Aster Veren
Episode 129's

- Kalea

"Hooamz.. haaah was sleepy," muttered Nadin after yawning widely while walking beside me, down the stairs to the dormitory exit.

"You're fighting again?" I asked while glancing at him and I found him nodding lethargic while scratching his nape.

"How else, schoolwork is piling up. Especially in a moment we'll have an exam, then face the school festival." Clearly with his lazy expression.

Right, I forgot that we were going to have a test. Is it because I'm enjoying Aster's birthday too much? Though the show passed a few days ago, but I can't forget the excitement of the event that night. Especially when he saw Carel catch Sean and Aster wet in the rose garden.

The boy immediately put great pressure on Sean, then took Aster away from his presence. After that I don't know what happened. All I remember was Sean's annoyed expression as he stared at Carel's back who was carrying Aster with him.

"By the way, you didn't go with Aster today?" Nadin asked as we walked past the dorm fence.

"He's gone first."

"Hmm ...,"

"Why?"

"No, it's just.it's weird to see him always going alone. Didn't she just so insistent on wanting to go back to the academy with you? But suddenly he left without you,"

Aye! I also thought there was something strange about Aster, he became more reserved and closed like before. I've been aware of it for a few days, but I don't want to admit it. My mind is clenching my right hand.

"You yourself why don't you go with Tia? Aren't you guys very close?" I was trying to brush off my bad thoughts about Aster.

"No, we're not that close."

I don't know, but from what I've seen you guys are very close .. but, just think about how many times I can't shake my mind about Aster. Moreover, I promised to protect him. I'm really worried about him now.

"Is the kid okay?" I muttered remembering Aster's expression lately.

His expression did change a little, especially when he heard that Uncle Arsel and his family would move out of the country and live there for several years until his work was finished.

The boy–Khael also looks sad while doing a farewell with Aster. They were recently close, but had to separate. In addition, Carel is getting busy with his lessons. He could not help improve Aster's mood.

"What do you think we should do?" I asked to make Nadin's steps stop as well as my steps.

"Huh?"

"Eh–that, I mean ... You tau? It's possible that Aster is saddened by the departure of Uncle Arsel and Khael. Plus lately he rarely met with Carel, the last they met at Aster's birthday event right?" Obviously I made Nadin's confused expression fade away.

"True, I didn't think about it .. hmm, how is it? Should I drag that shitty kid in front of Aster?"

"It–too ...,"

"But that doesn't mean she wants to meet or be noticed by Carel right? I don't think this way I can do it. Anyway–" Next don't listen to me.

"Why? What's up?" I asked when I heard Nadin's words hanging.

"It seems ... I'm hungry, hehe ...," she replied along with her stomach voice.

I'm sorry I asked him.

***

We decided to go to the cafeteria first before going to class.

"Lea, are you sure eating just one loaf of bread is enough?" Nadin asked after swallowing the rice inside his mouth.

"Yes,"

"Hmm, I think you'd better eat more than usual."

"He? Why suddenly–"

"And yes, continuing our previous conversation, it seems like Aster's change was not because he couldn't meet Carel. So I can't drag that shitty kid in front of Aster. But I also don't know what caused her to change like that?" The next one makes me a little bit interested.

Asters ...,

"We let it go first, and watch silently. If there are still no new changes we ask Aster. Who knows, he needs time to be alone." Nadin said as he grabbed his drinking glass.

***

- Esther

"Ugh, this is very painful." I muttered while hugging my stomach curled up in the UKS gurney.

Though today there was a sports test, but I was curled up in pain here. I haven't even made it to class, but I'm stranded in the UKS. I continued in my heart while remembering a woman who helped me, she drove me to the UKS. When viewed from his tie, it looks like he's an upperclassman.

"Rest here until your condition improves, I will return soon after notifying your condition to the teachers who taught your class today." Said the UKS officer before leaving me alone in this all-white room.

"Yes, thank you ..," I said still curled up.

Silent, there was only a gust of wind that entered through the gap of the UKS window that opened a little. Then the sound of clockwork ticking accompanied my silence.

"... It seems that in a long time I will not be able to meet with Khael, uncle and aunt. Why did they suddenly move abroad? Though it's gonna be a semester break soon, but I'll be lonely without Khael." I mumbled not believing in the decision of those who have gone abroad to take care of work.

"Even sister Hana and uncle Eric went with uncle ...." Before closing my eyes.

Then the memory of that night again invaded my head, after being dragged away by Carel from Sean's presence. I went to see my dad talking to Ian's uncle and Albert's uncle. But before that I had a chance to hear her grandfather Carel talk to a man who knows who? I've never even seen it.

In that conversation I vaguely heard about Carel and Lusy's matchmaking? The woman who kept on clinging to Carel during my birthday party that night. I was really surprised when I heard it.

If I don't remember wrongly, I heard the man introduce himself as Lusy's grandfather. The middle-aged man who owns the academy where I am attending is currently.

So the mysterious person Carel didn't tell Teo was Lusy's grandfather? My mind recalls the family visit that Teo referred to. Visit of three family heads who have an important role in education in the academy.

"... Why is my chest tight? My heart was also not happy when I heard Carel was betrothed to Lusy. Why ya?" I muttered again as I turned my curled position to lie down, watching the UKS ceiling look so far away.

After hearing her grandfather Carel talk unintentionally, I also met with Lusy. The woman came to me and introduced herself as Carel's fiancee. I was so speechless that I was shocked, my intention to ask the truth to Carel was dashed after hearing the talk of his grandfather Carel. And to this day I didn't have a chance to talk to Carel, I haven't even seen him again after that night. My mind sighed tiredly.

Drakes!

The sound of the UKS sliding door surprised me, it seemed like someone was coming. I don't know who because the blue curtains around me cover my eyes.

"... there's no one" Lusy's voice surprised me.

"I'll call the UKS officer, you wait here." This time I heard Carel's voice, sounding unfriendly.

"No, I–"

"Then treat the wound yourself!"

"Eh? But–"

"This is the P3K box."

"Wait Carel! Did you forget we were engaged? You should treat me well." Lusy surprised me again.

P3k box? Is Lusy hurt? Inner wondering.

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Thanks for reading...