Chapter 76 : Rooftop
Eiden walked alongside Deuel as they headed toward the cafeteria, their footsteps falling into a casual rhythm against the tiled floor. The crowd of students around them buzzed with chatter and the distant clatter of trays being shuffled. Deuel glanced sideways at Eiden, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"You’ve gotten kinda popular lately, huh?" Deuel started, his voice half-joking but laced with curiosity. Eiden scoffed, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "What popularity?"
Deuel smirked, clearly waiting for the reaction. "You know... the guy who got rejected by Linda, but somehow now hangs around a cute girl in the cafeteria. The same guy who got into a fight for her. Also, the supposed ’genius’ who managed to get an A-plus from the strictest professor and didn’t even try to claim credit. That guy."
"Woah, woah, woah," Eiden held up a hand, blinking. "People are talking about that?"
Deuel chuckled, lips quirking. "Who knows?"
Eiden frowned slightly, opening his mouth to ask something, but before he could continue, a trio of voices broke the moment as Harry, John, and Petter caught up with them. "What’re you guys talking about?" Harry asked, grinning as he slung his arm casually over Eiden’s shoulder.
Before anyone could answer, Petter cut in, looking frustrated. "You know what, guys? I’m sick of eating at the cafeteria all the time. Why don’t we go somewhere else for once?" John rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm. How about the rooftop?" Harry’s face lit up with approval. "Nice. I haven’t been up there in ages."
"I’m okay with anything," Deuel said, shrugging. Eiden gave a small nod, though a subtle flicker of hesitation crossed his face. The rooftop. He knew that place wasn’t just a hangout spot. Airie often used it to exchange intel with that mysterious bodyguard spy of Eva’s. If they couldn’t use it today, they’d probably do it over the phone or some other way. Well, not his problem. Probably. "Sure," he said eventually, his voice neutral.
The group made their way up the stairs, the steps creaking under the weight of their movements. As they ascended, Eiden caught a familiar figure further ahead Airie. She was climbing the stairs as well, but when she heard the commotion behind her, she turned slightly, her expression freezing when she saw them.
She stepped to the side to let them pass, halting mid-step. But then, her voice called out from behind them, polite but firm.