18. The Gem!
"We sure took a lot of detours," Koji said, "Not that I mind."
In the end, he let the little boy off the hook seeing as to the boy had started shivering in fear for fhe consequences. Though, who knows what outcome might happen next time. Melina sure didn't like letting it slide.
For some unknown reasons she wasn't switching the vocals with Sici either but she sure was using an alternative. Leaving Sici with only one option to use if she wanted to speak that is.
"I have no reason to comment here," Sici thought.
"I can make sure you do. Want to see me try?" Melina threatened her in a sweet voice, which made Sici feel the chill. A situation similar to when a person suddenly talks in a positive tone but you somehow know that person is being fake about it even though they genuinely say it. However, Melina didn't mince her words too much. Still, a similar example of the situation.
In short, Sici didn't want to see her try. She started to wonder why she even came out in an excuse for fresh air. Because she wasn't getting much of anything done.
"The boy at least deserved an ice water bath," Sici recited the words nonchalantly.
Koji chuckled, "I'm sure he learned his lesson this time."
"I am not convinced," she said turning around, "Is that not reason enough?"
"I'm sure...." He paused as he notices something missing while brushing off his clothes.
Sici tilts her head, the back of her hand softly touching her cheek, waiting for him to finish.
He forces a smile, trying to hide his emotions due to the missing gem as he figures out where it would be.
"Something wrong?" Curiosity having the best of her, seeing his sudden change in behavior.
"I don't know if shoving him into ice water will be enough," he says rushing off in the direction he let the little boy go.
"Why are you standing still?" Melina asks.
"Am I supposed to follow him?"
"Yes. You want me to miss him eating his own words and the boy getting what he deserves? Run, will you?" Melina says as if it's the obvious reason.
"Someone's sure been deprived of entertainment," Sici sighs.
Sici justs speeds up her walking pace. Not like this body can run. With such poor stamina and strength, she would highly likely faint in a minute. So much to do yet not enough time to make it all work.
"I believe I wanted to go back to the book store," she cried inside, remembering why she felt like coming back here.
....
Hours pass by and they don't understand how they couldn't spot a little boy in a short time. Koji would see him often whenever he roamed around here but now when he needs him? He sure couldn't.
Koji leaned against the wall, dejected. Sici looked around silently until Melina decided to annoy her to speak again. Somehow, it became one of those days where she doesn't shut up. Making Sici wonder if there was a new kind of hormonal cycle just for Melina.
"So, what did he steal?" She asks, getting his attention.
He ruffles his hair to let out some frustration building up in his head, "Something I have been losing sleep over just to get my hands on it."
"What a pity," she mocks.
"Should have held onto him while you still had him under your palms."
"You don't say," he replies, trying to think of what more can be done about this situation.
"Speaking of which, doesn't that boy look like the one we are looking for?" Sici points towards a shop beside an alley. The boy seemed to be talking to someone in charge of that small shop which didn't seem to go well. He walks off in the alley.
Koji rushes off as he spots him thanks to her, only to see he ran off again, leaving the alleyway empty. He observed the place to find out how he managed to vanish so quick.
He started to go in deeper the alley just to notice Sici hasn't even taken a step near it.
He calls out, "Not going to join?"
Sici softly smiles and waves off at him indicating her displeasure of this place. Wondering if she should just go home, leaving him alone. She did get to explore the town in an excuse of searching for the boy.
He lets out a heavy sigh, turning around towards her. "Sorry for dragging you into this."
She remained silent as there was nothing for her to say. She bothered tagging along because of Melina. So it wasn't her place to say anything, that's what she felt like. She was honestly losing herself in a way being in Melina's shoes.
"Should we just go back?" He looks up at the golden sky mixed with a light tint of pink, finally noticing how late it has gotten.