Let me be a mob! - Chapter 101- Confession and guilt

Jin was in a predicament. A very profound one at that.

He wanted to avoid Fiona and meet Dia to clear out the things that could hinder their team and individual growth. Although the flames were ignited by Aiden, it was not like Jin wasn’t aware of how Dia’s attitude had shifted suddenly toward Jin.

First, she requested him to become her fake lover and fiancé so she could escape the hierarchical race between her siblings. And now, these days, she has been including herself in almost every meeting of Fiona and Jin.

Previously, Dia always tried to provide those two as much private time as she could, but now things seemed different. Not to talk about how she frequently seemed to be paying attention to Jin or listlessly staring at him. And also, the decision Jin took to let Aiden be the team leader, wasn’t much liked by Dia as well.

…all these things were more than enough to trouble Jin and push him for a face-to-face confrontation.

However, little did he anticipate that this one-on-one conversation would turn out like this.

“Okay, so I came here to talk to Dia…about things you may not like Fiona.” There was no reason to hide things from her but considering the atmosphere, he thought it would be best if he confessed everything to Fiona in a better setup.

However, “I know why you are here, Jin, and I am also here for the same thing.” Hearing Fiona’s cold tone, Dia curled up even more in her chair as she sat beside her friend while facing Jin.

Jin raised his brows in surprise before asking, “You noticed it as well? Since when?”

“I notice everyone who notices you, Jin, and surely my best friend was no exception to it.”

In all honesty, even Jin was slightly unnerved by Fiona’s commanding presence. And then there was Dia, visibly shaken, with tears already pooling in her eyes.

Jin’s gaze softened before he called out for the Princess, “Dia, please calm down and can you tell me something, honestly?”

Upon hearing Jin’s gentle voice, Dia let out a deep sigh and nodded. She recognized her oversight, regretting her impulsiveness which had dragged Jin into this messy situation. But now, the situation was already laid bare.

Jin lifted his chair, positioning it a meter away from Dia. Once settled, he locked his gaze on her aquamarine ones in a serious tone as he voiced his query,

“Do you like me?”

The atmosphere grew tense and motionless around the three teenagers, with Jin’s looming question echoing in the silence. Dia, taken aback, appeared anxious as she met his profound gaze. Meanwhile, Fiona mirrored a similar sense of apprehension.

Out of complete unexpectedness, Dia felt a comforting arm resting over her shoulder before the blond princess turned to face her best friend’s comforting gaze.

“Don’t hesitate and tell us the truth.”

Upon being asked by Jin and assured by her friend, Dia cast her gaze low before she nodded in assent.

“Y-Yes….I do. For a long time.”

Jin breathed a sigh before he leaned back in his seat. Fiona’s real emotions couldn’t be read by her current expression as both of them heard Dia continuing,

“All those times when Fiona talked about her savior, I also began to put myself in such a scenario and always wished to be saved by someone so brave and kind…and after I was saved by Jin in the jungle and various incidences that have been transpiring all these times, just elevated my feelings for him.”

After a short pause and allowing her head to hang low, Dia continued, “I know I have betrayed your trust, Fiona and we might not be able to maintain our friendship because of my selfishness but I could no longer hide my feelings…”

No one saw what expression she had when she confessed all those words and predicted a probable future for their friendship, considering how possessive Fiona always has been of Jin.

Dia knew she shouldn’t have let her emotions surface this easily, but living like this any longer seemed a pipe dream for her. Not today, not tomorrow but very soon in the near future, she might have confessed her feelings and let go of this burden once and for all.

Was Dia truly not caring about her friendship with Fiona? No, that was not it. And the testament of the grief she was facing at the prospect of breaking apart from the closest person in her life, Dia found tears streaming down her cheeks and falling on her thighs

“Haah…Jin, shall we meet after some hours?”

Despite being hesitant, Jin nodded before getting up from his seat. His complicated gaze remained at Dia for a moment but he slightly shook his head and walked out of the room.

It’s better to tend to this situation with care.

****

Around nine, on the open training ground situated on the back side of the main building could be seen two figures currently standing while facing each other.

One of them looked ragged and injured from places while the other one seemed, entirely unaffected and still, like they hadn’t gone through an hour-long sparring session just now.

Well considering how little movement Amanda had to adapt in order to dodge her student’s attacks, it was understandable why she still looked fresh and ready to engage, at any moment.

Her body remained straight. Her sword was planted firmly on the ground with her palm pressed against the butt of the handle.

“Why this sudden s-*haah*-spar?”

While trying to regain his composure, Jin asked in between his labored breathing, with his broken daggers still resting in his grip.

The last hour was something one could conclude as an exhibition of true physical prowess and pristine martial arts. None of them tapped into their magical aspect and continued exchanging blows at a blinding pace.

But now, Amanda decided to level up the game.

“I am turning this one-month training into a one-week crash course.”

Jin raised his brows in surprise upon hearing the commitment. From how she looked, it seemed she was rather serious about saving her post as Jin’s teacher.

Regardless, he didn’t have anything against it since all he wanted was to get stronger as soon as he could as there was only one and a half month remaining for a calamity to befall.

“Now Jin…” Every hair on Jin’s body stood on end, a primal alert of impending danger. Swiftly, his focus shifted forward, catching sight of Amanda brandishing her sword and aiming it directly at him.

“… fight me with your life on line.”

“Eh?!”

****

A/N:- I am happy that you are reading my story 🙂