19 A Wingman's Advice

Zen's razor-edged glare can practically stab holes on any passing soul, his rubies gleaming ever so ambiguously fiery.

The receiving end of his sharp stare only remains silent still at the corner. It takes a fraction of moment before the presence of his company fully registers in his head, eventually making him snap out of his terrorizing storm of feelings.

"Oh, Rupert, it's just you," Zen blurted out in surprise, eyes widening a little, before heaving a sigh.

He then ruffles his hair in frustration.

"Sorry, I was just..."

"It's alright, Young Master... Are you having your anxiety attack again?" he questioned in evident concern, finally stepping forward and revealing himself as this fine man who seems to be around his twenty's.

However, despite his taking frame, his body is unevenly proportioned - a half human and half robot. His left arm, along with a side of his head, is made up of implanted electronic and mechanical devices. One of his eyes is an electric, ruddy red while the other's a hazel brown.

"Yeah. Close enough. It's okay now, though. Playing the piano has always been an effective therapeutic countermeasure for me," Zen answered, turning to face him with his head stooped low.

"It had been a while since you had it. Did something happen between you and the lady? I thought things are finally sailing smoothly."

Proven by his inquisitive and attentive nature, Rupert is somewhat like a guardian who looks after Zen. He has been together with him since the beginning, and even got caught up in a lot of mess because of him.

Despite causing him all types of trouble, though, Rupert stays by his side up until the present.

"It did go well at one point. We made cookies together earlier today, but then, Sia recovered her memories of her parents," he replied, grimacing for the nth time as he repeats the scene in his head - the image of her crying face.

"Hmm... Isn't that a good development? You're waiting for the day when she'll remember everything, after all..." Rupert trailed off before narrowing his eyes at him.

"I understand that she's probably in a major shock, though. She never had to chance to grieve for their deaths."

"Yeah, and her reaction today is starting to make me worry about something that I did. It just seems like Sia retrieving her memories won't be as simple as I initially thought."

"Wait, you did something?"

At that, Zen finally looks up to Rupert, locking eyes with him the instant he saw his quizzical expression. He then scowls again, figure slightly slumping in defeat.

"I found out that Sia took her diary from my room the other day. She had it in the pocket of her robe. I just let it be, hoping that it would make this whole thing faster."

Rupert only blinks at Zen in surprise. He's a bit baffled as to why he appears like he is betting on a losing game, considering that, in reality, what he said only meant that the journal finally returned to its real owner.

But then again, it can be that he's indeed genuinely troubled by her possible responses. It somehow reassures him that this young lad isn't pushing his own desires on her or turning a blind eye on her feelings.

"And that's quite a good development from you too, Young Master. You finally let go of your most treasured obsession," Rupert then quipped teasingly, making him flinch in chagrin.

"Hey, what do you mean by obsession? Isn't that supposed to be possession?" Zen retorted, a bit irked.

"The diary's not yours, though? Besides, it's true that you've been obsessed with it since the day you got it. Weren't you reading them almost every night? You used to put it beside you when you sleep and you also-"

"Argh...! Enough! I'm going to sleep!"

With a beet red frame, Zen abruptly stands up from his seat and starts stomping his way back to his bedroom. Rupert only continues to tease him all the while, though in reality, he just wants to make him loosen up a bit.

"But you know, Young Master, things such as the past and your regrets aren't supposed to be your main focus now. They already passed, anyway. She has finally returned to you, so you should make the most of the present and be there for her. Just be patient and comfort her if things became too much to bear," Rupert suddenly assured him, a gentle smile gracing his features.

Zen is a bit taken aback by this as he halts on his tracks. That's when Rupert reaches out his hand to playfully tousle his hair, grinning knowingly.

"And make sure to introduce me soon. I've been looking forward to our reunion, you know," he added to which he just replied with a small chuckle.

"Of course, I will. The only reason why I was hiding you was because Sia might react the same way when she saw me for the first time. She might run away again."

"She ran because you're a creep, Young Master-"

"Hey!"

With that, the night finally comes to an end and wraps up for the two.