Too Late To Confess

On a weekend afternoon, three boys were seen on the beach. Of course, they were Marcell, Novan, and Erza. The three of them decided to go to that place because it had been a long time since they visited the beach, enjoying the sound of the thundering water, feeling the wind that blows to cool the body, hearing birdsong that soothes the ears, and smelling the salty air that smells so strong. Yes, it feels so good, not to mention the view of the beach that is so pleasing to the eye.

In the afternoon, the beach was crowded with people. Of course, because it was Sunday, people were busy spending time with their friends, girlfriends, parents, and families.

Erza saw a lot of small children playing, some were playing ball, building sand castles, chasing each other, and even swimming on the beach.

While the boy himself sat at the far end, wandering with his own thoughts, it was different with Novan and Marcell, who were currently joking until they laughed. Erza didn't know what the two friends were discussing.

Novan, who first saw Erza daydreaming, immediately nudged Marcell's arm.

Marcell gasped softly, "Why?"

"What's wrong with him?" asked Novan. He pointed at Erza using his chin gesture, making Marcell immediately follow the direction of Novan's gaze.

Marcell himself was also confused, shaking his head. "I don't know." The boy quickly found Erza's shoulder, making him immediately gasp softly. "Hey, what's wrong with you, Za? Do you have a problem?"

Erza immediately turned his face away, his round eyes blinking fully. "What does that mean?"

A low sigh escaped Novan's lips. "You've been daydreaming all day, that's what confused Marcell and me. What's wrong with you? You're daydreaming."

"I'm not daydreaming," Erza quickly denied, followed by a roll of the eyes. "You don't have to think about what's wrong, do you? I don't have any problems."

"But here's the thing, it's obvious from your face that you're bottling up problems and thinking about something that Novan and I have no idea what it is. Do you understand?" Marcell pushed Erza's shoulder once.

Novan snapped his fingers, "That's right, I agree with Novan."

Erza ignored the jolt that came to him, he chose to shoot sharply, "It's just your feelings, the proof is that I'm not thinking about anything. Never mind, just enjoy the beach atmosphere in the afternoon, which is very soothing."

Despite having said and being very adamant that Erza was not in a mess, neither Novan nor Marcell actually believed him. They knew that Erza was lying, that was the problem that Erza couldn't avoid because his two best friends knew him too well to resist. Lying also felt very useless.

Novan still didn't want to lose. "Za, listen to me."

Erza remained silent, his eyes drifting downward, staring at the soft sand of the beach. Erza knew these signs, and he didn't like them at all.

"Hey, Novan is talking to you. Don't pretend your ears are clogged with stubborn germs." Marcell pressed, making Erza sigh softly, inevitably, he lifted his gaze, looking at Novan with annoyance.

"What the hell?"

"You can't lie to me or Marcell, we both know you too well. Do you understand now?" Novan smiled wryly, pleased that Erza was provoked by his words just now. Just look at Erza's face right now, which is turning bright red.

It was obvious that Erza was hiding something! And something was tugging at his mind, so he kept his lips sealed and his brain thinking about things that Marcell and Erza didn't know about.

"I know that you're thinking about something, but it's not like the Erza I know, you're not usually silent like this. It feels strange and odd, everything is too obvious that you can't hide it, Erza." Novan spoke at length, further trapping Erza in chaos.

Marcell continued, he said quickly, as fast as lightning splitting the sky, "and I agree with Novan's statement. So, you can't do anything anymore, Za. You're trapped, you can't lie to me and Novan. And you only have one way out, you confess now."

Marcell's words were like a dagger that had just pierced his heart, Erza was stuck in place. His tongue was suddenly numb, and his mind was getting complicated.

Erza finally closed his eyes, as his breath came in long gasps. The boy needed to calm down in order to control himself. Erza needed to clear her head.

After a few moments of silence, Erza ventured to look at Novan and Marcell with his chin up and his eyes flashing. He was ready to say something. The serious look on his face was too obvious and too obvious.

"Okay, I confess now." Erza ventured to look at Novan and Marcell's faces, both of them looked at each other with furrowed brows and blinking eyes.

Erza's lips quirked into a lopsided smile, and he said again, "I do have a problem, I've been thinking about it, you two are right that I've been daydreaming and mostly silent." Erza just took one long breath. "You two successfully revealed the truth, congratulations."

In truth, Erza wanted to cover up the problems he was currently facing. But, hiding it from Novan and Marcell did not seem like a wise choice to make. Because both of them always knew many things about him.

Besides, Erza himself was also not good at covering up his problems. The boy sighed softly.

"Well, right? What I'm saying is that you must have a problem that is being covered up because, since we came to the beach, you don't seem excited, Za," said Novan.

Marcell continued Novan's sentence. "You already look weak, tired, lethargic, sluggish, and exhausted. How could Novan and I not realize that? We're both too close to you and know you, you can't avoid or evade if you're covering something up, and you're not good at hiding that, Erza. You have to remember that."

"But that doesn't mean I have to tell my problems to you two, right? It's okay if I confess, but you two don't have to know my problem," Erza said.

"Yes indeed, no one is forcing you to tell us, we just want you to be open." Marcell's words were supported by Novan with a nod of his head.

"It's your right to tell your problems to me and Novan or not," said Marcell, pausing to wet his dry lips. "It's all on you, Erza. You live your life, you control your life, and you also have the right to share your problems with others or not. The decision is in your hands, only you can and are able to make decisions that you think are good."

When a wise sentence had just escaped Marcell's lips, Erza was actually gaping, unable to say anything. Since when could Marcell speak such wise words? It felt really strange, making him dumbfounded for a split second, but on the other hand, Erza liked hearing that sentence, Erza really appreciated it. He was so happy that he looked at Marcell longer than he thought. It was rare for Marcell to issue such a heartwarming ultimatum.

Not shaking his head just there, Marcell opened his lips again and said, "Erza, like what I said earlier, indeed, if the decision is in your hands, it's your right to tell your problems to both of us or not, whatever. But, you have to remember one thing ..."

Both Erza and Novan looked at Marcell, waiting for their friend to say another word.

So focused that Erza didn't blink an eye this time.

"But, you have a best friend who will faithfully stand by your side." Marcell smiled slightly. "You have me and Novan. We're both your best friends, right? We'll stay by your side. You know where to pour your heart out if you can't bear your own pain and problems. You have friends, you have to remember that. Got it, now?"

Not knowing what to say, Erza only responded with a nod of his head, at least for now, he was struggling to find the right reply.

Novan embraced Marcell from the side with a sense of pride that bubbled like boiling water in a kettle. "Erza, we're both your best friends. It's true that we won't force you to tell us, but we're ready to listen to all your complaints if you decide to tell us."

"Honestly, I'm too stunned to know what to say, but I appreciate all of your kindness. You guys are indeed my best friends, and I also know that I have you guys who are willing to help me if I need a helping hand to pull me out of the pit of trouble I'm in. And for that, I just want to say that I am grateful to you both." Erza nodded firmly and very earnestly.

"Remember, there are two of us who will help you."

"Yep, I know that, but trust me when I say that my problem isn't so bad that it makes you guys feel worried. That's not necessary, I still feel fine." Erza tried to put on a faint smile, his eyes, which chose a honey-like color, had just closed.

There's nothing wrong with lying for your own good, right? Erza just didn't want Novan or Marcell to get too involved in Erza's problems, but they would indeed lend a hand if Erza really needed it. But, Erza is firm on the principle of not bothering others, even if it's his closest friend.

Erza would solve his own problems, even if he had to accept the pain. Even if he has to bleed first to solve all his problems, Erza doesn't care, he will go through it with a firm heart, an open mind, and a puffed up chest.

After all, all problems must have a way out, right?

Erza just had to focus and work hard to succeed in that goal, which was to find a way out.

"Well, if you don't want to tell me, I understand that, I can't force you either," Novan said, his shoulders lifting up.

"I also agree. But, you should remember that you shouldn't hesitate to ask for help if you feel the need. Sometimes, you can't push yourself to solve your problems on your own, when you really need someone else's help. Call me or Novan if you need help."

"Yes, I'll remember your words. Once again, I thank you," Erza said.

"Both of us would do the same," said Novan. "If I have a problem, I will definitely tell you, provided that I really need it."

"And that's what I'm going through, I don't really need other people, especially you two, I hope I can still solve my problems. You both already know that, so I don't think we need to discuss this anymore, okay? Let's talk about anything other than this." Erza wanted to change the subject, anything, so he could throw his mind into something else.

"It's useless if you keep daydreaming," Marcell quipped to Erza.

Erza grimaced softly as he scratched the back of his head, which was a little itchy. "Okay, this time I'll focus on listening. I also need a distraction. You know, I don't want to get caught up in the negative things I'm thinking about." Erza grinned widely, then he adjusted his sitting position to make it more comfortable. "So, what do we need to discuss?"

"Promise me that you really won't keep quiet." Novan warned.

"Yes, I promise. What are your girlfriends, by the way?"

"I'm with Weeby?" Marcell immediately replied, he suddenly felt very excited. "My relationship with her is fine, although sometimes we still fight a bit about trivial things."

Novan sneered as his hand patted his best friend's shoulder. "That's obvious, typical of the two of you, you fight a little, then not long after that, everything's fine, and then you're pouting. Easy to guess."

Erza laughed at Novan's words. "It's not weird, is it?"

"I can't help it, the most important thing is that my feelings for Weeby are sincere, I really love her that much." Marcell's cheeks were as red as boiled crabs when he said that, his lips painting a wide grin.

Novan and Erza, on the other hand, suddenly had the expression of wanting to vomit.

"How are you with Uti?" Marcell asked back.

"It's fine, actually, and I think she's really in love with me." Novan replied, "I can tell and realize that. You know, as I've told you, Uti initially accepted my declaration of love because she still didn't know how she felt about me, it was still gray, blurry, and unclear. But now I'm really sure that Uti already loves me back, more than I thought."

"If I were Uti, I think I would reject you." Marcell said it bluntly, making Novan open his lips wide in surprise.

"How mean are you to say that?" Novan's lips pouted, and his cheeks puffed up. He looked at Marcell with a sharp glint in his eye.

Marcell, as usual, felt not at all guilty. Just look at that boy, now even laughing so widely, that Novan himself was afraid if his best friend's lips were torn into two parts.

Erza also laughed, but not as loudly as Marcell.

Marcell shook his head, still giggling. "Yes, obviously, I'm saying that, Uti doesn't know what her feelings for you are like, she might know that you're nice to her, but that's not enough to make Uti really like you back. If I were Uti, I would reject you."

"Hey, you can't say that!" Novan snapped, already feeling annoyed.

"I'm not wrong, why would we accept someone else's love if we don't love them back?" Marcell was still heating up Novan. "You're really stupid, aren't you?"

"You said Uti, stupid?"

"I didn't say that."

"But your words imply that, Marcell."

Marcell let out a long sigh. "Just think for yourself, listen to my words." The boy cleared his throat to get rid of the rasp that clogged his throat. "Listen to this, Novan. Do you really want to get love in return, or is it because you have to?"

"Uti didn't accept me because she had to, you should know that."

Marcell didn't listen, instead, he continued to probe. "It's not only you who will be hurt, she will also feel the same way."

"It's not like that, I still love Uti, and Uti herself is the same. So, what's there to worry about? Our love story is successful and going smoothly. It's not like what you said earlier, you're wrong, Marcell. The proof is that we are living our relationship as it should be. And only Uti and I know that, period."

"You and Uti are lucky because you succeeded, most would have failed."

"How do you know?"

"Just trust me."

Novan didn't give any reply, he merely rolled his eyes in annoyance. He chose not to pay attention to Marcell's words, which were full of nonsense.

"I don't want to hear your words anymore."

Marcell laughed softly, happy to be teasing Novan. Then his gaze shifted to Erza, who was mostly silent. "Uh, is there anyone here who doesn't have a girlfriend?"

Erza wasn't going to fall for Marcell's teasing. He was already immune to receiving abuse from him. Indeed, among the three handsome boys, Erza was the only one who didn't have a girlfriend. He was often teased by them, but between Novan and Marcell, Marcell was the worst. If it's already mocking, it will immediately become ingrained!

However, fortunately, Novan was immune to all the taunts thrown at him.

"So what if I don't have a girlfriend?" Erza asked back. This was her go-to move if Marcell was already taunting her. "Marcell, I need to tell you for the millionth time, I don't care."

Look at that annoying boy? In fact, his laughter became even louder. Erza sneered and rolled his eyes.

"Don't you want to have a girlfriend? Let's be like me and Novan."

"None of your business, Marcell."

"Are you not interested? There's a lot of good that we get, and you know it without me mentioning it."

"There are also bad things, so it's balanced," Erza replied casually. "And you should know, I'll have a girl later, it's just a matter of time."

"That's good, it means the problem that you're gay is solved. It's wrong."

"Hey!" Erza jerked Marcell. His eyes were already wide. "What did you just say? I'm gay?" Erza's lips were fully parted. He really couldn't believe that Novan had said that to him. How annoying!

"I want to punch you in the face, I like girls, why are you saying that? Why do you conclude something that is not yet clear? I'm sick of hearing that."

"You're alone anyway, isn't it wrong that I think that?"

"Just because Erza doesn't have a girlfriend yet, doesn't mean Erza likes boys, right? You can't be careless when you say that." Novan defended Erza this time because he was in the same camp as his best friend.

Erza nodded vigorously, happy that someone was supporting him. "That's right, you're really annoying, Cell? I'll have a girlfriend later, just watch."

"Well, prove it. Don't talk too much. Prove it through actions, not words." Marcell gave Erza the most annoying lopsided smile Erza had ever seen. He wanted to kick Marcell's ass into the swamp!

Erza still tried to be calm, saying, "What business is it of yours anyway? Whether I have a girlfriend or not, it has nothing to do with you, right?"

"Yes, it has nothing at all."

"Well, now that you know yourself, it's better if you just shut up, Cell. That's better."

"Get ready, I'm going to mock you all the time," Marcell said, deliberately so that Erza's anger would continue to be ignited.

Erza looked at Novan, who was shaking his head.

"Za, what if we conspire to throw Marcell into the middle of the sea, while we are here? The time and situation are right. Do you agree?"

"If I really have no pity, my blood is really bad, and I am a crazy psychopath, of course your captivity will be a special attraction for me, Van," Erza replied, glancing at Marcell, who was grinning incoherently like an insane person.

"The problem is that this is our best friend's child, and we also still have a heart, that's what's difficult, huh?"

"That's right!"

"Hey, you two are getting too carried away, I was just joking earlier. Besides, you already know what my character is like." Marcell tried to defend himself while drinking bottled water.

"But still, you're annoying too." Erza sneered.

"That's why, get a girlfriend!"

"Hey, there's no relationship!"

"Erza, I'm serious." Marcell started again, this time more calmly and seriously. "You have a target, right? You mean, you have a crush who will most likely become your girlfriend?"

"Why do you ask that?"

"I want to know."

"And I don't want to tell you. Let's not talk about it anymore."

Marcell hit Erza's head quickly. "I have good intentions, all for your sake. Seriously, are you there or not?"

"There is," Erza finally said. All are pure lies, in fact, Erza has not found a suitable girl for him to date.

Not without reason, Erza lied, he just didn't want Marcell to get stronger to mock him. Erza didn't want that to happen, he could explode, his head would smoke, and even worse, Erza would beat Marcell to a pulp for trying to ruin his peace.

"Is there really?"

"What exactly do you want? I've been annoyed myself." Erza replied angrily, he watched Marcell with eyes that were sharper than ever, as sharp as a kitchen knife that often slices meat!

"That's how he is, just be patient, Za." Novan tried to calm Erza down, which actually didn't work at all, and Novan also realized that. Marcell's annoying behavior has no cure, it's very cruel and disturbing.

"Erza, I just want you to have a girlfriend soon. Just imagine, the three of us can have a triple date! How's that? It's rare, isn't it? It would be fun. Me with Weeby, Novan with Uti, and you with your girlfriend, who's nowhere to be found." Marcell laughed. "That's really great, isn't it? Just imagining it is so much fun. When can something like that happen?"

"It can happen, in your wildest dreams!" Erza scolded him before he actually stood up from his seat.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"I'd rather play in the water than listen to your incoherent ramblings. Come on, Van, do you want to come with me or not?" asked Erza while waving his hand at Novan, telling him to come closer.

Erza was already right on the shoreline, his feet had just been splashed by the water.

"I'm coming, wait for me!" Novan hurriedly ran after Erza, leaving Marcell alone without asking first.

"Well, I'm left behind, they're no good at all." While continuing to grumble in annoyance, Marcell then stood up from his seat, rubbing his pants that were stuck with a lot of sand.

"Hey, you two! Why are you waiting for me? I want to play in the water too!" Marcell hurriedly set his feet on the sand, stepping quickly. He ran, was too hurried to pay attention to his steps, and he almost tripped over his own feet.

If Marcell had really fallen in the sand, let alone fallen face first, it would have been an opportunity for Novan and Erza. Both of them could have made fun of the boy, think of it as revenge. But, unfortunately, that didn't happen. It would have been interesting if it had happened the other way around.

Marcell would have been the butt of the joke!

The three handsome guys stood in a row, feet submerged in the warm beach water. The sun was descending on the western horizon, and the sky was slowly turning from bright blue to purplish red.

As the wind blew his long hair, Erza closed his eyes, his lips parted, and he smiled so brightly. "When I'm at the beach, somehow I always feel a sense of freedom, don't you two feel the same way?"

"Yep, also tranquility." Novan agreed, his finger just flicking.

"It's the sound of the wind rustling and the debut of the waves that makes us feel that way." Marcell added, to which Novan and Erza nodded their heads in agreement. The three of them agreed and got along again, as if their previous problem had happened months ago instead of minutes ago.

That's how they were-easy to quarrel and fuss over something, but would get along as quickly as the wind came.

"Later, when I'm already working and successful, I'd like to build a house by the beach, it would be nice." Erza smiled slightly at the thought. "Every time I wake up, I'll smell the salty air, hear the sound of the waves for the first time, and enjoy the beautiful scenery." The fantasy growing stronger in his head, Erza then continued his words while Novan and Marcell were staring at him, listening to all the words that came out of his lips.

Erza spread his arms, ready to welcome the wind. "I'm going to build a room with a glass wall that leads directly to the ocean, enjoying the sunset like this. I can't imagine how good that situation would be."

"You say that, and it makes me want to, Za." Novan laughed, "Does it sound like fun, too?"

"It sounds fun, but I personally have a different opinion," said Marcell.

"What do you think?" asked Novan as he glanced at Marcell, who was standing just to his left, his eyes narrowing, while Erza was already crossing his arms with a furrowed brow, his curiosity stirring at the moment.

"The beach is nice, but if I have a lot of money, I want to build a house in the mountains, with a lush tree atmosphere." Marcell chuckled amusedly. "As far as the eye can see, I will find trees, the sound of birdsong is pleasing to the ear. In addition, I can watch the oak and birch trees change every season. In winter, I can light a fireplace while drinking hot chocolate, accompanied by a book or movie. It's crazy how good it feels."

"Yes, that sounds good. I hope we succeed in the future." Erza shrugged his shoulders. "But, you two, don't forget me when you're successful."

"No way, Za." Marcell shook his head and embraced his friend.

Erza smiled as he returned Marcell's embrace. Novan, who saw the scene, chose to join in out of envy. In just a short time, they had all embraced each other, true friends who were enjoying the afternoon at the beach while enjoying the sun that was slowly sinking in the far west.

"That's right, we shouldn't forget each other, we should laugh and not lose touch," Novan said, adding. "We'll be friends until old age, right?"

"Your words aren't quite right, Van." Erza corrected, "Not until old age, but until death do us part. Even though we'll have our own busy lives later on, we have to make time to see each other once in a while."

"Agreed!" said Marcell earnestly, answering too enthusiastically.

"Me too, of course," Novan added.

The three of them laughed together.

"Already, don't think about the distant future, let's just enjoy the present. We also see each other almost every day, we're not lonely for now," Marcell said.

"That's right, and, oh, look over there, the sun is really about to disappear." Novan pointed ahead, causing Erza and Marcell to quickly avert their eyes.

A sense of amazement quickly spread among the three boys, and they stared at the seconds as the sun of life began to disappear into time.

Until finally it was late afternoon, the three of them looked at each other, and their laughter filled the air-a very pleasant moment with friends.

At six o'clock in the evening, they decided to go home.

Novan and Marcell walked towards their vehicles, unlike Erza, who was suddenly glued to the spot because his cell phone in his pants pocket vibrated, indicating that someone was contacting him.

Erza looked at his two friends, who were getting away, but the boy ignored him and chose to take his cellphone to check who was trying to contact him.

And Erza's breath caught in his throat when he read who was calling him.

Erza was surprised to find out who was calling him. With a pounding heart and without another thought, the boy immediately picked up the incoming call. It was rare for this person to contact him via cell phone like that. Apart from being curious, Erza knew that there must be something important currently happening.

"Erza, what are you doing standing there?" From the front, Marcell shouted loudly to Erza. When Erza looked up from his cell phone, he shouted again, "Are you still at home and don't want to go home?"

"You go ahead with Novan, someone is calling me." Erza replied no less loudly, which was understandable because the distance created between the two was quite wide and far.

And fortunately, both Marcell and Novan heard the words shouted by Erza. Both of them immediately stepped away. Erza now had space again, and the boy hurriedly shifted the green icon on his cell phone screen. The phone line finally connected at the same time as Marcell and Novan, who had sped away from the beach area, heading for their respective homes.

"Hello, Jaka?" Novan smiled as he moved to a rather fragile wooden chair not far from where he was standing.

"Erza, where have you been? It took you so long to answer my call."

Erza immediately received a sarcastic scolding from the other side when he had just landed on the chair. The boy frowned, confused by the tone of Jaka's voice and that of his friend and neighbor.

Erza replied after wetting his dry lips. "Sorry, I had a little business with my friend. By the way, why did you call me? It's very unusual, you rarely do this."

A cold tone crept into Jaka's voice. "There's no need to ask a lot of questions, now you hurry back home."

"What's wrong?" The boy's back had straightened, no longer leaning on the chair, he was alert and ready to receive an explanation.

"Your mom, Za."

Just a brief explanation like that made Erza rise to his feet, his grip on the cell phone hardening, his teeth suddenly gnashing loudly. Without Jaka explaining further, Erza knew where the conversation would lead. The destination was clear, right in front of his eyes.

Anger suddenly welled up in his chest, and Erza's jaw hardened. The boy felt unstable, his emotions were about to boil over if he couldn't control himself.

Erza tried to keep his composure, but it didn't last very long at all. When his mother was mentioned in Jaka's words, Erza already had a bad feeling. Not a premonition anymore, but a bad reality.

"Erza, hello? Can you hear me talking? Hello? The signal is bad there, isn't it?" Jaka spoke at length, speaking quickly in one breath.

"I heard you," Erza replied shortly, the way his words came out was hoarse and filled with anguish. Erza was already taking long strides towards his parked car.

"I can't explain at length here, you should just go home."

"I'm on the road, I'm going home now. And you don't need to explain anything to me, I already understand."

"Good, don't be long. I'm worried about your mother, I can't do anything here, I can only tell you the news, I don't want to interfere, it's just ...."

It's just that Jaka is an outsider who doesn't know anything, Jaka is just a neighbor, and Erza and his family's personal matters are not in Jaka's realm at all.

"I understand. Thank you for contacting me, I'll hang up first, okay?"

"Yes, you be careful on the road, don't speed," Jaka ordered, to which Erza replied with a nod of his head even though he knew that Jaka wouldn't be able to see him.

The phone call was finally cut off. Erza sprinted towards his parked vehicle. Erza ran haphazardly and too hastily, his chest rose and fell, his breathing was irregular, his face was already red.

Erza then fell down when he took a wrong step, a wooden beam was just sticking out and blocking the boy's steps, making Erza fall down and squeal loudly.

"Shit, damn wood!" Erza cursed as he picked up the wood and then threw it away from him. His leg still hurt, he was limping slightly.

Fortunately, his parked car was not far from his position. It was only a few steps before Erza could reach it.

Erza threw himself behind the wheel. It was obvious that the boy was anxious, his feelings were anxious, his mind was already thinking about the unknown, something bad was waiting for his head. Erza just knew it. He could do no wrong. As for his mother... Erza choked, his mother would have been a-No, Novan wouldn't let his brain spin to come up with bad speculations.

"Fuck, where are the car keys?" Erza slammed the steering wheel after not finding his car keys. It took some time to find them.

Erza breathed a sigh of relief, quickly running his car at brutal, full speed. Erza thought of nothing but his mother, who must be going through something bad right now.

The car Erza was driving overtook quickly, he was very good at controlling the four-wheeled vehicle. Erza swallowed a few times, his eyes becoming more alert and careful.

Even though he knew that driving recklessly was bad for him and other road users, Erza didn't care. At least for now. He wanted to be selfish for once. Erza had to get home quickly and hug his mother, even if he could reach his mother.

"Mom, be patient..." Erza muttered softly to himself. His focus was completely split this time, between the road ahead and the thoughts of his mother.

He would have almost hit another car if he hadn't quickly swerved to the left. Erza cursed, feeling relieved that he was still safe. It felt like the road was getting further away from Erza's destination. The minutes lasted a very long time, and that's how the boy felt.

If he knew it would end like this, Erza would certainly not have left home. But, he didn't know anything, Erza didn't know about his future.

Erza arrived home in the next 25 minutes. A long time, at least for that boy. Parking the car in the spacious courtyard of the house, Erza slammed the car door, rushing into his wide, spacious, luxurious, and magnificent house.

"Mom!" Erza shouted loudly and loudly. His feet now on the marble floor, the boy rushed up the steps to reach the second floor.

Erza broke down the door to his mother's room, which fortunately was not locked. The sound of the door slamming was strong and deafening.

Erza's steps froze for a moment, the direction of his gaze now directed to one point. The boy let out his breath, then stormed towards his mother, who was currently cowering in the corner of the room.

"Mom!" Erza shouted loudly.

His mother's appearance looked so bad and so messed up. Her hair was a mess, and her cheeks were red, which Erza was sure was the result of someone slapping her. Then, her eyes were swollen from crying too much. Not stopping there, the rest of his mother's body was covered in red and blue bruises. Seeing it all, Erza winced.

"Mom, are you okay?" Erza checked all parts of his mother's body. The woman before him said nothing, her expression blank.

"That stupid man torturing mom again?" asked Erza, but there was no answer. His mother still kept her lips tightly shut. Nonetheless, Erza knew the answer. The boy clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles looked pale.

The expression on Erza's face hardened. "That man of an asshole and that bastard. Why does he always torture mom like this?!" Erza's emotions had overflowed like lava coming out of a volcano.

"That old man can't be left alone, he must be taught a lesson once in a while to deter him and let him know what he's doing is wrong. He can't just do whatever he wants because he's rich and powerful. Fuck!" Erza could not contain the emotional turmoil he was currently feeling.

"Why are you silent? Please say something, mom!" Erza pleaded, squatting right in front of his mother. However, his mother was still unwilling to open her mouth and make a sound.

"I know that this is all the work of that damn man, why do you always keep quiet when he tortures you like this?" Erza's eyes were already red, and emotions were already licking his face.

His mother merely stared at Erza's face, her eyes wide. Erza himself was already better able to control his emotions at this point. "Come on, mom, get up, you'll get sick if you keep sitting on the floor like this."

The frail old woman did not resist when Erza led her up to the bed and laid her down. Erza realized that his mother was very shaken at the moment, as she often was. Therefore, Erza chose to ignore all the answers from his mother. He didn't need it right now, let her mother rest first, and next time Erza would ask her.

Erza's lips spread a thin smile. "Mom, sleep and rest, calm down, mom, there's no need to think about something that only makes you feel sad and hurt. I don't want to see you like this, mom. I love you." The boy hugged his mother for a while, then he stood up while covering his mother's whole body.

Erza said again, "I want to take a shower and rest too, you just call me if you need anything; I will always be beside you. You understand, right?"

This time, his mother replied with a nod of her head. It felt better than being silent without responding. After a few seconds, Erza finally walked out of his mother's room.

After the door closed, Erza shook his head with his eyes closed. How long was this going to take? That was the question that kept going through his head.

"Until when will that jerk and vile man stop torturing Mom?" He muttered. He was feeling very hurt right now. Erza didn't know, perhaps it would never stop, unless his mother left, left this house, or went upstairs forever.

Erza felt a great dizziness that attacked his head, he needed cold water to refresh his body. He also needed enough rest, not to mention if he had to go to school tomorrow. The emotions that had been churning had begun to subside.

Half an hour later, after Erza had showered and eaten, the boy checked back into his mother's room. His mother looked asleep, her eyes perfectly closed, and her small chest seemed to rise and fall, in rhythm with her breathing.

Erza went outside. He sat there alone, thinking about his mother's suffering. Erza had suffered too, but not as deeply and painfully as his mother had.

It was all because of that insufferable man, who came only to torment his mother, berate her, and swear at her. Ersa's disgust for him swelled even further.

As time went on, the man became more and more of a jerk and ignorant. That's what made Erza even more upset with him.

His family was a mess, Erza knew that. His mother suffered, but did not want to do much about it. She just accepted it willingly when she was beaten and abused by her second husband, whom she married seven years ago.

And Erza hated his stepfather with a passion. At first, he was very kind to his family and his mother. But things didn't work out. The harmony that had been maintained cracked.

Erza was too sick to think of all the reasons why his stepfather was being so mean. There were too many reasons, and Erza didn't want to think about them.

"Who does he think he is to do whatever he wants in this house? He's not my father, my father is dead. He's just an idiot and a jerk. You'll see, I won't just stay silent. He's too much of a jerk."

Erza's anger soared into the air again.

"And where is he right now?" Erza then smiled stupidly at being able to ask a question that already had an answer. "Ha, at his mistress' house, of course. He came back just to torment Mom and make me furious. This time, if I see him come back, I'll beat him up."

Erza had been the silent party for too long, his stepfather had to fight back. Erza was not willing to be silent anymore. His mother had endured too much pain.

"I don't care anymore, even though he has power, lots of money, or acquaintances with tough people. He's just a stupid man, a stupid bastard who deserves to not exist on this earth."

There was a sense of satisfaction in cursing like this. Erza sighed deeply.

"The only problem is that mom." Erza squeaked, his voice breaking into a body-wrenching pain.

"I won't give up, I'll persuade mom to understand that there is other happiness to be had. This house is hell, I can't stand living in this place anymore. I and my mom have to leave immediately." Erza was determined. Then he stood up from his seat, choosing to enter the house because the cold pierced his skin.

Erza only hoped that the pain he and his mother were experiencing would soon disappear.

Not a difficult request, right? Erza didn't ask too much, did he? If so, God will surely hear his plea.