The Lost Clothing
“Okay. Let's stop here.” I stopped my footsteps, turning to look at the figure that was following behind me.
“Why? Don't you want me to visit your place?” Sean looked at me pitifully.
“It's not that I don't want you to come to my place. My mom would kill me if she found out that I brought a man to our home. You know, our neighbors are very gossipy. If they dare see me with you, they would definitely report it to my mom.” I tried to persuade Sean to leave.
“But I'm your friend.” Sean still tried to convince
“Yes. A man friend. Don't you see the problem there?”
“No, I don't.” He shook his head innocently.
“Gosh. You are so naive.” I slapped my palm against my forehead in helplessness.
Not wanting to back down, Sean continued. “Don't worry. I will be good in your home.”
“You-” Before I could finish my words, I saw my mom coming down the road with a huge nylon bag in her hand. “Hurry and hide quickly.” I quickly pushed Sean into the nearby recycling dump.
“Belia.” Mom called out as soon as she saw me.
“Mom.” I waved at her and hurried over. “What are you doing?”
“Going to recycle this.” She answered, showing the nylon bag filled with bottles and cans in her hand.
“Let me help you.” I reached out to collect the bag.
“No.” She stopped my actions. “Just go inside and wash up. I will be done soon.”
Sean was still hiding in the recycling dump, so there's no way I would let Mom go by herself.
Hence, I hurriedly snatched the bag from her and sprinted to the recycling dump before throwing it inside.
“All done.” I dusted my hands as I rushed towards her.
“This girl.” Mom had a smile on her face when she saw my actions. “Tell me, how was school today?”
“Same as before,” I replied.
Our two figures walked up the road, with our swaying shadow reflected under the evening sun, which created a beautiful atmospheric moment.
...
Mom had already prepared dinner.
My stomach began to rumble as I sat across the table. I had only eaten a little when Sean pulled me out of the cafeteria hall earlier, so I was famished the moment I saw the food on the table.
Helping myself to a bowl of rice, I began to eat.
The hot beef soup tasted great, adding a trace of warmth to my cold stomach.
“This is so good.” I complimented.
“Eat more vegetables. Don't just eat meat alone.” Mom added a few greens to my plate.
“Hmm.” I continued to eat happily.
...
Once I was done washing the dishes, I headed upstairs to my room.
The cold air that came from the window suddenly made me realize that something was off.
“Did Mom open my window. I remembered closing it before I left for school this morning.”
Not thinking much about it, I began to clean up my room.
The dirty clothes were taken to the laundry room. However, when washing, I noticed that a piece of my clothes was missing.
I searched all over the laundry room for it, but I couldn't find it. “I guess it must be in the wardrobe somewhere.”
\===
Twelve eyes all turned to Sean, looking at the piece of clothing he was holding in his hand.
“This. Isn't this…” San paused his speech, not knowing what to say at this moment.
Frand was the one who finally spoke up. “Isn't this what we saw the female mannequin at the shopping mall wearing on her chest?”
“I think so,” Eason answered.
“Err…” Sean scratched his head, feeling uncomfortable under their stares. “This was what I picked up from her room. If I hadn't escaped faster, I would have been caught in the act.”
“Give it to me.” Vagamound stretched out his hand and took the weird clothing from Sean.
He lifted it forward and began to inspect the peculiar design. “What's this? Why are there two circles on the side?” The clueless immortal lord, who hadn't been taught female biology, questioned.
“According to my knowledge about this world, this is a female's underwear.” Eason began to explain. “It's usually worn over the chest area. So, I guess Belia used to wear this over her--”
“You pervert.” Gia slapped Eason on the head before he could finish his words.
“Awww.” Eason rubbed his head in pain.
“Ha-ha. This is karma.” Sean burst into laughter when he saw Eason being hit on the head.
“You…” Eason glared hard at Sean, to which the latter replied by sticking out his tongue at him.
Eason snorted and turned to face Gia, who had hit him on the head. “Why did you hit me on the head? What I said is a fact. This kind of clothing is usually worn on the chest area by women.”
“Yes. We all know that, but talking aloud about it is so...” San shifted his eyes to Vagamound, not knowing whether to continue with his words or not.
“I will keep it,” Vagamound said, folding the circles together.
“Huh.” The rest looked at him as if they had just seen a ghost.
“But that's…” Kris couldn't even finish his statement.
“It doesn't matter. As long as it smells of her, then it's fine.”
\===
I felt that I was becoming crazy. The previously cleaned room was now filled with clothes that were littered all over.
Where did I put it? That's a limited edition bra that I bought with the allowance I'd been saving up.
How could it get lost when I've just started wearing it?
A knock soon came on my door.
“The door is not locked.”
The door was pushed open.
“Whoo.” My mom was surprised when she saw the state of my room. “What is the chaos going on here?”
“I'm sorry, Mom. I'm looking for my red bra. Did you help me see it somewhere? I thought I put it in the wardrobe, but it's nowhere to be found.”
“Don't tell me you caused all this chaos for just an underwear. Don't worry, I'll get you another one of the same brand.”
“Really, but it costs a lot. It's a $200 limited edition bra.”
“It's alright. I can afford it.” She carefully stepped over my clothes and placed the cup of hot chocolate milk she had brought for me onto the table.
“Thanks, Mom.” I looked at her and smiled.
“Anything for you, dear.” She smiled and left the room.