Here I am again this week with a new chapter~. This one will be more a easy heart warmer of just Elesis doing the last bit of her shopping for the party. This will hopefully also provide insight to how things developed for the main three girls. The chapter will contain a number of references to certain medias out, so hopefully you all won't get lost in trying to follow that aspect. With that said, this will have a few serious moments from here on, but I've done my best to balance it all out. (I Make these ahead of time for consistent posts and to get the ideas down as i get them.) Hope you all enjoy and please look forward to more next week ^^
Chapter 4
Open Hearts
I awaken to the gently nudging of Rena, who looks curious if anything, Ara looks to be slightly concerned. "You alright Ele? We got a bit worried when we didn't see you with us. Well worrywart Ara more so, I thought you went to take a bath." I sigh and sit up before chuckling a bit. "Yeah... getting intimate with you two drains me some. But I'm happy that you both feel that way towards me." The two instantly hug onto me, sharing their warm bodies and freshly cleaned scents. They must have used the bathroom as well, I don't mind much if they took it together... otherwise I'll see it on the bills! "I am eternally happy we can remain as we always have. We love you Elesis." Ara expresses her happiness with light tears of joy as they both snuggle with me on the couch. "Heh... I hate to break up the moment but, it looks like it's getting late." I say noticing the sun going down already. They take a look back and giggle some. "Well~ we had a good time visiting with our cute little Ele. Let's be sure we visit often~." I giggle along with them and we gaze into each others eyes before hugging. Ara kisses me and then Rena does so as well before they unlatch from me and get their shoes. "See you on Friday you two, Love you both." I say waving to them as they giggle and wave back. They lock hands with each other and head on their way. I certainly hope those two focus on their studying rather than other things... somehow it warms my heart seeing those two all lovey with each other as well as me. We're friends afterall... and I now lovers too.
I walk back up to my room and notice two presents on my bed. A green and yellow one, probably representing their favorite colors. I take them both in my hand and they're pretty weightless, maybe little accessories. I open them both and smile at the contents. Rena's present is a long black ribbon that I think I can use for the braids I do for my hair in back. Ara's is a hair clip with a claymore design on it. She talks about me having the spirit of a strong knight sometimes... I suppose she thought this felt appropriate. It's nice though and I'll make sure to wear these both. Aha! I think I'll clip the hair clip to the ribbon to signify our little groups bond. Maybe that's a bit cheesy but I feel that's most appropriate for our relationship now. In a way, this really sets my mind at ease. With everything bearing down and this sudden relationship with them. This makes me feel calm, holding their presents to my chest a bit, I let out a happy sigh and set them on my dresser. Right there, I can grab them first thing in the morning.
The next day I'm wandering the streets to see about getting the two party stars some presents. I think Aisha is big into romance novels last I heard from Elsword. I wonder if she'd like a shoujo manga to add to her collection. It's not as wordy but they are engaging. I soon enter a book store and spot a selection of them in the back. I'm totally blind as to what she has but maybe something I've read before will work? I look through the selection and spot my old favorite "Zodiac Winter" it's romance, comedy, and it gets dramatic at times. I nod to myself and look over my bank account on my phone. These times are very convenient whenever you lose track of numbers that are important. I seem to have enough to get two volumes for her and some left for Elsword. I can get him a game he's been looking forward to... question is, are there any copies left? It is Christmas right now and the stores are closing early today. I make the purchase and rush over to the next store to see if they have the game.
Before I can reach it though, I bump into someone and get knocked to the ground from the impact. "Ow... sorry." I say as I get up and notice the person in front of me is actually Professor Raven. "It's quite alright, greetings to you Elesis." he says with a calm smile, seeming to have not even been budged by me bumping into him. "Ah it's a pleasure to see you here sir." "Please just Raven outside of the college. No need to be formal on today of all days." He tells me reassuringly. I nod to him and before I can head on my way he put's his hand on my shoulder. "You look rather stressed, would you mind joining me for lunch? I do need to discuss some concerns I have." I look to him and then to the store before sighing and feel my stomach growl some. This is what I get for skipping breakfast today I suppose. "Alright, thanks Raven." He smiles and nods before walking on with me close in tow. I wonder what he's concerned about. And I hope I can make it to the store.
Soon we come to a cozy little cafe that actually serves all meals every day! Maybe Ara, Rena and I can come here some time on a date... oh boy, now I'm thinking like girlfriend now huh? Hehe... "Welcome to Richian's, may I take your order?" A waitress asks us. "I'll have milk-coffee and honey ham." Raven speaks to the waitress. She jots it down on her notepad and looks to me. I think to myself and look over the menu over quickly. "Hot chocolate and an order of ham and eggs, please." She jots it down, happily humming to herself and nods to us. "Thank you, enjoy your stay!" With that she walks off leaving us alone. Raven crosses his arms on the table and looks directly at me. "So, I wanted to talk to you about your various states of emotional fits the past couple of weeks." I just awkwardly laugh and look away a bit. "About that... I took it upon myself to host a birthday party for two at my house and the planning on top of that assignment sorta got me stressed." He nods listening intently. "I see, so that's what's got you worked up then?" I nod to him. "Well seems like you're looking a lot better now, so I assume everything is coming together nicely?" I nod to him again with a smile. "Yeah, though it's more due to my friends helping me the past couple of days." He nods once more and looks to the busy little cafe with other couples enjoying their time together.
Once the food and drinks come he begins to speak again. "Are they just friends? I noticed Ara had said 'I love you' to you." I just smile awkwardly a bit as I blow on the top of the cup that holds my hot chocolate. "It was sorta sudden but well... Me and Ara are together now... heh, never figured I'd turn... well." He chuckles a bit. "It's okay to admit when you love someone. Who you are is who you are. No one's opinion should change that." I nod to him smiling before taking a sip and cringing to the searing heat of the hot chocolate and setting it back down with a sigh. "I wouldn't want to implicate anything but what about Rena? I notice her dote on you too you know." I scratch my cheek lightly while laughing awkwardly. "She's... well Rena, she really liked to push me and her together since high school. When we all met there she all the sudden seemed to ship us. She's a bit crazy but radiant and heart warming." He nods once again before sipping his milk-coffee. "Times are always changing, I remember my fiance, She use to be an idol before we met. She was young but did amazing concerts for schools and stadiums alike." Hmm, I suppose I get to know more about him. "I lost my left arm in an accident by the time she came to my school. And out of all the students there she chose to show interest in me. Maybe out of pity? Maybe curiosity? I don't know, but we quickly fell in love during my final year in high school." Heh... love seems to bloom early huh?
He takes a look to his food but doesn't start eating yet. I decide to take a bite of my meal during the silence. I squeal a bit at how good it tastes! It's gotta be somewhere I take those two out on a date! "Heh... I'll tell ya, having fanboys on me taking their 'waifu' wasn't the easiest thing but we managed quite well. So much that not even a month after I graduated I proposed to her." I nod with a smile to him as I listen to his story. "Life was nice... but it unfortunately wouldn't last that long. Seris fell ill and was soon bedridden." My eyes widen to this sudden twist. "At just 21 she passed away... but always stayed her cheerful self even when faced with death. She would always tell me to follow my dream no matter what, and that she had fulfilled her dreams already. With that in mind and heart... I took to becoming a college professor. To teach the generations to come the ways of life, while looking out for them." his story is bittersweet... but the fact that he continues on is inspiring. He's living his dream... but what is mine after I complete my course? I question it a bit as I sip on my now tolerably heated hot chocolate. They must use a foreign manufactured chocolate to make this... because it's really good!
The silence only lasts for a minute after I sip on my hot chocolate. "Just remember to cherish everything you have and strive for your goals Elesis." I smile bright to his words. "Thank you Raven. You're a good guy for continuing on as you do, helping others you know. I look forward to being in your class through my college life!" He chuckles and nods. We soon finish eating and after small talk I notice that the store is already closed for the day... dang. "Hmm, getting a present for your brother?" I look to him and nod to his question. "But I guess it probably would have been out anyways. That new 'fate' game and it's expansion stuff..." He thinks to himself a bit. "Does he have a game called 'Black Spirits'?" He questions again. I shake my head as I hang my head down in defeat. "I wouldn't mind parting with my own copy, I've beaten it about twelve times but can't make the time for it anymore." I perk up my head and look to him once more. "Would you really do that? I really wouldn't want to trouble you with my problems..." He laughs a bit and motions me to follow him. I suppose this game would be good if Raven's beaten it twelve time... it's better than nothing for sure. I just hope it's not inconveniencing him any.
Soon we come to a quaint little house around the borders of the city line, not too far from the shops really. It's odd though, I expected him to be in an apartment. It's nice though, away from the hustle and bustle of the city but still near enough to get everything you need just walking distance away. It's different from our house but in a way also the same. I suppose I'll just wait here for him to get the game. "Come on in Elesis, I have one last question to ask if you don't mind." I tilt my head a bit in confusion but I nod and head in. Suddenly it hits me... is this His and Seris' house? It must be something he holds dear to him since it probably has memories of her in here. That makes sense to me... at least that's what I think. He leads me to the couch and I see his variety of consoles right under his TV and in the shelves of his entertainment center. It's then I notice his left arm after he takes off his jacket, it really is a prosthetic arm... a metallic one somewhat like those science fiction films or games I see. He looks through his game selection when look rather untouched for a little while judging by the dust collected. He gets the game and hands it to me. "Here you are. I hope he's ready for a challenge." I chuckle a little bit. I store it in the bag that has the manga I got for Aisha.
He sits down in his own chair and looks directly at me. "I was curious how your group of friends met, if it's alright of me to ask." I smile awkwardly and scratch my cheek a bit. "It's fine, you told me how you and Seris met, so it's only fair right?" he chuckles a bit and nods. "I suppose that is a fair trade then." Believe it or not, I met Ara first, it was an event back in the middle of middle school that there was a pen pal program to soon to be exchange students of Fahrmann. Maybe by chance, maybe by fate, I was Ara's pen pal. Her first letter was apparent with her nervousness with this exchange. Her handwriting was pretty sloppy and a number of spelling errors, one thing she had though was grammar... heh. It was a simple greeting and stating she was looking forward to be doing this. I replied with encouraging words to help her relax and feel she had a friend here. Every three days we had our mails sent and the other would receive. I got to know more than a fair share of her home and herself. Our talks were small but we enjoyed ourselves and look forward to replies. Our final letter was the last ones we would share before she moved. She expressed how excited she was to be transferring over to our country and finally meet her friend. Needless to say I said I was looking forward to her coming and studying along with me. She greeted me with a big hug when she finally came here... then immediately ran into a pole in her excitement to see everything. Heh... she's a clumsy one but she doesn't seem to really let it affect her. She remains cheerful but also supportive.
Little did I know at the time, we would only be spending half a year in middle school together... on account of her being a year older than me. She cried waterfalls when it was time for her to start high school. We kept in contact through texting and meeting occasionally on weekends the next year. She would talk about how friendly people are there and despite the harder work, she was enjoying it. When it came down to my turn to enter high school you would never guess who got a boob hug the very second I stepped into high school. She screamed "You're such a cutie!" in an excited squeal and I couldn't even get a word in, due to being suffocated and all. Next thing I know she disappeared and I got my air back. All I saw of her after that was her blonde hair with that signature green tint to it. Turns out Rena was her name and she was a new friend of Ara's when we finally met back up. She was a beauty, but also eccentric and bright to say the least. And in the very first day we all made a pact to stay together in school and life. Rena tease us but now I see she really was trying to push us together for real. In the end I'm thankful for it, for everything. They've helped me and I've helped them through these years.
He nods as I finish my little story. "I see, you've got a good bunch in your life. You're responsible and accepting, adaptable. These are all good traits Elesis, be sure you cherish your time with them." I nod to him and smile. "Thank you Sir... er... Raven." He chuckles and checks his clock. "Thank you for keeping me company today. I'm glad I could talk to someone about everything as I'm sure you are." "Hehe, you're nice, if not a little cheesy. Not that it's a bad thing of course. Thanks for today Raven, see you tomorrow in class!" I say with a little wave as I get up and start leaving. "And be sure to stay safe out there." He adds on before I head out. "Yeah yeah, teachers are naturally worried about their students huh?" I speak to myself out of his earshot. I look at the game he gave me and it's art of a knight entering some sort of void. Curious but I guess we'll see what it's all about when Elsword either raves or rages about it. As I enter back to the loud sounds of cars and tons of footsteps of bystanders. I pay no mind to it but I notice a mean looking guy staring at me... white hair in a weird style and a purple and black coat with white fluff around the collar. He gives a creepy smile as he approaches me from behind. A hand on my shoulder and the line "Hey there baby, mind if we have a word?"