Free Web NovelChapter 31: Punishment Time (Alicia’s POV)
Alicia’s POV:
The constant bickering of the students echoed throughout the bus. Alicia walked down the narrow aisle, her lavender eyes fixed on the back row. Alden sat there, his gaze lost in a daze as he looked out of the window, isolating himself from the noisy crowd.
’Oh my, it seems my Alden really got bored. Don’t worry, now I am here. I will comfort you...’
Alicia stepped closer to him and took the empty seat right beside his. She boldly sat close enough that their shoulders were mere inches apart, ensuring he would be constantly aware of her presence beside him.
’Hehe... Look at me, you sweet boy. You have ignored me for a week, that is enough.’
Alicia waited for him to speak or at least question her sudden arrival. But to her surprise, he just dismissed her presence and forcefully looked away, acting exactly as if she wasn’t sitting right beside him.
’Alden, you shitty guy. You are quite stubborn, not even looking at me. Don’t worry, I will definitely make you pay me back for your ignorance.’
She cast a brief glance at him before looking straight ahead at the front seats, not wanting him to notice the intense, obsessive look in her eyes.
"Won’t you ask why I sat here?"
Alden turned around at her sudden question.
"Will you answer if I ask?"
She tilted her head gracefully and replied, "Of course."
’Why would I not want to answer your question? I am dying to have a conversation with you...’
"So then tell me, why did you sit beside me?"
’Oh my, so direct. But sorry, I won’t give you the answer you expect.’
"It’s because there is quite a commotion of students in the front rows, and I need quietness."
Alden looked at her with a frown, feeling visibly confused.
"Then why not sit in the back? There are many other empty seats available, aren’t there? You could have gained silence anywhere else besides sitting right here."
’It is because I want to feel your warmth, you stupid guy! Sigh... How can someone be that clueless? Well... I cannot blame him. To him, I must look like some unexpected, unknown girl who is just trying to forcefully involve herself in his life.’
"Of course, but just because I prefer silence, that doesn’t mean I prefer being lonely."
Her honest answer made Alden stop. He couldn’t help but look surprised by her words.
’Oh, my innocent Alden, you cannot win against me with words. I have watched you for a whole lifetime. Your struggles, your vulnerability, your strength, your weaknesses—I know every single thing about you. So no matter how you behave, I can easily make my way into your heart.’
A long, comfortable silence maintained itself between them as the bus finally started to move.
She noticed him looking out the window with pure awe. She couldn’t understand what specifically attracted him so much about the passing city streets that he was so fascinated to see the outside world rather than watching her.
After some time passed, she finally couldn’t hold herself back anymore.
She quickly summoned a packed box of cookies from her storage ring. She had specifically made them for him late yesterday night, right before visiting the training ground to secretly check on his training.
She tugged gently on his sleeve.
Alden turned around, bewildered. "Where did you get that from suddenly?"
She ignored his question entirely. She just put the box on his lap, picked up one of the cookies, and started eating it calmly.
"I just made them yesterday, packed them, and stored them in my storage ring. You can try them and tell me how they are. It’s the first time I have made pineapple flavor cookies."
Alden looked at her, sighed, and picked up one of the cookies. As he started eating it, his expression brightened exactly as she had expected.
"It is tasty. It seems you are the best cook I have ever met! How are you such a good cook?"
"Well, I learned cooking over the years for someone special, that is why I am such a good cook."
’Hehe... Don’t worry, that "someone" is none other than you. I only worked hard for you. No one other than you made me work so hard that I practically have to be the one to remain active in order to push our relationship forward... But don’t worry, I will make you pay me back once I really have you.’
As time passed, the bus started to drive closer to Nerevia.
Alicia sat there stiffly. She had a very busy day yesterday with her classes, her intense training, making cookies for him, and staying awake late into the night just to watch him train. The heavy tiredness of the day finally started to claim her body. Her eyelashes fluttered closed as she felt incredibly sleepy.
She desperately wanted to lean on his shoulder, but she held herself back, not wanting to make him feel uncomfortable and push her away.
Eventually, the bus came to a halt at the seaport. The vehicle quickly cleared out as students rushed outside, but Alicia still remained asleep. As she felt Alden shift his movements beside her, getting ready to stand up, she instinctively grabbed his sleeve in her sleep. She leaned her head directly onto his shoulder, holding him firmly so he wouldn’t let go and leave her alone.
Time slowly ticked by. Alden involuntarily sat back down beside her, choosing not to leave her alone on the empty bus.
Sometime later, Alicia finally stirred and woke up. She felt well-rested and comfortable after sleeping against his warm body. She looked around the quiet, empty bus, and then looked up at him. She finally realized exactly where she was and in what intimate position she had been sleeping.
But instead of getting flustered or embarrassed like some normal girl, she smoothly composed herself without showing any outward reaction.
She realized that everyone else had left and that this was their free time until late in the evening.
’Hehe... So it seems this is the perfect time to have a date with him. Hehe... It is going to be fun.’
She turned around toward him and questioned him directly.
"Why didn’t you leave then? You should have gone with the other students."
"Well... I just did not plan to go explore the city."
’Oh my, do not lie to me, my dear. I know you must have just not wanted to leave me alone. That is exactly why you let me sleep leaning on your shoulder for so long. Hehe...’
"Oh... Is that so? Are you really not planning to go out?"
As she watched him nod his head, she couldn’t feel any happier inside.
’Perfect!’
"Then come with me. If you are not planning to go anywhere, then at least accompany me."
He looked at her, feeling completely speechless once again.
"Wait—I mean—"
"Let’s go. Hurry."
She grabbed his hand and pulled him up with surprising strength, leading him straight out of the bus.
She held his hand forcibly, interlacing her fingers with his and refusing to let him go.
’Now it is punishment time for your ignorance earlier. Now you have to hold my hand for our whole date! Hehe...’
