The King's Mandate: Anomalous System

Elena placed her hand on her chest and said, "When I saw your mother's face when she came to school when you passed out, I could tell from her expression how sad and worried she was"

"You think so? Because I have never had a conversation longer than five minutes with my mother."

"Why?" Elena asked as she stood up.

"Where are you going?"

"I can't eat anymore."

"You only ate like two slices."

Elena pointed her finger at Das' plate and said, "And you only ate two."

"You know I don't eat many sweets."

"So, what are you going to do with the rest of the cake?"

Das gave a thumbs-up sign to Elena and said, "I know you can do it."

"I can't eat it."

"I believe in you."

"I said I can't eat it."

"Why not?"

"I don't want you to think I am some kind of glutton." 

"Don't worry; I already think that"

Elena froze as her eyes widened, and she puffed her cheeks, saying, "Do I really eat that much?"

"You were eating like crazy in the middle of the lectures."

"That was because I was planning to run and hide from you during the lunch break."

"Yes, and I caught you."

"And pushed me down," she added.

"Why do you keep bringing that up?" Das groaned.

"But I still have the recording--"

Ring~ Ring~

Das's phone rang, but he didn't try to check it.

"Your phone is ringing."

"It must be my mom."

"Then you should pick it up."

"It's fine."

"Pick it up, Das. She must be worried."

'A mother worrying about her 17-year-old son just because he isn't home by 19 o'clock is… embarrassing.'

'Dammit'

"Pick. It. Up. Das"

"Yeah, yeah."

Das answered the call.

"Yes?"

[Where are you, Das?! Do you know what time is it?!]

"I am with Elena."

[What are you doing?]

"On our way home."

[And the truth is?]

"We are at the cafe."

[Why?]

"Elena wanted to celebrate my birthday."

[But--]

"Looks like she wants to talk with you. I am forwarding the call."

[Okay]

"What the--! When did I say…" Elena cursed Das as she clenched her fist.

Das smirked as he tossed the phone into Elena's hand.

Elena gritted her teeth and glared at Das.

She would have killed him if she wasn't on the phone.

Elena moved the phone to her ear and said, "Hello, ma'am."

"Yes"

"How are you?"

"Yeah, they are fine."

"Okay"

"Yeah"

"Hmm"

"Yeah"

"Yes?"

"Umm… not sure."

"Yeah"

"Okay"

"Some time then."

"Yeah"

"Okay"

"Yeah. I promise"

"No, no."

"Yeah"

"Fine"

"I think so."

"Huh?"

Elena was talking with Angela over the phone, but her replies were limited to one word.

'What are they talking about?' Das thought.

Elena was talking on the phone while staring into Das' eyes.

Suddenly, Elena turned around and walked into the washroom.

Das wanted to follow her, but he didn't want to be called a pervert, so he didn't.

He could still hear Elena's voice.

"Yes"

"Can I?"

"I don't know."

"Yes"

"I want to."

"Okay"

"Only for today."

"Yes"

"Huh?"

"No, no."

"There is no need."

"Fine"

"Yes"

"Thank you."

"Yeah"

"Take care, ma'am."

After that, it was quiet for a minute.

Elena came out and gave the phone to Das.

Das couldn't help but stare at Elena's face.

"What?" Elena questioned.

"You look awfully happy."

"Do I?"

"I was expecting to get punched because of what I did, but… am I safe?" Das asked.

"I will repay that some other day, but for now. Let's have the cake packed."

"You can just eat it here."

"It's not for me" She pointed her finger at Das and said, "You are taking it home with you."

"I don't want it."

"Give it to your mom and dad."

"They don't like sweets."

"Then eat it yourself."

"I don't like sweets either."

"Then what are we going to do with the cake?"

Das slid the cake towards Elena and said, "I give you the honor to eat this cake."

"Then…" Elena stared at the cake and said, "I will half, and you take half."

"You can take all."

Elena made an 'X' sign with her finger and said, "This is your birthday cake."

"And you are paying for it," She added.

Das chuckled and said, "I knew it would come to this"

Elena glanced around and said, "Where is everyone? I don't see the waiters either."

Das walked to the counter and gave Elena some bags, saying, "Do you know how to pack the cake?"

"Well, I eat cakes once a week, so yeah, I think I can."

Elena walked to the counter and started packing the cake.

"Wow. What a reason."

'Anyone should be able to pack it. I just asked her because I was too lazy to do it, and she gave a weird reason to do it.'

"This girl is awesome."

Elena turned around and asked, "Who?"

"No one."

Elena squinted her eyes as he grabbed the bags. She had two bags in her hand—one for herself and another for Das.

She walked to Das and said, 'Say, do you have a…"

'Should I really ask him? I am sure he doesn't have a girlfriend. But what if he does? Like from some another city or school? Or maybe even from another country? He is so handsome that I wouldn't be surprised if he has multiple girlfriends, or maybe even a princess as his fiance.'

Elena closed her eyes and shook her head as she thought, 'No, no, no. I think I went too far. Why would some princess be Das' fiance? Das is just ordinary… not exactly ordinary, but… argh! This is why I hate thinking about this topic. It makes me so frustrated and irritated.'

Das was watching Elena acting strange. He tried to call out her name, but her face suddenly got scary, so he passed on that thought.

'What is she thinking? Did mom said something to her? What did they even talk about?' Das thought.

'She really looks annoyed for some reason. It would be best to leave her be.'