No POV:
Silence...
"Eh?"
She repeated herself:
"You heard me... Go out with me..."
The other hunters were stupefied...
Was this actually happening?
Their Channary was asking a guy out. And one of lower rank no less.
This had to be some kind of joke right?
Even though she repeated herself, Drex found it hard to believe what he heard...
He frantically looked around. Searching for cameras or something that would let him know that it's a prank.
Anything!
But alas, there was none...
He gritted his teeth. He had to think of something. And fast.
"Alright class, take your seats. Let's begin."
He heaved a heavy sigh of relief when the teacher walked in. He was safe for now...
He had to think of a way out of this but for now... He had to focus on class....
~~~~~
"Alright, class is dismissed... Have a nice day."
Saying that, the burly commander left the class as mild rowdiness started to rise again.
As soon as he left, Drex hurriedly started arranging his books.
He had to leave as soon as possible.
"Hey..."
"Ghk—!". He flinched as he heard the voice approaching him...
"You haven't answered me yet..."
"Uhhhh... Hehehe" All he could do was nervously chuckle.
Mai however spoke again. "I asked you to go out with me. You haven't answered me"
Drex blinked. "I heard you the first two times. But... Why?"
"Well like I said, I'd like to take responsibility. I just want to take you out to eat and talk... Y'know, to express my apologies."
Then, she leaned closer and smirked. "Besides, I'd like to know you..."
Was all this really necessary?
Milley exchanged glances at two of them, sensing the tension.
Drex deadpanned. "Like I said, there's really no need for all these. It's fine." Then he raised an eyebrow. "Don't you think you're taking this joke a little too far?"
Drex could see it. It was all a ruse.
If not, why would she openly declear her interest in him and then ask him on a date publicly..?
It just... Didn't make sense...
This has to be a stunt...
"Uhhh..." But the expression on her face made him think other wise...
Her eyebrows were knitted in a deep frown. She seemed annoyed.
"Joke? I told you I'm interested in you... What part of that sounded like a joke?"
By this time, the whole class was focus on them again. They were obviously cursing him under their breaths.
Shit. He messed up...
[Smooth...]
Well that's what lack of experience could do to you...
"Look,. you're free to decline. I can't force you to do something you wouldn't want to do.... But misinterpreting my intentions is a very offensive thing." Her voice was serious.
Maybe even hurt...
"So... Would you like to go out with me?"
At first, Drex wanted to decline. But one quick glance at his classmates was enough to change his mind...
If he declined, that'll only prove to show how much of a spineless man he was.
And he was an older brother now... He can't be bad example... He obviously had to look cool in front of his little sister.
And right now was one of those times.
There was only one thing left to do...
And he was going to do it...
For the sake of his honor as a man.
For the sake of his fellow men.
For the sake of the single boys who wished to be in his shoes...
With a sigh, he answered. "Fine. I'll go on your date..."
She clapped her hands together, a pleasant smile spreading across her face..
"Well then that's great! When do you think will be a comfortable time to meet up? Oh! I know, 5 pm... I'll be going for a week long mission tonight so that should be ideal for you right? We'll meet up in front of the cafe around two blocks from here. Is that okay with you?"
"Uhh... Yeah..."
It seemed her anger had disappeared. Drex marveled at the speed of her change of mood..
Standing up and putting Milley on the floor, he finally spoke. "Well 5pm it is... See you then. C'mon Milley."
There was a slight hesitation. "Milley?"
She was staring intently at Mai. So blankly that it looked like her soul wasn't even here.
Mai tilted her head. "Is something wrong, dear?"
Her question pulled her out of her trance. The tiny girl turned her head frantically before running over to Drex's side.
"What's gotten into you? Let's go c'mon..."
Taking his hand, they both walked out of the classroom.
"See you later!"
"Mhm.. yeah..."
.
.
.
.
.
As Mai left the classroom, she felt a presence behind her. It was rather familiar...
Turning back her eyes met with Adam, standing a few feet from her.
"I saw that stunt you pulled." He began. "C'mon Mai, of all the people in class you chose that runt."
Mai only smiled. "You seemed bothered... You usually don't care who I get with." Then her smile turned to a grin...
"Did you perhaps see him as a potential threat?"
Adam said nothing at first, but soon stepped closer untill they were both inches apart.
"Oh please. Do you really think I'll worry about that?" He laughed.
"He's not worth the sweat"
His height was imposing. But Mai didn't waver.
"Sure... Whatever you say..."
Saying that, she turned to leave.
Before she was completely out of sight, he spoke again:
"You're leagues about him. At least have some taste..."
Mai stopped for a moment. Then smiled, an eeriely calm smile...
Then she continued walking...
.
.
.
.
.
While walking through the corridor, Milley spoke up.
"Big brother... Will Milley also be able to meet her?"
Drex looked down at her. "Didn't you already meet?—"
"Not her. The Moon Mommy".
Drex blinked... "The what?"
"Milley saw her following the Lady. She was very shiny and bright. She reminds Milley of the moon..."
Drex swallowed hard... Mai was contracted with the Moon Devil. And the description he received also reminded him of the moon.
Come to think of it, she had also seen Hades —calling her the "Shadow Lady" and it just so happens that Hades turns into black mist whenever she disappears. And his powers had only ever manifested as shadows...
Was this just a coincidence?
Or was there something else tied to it?.
He sighed. He could just ask the commander for answers later... It was less stressful that way.
For now, his plan was to get as much sleep as possible before he went out on his "date".
But first...
*WHOOSH*
'I knew hitting two cans of soda for breakfast was a bad idea"
Carrying Milley, he sprinted towards his bedroom.
His backdoor had been backed up...
And the cola?
Didn't help at all...
.
.
.
.
.
After a while, he stepped out of the restroom looking like his run to the room was a do or die mission...
"Phew... It felt like I was going to explode..." With a content sigh, he walked towards his bed.
"With how long you stayed in there, I can only hope you didn't clog the toilet." Hades, who was playing with Milley retorted.
"Hey! It's not good to talk about a man's business!"
"Big brother is a poop man!"
Hearing that, he placed a hand dramatically on his chest.
"Damn... lost some aura right there..."
He said, promoting her to laugh....
~~~~~
After a while, Milley had fallen asleep with Drex laying beside her and Hades lying down on her belly—he elbows planted on the bed propping her up.
"It's almost time for your date. Aren't you going to get ready?"
"It's not a date... Well I don't know what it is but I'm pretty sure she's planning something..."
Standing up, he went to his closet. Upon reaching, he took of the hoodie, removed the bandages and looked at his reflection in the mirror next to the wardrobe.
His wounds had already healed, leaving behind faint scars that seemed to be closing up.
He just sighed and turned back to the wardrobe. He knew that they were only closing up to welcome new wounds that would take their place...
He picked a black t-shirt and a jacket. Smoothed out the creases and prepared to walk out.
[Are you sure you don't want to pick anything less....casual?]
Hades, who had already merged with him asked.
"This is fine. I don't want her to think I'm excited about this"
Walking out, he met Hayley.
Great....
The last person he wanted to meet.
"I see you're ready for your date." After siezing him up, she finally spoke.
Drex sighed. "It's not a date, Hayley... We're just going to eat..." Silence, then he added. "I hope..."
"While the rest of team are going to train and prepare for a threat that could strike any moment, your going to o 'eat'. Very professional."
[Someone sounds Jealous.]
Drex rolled his eyes. "Don't make this hard for me... If you actually paid attention, you'd know that I didn't have a choice."
"Yeah right. Have fun. I have better things to do."
Saying that, she walked away, bumping into him as she passed.
"Wow."
Deciding to ignore it, he made his way towards the academy gate...
Staring at the obsidian gates, he sighed...
"Is it too late to turn back?"
Yeah it probably is...