,Coolest Girl in Town
Elise watched his departing figure as her eyes revealed a shade of inexplicable sensation, which she
covered up perfectly as no one noticed it. After dinner, Elise and her grandparents took a stroll around
the yard. Aware that she was obviously distraught, the senile couple peered at each other. Laura then
quizzed, “Ellie, you don’t wanna go home yet, do you?” Elise pursed her lips when she was so easily
seen through. Yet, she remained wordless.
Laura suggestively eyed Robin, who then stretched his back and hastily claimed, “It’s getting cold. I
should go get my coat.” Finished, he went into the house. Right when he reached upstairs, he
coincidentally bumped into Alexander. “Care for a game of chess, Mr. Robin?” Robin was visibly
delighted at the invitation. “Sure! It’s been a while since my last game.” And so, he headed to the
games room under Alexander’s lead.
Meanwhile in the yard, Laura was goading her granddaughter into a heart-to-heart. “Now, Ellie, be
honest with me. What’s troubling that mind of yours?” After glancing at her, Elise embraced her
grandmother’s arm. “Can I stay a little longer for now, Grandma?” Laura smilingly looked at her. “It’s
that Griffith boy, isn’t it?” Although Elise never intended to hide it from her grandmother, she was
certainly astounded by her keen observation. “I may be feeling something, Grandma.”
A sentence so simple, yet was able to convey all in her heart. Laura was overjoyed to hear that, but
she showed not even a tinge of her ecstasy. “Oh, dear Ellie, are you sure? That it’s not just a heat of
the moment?” Elise took a deep breath. “That’s the thing, Grandma. I’m not even certain whether it’s
real or simply infatuation, which is why I wish to stay a bit longer to make sense of my feelings. Aren’t
you all always worried about my love life?
This time, I wish to take things into my own hands.” Elise was always an opinionated girl, and Laura
knew that very well. Thereupon, Laura held Elise’s hand. “I trust you, Ellie. But I do have to warn you
that often in love, it’s the girl that’s always blinded. Therefore, when you get anxious about it, I hope
you’ll be able to stand your ground and not lose sight of everything. Don’t drown yourself and blindly
allow yourself to be vulnerable.”
“Thanks, Grandma.” Laura heaved a sigh. “It’s about time, huh. If you truly want to stay, Ellie, I won’t
stop you, but there’s a catch.” Having said that, Laura whispered something else in Elise’s ear, to which
the latter flickered her eyes before staring at her grandmother and sternly nodded her head. Comforted,
Laura stated, “My baby Ellie has turned into a full-grown woman. Sure, you’ll make your decisions
yourself. No matter what answer you find yourself with, your grandfather and I will always be here for
you.”
Elise shoved herself into her grandmother’s embrace. “You’re the best, Grandma.” Meanwhile, Robin
and Alexander were playing chess in the games room upstairs. The two were exceptional, and their
levels were indistinguishable. It had been a while since Robin last played someone on par with him and
he couldn’t help but be thrilled by Alexander’s moves as they played the game. “Say, Alex, I’m sure
chess isn’t the only reason you called for me.” Robin broke the silence.
Despite that, Alexander grabbed a chess piece and brushed it off, slowly voicing, “Say, Mr. Robin,
you’re very good at this.” Robin raised his line of sight to Alexander and chortled. “I’ve been doing this
for decades. Guess that’s only natural. You, however, are still so young yet you’re already putting me
on edge. What a prodigy!” “You flatter me, Mr. Robin.” Robin calmly smiled as he pondered before
making another move on the chessboard, to which Alexander countered with another move shortly
afterward.
Eventually, the former opened up, saying, “Ellie has been through a lot ever since she was a kid. Her
parents died in a car crash when she was eight, and she’s been living with us since. I still remember
the first time I saw her after her parents were gone. She was all devastated and not even a trace of
energy was left in her, like a spiritless body that purposelessly existed. She didn’t cry nor blurted a
sound. It pained us to see her like that.”
Upon those words, Alexander’s eyes sank. At that moment, he didn’t know where to position the chess
piece that was in his hand. Robin continued, “That time, she was so petite. It wasn’t until I carried her
that she started crying her heart out in my arms. Instantly, my heart was crushed and I couldn’t help but
wonder why God would punish the little girl so mercilessly. And that was when I swore to protect her
and provide her a happy, healthy life.”
Alexander placed down the chess piece and replied, “She grew up very well.” It was a simple answer,
but it was enough to reassure Robin. He nodded his head and agreed. “Yes. She has never let us
worry about her. She was always independent in her studies and in life overall, though a few
headaches is only inevitable. However, her grandmother and I are almost at the end of our chapters.
Who knows how much more time there is for us to be by her side?
So, we deeply wish that someone else can come and look after her in our stead when we eventually
leave.” As those words were laid out, Robin’s message became pretty much apparent. On the other
hand, Alexander, who was hesitating on his chess move, seemed to have calmed down also. “It’s your
turn, Mr. Robin…” Alexander reminded Robin. Seeing how the young man had no response to his
message, Robin felt as if he couldn’t grasp his thoughts, clueless whether he had heeded his words as
he was so focused on the game.
Robin then gazed at the chessboard in front of him, feeling a little dispirited. Little did he expect,
Alexander suddenly proposed, “Elise is indeed a fine lady. I was thinking, perhaps she could stay for a
little longer?” After having expressed that, he felt a minor tremble in his heart.
All the things he faced in life could never shake him even for a little. Yet, something else that day was
able to stagger him. Regardless, there wasn’t a hint of joy on Robin’s face. He strictly glared at the
young man. “Do you mean it? You better not joke about this.”
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