Kristelle's Point of View (Present Day)
"Ryuuji!" I shout as I ran fast with my feet. My forehead collided with his chest in an instant and I swear I can feel him smile as we hug. We pulled away and I gave him a sweet, genuine smile while he ruffles my hair.
"I've missed you too, Odin." He leaned whispered softly in my ear. Good thing that we're not hugging right now because he might hear the pounding of my heart. It was erratic, almost shaking uncontrollably because of the way his breath felt on my ear.
I was fixing my hair when a dumb ass called out to us. "No public display of affection! That only applies to couples! You're not even dating!" Jun teased. As much as he annoys me, he is right though. Ryuuji and I are not a couple. Maybe a thing? As to how our friends say.
"Guys, I'll be back in a sec," Joshua said and hurried off.
"You're always like that." Isa replied and rolled her eyes as she put on her air pods. The rest of us took a seat on our other reserved table, besides the Kappa table. I looked over to where Joshua went. He went after the Kiefer guy, who's standing beside the cafeteria's waiting line.
"So what did you guys do on your summer breaks?" I started. As I said, I worked on a lone case therefore the team wasn't with me. They're usually on the job but I wanted to give them a rest and take a job for my own. Isa took out one of her air pods and replied to me.
"I went to my dad's winery in Spain. It's refreshing to bask in the summer heat, surrounded by flowers, taking walks down the vineyard, hanging by the porch. Ugh, I miss it already." She spoke dreamily.
"That's cool! Maybe you could take m- I mean us there sometime." Jun perked up. It's no secret that Yamamoto has feelings for Isabel. It's really obvious but for some reason, Isabel has no idea. "Sure! Maybe after one or two jobs!" She happily replied.
"Everyone! I'd like you to meet Kiefer Ramirez. He's the talk of Vanderwaalt as of today."
Jun laughed all of a sudden and I shot an eyebrow up.
"The talk of Vanderwaalt? Sure. As long as Freya doesn't talk about you." He may come off as a dumb ass, but he's very jealous when it comes to Isabel. I don't really know why he just wouldn't spit it out. It's not like Isa's going to swallow him whole.
"By the way, the name's Jun Yamamoto. Half Filipino, Half Japanese." and offered a hand. Every time Jun had to introduce himself, he just had to say that he's half Filipino. Most people just assume that Jun's a foreigner because he doesn't look the part. They also think Jun can't speak for shit and act all racist. We all hate it when that happens to him.
"You're playing with fire, eh? I think you've grown at least a small set of balls, Loki. Aren't you scared that Isabel will hear anything?" Zhou taunted. Here we go, another set of their usual banter. "She's wearing her Air Pods. Of course, she wouldn't. Besides, she's too clueless." He reasoned.
"Who's clueless?" Isabel said as she took out her earphones. Oops, game over.
"No one! I was saying that I'm too clueless that I forgot I'm actually hungry. I'll go order right there." And hurriedly went off.
"To answer your statement, Zhou. No, he didn't grow a single thing." I said out of context and laughed wholeheartedly. "Oh! I didn't see you there! I'm Isabel Fiasco." She said and gave her hand for 'Kiefer' to take. I'm still not comfortable saying the guy's name because of the ruckus he made earlier. Somehow, he just pisses me off.
He must be in a state of shock because he wouldn't talk. Is he attracted to Isabel? Good luck, boy. It's a good thing that Jun isn't here yet or else he'll beat the shit out of this pretty boy. "And you are...?" My best friend continued. I rolled my eyes and spoke. "Don't waste your time with him. He's deaf." I said and crossed my arms as I examine the guy.
He's just another model like everyone else. What's so special about him anyway?
Jun was quick to come back. In a few minutes, he's already got a whole set of a meal with a 'few' snacks added to his tray. What I mean by 'few' was PLENTY. His fan club must've given him these on his way back. On a huge university like Vanderwaalt, the wealthiest and the good looking people get fans in an instant. More so if you have power and connections. Most people here hover the spotlights like moths. As long as they can get something out of you, they'll stick with you.
"Uhm, Kiefer. Kiefer Ramirez." He finally replied. Oh look, he's not deaf. No offense to the deaf people, by the way. Comparing deaf people to Kiefer sounds like an insult to them tough. Isabel's eyes widened for a second which kinda made me curious. Why? Is there anything that I should know? Is it a lead on a case?
Isabel's face went back to their usual expression, composed, relaxed, and sweet.
"Oh! So you're what everyone's buzzing about. You're pretty popular for a transfer student." And that, she gave another warm smile, just like usual. Maybe I'm just on edge today, that's why I'm overthinking stuff.
"Yeah right. He's so popular that he's the reason why I can't get through the hallway earlier. Such a bad impression, might I say." I said in a sassy tone and sneered at him as I sent daggers his way. I really don't like this guy. Who the hell does he think he is?
"I'm sorry if she's being so rude. She's just heartbroken, that's all." Of all the things she could have made up, this is what she picked? I expected better of you, Isa.
"Heartbroken? Please. Like I'd ever let anyone that close to me to even be my boyfriend in the first place." Note about me, I have high walls. I protect myself even when unnecessary. Ryuuji is the only man I trust so much that he could see through me. But then, Ryuuji isn't my boyfriend.
"Oh ho ho! What about that guy in your dreams you kept telling me about?" She pressed. Oh. It's that guy. I really don't want to think about that for a moment. I have a lot on my plate at the moment.
"Jeez, cut it out. By the way, we need to talk about a 'private' matter. Can you please?" And looked back at Kiefer again and eyed him down, telling him to leave. I need to talk to the team and the word cannot, ever, ever, get out.
Keifer turned to leave but Zhou held his wrist, gesturing him to stay. I looked at Joshua, confused, as to why he did that. This is classified, no strangers allowed. What the hell is he thinking? Joshua looked at me like he was telling me something. I trust his judgment. After all, I've been his friend since childhood. He won't do anything that'll backfire on us.
"Siegfried, I told you I need another member for the unit. I told you to scout one, months ago. Where the hell is it?" I said, going straight into business. You could say that I'm very professional when it comes to work.
"I'm sorry! You know how my lifestyle is." He said and scratched his head. Yes, his lifestyle. His stupid, luxurious, and reckless lifestyle. How could he prioritize his partying than work? There must be an explanation for this. Joshua Zhou is not this stupid when it comes to important and pressing matters.
"Actually... I think he's my bet." Joshua looked at Kiefer. I kept a straight face on even though I had the urge to laugh. This pretty boy? He doesn't look like someone who could put up a fight. After all, I did deck him earlier.
"This guy? Are you sure?" I slipped the tiniest grin that I could muster, just to make fun of him. "Yes, him. I looked at his info earlier this morning and he looks promising." Joshua added. Joshua Zhou-Gonzales, also known as Siegfried in the underground, is the source of all my information. That's why he knows every single one that comes inside this school. He looks at their roots, including their police background.
He opened his phone and opened a document. It showed every single thing that Kiefer included in his resume and application for Vanderwaalt University.
"Black belter in Taekwondo, taking boxing and MMA lessons, have a gun license and went into training. Hmm." I hum as I read his profile. I didn't think someone like him took all these self-defenses. Is he hiding something? Or running from someone, for him to be this paranoid? I still don't know for sure.
I'll have to keep an eye on him. But for now, he's a promising ally. "See? I told you. Don't you trust me, Kristelle?" Joshua responded. He gave me a warm, genuine, smile. He's being sappy all of a sudden. I could feel the awkward silence on our little group and so I decided to break it. It was deafening and it's irritating the shit out of me.
"What exactly am I getting into?" The blonde-haired boy said.
I sighed and spoke out. "Okay, let's head into The Hive. I'll take care of things later. Follow me." And I stood up. The Kappa girls gave me a wave as I passed.