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Autumndusk, Stoneglen Square: Other Alleyways, Time: 12:30 PM
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Jhoan was holding Elizabeth back as he dragged her away into the alleyways. "Come on, just calm down," Jhoan calmly stated, enduring Elizabeth biting down on his hand and growling.
"OI, JHOAN! THE HELL YA DOING, YOU MORONS?!"
Jhoan turned around to see Caramels in a wheelchair with Sunop pushing him, arms cast around Sunop's shoulders.
"WHY IN THE LIVING HELL DID I HEAR ABOUT ELIZABETH GETTING INTO A FIGHT WITH A STRANGER?!" Caramels yelled out, causing Sunop to wince and cover his ears.
"Elizy, you need to apologize," Jhoan stated and decided to let her go this time. Elizabeth was about to argue back, but she saw Jhoan's determined expression, pushing her to apologize.
Even though it hurt her pride, she finally gave in. "Fine, but you'll give my word to her instead," Elizabeth stated. Jhoan didn't like that idea, but it was the closest compromise.
"You guys are weird. I saw them going into the alleyway. Me and this clown gonna give it to ya," Caramels said as Sunop wheeled him away, leaving Elizabeth and Jhoan alone.
"I know you're not very good at apologizing to others, but you're getting the hang of it!" Jhoan reassured her, putting on his bright smile.
Elizabeth smiled as well, "I know, I will try my best." She promised that she would attempt not to use her royal titles to scare people or as an excuse.
Above the building where Elizabeth and Jhoan stood, November watched them with her usual evil smirk dropping to a frown.
She held a newly lit cigarette before crumbling it and throwing it on the roof in anger. "Their love disgusts me..." She muttered to herself before storming off.
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Autumndusk, Stoneglen Square: Alleyways, Time: 12:30 PM
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As the group chatted, their conversation was interrupted by a collision – Caramels and Sunop had finally spotted them and decided to engage.
Caramels cleared his throat, ready to address the situation.
"Alright, listen up, fellas. I want to extend a sincere apology for Elizabeth's behavior. She tends to get a bit carried away during catfights." Everyone seemed slightly taken aback by Caramels's calm demeanor in delivering the apology.
Sunop chimed in with his characteristic humor, "Yeah, you know, she mistook 'catfight' for 'cat-fright'!"
"And sorry about him as well," Caramels added, flicking Sunop's forehead playfully.
Sunop responded with an exaggerated display of being wounded, sprawling dramatically on the ground while holding a flower as if it were his last possession.
"It's all good! Mistakes can happen sometimes," James assured them, wincing a little as he adjusted the bandage that Mianne had expertly applied.
"Thank you, brother. I feel like all of us would make great partners for each other," Caramels said, his Southern accent cracking through once again.
He quickly followed up with a sheepish "Sorry about that."
As a brief silence settled, a voice suddenly rang out, breaking the calm.
"Sunop! Caramels! Where are you guys? The parade is about to start."
The authoritative voice belonged to Jhoan, the leader who always had a watchful eye on his teammates.
"We're here, Sir Jhoan!" Sunop hollered, standing up from his 'injured' position. Letting out a little 'ow' from his cast arm.
Jhoan finally located them and let out a relieved sigh. "Oh, thank goodness. Come on, let's get moving," he urged, pointing toward the end of the alleyway.
Caramels and Sunop nodded in agreement and began to follow the path, with Jhoan trailing closely behind.
However, just before Jhoan could continue, his attention was caught by Ezra. His brows furrowed slightly as he approached, and he reached into his pocket, producing a weathered photograph of his old team from years ago. 'He looks so familiar...'
The photograph captured Ezra, smiling with a youthful gleam in his eyes, brimming with optimism for the future.
Jhoan held up the photograph and studied Ezra's face closely, then tilted his scarf in an attempt to match the image.
Determination etched on his features, he even resorted to trying to widen Ezra's smile by gently manipulating his lips with his fingers, all while gazing back and forth between the photo and Ezra's face.
Ezra blinked in surprise as Jhoan's efforts grew increasingly peculiar. "Oh, sorry about that. I thought you were a long-lost friend of mine," Jhoan finally admitted, his expression sheepish and his enthusiasm slightly dampened.
Ezra couldn't help but chuckle at the situation. "Maybe it's the eye bags, huh?" he teased, causing Jhoan to turn towards him, now with a genuine smile on his face.
"EZRA! BUDDY! HOW'S IT BEEN?" Jhoan's voice boomed, full of enthusiasm, as he lunged forward for a bear hug with Ezra.
Ezra's body was enveloped by Jhoan's meaty arms, and he felt the pressure on his spine almost nearing breaking point.
Struggling for breath, Ezra managed to squeeze out, "It...been...good..."
"Oh! Sorry!" Jhoan quickly released him, a concerned look flashing across his face as he realized the potential damage he could have inflicted.
Ezra took a moment to catch his breath, coughing lightly as he regained his composure.
"My life's been better, I guess," Ezra replied, rubbing his back as if to ease the lingering discomfort.
Jhoan gave a nod of understanding, his expression a mix of nostalgia and fondness. "I know, I know. It's been a lot of years since our teams were disbanded," he said, his voice carrying a hint of bittersweet reflection.
As if to emphasize his point, Jhoan effortlessly lifted Ezra into the air, catching him completely off guard.
"Woah! Okay, strongman!" Ezra exclaimed with a mixture of surprise and amusement, laughing as he found himself airborne for a moment.
Jhoan grinned in response, lowering Ezra back down gently.
The sound of trumpets resonated through the air, carrying the joyful melody of the parade's commencement. "I think that's the parade starting!" Jhoan exclaimed, a sense of urgency in his voice as he realized he needed to rejoin the festivities.
James, ever eager to embrace a moment of joy, chimed in with enthusiasm, "Let's go watch the parade together!" He made an effort to rise to his feet, but his progress was aided by Mianne, who extended her helping hand.
"Thanks, Mianne," James expressed his gratitude with a beaming smile directed at her.
Mianne's shy blush colored her cheeks as she mumbled a soft, "No problem."
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