The Enemy Beside Me + The Liar Beside Me (Book 1 and 2)

B2 Chapter 3

SCHOOL MORNING without Eien's breakfast feels so strange. There's no smell of garlic and onion, his favourite. Any meal. Be it soup, fish, or vegetable, he's got to have his garlic and onion. He says these two, when combined, make every meal better. He also loves oyster sauce, vinegar, cumin seed, sweet soy sauce...Honestly, if it weren't for him, I wouldn't know how to cook the food supplies the school has provided for us. My cooking skills have been upgraded ever since Eien became my roommate. Still, he's far better than me.

With a defeated sigh, I start cooking omu-rice. It's not much, but it's better than nothing. If I don't take care of myself for one week without Eien, he'd be sad, and that's the last thing I want.

* * * *

Getting to the first class is dreadful. Nothing bad is going to happen to me, or at least, that's how it's supposed to be unless Kaito pulls another crazy stunt. The thought of facing Noritaka also makes me hesitant to step inside the classroom.

I place my hand on my chest, giving it enough warmth as I've been cold since this morning.

'Hello!' The very first person to greet me is Noritaka, of all people. His smile tells me neither Declan nor Alasdair has told him yet.

'Hi, Noritaka.' My eyes skid down to the brown bag he's holding. 'More sweets?'

He shakes his head. 'Not just that. I've got something for him. Both Mother and I made it for him. Where is he, by the way?'

'He's not here,' I say, my voice clipped.

Noritaka laughs.'You're not serious, are you? I've checked his room, and his classmates said he's not in there. Anyway, it's only 6:50. He's not late yet.' His smile flattens as he notices that I've been avoiding his gaze. 'Something's wrong?'

'Take your seat, Noritaka. Mister Williams will be here soon.' Alasdair pulls Noritaka gently. Although confused, the older nods and goes back to his seat.

When he's out of our earshot, I lean closer to Alasdair and whisper sharply. 'You haven't told him yet?'

'Give it time. We will have our lunch on the rooftop,' Alasdair answers, running his fingers through his red hair. 'Let me deal with him. Don't act tensed.' With that said, he leaves me in the middle of the room, standing and contemplating my next action.

Mister Williams enters the room with his solemn face. I honestly have never seen him smiling. And maybe nobody has. Well, except when Noritaka came back. Now that was strange.

With three long steps, I sit down, fighting the urge to glance at Declan who has been doodling. Is he drawing the two of them again? Or is it just Eien? Declan had once told me that he started doodling-even though he's awful at it-to deal with his anger issue. It sounded weird, but I said nothing. The drawing isn't the odd part, it's the anger issue. I know he can be irritable and be sarcastic, but I could never take him as someone like me.

'Good morning,' Mister Williams greets. Alasdair stands up first and commands us to do the same. At the same time, we all bow and address the old man.

Of course, after this is the checking of attendance. Only that Mister Williams holds up one hand and says, 'There is no need to check the attendance. I've come to know all of you, and I can see that Watanabe Fumihiro isn't here. Does anybody know why?'

They all glance at us, the only people with whom Fumihiro hangs out. Noritaka looks confused, which makes everyone start murmuring. I guess I never took into consideration how popular we are. Everything we do becomes a new topic.

'He's in a hospital. A car accident. He's doing fine now, so don't worry,' Alasdair says smoothly that even though the "car accident" news is shocking, our classmates nod, already planning to send 'Get well soon' gifts.