…
Mona stretched out her arms. Phew. Time to get through another day.
Her dark purple hair flowing behind her, the young woman looked out the window. Another cloudy day. Oh well. As long as it didn't rain, she could get to her job interview on foot. Without a car of her own, that was always better than paying for the bus. Especially towards the end of the month. She would have to hurry though. She needed to get back early enough to get planning for tonight.
As for breakfast...
She swayed her way to the door with anticipation. Her hands rested on the knob. When she would enter the living room, her nose would be welcomed by the delicious aroma of pancakes and coffee. From the kitchen, her roommate would turn his blond head to the left and enthusiastically greet her with the usual :
''Hey, morning ! Sleep well ? Breakfast is almost ready...''
To which she would reply with a satisfied nod, then take a seat. Less than 30 seconds later, he would come and sit down in front of her, give her some scrambled eggs, and ask about her plans for the day. They would then share a delicious breakfast, as well as a friendly -maybe even a little flirty- chatter.
Mona giggled internally. Her morning routine with him was probably the most enjoyable part of her day. It was also the best way to start it, too. She turned the handle, opened the door, and let out her most enthusiastic :
''Good morning, Aether~''
Silence.
The whole room was plunged into darkness. No one had pulled the curtains. The kitchen was empty. There wasn't even a hint of a smell in the air. The sofa had been deserted. The blanket that he had used was now properly folded in the cupboard.
Oh, right. Aether moved out nearly a month ago.
Her apartment felt familiar. She had lived there for nearly two years, after all. But it also felt...empty.
''Why do I keep thinking that he's here ? I'm such an idiot...''
Well, he did say that he would drop by and visit from time to time, but that wouldn't be the same. Mona wasn't one to feel lonely, but she still missed her roommate. She grabbed her phone.
Before her pride could stop her, she pressed the send button.
''Again, seriously ?''
Ayaka raised a brow. The amount of messages Aether's phone was receiving was simply not normal. And no, she never thought about looking at them without his consent. Actually, maybe he gave 20 % of his consent. Leaving his phone unlocked and unattended right next to her while she was studying was on purpose, right ? In fact, she wouldn't really read them, just take a quick peek. Just to make sure that there was nothing fishy going on. She wasn't intrigued by her roommate in the slighte-
''Enjoying yourself ?''
''Wah !''
Aether's figure appeared over her shoulder. How long had he been there for ? Well, he caught her staring, that was for sure. And the look on his face told her that he was not happy about it.
''And what exactly where you about to do with my phone, ma'am?'' His voice was sharp, a tone that she had never heard him use before.
It was rare for her, but she felt guilty.
''N-nothing...'' She kept trying to avoid his eyes. '' I just got...curious. I'm deeply sorry. I shouldn't have-''
Her string of apologies was cut short by his laughter. His expression from before had completely vanished. The more he smiled, the more Ayaka's face decomposed.
''You really couldn't tell I was joking ?.'' asked the blond while checking his phone. ''Honestly, you walked right into that one.''
''Did you just want to waste my time ?'' Ayaka asked, deadpan. ''Nevermind that, shouldn't you be studying too ?''
''Let's be real, Ayaka.'' he said while pointing at her notes. ''You already know everything about the different kinds of conflict in Natlan. Are you sure you're not studying because you just have nothing better to do ?''
Touché. But she wasn't about to admit it.
''I have, mind you, a great deal of interest for this subject.''
''Riiiight...oh, well. Your loss. I was about to suggest something fun, but since geopolitics are so fascinating, I'll leave you to your books. Bye.''
And with that, he got up and left the room. Huh. She wasn't expecting him to give up so easily. Well, at least she could study in peace now.
That feeling lasted for about five minutes.
'Something fun ?'
Dammit. Her curiosity was getting the better of her again. He really knew how to pique her interest when she didn't want him to.
Before she realized it, she had already pushed the door to his room. Aether was apparently waiting for her...on his bed.
''Took you long enough''
Wait a minute, what was his idea of something fun ?
Did he mean-
Aether nonchalantly got up and walked past her. Thankfully, he didn't seem to notice that her face had just flared up.
''Well, let's go then.''
Ayaka shook her head to regain her composure. ''Going where exactly ?''
The blond looked at her from over his shoulder. He seemed to ponder something for a moment, until his face turned back into his signature smug grin.
''Put on a jacket and find out.''
''What in the world...''
''Don't worry, you'll get along with everyone just fine Plus, it will be a great opportunity to socialize. Please hold this''
She blinked and a present was in her hands. Just as she was about to protest, Aether rang the doorbell.
Why did she let him drag her into this again ?
''I don't know a single person who's going to be there. I you had told me beforehand that we were going to a birthday party, I would have refused.''
''Well, I was told that I could bring a friend...'' Aether gave her an apologetic look. ''Alright, if you really want to go back, I can come up with an excuse. I should have let you make your own choice before we arrived. Sorry.''
And now it felt like she was the bad guy. Great.
He just wanted to help her make new friends, too...but that wasn't the best way to go about it. And at the same time...
''I don't want to ruin your fun...''
Aether was still waiting for an answer. She looked into his eyes and took a deep breath.
''Listen, I-''
''Aether, you made it !''
When did the door open ? Before Aether could react, a cannonball- sorry, a girl- had already rammed into him. His roommate widened her eyes in shock.
Oh, right. Introductions. He somehow managed to speak up despite the two arms hugging, or rather squeezing, his torso.
''Th-this is Mona, my previous roommate and organizer of the party.'' he said between two gasps for air. ''Mona, meet Ayaka. We're living together at the academypleaseletgo.''
The girl named Mona reluctantly let go of her friend. Apparently feeling the need to invade somebody else's personal space, she chose Ayaka as her next target, getting closer to the point where their foreheads could nearly touch.
''Uuh, g-good evening'' the latter stammered while still trying to put some distance between the two of them. Mona didn't immediately respond to the courtesy. It seemed that her in-depth analysis was still not complete.
Suddenly, she reached out her hand with an affable smile. ''Good evening, Ayaka. I'm Aether's ex.''
Aether, who was still recovering from the lethal grip he had just been put through, nearly choked.
''Mona, Ayaka doesn't get your dumb humor.'' He turned to the latter with a slighty red face.''She means ex-roommate.''
Mona dismissed his comment with a little hand movement ''Mhm. Well, whatever. Are you guys coming in ? The party's begun already.''
As their host led the way into the corridor, Ayaka couldn't help but notice that a pout had formed on her face. But she didn't have time to think about it.
With a theatrical motion, Mona pushed the door and revealed the party in all of its glory.
Well, glory was a strong word. Maybe...noisy was more appropriate.
Ayaka quickly scanned the room. In the back, a boy with aqua braids was handling the - obnoxiously loud - music. Groups of guests were scattered around the tables chatting, playing games or sampling some of the many alcoholic drinks available. Her eyes widened in horror when she began to count. There were more than thirty guests and almost as many bottles.
She didn't even try to hide her anxiety when she turned to Aether.
''W-well, what do we do now ?''
''You simply enjoy the party and give the gift to Yoimiya when you see her.''
Of course he'd be hyped about this kind of event. Instead of rolling her eyes, she raised her voice to make herself heard.
''How long do you plan on partying for ?''
''Well, what's your limit ?''
She gave the crowd a doubtful look. ''Not much, really''
He nodded in response. ''Come find me if you ever feel uncomfortable, and I'll drop everything.'' He lightly punched her in the shoulder with a smile. ''Talk to a few people and try to relax, okay ? I'll try to check up on you every once in a while.''
And now she was on her own.
There was no opportunity to introduce herself to anyone. Well, not that it mattered. She'd probably mess everything up anyway. It was best to just wait for Yoimiya to show up and give her the gift.
After just standing in a corner for half an hour, someone tapped on her shoulder.
''Hey, you're looking bored out of your mind, is everything alright ?''
She turned around and, to her surprise, it wasn't Aether. A ginger-haired stranger was offering her a friendly smile.
''Oh, uh, not at all ! I'm waiting for a certain Yoimiya...''
''What a coincidence ! I also happen to be one of her friends !'' He shook her hand with the same toothbrush ad smile plastered on his face. ''I'm Ajax. And may I know this pretty girl's name ?''
''It's Ayaka.'' She quickly glanced around her. Aether was nowhere in sight. Actually maybe he was, but the ginger's build was taking up most of her field of view.
''Ayaka, huh. That's a cute name.'' He grabbed a beer on the table behind her, taking advantage of the opportunity to lean closer. ''Well, what does Ayaka drink ?''
What was it with strangers getting inches away from her face, today ?
''I appreciate the thought, but I don't drink, sorry.''
''Oh, that's a bummer.'' His smile was now trying to replace the sun. ''I was just thinking that you'd want to have a little fun, that's all. You don't seem like you go to a lot of parties.''
''I...really don't.'' she said with a sigh.
''Well, all the more reason to empty a few bottles.'' He grabbed another bottle with the same movement as before. When he opened it, Ayaka was hit with an overbearing smell. He poured the transparent liquid in two cups and handed her one. ''Here, try this. You'll feel a lot more at ease with that in your system.''
''I'm pretty sure I already gave you my answer.''
''Hey there's nothing wrong with drinking.'' He downed his own cup. ''Now, your turn.''
Peer pressure ? Why was he so bent on making her drink ? She frowned. '' I said no.''
His expression was beginning to crumble into a more aggressive one. ''Girlie, please. What, you're gonna tell me that you're not that kind of girl ? Just grab a drink, and we'll go talk somewhere a little more private, okay ?''
Was he hard of hearing ? Or maybe he just wanted to have a taste of her self-defense skills... Then again beating up a stranger at a party you were not even invited to might not be the best course of action.
Before she could make that mistake, a hand landed on the ginger's shoulder. ''Childe, get lost.''
When did Aether appear ? Her attention being completely on Ajax, she failed to notice him.
The ginger's tone shifted so dramatically it was almost scary.
''Comrade ! How you been ? I didn't think I'd see someone who remembered my middle school nickname tonight.''
Aether ignored the remark. Instead he looked into Childe's eyes. Deceptive. He hadn't changed one bit.
''Whatever.'' He turned to his roommate. ''Ayaka, I suppose you want to go ? Yoimiya texted me to say that she was stuck in traffic and probably won't be there for another hour. We can just leave the gift here.''
Ayaka grabbed her jacket. ''No objections here.'' Her ice-cold glare stabbed Ajax's soul. ''I almost did something stupid.''
Childe still looked ridiculously relaxed. Rather than just letting them go, he stood in Aether's way with an apologetic-looking face.
''Aw, come on man, you should have just said that she was off-limits ! I'd never hit on my comrade's girlfriend.'' He was still checking her out without a hint of shame. ''I must say, you have excellent taste.''
''Mister Ajax, would you kindly fuck off ?''
Aether raised both eyebrows in surprise. Huh, Ayaka could swear ? That was unexpected. The look she quickly gave him meant, however, that now wasn't the time to question that. It would be wiser to just walk away. And tease her about it later.
For half a second, Childe lost his composure. As they began to walk away, he knew exactly what to say.
''Hey, how's Lumine these days ?''
Aether immediately stopped moving. He turned his face a few degrees to the left, just enough to let Childe know that he was talking to him, without letting him see his expression.
''I don't know, she's probably fine. And don't you dare act like you know something that I don't.''
''Is that so ?'' The fake smile from before was back. ''I probably heard about her more in the past six months than you did.''
''Then congratulations, Childe.'' His tone became sharper than broken glass. ''You know how to make good use of your connections with these criminals.''
''Criminals ? That's a harsh thing to say about the Abyss, don't you think ?''
Aether fully turned around. His eyes pierced through Ajax as if he wasn't there.
Ayaka was still watching the exchange awkwardly.
''And what are you gonna do about it ?''
He would had looked a lot more intimidating if his roommate didn't suddenly tug on his braid.
''Come on, let's go. If I don't get to beat him up, neither do you.''
''Ouch. And sure. You can let go now.''
''Good.''
Ayaka opened the door. Just when Childe was about to say something, he was interrupted.
''One last thing, Childe. If you ever talk to my sister, or even try to peek into my family's business again, i will end you.''
''But of cou-''
The door closed behind them.
''Phew !'' Aether stretched. ''I guess coming to this party wasn't my brightest idea, huh ? We didn't even get to see the birthday girl.''
Ayaka was already stomping away. ''You don't say.''
That sentence was too short to let him figure out her mood, but it probably wasn't great. He quickly caught up to her.
''Ayaka, I'm sorry.''
''Don't be.''
''I shouldn't have left you all alo-''
She suddenly turned around. Only when he saw her face did he understand that she didn't feel mad, but guilty.
''Listen, I get that you're trying to help me, but you're just wasting your time. Just now, I was about to hit him.''
He objected. ''In your defense, Childe is a massive prick.''
'Besides, time spent on you is never wasted.' he didn't say.
She shook her head. ''In any case, tonight was a complete mess.''
''Tonight's not over yet.'' he said before glancing at his phone. ''It's only 9pm.''
Oh god, what kind of crazy plan did he have now ?
''Let's go get something good to eat. After all that, the least I can do is treat you.''
''You're...just hungry, aren't you ?''
It was at this exact moment that her stomach decided to betray her with a loud growl.
''…''
''Fine, you win. Where are we going ?''
His face lit up with a smile.
''Don't worry, I know just the place.''
