"I realized that I am nothing to you. However, just so you know, I already treat you like my own brother. I don't have a sister. So, I was immediately delighted when I first met you."
Kim drank a bottle of water until the remaining half. she listened to Ren's words even though she remained indifferent. She glanced briefly at Ren whose voice was no longer heard. Ren laid his head on the table with a gloomy face.
Kim cursed inwardly while sighing in annoyance. she could at least let others plead with such a gloomy face. "I'm so weak when it comes to human feelings."
Ren raised his head in disbelief. "You talk to me? Are you serious? Is my hearing in trouble?"
Kim huffed in annoyance. "Stop being stupid. I don't fully forgive you."
Ren still smiled happily to hear that. Even though she didn't understand what she had done wrong, at least she managed to get Kim to talk to her again. "There's still more time to ask about my mistakes," he mutters as Kim walks away.
"Is Kim ready to talk again?" asked Alen who was already beside Ren.
"You are right. It wasn't easy to persuade her, but she immediately melted when she saw the pitiful look on my face," Ren said with a chuckle.
Allen was wide-eyed. "Are you using your faking ability at a time like that?"
"Like this?" Ren showed his pitiful face in front of Alen's face. Alen was just shocked and didn't know how to react. "I can put on such a pitiful face. But, earlier I was really sad because Kim kept ignoring me," he said.
***
"What's this? Can you explain that to us?" asked Elsa who was sitting on Tim's lap in the living room. she showed him a brown paper with a signed resignation letter.
"I got fired," Kim replied, looking down and her feet on the floor.
Elsa looked at Kim with a cold gaze. "Why didn't you tell that to me and your sister?" he asked in a gentle tone
"I don't want to worry you," said Kim, looking down even more. Inside his mind kept cursing himself because his secret had to be revealed so quickly. She intended to tell her mother and sister after getting a new job. Although he realized that it was not that easy to apply for a job at a higher level.
"Not. We'll be embarrassed when you tell us," Elsa said sarcastically. "Actually, what did you do at the academy to get fired? Earlier you said that you would soon become a permanent employee. But, now what?"
"I don't know about that either, ma'am. The principal who asked me to stop," said Kim trying to tell the real reason.
Elsa chuckled. "You should have taken my word for it from the start. If you resigned, I wouldn't be this embarrassed when I picked up your sister at the academy."
Kim squeezed the skirt she was wearing. she tried to contain her anger. she didn't want to be on fire to go against her mother's words. She took a deep breath, then said, "Are you only thinking about your pride, Mom?"
Elsa was wide-eyed. Can't believe that such a question will come out of her daughter's mouth. "Why are you even discussing that? Instead of lamenting over unimportant things, you better think about where you are going to work again!" he scolded.
Kim stood up with her legs shaking slightly. His chest began to tighten from holding back the tears that were about to come out. she also ventured to look into her mother's eyes. "Why do you care whether I teach again or not? Is it because you need me as a moneymaker?" she asked with teary eyes.
"W-what?" Elsa stammered. Without hesitation, she put her palm to Kim's cheek. One hard slap from him was able to make Kim freeze for a moment. After that, Kim glared at her, then left the house holding her cheek with her palm.
***
"Alen, are you glad we've made it a step forward?" Ren asked. This morning, she was with Alen on the roof. she followed Alen a while ago because she didn't see Alen at home when she woke up. And as expected, Alen went to the roof.
The two of them enjoyed the morning air which was not very clean because of the uncontrollable residual smoke. However, at least the air pollution is not as bad as during the day. Therefore, they hoped that the planting of this tree would have an impact on the air condition in Aves City.
"Of course, very happy. Should I say it over and over so you don't ask again?" sarcasm Allen. His facial expressions already describe the joy of imagining how the trees will one day grow and give fresh green color to Aves City.
Ren just chuckled, realizing one by one his plans were realized. she can fly even with the help of Alen's magic power. Then, managed to invite residents to plant a thousand trees. However, of course, there are still things that make him anxious.
"What about our deal? The deal is that you'll teach me to fly if I help you get rid of the pollution in Aves City. After that works, will you stop teaching me to fly?" Ren asked doubtfully. For some reason, she was afraid that Alen would not teach her anymore. That means, she won't be able to fly anymore.
"But, you haven't completely succeeded in helping me. We just finished planting and there is still air pollution. You also said that you would accompany me to the end," replied Alen while looking at Ren's face.
"I thought you had forgotten about that."
Allen shook his head. he saw that something was missing in the land where they planted it. "After this, what should we do with the newly planted trees?"
Ren also saw the land that did look empty. "We can't let the land there dry out. It would be easier if there was a place that could be used to fetch water nearby."
Allen was silent for a moment. After that, he stood up and extended his hand to Ren. "Let's just ask Kim. she sure knows the right way for us to do that."
Ren accepted the outstretched hand, then stood up. "Isn't she teaching at this hour? Let's just approach her to the academy where she teaches," he suggested.
Alen agreed to Ren's suggestion and they flew straight to the academy. While searching the academy, they only came across Tim. Then, Tim with his innocence immediately said honestly that Kim had been fired since a few weeks ago. They both just kept silent and looked at each other because they didn't know about it at all. As a result, they decided to go to Kim's house.
Ren and Alen flew towards Kim's house while looking around. Who knows, Kim may be outside. It was true, they both saw Kim sitting in front of an empty house that looked shabby. The woman looked down and covered her face with her palms.
Ren gently touched Kim's shoulder. "Kim? Are you okay?"
"Go. I want to be alone," Kim said hoarsely. she didn't want to show her face.
Alen noticed something was wrong with Kim's cheeks. He lowered his body to confirm his vision. he also widened his eyes. "Are your cheeks swollen? Who dares to slap you?" worried Alen while holding Kim's shoulders.
Kim backed away until Alen's hand was released. "Do not interfere. Mind your own business," Kim said coldly and looked away.
"Kim!"
BRUK!