Another Point of View - 2

2

Twen: This looks like a good spot, don't you think?

Stopping and looking around, a drop of sweat trickling down her forehead even though the weather was not exactly sunny, she finally nodded without saying a word.

Mom's hands were empty, but I was carrying a blanket and a basket with some simple food. Since we had just chosen a place to stay, I hurried and set up everything we needed for our family picnic.

Something very important had just happened, and that only meant that many more things were to come. That is why this activity was so ideal.

Spending time outside, in a beautiful and peaceful place, was a good way to calm the mind and organize thoughts when they were already overwhelming.

This would also help Mom, a bit of a workaholic, but I also needed her to listen.

We sat down on the picnic blanket (Mom groaning a little as she bent down) and took advantage of the fresh air in the Novadía forest.

Twen: This is your first time here, right? It's an interesting place. A forest several meters above sea level, mostly solitary and…

As I said that, a bush moved near us, taking Mom by surprise. It was not like she hated animals, but you could say she respected nature, so she did not want to run into any predators.

Twen: Of course, there are a few animals around here, but don't worry. With me here, nothing should happen… You know, because I usually come here to train… And because I have my mask.

Of course, that was directly related to the topic I wanted to discuss with her, so my mindset quickly shifted.

Mom noticed this, and consequently changed her posture to look me directly in the eyes.

Twen: Well, it's true I have something to discuss with you, but I think I should first tell you how things are for now… Although we can't forget what we have right here. Come on, grab something.

Mom took one of the sandwiches from our basket, and I poured myself a drink, since you should not talk with your mouth full.

…

In another part of the world, but at that very moment, Noe was asking the person in front of her why they were smiling so much. The answer came from Zena, as that smile was her natural response to nervousness.

They were gathered because there was something important to share, and with every second she did not say it, curiosity grew. Even for Jean, in fact, although he was probably still wondering why they had all come to his house.

What had naturally become a tradition when going to Jean's house was repeated this time, and Zena hit the volleyball for Noe to catch.

However, it was not that she wanted to stay silent and make everyone forget what she had to say. It was just to combat her nerves, and that is why she ended up dropping the information suddenly during their game.

“Prince is back in Novadía.”

That is what she said, and the others nodded without much question. Zena then recounted what had happened with Lani, their unexpected encounter, and her decision to confront him head-on.

Noe stopped playing the ball, thinking of her friend, whose violet eyes she had not seen for over a week. The reason was now clear, and her concern was justified.

Jean also made this connection, but unlike Noe, he did not freeze. He took the ball from her hands and tossed it into the air, resuming the game.

It was not that he had not deemed it important, but rather that he did not see the point in such slow, sentimental reactions and preferred to move on immediately.

What could they do about it?

Zena and Noe might have been a little surprised to see Jean offering his help, but at the same time, they would not have expected anything less.

…

In a way, it was cute, but also intimidating. Lying there next to us, he was not doing much, but Mom could not stop staring at him, her eyes wide.

I, on the other hand, was sitting next to him. With me petting him on his back and head, through his dark fur, that wild bear had completely relaxed.

Twen: Of all the times I've been here, this friend has been present almost every time. He's friendlier than you'd think, and he loves to play… But I suppose they're somewhat rough games, aren't they?

Knowing me, Mom got what I meant by that, and so she put a hand to her forehead, as anyone used to someone else's strange actions would, finding herself unable to do anything but accept it.

It could be said that from the very moment my mask vinculated with me, many things had happened to me, some of them so bizarre and/or dangerous that no one could have ever imagined.

Twen: He's become a training partner for me. When I come here I use my powers to transform him into a gigantic monster and fight him. Then I give him something to eat and pet him like I'm doing now. You can try it too if you want, you know?

Forming a cross with er arms and shaking her head from side to side, her disapproval was obvious.

Twen: I really hope he enjoys it as much as I do. The best thing about training with him is that it's different from training with Andre… Or Prince, for example.

A confused expression appeared on Mom's face, but understanding what I meant, she put a hand to her forehead again.

Twen: I know it's stupid! But things turned out in a way I didn't even expect… Ever since I started hearing about Prince, I pictured him as a complete idiot. You could say I was angry with him even before I even knew his name.

My hands stopped petting the bear for a few seconds, as my brain was already busy replaying the memories of our fight in front of my eyes.

Twen: In a way, knowing I could beat him up was tempting, but it was also very risky, and that's why I was never completely convinced with what we were doing… However, now that it's over, I feel like I want to continue. I want to face him again.

I was already expecting Mom to cover her forehead again, but this time her eyes just stayed focused on mine. Maybe she wanted to know if I was serious, or maybe she had realized something.

In any case, she did not say what she was thinking. And I, for my part, was not done talking either.

…

Eating together in the open dining room at Novadía had become a habit, that much was obvious. However, I never stopped to think about the route the others took to get there.

Lani would go on her own, and she usually arrived first since she did not have to wait for anyone else. I, on the other hand, waited for Zena, and Noe waited for Jean.

At that time, it was not unusual for the two of them to overhear comments about Prince from other students.

Apparently, he had passed through a few times before leaving Novadía, and many were eagerly awaiting his return. In fact, Jean was getting firsthand information about what he was doing outside the city.

Prince described it as a great trip and a process of character development.

Zena reacted to the thought that Jean kept in touch with Prince, and he responded by saying that he was a different kind of friend than the others, after all, so he wanted to preserve the friendship.

In fact, none of the three could deny that, contrary to what they had discussed about him recently, Prince was well-liked by most people in the city.

Noe must have noticed the duality in Zena's thoughts, because the very concept of Prince could mean many things, depending on who you asked.

…

Most insects are generally considered unpleasant or disgusting by many people, but there is at least one type that maintains a good reputation.

Butterflies, due to the colorful designs on their wings, have always been praised for their beauty.

When the gigantic bear that had come to visit us finally got up and left, a swarm of butterflies arrived to fill the empty space. And, this time, Mom seemed happier with the guests.

It was good to see Mom calmer, but I was going through the opposite, feeling as if I were gradually losing my mind the more I thought about my own inner conflict.

Twen: I don't want to sound hypocritical, especially considering the story I've built with Lani since I arrived in Novadía, but there's much more to Prince than I initially thought. I can no longer see him only as a villain… And I think he might be useful to me.

Mom tilted her head, confused by what I had just said.

Twen: He's an OV carrier, what more can I say? With him, I can do things that only a handful of people would allow me to do. With him, I could finally set aside my limitations, even if just for a moment… I don't want to waste this opportunity.

In her wide-open blue eyes, a glimmer of hope shone, as if my motivation and hers were the same. However, she still had not heard the other side of the story.

Twen: I think becoming friends with him wouldn't be so bad… But then wouldn't I only be thinking about myself? And what about Lani? While she's stuck at home because of him, I'm thinking about how I'll benefit from Prince's arrival. Doesn't that make me a hypocrite?

Mom was stretching her back, so I waited for her reaction once she lowered her arms… But that never happened.

On the contrary, she waited for her to continue talking, as if she still had not heard the issue.

Twen: I'm saying that Lani's situation isn't my problem, so I should be careful not to interfere too much, although it might be a little late to say that… That's why I'll leave some things in her hands, of course. But pursuing my own goals while something so important is happening to her, and with the very same person that started this, doesn't that seem selfish to you?

Milia: Are you going to trade Lani for Prince?

Twen: What? Trade her? Of course not! I'll continue supporting Lani to overcome this obstacle, like we promised a while ago. That's not going to change…

Milia: Then I don't see the problem.

Twen: Really? But are you even listening to me? I'd love to side with Lani, but there's still so much I can get out of Prince. And I can't just do both because… You see, it's a problem. Right?

Having not received an answer that completely satisfied me (though I had no idea what it would be then), I continued talking about the subject.

Mom kept listening, though her gaze remained fixed on the butterflies fluttering about, without a defined path, living a simple life.

…

After discussing what Prince meant to those present, the conversation finally returned to the matter at hand: helping Lani.

How they would do that was difficult to decide, especially considering they already had a deadline. This was because a date had already been agreed upon for the meeting between both parties.

Those who had pulled the strings behind the scenes to achieve this were none other than the two people who could observe the conflict most closely, without actually being part of it.

Zena and I, of course, did not take long to find out about Prince's return. However, this happened separately.

I was found by him after a martial arts tournament, while Zena needed to infiltrate her best friend's home when she saw that she was avoiding leaving the house.

However, we both had the same objective, and therefore we tried to get things moving immediately. Of course, this could mean some pressure for Lani, but there was no doubt about her progress in just half a year.

She had been seeking change for a long time, and she was ready to experience it.

That sounded lovely on paper, but in reality, the situation still seemed very complicated, and because of this, Jean was not able to feel satisfied. They still had not found a way to offer direct help.

However, Noe did not give up on her thoughts, until she finally had an idea.

It was a somewhat strange and bizarre proposal, which was not very well received by Jean, but at least it fulfilled the intention of being with Lani.

Therefore, they decided to do it.

…

Milia: You're just like your dad.

Twen: How so?

Milia: He used to think things through so seriously, sometimes getting angry and raising his voice, but that didn't stop him from enjoying himself if there was something good to eat.

As she said that, I was sitting cross-legged, eating from a bunch of grapes had been eyeing for a while.

Of course, throughout that picnic, I had gone through many reflections, developing or discarding ideas in my mind, receiving feedback from the person in front of me… But the essential point could not be ignored.

Twen: It's getting late. We should go home, don't you think?

At the end of the day, we could leave with a clear mind and prepared for what was to come. Nodding, Mom got up (grunting a little in the process) and helped me gather our things.

As we went home, the only trace of human life left that forest, but animal life remained, in different places and at different times, as it always does.

A natural cycle by which nothing and no one is ever truly alone, for better or for worse.

A few days after these interactions, two lives that had been traveling separate paths would meet again. Finally, Lani and Prince would speak face to face, without interruptions.