Chapter 674 You're Pathetic

Manny was turned looking at his friends to his right. His left arm was clearly pointed at Lee Seng. He was clearly mad about the situation. Liz was standing next to him, trying to calm him down but Manny's patience had clearly been very little. Ritsuka kept his eyes glued on Lee Seng, standing in the middle of Liz and Evan. Evan watched Manny and Liz while Olivia turned to look away.

"He's always like this!" Manny angrily told them. "He throws himself a pity party whenever he didn't get his way. He clearly didn't get his way so he threw a fit!"

"Hey, I think you should—" Liz reached up to grab his arm. Manny swatted her away and turned to walk away. "Manny! You promised me you would try."

"He doesn't want to be visited so let's go home." Manny told them. He started towards the door, leaving his friends as Liz followed after. The door opened and shut and Olivia let out a sigh they had all been holding onto. She turned to look at the others. Evan was clearly confused on what they were doing and looking to her and Ritsuka for an answer.

"Ritsuka. Do you want to talk to him still?" Olivia asked. Ritsuka nodded. He watched Lee Seng's back. They were quiet for a while. Evan awkwardly looked between the remaining group and Lee Seng, wondering if he should leave or not.

"Ten minutes left." Rika's voice announced. Ten minutes had gone by so slowly. Evan ruffled his hair and looked at Olivia.

"I guess I'll leave." Evan told her. He turned to Lee Seng. "It was nice seeing you, Lee Seng. I hope you're not the murderer." Evan turned and waddled out. The door opened and closed, leaving Ritsuka and Olivia.

"Y'know you were his priority right?" Ritsuka finally spoke. "He just wanted to know you were safe. He really cares about you. More than you know. I've never seen him get so upset and moody like that in the time I knew about him. He really wants you home. I really want you home like the others do… Manny's been more moody as of late because of everything's thats happened. Evan really wants to make sure everyone's okay, but he doesn't know how to adequately do it. He's still feeling out the group after spending half a year with everyone."

Ritsuka looked down and smiled. He couldn't help but feel the emotions swirling inside. He looked up and noticed Lee Seng had slightly turned his head to listen. It was the closest thing to getting his eyes to look up at them.

"I even got mad, too." Olivia smiled. "I was kinda shocked when I found out about your friend. I didn't think you had a friend like that. Ritsuka told us he knew about it and I was mad at first, but I think my side effect made things easier to digest."

"Side effect? You have one?" Lee Seng looked up at them. He was clearly curious about it. Olivia nodded.

"I have one, but I think that's something we'll have to talk about when the time comes."

Lee Seng quickly looked back down. He didn't want to show how in pain he was about Keng. He was angry at first, but Keng's emotions plagued him. It was constantly there and he didn't know how to get rid of it. He grabbed his chest and squeezed the shirt.

"Everyone knows." Ritsuka continued. "Your friend and the dirt he has on you." He chuckled. "We went on a job and asked him to tag along. He accidentally revealed something and it led to Olivia getting mad because Manny and I fought, a lot that day. You should've been there ahah…"

"Five minutes left." Rika announced.

"I won't pretend to know what you're feeling. What you're thinking, but I just want to tell you this, Lee Seng…" Ritsuka looked down. He looked up with determination, finding Lee Seng half-looking at them, again. "I'll always be on your side. I know you wouldn't kill all those people without a reason. The time we've had together, I know you're gentle. You care about the people around you. You like to joke around, help others with homework, talk about Guild stuff… You and I spend so much time together that I think it gets Manny jealous, haha… But know I don't think you're the murderer. I don't think you're pathetic. 'Screw what they say,' right?"

Lee Seng nodded, smiling. Olivia glanced between Ritsuka and Lee Seng.

'They clearly grew close in a short amount of time. No wonder Manny's always moody.' Olivia thought.

"So… Prove yourself innocent and continue to fight the good fight. You have me and—" Ritsuka began to turn to Olivia as she spoke.

"Answer me this." Olivia interrupted. "Did you do it?" Lee Seng froze as soon as Olivia asked that. He began to turn back around.

"Hey, I thought we—" Ritsuka whispered, getting the hand.

"One answer. That's all I need from you. Should I believe in you right now or be like the rest of the world?" Olivia asked. Lee Seng felt the swirling pain grow. The guilt of it all. He had desperately wanted to have power and it cost him the one dream that kept him sane: adventure.

"One minute. Wrap it up, please." Rika announced. Ritsuka turned to watch Lee Seng. He wanted to know,, too, but didn't want to push Lee Seng. It was the second thing he learned about him. Lee Seng didn't need to be constantly pushed. Sometimes he just needed time.

'C'mon, Lee… Answer it.' Ritsuka thought.

"Forty-five seconds." Rika announced. Time went by and Rika spoke, again. "Thirty seconds."

"C'mon, Lee… Answer." Ritsuka whispered. Lee Seng took a deep breath and stood up. He turned and moved closer.

"Fifteen seconds left. Finish your conversations and get ready to leave." Rika announced.

"No, I didn't do it." Lee Seng answered. Olivia studied Lee Seng's eyes. She nodded and began to turn away. "I wish I could tell him I'm sorry, but our friend isn't here right now." He tapped his heart and looked at Ritsuka.

"Times up. Please come out." Rika announced. Ritsuka began to turn when Lee Seng mouthed something to him. Ritsuka turned back and watched Lee Seng's mouth go for a little longer. He smiled and nodded and waved goodbye. Lee Seng waved and watched his friends exit.

'Don't worry about me and him.' Ritsuka thought. 'I'll be fine. I'll get out in time. I just need to wait.' Lee Seng's message had gotten to him and that's all he needed. He followed Olivia out and noticed their friends were gone.

"Where's everyone else?" Olivia asked.

"Manny didn't want to be anywhere near here, so they left first." Rika told them. "Follow me." They were led back to the security room for their things. Manny and the others had taken their things and left. Ritsuka and Olivia grabbed their things and followed Rika out to the front of the building.

"Thank you for coming with us." Olivia stuck her hand out to Rika. Rika shook it, nodding.

"My pleasure. It's good to hear Lee Seng talk. I haven't heard a word in weeks. Maybe he's better than I thought." Rika told them. She pulled away and stuck her hand to Ritsuka, who shook it. "Have a safe trip back and make sure Manny's okay. He has the worst temper out of all of three kids. I'm sure he's a time."

"Ah, nothing new." Ritsuka chuckled. "I've gotten into plenty of fights with him. I know he doesn't really mean it. He's just… caring in his own way."

"Caring is one way to put it." Rika smiled. "Have a good day you two. I have to attend to other things." Rika waved goodbye and watched the two students turn and leave. Olivia and Ritsuka stepped out and looked around. The SUV was idling and Manny wasn't in the driver's seat. Evan turned and noticed them and came over.

"One of you will have to drive. Manny, uh… disappeared and Liz went with." Evan informed them.

"We're not waiting for them?" Olivia asked.

"Liz said to not worry about how they'll get home. Someone will bring them home after Manny cools off."

"Alright. I'll drive if you don't wanna." Ritsuka looked at Olivia.

"Go ahead."

Lee Seng turned and wandered over to the door. He stood by it, looking over to the camera. The door beeped, red light turning green and opening. Lee Seng stepped into the bathroom and moved to stand in front of the mirror. He looked like shit. Messy hair, probably smelled horrible and felt dirty from not showering for a week.

'Can't you come back to me?' Lee Seng thought.

"Please?" Lee Seng whispered. "I can't do it without you…" He turned and headed off to the toilet. Keng and Lee Seng's punished floated to his head, again. He let out a sigh as he pulled his shorts down and sat.

'I shouldn't have said those things to you… You only were looking out for me.'