Chapter 33: Cultural Festival (Part 2)

"Are you okay?" I asked worriedly. He stared into my eyes as he swallowed several times. When he's about to open his mouth to answer me, someone called my name.

"Ven!" The two of us turned to the direction of the voice and saw Colleen running towards us. She hugged me immediately.

She quickly turned to my side where Vyl was standing.

"Hi Vyl!" She greeted while waving her hand.

Vyl just smiled at her. A gentle smile that made me froze.

My forehead creased and I casually stared at him. There didn't seem to be anything strange about him but I didn't expect him to smile at Colleen. I thought he would never pay attention to her like he always does.

"Yow!"

The other guys are coming too. I chose to ignore what I had noticed strange about Vyl earlier and waved at the other band members.

When they got close to us, I noticed Vyl and Rain staring at each other. I can feel the tension between them. Ever since the two of them got into an argument, I didn’t bring Vylant in any of our practices anymore. So basically, this is just their second meeting and I don't feel good about this at all.

Vyl was greeted by the other members, especially Tyrone, who they said was his other half. He put his arm around his shoulder and grinned. Because of what Tyrone did, the tension between Vyl and Rain stopped. I was able to feel relieved.

I thought they would start fighting again.

We were already walking along the hallway of my course building. I was the only one with a Psychology course so they chose to tour my building first. I enjoyed the attractions of the other class. We passed by food stalls and the food they sell there looks delicious.

Tyrone was quick to buy food from the stalls and until now his arm was still around Vyl’s shoulders so he was dragged wherever Tyrone went. I just kept a close eye on them because that green -haired man might do something stupid or silly.

Because of the color of his hair, he can easily capture the attention of the people here in the hallway. There aren't many people here yet because it's still too early but everyone’s head would turn look at us every time we pass by, especially Vyl. His hair color is very bright and we have to admit that his face also grabs attention. Not to mention the famous members of our band.

Since they bought food at the stall, we were left with no choice but to buy as well. I saw how Tyrone paid for Vyl’s dumplings.

And first, he looked at it weirdly as if it was the most confusing thing in the world. Before they could notice his weirdness, I stabbed one of the dumplings he was holding with my disposable fork and put it in his mouth.

"Eat."

I said through mind link.

He didn't complain anymore and was left with no choice but chew it inside his mouth. Soon, his face lit up and he snatched the disposable fork from me and started eating the dumplings he was holding.

I laughed softly as I picked up another disposable fork again because Vyl had snatched mine.

We started walking again while eating. Colleen suddenly walked beside me on the other side while smiling. My right eyebrow raised in confusion because of her smile.

What's with her?

"Ven, give me yours." I quickly looked at Vyl. He already finished his dumplings!

Without saying a word, I handed him my left-over dumplings. He happily took it from me and ate it right away. I heard a giggle and I looked at Colleen whose hand was covering her mouth.

I gave her a 'why-are-you-laughing?' look but she just shook her head. I don't know if I should be angry or frustrated with her behavior.

It was almost noon when we finished touring mine along with Colleen and Rain’s building which is Business Management.

We only have visited two building so far but it already took us hours! It’s because of Tyrone and the others who kept on joining game events held by different classes along the way. Even Vyl joined them for Pete’s sake.

I was just laughing the whole time while watching them doing idiotic things just to win the game.

I have to admit that it was really fun. I have never laughed that hard and loud ever since shits in my life started happening. They actually brought out the fun side of me that had been hidden for a long time. I also became much friendlier too. I'm more approachable now which doesn't seem so bad at all.

We also visited the mini cafe of my class and it made me happy how they greeted and wished me luck in our performance tomorrow. It really adds energy when you know that a lot of people are willing to support you.

Since it was already noon and it’s time for lunch, they decided to eat at the Hotel and Restaurant Management building that Chris belongs to. I actually just knew that he's an HRM student. They just informed me a while ago.

According to Chris, his class made a mini restaurant and based on his course, of course the food there will be delicious.

Tyrone had been eating for a while now but when they heard that we were going to have lunch in the HRM building, their eyes immediately lit up. Seriously? Don’t they have food at home?

I just shook my head in disbelief. Chris's building is not too far from where we are which is an advantage for me or actually most of us because we are already tired of walking.

We got to his classroom right away and the same thing happened to mine and Collen’s classroom, they greeted us warmly. Our band is really famous. I have to get used to it.

You can't blame me because I'm not used to positive comments and compliments. I grew up with a lot of enemies so this kind of treatment was new to me.

We chose the tables located at the back of the room. The food looks delicious when I looked at the menu. I already ordered and I also ordered for Vylant.

We're sitting in a rectangular-shaped table good for eight people. The one by the window is Vylant, I sat beside him then Colleen and Rain. Opposite of Vyl is Tyrone with Chris next to him and then Nathan.

Our meals arrived in just a few minutes. Silence filled our group when we started eating our food. It is indeed delicious!

Even though I'm not very hungry, I'm about to finish all my order.

In the middle of eating, I felt the call of nature so I had to excuse myself to go to the bathroom. Vyl offered to accompany me but I chose to go alone and insisted that he should just continue eating his meal. He didn't insist anymore because we have our mind link and I can talk to him right away in case something happens.

He had been very careful ever since he found out that I'm being targeted. Every time we practiced, since I can’t let him come with me anymore, every minute he would check up on me. His actions are always caring so I don’t complain anymore whenever he becomes protective of me.

I mean, it's kinda his fault too, right?

I went finished my business in the bathroom quickly and was about to go back when suddenly, someone grabbed my hand and turned me to his direction.

I looked at the culprit in shock. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw it was Rain.

"Sorry. Did I scare you?"

I shook my head and tried to flash a small smile on my lips. "Not really. Why are you here? Did you follow me? "

"Umm..." He hesitated. I frowned at the sight of him as if he’s embarrassed. He put one hand on his nape as he seemed to be looking for the right words to say. "C-Can we talk? Just us two?"

"We are talking now?" I answered questioningly. I didn't mean to be sarcastic but it's the truth. We are talking now and it's currently just the two of us.

"Not here," he said as he looked around us full of people, chattering loudly at each other. He motioned for me to follow him. Surprisingly, I didn't complain and just followed.

He took me to the field just outside the HRM building. There are benches here and there are currently few people sitting. We were covered by a few trees and somehow other people here could not see us. He chose somewhere a bit peaceful and quiet

"Spill it, Rain. What is it?" I think I have an idea what's this about but I need to make sure before I jump to conclusions.

"You see..."

His cheeks are already blushing red. I also noticed that he had been swallowing a lot of times already. I tried my best to wait as patiently as I could. He seems to be really having a hard time with what he wants to say

"You see Ven, I've noticed you since we were freshmen. You were always with Colleen and every time I see you, I would always stare until you're out of sight.”

It seems that I was right about what he wants to say. He even thought of a speech just for this. I stayed silent the entire time and let him speak.

"For some reason, even in a crowded place, my eyes will always find your natural light brown hair that always stands out. It's as if the spotlight is always following you everywhere and that always grabs my attention. "

Okay, this is starting to get cringey. I really don't like this kind of talks. P I feel like I want to stop him but I know that's rude. I know it takes a lot of courage to say those things and believe me, I admire his courage and bravery even when I want this to be over so badly.

I tried my best to keep my expression calm and patient. I don't want him to notice that I'm starting to get bored.

"Ven, I j-just want to say that..." He stopped again and swallowed. He's really taking his precious time.

"What's taking you so long?"

"Not now, Vyl."

I answered Vyl quickly when he suddenly spoke in our mind link. It's good that I'm not surprised by his sudden speech.

"I just want to say that... I lik--"

What he was about to say was interrupted when the two of us suddenly flew into the air.

I landed hard on the ground. I felt a little pain on my side from the hard fall. I heard people shouting because of the sudden explosion of something where Rain and I were standing earlier.

I shook my head violently to stop the deafening ringing of my ears caused by the explosion.

"Heavenly, what happened?!"

I heard Vyl's panicked cry in my mind.

"V-Vyl help."

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Hi! Only a few more chapters left before they go to the other world! Thank you for reading this novel and if you do like it, please don't forget to vote and rate this story. I'll appreciate it very much. See you next chapter!