Chapter Text
[Earlier that morning in the Riegrow estate]
.
.
.
“Ilay, you’re going to school early again-? Let’s just go together later, I need someone to wake me up..”
A groggy voice had called out to Ilay, who had stood at the front entrance. Her eyes had been barely opened, her hair had been disheveled, and her words had been slurred as she had weakly protested against Ilay from going to school at 4 in the morning.
Ilay, who had already been in his uniform and had eaten breakfast, sighed.
His already stiff expression had turned into an irritated one.
“You’re not a kid anymore, Helena.”
He had spoken in a low, stern tone. He had expressed clearly in his voice that there had been no room for objection.
“…”
Helena had gone silent.
And like that, Ilay had ended her endless stream of protests with a single sentence from his mouth. Without even having taken a glance at Helena, Ilay had put on his black gloves and promptly left.
Slam!
A lingering tension in the air had surrounded the Riegrow estate.
“Ah seriously..”
Helena had let out an exasperated sigh, her brows furrowed slightly.
That asshole! With that attitude, how is he going to find a future wife?
Helena had given up and went back to bed.
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“Tay!”
Xinlu waved, he hurriedly went to my desk after class ended.
“Xinlu.. Hey!”
I stammered at Xinlu’s abruptness. Nevertheless, I was ecstatic that he came to me first and struggled to hide my red ears.
Xinlu was seated two desks away from me. Though I wish we were even closer. Even so, I should already be content with this.
I warmly smiled at him despite of my appearance being a blushing mess.
I didn’t expect him to take the first move, but it’s all the more reason for me to step up my game! I quickly searched through my mind for the countless questions I asked to my previous dates and opened my mouth.
“So, how’s your first day of school?”
I rested my chin on my hand as I gazed at him.
“…? Well, it’s only been the first class so far and class ended within 10 minutes because the teacher felt sick so..I can’t really say.”
..Right.
I clamped my mouth shut.
“…”
“…”
It’s been barely an hour since he arrived here.
“…”
Our short conversation ended, and only awkward silence followed behind.
I inwardly banged my head on the wall as I looked down at my desk. It can’t end like this..Aargh..Taeui why did you have to say that!?
I have to get myself out of this embarrassing situation, I can’t let this ruin my chance to aim my shot! I’ve dated countless of people, I’m experienced.
After I took a deep breath, I mustered up the courage and slowly turned my gaze back to Xinlu, and we just stared at each other.
I was flustered upon meeting his stare and desperately needed to get rid of the heavy silence.
“Haha..Of course! I was just joking, I’m quite the joker you know?”
“…Oh. Hehe.”
Xinlu giggled softly, and I felt a heavy weight leaving my chest.
But it seems like he chuckled because of the steam coming out of my face rather than what I said.
“Actually..I was a bit wary of you Tay when we met yesterday.”
Xinlu scratched his cheek, he looked quite flustered to admit it.
“I get it! I was a stranger.”
I smiled to reassure him it was nothing to worry about.
I was hurt getting stared at like I was some creep, but it’s definitely understandable. No one should get blamed for being cautious to strangers.
Xinlu glanced at me relieved and added,
“Yeah, at that time, I saw you looking down at your phone. You sighed with a gloomy look on your face, like someone who just got stood up.”
“…”
Oh, the text from Maurer when I waited for him after school that day. I thought I was indifferent to that text, no, I was even happy for him. I mean, what else should I even feel besides that?
“..I see.”
I ended up giving an unenthusiastic reply.
This isn’t good. I should change the topic to something else.
“Want to eat lunch with me? I’ll even treat you to the nearby bakery after school. It has the best pastries, I’m sure you’ll love it!”
I grinned ear to ear. Xinlu’s eyes seemed to sparkle when he heard it, and promptly responded joyfully.
“Yes!”
Great, it seems like things are working out! Way to go Taeui!
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“Ilay..”
I muttered while I hid Xinlu behind my back.
“Tay? Who’s that..”
Xinlu glanced at Ilay, and back to me. He seemed worried.
We were going to the cafeteria to get lunch, and suddenly we bumped into Ilay near the cafeteria entrance. He’s from a different school, how is he even in here?!
Our surroundings were bustling with students, yet all of them stood there. Faint murmurs could be heard then and there, but everyone was just watching either out of fear or curiosity.
Come to think of it, probably no one confronted Ilay because of his awful reputation and the just as terrible rumors surrounding it. Yeah, who would want to be involved in that?
I shook my head and opened my mouth to answer Xinlu’s question.
“Sorry Xinlu. It’s just..”
But before I could answer, Ilay interrupted.
“A new mate? I hope it lasts longer, Taeui.”
He smiled while looking at Xinlu.
Damn bastard. How does he even know that? But that’s not important right now. What’s important is..
I glanced at Xinlu before I glared at Ilay again. I felt the cold sweat run down my neck.
I’m usually indifferent or even passive towards Ilay, partly because I felt bad about his reputation and I’ve only seen him beat up Ennui, who’s just another bastard.
And though I hate to admit it, perhaps my hatred even softened because he willingly helped me out and kept me company during those times.
But if he tries to do something to Xinlu, I won’t wait another second to beat the crap out of him.
“Tay. Who is he?”
A cold voice I wasn’t familiar with was heard behind me and I turned my head around. Xinlu?
I was startled at Xinlu’s penetrating gaze and dark expression, it felt like he was going to tear me apart if I didn’t answer.
“Xinlu..”
Confused and bewildered, I adverted my gaze from the drastic change, to unexpectedly meet Ilay’s gaze. Wasn’t he eyeing Xinlu just now? When did he turn his stare to me?
Because of Xinlu’s abnormal behavior, I totally forgot about an even more abnormal person who was right in front of us.
“Ilay.”
It was only after I said it, did I realize it was out loud.
Ilay smirked upon hearing me.
“Oh? Calling another man’s name right beside your lover? You’re such a playboy Taeui.”
!!
“Hey! What are you even saying you crazy basta-!”
Immediately, Xinlu fiercely grabbed Ilay by the collar.
“Xinlu?!”
Both of them looked at each other with eyes full of madness, ready to rip the other one to shreds.
Crap, this isn’t good!
Without a second to spare, I immediately ran to Xinlu.