138 Intermission

Our time at the air hockey table soon came to an end when the mixed duos match was over. The end result: we lost. Loyd and I mostly allowed Irina and Luna to play and when we had to join in, we did so by going easy and somewhere around their skill level. Because of this and the fact that this was Irina's first time playing, we were unable to score more points than the other team and lost.

Even though Irina appeared to have had plenty of fun, she still appeared apologetic towards me after the match, probably thinking that I might be disappointed in the fact that we lost. I think she understood that neither Loyd nor I were giving it all that round, but she still took the full responsibility for the defeat. I admire this part about her. Despite her appearance as someone who might appear quite reckless due to her outgoing nature, she's actually extremely considerate and adept at reading the atmosphere of things, which I attribute to her experience in the entertainment scene.

"Why would you think I would get mad over losing a game?" I sighed and shook my head in disbelief.

"I know you wouldn't," she whispered. "It's just that no one likes to lose and just in case you were somewhat unhappy."

"Did you have fun?" I interrupted her with that simple question in which she responded with a nod of her head."Then that's the whole point."

"Right..." she smiled and blushed slightly as she turned her head slightly so that it was facing down.

I studied her suddenly shy behavior, taking into account what had happened and my experiences with her in order to try and decipher the reason for it. Based on what I know, there really shouldn't be many factors that would make her act this way, that is except the one about feelings towards someone of the opposite gender. However, that's impossible. Her status and mine are just polar extremes so there's no way she might have any hints of romantic affection towards me. Even if she does, it'll never come to fruition as there's just such a great difference in our identities that it's just unrealistic to even think this way. Besides, I wouldn't want her to be subjected to a future that most definitely will be lacking in joy and happiness because I am unable to give anyone a warm and bright future. This path of darkness and bone chilling cold, let me be the only one that has to walk down it.

I glanced over at Loyd and Luna, watching as the two chatted with smiles on their faces while Irina went over to Muria and talked about her experience. I kept my eyes fixed on the Loyd and Luna, taking in that smile on Luna's face as she spoke with great enthusiasm fixed with her countenance as she spoke. Their conversation were mostly about the last air hockey match that we played since this was technically the first time that the two were able to speak, but gradually, the conversation shifted to weekend plans. When they began talking about maybe going out for a movie later during winter break, I slowly turned my head and looked away.

There's really no point in me considering what her relationship with other people were anymore. I know my role as the companion she had chosen to walk alongside her to her casket, and the job description of this role does not include regulating who she chooses to interact with. My job is simply to be there alongside her and accompany her until the very end, and to be really honest, it's a pretty expendable position. Anyone could take my spot, so even thought Luna made it seem as if I'm special, in all reality, I am not. I'm just someone random that just so happen to drew her attention as someone she could choose to accompany her until her soon death. Out of everyone that she knew that was not family, I will suffer from the most pain due to her, so there's really nothing that glorious or wonderful about my position. Rather, it's quite tedious, but that doesn't matter anymore. It is myself who had accepted this position and I will complete my obligations and walk her until she beds in her casket.

"How did you get my phone?" I heard Zaksus ask Noah as he held his phone tightly to his chest with both hands.

"It was just in your pocket," Noah responded. "And since you weren't looking, I was like why not?"

"You've never been a pickpocket have you?" Muria asked with suspicious eyes as she gazed at Noah.

"Of course not," Noah shook his head in a smug matter. "You think someone as excellent as me would stoop that low to become a pickpocket? If I were to be a thief, I'll be the kind that steals from art museums after warning the police of my crimes. That's right, I would be one of those classy thieves that one could also regard as escape experts."

"It's still a thief at the end of the day," Zaksus sighed.

"There's a slight difference in that," Noah reaffirmed his decisions and held his head high as if he was proud of what he had said.

After chatting for a short while later, Luna and Loyd walked back over to our group. On their faces were looks of enjoyment as it would appear that the two had had a pretty memorable and enjoyable conversation. I wasn't sure if anything else was derived from their brief talk but whatever the case may be, it was none of my business.

"It's getting pretty late," Loyd told everyone after checking the time on his phone. "I think it's time that we head home."

"Man," Noah sighed as he slouched from depression. "Next week is finals week..."

"The pain..." Zaksus shook his head as he buried them in his palms as if he had seen something horrifying that had carved its image in his brain. "It won't go away."

"Don't stress it," Irina smiled in a comforting manner. "The school day is shorter for the exams and right after the final exam is over, which is on Thursday, winter break begins."

"Right!" Noah appeared to have been suddenly invigorated by the mention of our winter break. "Salvation is near! As long as we can survive Ragnarok then we're good."

"That is if we can survive the Judgement Day though," Zaksus sighed. "If we're abandoned by God, then we'll have to rot in the dirty hell of make-up exams."

I think God has already abandoned all of us, I though, thinking back on the God that I know of.

"Don't worry," Loyd smiled. "We're having a study session Saturday at Alevian's place."

"Like that would save us," Noah smirked in a sarcastic manner.

"At least it's better than nothing," Zaksus said as he shook his head in despair.

"How bad are your grades?" Irina asked with an extremely astonished expression on her face. "How did you two even make it into our school?"

"I did good in middle school," Zaksus said with a shy smile on his face. "But I'm really in this high school because of basketball. It's not like I'm like dumb or anything. It's just that I don't have that much time to study and stuff. Like I was actually ranked fifty-four in the entrance exams for my class."

"So Zaksus just didn't have time for his studies," Loyd concluded. "Like you should devote more time to that."

"Why would he?" Noah asked in a sarcastic manner. "The boy is sixteen and already has pro leagues eyeing him."

"I know the risks," Zaksus shook his head and said. "Like I could get injured or something and that'll derail the dreams real quick. So that's why I was thinking of catching up over winter break and after the season's over."

"So what about you, Noah?" Irina then turned towards Noah and asked him the same question from earlier.

"Should I say family connections?" Noah responded with an uncertain smile as he looked away out of a lack of confidence.

"Anyways," Loyd sighed. "We'll do our best to whip the two of you back into shape. You don't want to be back in school during break."

"So what time will it be tomorrow?" Luna asked.

"Anytime is fine," I said. "Loriana said she'll have to stay the weekend at her research facility to complete the assignment she has and won't be back until Sunday."

"So you're home alone all day today and tomorrow then," Noah commented. "If you want, you can stop by my house for dinner. Bet you never had food that Emilia made."

"Right," I sighed as I recalled the fact that Noah and Emilia live in the same building as I do.

"Like even if you don't wanna come tonight, I'm gonna go up to your place and drag you over."

"Why?"

"Because it's always quite awkward and boring when it's just me and her," Noah sighed. "You'll understand tonight."

After our conversations ended, we left the arcade and rode the elevators down to the ground floor. After making our way over to the nearest train station, our group parted ways as we each head in the direction of our home. On my way back home, I looked up at the sky that was already dark despite the time being six P.M. due to the winter weather, taking in the view of the many skyscrapers and tall concrete buildings with their windows dotted with shining lights. A cold wind blew by, making me shiver as I dug my hands even further into the pockets of my goat. I huffed out a breath of white mist as I continued walking behind Muria and Noah as we made our way down the streets of Lumina and towards our building of residence.