Try and Catch Me

The Harvest Festival (4)
In front of that heartfelt gratitude, the feeling of mischief she was feeling dampened, replaced by shame and guilt. She was only ‘seriously’ joking around. In a rare moment, she wanted to make fun of Eldric. The mask was nothing but a joke. That was why she chose the mask that would make him look silly. She expected him to laugh or scoff it off. Or joke back and take revenge, that would do too. But he did nothing. Instead, he thanked her wholeheartedly. How was she supposed to answer that?

She turned away, unable to face that earnest look and pretended to be busy looking around the other masks. “On second thought, it doesn’t look good on you. Let’s choose another one.”

“No, I like this one. Thank you.”

Lia pressed her lips. She was really ashamed now. She felt like the biggest jerk that ever walked on Earth. But it was not like she could back down either. “Let’s go back. I’m tired.” She winced inwardly at her own words. It sounded childish and selfish even to her ears.

Eldric’s eyes brightened behind the mask. “Even after sleeping the entire day?”

Lia pretended she did not hear him. She pursed her lips and tilted her to side. “Let’s go, Mister Rabbit.”

He grinned but followed her. They went back just like that, with Lia walking in front, absorbed with her surroundings and Eldric walking not so far behind.

She secretly glanced behind her and saw that Eldric maintained that mask on his face. Seeing that look gave her an indescribable feeling.

“Until when are you going to use that mask?”

“Until we reach our room.”

Lia narrowed her eyes. The protagonist seemed to have a childish personality too. Whatever happened to the cool, calm, and collected male lead!?

What’s worse was that despite that childish mask, it was not enough to hide his good features. It even emphasized them. The world was never fair indeed.

She continued walking and realized that they had already reached the inn. She turned back again which startled Eldric who almost bumped into her. He did not ask but only continued to stare at her, waiting for her to speak.

“I don’t think we should go in together.” Just thinking about the attention they would get gives her a headache.

Apparently, Eldric did not share the same sentiment. “What do you mean?”

Lia opened her mouth then closed them again, not knowing where to start. It was embarrassing to say it out loud. “You see, they already think that w-we are, you know…” She attempted to explain by moving her arms around which might as well looked like she was flailing. That seemed to confuse Eldric more. “They already think that we are engaged in sodomy.” She said the words so fast, she thought he did not hear her.

Eldric only raised his eyebrows and snorted, taking a big step to cross the space between them. Lia did not have time to be surprised when Eldric took her hand. They walked across the threshold of the inn despite the people gawking at them.

He looked back at her and flashed her a grin as they climbed the stairs. This guy… he went ahead and fanned the flames of gossip himself just to get kicks out of it. It was not only with the mask, but this guy was also really childish at times.

It dawned on Lia that it was all absurd. Absurd gossip. Her absurd reaction. Eldric’s absurd action. She tried to bite her lips to control the sound of her laughter but a sound still escaped.

They were still giggling when they opened the door to their room and a chilling aura welcomed them.