Nineteenth Chapter: Do You Want to Go to My Home? (1)

Rainy season. 

During July to August, they have the most instances of rain—it's the wettest month of the year. So I make sure to always carry an umbrella to avoid situations where I'm stranded in one place.

'Cause that's absolutely dreadful to think about.

And if there was one thing my brother did right, that was buying me a raincoat. For once, he actually used his brain into use. After all, riding a bike and holding an umbrella is not really practical. Regardless, I still carry an umbrella since it would be idiotic to wear a whole ass raincoat, just to go somewhere nearby.

Therefore …

One of the most awaited scenes in romcom anime would not take place right here, right now! It's a shame but that's life for you. And honestly speaking, I don't really see the hype about it. But that's just me since I prefer action.

I guess you can call me the bane of any romantic scene. 

Kidding aside, really, who wouldn't bring an umbrella during the rainy season? 

Well, staring flatly at this absurd scene before me made me think of how big the world was … 

"..."

"..."

We were both speechless.

I want to facepalm. Can I facepalm? 

What's the point of the umbrella, if you're gonna get yourself wet underneath, sigh.

Though I'm still confused about what to do, I think I need to appease her first. Her face right now is scaring me.

"Hey, are you okay?" I carefully asked with a doubtful face.

She didn't answer immediately. She lifted her head slowly with a blank gaze as if she lost all meaning in life yet I could feel some deranged energy coming out of her somehow.

"Do I … look okay?" she uttered after a few seconds of blank gaze.

Wow, amazing question, Alex. Of course, she isn't!

I wasn't able to respond immediately due to my dumb question, so I was just standing there, looking all dumb and dazed. And while I was fumbling about, trying to think of what to say—cursed my socially inept self—Rebecca sighed at my silently panicking figure and finally said with slightly pursed lips:

"Anyways, nothing we can do now … I'll just go home and wash up …" shrugging as she said that.

Her resigned state inexplicably made me feel guilty … It was not even my fault … Argh, I don't know!

I racked my brains to think of anything to comfort her even just slightly … In the course of that, I tried to guess what I would do if it was Lia in front of me right now …

Maybe, I could take her home? It's not that far, anyway.

I could take her there with my bik—or we could take the bus. Don't want to make Lia mad.

However, there was one problem … 

Isn't it too soon?

I don't have a lot of friends—scratch that, Lia is my only friend … She's the only one I've invited home in my entire life!

I don't even know when people normally invite their friends (especially, since we're not even friends) to their homes. Is it after a week, a month, or a year? I don't know, so no choice, have to bin that thought for now. 

What about Sis Marga? What would I do if she were the one that got wet and dirty? 

.

.

.

… I can't imagine it … Sis Marga is too level-headed to make rookie mistakes like this. No offense, Rebecca. 

As for considering what if it was my brother, I didn't even take that as an option. I'd leave him to die if given the opportunity …

It seems the most probable option was the first one ... I just made a full circle and returned to square one, huh … 

Still, I guess let's go with that!

"Rebecca," I called out.

Although it might seem as if a long time has passed since I was thinking, in reality, it was just a few seconds so we weren't really that silent for so long.

"Hm?" 

"Come here and take shelter for now."

I lightly waved at her to come under the roof to take cover from the rain. She looked listless and confused but nevertheless still complied with her lifeless figure.

"..."

She was now standing beside me, lazily staring at me with her doe pink eyes. Probably trying to guess my intention. 

"Just give me a sec," I said, seeing her curious yet dismayed face, while I was sending a message to someone.

She was casually trying to peek on my phone, still downhearted, trying to see whom I was messaging but she couldn't see since I have a privacy screen on. 

Putting my phone back in my bag, I faced Rebecca. Of course, I wouldn't just directly ask her to go to my home. 

"By the way, how long does it take you to arrive at your house?"

After I spoke, I could see some light return in her eyes. Most likely since I rarely start our conversation. And now with her thoughts diverted from her misfortune, she responded while her lips were still pursed.

"Hmmm, well, I think around 30 to 45 minutes?" she said with an unsure expression.

30 to 45? Her house is farther than expected …

"Really? That's quite far."

She showed a light grin (yes!). "Yep, I even had to change buses midway so that's another waiting time. So maybe if I'm unlucky, it might even take an hour or more to get home."

Oh, that means she's from the North.

"That's tiring. Where are you exactly from?"

Hearing my question, her eyes gleamed and I could feel the usual energy she had returned to her body as she prepared her voice like she was about to say something grand and then she announced comically. "Demet, home of breathtaking nature and endless waterfalls!" her eyes were shining with pride as she said that.

Though, rather than how she said it, I was more worried about the distance.

That's far. Why the heck did she end up here? If I'm not mistaken, they have the First Lady of the Lamp University there known for their nursing course. It is undoubtedly the best university in Demet, further proven by its First title.

For your information, colleges or universities gain their First titles depending on their performance in their municipality. And as expected since we also had that title we were the number one higher educational institution in Apollo.

Compared to our college, although we're also another First, they were in a different league than us. Obviously enough, from them being a university and whatnot. Furthermore, just their guts to put the Mother of Nursing in their name showed their quality education and prowess.

Though, I said that they were leagues above us, despite our college status, we were still able to produce top-notchers in nursing board exams. So I wasn't really criticizing or against her decision.

"Really? Why didn't you study there at FLLU?" 

With a knowing face, Rebecca uttered. "I knew it, you would also ask me that! Well, the reason is quite childish …" she turned sheepish with a faint blush on her face.

Seeing her usual jovial figure as if she had forgotten her previous dismayed appearance, I lightly made a gut pose in my mind—successful at lifting her spirits with a topic she was undoubtedly interested in.

Still with her head on the side shyly, she continued. "You see … my mother and father met at FC …"

Uh-huh.

She was restless on her feet, tapping her fingers together and with a faint blush on her cheeks. "And well, t-they were each other's first love … They fell for each other at First College …"

Oh, nice. You rarely encounter that nowadays.

"Sooo I was hoping … for some kind of a chance encounter alsooo …? You know, maybe recreate my ma and pa's love story, hehe," she uttered that with a sheepish smile, her hands clasped shyly on her back, while still looking everywhere but me.

"..."

I pressed my lips together. 

Well, I guess it wasn't that much of a surprise to know that she was a fan of romantic things … It's just I wouldn't consider that as a factor in choosing a college …

But, hey, who am I to judge, right?

"So yeah that's that."

She finally looked at me and saw me thinning my lips in judgment. Her face paused and she lightly punched my side while pouting. "What?"

"Nothing."

"It's not nothing! You have a 'really that's your reason?' look all over your face!"

Great observation. Good job.

"But is that really your reason?"

When I said that, her lips pursed even further.

"See? I'm right! And yes, that's the reason! And it's not like I just chose willy-nally, FC is a good school!"

"I know, I was just curious."

"Hmph, and furthermore, even if I tried going to FLLU, I'm not sure whether I could pass their entrance or not."

Ah, yeah. They're notorious for their strict entrance qualification so only the cream of the crop managed to actually pass and study there in FLLU.

"You never know if you don't try."

"You kept on doubting my choice but what about you why're you even studying at FC?"

Does this girl never listen?

"Because I was an alumnus of FC, little miss."

Her mouth turned round as she realized her mistake. She tried to hide her embarrassment with a cough and rebutted a little snarky. "W-well, just because you studied there, doesn't mean you have to, even in your college years …"

Make sense. But she really doesn't want to lose, huh? I give up, let's just give her this win.

"You're so right. Okay, my bad."

Still, even though I conceded albeit a bit sarcastically, her face had that dissatisfied expression, squinting her pink eyes at me. "Don't treat me like a child," she remarked as she turned her back to me.

You do act like one, though. 

Anyway, I think that's enough talk about that topic and proceed to the real one!

Putting my hand on the back of my head, I casually asked with a careful tone while her back was still turned at me. "Anyway, I wanted to ask if you want to come to my house right now?"

"..." 

She didn't respond. She was just frozen in her position as if a statue was put there as a decoration. But then … 

She swiftly turned to me and exclaimed loudly. "Ehhhh?!"

She started to stutter like crazy. "M-m-m-m-m-me go to your house???"

I slightly grimaced at the sudden loud sound due to my sensitive hearing. She unintentionally let go of the umbrella on her hand causing it to fall on the ground. 

Hey, that's mine. Be more careful.

And then she held me on both sides while shaking me quite harshly. "Are you really inviting me to your home, like, right now?!"

I was slightly dizzy from the shaking but I still managed to respond. "Yes. Right now." 

"B-b-b-but I don't have anything to give and I-I-I'm not really dressed appropriately! No, I'm not even emotionally ready!"

Her agitated reaction and expression were beyond my expectations. She was more surprised than what I had expected in my mind.

Maybe It's really too early? 

However, I already bit the bullet so I have to see this through.

"It's fine. My ma is a chill person."

"No, I don't want to look rude!"

"Don't worry. You're just gonna come and go quickly, after all."

"I have to prepare myself mentall—wait, what? What do you mean by that?"

While she was muttering something, I tried to appease her since she was just gonna change her clothes quickly and will not stay for a long time. Though, I guess I didn't make that clear enough.

"Your pants," I pointed at it. "It's dirty. I'll let you borrow mine at home."

After hearing my words, Rebecca let go of me and took a step back, her eyes staring at me quizzically. "Excuse me, what?"

Sighing, I repeated: "I said, I'll let you borrow my clothes so do you want to go to my house? It's not that far."

Like a bulb, her face lit up in realization then turned strange for a moment as she muttered something in a low voice that even with my sharp hearing I wasn't able to catch. "... I thought you were gonna — — —"

After whispering something incorrigible, she finally lifted her head up and said with her usual smile showing off her deep dimples. "That's nice of you. But I'm fine! I'll just change at home."

She tried to reject my offer but I wasn't about to back down now. 

"Just accept it. Your trip would take too long and having wet shoes and pants is uncomfortable."

"Nope, really it's okay!" she insisted, waving her hand.

I also insisted. "My friend is on the way here so you have no choice."

That sounded more authoritative than intended. 

She tilted her head slightly. "Eh? Why's your friend coming?"

"I asked him to bring his cargo tricycle here."

Still unable to understand my intention, Rebecca tilted her head further.

I explained patiently. "I'll bring you home using that."

Now with a look of understanding, Rebecca nodded but then showed a look of surprise. "You know how to drive, Kris?"

"Yep, and don't worry, I have a driver's license."

Since I'm already at the legal age of 17, I recently got my non-pro driver's license so I can now drive on my own! Obviously, as a law-abiding citizen of Apollo, I wouldn't suggest driving her home using a trike without a license, just to end up in an accident. Safety first, kids!

That further intensified her surprise as she shared begrudgingly: "I actually also want to try driving school but Papa doesn't want me to. He said people are too hot-headed on the road nowadays that I might just get hit and die, and the day I get a husband would be the day I get my driver's license, which is practically never in his words! That's so unfair! Is it even that hard to drive?"

Her father is the protective type, huh … I guess that's normal, I have my few (or maybe more) unpleasant encounters on the road with blockheads who don't even know the basic traffic rules. And on a side note, I get the feeling her father wants her to stay single forever …

"Well, your father's correct. What makes the road dangerous are those idiots who got their license through illegal means. And yes, it's hard to drive," I paused and looked down. "Especially with those short legs of yours."

Just like a kitten whose tail has been stepped on, Rebecca immediately sprang up and seemed to be triggered: "What's my height got to do with anything?!"

Still observing her legs up and down, I responded in an even tone: "Your legs might not even reach the pedals, sigh, how unfortunate," I said with a fake sigh and pity.

Her face turned rosy red from being teased as she lightly and repeatedly punched my arms, which was practically like pats to me due to the huge strength difference (and height).

"Stop making fun of me! I'm not short!"

"That's what they all say …" 

Short people love saying they're not short but even if we rotate the earth 360 degrees, they are still short and will remain short! 

… Though, I'm not that tall either … However, I'm still taller so strike while the iron is still hot!

Therefore, I continued teasing her by showing our height difference by slicing the air with my hands. From my head to above hers which was a head shorter than mine. "Look, I'm taller," I teased with a straight face.

Her face turned redder by the minute, looking like a ripe strawberry at the moment, urging you to take a small bite, as she finally snapped and shouted: "Not unless I did this!"

Caught off guard, she pulled me, grabbing around the neck of my raincoat, closer to her face. We were at a close distance since I walked closer to show our height difference but that seemed to backfire. 

And now I'm face to face with her at such a close distance that with a little push, our lips would hit each other. I could feel her breath hitting my face which honestly wasn't a pleasant sensation to feel but surprisingly it didn't have an unpleasant odor. 

Her face still pinkish from the earlier teasing, almost the same as her hair, as she seemed just as surprised as me with the result of her action. 

No one moved or talked. We just stared at each other in silence, our breaths slowly syncing as this continued on. 

Since her face was literally just in front of me, my attention was again taken by her two gem-like eyes. At such close proximity, her eyelashes looked much longer and prettier. I could notice more details on her face now than before as I still marveled at how smooth and baby-like her skin was. 

Her eyes were glistening, slightly wet, which added to the appeal of her two pink orbs. It bore straight into mine as if she wanted to see past it into my mind. 

Observing her like this, I can't help but think: Yep, that's a gorgeous girl right there.

However, after a few more seconds on this staredown …

When will she let go of me? I said in my mind incredulously, seeing no signs of her letting go of me. 

Rather than actually letting go, she looked like she was getting closer? And why are you so focused on my lips, miss?

Feeling an indescribable panic inside, I thought, I have to move backward. I don't know what was on her mind, however, I know it wasn't good whatsoever! 

I was about to pull myself off Rebecca … when, fortunately, the savior arrived!

Ping!

A loud notification sound rang from my bag as we both took notice of it. I looked at Rebecca, asking with my eyes to let go of me, which she seemed to understand as she coyly released her hand on my raincoat.

Finally free from her grasp, I grabbed my phone from the bag and checked who messaged me:

Tob Cutie: [almost there lexie]

Great timing, Tob. Great timing.