Chapter 297 Mercenary Club (1/2)

After burning the wooden ship where Lyner's body was, the members of the Mercenary club gathered in a nearby restaurant. There were a lot of people inside the restaurant, most of them were people that came to Lyner's funeral.

Yet even in this kind of situation the Mercenary Club still drew attention. The people who were there during Lyner's funeral knew that the former students in the so called Mercenary Club were people who were close to the dead hero. They saw most of these kids near the stage, and couldn't forgot Niel who spoke with a lot of charisma.

They were supposedly Lyner's favorite students. So with their current reputation plus their looks everyone's attention was currently on them. Still the members of the club didn't mind the looks they were getting. Even Kei who was usually the most meek among them was unusually calm.

Niel seeing the changes in his companions smiled his usual smile. The usual radiant aura of Niel's hasn't changed even though he has been to the battlefield. In the face of his juniors he wish to remain the perfect senior that they knew.

”It's been a while everyone. I see that all of you are doing well... Also, what's wrong with you two?” Niel was talking about how Emily had Kei in a chokehold. She wasn't tightening the chokehold too much, but just enough so that Kei couldn't escape. Hearing Niel's question Emily started to pout.

”This fool has been avoiding me for a year now! He keeps on hiding from me. I'm getting sick of playing hide and seek! So this time I'm making sure he won't be able to escape.”

Kei kept on tapping on Emily's hand while he answered.

”I wasn't doing that because I was trying to run away from you. I was going around evading the surveillance of other people due to my radio show. Also I was gathering information and needed to move a lot. I promise I wasn't doing this to avoid you.” Kei tried to explain himself, even though everything he just said was only half truths.

'I hope she doesn't notice.' Kei felt Emily's grip got lighter, which made him feel relieve for but a moment, then the chokehold on him got a even tighter than before.

”Who are you trying to fool! The way you avoided my detection, and the way you changed location the moment I found you makes it clear you were trying to hide from me!”

The others were watching the two and smiled. It would seem like even after a year the good relationship of the two remained the same. Rachel on the other hand was quite curious about their situation.

”Are you two dating?” When Emily and Kei heard Rachel's question they both tilted their heads.

”...” Kei started contemplating after hearing that question. He looked at the girl who stopped her chokehold and was now thinking as well. 'Now that I think about it, what exactly is our relationship? More than friends but less than lovers?'

”...” Emily was also thinking about the question Rachel asked. She looked at Kei and started to think. 'Do I actually like this guy? Well if someone asked if I like or hate him, then I would answer that I like him, but... Is that enough to date someone? True he doesn't have the look that I like. Still I am fond of him and his ways... Hmm...'

Seeing the two went silent and in deep thought made the others a bit confused. Kei was one thing, but Emily would usually answer without hesitation. After a few seconds of thinking Emily tapped on Kei's head.

”Hey, do you want to be my boyfriend?” Everyone was stunned by what Emily said all except for Kei who was still thinking about something.

”Well I guess that's the natural progression from where we are now. I guess that's fine.” Everyone was shocked in how easily Kei answered the question. It would seem that in the past year, Kei has blossomed out of his meek self and turned a bit... really confident.

”So does that mean we're girlfriend and boyfriend now?” Emily finally let go of Kei and pointed at herself then at him when she asked her question.

”Well, yeah I guess so. We're now officially dating, does that answer your question Rachel.” Niel, Rachel, and Evangeline were looking at the two who became an item and were stunned by the sudden event. Everything happened so fast that they it took them a moment to fully digest the event.