Path of the Extra Chapter 374: Leo Karumi [8]

Once she departed, Leo sensed the piercing stares fixed upon him. Of course, the entire discussion had been overheard by the students who had already shown up. With a subdued sigh, he rested his chin on his palm and shifted his gaze to the window, peering outward.

The glances directed his way arose from varied causes, yet a single type overshadowed them all: the boys' glares—laden with resentment, bitterness, and outright aggression.

"Tch... pretending to be so casual now..."

"I really can't figure out what they find appealing about him. He's constantly by himself, or hanging with that oddball Nathan from the neighboring class. Then he behaves like he's superior just for being clever—when he's really just abrasive."

"Dude... that girl's bound to wind up crying, right."

Leo tuned out the remarks. Fortunately, he didn't need to respond—several girls sprang to his support, sparking a debate across the room.

"Yo... Leo..."

A weary voice addressed him, accompanied by a yawn. Leo glanced over and spotted a boy with tousled brown hair and hazel eyes, shadows under them like dark smudges. He collapsed into the seat beside Leo as if drained of all energy.

"Yo, Gil."

Gil sat at the desk next to Leo's. He perpetually lacked sleep and appeared worn out, though he possessed a sharp mind—besides his quirks. Leo wouldn't label him a close friend, but their rapport exceeded what Leo shared with most guys in the class.

"Not much rest again this time?"

Gil yawned once more while replying, pressing his cheek against the desk.

"Stayed up watching a stream... on a gaming event..."

"Got it..."

Leo enjoyed games when he could spare the moments, certainly. But tuning into streamers? He never grasped the draw.

Their exchange wrapped up there. Neither had more to add—or desired to. Additional students trickled in and claimed their spots, gradually crowding the classroom. At last, the bell sounded, and the instructor entered carrying a bundle of sheets.

A wave of groans rippled through the space.

*****

"Argh! What in the world was that!? Teacher, did you mix up and hand out a high school level exam!?"

"Yeah! My brain's still throbbing!"

As the exam concluded, grievances mounted one after another. The majority of Leo's peers drooped over their tables, as if they'd endured psychological torment.

"That's exactly correct."

"EH!?"

Silence gripped the room briefly, then chaos erupted once more—since the teacher had affirmed it. She'd intentionally ramped up the difficulty, and she seemed self-satisfied while nudging her round spectacles higher on her nose.

"BUT WHY, TEACHER!? THIS IS TOTALLY UNJUST!"

"PLEASE SAY THAT EXAM WON'T AFFECT OUR ACTUAL GRADES!"

"ARGH—THE WHOLE ACADEMIC RALLY WAS JUST A SHAM!"

Leo's pencil snapped in two.

He clenched his jaw, eyes clamped tight, a pulse throbbing at his temple.

"What? Something on your mind, Leo? Naturally, Mr. Know-It-All likely breezed through it, right? Arrogant jerk. Share your thoughts."

Leo lifted his gaze and peered across. Dave observed him with a malicious smirk, evidently thrilled at spotting Leo's frustration. Attention swiveled. Every gaze settled on Leo.

"Dave," Leo stated evenly, "all I was pondering was when you'd finally pipe down."

He made no effort to mask the revulsion etched on his features.

Dave's face contorted. Color surged to his cheeks, and a handful of snickers escaped quietly.

"Enough," the teacher barked.

"You two—curb those tempers or risk another trip to the principal. Honestly, middle school's nearly over. After all these years together in one class, can't you manage civility for even a moment?"

She jabbed her marker toward Dave initially.

"Dave, you've targeted Leo from day one."

Next, her stare shifted to Leo.

"And Leo... you're exceptionally gifted, but your demeanor requires improvement."

It didn't take long for the others to nod in shared sentiment. She'd launched into her signature scold-the-class routine, and several began glaring daggers at Dave for igniting the whole affair.

At least a touch of diversion had unfolded that day.

Fortunately, the bell chimed shortly thereafter. The following lesson arrived... then another... until lunchtime finally rolled around.

*****

"Dave just doesn't learn, huh?" Nathan grumbled. "Even after you thrashed him during basketball selections for the team, he refuses to keep a low profile. Makes sense, I suppose—I'd be furious too if my rival was a celebrated brilliant whiz who treated everyone like clueless children."

"First off," Leo replied, "he's no rival of mine. I view him solely as a pesky insect droning endlessly nearby. Secondly, I'm not so popular. Thirdly... they are all clueless children. You included."

Nathan fixed him with a prolonged, empty look.

"Bro... you're hands down the most recognized student in our school. Actually, across the entire city, thanks to your stage roles in theater. For real, you could star in films or series if you ever took those invitations. Without that haughty otherworldly prince vibe you always project, you'd be mobbed by kids—admirers and followers alike."

"That stuff doesn't interest me," Leo declared. "I spoke my truth to them back in the first month of middle school for a purpose."

"Right... I recall. You lashed out at anyone sucking up after they witnessed your talents." Nathan's lips quirked. "That's precisely how you snagged that local moniker:

Leo exhaled, combed fingers through his locks, and crunched into his apple. He munched, gulped it down, then derided.

"Such a laughable label. Branding me evil for not pandering and focusing on myself instead. Not my issue that your incompetence forces you to fabricate lame excuses to pester me."

"Man..." Nathan remarked, blending amusement with weariness.

"Your self-importance never diminishes, does it? Yet you still draw plenty of fans."

That held truth. They shared lunch atop the roof—Leo propping against the barrier while Nathan perched cross-legged below, spine to the wall, his lunchbox steady on his knees. He dined while scanning a comic, turning sheets single-handedly with effortless habit.

A smattering of other pupils lingered up there as well. Occasionally, eyes drifted their direction. The pairing of Leo and Nathan had gained notoriety by then.

"Teachers gave you an earful today, didn't they?" Nathan queried, eyes on his reading. "With that photographic recall of yours, you still managed to leave your bag behind."

Leo huffed and chomped again.

"Not as if I require those pointless texts."

"Sure, sure. 'Mr. Supreme.'" Nathan's voice adopted a theatrical flair. "I get you endure it endlessly each day, but you're excessively haughty toward your followers..."

"Then they ought to revere me from afar and tend to their affairs."

Nathan chuckled softly.

"That's not the way it goes."

He advanced a page.

"Yet regardless of their words—or your facade—I recognize you're truly compassionate, concealing your generous spirit."

Leo squinted at him mid-chew, then swallowed.

"That eerie smirk's back on your ugly mug..."

Nathan peeked his way momentarily, then resumed his comic, treating Leo like mere ambiance.

"What's that you're buried in?" Leo inquired.

The smile broadened further.

"A manga!"

"Obvious, idiot. Question is, why's a manga got you beaming like a leering old creep."

Unfazed, Nathan raised the volume and thrust it at Leo. Leo skimmed the spread.

"...Folks with beastly features?"

"Not folks, buddy." Nathan reclaimed it and waggled a digit like a reprimand.

""

"Demi-humans?"

"Exactly, demi-humans!"

"...?"

Leo cocked his head gradually, attempting to decipher the glitch in Nathan's mind.

"And what's with the sleazy grin over a demi-human manga?"

"Tch. You miss the allure of demi-humans, huh?" Nathan tsked repeatedly and shook his head, crestfallen—truly let down, as if Leo had flunked humanity.

It grated on him.

Nathan's look morphed to conceited, as though he'd abruptly claimed the high ground. Then he jammed the manga near Leo's nose, nearly clipping it.

"Check out these dog girls! Cat girls! Cow girls! Rabbit girls! And this fox girl—behold her splendor! Those soft ears! Her gaze! The vibe she radiates! The bushy tails! How can such refined allure escape you?"

"...You moron?"

"You're the moron!" Nathan retorted. "You miss the depth of the storyline entirely! These demi-humans fleeing human bigotry and bondage—ugh, humans are vile beasts, I could wipe them out!"

"You're human too, fool," Leo noted tonelessly.

"Quit drooling and riling up over your twisted daydreams. They're imaginary."

Nathan suddenly abandoned the manga and his meal. He rose and seized Leo's shoulders.

"You! Leo, that's outright rude!" Nathan declared, jostling him to impart wisdom.

"Pay attention, pal. Demi-humans are inherently fragile and self-doubting, so rudeness is like kicking them when down! Should you encounter one—like a stunning fox girl—pick words wisely and praise her! Something along, 'You're the loveliest fox I've ever seen! Adore your ears and tails!' Or, 'Your essence shines clearer than spring water!' Ah, wow—now I crave meeting a demi-human! This lead character's jinxed! It's unjust! Gimme my fox girl! Hate it! Hate it! Hate it!"

Now, the rooftop's occupants all gawked.

Some kids offered awkward grins, accustomed to Nathan's dramatics. Others appeared to side with him, fueling Leo's annoyance further.

"...Forgot demi-humans are make-believe?"

He strived for patience. Truly did.

Leo strained to avoid pulverizing his apple or slugging this fanciful fool in the jaw.

"Pointless... you... utterly beyond saving."

Strangely, Nathan's posture slumped. He released Leo and sank back earthward, vanquished.

"All that striking appearance and skill," Nathan muttered.

"Squandered on you. For real..."

Leo derided, reclined against the wall anew, and polished off his apple quietly.

It proved unhealthy.

In Leo's view, Nathan teetered on a dangerous edge—like he could come to despise reality, yearning solely for comic and book realms.

Perhaps... Leo harbored slight concern for the hapless fool, after all.

Even so, none would ever materialize as truth.

Merely—

an illusion.