That afternoon, right after school, I ran out of the school gate, planning to meet up with Nico for another training session. But just as I was about to leave the gate, Sylvia suddenly stepped in front of me and blocked my way.
"Wait!" she said, reaching out her hand to stop me.
"Sylvia? What is it? Sorry, I'm kind of in a hurry!"
I tried to run past her, but without warning, she grabbed my shirt and pulled me back, locking me in place.
This girl… she's stronger than I thought.
"W-What is it…?"
"Andri!"
Sylvia leaned in closer to me.
"W-What?"
"Are you avoiding me?"
I panicked a bit and looked away. "No…"
"Don't lie! You've been acting weird all day. You were stumbling around this morning too. Are you sick? Or… is it the injury from fighting Cleopatra? Is it getting worse? We need to get you checked!"
I held her shoulders, trying to calm her down.
"Wait, wait, calm down! It's not what you think…"
"Then what is it?"
"Uhh… sorry, I can't tell you."
Sylvia turned away and started walking off.
"I see. If that's what you think is best… I'll respect it."
Crap… I think I made her mad.
It's not like I want to keep this from her, but…
"I'm sorry!" I shouted. "I just… I can't tell you yet. I know I've been acting strange lately… I'll explain everything—but not today. I really have to go now!"
Sylvia stopped and glanced back at me, her eyebrows lowered a bit.
"Alright…"
"O-Okay then, see you tomorrow!"
I ran off, heading straight to the training spot to meet Nico.
– –
The evening sky had started to dim. I sat on the temple porch, enjoying the chilly air on the hilltop.
Sigh…
I let out a deep breath, thinking about how I could get Sylvia to understand. I couldn't keep hiding this training from her. In fact, maybe it'd be better if we trained together.
As I was deep in thought, Nico showed up with a bottle of oolong tea from the vending machine.
"What's wrong? You look kinda down," he said, handing me the tea.
"It's nothing… Actually, Sylvia's starting to get suspicious."
"Wait, are you cheating on her?"
"Huh?? N-No! What are you even talking about?! W-We're not even like that!" I blurted out.
"Ahh… so it's about the training?"
"Yeah. I didn't mean to hide it from her. I just… I wanted to become cooler before she found out. I mean—not in a weird way! Just out of gratitude. She's helped me a lot."
"Okay… so what are you gonna do?"
"Maybe… I'll invite her to train with us? What do you think?"
"Fine by me. In fact, that'd be fun. I could 'torture' her with some delightful training… Hehe."
Nico's face turned a little mischievous.
"Yeah, on second thought, never mind."
He pouted. "Aww, come on…"
"Maybe I'll tell her in a few months. But before that, I need to make some changes first!"
I stood up, clenched my fists, and looked up at the sky.
"Changes?"
"Yeah! I have to get stronger. Strong enough to protect her. Imagine her reaction when she sees how much I've changed. Hehe…"
"I doubt it… Have you even shown her your body before?"
"N-No! Why would I even do that?!"
Although… I did accidentally see her loosen her collar once…
Still, that was unintentional!
"You're exhausting to deal with, you know."
"Really?"
"Yeah… If I were you, I'd wait until you're halfway through your training before telling her. That way she won't be too suspicious."
"I'm just scared she'll think I'm being reckless again…"
"Because you are reckless!"
"Huh?"
"Did you forget? Two days ago after our training, you picked up a barbell that weighed over 50 kilograms and your arm swelled up immediately?"
"Yeah… I didn't expect it to be that heavy! And that's your fault for leaving it lying around! I thought it was meant for me!"
"Why on earth would I give a beginner a barbell like that?"
"And then," Nico added, "when we were leaving the temple, you were in such a rush to go home that you slipped on the stairs."
"Oh yeah… I remember. Thank goodness Terwelu caught me just in time."
I lowered my head, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Seriously! Try not to be so reckless. Learn from your mistakes, alright?!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Alright then, let's get back to training!!!" Nico shouted enthusiastically.
"Again? B-But it's already almost night—"
"No buts!!" he barked. "There's no excuse when it comes to getting stronger!"
"Yes, sir!"
We continued training until late into the night.
– –
I walked home under the starry night sky. Around my ankles, I was still wearing training weights—they really helped. I actually moved a bit more nimbly after taking them off. But wearing them every day? Yeah... it was kind of torture.
While I was on my way, I suddenly stopped. My eyes caught sight of a store decorated with Christmas ornaments.
Wait... isn't Christmas still two months away? They're way too excited.
I decided to step inside and check if there was anything that might help with training.
It was just a home goods store, kind of like a mini department store. But since the holidays were coming up, it was filled with Christmas decorations.
I wandered in a bit further, scanning the shelves for anything useful. Right next to me was a rack filled with neatly arranged Christmas-themed glasses. In front of me were little decorative figurines—the kind people usually hang on Christmas trees.
Nothing too interesting. Maybe I'll come back around Christmas...
Just as I reached the exit, someone opened the door and stared at me in silence.
"Andri?"
I looked up—and there she was. Sylvia. She stood right at the entrance.
"Sylvia? W-what are you doing here?"
"Huh? My mom invited me to come along."
Her mom? She came with her mom?
"Sylvia, slow down! Why are you walking so fast…"
A middle-aged woman walked up behind her, wearing a dark fur-lined coat and a white scarf. Her hair was neatly done, and sparkling earrings dangled from her ears.
"It's your fault for wearing heels like that."
"Hehh… they're fabulous, you know! I just bought them in Tokyo yesterday. You want a pair too?"
"I can't even walk in those kinds of shoes!"
Wait—that's Sylvia's mom? She doesn't look like a typical mom at all.
Her face was beautiful, and honestly, she looked even younger than my own mother. Must be all the skincare or something…
While I was still lost in thought, her eyes landed on me.
"Oh? Who's this handsome young man? Is he your friend?"
Handsome?
"Yeah… he's… my friend…"
What was with that quiet tone? Is she doubting me now?
"H-hi… my name's Andri."
As I tried to introduce myself, her mom suddenly jumped forward and grabbed both of my hands.
"Wow! So you're Sylvia's friend! Nice to meet you! I'm her mother, Tia Forte."
Oh no. Her face is blinding! I can't even handle this woman's aura...
"M-mom, don't bother him like that!" Sylvia said, trying to pull her mom away from me.
"Oh! Sorry, sorry. I got a bit too excited. You know, as far as I can remember, Sylvia only ever hangs out with her girlfriends. She once brought like ten of them home at once—so cute, right?"
Yeah… I kind of figured. I only have a few close friends myself, like Keant and Ghoell.
"M-mom, stop!"
"So you must be Sylvia's first male friend, huh? Please take good care of her, okay?"
Her mom bowed her head slightly.
"Alright, mom! We didn't come here for that, remember?"
"Huh? Oh right, my bad—I got carried away, haha."
"U-uh…"
I opened my mouth to speak, but both of them said in unison, "Hmm?"
"Well, if I am her first male friend… then I guess I'm honored. Honestly, just being able to be friends with your daughter already feels like a joy I can't even put into words."
As soon as I said that, Sylvia's mom's eyes lit up and she stared straight at me.
"Huh? Was that… a love confession?"
Love!?
"no! I didn't mean it like that!"
Crap, what do I even say now!?
Her mom started acting giddy, a big smile spreading across her face.
"Kids these days, so bold… Makes me wanna be 17 again!"
Is this really Sylvia's biological mother!? She's the complete opposite of her. Sylvia's usually cold and aloof… but also surprisingly thoughtful and fun when she wants to be. Maybe this is just the natural duality of women?
"M-mom! That's enough! Stop bothering him already!"
"Ah! Sorry! I just got excited from what he said, hehe…"
"Were you guys looking for something?" I asked, trying to change the topic.
"We were just out shopping. Then Mom suddenly dragged me in here," Sylvia replied in a low voice.
"Oh! You should join us! It'd be so fun to shop together, right? And… there's something I'm a bit curious about, hehe…"
She leaned in closer.
"M-mom! Andri probably has plans! You shouldn't push him like that!"
"Eh? Really? Are you that busy?"
Sylvia subtly nodded at me, as if giving me a signal.
"Y-yeah…"
I couldn't keep up with this! A guy like me would just ruin a sweet little mother-daughter outing. Yeah, I shouldn't intrude.
"That's too bad…"
Sylvia's mom looked disappointed now.
"W-well, maybe next time—if I'm free, I'd love to join you."
Why did I say that!? So cringe!
"Eh? Really!? Then give me your number right now!"
"Eh!? Mom! What are you doing—"
Suddenly she leaned in and whispered to me:
"I'll send you all of Sylvia's childhood photos later."
I handed over my phone immediately. I was looking forward to that way too much.
Sylvia just stood there, staring blankly at us. She didn't say a word. Usually, she'd be quick to speak up if something felt wrong—but I guess even she can't fight her own mom.
"W-well, I'll get going then."
"Alright, take care, Andri," said Sylvia's mom.
"Y-yeah… take care," Sylvia added softly.
I left the store and ran like a madman.
BAM!
"Ah! I'm so sorry, are you okay?"
While running away from the store, I accidentally bumped into a man walking with a wooden cane and wooden sandals, dressed entirely in white.
"No no, I'm fine," he replied with a gentle smile.
"S-sorry! I'll be more careful next time!"
I bowed quickly and apologized.
"No worries. Raise your head, you must be in a hurry. Go on, Andri."
I ran back and left the man in the crowd of people passing by.
W-wait… how does he know my name?
I slowed down and looked back to check… but he was gone. Disappeared in the crowd.
– –
I sat at my desk, still in disbelief that I met Sylvia's mom yesterday—and we even exchanged phone numbers.
Could she really send me all of Sylvia's childhood photos? No way. That had to be just a joke. Right? I mean, moms these days love teasing boys like that, don't they?
Just as that thought crossed my mind, a notification popped up on my phone.
"Klink."
Hmm? What's this? From Sylvia's mom? No way…
I rushed to the bathroom and shut the door tightly.
No, no, it can't be…
I swallowed hard and opened the message she sent. More messages kept coming in as I prepared myself to see what they were.
Click!
I opened it—and saw that Sylvia's mom had sent me more than 50 childhood photos of Sylvia, from when she was a baby all the way to her teenage years.
I didn't know how to react. I couldn't even reply.
I started scrolling through the pictures one by one.
Here she is at age 4, with that same blank expression she still has, even while her mom was taking the photo. And this one—her first day wearing an elementary school uniform, with a red bow so huge it looked bigger than she was.
This one must've been from her high school graduation.
She's alone? Were her parents too busy that day?
And this photo… oh! That's from when her mom came back from a business trip—last night, actually. They look really happy…
In the end, I didn't know what to say. I just sent a sticker to thank her and told her I'd treasure the photos.
"Klink."
Another message from Sylvia's mom. This time it was a sticker of a bear wearing a Christmas sweater.
Wait a second—why am I even texting with her mom? This can't continue. I could end up accidentally becoming a homewrecker!
I put my phone away and returned to class. Still flustered from those photos, I buried my face in my arms on the desk, my whole body trembling.
"What's with this guy?" said Ghoell.
"No idea, haha…" Keant replied.
I could hear them whispering about me and poking at me like I was some lab experiment. If they found out about those photos, things would get out of hand. Ghoell might transform into a rage monster from jealousy, and as for Keant… I doubt he'd care much about romance.
"Hey Andri! What's wrong with you today?"
Ghoell kept shaking me.
I slowly raised my face and glared at them with a stupid grin.
"Hehe…"
"Ha? What's that goofy look? Are you drunk or something?"
I quickly hid my face again.
"Wait… does this have something to do with Sylvia?" asked Keant.
"H-ha! N-no! I didn't even look at all the photos!" I blurted out.
Ah crap!—I instantly clamped my mouth shut.
"Photos?" They both looked confused.
"I-it's nothing… forget it…"
"Klink."
Another notification. This one was from Sylvia.
I shot up from my seat and dashed out of class, leaving the two of them behind.
"That guy's so weird…"
"Hahaha!"
I reached the rooftop. Sylvia was there with a lunchbox, staring at me suspiciously.
"You're here… What's up?" she asked.
"N-nothing…"
I couldn't tell her that her mom sent me all those photos. She might snatch my phone and hold her sword to my throat again.
"Wait—you said you were with Nico? Where is he?"
"Oh, that idiot… I told him to meet me up here, but he started climbing the pipes again and got caught by the school staff. He's probably being scolded right now."
Sigh… He never learns. Wait—does that mean it'll just be me and her until the break's over? Why am I suddenly nervous? I was always chill with her before. Come on, Andri, get it together!
I sat down and opened the bread I bought from the cafeteria.
"Hey… didn't my mom ask for your phone number yesterday?"
"Uh… y-yeah…"
Sylvia put down her lunch and leaned in closer to me.
"She didn't… do anything weird, did she?"
"Weird?"
"You know… like send you photos or something…"
I couldn't tell her I just saw all of them.
"N-nope."
"Really?"
She gave me a sharp, suspicious look.
"Relax. If she ever sends something related to you, I'll let you know."
"Good."
She sat back down and resumed eating calmly.