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☔~＊Rain reminds＊~☔

Next day, In early morning. The sun shines on their faces. Birds chirping all around.

A warm yet refreshing breeze entered the room.

Ethan walked down the stairs. In the couch room, He found his sister watching TV.

He was shocked. In their perents presence, No one could do it in the morning.

E, "Why are you watching TV in the morning? Where's mom?"

Emiley turned around. She gave a evil smile to Ethan, "Mom and dad are out for 2 days"

Ethan was delighted to hear this news. Their parents were always strict to them. A day off without parents were more than a good day.

Em, "I'm throwing a party. All my friends coming. Is there anyone you wanna call?"

E, "Right. Party with only teenagers wont be fun. I'll call my friends over too. "

Em, "YAY! Party All Night!"

An hour passed. Emiley was all worked up after calling her friends. Both were minding their bussiness.

Em, "Instead of calling everyone, Cant we just 'select all' and send messages?"

E, "That's easy but...There's always someone I dont wanna invite."

Em, "Where you going?"

E, "I'm heading out. I'll come back before the party. After everyone arrives, Call me. I'll come back."

Em, "okay-"

E, "There's something i need you to do.

Dont let that guy come in to our house."

Em, "the one....who visited us yesterday?"

E, "I'll pay you double. Dont let him In."

Ethan walked down the stairs. Rode his bycle away.Who knows where's he going.

"▓▒"

In Verch's room, He woke up lately as always. After freshing us, He laid down in his bed and started using his phone. A thought passed through his mind,

 "How did he find out..."

Verch quickly went to Veronica's private account. It was private but few close followers were allowed to see it.

Is Ethan one of them?

After checking all her posts, He found a picture. It was a selfie of Verch and Veronica.

The picture itself could tell that It was years ago.

Down in the picture, something was written with blur text.

『Archen+Veronica=Verch』

Verch understood how Ethan found out about it. He throws his phone on the bed. Sighs.

A few moments later, Verch's Elder brother,Jeff entered the room.Jeff was the

only one Verch could call his own in his family. He always took care of him and stood beside him in all the hard times.

J, "What's bothering you these days?"

V, "…", He leans on Jeff's shoulder.

J, "I'll be busy the whole day. Even if it's your day off, I cant hang around with you."

V, "Is your father throwing another share holder meeting again?"

J, "Yeah. Those oldies will be around soon.

He told all of us to be present."

V, "I dont want to stay in this prison."

J, "Then, Sneak out and have fun.

I'll handle the rest."

V, "…Is your mom okay? Heard she had a headache this morning."

J, "…"

Verch took out his phone in this silence.He received a message from a school's group chat. Students were talking about the party in Ethan's house.

V, "He's having a party tonight."

J,"All better then. Go join them.I'll come later."

Jeff left the room with a busy call.

Verch stared outside the window. After a thoughtful decision, He wore a jacket and quietly sneaks out by the window.

When he was on the way, Ethan passed by him with his cycle. He couldnt notice but Verch did.He started following him.

It was almost sun set. While following him around, He ends up infront of a club.

Both walked in.

Since the club room was full of party lights, Ethan still havent noticed Verch following him.

He started drinking. An hour passed. But, Ethan was still drinking.

Verch knew It was the time to stop him or else Ethan would be drunk.

He quietly sat down beside him.

E,"Why are you following me?"

V, "Stop drinking. Let's go home."

E, "Let go of me! You cant always show off your handful money."

Verch holds him tightly and walked out the club.

they reached outside, Ethan took back his arm ."Im not drunk.Let me go."

When Verch was about to follow Ethan, His phone starts ringing. 

                        [Veronica]

The phone kept ringing. Verch couldnt pick it up. He kept hesitating.

A man came running from behind him. They bumped and Verch accidently answered Her call. Out of choice, He takes the phone near his ears.

Vr, "Verch! You finally answered my call."

V, "It was in an accident."

Vr, "I know you're still mad but please give me a chance to explain. I'll tell you everything."

V, "From next time, Dont call me to say this Nonsense."

Phone hungs up.

Ethan rode away with his cycle and Verch followed him with his bike. 

They reached Ethan's house. All of their friends were going in. The lights were decorated with colors. A loud music was coming out.

V, "Am i allowed to go in?"

E, "Who stopped you?"

V, "I dont know. You're sister's out there guarding like, 'No Verch allowed.'"

Ethan turned his way around. Both started walking toward the pool side.

Jeff reached thw party.

J, "Sorry I'm late. Father locked me up."

V, "Im glad you made it on time."

J, "Are you...Ethan?"

Ethan greets, "You are-"

J, "Im Verch's brother."

E, "Nice to meet you.

Come in.

I'll show you around."

Jeff and Ethan went inside. Verch wasnt planning to follow them. He stood there for a while.

An hour passed, Verch went inside to look for jeff. But the house was too crowded. He almost went lost.

Finally, After walking around the whole house,  He found Ethan and Jeff in the kitchen.

They were smilling and chatting.

Verch never saw Ethan smiling like this before. His eyes were filled with curiousity. Every words of Jeff made his smile more clear and wide.

Verch couldnt help but stare at him. He still couldnt understand what they were talking about. 

He gathers courage and went inside.

V, "What you guys talking about?"

J, "Hey Verch! We were talking about your childhood. I shared him some. You wont mind right?"

V, "(So thats why they were laughing...So embarassing....)"

J,  "I have to go now. See ya~"

Jeff left the kitchen. So, Only Ethan and Verch was standing infront of each other, Awkwardly.

V, "I'm leaving."

E, "I never invited you. You're free to go."

A slight of friendship Verch hoped from Ethan has again vanished. He felt the ignorence Ethan was throwing at him.

Not showing any expression, He left quietly.

He came out of the house. His bike was parked infront of  a bush.

He slowly leans on the bush and stares at the sky.

V, "(I should've listened to Veronica. Should I give her a chance to explain?)"

His phone rings.

V, "(speaking of devil...)"

This time he picked up the phone in his own will.

V, "…"

Vr, "I'm not gonna force you to talk with me.

But Let me explain myself."

V, "Say it."

Vr, "Not here. We need to meet."

V, "…"

Vr, "Meet me in the live cafe infront of our school at 3:00 pm."

V, "Fine."

Hungs up the phone. Before he could pick it up, Another call comes up. A call from Jeff.

Phone kept ringing. For a moment, Verch felt way too lazy to pick it up.

At last, He picks up the call, 

J, "Mom has fainted.Hurry and reach the City hospital."

Finally there was a change of expression in Verch's face. 

He quickly puts on the helmet and got on the bike.

When he was ready to start, Suddenly a movement came out from the bush. Someone was eavesdropping?

Verch was in a rush. He couldnt check things around and rode his bike away.

"▓▒"

At the hospital,

Verch ran toward his mom's room. Jeff and his father was standing/sitting outside.

As soon as he reached, Verch took a long look at the glass outside his mom's bed.

The condition was worse. 

He couldnt hold back and bursts out his anger.He tried to fight upon his dad but Jeff stops him.

V, "IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF YOU!!"

J, "Verch calm down. It's a hospital-"

V, "How many times do i have to see the same thing over and over again!?!

How many times do i have to stand here and watch her suffering!!"

Verch's dad was still in his arrogant expression. Trying to keep calm despite the insult Verch was spreading.

D, "She fainted off in stress. You cant blame me. Do you know who I am!!"

V, "Huh~ 

Do i have to know?

You sure its not because of your countless wives?"

D, "Watch your Language! You're talking with your Father!"

V, " ******** "

D,"Get out!!"

J, "Verch, Go outside. I'll meet you there."

Verch was hopeless and powerless. He couldnt do anything for his mother.

He walked outside, Infront of his bike.

Kept his head down for a while, Induring every pain.

At last, In anger, He threw off his helmet off the bike. It went far away.

"▓▒"

Someone walks toward it. Slowly picks it up,

Verch wanst interested to look up at that person.

E, "Breaking things off so easily cause you have enough money to buy a new one huh

~"

V, "(The voice....?)"

He looks up, It was Ethan infront of him.

V, "How did you get here?"

E, "I wouldnt if you could talk in

 non-speaker mode infront of my house."

V, "You shouldnt be here..."

E, "I dont want to be.

At least dont break off your bike."

V, "…"

E, "Who cares~ You can buy a new one with your father's money."

V, "...If only this money could save someone's life..."

E,"…"

V, "I ...lost the track of time...

I cant count my presense here anymore...

How long do i have to be here...

See her sufferings and My old memories..."

E, "You shouldnt pretend to be strong. Cause you're not.

We all have our weak sides."

V, "Can I just show that side...?"

E, "You shouldnt though~

Anyway, Arent you meeting with Veronica in Live cafe infront of your school tomorrow?"

V, "You know a lot..."

E, "She must be rich right~

Can you meet me up with her?"

V, "So all you care about is money?"

E, "I approach people only when they are rich."

Ethan steps closer To Verch.

Verch backs off.

E, "guess It's too late to visit your mom now.

I'll visit in some other time."

He walks away without looking back.

V, "(Is he just gonna appear tomorrow?)"

Ethan waves behind his back without looking at Verch.

Verch slightly felt a happiness inside him.

He smiled.