Path of the Extra Chapter 376: Leo Karumi [10]

As he stepped out from that abhorrent edifice—and its abhorrent function—Leo's countenance turned grim.

Torrential rain had engulfed the entire world, submerging all beneath sheets of water.

"I... fucking hate this day."

Why must every person and circumstance disrupt his daily routine on this particular day?

Naturally, he'd overlooked his bag, and naturally, he hadn't bothered with the forecast—so naturally, no umbrella was in his possession.

Yet when Leo cast a glance to his right, he became motionless.

A stack of umbrellas rested orderly along the wall, seemingly placed there just for him.

"Huh?"

He blinked several times before edging forward warily. Pinned above the umbrellas was a sheet of paper affixed to the wall.

Leo's mouth formed a grin as he selected a crimson umbrella.

"Luck has finally returned to my side."

He had zero intention of giving it back.

Popping it open with a snap, he ventured into the downpour.

In this manner, he departed from the school.

On his feet.

Their home wasn't distant—a mere twenty-minute stroll away—and Leo typically welcomed the walk. It cleared his mind. The bus was an option, but he favored avoiding it. Pedestrian travel offered tranquility.

The precipitation, however... that was his grievance.

Or it had been, up to this moment.

The avenues stood largely deserted, with occasional vehicles gliding by. The atmosphere seemed subdued, dominated solely by the persistent patter of the rain.

"Meow!"

"Hm?"

Leo halted. A tiny figure obstructed the walkway in front.

"Meow! Meow!"

A pale feline sprawled on the pavement, its coat thoroughly saturated, gazing toward the road as though paralyzed. Leo's brow furrowed as he drew near with caution. Upon nearing, the creature tensed and pivoted to face him, revealing golden irises with narrow slits.

Yet it refrained from fleeing.

Or more accurately... it was incapable.

Leo noticed the telltale: a thin streak of crimson, swiftly diluted by the deluge.

Gripping the umbrella firmly, he knelt down. The cat hissed at once, exposing its teeth, but Leo held his gaze steady without backing down.

"You want me to leave you here to die, you ungrateful shit?"

The cat remained rigid, eyes locked on him in defiance. Swiftly, before it could respond, Leo grasped its hind left limb and examined it.

"Ah... a splinter."

A sizable fragment, embedded firmly—likely from an unwitting step or leap. The storm might have masked its presence.

The cat persisted in meowing, both desperately and furiously, but Leo acted without delay. He gripped the intruder and yanked it free.

"MEOW! MEOW! MEOW!"

Leo felt certain the cat was hurling feline profanities at him.

Flinging the shard away, he let go of the paw. For an instant, the cat merely observed—then its stance relaxed, as realization dawned.

Abruptly, like a trigger pulled, it advanced and nuzzled against Leo's calf.

This act sealed it. A faint grin crept onto Leo's lips despite himself.

He extended a hand to pet its damp coat. The cat responded with a rumble.

"I wish I could take you home," Leo whispered.

"But it looks like you already have one."

The necklace encircling its throat had caught his eye.

"You should go back," he stated, tone even yet gentle.

"I’m sure your owner’s worried."

The cat replied with one meow.

Then, without warning, it leaped.

"Whoa—!"

Leo recoiled sharply, staggering rearward. His shoe skidded. He landed hard on his backside, the umbrella flying from his fingers.

"Ah, fuck!"

In a flash, he was soaked through.

Leo shot a glare upward, catching sight of the cheeky furball dashing off as if its prior injury was a distant memory.

He tsked in annoyance.

"Ungrateful shit..."

His device vibrated within his pocket. He fished it out hastily—now dampening—and cupped the display protectively.

Leo regarded the notification with vacant eyes.

Tucking the phone away once more, he raised his gaze, water cascading over his features, lids heavy with exhaustion.

"I fucking hate this day."

"Then how about I help improve it?"

An ebony umbrella descended over Leo's crown, blocking the torrent from his visage. Darkness enveloped him as a figure neared—so near that a countenance hovered overhead, peering downward.

A stunning young woman. Not merely attractive—staggeringly so, prompting Leo to briefly question if delirium had set in, or if death had transported him to paradise... until familiarity struck, anchoring him to this mundane realm.

Locks of jet-black hair cascaded along her spine, scarlet lips pressed in concern, and ebony orbs gleamed like burnished stone. Her complexion was impeccable—untouched by blemish—and she donned the identical academy attire.

Leo recognized her instantly.

"Lea..."

His features soured at once.

The female observing him with evident worry was the pupil assembly leader—renowned as the school's prettiest, the brightest, and the runner-up in overall intellect...

Evidently, Leo claimed the top spot. He'd outshone her annually since freshman days through to their senior year.

Not that it mattered to him. He regarded her no differently from others. The sole distinction lay in Nathan—regrettably—being part of the assembly as deputy head.

In spite of Nathan's occasional antics, he was dutiful, sharp... and acquainted with Lea.

Consequently, Leo had crossed paths with her sporadically across the years. Yet he viewed her not as a companion. Rather... relative to school unknowns, she seemed less alien. And versus the masses, less inept.

She'd extended invitations to the assembly countless times—directly, even—and he'd spurned each one.

"Why are you looking at me like I’m your archnemesis?" Lea inquired, mustering a faint grin. "Please stop that. It genuinely hurts."

"What do you want?"

Leo disregarded her emotions. Feigning interest wasn't his style.

Her mouth flickered. His bluntness irked her visibly, yet she clung to that courteous facade.

"I saw you sitting here, soaked in the rain, and I wanted to help. Am I not allowed to?"

Leo locked eyes with her. Sincerity shone through.

He exhaled.

"No. It’s fine. Thanks."

Her gaze broadened marginally; appreciation from him was unforeseen.

Rising to his feet, Leo retrieved his umbrella... or its remnants. The item was now sodden and worthless.

"Want to share?" Lea offered.

He regarded her. She returned the look with playful glint and a sly smirk.

Leo's eyes tightened, and he snorted.

"Fine."

"Huh?"

"I said fine. Or are you backing out now?"

"N-No... I’m not..."

Taken aback by his consent, she inched nearer. Leo hoisted Lea's umbrella to shelter them jointly—then nonchalantly discarded his own onto the concrete.

"Hey! You can’t just leave that there!"

"It’s useless anyway."

"That doesn’t matter. It’s littering! That’s illegal, you know!"

"Good luck."

He strode onward, as though deaf to her protest. Lea paused briefly—then sensed exposure as rain assaulted her flank and garb.

"Ah—!"

She dashed back beneath the cover and scowled upward at him.

"You... you’re unbelievable! I lend you my umbrella and you start acting like it’s yours! You’re so ungrateful!"

Leo paid her no heed, and they proceeded, forsaking the discarded canopy.

Moments later, Leo came to a halt. Lea mirrored him, cocking her head curiously.

"Actually, never mind," Leo declared.

"You should just go without me. I need to go to the shopping mall."

"...That’s fine," Lea responded without pause.

"I don’t live far from the mall anyway, and I’m free. I also needed to talk to you about something."

Leo eyed her momentarily, then released a breath.

"So it wasn’t just because you wanted to help. Be honest—how long have you been trailing me?"

Lea averted her gaze, shame etching her features.

"Since you rejected that first-year," she confessed softly. "In front of your class. I-I mean... I wanted to call out to you earlier when you forgot your umbrella, but you found one. Then I hesitated, and... I decided to finally approach after I saw you help the cat."

"Hmph." Leo turned aside. "Whatever. It’s fine."

Then, following a beat, he appended wearily, "Let’s go. Sorry for the trouble, I guess."

Lea blinked, her demeanor easing, and inclined her head.

"Thank you... and it’s no trouble."

Beneath a single umbrella, they made for the mall. Their frames remained proximate, shoulders occasionally brushing in transit.

As Lea appeared to steady herself, she stole a peek at Leo.

He fixed his stare forward, visage devoid of emotion.

"Why the shopping mall?" she queried.

"What are you buying?"

"A gift for my little sister," Leo answered promptly, oblivious to the astonishment crossing her expression.

"Eh? You have a little sister?" Lea exclaimed.

"How is this the first time I’m hearing about it?"

"Because there’s no reason to tell you anything about my private life."

"But even Nathan never mentioned you had a little sister!"

"Again. Because there’s no reason for me—or Nathan—to tell you about my private life. Your curiosity annoys him too, which honestly takes talent. So... congrats."

A subtle sulk appeared on Lea’s lips.

"You really are difficult..."

Leo rolled his eyes.

"Just tell me what you want this time."

Lea’s face transformed swiftly to gravity. She maintained her focus on him amid their steps, and Leo deliberately synced his stride to keep her shielded from the wet.

"I want to ask if you’ve thought about our request," she stated, "about doing a solo performance at the end-of-year festival."

A resigned breath slipped from Leo’s mouth right away.

"I heard everything from Nathan," he explained. "And I told him to tell you I’m not doing it."

Lea compressed her lips, unsurprised. She'd anticipated as much—Nathan had forewarned her.

"Then... what about playing the lead role in our theatre play for the festival?"

"No."

"The antagonist?"

"No."

"A side character?"

"No."

"Then just a background extra!"

"No."

"Ugh!" Lea burst out, irritation surging.

"You’re so annoying!"

Leo swiveled toward her, gaze intensifying.

"You call me annoying, but all I want is peace. And you people keep pestering me with selfish requests because you’re not competent enough to handle things yourselves."

His delivery remained calm, monotone, nearly indifferent—rendering it all the more cutting.

"I have no obligation to any of you. I don’t owe you anything. I’m not close with any of you. And I’m not helping any of you—especially when it isn’t mandatory."

Overwhelmed by his barrage, Lea could only glance aside. But Leo pressed on.

"All of you—especially you—act like you’re so kind. But you just don’t stop. You give in to your curiosity, trying to learn more about me at every turn, without respecting my privacy or my wishes. It’s always you guys who come to me, never the other way around. Anyone in my position wouldn’t exactly be fond of—"

"Alright! I get it! I get it! I... I’m sorry, okay? You’re right. I shouldn’t bother you so much..."

She clutched her satchel with both fists, eyes fixed on the ground, face shadowed with regret.

"I understand that I get too curious sometimes," she uttered, pushing the admission forth. "And that I can make some people uncomfortable... or give the wrong impression with my actions..."

Perhaps Leo had overstepped.

"...As long as you understand, it’s fine," he responded.

Thus, Leo deemed the exchange concluded. He had no desire to dwell. Truthfully, he'd preferred avoiding this altogether.

"But..." Lea’s tone resurfaced—far more fervent now.

She ceased movement so suddenly that Leo mirrored her, lest she stand exposed to the storm.

"The only reason I’m selfish is because I want everyone to have an amazing time—something they can look back on with real memories when they leave this school properly. And I know I’m not the only one... Everyone is excited. They can’t wait for next week so we can start preparing and making the end-of-year festival something special. I’m only saying this because I know it’ll become a precious memory for everyone—me included—if you participate too!"

"..."

"I don’t know what I have to do to convince someone like you. I don’t know if telling you your family would be excited would work... and I can’t bribe you, because I’ve heard you and your family are loaded. You’re smarter than me. No matter how hard I try, you always beat me. You’re the most athletic in our year, too. If someone like you says no... then what’s the point of trying to change your mind? B-but I can’t give up! If there’s even a one percent chance you might change your mind, then I’ll keep being selfish and disrespectful—if not for everyone else’s sake, then at least for mine!"

Lea hunched over, panting deeply, drawing breath. Her outburst had escalated in volume with each phrase. Fortuitously, the thoroughfare was near-vacant, and the downpour masked her cries.

Leo observed her. Lea kept her sight lowered, dodging his visage—so missing the subtle curve at his lip's edge.

The assembly head—adored by all—was essentially pleading.

Should witnesses behold this, they'd adore her anew, moved by her fervent quest for shared "childhood memories"... and likely plot against Leo for his iciness.

"Are you crying?" Leo questioned.

Lea jerked.

"N-no...!"

"But I can see your tears hitting the ground."

"T-that’s—" she faltered. "That’s just the rain! Just the rain!"

Despite her insistence, she avoided his eyes.

Such vulnerability would have swayed him to agree on her initial plea.

They might have found modest joy, perhaps.

Still, Leo perceived no value in engaging his peers, the seniors, in earnest involvement.

He scrutinized Lea narrowly. She quivered subtly, prompting Leo to shift the umbrella for full coverage.

"...Okay," Leo uttered abruptly.

"Huh?"

Lea elevated her head at last. Damp tresses clung to her cheeks, orbs expanded—as if doubting her ears.

"Can you repeat that?" she beseeched, dazed.

"...Food."

"What?"

"Food."

"Food?" she repeated, utterly baffled.

"Yes," Leo affirmed.

"Food."

"What... what about food?"

"Treat me to food," Leo clarified.

"Eh? What? Treat you to food...? W-why...?"

She appeared utterly confounded.

Then—unexpectedly—Leo grinned.

"If you want me to help with the end-of-year festival, help me first. You’re coming with me to buy a present for my little sister. After that, you treat me to food."

Lea remained rooted, stupefied. Astonished. Her thoughts raced to process the pivot.

"You... you’re not joking, right? Please—if you are, just say so. D-don’t mess with me like that... Don’t be cruel this time. Please."

"I’m serious. But if you don’t believe me, then don’t take my help. Suit yourself."

With those words, he resumed his pace.

Lea reacted in alarm. Any delay would expose her to the elements. She surged ahead and seized his unoccupied limb.

"W-wait! Wait, wait, wait! I-I believe you! I believe you, I swear! I’ll help you buy the best gift your little sister will love forever—and I’ll treat you to as much food as you want! I promise!"

"...You don’t need to go that far," Leo grumbled.

"But fine."

A radiant beam lit Lea’s features.

Leo exhaled.

"Can you let go of my arm now?"

"Eh—ah! Yes, sorry!" she blurted, freeing him promptly.

Thereafter, she handled him like a wary feline, fearing any misstep might reverse his decision.

Leo remained indifferent. He continued onward, and she aligned her steps, beaming inwardly as though reborn.