Because of Kieron's reckless stunt, misunderstandings spread like wildfire. Norris Donavon — Leci's cousin — was convinced she had done something improper.
The moment they returned home yesterday, Norris's voice thundered through the room as he scolded her without mercy. Yet Leci had already explained that she was only performing a regular Exorcism of a Lost Spirit, nothing more. But Norris wouldn't believe a single word.
"If it was just an exorcism," he demanded sharply, "then why is there a hickey on your neck?"
He stood there with arms crossed, a rolled notebook in hand like a weapon of judgment. Leci, meanwhile, knelt on the floor, head bowed in quiet defeat — a captive awaiting her sentence.
Scenes like this were nothing new between them. It had happened more times than either could count. Sometimes, when the situation is reversed and Norris made a mistake, Leci would be the one to raise her voice. It was their unspoken rhythm — quarrels born from worry, and silence heavy with affection neither dared to name.
"Maybe it's just a mosquito bite? That place has been abandoned for ages — there must be a lot of mosquitoes there," Leci replied defensively. Her excuse sounded so uncertain that it almost came out like a question.
Norris glared at her menacingly. His tall frame loomed like a dark spirit now — almost genderuwo-like.
"Maybe?" he repeated with biting sarcasm, one eyebrow raised. "Leciara, just admit it. With whom, and where, did you do it?"
Leci's eyes darted around, avoiding his piercing stare. Her hands, clenched tightly on her thighs, trembled slightly as her mind scrambled for a way out.
"I told you it's a mosquito bite!" she protested, her voice pitching higher. "I scratched it — that's why it turned red!"
The young man let out a rough sigh, rubbing his face before looking back at Leci. "Fine, let's just assume that's the case for now," he said in reluctant surrender.
"But you'd better not let me catch you doing anything that could tarnish our family's name."
You don't have to tell me that—I already know! Leci grumbled inwardly. She quickly nodded several times, hoping to end the conversation so Norris would finally leave her room.
All of that had happened just yesterday.
Every time she remembered what Kieron had done to her, a wave of irritation and anger welled up inside. But more than that, unease gnawed at her. Leci was afraid Kieron might not keep his promise.
He'd better not break our agreement! Leci fumed inwardly. She grew more restless as the day went on without seeing Kieron even once.
It was already after school hours — all lessons had ended — yet he was nowhere to be found. On her way out of the classroom, she mulled over what kind of punishment she'd give him if he dared to break his promise. If the Teacher finds out—
Her thoughts scattered in disarray the moment she spotted two familiar figures. In the quiet corridor, an athletic-looking man was kabedon-ing a younger girl wearing the Red Maple High School uniform. There was no mistaking who they were.
"Hey! You two!" she shouted sharply. If this were an animation, flames would've already burst from every inch of Leci's body. She was furious.
The girl leaning against the coridor wall looked startled by Leci's sudden arrival. "Leci! Wait! This is a misunderstanding!" Taryn panicked.
Ignoring Taryn's words, Leci strode toward them, her eyes blazing with fury. With a sharp movement, she pulled Kieron away from her friend, forcing him to take a step back. Then she planted herself right between them — shielding Taryn from Kieron.
"You broke our agreement!" Leci accused, pointing a finger straight at Kieron's nose. "And worse — you did it to Taryn! I will never forgive you for this!"
"Leci, wait—"
The dark-red-haired girl raised one hand, signaling Taryn not to interrupt. Her eyes narrowed at Kieron, who looked infuriatingly calm.
Instead of defending himself, the man merely smiled — that same mysterious smile that only made Leci's anger burn hotter.
"What are you angry about?" Kieron asked, a faint trace of laughter curling at the edge of his voice. He lowered his head slightly, his breath brushing against Leci's ear as he whispered, "Do you really think I'd do something to your friend?"
His hands found her shoulders, firm yet unhurried, drawing her closer until there was barely any space between them. This time, Kieron's gaze locked onto her tanzanite eyes — unwavering, unsettling.
"Do you think I'd ever lay a hand on one of my students?" he murmured, his voice sinking lower, almost teasing.
You already did that to me, you old man! Leci screamed inwardly. I just thought you were trying to steal Taryn's soul! Why do men and women think so differently?!
Her heart pounded furiously, the words clawing for escape, yet she swallowed them back. All she could do was clutch the unease inside her chest until it ached.
"Leci," Taryn finally spoke, breaking the tension. "I told you—you misunderstood. Mr. Kieron was asking about you. He wanted me to tell him everything you like."
Kieron couldn't help but chuckle at the strange expression on Leci's face after hearing Taryn's explanation. The girl glanced around restlessly, puffing her cheeks in frustration.
"Y-your pose just now looked totally suspicious! You two should talk like normal people! Why Mr. Kieron always have to push someone against the wall!?"
"Because she refused to tell me," Kieron replied, nodding toward Taryn. "She said I should figure it out myself."
Taryn crossed her arms and answered firmly, "If you truly like Leci, you should make an effort on your own. A girl will always pay more attention to a man who fights for her."
What are they even talking about?! Leci screamed inside her head. Wait—so that scene I saw earlier... Mr. Kieron wasn't threatening Taryn? Her mind spun in confusion as she looked back and forth between the two of them.
"Oh, is that so?" Kieron raised both eyebrows, focusing his attention on the confused Leci. "But I thought Leciara didn't like normal approaches—since she's a little… different."
Different?! Just as Leci was about to protest, Taryn spoke up first.
"Please don't say random things about my friend, Mister!" she snapped, her tone sharp. "Leci's like that only because she lacks experience. She's never been close to any guy other than Norris."
"Wait, Taryn? Are you admitting that I am a little different?!" Leci protested, even though Taryn had just stood up for her.
Taryn nodded calmly, completely unfazed. "You don't have much experience when it comes to romance. That's why you act a bit odd whenever you're near men."
"Hold on... who's Norris?"
"My cousin."
Kieron nodded repeatedly like a maneki-neko statue in a Japanese shop. Then he pointed firmly at Leci's forehead. "Don't get too close to that Norris guy!"
Leci brushed his hand away, clearly annoyed. "I told you, he's my cousin!" she snapped, letting out an exasperated sigh.
"Marriage between cousins is not prohibited, isn't it? So—no!"
Leci puffed her cheeks, biting back the urge to say something rude. Who does he think he is?! she grumbled inwardly. With a weary tone, she turned to Taryn instead. "I have to go to the Club Room. Has your driver picked you up yet?"
"Isn't the Journalism Club meeting tomorrow?" Taryn tilted her head, then glanced at Kieron. Her mouth formed a small 'o' as if she'd just realized something. "Alright then. I won't disturb you two."
"Your thoughts are practically spilling out—I can read them easily. Taryn, I told you, you're mistaken—"
"Bye. Hope your date goes well!" Taryn exclaimed, completely ignoring Leci's protests. She left just like that — with a bright, mischievous smile.
"You've got it all wrong!" Leci shouted, sounding a little desperate. At this point, she truly had no idea how to fix this misunderstanding. Stomping her foot in frustration, she glared at Kieron.
"This is all your fault, Sir! People are misunderstanding everything!"
Instead of being offended, Kieron simply chuckled, clearly pleased. "Let them," he murmured. "Isn't it more fun that way?"
Once again, Leci wanted so badly to yell something rude at him. But she knew — if she reacted, Kieron would only get more amused. So she just walked away, heading toward the other school building where the club rooms were located. Unexpectedly, Kieron followed her.
This building was always crowded at this hour, so Kieron definitely wouldn't do anything strange. Even so, Leci still felt uneasy — all the attention around them seemed to shift in their direction. Well, not their direction exactly. More like… toward Kieron.
Especially the way the female students looked at him — eyes filled with pure adoration.
"Good afternoon, Sir!"
"Did you come here to see us, Mister?"
"Kyaaa! Mr. Kieron! Come visit our clubroom!"
Leci felt completely invisible. No one seemed to notice her presence at all. In contrast, Kieron was instantly surrounded by a crowd of adoring girls, as if he were some kind of celebrity.
Well, that's actually a good thing — this way, he won't bother me, Leci thought as she continued walking toward the Journalism Club room. The club usually held activities every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, so on a Thursday like this, the room would be empty. Leci came there to look for something; she was only planning to stop by for a moment.
As soon as she arrived, Leci stepped inside and closed the door behind her. She let out a relieved sigh — finally, she could be alone. "Let's finish this quickly and go home," she muttered to herself.
"Aren't we supposed to be exorcising the Lost Spirit?"
"Eh?" Leci's eyes widened in shock. Kieron was standing inside the clubroom that was supposed to be empty. "Weren't you outside just now, surrounded by those girls?" she asked, staring at him in disbelief.
A brief realization struck Leci — Kieron wasn't human. Just yesterday, he had managed to vanish from Norris's sight as if he had never existed. This must be another one of his tricks.
"You're not planning to run away, are you?" Kieron's voice came low and unhurried as he closed the distance between them.
His eyes glimmered with quiet amusement while his hands pressed against the wall on either side of her, caging her in. Leci instinctively stepped back until her spine met the cold surface of the door.
"It's just the two of us now," he whispered. "Don't you think... I could do something right now?"