Anomaly

Althea swore she was not a bad talker. But Ray is just the anomaly in her life, or maybe an anomaly of human in itself.

After being told what he likes to talk about, Althea tried to talk about some kind of topic that can bring them closer as a couple. She even sought advice from the extrovert Karin and Dev on what kind of interesting topic she might bring up later with -obviously without telling Dev who is it meant for. She even thought of asking Lucas but figured he'd like to have any kind of talk as long as the girl is interesting and pretty.

So yeah, no Lucas.

Anyway, she got some ideas on what topics to bring, such as his hobby, likes and dislikes, favorite movies, and stuff.

Which she asked and Ray had none.

Yes. The anomaly's indifference to himself might have already been over the normal human's capacity. He likes no movies and found humans-as if he's not one himself- strange, had no particular hobby as studying is his only routine, and didn't like nor dislike anything other than Althea.

Apparently both found the other one as an anomaly in their life.

Karin told her to ask if he has anyone whom he idolized, and his answer for that was, "I don't idolize anyone and everyone idolized me."

Althea fought back the urge to roll her eyes at the overconfident answer.

Just where in the world is this guy living? Is he really an earthling?

Even though she said that, she's kind of fascinated by how this man can stand on his own. She would never be one who can confidently say she's good at something. She might be good at her studies, but that's about it.

Her mother always told her that being smart doesn't mean she'll succeed. Having good grades and plenty of achievement wouldn't make her have a bright future.

Althea repeated the words her mother told her as she silently swept the floor. It was Saturday afternoon and she could go home earlier as she has no student council activities. Though, as her organization is one where everyone still hangs around despite no urgent upcoming events, her friends and colleagues gathered in the council's room soon after the school bell rang.

Honestly, she really wanted to join her friends in the council's room just to hang out for a while. But she knew she had to be fair in dividing her school activities and time for her family.

Thinking to this point, she looked around to see if her mother is there or not then took her phone.

"Have you ever hang out, Ray?" Althea moved the dining chairs and swept the floor below them.

"Not much."

"So you have. With friends?" Althea asked again without stopping her hand.

"I don't have friends."

Althea blinked her eyes a few times to make sure she didn't read wrong.

"No, you should have at least one, right?" Althea tried to remember if he ever mentioned one. Well, he never. But he did send a picture with 6 other men or something, so she continued, "That picture you sent me in which you posed with other guys?"

"They're colleagues."

'Hm?'

"Can't colleagues be friend?" Althea typed, almost finished cleaning the guest room.

"They're different, Thea." was what Ray said. But for Althea, it's a weird concept still. She might be colleagues with her student council members, but they're friends too. They should be, right?

"Althea!" Althea was about to reply when her mother's stern voice sounded. Althea's eyes widened in a bit of horror and her heart was racing,

'I'm screwed.' she thought as she quickly locked and put away her phone.

"Mother."

"What are you doing, playing with your phone when working?" Her mother, Kana Kristoff, walked closer with a disapproving look on her face.

"N-no, mother. I had to reply to a teammate who asked about the group work." Althea lied. She hated lying as she had a bad experience of being lied to, but it was much better than her mother knowing about her relationship with Ray and cut them off completely.

"Really?" Kana scrutinized Althea carefully, probably trying to gauge whether her daughter is saying the truth or not.

"Yes, mother." Althea looked down on the floor, unable to meet her mother's menacing glare.

"Then I'll let it slide this once. Finish up quickly and get to study." Her mother said as she passed through her to get into Haru's room.

Althea let out a relieved breath and shakily reached out to her phone. She hated herself for lying, and for fearing her own mother. Because people normally don't feel so towards their own family, right?

She clenched her phone in a tight grip. It's the only thing connecting her with Ray and she didn't have enough savings yet to buy another one in case her mother breaks this phone, too.

Althea felt her eyes stung as she remembered that event five years ago. That certain day, Althea was chatting with Karin who went to a different junior high school when she was cleaning the kitchen. Her mother who saw that was so mad, thinking the phone made Althea neglected her duties and threw the phone in her rage.

What her mother didn't know at that time, however, was that Althea was bullied in her school. Her phone was the only way for her to contact Karin and seek for comfort as she couldn't share her worries with her mother or anyone else.

Yet her mother broke it, leaving her with no friend until her mother bought her a new one the year after.

'But why, though?' Althea asked herself as she finished sweeping and went to her own room.

'Didn't I do my work properly?' Althea threw herself on the bed, 'Even if I chat when I'm working, isn't it supposed to be fine as long as finish it?' Althea pushed down the hatred which slowly manifested in her heart for years. She repeatedly told herself that it's for her.

Heaving a deep breath, she opened her phone.

"Sorry, Ray. My mother came so I couldn't reply." Althea buried her head on her pillow, fighting back the negativity which slowly drowned her.

"It's okay, Thea. Are you alright?" Althea didn't know if it's only her own feeling since it's just text, but she felt Ray's concern.

"Yeah, I'm just sad." Althea admitted.

"I see" was the last message she got from Ray before he stopped replying.

Althea was wondering if something happened as Ray hadn't reply again after ten minutes, but a message from him came not long after.

'Huh?' Althea rubbed her eyes as she saw an assortment of chocolates arranged on an old pillow. The chocolates were from different brands, Silverqueen, Dairy Milk, Ferrero Rocher, and 3 others.

"What is it?" Althea asked. Althea knew that Ray didn't like chocolate that much for him to buy all of this for himself.

"Chocolate for you."

"Sorry I took long. I had to run to a nearby store."

"Anyway, don't be sad anymore." Ray replied. Althea couldn't help herself from smiling as she asked again, "But I can't eat them, though?"

"I hope the feelings can still reach you." Ray said again, "I remember you said you like chocolates."

Althea giggled, "Hihi, yes I do. I'm happy now. Thank you so much." Althea honestly felt touched. She only said she's sad and this man really ran to get her what she likes?

"It's my pleasure." On the other side, Ray smiled as the feeling of relief and satisfaction flooded him.

"I thought you don't really like chocolate though, will you eat them?"

"Yes, I don't have anything to eat other than them for three days." Ray's reply made Althea creased her eyebrows in an unknown feeling of wanting to cry or laugh, "Yes?"

"I didn't expect these chocolates to be that expensive since I just kind of shove them in a hurry."

'Pfft.' Althea decided to go for the latter as she truly couldn't help but feeling funny of this man who's so ignorant yet so sincere to her. The two then closed their day bickering about chocolates and impulsiveness on their side.