Chapter 71 - I Don't Want To!

"What was that earlier?" Yanna asked, fuming in anger as she stood up in front of Ayami with both her hands on her waist. 

Currently, they were in an emergency exit to eat their lunch. Ayami tilted her head with a confused expression. "What do you mean?"

Yanna knew that there was no use talking to this girl. Ayami always play dumb whenever she was confronted after messing with Yanna.

"Forget it." Yanna sat down on the stairs and brought out her own boxed lunch, while Ayami just took out the bread she bought. 

"How are things going on your side?" Ayami asked as she tore apart the seal of the bread. 

"Things are going well. Soon, he'll fall in love with me." Yanna smirked. Ayami asked her skeptically. "Are you sure?"

"Of course." Yanna said with a confident look, not thinking that she would even fail.

"Don't you think things are going too well?" Things are happening too well, too well, that Ayami was afraid that this was just calm before the storm. She hoped that was not the case.

Everyday was peaceful. It was so peaceful that it was making her afraid that this was just an illusion. Ayami was not used to this peace. She could not delude herself again like last time.

There is no way that things will continue to be peaceful. Soon, dangers will start to appear. One day, she might die again because she let her guard down.

Ayami can't let that happen. There was no way she would be given another chance to revive. The guide even said that this was her last chance.

"You're thinking too much." Yanna replied to her after some thinking. How naive.

Ayami let out a sigh as she mumbled to herself. "I hope this peace will go on for a little longer."

***

"Young miss Ayami, the head is asking you to come back to the main household."

A man dressed in a navy blue suit and slick back hair spoke to Ayami in a respectful way. Ayami narrowed her eyes in the teacup she was holding. She saw her reflection from the liquid, it was sour.

Earlier, she was called by the academy's office and when she arrived, she saw this man. He was her grandfather's assistant. They moved into another room to talk.

Truthfully, Ayami wanted to pour this tea to the assistant who was just following her grandfather's order. She knew that, even so she was annoyed at this man who was like a loyal puppy.

Can't you disobey the head for once?

Frustrated, Ayami could only tighten her grip on the teacup. She faced the assistant with a cold expression. "I don't want to."

The assistant had a troubled look on his face, "Young miss, please don't make this difficult. You'll just have to come back to the main house."

"Easy for you to say." She scoffed. "I won't come back and that's final."

"Young miss, you don't want us, the innocent, to be wrongly punished, right?" The assistant tried to persuade the stubborn young miss, but it only angered her. One of the things she hates was guilt-tripping her into submission.

"Didn't you hear what I said? Get lost." She glanced at him coldly. The liquid from the teacup shook slightly as her hand trembled from anger. 

"I… haa…" The assistant sighed, then he looked at Ayami with a stern expression. "Young miss, the head said he will give you three days. If you don't come back within that time, then be prepared for what's to come. Hopefully, we won't have to drag you back to the main house."

The assistant stood up and left, leaving Ayami alone inside the room. A moment later she received a call from her father.

"Yes?"

"I heard…" Dennis said with a gloomy tone. "You should follow the assistant's word and return back to the main house. I'll go and—"

"I'm not going!" Ayami hissed.

"Ayami, whether you like it or not , you have to come back and at least see your grandfather." Dennis spoke with a stern tone and acted like a strict father. "I don't even understand why you left the main house."

"And I don't understand why you left me alone in the main house. Also, he is not my grandfather!" Ayami rebutted, which made Dennis silent for a moment.

"Ayami, this is for your own good. I'm worried that they will do anything to drag you back. Please, just go back for a while before you get harsher punishment."

"I. Don't. Want. To." Ayami hung up the call in a huff.

Why are people so keen on making her go back when she doesn't want to?

Ayami had some bad memories in that house and she didn't really want to go back. They didn't even bother helping her in her last life when she was in trouble, well she was at fault anyway. But still, they could have at least helped just a little bit, even just a tiny bit, they were her relatives after all. Not anymore.

Ayami went back to her dorm and grabbed a backpack. She put a change of clothes inside it and wore a face mask and thick round eyeglasses.

She decided to skip her afternoon classes. 

Ayami sent a message to Marie, then she went to the back of the academy, the place where she always goes whenever she wants to leave the academy grounds.

Ayami sat down and leaned back to the wall as she waited for Marie to come. She looked up and saw the clear blue sky. The weather was good and it was making her sleepy.

Ayami let out a sigh again. Three days. They would surely find any means possible and drag her back. 

Where should I escape to?

Ayami didn't regret using her grandfather's men to take over the Coiling Snake Gang. Why should she? Her grandfather said it was a gift, it was only right for her to use it.

The only problem was that after using the gift, she would face her grandfather's questioning and then force her to stay back in the main house after using his men.

Even if I hide, the head would just use his resources just to find me, unless I hide inside the home of one of the most powerful people in the country.

A certain ice block popped inside her head. Ayami immediately waved that thought off. She shuddered in disgust. Ew, ew, what are you thinking!?

Even if I die, I won't ask for his help!

And what about her classes? If she fails at least one of her classes, then she would be held back or possibly get expelled. She can't have that!

Ayami must graduate no matter what! She wanted to grant her little wish and that is, to graduate at this academy. In the past, she never achieved it as she was expelled just before she could graduate.

Suddenly, a pair of black leather shoes came into her view. She widened her eyes and slowly looked up, horrified.

They already sent someone to keep an eye on me this fast? I couldn't even feel their presence!

"Miss, you look troubled."

Ayami was stunned silly. The pair of feet belonged to… Kayden.

Ayami snapped out of it and avoided eye contact with him. But then, Kayden sat down beside her nonchalantly. He examined her face closely.

"You look familiar." He rubbed his chin while furrowing his brows, trying to remember where he had seen her. Then he flicked his finger and smiled brightly. "Oh, I know! You were that weird student who was skipping class."

Excuse me? Weird?

"Are you skipping again?" He tilted his head. He was still the same as ever. Ayami decided to be honest with him as she nodded her head.

"I see, but don't skip often. The teachers might notice and call your parents."

"But your face looks like…, did you get caught?"

"No, not yet. But soon." Ayami smiled bitterly. She'll get caught three days later to be exact. 

"Don't worry, leave this to your senior. I'll make sure you won't get caught." Kayden proudly patted his chest. 

"… Senior is very reliable."

A minute later, Ayami received a message from Marie saying that she had arrived. Ayami stood up and bid her farewell to Kayden. "I think I have to go now.

"Okay." Kayden stayed seated on the ground and watched Ayami use the rusty iron gate to leave. Ayami waved her hand like she was saying goodbye to a friend. Of course, Kayden cheerfully waved back.

When Ayami was gone, Kayden snapped his finger. One by one, men dressed like a bodyguard started to appear.

"Have someone follow that student. She might be involved in a gang." Kayden ordered. The once warm and cheerful expression were replaced by an indifferent look. Five men immediately set off to follow the student.

"Have you already found the identity of the student?" A man stepped out and handed Kayden a piece of paper.

In the piece of paper, there was information about Ayami Gardner. He narrowed his eyes as a smile escaped his lips.

"Ayami Gardner, huh."