Aster Veren
Episode 105's

- Esther

For a few days Kalea looked moody and more reserved than usual. At first I also did not understand the change in nature like that, but when I heard about Kalea's mother who is innocent and not involved in the case of murder planning her grandmother, but when I heard about her mother, I think I understand why Kalea is acting like that.

His mother was found not guilty, but he could not see his mother. And again his grandmother was sentenced to prison, is that for sure, right? He must pay for his actions.

Though she could always control herself, my mind remembered Kalea's freshness upon hearing all the bad news about her family while watching my headphone screen still on, displaying a warm article about the murder case on grandma.

Every time I remember it, I get more upset, why should grandma? Why not someone else? I finally have a family and I'm not alone anymore. But ... Stop Aster! Everything has happened, and again you have let it go, right? So let grandma rest in peace now.

"Hah~ I hope Kalea is okay." I muttered while throwing my eyes out the classroom window, watching the other students who were exercising on the sports field. It looks so fun. More fun than self-study because Mr. Vito can't be here this afternoon.

"... what, something happened to Kalea?" Sean's voice jolted me a little and reflexively turned to him sitting beside me as my bench mate.

Did he hear my mumbling? The class atmosphere is very harsh. My mind while watching around me and hearing the noise of my classmates. Then I turned my gaze to Sean, and I saw the look in his eyes staring straight at the blackboard in front. And there's a little fog of anxiety there.

is he worried about Kalea?

"Itu–dia ... got a letter from her mother a few days ago. Lea looked so surprised after reading the contents and her attitude became more reserved like that," I explained while turning my attention to the package book in front of me.

"So he got it too?" His murmur made me turn back to him who had sighed in anger.

"You got it too? A letter?" I'm spontaneous.

"Yes,"

"Hmm ...,"

"Why?" Her question made me look at her again, making my eyes meet her black bead.

"No." I briefly did not want to say anything more when I saw the lonely black bead. Does he miss his stepmother?

"Don't ask about the contents of the letter?"

"Why? It's a private letter from Sean's mother tan–. How dare I ask, besides I did not ask the contents of the letter Kalea received. So why do I have to ask you what letter you got?" I explained my mind.

"In addition .. I don't have any relationship with Aunt Claretta. I don't like it either." Then I remembered my bad memories of Aunt Claretta who once asked me to talk in the car when I went home from school.

"Hee... So the story about the mother who had a bad relationship with your family is true? I thought you were just saying nonsense." His murmur made me feel jolted and guilty for saying things I shouldn't have said.

Pa–when I did not mean bad, but I instead said unexpected things like that. My mind doesn't know what to say in order to reply and justify my words.

"So–soalya once aunty Claretta never scared me. He's showing dislike towards me openly just because I'm Helen's mother's son." I suddenly said what was missing in my mind.

"Ayeah, I was almost married to your father huh?"

Apparently he's very close to Aunt Claretta huh? He called her mother too.

"Yes," I nodded helplessly.

"I don't know the nature of such a mother. All I know is that she loves her family very much, but I misjudged my mother when I learned the truth about Kalea whose status is her real daughter. I never thought that mom would be that bad to Kalea, show her off and go to Alaric's family with that big secret." He said still with a gloomy expression, but there was a hint of annoyance drawn on his face.

"I was also surprised to learn that Aunt Claretta remarried to Mr. Albert and treated Kalea like a stranger. Apparently after I returned from Singapore a lot of things had happened without my knowledge." I thought about how hard it is to be Kalea.

He didn't say anything else? My mind glanced at Sean silently and returned to work on my task which had been delayed due to our conversation. Surprisingly I felt familiar with Sean.

"... ba–how about we practice basketball in the afternoon?" Sean's voice made me stop taking notes and turn my head back at him, not believing what he was saying.

Why does he keep surprising me?

"You think?"

"Yes–it ...,"

Why does he have such a shitty side too? Why do I have to be surrounded by shitty people like them? My mind remembers the face of Carel and the child sitting behind me, who else if not Teo?

"You have to practice a lot in order to get good grades in practice, right? The test is only a few days away" he said more gently than ever.

"Ah so you're worried about me?" I ask I can't hold my smile, I don't know what's wrong with me. Maybe because people are worried about me.

"No, if you don't want to I won't force it. The one who's gonna have trouble isn't me."

"You want to practice?" Teo's voice made me look back.

Apparently he was secretly eavesdropping on my conversation huh?

"You want to get him to practice, too?" Asked Sean who had turned his head towards Teo as well. His expression was not friendly.

"Why? You mind?" Teo said back asking with a flat expression sucks him.

"... Just so you know, Aster became my training partner. So he has to train with me, if you want to practice. Practice with your partner!" It clearly broke the silence a few seconds after Teo spoke. I see Teo's expression starting to turn a little cynical?

I felt an electric shock from the gazes of the two of them, before the situation got worse I had to stop their debate. "Well, then, let's just practice together?" I gave the advice that came to my head.

"You're serious?" Ask Sean.

"If you don't want to, I'll ask Carel to accompany me,"

"Yes it's better than you having to practice with him." Said Teo with a sweet smile that I didn't like.

"So? You guys want to practice with me?" I asked to confirm the intentions of both of them.

"No, I have to do something." Teo surprised me and Sean.

"Then why are you asking and acting like you're going to be with him in training?" Sean asked, looking annoyed with me.

"Because I'm curious and just want to ask, can't I?" His reply again put on his flat expression.

"So you're just flirting with Sean ..," I muttered trying to quell my annoyance at Teo's innocent-looking figure.

"Yes," she answered again with her sweet, seductive smile. Look at the expression he was showing right now, that sinless face of his was more irritating than his words.

"... Then let's practice later in the afternoon. I'll wait for you on the sports field." Said Sean who was sitting comfortably while moving his hands to take notes.

I forgot that I was working on a task from Mr. Vito. My mind immediately confirmed my sitting position and resumed my writing activities.

"If so please help for the afternoon" I said without looking at Sean and focusing on my work.

"Don't push yourself too much!" Teo exclaimed to make me snort angrily because again he was talking nonsense.

Though I'm not as weak as I used to be, why is everyone worrying so much about me?

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Thanks for reading...