Episode 4: Our Relationship (2/2)

It was the morning of the next day.

“Morning boys… and girls.”

“Morning.”

Our parents were already awake by the time the three of us got up.

Both of them looked completely… sparkly.

Ugh.

Dad’s blessing was the ability to alter the weight of a chosen object.

It’s somewhat related to gravity yet not? The matter structure of the object themselves doesn’t get affected by the ability, so it was safe for him to alter the weight of a living thing. That includes me.

Of course, his blessing had nothing to do with his career as an event planner.

As for mom… her blessing was rather peculiar.

Simply put, she’s a half-succubus.

And by that I mean she has both the sex drive and dream-weaving ability you’d expect from a race like that. Dad told us once that when she’s really ‘into in’, her tails, fangs, horns and wings would appear for a brief period. It seems to be something involuntary. Mom can’t consciously materialise them.

Of course, there were other nuances to her blessing like difficulty in getting pregnant and the passionate love she shows at times.

But with that said, I think dad was pretty lucky to have mom be completely enamoured by him.

I’m just curious how he does it with her every night? Mom is an exception, but wasn’t dad just a normal human being? And to leave not a single trace of their act in bed the very next morning… was suspicious.

“Yes?”

Mom asked with all smiles.

“N-Nothing.”

Yeah… I’ve mentioned it once, I’ll mention it again: some things are better left in the dark.

Yep.

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

“What in the world? Then doesn’t it mean the guy could literally end the world if he wanted to?”

“But they said there were limitations to what he could do with reality right?”

“Yeah, but the limitation is that an equal and opposite probability would happen. So say if he shifted the probability of living to a bullet wound to 100 percent, then the cost should be the decrease in his probability to live past fifty to 0 percent.”

“Or, what if the weight of the probability depends on the situation itself? Like, the difference between the probability of a meteor hitting Earth and the probability of a coin flip. They can’t be the same.”

“But he wouldn’t know what probability was deducted right? What if the weight of the situation itself doesn’t matter? And there’s no guarantee that the negative probability is a negative thing. Like, say the probability of not getting married?”

Elliot ♀ and I was discussing the documentary of a student whose blessing-cum-ability was shifting probability.

The idea of shifting probability was itself vague. I mean… what does it even mean to shift probability? Does it also entail the probability of something irrelevant like… the probability of a talking frog?

Also, this was an example of a blessing under the ‘problematic’ category.

“I suppose it’s people like them that the SPF need to keep a lookout for.”

“Right.”

Say in an extreme situation where he uses his blessing to conduct massive culling at the cost of his life as compensation, we’ll need someone to save the world. The SPF should have members of certain blessings capable of countering.

From blessings that allow a person to predict earthquakes, to the ability to stop time. It’s often people with ‘problematic’ blessings that become SPFs.

It’s for this reason that we find them so interesting.

In fact, our ability was part of the ‘shifting reality’ category. Two realities, mine and Elliot’s ♀ had to merge to make our current reality possible. It wasn’t as simple as summoning a pet dragon.

Heck. I wouldn’t be surprised if there existed someone who had messed with the timeline. Giving birth to what we were experiencing today.

“Hey. Elliot.”

Elliot ♀ called out to me.

“Remember how that officer asked if we wanted to attend the special school?”

“For problematic blessings?”

“Yeah. What do you think about the proposal now?”

Recalling a few months ago when the officer gave us a choice to transfer schools… we denied it, didn’t we?

Even mom had to check in on our decision a couple times. After all, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to partake in the special program.

Not only that, but it’s because we rejected it that dad thought we still had intentions to go overseas. Because once you’re part of the program, it’ll be much harder to enter foreign universities built for normal people.

That said, being part of this ‘troublesome’ category ain’t all sour plum and pineapples. School fees are borne by the government here. It’s also a shortcut to becoming a locally trained SPF.

And… you get to live high school like college thanks to the way they planned the curriculum. Well, I’m pretty sure Elliot ♀ just wants an excuse to avoid Ellis.

Or was she seriously considering going?

I mean… Isn’t it kind of stupid that we’re denying such an opportunity just because of…

“You’re thinking about Aria, aren’t you?”

Elliot ♀ sighed.

“Yeah…”

“Hey, what if it all goes to shit either way? We may like Aria, but the chances of taking the relationship beyond high school is… you know. Low.”

“…Right.”

It wasn’t like I’ve never entertained the idea.

Elliot ♀ was just repeating my own words back to myself.

“What if we evolve our blessing and by some unruly luck develop a branching ability? We may be able to join the SPF, it’s not like all hope is lost. ”

“You mean telepathy?”

“You never know right?”

Yeah. No way. What if our minds suddenly merge and we become a single consciousness controlling two bodies. That’d be scary as heck.

“Don’t speak the impossible…”

“Then, what if one day one of us disappears?”

“What? Disappears?”

“Right.”

Elliot ♀ looked me right in the eye.

“If someone with an anti-blessing touches us, what would happen? Or, what if one of us dies? Would both of us die?”

“Why would you think of that all of a sudden?”

“There’s so much we don’t know about this blessing. Don’t you think it would be a much better idea to learn all we can than to be… ignorant?”

Elliot ♀ was seriously considering changing schools.

Why?

Why would she change her mind?

Oh, right.

It was because of Ellis and Aria.

She feels that there’s no chance with either of them.

I mean, frankly, if I knew getting together with Ellis and Aria was an impossible development, I’d readily jump ship. After all, it would give us more opportunities in the future.

Hell, why didn’t I think of this?

In this case, Elliot ♀ was being considerate of my feelings. My decisions.

I would’ve never considered this point of view because I was still sitting on the fence.

After all, if she went, I would have to follow. And that would mean… leaving Aria behind.

“We’re… practically inseparable huh?”

Wow. To think I never realised the weight of such a simple fact.

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

‘Elliot, how are you doing?’

“Huh…”

What’s this? Aria is asking me about my holiday?

‘I’m doing alright. Still have a bunch of holiday homework left to do though.’

She responded almost immediately to my text.

‘Me too.’

Uh, uh? What should I reply to her?

‘Elliot, do you want to do the homework together?’

What?

‘Together? How?’

‘I’m not forcing you or anything like that.’

‘Since I’m the only one at home, I can invite you over?’

She’s the only one at home…

And she’s inviting me over?

What?

Just what is this all of a sudden? Elliot ♀ and I just talked about her earlier and now she…

‘With Elliot?’

I asked.

There was a short pause before her reply.

‘Sure! Let’s get our homework done together.’

‘When?’

‘How about Wednesday morning at 10am? You can stay until whenever. Since it’s lonely being the only one at home.’

“Elliot. Aria invited us to her home.”

“…What?”

Elliot ♀ who was doing her homework instead of procrastinating, turned to me with a stunned expression.

“Wednesday.”

“W-Why all of a sudden?”

Her expression hardened.

“I-I don’t know…”

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

“You plan to visit a friend’s house this Wednesday?”

“Yeah. She invited us both, is it alright if we went?”

“And what will you be doing there?”

Dad scratched his head.

“She said to do homework.”

“Homework?”

“Holiday homework I guess? But I feel like we’re probably just going to hang out or something.”

“Well, if she’s alright with it then I don’t think there’s any problems? Just remember to be respectful in front of her parents.”

“We’ll keep that in mind.”

I don’t know if they’ll even be around to begin with.

“Elliots, one more thing okay?”

Mom suddenly interjected.

“Don’t forget to bring contraceptives.”

“…”

“…”

Alright, mom. Point taken.

No threesome.

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

“Elliot. Do you still feel anything for Aria?”

“Hm? Why do you ask that?”

“Because.”

Because…

“I wonder why Aria suddenly invited us to her home.”

“I wonder that too.”

And it was an invitation through ‘me’.

It’s perhaps my self-delusion but… could it be that Aria only wanted me to come today?

Even if that were the case, I’d be too chicken to go alone.

A girl and a boy in an empty house? You know what kind of business is going to happen if it actually happened.

“Do you think it’s because she’s trying to hint at something?”

She asked.

“Like what?”

I wasn’t dumb. I knew what she meant.

“You still like Aria.”

“I won’t deny that.”

“Then it’s probably the same for me.”

“Yeah.”

“Sigh…”

It’s really confusing.

If we both like Aria… how are we supposed to mutually come to an agreement?

Aria is a topic of conflict between us. And maybe because of it, she unwittingly becomes less and less a part of our lives.

“Do you have intentions to do homework there?”

I asked.

“But if we can copy her answers, then that saves a lot of time.”

“Right.”

“Oh yeah, one more thing.”

“What?”

“Did you bring contraceptives?”

“What the fuck?”

Of course not!

Eventually, we arrived at the address Aria sent us.

“What in the world…”

A gated estate with a wide grass plateau that seemed to stretch on forever. In the centre of such a grand vista was a lone mansion.

We knew Aria was the daughter of some wealthy family but… wasn’t this too extreme?

At the front gate stood a guy wearing a suit. An old man with a refined white moustache.

Yes.

A butler.

I never thought I’d ever see one in person.

He noticed us made his way over with an elegant gait.

“I beg ye pardon, could you be Elliot?”

“Yes… we’re Elliot.”

He performed a bowed.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you two. I heard a lot from Aria. I am Sebastian, a butler who manages this estate. Allow me to carry your items if you’re fine with it?”

The hell is with the coincidence of his name? Are all butlers called Sebastians?

“Ah. N-No it’s fine. We can carry them on our own.”

“Wait, but this—a souvenir.”

Elliot ♀ handed him the fruit basket we prepared as a gift.

“How thoughtful of you. I thank you for the gift, this way, please. Aria is waiting inside.”

The mansion was as fancy outside as it was inside.

Carpeted floors, granite pillars. The entrance was wide with a grand stairway leading to the first floor. A chandelier hung above, while a small lounge area was created just underneath.

We followed him, feeling like two pigs being led into a butchery.

“It’s the first time the lady had invited anyone to her home.”

He said.

“Really?”

First time?

With a house so big, I kinda expected her to hold some big birthday parties in the past.

“Yes, we host parties every year. Most of the guests are friends of the lord and lady.”

Friends of the lord and lady? What is this? 18th-century aristocracy?

Putting that aside, what is this unsettling feeling I’m getting? We’re not going to die, are we?

“If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me.”

He placed his hands on the double doors.

“Aria, your friends have arrived.”

And then pushed it.

“Elliot, good morning!”

We saw her smile…

And was momentarily dumbstruck.

If there was such a thing as a modern-day princess, I think this scene encapsulates it perfectly.

An elegant red silk dress and loosely bounded crimson hair flowing—tracing the shape of her exposed neck and shoulders.

Her smile looked forced, and awkward. She was really trying her best to accommodate us.

““G-Good morning…””

Elliot ♀ and I greeted her like a broken parrot.

“Enjoy your time.”

Gently holding the basket of fruits, Sebastian bowed and went out after leaving with a few kind words.

The door shut with a click.

It was now just the three of us.

This place looked like a mini library doubling up as a study room. Teas and snacks have been prepared, books could be seen neatly piled up on one end.

Aria then suddenly stood up.

Her strides were gentle yet elegant, every footstep left a heavy imprint in my mind. I felt my heart race.

“I-Is it uncomfortable?”

She asked, fidgeting.

“It’s… um, a little bit?”

“Your house is… really big.”

“Isn’t it?”

She smiled bitterly.

Her appearance and aura may have changed, but her essence was still the same.

A kind, considerate soul.

She walked up to us and grabbed both our wrists.

“T-This way.”

This feels weird.

WEIRD!

Elliot ♀ and I felt our faces burn up.

Contrary to the antique feel of the room architecture, the books were all of modern times. I even saw manga on one of the shelves.

We came to the corner of the large mini-library, and there, Aria pulled at a lever disguised as a book.

The unsuspecting bookshelf turned into a spinning door that led to a secret passageway.

What the hell?

“This way.”

“Is this…”

“No way…”

“Yes way.”

Aria chuckled with her head held high.

“…Where are we going?”

“Um… well…”

But her excitement soon turned into embarrassment as her words erred.

“I’m sorry.”

“W-What do you mean?”

“For making you uncomfortable…”

She’s over-doing it!

“It’s fine Aria, it’s fine… thank you for your consideration.”

“Y-Yeah. Just like she said… huh?!”

The shelf-door shut behind us, plunging the room into darkness. The sounds of our asynchronous breathing and the tightening of her grasp. I felt heavy, the kind of feeling when you’re inside a rising elevator.

Then it stopped.

Ding!

“This way.”

The door opened up on the other side. Aria led the way towards the exit.

A giant canopy bed neatly folded, a cabinet full of trophies and awards, a dedicated shelf for plushies, a hanging photo album, a cute study desk with post-it notes…

We found ourselves in a spacious bedroom.

“This…”

“I didn’t mean to create trouble. I just thought it would be better if we studied here.”

Aria turned to us and said with a bitter smile.

Here?

Here is… her room?

In her room?

Where it’s supposed to be off-limits?

Elliot ♀ and I looked at each other, and swallowed at the same time.

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

On the low round table, Aria sat between us.

Elliot ♀ and I couldn’t concentrate on homework thanks to the many unsettling questions spinning in our heads.

But, with the bonafide academic prodigy by our side, we couldn’t just fool around either.

She had completed her homework and was now guiding us on some of the questions we had a harder time answering. Especially so for additional mathematics.

However, most of the time, she just silently waited.

Neither Elliot ♀ nor I had the guts to ask Aria to let us copy her answer. Not when she was being so nice.

Knock. Knock.

Our focus was interrupted.

“I’ll go get it.”

Aria stood up slowly and made her way to the door.

“This is… nerve-wracking.”

Elliot ♀ muttered.

“You could say that again…”

My heart was beating like mad.

Is Elliot’s heart also beating like this? How about Aria? Her smile had always been languid, but it was a slight difference today. It felt a little more tense.

Aria returned with a tray.

“How about we take a break?”

She placed the items on the table.

“What’s this…”

“Cake?!”

Not only were there nuts, fruits, and drinks, but three slices of crystal-like blueberry cheesecake.

“It’s the least I could prepare. I’m glad you two could come to visit me.”

She said with a smile.

““Thank you!””

Oh damn, and the cake is delicious!

“Where did you get this?”

“I’m not too sure. Sebas might know since I told him to get the best cheesecake in town.”

Best cheesecake?

With so much effort put into the taste and appearance, I wonder how much it costs?

“You aren’t eating the cake?”

Elliot ♀ asked.

“Oh, I will. I’m simply eating the nuts first. It helps prevent the sugar spike that comes with eating sweet things.”

Crunch. Crunch.

She looked at us innocently as she chewed on the cashews.

“Um, then should we have eaten the nuts first too?”

Wasn’t she too young to think about her health like this? No wonder she refuses to buy set meals in the cafeteria that don’t have vegetables.

Thinking along those lines, now I was beginning to feel health conscious.

“You can eat it together with the cake.”

Elliot ♀ grabbed a handful and chucked it into her mouth, I did the same.

Aria suppressed a laugh seeing our actions.

Only after a dozen or so of the cashews did Aria begin indulging in her cake.

The pastry was certainly delicious, but her expression didn’t change much from it. She was rather indifferent to food, come to find.

“Aria. Are your parents not home today either?”

I asked.

She shook her head.

“They’ve been away for a month now. I’m not sure when they’ll be back.”

“They didn’t tell you?”

“They’re busy.”

A lonely smile on her face as she spoke the hard truth. I wonder what it was like to live in such a large home all by herself? Alone, devoid of the care and love of her parental figure.

“Then, when your parents are here… normally what do you guys do?”

“Well… mother and father don’t have the best of relationship so they don’t come home at the same time. I’m either with one or the other.”

Aria looked uncomfortable as she tried to put her explanation into words.

“Father normally brings me to amusement parks, the aquariums, museums… or any place nice.”

“Mother on the other hand likes to buy me gifts. Like this dress… it was something I got for an event.”

“But there is only one occasion when they’ll meet each other each year, and that’s on my birthday.”

So could we say that her parents dote on her?

They may not have good chemistry between them, but from the way Aria spoke of it, couldn’t it be that they’ve decided to stay together still for Aria’s sake?

“Speaking of birthdays, when is your birthday Aria?”

“November 2nd.”

“November 2nd…”

I better remember that.

“Do you plan to come to the party then?”

“Party?”

“Every year, my parents host a party for me. Of course, it’s not like it’s done for only fun. It serves mainly diplomatic purposes. So it might not be the kind of party you’d expect.”

A world of the super-rich I might not be able to understand…

Using Aria’s birthday as an excuse to invite influential people over to connect…

“But… it’s not as if we can’t join the party right?”

After all, wouldn’t it be better for Aria if she at least had someone to accompany her?

“Right.”

Elliot ♀ too agreed.

Aria’s smile grew weak.

“Then I’ll ask my parents for permission.”

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

<Elliot Amaryllis (♀)>

“Do you know where the washroom is?”

Elliot ♂ asked.

“It’s just down the corridor.”

“Alright.”

“Do you need me to guide you?”

“Maybe not? I’ll see if I can make it there alone, if I can’t find it then I’ll come back and ask again.”

Elliot ♂ left.

Now it was just me and Aria.

My heart was pounding.

I suddenly felt the urge to use the washroom too, but I felt uncomfortable telling her.

You know, maybe I’ll wait until Elliot ♂ comes back first before I go.

“Elliot, are you studying for the midterms?”

“Midterms?”

After Golden Week, the next big event would be the midterms. That was about a month away.

“Isn’t that still far away?”

“It’s better to prepare early, no?”

Seriously?

I groaned.

Thinking about the exams put me in a bad spot. But it also made me curious.

Would Elliot ♂ and I answer the questions exactly the same way? That could actually happen, couldn’t it now?

“I’ll help.”

Aria beamed a bright smile.

I was puzzled by her statement.

“You’ll help?”

I asked.

She nodded.

“You can come to the library during the days when you don’t have track club practice. I’m there most of the time until the late afternoons.”

“You study there like that every day?”

“I don’t have anything else to do.”

Wha… what kind of girl is this?

She’s too studious! Too pure!

What kind of boring life is she living anyways!?

“Alright. I’ll come when I have the time.”

“I can’t wait.”

Honestly, I knew she often stayed back in the library after school but why hadn’t I thought about staying back to accompany her during the earlier school days? All the wasted time and opportunity I could’ve spent with her…

Huh?

“Then about Elliot…”

“He can come too.”

Right.

Of course.

It’s him.

It’s always got to be him…

“Ellis also… if you’re fine with it.”

Aria laughed bitterly.

I had a hunch that she knew what had happened. Maybe damn Elliot ♂ spilt the beans to her.

“He’s taking long…”

Aria turned to the door.

“He sure is.”

“Maybe he’s lost. I’ll take the plates out while I go check on him. You stay here alright?”

“Okay.”

I watched Aria leave. Holding the tray in her hands in such an elegant dress that exposed both her shoulders and back… I’m surprised I hadn’t gotten a nosebleed from such a seductress.

Damn it.

Calm down Elliot (me).

Aria… probably just likes both of us.

If there’s something special going on between the two of them, then it’s synonymous with there being something special going on between us.

“…Right?”

Yet somewhere inside I felt a seed of doubt.

What if the situation were to play out exactly the same as it did with Ellis?

I shook my head.

“Snap out of it.”

I slapped my cheeks and got up.

“Since she’s not here, let’s take a look at what she has in her room.”

I snuck around her pastel-coloured bedroom. A bookshelf of both educational materials and various light novels, a fluffy bed with five cute plushies sitting in a row on top. Her study desk had everything from her timetable, notebooks, stationery and post-it notes.

“Huh?”

I know it was rude, but my hands unconsciously reached out for the drawer.

Inside I saw a thick book. Instinctively, I knew what this was.

Aria’s planner and…

Diary.

My hands trembled.

It was Aria’s diary.

What did she write inside…?

I tried to peek from inside one of the pages… but before I could read anything, something fell out.

I panicked.

I quickly picked up the item that fell…

It was last year’s class photo.

There was Aria in the middle. In just a few short months, she had matured a lot. Her hair was now longer, her baby face now much more refined.

“Ah…”

And standing a few rows behind her was…

It wasn’t me.

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

<Elliot Amaryllis (♂)>

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Sebastian bowed.

In the end, I did get lost in the winding corridors.

It can’t be helped since we entered through the secret passage, not the main door.

The hallway was decorated with classy paintings or quotes from famous people. Sometimes wooden shelves displayed one or two antique objects.

For a mansion, it felt otherworldly. As if this were the home of a bonafide aristocrat.

“Aria.”

Sebastian suddenly called, I snapped to the front.

“Oh, Sebas.”

“Please allow me.”

He quickly took the tray from Aria’s hand.

“Thank you Sebas.”

“It’s my duty. My apologies for not noticing it soon.”

“Oh no. I’m merely doing this for my own self-satisfaction. You led Elliot to the washroom, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you. I’ll take it from here.”

“I’ll humbly take my leave.”

Aria watched his back with a wry smile.

Then she turned to me, abashed.

“Sorry but… could you wait outside while I use the washroom? It’ll be over in a jiffy…”

“O-Oh. Sure… no problems!”

“Thank you.”

She lowered her head as she passed by. Awkwardly, I waited.

A thought then occurred to me.

Those towels inside… could it be that Aria had used them earlier? And… everything else too. The shower, bathtub, sink—

Shit, calm down Elliot.

I shook my head and slapped my cheeks.

Deep breaths.

I heard the sound of water flushing. My expression hardened.

Now I felt like a pervert.

Aria came out soon after, looking refreshed.

“Let’s return.”

“Yes.”

We walked side by side. The hall was wide enough to accommodate us both.

I tried to match my walking pace with hers, finding her current gait somewhat slower than my own. I wonder why it felt off.

“Elliot.”

“Yes?”

“The thing between you and Ellis.”

“…What about it?”

“It’s over already right?”

“…”

What was she…

She stopped and looked at me with doubt and worry in her eyes. I was momentarily rendered unable to think.

“You and her are… just friends now, right?”

“…Yes. We’re just friends. No more, no less…”

She looked away.

I took notice of her beautiful dark red hair.

Her hands gracefully traced her bangs over the back of her ears.

I took notice of her eyelashes.

Her shy, fearful expression of uncertainty and anticipation.

I took notice of her face and neck.

Her skin was without a single blemish.

I took notice of her exposed shoulders and chest.

Her titillating appearance tempted indecent fantasies.

I took notice of her silk red dress.

Her appearance today felt both enchanting and out of reach.

Meekly.

Meekly, she glanced at me.

“Elliot.”

I held my breath.

“After the holidays, can you accompany me to the library after class?”

She invited me.

“Let’s study together.”

Initiating the first step.

“Please?”

I… was left with a hard choice to make.