Alex and Maria went out on a late-night date after their reconciliation. They enjoyed their time together before heading back to where Gracier and the others were. Although they would have liked to spend more time together on their own, they knew they were not alone. Maria had been selfish, having already wasted two days of their precious time so they couldn't waste more time, they must quickly find where the others were.
When the girls saw Alex come back with Maria, the latter smiling, they were happy. Eri was first to come forward to apologize, she might not like Maria, but she never intended to cause such a big misunderstanding.
''I'm sorry for the terrible misunderstanding my actions have caused. I'm truly sorry.''
The other nodded their heads, seemingly pleased with Eri's action; they explained to her what she had done, unconsciously or not; her action was caused this; while she was the only one at fault, it was a good thing she understood and admitted that she did wrong. Many of them were shocked when Eri promised to apologize once Maria came back, they thought she would refuse to do that because of her strong character and her dislike toward Maria, but Eri proved to them she still knew when she was wrong and could admit it, something not many could do.
Maria was not shocked as she understood Eri a bit, and she knew she was this type of girl; it was why she couldn't bring herself to truly hate her back when they were still on Earth.
''I'm also sorry for reacting as I did,'' Maria said while lowering her head, shocking Eri, who didn't expect such an immediate response. She stared at Alex for a second, then at Maria, and sighed, love, can indeed change someone.
Maria had changed; she loved a man; it's genuine love, not a fake one like she used to toy with those poor guys on Earth. Even someone with zero like her could see the love hidden deep inside Maria's ice-blue eyes. No wonder she reacted as she did. Rationality was one thing, while her emotions were something else. Despite knowing that Eri or Alex did harbor feelings for each other, her emotions surpassed the always rational Maria, instantly turning her into a jealous woman.
'Love is scary.' It was the conclusion Eri arrived at; while love is what most women seek, she would rather not fall in love if she would end up a slave of her feelings. She decided to never fall in love, completely obvious to the fact that love is an unpredictable emotion.
''Let's not stand here and talk inside.'' Alex proposed as he got tired to wait at the entrance; people began looking at them, wondering if a family drama would start on not.
In the living room of the mansion the group rented, everyone was sitting around in silence when suddenly Eri asked.
''Leader, what's the plan?"
Because her previous way of addressing Alex caused a big misunderstanding, Eri changed it by now calling Alex, leader. Gracier didn't understand the full story frowned.
''Eri, you are from another world, right?" Gracier raised a question. Although Eri did not like the way Gracier called her because she referred to others as a big sister, she was the only one she called by the name, except that doll; there was nothing she could do about it. Like her, Gracier got a hot temper; by demanding her to change the way she called her, she was sure she would mock her, and in a fit of anger, she would end up fighting her, a fight she was not even sure to win. The little girl was a freak like her brother Alex.
'Sigh! What a troublesome family.' Eri thought. However, as if he could sense what she had just thought, Alex glared at her. Eri felt a chill run down her spine. To quickly get over this feeling, she turned to face Gracier while at the same time answering her question.
''Yes, I'm from a higher world."
Gracier, after hearing Eri's answer.
Finally, it was Eri's turn to ask a question.
''Why do you ask this question?"
''I asked that question because you keep calling my brother leader. While I understand that you became his subordinate after losing in a fight against him. I don't understand why you keep calling him so respectfully, fully knowing that the probability of encountering each other is slim after leaving Exodus. Did losing hit you hard? Why are you acting like that?" Gracier asked with a gentle smile; her smile seemed harmless; her innocent smile did not suggest that she was intentionally poking where it hurts.
Everyone except Alex could see that Gracier was intentionally making fun of Eri. No, maybe he saw it too but acted as if he didn't see it. After all, his love for his sister already surpassed the realm of pretending to be a dump when it comes to his sister.
Eri's lips twitched several times; she was fighting her inner desire to smack Gracier across the face, giving her a good beating only like that she would know that you must respect your elders.
However, she quickly shook her head to throw away these unrealistic thoughts. But she would not be Eri if she kept suffering silently.
''You are small, yet your mouth is so vicious. I fear for your future.''
The others widened their eyes upon hearing Eri's words. Gracier stayed silent; Eri thought that she was gained a small advantage over the little devil.
Meanwhile, Alex and Maria exchanged a look; they could see the amusement in each other eyes; there was also a bit of pity because having spent more time Gracier, they knew her pretty well; she was not the type to suffer silently, especially when facing someone she considered a rival. Yes, rivals, those two might not like each other, but the real reason for this was because they felt threatened by each other presence; they were both fire element users. Gracier had always enjoyed a certain amount of fame when it came to fire element; she was exceptionally talented, so imagine she encountered another girl likely as talented as her? The result would be constant disputes because they were afraid of each other. Maybe they were not aware of their rivalry yet, but one day, they would understand.
But for now, Gracier would not let go of any opportunity to mess up with Eri.. She was ready to counterattack.