The girl's tears and the young man's resolve

There I was, sitting next to Eve on the couch. Even though it’s been 4 hours since the confrontation at the school, I’m still riled up. Eve seems to be watching some ghost related anime now, the dialogue is terrible but hilarious at the same time. However, even that can’t cheer me up. Eve is surprisingly quiet, she’d usually be engrossed in her show and make comments about it. I guess I’m not the only one who’s had a complicated day, but at the same time it wouldn’t hurt to ask.

“Hey, Eve…”

“What’s up brat?”

“If someone went into the old academy building-”

“If they had no understanding of mana or defensive wards, then their survival would be questionable at best.”

There it is, the answer I was dreading. To go there with no proper protection means their chances for survival are slim. However, I can’t be blamed for this. I tried to…

…I’m pathetic, if something happened to them it would be my fault. I should’ve swallowed my pride and stayed with them. I should’ve protected them. I should’ve been there, but instead I let them walk into a trap. I’m worse than Bernard, how can I be so pathetic.

“I’m gonna head to bed.”

“What about dinner?”

“Heat up some leftovers.”

I’m scared, if I go to the old academy building now what would I see? Would they even be alive at this point? Thinking like that, what’s the point of going to see a trainwreck when you know it’s there? I continue moving towards my room, only to hear a knock at the door.

“Who would be knocking at the door around this time of the night? Eve did you order something?”

“Huh? How the hell would I manage that you dumbass! I don’t even have a phone!”

“...Not even pizza?”

“....”

Eve started sweating bullets, so she did order something. Welp not my pro-

“Aren’t you gonna answer it?”

“You’re the one who ordered something!”

“BUT I’M WATCHING MY SHOW RIGHT-”

*BANG BANG BANG*

Alright what’s going on, it’s like someone’s practicing fighting game combos on my door. Another reason not to open it, despite that Eve looks at me pleadingly.

“Why should I open the door when a madman is banging on?”

“Let’s not forget how you left this bruise on me the other day, Woman Beater Tom!”

Eve feigned innocence as she pointed towards the nonexistent bump on her head. You know what fine, I’ll check the damn door! I swear if this is a pizza you better share half with me. I walk up to the door and start to open it. Speaking of, where did Eve get the money for-

“What the…? Why are you here?”

“...”

At my door was Nina, her left arm was bleeding and her uniform looked like it was covered in dirt. Her eyes were red and puffy, she had been crying. Did something happen? More than that, what happened to Stacy? Moreover, how did she find my address? Before I could ask any of these questions, Nina broke the silence.

“You gotta help me Thomas, it's bad.”

“...What?”

This is the first time she’s called me by name, what happened? Then as if she was curious about the commotion Eve came walking over.

“What all the hub bub about, oh that’s the uniform for your school right. Is she your girlfriend?”

““WHO THE HELL WOULD DATE SOMEONE LIKE THIS!””

Me and Nina looked at each other with sparks flying between us, but unlike usual she pulled herself back. This isn’t the usual bloodhound I know, what could’ve possibly-

“Stacy and the others were taken in the old academy building, and it’s all my fault.”

It took me a moment to process those words, I decided to let Nina in so we could have a proper conversation.

****

Eve managed to use a rune to clean Nina up when she wasn’t looking, she chose not to heal her though. Makes sense considering how hard it would be to pull that off. I simply grabbed our first aid kit and patched her up myself. I brewed some hot chocolate and after a few swigs, Nina finally spoke up. Needless to say, I couldn’t help but get angry hearing what happened.

“So not only did you put Stacy in danger when she started to regret the decision to follow you, when push came to shove she had to save you.”

“...Yes.”

“Some friend you are.”

Nina winced when I said that, and stared down at the table. I looked over at Eve, she was giving me her usual cheeky look. I bet she’s enjoying every second of this, I sigh and question Nina further.

“So why are you here, and how do you know my address?”

“You don’t need to worry about all that, just know that I need your help!”

“What?”

“You’re the only person I know with knowledge on supernatural stuff like this, and you were the one who warned us before. If anyone can help us now then it would be you!”

I close my eyes for a moment and stand up from the table. I then look back at Nina, and question her.

“So you want me to help you clean your mess?”

“It’s not like that, it’s just-”

“JUST WHAT!?! I WARNED YOU NOT TO GO, AND YOU DID THE EXACT OPPOSITE! Are those guys even-”

“Please just stop…”

Nina started crying, so she does feel guilty. For once she finally understands her actions have consequences, but that’s not enough for me.

“What are their names?”

“What?”

“The names of the occult club members, what are they?”

Nina put her head down on the table. Jeremy, Matthew, and Terese are the names of the members in the occult club. We weren’t close, but even I know what their names were. Right now Nina isn’t focused on saving anyone but Stacy, she didn’t come here to ask me for help, but to use me.

“I’m done with this.”

“Huh?”

Nina watch me with her red eyes as I left the table. She trembled as I began walking away, forcing herself to get out any words she could.

“W-Wait! Please, I’ll do anything! I’ll let you interact with Stacy as muc-”

“You see people as objects and tools, are you sad that you put Stacy in danger or sad that your favorite doll was taken. Well guess what, I’m not sticking around to find out.”

I left the dining room table and went to my room.

****

“...*Sniff* Damn it, what am I gonna do now?”

As much as I’d hate to admit it, this guy is the only hope I have to save her. If I can’t get him to help me, Stacy is as good as gone. I look over at the girl sitting at the table with me, she finished her cup of hot cocoa and began drinking his. She noticed I was watching her and addressed me.

“Oh right, I’m his cousin Eve. Let me guess you were wondering why I didn’t help you out there right?”

“Not exactly, but-”

“The stuff you’re dealing with is of no concern to me girl, however you’re in luck. This guy’s a bit of a bleeding heart you see.”

Bleeding heart? What’s she blabbing about? Before I could process what she just said, I heard a door being slammed open and footsteps rushing back towards the table. I slowly turned my head to see him standing there in his school uniform. It was thrown on in a hurry, I could tell that from the wrinkles all over it. When I looked into his eyes, I didn’t know how to feel. He had a look in his eyes that I’ve never seen before. Along with that look in his eyes, came words I didn’t expect to hear him say.

****

“Alright let’s go.”

“Huh!?!”

“What, you thought I was gonna just abandon them. I’m not doing this for you, I’m doing this for them.”

Nina held her face and almost started to tear up again, but time is of the essence. I grabbed her by the back of her collar and put her outside.

“What are you doing?”

“I need some privacy real quick, I’ll be out shortly.”

I closed the door and immediately started hearing Nina’s protest from outside. I then walked over to Eve and her face had a devious smile on it. I sighed but asked anyway.

“Eve, are you willing to help me out in a situation like this?”

“Nope, this is your pop quiz after all.”

“My what?”

A pop quiz? Don’t tell me she plans to use this life or death situation in an attempt to further my so called training. Eve gave a light cough and passed me the ward stone from before.

“I placed a protection rune on it to help against evil spirits. Besides this, until you get what I consider to be a passing grade, I’m not helping.”

“This will be enough Eve, thank you.”

I graciously accepted Eve’s gift and started heading towards the door. Eve gave me a wave goodbye, forgetting that this house was mine. As I exited the house, I spotted Nina standing in a fashion I expected from her. She glared at me as if she wasn’t crying before and gave me a retort.

“YOU’RE LATE! WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG!”

“Heh, don’t act like you weren’t crying a minute ago. Also, I was in there for a minute.”

“D-Don’t you dare bring that up!”

Well looks like things are relatively back to normal, but I feel like something is different about Nina now. She feels a bit more passive towards me, but that could be just me.

“Anyway let’s go, I’ve wasted almost an hour here. It’s 7:30pm now, I don’t want them to wait any longer than this!”

She’s changed, her concern incorporates everyone now. Well, the least I can do is make things easier for her.

“Alright, get on my back. I’ll run us down there.”

“Huh? I doubt your any faster than a ca-”

“Just shut up and do it.”

Nina sighed and indulged me, as expected she’s not that heavy. Especially with my mana veins opened, if I push myself it shouldn’t take that long for me to run to the school.

“Hold on for dear life Nina.”

“What do you-AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

I began to rush off, carrying Nina on my back.