Chapter Text
Becky looked toward Anya, who was hiding behind a wall and watching something with intense curiosity. Anya was leaning slightly forward, clearly focused on whatever was happening ahead. After a moment, Becky called out to her.
“Anya?”
Anya immediately turned her head toward Becky and motioned for her to be quiet.
“Shh! They will hear us.”
She then returned her attention to the group of boys standing a little further down the hallway, continuing to listen secretly while trying not to get caught.
In the center of the group stood Damian. He was speaking to an older boy, while his two friends stood behind him, closely watching their boss.
The older boy simply listened. He barely responded at all, making it obvious that he didn't really care about the conversation.
Damian spoke again, his nervousness clear in his voice.
“How is studying going? There will be lots of tests next week. I am sure you will do great...as always.”
Demetrius sighed before giving a brief response.
“You stopped me to say this? You know I always study, and I always pass.”
Damian hesitated and stuttered slightly before replying.
“Yeah, I know... I just wanted to...ask.”
Meanwhile, Becky, who was already used to Anya’s strange behavior, let out a quiet sigh and leaned forward to take a look at the boys herself.
“Hm? Isn't that Damian’s older brother?” she asked softly.
Anya responded immediately.
“Yeah , it's super sy-on boy! Anya will learn the secrets of earning stellas from him and become an Imperial Scholar in no time! ”
Becky looked at Anya, who was staring ahead with her eyes wide open, trying to imitate Demetrius’s serious expression.
“Are you sure you'll be able to learn something from him?” Becky asked. “I think his mind just works very differently, and he was probably born that way. It's not something you can get by copying him.”
Anya gasped, her face filled with surprise.
“Then I have to just study to earn stella!?” she asked in disbelief. “But that'll take too long! World peace can't wait that long! There has to be a secret , I am sure of it!”
She quickly turned back toward the hallway and continued listening to the conversation, her determination stronger than ever.
I'll read his mind again! , she thought. Last time I couldn't get much, but maybe trying again will work!
Anya focused all her attention on Demetrius, who was preparing to leave.
I really don’t understand him at all. And who even cares?
Anya heared this.
There it is! I’m hearing something!
Before leaving, Demetrius finally responded.
“If that’s all, then I’ll see you later.”
He turned around immediately and walked away, not giving Damian any chance to say anything else. Damian answered quietly from behind him.
“Oh- okay! See you...”
At that moment, Anya had already moved from her hiding spot to a pillar a little farther ahead. Becky followed her, not really making much effort to stay hidden.
As Demetrius continued walking slowly down the hallway, Anya focused on trying to read his mind.
Then suddenly, he stopped. A familiar sensation had caught his attention.
Hm? This…
Noticing that Demetrius had stopped, Damian called out to him.
“Hey, Demetrius? Is something wrong?”
Without turning around, Demetrius began looking around with wider eyes than usual , clearly surprised.
This feeling… Is father here? What would he even be doing here?
Anya, who was reading his thoughts, was shocked as well.
SUPER EVIL BOSS IS HERE!? WHERE IS HE!?
She started looking around too, her eyes darting from side to side. Then Demetrius finally turned around and asked Damian, who was staring at him in confusion.
“Hey, is father here?”
Damian blinked, surprised by the question, and answered.
“Huh? No, why? Is he really here!?”
Convinced that Damian didn’t know anything, Demetrius didn’t reply. Instead, he continued scanning the area. That was when his gaze landed on Anya, who had been secretly watching him the whole time.
Demetrius looked straight at her.
What were they doing behind that pillar? Were they watching us?
When Anya realized Demetrius was staring directly at her, she froze in shock.
HUH!? DID HE SAY "THEY" !? Or is the super evil boss... WAS RIGHT BEHIND ME!?
She quickly turned around and looked behind her with wide eyes. However, the only person standing there was Becky.
“Oh, right! You were here too.” Anya said in relief. “Huuh... I got really scared for a second.”
Becky replied calmly.
“Really, Anya? I’ve been here the whole time.”
At that moment, Damian also noticed them, just like Demetrius had. He shouted angrily in their direction.
“Hey! Are you following me again? I told you to stop it, short legs!”
Becky answered instead of Anya.
“WE'RE NOT FOLLOWING YOU AT ALL, WE WERE JUST GOING TO CLASS! THIS HALLWAY DOESN'T BELONG TO YOU!”
Damian shouted back immediately.
“YEAH , I'M SURE- STALKERS!!”
Being insulted like that, Becky got into a heated argument with Damian and his two friends. While they argued loudly, Demetrius watched them and thought to himself.
Just a few more noisy kids. I really hate walking through the elementary school building.
While they were busy fighting, Demetrius sighed and walked past Anya without stopping.
I guess what I felt wasn’t my mind being read. It was just the feeling of being watched. There’s no way father would be here anyway.
He continued walking down the hallway at a slow pace. Anya, who had once again read his thoughts, heard this and her eyes widened in shock.
PAPA WAS RIGHT!! DOES THAT MEAN THE SUPER EVIL BOSS CAN READ MINDS TOO, JUST LIKE ME!?
She stood there, staring at Demetrius’s back as he walked away. That lasted until he suddenly felt his mind being read again and turned around, locking eyes with her.
Anya panicked and quickly started looking around as if she were busy with something else. But Demetrius didn’t take his widened eyes off her for even a second. He was smart enough to understand what was happening almost immediately.
Is this girl... reading my mind???