“Eli-chan. Let's go eat at the canteen.”

He pat my head from behind. I didn't noticed him at all.

But what is he even getting intimate with me for? Doesn't he already HAVE HIS FIRST LOVE?

I tilt my head away from his hand.

“No. I need to do something.”

“Oh really? You're just dozing off though.”

Don't cheat on that bitch!

“Hmmp.”

“Fufufufufufu...”

He giggles while seemingly confuse.

“Mark-kun, Miss Hecate. Do you want to come with us?”

I hear something annoying from my side so I turn my head to it.

It's the bitch and the rest of the girls.

“Oh hell hello there Mae-chan, Mary, and my dear Rose.”

“Don't call me like that you disgusting bastard!”

“How harsh.”

“Hehehe. Mark-kun, you should apologize to Rose-chan. She still, apparently haven't forgiven you yet.”

“My dear Rose. Are you still mad at me?”

“I said don't call me that! And humph! Don't overvalue yourself. Who do you think you are for me to be mad at?! You're not worthy of my anger!”

“Then kiss me like the old times.”

Hmmp. It's really impressive how you can flirt with other woman when I— Mae is here.

“Wha—?! How dare you! Why would I do that?!”

“Fufufufu. You love me after all.”

“How-dare-YOU! I never loved you! Not even once! You're a disgusting cowardly bastard who cower in fear. You're not worthy of me!”

She speaks harshly but she's so red like a ripe fruit as if juices will come out of her face if you just squish it even a little. She's clearly embarrassed.

Why are you flirting with her?

You don't really take me seriously aren't you, Mark?

It looks he doesn't really want me anymore.

“Heh. You never? Not even once? Fufufufufu. I wonder who was that who said , ‘I love you’ along with the soft chilly breeze of the night with moistened bright loving eyes while basking in the silver moonlight?”

“You....”

Mark giggles and Rose's eyes started tearing up while her body is trembling. It looks like she's about to cry.

But she didn't.

Instead, she kicks Mark's face.

I instinctively try to get up to protect him but I am surrounded by chairs and I'm currently sitting so my mobility is restricted.

So I'll be too late.

*Swish~*

I assumed Mark will be hit but he dodges skillfully. He only tilted his head enough to evade Rose's kick by hairsbreadth.

Ahhhh........

I see.

I forgot.

Perhaps it's because I've been so use with protecting him all this time— fighting in his place, or that I really never saw him fight by himself that I forgot.

Mark never needed my protection at all. He's strong himself even before he met me.

He doesn't need me. I actually have no value for him huh. No wonder he won't want me anymore once that  bitch came back.

She is trash but Mark still chose her. It's actually a matter of affection.

Is that why I'm unwanted now?

Because he already have whatever I could give him?

I bite my lips.

“Why are you kicking me all of sudden?”

“Tch.”

“Uh, well calm down Rose-chan. Let's not be violent here.”

Mary blocks Rose from Mark.

“Yours truly affirm.”

“And you should stop as well Mark-kun. Stop bullying Rose-chan.”

“I am not bullying her.”

“Humph!”

Rose turn her eyes away from Mark and takes several steps back.

“Mark-kun, will you come with us?”

Mae comes forward.

Should I just leave them alone?

“No!”

I stand up jerkily. All of them are looking at me with questioning gaze. Even my classmates are staring at us.

“Miss Hecate... Is there a problem?”

I also don't know why I did that. Mark doesn't want me anymore. So why?

No. I... I still haven't asked his side. What if I'm actually wrong?

Wait. That's right. I haven't asked Mark's side yet.

This is your fault mom!

“No. Mark and I just have something to talk about.”

“Do we?”

Yes we do. Unless you really don't want me anymore.

I grab his arm.  I then lead the way towards the canteen while pulling him away.

“Wait don't grab me. Uhhh, oh hell. My bad Mae-chan, Rose, Mary.”

“No it's fine.”

“Humph. I don't care at all. Let's go Mary.”

“Err... It's fine. Solve your problem you two...”

“What problem?”

I walk faster.

“Eli-chan! What's with the rush?”

I ignore him and walk out of the classroom.

—At the canteen which is currently crowded by students along with some teachers who are buying and eating their morning snacks.

“Hey Eli-chan. Would you please speak to me now? We've been walking for almost 10 minutes in silence. ”

“.........”

“Oh hell. Okay then. For now, what do you want to eat.”

“......”

I don't have any appetite.

“Fufufufu. Whatever.”

He giggles and walks towards one of the food stalls.

“How much for one cup of ‘goto’?”

“It's 15 pesos each.”

“Uwaah. It went up. Back in grade seven, this is only ten pesos per cup.”

“Boy, is this your first time buying here since then? Of course it will went up after all this years. Our country is even having— what was that again? Inflation or something.”

“Kinda. Is that the only remaining baked Mac you have now? It sure sold well. How much is it?”

“Same price boy.”

“I'll buy one plus one cup of goto as well.”

“Are you going to eat all of this all by yourself? Can you finish this? Don't buy too much if you can't. Think about those who are starving out there.”

“I won't eat them alone. Eli-chan will eat with me.”

Mark points to my direction.

“Eli-chan...? Oh— Eh? Miss Hecate?!”

“What are you screaming for kuya?”

“Because it's miss Hecate!”

“Yes?”

“Why did you not say she's with you?!”

“Again, stop screaming. Uh well you didn't ask.”

“Nevermind that. I'll give you a discount.”

“Oh hell why not? Fufufu.”

Because that guy screamed, many starts to notice my presence.

“That's miss Hecate right?”

“Yes she is. She's really pretty.”

“This is rare. To think she'll come to the canteen twice in a row.”

“Do you think she'll agree if I invite her for lunch?”

“Why don't you try? Go ahead. I'll just watch from afar. I feel embarrassed.”

“Okay. I'll just buy her a baked mac.”

He comes to the stall Mark is currently buying from.

“Kuya, can you please give me one baked mac?”

“Oh I'm sorry. It's sold out.”

“Don't lie to me. There's still one over there.”

“Oh this one is for that boy beside you.”

“Fufufu. It is mine.”

“Huh? Are you making fun of me? So happy you got this first before I do?”

“I don't and I am not.”

“Don't lie to me. Look at your expression. Your clearly mocking me.”

“Oh hell please. This is my default expression. You can asked him.”

“He's right. I don't also know why but he has been smiling since before he even came to my stall.”

“You both sounds like conspiring against me. Hurry up! What are you gonna do if she leaves?”

“We're not conspiring against you boy. It's just the fact.”

“Shut up and sell it to me! I can pay double.”

“Oh hell you sounds impatient. I wonder who's the lucky girl.”

“Stop mocking me!”

He pushes Mark away. Mark is knocked back by few steps.

“Humph. You're too skinny to be going against me. Know who you're going against kid.”

How dare...

How dare he do that...

I won't allow it.

I'll never allow this!

I'll kill him.