ASHLY'S POINT OF VIEW (Universe 13)
 
"Alright, I don't want to joke around anymore, Kion. Where is she?!" Earlier, I was still calm, but now I wasn't.
 
We were still in Kion's office, all of us in the mini living room, and like earlier, Kion was sitting across from me, not intending to speak. He must have noticed me staring at him because he looked up to meet my gaze.
 
"Even if you tell me she's in another country or on another planet, I'd believe you..." The tone of my voice made it clear how desperate I was to know where Seina was.
 
He adjusted his sitting position. "Would you really believe whatever I say?" he asked.
 
I nodded. "Anything, just tell me."
 
"Okay, fine." He brushed his hair aside and looked at Xylus and me.
 
What's wrong with this guy?
 
"She's... um..."
 
"What, bro? Are you about to say she's in another dimension?" Xylus joked, and I was shocked when Kion nodded.
 
Huh?
 
"She's in another universe." My jaw dropped at his statement. Xylus and I exchanged bewildered looks.
 
"Kion, come on, be serious—"
 
"But I am serious," Kion interrupted Xylus. "You want to know where she is? Fine, she's in Universe 97. Happy?"
 
"Y-you mean, the multiverse is real?" I asked.
 
I had always believed in alternate universes, but this was different. I never expected Kion to bring up such a topic.
 
"If you don't believe me, ask Aunt Evelyn," Kion said before walking away from us.
 
I was left speechless. I didn't need to ask Aunt Evelyn because I knew Kion wouldn't lie about Seina. But why was she there?
 
"Do you believe Kion?" Xylus asked me.
 
"Kion wouldn't lie, especially when it comes to Seina."
 
I remained seated, feeling confused because Kion's information was so vague.
 
What is Seina doing in another universe? How did she get there? Who is with her?
 
"Your next class is about to start. Should I walk you there?"
 
"No, thanks—"
 
"What if you run into Phoebe again?" he cut me off.
 
I couldn't refuse his offer, given his attentiveness. It wasn’t just Phoebe I should be wary of but everyone here. Fortunately, I had only one more class before I was done with my business at St. Lauren.
 
As usual, while we walked out, people stared at us, and I was sure some of Xylus's fangirls were already angry with me.
 
"Don't leave after your class. Wait for me. I'll take you to Evergreen University."
 
"No need, Xylus. I can manage on my own," I replied.
 
"Tss, don't be stubborn. I'll take you, and that's final." I had no choice but to give in to his persistence. Who could resist him when he looked so handsome...
 
"Fine, it's not like I have a choice," I said, grabbing my bag from Xylus.
 
I waited for Xylus to leave before entering the classroom. There were only a few people inside, most of them reading books. Maybe they had a test?
 
"Are you close to Mr. President?" I stopped walking when I heard a girl speak. She was sitting and looking straight at her book.
 
She must have noticed she had caught my attention because she adjusted her glasses and looked at me. "You're Ashly, right? I bet Xylus has been looking for you."
 
"Looking for me?"
 
"Don't you know?" I shook my head. "He's been looking for you for a long time."
 
"You sure? He didn't seem excited when he saw me," I reasoned. "Besides, we don't have a deep connection."
 
She chuckled lightly, as if I had said something funny.
 
"And if he was really looking for me, he could have just asked Kion since he's my friend," I added.
 
"But what if Kion told him you were in another country?" I was left speechless, not expecting her to say that.
 
Kion told Xylus I was in another country? How dare he?!
 
I'm right here, and yet, he told Xylus I was in another country?!
 
"Don't be mad at Kion. He knows what he's doing," she added.
 
I ignored her and sat in my usual seat. I looked at the empty seat beside me.
 
I didn't know if I should be angry with Kion. But what did that girl mean when she said he knows what he's doing?
 
"What did Faith tell you?"
 
I greeted Kion with a glare. I waited for him to sit beside me before I started speaking.
 
"Did you tell Xylus I was in another country?"
 
"Yes." I clenched my fists at his response.
 
His expression remained unchanged, still serious.
 
"Don't worry, Xylus is aware that you're not really in another country." I looked at him.
 
"You know that Xylus's parents never listen to what he wants. That's why Xylus does everything to show he can handle things on his own," Kion explained.
 
"His parents think he doesn't do anything right in his life. They don't know they should be proud of him," he added.
 
I stared out the window, unable to stop thinking about Xylus. All the sacrifices he made...
 
"That's why I wouldn't be surprised if they arranged a marriage for him. Do you want that?" he asked.
 
"W-why are you asking me that?"
 
"Because I know you like him. Did you know Seina told me about you?" he said. "And if I piece together the stories I've heard about the two of you..."
 
Oh no, what did Seina tell this guy?
 
"Seina told me you don't want a boyfriend. Are you waiting for Xylus? He made a promise to you, didn't he?" His words almost made my soul leave my body.
 
It seemed Seina had revealed all my secrets to Kion, my gosh!
 
"Yes, he made a promise. But promises are meant to be broken," I defended.
 
"But Xylus has no intention of breaking it. Everything he's done, all his sacrifices abroad... it's all because of you."
 
### KION'S POINT OF VIEW
 
I saw Faith talking to Ashly. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were discussing Xylus.
 
Faith is Xylus's cousin, so I knew she had probably told Ashly things she wasn't supposed to know yet.
 
"But Xylus has no intention of breaking it," I said, looking at her.
 
- FLASHBACK -
 
"So, you won't be mad that I hid her true location?" I asked.
 
"Why? I know you're just helping me. Thanks, bro." I sat across from him.
 
"But you know I can't help you with your parents," I said.
 
I had heard that Xylus's parents were coming home. They knew he had returned from Japan.
 
Even though Xylus and Ashly are my friends, their paths never crossed. One reason was that Xylus was always sent abroad as an exchange student.
 
At first, I thought he accepted those opportunities because he believed Ashly was in another country. But the truth is, he took those opportunities to become more successful.
 
He wanted to show his parents that he wasn't the same irresponsible person he used to be.
 
"Who knows, maybe a miracle will happen, right?" I said. We never know what the future holds.