The Enemy Beside Me + The Liar Beside Me (Book 1 and 2)

Chapter 2

'SEND them in,' Alasdair taps the intercom, concealing his excitement. He knows it's childish to feel this way every time Watanabe tells him some students need to speak with him, but he can't help it. It makes him feel grown-up. His father has been pressuring him to grow older anyway, so he's decided to enjoy it in his way.

One of his requirements is to surrender their phones outside, just a precaution.

The door to his "office" opens. Jaxon and the small boy are standing still. Jaxon's elbow brushes against the boy's shoulders as he adjusts himself.

Alasdair's office has a small space. It's not as big as his father's room or the headmaster's, but big enough to earn the delusion that he makes some of the decisions here. The truth remains: he processes the papers, chooses the best candidates, submits them to his father, and hopes his old man will agree with him. Thankfully, eight out of ten, Kaito gives his signature of approval. Those who don't get accepted, Alasdair simply says, they didn't pass his criteria.

'Mister Evans.' He nods to Jaxon and soon shifts his gaze to Eien. 'Uchiyama-kun.' The affirmed boy bows and greets him back. Usually, a new student like him, someone who's late for his first day of school, would look guilty and plead for his mercy. Studying at a prestigious school like the Yamato International School is a privilege. But Eien remains expressionless, piquing Alasdair's interest.

'Listen. I was in the bog when Uncle shoved my phone into my face, you see,' Jaxon begins without even greeting him back. He takes no offence. Alasdair would've had if it weren't for the strange creature beside him. 'So anyways, we're sorry for being late,' he finishes, nudging Eien with his elbow. The smaller boy nods.

Jaxon is noticeably sick. His sun-kissed skin is now paler, and his breathing is irregularly short. Other than that, he seems to be all right. Not in top shape, of course, but all right. Alasdair had seen worse, and they still forced themselves to attend their classes.

'Wait for a second,' Alasdair says, plucking a blank white paper from his stack of files. He then pulls a pen from his uniform's breast pocket and clicks it. 'Go on. Please do tell me what happened.'

Eien and Jaxon exchange glances. 'I was...under the weather this morning. None of the syrup my uncle had given me worked.'

'We suspected that his body has yet to get used to our medicine. So there's a possibility they may have made his situation worse,' Eien fills in using his mother tongue.

He nods. 'I see. I heard Mister Evans retching, so I believe you.' Red blooms on Jaxon's face. Alasdair thinks it's because of the humiliation. But the more he scrutinises the tall boy, the more he thinks it might be an allergy. 'However, the school has a strict protocol. I am sure you two are aware of that.'

Jaxon sighs. Eien is Eien.

'Come here. Close the door.' He taps his table for emphasis. He saw his father doing it, so why can't he do it too? Jaxon closes the door with a quiet click, pleasing him. 'But I am not our school,' he states to the pair as they approach him.

'Well, um, that's nice, I guess.' Jaxon pulls his right earlobe. 'I feel like this is the part where you're going to say something potty, so I have no choice but to listen.'

Alasdair's eyes grow big. 'That is good, Jaxon. You know how to think.'

'I may not like school that much, but I ain't stupid.'

A chuckle slips from Alasdair's lips, and as a habit, he covers them with his hands. 'I see. Well then, let me be frank.' He locks his eyes to each of them intently. He wants them to know that this time, he is serious. 'I need your help.' A pause. And he knows he has their attention. Eien is leaning slightly to hear him better. His eyes are still blank, but the tiny movement of his shoulder tells Alasdair otherwise.