Chapter 156: Ori and Ellen (2/2)

”Long time no see,” Arthur smiled at the two as he gestured them inside.

”Hey, Arthur.” Ori scratched his cheek in awkwardness and Ellen nodded her head in greeting. The two followed him inside to their small living room and Arthur let them sit on the couch as he took the chair.

”I wasn't expecting you two,” Arthur said with a smile, unsure how to break the silence. ”How has it been?”

”Well, a lot less interesting than you have it, for sure.” Ori laughed but Arthur didn't miss the fakery in it. It was then that Arthur remembered Ori had some feelings toward Tyrin.

”I'm sorry about what happened,” Arthur said in a sincere tone. Even though he hated Tyrin, he knew that Ori loved him, albeit one-sidedly.

”It's alright.” Ori paused and shook his head. He fumbled for the words that used to fly from his mouth like a machine gun. ”It was shocking, but Tyrin always had his ambitions. I just…” His voice cracked a bit and he coughed to clear his throat. ”I wish I did something to stop it.”

”It wasn't your fault.” Ellen shook her head as she said in a low voice. Ori didn't look at her and nodded in half-approval.

”People's choices are a reflection of themselves,” Arthur interjected, looking at the table. ”There was nothing that you could've done.”

”Yeah, nothing.” Ori laughed dryly in a self-mocking way. Arthur realized that his words were inappropriate.

”I didn't mean…”

”It's okay, Arthur. This is not why we're here. We've brought you something.” Ori interrupted and hurried to change the topic. ”It's a little gift that symbolizes our club. I don't know if you'd like it…”

”Of course, I would,” Arthur said in genuine surprise. After all, he didn't remember the last time someone gifted him something.

'Other than my legacy, of course.' He snickered inwardly as he saw Ellen take out a small box from her school's bag. He took the box and opened it, revealing a metallic bracelet that had their initials.

”It's a tradition that we do at the end of every year,” Ori said in embarrassment. ”It's lame compared to what you'd get if you win the Runes Apprentices Cup…”

”Ori, Ellen…” Arthur picked up the bracelet as a grin he couldn't hide filled his face. ”I love it. Truly.” He didn't hesitate and wore the bracelet directly.

”I'm glad.” Ellen nodded with a rare smile. He raised her arm and waved, revealing the same bracelet on her wrist. Ori also grinned as he showed off his bracelet.

”I didn't prepare anything. I'm sorry.” Arthur said in slight embarrassment.

”It's evidence of the time we spent together. We'll be going in different paths, after all.” Ori sniffed as his eyes turned a little red. ”Sorry, I was always too emotional.”

The two laughed lightly and they discussed what colleges they would aim for from now on. Night descended and Arthur suggested they have something to eat and Ori volunteered to show off his cooking skills.

As he occupied the kitchen, Arthur and Ellen prepared the table in the living room. Arthur noticed that Ellen was quieter than usual as if something was on her mind.

”Is everything okay?” She was always the quiet type but now was especially so. Ellen didn't answer and kept arranged the plates.

”Say, Arthur.” She said in a small voice that Arthur barely heard. The way she addressed him was far intimate than the way she addressed others. ”If there was something you need to do, no matter what, how much would you go for?”

Arthur paused at her question. He wanted to ask her what was wrong, but he knew that wasn't the answer she was looking for. He didn't know what she was looking for, either.

”It's not a question of how much I would go for, but how much it needs me to go for,” Arthur answered after thinking for a bit. ”If I want something that badly, I think I'll do anything for it.”

”Anything?” She asked, looking at him in the eyes.

”Yes, I'll do whatever I can.” He answered, thinking of how he wanted to live from now on. ”However, I'll also rely on the people around me,” Arthur added not about himself, but Ellen. He remembered her mother. ”That's what friends are for, right?”

”…Right.”

Her answer came after a lengthy silence. Arthur couldn't see her face and before he could ask her what was going on, Ori came back carrying the pot of spaghetti and meatballs.