Aster Veren
Episode 94

- Kalea

In the end I did not manage to find Aster anywhere, my mind felt tired of going around the academy to look for the whereabouts of my roommate.

With a heavy heart, I decided to carry out my search and went to the cafeteria to fill my stomach which was already feeling very hungry.

The time has also shown at 06:55 pm, it is almost time for all students/students to go to the cafeteria for dinner.

"... Maybe I can meet Aster there." I thought as I walked towards the canteen.

"Gee!" Nathan's voice again rang in my sense of hearing.

I quickly shook my head as I remembered the man hugging my body tightly, just as I turned to him. But the next second my ears again heard his soft voice, even the shadow when Nathan's brother looked at me with his golden bead was still clearly imprinted in my memory.

"Obviously she was worried about me ..," I muttered as I clenched my palms with all my might.

Somehow I felt so upset when I remembered the expression Nathan made, it felt like he was pitying me. Not even since when did his embrace feel so disturbing to me.

"Who would have thought that he would hear my conversation with master Albert and his son like that?"

I was really shocked to see him standing behind me and calling my name after the departure of Mr. Albert and his son.

Argh.. let's forget all that! My inner self, pulling my hair back, tried to forget everything that happened to me today. A day that somehow feels longer than usual.

"... I forgot to change my school uniform," I muttered as I realized my appearance. So busy looking for Aster, I forgot to change my uniform.

***

Arriving at the cafeteria, I was treated to an unusual sight. I saw that everyone was already swarming around Sean and some of the boys who looked annoyed at him.

"There is no day without peace." I muttered as I walked through the crowd, and immediately picked up the tray that the canteen mother had prepared.

"... today's menu, spicy fried rice huh?" I still muttered while getting my dinner ration from the canteen mother.

For dinner schedules, all children get the same food differently than during rest hours where everyone is free to order their lunch from the available menu options.

In addition, especially for dinner rations, all children are not allowed to pay. Simply put, the canteen gives free food to the students of the academy every night.

In this case, Aster won't be able to eat dinner. He does not like spicy food, my mind recalls Aster's expression when eating spicy food.

"... YOU!!" The screams of a boy surprised me. My reflexes turned towards the crowd.

I saw that the person who was yelling earlier had pulled Sean's collar and grabbed him tightly. His expression also looked even more annoyed than before.

"Take him off!" The other voice sounded threatening.

That, Sean's friend? My mind when I see the child's face at a glance. Then I took my foot to the empty table farthest from the crowd. I don't know, I think I want to sit quietly in a quieter place.

"That's Sean, right? She why? It seemed like those people were annoyed at him, "A woman's voice was not far from my seat.

"I don't know, but I hear they're bothering Sean first." Follow the others in his small voice, barely audible to me.

"What's? They're crazy, aren't they? Dare to disturb her son lord Albert–" The woman's previous words almost shouted, but soon she shut her mouth when she realized the volume of her own voice.

"If so she's a stepdaughter dong? The killer."

The deg!

My heart beat rapidly when I heard the whisper of one of them. My appetite was suddenly gone, unconsciously my hands were clenched tightly on my lap. Trying to keep myself from getting out of control.

"GUARD YOUR MOUTH IT'S BR*NGSEK!" Shouted a man near Sean, with fiery eyes he threw a fist at the man in front of Sean.

"You!" Furious as he rubbed the blood on the corner of his lips, then his eyes stared intently at Sean and his friend in turn.

"Hit him, don't you see?" Ketus answer.

"Well they're starting to heat up, whoever calls the teacher here quickly." Said a woman who knows who. Then I saw three of them running out of the canteen.

"... What's?! I said the right thing. Everyone knows that your stepmother and grandmother were murderers!" Shouted the man who had gotten a fist on his face.

"Don't just talk! It was precisely the Veren family that framed his ex-wife, Mr. Albert." A woman who stood among them was seen once defending Sean blatantly.

... He doesn't know that Sean's stepmother is my mother? If he knew, maybe he'd think twice about talking. My mind was watching the appearance of the beautiful woman near Sean.

"No, it makes more sense that they planned the murder,"

Ah, they're so noisy! Why not fight somewhere else? My appetite is gone, my mind is getting upset because I can not continue my dinner. I had only eaten two mouthfuls, but my appetite had disappeared in an instant.

"And again, why is the boy silent? Can't he fight the fools in front of him?" I continued to notice Sean's gloomy expression that seemed unconcerned with the treatment of the people around him. His eyes also look empty.

It sucks! My mind while rising from my sitting position, even unconsciously I had already kicked the table in front of me and attracted the attention of several people.

"Who is in–ah is she the woman, the bully." Whisper the people who look at me.

"Oh, he's the one,"

Goody! Now that their attention has been distracted by me, I might just get out of control like this. How now? What am I supposed to do? Sit back and eat, or get out of the cafeteria? My mind panicked when I saw people staring at me, some were still focused on noticing Sean and the others.

For a moment I thought of a way to save my half-brother from the crowd, but upon seeing their gazes at me. My courage instantly disappeared, and again it would be strange if I suddenly helped Sean right? People can get worse judging me and they'll bother Sean more and more.

... Since when do I care about other people's views? My mind shook my head to shake off all my bad thoughts.

"Well, let's save that kid!" I continued to be determined again as I moved my feet closer to the crowd slowly as they were busy debating who was guilty of the calamity inflicted by the Veren family and the Alaric family. Those two families have really attracted a lot of attention, huh? Since the many articles published ...,

"It makes sense that the Veren family framed the killer?" Shouted the man who had previously gotten a fist from his friend Sean. He still firmly confirms his thoughts.

"Really! It makes no sense they framed the woman and had the support of the Alterio family." Her friend really tested my patience. Because I don't want to hear the talk about this anymore, it's too nauseating if every day hear rubbish gossip like this continues.

Although I don't care if they fuss about the Veren family and my family, but if until this is heard directly by Aster. I really can't stay silent.

"... You want to argue with me, huh?!" The girl's growl distracted me who was glued to Sean for a few seconds. My body was also standing behind the crowd.

Then I saw that the boy really did not open his mouth at all and just pegged resignedly where he stood. Listening to the commotion about his family in front of him directly.

"You guys!" Teo's voice made me look towards his arrival.

Likewise with everyone, they turned to look at Teo who was already standing not far from the crowd. Putting great pressure on them through her sharp gaze, "didn't hear what Carel said huh?" It continued making everyone mute and shudder in horror as it stared at its green bead. Hurriedly they threw away his gaze from Teo.

Even I was goosebumps when I saw that cruel expression.

"Didn't Carel and the principal forbid you to stop talking about the news? He also emphasized to all of you, right? Don't tell me you forgot?" He said it made the situation more severe and gripping.

If remembered again, the boy had indeed traveled around the academy and entered another class with Teo, indeed, they went to threaten all those who did not listen to the call from the headmaster who asked everyone to stop discussing the hot news. They both do it for the sake of Aster's comfort, for Aster they will do anything.

And I can see Teo's earnestness to protect Aster now, my inner self is again envious of Aster's figure who has the likes of Teo and Carel. Those who are always ready to protect him from annoying people like that bunch of people.

"Itu–Teo, we ...," said the woman who had defended Sean's family openly in front of many people, did not dare to continue her speech.

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Thanks for reading...