Secret Admirer; In The Land Of Fairies
17. Deal

The gestures and speech from Max made us who were there direct the attention to a point. Among the rustling of the trees that were buffeted by the wind, there were footsteps belonging to someone who was getting closer. The person who was greeted by Max then came out from behind the rusty gate that I had passed with Leonal. Under the shadow of the trees, her tanned hair seemed to sway beautifully. The wry smile on those thin lips curved thinly. I could see the face of the girl who for hours disappeared from my sight had now returned. When I realized that someone was Zoe Borsche, I couldn't stop looking at him.

“Zoe..?” I said I don't believe.

“Hai, Kim,” greet Zoe with rather awkward.

As Zoe stood right beside me, without a second thought I hugged her.

“I think you're mad at me,” I told Zoe.

“Oh, Kimberly dear. Ii'm sorry. Really am. I need time alone for some time,” said Zoe as she stroked my honey-colored hair. Zoe's hand rubbing did manage to calm me down.

“I'm happy if you feel better,” I'm happy.

Zoe could only snort out a laugh finding myself like this. After I lost all three of my friends at McReych, I certainly didn't want to lose my only friend left in the world. A sweet and cheerful friend who always fills my days that no longer feel boring. Zoe Borsche's. I really loved him like a brother. If only I could remember my childhood in Fairille with him, maybe it would have been more beautiful and our bond would have been stronger. After my move to McReych, only Zoe remembered me and became the only person from Fairille to visit me in that metropolis. While I never did anything similar to him.

“You guys fought?” ask Max up there. The older brother of Zoe then hung on the branch he was sitting on before then down the tree trunk using his legs and hands. Max's rapid movement made me think climbing and climbing down the tree was easy. Noah who had been leaning on the tree then moved a few inches to the side. “What happened?” max asked again after both of his legs had managed to trace the ground.

“We did not fight. It's just that I had a chance to remember ‘people it’, so I was in seclusion. Kimberly thinks I'm mad at her,” Zoe said.

“Of course I thought you were angry. You suddenly left me in the cafeteria with Tommy and didn't come back, even until the break was over. You also did not reply to my message,” I said approaching a whimper while releasing Zoe's embrace for a moment. “I'm worried once.”

“I'm really sorry, Kim. I'm already here now. You don't have to worry anymore. Thank you for worrying about me,” said Zoe softly. This time I could feel Zoe rubbing the top of my head with affection.

I'm glad Zoe wasn't mad at me. Having satisfied Zoe, I then freed Zoe from the embrace. There, I could see the look in Zoe's eyes that were no longer as sad as in the cafeteria. Knowing it, I'm very happy.

Zoe then faced Max and gave her brother a serious look.

“I want to come, Max,” pinta Zoe suddenly.

Max raised both eyebrows. He may not believe his sister's words. It's true that at the rooftop yesterday, Zoe thought her brother's idea was crazy. So, now he just changed his mind. “You sure?” ask Max.

“Yes. I want to find that person,” explained Zoe.

“I'm quite surprised. After all this time, you're finally looking for her. What made you change your mind?” max said.

“I want to meet him. You know best, Max, how I feel about her,” replied Zoe. The girl then took a deep breath before continuing her sentence. “After all Kimberly wants to go too. I can't possibly let him be alone with you guys.”

“If it's about Kimberly, you can count on me kok,” Max said with a big smile and pointed his thumb at himself. His light-colored eyes then rolled towards Noah. “I'm not sure if Noah-boy is reliable.”

Noah returned Max's gaze with a flat look. “I can hear you, Max. But it would be better if Kimberly Schulz did not come,” said Noah.

“I can also hear you, Noah Huxley. You said that intentionally, huh?” my protest to Noah.

In the end, Noah and I were tense. Even though the dark binary behind the glasses was pointed straight at me, I would not lose. I was also constantly looking at him with a fierce gaze. Just look, Noah, my inner self. I narrowed my eyes so that the guy was intimidated - even if it seemed useless. He did not blink at all, while my eyes were sore from serving him for too long. Argh. I lose!

“But, Zoe, are you sure if she returns to the forest?” ask Max.

The conversation that came back made my cold war with Noah end. We both went back to the Borsche brothers.

“Why are you saying this now, Max? Wasn't it you who invited me to join the forest?” Instead of answering, Zoe asked back.

“Sorry, Zoe. I thought you'd forgotten it, and I just tested you, but you still care about her. You know, chances are it'll be very small to meet him. It's been almost a year. If he was still alive, he would not be in this forest, but somewhere, which might be out of town,”.

“I know. Actually I would rather imagine if he left me and lived in another city happily than knowing he died,”, said Zoe bitterly. He then put a bland chuckle between his sentences, “But I don't think it would hurt if I came with you. I no longer want to lose the people I love.”

Zoe's words made my chest warm. I feel both happy and sad to hear the confession. It's good to know that Zoe doesn't want to lose me; sad to learn that Zoe has been abandoned by someone she loves. I'm so upset with a guy named Marion Lynch. But the man disappeared and left his beloved to grieve like this. I wonder what kind of man a sweet girl like Zoe Borsche likes. If that guy's alive and I find him later, I'll make sure he gets a super punch right in the face like I did with Frederick Elford.

“Didn't he give any clues before his departure, Zoe?” ask Max.

“No. The items left behind by him were stored by the school at that time for the sake of investigation. Before finally searching with volunteers from the city,” explained Zoe.

“Wait. What person did you mean by Marion Lynch?” timpal Leonal later.

“True, Ordt Chairman,” Zoe said.

“Leo. Do you know where the documents that saved the Marion Lynch case lie?” ask Noah.

“Oh, true." There was enthusiasm contained in Zoe's speech. I don't know why I saw hope in his eyes. "Could it be that Chief Ordt also knew where the items Marion left behind were?” added Zoe.

“Uh-oh, wait a minute, students. Don't get me wrong" Leonal said in a wise tone. His attitude was like he was trying to calm the commotion in the middle of a meeting. Probably habit. "Even though I have been silent here since, it does not mean that I agree with your plans to enter the forest,” he continued.

“So apparently you haven't allowed us before, Ordt?" max was impatient. The athletic-bodied man walked towards Leonal while rolling up his sleeves in a hurry. The hand that had exposed his muscles then pulled the rough Leonal uniform collar. "I want to hit someone,” he added threateningly.

“You won't hit your underclassman right, Borsche?” leonal said calmly. His smile was even still imprinted on that handsome face.

“Why not? I'm not subject to the rules,” reply Max without fear.

Seeing the conflict, I panicked. “H-hey, you two, stop,” I said slightly stuttered.

I wanted to get closer and stop Max and Leonal's fight, but suddenly Noah grabbed my wrist. When I looked at the glasses guy, he just shook his head at me, hinting me not to interfere. However, my worries were piled up and I was engulfed in confusion. Noah then moved from his place to approach the two people who were struggling.

Max's muscular arms stiffened with anger gradually descending as Noah held Max and made him release Leonal's collar. The student leader then tidied up his uniform and briefly thanked Noah.

But what I couldn't believe was what I saw next.

“Leo.”

By simply calling his friend's name, Noah managed to make Leonal pensive. Even Leonal's smile that was almost always imprinted on her face was now gone altogether. Noah got closer to Leonal and whispered something I couldn't hear. I could only second-guess from Leonal's facial expression that stiffened for a few jokes. Those blue eyes were even perfectly rounded, like being surprised by what Noah had just said.

“Good. I'll just pretend not to know with your secret plans,” Leonal said at last.

Not only me, apparently Max and Zoe were surprised and looked at each other. The contents of our heads were probably the same, wondering what Noah had just said to Leonal so that the student leader could make an easy decision. However, apparently, Leonal's speech was not finished.

“But on condition, you must help the success of the school event this weekend,” said Leonal.

At least this Fairille High School student leader will not divulge our secret plan to the audience.

“By pleasure, Mr. Ordt. We are very grateful,” I said gladly.

Leonal approached me, then grabbed my hand.

“No problem. I'm happy if you're happy, Miss Schulz,” Leonal said with a warm smile on her face. The guy then slightly bowed, then kissed my hand gently while closing his eyes.

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