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82% Undefeated Champion: Rebirth of the Retired Immortal / Chapter 41: Cut her some slack

Chapitre 41: Cut her some slack

"Death."

Yama smiled. "So my nose isn't deceiving me, huh?"

"Are you saying Ike could be the person who killed Sullivan?" Ashley scoffed in disbelief. "Oy, Yama. Did you hit your head in the training camp? How can you accuse someone almost instantly?"

"I'm not saying he is the culprit, but he was there during the duel." Yama shrugged indifferently, cocking his head in Basty's direction. "According to your observation, do you think he is capable of doing that?"

"Doing what? Committing murder? Yama. What the heck?" Basty shook his head, confused. "Are you accusing someone now without grounds?"

"Based on my observation, he is capable of doing such a wicked deed." Kiara saved Basty the trouble of answering. "If you ask me for a reason, I could only think of one. Enjoyment. Not in taking a man's life, but the sheer thought of forcing people to dance to the tune he was playing."

"That's right." Yama rocked his head, but then Ashley slammed her hands against the table.

"This is nonsense!" Her voice shook, clawing at the surface of the table while grinding her teeth. "Ike might be considered a gray person, but I don't think he would do such a thing."

"You get emotionally attached to a person easily —"

SLAM!

"One more word from you, Lala, and I will chew that tongue of yours." Ashley scowled as her teeth grew a little longer and sharper. "Ike didn't do it. If you still suspect him, then I'm afraid I can't come in here for a while."

"Ashley," Basty called, only for her to hiss.

"Don't come to me, because if you do, I cannot guarantee that I won't leave my claw marks on your faces." She glared at everyone before storming out of the student council office.

"She might sound emotional, but I am with her this time." When Ashley left, Bernis also spoke while standing up from his spot. "Ike Lobo is a strange guy, but I don't think he is guilty. I'm not saying he wasn't capable of committing the unspeakable — everyone does — but it is not worth it."

Bernis was calm and polite, settling his gaze at Yama. "I understand that the natural air he emitted feels dangerous, but he isn't that petty. I hate to admit it, but what I can say after spending a fair amount of time with him is that he is the most selfish person I had ever met. He sees everyone as insignificant as a fly. Neither one's struggle nor strength amuses him; he thinks that's all a part of life. In other words, he only cares about his own. Therefore, I believe he didn't do it just because of his arrogant nature."

"I will keep an open mind about this possibility, though. But for now, I will stay with Ley." Bernis lowered his head. "I'll excuse myself first."

Bernis didn't idle, following Ashley, leaving the office without looking back. Meanwhile, Basty sighed as he gazed at the shut door.

"No matter how these things made sense, they have a point." Basty looked back at Yama, obviously upset. "It's too early for us to point fingers when we don't have evidence yet. This is so unlike you, Yama. I hope there's a reason for this."

"That's right." Kiara was calm as ever as she slowly shifted her attention to the President. "I hope there's a good reason for forcing Sinclair and October to leave the office on their own, President."

Yama tapped his fingers against the surface of the table, snapping his eyes up.

"Fine. You got me." He threw his hands in the air.

"So it's a lie?" Basty inquired. "About Ike Lobo."

"Not really. That possibility hasn't been ruled out, and I still don't like him. At least, I don't like him as the president of the student council."

"How about as a person?"

"I think he is a pretty interesting lad." Yama twisted his swivel chair sideways. "If I am not in this position, I would've bothered him just like Ashley. He's a little likable, and he baffles me."

"Let's not get astray from the matter at hand," said Kiara monotonously. "Whether or not you like him doesn't matter. I don't see the reason you forced Sinclair to leave by using Lobo."

"As I've mentioned, Ike Lobo seemed to be a pretty interesting lad, and I understand Ashley's attachment to him. Although I didn't lie about my complicated feelings toward Ike Lobo, bringing up his name is better to press her nerves," Yama explained indifferently.

"That is my point, President." Kiara's expression sharpened, not pleased by how Yama beat around the bush. "Why would you want Sinclair to leave?"

"Because this matter might just bring back awful memories for her."

There was a moment of silence upon Yama's answer, making their brows furrow. Half of them looked at each other while Kiara fixed her eyes on the flat surface before her.

"You mean…" she trailed off, raising her eyes to the president of the council. "... this might involve her brother?"

Kiara's remarks brought forth another wave of silence; everyone's expression was solemn.

Ashley Sinclair's family.

No one knew much about Ashley's background, aside from Bernis. Even some members of the council didn't know about it. Only the core members have an idea of the secrets behind Ashley's family.

"While I was in the training camp, I heard lots of things. Her family name came up more often than necessary… alongside the mention of the radical group, Genesis." Yama broke the silence with his firm and solemn voice. "We are aware that her family is one of the last active yakuza families that survived even after the new genesis. From what I heard, the leader of their family might've joined hands with the radical group just recently."

"It is still a theory, but if that is true, this case might be connected to it," he added with a tinge of certainty. "I don't want her to blame herself for the death of a student. Sullivan might be a piece of rotten milk, and a crime family like that might consider him just collateral, but the guilt it would leave to her will be heavy. It's not yet for sure, but it's better to spare her some slack. Sinclair… crawled her way out of that family. I won't shove her back in that hellhole."


Chapitre 42: How are you so sure I didn't do it?

"Whoever you are, I don't think you will be a good addition to our organization. Your views… will never align with ours."

Ike didn't want to think about the accident that caused the death of poor Ike Lobo. Even if there were times it would pique his curiosity, he convinced himself that it was not his business. He took the accident as simple as a tragic mishap; his bad luck was at fault.

However, after meeting the infamous president of the student council, Ike couldn't rid of Yama's remarks in his head. It stuck in his mind, making him think about it all day.

RING!!

Ike snapped his eyes to the current lapse upon hearing the bell ring. All his classmates didn't even wait for the last teacher to stop speaking as they rose from their seats, taking their things back to their bags or simply chatting with others.

This had been the sight that Ike had quite grown used to since attending school. The recurring sound of bells at different times of the day indicated different meanings. Looking back at Ashley's and Bernis's empty seats, it felt a little strange.

At a time like this, those two would be standing beside his desk with Ashley chatting with him nonstop while Ike organize his things. But those two weren't present today. Not that he was worried about them, but more like he had gotten used to the cycle.

'Whatever,' he thought, dragging himself up from his chair to prepare to leave.

****

Ike didn't dwell in Bernis's and Ashley's absence that long, thinking about some of Yama's statements. Walking out of the wide gates of Laguna High, Ike's train of thought trailed off along with his steps. His eyes slowly veered to the two figures standing from a distance.

There, Ashley was waving at him with the biggest smile.

"Aren't they in a crisis?" he wondered to himself, watching Ashley jog her way to him while Bernis followed behind. "You look a little energetic for someone who is dealing with a person's death."

"What?" Ashley scrunched up her face as soon as she stood before him. "What do you mean, I look energetic? Did I kill him, huh?"

"I didn't say that."

"Then are you expecting me to bawl my eyes?"

"Would be nice to see you in tears."

"Gosh!" Ashley clicked her tongue continuously, shaking her head, sizing him up from head to toe as if criticizing his entire existence.

"Anyway, don't tell me you two had been waiting for me?" Ike shifted his attention to Bernis, knowing this guy would answer him directly.

"We still need to fulfill our duty," explained Bernis briefly. "We'll walk you home."

Ike darted his eyes between the two, secretly biting his tongue to refrain from saying anything.

"Sure." He nodded. "I'm not in the mood to argue."

Having escorts just because of a certain bully named Desmond Larza was a result Ike didn't wish for. However, after arguing with Ashley and Bernis back then, Ike realized how pointless it was to stop them. Hence, to save himself the trouble and energy, he would let these two regularly walk him home.

"You should take the bus," Ashley spoke, walking side by side with Ike. "I mean, you usually walk your way home for half an hour. If you take the bus, you'll reach your home in just ten minutes. Maybe a lot faster."

"With how busy my schedule was, this is the only exercise I can have." Ike kept his eyes ahead, maintaining a poker face. "Before getting out of the hospital, the doctors kept telling me to stick to doing exercise. Moreover, I live alone. So I am not in a hurry to go home."

"Is the accident that bad?"

"They said it was a miracle I recovered through therapy."

"I see…" Ashley rocked her head in understanding, shrugging.

After that, she didn't say anything to keep the conversation going, just like she would usually do. She was the annoying type, and by now, Ike already figured she was the type who didn't like silence. Ashley would talk nonstop until either Ike or Bernis would react or reply. But now, she was quiet — oddly quiet.

Ike cast her a side-eye. "I am almost intrigued why you are so silent. Was this because of the President of the Student Council you looked up to like a divine being?"

"Tss." Ashley chuckled in ridicule, rolling her eyes at him.

"You don't need to hide it." Ike raised his chin, eyes on the empty street. "Even if you begged me, I won't join the student organization. First of all, it seemed it was chaotic. I refuse to invite such chaos into my life. I'd rather watch everything unfold from the sidelines with popcorn and a 3d glass."

"Heh. Problem is, it's not that."

"Hmm?"

"I don't care if Yama rejected you. Although it annoys me that I feel like he is undermining my judgment by meeting you and spouting nonsense." Ashley let out a deep breath, huffing, eyes ahead. "But I'm not that shallow to be disappointed."

"I see…"

Another wave of silence descended upon their shoulders, making her slide her eyes into the corner.

"Won't you really ask me what bothers me?" she asked out of curiosity, even though she already guessed the answer.

"I don't want to pry."

"Hmph!"

"No wonder that guy said my views will never align with the student organization. I hate prying just as much as I dislike excuses. The student council seems to be a handful of curious people, poking their nose here and there," he continued with the same mien. "I don't care what bothers you, and I don't feel sorry about it."

"Gosh… you are quite harsh, you know?" she frowned, gazing down. "Why am I even fighting for a jerk like you?"

Ike's steps slowed down, arching a brow, eyes on her.

"Do you have any idea that you are the suspect in a murder case?" she grumbled, sighing helplessly. "Gosh — how can you be so clueless? You said you refuse to invite chaos into your oh-so-perfect life, but that personality of yours is akin to a magnet of trouble. You are frustrating."

"I'm a suspect of what?"

Ashley stopped, facing him squarely. "Some ridiculous ideas are rising because of that personality of yours, and I have to fight people because of it. But look what I'm getting in return. Is this how you treat a friend?"

"Why would you fight people because of me?" Ike cocked his head to the side, fluttering his eyelashes ever so tenderly. "I don't understand."

"Because — wow… this is frustrating."

"How are you so sure I didn't do it?" Ike asked before she could say any of her nonsense, and then cast Bernis, who was initially walking behind them, a look. "For me, it's a little strange. Between me and your colleagues in the council, I'm certain you two knew them longer more than you know me."

He looked back at Ashley squarely. "How are you certain I didn't do it?"


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