ROSES HAVE THORNS-Chapter 77 - A Job Well Done

[...WILL ALL BE REFUNDED BASED ON THE AMOUNT YOU’VE SPENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR BETTING TAGS!]

"Looks like the show’s over. Let’s get out of here before we get scolded by the Prez." Austin slid his hands in his pockets and began to follow the crowd towards the exit.

"Now hold on." Gary held him back by the arm. "Don’t you think this is the perfect opportunity?"

"Opportunity for what?"

"Come now, Austin. I know you’re not that dumb." The faint red glow shimmered in Gary’s eyes as he looked at the arena. Or rather, more specifically, at Kurt.

"Oh. Ooooooh... I see. You’re right. And this fog mixed with the rowdy crowd will act as the perfect cover."

"Hahaha. I knew you’d get it. As expected from you~" He smiled at Austin with a sudden, jarring warmth that stretched his lips against his teeth.

"S-Shut the fuck up, weirdo." Austin quickly looked away from him. Even though it was the way Gary would usually smile at him, for some reason, this time it felt intense.

"S-So, how are we gonna do this?"

"You can leave this to me. But I do need you to do something else for me." Gary reached into his uniform blazer and took out a piece of paper with a magic circle neatly drawn.

"That’s–!"

"My get out of jail free card. Same one I used when escaping the clutches of the king." He took Austin’s hand and put the paper inside. "Just like before, you need to find a secure location and pour your mana onto it to set up the circle.

But you need to be quick this time because I doubt Emelie’s just going to let me get away scot free. She seems keenly aware of her surroundings, so she’ll probably notice when another presence enters the field."

’Well duh. She’s basically a war veteran.’

"Austin? Are you listening?"

"I-I heard you." He snapped out of his thoughts and shoved the paper down his pockets.

"Good. And remember to be quick. I’ll give you a minute headstart."

"I know already. You don’t need to repeat yourself." Austin turned away from him and was about to make a break for it when he suddenly stopped.

"What’s the matter?" Gary asked him.

"... Emelie can be dangerous." Austin said without looking back.

"Yeah. I know that. What are you trying sa–"

"G-Good luck! And be careful... Gary."

"Wha–"

Austin, not giving him a chance to respond, ran away at full speed.

"... Ha. Hahaha... Austin Austin Austin. Always the shy one, aren’t you? Now I really cannot disappoint you." Gary took out his black dagger and a small plastic bag with purple liquid inside.

He dosed his dagger with the liquid and slowly sunk into the dark shadows below. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

.

..

...

Snap!

"That’s the third pen you broke, Principal Valentine." Mia sighed when she looked up from her desk.

"I-I know. It’s just *grrr* that Sophie..."

"Are you still going on about that? It’s been nearly two hours since you came back, y’know. There’s nothing inherently wrong with what you did. It’s only natural for you to want to kiss the man you love. Pffthehe, even if it’s in public–"

"No! Stop it! I don’t need you bringing it up! W-What’s more, we didn’t even kiss!"

"But you were about to, no?"

"Eeeeeeeeeeek!" Diana squealed and hid her flushed face in her arms on the desk.

"... Perhaps we should take a break. We’re just about finished with all the paperwork needed for the tournament anyway."

"... Yes... A break sounds good." She answered in a muffled voice as she didn’t take her head off her arms.

"Great!" Mia picked up her purse and walked over to her. "So, where’re we going? Personally, I could use a bite to eat."

"I... I want to see Kurt."

"Seriously? You just saw him."

"So?" Diana finally looked up and grabbed her own purse.

"Well, I mean, he is your first boyfriend after all. Aren’t you afraid you’re being too... clingy?"

"That’s the last thing I’m worried about." She smiled affectionately and rubbed the back of her own hand as if to remember his touch. "He loves me just as much as I love him. He also adores it when I’m clingy. In fact, he can get quite possessive himself, hehe~ "

"Really? That certainly wasn’t the impression I got from him. He seemed more of the cool and calm type. He didn’t even flinch nor stare when he saw my big bazongas... Normally any man would. That definitely earned himself good points in my book–"

Snap!

"You’re what?" Diana looked at her with a blank glare.

"I-I was only kidding!" Mia stretched out and shook her hands in denial. Besides, I said it earned him good points, didn’t I?! That means I can safely trust him to you!"

".... I see." She threw the fourth pen she broke in the trash bin beside her. "Mia, turn around."

"W-Why?"

"Just do it. I’m not going to do anything to you."

"... O-Okay." When Mia turned around, she could feel Diana’s gaze burning inside of her.

"You can turn back now."

She slowly turned back around and saw that Diana was looking at her with a smug expression.

"What? Why’re you looking at me like that?"

"Because. My butt’s bigger than yours." Diana stood up and victoriously put her purse on her shoulder.

"W-What’s that supposed to mean!?"

"Don’t worry about it."

Knock Knock Knock

"Excuse me, Principal Valentine. This is Vice President Victor Moor."

"Come in." Diana answered.

Victor entered the office with sweat on his forehead and a file of papers on his hand.

"I’m sorry if I bothered you when you’re so busy with the preparation of the tournament, principal. Oh," Victor noticed that both Diana and Mia looked like they were about to leave. "Are you perhaps not as busy?"

"That’s right. We’re just about finished working and were about to leave on a short break. You however look like you just finished running a marathon. Is something wrong, Mr. Moor?"

"I was just wondering if President Amber was here. I looked for her everywhere but couldn’t find her. I need her to sign these budget approval forms from various clubs. She said she’ll do it today but... Argh, these club members are getting restless..."

"Did she not tell you where she’s headed?" Mia asked him.

"N-No, Secretary Mia. She didn’t say anything to me about going out. Where did she go?"

"Apparently Prince Maxwell, Jr. and Princess Kiana are holding a special event at Evergreen Park. She went there to help manage it."

"Don’t tell me she forgot about her responsibilities..." Victor drooped his shoulders in defeat.

"Give me those papers. I’ll get them to her." Diana stretched out her hand.

"Are you sure, Principal? I don’t want to inconvenience you during your break."

"It’s okay. I want to see what this event is about in any case. And the park seems like a perfect place for a break."

"Thank you for your help." Victor handed her the file.

"No problem. It’s my job to help my students." She smiled at him which caused him to blush.

"T-T-That is all from me! Enjoy your break, Principal Valentine! Secretary Mia!" He bowed at them each and quickly left the office.

"Smooth move, Diana."

"What? Stuff like this cannot be helped with beauty like mine."

"Whatever. So, I guess we’re headed to the park then?"

"Yes."

"That’s perfect! Cause I know this bagel stand Dommy and I go to when we’re on dates over there. I’m sure you’ll love it." She said as she held onto Diana’s.

"S-Speaking of dates. I might need your help when it comes to mine..."

"Ooohh! Do tell, Diana. Do tell."

SHWOOSH

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..

...

Swish! Poof!

"You’re finally back, Gabe!" Austin sat up from the floor as he ran up to Gary.

"Yeah... *sniff* *sniff* aurgh! Where are we, Austin? It smells like shit, barf and piss."

"The men’s abandoned park toilet. It was the only place nearby where I knew nobody would come."

"No wonder..."

"But never mind that! What about Kurt?! Did you finish the job?!"

"Heh, of course I did. I even coated my dagger with the cult’s deadly poison when I stabbed him through the stomach."

"Nice, haha! I knew I could trust you!" Austin jumped for joy when he heard the news.

"I wanted to confirm the kill by snapping his neck, but that bitch Emelie was too quick on the uptake. She probably sensed me as soon as I popped from his shadow and acted immediately. She was fast, but not fast enough."

Austin stopped celebrating and asked, "So you didn’t confirm the kill?"

"N-No. Please don’t be mad at m–"

"Meh, it doesn’t matter. I know all about the poison and its effectiveness."

"You do? How?"

"Errr. Tobias showed it to me... ANYWAY! Let’s get out of here and have ourselves a proper celebration! My treat!"

"Austin..." Gary smiled and followed him out the toilet room.

They both check their surroundings before sneaking out and leaving the toilet area unnoticed by anyone.

"Alright! We safely made it to the front gate!" Austin skipped ahead with his eyes closed.

"Hahaha, wait for me, Austin! You’re moving too fast!"

"Haha! Keep up Georgie! Hahaha! Ahahaha– Oof!" He staggered back as he bumped into someone.

"Austin?"

"P-Principal Valentine?!"