After waiting for what felt like hours, the waiter finally brought our orders over.
For some reason though, I felt like Anathasia was trying way too hard to pretend to be someone she isn't... Or something.
She lifted her coffee with grace, like some stuck-up princess at a tea party, and took a delicate sip.
Almost immediately, she set the cup down, her face twisting.
"Eugh... It's bitter..."
"No - why'd you order that in the first place..?"
She frowned, then reached for the plate of pastries, took a cookie, and started munching on it like a small animal while avoiding my eyes. Embarrassed much?
"So..." I glanced at her black coffee, then back at her. "Who's going to finish-"
"You will." she said sharply, leaving no room for argument as she casually switched my macchiato with hers.
"Right..." my shoulders dropped as I sighed, staring at my now black coffee.
Good thing I ordered something she liked.
I picked up the cup and took a small sip, savoring the aroma while ignoring the taste itself.
"...It's really strong, but I guess that's why adults like it this way."I mumbled under my breath, staring at the elegant black surface of its contents.
"Still bitter though..." I murmured, glancing at Anathasia, who now seemed to actually be enjoying her share.
She's still a pain to deal with, though.
For some reason, after putting the cup down, Anathasia was quietly staring at me like I was some sort of newly discovered animal species.
"..."
"What?"
"Nothing."
"It's obviously not nothing though??" I said through a forced smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.
She just brushed me off and took another delicate sip.
I still don't get why she seemed genuinely curious earlier.
The day went on after that.
We wandered through a few more places downtown, the aquarium, then the arcade. And for some reason, she dragged me to a bench on top of a hill not too far from the house, overlooking the sunset.
She sat down first, then tapped the space beside her. Though reluctant, I did as she wanted and sat by her side.
As the sun sank beneath the horizon and cast a golden-orange hue that blanketed the sky, she suddenly leaned her head against my shoulder, making herself comfortable as we watched the sunset in silence.
"This moment feels... oddly romantic, don't you think?" I tried to make a quip, glancing at her but she just stared at me blankly, like I'd just ruined something.
"You... you really are stupid, aren't you?" she looked at me, really looked at me, like she wanted me to shrink to the smallest size possible.
"No wonder you're single." she muttered, looking away. But I heard it clearly, maybe she wanted me to.
"Oi, don't poke at my love-life like that."
"Hah!" she scoffed, grin tugging on her face. "Love-life? You don't really have anything like that, do you?"
"...Okay, quit taking shots on my non-existent love life already."
I sighed, running a hand down my face while she kept leaning against my shoulder like it was the most natural thing to do. And somehow, I never felt the urge to push her off.
"You're the reason why no one approaches me in the first place..." I murmured, glancing at her before looking at the sunset which slowly disappeared under the horizon.
She only snuggled closer to me, her arm curling around mine as if to prove my point.
And yet... I could see it. The faintest faint smile on her lips, half-hidden as she lowered her gaze.
---
Things had changed since then. But, I still feel that lingering feeling of dread whenever I think about Marianne's words.
And again, as usual. Exactly when the clock hits five p.m. on Thursday, she called.
"Wait, why should I?"
"Are we not doing this for him?"
Marianne's voice came through the phone, calm and gentle as always, but something in her tone felt off. Too deliberate.
"Since when have I asked you do anything that wasn't for Kyle's betterment?"
She paused, long enough for the silence to press against my ear.
"Besides," she continued, still sweet but heavy now.
"Please remember that I had personally asked my parents to interfere with that boy's family so they wouldn't file a case against you."
I swallowed hard.
"I did so because I believe you're the only one who can help me make Kyle's life better. So please," her tone softened again, almost pleading. "just do as I say, understand?"
"...Alright. I understand."
"Mhm, much better." She sounded pleased, for once.
"We're both working for his own sake. Isn't it only natural for us to trust each other?" she mused.
Then silence.
"So why are you asking questions?"
I froze. Her tone suddenly turned cold, sharp, the kind that only surfaced when she was truly angry. Even though her voice stayed calm, the weight of it said everything.
"Either way," I exhaled slowly, the kind of breath I only realize I've been holding when I talk to her.
"So... how is he doing?"
"Fine," I said, after a pause.
"I see, fine..." she seemed to relax at that. Which, I stupidly followed up.
"He's living with a girl right now. Her name's Anathasia Dunaleff if I remember correctly."
Silence.
I could almost hear her smile fade. Then, a faint sound, like something being crushed between her fingers.
"A girl..." she echoed, soft, too soft.
"I see... a girl..."
All of a sudden, her line went quiet, then -
"Alright then, let them be for now," she added, her words trailing off.
"And that Anathasia woman... keep an eye on her."
She ended the call. But strangely enough, this time, she didn't ask much except simply watch over them.
Or was she planning on taking her own measures this time...?
I couldn't be sure. I can only wait until she makes her move.
But whatever she had in mind, I'm sure it was all just for Kyle's sake.
Back at Kyle and Anathasia's residence
"Soooo," I said. "what're you trying to pull this time?"
The chattering from my phone died down as I looked down at the white haired girl who made herself comfortable in my lap, casually reading a book, her head resting on my lap while I sat on the couch.
"What's wrong? Uncomfortable?" she responded, covering the lower half of her face as she looked at me.
"It's not that it's uncomfortable..." I trailed off, staring at her. Sprawled on the couch, using my lap as her pillow. "You've really made yourself comfortable huh..."
"Yeah, so, you do remember that we still have a presentation to do next week, right?" she said, closing her book as she looked up at me. Then, she took my phone and set it aside before nuzzling against my stomach.
"Right... that presentation..." my shoulders slumped as I remembered the assignment our instructor gave us a few days ago.
Thankfully, Anathasia and I were partners for it. But still, she rarely helped. Or rather, she only really watched even after I finished everything. So I was genuinely worried she'd struggle when it was her turn.
"Make sure to study the material, got it?" I gave her a stern look, reaching for her wrist and giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Got it?" I echoed, flashing her a wry smile.
"Got it." she curtly replied, pulling the hand I grabbed her with before gently biting my finger for some reason. All while her eyes held this soft, almost seductive gleam.
Strangely, I didn't think much of it. I just smiled back at her.
"That being said," I muttered, flicking her forehead with my free hand.
"Ow! What was that for?"
"I don't like that look."
"What look?"
"Don't play dumb. What dramas have you been watching lately?"
She froze, eyes darting away as she rolled over, turning her back to me.
"I definitely wasn't trying something I read from a certain novel I saw on your phone back then," she mumbled quickly. Then, sitting up, still not facing me.
"R-right, I'll be making dinner tomorrow!" she blurted, clearly trying to change the topic.
Was she flustered that I figured her out...?
"Wait, hold on," I paused, reaching out to grab her shoulder. "Anne... were you snooping on my phone while I was away?" I smiled, gently making her sit back on the couch.
She froze, like a deer in headlights.
"No-"
"No, my ass!" I cut her off, lightly flicking her forehead for the second time.
She winced, though she deserved it for violating my privacy.
"Next time, ask for permission will ya?"
"Yes... I'm sorry..." she whispered, still rubbing the place where I flicked her.
"Why Anne, by the way?" meeting my eyes, she asked. Hands falling to her sides.
"Anne, because Anathasia is a pain to say."
"But... doesn't Anathasia sound fancier?" she reasoned, her stubborn side coming out again.
"Can we not argue about this...? It's all for convenience sake, it won't hurt you, no?"
"Well, yes but..." she fell quiet, thinking.
"Fine... Anne it is then."
"Good girl," I mused, reaching to pat her head, my smile not reaching my eyes.
She looked visibly pissed at my patronizing comment, but thankfully didn't argue any further.
I don't know why though, but I feel like an asshole after that explanation I gave her...