And as if a being drowned by water, the festive mood that Hannah and the rest of the Baby Crew died down as soon as Julius once again showed his presence uninvited.
"...Do you need us, big sister Hannah?"
Tomoe quickly approached the two, her hands already cold and ready to encase Julius inside a wall of ice. Bella and Aerith were also behind her, seemingly ready to throw hands at any second, more so Bella than Aerith.
Their fighting spirits, however, did not have the chance to take fruit as Hannah shook her head.
"No… I'll handle this," Hannah said as she waved her hand, "You guys get in the truck, I'll be there in a few."
"...Aight, just knock when you need us."
"Hm," Hannah watched as the others soon stepped inside the truck. And as soon as they were all gone, she furrowed her eyebrows and focused on Julius.
"What are you doing here?" She said, her eyes somewhat hostile as they stared at Julius's almost perfect face.
"It's your birthday. Why wouldn't I be here to greet you?" Julius then said as he slightly stretched his hand, presenting the bouquet of flowers in his hand to Hannah, "Can we… talk alone? I have something to tell you."
"We… already broke things up," Hannah muttered, "I think it would be best for you to keep your distance for now."
"..."
"..." Julius remained quiet for a few seconds after Hannah's cold words. But after a few more moments, a small but hesitant smile appeared on his face.
"Even so," he breathed out, "I would like to give this to you… even just as a friend."
"I am not accepting that."
"I would also like to apologize to your brother for losing my manners as well," Julius sighed as the bouquet of flowers stretched closer to Hannah, "I… wasn't in the right mood and I said something that I shouldn't have and–"
"That's done already, just stop," Hannah also let out a sigh, "Now, if you'll excuse me… I still have a lot of fun activities to do with my friends," she then said, making sure to emphasize the last word.
"Then… please, just accept my gift."
"Bro, why are you so persistent!?" Gary suddenly leaned out his head through the mirror, not able to move much as he was still tied on his seat, "Leave the girl alone, man!"
"..."
"..."
"I will," Julius then said loudly as he looked Hannah straight in the eyes, "This might actually be the last time we will be seeing each other for a very long time, m'lady."
"...What?" Hannah blinked.
"I… might be leaving the Academy for business-related reasons," Julius sighed, "My vacation was always just going to be until the end of this year, and this year is ending, so…
…Please, if you can't accept this as a birthday gift, then please just accept it as a farewell gift."
"I…" Hannah could only blink a couple of times as she returned Julius's… heartfelt gaze. Julius's eyes slightly turned wide as he finally received a response from Hannah; but alas, all Hannah did was grab the bouquet before stepping inside the truck without saying anything; closing the door on Julius.
"Hannah, wait…" Julius, however, still placed his palm on the door, "Our time together was very short… but I was truly happy. Some things might have been untrue, but I was truly happy and…
…I hope you were too."
"..."
"..." Hannah did not even look at Julius as she started the car; her eyes, just staring at the steering wheel. And after a few seconds, she nodded before driving away without a word.
"..."
"..."
"I tried saving you… all of you. I really did," Julius then whispered as he turned around. His steps, however, stopped as someone was suddenly blocking his path– Daniel Espinoza.
"...Do you need something from me, child?" Julius then slightly backed away; blinking as he looked at Daniel's face and trying to figure out why he was there.
"Was that… Bella and the others?" Danny also blinked as he looked at the disappearing truck from the distance.
"...Yes?"
"They… left without me?" Danny then said as he dropped his bag on the ground; his words, almost belonging to that of someone defeated.
Julius, on the other hand, could not help but smile and sigh as he heard Daniel's words,
"Aren't you lucky, then?" Julius whispered; placing his hand on Daniel's shoulder before walking away.
"Huh?" Daniel quickly looked back, only to see that Julius was already gone.
"The fuck?" Daniel squinted, "Why is this Academy filled with weirdos?"
"..."
"..."
"Ah, damn it," Daniel then sighed as he picked up his bags,
"I guess it's ramen again."
***
"..."
"..."
"You okay, girl? Want me to drive?"
"..."
"..."
Bella attempted to break the silence as she was the one riding shotgun, but the only response she got from Hannah was the truck getting faster. But finally, after a few more seconds, Hannah let out a small sigh.
"N… no, we will be going on Jet mode in a few kilometers anyway," she whispered, answering Bella's question after a full minute.
"Why did that guy have to ruin our mood?" Gary clicked his tongue, "Who do these damn young masters think they could do anything they want to?"
"Just don't mind the guy anymore, sis," Bella sighed, "What's important is you tight. You okay?"
"I'm okay! Alright!? I'm okay!"
"!!!"
Bella and the others could not help but almost hit their heads on their seats, as the truck suddenly floated to the air; almost making them feel like their insides were left back on the ground.
"O… okay, alright, Jesus!" Bella grasped her seatbelt tight, "You white folks be crazy sometimes. Sheesh."
And even with the other members of the Baby Crew clearly somewhat disoriented with the sudden shift of altitude, Hannah just continued to bite her lip; her eyes, staring at the bouquet of flowers Julius gave her.
She would lie if she said she wasn't developing feelings for him already before everything went to shit because she was. Julius was there right when she needed someone.
And although they just had casual talks and dates, she never felt the way that Julius made her feel before. For once, she relied on someone from the opposite sex besides her brother. It was always Riley's shoulder that she relied on whenever she felt lost and in trouble… but she can't do that now.
There was a dangerous power inside her that was trying to come out; just one mistake and she might end up hurting the person she loved the most– and that was something she didn't want to happen.
She really thought that she and Julius had something– No, maybe they did? What if Julius wasn't really involved in whatever was happening now?
But the others were sure he has to have some involvement. Even Hannah herself thinks Julius was and is suspicious– but she has to do this, she has to stay away. Her first priority will always be her brother.
Julius and his company may very well be involved in Prophet's death. Prophet did say the one who killed him was the most dangerous man alive– the richest people are always synonymous with danger.
…But what if he's not? Then wouldn't that mean she was the one hurting Julius?
Numerous thoughts started to surface and race inside Hannah's troubled mind. And soon, those thoughts materialize themselves into tears.
"Hannah, you…"
And as soon as Bella noticed Hannah's trembling breaths, she quickly handed her the box of tissues that was in front of her on the dashboard; not saying anything as she just patted Hannah's shoulder several times.
"You don't have to worry, big sister Hannah. You're very beautiful," Tomoe then whispered; and even with her monotonous voice, her tone contained a somewhat comforting warmth, "I am sure the one destined for you is still out there."
"Yeah, there's still me," Gary said as he let out a small chuckle. However, as soon as he saw the disgusted look on Tomoe and Aerith's faces, the only thing he could do was widen his eyes in shock.
"W… what!? What's wrong with me?" Gary then bellowed, "Don't you know who my mother is!? She– No… I'm starting to sound like a young master!"
Gary clasped his head, finally ripping out the rope that tied him to the chair, "N… no, I don't want to be a young master trope."
"..."
"..."
"Are you hurt, sister?"
"Mother– !!!"
Bella could not help but almost jump from her seat as Riley suddenly leaned his head between her and Hannah.
"Are you hurt, sister?" Riley repeated his question as he looked at his sister's face.
"I… I'm okay, Riley," Hannah then removed one of her hands from the steering as she gently caressed Riley's cheek, "I'm okay. Thank you."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course, who do you think I am?" Hannah wiped the traces of tears on her face; her chuckles, obviously forced.
"He is your first boyfriend. Mother said it would hurt you very much once the two of you separate."
"That… what the hell is mom teaching you!?" Hannah then pushed Riley's head away, almost causing him to fall on Bella's leg, "And I had boyfriends before, what are you saying!?"
"No," Riley shook his head, "You didn't have boyfriends in the past, sister."
"W… what? How would you know when you're always locking yourself up in your room!? I have many boyfriends!"
"No, you don't."
"Wha… t…
…that's not true!"
***
[He is your first boyfriend. Mother said…]
"..."
A small but tired breath echoed throughout what seemed to be a study room, with Julius massaging his left leg; quietly sitting at his desk; his eyes closed as he listened to the very same conversations that the Baby Crew were having.
He once again let out a deep breath, continuing to listen through their conversation for minutes on end.
[...Anyway, you think Silvie is alright with the young Silvies?]
[She… seemed alright when we left her. She'll be okay, I think?]
And as soon as those words reached Julius's ears, he quickly opened his eyes. Letting out a deep sigh as he pressed something on his desk.
"MEGAN."
[Yes, master Julius?]
A hologram then suddenly appeared inside his room– a complete replica of Megawoman, standing beside his desk.
"Can you call my brother here?"
[He is just in the other room, I will call him now.]
"Hm," Julius nodded as MEGAN disappeared. And after a few seconds of waiting, a knock could be heard coming from the door.
"The computer said you called for me, Alistair?"
A hoarse voice then entered Julius's ears as soon as the door opened, revealing a tall blonde man wearing some sort of tuxedo.
"Yes," Julius then stood up, "It would seem your suspicion is true, Archie. The subjects are with them. It's...
...time to move on to the next phase of the plan."
"How many times do I have to say that you should call me Archibald?" A hoarse voice once again whispered in the room. The tall blonde man, however, did not even move his mouth to speak.
Instead, it was the individual in front of him; seated in a wheelchair, his face almost as wrinkled as the soft blanket covering his legs.
"I need to act my age, Archie," Julius let out a small chuckle, "Besides, what I say goes…
…I am the older brother, after all."
***AUTHOR'S NOTES***
It's me, the author with a very important message. Please subscribe to my patreon, if you could; it would really help to get me motivated since I am a greedy bastard. If we get enough patrons, then I would start making drawings of the characters more. And maybe, just maybe, be in talks with the bosses to get ourselves some webtoon because I really want to see it in that form. Thank you very much!
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Thank you in advance!