As Juwon approached the first-rates, Lekan's mocking smile widened.
"Why are you keeping that face, Juwon? Aren't you happy to see me?" His voice dripped with sarcasm.
Juwon stepped out of the canoe and onto the wooden platform. The rest of the group recoiled as Juwon drew closer, the smell of trash still clinging to him from the dump yard. Taiwo wrinkled his nose in disgust.
"Woah! What is that smell? Is that you?!" He spat, throwing insults with a smirk.
The group snickered, and Lekan took it further, grabbing Juwon by the collar.
"What the hell were you doing to be this dirty?" Lekan said, as he shoved Juwon. Taiwo, eager to join in, spotted a bucket of water.
"Hey... I found a bucket of water, this should help. " he said with a grin, dumping the cold water over Juwon's head.
After pouring water on Juwon, Taiwo leaned in and sniffed, searching for any lingering odor. But the stench still clung to him.
"Nah, that didn't help at all..." he added mockingly as Juwon stood there, soaked and shivering.
Adunni, watching with a distant expression, finally spoke up.
"Just leave him alone, you guys."
Her voice lacked warmth, more of an obligation than actual care. But the look on her face showed she had no interest in defending Juwon further.
Lekan, still gripping Juwon's shirt, turned to her with a sly grin.
"What's this, Adunni? You have a crush on him or what?"
Her eyes narrowed dangerously, and her presence suddenly felt overpowering.
"Don't ever say that again." She warned, her voice cold and sharp. Lekan flinched under her gaze, quickly raising his hands in mock surrender.
"Alright, alright, calm down." Turning his attention back to juwon, Lekan's tone became threatening again.
"Now, come on, let's head back to my dorm. Don't make me repeat myself."
Juwon hesitated, his body stiff with fear. The first-rates noticed, sensing his reluctance. Lekan's grin faded, his tone shifting to one of menace.
"What's wrong? You want sense beaten into you?"
Before Juwon could respond, Akeh suddenly stepped forward, his posture confident and defiant.
"I think Juwon is too tired to go with you. Let him rest instead."
The group turned to Akeh, their surprise quickly giving way to irritation. Lekan's eyes flashed with anger.
"Who's this..." Lekan sneered.
"Who do you think you are to speak for Juwon?"
Akeh met Lekan's glare with an unwavering stare, a faint smirk playing at his lips.
"I'm someone important enough." He said casually. "So fuck off." Akeh's expression was calm, his voice steady.
Lekan's face darkened, the insult striking deep.
"Who are you talking to like that?" He growled, taking a threatening step toward Akeh. Akeh didn't flinch, his eyes meeting Lekan's without fear.
"You obviously." He said, his tone filled with quiet authority.
Back in the Dambe academy, I saw this kind of thing all the time. Give a guy a high rank and he starts drowning in his own arrogance. It's hard to believe I used to be just like them.
The tension thickened as the first-rates stood frozen, their anger rising. Lekan's jaw clenched, his fists tightening