"You are leaving during summer vacation?!"(Both)
"Yes, my family and I go to Michigan to visit some relatives, we usually stay there for about a month and a half to two months."
"I see so your bracelets were to make sure that we didn't forget about us being friends with you."(Luis)
A bit childish but It's mary we are talking about.
"Well... I mean.." Mary became embarrassed and looked down.
"Is that true Mary-chan?!" Mary just nodded while still trying to hide her embarrassment. " You are so cute Mary-chan," she said as she jumped for Mary and hugged her tightly.
I guess it kind of is, however, I'm kind of mad.
"Mary, come here for a sec."
"...Okay."
She steps away from the embracing Tara
"Sit in front of me."
"...Okay."
She sits down in front of me
"Hand me the bracelet for a second."
"Okay."
I examine the bracelet for a bit. Looks pretty good, I put it on, now, to the main problem at hand. I hit her head with a karate chop.
"Owww... why did you-"
"Because you are an idiot! Don't you think you are underestimating us a bit too much?"
"Wha do you mean?"
"I don't think you need any assurance that we are your friends!"
"HUH!?"(Mary)
"In other words..." crap now that the emotion is gone this is kind of embarrassing to say," even if we don't...have something like this... *mumble* we will still be your friend *mumble*." Crap looks like I contracted Mary's disease of saying some outlandishly embarrassing shit.
"..."
"*Cough* Anyways, I have to go to the bathroom."
I left for the bathroom but before I did I glanced at Tara's and Mary's faces. It looks like Mary was quite happy and embarrassed about the last statement. On the other hand, while Tara's face is also happy and smiling I feel a hint of something else, wonder what it could be? I stay in the bathroom for 5 minutes or so before coming back in again.
"So then let's keep this going."
"Sure."
We somewhat ignored my previous commentary and decided to continue our hangout. We continued talking and eating some snacks until it was time for us to leave.
"Let's do a farewell party for Mary-chan."(Tara)
"Sounds fair."(Luis)
"You don't... have to-"
"You are right we don't, we get to do a farewell party for our Mary-chan, right Luis"
" Well I wouldn't put it like that, but I think we should have one. We were thinking of having a small party after we were all finished with testing but Tara's testing period finishes one week after ours so Tara and I were already on board with a party, It just came earlier than we thought it would."
"Okay"(Mary)
After chatting a bit with Mary.
"It's getting somewhat late, we should probably leave."(Luis)
"Yeah, I guess so."(Tara)
"Ok then...bye have a nice weekend" (Mary)
"See ya."(Luis)
"Bye Mary-chan."(Tara)
"Oh and Luis.."(Mary)
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
"Don't know what you are thanking me for, anyway let's go now Tara it's getting late."
"Yeah, Yeah."(Tara)
We left the house in silence and after a bit, Tara spoke.
"Do you like Mary-chan?"
" Mhhhhh. I am not sure myself, I don't think I could answer that question right now."
"What do you mean by that?" she said a little annoyed
"Well then let me imagine this situation. You haven't had friends for about 5 years and then all of a sudden someone who is not your family becomes your friend. In a sense you would be grateful to that person but whether you like them or not, Could you be sure? Feelings like 'I don't want to lose them" or something like that may not stem from love but rather from the fact that you may end up alone again."
"Aren't you just making excuses to yourself?"
"Very likely, but are you 100% sure it's not possible that's not the case?"
"...No, I can't."
"Then would you want someone who's not sure of how they feel to date your Mary-chan?"
"No, but-"
"There are no buts, it's just how I think, that's all there is to it."
"You think too much with your head for your own good."
"Better than some airhead who jumps to conclusions. Anyways, we've arrived at the subway station, we shouldn't have this conversation in public, don't you think?"
"Ok."
We ride the subway station, we didn't speak the way back, Tara seems to be thinking of something. Well, she'll probably voice her opinion once we are outside of this crowded area and alone without anyone overhearing. We walked off the station and sure enough.
"Anyone around?"
"Don't sense anyone within my sensing zone, so unless they have some superhearing power, I don't think they can hear us."
"Ok, then, about Mary-chan..."
"Spill it."
"Do you think we should tell her about your powers?"
"That's another thing I've been thinking about. I was planning on telling her in our test ending party and wanted to discuss with you. But now I know she's leaving, should we wait until she gets back?"
"Why?"
"Well I'm 100% sure that she can keep a secret but I have a hunch that we should just wait until she comes back."
"...Okay? Then I guess that's that for now?"
"...That's strange."
"What is?"
"I thought for sure that you would try to convince me to tell her even if I had my doubts."
"Well I mean... just like the thing with your feelings... it is your power so I just thought it was up to you to decide."
"Look at you being considerate about other people and growing up."
"Shut up!"
Looks like we've arrived home already.
"We've arrived at our destination madam, shall we enter?" I say teasingly with a slight bow.
"I said shut up!"
We enter the apartment and then I start heading out the window.
"Are you seriously going up there?"
"Yes, I might as well use up all of my mana today for training you know, I'll be using big spells so it will be quick."
"If you can even consider those big spells?"
"The spells keep on getting bigger. Soon they will to big too big for the roof, you will see!"
"Yeah, yeah, you can't even cut metal."
"You make it sound as if cutting metal is easy."
"...Actually, if your spells are getting bigger, won't we need to find a new place for you to train?"
"Yeah, I think so, but we'll worry about that some other time. Just like I always say-"
"Leave tomorrow's problems to tomorrow's you?"
"You know me too well don't you?"
"Yes now get up there and train, won't you?"
"Sure."
I go up the stairs and train until I exhausted myself. I lay down and stayed like that for a while. After a while, a familiar face popped her head out. We talked for abit, about Mary-chan and her leaving among other things. After that, we left the roof and headed down. I did my nightly assimilation and fell asleep right after.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
The next three weeks were uneventful. I had my morning practices. I talked with Mary during the day and trained during the afternoon. We hung out every weekend doing many different things and we also planned Mary's party and finally, the Saturday after our final exams came.
"And with that, we open our party, Cheers!"(Tara)
"Cheers."(Both)
"Can't believe it's been about a month and a half since we met Mary-chan."(Tara)
"Yep many things have happened. Both fun and annoying." I say annoying while looking at Tara.
"Yep, and we also have many of Mary-chan's blushful moments and sayings." (Tara)
"Stop," Mary says as she blushes.
"And, now we have another one before you leave."(Luis)
"..."(Mary)
"Anyways why don't we get started."
We have some fun chatting and eating.
"So you'll be leaving tomorrow morning and stay two months then?"(Luis)
"Yep, though I am a bit worried since next year we are gonna be in high school."(Mary)
"I know what you mean, classes are only getting harder especially cause of AP courses"(Luis) (Author's note: Ap courses are basically courses that are made difficult for almost no reason than to fuck over high schoolers. It may be common knowledge, but just in case)
"You guys are worried about high school, I have to start thinking about college which might I add, I think it's stupid."
"Stupid?"(Mary)
"Do elaborate."(Luis)
"Well, colleges are ridiculously expensive. I mean think about it, you are paying people money just so they teach you how to make money. You know what, here's what I'll do. I'll keep the money, now I got the money."(Tara)
We start laughing. We have conversations like this until it is time to leave Mary's house. Well, no one wants to say anything so I might as well.
"Tara, Mary, it's about time I leave."(Luis)
"Come on, just a bit more."(Tara)
Tara got permission to stay so she won't be coming back. As for me, even if I got permission I ain't staying at a girls house just like that...Well, I kind of want to stay as well, but the more I stay the more 'a bit more' there's gonna be and also the harder it will be to say goodbye so might as well just stay firm right now.
"No, it's time to leave. Have fun in Michigan Mary."
"Yeah, um... I'll take you to the entrance."(Mary)
"...Ok."(Luis)
We walk out and I sense Mary looking back at Tara followed by a thumbs up from Tara. Seriously, what did you tell Mary, Tara? We walk past her parents.
"You know, you could stay overnight, we don't mind. (Mary's mother)
"Thank you, but I'll have to decline. We are already teenagers so I don't think it appropriate that I stay overnight."
Plus I felt a little killing intent from the coming from the kitchen table where a certain father was sitting as soon as you finished saying that. Soooo, I think I'll pass
"Very well then, thank you for being Mary's friends and I hope you continue being friends with her."(Mary's mother)
I realized as I kept on coming here, but Mary's tendency of saying things like this come from her mom.
"Mom!"(Mary)
"Likewise, she's been a great friend. Well then, have fun in Michigan"(Luis)
"Take care, Luis."
I leave the apartment with Mary behind me. I get to the gate and turn around.
"Well then," I offer Mary my hand for a handshake. I'm not a hugging type of person so I don't hug people often," goodbye."(Luis)
"..." she grabs my hand and then pulls me to a hug. After a little bit of hugging.
"*cough* Um, I have to go or else I'll miss the train and have to wait an hour for the train."
After I finished that sentence she seems to have found a determination.
"Um, I-"
I don't like where this is going right now, and I don't want to hear the rest either.
"Mary!"
"Yes!"
"First let me go," she realizes that she's still hugging me.
"Um, I'm sorry."
"Secondly, I may or may not know what you have to say."
"...Yes."
"But for now, keep it to yourself."
"But-"
"Tell me when you come back from Michigan, I promise to listen and have a definite answer by then."
"...Okay."
"Well then, have a nice trip."
"Thank you, Goodnight"
"Night."
I leave her behind having my cheeks somewhat flushed. Did I just cockblock myself by any chance? Well, I'll worry about that another time. For now, I'll just head home and tire myself out as much as I can.