Rick laid his head on the table with a disappointed look. Tatsuya ate his food slowly, and Ren read his small red book all while ignoring the food on the table.
They received stares from all directions, mostly because of the reputation they were building.
Rick let out a sigh, " Huuuuh, what a letdown, " He sat up straight. " Nothing happened. Not a single thing happened. "
" What are you moping about? I thought you got your ' exciting ' quest, " Tatsuya took a bite off his food.
" Exciting? " Rick raised his head, " More like boring… I just hope this doesn't continue, because I was hoping to bash some faces in."
" Relax, " Ren flipped a page in his book. " it's all about build-up. It wouldn't make sense if you randomly found yourself in a high-diff battle. Be patient. "
" I know, I know. And don't worry, I'm still looking forward to it. The fact that I don't know what to expect just means something dangerous is in the mix, " Rick's sky blue eyes began to light up as he grabbed a fork. .
' I just hope those five with a higher ranking than Boss Man are involved. That could make things interesting, ' Rick thought as he stabbed his fork into his food. ' What were their names again? Shi… Shiori… Well, it doesn't matter. '
" Tatsuya, have you made any progress with your part? " Ren asked, his eyes still on his book.
" Yeah. I've learned a bit about the Headless Gang and how they operate, but, " he hesitated
" There's still a lot more I don't know," Tatsuya explained, pulling his phone from his pocket.
He opened the Guide app, scrolled down, and clicked on his quest to read:
INFILTRATE THE HEADLESS GANG AND LEARN HOW THEY OPERATE, +200 PTS
(Quest completion: 10%)
' Despite all I've done, my completion percent is still ten. That just means there's a lot more I don't know, ' Tatsuya thought, staring at his phone.
Ren suddenly got up. " Well, good. You guys look like you'll be fine. " Then, before walking off, he added, " Oh, and just make sure you don't screw it up. "
With that, Rick and Tatsuya remained eating. After some time, the bell signaling the end of lunch break rang.
Later that afternoon, classes had resumed, and every student was quietly waiting for their teachers.
Meanwhile, in Class B, Rick lay on a table with his arms folded over his face.
He felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. Lifting his head, he saw a girl with golden hair looking down at him. He recognized her immediately it was Aina.
Upon seeing his face, her eyes narrowed slightly. " Oh, it's just you, " she said in a disappointed tone.
"Huh? What does that even mean?"
" I saw some gray hair, so I thought maybe Tats had dyed his hair or something. By the way, you do know you're in the wrong class, sitting in someone else's chair? " she asked in a calm, calculated tone.
" Judging from your tone, I get the feeling you're not very excited to see me here, " Rick said, his sky-blue eyes scanning her face.
" Who would be? " she replied as if stating the obvious.
Rick tilted his head slightly before replying, "Well, fair point."
With that, Aina grabbed a chair from a nearby table and sat down. " So, what are you doing in our class? And where is Tats? "
" What am I doing here? What am I doing here? " Rick asked as if wondering, then paused and started tapping his lips. After a few seconds, he replied, " I don't really know. "
Aina studied his face, scanning for any hint of deception. After a pause, she said, "I guess you really do live up to your reputation."
" Is that true? I didn't know I was that famous, I wonder what kind cool stories are being spread me, " Rick asked, his voice sounding excited.
All the while he rumbled she look at him with skeptical look.
" It's nothing to be excited about. You're famous for all the wrong reasons… " She leaned back comfortably into the chair.
" They all say you're prideful, arrogant, throw money at most situations, admire yourself constantly, and walk around like you own the school. "
Each word was like a sword stabbing into Rick. His eyes widened slightly and he held his chest. ' All of that… they're not wrong. It's like I can't even get mad, they were so creative. '
" What! who's saying all that about me? I want their names! " Rick hit the table with exaggerated force.
" But the Drama Club does sing your praises. And after this short conversation we've just had, I can say I misjudged you, " she explained calmly.
" You know what? Just forget it, " Rick said before resting his head back on the table.
As he rested, Aina's eyes glowed slightly as she looked down at him. ' You might be more interesting than I thought… it's hard to believe you are friends with Tatsuya, I wonder what truly lies within. '
After that, the last bell of the day rang and classes ended. In Class C, Tatsuya sat organizing his stuff, his eyes still looking lazy.
' What's Rick up to? Suddenly suggesting we switch classes… ' he thought, tapping the table. ' Well, it doesn't matter, as long as I get the latest figure of the Chainsaw Maid. '
He finished putting everything in his bag and grabbed the straps.
As he got up to leave, a person suddenly appeared right beside him, which made his eyes widen momentarily.
" Hey… you're the only one who doesn't show up for club activities, so I came to check on you, " Rin said hazel eyes looking at his face, holding a couple of documents to her chest.
" President, " he said before his eyes glanced down and to both sides. " It's… it's just that I've been busy… "
He paused his excuse before asking, " Wait, the only one? I thought they'd be more. "
" Yes, the only one. Your friends check in from time to time, but… " She pushed her glasses up as she clenched the documents tighter.
Her dropping slightly she asked, " Well Ren didn't show up today, and I couldn't find him anywhere… Do you know where he is? "
Tatsuya looked up and slowly observed her expression. Her cheeks were slightly flushed.
' I see. So she didn't really come because of the club… At least it's good to know I'm not in trouble. '
" N-no… not really. I don't know where he is. But don't worry, when I see him I'll tell him you wanted to talk to him, " he answered as he started to walk off.
A disappointed look crossed Rin's face as she watched him leave the room.
After that, Tatsuya was at the shoe lockers. Most students had already gone home, so he quickly changed his shoes and walked out of the school premises.
While heading home, Tatsuya swiped through his phone, his attention fully on the screen.
He walked at a slow pace. ' Man, I feel tired, ' he looked at his hand closing and opening it slowly. ' But somehow, I don't hate it… '
Before he could finish his thought, he felt a hand placed on his shoulder and it immediately sent a chill down his spine.
As he turned his head, he noticed a boy with slightly short blonde hair, the tips dyed blue.
With a wide smile on his face, the boy said, " Who would've guessed we went to the same school? I know I wouldn't. "
He began laughing, " hahahahehee. " He left out a weird chuckle.
Immediately, Tatsuya took a deep breath through his nose before asking, " Huh… how may I help you? And I think you have the wrong person? "
The smile on the boy's face grew wider. " Woooow, how cold," he said, pulling Tatsuya closer. "And no, I have the right person. You just don't know me yet. But let's work on that. "
" That's… " Tatsuya replied, studying the boy's face.
' There's something strange about him. I don't know what the right way to react is… For now, let me just create some space between us. '
Without a word, Tatsuya grabbed the boy's hand and tried to move it off his shoulder.
But before he could, he heard a continuous clicking sound. His eyes looked down to see a knife a few inches from his neck.
" Now, now, what are you doing? I thought we were friends… Shouldn't we stick close to each other? " the boy with blonde and blue hair said slowly, his dark brown eyes narrowed. " I mean, we wouldn't want any accidents… "