96. School (9)
Lex stared at the girl with a strange look. The event before was too tough to erase from his mind.
"Erm…" Being stared at by Lex, the girl fidgeted as she swayed her body to hide her embarrassment.
"What?" Lex replied sternly. There's actually no reason for him to be vigilant towards her. At least Lex didn't feel any hostility from the girl. He's doing this for himself. Because looking at her right now was really stimulating.
A few hours have passed since then, but still, now that Lex has grown up with his hormones overflowing, and the last time he did it was in his past life, which was already years ago, it's hard to calm himself. In other words, he was frustrated right now.
Lex wanted to wait till he became an adult before doing something like that.
(If I really can't hold it anymore, at least I will wait till I am sixteen years old. There is still another year for that!!). That's why Lex really didn't want to have any connection with an embodiment of Lust, a succubus at this point.
Being treated coldly like this wasn't a good thing for Stella too. (Still, that taste was just unforgettable! I'm afraid I can't enjoy a normal taste any longer. That's why I endured it. For that delicacy!!) "Want to be my boyfriend?" She asked as she flashed her charm at full power whether it was magic or natural charm.
"…." Lex was at a loss for words. "shuu~ haaa~" He took a deep breath, and… "Goodbye." He immediately turned back and continued walking home.
"Aaa~~ wait, wait a minute! Let me redo it!" Stella shouted. She immediately ran to block Lex's path. Lex stared at her exasperatedly. "You just wanted my Mana, didn't you? Correct me if I'm wrong."
"Eerr…." Stella sways her body in embarrassment again. Being seen so thoroughly like that was really embarrassing.
"In the first place, we didn't know each other and were not even acquaintances. We're just strangers who passed each other at the train station—" Before Lex could finish talking, his words were cut by Stella.
Lex was lost for words because of her once again. (How many times is it…) Lex stared at Stella, who shamelessly introduced herself.
"My name is Stella Philea. My friend usually calls me by the alias Q. You can call me Q. My hobby is reading novels. My favorite genre is Pure Romance. My favorite food just changed into your Mana from toda—"
"Are you that desperate!?" He can't help but refute her. (What she's after is my Mana, there's nothing I could do to keep her away. Ah~ I feel like I could understand those great characters who love to look at the blue sky whenever they are troubled. It was because they could accept the cruel reality better!! Damn it!)
(No, no. Why am I thinking something like that!?) as Lex pondered his problem, he almost looked up at the sky again. Luckily, he could stop himself (Damn! Anyway, let's ignore her for now). Lex sidestepped, avoiding her then…
"Wait!!" Stella exclaimed as she hugged Lex to make him stay. Lex immediately tensed up by that.
"Release me!" he said firmly (if it continues like this…).
"Please, at least tell me your name." She hugged him even tighter.
(Her touch… Her voice… Her smell… Her look… Aaaggghhh~!)
"Okay, okay. I understand, but you need to let go of me first." Lex gave up.
"Really?"
"Hurry up!" Lex didn't bother to convince her. Instead, he struggled to release himself too. Then, following his words, Stella released him. A moment after, before Lex could sigh in relief, he was hugged by Stella again.
"…."
"What are you doing?" he said, deadpanned.
"Ehe, hehehe," Stella laughed awkwardly as she re-released Lex. "I just thought maybe you might run away after I released you," she said in embarrassment.
"It's just you who does that!" Lex flicked her forehead.
"Aww!"
"My name is Lex. I already told you, don't chase after me again." He walked away after saying his piece.
In the distance, where Stella could no longer see Lex, he could feel Stella rooted there, unmoving. "Haa~" He sighed in relief for a moment… "DAMN IT!" he shouted. His relief only lasted a few seconds.
***
After receiving another ambush from Ella, Lex was finally able to go into his house. And just a few steps inside.
*Ding *Dong
The doorbell rang loudly.
"Haaa~~~" Lex let out a very loud sigh. While Ella tilted her head in confusion, "A guest?" She acted as if it was her house. "Coming~~" then she walked back to open the door.
***
(Naïve, too naïve! There's no way I would give up that taste. There's a verse: if you can't get the person turned to you, start with his close person to help you! Hehe, I will make your family accept me!) Stella stood right in front of Lex's house door.
(He's someone from the Hidden World too. So, I can't tail him too closely, or he'll find me. But this should be the one.) Stella then rang the doorbell.
"Coming~~" Stella was dumbfounded when a feminine voice came from inside. (Eh? Did I get the wrong door? It can't be. I'm confident this one should be the correct one)
Before long, the door opened, and a mind-blowing cute girl came out. "Who?" She cutely tilted her head. (Crap! I really got the wrong door!)
That is what Stella thought, and when she tried to apologize, she saw a young man she was familiar with behind the cute girl.
(So that's why!) She was immediately convinced. (If he lived with a cute girl like this, no wonder she won't fall from my natural charm! This girl is still too young, but it's undeniable that she'll grow up to a beauty rivaling mine. That's if she could take care of herself)
"Hello, little sister." Stella let out a bright smile. She believed that no one in this world would be suspicious of her with that smile alone. "Nice to meet you. My name is Stella Philea. I'm Lex's girlfriend—"
"A runaway patient of Mental Hospital." Lex cut her words. But, seeing his reaction, Stella didn't get angry at all.
Instead, she let out a cute chuckle. "Hehe, at least make it a normal hospital." Stella appealed to Ella like they were flirting with each other. (Gotcha!) She thought as she focused on Ella's expression.
(I didn't use any Mana to charm, but my base beauty should be enough to char— Ahem, to make her like me!)
(Darn it!) Lex cursed inwardly. Actually, he didn't mind telling his family about his girlfriend. But Lex didn't want to be related to this troublesome girl. He didn't think she would be this skilled! However, before he could correct the situation.
Ella corrected her posture, and then she showed a small smile, an affectionate but elegant smile. "Ara~ ara~, so it's the husband's acquaintance. Nice to meet you too, Miss Stella. My name is Ella Bentley. My husband has been in your care."
Lex.exe and Stella.exe have stopped working…
It took a while before their brain restarted. (Heh!?, Eeeee!? Whaaat!!? Husband!?) Stella unconsciously took a step back as she stared at Lex in disbelief (S-should I call the enforcer?) She seriously considered calling them.
"Aww!" Ella cried, head-chopped by Lex. "Where did you even learn that word…" Lex said exasperatedly.
"It hurt~ Ella might get a concussion!" She refuted.
"Ho~ do you want another one?" Lex prepared his hand to chop her head again.
"Eeek!!" Ella quickly guarded her head. "Haa~ Why did you say something like that?" Ella took a glance at Stella. "That big sis was joking just now, so Ella thought it's better if Ella makes a joke as well… Teehee~" She smiled sillily
"Maybe, you need another two, not one." Lex prepared another hand. "Hiii!?" Ella immediately ran inside.
On the other hand, Stella watched them in disbelief (Did my existence disappear just now… More importantly, the little sister didn't believe me!)
Only Lex and Stella were left at the scene.
Being stared at by Lex, Stella smiled awkwardly in embarrassment (What do I do now!?) She screamed inwardly. (Please say something! This silence is killing me!?)
When Stella spun her brain at full speed to find a way out, suddenly, a small head appeared behind Lex.
"Big Sister," Ella called."Have you eaten dinner yet?"
Stella quickly shook her head to answer (Savior~).
"Then, have dinner with us." Ella invited.
"??" Stella stared at Ella in confusion. (Why so suddenly?) Then she peeked at Lex's expression, but he didn't say anything (I was tolerated… This is it!! This girl is the one I'm looking for! As long as I can have her on the good side, it's only a matter of time before Lex falls!)
"Un!" Stella nodded strongly.
"Come in~~" Ella replied.
Lex also let her come inside the house. He also didn't mind it. In fact, Lex already knew long ago that Stella was tailing him. So when he decided to ignore it, he already more or less expected this outcome.
He decided to give her his Mana. It would end the problem faster than being chased by a hungry troublesome woman.
(I only need a correct interval in between to keep myself under control…)
***
"Maya, Sal—"
"Here, Salt," Maya said as she gave him the salt.
"Next is…"
"Here," Maya gave him what he needed before finishing his sentence. Because there are more people today. Lex had to prepare dinner more than usual. It ended up with him and Maya making dinner together.
Other than the two who were making dinner, Ella and Stella are waiting at the dinner table while watching them.
Stella stared at Maya ('This one is cute too! She's not on par with me. However, she is still cute!)
(From what they say, Maya is his little sister, but…) Stella then turned to Ella, who sat in front of her while smiling as she enjoyed watching Lex and Maya cooking together.
(What about this one? The three of them don't look similar at all! I would have believed it more if they said that Ella was his real sister. At least, they both have a similarity.)
(Whether it's Lex or Ella, I can't understand their depth. She looked like such a fluffy and cheerful girl who wouldn't hurt a single ant. But there must be something behind it.)
(Still, there's still something that has stuck in my mind since earlier…) "mm… Little sister Ella…." Stella softly called.
"mhm? What's the matter, big sis? Also, just Ella is fine."
"Okay then, Ella… are you sure those two are siblings… sister and brother?" Stella chose her best words to ask that.
"Un~ is there a problem?" Ella cutely tilted her head again.
"No, nothing! I hope it's just my imagination… but, rather than a sibling, aren't they look more like a newlywe—"
"Sshhh~!!" Ella put her finger in front of her lips and cut her words. "Don't say it! It's better if they didn't realize it!"
"Is it better?" Stella asked in confusion.
"Yes! It's the best!" she whispered.
(…. Am I too old for this? How could I not understand what she meant? We should only be a few years apart. Is this the trend nowadays?) Stella decided not to mind it any longer.
***
After dinner, Lex didn't wait any longer. He brought Stella to her room and…
"Fuwaa~~" Stella collapsed and sat on the floor with an ecstatic face.
"Satisfied?" Lex said coldly. "I could give this much once a week. But, if you bother me more than that, you can say goodbye to it forever."
"Twii~ce~~," she said lewdly. Even when Stella's head still overflowed with afterglow some parts of it still functioned normally, especially the parts that could make her get more of this.
"Take it or leave it. I've already given you for free here. You still want more?"
"I have~ Mo~ney~~."
"Oh, you don't want it, then the deal is cancele—"
"I take it~~!"
"Deal! Now, don't bother me anymore. I still have something to do later." Then, Stella left the room. She walked like a newborn fawn.
"Goooooo~~dbyee~~~~~," she said in a loud voice before leaving the house.
Ella and Maya looked at each other trying to understand what just happened. In the end, they both couldn't find anything out. They can only think that Stella was drunk.
Not long after, Lex also came out. At that time, Ella instantly pounced at him.
"One last hug~ hehe~" Ella said and released him. "Brother, Ella needs to go home too. Thanks for dinner, brother." Then she turned to Maya. "Maya too, thank you, it's delicious. Bye Bye~" She waved her hands.
After he said goodbye to Ella, Lex turned to Maya. "I'm sorry, Maya, could you help me clean the rest? There's something I need to do now," he said.
"Okay," Maya nodded. Unfortunately, she lost her chance to ask Lex.
***
When Lex left the house, it was already dark outside. He lives in a high-class area which is quieter than other places. The road is almost empty at this time—only high-class cars pass by sometimes.
On that empty road, Lex slowly walked. Before long, he found a park. It was a similar park to the one where he met Liselotte.
Of course, he knew it wasn't the same. That park was on the other side and it was closer to Kate's and his parent's house. It wouldn't be funny if he accidentally met Kate there, so he walked to this park. What he needed was a quiet place to talk. It doesn't matter where.
*Step *step
Footsteps can be heard when he sat in the park alone at night.
Lex felt like his eyes almost popped out of their socket when he saw who was coming.
It's a lady wearing casual clothes, a T-shirt and long jeans. She had dark blonde hair tied in a ponytail and looked like a fresh graduate from college. Yet, she had a very mature and dependable vibe simultaneously.
"You don't have to gawk at me that much. It's embarrassing," The lady said. But her expression didn't have the slightest sign of embarrassment.
Lex, who was shocked and speechless, finally recognized the lady after hearing her voice, "R, Rae is that really you?" Still, he wasn't convinced. He's afraid his eyes are playing tricks.
"What? You didn't recognize me anymore? After all, I did it for you, and you just forget me, like changing new clothes and throwing out the old ones?" Then, the lady stared at Lex's face before she let out a huff of laughter.
"Hahaha, just kidding. Close your mouth, or a fly will get in there. It's been a while Lex" Rae smiled.
"$@!? Damn it, Rae! I almost thought you're an imposter just now!" Lex let out a sigh of relief. Because if the one in front of him were an imposter, the original one wouldn't be well.
"It can't be that you can't differentiate me from an imposter, right?" Rae 'frowned.'
"Who could connect you from before and now! It's asking for the impossible. This was the first time I saw you without Crimson Eagle's uniform on," Lex exclaimed.
"Well, I'm on the field now. I don't need to be as strict as I am on the island. Is that really shocking?"
"Yes, it is! You can even show up in front of Mio like that. Maybe her craziness would be cured by shock!"
"What would you do if I were an imposter?" Lex knew she was teasing him. And he didn't mind.
It wasn't wrong that Rae had helped him so much before. And he's pretty happy seeing her again. The last time he saw her was when his party with Mio dissolved.
"I would catch her and find the original one."
"Haha, you and your sweet words. You already have Mio and Aria still thinking of catching me too?" She teased again.
Lex ignored that (There would be no end if I were to respond to that. Still, she never joked like this on the island. I didn't know there was a rule like that on the island. As a 'Guest' and The Tenth path core disciple. There's almost like no rule for me)
"Anyway, what do you want by tailing me?"
"As expected of 'Little Monster,' you found me easily."
That's right. Lex actually found out Rae and Stella were tailing him. There's no hostility, so he didn't immediately take action. However, it's also why Lex gave Stella his Mana so easily. He wanted to solve that problem as soon as possible.
"You found me, yet you still leisurely prepared dinner and ate before you came here, making me wait for hours!" Lex felt like he could see an angry vein on Rae's forehead.
"Ahaha, I just found out now. It's impossible to find you before that," Lex tricked his way out.
"Liar..." After she said that, her expression became serious. At the same time, Lex could feel pressure. It's a pressure similar to when a worker meets his boss. But, of course, Lex effortlessly coped with it.
"I want to borrow your strength," she said.
"Borrow my strength?"
"Correct, you realized it too, no? There's something strange happening in this city at this moment."
"Ah~ you mean those people who would run away whenever they met people from the Hidden World. However, why would they send you here? It doesn't sound like a hard OutMission. Is it because of this city?"
"Un," Rae nodded. "This city was special. Lady Vera sent me here to make sure there wasn't any mistake. Even if they are, I could inform Crimson Eagle fast too.
"I've been here for a few weeks. Except for those mindless puppets, I didn't find any other clue. That's why I want to borrow your strength," Rae explained.
"Rae... I'm working for others now. I'm no longer fully affiliated with Crimson Eagle." Even when Lex refused, Rae still hasn't given up yet.
"Could you help us for just a while? With you in, it won't be long."
Lex shook his head. "I'm a bodyguard now. I joined Crimson Eagle to fulfill this job. I might abandon Crimson Eagle for this. But not the other way. Strange events were happening in this city, and most of those puppets trying to catch were students, right? I can't leave her."
"It wouldn't be a different story if you guys can't finish the job or if there's a casualty." After Lex said that, there was a moment of silence between them.
(No... I can't convince him) Rae thought. (I feel there's something more behind this kidnapping event. It's also because of it that lady Vera dispatched me here... I don't have the authority to inform him of this either!)
(It was a coincidence I found Lex here. I didn't know he would come here. And his strength was already known to all Crimson Eagle. Maybe... If I can borrow his strength, I can find out what it is.)
(Haa~ I guess I'll inform Lady Vera first. At least I know where he lived. I'll try to convince him again later.)
Rae finally gave up. After that, they chatted for a while before going on their way.
***
On the other side
On the empty night road...
a girl was walking alone
It's already quite a while since Stella left Lex's house. Stella could walk properly now, but her head felt fluffy and happy. Step by step, she walked... (...)
She suddenly realized something strange every time she took a step
*Step *step
She took another step
*Step *step
(!!?) There were two-step sounds for each step she took. Realizing that, she stopped in place.
*Step *step
The footsteps still sounded (It might be because I'm still in this state... Somehow, I feel that whatever was behind me was something dangerous...)
Stella slowly turned back.
*Step *step *step
From the darkness, footsteps sounded. As she waited for that thing to be under the road light, Stella felt goosebumps running down her hairs.
Slowly, blonde hair... A pair of blue eyes...
Came under the road light.
"Ella!?" Stella was shocked. Still, she sighed in relief inwardly. Fortunately, it was someone she knew.
"Hello, Big Sis~~" Ella smiled cutely.
But then, Stella sensed something was wrong.
"Wait! Stop right there!!" Stella shouted.
She realized her instinct was right!
It was something dangerous!