Chapter 198: Chapter 197 – Confused

The scene in front of Yuna was much different than the one when she was at the Hyrins. For one, it was much quieter with music softly playing in the background. The people seemed much more tame, dressed in muted whites and blacks. They whispered with each other with a few bursts of laughter or giggles breaking through here and there. 

“Come,” Zero said, gesturing with her hand. “Let’s look around.”

Yuna obliged and hurried to catch up to her. They went about the house, walking into rooms as they walked. The people there would wave but not call out to them. Yuna could only believe that they assumed they were some distant friend or relative. As they walked, Zero pointed out little things here and there. For the most part they were innocent enough.

“Oh, that knife over there is quite expensive. I think I’ve seen it at the market place before,” she said one time.

“That color is so pretty,” she said another time, complimenting an attendee’s dress from afar. 

Other times, the little remarks weren’t so innocent.

“They have a chimney. We should take note of that. Never know when we might need to use it.”

“That door’s lock is a bit old.” She had pointed at a shut door. “We can break into it if the need arises.”

Yuna just nodded at those comments. Luckily they came rarely and the conversation was normal the rest of the time. Every so often, they would drop by the main dining hall and grab a quick drink or snack. 

‘Wait. The mission. I was supposed to be working on the mission,’ she realised, the thought piercing through her mind.

She had completely forgotten. As they walked around, Yuna had fallen into a daze of sorts. She listened to Zero’s little comments and small talk without a thought about the reason why they were at the reunion. And now her chest clenched and fell, turning to stone. She wished she could forget about the task at hand again.

‘No, I can’t. I have to focus,’ she thought, giving her head a small shake. ‘Erica and Akira are depending on us.’

“Something on your mind?” Zero asked beside her.

Yuna glanced to her, their eyes locking. She nearly lost her train of thought again before catching herself. 

“Yes,” Yuna nodded. She scanned the area around her before lowering her voice. “Weren’t we supposed to be trying to find something?”

“That’s what I’ve been doing,” Zero smiled gently, her voice amused. “Why do you think we’ve been walking around so much?”

“Oh.”

‘Gah, why am I so dumb?’ She hit herself mentally. ‘Does she know I’ve been distracted?’

“Don’t look so glum,” Zero said. She hooked her around Yuna’s. “We still have time to roam. We can do both at the same time, you know?”

“Won’t that affect our focus?” 

“It’ll be fine,” Zero smiled. “It’s important to enjoy yourself. To not be so tense unless the situation calls for it. It’s good for your health, you know?”

“I, I guess.”

“Come on.”

She gently pulled Yuna with her, and they resumed their walk. Zero began to speak more directly and her comments became conversations. As they went about, Yuna felt herself loosen up, her chest no longer suffocating as she smiled back to Zero. 

‘She’s right. I can’t be so tense all the time.’

“Hello,” a voice called out. A woman’s.

Zero stopped, Yuna stopping with her. They turned and faced the woman that had called out to them. She was with who Yuna presumed was her husband from how close they were together and the rings they wore.

“Hello,” Yuna replied reflexively. 

“Can I help you?” Zero asked the couple.

“Just wanted to greet you two,” the woman said with a practiced smile. “I was wondering about where I’ve met you two before. I don’t remember at all.”

Anxiety crept up on Yuna again. The woman was being polite but her point was quite clear. She didn’t know who they were. Which she shouldn’t since Yuna and Zero weren’t related to the family in anyway shape or form.

“Of course,” Zero replied, smiling in return. “That’s to be expected. We’re friends with Jolene. In Kiera?”

“Oh, that girl,” the woman grumbled. “She has so many friends I don’t believe she even knows who were true friends are. But I can see why I didn’t recognize you two.”

“It’s only natural. She invited me and my friend here, but I see she couldn’t make it, I see.”

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“No, she couldn’t. She said she had sudden business that needed to be dealt with,” the woman sighed. “But enough about her. Talking about people that aren’t here is a bit rude, no?”

Yuna nodded. Zero didn’t reply.

“Anyway, where are your partners?” the woman asked. “The two of you have just been roaming about by yourselves and I would be lying if I wasn’t a bit curious.”

‘Partners?’ Yuna didn’t understand what the woman was implying.

“You know, a husband or boyfriend?” the woman elaborated, looking at Yuna. “You must have one, right?”

“What do you mean?” Yuna asked. She didn’t see why she must have one.

“You don’t? Why?”

Yuna didn’t respond. She couldn’t respond. She didn’t understand. All Yuna knew was that her stomach was beginning to knot. 

“You should find one,” the woman continued. “Having a husband is wonderful. It’s not good to be going around with other girls. It’ll give some the wrong idea.”

Yuna’s eyes narrowed. Though not understanding completely, something about the woman’s words didn’t sit right with her. The knot within her sparked. Her jaw clenched. Who was this woman to tell what she should or should not do? A hand rested on her shoulder and Yuna blinked. Zero stepped forward, pulling her back a step. A smile still rested on her lips, but her eyes were anything but happy.

“The wrong idea?” Zero repeated quietly. “What do you mean by that?”

“Oh, you know. Two girls,” the woman said vaguely, waving a hand.

“I see.” She pulled Yuna closer and wrapped an arm around her. “She’s with someone.”

The woman didn’t say anything though her eyes narrowed.

“So if you don’t mind us, we’re going back to enjoy the reunion,” Zero said before walking by the woman, her arm still around Yuna.

The two of them continued quietly. Zero continued to hold Yuna. Yuna didn’t question why though she was getting more and more confused. Then they stopped in a dim hall with no one near them. 

“Are you okay?” Zero asked.

Yuna blinked. That wasn’t what she expected Zero to say.

“I’m fine,” Yuna replied. 

“Good. I can’t stand people like that,” Zero said. “I shouldn’t have done that, but I couldn’t help myself.”

‘She did that to protect me,’ Yuna realised. Her stomach loosened and warmth slowly spread through her.

“I might have endangered the mission,” Zero sighed. She twirled her hair around her finger. “I should have stayed quiet.”

Yuna’s head shook. Though she didn’t understand the details, she could tell that the woman was attacking her. And Zero defended her.

“Thank you,” Yuna said quietly.

Zero quieted for a bit. They stood in the dim hall, not moving. Then she raised her head and gave Yuna a contemplative look.

“You don’t know what that conversation was about, do you?” Zero said.

Yuna looked away. She could feel the heat rising up to her face and was thankful for the dim lighting.

“You don’t,” Zero said, cracking a smile. Then she laughed, Yuna indignant yet embarrassed. “Well. I guess that’s for the best then.”

With that odd statement, Zero stood up and put a hand to her ear. She cocked her head and gazed off at a direction. A frown gradual formed on her brow.

“Diana,” she said. She looked right at Yuna. “We might be a little busy soon.”

Yuna’s back straightened at those words and she shoved the confusing events to the back of her mind. There would be time to think about them later. It was time for the real mission to begin.

 

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