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

B2 Chapter 4

 JAKE HAS REQUESTED to be sent home. When he was told to take a rest in his room, he refused. Jake said he'd like to give the letter to his parents personally. And even if he does tamper with the note, the school will call them anyway, so they've let him go. Jake will be suspended for a month, and his graduation may get delayed until another year.

What a severe punishment. But Jake deserves it after all the racist remarks he had sputtered. Jake's graduation is in danger to get hold not because of what he had said against Declan, but because of the debate, he had started. Zone 1 will do anything to prevent another potential The Great Barricade.

Alasdair tells me that our lunch will be on the rooftop. Remembering our original problem, I get up and follow them. At the same time, I make sure Noritaka is feeling comfortable as I act casually. Damn, Jake.

We use the lift first. It stops on the seventh floor. When we get off, no one says a word. Alasdair tries to lift our spirit by joking that he's calling one of his butlers. Declan at least joins by cheering. He says how starved he is. I can sense he's still disturbed. It's amazing how strong he is, not just physically but also emotionally and mentally.

Since the lift doesn't reach the rooftop floor, we have to climb the fire escape stairs. Noritaka is quiet all the way up whilst Alasdair and Declan talk animatedly. I don't know what to contribute. Deciding it's better to keep my mouth shut until I am needed to speak, I stay close to Noritaka.

Declan opens the door gingerly as though we were burglars. 'Coast is clear,' he says.

'Of course. Nobody eats here but us.' Alasdair goes in first followed by Noritaka and me, and then Declan.

'Nobody? So students aren't normally allowed here?' I ask.

'Nope. We usually lock it, so depressed students won't jump off. Don't worry. The door automatically opens in case of an emergency. Besides, it's not a common thing to do.' Alasdair's gaze goes down.

'Jumping off a rooftop?'

He shakes his head. 'No. Eating on the rooftop. Anyway, why don't we set up our mini picnic?'

Noritaka sits beside me. Declan and Alasdair are across from us. Since Eien didn't have the chance to cook a packed lunch for me, I've bought a simple meal from the convenience store.

'What happened to your lunch?' Noritaka eyes the shop-bought chicken karaage. It pales in comparison with his unadon on top of steaming white rice; yakitori with extra chicken more than it should have; and of course, he's also got tuna sashimi. His parents always make sure he's well-fed. 'Would you like some of mine?'

I shake my head. 'Nah, it's OK. I've got no appetite, not after what Jake accused me of.' To be fair, he didn't accuse me unjustly. I just don't want anyone to think I'm dangerous or something they wouldn't like.

'He can be mean,' Noritaka says.

'What do you mean 'he can be mean'? He is mean! Didn't you hear what he's said about me and my people? You don't know how much I—' Declan grumbles, his closed fist splits the chopsticks in half. 'I don't understand it, you know? All we've ever wanted was fair treatment. And what did we get? More oppression. More discrimination. He is mean, Noritaka and he chose to be that.'

Noritaka casts his eyes down, ashamed for a crime he's got nothing to do. I want to console him, tell him it's not his fault. I say stupid and insensitive things too. If they knew what kind of a person I was before stepping here, they'd be disgusted. 'Sorry,' Noritaka says.