Aster Veren
Episode 220's

- Kalea

I saw Aster already sitting on his body in the previous chair he had sat in before going for an examination.

"... It seems like dad wants to make my feelings better in his own way. I didn't know he was going to forbid you from calling him dad again, but somehow when I heard him. I feel a little happy, because it turns out you've started thinking about me again." He said while showing a big smile to me who was still standing next to him.

"Then according to your wishes. Leah, stop calling my dad daddy!" It made me flinch as I saw the change in his expression.

Right, like that. You have to say it clearly. My mind while wiping away my tears that will fall back.

"Yes." Yeah." Let's just say I returned Aster's gaze.

"Then, is it better? Your feelings?" The question surprised me for the umpteenth time. What does that mean with the question? Why is he asking me how I feel? Isn't that not important.

"You know Lea, that day you yelled at me to tell you more about my troubles so you could understand. You remember?" It reminded me of the day I stopped Aster's suicide by injuring himself with a dagger.

"I think I'll start doing it now. You wanna listen to me?"

"Ap—certain! I'll listen to you well." My answer immediately grabbed my seat and sat back there watching Aster's figure before me.

I don't really understand my situation right now. But right now Aster is in need of me as his listener, so I have to listen to him well. I don't want to waste this opportunity, I've waited long enough for the day he'll be more open to me. And that day came today.

***

"So you didn't notice me and Teo until you heard your father's voice?" I asked to feel surprised because before Aster had seen me with a blank look as if he did not care about my presence. He even responded to my greeting.

"And that's because you heard Carel blabbering about how he felt when you took a nap in this place?" I made her nod in embarrassment with a red hue on her face.

That's right ...,

Though I had thought that in the end Aster could hate me properly this time. Especially after Mr. Ansel said such a shocking thing, the right moment to destroy my feelings right?

"Ba—how am I not confused and thought like that. He—he said don't stay away from him anymore and he doesn't want to see me hurt anymore. His voice as well, I heard his voice speaking softly like that. I—I'm really embarrassed now. Besides, I also feel like these few days he's changed. Tell me what should I do Lea?" Clearly looking uneasy made me unable to hold back my smile when I saw her react this thinly.

Maybe that fool would make Aster like this. Is he not aware of what he is saying? He also didn't think that Aster didn't really sleep huh?

"Pft—dumb." I muttered trying to hold back my laughing voice.

"Lea?" Ask Aster who noticed me.

"I—it, wait a minute let me think ...," I said trying to think about the possibility that would happen in the future. If the boy had said it that way, he might soon have taken steps to express his feelings for Aster.

"Wait—changed how do you mean?" I continued when I realized the final words.

Then why is it that only in front of Aster is he acting all grown up? Does he want to attract Aster's attention with his maturity? Amusingly.

But yes ... if for its proximity to Aster. Hasn't he always been clingy with Aster? Did Aster not realize it until today? My mind noticed Aster's expression which looked puzzled.

"Then after hearing her words a while ago, what about how you feel about her?" I asked later, still watching Aster.

"Ja—my heart is pounding very fast. Though I did not like her sad expression as she said that softly. But I even thumped after hearing it, a—more so when his hand touched my face ...," he said look more timid than before, his hand was also already holding his chest, feeling his own heartbeat.

"I think you already know the answer to why your heart beats like that. Moreover, I know you read a lot of books, so at least you have information regarding your current situation right?" My God made his face more blushing.

"That's .. I know I've loved it all this time. When I heard the news of his match with the daughter of the owner of the academy, my heart ached. Then suddenly I was asked to stay away from her by my father for wanting to uncover something from the princess's family, after which I didn't think much of my feelings towards Carel." His speech.

"Of course, since after that you went through a lot of heavy things .. but now that everything has passed, I think it's good for you to start rethinking your feelings for her. What say?" Obviously I gave her a suggestion after pausing my words for a moment.

There was no answer, I could only see Aster who looked seriously at the vase before him. It seemed like he was thinking hard before making a big decision, his eyes still showed a fog of confusion there.

Let's get excited to find the bright spot of Aster. My mind is trying to encourage him.

When I look like this, I feel like Aster like any other girl. She can also be confused about her love affairs, though I'm sure she's not too sure about her feelings yet. But at least he wasn't acting as tough as before.

"Aster ...," I said as I grabbed his hand and held it tightly. I saw that the purple bead was looking at me seriously.

"Yes?" He asked while tilting his head slightly.

"Thank you .. for thinking about what I said back then, and for being more open to me. In the future I also hope that you can rely on me for other things. Then if there's something that's causing you trouble, let's say it's hard not to hold it alone." Obviously I can't stare at that beautiful looking purple bead.

"Then, you'll come if I ask you to come right?" His words made me lift my head and meet him.

"But Mr Ansel—"

"I'll take care of you, so don't worry about it okay." His cut made me nod along with a puddle of tears that filled my eyes again.

I think I'm really going to cry again now. Thinking of her kindness making my heart touched, I felt Aster deliberately comforted me now with a story about Carel and her feelings.

I was ready to be hated, but why was he always the opposite of what I thought? You really make me feel stupid Aster.

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To be continued...