Extra's Descent

Chapter 136: Syndicate [3]

Brandon couldn't believe that Rachel had appeared before him.

Added to the fact that the coffee shop was quite secluded, Rachel shouldn't have known about the place.

Then that could only mean one thing.

"Rachel, did you follow me here?"

"Yes, sorry. I'll tell you why later. But can you tell me about what you two were discussing just now?"

She spoke way too fast that it gave off the feeling that her apology wasn't sincere.

But now that she was here, and had confirmed that she had overheard their conversation, then there was no need to beat around the bush.

A little part about Brandon didn't want to tell Rachel. If possible, he wanted to deal with everything without Rachel knowing.

"Tsk."

Clicking his tongue, he clenched his fist.

This upcoming operation might be the most dangerous one he had ever faced.

Knowing Rachel, she might offer assistance and involve herself.

Brandon didn't want that.

He didn't want to put her in harm's way, when the entire scenario had never even been revealed in the novel.

In the novel, from what he could remember…

Rafal Asami died during Rachel's second year.

But that's when an idea sparked inside Brandon's mind.

'This…'

He could change his fate.

To save Rachel's father.

A sudden surge of determination washed over Brandon.

This was the first time he would ever change the plotline like this.

Preventing someone's death.

But regardless, he could do so without Rachel getting involved.

"That's unfair."

As if his mind was read, Rachel bitterly spoke.

"I can see the look in your face. Please, Brandon. That's my Father. I have the right to know."

"..."

Right.

She had a point.

Brandon raised his head to look at Zed who seemed to have a conflicted expression.

It seems even he too didn't want to involve others.

But the way Zed reacted when Rachel revealed herself. It gave Brandon the feeling that he recognized her.

If there was some kind of history between Zed and the Asami's, then Brandon would get to the bottom of it later.

Nodding his head at Zed, Brandon was about to speak when Zed tried to stop him.

"Brandon, don't."

"Who are you to tell him that? Are you his Father?"

Frowning, Rachel spat.

"Whoever you are, please just tell me everything."

Zed bitterly bit his lip and relented. Leaning back, he nodded his head at Brandon. Giving him the go signal.

"Rachel, I'll tell you. But promise me something."

"That depends."

"Don't get involved. Just know that I'll do everything in my power to deal with this."

"..."

"..."

Absolute silence.

All of a sudden, Rachel frowned.

"That's unfair. Really unfair. You're caring about me now when you've been disregarding my feelings."

"..."

What?

The hell was she talking about…?

"Rachel, wait."

Gesturing his hand for Rachel to stop. He looked at Zed and nudged his chin the other direction.

Zed seemed to realize what he was trying to say. Getting up from his seat, Zed headed down the stairs.

After confirming that Zed had left, Brandon looked at Rachel who wore a look of anxiousness.

"Take a seat first, Rach—"

Before he could finish his words, Rachel immediately sat beside him.

Her head was lowered, and it seemed like she was about to cry.

Thus Brandon shook his head and dismissed his thoughts.

This was going to be a long talk.

A personal one.

"Firstly, what do you mean disregarding your feelings? I've never done th—"

"Are you that heartless?"

"Huh?"

Once again…

What the hell was she talking about?

Could it perhaps be—

"Last night. I know I ran. But you didn't even try to talk to me about it the entire day."

"Actua—"

"You never even tried to approach me at the Academy. Immediately heading off to who knows where."

"Rache—"

"And even earlier, we were alone in the apartment corridor. It should've been the chance for you to talk to me about it. But you just nonchalantly walked away."

"Just le—"

"If that's not disregarding my feelings, then I don't know what is. You could've just rejected me. Just a simple, 'I don't feel the same way,' and I would've accepted it."

"..."

Rejected?

He had an inkling on where this was going.

So last night…

Those last words that were drowned out by the fireworks.

It was a confe—

"...And now you're trying to be overprotective of me as if you actually cared. What the hell is wrong with you?"

"..."

"Tell me, Brandon. Am I that unlikeable…? Just a simple 'no', and I'd stop chasing after you."

"No."

Brandon shook his head.

Rachel's entire body twitched as soon as he muttered those words.

Eventually, her voice cracked. But she seemed to persist.

"See? Was it that hard—"

"You're not unlikeable. Not at all."

"..."

Rachel's eyes lit up.

If he was going to do this.

Then he had to do it right.

For the sake of the girl who had gathered the courage just to confess to him.

This was the first time he had ever received one.

And the fact that she had said it last night without him even hearing had made him want to punch himself.

Rachel Asami…

Before he knew it, he had grown conscious of her as well.

Because of that, it didn't register in his mind that maybe she liked him.

All those times spent with Rachel. He would be an idiot not to fall for her charms.

He tried ignoring the feeling.

Even thinking of her as a little sister in his head.

The thought of having any romantic developments with a character he had read in a novel for so long felt quite ridiculous.

Sure, he was recently flustered by Amelia. But that was a spontaneous fluttering feeling.

But what he had for Amelia was respect.

It was the same feeling with Belle. Like another older sister.

He was a 15-year old in a 16-year old's body. He didn't know anything about romance in the first place.

For Rachel, he didn't want to admit it. But he had been avoiding her. For whatever reason, he was unsure.

Just that, as long as he kept himself busy, then the feeling would soon fade.

But seeing her here, with her face flushed beet red because of him…

"The first day of the semester. The moment I caught sight of you, the only thing I could think of was, 'Wow, she's so pretty.'"

"..."

With wide eyes, she averted her gaze.

Brandon felt his body flush with heat. He was, in a matter of fact, deeply embarrassed.

But he continued.

"The thing you did for me in Everglade, I really appreciated it. If it weren't for you, my eardrums would've burst."

He scratched his cheek.

"In fact, I tried to be proactive when we were at the arcade. Just to get some kind of reaction out of you. But it seemed like you—"

"No…"

She turned around and shook her head. Brandon could see her face was akin to a tomato. But he knew he was more or less the same at the moment.

"You've caught me off guard back then. I was so nervous I couldn't speak."

Thud!

Frowning, she lightly punched his elbow.

"I hate how nonchalant you are when you do those things. Could you blame me for falling for you?"

"Haha."

All of a sudden, she buried herself in his chest.

"Say it again."

"Say what?"

"Tell me I'm pretty."

"...I'm pretty."

He playfully teased.

She hugged him even tighter.

"You're pretty."

"Tell me how you feel."

"Suffocated."

And she hugged him even more tightly.

"I like you."

Burying herself inside his chest, she spoke in a muffled voice.

"Say it again."

"I like you."

"Say my name."

"My name—Ow!"

She pinched him.

"I like you, Rachel Asami."

With a serene smile on his face, Brandon lightly brushed her hair.

All of a sudden, while buried deep in his chest, Rachel spoke up again.

"Can we give it a try…?"

"What?"

"Dating."

That…

He wasn't against it.

But,

…With the upcoming operation, he was pretty sure he couldn't find any time for them to go out on dates.

"Can I give you my answer next time?"

"..."

Silence.

Slowly, she raised her head to meet his gaze.

She seemed dejected. There was no need to rush.

And so…

"But I hope this can buy me some time."

Brushing her bangs from her delicate forehead, he pursed his lips.

And…

"...."

Smooch~

His lips pressed against her forehead. It only lasted for a few seconds.

But it was enough for Rachel to be taken aback as her eyes widened in shock. With her face flushed beet red, she, yet again, buried her face deep in his chest.

Even Brandon felt embarrassed as he scratched his cheek and looked away.

Gently brushing her hair, the two stayed fixed in their position for a few seconds.

But that was until…

"Uhm…"

A voice reached his ears. It came from the lounge behind him.

"That's nice and all. Congratulations? But I hope you know the sound barrier is off."

"...."

"...."

Shit.

How embarrassing.