Tinkle

Chapter Five

"Hey, I said we're--", Albert stopped when he realized I was looking at someone.

Albert eyed him secretly from head to toe as his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He might've noticed that what he's wearing wasn't appropriate in the festival, which was themed to be traditional. Which means you’ll see everyone wear traditional clothes.

Yeah, he might be a tourist, but who would wear a black suit on a festival? Even a tourist would wear something casual, at least.

"Seoji, are you okay? Is this man bothering you?", Albert whispered, worried and a little bit protective. I shook my head no.

"Nah, he's my father.", I said as my father just kept a smile on his face, like how he usually was. He’s a grim reaper but he always had a smile on his face. It might be creepy for other people, but maybe because I am his own so I see his genuine personality. I wasn’t trying. It was like, blood related thing.

Albert immediately bowed and apologized, and greeted him formally. “Oh, good evening, sir.”, he said.

Looking at my father, Albert must have thought he was some man on his mid-20s that tries on girls. At some point if I don’t actually know him, I might have thought the same.

He might look like on his mid-20s, but he's older than that. He's even older than the oldest living human on earth multiplied by 10. I don’t even know, it may be older than that.

I don't know what was he doing here, and I don't know why he was here. Heck, I don't even know why people can see him--

Crap, it's lunar eclipse. I forgot. Almost.

I saw the others approaching us, and Albert might have muttered something that made them surprised.

The boys greeted my father, as he smiled at them and nodded a bit in acknowledgment. It’s one greeting for him. He’s not really the type of person to easily befriend to people. People wouldn’t want to befriend with him.

"What are you doing here? Why are you even here?", I asked him in a very bland way. Which I didn’t intend, it just naturally comes when I talk to him. Because of sadness? Or anger? Because he left us behind. He would come home, but it’s just once in a blue moon.

The boys seem to be surprised to my behavior, but I don't care. That moment I didn’t care.

"I'm here to pick you up, dear.", he said and smiled. I rolled my eyes and shook my head at his endearment.

"No, I can't leave right now.", I said but he just sighed. He looked at the boys and nodded as if he got what I was saying.

"Are you here to protect them?", he asked. The boys shot me a confused look.

But then, again, I didn't care. They won't understand. And I don't want them to understand.

At least, not now.

Kurt and David looked at me with concern eyes. Of course, they know what we're talking about. I just wish they won't tell the others, although I know they wouldn’t.

"Yes.", was the only word I came to reply.

"But it's the circle's wander. If they saw you around, you'll be in danger.", he said out of concern.

But that wouldn't faze me.

"If something happens, there's a chance I'll be going to send you off with them.", he said.

I nodded. I know that. That's why I am here to prevent that from happening.

The funny yet bitter reality made me smile. A sad one.

If I die, my mom would be left alone, and imagining how sad mom would make me even sadder. But I can't just risk these boy's life for one person like me.

Quantity is more important in this matter.

Seeing dad here after a few years made me miss him. Although part of me hates him.

I hate how dad chose his own personal reason over us.

I know, grim reapers are forbidden to interact to living human, what more if you fell in love with them and bear a child?

My only point is that, why did he leave us? He must've stayed at our back, but he left us.

Now that I was absorbing his words, I was more hurt.

Imagining how your father would be the one to send off your spirit is the worst thing to imagine.

He sighed once again and nodded.

"Your mom asked me if I could pick you up and send you to your house, but now that you made your decision, I won't interfere.", he smiled, slightly showing his dimple.

I only nodded.

"That's why I'm going to protect you here.", he smiled.

Glancing at the boys, they looked freaked out and confused at the same time.

I shook my head, "No need. I can handle it.", I firmly said.

I don't want his help.

He nodded again.

"But if something happens, call me.", he said and smiled, nodding at the boys before leaving.

"What does that mean, Seoji?", Ruben asked.

I shook my head, "Nothing.", I seriously said.

I know, they are bothered by what my father and I talked about, but I just don't know how would I tell them about it.

How can I say that they are in the list of death row?

What could possibly happen in this festival that would cause them danger?

"Ah, I need to go to the comfort room.", Steve said.

"Me, too.", Ruben said.

The others came with Steve and Ruben, leaving me with Ben, David and Kurt.

They drank a lot of juice back at the convenience store.

We tried to wait for them in front of the candy store where we stopped.

The whole place is really beautiful.

Being here for the first time made me realize how amazing the festival was.

I stared at the sky, as the lunar eclipse made the sky even more beautiful.

Suddenly my vision started to blur, as I felt a little bit dizzy that made me hold on Ben's arm who was the nearest beside me.

"Are you okay?", Ben asked me.

My eyebrows furrowed.

I felt a bit worried and anxious.

I didn't answer, instead, I ran off towards the way the others went to.

I took my pocket watch and pressed the crown of it, causing for time to stop. This will last for only a minute, and had some side effects.

These days, free things without consequence are rare.

I saw the comfort room, and went inside the men's comfort room and saw the others in front of the mirror, checking for their hairs, the others were washing their hands. I didn't bother to look behind me and see someone peeing, I can't afford my eyes to see a scene like that.

They're here anyways.

I was relieved, surprised and confused.

Relieved that they're here, and surprised and confused that all of them aren't moving, except one.

He was just looking at me, leaning against the wall on the right side of the door frame.

Evan.

to be continued...