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

B2 Chapter 7

THE WEEKS have gone past by too quickly for his liking. He must have been too busy to notice how everyone is nervous. Alasdair is aware that his responsibility as the class president will be questioned once someone fails. Now that Jake is out of the picture, he only has to worry about Jaxon and Noritaka.

Especially Noritaka. When the older had informed him that he was fishing with his father, it almost pushed him to ask 'why'. As far as he can remember, Noritaka's father had deemed his own son as intellectually challenged. Kaito might not be the best father, but at least he never deliberately insults him.

Jaxon is an idiot outside of learning a new language, that is pretty much given. He only hopes that the blond will at least have an average overall score. If that doesn't happen, Alasdair has no choice but to use his influence. It's not fair, he knows. But if you were in his shoes, you'd understand.

He won't worry about Declan though. The Phoenix boy says he couldn't care less about his grades and yet he always passes his quizzes and exams.

And now, Watanabe.

Today is the first day of taking their test. Today is also the first day Watanabe has returned from the hospital.

Nobody is commenting how it's taken him days to come back. And nobody dares to point out that he's missing a hand. Everyone busies themselves with their own papers but who are they fooling? Their eyes shift towards Watanabe from time to time. Alasdair won't be surprised if half of them fail this exam, so he can't help but resent Watanabe.

Jaxon fidgets every time Watanabe glances at him. It's starting to intrigue some of their classmates that Declan kicks Jaxon's chair with an 'Oops, sorry,' a second later.

Last night had been chaotic. Eien regretfully reported that he hadn't succeeded. At first, he was blaming himself, said he wasn't strong enough. And then Watanabe admitted that it was his decision that had deterred Eien from helping him. For someone who is at fault, he surely has got too much pride.

Questions filled the hospital room, confusion suffocated Alasdair until he had to tell them to shut up and let it be. He wanted to keep quiet and just watch; the anxiety bubbled in his throat that he thought he would burst out. But he had to step in, to control these savages who were ready to throw punches at each other. His mother once told him that boys never truly grow up. Maybe she'd been right. At least Noritaka had the decency to separate Watanabe and Declan. Only to jam his fist against Watanabe's abdomen.

Watanabe has yet to specify why he'd rather lose his left hand forever. Not only this could affect his performance as a student (which will be bad for Alasdair's image too), it could also limit his gift.

Why, Fumihiro? Why are you acting so stupid? Alasdair grips his pen as he writes down his answers. He won't let his friend's negligence distract him from his current goal: to ace the exam. After this, he'll deal with him.

For now, he has a duty to accomplish.

* * * * *

Declan's fist connects to the fence, missing Watanabe's head by an inch. The latter doesn't even flinch.

As soon as they were done with the first half of the day, Alasdair stood up without looking at anyone. He didn't have to explain. His friends knew what was coming. Lunchtime on the rooftop usually keeps his busy mind afloat. This is the only place where he can truly relax. He doesn't count his office since he likes being alone in there and truly speaking, being alone can be daunting too.

Today, however, no one has their appetite, not after Watanabe showed up as though everything is all right.

'What the hell were you thinking? What are you planning? Make Eien feel more guilty when it's not even his fault at all?' Declan fires, fist shaking as Jaxon and Noritaka pull him away from Watanabe.