Chapter 17: The Day the School Officially Lost Its Mind
983 Words
Arden awoke screaming.
Which would have been normal—
—
If he isn't waking up in a school infirmary, on a couch, wrapped in a blanket that reeks of being obscenely expensive, with a mafia heir sitting beside him browsing his phone.
Arden sat bolt upright.
“WHY ARE YOU HERE.”
Kaito did not look up. “You fainted"
“I FAINTED WITH DIGN-"
“You screamed.”
“…I fainted loudly.”
The nurse swooped in right away, her eyes darting back and forth between them as if she'd entered a true-crime show.
“Oh good, you’re awake,” she said to Arden. “You gave us quite a scare.”
Arden rubbed his face. “Ma’am, with respect, this school has given me the scare,” Arden said.
She smiled nervously at Kaito. "I-is he bothering you?"
Finally, Kaito looked up.
“No,” he replied calmly. “I’m supervising
The nurse swallowed hard. "Of course you are."
She fled.
Arden slowly turned to Kaito. “WHY ARE YOU SUPERVISING ME LIKE A SICKLY VICTORIAN CHILD."
Kaito stood. “That's because you can’t handle stress
“I COLLAPSE WHEN NEAR YOU.”
“Same thing.”
Arden stared. “THAT IS NOT—
The infirmary door slammed open.
Lila flung open the door, followed by six students appearing not to follow her.
“ARDEN!” she screamed. “ARE YOU—”
She stood stock-still.
Her eyes fell on the blanket.
Then, to Kaito
“Then back to Arden,” Sawyer
“…Did you sleep together.”
"Arden SC
“NOOOO—THIS IS A MEDICAL BLANKET—WHY WOULD
Kaito tilted his head. “She fainted.”
Arden wheezed. “I DID NOT
Lila clasped her hands. "Oh my god. He's protecting you. Like a tragic romance."
“I AM NOT A ROMANCE,” cried Arden. “I AM A CAUTIONARY TALE.”
---
SCHOOL-WIDE CHAOS: PH
By the second period, rumors had EVOLVED.
Arden learned this because:
Arden
1. He was handed a paper printout subtitled
TOP 10 REASONS ARDEN IS A MAFIA SPOUSE
2. Another student asked whether Kaito would “approve” of a group project partner.
3. A teacher asked Arden, gently, “Were you under any duress?”
"I CAN'T EVEN OPEN A LOCKER WITHOUT LORE," Arden would yell, slamming his locker shut.
(Matt Ep
Kaito was right there beside him, completely calm.
A group of students stood frozen mid-stride.
“They’re standing together,” a whisper was passed
Another whispered, "That's his spot."
Arden moved in closer to Kaito. “Why do they keep whispering?”
Kaito said calmly, "You're interesting
“I AM A DISASTER.”
“Yes"
“…That wasn’t comforting
Therefore,
TEACHERS’ MEETING (A.K.A)
Third period was cancelled.
Why?
Because Arden was summoned to the office.
With Kaito
The principal sat stiffly at his desk, hands clasped together.
The vice principal clutched a clipboard like a shield.
“So, we’ve received… concerns,” the principal started.
Arden nodded vigorously. “YES ME TOO I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY LIFE—”
“There are rumors.” The school principal cleared his throat.
“BURN THEM,” Arden pleaded
The vice principal adjusted his glasses. “Are you being. threatened?”
“No.” Kaito replied calmly
Arden pointed. “SEE? HE ANSWERED. THAT’S
Kaito looked at him. "You ramble."
“I COPE
“And your. .. relationship?"
"WE ARE NOT DATING," Arden banged his hands on the desk.
“I will protect you,” Kaito said, at
“We’re close
Silence.
Arden gradually turned around. “…Define close.”
“I ensure he remains alive.” Kaito thought.
“…WHY WOULD YOU SAY IT LIKE THAT.” Arden whispered.
The vice principal turned pale.
The headmaster nodded nervously. “Right. Well. As long as everything is safe.”
“It is,” Kaito said
They dismissed them instantly.
Arden collapsed against the wall. “I THINK I JUST GOT ADOPTED BY THE UNDERWORLD.”
---
LUNCH: THE MOST DANGEROUS MEAL OF THE DAY
Arden tried to sit alone.
He failed.
Kaito sat across from him.
The cafeteria became completely silent.
A fork froze mid-air.
A tray had been dropped.
"YOU CAN SIT ANYWHERE," he hissed, "
“This is efficient,” Kaito said.
"I AM NOT A BUSINESS MEETING."
Kaito moved Arden’s tray closer. “You forgot to eat.”
Arden gaped. “.Are you feeding me.”
“You skipped breakfast.”
“I WAS BEING HAUNTED
Kaito urged the juice box closer to himself.
Arden drank solely out of intimidation.
In the room, the phones were up.
A faint whisper could be heard, saying, “He’s
Another whispered, “This is marriage behavior.”
Arden lightly tapped his head on the table. “I WILL NEVER KNOW PEACE.”
---
Kaito's phone beeped during the middle of lunch
There was a change in his
Just slightly.
Arden noticed.
“…What
“Stay here.” - Kaito
“NOPE. YOU DON’T SAY THAT AND THEN JUST LEAVE,” Arden grabbed his sleeve.
"Kaito"
Then, softly, removed Arden’s hand. “Don’t move"
“I HATE that sentence.”
Kaito walked away, and his bodyguards appeared from nowhere.
The cafeteria bustled.
Arden's chest constricted
There was something amiss.
Moments passed.
Too many.
Then Kaito came back
Expression calm again.
Arden got up. ".What happened
Kaito met his eyes. “Someone asked questions.”
Arden swallowed hard.
“About me"
“Yes"
Arden laughed weakly. “HAHA—"
“I already explained—” Mika started, before being interrupted by the arrival of more thugs,
Arden froze.
“…You can’t just-"
I can.
“…I did not agree to my being a plot device.”
Kaito’s voice softened. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Arden looked away. “.You keep saying that.”
"Because it's true," Kaito said softly.
- Writer
