Chapter 2-3: Not Even Halfway
The group walks along the trail to get to Harveston, and to Epel's home. The trail is proven to be long as they walk through the orchard and the forest-like area.
"This is quite the long road," Sebek says.
"I agree. This must be a very long way to get to your place," Briar says.
"It's called Harvest Road, and it's a major residential street that leads from the town entrance all the way to the center," Epel says.
"But it's nice to see the view," Tanzanite says.
But Grim isn't feeling the same, "Mrah... No matter how far we walk, it's still apple trees all the way down... It just keeps goin' and goin'... How much longer is this gonna take?"
"Oh, we're not even halfway yet," Epel answers.
Grim cries out, "Are you kiddin' me?! We've been walkin' forever! Augh, I just wanna get to town and chow down on some apples!"
"My house is at the other end of the road, so just stick it out a little longer, okay?" Epel says.
"In that case, let's pick up the pace!" Grim says.
Idia remains silent and looks around the area.
Grim notices it, "Hey, Idia! Why're you spacin' out like that?"
"I'm trying to immerse myself in our surroundings. This is the world of Sled Over Heels," Idia says. He snickers, "Whee hee hee hee... Here I am, actually walking through the setting of an anime! This is HYPE."
"To me, it's just the same ol' road I always take. I used to go down this street to get to school," Epel says.
"I didn't see anything resembling a school on the map, actually," Jade says.
"Yeah, we don't have enough young folks in town to have our own school," Epel says.
"Now that you mention it, I haven't seen any children at all," Sebek says.
"I went to school in the next town over. It's about a three-hour bike ride," Epel says.
Briar and the others react in shock, "THREE HOURS?!" well, minus Epel, Tanzanite, and Jasper.
Epel says, "It was rough goin' uphill, but I FLEW on the downhill slopes, I tell you what. And the roadside view was gorgeous. There were different types of apple blossoms every season! Plus, I got to see the apples grow day by day, until they hit full size. That was always exciting."
"I can agree to that," Jasper says.
"Yeah. It's nice to see all the trees and go through the mountains even in Moln Mountain. However, it does make it harder to get there during its winter season," Tanzanite says.
"You have an impressive amount of fortitude if you rode for three hours to and from school every day. I can see why you have such an abundance of energy, given your upbringing among such bounteous nature," Jade says.
"Wow, L-O-L. Imagine going to that much trouble when you could just go remote," Idia says.
"A three-hour bike commute sounds like excellent training," Sebek says, impressed.
He then asks, "What would you do when it rained or snowed? Run through it?"
"Oh, definitely not," Eepl says, "I'd lose a whole day just trying to get there and back. I'd get my parents to drive me and pink me up on days like that. Cars are essential in places like Harveston. Every family needs one."
Jade also notices, "I have noticed a number of vehicles going by."
"Harvest Road's a big, straight road, so it's always busy. I loved going on car rides with my parents. My family takes the car whenever we need to deliver produce to neighboring cities... And I'd often tag along in the passenger seat. It was so much fun," Epel says.
"It does seem like it would make for a very pleasant drive," Jade says.
"That's true, except when the traffic jam comes in," Jasper says.
Then Epel says, "One of these days, I wanna get myself a blastcycle and fly down this road! I bet it'd feel amazin' to ride with the wind whipping around me."
"You enjoy blastcycles, Epel?" Sebek asks.
"Sure do," Epel answers, "But there's no blastcycle club on campus, and Vil's mentioned he doesn't approve of 'em as a hobby..." And gets frustrated, "Boy, that really sticks in mah craw!"
"Huh?" Briar replies, confused.
Sebek becomes confused, "I'm sorry, what?"
"Your...craw?" Jade questions.
"Oh, sorry... It means it drives me nuts," Epel apologizes, "Vil's told me not to talk like that around other people, but it just slipped out..."
"Is that right? Pomefiore has some strange rules," Sebek says.
"Can't get any weirder than the dorm Riddle and the others are at," Jasper mutters.
Then Epel says, "So if I happen to use any form of odd phrase, don't tell Vil, okay?"
"Certainly. Your secret's safe with me... Heh heh heh," Jade replies with a chuckle.
Epel groans, "Rgh... Why does it feel like I just gace the worst possible person extortion material?"
The group continues walking and soon enough, Epel sees their destination, "Oh, we're coming up on my house now!"
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