World After Worlds

"We're gonna be late," Kraig cracked, he peered at her face and she was still and reverie. He had calmed her down just by holding her. The translucency gleamed as opened her eyes and she gazed at him with a warm and sparkling expression. "Let's eat, I'm getting hungry." He smiled at her and she smiled back. In the back of his mind, seeing her flushing face that had just cried, looked so pretty.

Yanarym slipped her hand on him and Kraig gladly entangled their fingers. Using her free hand, she wiped her eyes like a child that recovered from wailing. "Don't you feel weak? You use your powers a lot," she uttered softly and looked at the books floating in the air along with the box of pasta he was holding earlier. Because of the sudden event he unconsciously wielded his ability for those things not to fall on the ground. Kraig extended his hand to take her books but she quickly moved to take them. "Stop wasting your powers on me, doesn't it make you feel exhausted?" She asked once as if they never had a confrontation just now.

She was slightly good at pretending everything was fine between them. Whether she was doing this with the thought to mend their cracked relationship because she loved him too much to break them apart. That she was so obsessed with him that she was willing to pretend stupid. Or she was simply that naive girl who was not playing or bluffing and surely believed that as long as she gave all her love to him, everything would go well. That there was a happy ending for them. Kraig unknowingly swallowed, feeling that something was stuck in his throat. There was no happy ending though… life was always a tragedy. Nevertheless, for now, he wanted to drown himself in this illusion of having a fairytale with her.

"I told you, I don't get tired that easily." He muttered and took the books from her, "What?" He chuckled when she pouted her lips.

"If you hold those things, you can't hold my hand." She babbled, "Let me hold my books." Kraig found himself smiling with enthusiasm, she was so clingy. He liked it so much.

"It's heavy." He said with a blithe grin, wanting to lighten the ambiance.

"What about the box? Let me help you, Love. Please." Kraig gave in and let her carry the box. They went to the coffee shop near the Academy to eat. During that time Kraig was surveying her attentively; he could discern how she had tried hard to pretend to be civil, he could still feel the sadness seeping from her because of their heated conversation. As he was mindful of her, he felt guilty of his outburst of jealousy. Like it was such a fatuous thing so suddenly. He shouldn't have worried about anything, however, as he tried to recall he did not think he could be calm if it happens again.

Emotion was always the hardest thing he could govern. And his favor for Yanarym was churning his emotions out of control. If the same scenario stemmed again, he would undoubtedly have the equivalent reaction.

"Love…" she uttered meekly, it was a good thing Kraig was attentive to her every move that he was able to hear her almost inaudible whisper.

"Hm?" He held in the air the fork he was holding, waiting for her to say what she ought to before he grabbed another bite. He saw her nip her lips and become uneasy, she wasn't looking at him but playing on the pasta on her plate. "What is it?"

"Will you be busy… during the holiday?" She lifted her eyes to glance at him and when their eyes met, she quickly and shied looking away. Like an admirer taking a glimpse of her idol. Kraig was about to smile at her adorable actions when he realized what she had asked.

That's right, it was almost a holiday. He didn't forget the date but he completely forgot that he should think of spending that academy break with her. He had plans settled, he would not be in the town during those times because he had to meet some important people. He completely forgot that days like holidays should be spent with lovers. He had not thought of wasting his time with her during that time. It was a crucial period for him. He gazed at Yanarym who had reddened cheeks and a nervous smile.

"I'm sorry," he put down the utensils on his plate and reached out for her hand. She was startled and a flash of disappointment was visible on her countenance. "I already made plans with my family outside of town." Lies. He was not meeting those people, he was going to discuss and negotiate with the people who could assist and support him in his vengeance.

"Oh, of course, you should be with your family."

"I'm sorry, Rym, I wanted to bring you but I think that will shock them. Don't worry, I will slowly introduce your name to them so that when you—" she squeezed his hand that was holding her and curled her lips to a tolerant visage.

"You don't need to explain, Love." She laughed softly as if she was not hurt just seconds ago. "It's a family day. You should be with them." She did not implore further qualms and they proceeded on their meal.

Kraig was aware that this was inevitable, there would be times that he could neglect her. He prepared countless lies to placate her if she ever demanded his time. But she wasn't asking for anything and even an excuse? She had been an understanding girlfriend for two months, how long could she keep this complacent and docile behavior? How will they even last? Will he break up with her in the next two months? Six months would be too long. But these two months felt incredibly quick.

Aside from that, he turned his head to his plate as he pondered. Subconsciously tried to feel his chest, his heart… Yanarym would do things to make him feel good and comfortable. Moments that he did not like were whenever Marcus would appear. However, there was a faint disturbing sensation he felt when he was holding her earlier.

"Love," he called her, he rarely said this endearment to address her. He was not grown to have called her other than her nickname. She promptly swerved her eyes to him and sipped the pasta noodles on her mouth. He released a handsome laugh at the sight of her, "I love you." Her eyes widened, sparkled and the tint of redness on her cheeks never subsided. She choked and coughed in shock. He stood up and assisted her in drinking the glass of water while his hand was stroking and gently patting her back. "I love you," he said again and docked his lips on her temple.

"You surprised me, e-enough." She faltered, continued to cough while Kraig maintained his smile. She composed herself but the evident embarrassment was plastered on her face, when will she get used to this? His smile widened. Reached out for her cheek, caressed them on his knuckles. She wasn't directly looking at him, she was staring at the outside of the coffee shop while he was intently keeping his eyes on her.

His smile became cold seeing that she wasn't looking, the bright expression he had disappeared. He didn't feel it… that alarming sensation. So, was it not guilty of lying? He could still lie to her face without showing any remorse. What was that? That uncomfortable emotion crept into him earlier? …when he said, 'I love you,' to her and rested his forehead on her forehead. There was an irritating sensation pumped into his veins. It didn't happen now? Should he put his forehead again on hers to feel that? He did not like it but he have to figure out where it came from. It was very disturbing.

Yanarym stared at Kraig's reflection on the coffee shop's glass walls. What's wrong with him? She wondered.

Guide-sama: "I have no idea."

She clarified that Kraig would not be present in this town during the entire holiday. Which was good. She could use that chance to invest her time with Lyndon who had no plans regarding holidays. Before she left with Matteo and her mother to the Erdio mountain so that she could have some break from these vigorous sets of events in this town. Once she rejuvenates herself.

Guide-sama: "You don't do much, you just fool around."

Stop nagging me, I'm doing my best here!

Guide-sama: "All I witness was your active sexual life and lazy bone tyrannical attitude towards Matteo."

Shut up. She mentally frowned and swiveled her head to look at Kraig who was smiling at her with his boyish features. immediately as if he never had that stoic indignant expression on his face earlier. I'm busy doing tango here, don't disturb me, Yanarym thought and smiled sweetly at Kraig.