Twin

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As Aiden came out of the dungeon breathing out fresh air, he finally felt a bit of relief and security. Diving in dungeon was always dangerous but today he felt threatened for a completely different kind of monster altogether.

'At least everyone else is here. I have to make sure I don't end up alone with her from now on.'

Aiden wasn't really sure what her true motivations were but he couldn't help but be wary after what happened.

'Scary, scary.' Aiden thought as he glanced towards her as she came out. She had her hands tucked inside her shirt pockets and it was difficult to figure out where she was looking cause of her hoodie.

In the end, Mrs Parkor ended up deciding not to discuss the matter with the others. Rather she assured Aiden that she would secretly talk it out with her husband and see what they could do. After all it was her husband that brought Kaguya to the team.

Aiden had no idea why Kaguya was lying about her rank when she could profit more by revealing it. But if she really was a high ranker as Aiden thought then there was no use in arguing over this matter with Mrs. Parkor. After all, the team would always welcome a higher ranker than a lower one if conflict were to arise.

So, Aiden could do nothing other than helplessly agreeing.

The Sun had already set and it was already past dark. Yet it was not yet enough to the city to fall asleep yet. In the distance one could see the brilliant light adjourning the city coming from every other household. If one were to focus enough they could easily here the cars honking in the distance thanks to their awakened senses.

It was still not time for Aiden to head home though.

"I hope he comes back fast. I don't want to be in the vicinity of this woman for too long."

Ardent Setstone, was sent to sell the resources they had collected so far. He had skills specifically suited to fast movement and with Aiden speed boost he was even faster. It shouldn't take long for him to make a round trip and come back with the money.

And then they would have to split the money amongst themselves for the day.

Aiden didn't know about others. But for him, it was mostly earn everyday and eat everyday situation where he would just stash away a little bit to his savings which would pile up for paying Yuna's tution fees.

The amount that Aiden earns was probably enough for a bachelor like him to eat and sleep in comfort and also to support another girl but it was Yuna's expensive school fees that took up majority of it. It was like a perpetual never ending black hole that sucked away all the gold that he got.

'Those elite private schools never showed any mercy, but at least its over now. University would be far more leniency thanks to scholarships.'

Aiden curled up as he rubbed his shoulders. It was a chilly night. Or perhaps it was because he was shivering in fear of Kaguya that he felt cold? 

'What kind of age we have ended up in. I have to be wary of some random teenager.' Being an adult, it was a blow to his pride, but there was nothing that could help it.

He turned around again stealing a glance of Kaguya confirming what she was up to.

He also heard several familiar faces complementing that vision.

"Hey, Kaguya? Want to hang out with us for a while after this?" Bane Vossel asked out.

"No, thanks."

"Ow, don't be live that."

Bane tried to curl his hand around her shoulders trying to be friendly.

Kaguya shook her off but he kept on pestering her with other things. It was kind of hard to find out what kind of expression Kaguya was making but Aiden had hunches.

'Scary, Scary. Is he tired of living?' Aiden couldn't help but think.

Aiden was aware that Bane had the habit of hitting and picking up whichever girl he could. Aiden was also aware that Kaguya with her youthful appearance certainly seemed to be the type of her girl he would hit on.

But Bane didn't know how scary Kaguya was! Aiden rolled his eyes in disbelief as to how his party members still couldn't figure out that she was not an E rank. Could someone really be this clueless? What's more? This guy was supposedly fighting alongside her unlike Aiden.

"Please don't die on me." Aiden whispered a secret wish.

Bane could be a jerk sometimes but he knew how to do his job and was an intergral part of their team. If he died wouldn't the group fall out? That would certainly be bad for Aiden's income.

"Ugh," Aiden greeted his teeth and walked straight towards them.

"Bane, can you come with me for a second? I have something important to tell you." Aiden tried his best to keep on a forced smile.

"Huh? Can't you see I am busy at the moment? Fuck off dude."

Aiden lips pursed. Even though Bane's choice of words was rather harsh, he had a face that seemed to be pleading.

Bane was giving Aiden the signals to not come in between when he was busy with a girl.

But that made Aiden feel even more guilty.

On the other hand, it was hard to guess what was on Kaguya mind.

'Why is she so silent?'

"Come on, Babe. Let's go somewhere else."

"No, I am not interested." That was what Kaguya claimed but Bane still pestered as he tried to grab her hand.

Bane didn't have a bad game either as him reaching out seemed completely natural instead of him being desperate.

But before he could do so Aiden grabbed his hand instead.

Bane turned towards Aiden with a look of disbelief, for he knew that Aiden wasn't the type to interfere with his 'pick ups'.

Bane's lips moved without a sound.

'What are you doing?' he asked as he raised his brows.

Aiden sighed.

Could he tell him that he fears that one of his homies was going to die because he tried to offend someone too dangerous. How could he say that with the person in question just being in front of them?

"I am sorry to say this Bane. But I have to ask you to stop. I wouldn't have interfered normally but she is my sister's friend. How could I show my face to my sister, like this? If she were to learn that I allowed her friend to be treated badly at my workplace? I don't care what you do outside. Hell, I don't care what you do at the dungeons either. But please have some manners while you are here, isn't that fine?" Aiden ranted whatever came to his mind.

That's what Aiden said but after he did so... he made slight whispers making sure that these whispers didn't reach Kaguya.

'Listen, she has problematic BACKGROUND. And also...'

But before he could complete his sentence.

*Bam*

Kaguya grabbed the hand that was reaching out for her a moment ago causing Aiden to stop in his speech. But before Aiden could figure out what was happening Kaguya put all of her strength into her grab and tossed Bane into the air.

"AHHHH!" he screamed in utter shock. Aiden who had but a lose hold on Bane's hand couldn't do anything as he slipped by. He could only  watch him fly.

In the end he got slammed mercilessly to the floor.

Aiden looked at Kaguya in disbelief. He wasn't the only one. Others turned towards her too.

'Yeah, definitely not an E rank.'

"I don't need your help to deal with jerks, you asshole. What could a good for nothing like you even do?" Kaguya clicked her tongue as she faced Aiden.

"Language?"

Aiden didn't say anything more as he swallowed the other words he had. 

'There seems to be some kind of misunderstanding here...'

Why would Aiden ever try to help Kaguya? At most he was trying to help his homie.

While Aiden was at a loss for words, Mrs Parkor stared daggers at Kaguya. Feeling an itch up her spine Kaguya noticed her glare.

"What? He was getting handsy with me so I knocked him out." she said in her defence.

Mrs Parkor too could only sigh as she had nothing to say. She too knew about Bane's nature. She too had been a victim once and things ended up quite similar as well.

Aiden turned towards Bane who was now knocked out in the floor with his hands and legs turned in distorted directions.

"Ouch, looks painful," Aiden whispered.

'Why do I feel like I am responsible for this?'

Aiden laughed awkwardly.

'It isn't likely that she beat Bane up just to let out her frustration over me, now could it?'

Twin

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