A Wish
For the Things better Left Unknown

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Stein clearly heard the knocks, but his body told him tostay in the bed.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Stein buried himself further inside his bed sheets.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

He finally got out of his bed and groggily made his way tothe door. He swayed left and right because he wasn’t done refreshing his bodyof magical supplies. Every step he took was equivalent to sucking the life outof the floor tiles. He yawned as he stretched his limbs. Bright, annoyinglyrefreshed eyes were the first thing he saw upon opening the door.

“I take it that you know what time it is?”

Luke bounced oddly so cheerful, “4 a.m.!”

Stein nodded and slammed the door in front of Luke’s face.He stared at the door for a few moments to check if Luke wasn’t going to do anyfunny business.

And so he was right as he heard continuous loud knocks.

Stein opened the door once more, “Go home.”

“What’s the name of the pretty lady?” He asked.

“None of your business. Go away.” Stein was about to closethe door but Luke managed to keep Stein from doing it. Stein sighed as he gaveLuke a deadpan, “My mind is still hazy because I am not completely recharged.Now will you please intrude at a later date?”

Luke flailed his hands in the air the moment Stein attemptedto slam the door right in front of him again, “Just the name! Just give me hername!”

Stein raised a brow, “I’m sorry but I don’t know any prettylady.” With that, Stein slammed the door with added extra pressure tocompletely shut out the other person.

4:30 a.m.

“STEIN!!!!!” Luke shouted as he knocked on the door. Heheard heavy footsteps and found the door opening, “Oh! You’re awake! GOOD! Soabout this person!”

SLAM!

5:00 a.m.

“GOOD MORNING STEIN!!!!” Luke found himself drenched inwater.

5:30 a.m.

“DUDE!!! WHEN ARE YOU GOING OUT?!?!?!” The door opened andrevealed annoyed slimes that are half the size of his body. The slimes engulfedhim then got him thrown out of town.

6:15 a.m.

“STEIN!! WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO NOTICE ME?!!”

Stein opened the door to see a dishevelled Luke. Even thoughhe’s seeing Luke in such a poor state, it doesn’t make him all that satisfiedbecause the amount of magic he gathered during those intervals were the veryamount he used on Luke every time he was bothering him, “How long is ‘later’for you exactly?” He tiredly said.

“About thirty minutes!”

“Oh really?” Stein mimicked the sound of amusement despitenot looking like it. He looked around to see if there was anyone behind Luke.

“Who’re you looking for?”

“Risette...” Stein replied as he looked around more. Afterconfirming that the girl wasn’t there, he shot a look towards Luke, “So whatbrings you here?”

Luke suddenly looked bashful as he held the hems of hisshirt.

“Spit it or I’m gonna split you.”

“He wants to talk to the pretty lady with big boobs!!” Lukerefrained the urge to shout as he covered the ginger doll standing by hisshoulder.

Stein quickly noticed the little ginger and tried to grab itonly to have his hand repelled, “And this is..?”

Luke darkly chuckled as he looked to the side, “Apparently Iwas supposed to arrest you for causing the flash flood but for some reason Icouldn’t comprehend, I was cleaning your floor instead yesterday...” He gaveStein a bitter look and introduced the little ginger doll, “So as punishment,this little guy is going to speak my mind for the rest of the day...”

Stein just shrugged, “I like it...”

“Nonono! You are missing the point.” Luke looked left andright before leaning ever-so-close to Stein, “I’m saying that you are to blamefor this one!”

“Nah. I chose to ignore the point.” Stein said in hisdefence. He dragged Luke inside. This was getting meddlesome; he had to say tohimself. He called his slimes to help inassisting. Luke had to glare at the little boogers because of the previousencounter. Stein glanced at Luke, “I believe you’ve met them not too longago...”

“You don’t say?” Luke sarcastically replied as he ignoredthe friendly gestures of the slimes. He swatted away their hands when theslimes were trying to apologize. Luke slowly shook his head at the slimes as ifto say ‘No’ in the worst of manners.

The slimes ran back to Stein as they cried, “I ordered them tothrow you out, you should be angry with me, not them.” He calmly explained.

“Dude, I almost died when they threw me out of town.” Lukesaid as he showed a horrendous face upon remembering the event. He could stillremember the moment when he was about to fall into the magic restriction zone.If he wasn’t able to react immediately, he would’ve been dead meat. Heshuddered in fear upon feeling the pit of doom during those brief moments.

“Hmm...” Stein contemplated in hopes of getting good wordsto say, “At least you didn’t die.” Smooth.

Luke looked in dismay, “That’s what you say?!”

“Did I say the wrong set of words?”

“YES!” Luke blurted, “You would normally say ‘Hey, I’msorry!’ or something along those lines!”

Stein rolled his eyes to Luke’s direction, “If I didapologize, would you accept it so easily.” He finished preparing the food forhis visitor, “In exchange for a near-death experience, would a simple ‘I’msorry’ fix the damage?” He said as he placed the food on the table for Luke toeat. He saw the dumbfounded look on Luke, “I figured as much.” He commented.

Luke watched Stein head to the door and open it. He saw thatthere was a petite girl by the entrance. As much as he saw her as cute, hereally preferred the other lady. Sighing to himself, he decided to eat thefood.

A few moments later, he saw that the girl was asked to sitjust in front of him. Luke suggested the food to the girl but she politelydeclined saying that she already ate before she came here. Shrugging, Lukecontinued to eat.

In the midst of eating, Luke finally remembered his purposeof visiting, “HEY!!!” he shouted, surprising Risette by the intense volumeduring the process. Luke stood up, slamming his palms on the floor, “Inexchange, help me win over the pretty lady!!”

Stein threw a rotten tomato at Luke’s face, “I already toldyou... I don’t know any pretty lady.”

Luke noticed the subtle change on Risette’s face. He wasexperienced enough to tell that this girl was hoping Stein would say that she’spretty. Luke gave Stein a cold look, “Are you sure about that?”

Stein finished the design on the food for Risette. Then hefelt a stab in him. He knew the reason immediately, “I’m positive. Though ifyou’re going to ask if I know a cute lady, I can tell you who she is...” Hesaid while keeping a stoic face.

Luke saw the expression on Risette to change from slightlyirritated to subtly pleased. He inwardly smiled at the reaction of the girl,“In any case, I’m talking about your customer yesterday...”

Stein placed the food for Risette on the table, “Her name’sLisa, and if anything, she is not pretty.”

Luke looked offended on Lisa’s behalf as he let out a gasp,“What are you saying?!”

Stein gave Risette a house blend tea, “I’m saying she’s afailed succubus. She keeps bringing in new bodies to replenish herself...”Stein added more sugar until it was to Risette’s liking then continued the restof his sentence, “She’s the only succubus that I know who wouldn’t wantinternal friction—”

“WOAH! Too much information!” Luke raised his hands sayingthat Stein should stop before it got too graphical. He drank his water, partlyirritated that he was completely being treated like a third wheel even thoughhe wasn’t supposed to be. He coughed into his fist, “So... I want a favour toask..!” He twiddled with his thumbs as he gathered the courage, “Please help mewin over Lisa!”

Stein stared for a while then, “No.”

“WHY?!”

“She hates guys.”

“Then what do you call yourself?!”

“A vessel...”

The place suddenly fell into great silence. Only the soundsof platters echoed in the house. Luke suddenly felt the air get tense as hecontinued to eat the food Stein prepared for him. He looked at Risette who waseating as well. The surprising part was that Stein was handling this girl withgreat care as though she was a fragile being—well all girls are fragile exceptfor some but, seeing Stein like this was a great change of pace.

“And you were saying..?” Stein said, indicating for Luke tocontinue.

“I still want your help! Consider this as your payment forthrowing me out of town!” Luke said with full determination.

Stein just sighed in defeat as he agreed to Luke, “Fine.”

Luke did a fist pump of victory. His eyes somehow caught asmall smile from Risette then his eyes shot to Stein who was gripping the edgeof the table. He smirked at the turn of events. This operation might be awin-win situation for the both of them.

~o0o0o~

“Stein! You better give me an appropriate reason for callingme here!” Lisa said as he headed her way to Stein’s place. She had her hairtied up to a messy pony tail, which was something new because she would usuallyshow off the beauty of her hair.

“Remember Luke?”

Lisa untangled hes hair, “If you mean that gross guy, thenyeah.”

“He likes you...” Stein left, leaving a dumbstruck Lisa.

Stein walked behind the trees to meet up with Risette andLuke.

Luke seemed disturbed as he grabbed Stein by the shoulders,“Why did you say it that way?!”

Stein shrugged as he avoided eye contact, “The easier, thebetter...” He looked behind Luke to see if Risette was—

She’s not there. Stein nudged off the hands and looked forRisette. He looked around until his eyes finally land on Lisa who wasaccompanied by Risette. He slowly shook his head as he covered his face in anexasperated manner.

Luke found Stein’s action weird until he found out why. Helooked defeated as he saw the two girls get along just fine. He dashed rightaway as he felt like he shouldn’t lose to Risette. Stein just sighed in dismayupon seeing Luke’s display of stupidity. He joined the group and apologized onLuke’s behalf because it was simply disgracing and grossing out Lisa.

Stein dragged away Luke for a few minutes and gesturedRisette to continue to whatever they were discussing about. After a few minutesof forceful dragging, they were finally back to where they were hiding. He letgo of Luke then watched the two girls converse for a while before returning hisgaze back to Luke, “I already told you that she hates guys yet you jump rightin and make a horrible impression on her.”

Luke stared at the ground, “I know but I’m a frustratedperson.”

Stein nodded in agreement, “Well, I’m glad that youunderstand that part. But did you also understand that you were an idiot backthen?”

Luke shot a glare, “Don’t rub it in.” He scowled.

Stein felt that someone was staring at them. He turnedaround to see that Risette was signalling them to go there. Stein dragged Lukeonce more, “Let’s go...”

Stein and the forcibly dragged Luke was once again in frontLisa who was giving Luke a disgusted glare, “Hello.” She sternly said.

Stein chose to ignore as he made a conversation withRisette. Luke dumbly stared at Lisa, unable to utter even a single word.

“It was love at first sight please go out with me!”The ginger doll shouted. Luke grabbed the doll and clamped its mouth shut. Hedidn’t utter a word as he watched Lisa’s reaction. He remained stoic andstrangely composed while profusely sweating.

Lisa raised a brow at the odd behaviour then scoffed, “As ifI’d believe the words of a man.” She crossed her arms then snapped her head tothe side.

“Please believe me!” The ginger doll shouted as itgot out of Luke’s grip. Luke tried to catch the ginger doll but it keepsmanaging to escape his hand, “I never thought that I’d actually feel this!Please reconsider!” Luke turned red as a tomato as he finally caught theginger doll. He mustered the remaining of his courage as he looked over to Lisawho was actually thinking of reconsidering. Luke gave Lisa eyes that seemed toshout out an expectation coming out from her.

Lisa looked around with unease before finally landing hereyes on Luke. She then looked at Risette who seems to be enjoying heruneasiness. The girl was feverishly nodding her head to approve of Luke. Lisathen directed her eyes on Stein who doesn’t seem to understand the atmosphereas he avoided eye contact.

“I’ll be the happiest man alive if you say yes...”The ginger doll blurted the moment it got out of Luke’s grip... again. Lukedecided to hide the ginger doll under his jacket. He stared at Lisa withhopeful eyes.

Lisa cringed at the thought of accepting this guy, but itwould be a big shame for the guy if she rejected him here and now. That wouldbe very disappointing, especially with this kind of crowd. Speaking of crowds,the number of people expecting her answer seems to be increasing as well. Lisatook a heap of air then released it as a sigh, “I’ll give you a chance...”

Luke shone brightly upon hearing the answer.

“BUT!” Lisa raised a finger on him as she gave a demeaninglook, “One wrong move and you’re out!”

Luke gave out a bright smile as he extended his wings tosignify the intensity of his happiness, “I won’t let you down!” He shouted ashe attempted to hug Lisa—who dodged it with the least of effort.

“Don’t push your luck!”

Luke chuckled awkwardly, “Right...” He said as he scratchedthe back of his head.

The crowd clapped at them which was very disturbing becauseit was just the four of them when this had started.

Risette enjoyed the scene she saw as she giggled to herself.Stein noticed the odd behaviour, “Why did you laugh?”

The girl watched the interaction between Luke and Lisa thengiggled once more, “I just thought that they seem to have good chemistry.”

Stein didn’t get her words, “I think chemistry has nothingto do with it.”

“I don’t mean chemistry as in elements but as in chemistryin compatibility...” Risette continued to watch the two with fond eyes.

“I didn’t get to know you better today all thanks to him...”Stein said as he also watched Luke and Lisa’s interactions with one another. Hesighed then stared at the open space, “I should do something to make up forit...” He rolled his eyes to Risette’sdirection, “Do you want something?”

Risette just shook her head in response, “I like it thisway... Besides...” She beamed at Stein, “Seeing people show their effort inlove somehow makes you feel the same as well!”

Stein just nodded in agreement even though he couldn’tpossibly respond to it, “How does it feel?”

Risette was woken up once more to the fact that Stein canfeel but not react. She shrugged her shoulders, “It’s a fluttery feeling thatleaves you in the air...”

“Fluttery feeling...” Stein reached for his empty chest andstared for a little while, “If I have a heart, will I know that feeling?”

“When you get one, I guess...” Risette replied.

“And that heart would be yours...” Stein said, feeling hischest. He stopped to wonder, “But when the heart is gone, what would happen toyou..?”

Risette felt like she suddenly fell into an endless pit. Sheswallowed a lump before shaking her head, “I don’t know, really...” She lookedat the ground like it was the most interesting thing in the world.

I told a lie again...

Stein felt the words come into his mind as he directed hishead at Risette by impulse.

I’m really sorry that I had to deceive you... Butif I say the truth, you’ll probably hesitate. And if you hesitate, you mightregret. There is great pain in bringing reactions to emotions. I wish that youcould live with just you without a heart.

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