"Well. Seeing you here, that answers one of my questions."
Christan moved his glance to the guy's hand, which rested on his shoulder. It was missing a small and a ring finger.
He went to the same school as that guy. He used to prank him a lot before he met his end due to someone, lost those fingers, and on top of that was sent to juvenile.
"You're not in my class, are you? We should catch up… properly."
Christan remained silent, only staring at the table as he still held his spoon tight.
"Hmm… how about this, join our club."
The man's grip tightened, hurting him, but he remained rigid. "Well, Christan, you're one of us now. Be there after every call."
The guy grinned before he left.
"Dan, you're seriously letting this guy in?" the one trailing him asked.
"Yes," Dan casually said. "He's got answers I need."
His fellow was confused, but he didn't dare probe further.
Christan remained as he was, not realizing the attention he was getting. Or he pretended to.
"Who were those guys? You know them?" Joshua asked as he leaned closer, his voice almost enthusiastic.
Kai wished to growl at Joshua—what did it matter to him? But he swallowed his annoyance and stood up. He glared at Ethan.
"We're not done here," he said before he left.
Ethan didn't even bother to look at him and paid his attention to his food. However, only he knew he was paying attention elsewhere. Who were those guys earlier?
Christan mumbled, "Fitness club… huh."
"You had a bad side with those dudes, I can tell. Joining them? Say the word, I'll join too," Joshua said with assurance.
Christan's brows scrunched as he inwardly grumbled in frustration. He knew living quietly was difficult, but to think on his first day...
Ethan's brow tightened. Since the day he witnessed Christan's scars in the office, he found himself paying too much attention to him.
It was time for him to focus on his purpose in the school. Thinking that, he rose and left.
"You are frowning too much. It's scary," Joshua uttered to Christan as they walked back to the dorm after lunch.
Christan stopped. "You said you will join that club with me?"
"When did I say that?" he immediately denied. "Are you seriously joining the fitness club?"
Christan went silent for a moment. "Can I not?"
"Too late." Joshua hissed and put his hand on his shoulder. "Fret not, I've got your back."
I was right. This guy is a fool and would make my life here not disappointing, Joshua thought with amusement.
Christan smiled at Joshua's expression. Of course he joined because that guy hadn't given him a choice and would bring him more trouble, but a part of him was… out of curiosity. A bit, yeah.
At that time, Joshua noticed that wherever they passed, a couple of students pointed fingers at Christan as they talked.
"He joined the Titans."
"What? I was rejected when I applied. What can those bones even do?"
"They probably wanted to play with him."
Joshua nodded; he also agreed with them.
Christan heard them. Titans? "Joshua, do you think we should do some little research about the club?"
Joshua's eyebrows rose in realization. "Leave that to me."
Christan nodded. Of course he said that so he would take the job.
Later in the evening, Christan and Joshua sat across the table. They leaned closer as if no one should hear their secrets, even if they were the only two in the room.
"We... are in a gang. Not just any, the Titans." Then Joshua started laughing as he covered his mouth.
Christan had guessed that much after he saw Dan in it, but he didn't think something like that would happen at this school.
Joshua, noticing Christan's confused expression, cleared his throat. "Let me explain it to you. All the gangs here pretend to be clubs. Being a member means joining that crew. People join them to stay safe."
Sort of club? He remembered Agrey and Zaren. Did it mean they were also part of a gang pretending to be in a designing and sports club? No way.
If so, then the school was scarier than outside, and students played the major role in that. Now, what a teacher did in class started to seem like a simple thing. No, he shouldn't think like that.
But Joshua was over the moon. His dream of owning the most powerful gang in the world might come true starting from here.
He had already started imagining controlling the whole pack...
"What are you dragging him into, you deranged brat?"
Joshua jumped, and Christan gasped as both were startled. They looked behind them, where Kai's imposing figure looked down on them.
Joshua smirked after he calmed down. "None of your business."
"Is that so?" Kai moved to Christan, who gulped. "I'm in that club," he said proudly. "And I can easily tell those who attract trouble. We don't know each other."
Christan's eyes widened, then he exchanged glances with Joshua.
So Kai was also in a club. Did he know it was a gang? From the way of it, he didn't think so.
"Do not worry, Kai," Christan politely said. "I won't cause trouble for you."
"Good." Then he turned to Joshua. "And why talk to him? Don't tell me you're going to join that club?"
Joshua sneered. "If you're in, why can't I be? I already joined."
"What?"
Joshua grinned.
Kai looked at him. He knew that brat before they even met in juvies. No way he would join a tedious thing like the fitness club without unhinged reasons. And no way he took that kid behind him as his friend for him to do that.
Kai smiled. "Fine, meet you there then."
Then Kai left.
Joshua turned to Christan. "Holy shit, isn't this more interesting?" He chuckled. "That arrogant Kai doesn't know what he got himself into."
What good about that, Joshua? Christan sighed.