The following day, Lana immediately advised the dean of the law department that her situation was resolved as she thought that it was appropriate in order to avoid any complications. She was really thankful for the consideration that she received, and fully expressed her gratitude. When they asked as to how it was resolved, she mentioned that one of her classmates was surprisingly helpful in getting it resolved quickly. However, she declined naming said classmate as she felt that Mark, or Zero as he was referred to by those in the army, would like his privacy respected.
As it was, she felt that Mark was entitled to his secrets. If he didn't let them know of his exact connection to the army, he must have a good reason to do so. She thought that it was the least that she could do for him.
However, she felt that she needed to repay the favor in kind, or at the very least, personally express her gratitude to him. After all, he did not need to go out of his way to rescue her sister personally as being able to provide help to locate was more than enough assistance for someone he barely knew.
However, expressing said gratitude was easier said than done, apparently.
Lana has tried multiple times, but Mark somehow kept getting away from her.
First, she can't get him to come with them on Friday as he said he had an early class on Saturday. She accepted it the first time, but seriously? She was in the same class! And how was 12 noon early???
So she adjusted the plan for Saturday of the following week, however he then claimed that he did not have the money to go out for anything. I mean seriously? The man had a job that she knew of, so just what exactly was he spending his money on?
Lana thought she finally convinced Mark to come, she even convinced some of her classmates to go with them just so it wouldn't be awkward for him if that was the problem. They were finally walking so that they can take the public transport, but somehow he managed to get away again! None of them even managed to notice when he made his escape.
However, by the third week the gods must have smiled on Lana as the professor for the Saturday class advised them that he will not be coming in for the class, and gave them the assigned cases that they will discuss the following week. This time, she had a plan. She also conscripted the help of some of their classmates to ensure that this time, there was no escape.
Mark may be in the army or whatever, but he never had to face a determined Lana Kang before!
.........
Mark was blissfully unaware of the planning that went on behind his back. As it was, it was just another Friday for him as he picked up his backpack in order to make his way back home.
Ora at least, what was currently his home. His plans for the night was that he can relax for a bit, locate and secure the cases he needed then turn in early so he can relax and sleep somewhat early tonight as the next day class was cancelled and he can simply read it then. After which he can then work on the following week's cases so that he can just read them instead of having to look for them the night before.
His old "donated" hand-me-down laptop was quite slow, but thankfully it had WiFi. However, he only had a mobile wifi device so he had to make sure he had enough funds for it as it was prepaid, and it was all he can afford.
Sadly, his accomodations did not include an internet connection.
Beggars can't be choosers though, so he just had to suck it up. He already had free lodging, and if he made it in time, free food in the mess hall of the camp.
That is, IF he made it.
As it normally was though, his last class for the day ended at nine PM, which meant he had to buy his own food.
"I really hope this lawyer thing works out for me. If I'm still this worried with how I'm going to eat by then, it would just be sad" Mark said to himself wistfully as he made his way to the stairs.
He was lost in thought, thinking of what food he can fit in his budget for dinner when James called his attention.
"What's up? You need something?" Mark asked.
"Not really, just thought that you'd want to come with me and the guys to go grab dinner".
Mark thought about it for a bit.
"Sure, why not? Where are we going?"
"Just somewhere nearby. Come on, it's about time you went out with us" James replied.
Mark agreed, thinking that the company might be a nice change for once.
They met up with Lana and some of the girls before leaving. Since all classes ended by 9, there was a lot of people out by now. Since they were currently in the fourth floor, everybody wanted to use the elevator as opposed to the stairs.
What they didn't expect was that everyone in the group except Mark fit in the elevator, as he had the habit of letting everyone else go first.
"Go on guys, I'll just meet you downstairs." Mark told them.
"Hey, no way man! You're just trying to escape again, aren't you?" James protested.
Mark sighed , feeling a bit guilty about ditching them last time. It wasn't really like he wanted to do it, but he had to make sure that he made it to the next payday with whatever meager funds he had.
"Okay, I get it. I'll just meet you guys downstairs and I won't escape. You guys have my word" Mark assured them.
"You better not, bud. We'd be really pissed if you pulled one on us" James replied.
"Okay, I promise already. Now go, you're holding the elevator."
The doors closed, and Lana can't help but whisper to James. "Are you sure about this? what if he ditches us again?"
James grinned smugly, "I know him well enough. If he gives his word, he goes through with it even when he doesn't want to. I got this".
Lana really hoped he was right. She was already really frustrated over this.
It took a bit of time as the elevator still had to pass through the other floors, which made Lana worry, but what she saw when the doors opened on the ground floor surprised her.
The elevator faced the stairs, and when the doors opened she saw Mark waiting for them. He was leaning back on the railing, with legs and hands crossed, waiting.
"What the hell are you doing?" Lana asked in a surprised tone as everyone got out.
Mark cocked his head to the side as if he was taken aback by the question.
"Waiting." Mark answered.
"I mean, how the hell did you get here? We left you upstairs!" Lana said, exasperated.
"I used the stairs" he replied, nonchalant.
"But we were on the fourth floor!" Lana insisted.
"I know. So was I" he answered.
James just laughed it off. "Just accept that our friend here is a freak of nature and move on. I bet he used some sort of teleportation jutsu to get here".
Mark groaned at that as if in pain. "You know I'm starting to hate it when use those anime ninja references. It was funny the first few times, now it's just getting old.
"Yeah, okay. I'm still not stopping though" James replied with a smug grin. "Come on, Lana's leading the way as she knows the place."
Mark went along, but somehow he felt awkward when they left the campus as the guys surrounded him as they were walking.
"Guys, you know I said I'm going with you, right?" Mark asked as he was uncomfortable with this scenario.
"We're just making sure you don't escape. We don't want you ditching us again like last time" James replied.
Mark felt really strange with this. He agreed to go for dinner, yet somehow it felt like he walked straight into a trap.