270 Eriths Melancholy (2/2)

”Noah's pretty good though,” Zevin added in. ”He only lost to Erith.”

”That's what I don't want!” Noah cried out weakly.

”It's fine,” Luna smiled as she patted Noah on his head. ”You did good.”

Once again, Noah let out a soft sigh of defeat and fatigue. i could understand why they were somewhat tired, as the matches were rather intense. In fact, even though I was simply watching, I felt kinda tired as well.

”Hey,” Mura's voice interrupted us all. ”It's about time that we get ready to leave.”

With Mura's notification, everyone got up from the couch, either to grab their wallets, change their clothes, or just simply to use the restroom. The living room cleared rather quickly, although with some loitering about from some people like me that opted to wait a bit.

”Hey,” Zaksus whispered into Loyd's ear. ”Tonight?”

”Yeah,” Loyd nodded, blushing somewhat nervously.

”Oh damn!” Zaksus exclaimed in a soft voice. On his face was a look of excitement that he seemed to be trying his best to contain.

”Finally manning up, huh?” Noah commented as he got up from the couch and headed towards the bedroom.

It would appear that this conversation is something that is supposed to be kept between the three of them. That means I am not included. What they are talking about...I am somewhat curious, but if they don't want me to know, then whatever. Maybe it's something that they can't speak to me about, or maybe it is just that they don't think we're close enough to talk about certain things. Who knows? But...yeah...I do feel somewhat weird about it.

When everyone was ready, we gathered at the doorway, waiting to board the SUV and Van that we will be taking to the firework festival.

”Where's Erith?” Luna frowned as she looked around for her friend.

”She's...still in the house,” Zevin pointed out as he looked in through the opened doorway.

”I don't feel like going,” Erith said, smiling in a...rather weirdly docile manner.

”What's wrong?” Luna frowned as she took a step towards her friend.

”Nothing,” she said. ”I just don't like being in someplace that crowded today. I'm a bit tired from playing five matches and two tournaments.”

”...I'll stay—”

”It's fine,” Erith interrupted Luna. ”You don't need to worry about me. Go have fun.”

”...”

Luna seemed to be a bit taken by surprise by Erith's words, as there were a confused expression on her face, as if she do not know what she should do. Standing next to her, Zevin also appeared to be thinking about the situation. However, the conclusion that he came up with is different from that of Luna's.

”She must have her reasons,” Zevin whispered to Luna as he grabbed her gently be her arm. ”Let's go.”

”But...” Luna frowned as she gazed longingly at Erith.

”Come on,” Zevin said once again in his soft and gentle voice. ”Don't force her to do something she doesn't want to do. Everyone else is getting in the car now. Don't keep them waiting.”

”Wait,” Luna resisted Zevin as she turned towards Erith. ”You want anything at least? Any food?”

”Just bring me whatever,” Erith smiled as she waved goodbye.

Still in a state of shock, Luna followed along as Zevin brought her to the van, allowing her to board with the help of Irina. Luna seemed to still be surprised by her friend's behavior that she seemed to be dazed and allowed her body to become limp. However, she will probably gradually recover.

I watched from the rolled up windows of the SUV, taking in the entire scene. However, I didn't say much as I simply observed the situation and tried to devise a plausible explanation for this situation. I have a vague idea of the truth in my mind, but I am still not a hundred percent confident about it all.

The car started moving, and the opened doorway became farther and farther. Erith's figure as she stood by the opened doorway and seeing us off...it to became smaller and smaller as the car drove further and further from the house towards the pier.

As the car drove, something kept bothering me in my mind. It was...a rather foul feeling, a feeling that I yearn to rid myself of but was constantly unable to do so. It just...lingered about in my mind. Something is wrong. Otherwise, Erith will not have that countenance, and Luna will not have that reaction. Something...something isn't right, or maybe it has been that way since the beginning but I have simply not realized it until now...

If I think of things this way...then it all makes sense now. It all lined up now. So this is what's been bothering them...

I looked out the window, taking in the unfamiliar scenery in this foreign city that I have no experience with. We have been driving for about twenty minutes and had driven rather far from the house . However, I have no fear as we had been simply driving straight without making any turns since the start of our journey.

”Emilia,” I said to her. ”Pull over.”

”What's the matter?” she glanced over at me in the rear-view mirror.

”Just pull over,” I said.

She complied and did as I said.

”I won't be going,” I said as I stepped foot on the street.

”Are you going to walk back?” Noah asked with a bewildered expression on his face. ”Your crazy now?”

”No,” I shook my head and chuckled. ”I'm pretty sober right now. As clear-headed as ever before.”

With that said, I closed the door and watched as the SUV drove off in the direction of the peer. I glanced up at the sky, taking in the sun's position in its arc across the sky. It'll take sometime until I get back...so I better start jogging.