The feeling came very quickly and left, it was a light kiss. A feeling of coldness was left on his lips. He was stunned and didn't have a word to speak. A rustling sound came from behind which their focus turned to but there was nothing.
"I will go back now"
"You should also come back in a while, mom is gonna call you soon since the lantern release is starting soon"
Though her facial expression looked calm and all, Rex knew that she was very nervous and was shy after her act because her ears were red. As for the content of their conversations about what she wanted to say, Rex could understand what it was from her actions.
As the night became darker, there was a small lantern which was released and in the next few moments, hordes of them came up. Looking at the release of lanterns from the village, the four Rex, Laura, Clarissa and Madeleine did as well. The big lantern started to rose and with the wind started to follow the direction in which the other small ones went as well.
Through the cloudless night, the scene of the ocean of lanterns flowing through the night sky was beautiful. Time passed and the lanterns could no longer be seen clearly.
"I should go back now"
Clarissa said to Madeleine.
"How about you wait for Rex to send you back"
"It's fine aunty, I will go back by myself"
Clarissa said as she waved her hand. Looking at the back of Clarissa, Laura who just arrived back said to Madeleine.
"Mom, I forgot to tell something to Clarissa"
"She shouldn't have gone far, I should be able to catch her"
"Hmm, okay try to be quick and come back"
"It's late already"
"Okay, mom"
She quickly run and tried to catch up to Clarissa.
__ __ __
After reaching the front of the mansion, Clarissa saw the bench in front of the lake. Her eyes started to turn red. Not wanting to think about it anymore, she started to run, run away from the scene which she saw.
She ran and ran till she was out of breath and stopped looking at the ground which started to get wet with the tears which dropped from her face.
"Why, why is it always like this"
"Why not me"
Words didn't come out of her mouth but her tears were continuous.
"Clarissa"
As soon as she heard that sound, she knew who it was. She quickly wiped her tears and tried to make it seem like everything was fine.
"L..aura"
Her voice choked a little as she said these words. She turned and looked at her but seeing her face she remembered the scene and looked down unable to look at her straight.
Laura seeing this sighed,
"Clarissa, did you cry?"
"…No, why are you asking that"
"I know you are lying"
Clarissa became silent at those words, it was not only that Laura being her best friend knew whether she lied or not but also that there was still a slight sound of her voice being a little choked due to crying.
"Can you tell me why?"
Silence persisted a bit more till Clarissa opened her mouth and said,
"You and Rex…."
She wanted to say more but no words came out of her mouth.
"I knew it"
Laura knew that the rustling was definitely not because of a critter but because of Clarissa.
"Even if you saw it, why are you crying"
"I know you also like Rex"
Clarissa upon hearing those words,
"That's exactly the reason"
"I hope you have a great future"
She turned after and wanted to run but her arm was grabbed by none other than Laura.
"Wait for me to finish my words"
"Even if he have me, why can't he also have you"
"You mean…"
"Yes"
Both of them understood what each other meant. Clarissa hugged Laura immediately,
"That's why you are my best friend"
Laura immediately interjected,
"Sisters"
Clarissa hugged her even tighter as she said,
"Sisters"
Clarissa replied back, happy that Laura would allow her to also date him.
"What a touching scene"
A clapping sound was heard and a group of three men appeared. As soon as they were near, the stench of beer and alcohol could be smelled. One fat and two burly men, all of them looked drunk.
"How about you pretty young ladies, help us old men get to our house"
"We will reward you well"
They laughed as they said these words. But three mouths which were laughing were reduced to two as a crashing sound was heard. The two men who were laughing beside the man in front quickly looked to see that their friend was smashed into the ground a few meters apart from where he was standing before. His mouth was fuming out blood and his nose seemed like it was broken. There seemed to be a few white stone laying around where the blood flowed out from his mouth.
He was not dead but he was no longer conscious. There was a young man who stood near the place where their friend stood before. They were a little shook but,
"You little mut, you think you can…."
Before he was able to talk, with just one blink he disappeared and what appeared on the face of the thinner man was a foot. Before he could comprehend what had happened a series of blows came forward, the man was smashed into the ground with the similar scene as the other one. The remaining fat man became a little scared and wanted to but before he could he was also in the same scene as others but his was a bit more as he suffered more body damage as well. He always used his fat to protect himself when in fights but it seemed to not work against this kid was the thought before he lost his conscious.
__ __ __
Not a word was said by Rex as he fought but
"Are you two fine?"
Facing the two of Laura and Clarissa, his voice was full of worry and warmth. The whole fight didn't even last a minute. But instead of him being able to say a few words of comfort, he was bombarded with questions instead,
"Rex, are you fine"
"You just recovered, is your body fine"
"Did they do something to you"
Similar questions were asked by both of them as they looked around his body.
"I am fine"
"Are you really"
They both said and continued looking around his body. After a brief moment as if they checked out everything, they nodded to each other and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Why are you here"
Laura asked first.
"I can't leave two girls who left alone in the middle of the night can I"
"And both of you didn't wait for me, I just wanted to go to the bathroom for a moment"
"But more importantly what are you two doing in the middle of the road"
"Ahem, girl talk"
"Right, Clarissa?"
"Of course"
Clarissa nodded as she followed.
"Let's go, don't let this guy hear what we are talking about"
Both of them started walking towards the village.
'What kind of girl talk does it require to stand in the middle of the road though'
The thought passed Rex's mind but it was just a passing thought as he didn't remain curious for longer. He motioned with his hands behind his back and
"Young master"
A figure came out of the dark as if he was already there or materialized out of thin air.
"You can handle the scene right"
"Of course, young master"
As he left to chase the two who had left, the man who was in black clothing was let on the scene. When Rex was a bit further away,
"You two, you should also come out"
Then two figures also emerged from the shadows as well.
"Haha, old third"
"You are as sharp as ever"
"Both of you are locals so you both should know what to do right"
"Of course, but the next drink is on you"