[34.1] The Cold Shoulder is too Cold

Our two-week vacation ended just as quickly as it had begun.

However, there was one clear difference.

Goldilocks was avoiding me.

But I can hardly blame him…

After what I did…

And what I said…

Ugh! I just want the chance to explain it to him!

I noticed Cyrus walking down the hall and waved, "Hey! Shouldn't we work on that case again-"

He passed me by, "I've got it under control."

My hand slowly lowered as I stared at his retreating back with hurt eyes. Felix looked between the two of us, "So you both haven't made up yet, have you?"

I let out a sigh, "I don't think we ever will. It's not something you can fix."

"Don't say that!" Hazel stated firmly, "You just have to try."

"Ugh." I started walking away from them, "I will just go home then."

Felix walked after me quickly as we both left behind Hazel, "Wait! Reika. Are you really that upset?"

I shook my head, "I'm not."

He ignored my obvious lie, "Listen… I can speak to him if you'd like."

"Don't bother."

"Then… What if we went out and had some fun tonight?"

I paused and looked at him with curiosity, "What do you mean?"

He looked around anxiously and whispered, "W-We could get into trouble."

I stared at him silently before bursting out into laughter.

He looked around in a panic, "Don't laugh!"

I wiped away a tear, "What do you mean?"

"Well… You seem to be interested in… Socially unacceptable things which you find entertaining…"

I raised an eyebrow, "Yeah?"

"And I heard that people usually do things they regret in order to get over their sorrows."

"So?"

"So what if we tried that?"

I held back my laughter, "What do you have in mind?"

He looked around before bending down and whispering in my ear, "I know of a place."

"Heh-" I nearly let a chuckle escape, "-Ehem. What kind of place?"

"A place of d-debauchery."

"What? Like a brothel?"

His face turned pink and he shrieked, "NO!"

"Then what?"

He whispered, "A-A gambling den."

I burst out into laughter and had to hold my sides before I split apart.

"Don't laugh! Come on! Everyone is looking…"

I eventually managed to calm down again, "How do you know where a gambling den is?"

"Well, nobles and aristocrats aren't perfect."

I rolled my eyes, "Shocker."

He laughed, "Yeah, I know. My family has some connections to a gambling den in the red-light district. Although we would have to wear disguises, I could get us in."

"Do you even know how to gamble?"

He bit down on his lip shyly, "N-No… But once in a while, my father goes to one when he's in a bad mood and comes back happier. So I thought-"

"-You thought it would cheer me up?"

He blushed before nodding quickly.

I was so moved, I reached out to squish his cheeks, "What a sweet boy."

He let me squeeze his cheeks while blushing from embarrassment, "Reika…"

I pulled away while smiling, "I've never gambled before. It's a vice I never had."

His eyes slowly raised, "Then… What about the black market auction?"

My eyes widened, "That's a thing!?"

He nodded, "I can get us in. Although, it's a bit illegal considering-"

I grabbed his arm and started dragging him, "Let's go already!!!"

...___...

I pulled at the scratchy cloak and mask uncomfortably, "Are you sure these disguises will work?"

He nodded while wearing his own cloak and mask, "They will work. There's magic in the clothes and if that doesn't work, then there's still a mask and cloak to hide us."

I gave him a wink, "Double protection. I like it."

He winced behind his mask, "That sounds so suggestive."

I chuckled and elbowed him playfully, "It's supposed to."

He let out a sigh and started walking, "Follow me."

I skipped after him already feeling my mood getting better.

As we walked to the slums he looked at me, "If you're scared you can hold onto me."

I laughed, "That's very sweet, but I'm not scared."

I let out a sigh.

Although this place certainly doesn't hold pleasant memories for me, I also feel a sort of familiarity with it.

He stared at me carefully, "You look pretty comfortable. I thought you would be afraid."

As soon as he said that, I could see his body trembling. My eyes lit up in understanding.

Ah! So he's actually the one who is scared.

I guess that makes sense.

He's a privileged boy so this environment is totally foreign to him.

I strolled to him and grabbed the sleeve of his arm to comfort him, "I am actually scared."

He smiled behind his mask, "Liar."

Although he said that, his body also relaxed.

As we walked together, he suddenly turned down an alley and went to a set of stairs that descended to a creepy door. He knocked on it and the small window slid open.

A man answered, "Go away."

Felix fumbled for something and pulled out a green badge with his family's insignia. I didn't have a chance to make out what creature was on the badge, but it was obvious the man behind the door did.

The man behind the door suddenly changed his tone, "Ah! Great sir. Come on in." He opened the door and we stepped through. He grinned at us, "Please follow me. We have a private room for you."

We walked after him and were shown to a room above the stage where a woman in a mask soon brought us snacks and drinks. Felix was handed a number and then we were left alone.

I hummed in interest, "Do you come here often?"

He shook his head, "I've never been here before."

I smiled slowly, "You were able to find it easily."

He paused then lowered his head shamefully, "M-My father brought me here once."

"Ah, I can't believe I thought you were the perfect child. You were actually a delinquent this entire time-"

"-I am perfect!" He interrupted quickly, "My father only wanted me to come here because we-"

His words halted before he averted his gaze.

I pursed my lips, "What kind of business is your father in?"

He held up his hands innocently, "It's nothing nefarious! He just thinks it's important to keep an eye on the noble's and the aristocrat's movements. The best way to do that is to own establishments in the red light district."

I hummed, "Is that so?"

His eyes pleaded from behind the mask, "Really! You have to believe me. My family would never do anything that could hurt others. They want to protect others! After what happened to Prince Cyrus when his Aunt and Uncle tried to kill him, my family decided that they had to become the eyes and ears of society to prevent anything like that from happening again."

I laughed and nodded my head, "I believe you, don't worry."