CHAPTER 57: ELITES.

Furuno

Mrs. Val has just concluded the so-called seminar. Her voice is even more high-pitched and needle-like than before. She picks up her heavy books and struts out of the auditorium. Her spine is so straight, her posture rigid.

She never actually mentioned the topic of the seminar - she had been too busy telling a dumb tale about Persephone’s wrong choices concerning time.

Then, there was the legendary bee attack. It had been hilarious - the perfect tension-breaker.

The guy beside me laughed until tears streamed down his cheeks.

Even now, thinking of it makes me grin.

It was not hard to guess that Spatial Domain had something to do with it.

He must’ve slipped into her head.

I’m just so awed by his power.

I initially thought that he needed proximity to get into your mind - hence the fleeing students, but he stayed from his seat, which is a good distance away, and manipulated her mind.

Why did he even choose bees? He could have used more creepy elements like zombies or ghosts.

Students crowd the aisles, grumbling and cursing at how slow the line is moving.

I’d rather wait until the auditorium is near empty before standing up from my seat.

The guy beside me, who had been laughing so hard earlier is sketching a comic of Mrs. Val in her imaginary dilemma.

Speaking of dilemma, Toshiro and some girl had been called out earlier.

What kind of trouble did Toshiro get himself into? He is obviously not the troublemaking type - what harm could a calm and reserved guy get himself into?

Funny enough, there is a girl involved. I just can’t picture Toshiro doing anything wrong with a girl - especially one he barely knows.

They had left with a grim-faced man wearing a goatee.

Spatial Domain already had it coming. As for the other two, I’ll have to find out.

What seemed fishy to me was the familiarity between Toshiro and the girl - she hid behind him when Spatial Domain arrived.

I return to the present.

The crowd is crawling at a very slow pace. I can’t imagine myself crammed in between so many bodies. I shudder at the thought.

When the aisle finally clears out, I and my new buddy rise from our seats.

"Hey, Furuno".

I spin on my heels to look at him.

"There’s going to be an elite-only party tonight".

I shrug, not knowing how such a party is my concern.

"I’m not an elite". I say flatly.

"I know. But the party is invite-only".

Okay...? Still not my problem.

"I’m inviting you. There’s going to be a boy’s only club where we can play live games, cards or even watch porn. Wanna come?"

The invitation feels like an insult. A very big one. What do I look like to him - a horny eighteen year old? An avid gamer?

A refusal lingers on my lips as I ponder if there would be any advantages of going.

I’ll never know if I don’t attend, would I?

"Sure. Where is it, and what time?"

He grins widely, revealing braces. His teeth look a bit yellow under the dim light.

I hadn’t noticed the braces earlier - which is very unlike me.

"It’s a secret spot, many don’t know about it because it’s very exclusive. Why don’t you meet me at the main hall. I can take you there".

I nod and walk past him.

As I reach the door, I encounter Safari. She just stands there with her arms folded across her chest.

I slow my steps deliberately, so she notices me.

Fortunately for me, she falls into step with me. The black beauty is no longer wrinkling her nose down at me.

I bask in the pleasure and almost forget Toshiro’s predicament.

"What did you do to Angela?"

I blink.

That’s not what I was expecting.

I shrug.

I’m surprised Angela didn’t tell her. I guess she meant business when she said she wanted to work with us.

"You did something to her. She has a bandage on her hand and she won’t talk about it. You and your friend are trouble. In just a few minutes of meeting Morrow, he got her into trouble".

I press a hand to my heart dramatically.

"Those are huge accusations to be flinging at us without proof".

I avoid mentioning her name because we have not been officially introduced. I only heard her name from someone.

"I may not have proof, but I know you

did it". She jabs a finger into the side of my arm.

Her long nail leaves a crease in my leather jacket.

I catch her hand before she can retract it.

"Don’t touch me, not even by mistake". I warn in a menacing voice.

She gulps.

I take pleasure from her descent from high and mighty to afraid and chastened.

She tries to back away and runs into the wall. I let go of her hand.

This is going to be very interesting. Who would have thought that attending a school with high school graduates would be this interesting?

I do like her - I don’t know why.

"How old are you?"

She raises a brow. "Excuse me?"

"I didn’t stutter, darling".

"Don’t call me that!"

"I can call you whatever I want." I brace my hands on the wall on either sides of her head.

She turns her face away.

For what it’s worth, it isn’t my intention to kiss her.

"What kind of trouble did Morrow and Toshiro get into?"

She hesitates before answering.

"I know it has something to do with time. One minute, Toshiro is there, the next, only Morrow is there."

Hmm.

"Why would he ask her to stop time for him?"

She shrugs.

"Shouldn’t you know the answer to that? How would I know?"

Then, she mumbles something under her breath.

"What did you say?"

"I said that I remember him having difficulty with his Reg number. That might be why she did it. Morrow is such a kind soul".

Morrow? What kind of name is that?

I can’t imagine Karim asking for help - especially from a girl.

He must have been desperate.

I release her and smooth the part of my jacket she had jabbed.

Just as I am about to say something, the guy who had invited me to the party pats my back.

"See you there". He says and leaves.

After a cold stare at the girl in front of me, I leave as well.

Along the hall, I see Spatial Domain and Karim coming out of a room. The sign reads ’Ethics’.

The girl named Morrow comes out behind them.

Karim avoids meeting my gaze.

"What’s the verdict? Suspension?"

Karim doesn’t answer.

I’m hoping deep down that it’s not a suspension. We are here on a mission. A suspension would ruin our plans.

"He and I are on Dungeon duty. Only Morrow has been suspended". Spatial Domain responds.

I almost feel bad for the girl. Her eyes are glistening with unshed tears - probably because her parents would be disappointed in her, or worse, punish her.

Karim lays a hand on her shoulder. To everyone’s surprise, she turns and wraps her arms around him in a tight bear hug.

I look at Spatial Domain. His eyes harden slightly. Jealousy?

Karim looks at me above her head awkwardly.

I shrug at him.

Slowly, he pats her back.

Then, she pulls away, wiping her eyes and sniffling.

"I’m so sorry. I couldn’t help myself".

She turns and runs away.

Toshiro tightens his fists.

"I’ll leave you to your Dungeons." I dart a glance at Space - his name is too long.

"I’ll get going. I’ve got a party to attend this evening".

Karim raises an eyebrow, but I don’t linger to answer any questions.

I walk off.

---

I leave my room at dusk. I am wearing nothing fancy, just my usual shirt and slacks with my leather jacket.

The hallways are empty and quiet, there is no sign of a living soul.

My roommate is always conspicuously missing - is he also attending the elite party?

I reach the main hall and wait.

I hear the whisper of footsteps and turn around.

Before I can move, something slams into the side of my head.

I fall to the ground.