Chapter 24 - Sensitive

Entering the student locker area, Jin saw a few people inside. In listening to them talk, it was the usual gossiping topics. Going to his storage container, he kept a neutral face and tried acting normal. Removing the rest of his gear and putting his backpack down, he opened the locker. While putting stuff inside, he kept an open ear to his surroundings.

"Like, oh my god, did Jess really do that with her boyfriend?"

"I don't know. What those two sick love birds do is their business."

…

"We definitely creamed that other team last night."

"Yeah. It was a total one-sided match. What a bunch a losers."

"Ha ha ha, yeah."

…

"What? You sure you're not seeing things?"

"Dude, I know what I saw. I'm telling you it was a UFO in the night sky yesterday."

"Yeah, yeah. Probably watching too many Sci-Fi Zone episodes again."

"Awe come on man! I'm serious!"

…

An audible sound was heard and Jin pulled out his phone. At the same time, Juan and his buddies walked in with Renee a little bit behind. When she saw the spectacle teen, her face felt a little warm. Breaking off with the others, she walked to her locker. She notice that he was on his phone.

[Where are we?] Selbith messaged.

[At my school]

[…I see…]

[Listen. This place has a no cell phone use policy. If I get caught with it, I'll have to wait two or three days to get it back. Not to mention, I'll get punished for it.]

[…what's your point mortal?]

[To be safe, the mobile has to be kept in my locker. It will be locked and—]

[Do that and I'll pay that brother of yours a visit]

The dark haired, green eyed junior heard a thud behind her. Turning her head around, she blinked a couple of times in surprise. Jin was softly head-butting a locker next to his. Seeing the male teen texting was a bit abnormal. It made her curious of whom it was as she gathered her school items.

[…(T-T)…okay…okay…I'll take you with me, but you can't talk or message me while in class.]

[…Listen mortal…I can do whatever I feel like. What happens to you at your learning place is not my concern.]

[…(TnT)…please…please just be quiet]

[…(-_-)…I'll do that much] he replied. Muting the phone, he put it in an inner jacket pocket. Closing his locker and picking up his school bag, he gave a loud tired sigh. Turning and walking to his classroom, his mind wondered about his difficult situation.

"…" Renee said.

Seeing him put his cell in his jacket, she tilted her head. Normally, he would leave it in the locker. She looked at her phone resting on a shelf in her storage unit. Grabbing it and muting the volume, she placed it in her jacket pocket. Feeling that she had everything, the junior left the student locker area to her homeroom.

Once he got into his classroom, he sat down at his desk. Getting out what he needed for the periods ahead, he rested his head and waited. Much of the sophomore's relief, the reaper was quiet throughout the classes. Even during breaks, the demon would not disturb him. However, that changed when PE came around. Leaving the classroom and going to the men's locker room, he felt something vibrate. Getting to one of the lockers, he opened it up and placed his phone inside.

[Where are we?]

[In the men's locker room for physical education]

[You mortals are forced to do physical exertion?]

[Yeah. We also wear an outfit that makes everyone look the same.]

[…are you sure this isn't a prison?]

[…(^-^)…yes, quiet sure. The downside is that I have no way of hiding you other than wearing a jacket.]

[…(-_-)…mortal.]

[You got to be joking? It's warm outside!]

[…don't make me repeat myself.]

[…(T-T)…god you are a pain]

[I told you, that blasphemous being can't do anything for-]

[I GOT IT! I FREAKING KNOW!] Jin messaged showing a displeased face at the phone camera.

[…(-.o)…]

Grabbing the mobile and shoving it in his pocket, he walked out trying to calm his nerves. Other than having to be more careful in doing sudden movements, the physical training was not hindered by having the cell. Both males and females were separated today so Jin was spared from getting stared at. After PE, he changed back into his school clothes and left the boy's locker room. Peering out and not seeing a certain junior around, he walked down the corridor to a lunch spot.

All the sudden, he felt the phone vibrate. Irritated and adjusting his glasses, he scanned for an indiscreet spot. Finding it, he leaned against a wall. Opening the flip phone, he assumed it would be from someone that wouldn't leave me along. Opening the message and reading it, it was from someone else.

[Hey Jin…mind walking to the place where we introduced ourselves?] Renee messaged.

[…why…?]

[…(-_-) do I really need a reason?]

[Mortal! How is that thief inside here too!?]

[…(0.0)…Selbith? That you?] the junior messaged in bewilderment.

[MORTAL! Why aren't you answer me!?] Selbith messaged again with more aggression.

[…(T-T)…I'll be over in a minute.]

'…that was…weird…how is that possible?' Renee thought.

Still surprised, she re-read the text messages and how the Grim Reaper was communicating. Something came into view and the junior looked up from her phone. She saw the sophomore heading toward her with a neutral expression. She was sitting on the concrete boarder that surrounded a potted tree. Sitting near her, he removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

"…hey…" she said watching him.

"…sup…" he replied sounding tired.

"You look like you had a rough night sleeping."

"Yeah…you could say that," he stated putting his glassed back on. Both heard a cell vibrate and he pulled it out. Opening it up, there was a message from the death bringer.

[Mortal. I'm still waiting for an answer!]

"…Jin…" Renee said with her eyes widening a little. "…how is that AI in your phone?"

"Well," he said glancing to his right. He recoiled a little seeing that she moved closer to sit next to him.

[…Ugh, so you are real as well. You're an eye sore just like in that world too.]

"What?!" Renee said with irritation. Glaring at his mobile, she grabbed it and started messaging back.

[Listen here numbskull! You watch your mouth!]

[Grrr. Stop calling me that you wrench!]

[Bonehead!]

[Imbecile!]

"…" Jin grunted and grabbed his phone back.

[…(-.-*)…knock it off.]

[…(-_-*)…]

"To answer your question, she downloaded herself to the cell," he said putting the phone back in the inner jacket pocket.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa…you are saying that thing transferred from the game to a mobile device on its own?"

"More or less, yeah," the sophomore stated. Opening up his backpack, he got out his lunch.

"…that's impossible…how can a normal AI do that?"

"Beats me."

"I would like to know why. I mean, she doesn't particularly like you that much."

"Who knows," the sophomore replied with shrugging his shoulders. He took a bite out of a triangular sandwich.

"Have you asked it?" she asked seeing him nod. "…what was the reason?"

"…don't know," he said after swallowing. "Selbith wouldn't tell me."

"…geez, that's creepy…it's like having a virtual stalker."

"I know, right?" Jin said then glanced at her. "Don't know which is worse: a real one or a digital one."

"H-Hey! I'm not your stalker, you jerk!" Renee stated and pushed him. He had planted his feet and stopped himself from falling over. He sat back straight.

"…whatever…"

Both continued with eating their lunch. The outside weather was nice with a calm breeze going through the school grounds. Not many people were around where they were. If students were trying to look for them, the tree the two were under provided enough shadow to cover them. She noticed that since moving next to him, he hadn't moved or said anything. However, he did notice her glances.

"…what?" he said turning his head a little.

"I didn't say anything," she stated blinking.

"You keep looking at me. Is something on my face?"

"Let me see," she replied. Turning more toward him, her face was in front of his.

"…?" Jin stated and recoiled from her closeness.

"Well…I can't tell if you do that," Renee stated leaning closer.

"Whatever. Never mind…was there something you wanted to talk about?"

"Hmm?" she said moving back a little. Still turned toward him, she stayed next to him.

"Well…a couple of my classmates still would like to know more about you."

"…whoopee…" the sophomore replied looking back down at his lunch bag.

"I think you should be more appreciative about hearing that. I know some guys would feel great knowing that girls are interested."

"…uh-huh…and you are being their informant?"

"Like I said before… I'm not doing this because I'm interested," she stated with a straight face.

"Really? Then why bother?" he asked and turned his head to look at her.

"I…well…uh…" the junior said blinking and trying to think of something quick. "I'm just helping classmates out."

"How altruistic of you," he stated turning back forward.

"So…are you ready for some questions?"

"You can ask, I'm still not telling."

"Grrr. Listen dipstick, you are going to be answering my questions!" she demanded. Grabbing his shoulder, she made sure that he couldn't get up easy.

"Oh yeah? If I don't, what are you going to do about miss pesky pants?" Jin said with an even tone and unfazed expression.

"P-Pesky?!" she said irritated. Gripping his shoulder, she reached and grabbed his shirt collar. Despite having a good grip, the female teen knew the sophomore was stronger. All he did was frown at her.

"Who you calling pesky jerk!?"

"Yo, baby. What's going on?" Juan called in the distance. He was jogging to where the two's location was. Feeling caught, she released Jin's collar and scooted away from him. The sophomore just adjusted his glasses and continued eating the remaining of his lunch.

"Hi Juan…w-we were just chatting," Renee stated with a small smile.

"Chatin'? Look like you were going to slug four-eyes here. He say something to you?"

"No, no, no he didn't—" she began to say when he stood in front of the sophomore. Reaching and grabbing the sophomore's jacket, he stood him up.

"Juan!"

"If you got something to say to her, you have to go through me shrimp."

"Back off beef head," Jin said. He swatted hard enough to get the male junior's hands off his jacket. He dusted himself and adjusted his glasses.

"What you call me!? Maybe you need some sense knocked into you talking about to your senior."

"Whatever. I'm leaving," the spectacle teen said.

Turning around, he grabbed his stuff. Without turning to look at them, both juniors watched him walk away. Juan scratched his head confused a little about the student's reaction. Not really caring, he shrugged his shoulders. Renee looked down at the ground and gritted her teeth with her mouth closed.

'Damn it!' she thought.

Reaching back to the classroom, Jin sat at his chair and pulled out his reading book. There weren't many students in the room during the lunch period so a sense of privacy was there. However, the phone vibrated. Frowning, he looked at the residing students. Seeing no one looking at him, turned to face the window. Facing away from the classmates, he got out his cell and opened up the message on it.

[Mortal…who was that other person?]

[That's Rogue's boyfriend.]

[Ugh. She is just as bad as that retched devil woman. Don't tell me you fancy her?]

[...get real. I'm not a sleazebag.]

[…(^_^)…]

[…what's that face for?...]

[Like I would tell you mortal.]

[…(-_-ii)…geez.]

The rest of the classes continued on with not much deviation from the norm. After the last class ended, the male student put his stuff away in his bag. Standing up, he left the classroom. Seeing no one standing out of the classrooms, he walked back to the student lockers. Upon entering, there were a couple of students in the row of lockers he was at. Looking around, it seemed that the coast was clear.

Going to his storage unit, the room seemed rather louder than normal. Listening to the amount of gossip going on, it felt like he was in a crowd. Opening up his locker, he blinked at what was inside. Reaching in, he pulled out a piece of paper on top of his gear. It was a small notebook paper and had a short message on it.

From your locker, make a quarter turn right and walk seven paces. Make a right turn 90 degrees and continue straight till you reach the wall.

"…?" he said.

Looking on the back, there was nothing on it. Getting all his stuff and putting them in his backpack, he closed the locker. Putting on his bag and holding onto his helmet by the straps, he looked at the message again. Feeling suspicious and frowning a little, he visualized where the message told him to go. It would lead him to the wall corner behind him to the right.

Instead doing what the note stated, he went did the opposite directions. He turned left and walked quietly to the back wall. While passing the other rows of storage units, he did not see anyone that seemed to be waiting. Upon the last row of student lockers, he peered over to see someone who had their back against the lineup of storage units. Upon closer inspection, it was the female junior peering down the walkway to see if someone or thing was coming.

'Figured it had to be her,' Jin thought and walked quietly as possible. Stopping a few footsteps away, she was still looking the other way

"Looking for something?" he said.

"…!?" Renee stated.

Jumping a little and letting out a gasp, she whipped around. Behind her, she saw the sophomore standing there with his usual expression. In his hands were his bicycle helmet and the note in hand. She hid her embarrassment of being caught by getting angry. Taking a couple of steps toward him, she got into his face.

"What do you think you are doing sneaking up behind me?"

"…" Jin said bring the note to eye level. "What's with the secret note?"

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"Uh-huh," he said with an unconvinced face. Pocketing the note, he continued.

"What's up with you hiding and peering around the corner?"

"N-Nothing," Renee stated tensely.

"…" he said and narrowed his eyes. Walking passed her, he said a parting word.

"Fine. See you-?"

He stopped feeling his wrist getting grabbed. Pulling his hand a little, she held it firmly. Sighing through his nose, he turned back around. Looking at her, the junior's face was downcast. About to say something, her face suddenly looked up. Seeing irritation on her face, she got in his face again.

"…w-w-what are you—" he said when she kissed him on the lips. Feeling his eyes widen from shock, redness came to his face. Looking at her, her eyes were closed and her cheeks were a little red. Blinking a couple of times at first, he broke away and took a step back.

"W-W-WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?! ARE YOU NUTS?!" he whispered loudly feeling his face warm up.

"…it's almost…the same as in the game," she began to say. Feeling her lips with her finger tips, she gave a smile and looked at him.

"However, I think real kisses are better."

"…!?" Jin said recoiling a little.

Despite feeling some amount of enjoyment from being kissed by a girl, he hyper analyzed what was going on. She wasn't his. She was already in a relationship with someone. Based on how he grew up and his parents being the role model, monopoly relationship was nurtured into him. Seeing that this would cross the line in cheating someone, his opinion of her sank. Finding some control and a conclusion of what action he should do, he replayed what she last stated.

"…you…" he said quietly while staring at her. "…wanted to see the differences of a virtual and real kiss?"

"Yep, that's all," Renee said with a smile. Her statement confirmed what he hyper analyzed and made him feel irritated.

"You have a freaking boyfriend to test that with!" he stated a little louder.

"Oh come on," she said and teasingly pushed him. "It's only a kiss. I don't know why you are so bent out of shape about it."

'WHAT!?' he shouted in his head. His eyes widen with hot anger staring at her. 'Bent out of shape!? BENT OUT OF SHAPE!? WHY YOU!?'

"…you know…you are right…" Jin said with a downcast face. He gave a small smirk and forced air through his nostrils to give an airy snort.

"I should think nothing of this and just say whatever…right?"

"There you go," she replied putting her hands on her hips. "See, it isn't that hard when you change your attitude about it."

"…right…being used as a boy toy is not that big of deal. And being a tramp is not concerning either," he stated. Looking up at her with anger, he pointed an accusing finger at her.

"Well guess what? You can kiss my ass if I'm going to let anyone do that to me. I don't care who you are or what you are trying to pull. I ain't letting anyone use me or push me around," Jin said evenly. Leaning closer to her, he showed her a scowl.

"You…got…that…Missy?"

"…!?" Renee said with a flabbergasted face.

Seeing that he made his statement, he took his cue. Turning around, he headed toward the exit. Despite walking normally, his face had a stern look to it still feeling emotionally charged.

"…" the female junior felt lost for words for a moment.

Trying to analyze what he stated, one part of it stuck out like a thorn in her spine. It got her mad and followed him out. Seeing him exit the locker room, she briskly walked after him. When Jin came out, he turned toward the bike rack and headed toward it while putting on his helmet. Coming out next, she knew where he was going and continued. Both didn't see a male junior with his buddies hanging around the entrance.

"Hey Juan…isn't that your girl?" one of Juan's friends stated. Lightly tapping his shoulder, he pointed. The group turned to see Renee look more than agitated. The male junior recognized who she was stomping toward. Immediately getting off the wall, he signaled his friends to follow him.

'Just ignore her and go home,' the sophomore thought. He had unlocked his bike and felt her presence behind him. It prevented him from removing his bike.

"Back off. I have nothing to say to you," he stated not turning toward her.

"Like hell I'm moving!" Renee stated glaring at him. "Take back what you said."

"…" he said. Turning around, he looked at her with an unpleasant frown. "Why should I?"

"Because I am not a tramp, you asshole!"

"Oh yeah? Then what do you—ooff!" Jin said.

Strong hands pushed him hard and he fell to the ground. Luckily, having the helmet on saved his head. Before hitting the concrete pavement, the back part of his head hit one of the bike metal slots. Landing on the ground and feeling a bit dazed, he shook his head. Looking up, he saw Juan with his buddies next to Renee. She looked a bit shocked from what developed.

"I knew you were bad mouthing my baby. Come on guys, let's show him how we treat ill-mannered kids," the junior said. Cracking his knuckles, his friends snickered and did that same.

"…" Jin said.

Feeling his phone vibrate once, he ignored it. Thinking that there was a coincidence of her boyfriend and gang near the entrance, he pushed the thought away. Resetting his face to look stoic, he started to stand up. The group saw the sophomore get on his feet and adjusted his glasses. Seeing his face did not seem to register an emotion, he started walking toward them.

'…no…' Rene thought worried. She knew that he would get beat up from approaching Juan and his friends. If she stepped between them, she would be putting herself in a rough spot. Clenching her teeth and hands in anxiety, Jin stood in front of the three juniors.

"Listen shrimp, if you apologize to my baby and state that you won't talk to her again, I'll let you go…with not so many bruises," Juan stated.

"…I see…" Jin said. Seeing movement behind them, he pushed up his glasses a little. The afternoon sun reflected off of them causing his eyes to be hidden.

"Mind saying that again a little louder? After pushing me into the bike rack and hitting my head, I am a little hard of hearing."

"If you don't do what I said previously, you will get more than a push…to…" the male junior stated then felt someone near him and his buddies. Looking toward the entrance of the lockers, one of the PE teachers was standing a couple of feet from them. The adult looked at them impassively and had his arms across his chest.

"C-Coach," Juan said changing his tone. He immediately went to the sophomore and put his arm around them.

"…" the teacher said only blinking.

"We were just rough housing. Nothing serious," the junior stated with a smile.

"…hmm…" the adult said pulling a corner of his mouth down. Looking at the student with glasses, he noticed him looking impassively back at him.

"You okay kid?"

"Yes sir…I feel fine now."

"I see," he said and looked at Juan and his friends. "You three…admin office…now."

"R-right away coach!" the male junior said. Seeing that the teacher did not move, he could not do anything to the sophomore.

"Listen shrimp," he whispered and gave him a noogie on his helmet. "Talk or hang out with my girl again, I will beat you up."

"Touch me again beef head and I will kill you," Jin replied evenly.

"…" Juan said with a smile and let him go. Seeing the male juniors walk away, they were escorted by the PE teacher. When they were out of sight, the sophomore dusted himself a little. Getting his bike out of the rack, he turned to the school gate and walked off the campus.

While walking down the hallway with the PE teacher behind them, the juniors were mumbling to themselves.

"Man, that shrimp has serious issues," Juan said with a frown. Remembering something, he blinked in confusion.

"Hey…did you guys see where my girl went? I didn't see her when we walked in?"

"Don't know man. She was behind us a second ago before the coach showed up."

Back in the student locker, Renee was able to sneaked back inside. Avoiding being detected, she knew that one student saw her leave the scene. Now being empty, she had walked back to the previous place both she and Jin were. Leaning against a row of lockers, she recalled her "testing" the differences between the game realism to reality.

"…" the female junior said. The short enjoyment occurred from her action; however, it followed what he said then the aftermath that happened outside. Sliding down the lockers to the ground, she tried analyzing why things occurred the way they did. Pulling her knees into her chest, she hugged them and felt miserable.

Reaching the school gate, Jin prepared himself to get on his bipedal. About to mount his bike, the phone vibrated again. Remembering it vibrated once, he forgot it during the showdown. Holding his bike with one hand, he started walking his bike. Getting out his phone, he opened it. There were two messages from the same individual.

[Are we being attacked?]

[…mortal…are you there?]

[I'm here…what is it Selbith?]

[Who attacked us?]

[That would be Rogue's boyfriend]

[Did you kill him?]

[No]

[…why not?]

[I would go to jail if I did that]

[But you stated you would kill him]

[…(-_-ii)…I don't know about actually doing it…however, it was how I felt at the time.]

[…I thought you stated you did not fancy that thief…]

[…(-.-*)…if you remember me saying about killing Juan, then you definitely heard what I told her prior to the fight]

[…(^_^)…yes, I did…]

[…why are you so pleased?]

[…]

[…(-n-*)…whatever] he replied irritated.

Putting his phone away, he mounted his bike and pedaled all the way home. Once there, no one was in the house. Doing the usual routine after school and starting homework, the rest of the family was heard entering. While doing school work, he placed the phone upright against some books for the virus to see him. Strangely, the Grim Reaper didn't message him once. Rather pleased on not being disturbed; however, he reminded himself that the spirit was watching him through the camera. And eventually, he would need to go back into the game to continue with the "quest".