[Mark Of Reality] [Daigo x OC]

Chapter 3

"You're six minutes late." He told me, looking at his watch, a disappointed glint in his eye, and I wanted to slap him.

"I was unconscious for crying out loud! What do you expect me to do? Magically teleport myself here? I swear to Free's deer and everything else holy in that forest-" I shouted in protest as Rantaro dragged me towards his table.

"Now, now, now's not the time for shouting, we're trying to have a lovely dinner here in quiet." Rantaro soothed, placing me down on a bench and I let out a small huff.

"And I would like to emphasise that nothing in that forest is holy. Not even Free's deer." Trad had his eyes trained on me, and I bit my tongue, knowing there was no point in arguing back, taking some food off of Rantaro's plate.

"Hey, get your own food." Rantaro swatted my hand away, and I looked down at the people sitting at the table with curiosity. Daigo, Lui and Shasa were sitting with us. Well, that was lucky. What was strange was that Valt had disappeared. Normally, that wouldn't be a problem. Valt disappears 24/7, it's Valt. But he always makes sure he's back for his three meals. He would not miss them for the world.

"Has anybody seen Valt?" I queried, looking at Rantaro. If anyone would know, it would be this guy. These guys tell each other practically everything.

"Said something about having to meet someone. But that was about three hours ago, and nobody's heard from him since." Rantaro explained, and I cocked an eyebrow at everybody's lack of concern.

"And you're not worried something could have happened to him?" I looked between the group of people who all shrugged in response, not too bothered about what happened to the wonder boy.

"It's Valt, he'll be fine," Rantaro told me, dismissing my concern. I know it's the wonder boy we're talking about, and that he can perform miracles across all aspects of life, but this is taking the mick. Valt can't hold his own out there. He can barely survive here. He's not gonna make it. I'm already planning his funeral.

"Kawahara, was it?" Lui's rough voice rang out, and I looked at him, surprised that he even knew my name, let alone that he was even addressing me. This guy seems like a jerk on TV. It took him like a year to learn Valt's name, and it's hard to forget Valt. "He's not as much of a dumbass as you think he is. Trust the guy every once in a while."

That was the best advice I had ever received when it came to Valt and it was from THE Lui Shirosagi, of all people, which was strange, but I'll look past that for now. I am so blessed to get advice from such an incredible person about such an incredible dumbass. "Sure thing, Lui. And, uh, thanks. Not just for the advice, but earlier as well."

Lui nodded, not adding any more to the conversation and my gaze turned to Daigo, who had been awfully quiet and kicked him underneath the table. He looked up at me and I smiled at him. He gave me a small smile. "I'm guessing Free let you off again?"

"Yep. I think he's just fed up with me at this stage." I replied, taking more of Rantaro's food, which earned another scowl from him as he swatted my hand away again. Daigo rolled his eyes, sliding his plate over to me, and I gladly ate the remainder of his food.

"I don't blame him." Shasa finally decided to chime into the conversation. "He's constantly dealing with your problems. Even if they're with good intention, you're bringing the team down."

"If you're all so bothered by it then the team has a choice to make. Them or me." I met her gaze, and she looked away, annoyed before something seemed to click in her mind.

"Them? I thought it was just Silas." Shasa watched my reaction, and I gave her a lazy glance, which seemed to piss her off.

"Silas and Stan from our team and Wakiya from the other team. I forget their name." I told her, and she looked over at Stan, scowling at him. He always was a terrible person. Maybe he's finally gonna get what he deserves. Probably not.

"Kawahara," Kris called, and I looked in her direction. She's seen better days, that's for sure. Hell, Free looks better than she does and Free looks terrible 24/7. "When you're done eating, escort them out and try to find Valt if you can."

"Sure thing, boss," I told her with a sigh, wishing I didn't have to babysit today. But that's apparently a part of the job description now. None of us has much of a choice in the matter. He is one of the team's best bladers, after all.

"Drop the attitude, Kawahara," Kris said, her eyes burning through the back of my skull and I rolled my eyes, glad she couldn't see me, otherwise she would have ripped me to shreds.

"I didn't even give you attitude!" I complained, and she shot me a glare. I bit my tongue, deciding that a protest wasn't the right course of action right now. "Yes, boss."

"I think you get into more trouble than Valt, which I used to think was impossible, but it seems you've proved me wrong," Rantaro said and I shrugged.

"I like to put on a show for my team," I told him, a small smile on my face, glad that I can rival that of the wonder boy at something.

"You sound like trouble," Lui commented, attacking his food, and I nodded in agreement. He ain't wrong.

"Then be happy you don't have to deal with me more than you already have," I replied, and he looked up at me, a tired look on his face. He hates me, and I don't blame him. I hate myself too.

"I'm finished," Lui said, and I looked down at Daigo's plate to see I had finished the rest of his food. Well, damn. I'm still hungry. I'll ask Ange to cook me some food later.

"You ready to go then?" I asked, and the two of them nodded. We all got up, put our plates away and then headed out.