Bab 15: A duel

The next day at Laguna High, Ike went by his morning the same as yesterday. It was the second day of school and it only proved there weren't many things interesting about school. Well… aside from World History, the rest of the morning classes were alright.

When recess rolled in, Ike was about to get up when a pair of hands slammed on his desk. He gazed up, only to see the bright grin plastered on Ashley's face. Quite fascinating how this girl still approached him despite his dismissive attitude yesterday.

"Hi!" Ashley raised a hand, grinning until her silver eyes behind those huge square glasses squinted. "I'm here again."

Ike blinked before his lips stretched until his eyes appeared like thin lines. "Hello."

The grin on Ashley's face faded slightly, surprised at his change of attitude.

"Wow… I thought you were going to ignore me," she casually mumbled, tilting her head to the side. "Are you okay?"

"If you think I'm going to ignore you, why did you approach me?"

"Err… because why not? I said it yesterday — I think you're interesting." Her reply didn't falter, smiling again. "Want to go to the cafeteria together?"

Ike pondered for a second before catching a figure in his peripheral. Casting the approaching Bernis a cursory look, Ike smiled back at Ashley.

"Sure, why not?" replied Ike with a nod.

"Great!" Ashley clapped excitedly, turning her head in Bernis's direction as the latter stopped beside Ike's desk. "See? I told you he is a nice guy!"

Bernis maintained his stoic expression, glancing at Ike. The latter flashed him a friendly smile, but Bernis didn't match their energy.

"Let's go," he said to Ashley. His tone had a tinge of impatience. "I'm hungry."

"Heh… Bernis, didn't you have breakfast today again?" Ashley frowned before casting Ike a look, pointing at Bernis. "Want to come with us? This guy is terrible company whenever he is hungry."

Ike darted his eyes between the cute Ashley and the imposing Bernis and then shrugged.

"Sure."

***

"Now that I think about it, we haven't introduced ourselves properly." Ashley skipped a few steps and turned around, walking backward as she faced Ike and Bernis. She planted her hand across her chest; no sign that the possibility of bumping into someone in the corridor on their way to the cafeteria bothered her.

"I already introduced myself yesterday, but in case you forgot, I'm Ashley," she introduced herself in a relaxed manner, hand on her chest. "Ash for short."

Ashley then pointed at Bernis. "His name is Bernis. Just Bernis." she then placed the side of her hand to the corner of her lips as she spoke in a hushed voice.

"He hates it when someone shortens his name." Her voice was still loud enough for Bernis to hear her. "Your name is Isaac, right?"

"Just Ike." Ike sported a short smile. "I'm more used to it."

"Great! From now on, we're friends!" she announced with an excited clap while Ike maintained his short smile. While Ashley rambled on and on, Ike observed Bernis from the corner of his eyes.

Bernis glanced at Ike but said nothing.

"Watch your steps," said Bernis to Ashley when he set his attention on her. "You might hurt others."

"Bernis, it should be, "watch your steps, you might get hurt," and not the other way around." Her brows met midway, shaking her index as she corrected him. "Or did you mean they'd get hurt because you'll hurt them if…"

Ashley trailed off as she caught something from the corner of her eyes. She turned her head in the window on instinct, and slowly, her face brightened up.

"Kyah~!" she squealed, skipping a step toward the window in the corridor. "Wah… isn't it too early for this?!"

Ashley propped her hands on the windowsill, gazing at the huge oval below. Ike's steps slowed down, stopping behind Ashley to check what made her excited. Bernis stopped on the other side of Ashley, beside Ike.

There, on the school race track, were students surrounding two students. The two students were facing each other, unbothered by the thick numbers of students wasting their time to see what was about to happen.

"Is that a fight?" Ike blurted out, as that was what it appeared.

"It'll be one in a few minutes!" he glanced at the excited Ashley, watching her bend over and rest her chin on top of her arms that were propped on the windowsill. "It seems they'll make it an official one. Hehe. I wonder what are the stakes?"

"Stakes?" Ike furrowed his brows and asked himself, 'wasn't it all about battle or combat points or whatever it was called?'

Ashley raised a brow and cast him a quick look. "Aside from the combat points they'd gain, there should be other stakes. After all, not all have enough points to give."

"Oh…"

"My guess, in this case, is a battle of honor. If someone loses, then he'd be the victor's slave until graduation." Her eyes glinted with intrigue. "But that's just my guess. I could be wrong. Even so, it's interesting to watch."

Ike assessed Ashley's side profile and, at that point, he found a little interest in her. The fire in her silver eyes and the excitement she couldn't hide at the thought of battle reminded him of how he was in his days. Her enthusiasm left a good impression on him.

Ike glanced at Bernis behind Ashley and beside him, only to see the latter staring at the scene outside with a dead expression. Unlike Ashley, Bernis was the total opposite, as if he was already fed up with such situations.

"I'll get you the usual," said Bernis after a few seconds and then looked at Ike. "Stay with her."

"Uh… alright?" Ike shrugged, watching Bernis walk away to get some snacks alone. When his eyes landed on Ashley's side profile, all he saw was how the corner of her lips stretch even broader.

"It's starting."

Ike furrowed his brows and slowly shifted his eyes to the oval outside. As soon as he did, all he saw was the other participant of the duel lurching forward with a small fire in his palm.

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