[Hah~]
Ezryn's sigh rang in my ears like a tired acceptance.
I didn't pay him any mind, though. Relaxing was what I was doing. I wished that Kate was with me right now because I felt quite lonely, but I'd see her next week.
The music continued playing, a steady pop rhythm humming through the speakers and into my chest—soft yet persistent. I kept sipping the champagne—cool, crisp, and just a little too bubbly, tickling the back of my throat.
The cool breeze gently swayed the decorations and messed with my hair, carrying with it faint traces of perfume, frosting, and evening air. I swiped my fingers through it, fixing the now-loose bangs with a practiced motion, the strands brushing softly against my knuckles.
'I wonder what Mom has planned for the rest of the week?' She never did say what the plans were. This would probably be the only day I'd be separated from them. I sent her a text, but she hasn't replied, which was quite scary. Moms are scary when they're mad; this silence was not good. Or she was just busy.
Ding~
[Kate❣️: Dummy.]
'Uh?' What was I supposed to do in this situation? I don't even know why she texted me.
Is she bored? Actually, that would be horrible if she was texting me because she was bored. So perhaps… she just misses me. That was a way better way to think of it!
[Me: ( ˘ ³˘)ノ°ﾟº❍｡]
'That should work.'I closed my phone but kept it in my hand. It would be useless to put it awa—
[Kate❣️: Hmph! Can you call? I know you're at that party or whatever.]
[Me: I forgot to tell you that Alice is here…]
[Kate❣️: Are you okay???]
[Me: Yeah, no problems!]
"Why are you on your phone?"
I stopped writing my next message to look up. Alice and Marik were back from dancing, the faint sheen of sweat on their brows catching the warm amber light of the rooftop lanterns. They looked a little bit worn out, which was normal—it wasn't like it was slow songs they were dancing to. Their clothes shifted with the breeze, faint traces of exertion and perfume lingering in the air between us.
"I was texting my girlfriend."
I quickly sent Kate a message that I would be away for a minute. I didn't see her response, but I could only hope that she wasn't upset.
"Oh yeah? How's that?" Alice's tone sounded quite sour, but I didn't pay it any mind. She was probably just upset that I was in a relationship before she was.
"It's going amazing." I gave the brightest smile I could muster.
Marik finally joined in after I finished. "I'm more surprised that she hasn't been spotted by paparazzi."
"Ugh, I'm just glad I haven't had to deal with any recently." I groaned in displeasure at the mere thought of the bastards.
The gazes of the two spring-haired people were annoying. They pierced through me with pity, and I couldn't understand why Alice was giving me that kind of look. Shouldn't she be in the same boat as me?!
Marik, well… we know his situation, so let's not bring that up.
A toad chasing a swan, if one will.
Okay, he wasn't a toad in looks, but if you consider the backgrounds of the two...
I still needed him to succeed, though. I gave him a fierce glance, and he didn't seem to catch the drift.
'This is agonizing.'
I really needed him to understand that I didn't want to speak with Alice. I only did so because I was trying to help him. Sighing was the only thing that could bring me relaxation.
Minutes passed, and Marik was starting to feel himself. He slowly moved away from complete shyness to being able to hold a normal conversation. It even got to the point where Alice was laughing and clearly enjoying herself. I didn't even have to interject anymore, as the two of them had completely forgotten about me.
'Mission Accomplished!'
[He isn't in the clear yet.]
'Gah?! Can't you let me have this small victory?'
[Nah.]
'Hah~' Much like Ezryn's before, I let out a tired sigh. Covering my eyes with my palms, I gathered the rest of my will to continue on this tough journey. The journey of a wingman. If it were a novel, I'd probably read it.
Okay, yes, I'm exaggerating, but there really isn't much to talk about. Genuinely, it's boring but that's just how shit goes.
Now yes, I could wish for something to happen to spice up the night, but I also don't really want to deal with all that either. My indecision is even pissing me off, but seriously... I wish something would happen that wasn't too bothersome but still enough to get the blood pumping.
"Eizkel!"
"Huh?"
Alice's voice brought me back to focus, and I saw the two staring at me.
"So, what do you think?"
"About what?"
"Dude... were you listening?"
"Clearly not, so what's the question?"
"Bhehe~"Alice started laughing for some reason, but I didn't focus on it.
Marik shook his head. "What do you think about the current state of movies?"
"What a lame question."
"..."
"..."
I don't know why it went so silent. The truth was spoken! Why even talk about such a lame thing in the first place?!
'I guess I shouldn't keep them waiting for too long.'
Pausing and closing my eyes, I really thought about this question. These two didn't know that I haven't really watched many -or really, any- movies in general. I've watched a few shows, and they were pretty good while being similar to Earth's.
"I would say that they lack execution. The ideas are great, but the acting lags behind the concepts.Now, voice acting seems to be doing pretty good. Along with the great animators and artists, they really create some masterpieces. But for live-action movies? Most of the actors lack true resonance."
Nodding my head at my answer, I felt that it was pretty good. Now, this was only referring to more modern movies like the last 3 to 4 years of what I remember from Earth. Movies just felt more like placeholders for that 3–4 year period.
I really hope that it's changed.