Chapter 178 See You Again 3 (1/2)

Then, he immediately looked away as he tried to calm the raging emotions he felt inside.

He didn't know why he was telling her all this. He never intended to rant that much. But somehow, once he started, his mouth didn't seem to want to stop as he expressed what he truly felt.

And soon afterward, he realized that he actually felt good when he finally released the thoughts he's been harboring ever since he came to the academy.

It must've been because the people he usually turned to were all on the other side of the wall now.

Meanwhile, despite the intense emotions she felt behind his words, Inna could only understand the first half of his rant. Yet somehow she still was able to get what he was trying to convey. And when he finally said his last statement, Inna couldn't help but instinctively wrap her arms around his neck tightly.

”I.. I know this is inappropriate but… but…”

Oh god, she didn't know why she felt a huge wave of sympathy coursing through her.

But when she thought of it deeply, she finally knew why.

She saw it in his eyes, his tone, and his expression.

Even if they literally just met a few hours ago...

Even if it was just for a moment…

She somehow saw herself in him.

And she couldn't help but give him the thing that she herself wanted the most.

Comfort.

Although alarmed from the sudden action, Rhys didn't seem to mind her hug. Instead, he was about to hug back, but he somehow felt that it was an inappropriate thing to do so he opted for patting her head instead. He stroked and patted it, and had fun messing it up that he nearly forgot what they were talking about in the first place. He felt all his irritation and loneliness go away and when he was just about to stop and let go, he noticed that her brown locks seemed to have curled itself into his fingers and he couldn't help but think of it as cute.

Heh, even her hair hugged his fingers.

Rhys wanted to speak up and say that he was okay with it. After all, he's been isolated most of his life if he doesn't count the times he's met up with Raghnall and Favian. So, with a somber chuckle, he spoke with an even voice.

”Oh c'mon. It's not such a big deal. I'm used to it. Anywa--”

But he wasn't given the chance to finish because Inna was quick to cut him off.

”Uh... we're friends, right? So, I will… visit you… I'll come and find a way to visit you if I have some spare time, okay?! Let's... hang out and teach each other some fighting moves, okay?!”

Inna hugged tighter after every pause she had and Rhys couldn't help but chuckle at her attempts of comfort.

It's very charming that he can't help but smile.

”Okay, okay. I'll look forward to that.”

Truthfully, Rhys's neck was starting to feel sore from bending down from her hug but he didn't mind it in the least as he continued to stroke her hair until she let go. Seeing that she wasn't letting go soon, he decided to continue the conversation to avoid him having to deal with the awkwardness of hugging in silence.

”Well, to be honest, I kind of feel bad for taking and you not receiving so, what can I give back to you?”

Inna finally let go then, she looked at Rhys with confusion.

”What? I don't need you to give me anything. I don't want it to seem like I became your friend just because you're giving me something in return. That's just weird.”

Rhys looked at her with shining pitiful eyes as he spoke sadly but with a hint of playfulness behind it.

”But I don't want to be a selfish brute who asks my friend to visit me, make time for me, and teach me without giving at least something in return.”

Inna tried hard to avoid looking at his tantalizing grey eyes as she stood her ground. But after a few annoying pokes from Rhys, she finally relented.

”Okay fine. Just… well… Just give me food whenever I visit? I think that'd be acceptable.”

Well, whenever she did come over to any of her friends' houses, she goes straight for their fridge so she found it to be the one thing that wouldn't weight too much on her conscience.

Rhys's face scrunched up almost immediately at the mention.

”So you just want vegetables?”

Instantly, Inna grimaced.

”Fuck no.”

Rhys's titled his head as confusion showed in his expression.