Discrepancy? Negotiation? Tea? (3)

"Noel, where are you going?"

"Hm? I'm going to walk around for a bit, you're going to the cafeteria with Saria right? I think she'll be able to guide you on the process of buying stuff-- oh right," Noel then took out his wallet and passed me a few pieces of valuable paper. "Saria, i'm counting on you to take care of Liliath."

"Sure thing Mr. overprotective, come on Liliath. I'll make sure not a scratch comes your way."

"Thank you Noel."

Though.. I wish he would've joined me instead. Whatever it may be, I understood it would be uncomfortable sitting together with both Saria and I. Moreover, I believe this was a chance for me to stop relying on him for a bit…

Disappointment. Such a feeling welled up inside of me.

The lack of the tasks which I need to complete with Noel which I thought to be responsible before-- I realized to be the string that connected Noel and I. We were growing distant.

At the same time, some distance infrequently was important for intimacy and trust to grow. I will take head on that advice.

The 'cafeteria' was busy, students with similar uniforms in queue, some were running about. I could see a few notable students wearing red ties-- members of the student council. It was apparent their role for today was to keep everything in order.

I now believe I made the right decision to reject Elyja's offer. I will have to notify her about this in due time.

"Liliath, do you know the process to buy things from the cafeteria?"

"I apologize for my incompetant.."

"No worries! With me here you'll definitely be a-okay!" Saria replied enthusiastically, grabbing my arm, she pulled me forward. "We queue up here and wait for our turn."

It wasn't a few minutes before our turn came. An amiable woman who looked to be the merchant of the 'cafeteria' asked for our order.

"So, what do you want to buy Liliath?"

"Water."

"Water?"

"Yes, water. Plain water, if possible."

Saria's eyes rounded into a bead.

"Water?"

I nodded.

"Uh.. mineral water is g-good right?"

I nodded once again, though confused by the added 'mineral' to the water. I believe it was a topic I've seen somewhere in biology.

"Okay.. auntie, one mineral water and a packet of fries.. is that all you want Liliath?"

"Could I request for a clean cup?" I asked the amiable lady.

"Oh my, what an exotic hair colour-- " the amiable lady looked stunned. Procuring the requested orders, I passed the valuable papers to her, Saria too paid for her portion.

With that, Saria and I sat down at a corner table.

Saria, with a sympathetic look, taught me how to open a mineral water bottle-- as it was called.

"What are you going to do with the water-- and why the cup? Are you actually going to drink water out of the cup?"

"I was planning to drink some tea."

From my pocket, I took out a tea bag. Pouring the water and heating it with heat magic, I was able to raise the water to a modest temperature. From there, I tore open the packaging and dropped the tea bag inside the water. I didn't forget to lift and drop the tea bag from time to time. It has become a habit of mine-- and it helps the tea diffusion process faster.

"This was the idea Noel recommended yesterday. I plan to bring my own cup next time… Saria?

"Ha-haahh.."

She looked like she had lost her soul?

"I don't get it anymore, ha.. hahaha," Saria clung to her head with tears in her eyes.

"D-did i do something wrong?"

"No, you did perfect Liliath, I'm proud of you," Saria' expression turned for the worse, a beautiful yet fake smile clung to her face. I shivered, "Liliath is an otherworlder, her common sense differs from normal people wait.. doesn't that mean Noel is also corrupted? Why did he even recommend something like this.." such a mutter could be heard under her breath.

I hung my head.

"Status window open."

The cute Noel and Prune were there together, flowers adorned the surroundings.

I wonder what Noel was doing.. and with Prune..

"Liliath?"

"Sorry.. I was just thinking.."

"Y-Your coloured changed a little.."

"How so?"

"It became.. darker.. something happened?"

"I'm a little too possessive… that's all. I have to control my impulses,"I waved my hand to dismiss her concern.. though, it is surprising to hear how the colour changes depending on my emotions.

"That's rather direct.. I see.. it must be Noel."

I meekly smiled at her correct assumptions. Though I am concerned, Noel needs his own space too.

"Well, what about him?" Saria asked out of concern.

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't dig too deep into the matter."

"Alright," Saria punched her fist together, " Want some fries?"

Accepting the snack and drinking a sip of the pleasant tea, I felt Noel's presence move close by. Turning my head, I saw him waving at me from a distance, Prune beside him.

I suppose he was at least concerned enough to greet me here. I waved back at him.

As if they came to a conclusion on something, they went somewhere.

I bit my lips in secret.

"Liliath~"

"Yes Saria?"

"I'm sure it'll be fine.. Noel has eyes for you only. At least, that's what I feel. Your colours are mixed together after all."

"Is that so?"

Saria nodded with a wide smile. Her ability to see colours was something that she herself has yet to come to an understanding, though, it was interesting to hear how those colours interact with each other.

From her explanation, it seemed coming into contact with other people would cause the two colours to mix at times. I imagined Prune's colour mixing with Noel's colour.. a little displeasure could be felt from the thought.

However, it seemed I was a special case where my colour is directly attached to Noel's. No matter how far I am from him, Saria would tell me that there exists a string that connects us, much like a master and familiar.

"Speaking of which, how did you heat the water? The tea is warm.. how? Magic?"

"Yes, with the aid of magic."

"Can you show me?" with sparkling eyes, Saria pleaded.

Pondering a little, I raised a finger into the air, a ball of water condensed in the air.

"Uu--wow!"

Saria proceeded to poke the water with her fingers. The water would separate from the source before coming together in conheasion.

"It's like playing with water in zero gravity-- so cool.."

Zero gravity-- it was the name of a spell I've read once before. At the same time, I felt as if Saria was referring to a different thing when she said that.

Saria's gaze traced my finger, pointing it towards a building. More concisely, it was the window close to the balcony. I released the mass of water, it sliced the wind and hit the 'target' satisfyingly.

"Your magic is different from TALENTS right? There are TALENTS that allow people to use elemental magic but-- from what I've heard, it's limited. You can use more than one element right Liliath?" Saria who shifted her gaze from the distant building turned to Liliath with sparkling eyes.

I gave her a smile, "So I've heard from Noel."

Saria nodded, taking another potato fry and tossed it into her mouth, not before dipping it into chilli sauce however.

Before taking the next potato fry, Saria paused, then looked at me.

"Why did you need to buy water? You could've just 'summoned' water can't you…"

"I wonder.. perhaps it was because I wanted to experience what it was like to trade at the cafeteria?"

Could be.. such a fact. I overlooked this option. I blindly followed Noel's suggestion of buying water from the canteen. Else, I could also use the water I brought from home.

Perhaps I should bring an assortment of sauces for a change. Additional members to form a small daily gathering sounded like a good idea.

Saria recovered from her stupor and shifted the topic.

"Speaking of which, what is Noel's TALENT?"

"Noel's TALENT…" I took another glance at the status window, the little Noel was cutely munching on a cookie. I inadvertently laughed.

Saria looked at me in confusion.

Since Noel and I had discussed this matter before hand, I suppose it's alright to let Saria know.

"How should I put it.. Noel's TALENT could be considered a complicated one. My deduction would be that his TALENT revolves around bringing something into existence-- an example would be me," I spoke.

"I see.. but I still don't get it?"

"Take for example one of the systems Noel's ability created. The system is such that it requires us to do daily tasks that could otherwise be considered slightly risque," I raised a finger in explanation.

"System? But why?"

"Because I wanted to."

Part of what I said was the truth, the other half came from my hesitance. I felt that the information regarding the points to buy items from the 'shop' was a troublesome aspect to explain.

"W-WHa.."

"Yes?"

Saria froze. I wondered if my explanation was lacking?

"Y-you.. two have that kind of relationship and do those things… I can't believe you didn't deny...."

"Is there anything wrong?"

"H-have you two.. done it?" Saria sprawled across the table, casted a quick glance at me.

"Yes?"

I wonder what she meant? Though, the context sounded like something pertaining to indecent acts?

While Saria looked at me doubtfully, turning to face the status window, the appearance of Noel talking to another girl could be seen.

…

Who is that?