Episode 76: GUILT AND CONCERN

The spirit realm is as busy as ever, and it was quite more noisy tonight. Looking at the green unchanging sky bored Harry a bit, so he decided to wet his hands on the sacred river, just a few blocks away from where he was. Staring at the orangish water, he saw his reflection alone. He sighed, it used to be three faces looking at each other. But Red and Humility were both given important duties as reapers. Harry wondered if their friendship would deteriorate soon.

Another face appeared at the waters, which shocked him a little bit, then Harry quickly recognized the reaper looking at him. Her blue eyes playfully locked at his gaze.

HARRY: Fae, what's up?

FOXXY: Nothing much. How about you? You look kinda troubled.

HARRY: Well, I kinda am. I mean...I haven't bonded with my bros for a while, you know? I'm kinda...well, missing them.

FOXXY: Hahahaha, you look really cute like that.

HARRY: What's so funny about me worrying?

FOXXY: Your expression.

HARRY: Well, thank you for laughing at me. It helped.

Harry said in a sarcastic tone.

Fae smiled at him then pats his back.

FOXXY: You'll be fine.

HARRY: Of course I am. I just miss them, that's all.

FOXXY: Yeah, well, here's the thing...how about we visit the spirit mountains, hm? Let's play something there or...ya know? What do you want, little baby?

HARRY: Stop with that. It's kinda cringy.

FOXXY: Well just stand up and quit acting like youry momma forgot to buy you lolipops. Your bros will hang out with you soon. Just communicate with the other reapers for goodness sake.

HARRY: Fine. Fine. But...you do know why I don't hang out with them much, right?

Suddenly Foxxy realized that a number of female reapers stopped from their tracks to look at Harry. And then Fae understood.

FOXXY: Just pick one of them already and the babes will leave you alone.

HARRY: But I don't like them.

FOXXY: Then get to know them, genius. Then just pick one. Then your torment will be over.

HARRY: I'll just do it tomorrow, I feel kinda lazy for now.

FOXXY: With an attitude like that, you'll never get a girlfriend.

HARRY: Okay. I have accepted my fate.

FOXXY: Wow. Very impressive reaction.

With Foxxy continuing to explain to him things about relationships, a familiar figure appeared near her. She quickly poked Harry to inform him, who wasn't really paying much attention, thinking that it was probably something about him getting a girlfriend again.

FOXXY: It's Humility, damn it!

Harry quickly broke his daydreaming and turned.

He saw Humility looking back at him, a smile present on his lips, he walked closer to the still sitting Harry. The white haired reaper greeted Humility, then felt a bit concerned for the expression on his friend's face.

HARRY: Why...why do you look like that?

HUMILITY: Dude, he's letting her go.

HARRY: I...

He was a bit speechless. That might mean a lot of good things for them, but a lot more bad things as well. Gabby makes him smile in a different way, she makes him stutter, makes him blush while talking, makes him to silly mannerisms they never thought he'd do. She makes him vulnerable and human.

He looks down.

HARRY: Red, uh, I haven't seen him for a while, how's he doing?

HUMILITY: Good, I think?

HARRY: Your good doesn't sound good.

Foxxy felt like the two needed to talk alone for a moment, so she left the scene.

Humility sat with Harry and they both stared at the other's reflection.

HARRY: I wonder how things would go for him. I hope he finds what he's been missing soon.

HUMILITY: I do so too.

HARRY: Damn, I don't think I'd want to have a girl friend. It seems complicated.

HUMILITY: Well, yes, but for some reasons no. It's only complicated when you're still not used to it, but when you do, oh boy, you'll be in sync for sure.

HARRY: Don't tell me that, I don't like anyone yet.

HUMILITY: Well that's unfortunate. I kinda ship you with someone.

HARRY: Who?

HUMILITY: Secret. After all, what's the use? You won't like her anyways.

HARRY: Oh come on!

HUMILITY: You look kinda adorable with your expression like that. You look like a kid throwing on some tantrums.

HARRY: Excuse me? Kids throwing on tantrums is not cute.

HUMILITY: Different opinions, I guess?

...

(OFFICE)

Gabby had totally changed a bit. Tiwari doesn't know if it's because she just turned 20, or because she's going through another tough time. She just know she did. And boy, she had never felt this certain that something is wrong.

She walked in a slow fashion, unlike her usual always full of energy self, she was this...pale woman that Tiwari can't even recognize as her friend anymore.

She doesn't look so good. And it reminded her of the same unhearted Gabby she saw back when Red and her weren't doing so good.

TIWARI: Are you...well you know what? Scratch this, you totally don't look okay. What's the matter?

GABBY: Sis, I...I don't know anymore.

TIWARI: Don't know what?

GABBY: I...I feel guilty about not feeling the connection with MJ.

TIWARI: You're probably just scared that it'd end up to no good. But as I can see, Murasaki is doing his best for you.

GABBY: But I still don't feel it. The...the spark.

Tiwari knew that Gabby wasn't doing this just because she clearly doesn't want to do anything with Murasaki. She was genuinely trying to learn how to love him. But she had difficulty adjusting her feelings.

Tiwari, who had rarely have any fights or conflicts with Finn, can't relate much about the hardships her friend is now facing. Unlike Gabby, Tiwari is always sure of her feelings. She pitied her friend's state, moreso, felt sorry that she can't be of much help.

She thought for a while, but no idea came in. Honestly, her mind was blank at the moment.

TIWARI: Let's talk about it later. For now, try to focus, okay?

GABBY: Yeah. Thanks by the way.

She forced a smile, then her eyes were again glued to her screen, her hand tightly holding her digital pen.

...

Tiwari being the one to always check up on her had always been the case. Gabby would ask her from time to time if she's okay, but luckily, Tiwari had rarely encounter a tough time. Maybe because she have all that she ever wanted. Her family is rich. And it was to their surprise when they found out that their little girl wanted to be an animator. Which isn't that much of a high paying job for some.

But since it has been her passion, they couldn't stop her. She was so glad they didn't, because she found a true friend thanks to that. Someone who, looks pass her riches and her profile as one of the wealthiest family. Gabby never describes Tiwari as such. So only a few were actually aware of who she truly is.

Tiwari chose to hide that side of her to avoid having parasites clinging about. So she knows that all that's in her circle are true loving friends. But that's where she had most of her problems from.

Being one of the oldest, she feels like she's responsible for their problems. Especially the young red hair. Gabby is very sweet, thoughtful, although sometimes she could be a clumsy dork, she still loves her like a sister.

And seeing her like this, was enough to make her feel stressed.

The blonde looked at her still unmotivated friend, who has her thoughts visibly sailing to Heaven's knows where.

She sighed. Then looked at her laptop screen. Amidst everything that happened that day, even when she was spending time with Finn, strolling the park, she was still worried about her friend.

FINN: Tiwari, are you alright?

TIWARI: M-me?

Finn only looked at her. She was definitely not paying attention.

TIWARI: Of course it was me. Who would it be? *sigh* Sorry, I was thinking about her.

FINN: Well, I hope that Gabby's good too. Want to visit her?

TIWARI: Can I? But what about the date you prepared?

FINN: Friends are more important anyways.

Tiwari smiled and leaned for a kiss. Finn blushed at his girlfriend's sudden action and pulled her in for another one. The two laughed a little, and when done, Finn held her hands and went back to his car.

FINN: I'd drive you there.

TIWARI: Love you, Finn.

FINN: Love you, babe.

Tiwari playfully ruffled his long black hair, to which he only giggled to.

TIWARI: You're so cute.

FINN: Alright, alright. Flirt as you want.

As they were driving, Finn couldn't help but feel a bit curious. Gabby and him weren't that close, so he doesn't know much about Gabby's reasons for her sudden change of mood.

FINN: What do you think is the matter with her?

TIWARI: She's got her heart confused, babe. She still loves that bastard who left her, and she can't even love Murasaki, who is here for her.

FINN: Love's weird, huh?

TIWARI: Yeah. I just wish that if her feelings won't change, is that, that 'Red' comes back and apologize to her. I can't see my poor baby sad like that.

FINN: Yep. Totally agree with ya.

TIWARI: Do you think she'd be fine?

FINN: Well, maybe she just needs time, you know? After all, that Red is her first boyfriend. That breakup must have given her some trust issues, who knows?

TIWARI: Actually, screw Murasaki also. After I check up Gab, I'm going to give that MJ a call to know just what his intentions are.

FINN: Chill, babe.

TIWARI: I can't risk having her go through another heart break. I just gotta make sure.

Finn giggles.

FINN: That's what I love you. You always have been this brave caring woman most wanted to have.

TIWARI: Weird flirt, but okay. Heheh, don't worry, after three months my mom and dad would meet you soon.

FINN: Well, I'm a bit nervous. Hahah.

TIWARI: Pff, don't be. They're not mean, you know?

FINN: Alright, alright. *sigh* I...I'm sorry if I can't be as..you know, successful people as you all are.

TIWARI: I don't really care about money as long as I'm eating three times a day. So no worries.

FINN: Phew, awesome. Heheheh, sorry if I'm a nervous wreck.

TIWARI: Hahahah, you've always been the nervous one. Remember the times you were always stuttering?

FINN: Yeah, I look like a cringy idiot.

TIWARI: Guess I love cringy idiots.

...

Gabby was called by MJ that time, she tried to reply to him as lively as possible, and she seemed successful. Murasaki didn't ask anything that would make it seem she's not okay.

As their conversation goes on, Gabby realized just how lucky she was to have Murasaki. He was determined, someone willing to treat her like a princess. Someone willing to compete with anyone just to win her heart.

She felt guilty that Murasaki was waiting this long. So she absent mindedly muttered the words 'sorry,' while still talking to him.

That weirded out the guy.

MURASAKI: Sorry for? Sorry for what?

That was when Gabby realized her mind's been sailing off again.

GABBY: Murasaki?

MURASAKI: Yeah?

GABBY: How long would you wait for me?

Murasaki paused for a moment, then laughed a little. Gabby felt like she might have offended him, but he then replied.

MURASAKI: Until you say yes.