Chapter 42 - Rift Between Years

Their shouts startled the whole class.

What is the reason for them to shout?

Teren glanced at them and frowned before walking to his seat as if they were the weirdoes.

Mike and Catherine's eyes followed his figure before seeing the whole class was all staring at them.

"Is... something the matter?" Teacher Jerad asked.

Iesa slowly shook her head. Another victim, huh...

Nick greatly sympathized with them. But due to yesterday's incident, he learned that Teren was no longer targeting him. His fear and anxiety greatly lessened.

Not only was he and the pair the class was staring at, but Teren was also anxious. The reason was completely different though.

'Is there something wrong with my reply?' Teren thought, fearing that Iesa was weirded out by him.

'I messaged you so early in the morning but you only replied with that? Hmph! I will no longer text you!'

Teren imagined Iesa's thoughts and couldn't help but feel that his imagination might be true.

'Later, I will try to make up for it!' he determinedly thought.

If only Iesa could hear this... but alas.

Upon the teacher's question, Mike and Catherine only shook their heads and went for their respective seats.

After that announcement, of course, none used the vacant period for studying. As long they don't make a noise loud enough to notify the other teachers, they would do whatever they want behind the closed curtains!

"Mike, what is wrong with you and Catherine, dude."

A friend tapped onto Mike's shoulder. That alone made Mike jerk, frightened.

"O-oh... Josh... it's just you..." he laughed with sweat gliding through his face.

Josh had his eyebrows furrowed while this was the same for Catherine as her girlfriend encircled her.

"Why are you not active last night, girl?"

"Did you see a ghost, what happened to you?"

"N-nothing..." Catherine tried to smile like usual but ultimately failed.

Mike and Catherine's circle of friends glanced at each other. Silent messages were received.

Something happened... but they don't have any idea what it was. Thankfully, it does not seem like there's a fight between them. For now, they have to ask the basketball club since they left these two there yesterday.

Leaving some friends behind to comfort the two, some made their way to the basketball club.

These "normies" regard their friends high. Even if they were seniors, if the basketball club was the cause of this, there will be a war between the first year and the second year.

Whatever they did, Mike and Catherine seemed traumatized, they will pay for it, they thought.

While the "normies" moved on their own, the "weirdoes" at the back of the classroom have their own world.

"So, what happened, what happened?" Lina turned to Teren. Since Nick wouldn't tell her and she doesn't want to talk to Iesa, she naturally turned to Teren.

"What happened to what?" Teren asked with no ripples seen on his face.

"Yesterday," Lina innocently smiled which didn't fool either Iesa or Nick, "I'm feeling that something happened yesterday."

"Hm? What happened yesterday?" Teren thought back as if there was nothing notable, "I guess we walked back home after you separated from us?"

"That's it?" Lina wanted to doubt but Teren's face seemed so genuine.

"Yes, why are you so curious about nothing?" Iesa then butted in.

Lina's expression subtly changed for a moment before retaining her "innocence"

"I'm talking to Teren, would you mind?"

Nick turned his head away, fearing that he may be caught in a crossfire. Meanwhile, Teren told to himself that his imaginations are just imaginations... he hoped before falling into a deep sleep while Iesa and Lina exchange words.

Time passed and morning break began. The news about the first-year students demanding an explanation from their seniors on the basketball club have already spread.

Not knowing what explanation the first-year students want, the basketball club didn't know what to reply. However, as seniors, getting pressured by them is not something they will let pass.

It was the talk of the school while the main culprits eat their morning snacks at the canteen.

The four of them; Teren, Iesa, Nick, and Lina.

"Don't you have friends?" Iesa said. Her face was relaxed. She has been bickering with Lina for the whole first period that she was already desensitized.

The could be applied to Lina.

"Of course, but is it bad that I don't eat with them once?"

Teren wondered why these three were following him. Meanwhile, Nick was always thinking of how to "serve" Teren only to step back.

Of course, Iesa followed Teren as it felt the most natural thing to do and sit beside him.

Like before, they gained attention due to Lina and especially, Iesa. However, they soon ignored them only for Mike and Catherine to walk forward with solemn and heavy expressions.

"Can... can we talk?" Mike asked.

They were oblivious that they were the talk of the whole school, but they knew that they were getting strange attention at the canteen.

Yet, Mike couldn't say follow his words with "in private" out of fear.

Not to worry, Teren nodded and led them to the "private" area. But the problem was Lina.

Taking this chance to earn some merits for Teren, Nick toughened himself and faced her.

"Why are we following them? Hahaha... do you want to come back to the canteen? I'll treat you."

Poor Nick, after his resolve, just received a creeped-out face from Lina. His words repeated in his head. When he realized what he just said and how it sounds like, his soul cracked.

Lina shook her head in an awkward response before following the others.

Mission failed, miserably.

"Lina, could you please give us privacy?"

Catherine turned to her, salvaging the situation.

"You too?" Lina's true face glimpsed out.

But before Catherine noticed it, Lina turned around.

"Sure, take your time."

She then pointed at Nick and said, "Back to the canteen.." not wanting to be the only one left out.