FEELING FOREIGN

Riley glanced at her twin and back at Ren.
She felt slightly reluctant.

Does she have something to hide? I don't want to make her uneasy.
"It's fine if you don't want to talk about it." 

Riley began giggling. "I am okay to talk about it. The thing is that it just sounds suspiciously convenient. But that's just how it is."

"Are there any other pairs of siblings here?"

"No, we are the only ones." Vivian added.

No wonder others thought it was suspicious because they are the only pair of siblings here. 

“Yeah, everyone in Star Awesome was surprised when they found out that the two of us are not only from the same world but are sisters.”
Vivian added in a bored tone; her words lacked emotion.

Riley shifted from one foot to the other.
"There are people in Star Awesome who are from the same dimension. Including four who knew one another in their past lives."

Riley continued talking, her head tilted; she felt lost in her words: “Everyone in Star Awesome suddenly came to this world. Accepted it all and moved on. It happened to you too, right?"

Her words struck deep; his eyes widened.
She is right, even though I came to an unknown world, but I have already accepted it.
I couldn’t care less for how I came to this world.
Even if it was my dream to be isekai-ed, accepting it this easily is still absurd.
This acceptance is unnatural and unbelievable, but I am still okay with it.
It feels… it feels—

"It feels empty." That was the only thing he could say.

“That is mind manipulation.” The deep voice called out, which slightly shook him up; he was getting too comfortable with feminine voices. A tall, dark-haired guy walked up to them.

Ren noticed that Riley's shoulders felt tense.
What’s wrong with Riley? I think she doesn't like this person.

He tilted his head slightly and glared down at Ren.
Did I do something wrong?

The silence that followed his initial words lingered until he continued. 

“Amanda noticed that it was a common thing in all the Star Awesome members, so she assumed this to be either deliberately done or a side effect of entering another dimension.”

Ren was too dumbfounded to say anything.

I don't understand why someone would even do that.
 I don't like the thought of being manipulated.

If it's a side effect...there might be more

Ren was jolted back from his thoughts. when that guy continued talking. “You were showing him around, right? I saw the post Vivian made about the new member."

Post? Could it be possible that these people have social media?

Riley looked back at this person, making firm eye contact.
“No, Sen, I can do this.”
Her hands seemed a little shaky.
Is she afraid of him?

Sen continued talking, "I came to help.”

So he came to help...but why is Riley behaving like that?

“Riley, just let him do it so we can go shopping,” Vivian added, grabbing her sister.

Sen added, “Is there a problem?”

Ren mustered some courage and spoke.
“Riley was doing fine; I think she is—“

Before he could continue, Sen interrupted him.

“Where is your room, your bed in the combination room?
Name a few lands or species in this world.

Did you see the town yet?”

Sen shot a bunch of questions at him.
Ren looked at Riley, who was looking angrily at Sen.
Vivian, who just took a selfie.

Sen narrowed his eyes in disappointment.
The atmosphere felt heavy.
I don't know anything, and he is looking at me with too much disappointment...
I want to drown myself.

“I knew it…” Sen turned to Riley. “You are a really bad guide.”

“As if you are better,” Riley shot back.

Sen and Riley glared at each other.
While Ren felt as if he had disappointed generations of his family.

“You lack knowledge.” Sen added

“And you are rude.” Riley shot.

Vivian looked at Ren. “The thing is, Riley always wanted to show around Star Awesome, but she lacks a lot of knowledge."

Ah, no wonder she didn't know much about powers.

"Hey! ... I just wanted to be helpful." Riley looked at Vivian.

"And Sen wants to properly explain everything, but his ways are too intense."
She chuckled and walked past the glaring Sen to the dining table. 

Riley went to Ren while pointing at the Sen. “This is Sen; he is too intense but isn’t a bad person, I think.”

“You think?...” Ren spoke. 

Vivian settled down at the table as she kept typing.
Sen was looking at Riley with a raised eyebrow. 

Ren took a glance at Sen, recalling Riley's words. 

Abruptly, Sen made eye contact. Slowly he took a step back, keeping his gaze fixed before finally turning.

For a fleeting moment, his lips curved into a smirk as he turned around.

Ren stood there still staring at Sen. 

His name... 

Some people approached the table, whispering to each other and looking at Sen. Nudging one another and laughing.

A blond guy who was chuckling the most called out.

"Oi, Sen! ... Dude, don't be so scary~"

Sen walked up to him and sat down. "Yuzuru I was just explaining things to him.

Riley poked Ren as they walked up to the table. 

He nervously looked at everyone in anticipation.
They must be thinking that I am a stranger.

They must want to have a talk with me? 

Contrary to Ren's nervous anticipation, the place was mainly silent except for a few words they exchanged amongst themselves.

The seated ones didn't even bother looking at him.
Those who were settling in frequently took a glance at him, while the few who approached the table kept their gaze on him for slightly longer.
But no one was truly interested in the newbie, which added to Ren's nervousness.

Riley looked at Ren, and she seemed to notice his discomfort.
Placing her hand over his, she leaned in.
Ren went red as blood rushed through his veins.
She whispered in his ear.

"They are doing this on purpose."

"Huh?" Ren didn't understand what she meant.
Riley took out her phone, scrolled through the screen, and opened an app.
Placing her phone on the table, she slid it slightly towards Ren and motioned for him to look.

Ren lowered his gaze.
He saw a post entitled 'the new guy.'
Riley placed her finger on the phone, gently scrolling down.
There was a chat going on, and the latest text read.

[He looks as dumb as Toby @_@]

       [Hey! let's make him nervous :3 ]

             [How!!!!!!!!?]

                  [LET'S GIVE HIM THE SILENT TREATMENT :) ]

                        [Let's not!]

                                 [ok^^]

                                          [I am in......]

                                                 [yessssss!!!!]

She kept scrolling, and texts of approval kept flashing through his eyes.
But why?
Ren didn't understand the reason behind such an action.
Though deep down he knew.

A text appeared:    [Riley ruined our fun]

Ren's eyes were fixed on the phone.
this type of childish behavior.

He hated these people; he was still in shock when a voice called out.

"Ren, we are sorry."

Ren peeked up and saw that Yuzuru was standing on his seat, looking directly at Ren. He raised his hand to his nape. Tousle his long hair behind his ear, revealing many piercings.

Sen raised his hand to Yuzuru's back and slapped him. Yuzuru nervously looked at Sen, then back at Ren. And began blurting out without a pause.

"We are incredibly sorry; we didn't mean to make you feel bad.
We just wanted to play around.
We are ready to atone for our sins."
Yuzuru gasped, then glanced at Sen. "Happy now?"

Sen looked at Ren; there seemed to be a faint smile as he spoke.
 "Welcome, Ren."
Which was followed by the chorus of voices welcoming the momentary newest member.

Ren noticed Riley looking at Sen with confusion as she mumbled,
"Huh, so he can also treat others well."

Maybe she just doesn't like the too-stoic type.
He wanted to show me this place so that I could adjust easily.
He made his friend say sorry to me.
Not only did he welcome me in front of everyone.
breaking the ice.

He is, in fact, a good person.
Even if he can disappoint an entire generation of my family.