Chapter 177 - 171. Perhaps Someday
After talking more about what they should do with the cores, Radia told Zein to go home and have ample rest.
Which, he might do. Probably. But not before he saw Bassena leaning against his office door, arms crossed and staring his way. There was no question as to why the esper was there, but Zein asked anyway.
"Why are you here?"
"He said not to follow," Bassena shrugged and gave him a little grin. "Nothing about waiting in front of my own office."
Zein looked at Bassena; his heart and his mind having an intense battle inside. It killed him...it really did, the way he wanted to step forward and run away at the same time. But as he gazed into the warm ambers, his defense was crumbling.
He craved that warmth, and so, even though he knew it would corrode his mind even more, Zein let out a chuckle. "Heh..."
Yeah...he couldn’t burden Bassena with his corroded mind, but to avoid the esper just because he felt like he was getting stabbed repeatedly in the gut didn’t sound fair for the younger man.
Bassena smiled at the reaction, and after looking in the direction of Radia’s office for a while, he carefully asked the guide. "What you’re talking about with Radia...does it have something to do with why you’re looking pale earlier?"
Zein glanced at the esper, who still looked at him with concern. Zein couldn’t blame him, because he knew he did look terrible, and if he saw Bassena looking like that, he would act the same. "Somewhat," he answered hesitatingly while starting to walk away.
Bassena turned to follow the guide, and when Zein didn’t tell him off, he matched the step to walk beside the older man. "Will I ever come to know what it is?"
Zein didn’t reply immediately, and Bassena almost thought he wouldn’t get any answer. But Zein managed to answer as they waited for the elevator to come up. "I hope so," the guide said earnestly, eyes staring hard at nothing and lips stretched into a rueful smile.