Airi's deep brown eyes were almost blazing with fire, swallowing up the reasoning and composure of herself.
"We are not, dear. We are just concerned about you, that's all."
"Oh, so you are trying to say, after all the way going in, I just back off because I am some pathetic weakling who can't even handle this tiny thing, huh? You never told me to back off when I was selected as a candidate, then when I am really into it, you want me to STOP ALL OF THIS?!"
"AIRI KEEP YOUR VOICE DOWN!" By now Sara got really irritated by the way Airi kept raising her voice. "I remember we have never taught you to raise your voice uselessly to anyone."
"And you have also never taught me to chicken out from challenges just because those are taking a toll on me, Maa." Airi was becoming out of breath with all the angered emotions surging out. "Paa, you have always taught me to be a winner no matter what it takes. Then all of a sudden, why are both of you suggesting that I back off from things?! To return back like a loser?"
"Airi, you are making a molehill out of nothing…"
"Then so be it. But the way you guys are behaving, surely makes me feel disappointed. You could help me out, cheer me up, or anything. But instead of showing support, you are telling me to back off. What else do you think we have to outshine those rich kids?! Huh?! Only this!"
"AIRI! Is being in the limelight all you can think of right now?" Max cried out loud at her.
"Yes, it is. Cause I have never been in the shadows, Paa. You never taught me to be in one." with that statement, she walked out from the home. "I'm going to the park, will be around the time for dinner ."
*THUD*
Shutting the door behind her loudly, Airi went out.
And the Arne couples behind her, fell deep into worries and anxiousness.
------
Though Airi told them she would be in the park, she didn't feel like stopping by anywhere. So she kept walking for a long time until a convenience store came in front of her view. Walking for a while after having a tiring day, she was feeling weak and exhausted. She thought about taking a break for a while, and so she bought a chocolate milkshake from the convenience store, and sat down on a bench near the store to drink.
The bench was near another park which was kind of far away from her neighborhood, and people were out for evening walks and jogs. She kept looking at those people blankly and kept gulping down her drink.
"It's the candidate, right? What a coincidence!"
Airi jumped off of her trance by the sudden voice from behind. "Who is...oh, it's senior Carter."
Carter had his earphones on. While removing those, he took a seat beside her. "You live in this area? Never saw ya before."
Airi brushed off her hands in denial. "No, no. Just took a walk here. I live in the commercial zone."
He raised an eyebrow in confusion, "comin' this far just for a walk, and a carton of choco milk?"
Just then the fact that she was way too far from her locality clicked in her mind. She sheepishly answered back, "Thing is, I just wanted to cool down my head, so I just went out and by the time I realized, I was already here."
Carter nodded, understanding her words.
"So then, you come for a jog here? It hasn't been that long since the school ended…" Airi swung her legs on the bench, looking ahead towards some kids playing with sand.
"Yeah, I stay near this park, so I just quickly changed and went out. I feel sluggish if I don't… so yeah." He also turned his gaze to the way those kids were playing, following Airi's eyes.
"I never thought of you as someone sporty, especially after the praises I got to hear today."
"Nah, not sporty, just hate to feel laid back. And just because I don't talk to people, doesn't mean I'm some kinda loner or shut-in, always stuck with books and all. I just don't like to waste words uselessly."
"And people sure blubber whatever comes to their mind… needed or not. I know that feeling." Airi nodded like a wise old monk, and the way her head moved lightly, made Carter laugh out loud. "Haha, you sure have a funny side on you too, besides the righteousness you got."
Airi turned back her gaze towards Carter. "I'm also an oddly honest one."
"Oddly? As in?" In response to the questioning stare of him, Airi got up from her seat and stood in front of him. "As in, if I am totally honest and tell you that surely, you justify the fact that you are the prince. You may not care any less about people, but the nonchalant aura about you, sure makes a good looking one."
"That's a known fact about me, what's so honest about…"
"I am not done yet, senior," she cut him off in the middle. "Apart from that, people call you cold just because you are not a wordy person, but honestly, you are a considerate and caring person, and not cold one bit. Just find it a bit hard to cope up with the regular conversations, and don't really enjoy those, " Airi bent down to look straight to his eyes, "Right, senior?"
Carter wasn't used to having people talking to him this much, let alone interact this much and this close. He has always felt uncomfortable if anyone gets close to him even within a distance people find comfortable. But somehow, being Airi up close this much, while being stared at by her, made his heart gripped by an unknown emotion. He didn't seem to feel uneasy, as he was lost in those large shiny dark eyes. With the light breeze flowing in the park, her bangs which were hanging covering her forehead were moving softly.
He couldn't help blurting out "kireii", which Airi couldn't catch on to. But she realized she might have intruded too much in Carter's personal space, so she immediately backed off and took the seat she was previously sitting on. "Um, I am sorry. I got a bit carried away."
"Nah, it's fine. Moreover, you ain't someone weird like those girls so that's fine." Carter tried to reassure her not to feel too uneasy.
There was a silence for a while before Airi spoke up again, "Well, what was the word you said just now? I hope you didn't just curse me in some unknown language."
Carter lightly chuckled by the conclusion Airi get into. "No, not at all. It's just… Um… if I ask ya to ignore that, will you?"
"No."
"You could at least consider that a bit…"
"No." This time also, Airi's response was almost immediate.
Carter sighed as he confessed, "I just said beautiful, in Japanese. Your hair… looked really pretty up close. So that's why…" he was wondering if it would sound weird, that a senior whom she had known for like a couple of hours, suddenly said she was beautiful. He never did this kind of thing to anyone, never bothered to do it either. Yet, he felt like he should praise her. And he did it without even thinking twice.
But totally keeping aside the concern he was having, she picked up the thing he least expected. "You know Japanese?"
Carter caught off guard by the sudden question. He was totally ready to get badly rebuked for being a bit creepy?... maybe. But here she was, asking a totally different thing. "Eh… no, I just like to read Japanese Manga and stuff so, I caught up with some words."
"Ah, so you are like those." Airi nodded lightly.
"Is that disappointin'?" he nervously asked.
"What is?" Airi couldn't get the question at first.
"Me being like those? Like, that must contradict my image as the prince, or the image you have of me in your mind."
Airi leaned back to the bench, looking up at the sky gradually turning dark, "You enjoy those, right?"
Carter didn't expect she would ask another question in response to his. Nevertheless, he replied, " 'Course I do."
"Then why do you care if you disappoint people or not? No one's going to take care of your enjoyment if you abandon your hobbies. So, if they can't take responsibility for taking care of your fun, or respect your hobby, they have no right to say anything."
For some reason, he felt relieved to hear Airi's response. "I guess I kinda expected this reply from you. But I hope you do know that counterblast like that would make ya fall in a tough position?"
"Am I wrong then? By saying it loud and clear, without going a roundabout way?" In response, he just nodded in denial.
"So be it. Who wants some fake appraisal and love, anyway?" Airi turned her gaze, to find him flashing a soft smile.
Carter got up and suggested Airi walk to her home. "Lemme drop ya to your home, then. It's gettin' pretty late." Only then, Airi realized it had actually become dark. "It's okay, senior. I prefer walking alone than having a companion." He nodded lightly, agreeing to give the space Airi wanted. "Well then, be safe."
"Sure, you too. Good night. And it was really nice talking to you, despite those words circulating around about you. It would be really nice if all the seniors were like you." Airi really enjoyed her conversation with him. And she never hesitated to say it out loud if she liked something, just as she never did with things she hated.
But it was the first time for Carter to get honestly complimented for the way he has always been. So Airi's appreciation made him feel delighted. "Likewise, it's great to have a junior like you, Airi, " with that saying, he bowed a little and went back to his own way.
And Airi returned to her home, feeling a lot light-headed than before.