For the whole day, Mint acted as Caraway's assistance, in and out. After Caraway dismissed the cadets, he pulled Mint through their laboratory by the collar of his shirt.
When they arrived there, their department's custodian, Clove, Sage, and two of their companions who were teachers in the Senior High School were present.
What is this? Will he face a vigorous interrogation? And oh shit!! Sage is also with them. He's in so much trouble with him later for sure. Sage will punish him.
"I-- Umhh-- what is this sir?" Mint hesitantly asked at Caraway.
He's so nervous. It's like they put him on a hot seat. That he'd be interrogated hardly.
"Are you nervous?" Caraway asks Mint with a raised brow.
Mint shakes his head fast, indicating that he's not.
"Good. Okay, so? You spilled the beans already."
"What is it?"
"Don't be so innocent in there. When will you tell me that you know how to drive? Do you already have a driver license? All along I thought. We thought that you can't drive. Not only that, but according to what they say you're very knowledgeable in that aspect?" the seemingly irking Caraway because he saw how Mint was hesitant there. He spouted continuously.
Scolding Mint which is the reason why he acts cowardly there. He felt like Caraway would spout hot fire into him.
"Sir, sir, breathe. Just breathe, okay?" Mint said, trying to calm Caraway as he raised both hands toward him, palms open in a calming gesture.
"You still have the guts to joke around."
"Okay. Okay. I'll say it. Yes. I already know how to drive. I already have a driver's license. Also, I know a little bit about driving, especially on the maintenance part. What's the big deal? I just don't have the chance to say it to you?" Mint said in an aggrieved expression.
Seeing that, Caraway stayed silent. Then he breathed heavily.
"It's not really a big deal. It's just… Why did they request that you be one of the teachers? And they mentioned the partnership between EKMA and Aethercliff won't be finalized unless you're part of it? That sounds a bit suspicious to me." Caraway said softly.
He had already composed himself after his earlier outburst, especially when he noticed how dejected Mint had looked under his questioning.
Mint's heart stays still. He then glances at Sage secretly, looking at his expression, "What suspicious? How would I know why they gave that as their condition? I swear I didn't know."
After that, as if Caraway felt sorry for Mint, he didn't continue 'asking' Mint. He just teases him. The others join in teasing him as well.
Mint finally smiled and relaxed a bit when he saw that they would not ask him again for any other information.
While feeling relieved. He decided on focusing how to act joyful in front of these people. For them not to notice anything. That it didn't affect him like he did something wrong for him to be guilty.
That's why he didn't see the deep gaze that Sage gives him. A storm is brewing on his way.
That day passed by.
Thankfully, after Caraway "kindly" interrogated Mint. That was not followed up on.
Mint still acts as Caraway's capable assistant. So, the Cadets didn't know that he's also one of their instructors.
That happens until on the fifth day, Mint demonstrates what Caraway all said. Showcasing every type of parking. Exhibiting the different speed limits a driver should know. Educated them about every part of the car.
Giving the students an impressive impression on how smooth his skills, especially on driving, are. That's why, all of the students are amazed and want to try it already.
But when they try it themselves, they realize it's much harder than they thought and that they really need to practice more thoroughly.
On how smooth their instructor Mint drives and demonstrates it, is how hard they themselves do it. They ended up admiring Mint even more.
Mint and Caraway taught the cadets.
Every week, they teach a different batch of cadets. They thought that EKMA did some shifting which occurs from time to time, but the two see it as normal—part of accommodating all their future students.
The following days were very happy and relaxing, especially for Mint because it felt like he was back to his days at EKMA, as their trainer and trainee.
Moreover, when it comes to other matters, thankfully, Sage never asked him about what was happening. About his driving skills, and why EKMA has given a condition that is involving him.
Sage didn't pay any more attention to it. Instead, it was as if nothing happened, except for the exciting events.
For example, when Sage let him drive his bike and car. When those moments come, he often teases Mint in every possible way. Kissing him suddenly on his cheek, neck or his shoulders especially if Mint was driving the big bike of his.
On the other hand, he is always snaking his hands inside Mint's clothes. Pinching and stroking secretly.
In short, he can satisfy his desires and cravings while riding a car because he's not the driver. Because he always lets Mint do it. He really enjoys every bit of it.
One day, one of Major General Kane's aides gave them an order.
The cadet's training would now take place at EKMA. The reason, according to the order, was to provide easier access to different vehicles, particularly in heavier and advanced vehicles, and a wide, open space for comfortable practice.
There's nothing wrong with the order from the client, so the management of Aethercliff agreed to it.
On the day that they will go to EKMA, there were two cars in their convoy.
Mint and Caraway drive each car. On their passenger and backseats contains the security personnel's, their Executive Vice president and Mint's boss.
Sage is of course included in their convoy. He is currently sitting in the passenger seat in Mint's group.
The journey proceeds smoothly. When they arrived at EKMA, they were personally greeted by Major General Kane himself.
"Good morning. Welcome to Echelon Knight Military Academy. I'm so happy that you're here." He greeted the people with an open smile. Which the said people too, greeted Major General Kane and his people.
On the other hand, Mint is very emotional right now.
He didn't really think that he would return to EKMA.
Mint admitted that he really missed EKMA. But he didn't have any plans to return—at least not for another eight to ten years.
Well, he's kind of nervous because he knew there were still many personnel, students and other people who still knew him. He didn't know how to face them now, knowing the fact that he ghosted them suddenly after he left EKMA.
'Okay Calm down Mint. Nothing will happen!!' Mint consoled himself silently.
"Are you okay?" said the voice from beside whisperingly. Only enough for him to hear.
When Mint saw who it was—Sage, looking as handsome as ever. His tense expression softens slightly, and then he smiles warmly at him.
"Yes, I'm fine. I'm just a little nervous."
"Ow. You don't have to be nervous. Just do whatever you need to do. I'm here, you know." With the tender voice of Sage. Its calm Mint even more.
"Thank you." Mint said thankfully then when he's sure that no one could see, he held Sage's hand and squeezed it a little bit.
Major General Kane moved his schedule just to accompany them to walk around EKMA.
When their group reaches the open field, suddenly, they hear many running footsteps that are nearing them.
After that, to Mint's surprise, many hands hugged him suddenly, almost causing him and the people to fall to the ground.
"What---"
Mint was about to say something but stopped when he saw the faces clearly.
He recognized them all.
It's the members from his past team.
He's so speechless. Did they really miss him that much? For them to squeeze him to death just like what is happening now.
Upon collecting himself from the shock into facing his past team members. He looked at the only person who did not join the others into 'attacking' him. His past team leader, Juniper.
"What? Don't look at me. You're on your own." Juniper said.
"But---" Mint retorted but was cut when someone smacked his head slightly.
It was Coriander.
As usual, acting as her rough and sadistic self.
"Now you have the guts in showing your face to us!! You don't have the right to complain." Coriander said gloatingly at Mint while he hugged Mint tightly again.
"Coriander--"
"We'll talk about your offense later. The important thing is that you thought about showing up here now. How do you do?" Bay asks him suddenly. After distancing himself away from Mint after giving him a soft tap on his head.
Ruffling Mint's head. Then he helped Mint into removing the other members away from him which relieved him. Steadying him and fixing his crumpled clothes gently.
Mint looked at Bay thankfully while smiling.
Bay faced Major General Kane then said solemnly in a way that the latter will not say no, "Major General Sir, Assistant Colonel Bay may ask Mint to be excused for a while sir!!"
This surprised the people who were forgotten in the side, Mint's colleagues.
'Typical Bay. Super direct to the point.' Mint sweatdrops silently.
Major General Kane didn't seem particularly surprised by the request, so he gave his permission without much thought, unconcerned about how Mint's companions might react.
Mint was about to protest when he noticed the expressions on Caraway and the others—especially Sage—but before he could say anything, he was suddenly pulled away by Bay and Coriander. Because of that, he didn't see the danger flickering in Sage's eyes as Sage watched Mint's back grow smaller in the distance.
'Shit!! I will be really punished after this.' Mint exclaimed internally while crying when he saw the warning in Sage's eyes while he was pulled away a while ago.
As he imagined what might await him in Sage's hands, he allowed them to pull him along. He looked ahead of them because he felt their pace was slowing down. There, he saw that they were nearing one of EKMA's cafeterias.
"Hey, you guys really won't let me go? I can walk without you forcing me, you know? Also, do you know what I'll have to face when I get back?" Mint complains to Bay and Coriander who are pulling him and glared at them.
"Huh! That's your problem. Don't you even complain about that in front of us because you still owe us. Hmp!!" Coriander replied with a hint of resentment. It seems Mint hurt them because of what he did back then.
Mint took a deep breath, "Coriander, I didn't mean to do that intentionally-- "
"Hey! Stop! We'll talk about it later, let's go inside the cafeteria first." Bay cutted Mint. Slightly repreminding them.
Mint had no choice but to remain silent and follow them.
Inside the cafeteria, he saw that those who saw him were very surprised that he's there, especially the trainees and other EKMA employees that are still in EKMA when he leaves.
Even if it's awkward, he waved at them hello shyly.
When they found a vacant table that could house them all. They sat there without ordering food.
After a while, Mint was dumbfounded when suddenly, someone laid out food in front of them.
When he looked to see who it was, he realized it was their former cafeteria cook. Let's just say they'd been somewhat close back then.
"Good to see you back, Captain Mint." The cook greeted him.
Mint immediately shakes his hand no to him, "No. No. Don't call me captain anymore, just Mint. I'm not part of EKMA anymore, remember."
"Haha. I know. But I'm not used to it. Anyway, enjoy your meal." After he said that, he left.
Mint exhales slowly. He knew it. This will happen. That's why he's embarrassed to come here. He doesn't want to be called captain again. And besides, he is no longer part of EKMA.
Mint looks at his companions at the table.
He noticed that everyone was staring at him heatedly—everyone except Juniper, of course, who was his usual self. Calm and nonchalant as ever.
'Hmp!! Keep pretending!!'