Let me be a mob! - Chapter 98- Banter?

It was early in the morning when Jin walked out of his dorm building only to find a familiar figure waiting for him near the reception.

“Morning, Fiona. Did you sleep well, last night?” Despite seeing those dark circles looming under her eyes, he had to ask it. He just couldn’t point out things that could make her conscious about her looks.

“No, because I was feeling restless about your condition the whole time. I might sleep in the afternoon today.” She covered her mouth at the end of her words, to stifle a yawn, that brought a tear to the corner of her eye.

Jin found the sight adorable before he wiped moisture and took hold of her hand.

“Well, being a Hero candidate we should be prepared to see each other in such conditions more often, no?” His argument was reasonable since being a Hero was no easy job whatsoever. Even during the learning phase, there were eight percent of overall chances for a student to meet their demise before graduation.

Despite knowing such, Fiona didn’t support Jin’s reasoning and kept her mouth shut. She didn’t want them to have a verbal battle once again just like yesterday. If not for Dia coming in between them, Fiona had a feeling that she might have said something rude to Jin yesterday and soured their relationship.

‘I need to keep my concerns in check…I couldn’t remain an irrational clingy girl all the time…’

Seriously, if not for Dia, Fiona might not have come this far in her relationship with Jin, given how many faults Fiona carries in her nature and personality.

Soon, the duo was met with another familiar person who was walking in circles around the entrance of the cafeteria. Since today there were no classes, there wasn’t any populace around the place which allowed the girl to move absentmindedly without concern of hitting someone.

“Dia?”

“Ah!” Hearing Jin’s voice, she flinched and brought her feet to an immediate halt.

Fiona approached the girl, before asking in a concerned tone, “Is ‘he’ inside as well?”

It didn’t take a genius to guess who this ‘he’ was and why it was making Dia so tense early in the morning.

Jin, who was not so far away from them, brushed the worries before he walked forward and hooked his arms with Dia and Fiona on either side.

“You guys worry a lot. Just go with the flow.”

“Ah, Jin, wait!”

Fiona exclaimed whereas Dia’s expression only turned into surprise at how calm Jin seemed unlike yesterday. Despite the fact he told them that he was just provoking Aiden for the latter’s betterment, Dia could feel something was wrong with him.

It felt like Jin was upset…almost lost by something. He never seemed so deflated as he was yesterday, but right now, there were no clouds of gloom surrounding him any longer.

‘What are you hiding Jin…’

Dia shelved the topic for later since at the moment, there was something more alarming to focus on.

Like on cue, the whole cafeteria turned immediately silent upon seeing the trio entering the place. There weren’t many students but those who were, shut their mouths and turned their eyes toward a single person currently having his breakfast with his companions.

“Eeik!” Silvie ducked her head upon witnessing Jin near the entrance. She wasn’t present at the time the battle occurred yesterday, but she knows from the talks amongst the students and the condition of the garden, that Jin and Aiden had a nasty battle.

Even Rena shifted in her seat uncomfortably, as her gaze traveled toward Aiden who was still eating his breakfast like he didn’t sense Jin’s presence at all.

The surrounding people began to evacuate as soon as they could and the people who remained inside the cafeteria were two of the council members from the third year who were a part of the disciplinary committee.

The lanky tall guy with blue hair stood on the left with his arms crossed on his chest and on the right stood the redhead with whom Fiona and Jin went on the raid—Eimi, who wore an excited grin, expecting a battle to ensue so she could jump in.

Jin smirked at the lackluster response of Aiden, before he removed his hands from the small confinement Dia and Fiona had created subconsciously to not let him go.

“Jin, wait…” Fiona’s weak whisper was replied to with a kind smile from Jin before he walked toward the table where the trio sat.

Rena looked anxious about this as she stood from her seat to pacify the situation if it had come down to it.

However, Jin didn’t bother disturbing Aiden since his main focus was on none other than Rena.

“For yesterday, I apologize for saying such rude things about you. I was being a little too full of myself.” With a slight bow of his head, Jin extended his apology for saying things he never meant.

*Silence*

Utter silence prevailed across the cafeteria as everyone heard Jin’s sincere tone which asked for forgiveness. Yesterday, how much Aiden forced Jin to say sorry about the insult he spat about Rena, Jin didn’t waver, and now…

Fiona, Dia, and Silvie were purely dumbfounded. Rena looked like her tongue had just been stolen by a bird as she failed to form a proper word of response. And about Aiden… the guy had a small smirk lifting the sides of lips yet he didn’t stop from finishing his meal.

“I-I mean…what you said wasn’t actually completely wrong…I am quite weak compared to you…”(Rena)

“It would have been appropriate for me to call you weakling Rena if I didn’t know how much work you put behind your training. How hard you practice your skills and technique day after day to become a better version of yourself. So please don’t defend my rudeness, and if possible, forgive me.”

Rena slightly blushed in embarrassment hearing those words from Jin. However, she didn’t make it any more awkward and replied with a nod of her head.

“Alright then…I forgive you. Ah but, I will ask for more sparing sessions from now on, alright?”

With her usual grin lifting her lips, Rena crossed her arms on her breast before announcing her intentions which hadn’t wavered even though she was so severely beaten the previous day.

Jin nodded with a smile before adding, “I will be waiting-”

*Screech*

Before Jin could finish his words, Aiden slid his chair before getting up, rising like a stone pillar to block Jin’s view from Rena.

Everyone once again tensed up, as they saw Aiden taking his tray and walking toward the dustbin before he threw the tray and went to get a wet wipe from the counter.

The audience held their breath while Jin looked neutral, with no emotions visible on his face whatsoever.

Eimi and the other members of the disciplinary committee grew closer as they saw Aiden making his way back toward Jin.

However, against everyone’s expectation, Aiden neither passed any rude comment nor immediately started physical assaults, rather…

“So, when should I expect my share of apology?”

Jin raised his brows before replying in an amused tone, ” Apology, my ass. You should beg for forgiveness for breaking my arm.”

Aiden’s shoulder relaxed before he allowed his lips to extend in a smile as he replied in a softer tone.

“Guess, we are both at fault huh? How about we throw the needless banter and get on with the topic of concern?”

Rena tilted her head in confusion, but before she could have asked the meaning behind his words, Jin stated.

“Party formation, eh? Well, we have all the members present here.”

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A/N: I hope you guys liked the chapter~