Ready to Fall

Chapter 4 I don't care

----- # -----

I don't wanna care at all anymore

I used to only care a little bit, but now I care way too much

Now this love thing, I wish I never felt it before

I don't wanna care anymore.

-'I don't want to care' by Jessica Simpson-

----- # -----

________________________________________

Two months and three weeks before that cold and empty night…

It was one of those all-boys time after class under the Sakura Tree.

"What's the 10-43,karl?" inquired Mark in a formal tone.

He and Karl have been playing detectives ever since that night when Selena and Anna broke the news about someone asking Miki out.

"Aki. 16. Plant Manipulation Alice." Karl replied in the same tone.

"10-4 that." Mark stopped to think. "10-20?"

"Barbeque House, Central Town."

"10-4 that, Karl."

Ferry shook his head in amusement, "That's the fifth guy in less than two weeks."

James studied his best friend, who's been quietly reading his manga. Looking at him, no one would suspect that he's mind was actually bothered by the ongoing conversation. But James knew better.

He faced the other guys. "10-0, possible 10-70. We might have to 10-52, or worst 10-79."

They looked at Natsume, and laughed in chorus, understanding James's message. "Caution, possible fire alarm. We might have to request ambulance, or worst, notify the coroner."

Daniel glared at them which made them hushed instantly.

"I don't know why you keep playing this game," he smirked. "I already said that I won't do anything about it. She's free to do what she wants with her free time."

"Who said where doing this for you to do anything?" James asked nonchalantly.

But like what was said, James knew better. He has been hearing updates from his girlfriend about Miki's dates.

Odd things happened on those dates. One time, when she dated a guy who can detect the intensity of a person's Alice who's nearby even without seeing the person, the guy jerked when he tried to put his arms around Miki. After that, he never attempted again.

Another time, she dated a guy with an Alice of X-ray vision, the guy kept glancing at the tree near the outdoor café the whole time.

Miki only found this weird, but the couple knew exactly what happened.

Someone has been using the information that Mark and Karl have been researching.

"I'm tired of this," Daniel closed his manga and rose on his feet. "I'll just be in my room."

"Sure, Daniel," James smiled knowingly as they watched him walk away.

------------------------- ----- -------------------------

The "room" Daniel went to was a certain two-storey building in Central Town, with a sign that reads Barbeque House.

The aroma of roast beef and chicken enveloped him the moment he opened the door. But before Daniel got distracted, he roamed his eyes searchingly for a certain long-haired brunette.