Myle's POV
My arms were wide opened, blocking my brother's sight. "You haven't finished this explosive movie?"
"It's alright, alright? I'm also done with the chores. Just let me- AH!" I grabbed the remote then pressed the power button.
Hard-working with a laidback attitude... and a complete opposite of me. I disliked him for the acknowledgments that he got, reaching the point of copying him.
Well, that was all in the past. You could say that we're on good terms now. I was just childish back then... Or probably, that's my excuse...
"And then, what are you doing here?" I diverted my attention to the man beside me.
"I wonder, Miss Arjera?"
"I swear... what did Zou tell you?" I sighed.
Their family never failed to give me headaches. Kyou visited our house right after I got home. I couldn't tell what's running inside his head.
First, he approached me despite the danger. What if I was untrustworthy? What if I also hurt them? Even with his ability, he still needs to be cautious.
And now, we agreed to keep some distance but still visited after what happened about 6 hours ago. I couldn't believe that I dealt with an arsonist...
"Kyou, you're aware that she lives nearby, right?" I whispered.
"Her class ends at 5:30 pm. Also, she can't travel that fast." He'd got a point but I wondered how did he know that?
"So Brother Arjera, may I borrow your sister?"
"You've done it before so no problem." He snatched the remote from me then pressed the power button.
"AH! You're abandoning me just to watch that movie!"
"False accusations!" He pointed a finger at me. "Kyou, take this woman away!"
"No!!"
And so, I got dragged to the mall.
★
"Kyouuu!" My hands tried to reach his back like a zombie.
"Yes?"
"What if someone from school sees us?" I whispered while panting from a distance.
I knew it was too risky. If ever they realized our lies, something worse might happen to Zeyern. It would be my fault for messing with Ma'am Carsel..!
"Just relax, Miss Arjera. Here, ice cream." He was holding two. It reminded me of our first hangout.
"Since when-?"
"While you're in deep thoughts."
"I-I see... Thanks."
We ate it quickly as usual. I'd been curious about what Zou told him so I asked. The answer that I got was:
"He explained in detail your interaction with Kana Rinsel. You've been pushing yourself too hard. I thought that hanging out again might calm you so I invited you."
I wanted to lie on the floor since I was tired of everything. I was the one who's always being helped. I guessed I should've done more.
"Do you want to cry?"
"I want but not in front of you," I replied. "Come on, there's a game house! We should at least enjoy, right?"
"Well, that's our purpose here so why not?"
"Alright!" I grabbed his hand then dragged him to the game house.
Some students were playing shooting rings. A mini carousel had a long lane, full of kids. The noise from the players combined with the loud echoes from karaoke... I didn't know where to start.
"Miss Arjera, let's have a bet."
"Bet?"
"How many balls can he shoot in one minute?" He pointed at the man in front of a mini basketball ring.
"Is it alright..?" I thought that it might be rude to use someone in a bet... until Kyou approached him and asked for his permission. The man explained that he's a friend of Zou named Kein. Now, it makes sense.
"I can shoot about 11 baskets in one minute," he said so we would have a basis.
"Kyou, what will you get if you win?"
"The winner can request something from the loser. If it's a tie, we can request something from each other."
Agreeing with the conditions, Zou's friend bought a token on the counter then inserted it into the basketball machine.
"Then, I believe 11 will go in."
It was what exactly Kein told us. If I had to choose, the gap between Kyou's answer and mine shouldn't be that far. The question was 'Do I need a tie?'
I looked at Kyou and asked, "What do you wish for?"
"Your happiness, Miss Arjera," he answered.
His smile that I used to be irritated with, somehow... moved something deep inside me. Lies or not, he's a friend I decided to trust.
"I guess..." I took a deep breath. "It will be 12!"
"No room for draws!?" Kein gasped.
Well, I'd rather lose than have a tie because there's a chance he'll use the prize as refusal for my request. It would be just the same as no prizes. The difference was only my request would be revealed!
I shouldn't take that risk. It may not look like it but shyness usually buried me. I even forgot to write my last will.
However, thinking that I chose a higher number made me think that...
"Heh. I might be a gambler in my past life."
"A-Ahahahah... What a smug you got there, Miss Arjera."
"Go, Kein! I believe in your precious ability!"
"Ignoring me, I see. I'm getting jealous, Miss Arjera."
I might hate to admit it but I suddenly avoided eye contact, wondering if it was from embarrassment...
★
"That was fun!" I stretched my arms upwards.
Five minutes had passed and the winner was declared. We exited the game house. While the winner was humming to oneself's victory, the loser awaited the request.
"You're indeed a gambler in your past life..," he said, dragging his feet.
I grinned. "So, what's your real wish?"
"What's yours first?"
I was still hesitating... because my request was something that I should not decide.
"Alright, I'll tell you mine first." He volunteered. "Inviting you here to calm you down was an excuse. I apologize for lying..."
"Lying..? Oh, It's fine, I had fun anyway!"
Plus, because he confessed that, I realized something very important.
"I'm glad you had fun... I was selfish to drag you here just to be with you. I used this opportunity to forget our problems and ask you to not think of yourself as a burden."
"Oh my, Zou also told you..?"
"That's also an excuse anyway because it feels like you'll leave me anytime, blaming yourself-"
"I won't leave." I interrupted. "Indeed, I blamed myself but I'm also selfish. I was thinking like a good girl, caring for your safety. But deep inside, I'm nervous that you'll regret meeting me so I tried to help."
Yeah, I guessed it's the same case with my family... "I just don't want to be useless..."
I took a deep breath. "My excuse was much worse than yours..! I decided to stick with you until the end, so bear with it! That's my request!"
He was silenced for a moment until a crowd separated us. Calling each other's name, we failed to reach our hands.
"Stick, my foot... Where did those people come from?"
"Sa~ Who knows, Miss Myle Arjera?"
Before I knew it, her arm was already across my shoulder. Thanks to Kyou, I didn't panic that much. My heart rate was still rising though.
"Was it fun toyin' with me?" She whispered. "Apologize and I'll spare your life..."
"I'm sorry."
"That was fast!" She let go and stepped back.
Well, I was wrong in that part so it's better to apologize.
"Ma'am Carsel, why are you targetting them?" I tried to check if my phone was in my pocket and luckily, it was.
"I have no reason to tell you." She suddenly looked away then begun to count down...
"3... 2... 1..."
"What are you-?"
"Boom." I read from her lips since a loud blast at our back made me covered my ears.
Everyone's attention was directed to the flames. People's screams echoed throughout the mall. The noisy footsteps of the crowd had also increased.
As the building started to collapse, I stiffened because for the first time in my life..,
I encountered an explosion.