Ch. 44 Kaela
She made quick steps to secure a place. She grimaced at the rattling seat, but beckoned the bartender to join anyway.
"You okay?" The Bartender noted her sensitivity.
"Yeah. Just busy. Whatever is fine." She grunted.
The bartender changed to a calmer music than before, and lowered the volume.
"This doesn't suit you." he mentioned effortlessly.
"Just a lot of Homework."
"How's your viewers?"
"They're nice. Many streams done. Not necessarily without trouble, but I enjoy it."
"Any annoyance?"
"Sure, but that's with any idols."
"Hmm. What did you learn from becoming one?"
"...It's more work than I thought."
"And?"
"Not…as fun."
"Did your view change? Towards popularity perhaps?"
"Surely did. Idols got it tough. We got to worry about everybody. Can't half-heart it. Each person is a bullet. I need to say the right word every time. It's so stressful…"
"Yet, you didn't quit."
"I just figured, I could've been nicer than I thought."
"That's very common, you know?"
"Hmm?"
"What popularity does. How disappointing it is. The eyes that seem to stare you from every nook. The paranoia. The worries. It's more than I can handle, not gonna lie."
"..."
"But popularity is fun."
"It sure is."
"Double-edged sword worth grabbing hold of."
"Yes…"
"But, even a warrior needs their rest."
"..."
"Anybody does. You come here to rest, thoughtlessly, even ignoring your troubles. You need to be proactive about resting."
"I suppose."
"May I get your bill ready? I feel like home would feel better."
"Thanks. Please do."
She cleared the drink without notable spikes on her nerves. She figured the Bartender even considered this far.
Ch. 45 Kronii
"Hi, I can use some company." Kronii invited.
"Of course. How may I be of service?"
"I'm…not happy."
"Oh. My condolences."
"I got too much trouble than I want to admit."
"Everybody got trouble."
"...That's true." His generalization put her on edge.
"But it's troublesome if you don't want to admit it."
"...hm?"
"It's not that admitting is difficult. But you fear what comes after it, don't you?"
"...I don't want to admit it."
"Why?"
"Because…I'm afraid I will turn into a monster." Kronii verged on tears.
"Let it out."
"But.."
"It will be fine Miss."
The bartender flipped the opening sign, and dimmed the light to set a comforting mood.
"I'm…so alone."
"But you're not. You got your family. Friends. And…you are heard right now."
"It was so hard."
"I'm sure it was."
She sniffed and cried into the pillow the old bartender lent. She cried for a good half an hour, and fell lightly asleep. The empty glass sat next to her dozing breath.