"What are you—"
"Pease, don't resist it."
"But…I…"
I walked towards Stella who was leaning on the wall.
She turned her head away with her eyes closed and I turned her head towards me by holding onto her chin.
Me: You know we can be together."
Stella: Wrong, you forgot the line "You know you love me too.".
Me: Seriously? It doesn't affect me much.
Stella: Of course it does! The texture of the vibe turns different without it.
I sat back before my laptop while Stella picked up her pencil drafting on the paper as she was inspired by something….
...
...
What were you thinking?
AI: No, just being surprised and thinking you finally have some guts. 😏
Haha, very funny. 😑
You see? This is not the first time she has been asked to rehearse her imaginary scene for her romance comic.
"Oh, you should immerse yourself to feel the character's emotion…." — yeah, that's what she told me earlier...or this is from the book? I don't know.
But for some reason — I already got used to it. 😒
But the only good news for today — the project from the Korean company was actually resolved, and files were uploaded to the server.
AI: You're welcome. 😎
Shut up! You gave the wrong segment and API setups. 🙄
Stella: Willy, what kind of girl do you like?
She asked without looking at me but focusing on her draft like she's asking some normal socializing question.
...uh?
Me: Uh...why so sudden....
Stella: D…Don't get me wrong, I…I'm just curious…it…it's for the comic.
Why does she sound nervous?
Me: Erm….well…I never think about it.
Stella: Wh…why don't you think about it right now?
...but why?
Me: Well, that's unnecessary, guess I'll just stay single for the rest of my life.
I mean, who the hell would fall in love with nobody that stammered when speaking, normal looking and only knows how to communicate with computers?
Unless the girl is a retard, I don't think a normal guy like me will be chosen.
Stella: Wouldn't it be sad?
Me: Nope, at least I won't.
Stella: Okay.
After replying, Stella stopped talking and continued on with her work.
Is it me or….because her reply was actually kinda…I don't know, unpleasant?
.......
Stella: So, are you free after this?
She closed the book when I closed my laptop at the same time.
Stella smiled at me as some trouble was going to happen after this...I mean if I say yes.
Me: Um…sorry, I need to go back to take a nap.
Stella: That means you're free?
Me: Well, I am, but...
Stella: That's great.
She packed all the things up after I put my laptop back into my bag.
Stella: Come, follow me.
Me: Wait, hold on…
Before I realized, I was already being dragged away from the artroom.
I don't understand, normally girls might feel uncomfortable when holding someone's hand, right?
AI: Don't you feel like you're her somebody right now?
A friend?
That's what defined our relationship?
AI: What about you?
Well...friends I guess?
Later, we showed up at the bus station.
Me: Where're we going?
Stella: Somewhere you'll be interested.
Me: Game center?
Stella: You'll see.
I don't know what, but it sounded scarier after she said that? 💀
We took the bus, passed across the town and got off when it arrived on a mountain.
I followed Stella to take a walk and came to the gate of the bungalow.
She opened the gate after keying in the password.
...wait, this is her house?
I followed a girl home? 💀💀💀
Stella: Welcome.
Me: Hold on, I…
Stella: Don't worry, my parents are here.
No, it feels worse after you tell me that.
But for the sake of manners, I stepped in. 🥲
She took me to the front door by passing through a garden full of tulips and lilies.
Stella: Mom, I'm home. I brought someone today.
Her mom: Oh, welcome home, honey bear.
Honey bear?
Stella: This is Willy, Willy this is my mom.
Me: Ni…Nice to meet you, ma'am.
Her mom: Oh —! You're the one Stella mentioned?
She did?
Her mom: Honey, we have a guest today!
She yelled at the room, suddenly I saw a man with western looks...I think it's around 1.9m height walked out of it.
His beard made his face more fierceful even though I know that was just my psychological thought.
Her dad: Oh, hi there!
He smiled.
Her dad: Nice to meet you, I'm Frank.
Me: Um…hi…hi…I….I'm Rin.
Her dad: Haha, don't be nervous. Come, make yourself at home.
Her mom: Honey bear, go take a shower. Don't let him wait.
...uh?
What was that supposed to mean??? 😭
Stella: Mommy—!
After that, Stella rushed upstairs, leaving me and her parents in the living room.
Her dad scrolled on his social media, while I'm sitting on the sofa pretending to be steady and calm as I focused on the news on TV.
"Ptzzz, Willy. Do you mind coming over please?"
Her mom called me to go to the kitchen for a while, so I did.
Me: Yes, ma'am?
Her mom: Oh, just wanna ask you to try this out.
She poured out a cup of tea from the jar, it smells like tea with some familiar fragrance.
I took a sip.
The flavor of rosemary is the first taste that resonates with the tea.
The next thing I know is the flavour turned into lemon…or orange?
It just overwrote my comprehension of tea that I used to know.
Her mom: How is it?
Me: It would be better with mint and rosemary…
Her mom: Yes?
Me: Oh no no no, I mean…it tastes great. It's refreshing.
Her mom: Did you just say, rosemary? You know it's called rosemary?
Me: Yeah.
Her mom: Impressive, my husband didn't even know what it was called until I told him.
Me: Well, I normally marinate the chicken with minced rosemary, so…
Her mom: Oh, you cook?
Me: Well, sometimes?
Her mom: You know a secret?
She suddenly came near to my ear and whispered with a hand sticking at the side of her mouth.
Me: Huh?
Her mom: Stella used to tell me, she would prefer her future husband to be chef.
Me: Uh? Oh….haha.
Now what? What does she expect from me?
Again, please delete this from my head. 😭
AI: Oh too late, it's already saved. 😏
After a while, I felt something grab onto my arm, the familiar fragrance of lavender appeared next to me.
She dressed in a T-shirt and a short while her blonde hair were tied into a ponytail.
Stella: Mom! What'd you just tell him?
Her mom: Oh, nothing, just having some time with your…friend.
Stella: Mommy ~~~~!!!
She gently punched on her mom's shoulder while her mom laughed and patted her head.
Stella: Follow me, I need to show you something.
She dragged me upstairs and I saw her dad noticed us as he blinked with a smile...what was that for. 💀
Stella took me to her room and she closed the....
WAIT!!! WHAT??? 💀💀💀
WHY CLOSING THE DOOR!!!??? 😭😭😭
Stella: Chill, make yourself at home.
You know that's impossible. 😭😭😭
She then told me to sit on her bed, while she went to the book rack and pulled out a box of...hold on, what's inside???💀
AI: Oh no, I think it is a surgical instrument. Your kidneys are ready to be transplanted. 😏
What? Really? 💀💀💀
AI: Or maybe some monster in it, once it opens you'll be the food of her secret pet. 😏
Seriously?
Should I run??? 😭😭😭
Stella: Willy, there's something I need to tell you...
She put her hands onto the cover of the box and was ready to open it.
Me: Wait! Hold on!
Before I could stop her, she already opened the box — it was just manga. 😑
AI: Oops. 😌
Screw you! 🙄
Stella: Shhh—! Don't make any noise!
She whispered like how her mom did.
Stella: These are the comics I rented from the store last week, I was thinking if we can figure out something new from here.
Me: Okay, but why make it so…secretly…you know…
Stella: My parents didn't know I like comics, they think I'm wasting my time.
....hmm, typical asian home manners and stereotypes — guess I'm not the only one. 😌
Stella: Could you keep this as a secret?
Me: Why don't you try to confess to your parents.
Stella: I tried, but they refused to listen.
I know, right?
That's what adults would do.
Always thinking they're right.
Right after, Stella sat down next to me.
Stella: Can this be our secret?
She held the box cover tightly while turning her blushing face away from me.
...should I encourage her to explain this to her parents, or...
AI: You know, she trusted you to share this to you.
But…
AI: Right now, she doesn't need someone mature to tell her what to do, she needs someone to support her hobby.
You sure?
AI: Give it a try.
...
Me: Okay, deal.
Stella: Really?
Me: Of course, I love comics too, remember?
She smiled at me joyfully.
After that we started to read the comic in the box.
......
She rented many different books, like One Piece, Naruto and so on, which are the general masterpieces known by generations, and of course some well known manga of these years are also in the box.
She was lying on her bed reading the Demon Slayer chapter 1 while I sat on the floor leaning on the edge of the bed reading Bleach and I was about to finish chapter one.
After a while I noticed a human-sized caramel dusty old teddy bear sitting at the corner.
There's a T-shirt on top that was printed with a picture — a little girl and a little boy, it seemed like it was taken years ago.
Stella: Oh, that's...Willy The Bear.
Me: Willy?
Stella: Oh, right…he's the reason why I named you Willy.
Me: Who's the boy?
Stella: Oh him? My brother, Wilson. I always call him Willy.
Me: Where's he? Is he home or…
Stella: He's dead.
Damn—! 💀💀💀
I'm going to hell. 💀💀💀
Me: I…I didn't mean to…
Stella: It's okay, it's been years.
...
...
Stella: Willy, do you have sisters?
Me: Um…nope, I don't have siblings.
Stella: How would you treat your sister if you have one?
Me: Well, I never thought about it before.
Just when I thought of her...I mean we closed the topic, and I was ready to look for chapter two from the box...
Stella: Willy, can I be yours?
...
Was that from my head or the TV downstairs??? 💀
Me: Uh…what do you mean?
Stella: I mean...how about we become…
She kept tabbing on her index finger while her face is redder than minutes ago.
Me: Um…why…?
Stella: I always want a big brother that'll take good care of me, cuddle me when I'm not happy and...
I looked at her, I mean I was completely stunned when I heard about it.
And wait, why me???
AI: Isn't that obvious?
No, like how…I mean why would she request such a thing from someone like me???
You know there are many people who dreamed of receiving such a request from a beautiful blonde girl in their entire life.
And they might be better than me or look more like a brother than me.
AI: Well, I bet not every "Brother" would tolerate their sister teasing every time they try to get lost from the crowd.
Stella: so...can I be…your…..sister?
...
Me: Well, I don't mind, but…
Stella: Really? I can have a big brother from now on!?
She turned over and appeared next to me.
Me: Um…yes?
Stella: Thank you!!!
She immediately bumped into me and wrapped her arms to me, which made me feel the lavender was dyed to my school uniform.
Well, I was not surprised by her reaction — it's not the first time. 🥲
I quickly put my hands in the air.
Me: Well, since I'm your brother…
I pulled her up and held her shoulder as I needed to tell her…..I mean educate her something serious.
Me: Girls should have social distances with boys, you understand?
Stella: Okay, well…since you just called yourself my brother….you should start calling me honey bear now.
...
Huh?
Me: What?
Stella: Well yeah, since you're now part of my family, which means you should start calling me honey bear like my mom did.
Now what??? WHAT NOW??? 😭😭😭
AI: Just...do it.😌
You're not helping!!! 😭😭😭
AI: A wise monk once said, if you can't undo it, just do it.
...You're a monk, right?
AI: Trust me, bro.
You monk…I mean monkey!!! 😭😭😭
Stella: Chop chop, I'm waiting.
She sat in front of me, closed her eyes, waiting for me to call her something that killed me instantly.
Me: Ha….
Stella: Yeah, go on.
Me: Honey…
Stella: And?
She's smiling!!!
She did this on purpose!!! 😭😭😭
...
Me: B…Bear.
She giggled and continued the Demon Slayer but this time, sitting next to me.
While I can feel myself already dead.
Can't believe I called her that!!!
Can I scream now? 😭😭😭
AI: Oh too late, buddy. You're already in the trap. 😏
All thanks to you, you Artificial Imbecile!!! 😭😭😭
Now what?
AI: Calm down, read the manga...big—brother—. 😌
...
You know what?
I wish I was not here today. 🥲