CHAPTER XXIII: Shriek of Astonishment

Amidst the chaos of walking and talking to people, it felt like our presence was the only thing that mattered at the moment.

And I'm not willing to delve into that. Honestly, this admiration of mine should remain just as an admiration. Nothing else.

I cleared my throat and looked away from his piercing eyes. "I don't know what you're trying to flatter me with."

"Is it considered flattery if I'm genuinely expressing my delight?" I could still feel his eyes on me. It was making me uncomfortable, both in a horrible and pleasant way. Neither of which are a good thing.

"What delight are you even talking about?"

"I know you, my lady."

"Why do you keep on saying that?!"

"Because I do. I know you."

"Merely by name and a few characteristics here and there. Aside from that, there's nothing else you know about me." I turned to him with an irritated look plastered on my face.

"Is pointing out my eating habits considered 'knowing' me?" I added.

"Let me ask you back. Is knowing little about you not considered knowing you?" He responded with a straight face.

"This is turning far away from our original topic."

He shook his head at me like he knew I was trying to change the topic.

No way am I going to go all philosophical with him.

Nope. Not today.

After a last shake of his head, he turned towards the painting again.

I unconsciously followed his line of vision.

"I was simply sharing my appreciation from the very beginning."

"What is there to appreciate?" I said alternating between looking at him and at the painting.

"That's your work ain't it? I'm showing my appreciation for you."

I froze.

"I told you I knew you." He said with a smile that was slowly forming on his face.

While he continued to admire the painting, I was left dumbfounded.

Yes, it was true.

For the past week, not only did I try to finish the incomplete artwork in my room.

I also accomplished another painting at the same time.

No one was supposed to discover it was me because I, myself, didn't know what my motives were behind doing so.

Yet, this guy, again, exceeded my expectations.

No one saw my artworks, aside from my professors and my classmates.

Or maybe from my previous schools.

But I don't want to even consider such a possibility.

Honestly, when he first talked about the brilliance and stuff, I already got this indescribable feeling behind the reason for that particular praise.

When my heart leapt, it made me anxious and excited. I tried to ease my heart, to hinder it from hoping that maybe there was someone who made me feel distinguished.

This guy just loved to stir up confusion within me.

And this confusion is something I fear would swallow me up someday.

That's something I am not ready for.

I inhaled and calmed my inner panicking.

"I don't know what you're saying, unfortunately." I tried to shrug it off.

"Ah, really? So, I was wrong?" He asked all of a sudden.

"Probably. I don't participate in such bothersome things."

"But you still do because you're kind that way."

WHAT THE HELL IS HE BLABBERING ABOUT?!

Any more than this and I…wouldn't know what to do anymore!

"Stop it! Okay?! What is wrong with you today?!" Fuck! Why does he keep on complimenting me?!

Argh!

I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks, again. I wish it would stop doing that and would just stay hidden somewhere deep inside my body forever!

I am Miradia Alluren! I should not be swayed by mere words from handsome and annoying men!

Where would my dignity lie by doing something incredulous?

"But, I like showing my appreciation just as much as I like teasing you."

"You could have just said you liked me, you know that?" I rolled my eyes.

"Where's the thrill in that?" He smirked.

"Whatever. Fine. Just keep it quiet and stop trying to win my favor with your flowery words."

"Sure. But just so you know, I could win you a thousand times over with not just my flowery words." I smacked the back of his head at that.

He just wouldn't take me seriously!

"And I also like keeping things that only both of us could share."

"What? Secrets? Are you an elementary student or something?"

"Are you kidding me?" He chuckled. "Are elementary students the only ones who have secrets in this world?"

"I mean what pleasure can you get from that? It may be a secret, but like they said, secrets don't last for a century."

I paused.

I placed my hand in front of him and made a small circle using my thumb and my forefinger. "Eventually, everyone will get a glimpse of the truth, may it be rusted and bent," I turned my hand upside down, "or clean and shiny." I turned it again to show him the other side of the transparent circle.

The hand holding one of my legs was removed temporarily. I was mildly surprised when he clasped my hand, specifically over the small circle that I made.

"It's the thought, the effort, and the trust that doesn't fade away. That's what molds a secret into something special." He gripped my hand tight, almost covering it whole, making the circle lost within our clasped hands.

"I also feel like there's something else hidden behind that painting."

He sneaked a glance at me. Like he was trying to make me admit into saying he was right.

But he already had his share of secrets for the day.

I smirked, "It's either the frame or the wall."

"As it seems, cheeky little lady." He grinned back.

After the dramatic fiasco that happened between Ross and I, we pretended to know nothing about the painting in that room. Especially when Solar bombarded me with questions about it.

The days of the festival passed by in blur.

We mainly went around the campus sightseeing, shopping, and trying out different activities.

Well, it was mostly Solar, Ross, and Haru.

I was merely laying back and watching the 'kids' from doing anything stupid.

I deeply sighed.

I'm seriously beginning to question myself.

Why am I even tagging along with their whims? I could practically just run away and cozy up with my blankets and pillows.

But every time I attempt to do it, Solar demonically chains me by her side and drags my lifeless body with her.

Fortunately for today, we won't be walking in the sea of pushing people for hours. However, the biggest threat to my peace would be the crowded and sticky, smelly air in the gymnasium.

Yeah. That's right. We're watching a basketball match.

What's even weirder is that it isn't Ross that's playing.

It was Haru!

The soft-spoken, gentle, shy, and reserved Haru!

The three of us were seated in one of the bench spaces in the gymnasium with a clear view of the entire court. Yet, I still couldn't comprehend the things that I am seeing.

Haru was wearing a black and red jersey that represents their department and was running around the court with a ball in his hand.

A basketball!

What shocked me to the core was that he was actually doing great! Impressive, even!

I literally had my jaw dropped for half of the game. Ross had to push it shut for me because I was not even functioning anymore.

We thought Haru invited us to come to this game because he wanted to watch it. Like actually watching it, seating, cheering and all.

It was the first time he initiated to ask us out, so, of course, we agreed without further questions.

Well, looking at the circumstances we are in, we were unexpectedly fooled.

"OMG! Haru just made a three-point shot!" Solar instinctively shook my entire body as she said so.

"Argh, Solar! Let the fuck go or I'll be the one shooting you in that ring!" She hurriedly let my arm go and used her puppy eyes on me.

Tough luck. That doesn't work on me.

I sighed and covered my ears when I saw Haru shooting another impressive shot.

Cue the shrieks.

"WHO THE HELL IS THAT?!"

"GO NUMBER TEN!"

"WHAT THE HECK? DID WE HAVE A CLASSMATE LIKE THAT?!"

"WHOO THAT'S MY FRIEND YO! GO HARU!"

Don't be confused, the last one was from Solar.

I'm going to be deaf by the end of this game.

And most likely bruised.

People were jumping everywhere. This made some people annoyingly push and hit me with their knees and elbows.

When another successful shot was announced, the crowd behind me started shouting and stomping like crazy!

In that exact moment, a loose knee hit my arm and made me stagger to the side.

Ross, who saw that, immediately wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into him.

"Hey, ladies. Could you please avoid being too aggressive? You're unintentionally causing disturbance for other people." Ross called out to the group behind me.

Although he was smiling, I could clearly see that he was a little irritated.

If you didn't look hard enough, you would have actually missed it.

Soon after he said that, the group muttered apologies and resumed watching, calmly this time.

"Now, ain't that heroic of you?" I teased.

"Uh-huh. Of course! So, don't be shy and praise me more!" He returned the tease.

"My praise comes at a price."

"Name it and I'll give it to you." Ross arrogantly leaned back and crossed his arms.

I looked at my shoulder unintendedly.

I looked back at him, "Hmm, I don't think you can afford it though."

"Test me. You might just be shocked by the extent of what I can offer you."

"That's just cheesy." I grimaced. He exaggeratedly made it look like my words gravely hurt him.

I just gave him a disapproving look that he chuckled on.

"It feels insanely comforting when you're being treated as air. Don't you think so, Dia?"

I jumped at Solar's voice that was closely behind my back.

I glared at her because of that.

"Yeah, I envy you."

"Hmph. When I'm with both of you, it's like I'm an extra to a romantic novel."

"You've always been an extra."

"Why, thank you so much. What an honor." She responded sarcastically.

I ignored her words and resumed watching the game.

In the end, Haru's team won tremendously.

We patiently waited for him to finish showering because we planned to eat after the game.

When Haru came out, it looked like another version of him emerged from the light.

From being indistinguishable earlier, he has now returned to the Haru we recognized.

"Damn that transformation." I heard Solar whisper.

I couldn't agree more.

Even though he didn't take off his glasses for the entire game, which I didn't know was possible, he still looked like a stranger to us.

I already saw three versions of Harulian Percsimond and I'm still not used to it.

I better stop judging people ahead of time.

My heart is not good with these unexpected surprises.

"Hey, Haru! Since you won today, how about you treat us this time?" Ross said and placed a hand on top of Haru's head.

"O-Okay!" Haru answered with enthusiasm.

Solar and Ross cheered with his agreement. They even high-fived each other happily.

I instantly turned my gaze to Haru and ruffled his hair.

"Congratulations, Haru. Though, I would highly appreciate it if you told us you were athletic."

"Thank you. I-I'm sorry." This shy Haru was really the Haru I'm familiar with.

"I want chicken for today, by the way." I sent him a small smile and nudged him.

He lightened up and nodded his head repeatedly.

"What are you guys talking about?" Ross' head appeared out of nowhere.

"How to put poison in your food without you finding out." I blankly stated.

"Did I spoil the surprise?" He looked at me with one of his eyebrows raised.

"Eh. It's alright. I can send you to your grave another time. Maybe using more tragic methods." I shrugged.

He grinned at me. "I'll look forward to it."

Stupid.

We were about to reach the parking lot when someone called my name.

"Dia." When I searched for the mysterious voice, I saw Gwenne standing not so far from where I was standing.

"Can I, um, talk to you for a second?" She nervously asked.

I guess the astonishment and disturbance don't end in this lifetime.