Chapters: 2/9
A/N: The section is shorter (and also more angst) than I thought…, I feel guilty now ;w;
If you think Emil is so mean, I'm sorry, he has his own reasons ;w; I'd post Chapter 2 ASAP. (yes Chapter 1 ends here _(:3_ㄥ)_
Feel free to leave a comment or review :D Also if there are any mistakes please correct me in respectful, thanks!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything mentioned in the story but the story itself!
Is it a trap or just a coincidence? Emil can't stop suspecting it. He's certain that he didn't do anything offensive to other ones these days…, more or less.
What on earth is happening now? Why the situation looks like an elementary school teacher is introducing a transfer student to his lovely classmates?
Emil is never a person who likes to write all his feelings on his face, but, today, he is startled thoroughly. He stares at Mathias, mouth opening a little wider.
"Alright––! Now everyone knows our project is a long-term project, right? Also, we're running an internship program so over the following months we'll have some cute interns joining in and helping us, and then we'd show them how to run a research project organized so many teams! And finally! Today!" Mathias grabs his microphone more tightly, with the other hand showing the corner of their meeting room, "Let's welcome our first newbie here!"
If Emil wasn't sure he had lived in Mathias' house for at least 3 months, he would assume that this host is pointing his nose.
"Never mind. He loves to be an icebreaker like that, though usually it's not useful at all," Lukas lays back in his chair, turning to them both and telling in his smooth and relaxed tone.
Yes, both–– Emil turns to see the other one sitting next to him, in a very awkward way. In the past weeks, there was only himself sitting in the corner, however, a newcomer is asked to sit on the same side today, making Emil become extremely nervous, almost twenty times more alarmed than ever. The person has arrived here since the beginning, participating in the whole activity like Emil has done. At the end of the meeting, he follows Mathias' advice, standing up and greeting all members in the meeting room.
Eduard von Bock, the confident guy's name, studies at the same school as Mathias. The only difference is that he's an undergraduate while Mathias has got his master's degree.
Emil thought he could still pretend to ignore people though he has felt tense enough, until the time Eduard sat down beside him. His first words almost make Emil freeze at his desk, "Excuse me, are you the cat sitter in planetarium that day?"
"Hey! Do you know each other?" Oh gosh, Mathias, shut up, please. Lukas, please stop him, "Then Emil could be Eduard's mentor… oh it sounds great! Eduard? Hello? Mr. Bondevik, the one sitting beside you, will show you what an intern has to do. That's his work content now. You could have a short chat first. If you're familiar with each other, it'll lighten the workload also let you learn your partner's skills. And now! The meeting is finished! Thank you all for attending and it's time to go home!"
Emil wants simply to wring Mathias' neck now. If it was allowed, he'd also ask the other Mr. Bondevik to do this.
All the members leave the meeting room immediately. After Lukas asked them "Remember to turn off the lights and lock the doors," there are only two men staying in the wide space.
Emil knows Eduard is looking at him. It's not an uncomfortable gaze though, he just feels weird.
The young man looks like he'd not leave here right now. He's back to his desk already.
Oh, gosh.
"Um… Emil?"
"Bondevik."
Eduard stretches out his hand, "My name is Eduard von Bock. You can call me Eduard."
"I see." The room sinks in silence again. Emil takes a deep breath, has no choice but to shake hands with him.
"I don't even know you participate in the project, too. Honestly, I thought you took a part-time job in the museum," as expected, after they exchanged greetings, it's Eduard who starts a conversation, "I met with some seniors a few days ago and they told me I could call them by their first names, so I'm wondering if you accept that I call you as the same way. After all, there is another Mr. Bondevik. I hope I could avoid mixing you up.
"Well, then it's up to you."
"Great. Nice to meet you, Emil."
Emil murmurs a few words, standing up and packing his bag.
The anxiety appears silently. It can always upset him, reminds him the life one year ago, the days he struggled to fit in and eventually failed to do it.
If the guy manages to stay here, he'll be very willing to get going first.
However, Eduard also begins packing up his belongings. It looks like he's planning to leave here with Emil, still trying to talk with him, "You looked proficient in taking care of the cat so… sorry for misunderstanding you. Are you from around here? Or are you here for studying? What's your school name? By the way, what's your major? Because you also take a part in the project, I guess you're major in…"
"Has anyone told you your smile is annoying?"
Emil heavily closes his laptop, wrapping all his stuff in the bag. He bites his lower lip slightly, finally turns to Eduard and chokes out other words, "Leave me alone, please."
He walks out of the room, dare not stop for even if one more second.
There's no way to turn back.
He has already blocked all of it.
