Path of the Extra Chapter 388: Leo Karumi [22]

Why did Leo keep encountering people he preferred to avoid every single time he visited the mall alongside this girl?

Could he be under some kind of curse?

Leo had never been one to put stock in superstitions, yet Lea was steadily wearing down his skepticism.

In particular, because right now he found himself back in that very same café from before—back when it was him, Lea, Lia, and his mom.

But today, it was just Leo, Lea, and Sarah—Nathan’s mom.

Leo and Lea were side by side, with Sarah positioned opposite them.

After bumping into her by the fitting rooms, Lea’s mini fashion parade had screeched to a halt. It turned out Nathan’s mom had also been there trying on outfits. The instant she spotted the pair together, she suggested they all grab a bite.

Leo might have pushed back initially, but Lea—who was meeting Nathan’s mom for the first time and buzzing with excitement—insisted on joining. Thus, Leo once more gave in reluctantly.

And before Leo could catch his breath from that, Lea dashed to the counter and purchased the dress she’d modeled for him earlier. Leo figured it was excessive, but then again, from his observations, girls always seemed to amass larger wardrobes than guys.

The store staff even allowed her to leave wearing one of the fresh outfits. After a final change in the fitting room, she emerged in the very first dress she’d displayed: that breezy white summer number. Leo and Sarah lingered as she switched.

They suggested Sarah keep shopping—since Leo and Lea still had to grab their costumes—but she brushed it off, opting to stick with them, all cheerful about the company.

The most amusing twist was that Leo and Lea didn’t need to select costumes at all. Turns out Nathan had phoned the shop that morning, specifying exactly what to ready, so pickup was effortless.

Lea naturally had a maid outfit prepared for her.

And for Leo... a downright eerie clown getup.

He resented Nathan deciding for him without a heads-up, but imagining Dave’s fright in it eased the annoyance.

And here they sat now, at the café.

"Leo. Leo." Lea scooted nearer, poking his side with her elbow, whispering as she eyed Sarah—who beamed at them warmly. "What the heck? Nathan never mentioned his mom was this stunning. How does she look so gorgeous? I swear she’s not even wearing makeup!"

Leo’s eye twitched.

"Don’t buy into it," he grumbled, glaring at Sarah as if she were a scheming antagonist in hiding. "That smile hides a sadistic fiend who thrives on tormenting folks."

"L-Leo!" Lea gaped at him in horror.

Yet despite Lea’s dismay at his bluntness toward an elder, Sarah merely chuckled—warmly and unfazed.

"It’s fine," she assured. "I’m quite accustomed to it by now."

"R-right..." Lea muttered, still reeling.

She was well aware Leo could be blunt. She’d witnessed it often. But she also understood he didn’t always mean it completely. Especially around those near to him. With his folks, he treaded carefully. With Nathan, it came off as playful ribbing.

But Nathan’s mom...

Lea sensed Leo was utterly serious.

"I have to admit," Sarah went on, grinning at Lea, "Nathan’s shared plenty about you. You truly are lovely."

"Wha— um... t-thank you..." Lea stammered, blushing furiously as she averted her eyes.

"No, truly." Sarah kept her tone breezy. "My boy won’t stop raving about the student council president. Now I get it."

"Y-yes... thank you for those nice words," Lea replied softly.

"You’re welcome," Sarah answered, revealing a toothy grin that struck Leo like a predator savoring its prey.

"Yet..." Sarah tacked on.

And there it came.

"From what he’s shared, you’re sweet to all those nearby," she noted mildly, "but you always turned down invites from my son—or anyone—to hang out."

"Ah, well—"

Sarah then pressed a hand to her cheek, looked aside, and shielded her eyes like she was concealing tears.

"Evidently my son fibbed out of embarrassment," she lamented. "I’m sorry on his behalf. And for his antics, which must seem... off-putting sometimes."

Lea panicked right away. Witnessing the mother of her close acquaintance bow her head like that left her utterly flustered.

"P-please—lift your head!" Lea burst out. "N-Nathan’s no trouble whatsoever! Yeah, he’s goofy, not always serious, and way too into his hobbies, b-but he’s super reliable. He thinks straight and gets stuff done!"

"I see..." Sarah whispered.

But rather than seeming comforted, she sighed more deeply.

"So then," she murmured gently, "it must be that only Leo here meets your friendship bar... and not my dear boy."

"Wha—no! That’s not it at all!" Lea objected.

Flustered, Lea looked down and murmured quietly.

"Nathan’s a close friend too... it’s just..."

But Sarah abruptly erupted in laughter.

"Hahahahaha! You really—hahaha—you’re precious! Hahahaha!"

Lea blinked, then shot Leo a desperate glance, pleading wordlessly for rescue.

Leo met her eyes with a look screaming:

Determined to spare Lea more agony, Leo exhaled and chimed in.

"Aren’t you getting a tad old for these games?" he questioned. "Maybe pick up knitting. It’s great for seniors."

At once, both Lea and Sarah went still.

Then Sarah whirled on Leo with an indignant glare and retorted,

"I am not old! I’m barely in my early thirties!"

"Late thirties," Leo countered swiftly.

Sarah’s eye twitched.

"You and that mouth of yours... How on earth does such a sweet girl even tolerate you? Did you trick her?"

"The real expert at trickery here is you," Leo fired back, "with your knack for needling people."

"Ah! On the topic of hobbies!" Sarah flipped entirely in a flash. Her face lit up, and she thrust her phone at Leo, practically climbing over the table in glee.

"Check out what Nathan painted me yesterday! Isn’t it stunning?!"

Irritated, Leo leaned closer anyway—and his expression softened instantly upon viewing the display.

"Not bad," he conceded.

Leo had long admired Nathan’s artwork. It was visually captivating, and Nathan possessed genuine flair for creative pursuits. Art, however, ranked as Leo’s weakest area.

Lea, too curious to stay put, craned over to glimpse the screen. Her eyes grew wide.

"Oh," she gasped, truly impressed. "Nathan mentioned he paints sometimes... but I never pictured him being this talented..."

The artwork was straightforward, yet captivating.

A blooming apple tree dominated, branches drooping from the burden of pristine white flowers. Petals dotted the grass and clung to fabrics, blanketing the earth in pale, snowy flecks. Under the boughs loomed a solitary silhouette, almost lost in the whiteness. Dark attire drank in the light, contrasting sharply against the surrounding glow.

Neither Leo nor Lea could discern if the figure was male or female. The face remained concealed.

For whatever reason, Leo fixated on it. Something struck him as... strange.

Pleased with their awe, Sarah settled back, nodding vigorously with pride beaming across her features. She shot Leo a triumphant glance—which he spotted but smartly overlooked with Lea present.

Lea whispered into Leo’s ear,

"Um... Nathan’s mom is quite the character."

"Believe me," Leo whispered in reply.

"You’ve no idea."

"R-right..." Lea muttered.

Even so, she could sense the tight bond between Leo and Sarah—like kin, blood ties or not. It shone through. Leo’s barbs were rough, yet his gaze held no malice.

For an instant, Lea felt a pang of inadequacy.

Among all in Leo’s circle, she likely mattered the least. He undoubtedly shared deeper ties with others.

And oddly... that stung.

The sensation vanished as Sarah extended two bills toward Lea.

"Sweetie," Sarah cooed, "mind grabbing me two drinks? Whatever you pick works. This heat’s left my throat parched since dawn, and I haven’t quenched it yet."

"O-of course!"

Lea accepted the cash. Leo rose to let her pass, and she thanked him before rushing off.

Leo sank back with a soft sigh. Sarah chuckled, clearly entertained.

"She’s a sweet, sharp kid."

Leo eyed Sarah, then dipped his head.

"Yeah. A touch innocent in spots, though."

He leveled a pointed glare at Sarah while saying so. She just chuckled once more.

"That said," Sarah noted, "I’m somewhat taken aback by you."

"By me?" Leo queried, squirming under her tender, motherly stare—like she beheld her own child.

"Yes. Aren’t you heading the festival committee?" Sarah’s grin held steady. "You chose to aid your school this go-around, and you’re hanging with someone besides Nathan."

"Well... sure, I suppose," Leo replied, unclear on her angle.

Sarah cocked her head.

"Doesn’t this mark the first big move you’ve made without prioritizing your mom’s desires? She didn’t request this, did she? You stepped up on your own because you wanted to. And you’ve never gone that far before."

"—!"

It hit him like a freight train.

Sarah dissolved into laughter. "Hahahaha! You hadn’t even noticed, huh? You’re hilarious, Leo. So endearing!"

Disregarding how her mockery clashed with her looks, Leo gazed downward, rubbing his chin.

"Looks like you’ve hit your rebel stage at last," Sarah observed, more composed. "A touch behind Nathan, but hey." Her tone gentled. "I’m happy for it. I hate seeing you hurt further."

Sarah’s face grew solemn then. She peered at him intently, as if probing for hidden truths.

"...Over a year’s passed since that event."

Leo clenched his jaw.

"I know."

"I know you do," she replied tenderly.

"But should it recur... come find me, okay?"

Rather than consenting, Leo frowned.

"Didn’t you warn last time that if it repeated, you’d inform my mom?"

Exasperation flickered over her.

"That was since it persisted. It got too risky not to loop her in."

Leo recognized her point. He looked away.

"...Fair enough."

"Leo."

Her voice firmed—enough to yank his gaze back.

"Are you happy?" she posed abruptly.

The query floored him. He blinked repeatedly, torn between bewilderment and a subtler emotion.

Finally, tentatively, he responded—not sure if the question itself or his reply rattled him more.

"...I guess?"

Sarah’s laugh came soft this time.

"That’ll do."

"Here!"

Lea bounced back humming cheerfully, placing two cups of chilled orange juice before Sarah.

"Thank you so much, dear," Sarah said—and to Lea’s shock, she rose.

"But you two enjoy them. I’ve gotta head home before Nathan torches the kitchen."

"Ah, but—"

Lea eyed the drinks she’d fetched with Sarah’s funds, flustered as she glanced up.

"T-then at least let me reimburse you—"

Sarah silenced her with a pat atop her hat and a head shake.

"My treat," she declared. "For being such a solid friend to Nathan—and above all, to Leo. I bet it wasn’t simple."

At those words, Lea peeked at Leo and, curiously, pouted a bit before turning aside.

"Well... my persistence and perseverance did pay off eventually," she murmured. "Like right at the very end..."

Sarah chuckled.

"Have fun, you two," she urged, then eyed Leo. "And Leo, ensure she gets home promptly, yeah? Don’t dawdle yourself. And heed me—if trouble stirs, tell me. Anytime."

"Got it," Leo answered dully. "Now scram already."

With a final guffaw, Sarah departed.

Lea slipped into the opposite seat and slid a glass Leo’s way. He thanked her, and she beamed contentedly.

"She’s way kinder than I expected," Lea remarked.

Leo merely hummed, sipping.

"I guess even the wealthy face their issues, huh..." Lea breathed.

Leo caught it anyway.

He gulped deeply, placed the glass down with a soft exhale, and regarded her. Lea sipped blissfully, eyes shut, as if oblivious.

"So you overheard," Leo noted.

Lea stiffened at once—likely grasping she’d spoken too freely. Her eyes flew open in alarm, but Leo continued before she could respond.

"It’s fine. And no need for you to fret over it."

"...That’s not right," Lea countered, oddly unable to let him dismiss it so casually.

"A problem remains one, big or small. It shouldn’t get swept under, especially if it inflicted hurt."

Leo eyed her briefly.

"...You’ve got a point," he allowed. "Even so, it’s not your burden."

"Y-yeah..." Lea whispered.

She realized she’d likely pried too far. Forging this link with Leo had been tough enough—she truly didn’t wish her nosiness or self-interest to shatter their delicate tie. Previously, she’d been pushier; they weren’t true friends then, so boldness fit.

But now?

She wouldn’t gamble it.

Still... she yearned to aid him. Even slightly. Despite uncertainty on how—or what for—given Leo’s capability to conquer anything he pursued.

Lea sipped again, pondering deeply, then recalled their prior café chat.

It was when she’d questioned his apparent disdain for everyone despite not truly hating them...

And his response—

Lea finished her juice, set the cup aside, and drew a calming breath.

Meeting his gaze, she noted Leo observing her. That jittered her, so she fixed on her clasped hands in her lap.

Then she began.

"It’s pretty clear, but... entering middle school, I had zero social chops," she shared softly. "Like, absolutely none."

She peeked up, eased to see Leo wouldn’t cut in.

"I was the supreme introvert, really." She offered a crooked smile at the memory. "Just internet and books for company. My only talks were with parents or docs, so... no clue how to befriend peers."

Her grip tightened.

"It terrified me. What to say? Just hi? Then what? I studied online, in novels, but facing kids my age? Useless! I trembled so hard I nearly passed out!"

She exhaled faintly.

"Then it hit me. They were scared too—same as me."

Leo seemed puzzled by the topic. It spurred Lea to hasten, pressing on—nerves fueling her, yet she feared faltering. Leo stayed attentive, uncomprehending but patient. She appreciated it inwardly.

"I grasped a key truth," she stated.

"Know what?"

To indulge her, Leo replied flatly.

"No clue."

"Everyone’s nervous," Lea explained.

"Nearly all our age—then and today—act like they’re confident, socially adept, whatever. Most fake it. Some outright lie."

"...Okay," Leo said.

For a beat, Lea blanked on her point.

"S-so what I mean is..." she faltered, pushing through. "I faked it too. Acted. Pretended I wasn’t a total recluse dying to hide under blankets."

She laughed unsteadily.

"Tough, sure. But practice made it natural. Classic ‘fake it till you make it.’" Her gaze lifted. "And it succeeded!"

"Got it," Leo said. "Glad it worked."

"Ugh..."

He wasn’t connecting, and she couldn’t fault him. She sucked at explaining. Perhaps knowing her secret let her relax too much, exposing her jitters.

So she retooled.

"W-what I really meant was..." Lea inhaled.

"If you ever tire of being everyone’s foe—and crave more pals, or kinder vibes, but lack the know-how... this could help."

Her tone hushed.

"It’s what saved me. And it did." She paused, flushing. "You’re... a natural actor, so maybe it’d suit you. If you ever wanted."

Leo’s eyes widened a fraction at her remark.

Then