'Unless I take her under my wing. '
I rise from my seat with a weary smile, then walk around the table to sit down beside her.
"W-What are you–"
"Relax I don't bite. Bytes on the other hand... "
She frowns in bemusement.
(A/N: Bemusement means baffled)
'Alright, alright, too obscure'
"Let me show you how to bring up the news on your phone. "
She snatches it away when I hold out my hand, only to thrust it into my palm with a sigh of defeat a moment later.
"First, you hit this button down here to open the browser. "
I spent the next few minutes going over the concept of apps, websites and search engines.
Despite being a total novice, she grasps the basics pretty well. Soon she is able to navigate to a site by herself and read up the news on the latest attack.
"According to this site, the incident occurred two hours ago. Thirteen injured, one dead... The one dead is probably the executive who was undergoing care. "
"That's horrible. "
"And that's undoubtedly the work of the faithful... What's this triangle over the image here? "
She tips her phone towards me.
"Oh that's a play button. It means there's a footage. "
"Interesting."
She taps the thumbnail showing a man giving an address before a small crowd.
.
.
.
"I am Takeshi Imamura, elected spokesperson for the Faithful of Abezethibou. "
"Allow me to state first of all, that it pains me to hear about the attack on Tengu City Hospital earlier today. "
"I want to assure everyone that nobody in our organization was responsible for this atrocity. We do not shy away from using extreme measures in order to pursue our righteous cause. "
"But I can confidently state that none of us would stoop so low as to threaten innocent lives. I sincerely hope the culprits are caught and brought to swift and ruthless justice. "
"Thank you. "
.
.
.
"What a scumbag, as if anyone would believe his lies! "
She sets her phone down.
"Legion will get to the bottom of this, I promise you. Even if I have to do the legwork all by myself! "
"Woah there, Take it easy Mana. We are just a couple of high school students, remember? "
She bristles at the reminder.
"How could I forget?! "
'Maybe distraction is the better way to go here. '
"How about I show you a few mobile phone games? I know some good ones that are mostly free to play. "
She glances at her phone skeptically as I gesture toward it.
"Games? But where are the pieces?"
"Alright, I know you are just pulling my leg. Even you can't be that ignorant. "
The corners of her mouth curl to form the ghost of a smile.
"You see? I can keep up a front just fine! I'll admit, I've never actually had time for video games before. "
"Be warned though, if you compromise this device, I will break both your hands. "
"Well just to be clear, does that include compromising your ability to be productive? Because we might want to avoid gacha games in that case. "
She eyes me indignantly.
"All legion members undergo rigorous anti coercion training. I'll have you know. "
Sshe slides her phone across the table towards me.
"So do your worst. Show me these gacha games! "
"Well if you say so. "
We spend the rest of our break walking her through a couple of the kore addictive titles. Despite the occasional flare up, I actually find myself enjoying it.
.
.
.
With school finished, I get a pleasant surprise when Vignette joins me for the walk home.
"Sorry about leaving you to fend for yourself at lunch, Xion. I'll have to make it up to you with an extra special bento next week! "
"Nah, don't worry about it. It all led to a fairly memorable encounter in the cafeteria anyways. "
"Oh, really? "
She raises an eye brow.
"Do tell"
"well, you know that new girl that transfered into my grade? "
"You mean that one? "
When I look up at confusion, she nods toward a point behind us. Spotting Lilin crouched behind a bin, I murmur a response.
"Yeah, that's the one. "
'What on earth is she doing?! '
"Let's pretend she's not–"
Next thing I know, Vignette has swiveled around to confront her.
"Excuse me! "
Lilin gives a startled response, having been spotted so easily.
'Well so much for that idea. '
I have no choice but to follow as Vignette strides over.
"Can I help you? "
Lilin turns her nose up.
"I'm just on my way home. You're the one acting strange. "
Vignette and I exchange a knowing look.
"Right."
"You'll have to draw far less attention to yourself if you're going to stalk Xion here. "
Lilin scoffs Indignantly.
"Now why would I want to do a thing like that? "
"Isn't it obvious? "
Vignette stifles a smile.
"You've got a crush on him! "
Lilin & Xion: "Wh-what?! "
Lilin: " I refute that accusation! "
Vignette unleashes her beaming grin at last.
"Oh, don't feel guilty. We are not a couple, if that's what you're worried about. "
Lilin huffs crossing her arms.
"That's the least of my worries, right now, believe me! You can have him, for all I care! Why just the thought of us–"
She shakes her head, unwilling to even finish the sentence.
Lilin: "It makes my skin crawl! "
"I'm standing right here. "
Vignette chuckles to herself.
"Ah, young love. The thing it makes us do. "
'She really is hung up on this stalking angle, huh? '
"That is not what this is about, Vignette, believe me. "
Lilin shakes her head in fervent agreement.
"Definitely not. "
Vignette glances back and forth between the two of us.
"Oh no? Well if you two aren't interested in each other, just what is going on then? "
Lilin shrugs evasively.
"Like I said, I'm just going home. So if you'll excuse me. "
Vignette keeps her eyes fixed on Lilin as she scurries out of sight.
"Interesting girl. "
'You have no idea. '
(End of the chapter)
(Author note: How is the story for you my readers? Is enjoyable and good enough? Comments me!)