Chapter 8

I stiffened, my grip on the wood tightening. I twisted around, raising the case threateningly. Feliciano's eyes were warm and bright, yet widened in alarm. My legs quivered as I took a step back. He raised a hand and pointed. "Is it nap time yet?"

I flinched away from his extended arm. "W-what?"

My friend's dopey smile fell, and he titled his head. "You are holding a clock, so you must know the time." He looked down at his feet. "I was trying to be funny."

I raised my eyebrows and swept my gaze over him. He was back to his usual self with no crazed look in his eyes, or twitchy fingers. The spell had worked. I stuffed the paper into my kimono and hung the clock back on the wall. I stared at it in awe.

"K-Kiku?" Feliciano whined out. "Are you okay?"

I faced him. "Never been better."

He gawked at me for a moment, then his expression melted into one of pure joy. "Ve! You have a cute smile!"

"Ah, no, please do not-" My pleas were in vain. It was too late. His arms were already around my body, squeezing me. We rocked side to side, my friend humming in content. My eyes shut tightly. Besides the creeping exhaustion from all the running, yes, I was much more elated than I had been an hour ago, or I will be. The technical terms evaded my throbbing head.

"A-all right, Feli-kun. You can let go of me now," I put my hands on his chest to push him away.

"Aw! But you are so cute and huggable!" He gave me one last embrace before releasing.

Heat blossomed on my cheeks. This is why we have these problems! I bit my tongue and brushed my sleeve.

Feliciano spun around and ran off with his arms spread out, shouting a loud greeting to someone. It must be Ludwig. I hesitantly followed him with much less enthusiasm. Before I turned into the kitchen, he stepped out.

"I was just about to see if you were awake," Ludwig grunted. His eyebrows mashed together. "Is something wrong?"

I caught myself gawking at him. "Ah, sorry. I did not mean to stare. Is Feli-kun making breakfast?"

"Yes, he already did. Pasta," Ludwig hissed, throwing Feliciano a distasteful look as he sang, and dumped wet noodles into a colander. "I tried stopping him..."

"Do not worry, spaghetti is fine." My stomach rumbled and I put a hand against it.

"Our outing is still set up for Thursday, ja?"

I stiffened. "O-our outing?"

"To the movies and for dinner, " he prompted.

"R-right. The movies and dinner," I played along. "Did you buy tickets?"

"Ja, and I set up a reservation for three."

"Sounds good," I pulled out a chair and fell into it. "Please remind me, why are we doing it?"

"You suggested it," Ludwig stared with narrowed eyes before shaking his head, and turned his attention to my other friend.

Feliciano set two large plates of noodles in front of us. "Movies!" He sang and went to retrieve his own plate. "You said that we have not gone out together for a while, and we could go out to eat, and watch something at the movie theater! It's going to be a fun play date!"

Date. My mouth popped open. How could I forget?! I vigorously nodded, grasping my fork. "Yes! It will be fun, with the three of us. I am looking forward to it."

Ludwig did not say anything. He shoveled pasta into his mouth.

Feliciano waved at him from the other side of me, "Luddy! Are you not excited?"

"I'm fine," he growled. "Just worried."

I asked, "About your new position?"

He looked up at me, his eyes wide. "How did you know?"

I gulped. "Feliciano-kun told me."

Ludwig's mouth pulled down. "Really? I do not remember telling him that yet."

"Told me what?" Feliciano tipped his head and smiled. I gawked at the both of them, silently cursing myself.

"I guess it is not a surprise anymore," Ludwig grimaced, twirling his utensil. "I have been temporary promoted to patrol the town. It is long hours, but I can use the extra money for the upcoming holidays."

"Ve!" Feliciano squealed happily, wiggling around in his chair. "That is great news! Now we definitely have to get more pasta!"

I was vaguely aware of him snatching my now empty plate away. I have to be more careful revealing what I know around anybody. I did not realize it would be annoying having to repeat some trivial things. However, it will be worth it once I prevent my friend from going crazy. I looked over at my shoulder. Feliciano was bouncing on his heels, and scooping more noodles on our plates. I will have to do something different than what I did before. I will need to be around him more often than last time, to find and stop whatever made him lose himself. I decided to call Elizaveta later to cancel our plans.

I nodded meekly as he set down my second helping and flopping next to me. Feliciano was performing wide gestures, and batting his eyes at my other friend. I looked down at my plate, suddenly guilty. I would have to jeopardize their date he enjoyed-would enjoy- if I were to right my wrongs.