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.