A Life Once More-Chapter 42: As A Group (1)

"I love you, Eiz. Please be careful and please, please, don't hide important stuff anymore."

"I understand, Mom. I love you too! Say hi to Euphi and Cain for me!"

"I will~!"

With that last line, the call disconnected, the faint click of the line cutting off lingering in my ear. A sigh tumbled out of me; defeat, relief, guilt, and something else I couldn't even name all tangled together.

I leaned against the rough, cool surface of the alley wall, letting the tension bleed out of my shoulders. It felt like a heavy weight had been peeled off my chest, one breath at a time. Before I even realized it, a smile broke across my face.

Taking a deep breath, I walked from the alleyway with renewed spirit. Opening up and talking about things was something I never really appreciated. I didn't want to bother my parents back on Earth, so I typically held back a lot of things but now, I didn't have such fears. Fear of being ignored, fear of not being understood, fear of being seen as weak.

'Despite all this, I should still try not to burden people too much.'

[If people see it as a burden, then they truly didn't think much of you.]

'Haha~, isn't that similar to what I told Elize?'

[Yes. So, take your own advice. If you feel off, then open up to someone and don't hide it.]

I thought about Ezryn's words. Strangely, he'd been considerate and concerned all day.

'Thank you.'

[Even I'm surprised. You're welcome.]

Ezryn also didn't understand why he seemed so different. Normally, our conversations were playful, or just us messing with each other. This time though, we actually had a genuine conversation. This was something I didn't expect today!

"There you are!"

'Hm?' My eyes looked toward the entrance of the store Ophi had dragged me into, and an unexpected person had joined up with us.

Smiling, I looked at her with so much warmth that even my body started to heat up.

"J-Jeez, stop looking at me like that! Hehe~"

It was Kate.

Her beautiful black hair was tied into a bun today, and her golden eyes gleamed with their usual radiance. There was so much warmth in her gaze that even the grey clouds seemed to vanish. Maybe it was the way her smile tugged slightly at the corners of her lips, or how the cool air around me suddenly felt warmer just standing near her. Or maybe... my feelings for her had just grown so strong that the rest of the world simply faded away.

I grabbed her hand the moment I got close enough. She wasn't expecting it and let out a cute yelp.

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"EH?"

Pulling her into a hug, I held her tightly, whispering into her ear.

"Mom and I talked just now."

Her body twitched, and she reciprocated my hug. Her hands rubbing against my back brought me comfort. Separating a bit, her chin rested on my chest while I looked down to match her eyes. Her cherry lips looked so kissable, but I—I didn't have the balls yet to kiss her in public.

"From the looks of it, it went well! I'm glad!" She smiled, sticking her tongue out at me, playful and radiant. My pulse thudded against my ribs, screaming at me to do something; anything. I held back with everything I had in me. B-But damn, I really wanted to fucking kiss her right now.

"It did." We smiled and embraced each other for who knows how long before someone decided to interrupt us.

"Ahem! Okay, love birds, at least get out of everyone's way."

Ophi's words snapped us back to reality. Kate separated first, her face as red as an apple. I just walked over to the side and rubbed the back of my neck. My face, thankfully, didn't light up, but my neck took the brunt of it.

I stared at Ophi with hateful eyes. "You could have, um... ugh...."

'Seriously, I had nothing to retort with. I just wanted to get rid of this embarrassing feeling! Being around Ophi just wasn't good for my mental defenses. It's her energy, I swear!'

"Hehe~" She just covered her mouth with mischievous laughter. This was just another foolproof sign that negativity was nothing before Ophi. Every negative person would lose to her radiance.

"Follow me, you two cuties." Ophi took me and Kate by the wrist, her hand warm and energetic, and pulled us back toward the Blue-Dragon Rush Café. The faint aroma of roasted coffee beans hit us before we even reached the door, mingling with the cool cloudy afternoon breeze.

I didn't mind coming back here, but I figured this time, instead of getting their special coffee, I'd go with a normal medium roast. It was something smoother and more familiar, without all the extra sweetness clinging to my tongue.

'Should I get a dessert as well?'

They had a massive assortment of little pastries and other sweets along with lunch items. Their food really ranged all the way from cookies to paninis or bitter chocolates to sandwiches.

"Eiz, can we get that bacon panini? Please~!"

"Kate... I know about your little purchase."

"GUAH!? Ophi, how could you?!"

"Blehhhh~!"

"E-Eiz! It was important. That statue is the only one in the world! Plus, she's my favorite character!"

I nodded, "It's okay. I understand."

Her eyes gleamed with stars. Unfortunately...

"I understand to never let you buy things without someone else being there!"

"MEANIE!" She pouted, her cheeks puffing out as she crossed her arms with a tiny huff. But that's all she did. I thought she would do something like jab my side or step on my foot or something mischievous to match her expression but she didn't. Since she didn't, I decided to reward her a bit.

I moved my right hand to the top of her head and rubbed it gently. Her hair was soft like silk! She didn't move at first, frozen like she wasn't sure how to react. But after a few seconds, she melted into my hand, her head nuzzling against my palm with quiet acceptance.

What wasn't quiet was the smug stare coming from her side that Ophi had plastered on her face. I seriously needed to remember not to flirt with Kate in front of Ophi. But I knew that it was impossible. Everything just felt so effortless, and I mostly moved with my heart.

[Hah~]

Yeah, even Ezryn knows that I'm absolutely taken.