The classes passed by in a blink, Ryan spent the classes with an empty mind as he thought about what will happen tomorrow.
'Uh... I'm so scared, what if I lose? Arthur will scold me and will think that training me was a waste of time.'
[Host, I'd recommend you to stay calm and focus on tomorrow.]
'Ugh... easy said than done, you glowy blue screen.'
[It's not like that, host. You just don't want to think rationally.]
The bell rang, giving a start to the lunch break as the students of class packed their stuff and left with their friends out to eat. Slowly the classroom got filled with the murmurs of students, talking about random things.
Arthur stood up as he started walking towards the exit door of the classroom, hands tucked inside of his pant pockets. Ryan followed behind Arthur's trails.
They both slowly made their way to the cafeteria, the inside of the cafeteria buzzed with the usual lunchtime chaos — trays clattering with each other, laughter echoing, chairs scraping across the floor.
The air smelled faintly of grilled chicken and disinfectant, mixing into something which made Ryan's stomach growl even before they reached the counter to get food.
Arthur walked in front, hands still in his pockets, shoulders straight and relaxed like he owned the entire room. Ryan followed a few steps behind as they both picked their trays up.
'System,' Ryan thought as they moved along the line. 'Remember the first time when he told me to come here with him?'
[DING!]
[Of course, Host. You were trembling so hard you almost dropped your tray.]
Ryan let out a quiet chuckle. 'Yeah, thanks for reminding me about that.'
[You've come far since then, Host. Though, judging by your heartbeat, you're still terrified.]
Ryan let out a loud sigh. 'Still am, but at least now we're on... decent terms, I guess?'
[Indeed. Just don't piss him off again. I don't have a protocol for resurrection.]
'Noted.' Ryan said to the system as he grabbed his meal before Arthur noticed that he was lost in his own thoughts.
They both took the healthy food—grilled chicken breast, a small bowl of brown rice, and a side dish of vegetables. Arthur also grabbed four boiled eggs and a bottle of water. No soda, no dessert. Just clean and efficient fuel for his body.
Ryan stared at his tray then slowly glanced at Arthur's tray. "Do you ever eat something that doesn't taste like cardboard?"
Arthur gave him a brief side-eye. "Discipline doesn't taste good."
Ryan blinked. "That's kinda cool..."
Arthur said nothing as he just moved towards an empty table. Ryan followed behind, sitting across from him as the noise of the cafeteria dimmed in his mind.
There was something oddly satisfying and peaceful about eating across from someone who didn't talk too much.
Until their peace shattered.
"Ahaha, look who it is."
A voice cut through the chatter, sharp and dripping with the tone of mockery.
Ryan turned his head towards the left. Two students were approaching them slowly, trays in their hands. They were there not to eat—but to taunt.
The first was tall and broad, veins visible on his forearm, his jacket straining around his shoulders. His buzz-cut and a small bandage under his left eye made him look like he was some kind of professional.
Beside him stood a boy who was quite lean, athletic, confident. His dark hair was slicked back, his grin too sharp to be friendly. He had the aura of someone who was used to winning.
The athletic one stepped forward as he said, tone filled with mockery, "Arthur Kane, the so-called prodigy."
Arthur didn't react to his useless mockery, he simply kept eating. Knife, fork, bite, and just silence.
The boy's grin widened. "What's this? Playing deaf now, huh?"
He leaned down slightly as his voice was laced with dripping venom. "Still playing the inter-club to give up this time around too? Just like you did last time?"
Ryan froze mid-bite, eyes flickering from the stranger to Arthur. 'Give up? Arthur... gave up?'
The athletic kid continued to taunt, smirking. "Thought so, keep pretending that you don't hear me, Arthur. Just like last year, you'll fold when the pressure's on. Some things never change, you know?"
Arthur didn't even look at him as he simply took another slow bite from his chicken, his expression blank.
The taller one cracked his knuckles beside him. "Hey, boss, want me to remind him how it felt last time?"
The athletic one waved a hand, denying the request. "No. Let him enjoy his last meal in peace, we'll show him what'll happen tomorrow."
They both turned and walked off, laughing as they left the cafeteria.
Arthur's expression hadn't changed much—it was calm. But Ryan wasn't convinced.
'Arthur... gave up? No way. That's not him, he's not the type to quit. He's the type who will keep punching even when he's half dead.'
[DING!]
[The System agrees, Host. There's more to that story than what they said.]
Ryan's lips pressed into a thin line.
Arthur set his fork down quietly. His voice came low — calm and steady, but enough to slice through Ryan's thoughts.
"You're maybe wondering about what they said, right?"
Ryan's eyes widened in shock. "I—I..."
Arthur didn't look up, he took another slow bite, eyes half-lidded. "Don't waste your energy on it. Just focus on tomorrow's match."
Ryan blinked, surprised by how easily Arthur changed the topic. "But—"