The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 29: What we knew. (Part 2)

Side Story: What my brother gets up to.

Aria Friend:

"Umm Aria... do I need to explain how what we are doing is wrong?" Erin stood beside me hunching to hide herself. She, like I, was wearing a long coat, hat and sunglasses to hide our identities. Our goal, to spy on my brother and Endi.

"I'm curious and you said you'd help," I replied while eyeing our apartment building entrance.

"Yeah, but I didn't expect you wanted to me to spy on people."

"Just think like you're hanging out with me," I smiled to her and Erin had to admit defeat.

She sighed, "Why the sudden interest in Ardent anyway?"

"I wouldn't call it sudden. He's been a bit sus for a while now. In particular however, I want to know how far he and Endi are in their relationship."

"Couldn't you just ask?"

"This is more fun." That was one part of it, but lately it felt like he was hiding more and more from me. There were things going on and it felt like I was the only one out of the loop. I just needed the evidence of it.

"Hey Aria," Erin began softly. "How much do you actually know about your brother?"

"If you had asked me half a year ago, I would have said everything. Now I'm not so sure." I sighed, "We're still super close but before Ardy was pretty simple, he went to university, played games with his friends and helped people out. Now he's a hot shot gamer, really fit and knows super martial arts."

"That's about what I know of him," Erin agreed with the latter half of my statement.

"Especially recently, he's been training with Zen a lot. I asked to join in, but he refused me outright. I've been getting stronger you know."

"I can tell," Erin smiled sweetly. "He and Vanter are definitely being suspicious. They've barely logged in this past week. Oh, there they are!"

I quickly flicked my gaze to where Erin pointed and across the road Ardy and Endi were leaving the apartment block. The two were officially dating and spent quite a bit of time together every other day. They were walking side by side, both smiling brightly.

"Okay let's go," I began to lead the way casually sneaking after them as they seemed to head to the nearby shopping strip.

"Here we go," Erin followed along. Honestly, I was glad she decided to come with me. It felt really comfortable to have her around and I also wanted to try get her out of the house more.

Their first stop was window shopping. They both calmly stood by each other commenting on the display inside. It was impossible to tell what they were saying but I could imagine they were flirting.

"Hey, do you think Endi is acting strange?" Erin pointed out. "Each time Ardent turns away, it looks like she's trying to reach for his hand."

"Oh, you're right," I smirked. "Didn't peg Endi as the kind to be shy holding hands."

"Hmm I don't know, it's almost like she's restraining herself."

After a while of looking at various shops the two moved to a café. Erin and I chose a shop opposite them and watched from the window. It must have been pretty warm inside as the two took off their coats. They ordered at the same time we did but shortly after Ardy stood up, probably heading to the restroom. My eyes widened as Endi reached over the table and took my brother's coat into her arms, pushing her face into it.

Erin and I both had the same weirded out expression. It wasn't too weird, but we were good friends with Endi and did not expect it.

"She looks like she's enjoying it," Erin said, mouth twitching. "She must be really into your brother."

"Yeah...."

"Chocolate frappe and a strawberry parfait?" the waiter suddenly appeared as we were distracted.

"Yep that's us!" I happily took the parfait. It was okay to eat because I had been doing lots of exercise with Zen. For whatever reason it also felt like I could eat a lot. Like my body kept sucking up the energy I put in.

The two of us enjoyed our drinks and desert while occasionally eyeing the two across the street. Endi had stealthily put Ardy's coat back before he returned and was acting as if nothing happened. On closer inspection, while Ardy wasn't watching it, Endi's eyes seemed to sharpen as if she was looking at prey to hunt. A moment later however they were back to normal. I didn't consider my brother to be shy but maybe he was the one holding their relationship back.

"Looks like they're moving," I finished my parfait and stood to pay but a women blocked my way.

"Let's sit back down," it was Ana, Vanter and Endi's caretaker. "I think it's better we give them some space, don't you think?"

"Ah... we've been caught," I awkwardly slipped back into my seat as Ana joined us. I didn't interact with Ana much but from what I could gather she really was the cool and capable type.

"We didn't have any bad intentions," Erin added guiltily.

"I know," Ana smirked. "It was quite cute seeing you two try sneak about. If those two weren't so preoccupied with each other they would have spotted you instantly. Love can be blinding however."

"Is that wisdom from experience?" I couldn't help ask.

Ana's eyes sharpened, "No comment."

"So, what are you doing here Ana?" Erin asked. "You wouldn't be watching them as well, would you?"

"I'm always watching to some extent," she replied coolly. "I've taken to patrolling the area, making sure the riffraff stay away."

I eyed her suspiciously, "Wasn't there that report about a bunch of thieves being caught and tied up in an alley?"

"I have no idea what you're on about," Ana let my suspicions slide past her. "I'd be a bit careful though you two."

"W-why?" Erin shivered at her serious words. "Are they-."

I quickly took Erin's hand and squeezed, feeling that her anxiety was rising, "It's okay. You're safe with us."

"Thanks," Erin took a breath and calmed down.

"Sorry I should have put it more lightly," Ana apologised. "However, I did get the feeling someone was watching. I believe Zen may have scared them off."

"Well, if it's Zen I can see why," I laughed. Zen had to be superhuman. I kept the secret in my heart but I had seen her knock a bullet from the air before.

"Just make sure you go out with someone and let one of us know when you do," Ana smiled softly. "I'm not saying not to go have fun but show a little more care than usual."

"Yes," Erin and I both nodded. Endi and Ardy were long gone now, our mission had failed. Though we did see some interesting sights. I just needed to find a way past Ana to see more.

Side Story End

**