Chapter 11 - Something strange

In response to Roccia's greeting, everyone nodded. The only person who surprised me was Sid, who, instead of following the others' example, decided to say something. Up until that moment, he had kept his head down and only raised it to greet them.

"Nice to meet you."

Sid said, greeting the three new members who had joined the group. Then he put his head back down and went back to sleep.

Carlotta, on the other hand, decided to strike up a conversation with Roccia, who was holding a book in her hands.

"Excuse me for asking, but... is this the special edition of 'The Adventure of Iris'?"

Carlotta asked, her tone of voice brimming with enthusiasm.

I couldn't immediately understand the reason for her euphoria, but I soon realized that the cause was the book in Roccia's hands.

At first, I couldn't immediately understand the reason for the euphoria, but I soon realized that the book in Roccia's hands was the cause.

"There, that's all I need: another book tracer."

I said sarcastically, a comment that made almost everyone around us laugh.

Roccia, who was already used to my comments, didn't even mind what I said and pretended she hadn't heard.

"Leaving the funny girl's comment aside, yes, that's him. Do you like the franchise too?"

Roccia asked, walking over to Carlotta and sitting down in the chair opposite her.

In response to Roccia's question, Carlotta replied with a certain enthusiasm.

"You have no idea; I have all the collections and it's one of my favorite works."

Carlotta replied, with a sincere smile on her face.

After Carlotta's confirmation, Roccia, although already euphoric inside, made a point of hiding her excitement. With a discreet smile, she sat down next to her new friend, whom she had just met, and the two of them soon began to discuss the contents of the book animatedly, exchanging impressions and details about the plot that fascinated them so much.

Suzana, with a discreet smile on her face, looked at all of us and spoke.

"Well, it was great to meet you all, but I'm going to sit up front."

Suzana said, her voice soft but clear, signaling her farewell. She looked kindly at each of us, nodding respectfully, before adding:

"Anything, just call me."

After saying those words, she left and sat down in the first chair facing the board. Then it was Brant's turn to leave. Before leaving, he looked at all of us, looking for a vacant chair. When he realized that none was available, he let out a short sigh.

"And do what..."

Brant commented, raising his shoulders, as if to say: 'Apparently, I'll have to sit up front too.

With a slight smile on his lips, Brant looked at us, nodded in a relaxed way, and said:

"See you later..."

After making that comment, Brant followed the same path that Suzana had taken.

After everyone had dispersed, Sid, who had kept his head down, looked up. After a few seconds of watching Roccia in silence, he finally called out to her.

"Roccia, I'm sorry to ask a rather intrusive question, but... do you have many flowers in your house? Or maybe a garden?"

Sid asked, with a countenance that mixed curiosity and indifference, making it even more difficult to understand his true intentions.

After Sid asked that question, I kept glancing at him, trying to understand the reason behind it. The only thing on my mind was: what was Sid trying to find out with that question?

Roccia, not really understanding the reason for the question, decided to just answer it.

"Yes, you do... Why?"

Roccia asked, still not understanding the reason for the question. However, before she could say anything else, her words were cut off by Sid, who simply continued what he was saying.

"Let me guess, lily-of-the-valley?"

Sid asked, without waiting for Roccia's answer, already lowering his head.

"...How did you know?"

Roccia replied, a little surprised. After all, even I, who was her friend and often went to her house, didn't know the name of that flower. And then Sid, who barely knew her and was seeing her for the first time, guessed the name just from the smell. I thought that maybe I wasn't feeling the same way.

Sid, instead of answering Roccia's question, did the opposite. He let out a short laugh, as if he was laughing at himself for saying something silly, while still glaring at her. Then he began to blurt it out.

"Not at all, I just thought I smelled that flower. It's my own business, never mind."

After Sid's comment, I noticed a slight discomfort on Roccia's face, something like: "what a strange boy". Because of this, the following silence remained awkward.

(I have to say something, otherwise this atmosphere will continue).

I thought to myself as I tried to find what to say.

"So..."

Before I could finish saying anything, Astrid interrupted me and continued what I was about to say.

"Roccia... why don't you go and sit up front too?"

Astrid asked, while trying to dispel the mood and, at the same time, play a little with Roccia.

Roccia, as if distracted, didn't notice the mischievous way in which Astrid had asked. With all the innocence in the world, she replied:

"Why would I sit up front? There's not even room anymore."

Roccia replied, still not understanding the tone of malice.

"Really?"

Astrid asked herself, somewhat indignantly, unable to believe that Roccia was so absent-minded.

I couldn't stand the sight of Astrid teasing my girl, so I decided to intervene. But anyone watching from the outside would probably think they were mistreating a helpless little animal.

"Astrid, leave the girl alone. Roccia, she's teasing you."

I said with a sigh, receiving a curious look from Roccia.

"What do you mean?"

Roccia asked, still not understanding Astrid's snide remark.

I approached her, letting out a sigh, not knowing whether to be annoyed or surprised at how slow she could be, even though she was my friend.