"All I'm saying is, the student organization is flexible. We adapt to the situation and act accordingly, all the while conforming to the protocol."
"Those guys were warned. But right after completing the community service, look what they tried to do. They attempted to murder another student just because Mav reported them selling illegal substances. This wasn't the first time that such a thing happened, so the student organization had to step up its game. Else, we'll be nothing but a joke."
"Someone has to put blood on their hands."
Ike wasn't able to focus throughout the rest of the class, as some of Basty's remarks repeated in his head like a broken record. Even on his way home, and now that he was sitting in front of his computer, Ike couldn't help but recall the snippets of the duel between the psycho bully and Maverick, and the indifference Basty displayed.
"Hmm…" Ike leaned back against his chair, cocking his head back until the back of his head was resting on the backrest. He gazed at the ceiling, breathing out deeply as he closed his eyes.
"Student organization," came out under his breath, reopening his eyes ever so slowly. "What a bunch."
The side of his lips stretched into a smirk as intrigue shone in his eyes. He thought about the student organization over and over, tapping his fingers against the armrest.
"Forget it." He shook his head and shut his eyes again in an attempt to rid the thoughts in his head. When he opened his eyes again, another deep exhale slipped past his lips.
Ike was determined to live this life as menial and as still as a lake… with a few ripples every once in a while. He was done with the life of riding the big and small waves, standing on the fine line between life and death. Living a life in the middle of a wild storm was something he had lived once, but when the sky cleared up, it led him to drought.
He didn't have the heart to go through that once again.
Ike regretted his overly ambitious past self, which led him to death-defying boredom. Embracing his sudden interest in this student organization wouldn't do him good.
"No matter how exciting it is to watch someone plans to murder another, it's better to watch it on the side." Ike gripped the armrest, pushing himself up. "At the very least, my day didn't go by just like the other day."
Ike marched toward the bathroom to clear his mind from the thoughts that were disturbing him. Standing in front of the sink, he opened the faucet and held his hands under the running water. Ike splashed his face with some water a few times, sighing once again.
His hand rested on the rim of the sink, lifting his head to look at himself in the mirror. As soon as he did, the sclera on his right eye turned black with his irises as black as an ink. Yet, he wasn't surprised to see the change. If anything, his countenance instantly turned solemn and sharp.
"No, Vritra." His voice was low and dark, shaking his head mildly while keeping his attention on his reflection. "Not in this life."
The right side of his face sneered while the other side of his face remained the same.
*****
The next day…
Ike came to school at the same time he would always arrive. Walking down the corridor, his steps slowed down as his brow arched. He glanced at the students around, seeing them mumbling and whispering among themselves. Ike furrowed his brows.
Seeing students walking or just chatting was a daily sight he had grown used to. However, there was something in the ambiance that felt off. Out of curiosity, Ike observed his surrounding while walking slower than usual.
"Gosh… the student council again," said a female student with a tinge of distress in her voice. "The student organization is supposed to be the role model for students. But with what's going on recently, I'm more terrified of coming to the school than walking alone in the middle of the night."
"They're nothing but gangsters, abusing their powers to hurt the weak."
"Seriously… what is the administration doing? Don't they see the problem in this school?"
"Don't even bother dragging the administration. They weren't reliable in the first place."
"Now, not only I'm scared of some students that are raising their battle points, but I'm also terrified that there will be no more justice."
"Will Laguna High turn like District 8 and become a lawless district?"
"Don't say that! You're scaring me!"
Ike listened to the conversation around him, taking only what was necessary. 'It seemed the student organization tarnished their already tarnished reputation,' he thought, taking it lightly until he heard another comment.
"Just what would they do now? They get too far this time for killing a student."
Ike stopped, turning his head toward the group of boys idling near the window.
"I heard the person who was responsible almost entered the top ten in the district list," said another youth quietly. "If this isn't an abuse of power, I don't know what it is."
"I heard they forced this student to a duel and beat him to death! He even had a few broken bones. It was horrifying."
"Don't talk as if that never happened." Another one commented, making the other boys look in his direction. "There were many students in Laguna High who forces students to give up their battle points. Saying no is impossible for the weak."
"Are you siding with the student organization?"
"All I'm saying is, the student organization is just a bunch of smart bullies. They use their power and wits to get away from their crimes." The student talking slowly raised his gaze, only to meet a pair of eyes that didn't give off any hints. "Oy, what are you looking at? Do you have a problem with us?"
Ike ignored the student as he kept his eyes on them. His mind, however, was drifting somewhere else.
'He died?' he wondered. 'That student yesterday… died?'