Evening came with Liliath undergoing recuperation— aka, sleeping. She woke up somewhere around noon, just before lunch. In the afternoon I had her do whatever she wanted— which was a mistake because in the end, she sought the reference books I recommended to her. What a studious fellow.

That's bad.. I'm slacking on my studies.

Thus I accompanied her studying— though having her there was more distracting than anything I've ever encountered. I caught myself sneaking peeks at her every so often. Darn it, talk about being seduced. In no way am I planning to forcefully make her mine without her personal approval—

Late afternoon was also the time my sister came back from school since she had a group project forcing her to stay back late. She helped Liliath kill time— watching cartoons on television. Liliath didn't seem all that into the show— though she did take interest in ads during the intermissions. Weird..

I came to my room after dinner and proceeded to draw. I'm an illustrator, did I forget to mention that? Yeah, I took a break yesterday since I nearly broke my spine and wasn't in the mood to draw either, anyways, thanks to Liliath, I'm back to drawing.

My father, though an architect, was also an amazing artist— or mangaka? I'm not too sure, he's not Japanese so... a comic artist?

If I were to say honestly, he was the one who inspired me to draw. Though I didn't really put too much serious effort into it, the habit of drawing every day does wonders. I've gotten pretty good if I must say so myself— until I realize how I'm not. There are waaaayyy to many professionals out there. My artworks can't even hold a candle to their standards.

The past me said to wait until my 16th birthday, when I acquire my TALENT, before deciding on what career path I should seriously devote myself to. Though I now realize that's a big mistake. I shouldn't just 'wait' for the opportunity to arrive, I need to act, do, take action.

Initially when I thought I was a TALENTLESS— that was just yesterday by the way, I took that into consideration and made the decision to devote myself as an artist.

I like art so.. why not? I found the work of a user by the name Yu.Ta on the internet which totally caught my eyes. That's his alias.. I don't know much about his real name. Main point is this, his TALENT had nothing to do with art. Basically speaking, it's purely skill based. If he could achieve his level of art without the aid of a TALENT like some artists do, then I could too right? I mean, he's like one of the many examples of people who didn't follow the orthodox route of adhering to their TALENT.

TALENT isn't necessarily the dictator of one's life, is the point they always emphasize.

—That's a new entry into my journal.

I was drawing half-way when I heard a knock on my door. It was getting late— around 10:30 pm? I usually sleep at 10. Shoot. I still have school tomorrow. Or should I just not go?

"Who is it?" I asked, hoping my voice would travel through to the other side of the door.

"It's Liliath."

"Hm?"

Liliath? Why would she— no... it can't be right? No way.. that kind of development.. I thought it was best for her to sleep in my sister's room— to which my sister totally approved of but...

I pulled open the door. There, Liliath in a slightly too small mint-blue pajamas bowed, then looked into my eyes and said, "Good night."

I stood there stunned, but eventually managed to reply back with those same words, "Good night."

Looks like she's going to sleep in my sister's room after all. Wheewh. So it was a misunderstanding on my part. Ha. Ahahaha.

I'm alright, don't worry about me, I'm not disappointed, not at all.

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Blare. Blare. Blare.

Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.

Opps. I almost smashed my phone there... I have to be more prudent. I still haven't figured out what would happen if I lost my phone— that gacha app specifically.

Now that I think about it... it's scary isn't it? My TALENT revolves around the usage of my phone. I wonder if It's possible to download it elsewhere? I don't think such an app even exists..  I tied searching for it yesterday to realize the app doesn't have a name to it. Huh. Weird.

I need to cherish my phone.

"Morning mom," I stretched, walked into the kitchen to grab a glass of water to wet my dry throat.

"Morning Noel," my mom replied, hands busy cooking.

"I'll take a bath first." I took the towel on the rack and proceeded to the shower.. I just realized. This was the same towel Liliath used yesterday wasn't? Our family was the kind to share the same towel.

Why am I thinking these thoughts..

In any case, I took a new towel and placed the old one in the washing bucket. Wait, isn't it the same thing? Liliath would be using this same towel here... ughhhh... forget it forget it. Forget I ever thought about this.

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Apparently Liliath was a late riser. My sister had trouble calling her up.

With the image of Liliath who just woke up in mind, hair all tangled, I set off to school. I didn't bump into Prune this time. What a rare occurrence.

By the way, since my bag broke, I brought a substitute— something like a shopping bag.

"Yo, talentless shellfish."

"Morning, what is it Gruan.."

I saw him waiting at the school gate with the group of imbeciles. Oh, if you're wondering why I'm being so respectful towards him even though he treats me like crap— I don't really have a particular reason as to why. It's to do more with me than him. If I allow myself the world to push me around and tell me what to do or how I should react to certain situations— like punching Gruan in the crotch, what's the point? There isn't any benefit to it.

"Nah. Just wondering why you didn't come yesterday. We had a blast you know? You just had to miss out on the cake," he tried to hang his arm over my shoulders but I dodged it.

"I don't particularly like cake," I replied without turning around and continued down the path adorned with petals of cherry blossom flowers.

He didn't comment any further.

I reached class to realize that Prune was absent, or rather, had been absent. Eavesdropping on the conversations of others, it looked like she didn't come to school yesterday either. I wonder what happened? Well, Prune is pretty much the closest person to me second to Gruan. Besides that, I'm not really friends with anyone else.

Hm?

She transferred schools?

Now that I think about it.. I should've transferred elsewhere too shouldn't I? With my grades, it should be no problem. I wonder why I'm still here— being fatso's punching bag.

It's not like my parents disagree. If anything, they know about my situation as a bully victim. It was I who remained adamant on staying. I wonder if it's because the year is coming to an end? Well, perhaps there's this feeling of wanting a fresh new start.

Or is it because of..

Prune?

I don't know.

Maybe I do know...

..

I'm just denying it.

Since she's gone might as well just— move on. Yup.

While planning out my schedule— drawing schedule, I heard someone call out to me.

"Hey Noel. The principal is calling you," it was Freya in her green jacket yet again.

Eh? Did I get into some trouble? I merely skipped one day of school? It's not like I hold a perfect record of attendance either.

"Come on now," Freya placed both her hands on her hips and called out again.

"A-alright."

Looked like Freya would be guiding me to the principal's office. Freya is the class monitor by the way— Wait, her birthday was yesterday wasn't it?

"Um, Freya, sorry. Happy belated birthday."

"Oh, thanks, it's alright," she smiled.

We continued down the corridor with students loitering around.

"What TALENT did you acquire?"

"My TALENT? Let's see.." she raised a thinking posture.

She pointed to the front.

"This."

Then all of a sudden I felt my view distort before noticing she had appeared at the location where she had pointed at before. I was still where I stood, the change was that she— teleported?

"Teleportation?" I caught up to her

"Time distortion," She stuck her tongue out, but her complexion was rather pale, "I can only use it a little bit though."

Wow. Now that's an overpowered ability!

"Wait.. that means.."

"There's a limit to it though. It's tiring for one, and I can't move objects in the distortion state. If I try to interact with objects, say for example kicking you, nothing would happen. I can't even lift an eraser off a table. The only thing I can do is move myself."

"Then your clothes?"

"Eh?" She looked with a befuddled expression, as if realizing something super important,"I guess it's still a mystery after all. I'll have to experiment with it more.."

"In any case, why am I called by the principal?"

"Hm? Well.. about that. There are two reasons. I think it's best if he asks you about it himself."

"Ok."