After looking around for a bit, the two of them has finally settled down on a small pizza parlor by the corner of the street.

“So… what was it you wanted to ask me?” asked Louis.

After swallowing the food currently in her mouth and drinking a substantial amount of juice, Julia finally replied. “You didn’t seem surprised earlier, why is that? I mean, you looked positively shocked by my sudden appearance and rather… um… ‘rough’ demeanor… But you weren’t shocked to learn that you were about to be scammed. Why?”

“Well… I… had an idea already.”

“Yet you were still about to give him your money?”

“I mean… I thought there was a good chance that it is a scam, but…” Louis looked down on his drink, looking rater somber. “I know what it’s like to be called a liar. To have no one believe me when I myself know that I’m telling the truth. I had an idea. I thought the chances are high. But on the small chance that he was telling the truth, I don’t want to be the one who denies him.”

Julia looked at him as she bit down on her slice of pizza. “I see…” Once more, she gulped her drink to help her swallow before returning her focus on the conversation. “That decides it, then!” she exclaimed. “From this day forward, Louis, you will be my friend. Got that?”

Louis was rather surprised by the sudden proposition that came out of nowhere. “…Sure?” he said through red cheeks. Though he doesn’t really know the why or what, he knows that she’s being genuine with her enthusiasm.

“Excellent!” She took the last slice of pizza, stuffed it in her mouth, and with one single gulp, swallowed the thing whole before downing the rest of her drink. Afterwards, she jumped across the table, embracing Louis. “See you around!” she said before leaving.

Louis stared into the space in front of him, unsure what just happened. By the time he recollected himself, it has already been fifteen minutes.

“Can I sit here?” said a familiar voice.

Louis looked up as to who it could be, seeing the girl which he met in the ship yesterday. “Sure…”

Venus took the sit opposite to her, raising her hand to order.

Louis stared at her, tightly grabbing his drink.

“Do you want anything?” she asked.

“No, I just ate…”

“Okay.”

Louis lowered his head, focusing his eyes at his own face reflected at his drink, quietly taking a peek every now and then. “So… what brings you here?”

Venus let out a short chuckle. “You can look at me while you talk,” she said.

Louis looked up, staring at her. His face quickly turned red and he returned to staring at his reflection. “I’d prefer not to…”

Venus chuckled again before speaking. “Well, I was looking for somewhere to have lunch and I saw you, so I thought I’d have it with you.”

“But why…?”

“No reason,” she said. “Anyways, did you see the fireworks last night?”

“Yeah…” Louis looked at her, starting to feel a bit more comfortable. “They were pretty…”

Venus smiled enthusiastically. “Aren’t they?” Louis turned red again, though he tried resisting it. “Yeah…”

“It was so beautiful watching them in complete darkness! They really did it great service by turning off the lights!” She rested her elbows on the table, joining her two hands together to bear her head. “So… Did you enjoy the party last night?”

“Uh… yeah? I met an old friend last night, and we talked for a while…” While Louis is certainly flattered that she decided to join him for lunch, he still can’t shake off a feeling of confusion and doubt, rendering him unable to make himself fully comfortable.

“An old friend, huh?”

It was barely audible, muttered under her breath, yet Louis’ ears still caught it. It was as if she wanted him to hear it, yet did not want him to hear it at the time. More than that, Louis also sensed the tiniest bit of jealousy in her voice, alongside an even tinier hint of disgust. He was about to ask her about it, but then her order arrived.

“Thank you,” she smiled to the waitress who delivered her order.

It’s probably nothing… he thought to himself as he watched her gracefully eat her meal, even offering him a taste a few times. I’m probably just hearing things again… Yeah, must be that…

***

Venus Marigold, top of the top class of the top school, stood on the window of the room atop the tower where her dorm currently resides in. Her gaze is far reaching, her eyes piercing. She observed each and every student in the campus like a hawk hunting for its prey. She bears no malice for them though, only pity.

“My lady…” her aid, Joseph Gavin, said as he knocked at the door of her room. “We’ll be late for class. Lady Julia has already left ahead of us.”

“I’ll be down in a minute. Feel free to go ahead of me, though.”

“Understood.”

Her gaze turned around into the interior of her room, shifting her body along with it. It is well-kept and organized, as one would probably expect. Nothing of note save for the object in which her gaze now resides in. A picture of a young boy, brown haired and rather shy.

Maybe he’ll understand… she thought to herself. Maybe not…