My whole body felt like lead from the exhaustion and my worried mind didn't bother to pay attention to anything in class.
I felt a hand on my back and noticed that class has ended.
Toru: Aster, are you not feeling ok? Do you need me to take you home?
"She's so nice!"
Aster: Thank you Toru, but it's ok, I can make it.
I smiled but she didn't buy it.
Toru: Come on, I'll take you home even if you- Oh! I just remembered! Didn't you say you were alone? Who will take care of you?
Aster: Relax, I've already been healed.
Toru: Yes you were healed, but you should see your face! You're pale as snow! Wait, give me a second.
She said and stormed out of class. The others appeared to have left already so it was just me, alone, waiting for Toru.
"Should I escape from the window? Nah, I don't even have the energy to transform. Besides, she's worried about me, that would be mean."
She came back after a minute all happy and energetic.
Aster: What's gotten to you?
Toru: Tonight you're staying at my house.
Aster:What?!
Toru: Yeah! I told my dad what happened to you and he said 'Tell that kid to come here for tonight until he recuperates!'
She tried to imitate her father's voice.
Aster: I can't do that! It would endanger your family!
Toru: As you've already experienced, my father is pretty strong and just so you know, my mother is even stronger.
Aster: Wait, really? But your father is crazy strong! I'm sure if he was a hero then he would be in the top 10!
Toru: Yup! And my mom's stronger! Also, let me ask you something. If this stalker guy attacks you while you're home alone, what would you do?
Aster: But...
Ordis: She's right operator. Right now you need to regain your strength in a protected environment.
"Aster: Ordis where have you been?"
Ordis: Pardon me for my absence. I was affected by something and couldn't communicate with you.
"Aster: Probably the Stalker's doing."
Aster: Ok, you've covered every escape route I had.
She chuckled.
Toru: Of course I did! Who do you think I am?
I laughed a bit and got up.
Aster: Alright, lead the way!
We took a taxi since I wasn't feeling that good. She tried to pay for the fare but I didn't let her. She will allow me to stay at her house so this is the least I could do.
Her house was two stories tall and looked really comfortable. It had a well cared garden filled with pretty flowers.
Aster: Wow, the garden looks amazing!
Toru: My mother takes care of it. She's very proud about it.
She said as she opened the door.
Toru: I'm hooome!
She said and we took out our shoes.
I saw a simple blue yukata walking down the stairs.
"The shoulders are quite wide so this should be Taketora."
Aster: Hello again sir! I really appreciate that you've willing to take me in!
I said with a slight bow.
Taketora: It's no problem at all Aster! Also, welcome to my house!
He said while opening his arms.
Tora: Hey dad, where's mom?
Taketora: She went out to buy some things. She should be here any second.
Aster: Oh no!
Toru: What happened?
Aster: I forgot to take my stuff from home!
Taketora: Ah no worries, I'll give you some of my old sleepwear. A friend of mine introduced me to yukatas and now I can't wear normal pajamas.
Aster: Again, thank you.
Toru: Forget about that, let me show you around!
She grabbed my hand and dragged me through the whole house. It was pretty spacious. On the first floor was the kitchen, the living room, a bathroom and a storage room. On the upper floor, there was a bathroom, 2 bedrooms and the guestroom.
"Wow! It's big! And my room is next to Toru's!"
Once we finished the tour, I heard a voice that probably belonged to Toru's mother.
Toru: Mom I'm with Aster in the living room!
A gorgeous woman with long blond hair walked in. Her beautiful face had the prettiest pair of eyes that I've ever seen. Their main colour was blue but it's like some rainbow-ish cloud was trapped inside them. It made her eyes glisten with different colours that were changing in a slow and calming pace.
I could also see where Toru got her silhouette even though she's still young.
Ordis: Operator don't stare! Whatever you do don't stare! She might be your future mother-in-law!
"Aster: I was just admiring her, not ogling her!"
I got a bit anxious because of what Ordis said. I slightly bowed and spoke.
Aster: Hello mam! I'm Aster. I want to thank you for having me!
???: How polite! I'm Aurelia. It's very nice to meet you Aster, I've heard a lot about you from Toru.
Aster: R-really?
Toru: Mom!
Aurelia giggled, excused herself and went upstairs. Toru and I talked for a bit and then decided to do our homework.
Toru: Hey Aster, let's go to my room to do our homework. Mom will start cooking and she always listens to music for that so we won't be able to concentrate here.
Aster: Y-yeah, good call!
My heart started beating faster and faster as we walked up the stairs. My first impression f her room was...'pink'. It was very girlish which suited her.
There was a single bed on one side, on the opposite side was a desk with a mirror and next to is was a wardrobe with some stuffed animal toys on top.
We entered her room and sat on pillows next to a low table that was in the centre of the room.
Toru: So, do you like it?
Aster: Yeah, it really feels like it's your room.
Toru: Hehe thanks! Now, let's start so we can finish early.
I couldn't concentrate that well with Toru next to me while in her room but she helped me with some stuff and we finished before dinner.
Aurelia called us when it was time to eat and it was incredible. The sauce blended perfectly with the meat and mushrooms and made you hungrier with each bite. We finished eating and thankfully didn't forget my table manners.
We talked a little during dinner but the serious talk came after.
Taketora: Aster, Toru roughly explained part of it, but I want to hear it from you. What happened at school and who was that guy.
Ordia: Just tell them that he is an assassin that goes around the solar system hunting tenno like you. That will solve everything!
Said Ordis sarcastically.
Aster: That guy's called Stalker. He is hunting me because of my powers for some time now, it seems, but I don't know the reason behind that. He has similar powers with me and he's a trained assassin. He can go almost anywhere and nobody will notice him if he doesn't want to be found.
Taketora: This guy sounds like trouble but you have nothing to fear. He won't be able to sneak in. Aurelia here can actually see light. She can see every light spectrum there is and she can also bend the light. If Aurelia is able see Toru and me, then she can definitely see him.
He said with a laugh.
"Really? She can see them? I should ask more about it sometime."
Aurelia: Yes, so go up, relax and rest. You look like you really need it.
Aster: I will and thank you once again for doing this.
We talked a little bit more about the Stalker and then about UA and then I went up but noticed that something was wrong with Toru.
"Is she bothered by something? She didn't say a word after I explained to them about Stalker."
I layed on the bed and kept staring at the ceiling. I wanted to sleep but something about Toru bothered me. As I was shifting around the bed for what felt like an hour, I kept remembering stuff about Toru.
"Maybe it's because I'm in her house."
The most vivid one though was the kiss she gave me yesterday before she boarded the bus.
Aster: Aah I want to tell her how I feel but I can't find the right timing. And what if she doesn't want to be my girlfriend? If I tell her how I feel and...and...
My stomach was feeling strange.
Ordis: Operator, can you hear that?
"Aster: Ordis? No, hear what?"
Ordis: It's the sound of your cowardice!
Ordis said with a strangely deeper and different but serious voice.
"Aster: W-what?"
I was flabbergasted and couldn't respond. But he continued talking.
Ordis: Operator look, I know things are different with your life in this world, But! You have to change that mentality of yours. This situation reminds me of the times you were fighting. When you attack, you don't do it with the intent to win but you do it because you're afraid to lose. When you defend or evade, you don't do it to find opportunities or to avoid reducing you fighting potential but you do it cause you're scared of getting hurt, afraid of the pain. You hesitate to move forward. Right now, you're finding excuses to not confess to that human girl because you're simply scared. And from the looks of it, I can easily guess her answer. Even if she refuses, Big Deal! You tried and you won't feel any regrets.
He gave me a few seconds to let the words sink in.
Ordis: You have to fight! Both during the battle and right now. Take that first step and keep on walking!! Don't be scared of what MAY or may not happen, be scared of the regrets you will have if you pass something that you want. It's your life. Own it!
The words that Ordis said kept repeating in my mind. The more I thought about them, the lighter I felt.
"He...He's right! It's about time I manned up!"
Aster: Ordis, sometimes you surprise me.
Ordis: Always at your service operator.
He said with his normal voice.
I stood up, took a deep breath and went outside of Toru's room. I knocked lightly while feeling nervous.
I heard her answer and went in, closing the door behind me.
If her clothes were any indication, she was sitting on her bed with her back leaning against the wall.
Aster: Hey Toru!
Toru: Hey Aster, I thought you were sleeping.
Aster: I tried, but something was bothering me.
Toru: You too huh?
Aster: Yeah...so tell me, what's on your mind?
Toru: You first!
Aster: Well I...
I hesitated but the Ordis' words echoes in my mind. 'It's your life, own it!'
I went and sat in front of her.
Aster: You know Toru, I'm very happy I met you at that mall. We haven't known each other for too long but we went out with Kyoka lots of times. I also remember our talks at the dojo. What stood out to me was that aura you radiated. A certain positive energy. It's difficult to find the right word but it's true.
My voice was soft but also decisive and my heart was beating fast.
"Be confident!"
Aster: And so I...
"There is nothing to be afraid of!"
I gently reached to her face and softly stroked her cheek.
Aster: ...want to tell you something else.
I gently shifted my hand from her cheek to her chin. I started moving closer to her. My heart was beating so hard that I could hear it.
Aster: How I feel...
Time seemed to freeze as I move closer and closer. The distance between us slowly kept decreasing. Until at some point, our lips met.
I felt a her body jolt but she didn't move and our kiss lasted a few seconds.
Aster: ...about you