บท 18: Fainted

"Yosh, all done." Celine said wiping her sweats, she looks towards Theresa, but she's nowhere. "Theresa?" she steps forward, her foot bumps to something, Celine looks down, she widened her eyes and kneel down in a rush. "Theresa? What happened?!" Celine shook Theresa's body, she fainted suddenly. "What's wrong young child?" The old man asks approaching her, "my friend suddenly collapse, everything's done right?" Celine ask trying to pick up Theresa.

"Yes, thank you for helping me. I can get a doctor young child." The old man said offering her, "no thanks sir, I got this." Celine smiles while supporting Theresa's weight. "I'm sorry for making you two helping me. But thank you very much." The old man bowed, "Don't mention it. We were helping cause we want to." Celine grins just about to open the door, but a thought interrupts her from doing so, 'If I go out with Theresa like this. They're gonna think I'm kidnapping her…' she thoughts before a loud voice was heard outside.

"Theresa! Celine! Where are you?" Ashley said with a loud voice, 'seriously Ashley seems to not have shames at all.' Celine thought sighing, "Right here!" Celine said opening the shop door, as Ashley immediately approach her.

"Did she fainted?" Ashley asks worried, "Yes. I'm sorry, I'm not sure why…" Celine said sadly, "don't be sorry. I know why. Let me take her home!" Ashley grins, Celine carefully places her on the floor so Ashley can pick her up. "Mhm! I always want to pick her up like this!" Ashley cheered, Theresa is on her hands, Ashley left hands is on her tights, while her right hand is on her back, bridal carry.

"Let's go! I want to talk about something when we arrive!" Ashley said before running off towards her house, the citizens look at her strangely. "Wait!" Celine yelled, Ashley probably didn't hear her.

"I'm home!" Ashley said kicking her door open, "…Can you be slower next time?..." Celine panted her hand on her thighs. "But it's important!" Ashley pout before walking to her room. "Care to open it for me?" Ashley ask, "sure." Celine said, she open Ashley's door. "Thanks~" Ashley grins, she put down Theresa on her bed.

"Alright follow me, I don't want her to overheard." Ashley said walking out from her room as Celine followed and close the door. "Why?" Celine asks clueless, the two go downstairs, as Ashley began to talk.

"You see Theresa's necklace?" Ashley asks, "Yes." Celine nods, "That necklace is cursed." Ashley said going to the kitchen, "what? Cursed? Then why don't we tell her?" Celine asks following her, "Don't make her worry, sad, angry, and depressed." Ashley replies while boiling the water. "Why? Is it bad?" Celine asks, "If she feels any from these emotions, the progress on the necklace to activate will be faster. I think. We have around 1 week." Ashley said while pouring the water to the tea.

"Then-" A knock was heard on the door, "can you see who's on the door?" Ashley ask, "sure." Celine nod. Celine walks towards the door and opens it "Hello…ah, Zeolite? Hector?" Celine asks when she sees who's in front of her, "Heya!" Hector grinned, "Did Theresa faint?" Zeolite ask, "Yea…how did you know?" Celine ask back, "Did Ashley tell you? We're in the same case." Zeolite answer her question.

"Oh! You two!" Ashley smiles, approaching them, "how is she?" Hector ask worried, "not awake yet. I'll tell you when she's awake." Ashley said, "faint one time…two left." Zeolite said holding his chin, "have you guys found Akane's team yet?" Ashley ask letting them in, "unfortunately, no, we haven't!" Hector said sadly.

"Now. You two in charge of watching her close range. While we, long ranges." Zeolite said looking at both Ashley and Celine, "Aye-aye!" Ashley grinned, "Alright." Celine nod. "Celine. If you have any questions, read this." Zeolite said handing her the book with the necklace pages.

"W-What is this? A book?" Celine ask looking at the covers, "Yes. If you still don't understand, ask us." Zeolite said crossing his arms. "I see. Thank you." Celine smiles before reading the pages. "What hours now?" Hector ask, "around 5 PM." Ashley reply leaning on her couch, "Then, we'll have to take our leave now." Zeolite said standing up as Hector followed. Hector turned around for last time, "Celine. Don't tell the others about this." He said warning her, "Y-Yes, of course." Celine nods in understanding.

"Bye-bye!" Hector grinned before closing the door.

"Man! I'm tired!" Hector groaned stretching his arms, "Hope we'll meet Akane's team soon." Zeolite said closing his eyes, "yea, it's like finding someone who is invisible!" Hector said putting his hand behind his head.

"Hector~!" A girly voice called, "huh?" Hector ask looking behind him, "It's nice to see you here!" the girl is, Brittany. She's like a fanatic of Hector, stalking him, knows his likes and dislikes. 'Out of all people, why does it have to be her?' Zeolite thought annoyed.

"Uh, hey Brittany." Hector said smiling, "How's your day going?" Brittany ask cheerfully, "good." Hector reply, 'Worst. He doesn't even know she's stalking him.' Zeolite thoughts while looking at Hector's nervous laughing face.

"I'm glad! Why don't we have dinner sometimes? I can guarantee the fun~" Brittany said scooting closer to him, as Hector backed up slowly. "I'm sorry, I can't accept that. Got a load of business this week." Hector said refusing her offers. "Too bad! Can I know what are you doing this week?" Brittany asks a smirk form on her face. Hector's face shows nervousness, "well, it's not that interesting." He said.

"Is that so? Is it that important to refuse my offers?" Brittany continues to ask him questions while scooting more closer to him as Hector backed up each time she got closer, until Zeolite hands block her, "Alright stop there. Miss Brittany, please refrain from asking people their own business." He said glaring at her, "fine, mister cold gazes." Brittany snickered before walking away from them.

"That girl is an absolute problem." Zeolite sigh, "Man, why do I always sees her whenever I go?" Hector groaned, "she's stalking you, tell her directly that you don't want her to do that again." Zeolite said crossing his arms. "She? Stalking me? You can make a joke well!" Hector laugh, while Zeolite stares at him his mouth agape 'are you serious?' he thoughts.