Chapter 27: The Masks That We Wear

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Part 1

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“So, what’s next?” I handed Mimi the items we had gathered during the past few days. She inspected it and I could tell she was extremely surprised but in a good way.

“Y-You gathered all of these?” I nodded. “Couldn’t do without the girls help though.” I patted Elly and Rose’s head.

“All these items… I-I can feel the purities emitting from it. A-And the vibrancies too. For you to collect such qualities and amount within a short time, I’m impressed.” Her compliment made the two girls very happy, jumping in joy and me too for once, felt proud of my achievements. But just a little. I could never tell her that I did not sleep much during the times I gathered the items. I did not know why, but when it comes to both Elly and Rose, I tend to go all out. Even those Bunnian couples too. And speaking of the couple, I could not see Popo anywhere.

“Where’s Popo?” Mimi looked at me and jerked her head towards the door. “Outside, with his friends. Gathering of some sort, he said.” She was not paying much attention to anything else other than the items I gave her.

“Well, if that is the case, so what do we do now?”

“We will wait.” Mimi beckoned Rose to the garden. There, she had reserved a spot for her. Laying the Blood Wrym Soil on the ground, she ordered Rose to morph into the plant form; a skill that I never knew she had until I saw it today, and sprinkled some the Goddess Tears on the leaves and then watered the soil with a few more. But honestly, that was a little uninspiring. I thought Rose would be transformed like those magical girls with sailor uniforms having magic hexagrams appearing from their feet or from their backs. But a man can only dream.

“Am I supposed to do anything?” Since I was Rose’s father, shouldn’t I be doing that? Besides, I wanted to see how she would grow eventually. It could be exciting, give or take staring at a plant for 4 hours straight could be called that way. Like watching a long loading bar that would take ages to load during a gatcha draw while being giddy up about the possibilities and the outcomes.

However, Mimi had another intention. She shook her head and said, “I’ll do this. I want to see how she grows using the items you gathered. I want to study her more.” And she gave me the glare that she would use on Popo when she was pissed and said, “Alone!”

Cute but dangerous. And I would not want to be at the wrong side of her when she behaved that way. Well, if that was the case, then I’d let Mimi do whatever she wanted. I left Rose with her as I went to the shops with Elly.

This blonde girl had been quite unlike herself these recent days; awfully quiet, lack of her cheerful self and was really anxious. And she was still wearing the robe to disguise herself but until today, I had never asked her what she was afraid of. Even at 45/100 Affinity, she still had not told me much about her background. Or anything worth mentioning at all.

Though her job has changed from being a Thief to Shield Protector during the item gathering for Rose. Two utterly different jobs that got me a little more curious than what I used to.

“So, how’s the class change?” I struck the first conversation.

“Hmm… I think… it’s alright.” Elly spoke in a hushed tone. Her behaviour piqued my interest even further.

“From a thief the first time I saw you to a Shield Protector. That is quite a jump.” I patted her shoulder and then held it close. “Seems like I had misunderstood you a little, Elly.”

“What do you mean?” She looked at me, surprised by my sudden friendliness.

“Well, truth to be told, I was expecting something different from you. Though I’m proud to have you as my ally, I still am in the dark about you. Your ‘job’ might be a thief, but you never strike me like one.”

Elly hid her face further under the hood. But that did not stop me from continuing my words.

“I’d seen many thieves, but none ever looked like you, even the most successful and prosperous one. Not only you looked different, but you behaved differently. A thief who is both judicious, naïve and willing to help others.”

“I-I…” She stammered her words amidst her hushed tones. Looked like she was really afraid of something. Or someone.

“I don’t really know who you were before I’d met you but that does not mean I do not trust you. Everyone has a past they did not want others to know.”

“I’m sorry, Ghost. I never meant it that way. B-But…” Holding her shoulder closer, I gave the best impression of a warm smile that I could ever do. Something that Elly found funny and chuckled instantly.

“It’s alright. Do you remember what it means to be my ally?”

“Hmm… you will always be there for me?”

“Hahaha. True. I’ll have your back no matter what, Elly. So, if you feel like it, have a little faith in me, alright.”

Elly smiled as she gave me a hug out of nowhere in public places. The roads were busy and everyone was looking at us. I could see some leering eyes and murmurs but I did not bother as I let her do whatever she wanted.

I could compare Elly to a teenage girl, around 17-19 years of age. She acted and behaved like one especially when things never go her way. However, what impressed me the most was her attitude and her willingness to learn. Rose was like a child and behaved like one. Perhaps equivalent to 4-5 years old. And after this, I wonder how she would grow into? Hopefully, I could still handle those two girls. I never had any chance to properly handle and care for girls my whole life. I never knew what to do with them. My wife was…

“GHOST!”

Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted by a piercing call of my name. Elly was still hugging me and she too was startled.

“Oh my God! It’s you!! It’s truly you!” Amongst the crowd, came one of the people who I really wanted to avoid the most.

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