As the final bell echoed through the nearly empty classroom, Kris looked around. All the other students had left, except him and Teacher Lea, who sat at her desk with an easygoing smile.
Kris shifted in his seat, puzzled.
"Uh, Teacher Lea, why'd you ask me to stay?"
She glanced up, her smile growing into a playful grin.
"Because you owe me lunch, remember?"
Kris blinked in surprise, the confusion still evident on his face.
"Lunch? Oh...right." He chuckled, leaning back in his chair.
"Okay, where do you want to eat?"
Lea stood and collected her things, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
"Just meet me in front of the school, Kris. I'll think of a place." She winked at him before heading toward the door, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
'A place that could empty your wallet, of course. Hehehe.'
"Alright, I'll be there," Kris said, still amused at how laid-back she was about the whole thing.
He then made his way toward the front entrance.
As Kris walked through the school hallway, he wasn't prepared for what—or rather, who—he bumped into.
Belle, her arms crossed and her expression stern, was blocking his way.
"Kris," she said with a hint of suspicion.
"What were you doing with Teacher Lea? What happened in there?"
Kris raised an eyebrow at her directness, finding it amusing.
"Nothing happened. She just reminded me I owe her lunch, that's all." shrugging his shoulder as if it was nothing.
Belle nodded slowly at first, seemingly satisfied. But then, as realization struck, her expression shifted to shock.
"Wait—lunch? You two are going to lunch together?" Her tone turned sharp, almost accusing.
Kris rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Yeah, I guess. She asked me to meet her in front of the school and why do you care?" kris honestly said.
Belle's demeanor immediately changed, her cheeks flushing red. Like a classic tsundere, she quickly retorted,
"I-I don't care what you do! It's not like it matters to me!" Her voice was full of irritation, but Kris could sense the underlying awkwardness.
"Just… just go on your way! hmph" She turned her head away with a huff.
Before he could respond, they were interrupted by Adam, who was walking by.
Adam, seeing Belle's flustered state and Kris standing there, quickly drew his own conclusions.
In his mind, Kris had to be harassing her.
His anger bubbled to the surface, especially since he assumed Kris's amnesia would've erased his feelings for Belle and that would lead Belle for himself.
Without a second thought, Adam stormed over and shoved Kris hard. Or at least, he tried to.
Kris barely budged, standing tall as if Adam's push were nothing more than a light breeze.
He looked down at Adam, raising an eyebrow.
'Are kids this aggressive in this world?'
The humiliation painted across Adam's face was clear as he glared at Kris.
"Even amnesia couldn't get rid of your shamelessness, huh?" he spat, his fists trembling with frustration.
Belle, terrified by the sudden aggression, moved to step in, but she was stopped by Selina, who had followed Adam.
"Belle, is that pervert bothering you again?" Selina asked, glaring at Kris while fixing her glasses.
Before things escalated further, Cillian appeared out of nowhere, stepping between Kris and Adam like a shield.
"What the hell is wrong with you people?" Cillian roared, his voice dripping with anger.
"Kris just got out of the hospital, and now you're attacking him? I can't believe this." His eyes flashed with disappointment.
Adam, undeterred, pointed at Kris. "He was harassing Belle! Right, Belle?"
Belle stammered, clearly overwhelmed. "Uh, no, I... I was just telling Kris to go in his way..."
Selina leaned toward Belle, trying to be reassuring.
"Don't be scared, Belle. Adam's here to help you." Then, turning her gaze toward Kris, as if she discovered the answer to the conspiracy.
"I knew something was off! You've been faking your amnesia all along just to get close to Belle, haven't you?"
Adam hearing this, his frustration boiled over. "You shameless bastard!"
He threw a punch, but before he could, Cillian reacted quickly. In a swift move, he flipped Adam onto the ground, pinning him down.
"Whatever you're thinking about Kris, you're dead wrong." Cillian's voice was deadly serious.
"As the president of South Data Beast School, I'm fully aware of what happened to Kris."
"He was found in the middle of the Cinder Forest, barely breathing. Without the help of a trainer, he'd be dead by now—his body could've been eaten by Data Beast or worst Virals. What happened to him was so traumatic, it caused his amnesia. You people questioning him about that is disgusting." Cillian pointed at Selina, his anger palpable.
"You have no idea what he's been through."
Kris, feeling grateful for Cillian's defense but thinking it was a little over the top, sighed inwardly.
He glanced at Belle, who seemed shaken, her eyes soft with worry.
"My Kris almost died…" Belle thought, her emotions swirling.
"I never would've seen him again. I'm such a terrible person."
Still on the ground, Adam muttered, "Even if that's true, it doesn't excuse him from harassing my Belle!" His words were filled with passion.
Belle's mood shifted from worry to annoyance.
'My Belle?' she thought, feeling irritated.
'I've never even entertained Adam. What does he think he's doing?' Her gaze shifted back to Kris, and her heart whispered, 'Don't listen to him, Kris. You're the only one I admire...'
Selina, ever loyal to Adam, crossed her arms.
"Yeah, what Adam said! No excuses!"
Kris, having had enough of the absurdity, rolled his eyes.
"Let's go, Cillian. We're done here."
Cillian, nodded firmly.
"Right behind you."
As Kris and Cillian started to walk away, Adam, seething, shouted after him.
"Hey, idiot! I'm not done with you ye—"
But the moment Kris turned around to face him, his gaze was cold, lethal. Adam froze, the murderous intensity in Kris's eyes chilling him to the bone. It felt as if the weight of death itself was pressing down on him, and he shuddered, unable to move or speak.
Selina shook Adam, trying to snap him out of it. "Adam... Adam... ADAM!"
He blinked, suddenly snapping back to reality. "What... what just happened?"
"You were about to tell Kris to stop walking away," Selina said, still clutching his arm.
But Adam remained silent, still haunted by the look Kris had given him. He shivered involuntarily, but Selina's support restored his confidence, at least partially.
"If that moron ever gets in front of me again," Adam muttered, regaining his composure, "I'll ruin him."
Selina, noticing that Belle had already left, sighed. "Belle just walked off, by the way. You were too busy in your little stupor."
Adam's eyes widened as he bolted after Belle like a lovestruck fool. "Belle! BEEEELLEEE! Wait for me!"
Selina shook her head in exasperation, then glanced back at where Kris had disappeared. Her eyes narrowed with determination.
"I'll uncover this conspiracy one day. But for now…"
"I need to eat first!" She patted her stomach, her focus shifting.
And with that, she strode off toward the cafeteria, plotting her next move.