"Aimar."
"What?"
"Question."
"Ask."
I turned, leaning against the edge of the table, arms crossed as I sized Aimar up.
He was dressed sharply in a waiter's uniform—white sleeves rolled neatly under a black waistcoat, his usual annoyed look in place.
"If you woke up," I began, watching him, "completely oiled up on top of a mountain, with a black eye and... uh... a sharp stinging pain in the backdoor, would you tell anyone?"
His head jerked up in disbelief. "What type of questio—."
"Yes or no. Bitch."
"No. Fucker."
"Really?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. "Wanna go mountain hiking?"
"Hahahaha."
Elijah, standing beside , let out a heartfelt laughter. He wore the sa clothing as Aimar.
"Why the hell are you laughing?" I turned my gaze on him, head tilted. "You're coming with us."
Elijah's laughter died instantly.
"Uh... I should really—"
"Where are you going?" I grabbed his wrist, grinning like a maniac. "Want so candy, little boy?"
"Aimar, help!" He yelled, trying his best to get away from my grip.
"Huhuhu, no one is going to save you from ." I let out an eerie laughter, tightening my hold as Elijah's face contorted into genuine worry.
"A-Aimar." He stamred, but the boy he was asking for help wasn't even listening to him. "Help , he is serious!"
"Can you stop being a dick?" Aimar growled, slamming his hand on the table. "I'm trying to work here."
"What work?" I scoffed, finally releasing Elijah, who stumbled away like a frightened rabbit. "You're practically a gigolo."
"How the fuck does working in a café make a gigolo?" He asked, glaring at .
"A café," I gestured around the sleek kitchen, "where most of the custors are won here to feast their eyes on you 'handso waiters.'
That's basically gigolo work—minus the sex."
"I don't see the problem," Elijah chid in, shrugging. "Gigolos get paid well."
"I am paying—."
"I have many problems being one." He quickly ate his own words.
"Tch." I clicked my tongue in annoyance.
"Was he always like this?" Elijah asked, turning to look at Aimar.
"Believe when I say, he used to be an emo chick." Aimar replied, glancing at while I shoved my middle finger at him.
"Really?" Elijah asked, raising his brow in surprise. "Seems like he changed a lot."
"Yeah, and what he's doing now is mild compared to how freaky my brother used to be," Aimar added, his smirk softening into a nostalgic smile. "The fucker used to grope my chest."
"And you liked it?" Elijah genuinely asked, earning a glare from him. "No, the way you were smiling, uh, I thought—."
"It's not like that." I cut into his words. "Anyway, my offer still stands. I can pay for your every need."
"And I will still refuse." Aimar replied, looking at .
"Co on, man." I grumbled, frowning. "I can afford that much—."
"I know you can." Elijah replied, as a few working staff ca inside. "But like I said, I don't want to be dependent on you."
I let out a tired sigh, rubbing my temples.
Both of them are stupid.
[]
'Co on, not you too.' The door slamd open, making turn to look in that direction.
And I imdiately smiled, looking at a little girl running inside.
Her face was almost doll-like, with soft, childish features that gave it an air of innocence.
Her gem-like green eyes sparkled, looking at .
Framing her face was an extraordinary cascade of unusually long blonde hair.
"Papa!"
Iffa yelled, running towards .
"Daughter!"
I exclaid, scooping her into my arms and spinning her around, making her giggle.
Trailing behind her was a massive gray cat—nearly the size of a tiger—walking with a lazy gait.
"Little Grey!"
Iffa wriggled out of my arms and rushed to the cat, climbing onto its back like a rider mounting a horse.
"ow."
The cat let out a mournful cry, glancing pitifully at Aimar.
"Just deal with it." Aimar shrugged. "All you do is sleep anyway."
"Let's go!" Iffa exclaid, patting Little Grey while pointing towards Elijah.
The cat lazily walked towards Elijah while Iffa took a small cute basket out of thin air.
"This is for you, Uncle Elijah!" she chirped, handing it over with a bright smile. "I collected so money from the people outside!"
"Really?" Elijah asked, smiling. "Can I have it?"
"Of course!" Iffa replied while I walked towards her.
I walked over and scooped Iffa into my arms again. "Why are you bothering with them?"
"Because they're your friends!" she said, smiling and hugging tightly.
"My sweet little daughter," I murmured, kissing her cheek. "Now go sleep, you are still weak."
"I am not."
"It's only been a week since you woke up," I reminded her, gently patting her head. "You need to sleep."
She pouted before yawning a little.
"Fine."
Her body turned into a cluster of green before entering my body.
The door opened again, and a woman with sleek black hair entered, clapping her hands. "Alright, boys! Break ti's over!"
Aimar imdiately returned to work, heading for the café floor.
The woman's gaze landed on , her smile warm and sweet. "Still here, young lord?"
"I'll pay for the intrusion," I said with a casual shrug. "Don't worry, Lady Lada."
"No need," she replied, shaking her head. "Just show your face to the ladies outside, and I'll be satisfied."
"Sure." I replied with a slight nod.
[]
'Shut up.' A group of three boys walked inside as their staff ti was over.
But as soon as they looked at us, their expressions turned furious.
'What's with them?' I wondered.
"They are jealous." Elijah replied, noticing my confusion while he picked up a tray with two cups of coffee.
"Jealous of what?" I asked, walking outside of the kitchen to the cafe floor.
The tables were neatly arranged, filled with won of varying ages, all stealing glances at the waiters moving between them.
"Look at him." Elijah said, gesturing at Aimar. "He has only been here for a few days."
I followed his gaze as I looked at Aimar, who was serving the ladies their coffee.
But, the look on the ladies' faces was.... disturbing, to say the least.
I looked back at Elijah. "He is famous?"
"Apparently, ladies like him." He replied, walking away to serve soone.
'Soone actually likes him?' I wondered, staring at the boy with an annoyed expression.
Honestly, the way he was looking at those ladies with disgust, he should be imdiately fired.
But.....
'Urgh, what's up with them?' I frowned, looking at the ladies smiling sweetly.
Do they like guys who act like that or what?
I sighed. Rubbing my temples, I sank into an empty seat and pulled out my phone.
'Still a few hours before I can et her, huh?' I thought, playing with my phone.
It's been more than ten days since the start of my academy.
And my life is still going on monotonously without any problem.
Though, I do have so frequent fights, but I don't have much problem subduing them.
'They all are weak anyway.' Honestly, the only ones who can be a threat to are the heirs of forsaken families and professors.
And as of now, except Nyria, all the other heirs are just observing from the shadows.
....Which is concerning.
'People who hide behind the curtain are the worst.' Just like my mother.
[]
'....'
I rubbed my temples in frustration.
Even though I got more than a month's life energy from Siersha, it doesn't make happy one bit.
The problem is the rapid emotions that co after that.
It makes want to kill myself.
It's so bad that Yennefer's started to think it's completely normal for to walk around with a boner all day long.
'....'
My face started to heat up even at that thought.
I have no idea why she has not thrown away till now.
'I don't want to be horny,' I grumbled, letting out a tired sigh.
The door of the coffee house opened, earning my attention.
A group of familiar faces walked inside.
Leading them was the shorty with black hair and a pink undertone, her hands full of shopping bags.
And the mont her face turned towards , she visibly shook.
Zenith took off her goggles before glaring at . "What are you doing here?"
"Passing the ti," I replied, standing from my seat. "Your mother called later than usual today."
"It's all work-related!" she snapped, stomping closer. "Mother wouldn't even look at a guy like you."
"Sure, Shorty," I said, ignoring her outburst as my attention shifted to the rest of the group.
Amaury acted like I didn't even exist, while Carson glared at .
anwhile, Siersha had already taken a seat, exuding her usual icy calm.
Zenith grumbled sothing but sat down along with Heather and Amaury.
Only Elise was roaming around the place as if trying to find soone.
"Where is Pasithea?" I asked, noticing her absence.
"Her family called for an urgent matter," Zenith replied, glancing at .
"Is she going back to Lumina?" I asked, tilting my head.
"Not yet. She'll leave with the students on the field trip," Zenith answered before narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "Why are you asking about her so much?"
"Can't I?" I asked with a smile that I knew would irritate her.
"Take our order," Siersha interrupted, looking at . "Do your job as a waiter and stop irritating the custors."
I smiled. "Who said I work here, bloodsucker?"
Carson shot up from his seat, his glare intensifying. "Are you trying to pick a fight?" he barked.
"You aren't worth it, Dickson," I said, looking at him.
Siersha grabbed his wrist before he could rebuke.
"Sit down," she said, looking at him.
Carson glared at but listened to his sister.
'Tch.'
I clicked my tongue in annoyance as Elise walked towards us with Elijah.
"How's it going?" Elijah greeted them with a friendly smile.
"Just shopping for the trip," Heather said brightly. "I'll send you pictures later—tell which ones are best!"
"Wait, why are you asking him?" Amaury frowned, clearly annoyed. "I already told you—"
"Relax," Heather said with feigned innocence. "I just want a second opinion."
"Is the working condition good?" Elise asked Elijah with a sweet smile.
"Yeah, it's pretty good," Elijah replied, smiling back. "Thanks for recomnding the place—"
"Take their orders, waiter," I said, cutting him off.
"Uh, sure." He quickly pulled out his notepad, starting to jot down orders as I stepped back.
Zenith's words were ringing in my mind.
Pasithea's family matter.
As far as I rember, there was no such thing in the ga.
'Did sothing change again?' I wondered, rubbing my chin.
I need to look into this.
Too many variables.
Thinking about variables, my gaze shifted towards Zenith.
I have no idea how, but it seems she was close friends with Christina.
How and why?
I don't know.
In the ga, there was no such thing in any route.
'Inna, explain how this happened.'
[]
'What kind of bullshit is that?' I frowned.
"Hey, you!" Zenith's sharp voice snapped out of my thoughts.
"What now?"
"We've got more shopping to do," she said, crossing her arms. "Are you coming or not?"
"Why?"
"Just say yes!" she barked, glaring.
"I'll join as soon as my shift ends," Elijah chid in before I could respond. "You should co too."
"I need to talk with you as well," Siersha added before I could reject.
"Um, sure," I replied, gazing at Siersha.
"Just wait for an hour then," Elijah said before walking away.
"Wait, I did not agree—"
He didn't listen to anything.
'Fuck. My life.'
"Hm?"
The door swung open again, drawing my attention.
I tilted my head in confusion as the culprit fluttered in—a small blue bird, sparrow-like and energetic.
"Tweet!"
The bird hovered closer, circling my head once before perching on top of it.
"…"
And then it started pecking .
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