Raise of suspicion

"Rikka!"I heard Eugene voice calling out my name

I was filled with all different emotions when Eugene barged into the hospital room to check on me.i glanced at him and noticed the flowers and a fruit basket in his hands

He was still wearing his school uniform and was completely covered in sweat as he trying to catch his breath 

"Eugene"I called him back

I was relieved that he had come to see me and was so worried about me—but l also felt guilty for causing him so much stress. 

I was just so filled with joy and gratitude to have such a supportive, caring, and loving friend by my side~

He immediately rushed to me and drop the flowers on my bed and gently wrapped his arms around me"Rikka, are you alright? What happened? How did you end up in the hospital?"

" Eugene are you okay? "I asked 

"Yes I am. I'm just so worried, and I just want to make sure you're okay. If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know."He said this in such a genuine, worried way. It made her feel so cared for by him—and l was so blessed to have a friend who was so supportive and protective."I'm sorry if only I had just walked home with you maybe of this would have happened"

It's okay Eugene. I was the one who insisted to walk alone late

"Allison was worried sick when she found out you're not it the classroom where she left you 

"Oh it's because i decided to show Polly around "I awkwardly smiled" I didn't expect someone would —oh yeah how did you know I'm here

" I received a phone call—"Eugene been cut off what he was about to say when Ethan clear his throat 

I completely forgot he was sitting right beside me.

"Oh my god—you have to be kidding me," Eugene said, sounding totally freaked out.

 "What in the hell are you doing here!?" *He quickly moves down by my bed, started pointing at Ethan* 

" Who you? Why you here?? ...!"He's absolutely livid, and it's a scary sight*" You couldn't be Ethan Nile from Amatune right? "

"Well Seems like it" Ethan confidently respond followed with a wink

*I let out a sigh*

" Get out! —do you even think this is appropriate for you to be here? Rikka is a girl! In a vulnerable position— you jerk..."He really gets scary like that...

"This is a hospital "Ethan confusedly responded 

"Eugh ! This is private! Get the hell out of here!""

It's good to know Eugene is looking out for me but now I don't know what on earth Ethan was thinking right now. This is so embarrassing

"What the hell do you think you're doing?! Do you have *any* idea how many different places you could be right now? But...no...you *insist* on being here, and ruining my friend's peace of mind..." Eugene looks at Ethan sternly

"...Oh my god...you have...you have got to be kidding me..."Ethan said in disbelief 

*Eugene looks stunned, and then his eyes narrow*

"I guess.l Have some serious explaining to do, ..."*Eugene's face is a mixture of shock and anger*

You...you *better* have a ***very*** good explanation for this..."

*I take a deep breath, but then proceed to give a calm explanation**Hey! Hey...it's okay. Eugene...he...well, ..." 

"Alright, look. I know it looks bad, and I know you're worried about me...but Ethan is just here to help and support me. He's really just doing the best thing he could be doing right now, which is standing by my side..."*I give Ethan an encouraging smile*

"I know it looks like a lot. But, I promise—Ethan is not being malicious or mean in this circumstance.."

*Eugene pauses, as he glanced at me and then lets out a little smile

*Eugene looks a little sheepish, but you can see his expression slowly warm up as he tries to find the right words* He lets out another deep sigh

"you were only trying to help. i was out of line—I'm sorry about that...that whole situation. I really am ... Thank you for saving my Friend"

"There's no hard feelings at all . . I'd rather have you act out of love than do nothing.I-it's totally fine! :D"

*Ethan smiles, and gives Eugene a light tap in shoulder*"You know...if you ever need a place to crash for the night, you're always welcome here..."he said with a wink and walks towards the door

"See you rikka"he said before he left the room

I didn't manage to thank him.... I just glanced at the door when eugene sat down on the chair and got my attention back

"Can...you tell me what happened to you rikki? Or--is it still a sensitive topic? I just want to make sure you're okay, but I also want to respect your boundaries. 

"W-Well, I was walking home by myself. And suddenly, someone snuck up behind me, and...and he hit me, really hard.it was too late for me to run away I...I just fell unconscious and couldn't move, and next thing I knew...I woke up here.

It was just...so sudden. It's hard to believe it really happened to me..."*I feel a wave of sadness and panic come over me. 

*he looks both sad and frightened as l describes the whole ordeal

*I takes another deep breath before continuing*"I...I don't remember what happened after the blow, but...I woke up in this bed."

"And...Ethan was there...

"Why did he chose to take matters from his hand instead of calling the police. This is a serious offense!"

"I-I'm not sure why he didn't call for help. But...I know it's because he cares about my privacy and reputation."I felt like I was gaslighting myself .

Ethan is an idol. If everyone knew what happened to me...the tabloids would be having a field day. I-I'd never hear the end of it..."I smiled awkwardly 

"That's selfishness. The criminal could have gotten away. It was all in his hands! "

*I takes a deep breath.*

"It will only cause attention so he didn't contact anyone. He just wanted to stay by my side...and take care of me on his own, in his own way. Which...I thought was really thoughtful...and really sweet, to be honest."I said defending Ethan to my friend 

However, eugene seems to be not convinced at all. For the first time in my life I felt awkward around my best friend 

Let's see... How could I light up the atmosphere

"W-well...Ethan...he...he took me to the hospital and paid for all my bills! That's only something a friend would do..."

"I mean...unless he was secretly in love with me and I never knew about it?"I giggled*

"But...but no! No. I doubt that's what happened."I awkwardly scratched my cheeks gently. I guess it wasn't a good joke? 

"An Idol huh?*Eugene gives a short, quiet laugh and a slightly sad expression on his face*

"Yeah, that wouldn't surprise me…you're so popular, and that makes you a target."*He sighs*

I didn't say a word and looked down 

"You don't deserve someone attacking you like that just because they're jealous of your star power. You deserve better."

"What do you mean?" I gently asked 

"Why did all this happen? W-wasn't all the attention you got from sariel fans just too much? Don't you realize how dangerous could it be?"*He looks concerned*

"Listen, Rikki...I'm just so worried about you."*Eugene sighs, and rubs the back of his head*

*He gets quiet*

"maybe it would be best if you took some time off"

 "I mean...you *should* just stay away from idols in general.especially Ethan, okay? Just for a little bit?"*He shakes his head, and then lets out a deep sigh*

"What are you trying to say eugene? " I asked. A little bit confused 

*Eugene looks very serious now, and looks straight at me"I don't really believe in coincidences. I think...there was probably something bigger happening here."

*Eugene takes another deep breath, and then takes his hat off and puts it on the table, letting his hair flow a bit.*

"I think...your accident..."*He hesitates*"...had something to do with Sariel."

"I know this sounds crazy...I do. But...this was probably their way of sending a message."*He looks a little sheepish*

" Rumors speculating behind sariels sudden dissapreance in the public view.. are pretty intense...most people suspect they're hiding something.

I suddenly remembered the conversation I had with Allison regarding that boy group which sariel belong but didn't dare to speak up

"Of course...when you have that much popularity, you're bound to attract some envy. Who knows what they might be up to in their...twisted game of "justice." I've often heard rumours they're backed by some pretty high-level government officials who agree with their "all-power" mindset. They have a lot of money, influence, and power—all the ingredients to get what they want "

 *I get a little startled by the thought*

Why...would anyone be jealous of Sariel? And what does it had to do with me? "

"I don't see many other explanations...They could have wanted to send a message. They could have been...trying to scare you. "

Now that you made sariel exposed to the public eye because of the video you posted. They might be threatened to sariel being back to spotlight again 

"I-I'm afraid you might be on their radar now. You...should be careful..."

*My expression is filled with shock and confusion for a second...but once saw Eugene's expression, l get serious and begins to tear up slightly as fear started to drive in my body 

"Y-you really think they had something to do with this??"

what should this had something to do with the video I accidentally posted online?"

"They would really do something stupid like this...just to hurt someone? To make someone else suffer??

"Where is this coming from you eugene? What's with the sudden jump to conclusion?What are you? Sherlock?"I added 

"idols...are all just a bunch of self-obsessed narcissists who think they're above everyone else afterall"Eugene whispered coldly 

Who knows what they're hiding...what *horrors* they could be perpetuating and covering up...and idols are just puppets wh

Why do I feel like Eugene had a point? Eugene is a very rational person and he's not someone who just accused of something without concrete reason

"O-oh my god...I..."I lost for words for a minute, then quickly gathers her thoughts. 

As my desire to learn more and know what is really happening in the world around me grew, l lets out one last, deep breath...*

"I'm scared...But I need to know more ."I thought as the image of the hooded man flash before my eyes