Chapter 274 - Weirdoes

After some time, of course, Teren didn't finish his whole story. He said it overly summarized which made Catherine understand his past a bit.

"Well, now I look stupid thinking that I have a rough life."

She frowned.

"I don't know yet so I don't know what to comment."

Catherine knew what Teren was trying to say. She may complain from time to time but she hadn't really told this to anyone, not even to Eline or Mira. Mira knows some of it but not to Eline. The former didn't know what to do after hearing what was happening in Catherine's house while they felt like Eline would go charge at Catherine's parents if she learned what's happening.

But it was never really about that. She feels uncomfortable saying to others. Wouldn't she look weird? She thought.

'Teren, on the other hand, I think he's the weirdest, maybe, that's why I wouldn't feel so uncomfortable if I tell him this...'

Catherine wouldn't know until she says it.

"My father was a drug addict."

She began, telling Teren that she was just a fruit that neither her parents wanted. They were forced to have a marriage and she was the one who tied her father and mother to live together, reluctantly.

"My mother always hated my father. What happened to them was just a loveless fling. Now, they have to deal with me. They are not rough on me, they would even smile but I knew that I'm just a burden to them... I... am aware that both of them have their own lovers whom they really love... having a real family with. They can't have divorce because... sadly, their image would be broken."

If her parents broke up and came out that they already have their own other families from the start, they would be scorned. 

"So, I guess they will take this to the grave unless they got caught by their siblings or friends and would be forced to divorce. But until then, I guess I'm stuck within an awkward house."

Catherine said with a depressed smile. She felt that she had no place as even her own biological parents seemed like strangers to her.

Remembering how sad her life is, she blinked a few times and wiped her eyes.

"W-well, that's all. Also, I hate it when they bring their lovers home even though they know that I'm there. I guess that's the worst part so seeing them like that, I want someone who would actually take care of me even though they don't love me at all."

"You think that nobody will actually love you?"

Teren raised a question and Catherine just rolled her eyes. For her, the answer to the question was very obvious and she didn't need to say it.

"... I don't feel like somebody will, how about you?"

"Hmm..." turning the question to him, Teren pondered, "That's true, I've done so much repulsive action that I always think that I wouldn't be accepted anymore. The ordinary life was impossible with a society unable to accept those who are evil."

Catherine laughed at this.

"So deep, lol. What are you talking about? Society will definitely not accept you."

"Yeah, that's what I said."

"And, I don't think you need society to accept you anyway." Catherine shrugged her shoulders as she casually said, "You just need at least one person who will accept you for who you are..."

Her voice lowered as she heard her own words. She realized she was saying something pretty embarrassing stuff.

This made Teren smile, "Yeah, you're right, that's why I fell for Iesa. She's twisted in her own way. I feel like, in the whole world, she's the only one who will love for what I do. That's why, I think, I'd rather fight the whole world for her... that's the gist of it."

"Hehe, that's pretty sweet of you. I wish I have someone like that."

Teren's words heavily hit Catherine as she could understand him so deeply. Someone who loves you for what you do and for who you are...

"How about Mike?"

"Ergh... he's just a friend. At first, I thought that I could rely on him. It's kind of toxic of me but I want him to take me as his responsibility if he's manly enough... I guess that's what I think before."

"Hm..." Teren understood where she's coming from, "How about your friends? Not everything is about a lover, you know."

"I know that. But I haven't really told them about it... I told Mira but it's not the whole story. Maybe, I'm ashamed of my family?"

Catherine couldn't really explain it well to which Teren replied and cleared it for her.

"I think it's because you don't want to burden them with your past."

"Ah... yeah... wait, you're right. I'm afraid that they will feel uncomfortable with me for sharing such a heavy story. What if they don't want to be friends with me anymore?"

Catherine and her friends mingled to have fun and do all things light and cheery. She thinks that fully sharing her situation will create an awkward rift between the three of them. At that point, she will never really have a place.

"What are you talking about? Lol."

Catherine lightly giggled after hearing Teren's reply, "Are you copying me?"

"Yeah... I'm not an expert when it comes to these things but can't you trust them more?"

"Are you saying I should tell this to them?" she fidgeted.

Teren felt like what he has been saying was out of character of him. But, hearing Catherine's troubles, he felt the need to say those words.

He didn't say anything further and just smiled.

"Umm... should I? What if it will make them uncomfortable or something?"

Catherine got nervous all of the sudden. Her outside appearance of being tough disappeared. After she told her story to Teren, she felt it was natural to show her vulnerable side.

"It's your choice. But think of it like this. You told it to me but I was not bothered by it, right?"

"Eh? Well, it's because you're weird." Catherine couldn't help but smile as she fixed her hair. Somehow, she begins to understand why Teren falls in love with Iesa, a twisted person.

'Hm? Wait, that's not what I mean...' she felt her heart thumping for some reason, 'I don't understand at all, that's right... I don't get weirdoes like them.'

Meanwhile, her words made Teren frown, thinking she was serious, "Hm, maybe."

"Yeah, you're really weird." Catherine curled up to hug her legs, burying half of her face onto her knees, before speaking with a muffled voice, "But I'm not saying I hate it." her eyes looked in the other direction.

"Then, how about we sing now?"

Teren then abruptly said, making Catherine frown.

'What am I getting embarrassed about?'

"Okay, let get into it."

When she picked up the mic and sang, she looked back and noticed that Teren have his attention on his phone instead of her. This made her feel weak for some reason.

'He's not listening... did I do something wrong?'

After a few songs, Teren then told her progress level, telling her she improved a lot. But she wasn't particularly happy.

'I feel like shit for some reason...'

"Well, it's about time, already. I better get going now." Teren said before exiting the room, shocking Catherine.

"Eh...?"

Her shoulders dropped as she stared at the door that just closed. A void was filling her inside. Her head dropped as her eyes gazed at the empty space.

"Hm... I mean, I expected this already... even a weirdo is weirded out by me."

Catherine's voice was emotionless. She sighed before she took her bag and opened the door with her head cast down. Without looking at what was in front of her, she hit something with her forehead.

"Ouch...!"

"Eh?"

Catherine jerked up to see Eline and Mira. Seeing them there, she asked.

"What are you two doing here?"

"Well... we were asked to come here, right?" Eline looked at Mira to which the latter nodded.

"Why are you at a karaoke at this time of the night, Catherine?"

Mira asked with a raised eyebrow. Catherine had always avoided karaoke whenever they were hanging out so it was weird to see her there.

"Hm, are you here with Teren?"

Eline asked with a shocked expression.

"Huh? What? Of course, not..."

Catherine tried to deny it but it was pretty obvious, she then stopped as she realize she was just fooling herself.

"Um... since we're here. Why don't we sing?" Eline suggested which made Mira excited as seen from her smile.

"Wait, but aren't you two forbidden to stay out this late?"

Catherine asked them but they just shook their heads.

"Nah, it's just one night. Come on, it's normal for high school girls to rebel sometimes." Eline said something unreasonable, making Catherine laugh a little.

After that, Eline and Mira sang their piece before the mic was passed onto Catherine.