I'm Done (Part 1)

“Yuuma, I’ll be going to Sofi’s place to get some supplies. Keep an eye on the house for me, okay?” Celicia explained.

“Sure…”

“Also, don’t you dare finish the tea,” Celicia said, increasing her voice pitch.

“I can’t finish them all anyway…” I slump my shoulders.

“Fair point…” Celicia then fixed her bag and opened the front door, “Alright, I’ll see you later Yuuma.”

“Byee~” I waved my hand towards her until the door closed.

‘So, you’re telling me that you’ve been living together and you guys are only friends?’

What he said is true, but why do I feel so restless?

“Haah…”

I don’t think I’m in love with Celicia though… At least not yet… I just can’t find the correct word to define my current feelings…

“I’ll just worry about it later.”

I headed to the kitchen and boiled some water.

---

“…”

Even if I am in love with Celicia, I don’t think I’m even qualified to be in a relationship with her. She may be cheeky and annoying at times but can be understanding as well. I also can’t help but feel that she knows something more about me that I’m not aware of.

Is it really that obvious whenever I look concerned? People in my life never caught wind that I’m perpetually stressed, so how come can she—

*whistle*

“Haah…”

Never mind…

I switch off the stove and carefully pour the boiling water into the glass containing the tea leaves. Wisps of steam rise from the glass, releasing a soothing, earthy aroma that fills the kitchen.

“*Sniff* *Sniff* Something smells nice…”

As someone said that, a woman with a hair that extends up to her shoulders appeared from the hallway, her face looking relaxed.

“Do you want some Ms. Clairene?” I brought up the teapot.

“Really?!” Ms. Clairene’s eyes sparkled as she approached me.

I let my cheeks soften followed by Ms. Clairene dilating her eyes. She switched her excitement to a more serious expression.

“I mean, I’ll gladly take your offer.” Ms. Clairene said.

“Alright~” I placed another tea leaf in another cup.

Hehe… I’m sure she already knows this, but she’s not fooling anyone with those acts. Her heart is way too honest about it.

“Unlike someone…” I muttered as I poured the boiling water into the second cup.

The kitchen is covered in an earthy aroma, taking away the piles of swirling pile of negativity in my head.

---

Both of us carried our respective teas to the living room that is located in front of the kitchen and sat down on the sofa, letting the soft cushion envelop my body.

“Hoeeehhhhh…” Ms. Clairene made an odd noise as she took a sip of the tea, further sinking into the cushions.

“Be careful or you’ll drop it…” I said as I took another sip, the aroma emptying out my mind.

“Hey, Shizuee~?” Ms. Clairene asks.

“Yeaah~?”

“…What do you think of my daughter?”

“…Why do you sound intoxicated, Ms. Clairene? It’s just tea you know?” I replied.

“I know,” Ms. Clairene looks at me with a smirk, “But I still want to know what you think of her.” Ms. Clairene puts her glass on top of the table, her chin resting on her arms.

“…I’m still figuring things out…” I fix my gaze on the cup. The water lightly ripples as I move it slightly.

“*Knock knock* Excuse me~!”

“That voice…” Ms. Clairene quickly stood up from the sofa and headed towards the door whilst I stayed behind in the living room.

“…”

I took another sip—

“Venaaa~! How have you been!”

“I’m doing good! What about you Claire?”

“Ohhhh, just the usual you know?”

“Hohooo… You’re still going at it?”

“S-Stop it, Vena! We have a gues—”

Both of their voices that were echoing just a second ago are now in clear hearing, followed by Ms. Clairene standing next to a tan-skinned girl where her height is on shoulder length with Ms. Clairene, followed with her hair tied in a bun and a smirk plastered on her face.

“Oh?” Ms. Vena bends forward, a questioning look on her face. She points at me, looks at Ms. Clairene, and asks, “Did you do him too?”

“No!” Claire shouted out.

“Hahaha!” Vena laughed, slapping her knees.

“…”

Is there anyone sane in this circle of family?

…

…..

……

“Ohhh… I’m surprised you and Crutz decided to start a pottery shop…” Ms. Vena asks.

“My husband has been good with his hands—”

“…” Ms. Vena looks at Claire with a smirk.

“Stop that!” Ms. Clairene flicked her forehead.

“Ow!”

Never knew someone could be this vulgar in a normal conversation. That sure is some useless talent she’s mastered.

“Haah…” Ms. Clairene slumps over and continues, “My husba— Crutz is just super stubborn in making something work, and he actually succeeded…” Ms. Clairene explained.

“I’m honestly impressed that he can somehow make this whole thing work…” Ms. Vena looks around the living room, a soft expression on her face. Then that face immediately got replaced with another devious smirk, “I guess idiots are the ones winning the race. Hahaha…!” Ms. Vena shrugs her shoulder.

“That’s right…” Ms. Clairene said with a softened expression, her cheeks slightly red.

“Gyaaah!” Ms. Vena gives Ms. Clairene a hug, squeezing her body.

“V-Vena! It hurts, it hurts!”

“You’re so cute! I want to stay like this forever!”

“C-Can’t breathe…”

They get along really well, despite my impressions of Ms. Vena.

After the teapot started whistling, I turned it off and poured it into the two glasses that are prepared with some tea leaves, the familiar aroma swayed my body's senses.

“Is it doneee?” Ms. Vena shouts out.

“Yes—yes…”

I placed the tray on top of the desk, followed by Ms. Vena grabbed the hot cup without concern and gave it a sip,

“Hot!” Ms. Vena’s body jolted. She then breathes in to cool it off with her breath.

“Be careful, it’s hot,” I replied.

“Hank hwo fwo hwat!” Ms. Vena replied.

“I’m surprised both of you are getting along this fast…” Ms. Clairene adds.

“In what way?” I shoot a gaze towards Ms. Clairene.

Ms. Vena has finished cooling her tongue off. She then pointed at me with a questioning look.

Can you not point like that?

“Hey young man, tell me who you are.” Ms. Vena asks, a blank expression on her face looking as if she’s ready to kill me if I say something wrong.

“I’m Yuuma and I’m working for your friend,” I motioned my right hand towards Ms. Clairene, “Is that a good answer?” I ask as I cross my arms.

“…Haru…?” Ms. Vena’s eyes stuck onto me, looking as if she was pleading.

“…Vena?” Ms. Clairene grabbed Ms. Vena’s shoulder.

“Oh… sorry… Yeah, I’ll take that for now…” Ms. Vena said while giving an awkward smile to Ms. Clairene.

Why did she look so sad for a moment? Did I say something wrong?

“Ahahahaha! My bad, my bad,” Ms. Vena said while scratching her head, “I just spaced out!” She said with a cheery smile, eradicating all the traces of sadness from before.

“…”

“…” Clairene looks at me, her eyes pleading.

“…Excuse me, I have something that I need to do, so I’ll be taking my leave.” I point towards the hall.

“Ehh? I was planning to get to know you better…” Ms. Vena slumps her shoulders.

“Sorry!” I clasp my hands together and lower my head, “Maybe another time!”

I switch my gaze from Ms. Vena to Ms. Clairene. She gave me a tiny smile and a nod in response.

“Awhhh… Okay then…” Ms. Vena said in a dejected tone, “Good luck Yuuma!” Ms. Vena yells out with a thumbs up.

“Thanks! You two have fun okay!” I said as I walked towards the hallway, leaving them behind.

“…”

What was that about?

Well, I know the old man said that there won’t be practice today, but he didn’t say that I couldn’t practice on my own, so might as well.

I head towards the workshop with most of the shaped clays still in the same spot.

“Here we go…”

I cracked my knuckles and head and sat down on the chair.

…

…..

……..