Aster Veren
Episode 153

- Carel

This morning I went back to running my day at the academy after arriving at the dorm last night. If I count, I've taken a whole week off. And during that leave, I could never stop thinking about why Aster didn't come to my residence.

Is he really that kind of a guy? My mind still felt disbelief with the change in his attitude. I didn't even know the reason for the change, and it made me even more angry with myself.

Before he changed we did ... Is it because I kissed him that day? I continue to be in my heart, considering the events in the UKS with Aster.

"But .. is that true because of that? If that's true, I should apologize to him, right? And again, why did I get out of control when I saw Aster's face? I can't be–"

"What are you muttering?" Tanya Teo surprised me with her brief clap on my shoulder.

"You!" Grunts me while glaring at him.

"I thought you'd be back next week."

"... want him no need to come back. But father, grandfather, even my annoying brother, urged me!" Obviously with a lazy tone.

"Efforting? You sure?" He frowned when he met me.

"What do you mean?"

"Hmm .. I thought you were threatened again by them. So I don't want you to go back to the academy. Otherwise, your reason for coming back is only to be able to meet Aster again right?" Clearly half right.

Grandpa threatened me, but dad? He advised me not to give up on my ideals just because my mother was gone. As for my annoying sister, she made me an offer, if I could go back and live a good life in the dorm. Then he'll tell me the big secret he's hiding. I don't know what that means.

But the reason I came back was actually yes–because I wanted to meet Aster and ask him the real reason he didn't see me, the reason why he didn't come. And the reason why he changed?

"Stop putting on that expression! You're scaring me." Said Teo disperse my short daydream of Aster.

"Let's go!" I immediately came out of my room and rushed to the building where I was studying.

Before that, I have to go see Aster first. I continued in my heart, intending to go to the next building. The place where Aster, Teo and the others studied.

***

I saw everyone fill the corridor, talking and joking with each other. It looked fun, different from the building I was studying in. Because everyone there looks very serious even though it's still early morning.

They are all already in their respective classes even when the school bell has not rang, they are busy with their respective activities, focusing on their own books. Looks boring.

But if I see them, I remember Aster. The child also always focuses on his books until he forgets time and forgets to eat.

"What are you doing here? Isn't your building next door?" Nadin's voice surprised me, he came down from the top floor along with–Tia?

"Just want to look around–"

"lik! You came to see Aster, right?" Tia asked cutting my words with a beaming expression.

"The record ...," he continued immediately got an elbow from Nadin.

"Eh really? You want to meet Aster? Why didn't you tell me? You said you just wanted to look around" Teo's question pissed me off.

"It's none of your business!" My grunts immediately threw away the face from him.

"Hah~ isn't, I just feel sorry for you." His murmur made me even more upset, after all why should I be pitied by this shitty kid? Just because you want to meet Aster who is coming with me? It doesn't feel necessary!

"Why should you feel sorry for me?" My anger tried to restrain itself.

"Yes because you came all the way to this building not getting results." The answer confused me.

"What do you mean?"

"Everyone's been talking about it these past few days." Then with his sad expression, where did that radiant expression go?

"... Aster doesn't go to the academy anymore." Nadin then said.

"A–what do you mean? Why–"

"As long as you grieve, all the Veren family subordinates go back and forth looking for Aster for work. So he decided to stop, and take home schooling again so as not to disturb the people in the dormitories and in the academy." Obviously Nadin surprised me a little.

Wait a minute, let me think for a second. The people of—the people of the Veren family are looking for Aster for work? Isn't his age not enough to be the next successor of the Veren family? And again, is there still the old man? Why don't they look for him and find Aster instead?

"... It's really weird, right? Why are they suddenly looking for Aster for work? Isn't there still Aster's father? If he can't be contacted, isn't there still Mr Arsel? Why aren't they looking for him?" Tia caught my attention.

Can't, because Arsel has decided to quit the position of successor. He chose to live with his abilities, and the old grandmother had also written down a successor after the old man was Aster, his grandson. So if something happens to the old man– My inner being stops when I realize something.

Is the old man okay? I don't know, it feels like I'm suddenly getting a bad feeling about him. And again the sudden departure of Aster and everyone who was looking for him. It all makes me even more certain that something has happened in the Veren family.

"So when did Aster leave?" I asked to stop their conversation confused by Aster's departure.

"... two days ago." Teo answered, looking at me, I saw her green bead peeling deeply into my eyes. It looks like he's trying to figure out what I'm thinking.

Yeah, I admit that this kid is a little sensitive. Judging from his gaze alone, I could tell that he was very confident in the thoughts I was thinking. Although I'm sure he doesn't fully know what I'm thinking.

"I'm leaving!" Saying later.

"Wait!" Prevent Teo from pulling on my shoulder, stopping my first move that was intending to leave.

"What?" I asked her to look at him coldly, I really don't like people trying to get in my way.

"You're not planning on ditching anymore, are you?" The question surprised me a bit with his words. Right, I intend to ditch and go to the Veren residence. But this child ....

"You know? You just got back after a week's leave." He looked at me seriously.

"Me–where is Carel going?" Tia asked with a puzzled expression.

"Most he wants to go see Aster." Replied Nadin who had ruffled his waist with one of his hands, making Tia ber"oh" ria.

"You can leave after your lesson is over, right?" Teo asked while showing her a thin smile that I hadn't seen in a long time. It looks more scary than ever.

... My body, suddenly goosebumps huh? My mind felt a gust of wind that felt so cold coming from the figure of Teo.

"Now go back to your building. I'll take you later, we'll go together. So make sure you're in class all day, if I don't find you when I pick you up. I–"

"Good! I'll go, I won't skip!" My words cut off Teo who was still smiling thinly with his cold gaze.

"I just found out that Carel can be scared of other people." Tia's whisper made me glance at her. I don't know why my mind is hurting right now.

"Only on Teo," replied Nadin in a whisper.

Ugh!. .. I don't remember myself why I could be afraid of this shitty kid. My mind was offended by the whispers of the two of them.

"Just look at you Teo!" Mumbles.

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Thanks for reading...