Extra's Descent Chapter 280: Labyrinth Dive [2]

"So….."

"Uh….."

The image of Brandon earlier wouldn't leave their minds. They had co to the newly opened cafe, but it took them quite a while to realize that Brandon was seated across from them.

To be specific, Brandon and the Princess.

"I never thought I'd see the Princess make that face."

It was Cyrus who made that statent.

All their heads nodded in agreent as they sipped on the drinks they had just ordered.

"Scratch the Princess! Didn't you see the face Brandon was making?"

Claire exclaid and took a long sip of her drink.

They could still recall it. No, he was still making that face.

"Goosebumps…."

Claire felt chills all over.

Was this really Brandon?

The sa guy who had rcilessly beaten them to a pulp a couple days back?

However, they respected his privacy and decided not to pry on his matters further.

But still…. they could say that, but it was hard to actually do it.

Too hard.

They couldn't help but steal subtle glances on the table across from them.

"Chills…. Chills…. Chills…."

Claire rubbed her shoulder as her eyes continued to alternate.

They wanted to leave.

They regretted coming to this place.

It was not as if they had found the couple uncomfortable, but it was the sudden shift in Brandon's personality.

He appeared mostly stoic, sotis teasing, maybe even annoying for Claire. But seeing the expressions he was making….

They had never seen that look on his face before.

They had truly found it shocking. It was as if he was a different person.

But the realization had dawned upon them shortly after.

It was because of the woman across from him.

Alia Constantine, or as everyone liked to call her, The Princess.

In the past, she was usually unapproachable when it ca to n. Won had no problems approaching her, and she would often help them out. The kind of senior who would happily help out her juniors.

But her reaction towards n was understandable. After all, she was undoubtedly beautiful, and with her status, a lot of n often tried hitting on her.

Most probably, she had set a boundary between any potential n that would co to like her.

In fact, now that they could rember, there were a couple of n that tried hitting on her in the current Imperial Academy as well.

But often, she would ignore, or reject them on the spot. Centing her reputation as a flower that could only be admired, but never to be touched.

It was for that reason, she had earned the nickna, "The Princess."

But now, the rejections made sense.

It was because she already had soone.

Brandon.

However, how Brandon was even able to woo her was a mystery to them.

But they had several theories in mind. After all, they were in the sa committee in the past, at that ti, they must've gotten close.

That still couldn't explain how Brandon was able to break through the boundary she had set up.

No, it was actually quite obvious.

It was well known that Alia Constantine and Brandon's sister, Belle Locke, were best–friends.

That must've been the reason why Alia didn't set any boundaries with him since he was her best–friend's younger brother.

Now that they thought about it, he was quite lucky.

All feelings of discomfort vanished as they had co to an understanding.

They couldn't help but feel happy for Brandon.

The couple looked good together.

Then, their gazes eventually landed on Rachel.

She was the only one who hadn't said a thing the entire ti, appearing nonchalant while reading a book.

Noticing their gazes, Rachel put her book back down and frowned, staring at them.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Claire dropped the topic.

It seed like Rachel was trying to ignore it. There was no need to push the topic.

Shortly after, their food arrived.

"Enjoy."

***

Brandon had felt their gazes from where he sat.

Why were they even there?

He should've chosen a different place instead….

'Nah.'

Brandon shook his head and pushed down that thought.

Alia really liked the food. It might be her new go–to place.

They had just finished eating, and were currently taking a break, relaxing and conversing with one another.

"Don't you want to say go and say hi to them?"

Alia too had noticed their gazes. But she didn't try to look at them once since Brandon was clearly ignoring them.

"No."

He shook his head.

"They know anyway."

"Your dynamic with them is kind of weird. But okay, I understand. I'd feel quite embarrassed too if I were in your position."

"I'm not embarrassed though. Why would I be? I take pride knowing I'm dating the most popular girl in the Academy."

"Pfft… What's that? Popular? There's no way!"

She must've had no knowledge about that forum page.

'Good.'

It should stay that way.

"Also, I'm not embarrassed that I'm dating you too. Just embarrassed of what my friends might think when I'm being all girly like this…."

She tucked her hair behind her hair after speaking those words.

"You have friends?"

He teased and Alia frowned.

"Hey! That's really rude. You've already t them yesterday…!"

Prior to today, Brandon had joined Alia and her friends for lunch. It was mostly people he knew already, like; Ray, Artoria, and Belle. But there were a couple of others too that he didn't know.

It was quite an uncomfortable experience. Not because of her friends, but the presence of his sister.

No, it was really uncomfortable.

"Right, I did. What did they think?"

Alia took a sip of her drink first. As soon as she set down the cup, she pursed her lips, allowing the sweet taste of the boba tea to linger on her tongue.

"Actually, they already knew you from your ti in Astrea. You were actually quite popular back then among the won, if you didn't know."

"Oh? That's weird. I don't rember interacting with a lot of people."

"Well, there was a ti when you were the talk of the academy after that Virtual Simulation thing."

Alia looked away bashfully.

"Adding to your looks, several gossips about you started spreading in the Academy. Even I couldn't help but overhear so of them."

"Is that when you fell for ?"

Brandon teased, a smirk spreading across his features.

"No, not really."

She shot him down.

"More like I was intrigued. 'Brandon Locke?' The na was quite familiar, and of course, I couldn't ignore the Locke na."

Then, her head turned and she looked at him intently.

"That's when I realized you were probably Belle's younger brother. I've seen you a couple of tis when we were kids. Honestly, it was quite shocking how much you've changed."

"Ah, I see."

The mories of Alia when Brandon Locke was a child were quite hazy to him. After all, she was never the focus in the first place.

"Then how does it feel knowing you're dating your best–friend's younger brother? Soone you've probably regarded as a child back then?"

"To be honest, it's kind of weird. Just thinking about it is weird. But…."

She paused, taking a breath.

"I can't ignore my feelings. The others never thought about it weirdly either. If Belle doesn't mind, then who am I to complain?"

She smiled brightly. It looked as if the sun's glimr shined down on her face.

"I don't care if it's weird. I like you. That's all that matters."

"...."

Brandon found himself speechless hearing those words.

Eventually, he laughed.

"Haha."

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing. I just feel like another ten years were taken off my lifespan."

"What does that an?"

Alia tilted her head in confusion.

"It ans…."

Brandon paused, giving her a smile of his own. A smile that took Alia aback as her eyes widened.

He moved his mouth, but no words ca out. Just slow enough for Alia to read his lips.

'I love you too.'

*

They stepped outside the cafe shortly after, leaving his friends inside.

With their fingers intertwined, Alia looked up, eting his gaze, and asked.

"We have an hour left until we're supposed to co back. Where should we go next?"

Truth be told, he didn't have any plans after. Since he had given all the mories of the ti Raven spent with Alia in the previous progressions, this dating thing was quite new to him.

They had been dating for only five days, but he could tell he was probably doing a good job.

But now that he thought about it, there was a place he had just rembered.

"It's not much. But I want to show you sothing?"

"Oh?"

Alia's eyes glimred at that mont.

"Take there~"

Brandon felt his lips pull up and he tightened his hold of her hand.

They raced the road on his bike and they arrived at the destination in a couple of minutes.

It was a rooftop with a clear view of the city. Though it was illegal to be here, they could probably get away if they were caught due to Alia's credentials.

Alia imdiately ran towards the railing and took in the sight of the whole city.

"This view is amazing~"

Brandon walked towards her, and stood right behind her. Leaning close, his arms wrapped around her as his chin rested on her shoulder.

"Right?"

The weather was perfect. The sun's rays shine down, casting a glow all over the city.

He could see a couple of cars down below. From where they were, the cars appeared smaller than they should. In fact, they looked like toys.

From a distance, Brandon could see the wall, protecting the human domain. And as his gaze lingered further, he could see towering mountains and the lush greenery of trees around.

The cold wind brushed past them as Alia's hair fluttered sideways.

It was the perfect ti to give it to her.

"Alia."

"Yes?"

They continued looking at the view as they spoke to one another.

"I got you sothing."

"Hm?"

Brandon grabbed her hand and slid a ring into her finger.

"Oh?

Alia stretched her hand forward, taking in the sight of the ring. The sun's glow reflected on the ring.

"Thank you. It's beautiful."

Her soft voice reached his ears. It felt as if his heart was about to lt at the mont.

"Just like the wearer herself."

As those words left his mouth, Alia turned around slightly, pressing her lips on his cheek.

Brandon was taken aback for a brief second before he composed himself. Alia turned her head once again, looking at the city, her hands on his arm which was wrapped around her torso.

Then, Brandon opened his mouth.

"Try injecting your mana into it."

"Hm?"

Alia lowered her hand and looked at the ring. Shortly after, she did as he instructed and gathered her mana into the ring.

"This…."

"I might be gone sotis. With that ring, you'll be able to tell of my current status."

It was a double edged ring. Sure, it might give her a sense of assurance. But if he were to die….

"Don't worry. Just think of , think of how much you want to see while focusing your mana on the ring. It will open a portal to my location, that way, you will never truly be away from ."

A ring that implented the sa kind of technology as the ring Ciel had.

A project he had commissioned Ironaxe a couple of weeks back during his ti in the blackmarket.

"I see."

Alia turned around, looking at Brandon. Her face seed slightly flushed and her blue eyes shimred.

"You want to see that much?

"I want to see you everyd—"

Alia tiptoed, her arms wrapped around his neck. Her lips pressed on his as she closed her eyes, cutting off his sentence.

The two shared a sweet kiss at that mont. Silence filled the surroundings, the cold breeze brushing past them.

Then, she pulled away, a teasing smile spread across her face.

Her mouth opened, but no words ca out.

But Brandon could read her lips.

'I love you.'

This woman in front of him…. The woman he had deeply embraced in his arms.

He might've been selfish for pursuing her knowing what was to co.

But it couldn't be helped.

If it weren't for her, he might've gone insane a long ti ago.

No, he still had the urges. But he could only hold himself back in front of everyone.

He needed her to keep himself sane.

And in the off chance that he changes his mind, she would be the sole reason.

Alia Constantine.

His source of salvation.