Student Council Office

Student Council.

Ever since meeting Ashley and Bernis, Ike kept hearing about this student organization that held a certain amount of power in the entire C6 District. Yes. Not just on the school premises. According to Ashley, the student organization had its affiliates. And thus, their duties stretched even after school hours.

This only left Ike with one question.

What were the police and all other government bodies thinking to allow little kids to get involved in such activities?

"Hello, everyone! Heard about the duel just now?" Basty pushed the door open energetically while Ike followed behind him. "I swear Mav didn't kill —"

"Seven broken bones." Basty trailed off when a young lady spoke monotonously. "That's what it says in the report."

"Seven?" Basty arched a brow, marching carefully inside.

"Mhm. What a shame." Another guy inside the student council office chimed in. "Now everyone will think that the student council is a joke."

"My grandma said odd numbers are ominous. You should've told Mav to break at least ten bones." A girl suddenly jumped in front of Basty, erecting a finger to the side as if to lecture him. "Or at least, an injury that would force that guy into a coma. A psychopath like him should just stay inside the hospital or jail, but being in jail means he already committed an unforgivable crime."

"We can't let that from… happening…" the girl trailed off, tilting her upper body upon noticing a person standing behind Basty. She blinked as soon as her big, doe eyes locked with Ike. "Who is this?"

"Ahh…" Basty looked back. "This guy is Ike."

The girl's eyes twinkled and hurriedly pushed Basty to the side, jumping toward Ike. "You're that guy who took down Larza in one punch?" She excitedly reached for Ike's hand, clasping it in between hers.

"Ley told us many things about you! It's a pleasure to have you here in the office!" she greeted with the biggest smile Ike had ever seen. "My name is Larisa, but everyone calls me Lala. And my zodiac sign is Cancer."

Ike assessed the girl before him. Lala had short, colorful hair with the side of it tied in pigtails. Her eyes were round and big, giving her an adorable appearance that matched her bubbly personality.

"I am not into astrology that much, but it was nice to meet you, Lala. My name is Ike."

"Heh. Welcome! Let me introduce you to everyone." Lala grinned, turning to give Ike a better look at the people inside the office. "That girl with glasses over there is Kiara; she's a meanie, but it's fine. As long as you don't rub her the wrong way, she will mind her own business."

Lala pointed at the girl sitting around the long table with a laptop in front of her. The latter didn't react, keeping her focus on the laptop while her fingers continuously tapped the keyboard.

"Then that guy over there who looks like he was suffering from facial paralysis is Parker." Lala leaned over to Ike, raising her palm on the side of her mouth. "Don't mind what he says. He can be quite harsh and twisted."

Ike rocked his head, gazing at the girl with thin glasses at the long table. Kiara. Her hair was tied in a braid, resting over her shoulder. Her countenance was stoic, and one could feel the aloof air around her like a protective barrier.

He then shifted his attention to the side where the guy named Parker was lazing around. Parker was reading a book quietly with his feet over the center table. It was still class hours, but Kiara and Parker didn't seem they were bothered to be in this office instead. Lala as well.

The student council office was bigger than Ike expected. However, there weren't many things inside. There was only one long table and empty chairs, a desk past that long table, a set of couches on the side, and bookshelves. Other small necessities, like a coffeemaker and a small fridge, were around, but that was all there was.

"Look at this girl." Basty clicked his tongue continuously, hands on his hips, looking at Lala in dismay. "I brought him here, but you just went off introducing everyone without my permission."

"That's your fault for being slow." Lala shrugged indifferently and then faced Ike. "The others were either in their classes or somewhere else, but it's usually lively in here."

Basty frowned, about to berate Lala, when Kiara's monotonous voice pierced the air.

"He wasn't a part of the student council." Kiara's fingers, which were gliding across the keyboards, came to a halt. She slowly turned her head in Lala's direction, tipping her glasses up. "Don't just invite outsiders to come here and play. This office is not a tourist spot."

"Kiara, what are you saying? Ashley had been working hard to get this guy to sign up! We should be more friendly!" argued Lala, pouting.

"You do not need to hide your agenda." Kiara maintained her poker face, shifting her gaze to Ike. She gazed at him from head to toe quietly before meeting his eyes again. "She's in a tight competition with Sinclair, so don't fall for her tricks."

"Hehe." Basty sneered, warranting a glare from Lala. "Anyway, I brought the guy here to leave a good impression. No need to worry about anything crazy, Kiara. My friend here is hard to deceive."

"A reminder will not hurt." Kiara cast Ike one last look before setting her attention on the screen once again. "Anyway, did you get any useful information from those decoys?"

"Sadly, all they talk about is their murder plan."

Kiara's keyboard was heard for several seconds before she spoke again. "Keep an eye on Maverick. I'm sure those behind the decoys will not be very pleased."

"Maverick will be fine on his own." Lala rolled her eyes, dragging her feet toward the table before hopping to sit on top of it. "Do we really need to do this?"

"Do we really need to do this?" Kiara took a deliberate pause to look at Lala. The moment their eyes met, Kiara's glasses glinted. "Say that again."

Lala cleared her throat, diverting her eyes from Kiara.

"Don't worry about Mav. That's already my plan since I can't let him commit a crime that might put him in jail…" Basty trailed off when the door behind them was busted open.

"And I am here to grace you, peasants, with my presence…" Ike and everyone inside the office slowly turned their heads to the entrance, only to see Ashley with her arms spread open and Bernis behind her. Her eyes slowly fell on the first two guys standing not far away from the entrance. As soon as Ashley recognized the other guy beside Basty, her brows furrowed.

"Ike?" she gasped. "What are you doing here?!"