[A/N: Chapter soundtrack: Why Do You Lie To Me - Topic, A7S. FT. Lil Baby]
"You know, I overheard the girls in my P.E. class talking about the Aria girl."
Hmm...?
On the table, Aybel remained dead still at the mention of his sister's name.
It seems Aria has become a topic of gossip.
"It's pretty brutal. But if you ask me, she kinda had it coming."
Although his expression didn't show it, but those words hit Aybel like a punch to the gut.
Brutal... What sort of monster would hurt her? And what exactly does she mean, 'she had it coming?'
"...It's so gross that people do that. Poor girl."
"Well, the person you should be telling that to is Aria. I personally don't give a damn."
"Kira, I don't think you're supposed to say stuff like that."
"..."
"What? I'm just spitting facts, my dude. I dunno the details but maybe she wanted it, maybe she did-"
"Hey! Don't bad mouth her when you only have half the story!"
Half the story... Hmm... There's always a lot of gossip going around this school. It's a fact that some people get jealous of others and spread rumours about them in order to ruin their reputation... I'll take this with a grain of salt.
Yet, as more of their heated conversation reached his ears, concern overtook his doubt.
Sluggishly, Aybel sat upright, contemplating their words. Aria's pain... I never would have thought...
He had always assumed she was happy, dealing with her school life effortlessly. Well, I guess it's because I've always seen her at her best.
A happy high school life...
I don't have much to compare it to, since I'm living mine as a complete loner. Aria's smart and athletic. What more else is there to want?
...Friends?
Maybe she got close to someone only to have them betray her... We both know how that feels like.
So it's perfectly understandable that she's terrified of it happening again... In fact, I figured that school was her escape. At least, that's what I hoped for.
Our paths seldom cross and we don't exactly have classes together since her's are in the first-year school building, quite far from where I spend most of my time in the second-year building.
...At times, it feels like we practically go to separate schools.
Such was the prestigious nature of the academy, as the only times they might come in contact were during lunch break in the cafeteria or at school events.
And just as well, Aria, like me, isn't so fond of the cafeteria. She also seems to not have any responsibilities at school as far as I'm aware. Even so... How could I have been so ignorant? Did I fail to see?
He was fairly certain he had kept an eye on her, at school and at home.
Shutting his eyes, Aybel briefly ran through his countless interactions with Aria, finally he came to a halt at their most recent conversation - this morning:
Well, it was a pretty routine morning. I woke up early and made the usual toast for myself and her. Aria left her room stretching and yawning widely, joining me at the table shortly after.
She was still a bit groggy from her sleep, but she still looked happy to see me judging from her poke on the cheek greeting.
We have this little ritual that we do every morning - I give Aria a book and she does the same.
We both read it through the course of the school day and then swap it out with a different book the next. Except...
I'm honestly not the fastest reader. I like to take my time with the things I'm reading.
That's why sometimes I don't always get around to swapping with Aria the same day. But we always make sure to do it whenever we can.
Today, I thought about picking up something from my non-fiction collection, but I couldn't think of anything good... So I just picked up a random manga called Demon Sanctuary and gave it to her instead.
For some reason, after looking up the synopsis online. She smirked at me. So I guess it was a good choice. Aria gave me something called A Game of Crowns by H.H.
Aybel pictured the pocket sized book currently laying on the table.
The front cover is pretty basic.
Just a drawing of a shattered black crown on a white background.
I haven't read it yet. Though, it looks like a fairly quick read.
Next, we talked about how we slept and Aria seemed to be in a really good mood.
But then, she suddenly asked me a surprising question.
Aria asked if I wanted to play a game with her after school tomorrow. I should have the free time on my hands, so I said yes.
Then as we ate, she made fun of me for my habit of adopting stray cats and speaking to them as if they were my closest confidants, and to be fair... I can see why it may seem strange to anyone...
But I don't quite find it odd, though. She also pointed out that we now apparently share my habit of speaking thoughts aloud without being aware of it...
Involuntarily Aybel paused. Weird... Is someone watching me.
"Oh..." He abruptly registered the fact that he blurted most of that out.
Eyes still shut, he gave an exaggerated sigh picturing all three girls, now staring at him wide-eyed, as they slowly rose to back away from the table...
And the list of reasons people consider me strange keeps growing... what a tedious flaw.
Anyway... she eventually switched to small talk, asking about my classes and any interesting happenings at school.
We didn't exchange any more words after that because, as usual, I had to leave and she still had to get ready to go to school herself...
But all that was a lie.
This entire morning, and god knows for how long. All, rehearsed, lies.
Every question, every word, her smile, eyes, mood... were all just a cover - an intelligent way to distract me from what she's really feeling.
If I were some stranger and this was about trying to fit in and be accepted, then it would be understandable, but that's not the case.
Its as though she's trying to play a role, she's the actress playing little sister and I... her humbled spectator.
She's always been good at hiding her true feelings, hasn't she? Scary good as a matter of fact. Aria... we might be more similar than we realize.
Looking back on it now, at some point in our earlier conversation, there was indeed a moment where I noticed something in her eyes.
For a millisecond... I saw the true Aria. Emptiness... and I subconsciously brushed it off, didn't I? Sure, it was gone as quickly as it appeared but - it was there.
What were you really feeling at that second...?
I see... there was more beneath the surface, after all. A depth to her I've never seen before...
Oddly enough, he suddenly recalled the famous words of a certain philosopher, however, pushing the thought aside he wondered:
But why would she go that far to act for me of all people? It doesn't make any sense. Unless I'm missing something...
She doesn't want anyone to see her suffering...? Afraid of being judged...? Rejected...?
Still... was I too naive with her? Possibly... I suppose I should have seen it sooner, Aybel thought as he opened his eyes, gaze drifting to the untouched plate before him.
Hmm... perhaps, all this time, my assumptions were nothing more than me using her as a convenient scapegoat to bury my own baggage.
Reality had smacked him in the face like a well-aimed dodgeball. But he couldn't dwell on self-blame now.
Having reached a decision, Aybel pushed aside the sandwich plate. The cynic in him had given way to his brotherly instincts.
It's not like she asks for my help with anything. In that, she's very self-reliant. But sometimes, she won't speak up for herself, it's true. To think someone took advantage of that... Aybel's face darkened in grim determination.
An unforgivable crime... I may not be the most sociable person, nor do I form close relationships with others.
But Aria... you're different.
I WILL remove the irritant standing in the way of your safety... regardless of their nature or identity.
To Be Continued...