บท 25: Memories in the Past: Relaine and Ernesta
"Are you okay here in house dear?"
"Yes."
"Do you want anything?"
"No."
"Is someone bullying you?"
"None."
"How's school? Did you finished already your homework?"
"...."
"Dear... it's vacation."
"Oh."
My father doesn't even know that it's already vacation.
In this huge house, or it's considered as a mansion they say. My mother, father, and I eating dinner together.
"After eating, you should rest a little then take a bath. After that, you should go to sleep. Okay, dear?"
"Yes."
Both of them are eating dinner while wearing a suit. After this, they going to work late at night again. Although they suppose to stay here but there's something urgent happens.
Both my parent are politicians.
They are always busy and don't have time for their daughter. Even though they always pay attention to me when they have time. I still feel some loneliness in myself. Maybe because I want more attention? How selfish on mine. I don't want them to think I am. That's why I just pretend that that's okay.
I already finished my dinner and was ready to go to my room when my mother calls me.
"Dear."
"Yes?"
"Do you want to go out with me tomorrow?"
"Hm!"
I get excited when my mom said that.
"Oh my, you sure your excited huh."
I rush to my bed and force myself to sleep. But in the end, I fell asleep late at night because of excitement.
Early in the morning. My mother and I went outside together. At first, I thought were going shopping and eat but I was wrong. We go straight to an Orphanage that is almost near to our house. My excitement went gone because of this. Even though my mother is not here for her job. Her attention to me would be still like she's on the job since all of the kids will surely go after her.
As we walk to the door, as I expected. They run towards my mother. My mother's attention is already on them. Of course, there's no way I can be in mother now. I wait for ten minutes until they stop but they weren't. I don't want to disturb her so I didn't call her.
I get bored and went outside instead. I was planning to walk to the road but this is my first time coming to this place and I don't want to get lost so I decided not to. I look around and saw some pathway on the side of the Orphanage. I walk towards it and take a peek. I saw some children playing there. Maybe it's a playground or something like that.
I walk around. Instead of playing with them, I walk straight to a huge rock on the ground and sit there. I watch the kids playing. In this way, my boredom reduces at the very least.
"Ah!"
As I watch them play. There's a ball hit me in my head
"Hey, girl."
Three boys approach me. They're the same age as me or maybe older.
"Yeah?"
"Sorry.", he apologized.
Maybe he's the one who hit me.
"You're so small that we didn't notice you."
"Geh!"
Three of them start laughing.
I think they're bullying me.
*Do they even know who I am?*
Maybe not. Since this is my first time here. My mother always comes here whenever she passes by or that was what she said.
*Swish! Bang!*
Another ball arrived. But this time, the one who hit me got hit.
"Hey! Who did that?"
"Yow!"
*Another bully?*
A girl with a cheerful smile appears. She's just the same age as me. Her face is being covered with her black hair because of the wind. Looking at me with her golden eyes. She runs towards me and stares at my face, or probably in my eyes.
"Hm. Your new?", she asked.
Maybe she's asking if I'm a new orphan?
"Ah, no. I'm visiting this place with my mother."
"I see. Hey, you three. Bullying a visitor huh? How shameless.", she said without disappearing the smile on her face.
"Ah! Eh? No! We're just playing with her."
"I saw what you three do to her. Want me to tell this to sister?"
"Please don't! Hey, you two let's go!"
The boys run away.
"Hey, you okay?". she asked again.
"Y-Yeah? I guess."
"Hmmm"
She stares at me for a minute.
"Um... how long you gonna stare at me?"
"Oh, my bad. I think I saw you somewhere or maybe its looks like you?"
"You mean my mother? She's here also."
"Mother... the only one visitor now is... Wait! She's your mother?", she shouted to me.
*So close.*
"Yeah. I see. Then why are you here?"
"There are so many children coming to her so I went here."
"I see I see."
"How about you? Why not go and come to her?"
"Same reason."
"I see."
"Hey, how long you and your mother gonna stay here?"
"Hmmm. I think an hour or two?"
"So, what are you going to do while she's busy?"
"Wait here?"
"Boo. Boring!!! Boo!!!"
"...."
She walks away and looks back at me.
"Come here."
"Huh?"
"You're not doing anything right?"
"Y-Yeah."
"Then, let's play."
That's the time when I first met Ernesta.
After that, we play a lot. When I said a lot. I mean a "LOT!"
We played hide and seek, run all around the place and try everything in the playground.
"Ouch, I think I'm going to die."
Holding my back, I feel like I become old within one hour of playing.
"Hey, do play more!"
"Eh? Do you want more? Aren't you tired?"
"Tired? No!"
"I think I'm really going to die."
"Relaine!"
My mother calls me.
*My savior!*
"Oh my, your playing? Maybe we should stay mo-"
"Wait! I'm tired already."
"Oh, I see."
"Ehhh? You're tired already?"
"Yeah."
"I see I see, then by-"
"Wait."
"Eh? You change your mind?"
"No, what's your name?", I asked.
We have been playing for an hour without even knowing the name of each other.
"I'm Ernesta!"
"I see. I'm Relaine."
"I see I see."
"I never thought playing here is pretty tiring."
"Don't worry. You'll get used to it."
"Ugh..."
"Now now. Hey, Relaine."
"Yeah?"
"Did you have fun?"
*Did I?*
To be honest. My boredom disappears and also, I actually enjoy it.
"Yeah. I guess."
"Woah, you smile!"
"Eh? Did I?"
"Let's play again!"
_________________________________
After that day, since it's vacation and mother has time. We went to the Orphanage every week. I'm not staying at the house and get bored. But as my mother become busy. I can't go now to the Orphanage. But since I really want to. I start thinking of sneaking out, but if my parent caught me. I'm probably grounded for that. So that's why I asked my parent directly.
"Dear, it's dangerous going outside alone. Especially your still a child."
"But the Orphanage is just near."
Although is really near for an adult, but for a kid like me whose legs are short and the same with the steps. It's another thing.
"Maybe we should approve this.", my mother said.
"But!"
"Relaine is still a child but she's smart. I'm sure she be alright."
Between my mother and father. My father is the one who spoils me most but he's also the worrywart one.
"Okay. But if something happens to her."
"I get it, father!"
"Maybe we should ask to our guar-"
"Father!"
"I get it I get it. I trust you. Just be careful.", father said while making a sour face.
After permitting me to go to the orphanage alone. I went there not just once a week but every day. Of course, the vacation will be over soon and I want to enjoy every single day left.
____________________________________
The vacation is over. The time to enjoy my life is reduced. In short, I cannot visit the Orphanage every day now. This is the first time I hated school and love vacation more.
Waking up in the early of the morning. I get up to my bed and go downstairs.
Walking towards the kitchen, someone spoke up.
"Morning Relaine."
"Morning."
"Can you pass me the juice?"
"Okay..."
Realizing something, I was walking and look at the person who spoke.
"...Wait! What are you doing here Ernesta?"
The girl who's sitting on the sofa is no one but Ernesta. She's wearing a school uniform while her bag is resting also on the sofa.
"Well, I was waiting for you. You know, it's the first day of school."
"I know but... wait that uniform."
Looking again at her uniform.
"It's the same... as mine."
"Well of course, after all, we have the same school."
"R-Really?"
_______________________________
Going to school which is just near to our house. Ernesta and I walk around the school first. Although she actually forces me to, because of that, we're almost late.
Ernesta and I are in junior high now.
Thankfully, we're in the same class.
"Relaine!"
After the class is over. Ernesta always shouted my name. I don't mind it but it's embarrassing. We're always walking together, going home and going to school together and to so many things together.
Three years passed. We're becoming a senior high now. But let's forget about that first because now is vacation.
Ernesta is at our house to visit me.
"Hey, do eat too much!"
"Geh!"
Hitting Ernesta's head with my fist. My father laughed.
"W-What's funny?"
"No, sorry, it just you becoming more like your mother?"
"Like mother?"
"Yeah, I remember when we're still in high school, she always acts like a mother."
"Dear... stop that."
"Yeah, you always really act like a- geh!"
"I said don't eat too much."
My father laughs again.
"By the way, Relaine..."
I actually have plans for my vacation but instead of going to the Orphanage every day as I plan. My parents and I have to go to other countries. It's related to their job or something like that. At first, I refuse to go but since both of them are going and I don't have anyone to take care of me. I have no choice.
After a vacation from other countries. I went back exactly the first day of school. That means, I never have gone to the Orphanage in the whole vacation which is frustrating.
An hour before the class start. I hurried to wear my uniform and rush towards the school.
Not going to the Orphanage for a whole vacation is already frustrating but being not Ernesta's classmate is much worse.
"Darn it..."
Because I'm not in the same class as Ernesta, I try to find her in the break time but I failed.
"Where's Ernesta?", asking myself while scratching my head.
Few days have passed. I was too busy to continue finding Ernesta. Even without Ernesta, I actually manage to gain some friends.
Ernesta is actually my very first friend. I never expect to gain another two.
"Oh! Relaine!"
The three of us walking when I heard Ernesta's voice.
"Ernesta, it's been a lon--"
"What is it?"
I look at the girl beside Ernesta. She has dark blue hair and blue eyes. Base on her face, she looks like has a strong personality.
"Oh, this is Lisa."
*Lisa huh.*
"Hello.", she greets.
"I see."
Remembering what we have to do, I decide to continue our talk later.
"I'm going now."
"Bye-bye!"
As we walk, one of my friends calls me.
"Hey, Relaine."
"Yeah?"
"What's with that stare?"
"Stare?"
"Yeah, you look like going to kill the girl."
"Eh? Do I?"
*Don't tell me I scared Ernesta's friend?*
To be honest. I really don't mind Ernesta having a friend beside me. Well, she has many friends, after all, she's living in the Orphanage where there are so many children.
But I won't deny it. I feel jealousy when I saw her with other people besides me. Although I already find also. It's very selfish of mine.
___________________________
One day, I was walking back home when I spotted Ernesta sitting alone in the corner.
"Woah. I'm out of money?"
There are also two boys talking near me.
"Hey, look."
The other boy pointed to Ernesta.
"How about we get money to her?"
"Yeah, she small and looks weak maybe we can-"
"Hey!"
I couldn't take it anymore. My voice just let out without notice.
"What it is?"
"You want money right?"
"Yeah? So you're-"
*Smack!*
I punch him.
"Then go find some work, you bastard!"
"W-Why did you that?"
"Stay away from Ernesta! You trash!"
Staring at them.
"Y-Yes!"
"Also, don't even try it on other students. Got it?!"
"Yes!"
The two of them run away.
When I look again to Ernesta...
"She's gone..."
After graduating. I decide to take training to become a member of HQ.
The reason? I don't know. I feel hopeless without Ernesta. All I know is that I don't want to be a politician like my parents.
I'm walking alone. Alone. Since my two other friends have different dreams from mine. Although, becoming a member of HQ is not really a dream.
"Woah! It's Relaine!"
I spotted Ernesta and her friend.
*What's her name again?*
As I remember, Ernesta calls her Lisa, but her real name is Elizabeth.
"I see, it looks like you two decide to train here huh."
"Yeah. Hey, Relaine, do you planning to be a Commander too like Lisa?", Ernesta asked.
"How about you first?"
"Me? I'm going to be a Vice-Commander!", Ernesta said while raising her fist.
*Vice-Commander huh.*
"I see. Hm?"
I look at her friend.
*Yeah, this feeling... Jealousy huh.*
"Okay, good luck then."
I leave them alone.
________________________
The two years of training are pretty hellish. Although in the end, I actually manage to finish it.
Becoming the Vice-Commander just like Ernesta. I can say that "not bad".
Ernesta and her friend, Elizabeth become the strongest Commander and Vice.
__________________________
In the middle of the forest. I was fighting a giant centipede Outsider alone. It's pretty tough. It's fast and hard to hit.
"Electro!"
Before I could cast an attack. It runs towards me at full speed. It's so fast that I wouldn't able to jump away.
*I'm dead!*
Since I just become an HQ member. This thing is new to me.
Before the centipede crashes me. A girl appears out of nowhere.
"Eyyy!"
The chain wrapped out to the centipede's body making it stop running.
"Relaine! Now!"
The girl who rescues me is Ernesta.
Before the centipede escape from the chain, I immediately cast an attack.
"Electrocute!"
The attack immediately kills at Outsider.
"Relaine! You okay?"
"Yeah, you save me again huh. Thank you."
"Hehe. Just like when we first met?"
"Yeah. Still remember huh."
"Hehe.", she giggles again.
"I'm going now."
Before I could walk away, Ernesta pulls my uniform.
"Wait, wanna go with me?"
We went to her HQ, A-1.
As Ernesta open the door, I spotted two boys and a little girl.
Before I could greet them, Ernesta pulls me and walk around the HQ.
"You little..."
I was tired because of the fight against the Outsider but walking around the HQ makes it worse.
"Hey, Ernesta... Oh, Relaine."
"Hello."
"Hey! I just walk around the HQ with Relaine!"
"I see. By the way, did you already finished what I ask you to do?"
"Ah eh... let's go Relaine! We should go to garde-"
"Ernesta."
"Y-Yeah?"
"Did yo-"
"No, maybe sometimes when I'm not busy."
"Hey, Ernesta."
"Yeah, Relaine wann-"
*Smack*
"Ouch..."
I chop her head.
"You should give respect to your Commander!"
"Yes... commander."
"I'm not your Commander!"
"Hehe."
After that, I went back to our HQ since Ernesta has things to do.
Instead of resting, I walk straight to the practice room.
"Hey, where are you going?", Steve asked.
"Doing some practice."
"I see."
_______________________________
Standing up at the center of the practice room. I remember something.
Being an HQ member or a vice commander is not actually my dream. Making it doing anything without a good reason. But now, I have a goal.
*I'm going to be strong.*
"Someday, I will be the one who's gonna save Ernesta!!!"
Shouting with all my heart.
"Now, let's start!"
________________________________________________________________________________________
"Ahhhh... so boring.", Ren said while resting half of his body on the table.
"Yeah...", Bryer agrees.
I can't blame them. After Relaine killed the Outsider named blade. There's no almost report about Outsiders.
Our team is fewer compare to other HQ, making it busier than them. At first, we wish that our job become lesser but I never expect this will what happens.
"Hey, Rina.", Ren calls me.
"Yeah?"
"Think about something."
"Something?"
"Yeah. Something that will make our boredom vanish."
"I got an idea!"
"Really?"
"Come here.", I call them.
"Hey, guys, what are you talking about?"
Steve just enter the room.
"Come here also."
__________________________________
"Morning guys."
Relaine just woke up. She is still in pajamas.
She sits on a chair and laying her head on the table. I give her a coffee and she takes a sip.
"Hey, Relaine."
"Yeah?", she said while taking a sip.
"Do you like Ernesta?"
"Bleh!"
"Are you okay?"
"What's with that question?"
"Hehe, just asking."
"I-I'm not... I don't even care about her."
"Really???"
"R-Really..."
"I see..."
I raise my finger to give a signal to the boys.
"Hey, Relaine!", Ren shouted.
"Y-Yeah?"
"Emergency! Ernesta is being cornered by three pure-blooded Outsiders!"
"Eh..."
The cup of coffee that she's holding fell on the table.
After that, Relaine runs towards her room.
"Eh? What just happen?"
Steve and Bryer's heads pop out on the door.
"Wait for me, Ernesta!"
Ernesta runs while wearing her uniform.
"Hehe, here she goes."
"Lightning Stance!"
"Wait!"
"Oi!"
"Don't do that!"
"One hundred!"
"You're going destroy our HQ!!!"
After that, we decide not to make fun of Relaine that related to Ernesta...
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