"I heard there will be a new event this summer, kid." Antares patted Haseo's back hard they have just finished getting the item that Gaspard wanted to sell at their guild's trade shop. Master and pupil decided to stay for a bit and enjoy the artificial scenery, "Have you purchased your bikini?" he blurted out a bit louder than Haseo wanted then the older player laughed adding to his pupil's annoyance, "What? Don't tell me you're not going to come?"
"I'm going to start studying for university exams." He said with a bored tone, "And what's so exciting about this summer event anyway? You'll just be able to dress your character up in swimsuits and take a dip in areas with water. It's not so special."
Antares gasped and looked at his pupil as if he grew another head, "What did you just say?" he had Haseo in a headlock while the other kept trying to get a way for him to release his hold, "It's special because of the babes in swimsuit swimming! And not only that there's a beach volleyball event too! Did I teach you nothing?" his pupil managed to get away, "You're going to miss out on a lot if you don't go."
"I won't go!" he snapped his master snickered and he glared at him, "What?"
"I bet if your girlfriend asked you to go, you would! Traitor!"
Haseo snorted, "I don't have a girlfriend." He said a matter of fact.
Antares spat on the ground and Haseo made a disgusted face, "Well, not anymore you do!" he said and he rolled his eyes, "Not with your attitude, kid!"
"What's that supposed to mean?" he inquired.
"Nothing, kid. Ignore this old man's blabbering. Anyway, I'll be heading along now. Think about what I said." He got up and ruffled the former Terror of Death's hair, "See ya, kid!" with that he vanished.
"Fairy's orb. Tch, lazy old man." He stretched then laid back fully on the open field then closed his eyes, "I wonder why Yata called Antares."
Yata was waiting for Antares and Zelkova at the Serpent of Lore but they weren't the ones who're in his mind at all, he was thinking about the other day when Endrance paid him a visit he smiled as he recalled the manner that they have spoken to each other.
Endrance came in the Serpent of Lore and greeted Yata quite formally, Pi trailed in after him and she seemed to be staring a lot at the Temptress as if she was 'tempted'.
"It's good to see you Endrance." Yata said casually
Endrance smile, "I was hoping you'd say… it's good to see you again… however, knowing that you've seen me at least in one of your eyes… seems to defeat the purpose…"
Yata chuckled although Endrance spoke to him on a few occasions before the 'Endrance' back then always made it a point to make himself have the last say in every conversation but at the moment, the player before him seemed to bait him into continuing the exchange of words, he turned to look at Pi who seemed very proud of the blade brandier, "To tell you the truth, I have one eye focused on you. Pi and Atoli, even Aina, seemed so intent in keeping an eye on you lately." With that Endrance focused his gaze on Pi who was blushing madly and was stuttering to defend herself.
Endrance just gave a dreamy smile, "I should be flattered… that beautiful ladies… would have concern for me…" Yata recognized the tone Endrance used, it dripped with obvious flirtation. One that the bearer of Fidchell would never would have thought, that Endrance would ever use on a person aside from Haseo.
"Oh Endrance, by the way have you heard about the summer event?" Pi asked to take the tension away from her.
Endrance nodded and leaned his weight on the table, "Zelkova was quite… excited about it… and Hiiragi plans on buying as many two pcs. As he could… and wear them… to be honest, I'm quite thrilled myself… I haven't been able to go to the ocean… having that event and attending would be like the closest I'll ever get… to the real thing… since we epitaph users… have the privilege to feel The World's surroundings as if it was the real world…" Both Pi and Yata nodded at what he said.
"Are you going to participate in any of the contests?" Endrance just shrugged at Yata's question and said he didn't want to however, Matsu signed them both up in the beach volleyball contest and he was enlisted in a male character pageant courtesy of Hiiragi, "You do know that you're required to wear a swimsuit to enter." Yata raised his eyebrow and stared at Endrance.
"Yes, I… realized that and… initially, I wanted to decline… but I'm not the only one who's going to wear one… so why not?" Endrance tilted his head and brought his finger to lips then looked from Pi to Yata, "Besides, some players… have already been in summer wear… before the event has even been announced…" he smiled coyly pleased with what he said as he made Pi and Yata become conscious of what they're wearing, "I heard that… there will be… stalls to buy… souvenirs… and at the end of the event there will be fireworks…"
"There would also be mini-games and a surfing contest, " Pi adjusted her glasses before continuing, "I heard from Silabus that Kuhn will be joining, they're still trying to convince Haseo to—" realizing that she had spoken Haseo's name she stopped what she was going to say next and studied Endrance.
"Is that… so?" the Temptress whispered and shortly after Pi and Yata seemed to notice a change in Endrance's playful manner, he seemed to retreat back to his shell. Yata cleared his throat and the tall player snapped back to attention, they heard a knock and all their heads turned to the door, Wise Grunty appeared through the door followed by Hiiragi. Endrance excused himself to talk with him.
"I'm sorry for intruding on your little get together but I'm done with my duties at the trade shop, Endrance." He said while twirling his fingers on the tips of the Temptress' lavender hair.
The Temptress nodded, "Will you head to Moon Tree now?" he saw Hiiragi's brows knotted and asked if he was okay, "Yes, I'm… fine."
"Look, I could be the 'excuse' if you want to go back now."
"They're also my friends, Hiiragi… I don't need excuses…" he frowned then Hiiragi pecked him on the cheek, "What was that for?"
Hiiragi smiled and acted as if he was dusting Endrance's armor, "It's a mother's way of giving her son a boost of confidence," Endrance smiled, "and it's a way to say, 'I'll be going now' Zelkova wants the report on what's sold out immediately. Are you still going to chat with your friends?"
"Yes, I want to… spend time with them too…" Endrance looked towards Yata, Pi and Wise Grunty who seemed to be in deep conversation. He smiled. "We have… a lot of catching up to do…" Hiiragi nodded then excused himself then left with Wise Grunty behind him. Endrance walked back to Yata and Pi.
Pi cleared her throat, "I don't mean to pry, Endrance, but are you and Hiiragi…" she trailed off and the Temptress chuckled.
"Both… our hearts… belong to someone else… not to each other…" he said, "Hiiragi is… very special though… he's like a mother…" Endrance smiled when he remembered that times that Hiiragi would mother-hen him and at the same time Kaede would worry herself like an elder sister while Matsu protected him like a big brother. Zelkova playful as he is would always proclaim himself as his eldest brother who would play tag with him until he grows up, "I have a wonderful family in Moon Tree, Kaede and Matsu… seems to fit the big sister and big brother role while Zelkova who says I'm the youngest son… has this otouto complex… I believe he enjoys the "Family Tree" play we're having."
"That sounds like a very dysfunctional family Endrance." Pi commented then giggled, inside she was elated. She was happy for Endrance.
"You know… I also find it… quite dysfunctional… but I won't have it… in any other way… you know, you guys also have… parts in the story too…"
"We have?" Yata asked, "And who are we exactly?"
"You guys… are my friends." Endrance gently smile and it was so contagious that Yata and Pi couldn't help but smile as well.
Yata heard a knock and was snapped out of his musings. Pi came in and held the door open for Antares and Zelkobva, "Good Evening, gentlemen." He said as they stood before him.
Tbc…
Chapter 4 done~
WOW!~ I'm on a roll!~ haha~ I uploaded four chapters in one month~
Anyway, idk when I'd upload another though~ ^^;; prolly not for too long since my jobs allows me to slack off for hours more than I actually work~
Err, but I'm not a slacker it's just my current setting at work~ haha~ **shuts up**
Well, I'd just see you guys next time!~ stay happy!~ m(^_^)m