Chapter 219
KAI
IAM glanced at Kai's outfit, then back at Thor, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. Something about the setup didn't sit right.
A few seconds of tense, almost suffocating silence stretched between them, broken only by the faint clinking of cups and murmurs from other café patrons.
Finally, IAM spoke, his tone careful but edged with suspicion. "Am I… interrupting something?" He raised an eyebrow, studying their reactions.
Thor, mid-sip of his green drink from the Hojo cup, choked and spat it back into the cup, coughing harshly, startling a few nearby customers. His face turned red from the sudden coughing fit, his hands gripping the cup as he tried to regain composure.
Kai, completely unfazed, crossed her arms and regarded him with a mixture of irritation and cold amusement. "That's what I thought too," she said, her voice was crisp. "Until I realized I had been introduced to a third party… which, I must say, is very disappointing."
"You can stop now, we don't have all day," she said, and at her words, Thor immediately froze and cleared his throat. IAM gave him a side-eye that silently declared his carefully constructed image utterly shattered.
He pushed the menu into IAM's hands again, forcing a slightly strained smile. "No, seriously. At your age, you really need to develop some meat on your bones."
"I think I'm growing just fine, thank you very much," IAM replied, pushing the menu back toward Thor. Thor, undeterred, shoved it back, insisting.
After a few seconds of quiet bickering, IAM finally gave in and glanced at the menu, only to look over at Thor to confirm that he was paying. Having made sure he didn't flinch at the prices, IAM asked, "And how exactly are you planning to build some meat with café food?"
Thor shrugged.
IAM quickly ordered: a chicken Caesar salad and five mini sliders, prompting Thor's slight grumble. KAI, not missing the opportunity to get revenge, immediately ordered the same thing, forcing Thor to protest quietly under his breath.
As they waited for the food, IAM asked politely, "So… may I ask why you're here?"
"Is it not obvious?" Kai replied. "He asked if we wanted to meet at Hojo, I said yes when he mentioned the date, and then—well—he said it would be a date. Now he's telling me you're here to third-wheel."
"Come on," Thor pleaded, throwing his hands up. "To be fair, why would I ask you to go to Hojo out of all places if I really wanted to go on a date?"
Kai's expression remained unimpressed, her arms still crossed, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly as she regarded Thor. "Really? That's your excuse?" she said dryly. "You think that explaining yourself will magically make this less awkward?"
Thor sighed deeply in regret.
Kai turned to IAM and said, "He was telling me that you're actually the one who pushed for this meeting. What's going on?"
"Uhh," IAM said, glancing around. "I don't think this is something I should be discussing in public."
Her expression shifted from confusion to understanding. "Oh… are you not aware? This is a government-owned building. Everyone in the café is either staff or actors. It's extremely secure, so feel free to speak openly."
IAM blinked, processing the information, before letting out a small sigh. "Ah… okay, that makes things a lot easier," he said, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "It's just… I wanted to talk about the Circle of the Accursed. "
Kai's eyes narrowed slightly, but there was no trace of alarm. "Ah… that explains a lot. And you think Thor can help you?" she asked.
IAM glanced at him. "Well, he's the only person I know who can talk about it, and I'm sure you guys have more information. I'm very curious to learn more about this Circle of the Accursed."
Thor's expression turned serious. His voice lowered till his voice became deep. "IAM, are you sure? These are the kind of people you want to get involved with? This isn't fiction—this is real life. They're dangerous, and a young boy like you might not be ready for a world where they operate."
"I'll be fine," IAM replied firmly. "Besides, I'm not stupid. I'm not going to blindly run around looking for them. I'll be patient. I just want to understand—especially the why behind their actions."
Hearing IAM's resolute tone, both Thor and Kai exchanged a look. Kai finally spoke, her voice was both calm and sharp. "I don't personally mind if you choose to get involved. You've been a victim of their horrid actions; it's understandable to want to know more. But remember this—you've been warned."
As they were talking, the meal arrived. IAM thanked the waiter, and Kai pushed her food toward him, claiming she was suddenly full and on second thoughts. This left IAM with two portions of chicken Caesar salad and ten sliders.
Thor, seeing the spread, reached over to grab a few sliders for himself, but Kai immediately shot him a sharp look. "I gave it to IAM, not you," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. Thor grudgingly withdrew his hand.
IAM looked down at the food in front of him, feeling a mix of amusement and hunger. The chicken Caesar salad was laid out neatly, the romaine leaves crisp and glistening with just the right amount of dressing. Shavings of Parmesan clung to the top, catching the light with a soft sheen, while chunks of tender grilled chicken were scattered evenly throughout. A few cherry tomatoes and a sprinkling of cracked black pepper completed the presentation.
Next to the salad, the sliders were lined up like miniature towers, each one carefully constructed with a soft, golden bun and a perfectly cooked patty inside. Melted cheese draped over the sides, pooling slightly against the bottom bun, and a crisp leaf of lettuce peeked from under the top. Tiny pickles sat at the edge of the plate, their bright green hue adding a pop of color to the otherwise warm, savory tones. The aroma was rich and inviting—meaty, buttery, with just a hint of tang from the dressing inside.
IAM picked up a slider first, feeling the warmth in his hands, and took a bite. The bun was soft and slightly sweet, the patty juicy and flavorful, and the cheese added a creamy, indulgent layer that melted perfectly in his mouth. He chewed thoughtfully, letting the flavors mix, then reached for another slider, alternating bites with the salad.
The crisp freshness of the greens complemented the richness of the sliders, and as he ate, IAM felt a surprising sense of comfort in the simple pleasure of the meal, despite the serious conversation.
The cafeteria meals, while decent, couldn't hold a candle to this.