I feel uncomfortable

Mr. Theria loves to study human traits. When he finds something, Theria would love to confirm.

"I feel like you're very dependent on Max. I've been watching you guys ever since you walked into the Sunshine Shop. Max is like a guard to you or is it more?"

Elijah looked up. It's a bit risque to be asked that way by a newly known figure. She knew that Mr. Theria didn't know the answer to that question either. Mr. Theria could have chosen to make her comfortable after asking, but Theria didn't do that.

"Yes, I've been hanging on to him for a long time. I met him when I was a kid. From the beginning, I felt his protection. There was a feeling that I had to keep my distance from him. I also thought he was my mother's young boyfriend."

Elijah smiled recalling those times.

"But mom said, Max is a trustworthy person, he's been my guardian ever since that day. From that very day on, my mother had rarely seen me. That's why I'm asking Max more often if I need something I can't handle on my own."

Mr. Theria weighed in on the relationship. More than a guard, can it be equated to a family? I don't think so. They have no blood relation. What binds them? Is it just because Bibi asked Max to take care of her? I wonder what their relationship will be like after this.

"So, you have nowhere to lean other than him?"

Elijah shook her head weakly and feared she would be considered unable to get along. Elijah felt able to get along, it's just that people were hard to accept. Elijah often felt unwelcome in any environment, as if she was not suitable for them.

"I think you'll have friends among humans."

The sentence made the radiance in both of Elijah's eyes feel sad.

"There is no such thing as a friend among them. They call me a whore, so I get too lazy to hang out."

Mr. Theria can feel the crisis of affection in Elijah who lacks social relationships with peers. Mr. Theria guessed Elijah might as well have no hobbies.

"Then what are you doing to fill the time?"

"Well just watch, occasionally read, travel as I please, draw, go to the Jam Bar, go to the gym, or interrupt Max in his studio."

"Which of these is the most frequent?"

"Alone at home."

"Why? Why don't you try to find someone you can make friends with?"

"I used to try, try to blend in at school, initially I could and quite also I had some classmates to talk to, but for a long time, they were curious about my family. They asked who my father and mother were, where they worked, and what my house was like. They kept asking to be invited to play. I don't think getting them to play at home is not a bad idea."

"Even so, one day I took them home. They asked me if there were no family photos and a lot of other things. From then on, I didn't want anyone to come to my house. I'm being selective about anyone. I don't hang out with anyone either."

"After all, I also often moved schools and did not have time to build meaningful closeness with them. I also didn't choose activities that would make me have to be in a crowded place. I feel uncomfortable."

"Then, someday mom brought Max home, on my birthday. It automatically made me think he is a gift. He's older than me, so he also often behaves like a big brother. I'm used to asking him for help because there's no one but him. From Max, I got to know Jam and some of his other acquaintances, but Max never let me hang out at the Bar. Especially when I was a student."

Elijah smiled as she ended the story. She felt relief after saying it all. The residual feeling that accumulated on her chest throughout her life was a landslide little by little.

But from that story, Mr. Theria came to the conclusion of Max's importance to Elijah. With that, he knew the reason for Elijah's anxiety about not being able to contact Max.

"I'm sure he knows very well that you depend on him, so he'll come back."

"I hope so, I'm just worried," Elijah said honestly.

"I was worried that he would disappear like a mother, suddenly leave, and the last news I heard was her death."

Both of Elijah's eyes seemed teary as they said so.

Mr. Theria did not prevent Elijah from breaking down in tears. Elijah wiped it out quickly as tears began to stem her gaze. Elijah didn't want to let her tears fall in front of strangers.

"I think Max's worried about you too, the proof is that he brought you here, helped you figure out what happened to your mother. If he doesn't care about your safety, he will let you hang out on the streets with uncertainty," said Mr. Theria, pretending not to see a pool of tears in Elijah's eyes.

"Is this a very safe place?"

Mr. Theria nodded.

"I think Max decided to leave you for a while here because he wanted to ascertain first what steps could be taken."

"I want to do it too, why doesn't he involve me? Why do I have to be taken care of by you?"

Mr. Theria considered what he had to say first to Elijah. Disappointment, confusion, and worry were expressed as one on Elijah's face. Mr. Theria doesn't like to see all that. Not wanting Elijah's emotions to explode, Mr. Theria had to choose words carefully.

"Because you're not ready," Mr. Theria said, choosing words that would provoke Elijah's consciousness. Mr. Theria thought Elijah should know what to do from now on. It's not just following Max and taking refuge in him.

"What do you mean?"

"To follow Max's steps, you must also be enveloped in Magi power first."

"Is staying here going to make me shrouded in Magi power?"

"Yes. The entire layer of the Mansion's place and the environment was shrouded in Magi. That way your body gets used to it. When you get used to it, you will find it easier to face whoever your opponent is."

"Max didn't say anything about it."

"I'm sure he'll explain it later. I saw him go in a hurry and advised Melianor to make sure you know first what the underworld means. That's why Melianor started talking with you using her tarot cards."

Elijah recalled the moment of talking to Melianor or Sunshine in the other room of Sunshine Shop.

"Melianor is trying to figure out what happened to you outside of your consciousness, because therein lies the key to finding the reason for your mother's death, who was involved, and so on. It also introduces you to the underworld."

"Lastly, if circumstances are pushy, you will probably be in this zone forever, then you will have to be made accustomed to the atmosphere. So far I've seen you safe. I was appointed by Melianor to accompany you and see if your determination was strong enough to find the reason behind your mother's death."

Elijah listened and digested Mr.Theria's every word carefully. Then there was silence between the two. Elijah and Theria enjoyed the night view.

In front of them were a star and moonlight. The sofas and glass walls that bordered them gave the illusion as if they were living in a painting.

Elijah had to doubt her sight because of the beauty she felt was unworthy to see that night.

"I never knew that the night could be this beautiful. Is all this real? Isn't your Magi power?"

'It's real. This is what we see every day. I can't even remember the last time I enjoyed a scene like this. I'm used to it and it's all been a part of my life," Mr. Theria answered as is. There was no imagination in his words but also no signs of boredom in his expression.

Mr. Theria has accepted everything out there as a part of him. It was different from Elijah who saw it for the first time. Elijah felt herself as if flying into space.

"It all seemed like a dream to me," Elijah said calmly. Her admiration for the scene outside radiated from her smile.

Mr. Theria observed the changes in feelings expressed on Elijah's face. She was easily swept away by the atmosphere, Mr. Theria said inwardly.

Well, the tension in her can wear off. When she had to face something difficult, she could still survive.

"Enjoy this atmosphere, I'll prepare dinner. I hope the snacks and drinks available are enough until I pick you up again," Mr. Theria said.

Elijah saw snacks, drinks, and some salads still on the table.

"Of course, this is more than enough."

"Good."

Mr. Theria got up and started walking into the hallway that led to another room.

"Wait!"

Mr. Theria looked up. Elijah looked astonished. There's something like it shouldn't be on Mr. Theria.

"Why not just use your skills?" Elijah asked.

"Save energy," Mr. Theria replied with an expression reminding Elijah of his explanation of the effects of Magi overuse.

"Ah... Okay. Sorry."

Mr. Theria smiled. After that, he continued to prepare dinner.

Elijah had observed Mr.Theria's back which was lost and swallowed by a dark passageway due to lack of light. Elijah looked around. Elijah wondered inwardly why the lights here were not as bright as in the other world even though they had been turned on. In addition, why are they stingy, only installing four yellow lights? It's also in the corner of the room.

"Strangely, it feels comfortable."

Elijah rested her head on the sofa. The tension in the neck can finally be eased.