Strength and Will

Elina glomps on my back as soon as the last period ends. She frowns for a second but immediately gives off her cheerful smile. She asks me about my absence during the first four periods. I have to keep it a secret or else I will worry her. Elina is a caring friend who cannot stand it when her beloved friends are in trouble. She is also Samael's little sister, which is nice. Considering how romantic and joyous Samael is, she must be really enjoying herself being his little sister.

Hours ago, I woke up from my sleep in the infirmary and found a short paper note on the drawer. It was from Cyril, who already left school by that time. He noted about meeting him at the train station after school in case if I had forgotten about it. Now that school has already ended, I should go to the destined place and look for him. Normally I would walk home with Elina but not for today. I have to let her know about it.

''Elina, I have to go to the train station now. I'm sorry I can't walk home with you today.''

Elina tilts her head, probably wondering about it. She lets out a smile and softly pats my left shoulder.

''It's okay, Melisa! Be careful on your way to the train station. I heard there are a few delinquents lurking at that area. Hopefully it's just a false rumor. Since school holiday starts tomorrow, I guess I'll be seeing you in the mansion soon. See you later!"

Ah, I completely forgot about that. Holiday starts tomorrow and I have no plans for the whole month. My phone rings right after Elina left me all by myself. I pick it up and answer the call.

''Hello, Melisa! It's me, Samael.''

''Ah, hello! This is the first time you called me, Samael!''

''Sorry for calling you so suddenly, but there is a favor I need to ask you.''

''What is it...?''

''Are you free right now, Melisa?''

''I have plans for now, but I will be free by early night.''

''Oh, I see. If that's the case then I want you to buy some cooking ingredients at a grocery shop. Tonight we will be having a slight party at the mansion. It's for my little sister, Elina. I received news that she won the first round of the District Intellectual Debate Competition! Can you believe it? My sister is a genius!''

Wow, I never knew Elina entered such elite competition. Her grades are one of the best in our school, so I guess it makes sense that she won the first round. Anyway her splendid achievement must be celebrated. I will head to the grocery shop tonight. For now, I should head to the train station.

I run as fast as I can, but my movement is very slow. I manage to see the train station not too far from my current location. No sign of Cyril yet. I guess I have to take a closer look.

I finally spot Cyril at the ticket counter. He notices me and waves his right hand. He seems rather excited to see me. I wonder what is currently running in his mind. I should ask him about it.

''So, where are we going...?''

''Here is your ticket. Just follow me, I will take you to a great place for the likes of you, Melisa.''

''For the likes of me? What do you mean? What's wrong with me? I hope it is a great place...''

"Of course. You will surely enjoy yourself there."

We board the train and find an empty seat. A few minutes later, the train starts moving to the nearest destination. From my ticket, we will have to wait for three stops until we reach the place. I have yet to visit this part of Dawn Mirage, so this might be a good exploring chance.

I enjoy the wonderful scenery of a few places that I have yet to know. The sunset view blends well with the beautiful town. Without realizing, we already arrived at our destination. Cyril takes my right hand and leaves the train. He then lets go of me and runs off to a small building. I do not know what building that is, but on its left is a bakery shop, while on its right is a dessert cafe! My, how wonderful!

"Are you going to treat me with delicacies or something?" I am so happy right now. Cyril is a very nice guy!

"Oh, I will, but later. For now, I have to train you." Cyril opens the door. I wonder what he meant by train me? I should take a look inside the building to find out.

As I enter the building, loud screams can be heard. I notice a few delinquents working out and being noisy. This is a gym! What in the world? Cyril smiles at me, looking pleased all of a sudden.

"Relax, they're my friends. Melisa, today I will help you extend your stamina and pump up your tiny muscles a little. What do you say?" He pats my right shoulder.

"I don't know. I'm not into this kind of thing actually, but I do wish to make myself physically stronger. I'm tired of being slow..." I let out a sigh of despair.

"You're going to let that weak body rules over you forever? These things might be lousy, but working out actually improves your body and health. Come, normally working out alone can be extremely boring, but now that I'm with you, It should be entertaining." Cyril takes my right hand again and heads off to the gym counter. He then bought me a female gym outfit, a suitable size for my body. How did he know about my size without asking me? That is surprisingly amazing.

I step out from the changing room, looking fit for a few exercises. Cyril is chatting with his delinquent friends. They notice my presence and instantly drop their jaws!

"Hooooly wow, now that's a hottie!" one of his friends shouted that out very loud, and it makes the entire people in the gym look at me. This is embarrassing!

"Damn, which school do you come from, pretty one?"

"You can train here all day, my dear!"

"Be my girlfriend please!"

I got bombarded with questions and compliments. Cyril walks towards me and holds my shoulders.

"All right dudes, she's mine. Back off, will you? Don't interrupt her workout, or I will work you out." He told them to back away from me. The delinquents got frightened and quickly resume their exercise. I gotta admit, I feel pretty comfortable with him guarding me. He is such a sweet guy.

He takes me into the weightlifting area. There is no one but us here, which I find nice and comfy. He then takes a small dumbbell and hands it to me.

"Ugh...heavy..." I struggle to hold it using both hands. Cyril shows a weird look on his face as he stares at me.

"You can't even lift a kids' dumbbell? That is the smallest one, you know." He takes the largest and heaviest dumbbell and lifts it easily with his left arm. Wow, he is super strong!

"It's my first time, you know...so let me try to lift this up with all my might!" I manage to lift it slowly and carefully with my left arm. Cyril smiles after seeing me slightly energized.

"Let's have a game, shall we? Whoever lifts the most will get treated in the nearby cafe after this." Cyril challenges me to his game. I am kinda intrigued by it.

"Eeeeh? That's not fair! Of course you will win..." I will surely lose though, since I cannot even lift this kids' dumbbell properly. Cyril chuckles and halts his lifting workout.

"I will lift the heaviest dumbbell twenty times. Try and lift that feather dumbbell ten times before I am done lifting. I know you can beat me, but I won't go easy on you." He lets out a teaser smile. I puff my cheeks, feeling slightly mad.

"Fine, let's do this, Cyril. I will try my best." I hold the dumbbell carefully with my right arm, ready to begin the game. Cyril is still holding his dumbbell with his left hand, probably wanting to go easy on me.

"On three, two, one...go!" I lift my dumbbell right after it begins. Around five lifts, I feel slightly tired already. Cyril is on his seventh lift, smiling at me. I keep a slow pace on my workout, until I realize it is now eight versus sixteen. I force my strength and have myself a strong will for the last two lifts.

I did it! I lift this heavy dumbbell ten times! Cyril is in his nineteenth lift! I won! Yay, me!

"Wow, you're awesome, Melisa." Cyril shakes his head, probably shocked to see my success. He finishes his last lift and puts back our dumbbells. Ah, I just notice that we are sweating. Woah, I feel good and healthier all of a sudden.

"I want to try the other things inside the gym. Care to guide me, Cyril?" I hope I can explore this awesome place. Cyril takes my right hand and smiles widely.

"Sure, but don't talk to the other guys. You're mine, after all." He said that in a serious tone. He then winks afterwards, making me embarrassed.

"B-by that...you mean I'm in your care...right? Not in a romantic way..." I tried asking him to make sure. Wah, I am so flustered right now! The other guys give off their teaser stares at me after they see my red face.

Cyril blushes a bit and looks away, preventing eye contact with me.

"Y-yeah you're right. Come, let's continue our exercise. We can go home after we are tired. As promised, I will treat you in the cafe, but maybe next time, because we don't bring our money right now." Cyril smiles lightly, and it looks like he is a guy who will keep the promise. I just have the vibe that he is not a liar, different from the other delinquents.

"Okay, it's a promise, Cyril." I let out a giggle. We continue our workout at different areas. I gotta say, this day is great. I am very grateful to have met this awesome guy.

To be honest, I do not mind having a boyfriend like him, but I get too self-conscious most of the time. It is pretty hard for me to handle romantic feelings, since I am not a confident girl to begin with. Anyway, my body feels greater now thanks to him. Working out is great when you feel like pumping yourself up and maintain a good health.

I have to go to the grocery shop later to buy the ingredients for dinner. I hope I can make it in time. Cyril decides to join me since it's already night. He worries that bad things will happen to me if I am alone. Well, that is nice of him. Any woman would appreciate a strong night guardian who protects her from harm.

End of Chapter 5