Chapter 21: A New Friend?

I felt the cool breeze of the afternoon whip past me carrying with it the scent of the forest that surrounded our “campus”. It was refreshing, it felt like a break from all the chaos that happened this morning.

“Just what was happening? At first there was that black Epico, now this… Just when will I get a break?”

A groan escaped my lips as I threw my weight against the wooden bench that faced the balcony. Despite the efforts I did, all I got was a headache and an anxiety attack thanks to thinking about the issue at hand. I looked down at my palms, only to find them shuddering, like they were exhausted or erratic. Stress does this to people… I think? Hell, I couldn’t even glean info from Shan since she was still out cold!

“Got an extra space for two?”

H-Huh?

It was a tall burly man, standing at about six feet or possibly more. His face was as neutral as it can get, relaxed brows, lips forming a grim line, and sunken cheeks. The guy stared at me with a glower, his spiky black hair swaying with the breeze that passed by us.

“K-Klaus?”

The man just nodded.

“W-What are you doing here?”

“I don’t see a sign saying that you own this place. Care to show me?”

Ah… it’s this type of guy again. Pursing my lips, I stood up, dusting my clothes. But just when I was about to walk away, a huge meaty hand gripped my shoulder.

“Sorry… that is not what I meant to say. But in any case… this place has been an area to think for me. I just found it strange that you were lounging here since almost no one visits this veranda anymore.”

Wait… he won’t punch me or anything?

“Ah… I-I see! That’s really sad… but it’s time for me to leave. Don’t want you being bothered while thinking, right?”

However, the grip on my shoulder tightened.

“I don’t recall saying I dislike you being here. Far from it, it gives me a person to confide to instead of keeping it all to myself.”

Alright! Alright! Now can you please unhand me mister! I swear, I need an adult half of the times these things happen!

He probably noticed my discomfort since he released me from his grip. I then sat beside him, looking at the view that stretched far into the horizon. The elephant in the room was right beside me, and it was quite the thickheaded specimen.

In the end, the big man initiated the conversation.

“So… are you dating someone?”

“M-Me? No! I have been as barren as a field during a drought! I don’t even know why you view me that way!”

“But you hang around so many famous girls, Shan who is the principal’s favorite, Cora whose role is to lead the peace and order committee, and even Adria who is the medical team’s prodigy. With so many options I am certain someone would fall for you eventually, right?”

Oh my sweet summer child, that is not how romance works… I shook my head in disproval, causing the man’s brows to raise quite a fair bit.

“Listen, Shan, Cora, and Adria are all currently my friends. Shan is busy studying, Cora is busy leading, and Adria has shifts to finish. I do not think I am in the position to bother them… not that I cared to begin with.”

That, well that was obviously a big fat lie. I could only hope that those romances won’t fly my way, maybe Shan… a bit hesitant with Cora, but certainly not Adria. Hearing her voice twenty-four seven is like hearing a bunch of nails scratching against a chalkboard. Well, returning my thoughts to the conversation at hand.

The man gave me a slight nod, rubbing his chin as if he understood what I said, despite how simple the thought was. He seemed to contemplate the absolutely thoughtless regard I gave him, humming ever so slightly.

I felt a bit guilty for staying silent so with a heavy sigh, I shot him a question.

“So? What stuff do you do over here? Do you bring friends ov-“

“No. You were one of the few people who attempted to talk to me. Not even Geon approaches me.”

Klaus bit down on his lip, hard. He seemed to be in distress his brows even knitting closely to a frown. The man also tapped his sole against the ground as he said those words.

As for myself, I felt uncomfortable, just a bit fluttery as if butterflies were in my stomach. I looked at him with twitching brows and quivering lips.

“Is that so… Well at least I got to talk with you…”

I paused a bit and reclined against the bench’s backrest with a smirk

“I mean, you are a pretty cool guy Klaus. It makes me wonder why you don’t have more friends.”

“I-It’s probably since I speak weird, and I look weird. I’m really tall, bland, and-“

“You are cool the way you are.”

I shot him a smile and a thumbs up, causing the childish behemoth to giggle softly.

“Thanks, you’re actually really awesome despite all the things people say about you.”

A wry smile emerged from my lips as I tiredly slumped down the backrest of the bench, following up with a soft huff.

“Yeah… I suppose.”

“Cheer up man, the more people learn about you, the better their perception of you would be. And trust me, with that kind attitude of yours, they would surely warm up fast!”

Heh, speak for yourself. How can I be considered kind if all I did was hurt others and fail all my responsibilities? That is the opposite of a kind person since kind people do things to best help others and not be selfish with their goals. I am naïve, and I would be the end of my existence someday.

“Sure.”

Klaus gave me a slight hit on the back, grinning from ear to ear, far from the usual personality he showed in class.

“Well, that’s a wrap, continue looking forward and believe in yourself, alright Pyre?”

“Y-Yeah…”

I let out a dry chuckle, cocking my head to the side as I forced the laughter out of my gullet. A drop of sweat rolled down my cheek when I did the deed.

“Ah, that’s right. I want to ask you why you act differently from when you are in class… I couldn’t help but notice that you feel more, happy, outside of class.”

The man gritted his teeth after that. He leaned forward, resting his head on his arms that were propped up on his legs. Klaus stared far into the horizon, the sky reflecting in his eyes as the man actively avoided my gaze.

“Class… Class is a form of duty for me, my friend. As someone who was raised to prioritize the safety of others and those around me, I couldn’t help but take it seriously. If my power could help save more people, then that just means that I am on the right path!”

Klaus raised his fist in the air with a loud cheer. He felt like a cheesy nineties’ era superhero but quite frankly, the act had an odd charm. It almost made me laugh had he not been serious before saying it.

“I see, well I hope you get stranded on some planet soon and get adopted by two loving parents who will raise you as a super son.”

I faced the man with a grin but he returned my sentiments with a frown.

“Then what, you will follow me behind on a space pod before questioning while I haven’t slaughtered anyone?”

“Nah, I’m going to ask you where the alien anime girls are.”

The man’s cheeks puffed up as I shot him a playful wink whilst pointing at him with a grin.

“Cheeky… but wait… you got the reference!”

The two of us roared in excitement shortly after and we spent the day just catching up about shows we knew, discussing plots and such. In a way it has been quite refreshing. It has been a while since I last discussed stuff with Shan after all. I thought that we would last the entire day lounging there but soon enough, something, well someone, reminded me of why I could no longer do that.

“Five in the evening, and you’re here out in the open despite the threat to your life? Should I really be watching over your every move, Pyre?”

“C-Cora?”

I scrambled off my seat to look behind me. I soon found that petite black-haired lady who was staring directly into my soul, missing my face by only a few inches for that matter. She let out a huff, but just when her mouth was about to open, Klaus got up from his seat and looked at her with same glower he had when he was in class.

“Sorry to be intruding but is it fine if you let him off the hook for once.”

“Huh, and let him off with this carelessness? Just yesterday, he got attacked by a monster and this morning, we have discovered a group of students attacked by the same monster that attempted to hunt Pyre.”

She huffed and leaned forward, her eyes locked with Klaus.

“So, Mr. Klaus, any suggestions on how I should treat him?”

Cora’s lips at this point were curved into a prideful smirk, almost like she has proven a point. Yet, Klaus cracked up a bit when she was done, causing that smirk of hers to quickly turn into a frown.

“Oh, am I not enough? I remembered us being almost equals the last time we tested our strength. Besides, it’s Pyre’s life, you cannot put him on a leash all the time.”

The lady in black grit her teeth, almost snarling at the man in front of her.

“Listen, Cora, I know you care for Pyre here, but be decadent sometimes. Sweetness is better than being harsh all the time, just look at how he bolted out the bench. Isn’t that right Pyre?”

Klaus looked at me with a smile while Cora had a glare, staring daggers right at me before cracking her fist.

It was a threat…

“I guess I get h-her sentiments, b-but, I also think Klaus is correct. You don’t have to patronize me for it.”

Klaus just sighed before giving me a slight grin. Cora on the other hand, well she just crossed her arms and huffed.

“I suppose Klaus is correct too… but do make sure that you think about how me or your other friends might feel…”

“Hey, that’s the best of both worlds Pyre, live with that philosophy alright? In any case, it seems that the little missy has come pick you up. So, what would it be?”

The two of them looked at me with different expressions. Klaus looked a bit sullen despite his pokerfaced expression, noticeable in the way his shoulders drooped. Cora on the other hand was embarrassed, her eyes darting away then back at me whilst having a blush on her face.

I let out a sigh and walked over to Klaus.

“I will see you next time bud. Just remember to hang here more often, after all, this has been a pretty chill spot for me… no… for us.”

“Sure Pyre, will do. Now scurry off with missy there, she seems a bit impatient.”

Having heard his remark, I swiftly turned to face Cora who now had a pout, accompanied by the same blushing face from earlier. With my back still turned, I waved my hand in the air as I walked over to Cora.

“See you around Klaus. Be sure to stay chipper.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice man!”

Soon enough, Cora snatched my free wrist before dragging me to the cafeteria for an early dinner. However, instead of feeling disappointed that me and Klaus’s time was cut short, I felt warm knowing that I gained yet another friend in this new life of mine...

I hope nothing ever changes…