341 Confronting Emotions

-----Fabian's POV

Don't get me wrong, I am curious as well on how Rina and her mother is doing, but to go there alongside Ilfa just makes this so much more nerve wracking. Even as we're walking outside the city as a group, I find myself not paying attention to what anyone is saying as my feet just moves on their own, matching everyone's pace while my mind is stuck trying to think about what to say when we arrive.

Suddenly, my body jerks forward as pain quickly spread over my right shoulder.

Yui: "Oi! Are you listening?"

Fabian: "Huh?"

Yui: "You're staring off into space. You're making Ilfa worried."

I couldn't even voice any complaints about my sister hitting me as when I look over to Ilfa who's walking beside me, her face is clearly showing concern.

Ilfa: "You okay?"

Fabian: "Y-yeah. I'm sorry."

Maybe it was a good idea that sis hit me. I was so absorbed in thinking on what to say that I ended up making everyone else worried, including Ilfa, the one person who I definitely do not want to worry.

Yui: "Does the idea of seeing Rina bother you that much?"

It's not like I can really say the reason why, but maybe they'll find out regardless when we arrive.

Iris: "We can turn back if you really want to."

Fabian: "No. It's okay."

Despite mom giving me an escape from this situation, it made me realize that I do need to confront this sooner rather than later. And seeing Ilfa's smile return makes me believe that this is the right decision. And just then, as if we're in sync, we hold hands with one another as we continue our walk.

...

Eventually, we end up making it to the cabin mom and sister was talking about. There seems to be two people outside who seemed to have spotted us. Their bright green wings spread wide only for them to be brought back in as they walk over to us, both of whom end up staring at Ilfa.

Kaede: "Ah. This here is Fleur and Faye."

Ilfa: "I see. Nice to meet you. My name's Ilfa."

Fleur/Faye: "..."

They keep their distance from Ilfa as they look between both Kaede and Ilfa.

Fleur: "We'll remain out here for a bit longer."

Kaede: "Okay."

Faye: "Sorry."

Kaede: "It's okay. It'll be too crowded inside anyways. How's the practice going anyways?"

Fleur: "I'm... Getting there."

Faye: "Oh! Yeah she's gotten used to moving her wings properly now. But still no flight."

Kaede: "That's good. Can't wait for all of us to fly together."

Despite the two of them being some sort of bird demi-human, they cannot fly?

With our brief introduction, Kaede approaches the door as the two bird people go back to what they were doing. Behind the door, I can make out some chatter between a few people. Two voices seem unfamiliar but I can clearly recognize the other two... Rina-

But before I could begin to prepare myself, Kaede knocks on the door a couple times before opening it. Ilfa and I stand behind mom and sis as we slowly begin to funnel inside.

Rina: "Ah, welcome back!"

I hear Rina's voice which stops my heart for but a second before I steady myself. I can't see her yet and a part of me still wishes that I can't. I really, really don't want her to see me like this with Ilfa. And as a last ditched effort, I let go of Ilfa's hand.

Yui: "Hey Rina. Sorry I didn't come back. Someone-"

Rina: "F-Fabian?"

And just when my sister walked in, Rina's face was finally revealed as we both lock eyes with one another. She seems to be holding onto someone on the ground but I don't recognize them.

Alenia: "M-Matriarch?!"

It's then that I spot Rina's mother on the other side of the person that's laying down. There also seems to be two others inside, both of whom seems to have similar ears like Rina and her mother, however their skin color is much like a human's.

But before I knew it, Rina ran over to us before leaping into me, pulling me into an embrace, letting her mother take over whatever it is that she was doing to that woman on the ground. Seeing her like this fills me with so many mixed emotions that I find myself unable to wrap my arms around her, letting her embrace until she finally pulls away.

Rina: "What are you doing here?"

Fabian: "I-I'm..."

Ilfa: "I wanted to meet Fabian's family."

Iris: "Yes! And we wanted to meet Ilfa as well."

Oh god... We're unbelievably close to just saying something that I really don't want to deal with right now!

Rina: "Is that so?"

Fabian: "Yup yup! Now come on. We're letting the cold inside!"

I gently nudge everyone inside before closing the door behind us in hopes to distract everyone's thoughts enough to not continue on that topic any further.

Upon entering inside, I notice that it's quite bare bones, with the cabin only housing a single mattress without any frame. There isn't even any chairs as everyone began to sit down on the wooden floor. At least we're sitting on blankets. But now that we're huddled around together, I notice now that the woman that Rina and Alenia are watching over is unconscious and also seems to be quite pale.

Fabian: "I-is she okay?"

Rina: "She's alive. But barely."

Elf1: "I think if Yui and I was a second late, I don't think she'd be alive right now."

Yui: "Oh! Right. Fabian. This here is Lillian, and at her side is her sister, Sicily."

Lillian: "So you're her brother. Nice to meet you."

Sicily: "Mhmm!"

Fabian: "Likewise."

I'm glad that we're not touching on the earlier subject right now. I'm still not prepared on what to say to Rina. I know Ilfa thinks it's okay, but I can't help but worry. Especially now with Rina sitting right up close next to me as our shoulders are now touching. I can't bring myself to do anything, probably die to the feeling of guilt. And now knowing that Ilfa and I have shared senses, taking a look at her, I can tell that she's also not liking this at all. 

Iris: "I don't know what the whole problem is Fabian. Rina seems perfectly fine having you around."

Rina: "Of course!"

Oh no...

Yui: "Yeah. You two seem quite close."

Alenia: "Well that's because those two are actually-"

Fabian: "Ah-Ahh!"

Everyone stopped what they were saying at my sudden outburst. I understand why, but I didn't have any words to say!

Rina: "Fabian?"

Fabian: "Yes?"

Rina: "What's wrong?"

Fabian: "Nothing! I just uhh~ I thought a sneeze was coming."

Rina: "...I see."

Iris: "It better be. You had me worried for a second."

Fabian: "S-sorry."

My god... I've somehow found borrowed time with that.

Yui: "Hmm."

However, my sister seems to be staring at me as if she's analyzing me or something. Wait, even mom is doing the same!

Yui: "So... What were you saying, Alenia?"

How dare you sis! I'm not ready yet! I can't just make up the same excuse twice, right? Come on, think!

Alenia: "Hmm? Oh, right. My daughter is-"

Rina: "We're very close friends!"

Suddenly, cutting her mother off, Rina spoke out instead. It took a bit for me to process her words as I find myself speechless at her side. Her mother also seems to be stunned as her eyes widen slightly.

Alenia: "Rina?"

Rina: "Fabian saved my life, so it's only natural for me to repay his kindness."

Is she actually saying this to me while looking over at my sister? There's no way Rina has misunderstood our relationship until now, so then why would she say that we're just friends? I should be happy that my secret isn't blown, but I don't like the look on her face, and it looks as though her mother also has noticed. Her smile... It's not right. She's trying to help me out here isn't she? She probably picked up on my lie before.

Fabian: "Hah~"

I can't let that slide. And so, after finding a bit of resolve, I stand back up from the floor whilst everyone else remained seated. All their eyes focus in on me. And just like that, my resolve shattered, but it'd be weird to just sit back down after getting everyone's attention.

Fabian: "...I."

God, even my voice is becoming shaky. Calm down Fabian!

Fabian: "...Rina and I... We're in, a relationship with one another."

The moment I struggle to get those words out, my chest immediately begins to sting, much more than before as it feels like someone's taking hold of my heart and squeezing it, digging their nails into it. I take a moment to look at Ilfa, but unlike before, her face was blank... Maybe this was a bad idea.

Yui: "Fabian?"

Iris: "Son. I thought you were with-"

Not wanting this pain to continue, my feet begin to move as I end up collapsing into Ilfa, wrapping my arms tightly around her, trying to drown out that pain. I can't even see everyone's reactions right now, and to be quite honest, I really don't want to. And after a few more moments, I feel Ilfa finally wrap her arms around me gently, however that pain still persists.

Ilfa: "It's okay."

Fabian: "No. It's not okay!"

I know that Ilfa's illusion magic is playing a part in this, but that doesn't change my feelings one bit. Regardless if we're sharing senses, if I knew she's in pain, I'd be doing this either way. I end up jerking my head off from Ilfa and looking over towards Rina. Out of everyone, her reaction was the odd one out, almost as if she expected this outcome.

Fabian: "Rina."

Rina: "Yes?"

Fabian: "...I'm sorry, I-"

Ilfa: "Okay. Stop right there."

Suddenly, I'm cut off from Ilfa herself. The pain from before has suddenly vanished, leaving only the lingering pain that's left over. I can't believe we're actually doing this in front of everyone as if this is some sort of show. I would've much preferred this to be done in private.

Ilfa: "Rina. You like Fabian, correct?"

Rina: "Y-yes!"

Ilfa: "And I can tell you're very important to Fabian as well, so I'm not about to let him say what it is he was about to say."

Fabian: "W-what?"

Ilfa: "I'll be honest. I was extremely jealous of you, Rina. You could do so much things that I couldn't do. It was only recently had I discovered that I was following in your footsteps."

Rina: "Y-you were, Matriarch?"

Ah~ In the end, I'm having Ilfa do the explaining aren't I? But maybe this was for the better.

Ilfa: "Yes. You see, I never understood my feelings until it was too late. So don't blame Fabian. Blame me. I ended up getting in between you two and-"

Rina: "Okay, then let me stop you right there. You know I felt the same way. Early on, I could tell where Fabian's heart lies. It was me who got in between you two.

What the hell is even happening right now? They're both blaming themselves for this? What the fuck? Shouldn't it be me who should be the one apologizing? Also how can Rina say that? Knowing where my heart lies? I feel as though she never took our relationship seriously if she's saying something like that...

Ilfa: "But that's-"

Fabian: "Stop! No one is to blame but me!"

The room suddenly goes quite from my outburst, but the only ones who seem to be smiling right now are my mom and sister. Are they enjoying this show that much?

Fabian: "...I'm not sure what the right way to go about doing this, but I don't want to hurt anyone!"

I know it's already too late to say that, but it's better now than later.

Fabian: "Rina. I love Ilfa."

Rina: "Yes... I know."

Fabian: "But I also love you."

Rina: "Yes... Wait. What?"

Yui: "Hohoo~ Is my brother trying to start his own harem?"

Rina: "Harem?"

Fabian: "No! I just. I just want you to know that my feelings weren't fake. Not in the slightest."

Rina: "Mm. I'm glad."

Fabian: "So... Even if I have chosen Ilfa, I'd still like for us to remain close."

Rina: "Are you sure?"

Fabian: "Of course!"

There. I said it! I'm worried I might've screwed something up, but the pain in my chest has still yet to return, so I must've done something right. But seeing Rina's face tells a different story... Her smile has still yet to change.