Chapter 29: Role
"Do you know him?" Ericka asked me. Of course, I know this guy.
I smiled as I nodded. "He’s a friend of mine." It’s El. That familiar blonde hair and baby blue eyes. How small the world is for me to bump into him in the mall.
"I never thought I’ll bump into you here," El said as he moved closer to me, but Kaoru immediately stood between us. "You’re with your friends. Am I disturbing?" When Ericka witnessed his baby blue eyes, I felt her grip on my arm tightening.
"Oh my god, he’s so handsome," Ericka muttered, which we all heard. "You know all different kinds of handsome men. That’s amazing." She nudged me, and I saw how El chuckled because of it.
El smiled at Ericka. "Hello, I’m Ellie’s friend. My name is El." He still introduced himself as El. Is that really his name? "If I may ask, are you two going shopping?"
Ericka nodded lots of times. Is she weak to handsome men? "Indeed we are. Do you want to come with us?" I looked at Ericka with my forehead creased. "We’re here to buy Noelle’s swimwear since she’ll join our school’s swimming team." Isn’t that too much information?
"Oh, really? I didn’t know Ellie is good at swimming." El emphasized calling me Ellie, which made me avert my gaze. "Since I’m free, I am willing to accompany you guys. If that’s okay with your other companion." He’s referring to Kaoru, who’s glaring at him.
"It’s fine, it’s fine."
And that’s how El started following us wherever we went. Ericka keeps talking to him, and he answers every question she has for him. He’s really good at talking to people. It’s amazing. When we entered the shop Ericka was talking about, the sales lady immediately locked on me. "If you’re finding some swimwear for an athlete like you, I shall recommend these new items right here." She said while Ericka was still busy talking with El. I guess I’ll do it on my own since I know what I need to buy.
"Right, we go for the black color." Ericka reminded me. I don’t know if I’m still the same size, and I once thought of using my swimwear when I was in middle school, but it is blue. "You also need a head cap and goggles." She added while still entertaining El as they looked at the other items.
I don’t know if Ericka’s helping me, but she’s not required to do so. She already accompanied me, and that’s enough for me.
"What do you think?" I turned to Kaoru, who was busy looking at the goggles. "Does it suit me?"
Kaoru looked at what I was holding and immediately nodded. "Everything suits the lady." What an untrustworthy answer. "Does the young master knows of the lady’s plan? I informed the oyabun, but I didn’t tell the young master as requested by the lady." He asked with a tiny voice, only enough for the two of us to hear.
"If grandpa already knows it, why does it matter if Night does or doesn’t? It’s not like he cares." I picked the swimwear I thought would fit me best. "I’ll try this on."
"I’ll guide you to the fitting room." The sales lady said, and I followed her. "Please tell me if you need something else." I wonder why she’s treating me well. Does she know me? I mean, even if she does, why would she treat me well?
I removed my clothes and put on the swimsuit. It fits me well, to be honest. "It’s nice." I looked behind, and it exposed my back. "Would this skin exposure be fine?" Should I call for Ericka? It’ll be a waste of money if I buy this, but it isn’t allowed.
"Ericka?"
I called for Ericka’s name, but no one was responding outside. "Ericka went to get some milk tea." It was El’s voice that answered soon after. "Do you need something?" He asked.
"Yeah, will you look at this?" I opened the curtain and showed El the swimsuit I was wearing. Still, he immediately looked away, causing my forehead to crease. "How will I know if this is okay if you won’t look at me." I saw how his face reddened, and he covered his mouth with the back of his hand.
"D-Does it not occurs to you that this is too sudden?" El asked. "Y-You can’t just let me see you wearing a swimsuit like that."
What does he mean? This swimsuit is made to be seen. I’ll be using this to compete in competitions. "Does it bother you?" I asked as I pulled the curtain and covered my body. "I’m sorry if it did."
El quickly shook his head. "I-I can’t say it didn’t bother me, but it’s only because I’m not used to seeing too much skin." He kept on stuttering. "I-It’s not because your body isn’t beautiful." Who talked about my body not being beautiful?
I laughed. "Okay, okay. I understand." Seeing him flustered like this is so funny. "Kaoru, will you please call Ericka for me."
Kaoru obeyed what I said and called Ericka. "What do you think?" I showed Ericka what I’m currently wearing.
She looked up and down while drinking her milk tea. "It’s the best!" Ericka gave me a thumbs up. "Aren’t you too pretty? What if our other members become gay because of you?" What does she mean by that?!
"That’ll fit this head cap and goggles we found." Ericka showed me what she was holding in her other hand. "Do you also want to buy some bras while we’re at it?" The conservative man beside her almost spat his drink after hearing that. El’s kind of adorable when he’s like that. I thought he was creepy, but like this, he looks more normal.
After picking up the needed clothes, Ericka also pulled me into different food stores, and she started eating almost everything. It’s great that she eats a lot, but I’m worried she might get stomachaches. "Are you sure you should be overeating? The coach will scold you."
Ericka shook her head. "It’s fine. I always use too much energy anyway." She said as she walked with snacks in her hand. "By the way, where’s your driver? I thought he’ll follow us after he parks the car?" She’s right. That reminds me, why is Kenji still not here?
"Maybe he needs to do something." I looked at my wristwatch. "I think I need to go now too. I have a schedule at 4."
Ericka nodded. "Yeah, sure. I’m going this way, so I’ll go now." She pointed in the opposite direction, so we bid each other goodbye.
"I think I’ll leave too," El said as he ruffled my hair. "Get home safe."
I nodded as I was about to wave him goodbye. Kaoru pulled me away before I could even do anything, so I nodded at El and walked away. "What’s with you?" I asked Kaoru while on our way to the parking lot.
"I will protect the lady from any harm." He said with determination in his eyes. What does he mean? Does he think El is someone dangerous?
I sighed. "I know that’s your role, but don’t overdo it. The people around me are important to me. I don’t want to lose them." We arrived in the parking lot, and Kenji was waiting outside the car. He waved his hand at me, causing me to raise an eyebrow.
"I apologize for not following, milady. I took an order to do something." Kenji opened the door for me. "Lady Tomoe’s waiting." He said. I know that already, even if he doesn’t remind me. I placed the paper bags in the compartment in the back and sat on the back seat. "Did you enjoy shopping, milady?"
I was so distracted by the orange sky outside that I couldn’t answer Kenji’s question. My head feels light, and it’s like I want to go straight to bed, but I still have lessons to learn, and I also need to review my lessons in economics and mathematics. "I have lots to do," I muttered while staring outside the window. I took a deep breath when we arrived in front of the mansion’s gate.
"Welcome back, milady." The members greeted me as they bowed in front of me.
"I shall help the miss prepare for her bridal lessons," Rika said as she carried my paper bags for me. "What do you want to wear for today, young miss?" I let Rika choose on her own since I’m too lazy to answer. Maybe it’s because of all that walking we did in the mall that it feels like I’ll be falling asleep any minute by now.
Rika helped me change into a dress and tied my hair into a braid too. While she does that, my eyes keep shutting, and I feel like I’m slowly drowsing off. "Does the lady feel tired today?" She asked, and I can’t lie to her when I’m looking like this. "Do you want to skip the bridal lesson for today?"
I shook my head. "I can’t."
