Episode 29

Rel sighed as Percival resumed talking between bites.

At least he didn't eat with his mouth open.

If this guy was willing to interact with commoners, he and Yolie would probably get along swimmingly. They both talked and ate a lot.

Rel blinked as she heard a familiar grumbling coming from behind some plants.

"Did those plants just growl?" Percival asked, blinking.

"So I'm not the only one imagining things," Rel mumbled.

Rel stepped closer to the plants, curiosity piqued. As she pushed aside a few leaves, she saw two people. One was Yolie, likely the source of the grumbling. The other was a particularly unhappy Keith.

"You two." Rel narrowed her eyes.

Yolie giggled behind her hand. "Hey, Rel..."

Keith just continued frowning.

Rel narrowed her eyes again and whispered, "What exactly are you doing here?"

"What?" Yolie let out a fake scoff. "Like you're not happy to see us."

Rel crossed her arms. "Usually, I would be, but not right now."

Sweat beaded Yolie's brow as she smiled.

Keith sighed and glanced at her. "I knew I shouldn't have listened to you."

Percival walked over and scrunched his nose. "Who let these plebs here? Thought this was a high end establishment." He clapped his hands. "Oh, security!"

Yolie narrowed her eyes. "Are all nobles other than Rel this snobbish?"

Sweat beaded Rel's brow as she smiled. Deni might have been a kid, but he was right about noblesse oblige. 

She really wanted nothing more than for Keith and Yolie to leave right now. Unfortunately, the guards were already approaching.

Rel bit her lip before reaching into her pocket and pulling out some money.

Keith huffed and turned away. "We were leaving anyway."

Rel blushed slightly. Was he jealous?

"Wait, I'll go with you," Rel said.

Percival gasped, blinking. "You're just gonna stand me up like some loser for a pair of losers?"

Rel turned to look at him, her face stern. "These two are my friends. Also, you are a lousy date. Try to see beyond yourself."

Percival sputtered before his face turned beet red. "Your mother will be hearing about this!"

Once they got a decent distance away from the restaurant, Keith scoffed. His arms folded. "What a piece of work. That said, will your mom get mad for leaving your date like this?" Keith asked.

She sighed. "Maybe. She can be hard to read at times."

Yolie scoffed. "He didn't deserve you anyway. You were right to leave when you did."

"Should we call a car?" Keith asked. "It can't be comfortable to trek around in that outfit."

Rel shook her head. "No, walking is fine. It's not too hot today, so it works out." She paused as she noticed Keith staring at her shoes.

Her cheeks flushed red. Right, she was wearing heels...

Rel averted her gaze, blushing even deeper. "What? Got something to say?"

Keith pursed his lips before shaking his head. "No."

"You probably can't walk in heels, but we can," Yolie said. "Fashion isn't always supposed to be comfortable."

So says you... Rel grumbled inwardly. She could barely walk in these stupid shoes...

Yolie reached out and grabbed Keith's arm. "Let's go already! We don't have all day."

Rel stumbled after them, trying to keep up.

"Are you sure you don't want a car?" Keith asked.

Why did she let Yolie talk her into wearing shoes she hadn't broken in yet?

"The sooner we get home, the sooner I can get out of these archaic torture devices."

"And people think I'm dramatic..." Yolie mumbled.

Keith smiled softly. "Let me know if you need a lift then."

Rel averted her gaze, nodding. "Sure, whatever..."

Keith held out his arm. "Want a lift now?"

Rel blinked, her cheeks turning red. Did he mean carry her?

She wished she had a fan right now. "I-I'm fine walking."

Keith raised an eyebrow but shrugged. "Okay. Offer's on the table if you change your mind."

"Are you still hungry?" Rel asked. "Keith and I can whip something up for you."

Yolie blushed. "But I ruined your sorry excuse for a date."

Rel laughed. "Like you said, it was a sorry excuse for one. If anything, you save me from hours more of that."

Keith grinned as Yolie. "Seems you got rewarded at least."

Yolie grinned. "Maybe I should keep spying on people."

Rel narrowed her eyes at the pale-haired girl. "Don't."

"In the mood for anything particular?" Keith asked, glancing at Rel.

"Huh? Why are you looking at me?"

 "You definitely didn't choose that restaurant. You only touched the steak and your drink."

Rel's cheeks flushed red. "Uh..." She shut her eyes. "I know it's still dinnertime, but I can literally taste Doe's omelets right now."

Keith chuckled softly.

"Anything else?"

"What about a dessert?" Yolie asked, practically drooling. "Something sweet should help take the edge off."

Rel rubbed her chin. "I suppose I am in the mood for something creamy. Maybe a parfait?"

"Yes!" Yolie said, pumping her fist.

Keith smirked. "Sounds good to me. Let's get going."

The girls nodded and followed him.

As they made their way back home, she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over her.

Yolie and Keith didn't have to go out of their way for her, and yet, here they were. Giving her the nudge she needed to stop wasting her time on that awful date.

She was lucky to have friends like them. She should do something for them at the next opportunity but what?

Yolie was pretty easy to please, but Keith didn't always have the easiest time accepting gifts. And some of the practical things could be pretty pricy.

Rel sighed. Maybe she'd think of something later. For now, she just wanted to enjoy some good food and better company. It was difficult to think while wearing torture devices. A good meal and fading pain would help her think more clearly. All she had to do was get home.

Keith was smiling as he typed away on his terminal. Just what was he up to? It certainly couldn't be his work. Fixing bugs could be stimulating, but it had to come with aggravation, too. Rel's work certainly could.