[ Slowly Falling Into Places ]
Miss Jenny's annoyed expression turned into a smirk.
She was truly different when she wasn't teaching, and this proved his thoughts.
"...Y-you," stuttered Emilia.
She was blinking rapidly, her red eyes looking around as if trying to get a hold of something that could save her from drowning.
"Well, you managed to steal my card again, Emilia. As you know, its balance will be deducted from yours."
Miss Jenny leaned even closer.
"I'm truly surprised. I thought you were the kind of girl who could stand for herself. Yet, two days in a row you're taken advantage of? Huh..."
She then looked at Geoffrey.
"And you were deceived by this one?"
Her gaze went up and down, Geoffrey's normal-looking expression made her exhale quickly, unimpressed.
She then stood upright, palming her own cheek.
"What will I do with you? Your balance is already in the negative, now I doubt you'll ever earn anything... And trust me, one does not want to go through the trials without any money..."
She then sighed.
"Alright, time to get a new card, I'll be eating late, today."
Geoffrey was still holding the white card he grabbed from Emilia's grasp.
"I'll use this to cover your expenses," said Geoffrey.
Miss Jenny was about to leave. She had taken a few steps away yet quickly turned back toward both of them, frowning.
It was a simple sentence, said in a very neutral way. It was also said by the most unimpressive person she had ever met.
Yet, as simple as that sentence sounded, it clawed into her mind like an eagle holding its prey.
"Wait..." said Jenny.
Emilia's eyes left the ground, meeting Geoffrey's. She was also frowning, piecing the puzzle together. It only took a few seconds, but at the end of those, it looked like weights had suddenly been taken off her shoulders.
She was chuckling, at first subtly, but it quickly grew into a burst of laughter.
"You can't use the card to cover her balance. She's already borrowing against herself. It doesn't make any sense."
"We're not covering my balance," she said. "There's no point, now that we have your white card. We'll use it to pay for anything we might ever need."
Miss Jenny's face that had softened from Emilia's pain, was back at an even angrier state.
She was red, veins popping out of her forehead and neck while her hands were in tight fists.
"You..." she started.
She then turned toward Geoffrey, slamming her fists on the table.
"I'll cancel the card right now!"
Geoffrey frowned, feigning ignorance.
"Why?" he asked.
"You think you're so smart? You've stolen it from me, and you clearly have it in your possession. You're not giving it back, so I'm cancelling it."
Geoffrey's eyes went toward the ceiling, the tip of his finger resting on his lips.
"Hmm. But, then again, all those things were also true when Jet stole your white card the other day... But I don't recall that one being cancelled..."
Miss Jenny chuckled, crossing her arms on her chest.
"You think I care?!"
"Well, those are your own rules, aren't they? You now want to unfairly apply them based on your personal whims? I personally don't mind. I do wonder what Death might think of that, however."
"You think Death's on your side?!" chuckled Miss Jenny.
"Let's ask her. She who treats all equally in death, what she feels about all of this."
Geoffrey turned around, ready to walk away. Miss Jenny jumped forward, tightly grabbing his arm to keep him there.
"However—," he quickly added. "We could fix this situation quite easily, and make everyone happy without bothering Death."
The teacher stood still, closely listening.
As she wasn't moving or talking, Geoffrey continued.
"You could link the balance of the cards to those who actually stole them. That means, link the first card to Jet, and this one to me," he said, waving the card.
"To those who actually stole them..." she whispered to herself.
"Yes. Jet manipulated Emilia to steal it for himself. You saw him leave with it, with your own two eyes. You just saw me do the same. Let's just say you're being justice's hammer. You're righting the wrongs."
Geoffrey could see the thoughts rapidly succeeding through her eyes. She was thinking long and hard, and he needed her to.
Death had never participated in his generation's trials. It was pure conjecture that she'd strive for equality.
The things she had put him through, along with the others were truly horrible.
The rules, however, had always been fair.
No matter the game or test she forced upon them, everyone had the same odds. The rules were always fair, but everything that was 'between' the rules wasn't.
Deceit, manipulation, treachery. Anything was allowed, as long as the rules were followed as stipulated.
"And," added Geoffrey, "I'll give this card back right now."
Miss Jenny's smirk slowly grew back on her face, her tight grip on his arm slowly weakening.
She truly was devious.
She caught on, thought Geoffrey.
"So be it. I'll link the first card to Jet, and this one to you."
She then extended her hand, Geoffrey giving the card back.
A loud snap was heard as she quickly snatched the card from his hand.
"Thank you."
Before leaving, she added one last thing.
"I will make sure no cards are ever stolen again. This little trick won't work anymore."
She then left, proudly walking away.
Emilia exhaled as if she had held her breath for hours.
"Wow! This was..."
She looked at Geoffrey with a look of guilt.
"I'm, huh..."
"Don't apologize," cut Geoffrey. "You should learn from this. Things can always get worst. And those you trust are the ones most likely to betray you. Had I walked away with this card, you never would've had a chance."
Emilia looked down, nodding in agreement.
"I didn't really have a chance from Jet alone, trusting you couldn't have made it worst."
Geoffrey shook his head, almost in disappointment.
"Jet took your card for fun. He's chaotic. He does anything he wants with little regard for others. It's like giving a gun to a toddler. It's extremely dangerous, but not as much as giving it to a hitman."
"A gun? Is money that important?"
"It is."
She sighed. She knew he was right.
"I'm surprised she agreed, I thought she'd be a bit more stubborn," she said.
They both sat down at the table once more, Geoffrey waving at Trev, the waiter, for him to approach them.
She knows I have the first card, all I've done is trade Emilia's place with Jet.