It hurt more than I expected. Tears welled up in my eyes.
“It’s fine… Thank you for everything… Goodbye, everyone. I love you all…”

I wanted to leave with a smile, but the tears wouldn’t stop.
Crying, I walked away from the party.

◆◆◆
The next day, the innkeeper was in an uproar, saying Fudra hadn’t come out of his room.

Dolman and the others borrowed a spare key to open the door.
Inside, they found Fudra hanging from the ceiling, a rope tied around his neck.

The room was silent.

For a moment, no one spoke, the weight of what lay before them sinking in.

“Fudra…” Dolman muttered, his confident smile faltering for the first time.

Isabel covered her mouth, a look of shock and horror crossing her face.

“This… can’t be…” she whispered, trembling.

Elza and Cecilia stood frozen, unable to look away from their former comrade’s lifeless body.

No one had imagined it would end like this.

The weight of their decision, the words they had said, and the way they had pushed him away without a second thought now bore down on them like an unbearable burden.

Dolman clenched his fists, unable to meet the others’ eyes. The Hero who had always led with confidence and charisma now stood paralyzed, his title feeling hollow.

“Why… didn’t he say anything?” Isabel choked out, tears streaming down her face.

But they all knew the truth.

He had said something.

He had begged to stay.

He had reached out for them, but they had chosen to push him away.

And now, there was no going back.

Fudra was gone, leaving behind nothing but the echoes of his final words:
“Goodbye, everyone. I love you.”