Chapter 40 - Scaredy Cat

Ayami woke up with tears streaming down her eyes. "Liar." Ayami mumbled to herself as she wiped the tears.

Ayami looked around, by the time she woke up it was already night time, which surprised her. She didn't expect that she would sleep that much, when she intended to think and not take a 'nap'.

Thankfully, there were night lanterns making her able to see the beautiful landscape of the garden at night. She rubbed her eyes, still in a groggy state. A cloth slid down from her body as she sat up.

"Hm?" There was black jacket covering her. It was the academy's uniform jacket. Now that she thought about it, her position changed. She was sitting earlier, but now she was laying on the bench. Ayami didn't have much time to think about it when she realized what time it is.

Ah, right, my phone. Ayami took out her phone, thinking that it was bombarded with messages and calls as she didn't return to the dorm after their conversation. 

Ping!

Ping!

Ping!

And just as she guessed…

Ayami didn't bother to read their messages and just directly replied: 'Sorry, fell asleep.'

Celine instantly replied to her.

Celine: That's all you have to say?

Ayami felt cold sweat trickling down her back. For some reason, Celine felt like a mom asking her daughter where she went off too at the dead of the night without permission.

Rina: Lol, come back. Mother Celine is angry. Lolololol!

Rina: But seriously, get back here young lady.

…Rina made her even more nervous.

Ayami let out a sigh, she didn't really expect that she would fall asleep and would worry her friends again. She could understand them.

They were probably traumatized by last week's incident. They must have thought that I passed out again.

That aside, Ayami couldn't go back even if she wanted to. That is because of the dark path, with not a thing lighting the way. It was, of course, scary to walk down that path alone.

Ayami wondered if she should call Celine or Rina to pick her up, but she didn't want to trouble them anymore.

Tap, tap.

Ayami was struggling to decide so she didn't hear the footsteps coming towards her. It was coming closer and closer, but still, Ayami had yet to realized until…

"Hey." A familiar voice whispered on her ears, with a presence leaning over her. Ayami felt a hot sensation from her ears, making her shiver. 

But then, she realized that she should have been alone and that no one was allowed to come here.

"Uwaaaa!" Ayami screamed and stood up and turned around to slap the 'person' behind her. As she did so, in her groggy state, she lost her balance and fell backwards.

Ayami closed her eyes and waited to fall to the pond. But nothing happened. She waited a couple of seconds later, still, nothing happened. 

"What are you doing?" Ayami felt the person's breath near her face and also their arms grabbing her waist and left arm.

Wait, that voice. Kayden?

Ayami opened her eyes and met with a pair of forest green eyes. Kayden was holding her so that she wouldn't fall to the pond. They were so close to the point that they could almost kiss.

It made her heart thump. Ayami felt like there was someone drumming her heart, with how loud it was beating. She didn't notice that her ears were red. It was night so it wasn't visible that much.

It was the first time she had been this close to a man. Ayami was flustered, making her eyes wander around. 

"K-Kayden…" Ayami trailed off as she looked at his position, while stifling her laughter. "Are you alright? That position…"

"Obviously not." Kayden grumbled. He was in an awkward position because of the bench in between them, making it hard for him to stand up. 

"Then, could you stand up already?" Ayami steadied her position, then when Kayden confirmed that she was fine he also properly stood up.

"You should've just let me fall into the pond. Wait, this is your fault for suddenly surprising me."

"I've been calling you, but you didn't respond." Kayden took the black jacket on that fell on the ground and dusted it off, after that, he wore it.

So it was his.

"Really? Sorry I didn't notice." Ayami apologetically smiled at him. 

"Be more aware of your surroundings. What are you doing here anyway?"

"Sleeping?"

"You skipped class and came here without permission?" 

Ayami shrugged her shoulders. It's not like she would die if she missed a day in class. Kayden couldn't speak. Not because of how shameless she was, but because he also did it in his early days. Well, he was also doing it sometimes.

"Well, that's fine. But don't do it frequently." This time, it was Ayami who was speechless. Who the heck advises their juniors to skip class sometimes?

"You need to go back to your dorm by the way. There's still time before the curfew so you could still go to your dorm."

Ayami looked at the way back, her expression not looking good.

"Scaredy cat." Kayden chuckled as he teased her while Ayami glared at him. "Hey, scaredy cat, come on. I'll lead you the way out."

Of course, even though she was annoyed, why would she refuse. Kayden continued to tease her. "Too scared? Then why don't you hold my hand?"

He offered his hand to Ayami. Kayden was only joking but he didn't expect that Ayami would actually hold his hand. He was expecting her to refuse.

Was she that scared?

And so they walked on the path while their hands holding each other.