What to do! What to do!
At the border of the City of Orario, above the wall is me here, alone, yes I am here! Seated and crunching my nail and still thinking what to do about this body in front of me. Rather, this elf here who hasn't yet to return her consciousness.
I subconsciously stride past over the [Stardust Garden] and decided to stay here for a while. Afraid that I've mess up. I have few things to talk with her alone and I don't want others to hear it! But, its been an hour already and the sun is about to set. The elf here is still unconscious! Ah damn! what to do! This turned out to be ugly. Is she dead? No, she won't! She shouldn't!
Worried, I tried to move near her to check her pulse but suddenly, she grabbed my wrist.
"What are you doing!" She said as my heart beat pumped so hard in suspense!
"What are you doing my ass! I was going to check if you're still breathing!" after that, I sigh in relief and rested my back against the wall trying to inhale deeply. Damn, I thought she really died there.
I relaxed my muscle for a bit afterwards. The stress that accumulated since then are silently drifting away and that was good! Yeah, seeing her doing well right now made me feel nothing but relief.
Without even talking back, she stands up and was about to leave but then again, I grab her arm but momentarily released it after her piercing glare. "We have something to talk to! This is important!"
"How important? That you are reading something s-s. . .s-s-so l-l-l-l-lewd!?"
She said it! Her tongue twists! I can't help but grin faintly. Saying so, her pale skin turned crimson.
She was embarrassed!
"Yeah? You can tell them all you want. Oh by the way, you saw them too, correct? Are you curious?" I teases here even more. She seemed calm and compose but her complexion didn't lie. Her eyes glares at me and asks with confusion. "Your eye, I'm sure it changed!"
"Don't change the subject!. . .are you really going to tell them?" I throw the question back
It is my dignity we are talking here! I shouldn't let this side of mine be exposed by Kami-sama!
This time, she turned red again. "What if I did?" Her tone didn't change one bit. She even covered her face using her hoodie!
"You shouldn't, this is the secret between us!"
"Why would I make a secret with you? We're not even close!"
"We're from Astraea Familia, isn't that enough?"
"I'm not that dumb to not know such obvious thing, but why would I share a secret to a guy I just talked to?"
"J-j-just t-t-talk to?? Ahh! shit!" I only realized it just now.
Goddamnit! Her words struck me hard.
Did I ever look at her eyes like a comrade, a friend or even a co-member even once?! Ah! What am I doing this whole time?! So, its my fault to begin with!?
Wait, but I'm sure I always did! Especially everytime they depart for their dungeon exploration. No, is that even count as communication?
"You're complaining now. You mean, others think that I'm a stranger too?" I ask, yeah, it's my fault after all.
My attention and affection is almost and always with Kami-sama alone and did not try to look elsewhere. Ahh, damn, all I did is, I did not even try to get close to any of them!? Not even once? How? When!? For two whole years!?
But I'm sure there are times when I talked to Alise-san and was reprimanded by Kaguya-san and few fights with the sly pallum. If then, when it all started?
"Except for the captain and the few, You are just a stranger to the rest of us" Thus she said it. That's strike two. But still. . .
"I see. Its...nice talking to you, then" I almost going to throw up hearing it from her. I was enlightened yet at the same time, felt like an invisible needle is infinitely stabbing my heart. For two years! two fucking years being a member of Astraea Familia, I see. I'm just. . .I think I need counseling here.
I can't help it but only to force my smile. My heart is burning as hell! I don't know anymore. I don't know.
"Your snot is dripping everywhere. Its unbecoming!" Ryu-san flew off right after saying that last word after seeing my tears.
Wow, what an encouraging word. Thank you girl, thank you!
●○●○●○
Inside the [Sturdust Garden], gathers the Astraea Familia who just finish updating their status. As Ryu Lion is the least to arrive, she is the last one who was updated.
But later, Astraea feel uneasy. Agwin is not yet to return. And this time, Ryu Lion entered her filed of vision and talked: "I'm sorry, Kami-sama"
"Lion, why so?"
"I'm with him before coming here and it seems like, I hit his heart"
"Ehh? Did he confess? And rejected?"
"Seriously? To Ryu?"
"Wait, what do you mean by that?" As others muttered, Astraea questioned the elf.
"I. . .it happens when I'm chasing some random vagabond in an alleyway. . ." After then, the elf told them every little detail she remembered until finally regaining her consciousness.
"That, is he not friendly?" Asks by Astraea herself and look at her member.
"Is he?"
"I don't know, I don't remember"
"I remember only a few conversations with him but not as much as captain or vice-captain, I think?"
"Yes, yes you're right"
Hearing the comments, Astraea exhaled heavily. "Alright girls. Now that you know this and he is now aware, I guess its time to pay at least a little attention to him" To get her member's attention, she clasps. She is aware what was happening between her Agwin and others but its not her field of expertise to tell her member from that time. So as this happens, she suggested this.
From her side, the tanned-skin amazoness complained: "Consideration again? Did he gain enough attention and consideration from Kami-sama?"
"No, you girls. . .I know what you actually feel but you didn't try to put yourself into his shoes. I myself am aware this whole time. So hear me out for now" Although not an attentive one. Kaguya raised her voice and voiced out her word. "I don't know if you realized this but, he subconsciously ignoring us for this one and sole reason, I'm sure that's not within his own volition"
Astraea silently look at her vice-captain. Even their captain Alise, and Ryu lend their ears.
"That bastard, yes, although ungrateful and always teases Kami-sama. There are always time he was ignored. Yes. And that, little by little and even he himself is not aware of, he distanced himself and now choose to solely dedicate his affection to our Goddess"
"That is---attention! That's right, attention and not consideration!"
"So I think from now on, we should try to strike a conversation out of him? Girls are girls, boys are boys. In the end, it's inevitable that he might be left out of our topic when we gather to chat"
"So I suggests that sole thing. Give that bastard at least another one tenth of your time and attention. . .T-that's all. bye"
After such speech, Kaguya entered her room. She forgot what to do next so she retreated first before her speech turned to a total mess.
The living room turned quiet and long deep breath is resounding. After then, Alise speaks her thought.