TCOTRB: The Case of The Red Bubble

🌱 Chapter XVII: Emprós

Chapter XVII: Emprós

Irene swiftly took her bag and motioned Milo to leave with her. It turns out that she wanted them to visit Leo and the others from De La Salle University. Oliver thought their interaction ended a little awkwardly, looked at his phone and decided to leave as well.

"Sorry for taking up your time. By the way, my parents just called and I have to go," he pointed at his phone with a squirmish grin.

"That's alright! I still have therapy sessions before the meetup. See 'ya!" Milo waved at him until they went their separate ways.

Meanwhile, the two of them never spoke throughout the trip. They sat next to each other in the jeepney but avoided eye contact. Irene clearly wanted to tell her friend about what she thinks about Oliver, but she will have to do that after Milo's therapy session.
Once they've arrived at the foot of the Taft LRT Station, she stands at the waiting lounge as Milo enters the therapist office. To the people outside of the Philippines, LRT stands for the Manila Light Rail Transit. She takes out her phone to message their friends. She slumps on the leather white couch with her arms folded over her chest.

This wasn't the first time he had to visit a therapist.

She remembered how the court had once ordered Milo to undergo psychological evaluation twice a week as he was still a minor. She is piqued by this meeting. They are making him seem like a mentally-ill person with a murder case. If she were in his place, she would have spoken her mind and stormed out of there.
She can tell that Milo also dreaded this. He kept insisting that nothing was wrong with him like the public claim him to be. A couple of hours later, she got back from the nearest milk tea shop with Kaira, Leo and Jin were already at the lounge.

"Yo! Is Milo still there?" Leo pointed back at the door with his thumb.

"Oh! There he is," they later saw their friend leave the office.

Kaira bounced off her seat and gave him a hug. "We miss you, buddy!" she sighed.

"By the way, how did it go? You look glum today," Leo pointed out.

Milo quietly walked past them as he eyes the exit. "C'mon, guys! It's been a long day. Let's just go home," Irene suggested.

"What exactly happened?" Leo persistently questioned.

Milo paused for a second and responded, "Just as usual. I was told to stay out of trouble."

It's been a really difficult start for him. He seeks to be alone for a moment and process everything, but at the same time expects things to work out. He and his friends all took the train on the way back home.

At 19:00. Faez household.

The group met at the Faez family's new residence which is just across the street facing The Brown Arabica Café. Irene gazed at the glass window where she was treated to a sight of heavy traffic below. Several orbs of red and golden light floated all over town.

"By the way ... Do you have any clue on what the therapist told Milo?" Jin asked.

"Probably the same ol' thing," Irene hissed, "Tsk! 'Antisocial disorder' my butt!"

They remained silent for a moment until one of her friends played a podcast about The Pyro Eight Case hosted by none other than Amandi. Jin panicked a little, thinking it was a little too loud and decided to turn down the volume on his phone.

"Hold on! Let me hear that," Irene then looked at him.

If she were to describe it, the voice sounded like someone is yammering through an electric fan. It's safe to say that it could be another artificial intelligence. There is no telling if it's a man or woman speaking. For odd reasons, the name "Xavier G." caught her attention.
The guest speaking to Amandi is actually the same artist known for his Spolarium-esque paintings about The Red Dome. The man is now seventy-five years old yet capable of speaking straight.
The segment's title appears to be taken from The Pyrenees. The same place where Oliver came from. The number '8' possibly derived from the rumored hidden island just south of Circa VIII.

"That Amandi host ... I overheard Milo and his new friend talk about it at school," Irene recalled.

"So glad to hear him already making friends!" Jin said.

"I dunno, Jin. He's too quick to befriend a someone."

"Look, Irene! Maybe you're being a little too cynical. He can take care of himself. Be glad that he's making new friends," Kaira said.

Irene thought for a moment and considered that she might be a little judgmental herself. However, it won't deter her from staying vigilant.

Is she right to be doubtful of Oliver? What mystery do you think is in the works here?