23 Are you rich?

"Ugh…"

Ike touched the bridge of his nose slightly, wincing at the throbbing pain that reached the synapses of his brain. He must admit Desmond was strong; it was just that Desmond fought using mere brute force, thinking with his fist. If Desmond focused on maximizing the potential of his strength and ability, he might actually win the duel.

His steps slowed down until he stopped in the middle of the street.

"Come out," Ike said, dropping his hand from his nose to the side. He slowly turned around, only to see an empty street, and then shadows stretching from the end turn of the street. "There's no need to hide — you're not even trying."

There was silence for a moment before two figures came out. A shallow breath slipped past his nostrils, staring at Ashley and Bernis.

"I can't believe you're stalking me," murmured Ike in dismay, shaking his head.

"Hey, we're just worried, alright?!" Ashley explained, elbowing Bernis to back her up. "You took down that piece of trash, so we thought we should make sure there's no post-ambush."

"You mean you want to watch if there is?" Ike corrected, and seeing her bite her lips was enough to confirm his suspicion. "Talk about friendships."

"Hey! I'm being a good friend, okay?!" Ashley rushed to him and in a blink of an eye, she was already in front of him. Ike nearly flinched at how fast she was. "I'm the type of friend who will always give you moral support!"

Ike leaned back as she perked up, pointing at herself, standing on her toes. This shorty was surely energetic. How the hell did she earn the top fifth spot in the district rank?

"She has a motive, but it is true that we followed you to make sure you'll reach home safely." Suddenly, Bernis's voice was heard from behind Ashley. Bernis took a few steps until he was close enough to not yell. "Desmond Larza is infamous for taking revenge. He holds grudges over the smallest thing. A defeat where he was knocked out in just one blow, he will surely do everything to mend his broken pride."

"I get you, but why you, of all people?" Ike cocked his head to the side. "Don't tell me it is because we are... 'friends?'"

"No." Bernis maintained a stoic expression. "It is a part of our duty as a member of the student council."

"Oh?"

"Since official duels were allowed within the school ground, the student council has to make sure it wouldn't continue outside the school premises. As much as possible, we want the students to settle their problems within the school grounds and prevent them from committing violence outside," explained Bernis monotonously. "This is to protect the school and the system."

Ike assessed Bernis before his eyes fell on Ashley. The latter was nodding reassuringly, raising her thumb.

"You're safe with us, don't worry," she reassured encouragingly.

"It's not like I'm worried," he muttered, glancing up at Bernis. "Until where will you follow me then?"

"Until you're home."

"Will you come tomorrow as well?"

"Depends if Larza's movements were strange."

"So you're also keeping a close eye on him, huh?"

"It's protocol."

"Are you doing this after every duel that happens within the school ground?"

"No." Bernis's answer was quick and without a filter. "We only go this far, depending on the people involved. Since the person involved here is Larza, we want to make sure he won't do anything that could tarnish the school's reputation."

"Ahh…" Ike rocked his head in understanding.

What Bernis said just now made a lot of sense. Before entering the school, Ike did a little research. His computer might be old, but it was still functioning and doing its purpose to give Ike the information he needed.

Laguna High was one of the biggest schools in the district and, considering the number of students attending the school, it wouldn't be surprising if its violence rate was high. Surprisingly, it was the opposite.

At first, Ike thought it was because there was this so-called legal violence. But even that made little sense. Now he understood how the school maintained such a low violence rate despite the number of students attending the school. Even outside the school grounds, student body members would make sure there wouldn't be post-battle outside.

"Whatever." Ike sniffed hard, only to wince as his nose was quite sensitive at the moment. "It's not like I can chase you away, right?"

"That is correct."

"I see."

With that being said, Ike turned on his heel to walk away. He didn't have spare energy to chase these two; it was pointless. Therefore, he planned to just ignore their presence until he was home. However, ignoring their presence was impossible when Ashley shamelessly walked beside him while running her mouth nonstop.

"I didn't know you live in this area. My friend also lives around here!" Ashley mused, holding her hands on her back while she leaned forward. "Are you sure you don't want to fight me? It'll be fun."

"Not interested," Ike replied monotonously, keeping his eyes ahead.

She frowned. "But why? Don't tell me it's because you don't fight women?" she inquired, only to receive Ike's silence as a reply. A defeated sigh escaped her mouth, her shoulders lowering.

"I won't force you then." She peeked at him, and his expression was still the same. "You should do something with that nose. I have first aid kits if you need them!"

Still nothing. No reaction from Ike. She glanced back to Bernis, who was walking a step behind them, but he also didn't pay attention to her.

Ashley sighed for the umpteenth time, facing ahead. Silence fell on their shoulders until Ike stopped in front of a small gate. When his steps stopped, Bernis and Ashley also stopped, looking at him.

"This is my place," he said, and the two gazed at the small gate on the side before their eyes lifted to the second floor of the house.

"That's your house?" she blurted out, wide-eyed. "Are you rich?!"

"Huh?"

Ashley blinked. "You live all alone?"

"Well —"

"So, you're rich? Can I go?"

"No," Ike refused immediately, casting Bernis a look. "You don't need to come here tomorrow. I can handle them myself, though I doubt they will do anything."

He didn't idle after saying his piece, turning around to enter his house. But just as Ike unlocked the gate, he paused, looking back, only to see the two still standing behind him.

"What? I'm already home," he remarked. "Don't tell me you need to see me go in?"

"Actually, no." Ashley smiled. "It's true that we're doing our duty as part of the student council, but we also have another reason."

Her face brightened up as the corner of her lips stretched from ear to ear. "I want to invite you to be a part of my team!"

Every bit of emotion on Ike's face faded. "I knew it," he murmured, telling himself that his guess that they had another reason for following was right all along. But just as his mouth parted to refuse their invitation, his nose throbbed painfully, then his vision suddenly shook.

Before Ike knew it, he lost his balance, falling to his side as everything went blank.