The music festival held by Greenfield University was reserved only for those who were invited, including the students' parents and relatives. This festival also invited popular artists, that's why a lot of stalls were opened for students to showcase their cooking and other abilities.
Arriving at the university's front gate, the three S-Rank espers came out from their car. The gate was decorated with signboard and balloons, with a booth placed near it to receive guests.
With the amount of people coming in, and with only one booth receiving guests, the three had to wait in line.
"Welcome, please show us your invitati- *Gasp*! S-S-S-Ranks-!"
"Ethan, our invitations please."
As they were raiding gates nonstop, to avoid losing it, Cedric and Xain decided to let their captain safekeep the invitation Ilyas gave them. But when Cedric called out to him, Ethan was unresponsive.
"Hey, Ethan-"
"Ah, yeah, our invitations right?"
Ethan stepped forward and gave the student three invitation cards, which the student received with trembling hands. His gaze was one of awe and amazement. He was in a state of shock until Xain spoke up.
"We're free to go now right? Let's go, I can't wait to look around!"
"Ah! Yesyes! Please enjoy the festival!"
They stepped inside as Cedric called Ilyas, while Xain was looking around the stalls. A lot of things were sold, starting from food, drinks, handmade stuffs and even game booths.
"Oy guys! Look! Our chibi version keychains! You guys sell this kind of stuff too huh?"
Xain was easily fascinated by booths that specialized in selling esper merchandise. The stuff ranged on keychains, pictures and stickers.
When they approached, the three female students guarding the booth squealed in excitement.
"This is a good photo. Where do you guys even get this from?" looking through the polaroid photos, Xain flashed a smile at the students.
"X-Xain, it's the real Xain! Cedric and Ethan too!"
"The whole Team Zero-! Please! Can we take a picture?!"
The students were already holding their phones, asking the three with glimmering eyes.
"Sure, what do you guys think?"
"Fine by me."
Cedric answered readily, he had just finished calling Ilyas and was giving him their current location.
"Ethan?"
The only one who hadn't answered however, was Ethan. Confused, Xain tapped on his shoulder.
"Hey, you okay?"
"Ah, yeah, sorry, I was spacing out."
Sensing something wrong, Xain whispered in his ear, "Man, you're scaring me, you sure something didn't happen in our previous raid?"
Ethan glanced at him, gave him a soft smile and said, "It's nothing, let's take the photo, they are waiting."
Though Xain still eyed him suspiciously, he nodded.
The group took a few pictures and signed some of their merch, talking to the students for a bit before they heard a shout.
"Guys!"
Ilyas came approaching, with a beaming smile on his face, he greeted them.
"Let's go to the stage, the show is already starting."
He cheerfully greeted his team, gazing at them one by one, until his gaze landed on his team's captain.
"Ethan...?"
Ilyas knew immediately there's something really wrong the moment they made eye contact. A sense of unease enveloped Ilyas. His instinct was telling him something, but he wasn't sure what it was.
One thing he knew for sure, he couldn't let it be.
He grabbed Ethan's hand and took him away.
"Cedric, Xain, go to the stage first, we will be there in a minute!"
"Wait- Ilyas!"
Cedric and Xain were left stunned as Ilyas dragged Ethan away.
Finding the nearby restroom, Ilyas shut the door behind Ethan. He gazed at the taller man in front of him and cornered him until his back touched the door he had just shut.
"Ilyas, what is this? Aren't we supposed to watch your concert right now?"
Ethan frowned in confusion, but Ilyas didn't bother to explain as he went directly to question him.
"Something happened at the gate today didn't it?"
Seeing the change of expression on Ethan's face was as easy as reading a book to Ilyas now, he knew Ethan was hiding something.
Ethan wasn't the type to tell others his problems, he would rather endure it alone. So that's why Ilyas was determined to cough up every secret he was hiding.
"Tell me Ethan, what happened to you?"
"Nothing, there's nothing noteworthy abo-"
"Don't lie to me!"
Ilyas held Ethan's hand tight as he slammed the door behind him, trapping Ethan in his arms. His guiding energy was circulating through their intertwined hands, reading every emotion Ethan was feeling.
Ethan seemed to realize it too as his expression shifted again. A slight anger was detected in his emotion.
It might be cheating for Ilyas and way too unfair for Ethan, but Ilyas' fear overwhelmed his rational thinking. He was afraid that if he let go of Ethan now he might completely vanish from his life. So Ilyas wouldn't let Ethan go until he completely told everything to him.
He wanted to be a pillar this man could rely on.
"I told you not to worry your guide anymore, you promised me to take care of yourself better! So tell me Ethan, please..."
The feeling of deep guilt flowed into Ilyas' mind, when he gazed at the esper's eyes, Ethan turned his face away. Ilyas knew what that gesture meant, a sign of his embarrassment.
The man before him sighed and lowered his head. Gazing at his shoes for a while, he opened his mouth, but closed it again soon after. Ilyas waited patiently, studying every emotion flowing through his hands.
Fear, uncertainty, burdened.
These were the same emotions Ilyas felt when he guided him that one time.
Ethan finally said his first word, "First of all, I want to apologize. I lost the protective charm you gave me." Then he directed his gaze to Ilyas, a sign of troubled emotion was flickering in his eyes, "But the problem started from that."
"Ilyas, how does your grandma know about the universe's gaze?"