Extra's Descent

Chapter 132: The Threads that Connected [3]

"Rachel…?"

Why was she here?

It was known that the rooftop was closed at this time.

So why did she decide to go to the rooftop?

Brandon pondered. Thankfully, Zed had already left before Rachel could arrive.

"...Brandon."

She called out to him. Looking at her, Brandon could see the conflicted expression on her face.

He had barely seen Rachel during the entire festival.

'So why is she looking at me like that…?'

With his thoughts gathered, Brandon decided to ask.

"What are you doing up here?"

"I could say the same for you."

Brandon's eyes widened.

She had a point.

"Fair."

Brandon stifled a chuckle.

He turned back around and leaned his arms on the railing.

Tak.

The sound of footsteps echoed from behind him, and as he looked to the side, Rachel similarly leaned on the railings as well.

Clearing her throat, Rachel pursed her lips.

"So… What are you doing here alone?"

"…Enjoying the view."

"I see."

Looks like it worked.

Sneaking a few glances at Rachel, the air seemed tense around her.

A bit awkward he could say.

Silence ensued and filled the entire surroundings as none had spoken any words.

At that, Brandon pondered on what he had just discussed with Zed a few moments ago.

According to Zed, he would send the location on their burner phones, and they would meet up tomorrow around the same time, 7:30 PM.

Brandon's lips pulled up to a smile at the thought.

Finally, after Alpha, he had finally gained an ally.

And this was just the start.

The sooner he could build a team, the better.

Sure, he worked under Zed now.

But that was only on the surface of the Syndicate. The two acknowledged that they were equals.

Brandon then recalled the reason why Zed had wanted to destroy the organization.

Apparently, the Twilight Syndicate started out as a small group that consisted of Zed and his friends.

For whatever reason why Zed wanted to betray the organization he had built, Brandon didn't know.

But when he stared into Zed's green eyes, he could see the sorrow from within him.

If Zed was on his side, he truly didn't know. It was nothing but a relationship that would be built on trust.

Though Zed had instigated the attack on the academy, it was only to assess Brandon's identity.

If Jack the Ripper was nothing but a malefactor, or a regular student attending the said academy.

And even if he did instigate it, Zed had only gathered men that he was confident Brandon could beat.

They were never strong in the first place. Even a flick from Evelyn's finger would've blown them away.

For whatever tomorrow would entail, Brandon had no idea.

Zed was an enigma at the moment.

Brandon then peered down.

What greeted his sight was the courtyard. Several students were gathered.

As he shifted his gaze even further, professors had begun to encircle a specific area in the courtyard.

"Is the fireworks display starting?"

"Yes."

"Is that why you're here?"

"Maybe…"

"..."

Cryptic…

In the first place…

'Why is it so awkward…?'

Rachel was never this tense whenever she was with him.

At least, from what he could notice.

Could she be…?

'Nah.'

Brandon shook his head.

Ridiculous.

There was no way Rachel felt that way about him.

After all, their bond was like an older brother and a younger sister.

She was often clumsy and he would clean up after her back in their apartment.

There was no way Rachel liked him when she'd let her guard down around him.

Right.

There were more pressing matters at the moment.

He had no time to think of such thoughts.

Asides the Twilight Syndicate, there was something else that was on his mind.

The upcoming incursion.

'The rift…'

Somehow…

For some reason,

He had a premonition.

***

The entire time, Rachel couldn't find a way to articulate her words.

So many things she had wanted to ask, and yet she found herself suppressing her words.

The entire atmosphere was tense, awkward even. But Brandon didn't seem to feel the same as he kept his usual aloof expression.

Between the two, she was the only one conscious of the other.

Rachel pouted at the thought.

How dense.

'Can he not see how flustered I am…?'

She wanted to tell him.

Tell him how she felt.

She wanted him to know.

Only him.

'I like you.'

But each time, she would hesitate.

'Brandon, I like you.'

The words were at the tip of her tongue, yet she couldn't voice it out.

Tak. Tak. Tak.

She stomped her foot.

"....?"

Perplexed, Brandon skeptically raised his brow and tilted his head.

"Ah."

Rachel clumsily composed herself. Twirling her hair, she sneaked a couple of glances at Brandon.

He seemed to stare at nothing, as if he was lost in his thoughts.

"Haa…"

Rachel breathed out a sigh and sneaked another glance at Brandon.

Despite his clothes being ragged, and dust seemed to smear his face, he was still handsome.

Really handsome.

He was just her type.

In the first place, he was always her type.

The first time she had seen him was during the first day of class. His looks had immediately caught her attention, but it was purely out of curiosity.

Just what kind of person was he?

At first he was funny. Then suddenly, he became aloof, as if his personality had suddenly shifted.

But it made him even cooler.

Rachel could admit that.

When they suddenly became neighbors, Rachel grew even more curious of him.

And sooner, before she even realized it, that curiosity had developed into something more.

She wasn't quite sure what the feeling was back then. Just that, she started becoming conscious of everything he did around her.

But as Raven and Reinhard blurted it out recently…

It was then when she realized what the feeling actually was.

It was too soon to call it love.

It was nothing but a crush at the moment.

That's right, a crush.

"Hm?"

All of a sudden, Brandon turned his head slightly and met her gaze.

Flustered, Rachel averted her gaze and her eyes darted around.

"What's wrong?"

"...N-nothing."

"....?"

This wasn't going anywhere at all.

She had finally gotten some alone time with him.

And yet she continued to hesitate each second.

She clenched her fists.

If she wasn't going to be proactive…

Then nothing would happen.

Brandon would continue to perceive her as a friend.

At that, Rachel composed herself.

'Just do it, Rachel. Come on, you can do it. Why are you hesitating now when it actually matters? What were all those romance mangas for then?'

"Hooo…."

Taking a deep breath, Rachel gathered her thoughts.

Turning her head, she looked at him.

"Brandon."

"Hm?"

Brandon turned around and met her gaze.

Ba… Thump!

Staring into his ice-blue eyes, Rachel found herself drawn to it.

No, drawn to him.

She was still a bit flustered. But she continued to look him straight in the eye.

"Hoo…"

She took another breath.

"Brandon."

"What?"

This was it.

All or nothing.

"...I like you."

***

Seated on the grass, Raven gazed up at the sky as his eyes lit up.

In particular, the stars.

"Stars…"

Yeah, he liked the stars.

Stargazing was one of the last memories he had with his parents.

…Before they disappeared.

"Before they abandoned me."

And now he felt a bit depressed.

"Raven?"

But his attention shifted as a familiar voice called out to him.

"Can I sit here?"

"Yes."

He nodded and Amy sat on the grass beside him.

And at that, he continued gazing at the stars.

His eyes seemed to sparkle as he followed the stars and tried to form a constellation within his mind.

"...Cute."

"Hm?"

He turned his head back to look at Amy who looked back at him.

Throughout the months, the two had gotten pretty close.

At the start of the semester, it used to be Brandon who was close with her.

But after the previous incident, Amy had gotten a lot more friendly with him.

And Raven appreciated that.

He didn't have a lot of friends to begin with.

Unlike Brandon who seemed to be a social butterfly, Raven was quite the introvert.

But recently, Amy's influence was getting to him. Amy as well was a social butterfly.

From the bottom of his heart, he truly appreciated her.

Being with her was quite refreshing. It was a different kind of experience compared to when he was with Brandon and Reinhard.

Meeting her gaze, Amy spoke seriously all of a sudden.

"I know I've said this a lot of times, but thank you for saving me back then."

"You're welcome."

He flashed her a serene smile.

Amy continued, but her expressions contorted into a sad look.

"That day was the darkest moment of my life. If you hadn't saved me, I wouldn't be here right now."

Raven was taken aback.

He would do the same for all of his friends.

At that, Raven smiled yet again.

Truly, it felt nice that he was able to positively impact a person's life.

Snapping him out of his thoughts was Amy's voice as she continued.

"Raven, I'm not going to beat around the bush like my sister."

Huh?

Sister?

Since when did Amy have a sister…?

And..

Beating around the bush?

Where was this go—

"Rachel Asami is my biological twin sister. My real name is Amy Asami."

The sudden revelation shocked Raven even further as his eyes shot wide open.

Was it true…?

But why was she telling—

"I'm telling you this because I trust you."

"Right now, you are one of the most important people in my life, and…"

She paused.

Raven found himself speechless.

Where was all this coming from?

Why was Amy suddenly telling him all thi—

"...I like you."

BOOM—!

The booming sound of the fireworks erupted. The dazzling colors shone down on Amy's beautiful features as she flashed him a wide grin.

This…

It wasn't a bad feeling.

He was unsure how to respond to the sudden confession.

But he didn't hate it.

"You don't have to give me a response."

Amy shook her head.

"I just want to get my feelings across."

Scanning her face, Amy was flushed beet red.

In fact, she looked like a tomato.

"Raven, look."

All of a sudden Amy pointed towards the sky. Following her direction, Raven turned his head and looked up.

And that was when…

Smooch~

Something warm and soft pressed against his cheeks.

Ba… Thump!

His heart quickened.

As he turned around, Amy had already run off.

"..."

Ba… Thump!

The beating of his heart wouldn't settle as his eyes were shot wide open.

Tracing his cheek, he stared at Amy's departing back.

"I…"

He couldn't find any way to articulate his words.

Just that, he could feel his face start to flush.

BOOM—!