Warfare Augmented Intelligent Frame Unit

Chapter 97 - Double Confession

Chapter 97 - Double Confession

The bell chimed across the campus, a soft mechanical tone echoing through the corridors, signaling the end of the day's final period. Afternoon light spilled lazily through the tall windows, casting long slashes of gold across the room as students stirred from their seats, a familiar rustle of bags zipping and chairs scraping filling the air.

I remembered Fei's proposal—her voice from earlier replaying in my mind—an invitation to meet in the unused room on the tenth floor. I glanced over at her. She met my gaze and offered a sweet, radiant smile that could've melted the edge off any tension.

"Shall we go together?" Fei asked softly, reaching for my hand with a gentle confidence that made my pulse hitch.

But something shifted in the atmosphere. I felt it—a pair of eyes, sharp and cold, slicing through the warmth of the moment. I turned my head toward the front of the classroom.

There, just as I feared, was Myrrh. Her head whipped away, greenish-blonde ponytail flicking in a fluid arc behind her like the tail of a startled creature. Even as she turned away, I could feel it—she was still watching me, still reading me, even if she pretended not to care. The way her body stiffened told me more than words ever could.

I didn't have time to dwell on it before another pressure settled on me—heavier, angrier.

Neil.

I shifted my gaze across the room and found him already standing, his eyes locked onto me like twin daggers. He didn't say a word, but the intensity of his stare gnawed straight through the four rows of desks between us. I couldn't even tell if he was glaring at me or at Fei—but either way, the heat of his fury was unmistakable.

"Ah... Ahahaha..." Fei let out a breathy, awkward laugh, her fingers slipping from mine as her eyes flicked nervously toward Neil. "I guess... going together might look a bit suspicious. I-I'll go on ahead. I'll be waiting for you upstairs."

"Sure," I replied with a nod and a smile, trying to keep my tone steady.

Fei waved both hands at me with playful enthusiasm before turning on her heel and dashing toward the exit. Her movements, though full of energy, lacked coordination—and sure enough, the tip of her shoe caught on the sliding door's base. She stumbled forward with a sharp gasp, her arms flailing in a frantic attempt to regain balance. A few of our classmates gasped or let out soft chuckles at the scene.

Thankfully, she managed to right herself just in time, avoiding what would've been a spectacular faceplant.

"Teehee!" Fei giggled, sticking her tongue out and giving a light, self-mocking tap to her temple with her fist. Then, with a slight bounce in her step, she disappeared into the hallway beyond the door.

Since we'd agreed not to draw attention to ourselves, I leaned back in my chair and pulled out my phone, pretending to be absorbed in whatever was on my feed. I scrolled lazily through social media, half-reading the posts, using the minutes as cover until I could follow Fei without raising eyebrows. I gave myself a five-minute buffer.

But just a minute or so into my act, I felt a presence approaching—deliberate, but hesitant.

I looked up. Neil was walking toward me.

He looked... off. His skin was unusually pale, like all the color had drained from his face, and his normally tousled brown curls were in even worse disarray than usual, like he'd been running his hands through them nonstop.

"Hey, uh, Zaft," he said, scratching his cheek nervously. "D-did you talk to Fei? Like... did she say anything weird?"

"Nope," I replied flatly.