𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 [ʀᴡʙʏ x ᴍᴀʟᴇ ᴏᴄ]

Chapter 36

Klaus POV

I found myself sitting at the same table as the Ace-Ops, my earlier reluctance slowly fading as the conversation flowed. Despite the rocky start, they weren't as unbearable as I had expected.

Through the back-and-forth, I got to know their names.

There was Clover Ebi, the confident leader with an easygoing yet commanding presence. Harriet Bree, the short-tempered speedster who seemed to have something to prove. Vine Zeki, the calm and composed one, speaking in measured words. Elm Ederne, loud and full of energy, the type to crack the table with a single punch if she got too excited.

And, of course, Marrow Amin, still wagging his tail every time he looked in my direction.

I sighed, spooning up the last bit of my frozen yogurt. What have I gotten myself into?

Harriet: "Still can't believe you actually exist." Sheleaned back in her seat, arms crossed as she gave me a skeptical look. "

Elm: "We thought the White Reaper just died during one of his missions." He chuckled, resting an elbow on the table.

Vine: "Marrow here couldn't believe that. Once he joined the Ace-Ops, the first thing he did was use his special privileges to look at your documents." He nodded thoughtfully

Clover Ebi: "Which were all erased for some reason." He smirked, tilting his head. 

Harriet:"You're quite the mystery man, Klaus."

Harriet raised an eyebrow at me. I scooped up another spoonful of my ice cream, letting the cold sweetness linger for a moment before I responded.

Klaus: "I prefer it that way."

Harriet: "Oh, I bet you do. A ghost with a pretty face—no wonder the records got wiped."

Harriet scoffed, leaning forward slightly. I raised an eyebrow at her, but she only smirked, propping her chin on her hand as if studying me.

Harriet: "Tch, unfair, really," she added, her tone teasing. "If you were around back then, maybe the academy would've been a little more exciting."

Elm snorted: "Oh boy, here we go."

Clover chuckled, watching the exchange with amusement.

Clover: "Careful, Harriet. Klaus doesn't seem like the type to fall for smooth talk."

Harriet: "Who said I was trying to make him fall for anything?" Harriet rolled her eyes but didn't look away from me.

Marrow: "Wait, wait, wait—is this flirting? Are you flirting?!"

Marrow, tail still wagging, looked between us with wide eyes. Harriet instantly snapped upright.

Harriet:"I am not!"

Klaus: "Sounded like it,"

I muttered, taking another bite of my frozen yogurt.She narrowed her eyes at me, but the slight pink dusting her cheeks didn't go unnoticed. I stared at the half-melted frozen yogurt on my spoon before quietly saying,

Klaus: "Weiss would like this ice cream."

The table went silent for a beat.

Clover: "Didn't take you for the sentimental type, Reaper."

I didn't respond immediately, just letting the spoon rest against my lips before setting it back down. The memories surfaced without my permission—Weiss, poised and elegant even while eating, savoring each bite like it was something rare. It had been such a small thing, yet it stuck with me.