CH 64

Not A Lonely Festival (4)

After the game, the four of us had dinner together. Even then, Bona displayed a huge appetite.

Even Leto, who was exhausted, shoved food into his mouth without saying a word. While eating our food, we spent time complaining about the school and exchanging stories about what happened at the cricket tournament. Then, the door to the restaurant opened and a loud noise was heard.

Feeling ominous all of a sudden, I turned my head slightly and glanced at the door. The people who had entered the restaurant were none other than Reze and his friends. Why do we keep bumping into each other?

Fortunately, the restaurant was so popular with students that it was full, and Reze was too busy looking for a table to notice us. So I tried to feign ignorance, but I didn’t realise Vivian, who was sitting next to me, was staring blankly at Reze.

However, Vivian finally removed his gaze before smiling casually and chatting about something. I thought that we had glossed over it. Until someone suddenly approached our table. The four of us naturally raised our heads from their presence. Three unfamiliar girls approached our table.

They appeared to be in a different grade from us, probably in their second year, given their exhausted expression towards the academy.

“Are you Arsene?”

They had come to see Leto. I could feel the students in the restaurant glancing at us at the mention of Arsene. I suddenly realised how famous Leto had become after participating in the cricket tournament.

“So.”

Leto said in an uncertain tone as if he was puzzled by his own fame. Despite his tone, the seniors smiled shyly and suddenly offered something to him. It was a box wrapped in pretty wrapping paper, it was a luxurious gift at first glance.

“Take it.”

“……What?”

Willfully handing the gift to Leto, the girls fidgeted and hurried out of the restaurant.

“…….”

“…….”

“It’s not a bomb, is it?”

All four of us became silent at the sudden situation. Among us, Bona was the first to speak. Being the first to show interest in the gift, she prompted him to open it. Leto hesitated before carefully opening the wrapper. There was nothing but a small handcrafted gift. Seeing that it was not a bomb or threatening letter, it really seems that the seniors earlier were pure fans of Leto.

“It could be a paper bomb.”

Bona, who did not erase her doubts about it being a bomb until now, said.

“Say something that makes sense. Bellion.”

“It’s a present for you. It’s unbelievable.”

“…….”

He didn’t say anything, as if Leto was agreeing with Bona’s words.

“Leah, they gave this to you because they like you.”

After that, when I said something, Leto and even Bona looked at me in disbelief.

“Look, everybody’s looking at you.”

Vivian, who was beside me, also supported my words. Leto remained to look at the eyes directed towards him with an indifferent face. The name Arsene was heard everywhere. In today’s cricket tournament, Leto performed as great as Senior Jimbo. It must have been a hit among the academy students.

Then, this time, a group of boys approached us. They handed a letter to Leto with an uncontrollably red face. Then, four juices and a beef dish suddenly appeared on our table. 

“But we never ordered this?”

“The gentlemen next to you asked me to deliver it.”

When I looked at the table next to us, wondering what was going on, a group of men who were eating winked at Leto. 

“Leah, you’ve become so famous. How cool!”

When I said that, Leto, who had yet to grasp the whole situation, blushed. He was still unfamiliar with the positive attention directed at him. But what was even more funny was Bona, who was sitting next to him, struggling to adapt. Even though she tried to smile, her expression was extremely bitter. When I nudged Bona’s foot under the table, she came to her senses and removed the cap of the juice bottle.

“Right, there are many strange people in this world.”

“Bona, I know you’re jealous.”

When I said that, Bona flinched as she took a sip of the juice. By then, rumours had spread that Leto Arsene was sitting in the restaurant. The owner had also glanced at Leto every time he passed our table. He even gave him an extra salad to eat more.

“Stupid Arsene. Arsene. Arsene.” 

Reze, who was sitting nearby listening to the people’s words, broke the excitement. Reze swayed towards our table. All of us were on guard as it was clearly a stance that was looking for a fight. It wasn’t just that. At his provocation, the atmosphere in the restaurant turned cold in an instant.

“Hey, Reze. You’re drunk!”

His friends that noticed quickly tried to stop Reze, but we all were aware. This restaurant doesn’t sell alcohol.

“Everyone said you did amazing today, Arsene! That’s ridiculous. Today’s MVP was Senior Jimbo!”

I can’t believe he continued to display his admiration for Senior Jimbo. It was astonishing.

“Ignore him. It’s nonsense.”

Bona said, calmly eating her meat.

“Hey, Leah Arsene. Now that you’ve become so popular, don’t you think you need a change? Aren’t the friends you’re hanging out with too boring?”

When we all ignored him, Reze eventually provoked us in hopes that it might offend us.

“You’re one to talk…”

But Reze’s natural enemy was Bona, not Leto. Whether she was offended or not, Bona shot back at Reze.

“You flower-headed girl!”

“I have flowers on my head, but yours is empty.”

“Are you done talking?”

“I still have more.”

The people in the restaurant kept bursting into laughter whenever Bona said something. When the atmosphere was completely turned upside down, Reze glared at Bona as though he was going to kill her. But the moment he realised he couldn’t defeat Bona, he changed his target. It was Vivian.

Reze grinned as soon as he noticed Vivian.

“What’s this? Isn’t it Vivian?”

Unlike Bona, Vivian didn’t say anything and hung his head down. I stood between Vivian and Reze and looked at him fiercely.

“It’s no use hiding him, Bree. I clearly already saw Vivian.”

“I’m not hiding him, it means don’t touch my friend.”

“I haven’t done anything yet?”

Damn it, Reze. It was clear that he was going to do something.

“Yeah, I can see why you hang around Bellion since she has a good family. Bree is, well, Senior Jimbo’s favourite junior so I get why. But I can’t believe you’re hanging around that milk-smelling Vivian. You’re pretty funny aren’t you, Leah?”

“I’d rather be smelling milk. Don’t you realise how bad your body smells, Reze?”

Bona retorted back, but Reze shrugged as though he was not insulted at all. The atmosphere was not good.

“Yet I still have a lot of friends, don’t I? But that guy smells like milk. I don’t think there’s anyone in my class who likes a guy who smells like milk, is there?”

“Watch your words.”

“What do you mean, watch my words? It’s the truth. This is an advice. You guys better hang out with us before you smell like that guy’s milk.”

“……Hey.”

“Won’t you look at Vivian now. He’s hiding behind three girls!”

As Reze laughed loudly, his friends next to him immediately smirked. The sight made me impulsively pour the remaining juice on his face. After being drenched in orange juice, Reze immediately stopped laughing and looked at me. His eyes, which had been taken aback for a moment, soon turned fierce as though he was going to grab me by the collar. 

“What do you think you’re doing, Briseis?”

His voice frightened me and I unconsciously faltered.

“Don’t touch m-my friend.”

“You think you’ll be fine because I let you off the hook, don’t you? Ha?”

He growled in front of my face. Crazy…He really looked like he was going to hit me. Being Senior Jimbo’s favourite junior meant nothing now. It was then– Thud. A dull sound was heard. Leto, who had been silently observing the situation, placed his glass down.

“Hey.”

He soon called Reze. His tone was alarmingly low and frightening. I glanced at the frightening Leto, he had enough energy to subdue Reze at once. His look was intimidating. His black eyes were lifeless and there was no expression on his face. The usual Leto was nowhere to be seen. Even I, his friend, was scared and unconsciously swallowed my saliva.

“W, W-What?”

Perhaps frightened, Reze stuttered uncharacteristically.

“You better shut up if you have nothing nice to say.”

“…….”

“Otherwise, I’ll throw this bottle at your face this time, not the juice.”

It was a warning from Leto. As Reze remained still with his body stiffened, the owner suddenly appeared and stepped forward.

“Student, we don’t accept people who disturb the atmosphere of the restaurant. Leave.”

“…Damn it!”

Reze, who belatedly grasped the atmosphere, spat out a curse. All the students in the restaurant were looking at Reze disdainfully. Reze finally left the restaurant while slamming the door.