Monday was the day everyone groaned about at least once in their whole life. It signaled the start of the week and the start of whatever hell was waiting for us until we once again safely reached the weekend.
In the midst of Team Zero enjoying our two-day holiday, the Ability User Bureau building was busy with people coming in and out.
But that's beside the point, the moment I arrived at my destination, Ilyas – who had been waiting for me on the side road – flashbang me with his phone screen.
"Ethan! Is the model on this page you?!"
'Ilyas... I have just got out of my car...'
I could see Ilyas' glimmering eyes from my peripheral vision. With how close his phone was to my eyes, I needed to stretch my neck backwards to read what news he was shoving to my face.
[RetroV implemented a gate detection technology in their newly launched smartwatch.]
When I scrolled down his phone, an edited version of a picture I had just taken yesterday was already posted.
"They launched the product already?"
So they asked for a photoshoot one day before the product launched?
I could already smell a PR disaster coming from miles away,
"Woahh, so it's true! You looked totally different here, you look… I don't know… fresh? Yeah, I'll definitely save this picture."
"Why would you save it? There's nothing interesting in there."
"What do you mean 'why'? Appreciating a good-looking man is a must." Ilyas took a few screenshots while smiling gleefully at it.
I coughed awkwardly then shifted my attention. I silently opened the passenger seat door to let Ilyas in. He noticed my gesture and entered.
Once he sat comfortably, I pulled the seatbelt over him, which made Ilyas immediately stop my hand.
"E-Ethan, I could fasten it myself."
"Ah sorry, I did it unconsciously-"
Ilyas flushed in embarrassment, which made me quickly closed the door and got to the driver's seat. I was chanting in my head like a madman as my awkward meter was going through the roof.
WhydidIdothatwhydidIdothat.
'A grown man helping another man fasten their seatbelt? What are you? A parent taking care of his kid? I must be crazy when I did that.'
Nonsense started filling up my head. My head was spinning to find an excuse to justify my action.
"Let's go."
Putting up the flattest expression I could manage, I stepped on the gas. I focused my gaze to the front, not even a single glance was directed toward Ilyas.
If I made eye contact with him just for one millisecond, I would shift my eyes to the road as fast as I possibly could. Or else my embarrassment would be found out.
At least that's what I thought I'd do.
"Pftt... hahaha!"
But Ilyas' refreshing laughter filled the car, which prompted me to gaze in his direction.
Tears had started forming in his eyes while his hand was holding the car handle for dear life. In short, he was laughing his ass off.
'Why though?'
"Haa... Do you know how cute you are Ethan?"
'Cute?'
What part of me was cute?
"Gosh, even that clueless face is precious haha!"
'What? I'm completely lost here, please elaborate!' was what I eyed to him.
But he didn't stop laughing until halfway through our trip, so I seriously had no clue about what Ilyas was talking about.
Spotting the Greenfield University building, I parked the car near the entrance and got out to survey the surroundings.
'If this world doesn't have gates, maybe our protagonist will find a normal love here instead.'
For a college student, romance was one of the numerous journeys they might experience. I personally thought it's a lot better to live a normal life like that rather than being entangled with three crazy espers and putting your life on the line inside a gate.
Alas, the plot said otherwise.
"When should I pick you up?"
"My classes ended at 3:30 P.M. You can come by 4."
"I'll be on time."
Some students had started glancing our way, so I better leave fast to avoid attention.
"Ethan."
"Yes?"
I was about to drive home when I felt Ilyas tug at my sleeve. He gazed at me and once again did the most unexpected thing I could imagine.
Brushing my cheek, he intertwined my hand and gave a kiss, almost like a peck on the back of my palm. He smiled brightly and said in a soft voice.
"It's a good luck charm, drive safely Ethan."
Not a single step of hesitation was detected as Ilyas quickly ran toward the building. He greeted one group of students – presumably his friends – and joined their conversations. They sneaked glances at me while discussing something among themselves before chaotic shouts of disbelief erupted.
My brain didn't even have the capacity to eavesdrop their conversation because all I thought about was the action Ilyas did just now.
'Good luck charm?'
I glared at the back of my hand, surprise filled my mind. Was there a norm in this world that I missed somewhere? It's already the second time, but I still didn't think that's the normal way you act toward your colleague, even if they were a guide and esper.... Right?
But finally, something clicked inside my head. Ilyas said he came from a family of shamans, so maybe that was his way of expressing gratitude.
With that excuse in mind, my heart calmed down a bit.
I raised my gaze toward where Ilyas had gone. Realizing that him and his friends were nowhere in sight anymore, I turned back to my car and started the engine.
A deep sigh came out from my mouth. Every bit of feeling was mixed inside my heart. I didn't know how to act around Ilyas because he always did the most unexpected things I couldn't imagine. That just showed how bizarre he was.
"I need a cup of tea."
To calm myself, I decided to go back home and brew tea.
Until 4 o'clock came, I would cleanse my mind and prepare myself for any unexpected antics Ilyas might do.