Chapter 75 - Apology

Ayami agreed without thinking and regretted it a moment later. She couldn't take it back as Kayden had already opened his mouth to speak. 

"The academy is under the Roswell Family." And that was it. It was just one sentence. He didn't speak anymore.

Ayami didn't consider that information as valuable or useless. The information he gave wasn't enough to satiate her curiosity, so she blurted out, "That's it?"

Kayden smiled at her. "I did say 'a secret', right? That means I'll only tell you one."

Ayami was at a loss. She felt like she lost a great amount in this transaction. It felt like she lost a lottery after betting all her money on it.

Kayden patted her head and grinned at her. "You should pay attention to the words of the other party, especially if they are offering a deal. And also try to take as much as you can without suffering any loss. In fact, you should just take everything."

Of course she knows that! And yet, she let her guard down in front of this man. 

"I know…" grumbled Ayami while there was a cute pout on her face. Kayden chuckled and put back the glasses on her and the hat.

"By the way, how do you know my name?" Kayden suddenly asked, making Ayami flinch. Ayami could tell that he was observing her reaction. "And you are acting too casually for someone you barely know."

"I…" Ayami couldn't come up with an explanation. She could not just tell him, 'I came back from the future and you were my friend.' That would have been ridiculous and no sane person would believe that.

"I'm always like this! That's right, this is the way I usually act." Ayami said with a straight face and didn't bat an eye when lying. Kayden narrowed his eyes before nodding his. "…Okay."

"Aren't you the same?"

"Hm, maybe?"

"The academy, I thought they don't take orders from anyone?" Ayami swiftly changed the topic. 

Although the academy gave special privileges to the five families, they weren't one to take orders from them. If the academy refuses, then there is nothing they could do about it. Ayami was wondering why they had so much power, it turns out there was a powerful backing behind them.

"Yes, they don't. But there's always an exception. I can't tell you anymore than this. I can get expelled for being a snitch. It would be embarrassing to get expelled for that reason."

I kinda want it to happen.

"Anyway, let's go."

"Where are we going?"

"Outside the alley." Ayami led the way, while Kayden followed after her like a chick following their mother. Ayami didn't know that there were five more people following after her secretly in the shadows.

From the looks of it, she needs to postpone her plan for today as there was someone following after her. It was unfortunate, oh well, there's still tomorrow.

As Ayami was walking through the dark path in front, she couldn't help but still feel a little scared. It was the same earlier when she was alone, thankfully, she had Kayden following her. At least, she was not alone.

After walking through a dark narrow path, they finally reached outside. Ayami turned around and faced Kayden. "I'm going 'home' now."

"Oh, okay. See you tomorrow." Kayden cheerfully spoke. Wait, tomorrow?

"Are you going to follow me again?" Seeing the look in his eyes, she could tell that was the case. Ayami shook her head. "Not allowed." But then, she shrewdly smiled. "But if you tell me another secret, then I might let you follow me."

"How can you guarantee that? You might leave me behind as soon as I tell you another secret." Kayden raised his brows. 

Darn it. He's sharp.

"That depends on the value of the secret you are telling me."

"Alright, I'll tell you another tomorrow." He said as he walked past her. Then he turned around and smiled at her. "You're a quick learner."

Ayami felt like the world slowed down as she stared at Kayden. That gentle smile of his made her heart beat faster than it should have. A feeling slowly crept to her, but it wasn't uncomfortable in fact it made her feel something different, somewhat giddy and warm, no it was her face that was heating up.

Thankfully, the neon shade hid her bright red face. The world that slowed down continued to flow normally a moment later. 

"Hey, are you alright?" Kayden waved his hand in front of her, while his brows furrowed. Ayami quickly left her dazed state and spoke. "I-I'm fwine!" She spoke in a hurry that she bit her tongue. Ayami blushed in embarrassment. "Uh, I mean, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" Ayami nodded her head. Kayden examined her face. There was nothing wrong with her, except she looked out of it. That won't do. He can't let her go 'home' defenseless like this.

"Where are you staying tonight?"

"Ah?" Ayami looked at him with confusion. "Where to? Of course, the dorm!"

"And you're gonna go back here tomorrow? Isn't that a hassle?" Ayami blinked her eyes. He has a point. 

"Are you not going to at least stay in a hotel or something?"

"I don't have any money."

This time, Kayden was the one who was confused. "Don't your father give you an allowance?"

"He'll find out that I'm not staying inside the dorm." Ayami explained.

"Are you that scared of your father? Is he strict?"

Ayami looked down and shook her head. "No, I… it's complicated."

Kayden looked at her pitifully. She had probably never gone to an amusement park in her life or even at least going to the cinemas. How sad is her life.

"Don't look at me like that." Ayami hated that look. She hated getting pitied. Sensing the drastic change in her mood, Kayden immediately apologized.

"Sorry. You must have hated being pitied and I subconsciously just did that. I'm sorry."

"It's fine but, apology not accepted. Since you just said to get a hotel room, why don't you treat me as an apology. Get me the presidential suite." Ayami grinned at him. There was no way he would be able to get that kind of room unless he was from a powerful family. That way, when he says he can't, she could just ask her to tell another secret.

Kayden knew what she was thinking. How unfortunate. Her expectations were not fulfilled because the next moment, Kayden was already dragging her to the most luxurious hotel in the city.

"Young master Kayden, welcome, welcome." The person who seemed to be the manager, warmly welcomed the both of them. There was a disgusting smile plastered on his face as he rubbed his hands while his eyes felt like it was shaped like money from the way he was looking at the two.

"The presidential suite is always open for Young Master Kayden." The manager said and gave him the keycard. He then noticed the girl wearing a cap beside him. "And this is?"

"There is no need for you to know. Oh and don't tell my friends about this." Kayden smiled at him but his eyes were intimidating the manager. Afterwards, Kayden dragged Ayami to the elevator. Then they went to their room.

Kayden was smirking at her as he closed the door, "You truly are a quick learner."

"You're unfair! You're taking advantage of your friends." Ayami pointed at him and grumbled.

"I'm just enjoying the privilege of being their friend. What's wrong with that?" He tilted his head. 

That's wrong! That's not the right way! You should squeeze them dry— uh, forget it!

"Are you angry because you couldn't get another secret?" Kayden spoke to her in a teasing manner. Ayami lay down on the soft bed that felt like clouds, while Kayden took a chair and dragged it in front of her before sitting down with legs crossed.

"How many secrets do you even have?" She asked while massaging her forehead. Kayden smiled at her mysteriously. "More than you could imagine."

"Why do you know that much?"

"Secret." Kayden playfully smiled at her.

"If you know that much then do you know the secrets of the world?"

Kayden suddenly froze for a moment before he mysteriously smiled again. That change of expression was so fast that Ayami could not see it. 

"Hm… Maybe~ Why don't you guess?"

"As if you know something like that." Ayami rolled her eyes and yawned. "Aren't you leaving yet?"

"Originally, this is supposed to be the place where I'm supposed to sleep tonight."

"And?" 

"I'm saying that you already got the presidential suite you wanted, but that doesn't mean you will sleep on the bed."

Ayami glared at him while she stretched out her body and gripped on the bed tightly. "Are you really going to let your cute junior sleep on the sofa?"

"Alright. You get the bed." Kayden sighed. It was not good to argue with women as they are unreasonable creatures. Sometimes, it is best to give way and live in peace.

But he wasn't done yet. Ayami watched him take off his shoes and get on the bed nonchalantly. He smiled at her like he was victorious.

"And I'll get the bed too."