Chapter 75: Not-So-Happy New Year
My forehead creased. It was the first time I heard that name. "And?"
"We also learned about their activities and businesses. They focus on money loaning. And apparently, some of them are regular customers on one of the bars we own." He said. Is that bar the one Ace worked on? "Uhm, actually I have a favor to ask of the lady."
"What is it?"
Kenji scratched his cheek. It’s rare for him to hesitate like that. "The young master wanted to go to the Llarena group’s quarters, but it’ll be the young master’s birthday tomorrow so we wanted to stop him from doing anything." He said.
"Why do you think that guy will listen to me?" The worst-case scenario will be Night shouting at me to mind my own business. "Maybe he wants to rush to find new information so that he can finally kick me out of this place." If that’s what he’s doing, I should be thankful to him.
"Does the lady hates the young master that much?"
I raised an eyebrow. "He hates me so I hate him back. What’s the problem with that?"
Kenji slapped his forehead. "I won’t interfere anymore. It’s the young master’s fault anyway." He said which I didn’t understand. After that, Kenji left the room and told me to attend the dinner party grandpa Kenta will be held later. ’Dinner party for whom? Night?’ It’s only the three of us, it’ll only bring too much awkwardness if I attended, but I’m being forced anyway.
I lay on the bed staring at the ceiling. ’Right, I should open my phone.’ As soon as I opened it, I saw messages from El and Andy. They greeted me with a merry Christmas and asked if I could hang out, but since I wasn’t able to reply, that’s the end of their messages.
Should I reply to them? But I don’t know what to say, just like I don’t know what to say to Ace. With my mind running around, I couldn’t hear the noises outside anymore because my mind was occupied with something else. That’s how I fell asleep.
When I woke up, I saw that familiar darkness where I can see the reflection of myself on the floor. ’I’m dreaming again.’ I thought as I stayed sitting still. "You’re a liar." When I heard Ace’s voice, I immediately turned around to look at her, but she wasn’t there.
"Ace?" My voice echoed throughout the empty place. "Where are you?" That reminds me, this is only a dream. ’Now that’s embarrassing.’
I should wake up. WAKE UP.
"You liar." Those words keep repeating in my head the moment my eyes opened. I can hear the loud sound of fireworks outside and it made me flinch every time I hear it. It resembles the sound of a gun and it frightens me.
"Milady? Are you awake now?" I heard Rika’s voice outside my room. "People are waiting for the lady."
I huffed and puffed while I look around my room. "W-Who is it?"
"It’ll be better if the lady sees them for herself." Them? I quickly got off the bed and opened the door. "Shall I help the lady prepare?" I nodded. If I’m right, Ace might have brought Andy here to make me explain. It’s a chance for me to make everything right.
Rika helped me change into clothes after I washed my face. She’s combing my hair and tied them up into double buns. "They say the lucky color for this year is pink." She said after I changed clothes and my hair are all tidied up. "Shall I accompany the lady?" I nodded as we go out of the room.
"How many people are there waiting for me?"
Rika smiled. "It’s a secret." The fact that she’s smiling right now tells me that Ace might not be angry anymore. I followed her to the garden where the sound of fireworks is louder. ’They’re the ones throwing fireworks so of course, it’ll be loud here.’ I thought as I wore my slippers and went to the center. The garden’s all decorated up and Kenji’s cooking some barbecue on the side. Of course, it’s Night’s birthday soon.
"Wait, they let Ace and Andy get inside?"
Rika tilted her head as if she didn’t understand my question. "Noelle!" I heard a familiar voice of a child causing me to look behind. My eyes widened upon seeing Mizuki and Taka running toward me. "Did you miss us?" Mizuki asked as she hugged me.
How come they’re here too? "We came because Yoru didn’t want to spend his birthday in Japan. It’s a surprise!" Mizuki said with excitement while jumping up and down. I forced a smile on my face as I hold onto her hand. ’If Taka’s here, Tomoe’s probably here too.’ I thought.
Just when I thought I can finally remove the heavy feeling in my heart, it looks like I need to deal with it till school comes back.
"Let’s eat the barbecue. It’s delicious." Taka said as he pulled Mizuki and me towards Kenji.
"Where’s Tomoe?"
Taka looked at me while blowing on his barbecue. "She didn’t come with us because father told her to tend to her duties." He said and started eating. ’Hearing that made me feel relieved. At least I don’t have to deal with Tomoe’s hatred and her attendant’s hatred towards me.’
"Here. I already cooled this down." Taka said as she gave me a barbecue stick. I thanked her and started eating. "Where is Yoru?"
I shrugged. "I slept so I don’t know." That’s when Shiho, Himari, and Makoto approached me.
"Hey there." Makoto winked at me but Himari quickly pushed him away from me. "Hey? What’s your problem?" He asked his sister but Himari ignored him.
"I’m sorry I followed you without saying anything," Shiho said. ’That’s true. I thought it was genuine when she said that she’ll miss me.’ I thought as I smiled and gently held her hand. "Am I a disturbance to Noelle and older brother?"
"Of course not." As long as the elders aren’t around I guess I don’t need to be all stiff with them. "I’m happy that I can be with you longer," I said with genuine feelings. It’s not that I hate Shiho, I just feel heavy because of what happened with Ace. Maybe I can ask for some advice from Himari since she’s so mature and the only person who doesn’t know anything about my situation.
"Let’s celebrate this new year with smiles, shall we?" Makoto wrapped his arm around my shoulders as he moved his face close to mine. "You’re so pretty, why aren’t you smiling?" The moment he asked me that, someone’s hand came in between our faces and quickly pushed Makoto away from me.
Upon seeing who it was, Makoto raised both of his hands. "I’m just kidding." He said as if trying to calm Night down. ’As if he’ll get mad because of that. Maybe he’s mad because I’m acting all close and friendly to his family.’
"Happy birthday, Yoru," Mizuki said while hiding behind me. Night doesn’t look like he’ll smile, but he at least patted Mizuki’s head. "How old are you now?"
Everyone was looking at Night, waiting for him to answer little Mizuki’s question. "My brother’s turning 20 years old now," Shiho answered for him. It looks like she expected that her brother won’t answer the child’s question. Night didn’t say anything as he holds onto my hand and gently pulled me to a seat. ’What’s going on?’ I thought
Mizuki and the others followed me to my seat, but when Taka was about to sit beside me, Night immediately took the chair. "Possessive." We heard Taka murmuring causing me to force a smile. Night’s being weird, but let’s act like we don’t know anything. ’Act oblivious.’
Everyone started talking while the fireworks are still going with Kaoru and Asahi continuing on letting fireworks off. The music’s also loud but not loud enough for us to not hear each other.
"Now that the boomers are gone, would you tell us what made you fall for Night?" Makoto said with his chin on his palm. "Isn’t he too cold and a snob. He’s probably not popular with the girls." That’s what he thought. Despite being like that, Night’s the most popular guy in our school. I think girls just like toxic guys that ignore them. ’It’s funny because I did like him before too.’
"That’s actually the opposite." I smiled. I really tried to make it not look fake. "He’s the most popular guy in our school. Everyone like him that’s why I had too many rivals." Not anymore though since I don’t belong to his fan girls anymore.
Makoto grinned. "Really? What is it that makes you different from the other girls then?" He winked at me making me wince.
"I don’t know?" Do I really have to answer this? This makes me want to puke every time I let out a lie from my mouth. "Maybe it’s because I’m the most annoying one?" I mean, I’m really annoying. Night said that too.
Makoto chuckled. "What’s with that?"
