● Illusory ●

Chapter 2

Just as we entered the food court in the center, we were immediately nearly trampled by several people who were entering the area. Almost impulsively, I pulled Seiko in front of me so people wouldn't push her over, considering her height compared to them. Though, technically, I could have been trampled too since we're only four or five inches apart, but I didn't think about that at all. Instead, I watched them run and join a crowd that was forming in the middle of the food court.

"Ugh, some people are so careless. Can't they watch where they're going!?" I questioned, glaring at the crowd. Seiko only stared at them in curiosity.

"Wonder what the big deal is," she said, to which I shrugged.

"Only one way to find out," I told her, before we started walking towards the crowd. Once we reached them, I discreetly cleared a path for us with my powers so we wouldn't have to go through the struggle of pushing through all these shouting and smiling people. Though, once Seiko reached the front, she immediately stopped. Curious as to what made her stop, I peered over an onlooker's shoulder, only to become unimpressed.

There, in the middle of the crowd, stood the Agloe Company's infamous representative, Kalle Powell. His platinum blond hair was swept in its well-known do and his emerald green eyes seemed to connect with each pair of eyes within the crowd. I almost thought I saw some sort of light yellow glint within his eyes when they connected with mine, but it was only for a split second before he turned elsewhere and gained a suprised look.

"Sei!?" he exclaimed in surprise, to which I raised an eyebrow. Who is he looking at?

"Kalle!" I thought I heard Seiko shout, before seeing her almost tackle the young celebrity in a hug. I guess they must know each other. That, or Seiko is one of those crazy fangirls who would assault their celebrity crush once they saw them. I doubted that second one.

I pushed through the crowd in order to follow my friend and not get left behind in the mass of fans. Though, once I had reached them, it was almost as if Seiko had forgotten I was here, considering she was just chatting away with Kalle. Maybe I was looking too much into the situation, considering the fact that my brain tends to exaggerate my image of things.

"It's been so long since I've seen you! What has it been? 3 years?" Kalle asked Seiko, pulling away from the hug. The girl giggled.

"It's only been a few weeks, Kalle. You exaggerate so much!" she replied. I quite honestly have never met this Kalle boy before, so I had no idea how to approach the conversation. Though, I was almost immediately noticed by the cheeful celebrity as he looked over at me, looking a little annoyed.

"Uh, excuse me sir. Please step 5 feet back," he told me, to which I held my hands up. I opened my mouth to say something, but Seiko beat me to it.

"Oh! It's alright, Kalle. That's my friend Alex. They don't mean any harm," she told him.

" 'Friend'?" Kalle questioned for a moment before his eyes widened and he hurried over to me, clasping his hands together, "Oh my god I'm so sorry! Please forgive me for being so rude! I thought you were some sort of troublemaker. Oh, and I'm so sorry for referring to you wrongly!"

"I-It's alright. Most people assume that the first time I meet them. It's just a thing that happens. I won't go crazy on you about it," I told him, trying to give a smile that didn't seem as nervous as I was. This was just an accident. Accidents are fine, but people like Garrot who already know me and still refuse to call me what I requested to be called are just horrible.

"Ah, well, sorry again. I had no idea you were with Seiko either. I must have come off as quite rude," Kalle continued to apologize, to which I held my hands up again.