Chapter 74 Three letters?!!

Chapter 74 Three letters?!!

Kan emerged from the bathroom, dressed and ready to go. When Ellie's eyes landed on him, a mischievous grin tugged at the corners of her lips.

"Someone didn't take long," Ellie remarked, her tone playfully teasing.

Kan flashed her a boyish grin. "Wouldn't want to keep a pretty lady waiting," he replied, trying to match her playful tone.

Ellie's smile widened, and mischief danced in her brown eyes. "Okay, well, I hope you had all that sweat you worked washed off. We're going to meet the gang, and trust me, I love you, but they're still warming up to you. A bad smell is the last thing you need," she teased.

Kan's expression shifted to one of mild concern. "Wait, I still reek of... you know what?" he asked, a hint of worry creeping into his voice.

Ellie couldn't contain her laughter, and it bubbled out of her like a musical tune. "Oh, Kan, you're so easy to tease!" she exclaimed, her shoulders shaking with amusement.

Kan's eyes widened as he realized he'd fallen for her playful jest. "Seriously? I smell that bad?" he inquired, feeling a tad self-conscious.

"Yeah, like intercourse!"

Ellie's laughter continued, infectious and warm.

"You got me there," Kan admitted with a chuckle, a sense of relief washing over him.

In the midst of their playful banter, any lingering tension from earlier dissolved. Kan was learning that being with Ellie meant shared laughter and an easy camaraderie, even in the face of awkward moments. It was one of the many things he cherished about their growing connection.

As they readied themselves to meet the gang, their banter persisted, a testament to the comfortable bond they were forming. The night held promises of adventure and challenges, but for now, all that mattered was the laughter.

The two made their way out of Kan's apartment, hand in hand, their fingers interlocked as they descended the staircase. Their laughter and conversation filled the air, creating a warm ambiance that seemed to push away the chill of the night.

As they descended, Ellie couldn't help but tease Kan with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Your ears appear to grow bigger every time you get flustered," she remarked, giving one of his pointed ears a playful tug.

Kan feigned surprise, his eyes widening in mock horror. "What? My ears are growing? How come nobody told me? Am I going to turn into an elf balloon?" he teased, playing along with her jest.

Ellie chuckled, her laughter echoing in the stairwell. "Don't worry, we can always tie them up if they get too big," she quipped, her voice light and filled with affection.

Kan shook his head in amusement. "You're a handful, you know that?" he said, a fond smile on his face as they continued their descent.

Their banter continued all the way down, creating a sense of lightheartedness that accompanied them into the night, as if their shared laughter could dispel any shadows that might cross their path.

As they reached the hideout, Kane, the doorkeeper, peered through the entrance before letting them in. His friendly greeting welcomed Ellie as they entered.

"Hey Ellie, what's good?" Kane said casually, a warm smile on his face.

Inside, Kan was greeted by Kane's friendly tap on his shoulder. Kane couldn't help but notice a change in Kan's muscle tone. "Did you add some muscles?" he commented, raising an eyebrow with a friendly grin.

Kan chuckled, feeling a bit self-conscious but also flattered by the observation. "Not really...just been doing some exercises lately," he replied, trying to downplay it, though he couldn't resist sneaking a glance at Ellie as she made her remark.

Kane nodded knowingly. "I see... I feel out of shape just as well. Mind giving me your routine?" he asked, flexing his arm muscles playfully.

Kan was momentarily taken aback by the request, partly because Kane looked like he could bench-press a small car, and partly because he couldn't quite believe he was being asked for workout advice. "Errr... well, it's not much, really. I can share some tips with you later," he replied, trying to sound confident.

Just then, Kan's attention was diverted as a tall lady walked into the hideout. She wore a striking red crop top paired with jeans and brown boots. It was Jessica, and her entrance seemed to command attention.

She walked confidently to the center of the room, where the riot twins, Susie and Sully, were enjoying their meal. They quickly abandoned their food to rush over and give Ellie a hug each, their faces lighting up with affection.

"He's here today again?" Susie asked, her gaze flickering slightly towards Kan as she spoke.

"Be nice!" Sully chided his twin sister, giving her a gentle nudge.

Kan couldn't help but feel a bit awkward under Susie's scrutinizing gaze. He was well aware of the differences of the lack of familiarity between him and the rest of the gang but didn't think it would build to this level.

"It's fine, guys. Go finish your food. We'll be commencing the meeting as soon as possible," Jessica announced, her eyes never leaving Kan and Ellie. There was an intensity about her that was hard to ignore.

As Sully and Susie walked back to where they ate in quiet, Sully couldn't help but comment in a hushed tone..."Why do you have to be so mean?" He asked his twin sister.

"Mean? If anything his presence here is what's mean. Can't you see big sister Jess is not happy with him around? If I were you I'd be thinking of how we can get him out and make aunt Jessica happy again," Susie said, staring coldy at her brother, Sully.

The awkward silence whereby kan and Ellie continued to stare down at Jessica?continued for what felt like an eternity, broken only by the sound of equipment clattering to the ground at one end of the hideout. Mendie, seemingly unfazed by the crash, assured everyone that he was alright.

Jessica, however, had other matters to attend to. She addressed Ellie and Kan with a stern expression. "We need to talk," she stated firmly, her arms folded across her chest.

"Sure, what's up?" Ellie responded, her tone indulgent.

"Privately," Jessica emphasized, walking away in the direction she had come from. Her posture was commanding, léaving no room for argument.

Kan couldn't help but feel a sense of worry for Ellie, who seemed to take the situation in stride. "Is she okay?" he asked Ellie, his concern evident in his eyes.

Ellie offered him a reassuring smile. "It's nothing, I'll be back soon, okay?" she said, waving a hand to signify that it was a minor issue before she followed Jessica out of sight.

Kane's massive hand clamped onto Kan's shoulder, giving it a reassuring but firm squeeze. It was a gesture that, despite his towering stature, held a hint of camaraderie. Kan looked up at him, initially apprehensive about the idea of leaving the hideout.

"Hey, you should see what this neighborhood has to offer. After all, you are in our gang and it's our territory!" Kane came up with the idea.

Kan hesitated for a moment, thinking about the ongoing meeting with Ellie and Jessica. He replied, "I'm not so sure about leaving now. What if Ellie and Jessica return soon?"

Kane, however, seemed confident that the private conversation between Ellie and Jessica would take a while. He reassured Kan, "Trust me, they'll be a while. Besides, you'll get to know our turf better. Come on, it'll be

fun."

=======

At the back of the open space where the group would hang out, Jessica stood, her back against the wall, one leg casually placed for support. As Ellie approached her, there was no pleasantries, no subtle hints. Jessica went straight to the point.

"What is wrong with you?" Jessica uttered the moment Ellie was in sight.

Ellie blinked in confusion, her brow furrowing. "I'm quite lost here," she admitted with genuine confusion and a forced smile.

"Apparently, that appears to be everywhere," Jessica retorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Ellie sighed, her shoulders tensing up. "Come on, Jess, I get it! We all do. But you don't have to act like a grumpy bitch about it. I mean, you don't like him, but at least give him a chance to prove himself. Jeez, you are being unfair!!" Ellie said, her frustration palpable as she stamped her foot and looked away from Jessica.

"What?!" Jessica questioned, a disbelieving smirk on her lips as she forced a laugh.

"You...wait, you think I care about him?! Of course not. I don't care what you do with him. As a matter of fact, I don't give a flying fuck what you do with him!!!" Jessica said, her words punctuated by heavy panting, as if she was trying to expel the emotions that had built up inside her.

"Then what? Why have you been acting so cold? I mean, it's you, but this one is just too much!!" Ellie stated, exasperation tainting her voice.

Jessica's reaction was unexpected. She slapped her own forehead and shook her head simultaneously. "She totally forgot!!" she exclaimed.

Ellie's confusion deepened as she watched Jessica's outburst. "I can't believe you forgot. Well, that's what I expected. You've lost focus and have totally forgotten about the twins. Three letters have been sent in two days. What do you think will happen the next time when they go to school, huh?!" Jessica asked, her voice filled with turmoil, her emotions spilling out into the open.

Ellie's face immediately washed with realization. She became calm, unable to say a word because she knew that she had been caught out.