"If you want to keep playing football, I suggest you look up my name." Len shook the senior's pained hand. "Senior, this is your last warning. Your hospital bill will be a lot more extensive than the last guy Claude took care of."
"Okay! Okay! Okay!" The senior begged and flinched back when Len released his hand. He consoled the poor hand and backed off again. "Fuck… And everyone thinks the Wolf Faction are diplomats…!"
"Diplomacy is for the obedient. We exercise caution against the daring." Len cocked his head lightly to the side. "When will I find you near Claude again, Senior?"
"…never. Who wants to see you guys around, anyway?" The senior backed off again and broke through his group's thin crowd. He held his trembling hand, afraid of losing his chance to play. Other people had less to lose, not him. "Dammit…"
The senior's group only left the scene reluctantly. Everyone felt fear, but their leader was confident. However, even he was not spared.
Claude only watched where he stood. When Len turned to him again, he looked away and cleared his throat. A slight blush tinted his cheeks, but Claude kept it down. He almost squeaked just to get words out. "I thought we were not supposed to use force. Keller is supposed to teach me how to deal with people like those without hurting anyone."
"Keller is a black-belter. He could knock those people out with one decisive blow. He's also not scared to threaten people with his skills." Len chuckled. "The idea is… You don't make it look like you're tearing them apart. Talk calmly and don't send them to the infirmary. It's only use of force if someone has to lie down on a sick bed."
"Okay… don't fuck them up too much. Leave them functional." Claude giggled. "Let me try that next. We might have cracked the code if it all went well."
"Though I feel aggrieved…" Len covered his smile with a fist. "I have done some talking and given you tips. Still, I am left unpaid."
Claude's brows rose in curiosity, only for them to furrow in the next second. He tut-tutted. "You really want that kiss, don't you? The day hasn't even reached halfway through. What are you so hasty about? I'm pretty sure a lot more people will come to piss me off. Eugene might piss you off instead."
Len chuckled and lowered his hand. "Are you saying… please wait after class? I will surely reward you, Len? That's what I'm hearing."
"…yeah, so shut up now."
…
Unlike the days before, Len showed up in the SCB's office after eating lunch. Courtney and Jameson stuck with him, so he couldn't do much. When they showed up in the office, Claude could only lock gazes with Courtney. However, the woman only huffed and dragged Len away. Jameson laughed and waved as if adding to Claude's anger.
Ryan, Ritzy, and three other students were in the SCB's office with them. They discussed the school's upcoming festivities while Claude worked on the shared computer to finalize their report.
Claude's typing speed was faster than most. Ryan asked him to encode a few more handwritten reports from other members. Another assistant sat beside him, reading off the reports. Templates were also made and altered to fit everything.
"Why does he have to be here? He's not one of us." Courtney huffed as she watched Claude and the sophomore student work on the reports. She flung her gaze at Len, who was merely on his phone. "Len, he's only here temporarily, right? Make them end it. I don't want him anywhere near us… I don't feel safe around him. He incapacitated a student with a kick."
"You sound like you can't do just that." Len didn't sound enthusiastic. He frowned at the chats popping out on his screen. "How incapable are those old things? I'm only here for two weeks, and they already have more problems for me to solve."
Courtney hooked her hair behind her ear and leaned close to Len's phone. "I'm sorry my father left too much for you to deal with."
Len glanced at Courtney's head as if she were blocking his sight. Jameson caught that gaze, so he copied Courtney to attract her attention. He even knocked his head lightly against hers. "Whoa, that's a rather long list for you to do! Are we going home for the weekend? We can leave the dorm for a weekend, right? I can't wait to sleep on my real bed!"
"Can you not?" Courtney groaned and lightly massaged her head. She pulled back, prompting Jameson to move faster. The girl glanced at Len and consoled her head again. "Ow… You hurt me."
"Your head is just too big." Jameson laughed.
"Len, he keeps doing this to me!" Courtney looked up at Len, her eyes watering. She even had a small pout in her glossed lips.
Len adjusted his glasses and pulled his phone closer to his face. He even quit the chat to look at other texts and emails. "James, apologize."
Jameson watched him ignore and cajole Courtney at the same time. It was even on a bare minimum. He glanced at the girl, whose face soured then and there. His smile couldn't even stay up in pity. In a feign-sounding yet sincere voice, Jameson said, "I am so sorry, princess."
…
[Baby C: Hey, hey, are you going somewhere tonight?]
[Me: I'll go wherever you want us to go.]
[Baby C: Are you expecting a date?]
[Me: Are you ready for that?]
[Baby C: Not really. I just thought of eating out. I might have to bring other people. Can I take Eugene? You can take your friends, too. I'll sit beside you! I promise!]
[Baby C: See you at 8? At the new barbecue place?]
A sigh left Len's lips. He could only smile and accept this arrangement. He locked his phone and looked around the lobby, where most Psi Saint Alpha members hung out. His eyes swept through the faces and rested on a particular person. As if Irving could tell, he looked back at Len.
Len didn't say anything and got up from his seat. Irving slowly left the lobby and met Len by the stairs. The two ascended the steps at Len's pace.
"Claude wants to eat out. He's bringing that guy. Keep that guy busy." Len said as he pocketed his phone. "I'll ask the others to keep their eyes out instead."
"Okay." Irving nodded and stepped to the side. He used the space to climb faster and reach their room first. Once inside, he opened the closets and looked through the available clothes. If Len was going out with Claude outside school, he should look his casual best.
When Len reached their room, Irving had already prepared for his outfit. Len nodded and collected his effects for a quick shower.
Irving was left to plan for his own look. He rummaged through his closet with some kind of a smile.