"Mino... if you got seriously injured, then how come you don't have any wounds and bandages?"
""".....!!!...."""
Three collective gasps were heard together. However, this time the stares directed at Mino were even more intense.
"That's right... maybe he didn't get seriously injured..."
"Wh-what are you saying Warret..."
"Maybe Mino made too big of a deal with a minor wound... that must be it."
All of them voiced out their opinions while not taking their eyes off Mino for a single moment. They noticed that his face had grown significantly darker.
"There's no way Ashu would lie about his friend in such a manner... that's a bit too severe for a joke. So there's more to it than we actually think..."
Amene voiced out her thought, and it was quite logical.
Then she looked downwards, breathed out a sigh and turned once again to look at Mino in his eye. In an anxious voice, she said,
"Do you have a say in this, Mino?"
But the person to whom this question was directed did not respond. He wasn't even looking their way. As if he was lost in his own world. Surprisingly, there was an apprehensive look on his face when he turned in their direction.
"Wait for a moment Amene..."
After saying this in a barely audible voice, he reached out and grabbed the knife which was to be used to cut the cake. He was staring at it intensely, his apprehension had changed into hesitation. The grip on his knife tightened. Amene did not like this at all. Gingerly, she made up her mind and asked,
"C-Care to explain us... WHAT ARE YOU DOING!"
As she was going to finish her question, Mino took the knife and ran it across the palm of his left hand, cutting a deep wound.
"Did you finally go fucking crazy!"
"Mino!"
"Why did you do that!"
Maina started panicking, at the same moment, Warren rushed off to fetch a first aid kit. Royo ran upto him at once and snatched then knife, nearly overturning the table in the process.
Hot tea splashed on Amene and Mino, bringing them out from their shock.
Ignoring the chaos around him, Mino looked at his palm. Blood was rushing out of a wide cut across the whole length of his palm. His whole hand was being dyed dark red with the blood. And of course, it hurt. It was stinging like hell. The pain was enough to make him regret his actions and lose focus for a second. However, he immediately focused on the wound on his palm. But nothing happened. For a moment Mino had a wild idea that his wound heal itself, but then he realised the absurdity of the situation.
"I've brought it!"
At that moment, Warret came rushing in with the kit.
"What the the fuck were you thinking!!"
A panicked voice could be heard while Mino was rubbing his right hand on his swollen right cheek. Maina's slap really hurt.
"Maina... aren't you being too casual with me?"
He replied in a weak voice.
"Mino... don't change the topic. Tell us why you did that. It doesn't seem like you are insane yet."
The composed voice of Warret could be heard, which earned a nod from Amene.
Mino looked at them and shook his head helplessly. Now there was no hiding it from them. It was already over. But then he remembered Reiner's warning. He didn't want to take the responsibility of any unpleasant situation which may arise due to his carelessness. Closing his eyes, he cleared his throat and stated just two words in a loud voice...
"I can't."
"...."
"...."
"...."
"...."
...stupefying them. Maina opened her mouth first. Her voice was laced with anger.
"Are. You. Kidding. Mino?"
She said these words in such a pressuring tone that the other three found it hard to believe that their class cutie said those words. They wanted to voice out their dissatisfaction too, but swallowed their words abruptly.
"I am not."
Mino too, didn't back down. He declared this in a perfectly firm and unshaking voice.
[I don't know what may be the reason... but Sir Doc getting panicked over something means that's probably extremely unpleasant and problematic.]
Reinard Hostan was the most reliable person he had ever met. His sense of perception and analysis was top notch and Mino had sought his help multiple times regarding a lot of things.
[That man always has a plan. If he's telling me to keep my mouth shut, so will I since it may be a part of his plan too.]
"Why did you cut your palm?"
"Just wondering about something."
"Could you not think of a better excuse?"
"No."
"...."
Maina wordlessly took her seat. The tension in the air was palpable. Others gulped, looking at the serious faces of the duo. They had always seen Mino smiling in a goofy manner, or his focused face whenever he was engrossed in solving problems or reading his favourite books. But they had never noticed his deathly serious face before.
"Ahem! Thank you very much for inviting me this evening. Sorry to spoil this small tea party. I shall take my leave now."
Mino declared as he got up from his seat.
"W-wait a s-second Mino! No need to go that far! I never asked you to leave!"
Flabbergasted, Maina too hurriedly got up and tried to block his path to the door. Right then, Amene said something after a long period of silence.
"Is there someone who told you to keep quiet?"
Mino stopped right in his tracks.
[I guess I can tell what Sir Doc told to me, none of us know the actual reason after all. If I keep my mouth tightly sealed then they will grow wary of me. I certainly can't allow that, since sticking with them reduces my chances of encountering bullies. Sorry Sir Doc...seems like you have to take care of the soup you poured in my pot.]
"Sir Doc told me that there's a chance I can heal my wounds at a super fast rate. But as you see, it was disproved right now."
"Mr. Rein...Wait you did such a crazy thing just for testing out something baseless!"
"Dr. Reinard... he is involved in this? "
"Sir Doc? oh..."
"That annoying man?"
Different responses, (with one offensive) were triggered. The silent room apparently turned even more so. The four of them were looking at each other, clearly confused.
However, one girl opened her mouth and started in a cheerful voice and manner, trying to reduce the tension.
"Ummm... I think it's okay to end this tea party this evening. And Mino, I won't forgive you for ruining this . My birthday party is three days later. You absolutely have to come. Actually that's one of the main reasons for which I had called you here today."
Mino grimaced inwardly. But Maina wasn't done yet.
"The other reason, we wanted you to join our group for the science assignment, since you are quite proficient in physics. Well, we'll discuss it in school tomorrow."
"Ah...mmm... I will surely come m'kay...not that I can reject haha, can I? Bye..."
[That's why she was inviting me... well that's surprisingly simple.]
He walked out of the room and after telling Maina's mom that he the party had already finished, and also explained her everything, showing his bandaged hand.
[So early! What a killjoy you are, ruined their entire mood... Get well soon though, Mino].
Sadly, Mino couldn't help but agree. But he didn't want to be the cause of any problem and kept himself in check, refraining from saying anything. Anyways, bye. As he walked out of the house, the sweet scent of the flowers tickled his nostrils, easing some of the pressure. He turned round once more to look at the house exterior and then finally walked away.