Path of the Extra Chapter 391: Leo Karumi [25]

"What if I threw a water balloon from up here onto Dave’s head?"

"Where would you even find a water balloon?"

Leo cast a doubtful glance at Nathan—convinced the guy had some hidden nearby.

Nathan paused briefly before explaining. "The janitor’s closet. Water balloons are stashed there."

Leo arched both eyebrows.

They climbed higher as a weird idea hit him.

It seemed far-fetched, yet—why stock water balloons in winter?

Leo shrugged it off.

He peered down at the field instead. Leaning on the rooftop rail, he and Nathan observed the students below—guys in crisp tuxes, girls in fancy gowns—swaying in pairs or clusters near a huge bonfire.

Cliché, Leo mused. Still, Nathan suggested it, and Leo went along, claiming it let the otaku fulfill his dream—or so he convinced himself.

"You should head down and dance with everyone else," Leo stated bluntly, gaze fixed on the flames. Smoky aroma had wafted up high.

Black tuxedos clad them both.

"Nah, I’m good," Nathan replied casually. Somehow, a lollipop appeared, now stuck in his mouth.

"I’m good too," Leo shot back, eyes narrowing. "So go already."

Nathan pivoted, sly grin spreading.

"If I go, will you dance with me?"

"Die."

"Ouch."

Nathan feigned hurt and averted his gaze, leaning further over the rail.

Since he pouted like this often, Leo ignored it. He exhaled softly, relaxing, glancing below—dropping defenses only with him.

Precisely why the ambush caught him off guard.

"Take this!"

Leo whipped toward Nathan on reflex.

Big error.

A small, round, soggy object got shoved into his mouth.

Leo stiffened like a fool, staring at Nathan’s smug grin. Nathan dangled the lollipop stick—now lodged between Leo’s lips.

Heat flooded Leo’s cheeks. Forehead veins throbbed.

"You piece of shit," Leo snarled, lollipop still in as he seized Nathan’s hair with both fists and pulled.

"O-ouch! Release me, Leo—show pity! I don’t wanna go bald!"

"Your dad’s nearly bald already!" Leo barked, tugging fiercer. "What’s that saying? Early beats late! No sense hiding a worthless head under hair!"

Oddly, Leo kept the lollipop untouched.

Why not? He was helping Nathan—skipping future haircuts. Noble deed.

Saint Leo.

"C-context! Context is key!" Nathan gasped, clawing at Leo’s wrists to break free. "P-please, sorry! I’m sorry!"

Leo’s hold stayed firm. In brute force, Leo outmatched him, sadly for Nathan.

"U-um..."

A fresh voice echoed on the roof.

Leo and Nathan turned rigid like stone—still locked—then pivoted slowly with icy glares at the newcomer.

Eyes bulged.

Lea stood frozen, uneasy, flashing an embarrassed smile. She waved timidly.

"H-hi..."

They sprang apart instantly.

Nathan mumbled a clumsy hello. Leo just gawked, absorbing her sight.

Lea donned a billowing crimson gown. Subtle makeup and red lips aimed for grown-up vibes, but to Leo, she seemed even cuter.

Yet the boy two paces off—messy hair, rumpled tux, dazed look—gaped at her like a goddess. If Lea sought stares from a hunk like Nathan, mission accomplished.

Lea glanced between them, disapproval flickering. Arms folded, she approached with a pout.

"I’ve been searching for you guys since the sports festival kicked off," she noted. "Where’ve you hidden? And why brawl up here?"

Sadness tinged her tone too—as if she’d truly hunted them down.

Leo’s mind swirled this week, no alibi ready.

Nathan stepped in.

"Ah, see, Lea..."

Nathan shifted awkwardly, scratching his arm, eyes darting.

A lame excuse, Leo thought, noting Lea’s wary face.

"The thing is... Leo got worried I’d ditch him post-festival."

"..."

"..."

Leo gaped blankly.

Lea matched his shock.

Nathan slung an arm over Leo’s shoulder, past tussle forgotten.

Gutsy move.

"So lately, I’ve reassured Leo I’d never abandon him," Nathan beamed warmly—fooling even Lea.

Damn.

Leo nearly bought it too.

No—he kinda did. That irritating jerk’s words... held truth.

Especially not ditching him.

"I must say, reassuring him took tons of lo—"

"A-argh!" Nathan cried.

Leo, face blank, twisted the arm on his shoulder just right.

"T-that stings! Stop—mercy! Mercy!"

Lea dropped her frown, giggling at Nathan—half amused, half annoyed.

Leo released before breaking it.

"Bast—" Nathan cut off curses. Leo predicted it but let pass. "What if you wreck me so I can’t hoop anymore?!"

Leo shrugged as Nathan grumbled, massaging his arm.

"Well, Leo’d cover hospital costs at least," Lea joked weakly. "With his cash...?"

Silence crashed down awkwardly.

"D-did I mess up?" Lea fretted, eyes widening.

Nathan shook head fast. "Nah, just—uh..." He rubbed his cheek.

Leo cleared throat, pulling her focus.

"Nathan’s family outriches mine."

"..."

"Come again?" Lea blinked.

"Nathan’s family outriches mine."

"...."

"He owns the mansion," Leo clarified. "Not me."

Lea gawked, brain fried. She eyed Nathan, who studied sky, rail, distant fire intently.

"...R-really?" Lea stuttered.

"Really," Leo affirmed.

Lea grew uneasy by degrees.

"L-Leo, maybe," she whispered, voice shaky. "But... Nathan too? I hung with two young masters...?"

"Who’re you calling young master?" Leo growled.

Lea ignored, teeth clenched, wedging between them, gripping rail for support.

Nathan recalled something, eyeing her vibe.

"Why’d you climb up anyway?" he queried.

No sense fleeing roof amid field crowds.

Lea pouted deeper.

"Dodging boys begging dances," she muttered. "Came here to chill..."

"I see." Nathan tapped chin, then grinned brilliantly—idea sparking.

He knelt abruptly, gazing up at Lea sparklingly. She glared down, irked.

"Prez, wanna dance with this super-rich young mast—"

"I refuse."

"Khh—" Leo turned, stifling laughter.

"N-no pause, huh," Nathan grumbled, rising with knee pats. "Could’ve eased you downstairs to have fun, me as guard."

Lea pondered, then declined.

"Nice idea," she said, "but I’m fine. Thanks anyway."

Nathan shrugged. "Sure."

Leo sensed his letdown.

Leo wondered if her steps were flawless—then brushed off. Lea likely rehearsed endlessly.

Lea sulked anew.

"Wish I had riches... Being a healthy princess sounds great."

Nathan scowled, muttering grudgingly.

"Rich life ain’t all great..."

Lea eye-rolled.

"Typical rich talk."

"I mean it!" Nathan burst. "Know how irritating fancy events are? Stuffy outfits, fake grins, dull chats we dub ’socializing’—more like savage old torture?"

Grievances poured like pent-up years.

"Plus endless visits to snobby heiresses for ’engagement talks.’ Super awkward rejecting them! Why Mom pushes this? Humiliating, and those girls nag endlessly. Dumb politics!"

Nathan ranted breathlessly.

Leo eyed him with uncommon pity.

Lea stared, suddenly intrigued.

"How many engagement tries?" she probed, leaning close, eager.

Nathan fidgeted, averting gaze.

"Around... twelve."

"Woah..." Lea breathed. "T-that’s tons, right...?"

Nathan nodded.

"But why nix twelve?" Lea pressed. "Who knows if love’ll strike again for you!"

"S-someone like me?!" Nathan bristled. "Rude! Loads of fans chase me!" Chest puffed indignantly. "Anyhow, those setups bore me—I said those girls headache city!"

Lea spun to Leo, buzzing.

"You, Leo? How many proposals? Fifteen? Twenty? Fifty?" Eyes gleamed near. "Wait—engaged secret?"

"W-wait," Nathan whined, stung. "Why more for him?!"

They blanked him.

"Dunno," Leo answered.

"...?" Lea cocked head.

"’Dunno’ what?"

Leo shrugged. "Never checked proposals. Parents silent. Doubt secret engagement..."

He halted, adding dryly,

"...hope not."

Lea wilted on rail, crushed.

"I crave proposals too..." she sighed. "So dreamy, betrothed to hot prince, love blooming slow..."

"Didn’t you want princess?" Leo puzzled.

Lea chin-planted rail, bonfire-fixed.

"Both," she mumbled. "Want it all."

"What if fat, sweaty prince?" Nathan teased grinning.

"I said handsome!" Lea yelled, glaring.

Nathan chuckled, fueling her squint.

Then—revenge or whim—she stood tall, faced Leo intently, challenging. Leo met gaze wordlessly.

"Leo," she declared. "Dance with me?"

Nathan petrified, face absurd. Leo blinked.

"...No thanks."

"Wha—really? Can’t dance?"

"I can," Leo said evenly. "Not in the mood."

Lea deflated, rail-slumped, brooding.

"Rejected all, but the one I wanted ditched me..." Dramatic sigh. "Life’s harsh, eh..."

Skyward gaze.

"Worse—no white Christmas." Voice spiked. "Argh—infuriating! Gimme snow!"

Outburst jolted boys.

Lea fumed, then stretched mood away.

"Heading down. Might snag prince en route."

Boys silent, tracking her exit.

Nathan neared Leo, whispering.

"Sure no dance with her?"

"Yeah," Leo confirmed.

"Don’t wanna mislead her."

"Unlikely," Nathan countered. "Bet she tested dancer skills."

"Even so..."

Nathan paused expectant.

Leo murmured low,

"A guy like me shouldn’t dance with a girl like her."

Nathan’s face mixed sorrow, complexity—no rebuttal.

Leo tracked Lea till gone.

Had he foreseen ahead, he’d retract. Accept instantly. Festival aimed memories—true, joyful. His... hers.

Dance could’ve sparked one.

Weeks later, Leo grasped the pivot in his warped fate.

Life proved cruel.

December 24—Christmas Eve—snow’s sole grace fell as Lea overdosed that night.