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

B2 Chapter 4

NORITAKA has been behaving differently lately. The old, the real Noritaka, would have had interrupted and told everyone that he, Alasdair, can now erode devices too. The new Noritaka however, stayed reserved and gave each of them a hug. Sure, his friend has been known as the quiet type, but Noritaka can be naive sometimes that he'll sputter questions that are either insensitive or answerable enough that they shouldn't be asked in the first place.

Maybe it's a good thing that Jaxon and Declan have no idea about his newfound ability yet. And no, he has no plan to hide it forever. He merely wants to see how they'll react once they witness it. He wishes somebody would attack him now, so he could erode the assaulter's weapon. And then what? Dislocate their shoulder? Alasdair can fight thanks to the hard training he's had endured, but that isn't enough, is it? The possibility that he will someday have to use it against a human being is coming soon. It is not definitive when. But he can feel it.

'...You will be asked to answer, 'How would you describe the colour blue to a blind person?' Now, it does sound like a simple question. Maybe even humourous. But it will test, not only your...' Alasdair blocks out the professor's speech. He usually loves doing extra works, mostly to exhibit to everyone that he can juggle both regular classes and the extra ones. When he's praised by them, or when somebody tells him that they feel hesitant sitting next to him, Alasdair feels all of this is worth it. But when a professor doesn't meet his standards, he understands why Declan hates sitting in a room filled with students who are obsessed with perfect grades.

Discussing human empathy never fascinates him. The answers are too crystal clear. No matter what the situation is, you always have to do the right thing. And the right thing is putting others before yourself even if it may ruin your life or worse, kill you.

But that's not how he was taught. His father may have been lacking when it comes to affection, but he makes up for it with well-grounded and calculated pieces of advice. Pieces of advice that Alasdair finds useful. He's never going to tell to anyone that he'll forever prioritise himself first. He's not stupid. Alasdair knows that humans are hypocrites.

'Humans are capable of changing. One person can be miserable all day and then the next thing you know, he is smiling all the time. There can be several reasons. Maybe he's read a book that has changed his perspective. Maybe he has met a person who is good at convincing anyone to try and work harder. Maybe he's acting...'

Alasdair's face remains interested. Inside, he is frowning. He'd only made a gamble, but he didn't know it'd exceed his expectation this much. Eien has changed Noritaka. Eien did something. Who knows, maybe Noritaka simply needed someone who listens, and none of them was capable of doing that but the youngest.

Or Eien is manipulative. Much like Alasdair's father. His forefinger's nail slices against his thumb's knuckle. It's good that Alasdair has found someone who is almost like him. But it's not good if there's another person whose words are as influential as Kaito's.

Alasdair is already struggling to match his father and shift people's respect towards him. Perhaps he's letting his brain go wild again with theories that may not be true at all. But it wouldn't hurt to be sure, would it? He can't let his friends fall into the hands of a newcomer, he'd worked hard to gain their respect and fear. Letting Eien get their love and respect easily is equivalent to admitting defeat. He resents losing more than anything, especially if it's against Eien, the only person he likes.

* * * *

His eyelids are begging him to shut his eyes. Alasdair pinches his left hand, forcing himself to stay awake as he sits next to Noritaka. The latter was already back at home when Alasdair had called and asked him if he'd like to see Watanabe.