"When you're too close to someone, the words get stuck in your throat instead."
"Are we like that too?"
"We see right through each other, yet don't dare lay our cards on the table."
"You'd rather keep your troubles bottled up forever than tell me..."
Veliona finally spoke.
Her tone held not the slightest ripple.
"I said it's nothing!"
"Look, your 'new friend' is here."
"Go on, go play with her."
The words "new friend."
Hung in the air like a thorn.
Especially grating.
But Seele noticed nothing amiss.
She simply assumed the other girl didn't want to talk.
"Whenever you want to talk."
"I'll always be here."
She turned and left.
Her retreating figure grew distant.
Veliona stared in the direction where that figure had disappeared.
Her chest rose and fell.
A long sigh escaped.
Heavy and weary.
In front of their screens.
The viewers collectively fell silent for half a second.
Then their lips curled wildly upward.
Their smiles held an understanding shared only by those in the know.
Hanser's quip set everyone off.
"Veliona has definitely turned into a complete sourpuss."
"Maxed-out tsundere traits, and she's being this obvious about her jealousy?"
The chat instantly flooded with messages, all from spectators enjoying the drama.
The livestream was positively cheerful.
Everyone was waiting to see how this jealous girl would trip herself up.
The story continued.
Kiana came into view.
Her steps were light, her eyes a little inquisitive.
"Sorry for the wait, Seele."
"You were staring into space just now. What were you thinking about?"
The question caught Seele off guard.
Her cheeks warmed slightly, and she hurriedly averted her eyes.
"Nothing, my mind just went a little blank."
Kiana didn't press her, merely nodding.
"Let's go to Salt Lake City."
This was the bustling city closest