The incident resolved itself from there. The crowd broke apart without the fight, and the two troublesome students left the vicinity.
"Great work. I didn't think you would come in at the end." [Mark]
"You looked like you needed some help." [Adam]
Mark shrugged.
"Eh, probably. Anyway, let's go finish that meal. I really could go for a turkey sandwich by now." [Mark]
The two headed back to the disciplinary committee's lunch table and took a seat. Mark chowed down on his sandwich while Adam began to unpack a box covered with aluminum foil.
"What did you get?" [Mark]
"I dunno. I grabbed the so-called "Mystery box" lunch pack." [Adam]
"Oh, those are great. I remember when I got an entire box of sushi. I'm telling you, it was AMAZING." [Mark]
Seeing as how enthusiastic Mark was about the mystery box lunch pack, Adam peeled the lid off slowly with excitement.
"Fingers crossed." [Adam]
Upon opening the package, his eyes widened with surprise.
"Yes! Let's goooo!!" [Adam]
Inside the box was an entire pizza that had five toppings. Pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, ham, and olives.
"Uh… Adam? It's just pizza. No need to get worked up.." [Mark]
"No, you don't understand! It's once in a blue moon my sister allows me to eat pizza! I'm going to savor the hell out of this!" [Adam]
As Adam began to consume the pizza as if he was inhaling it, Mark had a somewhat dumbfounded expression on his face.
("He's eating the entire pizza. By himself?") [Mark]
The pizza had a total of twelve slices. After only a few minutes had passed, Adam was already finished with four slices.
"A-Adam? Why don't you take a break, or rather, slow down. The food isn't going to run away." [Mark]
"You'd be surprised." [Adam]
"Eh…?" [Mark]
That remark left Mark bewildered. He no longer had any words to say.
("I'll just… let him be.") [Mark]
After about fifteen minutes had passed Adam finished the pizza.
"Oh, I'm stuffed!" [Adam]
"...I sure hope you are." [Mark]
"What's that supposed to mean?" [Adam]
Mark glanced at the empty box and Adam.
"If you aren't full after eating an entire pizza by yourself, I don't know what's wrong with you." [Mark]
"Maybe they have a really big appetite?" [Adam]
"More like a really bad eating disorder." [Mark]
His comments made Adam feel a bit uncomfortable, so he quickly closed the box and put it to the side.
"Eating habits aside… Do you mind if I ask why you suddenly asked me to go eat with you?" [Adam]
Mark stared at him with a blank face.
"Are you like this with your other friends?" [Mark]
"I'm like this with everyone I know. Get off my back." [Adam]
Mark leaned back to stretch, all while checking the time on his phone while he was at it.
"We have about five minutes left on the clock. Okay, gotta get through this real quick." [Mark]
"What?" [Adam]
Mark cleared his throat, as if preparing for a long speech.
"First of all, I am going to reveal my ability. It is level 4 mind reading. Remember when we stopped those two kids a moment ago? I read their minds to avoid their attacks." [Mark]
Adam was confused. Mark's sudden rant had left him unsure of what was happening.
"Um, why are you telling me this?" [Adam]
"Simple. The reason why is because mind reading doesn't work on people who are aware of it." [Mark]
Gears churned in Adam's head. He processed the information slowly, but soon came to an understanding.
"Ah, is this one of those things to protect privacy?" [Adam]
"Ding! Ding! Ding! Correct! In order for people to feel comfortable around me, I kind of have to reveal my ability." [Mark]
"Huh… That's pretty cool. …Wait a sec. You were listening to my thoughts earlier?" [Adam]
Mark nodded.
"Mhm. What's this about meeting Felix and Orion after school?" [Mark]
("Uh oh.") [Adam]
Adam wasn't sure of what to say. All he could do was avert his eyes and sweat nervously.
"Hah! I'm just joking with you. I already know." [Mark]
"...Is this going to get us in trouble?" [Adam]
"Maybe? Don't worry about it. That's how you get through most things in life." [Mark]
Adam looked at Mark with distrust. He wasn't sure whether or not to believe him.
"Oh, by the way. We have some work to do after school. But… as your senior, I'll do you a little solid and cover for you today." [Mark]
Adam was stunned by Mark's words. It felt like Mark had thrown him through a rollercoaster of emotions.
"Th-thanks?" [Adam]
"No problem. Ah, but I'll need you to answer me one thing." [Mark]
Mark's expression was strangely serious for this one, causing Adam to feel a bit nervous.
"S-sure…" [Adam]
"Not to offend, but… uh… How do I put this… You wouldn't happen to, uh… have the hobby of talking to yourself, do you?" [Mark]
"Um, no? Why?" [Adam]
"Because I keep hearing you talk to some guy named Krino in your thoughts." [Mark]
Adam was now worried.
"You can't hear him?" [Adam]
"Oh, was I supposed to? I-I mean, yeah! I can! Krino is um… Your friend! Right?" [Mark]
Mark fumbled his words. He wasn't sure of how to approach this.
"Okay, I feel like there's a misunderstanding here. Krino is my soul weapon. He can talk to me. Only in my head though." [Adam]
Mark looked at Adam with pity.
"Don't worry man, I believe you." [Mark]
"It doesn't look like it. Let me explain-" [Adam]
Interrupting his sentence, the bell rang.
"Oh, would you look at that! Time to go back to class! See you later!" [Mark]
"Wait! I still need to explain myself!" [Adam]
He called out to Mark, but it was too late. Mark was gone.
("Ah… crap.") [Adam]
"Sucks to suck." [Krino]
("Shut up, this is all your fault.") [Adam]