Me And My Someone

The city hasn't changed a bit. The developed streets, high-tech city facilities, high-speed transactions, and fast-paced living all seem to be in blur slow motion.

The auntie, the owner of the apartment, yelled at me for two hours because I had left the apartment empty for a month and hadn't informed her. The electric bill was lower than usual. I tried to explain and apologize for not informing her, but I argued with her for two long hours for the bill. Normally, I would just listen and nod, too lazy to explain because I just thought the opposite person would never ever hear my reasons, only listen for an excuse. But eventually, I just gave up and nodded to her so I could get into the apartment.

On my way to the Gym, I stopped by to buy some food for Ava and Aven. Since I got the day off, I plan to help them at the Gym every day. Having a meal together between the three of us brings me back to the good memories. When we had delicious street food and beers and forgot the stress away, and when we were too drunk, we spilled out the thoughts that bothered us and ate more. We were so free in our gym bubble, then got stressed again later.

Last night, I couldn't stop thinking about Aven. Does he have Shadow, and if he does, why was it gone all of a sudden? I wondered if it was because of the purple pills, so I went to ask at the pharmacy on the way to the apartment, but the pharmacist hadn't seen this kind of pill before. 

I shift my eyes to another of the drug stores, so I turn myself inside.

"Good morning."

The pharmacist.

"Morning...I would like to ask you about this pill. Do you know what kind of pill this is?"

I show her.

"Mmm. Let me see...I haven't seen a pill that is big like this."

"Good morning."

And another customer comes in.

"Good morning."

The pharmacist greets back and turns to me.

"I have a little bit like this, but it's in a small size and less purple. But I don't think it's the same one."

The pharmacist continues.

"I see. Thank you so much."

Then, I leave the counter before the new customer is in line.

The Gym

I push the door inside, look around at the people sweating on their bodies, and head to the office, where the orange-haired girl fusses around inside. I can see through the glass window.

"Busy?"

"Roelle, yes. Aven is out, so I have to run the place."

"Out? Where?"

"I don't know. He has something to do outside. He'll be back."

"Want my help?"

"Almost done. Only arrange the cards."

I sit on the couch, watch her from behind, and put down the food on the table.

"Done...*Sigh."

She turns around, exhales a long breath, and sits on the couch next to me.

She leans her head on my shoulder.

"What are these?"

She asks.

"Food."

"Yes!!"

She raises her head and searches for what's inside the plastic bags.

"I bought food for Aven too...Is he better?"

"I think so. He hurried to head out this morning."

I

look out of the office and glance at the desk's drawers. All the paper bills and payment debts were inside before. I wonder if Aven has taken them away or if they are still in there. Ava probably hasn't known yet. Otherwise, she wouldn't be so relaxed and would tell me all about it.

"Ah!"

I make a sound because Ava pushes the pieces of cake inside my mouth.

"Relax, he'll be back."

"Um."

I make another sound and use my finger to wipe the cream out of my lips.

"So...who is he?"

Ava.

"Who is?"

"The one you are in love with."

"I don't have one."

"Liar...then who is she?... Is she cute?...sexy?...pretty?...prettier than me?"

"Hahaha. No one is prettier than you, Ava."

I answer.

"Mmm."

She pouts her lips, but her cheeks turn to tomato color.

"If there's no one, why did you hide your face before? Your ears turned too pink yesterday?... Who did you think about when I asked?"

"...I"

I joined the team for almost three months and have stayed in the Playground for a month. Our relationship is developing, and I feel more connected with them, not just with the team members but also with other people, the two securities of the Center building, Coach's nephew, who I run after his motorcycle every morning for one month straight, the old lady in the art store, the lady in the convenient store, the chef of the Kimbok restaurant and the man who I owe him a drink and I haven't bought him a drink yet, but we yell at each other when we meet each other in the underground. I think The influence of the team members or the Playground pushed my inner self to come out to play and accept it. I am a straightforward person, to my brain and my words, but not to my heart. Because I really don't know what my heart wants or desires. But they have pushed me to take step one to the next step without realizing it. They encourage me to find the fun in everything, even if it's intense. And they accept who I am and who I will be because it seems I find something new in me, together with them in every situation and match fight.

To be honest, I have felt something different compared to the first few weeks. The man with soft pudding hair and a trickster smile who is always helping and supporting me, spending my life with him, and always loving to have a physical touch with me specifically. Now, I see him a bit differently; the creepy smile and the mischievous behaviors change to sweet and kind, genuine gestures. 

And the big, inspired guy with a cool, intimidating personality makes my heart flutter more than the first time I saw him in the ring, even after I saw his Amalgamare form to save me. Who would have thought that a quiet and preserved guy like him could get angry and try to soothe me when I cry, hug me, and talk to me more than to everyone on the team?

I feel my face is getting hotter.

"See? You're dozing off thinking about another person right now, aren't you?"

"..."

"Ehhhh…Who is it!!?"

"If…If there is someone inside my head right now, that means I'm in love with them?"

"Them!!? Them? Roelle, tell me!! Is this the love triangle!?"

Love triangle?

"Ah—"

"Seeing you two together like this brings back the old days…"

Aven comes in between us.

"You're back."

I tell him and face him.

'He looks better than yesterday.'

"You're better now?"

I ask.

"Yeah…"

"Then head out, leave me alone."

Ava pouts her lips to her brother.

Should I ask? Should I ask? Should I ask?

'Ask.'

Right now? But Ava's here.

'Then, later.'

But if we let it hang there, it might be harder for me to get to him.

'Then, ask.'

But, but, but,

'ASK!!'

"Fine!"

I accidentally scream out.

"Ha?"

Ava.

"I mean, you're fine now. I'm very worried about you…Aven."

I talk to Aven.

"..."

"Aven! Roelle bought you some food, too. Hurry and come here."

Ava.

"Thank you… I'll change my clothes, then I'll be back."

Aven tells us and gets upstairs.

But when?

"He looks better than before."

Ava.

"Yeah."

"No, I mean… when you were gone, he was a bit down…Not because of you, but I think there's something in his mind… you know, after our parents passed away, he wasn't cheerful like he used to…"

"Yes…"

"But he still lived his life and focused on the gym…but the past few months he was a bit different… he's different."

"How?"

"He hasn't taken care and has no urge to open the gym that much, and I don't know, because of the flu or something else…He gets angry easily, and someday he's too quiet, and he's out a lot…"

"Where?"

Then Ava starts to lower her voice and gives me a concerned look.

"He was going out to meet some friends...friends that I've never seen before...And honestly, Roelle, I don't think they're friends. They look like a gangster."

"..."

Gangster?

"I think because of them he changed..."

"Have they been here before?"

"Twice...first they came here to talk in the office, and I don't know what they talked about...so I thought they were a business partner but the second time they exchanged something but not in the office, behind the gym...secretly...Roelle, I can't think optimistically...I know it's gotta be something fishy about those men."

"..."

"Some day he came home with bruises...he always said it was training."

"..."

Those men could be the loaner.

'I think so.'

"What are you talking about? Looking at all the stress."

Aven comes in.

"Talking about...her love triangle."

Ava.

"Ha?"

I open my eyes.

"You're interested in love, Roelle?"

"Ah...I"

I stutter.

"You changed... Don't tell me it's a yellow-haired guy?"

"Yellow hair guy?"

Ava and I speak at the same time.

"The one who offered you a job."

"Ah!!! Roelle really!!? He's handsome. I support you!"

'No, I don't support that.'

"No, I'm not in love, and there's no triangle here...I am just confused."

"Confused about what?"

Aven asks while eating his food.

"Knock, knock."

Then, someone is outside the office and knocks on the door.

"!"

Aven flinches.

That man...he met him in the pharmacy this morning.

"I'll be right back."

"Who is it?"

I ask.

"My friend."

He looks down and answers me. He takes a deep breath and gets out. I watch them leave the gym and head to the side door, where the storage room is.

"That's the man I'm talking about."

Ava whispers to me.

"!?"

Xin, can you?

'Spy? Absolutely.'

Be careful. Don't let them see you.

Ava and I try not to exaggerate our minds, but we can not sit still and keep eating. At least it's me.