The Moon Hiding at Dawn

Chapter 30: Reboot

It took everyone quite a while to arrive. Just as how it was before, I figured. Back when all things are normal and, as smart as we were, still clueless that everything would unfold in this way up to this point. As usual, the more of us around, the more that Cynthia gets trippy. Her calmed and composed aura earlier flipped into haggard overthinker mode. She turned clumsy that all of us had to keep an eye on her and catch her before she falls to the ground. It would've turned to a game of human pinball if it was intentional but the look on her face tells me that she's not enjoying every single bit of it.

It's not her that's been getting the stares though. Cynthia in this state is already normal even back then since it never really changed. Speaking of change, that must be why I'm the center of unwanted attraction. Most of them had their eyes on me like I was a rare specimen that landed on this planet. That's how it feels to me at the very least. Even Randy is silent at this point and locked me in his sight. It would have been bearable had he not been sitting beside me, his buff build mixing in with his glare. It was so menacing that I legitimately felt as if I was about to be hunted down as prey.

I locked eyes with him. I'm pretty sure that I looked the calmest but believe me, I was screaming inside, ready to suddenly guard whatever I could against an experienced martial artist the second he decides, for whatever reason, to mess with me. I don't want that to happen though so I might as well just talk him out of his intimidating stare.

"Dude, stop staring. It's giving me the chills." I managed to let out without stuttering.

Randy never averted his gaze and it turned awfully silent, which was weird since it was already silent beforehand. I scanned the area to see faces of surprise from everyone else present: Cynthia, Rin, Nina, Chris, and Ramus. I don't know how to confirm if the expression on the face of Ramus changed but it definitely felt that way. I was surprised—no, I think I was more of horrified as Randy jolted upwards and suddenly laughed hard.

"FINALLYYY!" he exclaimed. "The robot turned back to human!"

So that was it. Everyone was laughing around that it was as if no one had any problems. Yeah... maybe it's better this way. I couldn't have any of them worrying about me any further.

It was already fifteen minutes past eight in the evening. It doesn't really bother the others except for Cynthia who has been staring at her phone as she stood by the van. I walk towards her which is probably for the better as her hand suddenly slipped and her phone flew to the air. Good thing I was able to catch it.

"Thanks" she said as I handed her the phone. "The three aren't responding yet so I was wondering if we should go..."

I don't really want to tell her what to do despite being asked since my biased back would just tell her to wait maybe a bit longer or something. I told her instead that it's totally her call since it's her plan and all. She's still undecided for that matter, which probably meant that I was of little help, but asked us to stay inside the van. It was spacious and all having two-seaters on both left and right parts except for that one row with the sliding door. I stayed on the very back seats on the left side.

Can't really help but be nervous at the moment. If either of those three arrive, I wouldn't know how to act. If Clyde arrives, we'd probably greet each other with dormant hostility. That's just how it was since the past few months... actually ever since the academic year started. I just hope we be able to hold ourselves from exploding since this isn't the right time. If Kallen arrives, I'd probably have a lot of questions that would probably be drowned in the flow of conversation and question from the others. I wouldn't be even able to tell if what she will say is true or not on the best case that she actually responds to questions. Riz, on the other hand... I actually don't know either. I still feel awkward with the last interaction I had with her. The last one recorded in my memories that is. It's the usual case of being the selfish one again and not even giving a chance to look at her properly. I'm just a sick bastard deep inside who wishes to change it but doesn't even know, much more take, the first step towards it.