𝚂𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝 𝚊𝚍𝚖𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚛𝚜 (dropped.)

Chapter 14: Reunion.

Honestly, Alban found Ike's place comforting to him. It wasn't any bigger than his, but it made him less lonely than he was at his own home. "Come on in. Don't be shy." Hearing Ike's invitation, Alban cautiously stepped further into the apartment. Ike slowly led the brunette to the couch in the living room and told him to take a sit, which he did. There was a small silence that stood between them, no one even dared to say anything, not even up to the point that the novelist just invited the catboy in earlier.

Ike was thinking hard about what he should say and what he shouldn't. Should he ask where Alban went these days? No, that's counted as invading Alban's privacy. So, should he ask about Alban's health condition, like how did he eat and sleep? No, that's so wrong! It's like I consider his health is bad already, which is rude to do so! But what should Ike do right now? He just couldn't sit there after helping Alban himself, it was his gut to tell him that wasn't a proper behavior.

Seemingly understanding Ike's suffering, Alban thought he should speak first, after all, it was unexpected for Ike to bring himself to his home- his comfort zone. "Uhm...Thank you for bringing me here Ike. And I'm really sorry for invading your house at such an ungodly hour, which I really shouldn't..." Ike just shook his head after hearing Alban's words. How could he just blame himself like this!? It was his action to bring Alban here, so why did Alban take that as his own fault? "No no no! What do you have to say sorry for? It was my thoughts to bring you here. I just want to help you, and that's it. So don't say sorry, especially for something you didn't do."

Alban just stayed silent after Ike's answer, which Ike took as an opportunity to ask what he wanted to ask now. "With that being said, you know you can talk to me if you want to, right? I always lend an ear for you, even if it's just a minor problem." Alban just sighed, a heavy sigh held inside him without being noticed by him. Alban then felt some warmth on his shoulder, which was Ike's hand trying to reassure him that it was his choice. "I, uhm, uh...It's just what we talked about that night at the bus stop. I know, I know it's stupid of me to just run away from reality without telling anyone. M-Making everyone worried isn't what I intend to do, I swear!"

"Oh, Alban. I understand how you felt, for me, your action is understandable. Everyone can say that's wrong, but I will never think that is a foolish idea. Is everyone's perspective what makes you so tired and lack energy like this?" Though knowing what Ike said was right 100%, he would never admit it, he would rather be caught than admit to the painful truth. It was what he always did, and he will keep doing it until the very end.

"What? No! I'm taking care of myself properly, even having good food by Doro, and having fun with everyone. So others' words didn't even bother me at all. Why should I live up to their expecta-" That was when Alban slipped up. It was like his exhaustion had given up all his cognition and his process of keeping his identity hidden. What he had made, created, and protected was just shattered into pieces before his eyes. What if someone hurt their family? Then what was his reason to go far away, to try to help his family, only to bring them back down to hell? He wanted to protect their smile, and their memories together. He wanted to eat Doro's curry, talk with Victor, and play with Amy and all the children. He couldn't bare seeing his family in danger, not in a million years. His breath hitched and his eyes started to form tears with his vision slowly darkening, which didn't slip up from Ike's vision. Alban clearly had a panic attack.

Ike then slowly kneeled in front of Alban, holding his small hands to hopefully gain some attention from the boy, which was a success. "Okay, Alban, listen to my guide, alright? Slowly breathe in...Then breathe out..." Following Ike's tender voice, Alban slowly came back to his sense but what remained the same was the guilt of having too much assistance from the certain novelist. Alban felt like a pathetic person now, just kept relying on other people to live day by day. He escaped out of that place, leaving everything behind and this was what he did?