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"Oi, what's with him? Don't tell me it's another curse." Ivan grumbled in annoyance.
Ping Lan had come to school with a slightly ajar smile on his face. He usually had good control over his negative emotions showing on his face, but not this time.
Something is bothering Ping Lan, but what?
Yi Chen was the first to step up, "What's got you like that? It's unnerving me."
Kaido watched while following along with the conversation. He knew more was underneath. That Ping Lan wasn't the always cheerful guy they know. Kaido didn't like to admit that Ping Lan shared a place in his heart, and decided to ignore the sadness surrounding him.
He didn't want to experience the fearfulness when the curse affected Ping Lan like last time. Kaido stood up and walked over deciding to force it out, after all, the contracts couldn't get anywhere either.
Kaido grabbed Ping Lan by the collar and growled out the question again. He dismissed the shocked faces of Tan Hua and his classmates.
"Oh, Kaido! How forceful you are. Please save this in private for your special lady, haha!" The usual silly words spewed out of Ping Lan in repeated practice but showed signs of strain.
Kaido decided to drag him away and force Ping Lan to confess outside by the stairs. The two stood with opposite expressions on their face, happy and irritated. Though, as the seconds ticked Ping Lan grew progressively nervous.
Is it that bad? Did something bad happen when his contracts were away? They should stop slacking, then...
Kaido hated that he was upset by Ping Lan's own sadness. Ping Lan's doe eyes stared at him causing a bit of warmth to rise to Kaido's cheeks.
"Stop staring already and tell me what's wrong!"
"...I didn't think anyone would notice." Ping Lan muttered before laughing, "To think Do-Do is worried about me, how lucky!"
"Idiot, your contracts should be able to tell this much. So..?"
Ping Lan just looked down and gave up trying to hide his problem. His lips turned downwards a bit.
I should say something. No! That's too embarrassing...
"Fine. If you don't want to say what's wrong; I'll accept that. Yet, you're making me worry about your stupid self, and I hate it!"
"Oh! I didn't mean to, Kaido! I'm happy that my cavity caused you to be troubled over me!"
After Kaido heard Ping Lan he felt his face go up in flames. He worried over a cavity?!
"You made me worry over that!?" No more eating in my room!"
Kaido was less mad at Ping Lan and more at himself for, indirectly, admitting his mutual friendship towards Ping Lan. For him to care for a boy who doesn't know basic Summoner facts. Disgraceful it was, but Kaido found he minded less and less.
"Wait, Kaido, I'm sorry!"
Ping Lan pleaded with Kaido back to the classroom, but Kaido put his head down and wallowed in embarrassment.
He'd be more careful next time...