Couldn't Believe...

Chapter 141

A/N: Chapters 141 and 142 are from Aster's POV.

The next day, in Blackie's office...

"Aster, are you ready?"
"... Yes."
"Alright. Don't forget your mission."
*sigh* "Don't worry. There's no other reason for me to go there anyways."
"... Thanks."
*nod* "I'm leaving."
"Good luck."
*glow*
"By ancient chants and mystical lore,
I bid the spirits to the portal's door.
From realms concealed and space unknown,
Let the portal to the Spirits Realm be shown."
*woosh*
"Bye!"
*nod* *steps in*
*close*
"... Please, bring her back."

...

In the Spirits Realm...

"Where's the gate..." *glance*

Ah, there it is.

*approach*
"Hey, you! Stop right there- Aster?!"
"Hello."
"What are you doing here?"
"And what's with the depressed tone?"
*sigh* "Nothing. Can I come inside?"
"Oh, hell nah-"
"Yes."
*smirk*
"Wait, what?! How can you let him in?!"
"We got an order from the King himself, that both Hexy and Aster can have access to this Realm."
"Ah, I see. Then, you can come in."
"Thanks."
*opens the gates*
*enters* "See ya!"
*nod*
*closes the gates*

...

In the Flames category...

"As far as I remember, she had long, shining scarlet red hair and golden eyes."

I wonder how she'll react when she sees me again-

*BAM*
"Ouch!"
"Watch where you're going."

Wait... I do recognize this voice.

"Scarlet?"
"Yes?"
"Oh my God, that's really you!"
"... And you are?"
"Eh? You don't remember me?"
"I wouldn't ask if I did."
"... I'm Aster."
"Aster... you're the one that came with the other two spirits, right?"
"Yes!"
"I see. Okay, bye-"
"Wait!"
"?"
"... I'd like to have a cup of coffee with you."
"Huh? Why?"
"Well, I'm pretty sociable, and I love meeting new people, so I'd like to get to know you!"
"..."

Please accept!

"... Alright."

Yes!

"Let's go, then!"

...

In the coffee shop...

The walk here was very awkward. We didn't exchange a single word, but for some reason, being with someone who's this calm is... weird, in a good way.

"So, how's life going with you?"
"Good."
"I see..."
*silence*
"Well, what do you do in your free time?"
"... Nothing much."
"Ah..."
*silence*

At this pace, we will stay here forever. I'll have to get straight to the point.

"Scarlet, I'd like to ask you a question."
"... Which is?"
"You have a mark, right?"
"... Yes."
"You know its use, right?"
"... Yes. We use it when we want to transform-"
"I was talking about the other purpose."
"..."
"I'm sure you're aware of the fact that touching this mark will help you listen to your Master and her surroundings."
"... What do you want exactly?"
"I want you to listen to it."
"Why would I do that?"
"I'll tell you once you do."
"No."
"... Please, Scarlet, just once."
"..." *touches the mark*
"Eluma, do you think she's okay?"
"I'm sure she is."
"But what if she never comes back? What if she rejects me as her Master?"
"Blackie, sweetheart, you've been thinking about her ever since Aster left. This overthinking won't be of any help."
"I can't stop."
*stops touching the mark*
"You know who this is?"
"... That's..."
"Our Master."
"!"
"She wants you back-"
"No."
"Why?!"
"Because I said so. I'm not going anywhere."
"Oh, come on! She sent me all the way here to talk to you!"
"... She did?"
"Yes!"
"... I don't care."
*sigh* "Can you at least think about it?"
"No."
"Why?!"
"Because I don't want to go back."
*sob* "So you're really gonna make this trip useless?"
"Yes."
"Pft."
"If you don't like it, you know where the exit is."
"..."
"If that's all, then-"
"Alright."
"?"
"I won't leave your side unless you accept to come back with me."
"... Then you'll be staying here until the day you die."
"We'll see about that."

Four hours later...

"Can you leave me alone? You've been following me for the past four hours!"
"I told you, I'll stay by your side."
*sigh* "You're annoying."
"And you're stubborn. Why won't you just go with me, and if you don't like it, come back!"
"That's none of your business."
"It is. After all, we both have the same Master."
"I don't care-"
"If it isn't the gorgeous Scarlet!"
"My, my, what are you doing here?"
"... I live here."
"In the Gemstones category?"
"What-" *glance* *gasp*

I got distracted by Aster and didn't realize we had left.

"... I'll leave."
"Wait a damn second."
"Are you doing this on purpose, just to get our attention?"
"What?"
*grab* "Come on, you didn't have to come all the way here."
"Yes, you could've just called us."
"... Let go."
"Why?"
"Aren't you here because you wanna have a great time?"
"I said, let go."
"And what are you gonna do?"
*woosh*
*glow*
"What-"
"Woah! Let's all calm down, shall we?"
"And who might you be?"
*smirk* "Take a guess."
"... Wait, I recognize this face. You're one of the Double Trouble!"
"Bingo! I'm Aster, nice to meet y'all!"
"It's-"
"Unfortunately, we have to go. See ya!"
"Wait, why are you taking her?"
"She stays with us."
*glance*

They are hurting her...

"Why don't you go back to your little games, while we play with Scarlet?"
"Aster, go. I'll take care of them-"
*smirk* "You think that I play little games, huh? Allow me to give you a small demonstration about what I really do." *glow*
"AGH!"
"OUCH!"
"Oh, trust me, that is nothing compared to what I'm about to do to you if you don't remove your filthy hands off of her now."
*let go*
"And I'm warning you, don't touch her ever again." *glare*
*gasp*
"Capito?" *smile*
*gulp* *nod*
"Good-"
"Why are you doing this?!"
"Because you touched her inappropriately."
"Okay, but why her? What relationship do you both have?"
"... It's not about what we are to each other. It's about the fact that you grabbed a woman like that."
"!"
"Don't do it again, understood?"
"Yes."
"Let's go, Scarlet." *holds her hand*
"!"
*leave*
"Why didn't you let me deal with them? I can protect myself."
"I know, but it would've caused a scene."
"And where's the problem?"
"We don't want your reputation to be tarnished."
"... It's already bad."
*stop* "What?"
"My reputation is already bad."
"Why?!"
"... You see the scene that just happened? That's my daily life. Constantly being hit on by all sorts of spirits. Because I'm immortal, I'm the only spirit who doesn't age. Always young and beautiful, I tend to attract... a lot of attention, which inevitably leads to lots of problems. Plus, being the most powerful spirit in the Realm, many rumors circulate about me."
"..."
"My reputation isn't the cleanest, that's why you should've let me kick their ass for daring to touch me-"
"It won't be necessary."
"What?"
"As long as I'm alive, I won't let anyone touch you like that every again."
"... Why?"
"Because no matter what, you're our companion."
"... I'm still not going with you."
"I'm not doing this so that you come with me."
"..."
"Let go back to the Flames category."
*nod*
*woosh*