Ilaya got out of the cab as she paid the driver. Then, she looked at the mini restaurant across the road. Her gaze turned distant for a moment as she whispered
"It's only been a few days. But it felt like weeks to me"
Then, she looked at the road to check for cars. She saw some far away and she immediately crossed the road as reached the entrance of the owner's restaurant. She hesitated for a bit. Then, she cheered herself up as she entered the establishment
She saw many people as the time was half past one in the afternoon. Then, she saw Owner at the counter. She noticed that he's the same as always. Like a wise man who had experienced a lot. Ilaya looked around inside as she felt nostalgic
She almost teared up but she held it in. As people are starting to glance at her because she's standing still, she then proceeded into the counter and lined up. As the people placed their orders and go for their seat, it was then her turn
Ilaya heard the owner call her as he prepared to list her order
"What's your order?"
She hesitated for a bit before saying
"Takoyaki for me. And cold drink"
The owner froze for a moment before looking at her. His eyes widened as he quickly calmed himself down. He then said said to her with a relieved expression
"Coming right up. What about you head towards the staff room? Also, greet Mars in the kitchen"
Ilaya felt warm in her heart as she smiled at him
"Okay, Owner"
Then, she walked past the counter as she heard Owner said to her
"I'm glad that you're okay"
Ilaya stopped as she hung her head. Her eyes trembled as she hum as a response
"Hmm"
Ilaya felt that she's going to say incoherent words if she opened her mouth so she just hummed and nodded as her reply. Then, she walked towards the kitchen as she smelled the familiar fragrance of food emanating from inside
She reached the door as she opened it. Then she saw Mars wearing an apron and hair net as she cooks. Mars heard the door opening as she said
"Boss! I'm going to finish it soon! Cooking must not be rushed. You kno-"
Her words abruptly ended as she saw Ilaya looking at her with a smile. Somehow, her smile is tragic and sad. She immediately let go of her spatula as she rushed to her and gave her a tight hug. Then she said softly to Ilaya
"Ilaya. I'm so glad that you're okay. We missed you so much"
As Ilaya was buried in Mars tight embrace. She smelled her familiar scent and she felt warm all over. She even thought that she's going to melt. Then, she raised her arms to embrace Mars but stopped midair. She suddenly felt that her heart is aching painfully
Mars didn't notice her pained expression, but she did notice her attempt to hug her but stopped. She said to Ilaya
"Are you not going to hug your big sister"
Ilaya felt her heart throb painfully and she forcefully suppressed the pain. She tightly hugged Mars and said to her
"I missed you nee-chan"
Ilaya didn't want to let go of her. She just wanted to feel her care and love. She felt so peaceful and happy in her embrace. But, she couldn't suppress the pain anymore as she trembled. Then, she let go of Mars as she diverted her attention
"The food that you're cooking is starting to burn. I'll head towards the staff room first. We can all gather later when you and Owner take a break"
Mars looked concernly at her, but she exclaimed when she heard her words
"Ahh! That's right! Well talk later!"
As Mars picked up the spatula and started flipping the food in the pan, she said to Ilaya before she got out of the kitchen
"I'm so glad that you're okay Ilaya. I really do"
Ilaya looked back at her as she said happily
"Yes! Thank you nee-chan! I'll wait for you in the room!"
Then, Ilaya closed the door. When she's sure that Mars can't see her anymore. Her expression collapsed as her face contorted from the pain prickling her heart. She leaned on the wall as cold sweat appeared from her and she breathed heavily
She walked towards the staff room unsteadily until Ilaya entered the room. She glanced around as she saw that it's still the same the last time she's here. Ilaya saw her things in the corner including her folding bed. She grimaced and walked towards the folding bed as she set it up. After she's done, she laid down on it as she deal with the pain
'Why is my heart hurting like this? This pain is also different from the awakening that Kyora and I had experienced. It's like there's a thorn stuck in my heart!'
Ilaya turned anxious as she didn't know what's causing the pain. She didn't know if she was going to suddenly die and that scared her
'No wonder Kyora is so desperate about obtaining information about our condition and she really wanted to cure her curse'
As she thought about the curse. She suddenly realized that she didn't know her curse. Ivana said she had a curse, but she didn't know it. She planned on consulting Ivana later but she had a feeling that it's going to be futile
If she can recover her memories, that's a different matter. But as of now, there's no clue to it whatsoever
"I can think of it later. But the important thing is to not let Mars and Owner see my condition. Sigh… I just got the peace and warmth that I wanted, but another problem emerged"
Then, as Ilaya waited for ten minutes and was getting irritated by the prickling pain. The door opened and Mars entered as she brought the food that she ordered
"Ilaya. Here's your order. It's on the house"
Mars put the food in the table as she looked at Ilaya and worriedly said
"Are you going to go back immediately? We really hoped that you'll at least stay here until later"
Ilaya looked at Mars and said to her
"I'm going back later maybe before 5pm. So, we can talk all we want when you take a break later"
Mars suddenly became elated as she said to Ilaya
"Yes! We have so many questions! Make sure to answer them all!"
She laughed as so is Ilaya as she said to her
"Yes, yes. I'm not going anywhere so you better go back to the kitchen. There's so many customers right now"
Mars nodded and she headed towards the door. Before she closed it, Ilaya noticed that Mars wanted to say something but didn't continue. But Ilaya noticed a sad and guilty looked on her face. Then, Mars closed the door as she leaves. Ilaya tilted her head as she pondered
"What was that about?"
Then, she shrugged and started eating her food