Chapter 100: High school diploma

•Nora

I sat on the rooftop thinking about nothing in particular, but I was a bit sad that Azalea wasn't here. Gangs don't really have any female members and I can't really talk to the maids when they're working. It wasn't like I talked to any of them like that anyway.

I wonder how long is she going to stay there? Even Huang-fei and Ayaan are leaving in the morning.

I wish I could go. I sighed. Azalea told me about Lorelai's festival. Must have been fun. I sighed again as I stared at the darkening sky while sitting on the slanted roof of the mansion.

"Ah!" I winced as my period cramps kicked in once again. I usually don't get these but sometimes, every now and then they hit me. But I'm not a fan of medicine so I don't take any unless I absolutely need one. Like I'll only take my medication if I'm dying or the pain is intolerable.

I looked back when I heard some footsteps and saw Caesar make his way to me.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Nothing.Just thinking about Azalea." He came and sat next to me, "Can't we go to Lorelai?"

He shook his head, "Arius left and Huang-fei will leave tomorrow so I, Ben and Lee have to be here to maintain stuff."

I pouted at him and he smiled at me in return to which I ended up smiling too because he rarely ever smiles like that. He usually has a blank expression.

"I like it when you smile." I told him and he got confused at himself.

"I see…" His reply was just like him. So adorable.

"AH…." I feel like the cramps are worse than any I've ever had, "Maybe I should get some medicine."

"Are you hurt?" He seemed worried and I ended up chuckling

"No. I'm not. I'm just on my periods."

"Oh…" He got up and went back in the mansion. In confusion I watched him leave. Where did he go? I'm pretty sure he's not the type who would be disgusted by this stuff. My eyes landed on the place he was sitting, he had left his sword there.

I picked it up to examine it. For almost two years I've seen this thing with him. He never really leaves it and he doesn't use it much either. Well not that the need ever arrived. I twirled it around in my hands.

It had a golden and silver snake that coiled around one another on the black cover, the same as the hilt just that the hilt had the snakes engraved in it while the cover had it printed. Over the engravings was some sort of transparent thin wrap, probably for easy grip of the sword.I slid the cover off to see the sharp metal with a small similar engravings in the middle, the edges sparkled when the moonlight hit them and I realized it was night now.

As I was placing the sword back in the cover I heard someone come on the roof. I looked back and saw Caesar with a blanket and a cup. He saw the sword in my hands but didn't give me any reaction, just quietly walked over to me. He placed the blanket around my shoulders and handed me the cup that contained hot coco while he took the sword from me.

"I heard that drinking something warm helps with the pain." He said as he took his seat beside me.

I smiled, "It does." I took a sip from the cup. It was sweet. I like sweet stuff but it was a little too sweet, "It has a bit too much sugar." I said in a light tone.

"I'll keep that in mind for next time."

Next time… What an odd feeling these words give me.

"Aren't you mad?" I looked at him and he stared at me, "I touched your sword without your permission."

"It's fine."

"Are you sure? It looks like something important."

I saw him clench his hand over the sword that was lying on his other side, "It is."

"I'm sorry. I was just curious."

He smiled at me, "It's okay. I don't mind."

"So you wouldn't mind if anyone touched it?"

He shook his head, "No, not everyone…"

I see. I smiled. That means I'm not just anyone.

"Why is it so important?" I drank some of the coco.

"It's a family heirloom."

A family heirloom? I see.

"So a sword?"

"It's pretty old. Arius had it polished and renewed for me."

Arius and Caesar seem inseparable for some reason. They always hold each other in high regard, "Caesar." I call him and he looks at me, "You like Arius a lot huh?" He nodded, "What if something bad happens to him?" I sipped the coco milk again.

"I'll help him out. Always. Everywhere. Even if the whole world turns against him, even if no one wants to help him and he's all alone I will stand by him because he's that one person I can't and won't leave alone. It's the same for him. He would do the same for me."

I was surprised. That's the longest he's ever spoken, "Caesar?" I gulped as I stared at him, "Are you gay?" He looked at me wide-eyed and rather bewildered, "You're in love with Arius?"

He began laughing, a cheerful light laugh. This was a first. The very first I've seen him laugh like that in front of me, "No." He smiled, "We're just really close friends. We've been together since we were kids."

"I see." I wish I could see him laugh like that more. Seeing him like that makes me feel so giddy.

I finished the drink and placed the cup by my side.

So I like Caesar.

I glanced at him.

Well, he's adorable and he's just the type of husband I thought I'd get till- I sighed, till I started working in a bar as a dancer.

Bar's don't allow recording but still so many men used to come to see and I've given many private dances as well.

I glanced at him and he was looking at me. Such a handsome-cute boyfriend husband guy… I don't deserve him.

I sighed and stood up.

"We should head back in." I picked up the cup and he nodded. We both made our way in to the first floor where a group of men caught my attention.

The gang members had surrounded three men who were sitting on the floor. It seemed like they were crying? I wasn't sure.

"What happened to them?" I asked Caesar.

"I think they've given up."

"Given up? At what?"

He thought about it and asked me, "Are you good at studying?" His question made me a bit confused but more importantly it attracted the attention of all the members there and they shot their heads towards me, "Ah, Why?"

"Nora!" The three men, Keel, Sami and Frick ran to me, "Are you?" They asked in such fine unison I couldn't tell their voices apart.

"Wait, Just wait! What's the problem here?"

"They can't seem to pass their high school exam." Caesar answered.

"We fail every time." Frick spoke and I suppressed a laugh.

"Everyone else here passed theirs." Keel said.

"The exam is in six days." Frick spoke again.

I analyzed the situation. These three really and I mean REALLY want to get a highschool diploma. I can see the desperation on their faces.

"So the three of you are the only ones who still don't have a high school degree or diploma and you fail every time?" They nodded and I pursed my lips to stop my smile. They're near their thirties.

"Caesar too." Sami pointed at Caesar, "He doesn't have a highschool degree either."

"Huuuuh!??!!!!" I shot my head at him and he turned his head the other way as he averted his gaze.

"I don't see the point of it." He said.

"Didn't you and Arius go to school together or something?" Or was that just my assumption?

"We did." He still didn't look at me, "I got sick during the exams…"

"And you decided you don't want to give the exams ever again?!" He nodded with his eyes still looking away, "No!! I will not accept this!" I cleared my throat, "A high school degree or diploma is important." I looked at the three in front of me, "I'll make sure you all pass!!"

"Were you good at studying?"

"Me?" I pointed a finger at myself, "Nope. Not at all."

All the glimmer the men had in their eyes began to fade.

"But!!" I started, "I was a very good guesser!" I grinned, "And I passed with good grades." I grabbed Caesar's collar while he was still busy avoiding my gaze and pulled him near, "I'll make sure you study what's gonna come on the test that I predict and I'll make sure you all pass!"

Everyone's eyes shone. Even the men who were standing there for the support of Keel, Sami and Frick cheered.

Let's begin the operation 'Get a highschool diploma."

I faced Caesar as I pulled him closer with his collar. He looked at me worried, "I'll definitely make sure you pass. You have a good memory, don't you?" He gulped as I smirked. "This is gonna be fun."

***

Me along with many members of the house stood at the main door of the mansion waiting for our four brave soldiers. More than a week had passed. They gave their exam three days ago, if they passed they'll come back with a diploma in their hands.

Azalea and Arius are coming back today too.

I gulped. I hope they did good. None of them told us how they did, they just came back and collapsed on their beds.

I took a deep breath. Maybe I forced them a bit too much but it had to be done.

"Oh! They're coming." As I heard someone say behind me my eyes got glued to the road that led from the gate to the main door.

Keel, Sami and Frick came running towards us with tears running down their cheeks. Keel had a runny nose as well but I guess he didn't care.

"We passed!" They screamed in unison.

None of them cared. They were all too happy to care about that stuff. "We passed~" Sami was about to die from happiness. Disbelief was imminent on his face. Well I can understand. He was the oldest out of the four. The rest of the members cheered and encouraged the three while my eyes looked back at the road to search for another.

I saw Caesar a few meters away from me staring at a rectangular sheet in awe. He looked up and his eyes met mine. He turned around his diploma to show me the front and whispered.

"I actually passed." I giggled and he smiled.

As I felt all bubbly and warm,I ran to him and hugged him.

"Congratulations!"