Aster Veren
Episode 97's

-nadin

"Congratulations," I muttered as I reached the front door of the classroom with my hunting breath after running from the dormitory towards the academy.

... hah, I feel like I've used up all my life energy. Very tiring, my mind is still with my hunting breath.

"But only infiltrated Kalea's room to return her diary secretly, but she felt very tired. Just wanted to ditch." I continued while looking at my watch which had shown at 06:53 am.

Seven minutes later the bell will ring soon. Then I justified my uniform that was a little messy due to running around earlier. And I set my breath as best I could before reaching the classroom door in front of me and opening it very carefully, checking the atmosphere in the classroom. Mr. Vito's fear had arrived before the bell rang, as happened a few days ago.

Aman, my mind when I don't find Mr. Vito anywhere.

"But ... Why is the atmosphere so strange like this?" My murmurs watched everyone who was already sitting silently in their respective places. Then I closed the classroom door behind me before stepping my feet towards my seat.

"For Nadin." Greet Tia with a big smile when I get to my place.

"Morning," I replied as I placed my school bag on the table.

"Why are you so late this morning?" He slightly tilted his head with a questionable look.

"It's not too late, there's seven minutes left before the bell rings." I replied after sighing tiredly and landing my ass on the chair.

"By the way today the atmosphere is a bit different than usual, what's the matter?" I continued to shrink my voice while watching everyone's backs. They all looked tense except for Teo, Sean, Hendric, Aster and the girl next to me–Tia.

"Actually ..," whispered Tia as she brought her seat closer to mine, and her hands began to cover her mouth that was already approaching my ears. And I immediately confirmed my sitting position, preparing to listen to her whisper.

"So, everyone in the class talked about gossip last night. They also shunned Sean blatantly after insinuating him as the son of a murderer, then–" He continued to be cut off as I shouted "What?!" unconsciously, but Tia quickly closed my mouth and held her index finger near her lips.

"You really surprised me!" He said, releasing his hand from my mouth.

"Ma–maaf, I was also surprised to hear your story," I said making him sniff at me. Maybe because I cut the story and kept everyone's attention on us for a while.

"Then what happened? They couldn't have been so silent if no one had stopped them, right?" I whispered again, wanting to know the next story.

"Then a bunch of girls stood up for Sean like last night and made a fuss again. You know girls believe the rumors about the Veren family that framed Alaric's family?" His reply recounted his continuation while whispering enthusiastically.

I was confused as to what kind of response Tia was, should I be upset that she really enjoyed gossiping like this. Or should I thank you for giving me information?

Besides, I feel like my life is being threatened right now. Given that I spread the rumors myself to destroy Kalea at the right time. But after getting threats from Carel and Teo, I had to stop the rumor flow.

Though I just make a good atmosphere when Kalea's patience runs out and reveals her true identity to everyone. But I have to stop for my safety and .. to make amends for all my wrongs to her. My mind remembers the contents of the letter Teo gave me.

"This is how the boy defended Aster, right?" My muttering as my consciousness returned made Tia nod her head steadily. It was clear they were defending Aster, the boy would be known as the only daughter of Mr. Ansel. She was also dubbed as the most beautiful woman in the academy because of the purple beads she had.

"Continue while they were arguing, Aster and Teo came over. They heard the commotion and made them all shut up, you know Teo's threat? He immediately stared intently at everyone in front of him, while Aster, dia–" Clearly again cut off by the arrival of Mr. Vito along with the bell that rang, the doorbell that rang, making me sigh rough along with Tia who also took a big breath with her regretful expression, maybe because the story should he pause until the break later.

***

After a long period of patience waiting for the break bell to ring, finally my ears could hear that beautiful voice along with the departure of Mr. Vito from our class.

Why is this kid? My mind felt fear and goosebumps when it saw Tia's attitude change.

"Continue? Want to follow up this morning?" The question left me speechless for a moment.

"A–what?"

"The story of the commotion this morning, how when everyone was silent when they heard Aster's words,"

"Ah~" I muttered remembering our conversation this morning, I almost forgot if I wasn't reminded.

And without me noticing, it seemed like Tia really liked gossiping, fortunately she was able to patiently close her mouth and wait until the break came. And luckily he didn't invite me to chat during class, I was really very impressed with his patience. Not many people can hold back like him. My mind while sighing in relief.

"Ya–iya, go." My answer made him even more enthusiastic, "but on the way to the cafeteria ya." I felt hunger in my stomach.

"okay!" He spoke excitedly as he rose from his seat, still with his sparkling eyes.

"... Where did we talk this morning?" I was trying to recall my conversation with Tia this morning.

"Aster and Teo heard a commotion as they arrived at the classroom, their arrival made everyone shut up as Teo interrupted the female group's quarrel with the male group with his sharp gaze, while Aster, who was the only one who was in the class, interrupted him, he cornered the group of women with his thoughts." Clearly walking beside me.

"really?" My question made him immediately look at me and nod enthusiastically as our eyes met.

"Yes, you know what Aster said back then?"

"What?"

"He said, "which fool would want to trap another's family at the expense of one of his family's lives? And again, is there no more useful talk for you to discuss? Why is it so noisy to talk about other people's family problems? And nobody, it sucks". I see, he's really cool. I was stunned by it, the look in her eyes when it was also very beautiful. Her purple beads looked shiny as she stared at everyone's cynics. I want to be close friends with Nadin." He continued at length with his increasingly radiant expression.

It was the first time I ever made friends with a freak like this kid. Can he be stunned at someone who is upset? Isn't that weird? Yeah, plus he's stunned at girls.

But it is still understandable that the child looks beautiful, cute and adorable. But these? The one shown is not an expression like the one I mentioned. And again wouldn't it be more normal if he was stunned at the opposite sex? Like most people who are stunned at the figure of a handsome and cool man.

"Ah, Aster!" He said with a happy expression as we entered the canteen.

I saw that he had run to the Aster table in a hurry. "Don't he have to come in line with me first?" I muttered while looking at the long queue on the other side.

"Yes, whatever. I'm hungry, if he's hungry like me. He's gonna be in line, too, right?" I continued while walking towards the queue after glancing at the Aster table at a glance.

It seems that he is also having fun with Teo, Carel and Kalea. But Tia was bothering them instead .., my mind sighed wearyly at the sight of this extremely long line.

"I should have rushed to the cafeteria first, just heard Tia's story." I regretted breathing out tired again.

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Thanks for reading...