[Have Exo gone mad?!]
Fifi sounded indifferent after I told her what Riley had relayed.
I swung my legs on the edge of the rooftop. The second period began a few minutes ago. However, I had no intention of coming in.
Since I had already missed school yesterday and then the first period after that, why not make it two full days of no school?
Riley left when I promised I'd give him a response tomorrow. I need time to consider his offer. It wasn't every day that I got to make such a choice.
To add, he and I started on the wrong foot.
But I agree that he and I must establish boundaries if we both end up tracking down the same monster. Not that I'd voluntarily chase one by myself.
Given a chance, I won't even interfere if it could be helped. I'll stay on the sidelines, perfectly playing oblivious.
My life would be much at ease if that were the case.
[You're considering his proposal regarding a duel. That's pretty much a big NO in Nirvana]
"You guys kept on meddling with my affairs like it's yours. Now I get to choose between doing something for myself, and you want to oppose me?"
[...]
[If you accept this duel, you won't only be fighting for yourself, Exo. The fate of Nirvana would be at stake!]
"No way. How does that even relate?"
[You're representing Nirvana. Hence, your battles, personal or against these creatures, will always be more than just about you. The moment you accepted the call to be one of Nirvana's Favorites, you've linked your soul to Nirvana. Every choice you make, every action you do, would affect us in ways you can't even imagine]
I scoffed, laughing sarcastically while I narrowed my gaze at the horizon.
"I don't remember being given the option to accept this fate. All Nichen did was explain things to me and gave me limited choices. No one asked me whether I wanted to be in this situation or not."
[...]
The silence became palpable.
I got up, hopping away from the ledge, and turned around. In my mind, I wanted to escape school for today and face Priscilla's wrath later.
There was only one instance in my past life when I skipped school. My mother gave me a good lengthy lecture and then cooked my favorite meal right after.
I never told her why I didn't attend school that day. She never asked.
If she did, I would have told her that I felt suffocated, needed some fresh air, and couldn't stand being inside the four-cornered classroom.
It was just one of those days, and I guess my mother must have read through the lines and kept it between us even though I didn't say anything. My father never knew what happened before he came home from work.
That event was never shared with my father. But I would bet he knew about it now.
On instinct, I let my gaze wander to the horizon.
My mind had circled about leaving; it took me a while to notice someone standing by the doors leading to the rooftop.
When I turned my attention in that direction, Savvy was looking at me, a somber expression on her face.
"Idiot," she muttered, raising her hands and throwing a bottle toward me.
I caught it with an oof, staring at the label. It was orange juice.
"You skipped lunch," she stated. "I thought you left school."
I studied her face, trying to read what she was thinking. But before I could conclude anything, pain sprang from my leg. She crossed the short distance between us, kicking my leg, and looked at me angrily.
"Idiot," she repeated, gazing into my eyes, imploring through them as she tried to find answers to the questions she refused to ask.
I was left to stare while she turned around and walked back to the door, disappearing from my view.
"What the hell was that about?'
[What?]
Startled, I almost jumped out of my skin. I had forgotten entirely about Fifi.
"Nothing," I replied. My gaze lingered at the door. I stared at the drink in my hand and noticed the note she stuck on it.
"Don't skip your meals."
Now I'm even more curious about what kind of relationship she and Exo had. Were they lovers? Ex-lovers?
"Damn."
I lost count of how many times I had cursed for the day. It seemed that words would keep failing me and only be able to utter a curse.
[Did something else happen?]
"Could you replay some parts of Exo's past? Could you do that? Like before I came in the picture? I need to understand what kind of a person this kid was and who are the people whom he held dear."
[...]
[It's not part of my program. But maybe, if you could provide a specific time period, then I could try]
"Damn," I repeated the same curse I had already uttered just a few minutes ago. "I don't even know when this kid's birthday is. How am I supposed to provide a specific date?"
[Did you try looking for a diary?]
I thought hard. The room he was in was always tidy, and aside from the study desk and a few books around, I didn't spot any journal or notebook that plainly said it was a diary.
"No. I don't think this kid has any. And if he had one, he would probably hide it in the safest place possible."
Fifi did not reply. I imagined her folding her arms over her chest and staring me down, a slight frown on her lips.
With a snort, I threw my head back and laughed.
"Fine," I said. "I'll try looking for one right now. I have time to kill anyway."
[...]
[You're coming home?]
"Yes. Why? Are you going to report me to that woman?"
[...]
[For your information, she's also your mother. You are no longer Elijah. You are Exo, and every family member of Exo is yours now too]
I mentally added the harrumph before I felt her absence.