Chapter 14: Chapter XIV - The Other Incident
"...Were we that suspicious?" North asked as we both look at each other, perplexed at Ari's cold remarks.
I glance at the back of her retreating figure, momentarily stunned in place.
"...Who knows. Maybe it's just another suspicious noble high on her throne, afraid of commoners like us to wander in the same circle..." I raise both of my shoulders in a shrug with a huff, trying to overlook it as an idle attempt at intimidation. But even then...her words don't sit well in my gut.
North downs the rest of his coffee in one gulp, before crushing the can in his hand, his expression apprehensive, "Yeah...", he puts on a small, trying to lighten the mood, "...Wellll, any idea what to do now? Look around campus? Explore some school legends?"-he gestures a hand towards the main building-"...Check out the library for research material?"
"I think I had enough of being trapped in there for one day..." I shudder, thinking back on how it took me a near hour to get out of that maze. And trying to avoid walking on an intimate couple flirting among themselves in a secluded alcove again did not make it easy.
North raises an eyebrow questioningly but doesn't press on how I got myself into that situation.
-The one time he doesn't poke his nose into my business, as siblings often do. Next, it will be raining pigs.
"Alright...then wandering campus it is!" He shoots up onto his feet, brushing his slight unruly hair out of his face as he tosses his can into a nearby trash bin-making a few girls nearby swoon.
I raise an eyebrow, teasingly questioning him, "Got a fanbase already hm...?"
North quickly glances towards the girls- which did not help with the attention- he glances away, his expression uninterested, "Just some girls being girls...we got something much more important to focus on right now."
I smirk to myself, standing with my drink in hand, "Studious as always brother...Lead on."
Following North around, we skirt the edge of the fields, the sun shining overhead and the wind calm- truly favorable weather to stroll in. We watch sports teams practice drills, catch gossip from some ladies, and then almost getting pulled in for a game of rugby.
Walking along the stone-paved path, a familiar voice calls out to us.
"Hey, hey! Uishi, I was just looking for you!"
Kyle runs up to us, grinning widely, a few twigs and leaves poking out of his hair.
"You got...a little something there, Kyle," North said, pointing to his head.
Kyle combs a hand through his disheveled hair, taking out many of the sticks and leaves, "Oh, thanks! Raking the leaves got a little...say, rough. Had to clean up the mess of leaves again in the end haha!" He brushes off his uniform, straightening his tie, laughing bashfully, "Ahem, anyway, I came to say- your luggage has been all transported to your rooms in the dorm. A few are registered to come in later tonight, but the few North and I went to receive are already in there!"
"That's good news. Look at that sister, you have no need to stay in a tree for the night again!" North said.
Me, not as thrilled, returned, "Bunking with strangers...great..."
North pats my shoulder, "It's not that bad, maybe you can make yourself some new friends!"
"...Yay," I said unenthusiastically.
Kyle throws his arms around both of our shoulders, like some old friends, "Come on! I will introduce you to some of my buddies! I think you will get along great!"
Me, horrified at the thought, tried to pry myself away, "I will pass..."
Kyle pulls us both along with him, "Nope! Loosen up, none of them is going to bite. It'll be a fun icebreaker!"
Despite my unwillingness to go, North tows me along with him, clearly amused.
"Come on sister, I've met a few of them, they are nice people." He smirks.
I shoot him a glower, annoyed.
Kyle leads us to his friends, who then went and played multiple sports with each other, beckoning us to join in. Soon, almost everyone was laughing together, and competing as everyone got to know each other.
"So, you two are new?" Asked one.
"Yep," North said, "Exchange students."
"You know it's pretty uncommon to see a demon around these parts- are you as buffed as the books say?"
"...Depends on who you are talking to," I answerd coolly.
The rest of the afternoon was full of laughter and joking around, admittedly I got competitive and actually engaged in many of the activities.
"Damn, I wouldn't want to be the one pitted against you two haha! Another round!"
The sky soon started to fade to orange, as the sun starts to drop towards the edge of the horizon.
North elbows me in the side, grinning"...How was that for a fun time huh? I saw that you really got in the spirit back there, "
I elbow him back, putting on an annoyed face, "Shut it, it was, bearable."
He smirks, collapsing back onto the bench, seemingly satisfied.
As the others said their goodbyes and left, Kyle trailed behind and turns to us
He points behind him with a thumb, gesturing towards a set of small buildings, "Hey, how about I show you two to the dorms? We could stop by the cafeteria for the evening meal!"
"Who are we to refuse? Lead the way," North said, who glances at me pointedly, before standing and following Kyle.
I roll my eyes, getting up from the bench with a huff, "...Coming."
I found myself at a table alone in the dining hall, as North went to get himself some food, and Kyle left to sit with his friends. I mindlessly stir the soup I got with a spoon, lost in my train of thought.
The chatter of the lunchroom and the thoughts in my mind accompanies me, by then I barely notice as someone places a plate of pasta in front of me.
"Penny for your thoughts sister?" North seats himself across from me, sitting with a generous portion of food himself.
"Maybe..."I take a small spoonful of my soup, drinking it, "...Just, things..."
North nods empathically, "I see..."
We drift into a quiet silence, the mood almost somber for a moment. Until-
"AH! DUCK!"
We both look up, puzzled by the sudden commotion.
Someone shouts at us, "Duck!"
North, making sense of it first, ducks.
Unfortunately for me, I was too late to realize the warning, a dot zooms at me before I could register to duck-
SPLAT!
Something mushy hits my face, splattering all over my neck and shoulders.
"Oh, my gods! I'm so sorry!"
I wipe the slush from my eyes, blinking in confusion. A strange gooey liquid slides down the side of my face, dripping to the floor. Looking down, it was a bright red mess.
Someone runs up to me, apologizing profusely.
"Sorry! Sorry about that- Our experiment went out of control, are you okay?" She, judging by her voice, pushes a bunch of napkins into my hands. "I wish I can help you but I don't know!"
"What's going on here Zagato?"
"Student Council President! It was an accident..! We didn't mean for the projectile to fire out of control..."
Minuet looks at me, then back to her, she then sighs and shakes her head."...This is the third time Zagato...it's fortunate no one got hurt...just a mess."
North wipes at my face, only successfully managing to spread the red substance rather than clean it up.
"Stop, you're making it worse...!" I swat his hand away, standing up from my seat.
"President!"
A wide-eyed student skids to a stop, out of breath. "President! The team, at Sector D...!"
Minuet turns to face them, "What is it Homishiro? What happened?"
The student pants in exertion, gasping for air, "T..they haven't returned...they were... ambushed!"
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