Scarlett and Aether continued to see each other often, and their connection grew deeper with each passing day. The fireplace crackled, casting a warm glow on their faces as they sipped hot cocoa.
"What about your strategic skills? How did you learn them? You said you'd tell me someday, and this feels like a good time, right?" Scarlett asked, his curiosity piqued.
Aether looked up, her eyes darkening. "Sorry, Scarlett… not today."
"Alright." he replied, trying to hide his disappointment.
He noticed something distinct each time he asked. Her smile always faded when the subject came up.
"She did it again." he mused silently. He rubbed his shoulders while gazing at the flames. "Why won't she tell me?" he pondered.
After a few seconds of silence, Aether burst out laughing, making Scarlett jolt in surprise.
"Hm?" Scarlett looked at Aether, curiosity written on his face.
"Sorry, I was thinking about an awkward experience back home." Aether said, clutching her abdomen as she struggled to contain her laughter.
"Tell me." Scarlett said, his tone lightening with interest.
"Alright. So, there was this one time I forgot my purse in a rough neighborhood. The place is notorious for violent hoodlums, but I just couldn't leave my purse there. So, I decided to go back for it.
"I walked ridiculously fast, I convinced myself I'd grab it and get out in a flash. But when I got there, I saw two hoodlums. One was huge and muscular, while the other was more average-sized…" She gestured animatedly as she spoke.
"Listen, the moment I saw them, my heart dropped into my stomach." Aether emphasized, causing Scarlett to burst into laughter.
"But the good thing was they were facing away from me. So, I tiptoed to where my purse was, grabbed it, and tiptoed out. Just as I was about to clear the area, the big guy turned and spotted me. I think it was my hair he saw. I'm not really sure…
"Next thing I heard was 'Hey! Stop there!'" She imitated the voice comically, and both of them collapsed into uncontrollable laughter.
"I immediately took off running. But when I heard his footsteps closing in, my legs became spaghetti, wobbly and all that. I thought I was done for, but to my luck, his friend stopped him. I laughed my ass off when I got home." They laughed until tears streamed down their faces.
"It was horrific and funny at the same time." Aether sighed.
…
As evening descended, Scarlett and Aether, having enjoyed their day of fun, decided to end it with a thrilling visit to a nearby amusement park. Known for its breathtaking roller coasters and captivating fireworks displays, the park promised an exciting conclusion to their day.
Aether mentioned she would feel nauseous on the roller coaster, so they skipped it. Instead, they headed for a prime viewing spot for the evening's main event: the fireworks and luminous lights display.
As the sun set, casting a golden glow over the park, Aether and Scarlett felt a surge of excitement. The attractions transformed into a mesmerizing landscape of colorful lights and decorations. When the fireworks began, the night sky exploded with bursts of vibrant colors and dazzling patterns. Each explosion was synchronized with music, creating a symphony of light and sound that enthralled everyone.
Amidst the radiant display, Scarlett felt a strange warmth and goosebumps spread over his body. He glanced at Aether, her face illuminated with awe. He wondered if she felt the same electric connection.
In a world where true love seemed rare, Scarlett was bathing in the glamorous sensation of it.
…
After the fireworks, they went to a nearby restaurant for a cocktail. When they came out, they were walking unsteadily, Scarlett holding Aether's left hand over his shoulder.
"Say, are we drunk?" Aether asked, leaning on Scarlett.
"Since I'm aware of my surroundings, I don't think so." Scarlett replied.
"Oh? Then why are you staggering?" she teased.
"I'm not staggering, it's probably because I'm supporting you." Scarlett countered.
"Look here... how many fingers are these?" Aether asked, holding up her hand.
"That's clearly four!" Scarlett exclaimed confidently.
"Idiot, that's five. I told you you're drunk." Aether replied calmly.
They continued to argue playfully until they asked a passerby about the fingers. The passerby told them it was three fingers. They realized they were both drunk.
"But how did it happen? I thought we ordered cocktail drinks." Scarlett wondered aloud.
"They must've mixed the sharpest and strongest alcohol, 'Horizon Edge', to boost everyone's vibe." Aether said, also staggering.
"I'm 18, so I'm safe. What about you?" Aether asked.
"I'm 16, but I'll be fine... it's just this once. But damn, I feel so bad I could vomit anytime." Scarlett said, his face contorted with disgust.
"Say... why don't we vomit in each other's mouths? I've always wondered how it'd feel." Aether said with a mischievous look.
Scarlett stopped to process what she said. After a few seconds, he ran to a refuse recycler and vomited forcefully. He sighed in relief, "Ah, that's better."
He turned back to see Aether lying on the ground, face-up, her right hand on her abdomen. The ground was dry, and it was asphalt mixed with metallic ores. Scarlett approached her, cheeks slightly reddened as he took in her features.
"Those naturally red lips, the thin nose, the eye angle and position, the long eyelashes, the well-shaped eyebrows," he said in his mind, touching her cheek. "This tender skin, and… the shiny black hair. She's too beautiful, how I'm I able to flow with her?"
It was the first time he really looked at her face without her glasses. He hadn't realized how beautiful she was until that moment.
After a moment of admiration, Scarlett put her on his back and carried her to her classroom, which was closer than her home. He laid her in a corner and covered her with his jacket to keep her warm.
The classrooms were the safest places at that time of night. Though the doors were locked, the windows could be opened from inside and outside, which Scarlett used to get into Aether's classroom. After ensuring she was safe, he went to his classroom the same way. It was 12:36 am, and he couldn't sleep, still reeling from the excitement of the fireworks and all the events of the previous day.
After feeling nostalgic for a while, he finally fell asleep, lying face up.
…
That same night, in a fortress of technology that seemed to pulse with the heartbeat of the world. In the middle of the room, a massive, circular holographic table projected a rotating globe, its surface alive with shifting data and flickering lights. Rows of workstations surrounded the central display, each one manned by silent operators who monitored the endless stream of information on their screens.
A man stood in front of the holographic table, his hands behind his backs and his legs slightly apart.
"Your grace…" one of the operators, with a transparent tablet in his hands, approached the man.
"So we've reached the climax. What's the state of Squid Six?" The man asked the operator behind him, while still looking at the hologram.
"She's well-conditioned and ready for battle, your grace." The operator said.
"Good, prepare her for deployment." The man commanded.
…
At 6:00 am, the new day began with birds chirping graciously. Suddenly, a loud horn sounded, resonating throughout the whole school.