Mari walked up to the rooftop and saw tons of delinquents... They were breaking so much school rules, skipping school, smoking and some of them weren't even following the dress code which was practically the easiest to follow cause all they really need to do was just look like a normal student.
Everyone on the rooftop had a different vibe to them yet one person stood out... He felt... Special. He looked much more different than anyone else, he looked like he didn't belong there... She felt like he was... The king. Mari slowly walked over to him until she felt a tap on her shoulder
???: "I've heard all about you, you were once the queen of the school, correct?"
Mari turned around to see another delinquent, he had a unique vibe just like the other person he saw but he looks much more formal... Much more scary. Then Mari speaks, it's obvious that she's nervous seeing so many delinquents.
Mari: "U-Uhm... Y-Yes?... Who... Are you?"
The unknown man smiles, she feels intimidated but also quite safe... He gives off this weird vibe that makes her feel like she's at home.
???: "My identity doesn't matter right now, I'd like to know... Will Cloud ever come back? You both were the king and queen of the school. Right?"
His voice was soft and gentle but she felt as if she's forced to answer his questions... She couldn't help but just listen and answer his questions...
Mari: "Y-Yeah... I was the queen and Cloud was the king of school... He just had to leave for a bit..."
???: "Ah, I see... How about you? Don't you feel... Frustrated at him for leaving you so suddenly?"
Mari: "W-Well... I mean... S-somewhat?... But it must have been for a good reason..."
???: "But don't you think it's cruel? Cruel to leave your lover behind?"
Mari: "U-Uhm..."
???: "It's cruel of him to leave a cute little girl like you behind, anyone could just... Come in and take you away from Cloud. He's really dumb don't you think? Could've at least asked someone to protect you."
Mari is stunned, he's actually making a point... Cloud just left her there and he didn't even bother to find someone who would protect her...
???: "Have you ever thought about the fact that maybe he would cheat on you?
Mari freezes, did he really think that Cloud of all people would cheat on her? He probably doesn't even know that much about Cloud anyways... Why would Mari of all people, fall for Cloud if he was a cheater?
Mari: "Y-Youre wrong... Cloud would never cheat on me... I know him and he's a really good person! I bet you.. I bet you're just one of those... Those people who are jealous of him!"
???: "No, I'm not wrong. Cloud is one of my oldest friends y'know."
Mari: "No you aren't... I doubt Cloud would befriend a delinquent like you..."
The unknown man laughs, he can't believe Cloud never told her.
???: "Do you even know me? Recognize my face? Anything?"
Mari: "N-No... You're probably just some random delinquent.."
The unknown man turns around and slowly walks away, seemingly going to the other side of the rooftop.
???: "You're right."
The unknown man says jokingly. It's clear he has no intention of continuing this conversation and Mari let him leave... Then she turns around to look for the other person that caught her eye. she saw him talking with other delinquents and she slowly walked over to him.
Mari: "H-Hello... Are you... Kingsley?"
???: "Kingsley? He should be around here somewhere."
He says with a stoic and emotionless face.
Mari: "So you're... Not Kingsley?..."
???: "Nope, what makes you think I'm Kingsley?"
Mari: "Well... Your vibe is just different from everyone else I guess..."
Ernst: "Oh, I see. Well, my name is Ernst."
He extends his hand, anticipating a hand shake but Mari flinches.
Mari: "S-Sorry... I'm not comfortable around new people... My name is... Mari."
He scratches the back of his head with an emotionless face
Ernst: "Ah, I see... Mari the... Queen, correct?"
Mari nods.
Ernst: "Why are you looking for Kingsley?"
Mari: "Kingsley is spreading some secrets about me that I'd rather keep... Private..."
Ernst: "So you're going to him to... Talk to him about it am I right?"
Mari: "Yeah... I don't really want him spreading secrets like that.."
Ernst: "You do know he most likely won't listen to you, right? He's the boss of the delinquents after all"
Mari: "Well... He must be... Reasonable..."
Ernst: "Not really... Do you know about how he... Climbed the ranks? He used violence and beat up everyone who opposed him."
Mari was shocked at this revelation... Jax told her that she was a nice person but did he... Did he really use violence on those who opposed him?... Is this really how ruthless delinquents are?
Mari: "Well... Jax told me that he was a good person..."
Ernst: "You believe him? The lap dog of the king? Kingsley's right hand man?"
Mari: "What?!... I thought he was just... Another regular delinquent?"
Ernst: "They never tell you anything, it doesn't matter though... Just don't interact with those weirdos, alright?"
Mari: "Yeah... I won't..."
Mari definitely knew that Jax would not stop coming to her randomly... She had no choice but to bear with it for now... But she didn't even know if Ernst was trustworthy... She's so scared and she'll take anyone's side... And then she felt another tap on her back. It was Jax, Jax and the unknown man she saw earlier... The unknown man was smiling at her while tilting his head.
Jax: "Hello once again Mari, it seems you followed me this time... I assume you've met Kingsley already? This gentleman beside me?"
Mari: "Th-That's... Kingsley?"
Kingsley bows and looks at her with a soft smile.
Kingsley: "Pleased to meet you, dear. Don't worry... I'm not here to hurt you or anything, in fact... It's quite the opposite."
