Part 1: David's Inner Thoughts
Wherein the classroom was empty now remained almost an eerie silence—a phenomenon pregnant with unspoken tension.
Standing by Aoi's desk, David was still staring at the closed door from which Ren had just pulled Aoi away.
He chuckled once again.
Ren.
There was something about this person: something that was getting on his nerves.
David had observed him carefully since their very first meeting. He had presumed Ren to be, like most chess players, cool, composed, and calculating. Yet when Aoi was in the picture, Ren seemed to move instinctively—his reactions almost primal.
It was undoubtedly reckless. Unusual. And that made it quite interesting.
His fingers tapped nervously against Aoi's desk.
She was a different sort of girl. Different not just in behavior but in the way, people treated her.
The very way Ren had delivered a reaction just now…
David smirked to himself.
Now, this is how you are when something really matters, huh, Ren?
Before his thoughts could develop further, he was interrupted.
"Thinking about something, dear brother?"
David turned, fully aware of who it was.
Everlyn.
The way she strolled into the room indicated that she was immune to the weight of the world, casting a glance back at David with that playful smirk; however, there was a definite glint in those eyes of hers with a bit more cutting edge.
He always knew she made everything sound so lighthearted, but he knew better than to fall for that.
She leaned against a desk now, arms crossed. "So? Any thoughts about our new classmates?"
David exhaled, shaking his head ever so slightly. "More interesting than expected."
Everlyn grinned. "And Aoi?"
David had hesitated for an instant too long in answering, and the mustering of his thoughts caught Everlyn out.
"Oh?" An eyebrow lifted in jest. "So, she does intrigue you."
David slyly glanced to the side. "And?"
Everlyn's smile widened. "Nothing. I just find it amusing."
David turned away from her once again, back to his thoughts.
Everlyn rapped her fingers thoughtfully against the surface of the desk before continuing along her chosen train of thought.
"I have plans," she said finally. "And you're going to help me with them."
David took his time in responding. He just stared into her unreadable face.
Everlyn smiled. "You don't have to answer yet. Just think about it."
And with her usual lightness, she wheeled away and left David with his musings.
He risked another look toward the door.
Ren. Aoi.
A slow smirk started to form.
Interesting.
Second Part: Ren and Aoi's Conversation
At first, Aoi wasn't sure where Ren was headed with her.
Finally stopping at the vending machines outside, she let out a little huff.
"Ren," she finally said, crossing her arms, "you just dragged me out of the classroom without asking."
She was not angry; she was just simply made flustered. This was not how Ren acted.
Ren breathed a little sigh beside her with his hands in his pockets. "Did you want to stay with him?"
Aoi blinked. "With...David?"
For a moment Ren's gaze darkened a little. "I don't like him."
Aoi tilted her head slightly. "Why?"
Ren was quiet for a moment before speaking.
"He's the type who plays games-not just in chess but in how he interacts with people. He doesn't just say things for no reason."
Aoi blinked for a second time and mulled over Ren's statement.
She had her own suspicions about David, but she was sickened by the thought of it. It wasn't like Ren to be so soon.
"I don't know..." she said after a pause. "He seems polite. But something about how he approaches things feels.... off."
Ren looked hard at her, piercingly sharp eyes scrutinizing her expression.
Aoi generally wasn't the type to distrust someone within such a short time.
He sighed. "Just be careful around him."
Aoi absently agreed, while her thoughts were far away.
For some reason, she had a feeling that Ren and David's paths would not just cross once.
It was only the beginning.