After the past few years of constant rising, these days, there was slightly reduced frequency of gates forming.
That meant less work for espers and guides, and it's also a sign that the world was stabilizing – at least that's what I wanted to believe.
Scientists were still trying to find the reason as time passed. New discoveries like our previous SS-Rank gate also strengthen the assumption that different timelines existed.
So now, not only could two worlds clash, but two or more timelines could converge at one point.
The scary part wasn't the fact that they clashed with each other, it's the countless possibility of what's coming here as a result of that clash. Just like a rupture, even this peaceful, clear blue sky might suddenly tear open as monsters came out from it.
'This world has really turned upside down.'
"Yo, Ethan, taking some fresh air?"
"Harold."
I was standing on the bureau yard's gazebo when Harold approached me. Sometimes, when we crossed paths with each other, we often exchanged some light greetings over a can of drink.
"Here, lemon juice, my treat. Sometimes you need to taste the sourness of life to enjoy it."
I scoffed while receiving it, "Why the sudden philosophy? Did your wife scold you again?"
Harold always started his sentence in melancholy if something happened in his home. Whenever this pattern appeared, I would always be the listening wall he vented his frustration to. In some way, this drink he gave me was a bribe to keep me around until he finished.
"You see, we were having a dine-out yesterday. My wife said she craved pizza, so we took a ride to the nearest fast food restaurant. But when we almost arrived, she changed her mind and said she wanted steak, so I brought her to a fancy restaurant. When we arrived, did you know what she ordered? A freaking salad! She was even mad, saying I was insensitive to her taste!"
Harold stomped his feet in frustration, exaggerating his movements while explaining the details. I laughed while jokingly said, "I'm so not sorry for your loss."
That made him glare at me, "Haa… Why am I even speaking to you? What can a kid like you know about having a wife? I need to search for another target to vent to."
"Great then, less emotional burden for me from your excessive whining."
"You jerk, wish you didn't exist in my life."
"Oh, shut up."
We exchanged a look and laughed. Grinning at me, he patted my shoulder, "If you ever find anyone you fancy, come to me for love advice. Anyway, here, a photo of my wife. Treasure it with all your life, you got it?"
"What would I even do with this photo- Hey! Harold!"
"See ya tomorrow!"
Harold had already run off the moment I tried to return the photo to him. He was definitely serious about giving this photo to me. When I inspected the photo, I noticed the date scribbled on the back. It was the same date as yesterday, and the photo was of Harold and his wife in a wedding gown, presumably their wedding day.
'So that's why they go out for dinner.'
Memorizing how she looked like, I stashed the photo into my pocket and turned my heels to Team Zero's meeting room.
We had just finished today's daily quota, so we were free until Ilyas' class ended and we received our guiding.
I was forever grateful for Ilyas' presence in our team, especially since he put a lot more care when guiding me. My head was getting clearer and my numbness was almost cured now, so it's definitely a good progress.
When I arrived at the room however, I was greeted with irritated faces of my teammates.
"Tsk." Xain clicked his tongue and walked out, passing by me who's standing by the door – fury was clear in his being.
My eyes immediately moved to Cedric, asking explanation. He didn't bother looking up at me, just focusing on the games on his phone.
"What happened?"
I asked softly, but Cedric kept his mouth shut. Not getting the answer I wanted, I called out his name again.
He shot me an annoyed look and said, "Ask Xain, he's the one who started it."
"Oh."
I felt a bit hurt. I thought our relationship was a bit better now, but I guess fights like this would still occur every now and then.
Chasing after Xain, I spotted him crouching down in the hallway. His usually tall and proud figure felt so small at that moment.
"Xain."
I called out his name, but he didn't respond, so I reached out to gently pat his head. But he slapped my hand away while glaring at me.
"Don't touch me."
Most people would back off while being glared at like that, but one of my traits was shamelessness, so I used my speed to ruffle his hair and placed him in a headlock.
"Argh! Release me Ethan! What are you doing?!"
"I should be the one asking you guys! What the hell happened when I'm gone huh?! You little pups!"
Soon, two men wrestled on the floor, one trying to stick to the other and one trying to escape from the other. The bureau employees who passed by the hall didn't even dare to separate them, seeing it as a fight between the two S-Ranks. Though it's not really a fight but more like a joke because if the two of us were serious, the bureau building would be destroyed by now.
"*Huff* *Huff* You're so goddamn annoying Ethan! Leave me alone will you?!"
"I won't leave until you explain. There's no way I'm sitting still when my teammates are arguing with each other."
I stared at Xain below me. At some point, Xain was lying on the floor while I was on top of him. Seeing my expression Xain pushed my body up and scratched his neck.
"Alright fine! I'll tell you! Get off of me first."
He sighed before opening his mouth, "It's actually not that big of a problem. At first, we were just watching live news of a destroyed orphanage because of a gate outbreak. Cedric made a snarky comment about how those children died was a given with how lacking the amount of espers in District 6 are. But when I realized the orphanage was the one I grew up in, I got emotional by his lack of empathy and lashed out at him."
Xain slowly continued, "I know my target of frustration was incorrect but anger clouded my mind the moment I heard the news."
Glancing at me with an apologetic look, he said, "Sorry Ethan, I'll apologize to Cedric, it's my fault anyway."
'I'm just glad you guys didn't resort to using violence.'
I patted him on the head, giving him comfort, "It's already great that you admitted your mistake. I'm sorry for your loss."
"The place still brings back memories but I've already cut ties after I left anyway, so I don't feel that sad." Xain paused for a second before calling my name, "Hey Ethan."
"Yeah?"
"…Nothing."
Xain seemed to have something lingering in his mind, but he closed his mouth and walked back to our meeting room, leaving me trailing behind him, confused.