Path of the Extra Chapter 387: Leo Karumi [21]

Positioned at the mall entrance wearing a plain sleeveless top and trousers, Leo awaited Lea's arrival. They had planned to meet there at 17:30.

The festival's first day concluded at 16:00. Leo explored several classes alongside Lea, and soon after—once Nathan stopped being upset with them and wrapped up his shift—the trio departed together.

Every class received a budget, and being an elite academy, the preparations from most classes turned out quite impressive.

Now it was 17:08. Leo showed up early, mainly because the festival committee members—like himself—finished after a combined session with the student council and committee. He couldn't join Lea, however. She had lingering student council duties to handle.

His gaze lifted to the clear blue sky with sunlight beaming down. Despite Christmas approaching next week, no chill or snow appeared. Instead, warmth and sunshine prevailed.

'What's up with this weather?' Leo pondered.

Having chosen to focus more on the year-end festival, he'd trimmed time from piano practice and other pursuits, opting for extra rest. Yet was that the wisest move? Maybe he should've sacrificed sleep instead?

Still, without ample rest, he'd lack stamina for the event. Regardless of the labels others gave him, he remained merely human. Fatigue could strike, and at his age, sleep held importance. Should his mother discover any sleep-cutting, she'd rage... yet still demand he juggle all his commitments.

"Leo!"

At the call, Leo glanced from his phone to spot Lea dashing his way. She halted before him, breathless, hands braced on her knees while regaining composure.

"Ahh—I-I figured you'd arrive super early. I rushed to complete my tasks, though...!"

Leo cocked his head, peering down at her.

"Nothing else filled my time. I just swapped outfits and headed straight here."

"Still..." she panted between breaths.

"I hated keeping you waiting... in all this heat."

"Yeah, but—"

"I rushed so much I barely noticed my choice," Lea grumbled. "This is ridiculously warm for this! Shouldn't winter mean cooler?!"

Leo eyed her attire. The summer hat worked fine—but the white vest over a turtleneck spelled trouble. It matched her long skirt nicely, yet seemed torturous in the current warmth.

"...Head home and switch clothes," Leo suggested. "I don't mind waiting. My day's schedule is free regardless."

"You cleared it?" Surprise lit her face as she looked up, then she shook her head. "No need! We'll grab outfits that fit the weather for me!"

"Huh?"

*****

"Ahh, this feels thrilling!" Lea's expression beamed as she strode ahead energetically. "I always dreamed of a friendly outing like in stories and films!"

The simple intent to fetch weather-appropriate garb morphed into this odd "friend date" scenario. Leo considered rejecting it, but Lea's persistent pleas—with her pure, excited gaze—made refusal impossible. Reluctantly, he'd consented.

"...Haven't you got plenty of friends already?" Leo queried. "Never shopped with them? And skip calling it a date."

Lea eased her pace to walk beside him. Inside the mall now, they aimed for their target store. She twisted her head at each passing shop, eyeing them with eager fascination. Thankfully, the air-conditioned space prevented further overheating—but acquiring new attire remained priority one, per her plan.

In reply, she glanced up, shook her head, rubbed her cheek, and turned away with a sheepish grin.

"I... honestly never ventured out with them. Pre-middle school, I seldom left my room—much less the house. Once my condition entered remission and outdoor freedom returned, middle school seemed like an alien realm. All felt novel and... unfamiliar, despite online videos."

Pausing briefly, she continued softer.

"Socializing proved tough. Fear gripped me—of messing up actions, words, or ignorance of basics. Yet I practiced diligently. I pushed hard." An uneasy chuckle escaped. "Some things still terrified me, though."

Her eyes darted sideways, dodging his.

"Thus, I turned down every invite. First year... even until last year. Now invitations stopped, assuming refusal. And I'm still hesitant to initiate. Don't want perceptions of an ignorant, pampered princess. Curiosity might overwhelm, leading to blunders."

She rushed to clarify,

"I mean, I've gone solo. And with Mom and Dad. Only..."

Her tone fell nearly inaudible.

"Only never with a friend, right?"

Leo observed her closely for a beat.

When Lea finally met his gaze, a faint smirk curved Leo's lips.

"So acting silly around me is okay?"

Her look turned indignant, as if he'd voiced injustice.

"You're not like them! You're the sole keeper of my secret!"

"Sure, sure."

"You... ugh." Eyes narrowed.

"Teasing to rile me up, huh?"

"Am I?"

Leo feigned innocent confusion, puffing her cheeks faintly.

"...You're relishing this," she grumbled.

"You enjoy frustrating me."

"Am I?"

"You...!"

*****

Locating Lea's preferred clothing shop, they entered.

Discomfort hit Leo immediately. As a women's store packed with girl groups, he felt utterly displaced.

"...Sure it's fine for me here?" he murmured.

Lea tilted her head, puzzled.

"Absolutely. Why not?"

Her sincere bafflement showed. Leo noted other guys present—likely hauled by girlfriends—easing his unease slightly.

That realization worsened it somehow.

"Let's move!" Oblivious, Lea surged forward brimming with vigor.

A step behind, Leo scanned surroundings while speaking.

"Certain you can cover these prices? Everything seems costly..."

Lea grinned, browsing items.

"They cost a lot. Women's wear typically exceeds men's, and this place charges premium."

"If pricey, I can chip in funds."

She whirled, eyes bulging in astonishment.

"Wha—! Didn't drag you as my bank!"

"I... got it."

Huffing, she averted gaze, weaving through displays.

"Genius or not, you're blunt on some topics, Leo."

"That true?"

Nodding, arms laden with selections as she foraged more.

"Parents aren't loaded, but we're solid. Middle to upper-middle tier. This fits my budget easily—shopping's rare for me anyway." A glance his way.

"Even with your family's wealth, don't toss cash casually."

"Noted," Leo replied flatly.

Mentally checking it off brought subtle relief.

Gathering various ensembles, she faced him eagerly.

"Give opinions after I try these, alright?"

"Sure," Leo agreed with a nod.

Toward fitting rooms they went. As Lea vanished inside, curtain drawn, Leo claimed a nearby bench to wait.

Instantly, her mutter emerged.

"Starting with this..."

Faint fabric sounds followed. Store tunes masked most, but Leo's keen awareness picked them up. Overly conscious, he pulled out his phone for distraction.

Lea's voice rang again.

"Leo... you're mega rich, yeah?"

He eyed the curtain.

"Why pose a question whose answer you know?"

A soft giggle sounded.

"Fine, but—is it cinematic rich? Like endless old-family fortune elites? Or just parental success?" Quick addition,

"Ah—no need if private!"

"Curious on my backstory clichés," Leo deduced aloud.

"..."

Silence.

Leo grinned.

"Short answer: both."

"Both?"

"Yep." Leo nodded unwittingly.

"Parents earn heaps from careers, but Dad's parents held vast wealth. They died pre-marriage, inheritance split to Dad and his three brothers."

Strangers from Dad's kin—only known the brothers scattered globally... and oddly, Dad mandated Leo master each's local tongue for "edges," likely bragging fuel.

"Whoa..." from behind curtain.

"Did Dad and brothers bicker over cash?"

Leo chuckled involuntarily.

"Too many dramas. Little on Dad's family, but shares divided evenly."

"O-oh... really..."

Detecting her subtle letdown, Leo's grin expanded.

Post-hospital media and books fueled her flair. Leo welcomed it.

"Doesn't change much," he appended.

"Eh? How?"

"Dad shuns the inheritance entirely. Zero use."

Silence lingered. Rustles resumed; as Leo eyed phone, she queried.

"Feels better earning your own spend?"

"Why so?"

"Not sure. Reads say self-earned cash satisfies more than inherited. Like part-time student cash vs. parental."

"Possibly," Leo conceded. "But comfort without it enables that. Poverty? Dad'd grab it."

"Fair," Lea agreed, perking up. "Bonus: untouched pile means it all heads to you someday! Life secured!"

"...Suppose."

Curtain parted abruptly.

Lea emerged.

"Tada!"

First: breezy all-white dress, topped with prior hat. Combo stunned flawlessly.

"Well?" Twirling dramatically, "Thoughts, Leo?"

Leo clocked it.

Spin halted, expectant gaze upturned.

"Suits perfectly," Leo stated steadily.

"Cute on you."

"Truly?"

Smile bloomed; cheeks pinkened, eyes darting uncertainly.

Leo probed further.

"Yeah," serene as always. "Stunning. White enhances your pale skin. Beauty amplified somehow."

"H-huh?" Lea stuttered, rigid.

"Wait—no, I—er... y-yeah?"

Leo inwardly winced at his words, yet amusement lingered. Lea resembled a glitched machine—tomato-faced, debating flee, speak, or vanish.

"Th-thanks," she managed, somewhat steadying—flush persistent.

"Hm? So adorable there."

Voice jolted; Leo glanced aside. Two middle-aged ladies nearby, murmuring.

"Her beau?"

"Likely—"

Leo's glare sharpened.

They stiffened momentarily, then scurried off guiltily.

"I-I'm trying next!" Lea blurted, voice thick.

Leo turned; curtain shut.

Awkwardness peaked—his doing, curiosity-spawned.

Women's store vibes. Not sole watchers. Traffic brought knowing glances, heating his face.

A sharp thud yanked focus.

Alarm surged toward curtain.

"You okay?"

"Y-yes!" Lea yelped fast.

"Just tripped—no biggie!"

"...Okay."

Dubious, Leo fixed on curtain extra beat before phone dive.

Soon, sans chat, curtain reopened.

Lea appeared: jeans, white tee emblazoned with Chinese script.

Boyish vibe, yet fitting.

"Now?" Confidence radiated. "How's this look?"

Not to dampen spirits, Leo spoke true.

"Super stylish. Fits well—beauty with cool edge. Jeans highlight curves better than skirts."

"R-really?" Blink, then nod, noting it.

"Thanks. I'll remember."

Fluster minimal, faint blush; clear delight.

Leo sensed odd letdown at her poise.

"Next up!" Lea announced vibrantly, vanishing again.

Brief clothes swap ballooned into runway spectacle. Each reveal, Lea struck poses. Leo dispensed praise each round.

It evolved to game—pushing reactions sans overload.

Leo admitted enjoyment. Anticipation built for next reveal—unusual. Shopping bored him. Prolonged company in tedium? Never.

Yet here.

Cheerful hums leaked as she swapped.

"Leo?"

Familiar voice pierced—one Leo knew well.

Body froze briefly.

"Ready! This one, Leo!"

"...."

"Leo?"

Lea frowned. Leo ignored her, gaze locked elsewhere, rising.

Puzzled, Lea traced his stare.

Woman there, gaping between them in astonishment.

Lea—in square-neck blouse and jeans—neared, nudging Leo's arm.

"Leo, who's that?" whispered, irked.

"Why the alien stare?"

Leo refocused. Clearing throat.

"...My aunt," then winced, amending.

"Well... Nathan's mom, actually."