Comfort Hug

One week passed since Kinrue and Raven went to the seaside. They never seen each other again despite of being on the same school grounds. They've become busy on their own, Raven's focus on the training while Kinrue and most of the students focus themselves in preparing for the upcoming school anniversary. Although the homeroom teachers told them to cooperate with each other, all she did, along with her friends, was to watch and run an errand. They don't even let them spend more time inside the classroom.

"Those fools, why can't they let us help? If the homeroom teacher notice we're just roaming around... Argh! I don't want to see that old baldy man." Ashley said while they're walking in the hallway.

"You can't blame them, in the first day of organizing, we made a big mess. I'm too strong to handle any decorations. You're clumsy to ruin everything around you, and Kinrue's just a colossal idiot who can't do anything right." Camie mumble facepalming herself as those nightmares came back.

"Camie, my friend. You're too harsh." Kinrue clings to her arms and chuckles.

"Argh! It's so hot! I don't think I can walk anymore. Camie, my friend, what should I do?" Ashley cling to her other arms that made her stop from walking as her face turns dim.

"The two of you..." she said in a restrained tone.

"H-huh?!" Both her friends look at her with a question mark. She sigh in disbelief before removing their hands by force.

"If you know it's hot, stop clinging to me. Idiots." She said, shouting on top of her lungs and walk ahead of them.

The two, who got left behind, look at each other before turning their gaze back to Camie. It seems like she's releasing a steam out of her body as she walks with a heavy step.

"Our friend, she's not mad at us, right?" Ashley's eyes got teary as she turns to Kinrue.

"Of course not. The vending machine's the real problem. We thought we can get something cool to drink, but it's under repair."

"R-right. C-Camie wait for us. I'll treat you to whatever drinks you want. Let's go Kinkin."

"You go. I don't think I can walk anymore. I'm out of energy. Buy me a drink. I'll wait for the two of you at the basketball gym."

Ashley nods her head like a child before running after Camie, who's waiting for her. She just watch them walk away until they vanished from her line of sight. Today's a hectic day for them. They rather help the others on decorating than be an errand girl. Since morning, the three of them keep moving from one place to another. If it's not buying some supplies, they assigned to throw the trash or bought them snacks. The worst thing is the scorching weather outside. A sigh escape from Kinrue's mouth while thinking about everything happened earlier. She's about to walk towards the basketball gym, but saw Raven, Mirko and the other two of their member in volleyball club passed beside her. Her brows frowned, looking at his back as if piercing a hole, but her gaze got stuck on the drinks he's holding. The wide smile and sparkling eyes she made turns to disgust as she saw the green grapes flavored juice he's drinking.

"Why is almost everything isn't working in this school? It's so hot, I don't want to move anymore." She flinch when a woman who passed by said those words while wiping her sweats.

"Don't talk. Let's just finish all of this and go home."

She gulp and gaze to the juice Raven's drinking now. It's the flavor she hates, but she can't wait for her friends to come. She'll get drained because of the weather and dehydration.

Another deep sigh escape her mouth before running in his direction. She pulled his shirt that made him stop, but before he can react, Kinrue take a step in front of him and pull his hand that holds the green grapes juice to match her height so she can drink it. She can't help but frown while gulping down the cold juice drink. It's refreshing for her body, as if a gush of energy filling inside, but the flavor doesn't suit her.

"What are you doing, empty head?" She flinches upon hearing a chilling voice of the man in front. As she looks up, his menacing aura and eyes that seem blazing on fire give chills down her spine. "Are you nut?"

"I-It's hot. The vending machine isn't working, and the bottled water in the cafeteria is out of stock. You just pass by, but luckily I saw your drinks and without knowing I'm already drinking that disgusting flavored juice."

She heard his teammates gasps in surprise and saw them looking in Raven's direction with quivering eyes.

"D-disgusting?" A single word, but full of disbelief and madness. She looks to Raven again, but for a second, it seems like she saw a demon, not a human.

"D-did I say that word? I-I mean, it's so refreshing, right? You all hear it, right?" She glance towards Mirko and the rest, giving them a sign to just ride on her desperate escape plan.

"Y-yeah, you're in a bad mood dude since earlier, so cool down." Mirko pat his back and gives an awkward life so the others.

Even though the demon's horn vanished, his dark aura isn't going down. 'He's really not in a good mood,' Kinrue thought while glancing at him. It's been a long while since they last saw each other so she didn't know the things happened recently.

"What's with that ugly-looking face, sh*thead?" She composed herself and asked, though deep inside she's preparing to run if he burst out. "Is it because I drink that dis—I mean refreshing juice? Don't worry, I'll buy you later so,"

"Argh! Never mind, I'm not in the mood to argue with you."

Kinrue left dumbfounded when he walked passed by her without saying a single word anymore. She turns in his direction with a question mark, but nothing's coming into her mind. Instead, she looks back to his teammates. They flinch as their gazes met.

"What's wrong with him? Did he fight with someone or got scolded by your coach?"

"No. It's not like that, I guess?"

"Huh?! What do you mean?"

"Well, after our practice yesterday, the team captain treat us outside to eat, but some group of men from other school came to Raven, insulting him." One of the man said, scratching the back of his head.

"Insult? Who f*cking dare to insult an elite like him?"

"We're all surprise and speechless. Those people keeps laughing at him saying nonsense like he's not fit in any sports, he's meant to lose, just do nothing and hide behind your parents back, he'll end up running away and I think I heard they said something about killing someone. It's nonsense, right?"

"Callie got mad at them and step up to talk back, but they made fun of her and lusting on her body. Raven got really mad and almost punch them. But luckily, the captain stops him before it gets worst and warns those men to go away."

"Until now, he's in a bad mood. Even the atmosphere inside the gym isn't good. We're all suffocating. I can't explain those feelings."

"Kinkin! We came into the basketball gym, but Lorcan told us you're not there." She turn back and saw Camie and Ashley. They both look confuse while looking back and forth between her and Mirko's teammates.

Kinrue chuckles and taps Mirko's shoulder, giving a playful smirk. "You better survive for today. Good luck."

"Rue, let's go. Our break time's almost over."

"I'm coming,"

She run towards them with a smile on face, but Mirko and the rest seems gets more down because of the word she blurted out.

"Why are you talking with those men?" Camie asked while they're walking towards the basketball gym.

"It's nothing,"

"Kinkin, here's your strawberry milk drink."

"Oh, thanks."

They continue to walk without talking, but when they passed the volleyball gym, Kinrue suddenly stops. She looks at the strawberry milk drink and glance inside the gym. It seems like the words Mirko blurted out before are true. The atmosphere inside isn't good.

"Rue, what are you doing?"

"The two of you go ahead of me. I'll just pay my debt to someone."

"What?"

"Just go, I'll be quick." She pushed the two forward and watch them enter the next gym before looking back to volleyball gym.

She looks around the area, but she didn't see Raven, only his team members. Amidst of searching, she didn't notice a ball coming in her direction. It's impossible to dodge because of how fast it moves. In the end, she just closes her eyes, covering her face with both hands out of instinct. Few seconds passed, but the ball didn't come. She open her eyes and saw a hand caught it.

"What the hell are you doing not dodging it, empty head?" A familiar voice behind said. She looks behind and saw Raven with an emotionless face as he throws the ball back inside.

Kinrue, with a teary-eyed, turns around and hug him tight that startles Raven. "You saved me there, sh*thead. I thought it'll hit my face."

"Let go of me,"

"I'm scared."

"Hey, stop acting. I'm not in the mood and everyone's looking at us." He whisper before glancing to his members.

"Tsk. Can't you just act too? You're really a kill joy. There's nothing but bitterness inside you." Kinrue let go of him and stare.

"What? Do you need something?"

"Here." She gives the strawberry milk drink to him. "I'm paying back the drink I awe you before."

"Are you annoying me? I hate this drink."

"Well, we're quits. I hate that disgusting juice you're drinking before."

"What did you say?" His stern voice made Kinrue flinch, but she compose herself.

She heaves a deep sigh. "What's wrong with you? It's only been a week since the last time we saw each other, but you look more exhausted than me. Did something happen?"

"Nothing. Go back to your friends. We're busy here." He's about to walk inside, but Kinrue holds his right hand.

"Hey,"

"I told you, nothing happened. Leave."

"If nothing happened, then stop looking like you're going to kill everyone. Do you hear me?"

They look at each other straight into their eyes. A few seconds of silence came in between them until Raven gives up and heaves a sigh. He takes a step back before pulling her and give a hug.

"What are you doing? If your woman saw you doing this,"

"Callie isn't here."

"So, you're free to cheat?"

"I'm in a terrible mood. It's a comfort."

Kinrue chuckles and hugs him back. "You're great kindhearted enemy is comforting you. It's not bad."

"Are you even aware that my team members are looking at us?"

"Who cares? If this act changes your mood."

"You're really something,"

"Anyway, I need to leave. Brother's waiting for me at the gym next door."

"Brother?"

"It's my handsome, talented honey pie, sweetie pie, baby Lorcan." She separates with him and gives a wide grin.

"You're crazy."

"See you later, darling. Give me a kiss next time."

Kinrue wink at him before walking away.