Esme the Quiet One

CH. 8

Recap from the previous chapter...

Unknowning the uproar she caused, Esme was heading somewhere with her lunch bag held tightly against her. Esme quickened her pace when she saw people coming out from where she was headed.

Spotting a familiar face, Esme's face lit up.

The other person also notices Esme almost at the same time, broke into a wide smile, and called out. "Esme, over here!"

Esme smiled shyly and quicken her pace over to Misaki Taylor. Class rep of Level 3 as well as Toshiko High Student Council's Vice-president. 

"Hi, Esme. I thought you had another appointment today?" Misaki, also known as the Female Alpha of Toshiko High, greeted Esme.

"Greetings, senpai." Esme bowed, greeting in the customary way of Toshiko High when an underclassman meets an upperclassman.

Misaki smiled in approval. 

"My project partner is involved with Basketball special training. Naturally, I rushed over since I'm free during lunch break." Esme explained.

"I see. Well, I'm glad you can make it. We have a lot to cover today." Misaki said as they make a move towards the Student Council's department.

Esme is one of the THSC trainees who was personally selected by the current SC officers. Just as Misaki Taylor who was a candidate before chosen by her predecessor, Esme is one of the few current candidates who were training directly under Misaki Taylor. THSC has a  system where trainee candidates were recruited right after the officer has been confirmed of their position in the SC. This tradition has been going on since the Old Bat took over the Director's seat five years ago. There were a lot of issues and backstory when the Director's seat was handed over to the Old Bat but Esme was not so sure what happened but she did not dare pry deeper into the story. Rumor has it, blood was spilled when it happened.

"Let grab a quick lunch at the SC cafe before we start."

Esme put on her special trainee pass when they entered the SC's cafeteria. It was an eating area solely for the SC members. Trainees like Esme were only allowed in if they were accompanied by an SC member. Since Misaki is a high ranking SC member, everywhere they pass, people will be nodding and greeting. Esme can never get used to the attention they are receiving. Her head was always hung low whenever she walked with Misaki.

They sat by the window where they can see the special training going on. So this is how the special training looks like. Esme observed. She could see the players were all laying flat on their backs while passing the ball around. It doesn't look that special to me. She thought.  

Misaki was busy looking at some papers while occasionally taking a bite of her sandwich. Even while eating she emits that commanding aura. How in the world she can maintain her energy with just a sandwich?

"Uh, um Senpai.-"

"Hmm...?" Misaki replied without looking up.

"I-uh, I have an extra lunchbox packed. You can have it if you want." Esme offered shyly while putting out a blue lunchbox on the table.

Misaki looked up at Esme. "You packed an extra lunch?" She asked. "I never expected you to have such a big appetite. Well, you are tall and maybe require more food to replenish yourself-" Misaki looked surprised.

"Oh, no. I-uh, I don't have a big appetite. I-It's just that I now usually prepare one for Kayden since he could not go to the canteen." Esme tried explaining.

Misaki stared at Esme with wide eyes. Her eyebrows nearly reaching her hairline, spectacles sliding down at the bridge of her nose.

"I-i-i-it's just for until our project is done. W-we could not go to the canteen because it's too loud to discuss our project. S-so Kayden has to miss out on lunch because of that." Esme frantically explained. Why was she feeling frantic? She wondered why.