the death of a bachelor

twenty-six | answers

"Are you happy for the prank you pulled today?" Professor Shah's anger didn't fade even after they had parted for the rest of the day.

Reiju chuckled and followed him as he exited his office. "You started it, professor."

Rohan gripped the keys on his hand tighter as his face darkened in displeasure. "You weren't listening."

"So? I had other things to think about," she said. "Like how you bent me over and—"

"Stop it." His jaw clenched, shooting her a warning glare as he halted.

Reiju smirked. She was aware that teasing the professor as a way to forget her problems was a bad idea. But if she was, to be honest, his presence made this place bearable.

The moment she had learned of the division between the criminals and the soldiers, she knew things weren't simple anymore. Something deeper was going on.

And it was related to the person who got away with murdering Professor Huxley.

What was so wrong if she had fun in the process?

"It's the truth. I still remember how the table creak—"

Rohan stepped forward, driving the girl towards the coarse castle walls with his towering figure. "I said stop it."

"Why? What are you gonna do?"

Their bodies didn't touch but the man lowered his head to whisper his next words. "Listen here, Miss Tenjin. Our relationship ends with me leading you to the basement. If you keep up this attitude... I will kill you."

Reiju raised an eyebrow. She did not doubt that the man was serious. He could kill her if he desired to. But things had also become clearer the moment he spoke those words.

She chuckled. "Coward."

The man stumbled backward in shock. "W-what?"

Reiju sighed, crossing her arms. "I meant no offense, professor. But as someone who is well-versed with how assassins think... you're aware that killing someone means that their presence threatens you, right?"

She raised her chin, looking up at the man with a bright smile. "What is it about my jokes that makes you afraid, sir?"

"You're really..." He shut his eyes for a moment before a calm mask settled on his face. "Let's go."

Reiju pouted and trailed after him. She understood his worries over their connection but was it really that bad for him to threaten her?

She thought back to their conversation in the gardens and how he had told her of his inability to feel anything. Now that her mind was clearer, she realized that Rohan might have been hurt deeply to say things like that.

Was it Aliyah who had hurt him?

Reiju felt guilty.

"What are you waiting for?" The professor called out as he stood outside the admin building. He opened the door and turned to the left.

Reiju cussed and hurriedly marched towards the path he took. They passed by a hallway where Carmine's banners and several paintings hang on the wall.

They entered a narrow path, going down in a spiraling stair before stopping in front of a metal gate. A single bulb flickered over them. Reiju tried to see what lies ahead but darkness engulfed the place.

Rohan grabbed the big chains and inserted the key into the large padlock. He pushed the gate open, making its hinges creak loudly.