The Incubus System

55 Chapter 54. Soft Refusal

As soon as I left the portal, my feet walked towards my houseʼs entrance while the portal behind me closed.

ʼI hope I could go to the bathroom without getting caught.ʼ I could imagine Celiaʼs expression if she saw me in this state. Iʼm sure she would laugh at me if I said I just fell into a dumpster.

I opened the door and Celia was already standing in front of it.

”Brother?” Celia turned towards me in surprise. From her clothes, it looks like she was just about to leave.

”Celia-”

But before I finished my sentence, she covered her nose and creased her brows.

”What happened to you ?! Why do you smell so bad ?!” she complained.

”I had a little accident earlier, so I need to take a shower now,” I replied soberly. I just took a step but she stopped me.

”Wait! Take off your shoes.”

I sighed and followed her words. I couldnʼt complain, because she was the one who always cleaned the house. While she took a pair of slippers and put it down in front of me.

”Just go straight to the bathroom, I will clean your shoes.” Her hand did not come off her nose.

”Thank you,” I said, putting on the slippers. I quite surprised she didnʼt laugh at me.

”Donʼt forget to wash your clothes in the bathroom!” she warned.

”Okay.” I went into the bathroom and showered until this stink stench disappeared from me.

After changing my clothes and taking care of my dirty clothes, I walked down the stairs to the living room.

”Celia?” I called out as I swept my gaze around me, but I couldnʼt find her.

ʼIs she gone?ʼ

A small note on the table caught my attention. I took and read it.

ʼIʼm going to Alumore College to complete my registration. Iʼve cleaned your shoes and sprayed shoe perfume on it. You have to be careful next time. Celia. ʼ

My feet walked towards the door and found my shoes were clean. A smile spread across my face, I didnʼt expect this. Not only didnʼt laugh at me, but she also helped me to clear up this annoying smell.

ʼI think sheʼs more mature now,ʼ I thought as I put on my shoes. I locked the door and extended my hand to open the portal.

-----

11.35 AM, Diamond College.

I opened my locker to take my bag and check my cellphone. There was a message on my cellphone and I immediately opened it.

Diamond: Meet me at my office at 12.00 PM.

Me: Okay.

After replying to her message, I put my cellphone back into my bag. Since I still have a lot of time, I decided to go to the toilet to put on my sweater. Even though I wore a similar t-shirt as my previous one but this was clearly a different t-shirt, I needed to cover it with my sweater before someone noticed it.

I just finished putting my sweater on and was about to turn around, but Larry was already standing beside me.

” I - I can explain everything,” he stammered. From his expression, I could tell he felt guilty about what happened at the Cafeteria.

”Itʼs okay, I understand,” I replied in a relaxed tone. I knew, whatever he was going to say he couldnʼt possibly admit he and Emma were demon hunters. Besides I didnʼt need any explanation from him.

”No! You donʼt understand! I can explain this!” he insisted. His eyes stared at me filled with seriousness.

Seeing his reaction, I gave him a chance to explain.

”Okay, go ahead,” I shrugged indifferently.

”So ... Ehmm ... We-- I mean, Emma and I are just friends,” he began his explanation.

”Oh! And sheʼs not my girlfriend,” he immediately added.

”Okay ...” Even though I didnʼt know who his girlfriend was, and doubted his words, but from Emmaʼs status I already knew that she was still single.

”Ah ... Em ... We also donʼt have any special relationship. I - I planned to introduce her to you, Iʼm just waiting for the right time,” he reasoned.

”Right time?” I asked in confusion. I wasnʼt sure he dared introduce me to Emma and broke the association rules for that.

His eyes looked around in panic since his own words trapped him. I knew he was trying to find another excuse.

”I - I planned to introduce her on your birthday,” he said without a second thought.

A chuckle popped out of my mouth as soon as I heard his reason.

”So you planned to introduce her today?” I could guess he even forgot today is my birthday.

”Not today but---” His words stopped and he took out his cellphone to check todayʼs date. After realizing it, he returned his gaze to me with an awkward smile.

”I mean on your next birthday...”

I shook my head slowly at his words. It was clearly a cheap lie.

”Iʼll wait for it,” I said casually. I gave him a tap on his shoulder as a sign I wasnʼt angry while he paused and lowered his head.

My feet stepped past him, but his voice stopped me.

”Iʼm sorry... ”

I stopped and turned around.

He lifted his head and looked at me deeply.

”Iʼm sorry I canʼt be honest to you about this.”

A breath escaped my mouth and a smile formed on my lips.

”I told you itʼs okay.” Of course, I understood his difficulties because both of us had to hide our identities from the public.

”You really arenʼt mad at me?” he asked in disbelief.

”Iʼm not, but I will be mad if you donʼt start doing your paper.” Even though he wasnʼt badly injured but his MP was low, even without checking with my observation skill I could tell he was tired. He needed to take a rest and that paper was a good excuse to send him home early.

Slowly, a smile grew on his face.

”Thank you, buddy! You really are my best friend!” his trademark dramatic tone returned.

”Kay, see ya later,” I said, turning and leaving. But just as I walked out of the toilet, Emma was already waiting for me.

”Happy birthday, Ethan!” she said with a smile.

I looked at her in surprise and confusion.

”Larry arranged all of this for you. Iʼm sorry I forgot to introduce myself earlier. Iʼm Emma.” She extended her hand.

I took her hand.

”Ethan.” My confusion started to disappear as I could guess that she was listening to our conversation and came up with this plan to help Larry.

Larry ran toward us in a puzzled expression.

”What--”

”Larry, your surprise plan worked,” she interrupted as she let go of my hand.

Larry quickly took a hint of Emmaʼs intentions.

”Oh, yea! Surprise! Hahaha, I bet you believed in my acting earlier!” he added with a big grin on his face.

”Thanks for the surprise.”

After that they paused awkwardly, their eyes staring at each other because they didnʼt know what to do or say anymore. Since usually a surprise followed by a cake or a present, but since this was just Emmaʼs spontaneity, they didnʼt prepare anything and I realized it.𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

My gaze swept around them.

”Where is your friend?” I tried to solve their awkwardness by bringing up another topic.

”He has another urgent business,” said Emma.

”Ah, I forgot to tell you, heʼs also not Emmaʼs boyfriend. Because heʼs annoying,” Larry added quickly.

Emma stared at Larry in annoyance since he shouldnʼt say anything about Theo. While I bit my lips, holding back my laughter.

”Ah! I have an idea! How about we hang out for a bit?” Larry added again, trying to cover up his mistake.

Emma just opened her mouth, I knew she wanted to refuse it since she still had some classes today.

”I -”

”I canʼt. I have to go to Miss Diamondʼs office soon,” I interrupted her.

”I forgot you are busy now ...” he said in disappointment. Whereas Emma looked relieved by my answer.

I turned to Emma.

”I hope you donʼt mind if we talk again later.”

”Olivia told me a lot about you,” she said with a smile.

Even though she smiled sweetly but I caught her means. She implied that Olivia had feelings for me and she didnʼt want to take me away from her best friend, so she drew a clear line between us from the start.

”What that crazy bodyguard said to you?” said Larry curiously.

Again, Emma looked at Larry in annoyance at his words.

”Opss ... Sorry ...” Larry said in regret.

She ignored Larryʼs words and looked at me deeply.

”Iʼm sorry. I hope you understand what I mean.” It seems like she already knows my feelings for her from our conversation earlier and refuses as softly as possible.

As soon as Larry caught what Emma meant, he was silent in awkwardness.

But despite her rejection, I remained calm.

”Itʼs only a casual chat, I didnʼt mean anything to you. We can ask Olivia and Larry to join us.” Olivia and Emma were best friends, so I already expected this. But of course, I didnʼt plan to give up.

”Then, I donʼt mind that,” she replied simply.

”I have to go to Miss Diamondʼs office now.” I turned to Larry.

”Donʼt forget to do your paper,” I reminded him once again.

”Okay,” he replied simply.

”See ya.”