In the end, I didn't understand why the hell things had to turn out this way.
But now, the students were crossing the cable one by one to the roof of the house where I was.
The cable vibrates like dental floss for rhinos. If one of these idiots slips, they'll fall right to the sleeping doggies below. (A free live gore show.)
My plan was simple: get the vixen and Milia across, get the hell out with them, and let the rest fend for themselves.
But, noooo.
As if they were in a damn cheap drama competition, those two decided to cross last.
The vixen, in particular, is being comforted by two girls who also seem to be gals.
Of course, I objected.
But when the others started crossing the cable like sheep, I stopped arguing. Now I'm in a corner, waiting for the princesses of the hour to deign to move so I can finally get out of here.
["Alright, with that, there are only seven people left."]
The one coordinating is the same four-eyes who took over my walkie-talkie. What was his name… bah, whatever. Four-eyes works.
Those who have already crossed are smiling like idiots, grateful to be out of that hell.
Are they stupid?
Why do they think they're out of danger?
I can feel the freezing air from the street all the way up here, seasoned with the smell of old smoke and rotten meat.
As if it's trying to persistently, annoyingly remind me that we're screwed.
My point is they should be waiting downstairs in silence, damn it. They're too loud. What will they do if they wake up the dogs?
Four-eyes tried to talk to me as soon as he stepped onto this roof, but I ignored him. Come back when you have tits, you moron.
["Vixen, what's taking so long? Move your asses already!"]
When the flow of people moving across the cable slows and the remaining seven people in the building seem to refuse to move forward, I get irritated.
My eyes fell on Milia, who was arguing in a low voice with her Prince Charming. The girls around her looked dejected, as if they had already decided to lose.
The vixen seemed to have recovered her strength, but now one of her friends was a complete mess.
As I wondered why the hell this cheap soap opera was never-ending, Milia's boyfriend—my ex-childhood friend, Franco—began to cross, carrying her against his chest.
She, who had always been afraid of heights, clung to him like a frightened little animal.
["Alright, five left."]
["Well… yes, but you see…"]
Four-eyes started muttering something to Franco, but I ignored him.
["Vixen, what part of 'I'm in a hurry' don't you understand?"]
["Well… I have a small problem…"]
["Really? Because I have a big one: I'm freezing, damn it."]
I kept joking as I wondered what bullshit she was going to hit me with now.
But suddenly, something in Louise's eyes made the smile vanish from my face.
That damn stubborn, resolute look.
["This… this is serious, okay? Astrad."]
Her soft tone sent a current of irritation through my chest.
I know it wasn't her intention, but habits die hard. She's subconsciously trying to lead my thoughts to the conclusion that's most convenient for her.
The only logical solution to the situation she's about to present to me.
But one that she's definitely convinced I won't accept.
["And since when do you talk to me like an obedient schoolgirl? Stop, you disgust me. It's making my skin crawl."]
["Th-that's my normal way of talking, I don't know what you're talking about."]
["Damn it… I don't know what you're plotting, but I'm going to get really angry."]
["AHHHH! Does the way I am disgust you that much?"]
["I DON'T GIVE A FUCK. THIS IS NOT THE FUCKING TIME. MOVE!"]
["FINE, ASTRAD, YOU INSENSITIVE IDIOT!"]
["…Huh?"]
["…I really do annoy you…"]
The damn vixen sounded like she was about to cry. May hell swallow me…
["I like you better the way you normally are. Got a problem with that?"]
["…I see… But I'm sorry. We part ways here. Thanks for coming for me."]
["Huuuh!?"]
["One of my friends is afraid of heights…"]
I saw the girl trembling and crying in a corner. Another of the vixens was trying to convince her, without success.
["For fuck's sake… I told you to find a man if you were scared."]
["We tried…"]
I ignored the vixen and addressed the group.
["You assholes. Three of you go back and bring the ones who are left."]
Silence. No one moved.
Just as my patience was about to explode, four-eyes spoke up:
["Listen… it might seem easy for you, but it's terrifying to cross over those wolves, even if they're asleep."]
["I don't give a damn. One of those girls was the one you were getting along with, so you're going to get her. Move."]
["…It's not just fear. The crossing is exhausting. Franco did it for Milia, but to increase the difficulty for someone else is a bit…"]
I was about to kick four-eyes off the roof—to see if he'd at least work as bait—but Rat Kid 5 cut me off just in time.
["It seems the president already explained the situation… that's how it is, Rat Kid Leader. Thanks for trying… but I'm staying."]
["Pretty boy, you go back and get another one. Then one of your little jock friends does the same. And make it quick, because I'm freezing my ass off."]
I ignored the vixen and pointed at Franco. But he just lowered his head.
["Astrad, I'm sorry. I can't do that."]
["Weren't you the school's smiling hero? Perfect, go be a damn prince."]
["You… why are you always like this?"] Milia exploded, her voice trembling. ["You always insult, you always push, as if you want everyone to pay for your grudge! Do you think we don't notice?"]
What grudge? I'm freezing my balls off and you're talking about my inner life. Holy amateur psychiatrist…
Better yet, why is the rat kid the bad guy? Am I the rescuer? The rescuer who wants to get away from danger and survive?
["I just want to go to my damn house so, I don't know, I don't get eaten by a giant dog? And the only thing standing between me and my precious goal is you assholes moving your mouths instead of your legs. Get to work."]
["You!"]
Milia was crying, her fists clenched, as if I were the traitor in her personal history.
Hey, I'm the one who got cheated on, okay?
What's with this logic that's twisted even by my standards?
As I was marveling at this.
Franco hugged her tightly, looking at me with fiery eyes.
["Listen, stop acting like you're the only victim. You're not the only one who's screwed here."]
["Great, the knight in rusty armor is back. Ready for action? Excellent: bring them over quickly, take two minions, and get it done."]
The jock friends got emboldened, who knows how, and took a step forward.
But to my misfortune, it wasn't to be of any use.
["That's enough, Astrad. If you care so much, go down yourself and bring them."]
My smile twisted.
["Of course, let the clown do everything. You all just stay in your Prince Charming fan club, don't want you to mess up your hair."]
Franco held my gaze. His friends squared up behind him.
["Your attitude is pathetic. I'm not perfect, I've made mistakes, but I keep moving forward. You're just stuck in your own poison."]
["Fuhu… guhuhu… AHAHAHAHAH"]
I laughed, but not a sarcastic laugh, no, this time, I laughed for real.
It was just that hilarious, and my laughter must have been incredibly contagious, because all of these bastards froze with their eyes fixed on me.
["Wow, so much philosophy in so few words."]
I say seriously, with a smile that doesn't reach my eyes. I think my damn cheeks are going to tear from the tension.
And for once, I give these damn bastards some well-deserved credit.
Because I am a rat kid who knows how to recognize when he has learned from others.
["I like it. I'll apply it tomorrow. I'll find a cancer patient, steal their treatment money, buy a Rolex with it, and then go find them again to say, 'what's past is past, let's move on,' with my beautiful new Rolex on my wrist."]
[[[[[….]]]]]
I can almost hear the grinding teeth of these bastards as they clench their jaws at my grandiloquent praise.
["What's the matter? You don't have to contain your joy. For once, you've taught me something. Feel proud, hehehehe, I'll allow it."]
I learned a lot today. No matter how perfect the rat kid thinks he is, the rat kid can always grow more. The rat kid grows, the rat kid evolves.
As I was evolving, the minions moved as if they wanted to confront me, but I shot them a glare and they backed down.
["Rat Kid Leader… please, stop. You're not going to change anything."]
["I see you've grown some balls. Well, if you're so brave, bring those five girls over."]
["…Is it that fun for you to torture us? …Does this situation mean nothing to you?"] —Milia—
["…It's useless. Guys, let's go inside the house."]
One by one, they turned their backs on me.
Franco led the way, Milia followed with heavy steps. She only turned back for an instant: her eyes were searching me for hatred, pain, regret—any feeling, whatever it was.
In me? I'm the damn bastard who left his comfortable base and crossed a city infested with damn monsters, two of which almost killed me. To save their asses.
But am I the one who has to go through some kind of psychological revelation of redemption and repentance for asking them to save their own damn companions that I don't give a fuck about?
Here and now, I'm hungry and cold. How many times do I have to tell you?
On the other hand.
["You could have at least had the decency to get lost from the beginning, couldn't you? Fucking useless."]