Puzzle Pieces

Chapter 5

"So how was it?" Fate asked the group about the taste of their cooking.

Otto and Alice kept on stuffing their mouths with the food which Jason and Fate prepared. Alfred barely touched his food and he seems amused by how Alice digs in, which he never saw her did before. Tara froze after her first bite.

"Fate, I didn't know you leveled up by this much at cooking." Alfred complimented.

"Oh! I only did the chopping. Jason took care of the rest." She smiled back.

Tara started gritting the fork in her mouth.

There is also Fenrir who sits at the other end of the table, eating his master's cooking delightfully.

Jason wiped off his sweat and took a sit, he smiled as he watch his newfound friends eat happily together. He then noticed Tara furiously glaring at him. He just stare back while Fate tasted the food they both prepared. She burst out laughing.

"Jason cooks better than you!" Fate almost started tearing. She knows Tara's cooking more than anyone.

Tara closed her eyes and let go of the fork.

"Yeah, fine. This is so good." Tara said, smiling at Jason.

Jason stared at her intently, and for the next few seconds his knees started to shake. He hurried back to the kitchen.

"She smiled at me. She smiled at me." Jason whispered to himself.

Fate hurried to his side.

"Hey, are you okay?" Fate held his hand.

"She smiled at me." Jason repeated with a crooked grin.

"Tara is starting to accept you." Fate smiled back, "It's not hard to get Tara's trust, it's her weakness, and her trust is very fragile."

Jason took a peak at Tara.

The rest started cleaning up. Jason and Fate went outside and sat down the stone steps to chat some more.

"So you have scopophobia?" Fate leaned on Jason's shoulder.

"If that's what you call it then yes." He answered, "Everyone looks at me as if I killed somebody."

"Including the fact that you beat up seniors, you should really feel that way." Fate squirmed closer to Jason.

"Maybe I'm not used to being around with people." Jason continued, seemingly unbothered.

Fate sat straight, "Then what are you used to be around with?" she intriguingly asked.

"Trees."

"What do you mean?" she whispered.

"We are a family of hunters. I was raised only by my grandfather on the foot of a mountain when my parents move to the city." Jason answered.

The door behind them opened.

"It seems Fenrir knows more chores than you do, Al." Alice said, amused by the dog's diligence.

Fate was startled and quickly put a distance between her and Jason. Alfred saw how close she were.

"Oh my, getting along already?" he smiled.

Fate quickly stood up and faced Alfred. "Yeah! Jason is nice and easy to get along with." she smiled.

"Really?" Alfred said, "I would like to know you better too, Jason." He added, reaching out his hand for a handshake.

Jason reached for his hand with a grin. Alice shifted her eyeglasses while Tara put up a rather loud sigh, filled with amazement.

As they go on their separate ways to their homes, Fenrir is skipping with happiness like Jason does. It's the first time they had company since they transferred to the city. He pulled out his phone after stepping in his apartment. There were four messages: all from each of the Club members.

Otto:
glad to have you on board !

Alice:
I too would like to get close to you. See you later :)

Alfred:
you're doing good, Jas. i'm looking forward to working with you ;D

Fate:
hey thanks for your time ! I hope I could share some more with you.

P.S. I do start to like you :*

Tara:
jas. sorry for all I've said back on the roof. I should've kept my mouth shut. Oh you're amazing back at the 4th floor. There are still more things I want to admit but too shy to say. I'm sorry jas.

and. i. still. don't. trust. you.

Jason prepared for bed time with a smile on his face.