Path of the Extra Chapter 378: Leo Karumi [12]

Previously on Path of the Extra...

Leo and Lea sit in a café, sharing desserts after shopping, where Lea teases him about his love for apples and observes his rare smiles. They discuss Leo's participation in the end-of-year festival, with Lea realizing his exceptional skills might overshadow others and requesting time to assign him a suitable role, which he agrees to. Probing deeper, Lea questions why Leo acts coldly toward everyone despite his underlying kindness, admitting she's told others as much, leaving him to confess he doesn't fully know why.

Leo found himself frozen in shock at the sight of his mother, who held his young sister's hand, both gazing at him with equally astonished looks.

Quickly, he got to his feet. Lea followed suit, equally taken aback, and grew a bit embarrassed under Jeanne's scrutiny. She recovered swiftly and bowed her head slightly.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Karumi. I'm Lea Roseberry. Leo's friend..."

Right away, Leo turned to her, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

Jeanne's gaze darted back and forth between the pair.

"Leo's... friend, is it? Well, pleasure to meet you as well. As you know, I'm Leo's mother. And this is his little sister."

Next, she turned to Leo with a sudden smile that caught him off guard.

He couldn't quite grasp it, yet it stirred discomfort in him. Something lurked in her eyes—perhaps amusement?

Regardless, that smile spelled trouble, leaving him wary.

"Looks like we've interrupted your special time with your 'friend,' Leo."

Her stress on the word left him uneasy.

"Sorry about that. Have fun—but make sure you're home before sunset."

Why did it seem like she was getting the wrong idea? And why the emphasis from his mother? Leo and Lea both picked up on it, leaving them both puzzled.

Suddenly, Lea proposed something bold.

"Oh—are you two thinking of grabbing a bite or drink here too? I wouldn't mind if you joined us!"

Jeanne lifted her brows, still clutching Lia, and examined Lea as though weighing her sincerity.

"You mean it? I don't want to spoil the young ones' moment."

"You wouldn't spoil a thing! Actually, I'd love the chance to learn more about you—and the Karumi family!"

"Oh my..."

Leo could only gape at Lea, his expression flat and devoid of enthusiasm.

"Leo? Any objections?"

Jeanne eyed him, awaiting his consent. He'd already gone this far. Playing the villain before his mom would only complicate matters, so he gave in.

"I don't mind."

He started to gesture toward the seat next to him for his mother, but Lea rose and offered it first. Jeanne expressed her thanks, then led Lia to settle beside Leo.

Lia slipped onto the couch without glancing his way. Leo made room for her and placed the umbrella along with the shopping bag—containing Lia's birthday present—over his knees.

Jeanne claimed the spot across from Lia, while Lea took the one opposite Leo. For a moment, Jeanne's attention lingered on the bag... before her face grew tense, and she fixed her eyes on Leo again.

"When I checked your room earlier today, I saw your schoolbag was still there."

Leo looked aside.

"...I forgot."

Jeanne let out a sigh and touched the back of her hand to her brow.

"Honestly... how do you keep overlooking stuff like this?"

"Didn't need it anyhow," Leo grumbled.

"That's beside the point, Leo. It's about showing proper respect to your teachers."

"...Okay. I won't forget next time."

"You always claim that, but this isn't our first chat about it."

"So what should I say now?"

"Don't forget your schoolbag."

"...Okay."

"You're not just saying 'okay' to repeat the error later, right?"

Her eyes narrowed. Leo avoided her stare.

"I promise I won't forget..."

"You mean it?"

"...Yeah."

"Pfft—!"

Both Leo and Jeanne whipped their heads toward Lea. Even Lia lifted her gaze from fiddling with the tablecloth's edge.

Lea went rigid, then flustered amid their collective attention.

"I—I'm sorry! It's only that..."

She rubbed her cheek and shot Leo a sheepish, crooked smile.

"It's... kind of new to see you getting lectured and actually paying attention. I somehow pictured you as someone who ignored everyone."

Leo frowned.

"She's my mom. Naturally, I listen to her."

Lea let out a quiet laugh.

"Right. My mistake. I get it now."

Jeanne observed them, a spark of interest crossing her features.

"Sounds like you've made quite an impression at school, Leo."

Leo gave a shrug.

"I'm just keeping things calm at school."

Jeanne shifted her focus to Lea.

"Is that accurate? My boy doesn't share much about his friends with me."

She propped her cheek on her hand, appearing mildly let down.

Lea let out a light giggle.

"He's spot on. If anything, we're the ones disturbing his calm."

A gentle smile eased Jeanne's expression, bringing relief.

"Glad to know. I suppose, being so near my son, you've seen his... challenging nature."

Lea glanced aside, uneasy.

"Uh... yes. It's definitely... unique."

"It's troubled us since he was young," Jeanne went on with a sigh. "We once brought in a therapist for his behavior. That therapist ended up in tears—and needed her own therapist."

"Mom," Leo hissed, "could you avoid humiliating me here and wrecking my remaining social standing?"

"Sorry, sorry." Jeanne dismissed it with a wave, unconcerned. "I'm thrilled to catch up on your school adventures lately. Besides studies, you rarely mention it, you know?"

That rang true, though Leo had never bothered discussing his social side. He'd assumed his mother wasn't interested anyway.

Yet now, observing her, he questioned his assumption.

"It's because there's not much worth mentioning..."

"Doesn't mean I don't want to hear," Jeanne replied, sounding frustrated.

She pivoted back to Lea.

"So, Lea—how did you and my son cross paths?"

"Leo? I believe it was when he popped into the student council room seeking Nathan..."

"The student council room?" Jeanne echoed, her brow furrowing in bewilderment.

Leo peeked at Lia, who seemed utterly bored, then replied before Lea could.

"Lea's the student council president. And she's pals with Nathan."

"I understand." Jeanne tapped her chin thoughtfully.

"So, a friend of a friend... and the president of the student council. That sounds like a tough job, doesn't it?"

Once more, Leo answered ahead of Lea.

"Not particularly. Plus, she came in second on the recent exams—and she's held 'second' since freshman year."

He shot Lea a look, a hint of teasing in his eyes for an instant. Lea's mouth quirked.

Leo pressed on, highlighting the word he knew would irk her.

"Second."

Jeanne missed the jab. She just nodded, clearly admiring.

"Student council president and second in class? That's impressive."

"T-thanks..." Lea turned away, shyly.

Compliments got to her—Leo was aware. Whenever he'd observed Nathan and Lea, Nathan would lob praises to rib her, and she'd bite every time.

"Leo, did you catch my earlier message?"

Leo nodded to his mother's query and patted the bag on his lap.

"It's right here."

Jeanne eyed the bag skeptically, almost disbelieving.

"Did you really put thought into it?"

Leo tensed, folding his arms.

"Naturally."

The whole day had been exhausting. It demanded far more brainpower than deserved.

Still, his mother seemed unconvinced—until Lea jumped in to back him up.

"He truly did, Mrs. Karumi," Lea assured her hastily. "We took nearly a full hour to select the ideal one!"

Jeanne's eyes grew wide as she glanced from Lea to Leo.

"You said ?"

"She assisted in choosing Lia's present," Leo explained.

"Oh my..." Jeanne whispered.

It seemed she'd uttered that phrase already today.

"Gift?" Lia brightened at once, her disinterest evaporating instantly.

Jeanne addressed Lea.

"Then I owe you thanks for aiding my son," she said kindly. "Without you, he'd probably have some clerk pick anything for his sister." She hesitated, then offered generously, "Want something? I'll cover it for you all. Go ahead—pick what you like, as much as you like."

Lea blushed at the kind words and shook her hands vigorously.

"No, no, it's okay! I'm just... glad to settle my dues with Leo."

"Dues?" Jeanne repeated, puzzled.

Lea grew a tad anxious under the spotlight. She looked to Leo for aid, but he appeared utterly relaxed.

"Um, well... I requested Leo's assistance for the year-end festival," Lea confessed. "He said yes, so I helped select a nice gift for Lia... and treated him to food."

Jeanne blinked in surprise. Then she nodded as though it clicked—before her eyes returned to Leo with swift disapproval.

"Why make her cover your meal?" she reprimanded. "You have plenty of cash."

"Free eats just taste superior," Leo shot back, as if stating a universal truth.

"That's missing the mark, Leo," Jeanne replied, irritated.

"How often must I explain?"

"It's okay—honestly," Lea interjected fast, eager to avoid a spat.

"I enjoyed covering it."

She appreciated Leo's agreement to festival help. If the cost was gift shopping and apple pie, she welcomed it. Nothing should spoil her hard-won progress today.

Jeanne's look warmed.

"Alright, if you're certain... My son is fortunate to have a generous friend like you."

"U-um... th-thank you..." Lea stammered, her cheeks warming as she averted her gaze.

"Is that bag for me?"

"Hm?"

All heads turned to Lia, whose eyes fixed eagerly on the bag across Leo's lap.

"Oh—yes," Leo confirmed, raising it.

"Here you go."

"Hold on, Leo. Lia."

Just as he moved to pass it, Jeanne halted them.

"Lia, remember we came for your favorite cake?" she reminded. "Not to unwrap gifts yet."

"But..." Lia's stare remained glued to the bag, desire pouring from her.

The discussion—and knowing Leo and Lea had devoted time to it—had only heightened her eagerness to peek inside.

"You swore to open everything at tomorrow's party," Jeanne coaxed softly.

"...Yes," Lia muttered.

Recalling her vow, Lia's posture sagged. She began to pout, her feet swinging gently beneath the table.

"Well," Jeanne continued, aiming to comfort, "I'm positive you'll adore it. It's from your big brother—like last year with Mister Whiskers, which you've treasured ever since."

"Mom," Leo grumbled, "that's not aiding."

Lia raised her head, blinking fast, puzzlement blooming on her face.

"Mister Whiskers... came from big brother?"

"Don't you recall Leo giving you Mister Whiskers?"

Lia gradually faced Leo, as if uncovering a major revelation.

Leo, with elbow on the table and face in hand, seemed just as indifferent.

"Big brother gifted me Mister Whiskers...?"

"Yeah," Leo affirmed.

"What, you don't like it now?"

"No!" Lia exclaimed, alarmed, shaking her head vigorously enough to make her hair fly.

"I-I had no idea it was from big brother!"

"Now you know," Leo stated.