The Golden Pear [YA - Featured]

♫~Notes 131~♫

Rigaku gave her an encouraging nod.

"For a long time, I was supposed to stand on the top. That's how my mother wanted me, so I achieved it. I suppose hurting and trampling over others became a natural part of my life.

"And before I knew it, I was called Queen and decided to keep that title no matter what." She shook her head as if she realized she was living in a sick joke. "And then Freya-chan came. She had told me she sensed a resonance with me. She even called me soulmate."

She picked the leftover sandwich, munching on it before she knew how to continue.

"I hated how she has looked at me as if she knew me. It ticked me off. As if she could expose me and break the image I've built. I couldn't allow it, so I bullied her, hoping she could leave."

"However, you have archived the opposite effect. Freya-chan... san has a strong spirit," Rigaku noted.

"Tell me about it." She took out a deep breath, holding the air inside for ten seconds as she counted in her mind. "I still think she had made a mistake trusting me."

"Do you want to stop being friends?"

"No... I think that would drive me crazy."

Rigaku covered his mouth with his entwined fingers. 'I can relate.' His eyes glanced her way, but it seemed he kept the last note inside his mind. But it never hurt to be on the safe side.

"That boxer said you've sent them to burn Sato's farm."

"No! Like with Freya-chan, I asked them to bother them. Spray that place, throw trash, or make noise."

Rigaku's foot tapped the carpet as he needed a simple movement to think this out. "Alright, I shall trust you. What about that cat?"

"I found her pregnant. I kinda... couldn't leave her there. The gardeners would hurt her or threw her into a shelter. And how's Taiga?"

Rigaku took out his phone from his back pocket, checking it. "I don't know. It wasn't long before you woke up since Aiyoku had left."

"And where are the others?"

"Ka and Freya-chan"—he sighed—"are in the school, finishing the Photo-booth Reach For The Stars."

"That's a nice name."

"We had great inspiration."

Ueno fidgeted. "Where is the toilet here?"

"Outside the first door on your left."

She dashed outside, quickly muttering, thank you.

Rigaku took out a handkerchief from his pocket, cleaning his glasses. He expected a lot, but no mind map could prepare him for this relaxed discussion. Ueno didn't come out egotistic as he had thought.