Ray felt relieved to realize that Maria still cared about his condition. Although he knew that the reason Maria did it was out of pity. But he didn't think too much about it because what mattered to him now was to maintain a good relationship with Maria.
Ray's anxiety worsened and caused cold sweat to pour out of his hands. It was not surprising to Ray, as he had experienced this anxiety when he held hands with Elaina before.
It seems like I become weak when I'm near a girl. I should be happy when I'm close to a girl, but this anxiety always arises in moments like this.
What kind of anxiety is this?
Well, even though I already know, I just don't want to admit it. That deep down, I'm afraid that every action I take will worsen my relationship with the girl beside me.
I know I'm just overthinking. But somehow, I don't want to be hated by a girl.
That's true... I'm just worried and anxious because I don't know how Maria sees me.
Am I just an ordinary boy in her eyes? Or am I just a stranger that she will forget in an instant? Or maybe she's already tired because of my previous behavior that seemed harsh and stubborn?
I know... I'm just overthinking.
But... I just don't want to be hated by her...
Slowly, his hearing, vision, and awareness of the real world started to recover. Making him slowly come out of the world inside his mind.
"Ray, are you okay?"
Hearing Maria's voice, who looked worried while trying to calm herself, made him feel happy. He felt like he was getting special attention from Maria.
Uohh... Why are you holding both of my cheeks? You're making me hope more for you.
Ray answered while hiding his embarrassment, "I'm sorry, I'm fine now."
"Really? You're not lying?"
"Yes, I'm not lying."
Stop touching me, it feels comfortable and makes me feel happy and joyful. But it also makes me anxious at the same time.
Maria started to release her hands and moved away, sitting right next to Ray while observing him carefully.
Meanwhile, Ray tried to control his racing heartbeat because of Maria's actions a while ago.
Ray also looked around to make sure that unclear hallucinations that haunted him were gone. Knowing that he was in a state free from full illusions, made Ray more convinced that his mental and thought condition influenced that disturbing condition.
Breaking the silence in the room, Maria suddenly said, "Ray, how about we take a walk outside?"
Ray just turned and was slightly surprised to receive such a sudden invitation. It made him wonder about Maria's intention.
Ray agreed happily, considering that this was the first time he was invited for a walk alone by a girl, which made him excited.
They decided to go and walk together around the neighborhood, leaving Harry who was sleeping soundly there.
After a few minutes, Ray was now walking in the middle of a bridge that separated a large pond in that place. He walked while looking at the large lake, and several fish occasionally appeared and made him happy to see them. He enjoyed the peaceful and calm atmosphere. Moreover, he was currently accompanied by a beautiful girl.
Will there be a romance genre present in my life? I hope this is not just a mere hope.
Ray smiled without realizing it, he was enjoying the atmosphere with happiness.
In the middle of that small bridge, Maria suddenly said, "How about we take a rest here? This place is quite beautiful with the surrounding scenery."
"I agree, it feels peaceful here."
Ray and Maria finally stopped there and enjoyed the atmosphere. The fish swimming in the lake around the bridge made the atmosphere lively. The dark sky brought a sense of tranquility and freedom. The small light from the moon in the dark sky tried to illuminate the earth with its small light, showing a glimmer of hope from the surrounding misery, making them feel relieved and calm seeing that. The cool breeze passing through their skin also made their bodies feel refreshed. And the lanterns placed around the place made the atmosphere not too creepy.
Ray took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air there with his mind in a very calm state. Realizing that he was getting better, made Ray realize the meaning behind Maria's invitation to go out.
Ray glanced at Maria's face from the side, then looked at the lake while focusing his gaze to find fish.
"So this is what you mean by inviting me to go out? To make my mind calm?"
Maria turned to Ray and asked back, "What do you mean?"
"You invited me to go out so that my mind would be at ease, right?"
Maria smiled and replied, "Well, how about it? Do you feel better now?"
Ray looked at his reflection in the lake. His reflection in the lake suddenly smiled, surprising Ray. After he touched his face, he realized that he was smiling without realizing it.
The attention Maria gave him made Ray feel happy. It made him realize that there are still other people who care about him.
With a genuine smile on his face, Ray answered Maria's question, "Yes."
"That's good then."
"Thank you, Maria."
Maria was slightly surprised to hear those words from Ray. Maria thought that the sentence didn't sound like something that would come out of Ray's mouth.
With a sense of pride, Maria smiled widely until her teeth were visible and said, "It seems like you remembered my advice earlier. Ehehe-he-he, it makes me happy to see someone starting to change for the better."
With a peaceful heart, he continued his words, "Maria, you have succeeded in pushing me to become a better person with your unreserved criticism.
I have actually realized it for quite some time. I actually need criticisms like that to correct my actions and habits.
For me, praise and encouragement are not enough to make me change. Because those two things only provide motivation, but they don't provide the push to force me to keep moving forward and changing.
I need force..."
"Ray," Maria called out Ray's name in a low tone. She looked at Ray with meaningful eyes. The feeling of sympathy towards Ray in her heart grew stronger.
Meanwhile, Ray was feeling happy. For the first time, he was able to discuss his thoughts openly with someone. It was all because of Maria, he felt comfortable talking openly with her. Maria's fearless nature in criticizing him reminded Ray of princess Elaina.
For a moment, Ray felt sad as he remembered the face of someone he didn't want to remember at this time. But he quickly tried not to dwell on it and avoid getting lost in his own thoughts.
Ray noticed that Maria had been observing him with a worried expression. It made him want to lighten the mood as soon as possible. He decided to melting the situation by saying, "Can you be the light that will illuminate me so that I won't be filled with darkness anymore?"