The Strings Being Pulled

Ch 46

*2 days later*

"Asher, I need to talk with you." I say when I see him down at the hotel reception.
"Oh, sure." he says. "Excuse me." he says to the receptionist and walks over to me.
"I have my answer." I state, getting straight to the point.

Although I already made my mind, I still kept thinking some more but still, my mind hasn't changed. Asher looks at me surprised but then he goes back to looking calm. He smiles, giving me a look 'Whatever it is, it's alright' which makes it too obvious that he already knew it was coming. My head has been rehearsing non stop on what to say without exploding.

I feel scared even when I have everything planned out on what to say. Confessing love to Liza was easy, I was confident but now I feel like a child again even if Asher really doesn't mind on whatever I say. He knows that he did something bad and I forgive him, I understand why he did it so I'm not sure about why I'm so scared. It's probably the fact he had a huge significance in my life growing up.

"I forgive you, I can't be mad at you no matter what." I state. "Besides, there's more I need to thank you for than to be mad at you for."
"You do...?" Asher asks me shocked, he seems prepared for a different kind of answer.
"Well, you aren't a shitty person now and never have been." I reply. "You're still you and that you is someone I admire."
"Language, Harry." Asher smiles gently. "But I'm happy that you gave your answer, I'm not as good of a person as you think but it means a lot to me."

It feels like there's something about his wording that tells me something is off. It looks like he's hurt, more hurt than ever. Though, I'm not sure if I should ask him about it. I can't put my finger on exactly what it is but something is off, as if he was expecting for me to punch him than forgive him.

"Still my teacher, so, I'll tell you something." I state.
"Sure, what is it?" Asher responds.
"It's a long story so hopefully you can spare an hour." I state.
"Sure?" he says seeming confused. "I'm free right now after all."

*45 minutes later...*

"So...I basically just heard what has been going on with you for 6 months and that's the situation with you, Liza and Weller?" Asher questions.
"Yeah, that's the entire story of it." I answer.
"First off, proud you got a girlfriend under those circumstances, you've really grown but secondly, you're an idiot sandwich." he shakes his head.

A wave of nostalgia hits me, it seriously feels like he hasn't changed at all. Well, he's probably in disbelief with what I just explained to him. Explaining everything that happened from how I met Liza, arson and the Weller situation we're stuck in with all the details. Though he isn't mad at me, not even the least mad about it, maybe just shocked and disappointed which might hurt more.

"Harry, you're an absolute idiot sandwich sometimes and just how exactly did you even survive this far?" he questions. "You do know how dangerous it truly is, right?"
"Yeah, I'm kinda planning to ask her if she really wants to stick with it." I state.
"That's a relief to hear." Asher sighs, holding his chest.
"You still call me an idiot sandwich..." I mumble.
"Oh right, what's your strength now?" Asher chuckles.
"I can destroy buildings with my presence/aura now and make fire up to 2500°c and move 50km/s." I answer a little confused.

Asher suddenly coughs, I mean I guess it's because I'm almost three times stronger than before, which is a lot and all under four years. Though that is still not much compared to Weller or Asher. To summarize how strong Asher is, he can create earthquakes enough to destroy a country, even a big one...he can also destroy buildings with his aura/presence and move at 85km/s if I recall correctly.

Though things might have changed since then, one thing is obvious though, I don't stand a chance. Not sure how much one and a half year will let us figure out what to do. We're lucky we're getting clues though, strange but helpful...maybe I should just pray for some power up? I don't even believe in gods.

"That's insane, just what have you been doing these last few years?" Asher questions.
"I kept following your advice, your old teachings and techniques." I answer, drawing like an upwards line in the air.
"I'm glad, you were so gifted back then and it really shows now." Asher gives a big smile.
"Didn't you just call call me an idiot sandwich?" I raise an eyebrow.
"Idiot sandwich that I'm proud of." he chuckles. "You got a girlfriend and I still can't get over that, you went from scared to talking with a cashier to capable of a relationship!"

This is surprisingly wholesome. Really feels like I have an actual dad even when I'm 19. Turning 20 in January, which is just four months away and it's raining a lot outside. Been raining nonstop now but it's not sad in the least, no drama, no crazy fighting, just talking like good old friends and I couldn't ask for better.

"Though I need to get back to work now..." Asher states, checking his phone.
"Alright, it was nice we could talk." I reply.
"Communication is key, but see you around then!" Asher waves.

He disappears or just moves really fast somewhere, there's a major amount of relief washing over me but it feels like there is a brick wall and odd behavior with Asher, it feels like there's something about his wording that's off. I'm not sure if it's just that he's changed in 4 years or if it's something about the fact he looks almost hurt.

There is something I'm missing though I can't ask him about it now. I suddenly notice someone flying outside of the hotel glass door, it's Liza. I go outside to check on her and find out she's flying because there's a rather big wasp on the ground which is a bit odd.

"Strawberry, it's just a wasp." I state.
"It can stay five countries away from me, fuck wasps!" she yells.
"You don't have to fly you know?" I reply, I take a closer look.

It's made out of plastic, though looks pretty realistic. Wonder how Liza is flying then rain when her wings seem soaked...

"Liza, it's just a plastic wasp and how are you flying in the rain?" I ask.
"Oh-" she says and falls around 6 meters, though I manage to catch her.
"HOW THE FU-" I cut her off.
"Shh, we're outside." I whisper in her ear which turns her red while I hold her waist with one hand.

Letting go, she calms down though her face is red and flustered. Glad to know her ear is a weak spot...it's adorable, really. I smirk, she gives the plastic wasp a death glare and sticks out her tongue. She's 18 but can show a childish side sometimes, I'm not sure where it comes from but it's fun to watch.

"I'm gonna go buy an umbrella for you, go inside." I state.
"Huh, you never buy me stuff." she looks surprised.
"I don't need to buy you stuff to show I appreciate you, we still need to avoid spending too much." I reply.
"I'm not gonna bother arguing, I need to go inside and dry my feathers." she responds.

..............................................................

Single lives matter so I make you all third wheels

Future me: Hey, editing again, there's too much dialogue and it's not even good, I might just rewrite the entirety of chapter 40-50 after finishing the finale, it's been like half a year since I wrote them.