The class hadn't ended yet, Seth and Emily were sitting in a corner looking at the other students' 'spar'. "I'm helping you deal with this trouble you've gotten yourself into."
Emily glared at him angrily as she said that, if someone was trying to hurt him, maybe he should have asked her for help than denying him.
"Sigh…People are just jealous of my handsomeness" He said dramatically, Emily then pulled his cheeks slightly.
"I wouldn't call you handsome, but you sure do look cute" winced slightly as Emily pulled his cheeks, her playful yet concerned expression making him pause for a moment. He smirked, trying to play it cool despite the slight blush creeping up his face.
"Cute, huh? I guess I'll take that as a compliment," Seth replied his tone teasing but with a hint of sincerity. He leaned back, trying to appear relaxed, but the weight of Emily's words lingered in his mind.
Emily, still holding onto his cheek, softened her expression. "I'm serious, Seth. You're not invincible, you know. If someone's targeting you, I want to help."
Seth's smirk faltered as he met her gaze, seeing the genuine worry in her eyes. He knew she meant well, but the idea of dragging her into his mess didn't sit right with him.
"I know, Em," he said, his tone more serious now. "But I don't want to see you get hurt because of my problems."
Emily sighed, finally letting go of his cheek. "I missed my weak and defenseless seth without abilities "
Seth chuckled softly, rubbing his cheek where Emily had pulled it. "Yeah, that Seth was a real pushover, huh? I guess it's a good thing I've leveled up a bit, And also what do you mean by My?"
Emily's eyes widened slightly as she realized her slip, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. She quickly averted her gaze, fiddling with a loose strand of her hair. "I didn't mean it like that," she mumbled, trying to play it off. "I just… I miss when things were simpler, you know?"
Seth watched her, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He could tell she was flustered, and it was a rare sight to see Emily, who was usually so composed, at a loss for words. "Simpler, huh?" he echoed, his voice gentle. "Yeah, I guess things have gotten a bit more complicated."
Emily glanced back at him, her expression softening. "A lot more complicated," she agreed. "But that doesn't mean you have to face it all alone. I'm here, whether you like it or not."
Seth's smile grew, the warmth in her words melting away some of the tension he hadn't realized he was holding onto. "I know, Em. And… I appreciate it. Really."
For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the noise of the other students sparring fading into the background. It was just the two of them, sharing a rare moment of vulnerability. But before the mood could get too heavy, Seth couldn't resist adding, "But seriously, my Seth? You're not getting all possessive on me, are you?"
Emily rolled her eyes, though a smile played on her lips. "Don't push your luck, Weed," she teased, using his self-proclaimed nickname. "Just try not to get into too much trouble, okay?"
"You sound like Mom," Seth said whilst rolling his eyes, Emily punched him on his arm quite hard making him rub it.
After the sparring class was finished, Everyone changed back into their uniforms in their separate changing rooms. After they were out, Emily and Seth went to some normal classes like maths and English.
After that was over, Seth made his way towards the cafeteria, Emily was somewhere else doing her things. As he was walking, he suddenly felt someone wrapping their arms around him.
Haiku was innocently staring up at him, her light yellow eyes blinked and her long white hair moved along the air. The markings on her arms glowed for a moment.
"So are you ready to teach me some common sense" Her voice was soft and melodic. But Seth found it more like he was being played by a very dangerous predator.
He forced a smile. "Y-yes but don't you think it's inappropriate to hold me like this, people may think we are together"
Haiku tilted her head to the side, she has common sense but was just playing with Seth until she got tired and disposed of him. But wasn't it her own body? Why should someone care if she is holding someone?
Seth tried to keep his composure as Haiki clung to his arm, her innocent expression contrasting with the unsettling aura she exuded. The soft glow of the markings on her arms only added to his unease.
"Well, it's not really about what people think," Seth began, choosing his words carefully. "It's just that…you know, personal space and all that."
Haiki's eyes twinkled with amusement as she leaned a bit closer, her voice still sweet but with an edge of mischief. "But aren't we supposed to be close if you're teaching me about common sense? How else will I learn?"
Seth swallowed, feeling the heat rise to his face. He wasn't sure if she was genuinely this clueless or just enjoying watching him squirm. "Uh, I think there are other ways to learn, you know. Like…reading a book?"
Haiku chuckled softly, her grip tightening ever so slightly. "Books are boring. I'd rather learn from you, Seth. You're much more…entertaining."
The way she said his name sent a shiver down his spine, but he forced a grin, trying to lighten the mood. "Entertaining, huh? I guess that's one way to describe me."
Haiki's smile widened, her gaze never leaving his. "Exactly. Now, what should we do next, Teacher?"
'Oh this is getting spicy' Thally who hadn't spoken for some time finally said in his mind. Seth's eyelids twitched in annoyance, wasn't she supposed to be on his side? He wasn't an actor in some kind of Korean drama.
While he was going through his crisis, Haiki despite wanting to toy with him and then kill him suddenly felt something prick her heart. She decided to ignore it.
The two arrived at the Cafeteria soon, the food was laid out in an inviting spread, the various scents mingling together and making Seth's stomach growl despite his current predicament. The cafeteria was bustling with students, all chatting and eating, but Seth's focus was on the girl beside him.
Haiku finally let go of his arm, much to his relief, but she continued to stay close, her presence still unsettling. Seth grabbed a tray and began filling it with food, trying to act normal while his mind raced with ways to keep the conversation with Haiki as neutral as possible.
"So, what do you usually eat, Haiki?" Seth asked, hoping to shift the topic to something more mundane.
Haiku looked at the food options with mild interest before selecting a few items that seemed more for show than actual consumption. "I'm not picky," she replied with a mysterious smile. "I'll eat whatever catches my eye."
Seth didn't know if that was supposed to be a metaphor, but he decided not to ask. Instead, he led them to a less crowded table, hoping that sitting down would ease the tension. As they sat, he noticed a few curious glances from other students, but most seemed too engrossed in their conversations to pay much attention to him and Haiki.
"Do you often eat with others?" Seth asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
Haiki took a small bite of her food, her eyes still fixed on him. "Not really. I usually prefer to eat alone… but today felt different."
Seth nodded slowly, unsure how to respond to that. "Well, I'm glad you decided to join me," he said, trying to sound sincere. "It's nice to have company."
Haiki's eyes sparkled with amusement as she tilted her head slightly. "You don't have to pretend, Seth. I know you're uncomfortable around me."
Seth froze his fork halfway to his mouth. He quickly lowered it and forced a laugh, though it came out more nervous than he intended. "What? No, I'm just… surprised, I guess. You're a bit of a mystery, you know?"
Haiku smiled, but there was something in her expression that made Seth's skin prickle. "That's one way to put it," she said softly. "But mysteries can be fun, don't you think?"
Seth nodded, unsure where she was going with this. "Yeah, I suppose they can be… as long as they're the good kind of mystery."
Haiki's smile widened, and she leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a whisper. "And what if they're not?"
*Bamm*
Suddenly the sound of a tray hitting the table resounded, Jake who had bandages on his arm and a few burnt marks on his face sat on the chair and started eating.
"Wow, Did you fall Jake or did someone just beat you up" Seth teased with a grin forgetting Haiki's earlier question.
Jake glared at Seth in annoyance and didn't answer him, he didn't feel like it. On his Band, it displayed the number 104.