Chapter 9: Days Are Better With You

Aries still looked a little unwilling to cooperate after the embarrassing encounter with the rabbits. So, I suggested that we headed back for the day.

"Are you sure? Do you think I'm silly for sulking?" Aries pouted as he stared at the leaves collecting at his feet.

"... It's okay. We have plenty of time. Tomorrow will be better." I said as I smiled at him, gently patting his back.

"... Okay. Since you said it, I'm sure tomorrow will be better." Aries smiled at me as he pushed himself off the tree he was leaning on.

"Eh? I mean... Just because I said so, doesn't mean it will certainly be better..." I muttered as I felt my face heating up.

"To me... As I told you before, Sol felt like the sun in an awfully cold forest. I'm sure tomorrow will be a sunny day." Aries replied as he patted my head.

"..."

"Let's go. I left the bag behind at the tree from earlier." Aries said as he headed towards the direction we had initially come from.

I followed Aries from the back. My eyes seemed to follow the back of his head even if the scenery was beautiful, it seems my eyes were always drawn to him.

Maybe this is where I can throw in the metaphor that he was a beautiful butterfly floating by? I don't know... It was hard to compare anyone to Aries as he was on a league of his own.

"Did you hurt yourself? Why are you walking so slowly?" Aries asked as he turned around so suddenly that I nearly fell.

"H-huh? Wh-why do you keep asking if I've hurt myself? Do you actually want me to? Also, you should consider the fact that you have much longer legs than me! Are you asking this to spite me?" I stammered as I blurted out whatever came to mind in a defensive manner.

"... Of course I don't want you hurt. I also didn't ask that to make you angry..." Aries frowned, the ears on the top of his head drooping down as his tail curled around his leg.

"... I'm not angry. How can I at that face..." I sighed, heading towards Aries before bending to pick up the travel bag.

"Well, I guess I'm fortunate to have this face then." Aries grinned at me as he took the travel bag from my hands and slung it over his shoulder so smoothly.

"... You should be. That face is as good as striking gold." I said as I headed in the direction of the lab.

"Is that so? Sometimes being too handsome is tedious." Aries mumbled from behind me.

I heard that! Only those with killer looks could ever say that. God is so unfair. Not that I believe in them. If I did, I don't think I would have been in this field.

"Did something happen? You're laughing to yourself."

"Ah, no need to concern yourself over it. We're nearly back." I said as I turned the corner.

As I was about to round the corner, I saw a figure I had not expected to see there. I swiftly turned around to look at Aries and back at the person again, flustered and unsure of what to do.

"Sol? Is something the matter?" Aries asked as he was about to look over my shoulders.

"Shh! It's your sister!" I loud whispered as I put a finger to my lips.

"Why is it a problem?" Aries asked as he moved to greet her.

"Your ears! And your tail!" I pounted out as Aries gasped like he came to a sudden realisation.

"Ah... You're right! What should we do though? She doesn't like to be kept waiting for long." Aries pondered the thought as he tapped thoughtfully on his chin.

"I think you packed a hoodie, throw it on." I said in a last minute attempt as I noticed Aries' sister catching me eyeing her.

"T-then the tail?" Aries panicked as he noticed my worried expression.

"J-just stand still! Try not to move it!" I said as I stood in front of him.

"I can't really--"

"Sol! Ah! There you are, Aries! Where were you that you did not pick up your phone?" Aries' sister asked as she placed her hand on her hips and frowned.

"Good morning, Sister Artemis." I greeted as I smiled.

Just like Aries, she was really beautiful. She had tied her long, wavy locks of cerulean blue hair in a ponytail. Her plump, full lips were slightly parted as I could see the front row of her perfect teeth. It's like all the good genes went to their family tree.

"Sister Artemis? You make me sound like I work in the church!" Artemis burst into laughter as she took off the sunglasses she had on and placed it on the top of her head, revealing her dark onyx eyes.

"Greetings, sister." Aries said as he lowered his head slightly. Maybe a little unnaturally as he was trying to hide the ears.

"You sound waayyy too formal. Where was the boy who was pleading for me to let him stay in this dump?" Artemis folded her arms until she realised she made a slip of tongue.

"Ah, I didn't mean that Sol..." Artemis laughed lightly as she tried to console me.

"It's fine. It's the truth anyways." I replied and looked away.

"Aww... Anyways, I made the trip here because of you!" Artemis said as she pointed at Aries.

Behind the intricately patterned fingernails, Aries had a confused expression adorning his face.

"I know full well why you want to stay back, but didn't we make an agreement before? You yourself said it was good to put some distance between the two of you." Artemis said as she folded her arms, tapping her finger impatiently as she waited for Aries to respond.

"I... I know I said that but... I..." Aries turned to look at me with a sadness in his eyes that left me speechless. I had never seen him look that way before.

"W-why don't we head inside to talk?" I interrupted as I gestured at Artemis to head in.

"... Alright then." Artemis agreed as she headed into the lab, finding her way through the lab easily.

"Are you alright?" I asked Aries as I glanced up to check his expression.

"With you beside me, alright is an understatement." Aries smiles at me as he gently caressed the tip of my hair.

His action was so sudden that I did not know how to respond. Reality however kicked in much sooner as my face turned a bright red.

"Y-you... Don't you get embarrassed by what you say?" I asked, turning away as I fanned myself with my hands.

"Did I saw anything embarrassing? I merely stated the truth."

"~~~" I found myself at a loss, unsure of what to use as a retort that I just marched into the lab.

"... Everything is better with him around." Aries muttered to himself before heading into the house, lugging the travel bag with him.

***

"Thank you for the tea, Sol. I actually have something to ask of you if that's alright?" Artemis asked as she smiled at me.

"Y-yes?"

"Do you know the reason why Aries wants to stay behind? Why such a drastic action when he was already ready to head to the US?"

"Uhh..." I knew the answer, but I didn't feel right to disclose it to her without discussing with Aries.

"Sister. I will talk to you. Leave him out of this." Aries said as he had a stern expression I seldom saw on his face.

"... Alright then. Sol, would you be a darling and... refill the teapot? Take your time." Artemis said as she handed me the teapot.

It was still full, but I knew what she had meant by that. Hence, I took the teapot and headed into the kitchen, wondering what to busy myself with as they talked.