Psycho X Psychic

"Oh, could you put me down before I get close to the school?"

"You? How about me?"

Trisha asked Teren.

"We're not schoolmates."

He simply replied, making Trisha nod in understanding. Teren then glanced at First who seemed to still have a lot to talk about with Trisha, therefore, it's good that they will have more time. Furthermore, he wouldn't worry about Trisha. Not only just because the Drago House is 'officially' his ally but if there would be a fight, Trisha would win against the two with a few burns.

Understanding this even without Teren explaining, Eron dropped him near Mershen High before continuing to drive off after a goodbye. Trisha just waved since they can contact each other with their phones anyway, so there's no problem.

After the car was out of sight, Teren began to see other students. At this time, usually, there would be more, however, he just saw a few schoolmates walking in the same direction.

It wasn't surprising. And when he arrived at his classroom, he saw that there are fewer students than expected. Although there's still time before class starts, it's safe to assume that many students will not be coming today or tomorrow.

Once Teren is seated, he looked at his side and saw Iesa sitting beside him. Well, since she's not giving him any attention, she's probably 'Dehian'

Teren oddly felt nervous and a bit of guilt and shame. Maybe because he did it with another girl. No, he shouldn't think much about it. He hadn't noticed it but his eyes would glance at her most of the time as if he couldn't control himself. If he could, he would've just stared at her.

'I guess nothing changed.'

Teren felt more optimistic now than the past few days.

At that moment, a cheerful lady came in, skipping and greeting everyone. She was the only sunshine in a room full of gloominess. Almost everyone's discussing how they hate the mayor for being unreasonable and how hard it is to come to school right now, or how they are envious of those who are forbidden to come by their parents.

The cheerful lady then reached Teren and brightly smiled.

"Good morning, Teren."

Teren's face twitched.

"Good morning, Lina."

Lina chuckled at this while the others lowkey watched them. Lina's presence was a bit strong today that it caught their attention. Furthermore, they haven't seen Teren for a long time now so their interaction piqued their interest.

The class president then leaned forward and whispered.

"Did you already receive the news?"

"Yeah..."

"Okay, then I'll be waiting tonight. Rip my hymen."

Thud*

Everyone then stared at Iesa who dropped the book that she was 'reading'. From the start, she had a hobby of reading but ever since she met Teren, she had less time on it. Now, she got back on it to distract herself.

Being at the center of attention, Dehian played it cooly and just continued reading the book. Lina glanced at her and smirked.

She then hopped into her seat as if nothing happened. At the same time, another girl approached and slammed Teren's desk.

"Teren, you finally showed yourself!"

Catherine said angrily, it was not for show. She then leaned forward and whispered too.

"The Devi House is under trouble without you."

"Huh? What happened?"

Teren didn't think that it had something to do with the group he just formed.

"Well, you ordered Uncle Jo and the rest to get all Aberrants in the city. Now, there are so many of them that they are rioting. There's no one who's strong enough to control them with the addition from the Heren City Prison."

Catherine summarized and Teren found that she's good at reporting. She was able to put the whole situation in one go. Or maybe, she's been engaged with the matters that she's become an insider.

"Why are they not saying anything to me?"

Teren muttered to which Catherine rebutted.

"They did, Teren. But you're not giving them any attention."

"..."

Teren was dumbfounded by her words before she sighed and said.

"Give me your phone."

"... here."

"Oh, you got a new one?"

Teren nodded which made Catherine palm her face.

"I can't believe all of that happened just because your notifications are off."

"R-really?"

Teren tried to look at what Catherine was changing on his phone.

"Trisha...?"

Catherine muttered the name she saw on Teren's contact list. It was easy to spot. There is only Iesa, Lina, and her at first.

'Wow, I didn't know he's such a womanizer.'

She thought which a certain someone heard and tightened her grip on the book.

"Who's she?"

Catherine wasn't really going to ask but she said it out loud.

"..."

Towards this question, how could Teren say she's his pet now?

"... a friend."

"Hm... her name's familiar." Catherine whispered. Trisha's name had been somewhat spread due to her being missing. However, it was not that sensational at the same time.

"So, is it okay now?"

Teren asked to which Catherine handed him his phone back. He entered the group chat and saw the pop-up, saying he has 99+ unread messages. A bead of sweat dripped from Teren's forehead.

Of course, he wouldn't be able to read it all since it's actually more than 1000 messages. It seemed that even Josh was silent, probably because told him to keep his mouth shut regarding him and Trisha, just like Alph who's now within the group chat.

"How bad is the situation?"

"Thankfully, it's not the worst but a coup d'etat is about to occur... I think."

Catherine said with a heavy voice.

"I guess I should visit them later."

"You must."

Catherine pressured him. He had no say since it's his fault. Good thing that it's not too late. Catherine would've talked about it if something really bad happened like someone getting killed. But at the same time, he has doubts that Catherine knows everything. He might need to talk to Hanon later. 

While he was thinking, Catherine spoke again after some hesitation.

"Also... you said you would help us in something, right?"

"Yeah...?"

Teren looked at her, not going to decline anything even though he will be busy again from now on.

"Well..."

Catherine then told Teren that story about Mike being absent due to him being caught in the destruction near their school. He was fortunate that he and his family survived but he was inflicted with an injury.

Now, with more students absent, Mershen High's basketball club had no more substitute members. Since the class is continued so does the school activities. Along with that is the regional competition that Mike had been preparing for the past weeks.

At that exact moment, Nick arrived at school and when he sat, Teren asked him.

"Nick, you know how to play ball?"

Nick was surprised by the sudden question so he paused for a second.

"... streetball."

"Teach me," Teren said.

"Sure, but... I have a part-time job. My mother's store was destroyed along with that... you know. Brother is also not helping with our situation..."

"Well, quit that part-time, I'll pay you to teach me and play."

Nick's eyebrows rose with interest. He's going to play ball while getting paid? Why the hell not!?

"Sure, what time?" he smiled with excitement while trying not to raise his voice.

"When's the tournament?"

"About next week?"

Catherine said as she forgot.

"Update us when you know. And after some days, we'll meet the basketball team to practice with. I don't think they'll let me substitute if I still don't know how to play."

Teren explained which made Catherine smile.

"Alright! But next time, you better not ignore your messages. The messages you ignore will have their notifications automatically turned off so be careful."

"Sure."

Catherine went back to her seat the moment Hanon arrived. Looking that Teren was finally there, Hanon was annoyed at relieved at the same time. He couldn't help but frown at his own boss before making an eye signal.

Teren understood and later, at break time, he'll have to talk to Hanon about what happened.

Before Hanon could check attendance though, Catherine received a message.

[Karaoke, after we practice if you're free.]

To which she replied-

[Then I'll watch you two practice.]

[Okay]

Hanon then started taking attention. Around half of the students of the class were gone. But at the next moment, Teren noticed something strange. Dehian seemed to be stretching a lot while Hanon was discussing and making the class fun. She will extend her arms and yawn before repeating this for some time.

When Teren finally realized why, he wanted to pummel himself for not noticing. When Dehian stretched her arms again, Teren immediately grabbed it. She flinched a little before gripping back.

Hanon was the only one who noticed this and, fortunately, he was able to restrain his reaction to not let anyone know what the two of them are currently doing. Teren felt his palm sweat but it was not just his, hers too.

He felt like his heart will explode.