บท 156: [34.4] How to React to Rejection
Together, Zephyr and I walked the tiger cub across the academy.
Although…
It was more like dragging.
The tiger cub desperately clawed the ground to stop being pulled, but he was too small to make a difference.
As I dragged the tiger cub, I noticed Felix, Caldwell, Cyrus, Hazel, and even the annoying brat Priscilla standing together chatting about something.
I dragged the tiger cub with me over to them and waved, "Oi! Hey guys!"
Cyrus flinched and glanced at me, but turned away to avoid me.
Felix looked down at the tiger cub with pity in his eyes, "You put him on a leash?"
Hazel's eyes lit up, "It's so cute!"
I tried to stop her from petting it, "Hazel wait-"
The tiger cub clawed her without mercy.
"It seems to lack manners." She pulled her bloody hand back with dull and indifferent eyes, "Maybe I should teach him some."
The tiger cub whimpered under her stare and hid between my legs.
I felt overwhelmingly happy to know that the tiger cub was hiding behind me and let my happiness show, "He's a bit feisty, but he's delightful."
Zephyr stuck out his tongue, "Delightful my a**."
The cub looked up shyly, but when he noticed Caldwell his entire being lit up. He ran out from under my legs and over to Caldwell.
Caldwell stiffened up awkwardly and broke into a cold sweat as the tiger cub tried to climb up his pants.
I stared at him feeling a bit jealous, "He seems to like you."
"Is that so." Caldwell tried to shake him off his pants leg to no avail, "He's really a sticky one, isn't he?"
Zephyr snickered, "Maybe it's because he sees you as his prey."
Caldwell scowled at him before turning to me with a forced smile, "Um. Reika, do you mind?"
"Oh, sorry." I pulled the leash back and the tiger cub rolled back to me. I looked at all of them, "So what were you all talking about?"
Priscilla scoffed and crossed her arms, "None of your business."
Felix elbowed her softly and smiled at me, "We are talking about the charity banquet. I just invited Prince Cyrus and Hazel to go."
Felix motioned to me with a wink and my eyes widened in understanding, "Oh! Is that so."
Felix nodded quickly, "Yep. Neither of them has a date, either."
"Well… If that's the case." I stepped over to Cyrus and batted my eyes, "I wouldn't mind being your date for the banquet."
Cyrus looked startled and finally looked at me. However, he didn't look as happy as I expected he would be.
Suddenly my mouth tastes sour…
"He can't go with you." Priscilla smirked and stepped over to Cyrus. She looped her arms around his and spoke with an arrogant expression, "He's going with me."
We all looked at the two of them in complete shock. Even Cyrus looked over at Priscilla in confusion, "We are?"
She nodded and gave him a look.
He averted his gaze from everyone's, "...Whatever."
I looked at the two of them with my mouth wide open.
Priscilla…
And Goldilocks?!
No! That can't be possible!!
Priscilla smirked at me, "What's wrong? You don't have a date?"
I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks, "No! I-I have a date!"
"Oh? With who?"
I bit down on my lip and looked at Felix who shrugged in confusion.
I cleared my throat, "I'm going with a man I've met recently."
She chuckled, "And what's his name?"
"None of your business."
She rolled her eyes, "If you don't have a date, you don't need to be embarrassed."
I clenched my fists and shouted, "I do have a date! You'll see! I will bring him to the banquet and you'll see! You'll be SO jealous!"
Priscilla nodded unconvinced, "Sure I will."
Unable to handle the embarrassment, I spun around and started walking off while I dragged the tiger cub behind me.
Zephyr went running after me, but paused and turned to Hazel. He nodded at her, "Wear something nice for the banquet."
She smiled softly, "Is that a request from my date?"
He smirked arrogantly, "If you look good enough, then yes."
She laughed and nodded, "I will see you there, my darling fox."
He started jogging after me while stealing some glances at Hazel as he did so.
Once we were away, Cyrus turned to Priscilla, "Why did you say that?"
She pulled her arm away in irritation, "Say what?"
"Why did you say that we are going together?"
"Because we are."
He raised an eyebrow, "And why would we?"
She turned to him in a huff, "Don't get any ideas. I merely said that because it will benefit the both of us."
"How will that benefit us?"
She smirked, "You want to make her jealous, right?"
He froze.
Caldwell chuckled, "You got caught."
Priscilla continued, "What better way to make her jealous than to go to the banquet with someone else? And look at her response! It clearly worked."
Cyrus let out a long sigh, "And what exactly do you get out of it? Surely you don't want to make her jealous because you want to help me out."
The corners of her lips curled up, "I just want to make her suffer."
Felix sighed, "Oh, Priscilla…"
"What?!" She cried out, "She's just SO ANNOYING!"
__….__
I came into my house carrying the tiger cub in my arms and rushed up the stairs.
My mother stuck her head out of the kitchen, "Reika! I made some lemon tarts if you want some-"
"Not hungry!" I interrupted her and continued to run up the stairs.
My mother blinked in confusion, "Not… Hungry!? Who are you and what did you do to my daughter?!"
Zephyr strolled behind me, "She got her heart broken."
The Headmaster popped out from behind my mother with an evil look on his face, "Who broke her heart!?"
I cried out, "It's not broken! I'm just tired!"
I ignored their stares and ran into my room still holding the tiger cub. Surprisingly, he wasn't trying to attack me as he did earlier.
Maybe the walk tired him out.
When I got to my room, I quickly shut the door and locked it.
Zephyr banged on the door from the other side, "Oi! Let me in!"
I flopped down on my bed holding the cub, "No! I want to be alone!"
"OI! I SAID LET ME IN!"
I shouted, "I SAID LEAVE ME ALONE!"
I heard him click his tongue and mumble under his breath, "Fine. Go cry by yourself then."
I waited until he walked away before I let out the breath I had been holding. I covered my eyes with my arm as I stroked the tiger's fur, "I'm such an idiot."
I felt what seemed like sandpaper licking my cheek. I uncovered my watering eyes and saw the tiger cub looking at me with pity.
I forced a smile, "Don't pity me. I deserve worse than this."
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
Why do I even feel this upset?
It's not like I actually care.
…Right?
I held the tiger cub close to me and yawned, "I feel a bit tired… Cuddle with me, won't you?"
The tiger nodded quickly and I soon fell asleep.
ความคิดของผู้สร้าง 
Nekoru
Nekoru Hehe~ Oh little tiger... Are you sweet or mean?
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง