Author's Note:

Hi, guys. Surprised? A new school term means a whole new study schedule. Now I have more time for myself, it seems. That's why now I'll try to update twice a week, bringing you guys more of the story quicker, every Monday and Friday. Just a note, my story isn't all serious and life-threatening, there will be arcs where it'll be purely slice-of-life. So sit back and watch my grand story unfold!

Chapter 8: Stares of Envy

It was... bright? Yes, very bright. The light shone into my eyes gave me a sight of a blurred and hazy background, surrounded by the light from the sky. Soon, the light dissipated and was replaced by a clear view of an open field of green. It felt like summer, insects' faint buzzing can be heard across the field, as well as the occasional breath of wind. It was calm, and peaceful. I like it. No more of that Mafia stuff and certainly no more getting struck by bullets or blades... Under the cooling shade of an apple tree, I resolved to go back to sleep.

"Amato?" A soft, sweet voice came from an unknown source. I turn my vision across the fields to see a figure walking through the blurry landscape. The figure feel familiar, wearing a pure white dress as well as a hat over her head. Before I know it, the figure made its way to my side and took a seat beside me. Looking upwards as I lied on the soft grass, I saw Gina's face with a soft smile.

"Wake up, Amato.." Her soft, cute voice called out.

"Wake up, Amato..." She continued.

...

Suddenly, my vision cleared to see Gina's cute, innocent face turn into Sergio's. Still in that dress.

"Wake, up, Amato!" He yells out in his bellowing voice, his tone indication that he is annoyed. That sight was already freaking me out, the voice just takes the cake.

"Hhhyyyyyyaaaaahhhhhhh!" I screamed out at the top of my voice, jumping out of my seat with my arms shot out in different directions.

Blinking not once, not twice, maybe ten times or more, I dunno, I lost count, I finally returned to my senses and see that I was actually in class, sleeping. The field was gone and was replaced by concrete grey and wooden textures. Looking down I see my desk and seat, and looking around I see my classmates all staring at me. There was no teacher present, I guess it must be lunch. In front of me stood Sergio, somewhat angry at me, looking resigned, putting his fingers to his nasal bridge and sighing.

"Uh... sorry." It was the only response I could give to the stares of my class, most of them by now was looking at me funny, some gossiping about it, others laughing out loud.

"What a loser.." A pair of girls say out in a loud voice, almost like they wanted me to hear it.

"Bad grades finally driven him mad, maybe?" One of those nerds with big, wide glasses prodded with questions, as if I was his little experiment.

"And the number of injuries he has explodes by the day!" Someone shouted out from one of them groups. They must be referring to those bandages around my elbows, the ones covering up that fairly obvious cut.

Sigh.

"There goes any reputation I have left..." I resigned myself as I got back to my seat quietly, ignoring what those people are throwing out. What do they know?

Sergio, in response to my sigh, now looked a little bit less angry, and a little bit more apologetic. Swinging a chair out from his own desk, he settled and sat down right beside me.

"Sorry." the words coming out straight and fast. His hair looked as straight as ever. "I forgot, after what happened yesterday night..." He went on, trying hard to be understanding. "In fact, are you sure you're well enough to be in school?" His asks as his tone change into one of concern. His dark, brown eyes wide for answers as he gives out his questions.

"Don't worry, this is just something I have to get used to..." I gave out while looking out the window, as if trying to run away from the subject.

"So you really are the boss of a Mafia Famiglia?" Sergio quietly slipped that question in. I know from the tone of his voice that he's taking this very seriously.

"Yes." That was the only thing I could give him. An answer, no explanations. Anymore and I might endanger his life.

That was when I noticed Sergio staring at something behind me with the look of surprise on his face. I turned around immediately to see Gina walking in our direction, with half the eyes of the class following her. She looks the same as she always do, beautiful with a bright smile on her face. I could hear voices here and there already talking about why she's walking towards us, me specifically.

"H-hey there.. Amato.." She called out to me, her usual smile disappearing. I can already feel my heart beating faster. I don't know if it was my feelings or something else, fear maybe? And, I could also feel the glares of the other boys in class, bearing down on my back.

"Uh... Gina.. Hi.. Uh.." I stammered word after word, looking very flushed and surprised. I was thinking she wouldn't talk to me again after what happened last night. I thought for sure she was gonna brand me off as someone dangerous. The class is of course reacting to this 'shocking' change, after witnessing the School Idol herself walking up and talking to this random guy, namely me.

"A-are.. you.. all right?" She voiced out her concern.

Of course, this drew even more attention, gossip and surprise from the class. Although, no one seems to be doing anything more than that. The guys all look like they wanna hit me, though.

"Aren't you afraid, Gina? After something like that happened yesterday..." I forced myself to say it, even though it might spell the end for this friendship. I looked on, half-eager, half-afraid of what her answer might be. That was when I noticed her hands shivering, and thought how stupid it was to ask.

"I.. I.." Gina's words started to crumble, even Sergio was looking worried. "I.. am afraid.." The words finally came out. To me, it was like all my hopes of being with her crushed by this relationship I have with the Mafia. "But!" She suddenly voice out loud as she saw my reaction. "I'm.. worried for you as well... I wanted to get away.. but, I can't!" She looked really confused. Her eyes tell the story of a girl who's afraid, but at the same time, she was blushing slightly from her emotions.

"Not after what you protected me and Sergio.." She said softly while holding my hand. That was when her shivering stopped.

Sigh. I gave out a few breaths and find myself slumped in my seat, overwhelmed by the confusion of what should be done and what I want. I'm really happy she said that, though.

"All right, I guess this 'Friendship' thing can still work..." I could see smiles emerge on their faces as I said those words. Friendship, a strange and powerful thing. I felt ashamed that I placed so little trust in them, and I also felt like I was gonna cry. "So, friends?" I ask out.

Sergio and Gina looked at each other and nod, before smiling back.

"Of course!"

"And here I thought you were falling sick..." Sergio says out, dissing off his worries.

"Oh, why?" I gave the question as confusion filled my face.

"What did you mean, why? Why else would you sleep through each class dead like a log?" He exclaimed, voicing out his concerns.

"Yeah, and you looked like a zombie the way you came to class today, you just walked in, dragging your feet and just slumped yourself in your seat." Gina added on her own thoughts, clearly enjoying herself as she did a little role-play on exactly how it looked.

"All right, we better get out of here, school's been over for a while now..." Sergio informs us as he started getting off his seat and putting it back at his desk. Huh? And true enough, Gina followed suite.

"Wait, isn't this lunchtime?" I gave out by reflex as I struggled a bit with the sudden information. Sergio then pointed out, calling me to look around class. That was when I saw that the class was empty save for one or two students, as well as saw the time on the clock. It was already past Three o'clock.

"I slept through the whole day in school!" I can't help but shout out the question. Soon, I was packing my stuff in a frantic.

As we walked out of the classroom and through the halls, I noticed my presence had changed. Boys from every class was staring at me, as I changed from 'Average guy' to 'The one who stole their idol' in just a day. And the image of Gina hugging on to my left arm wasn't making it any better. Not that I'll complain about it or anything. As we walked past the bulletin board, a rather finely decorated poster caught my attention.

"Huh, the Culture Festival's coming..." I randomly spoke out.

"Yeah, in about three weeks or so." Sergio replied almost immediately.

"I think it'll be fun!" Gina voiced out her opinion, still hugging my arm.

As we got outside, I find myself staring at a particular rooftop of a building not far from here. I had this really strange feeling, I don't know why. "Hey, what are you looking at?" Gina asked curiously as she tries hard to follow my eyes. Even Sergio had that questioning look on his face. Unknown to them, and myself, I was already holding on to the grip of Fenris, which was holstered to my side, hidden behind my over-shirt. My instincts must have been sensing something, and I could feel my senses slightly sharpened just by holding my Legacy Arm itself.

Suddenly, my body and legs moved on their own moved on their own.

I heard a sound, then a very sharp pain afterwords. What happened? I saw Sergio and Gina closed their eyes for a second there. Did they hear it? Probably not. They were probably just surprised. As they opened their eyes, I stood in front of them, arms thrown wide open. I was standing slightly closer to Gina. Strange, I don't even feel anything.

That was when my body lost all it's strength, and I fell to a kneel, before falling like a corpse. I had only one thought as my vision faded away.

I'm sorry. The apology done in silent to my Famiglia as I fell unconscious with my hands reaching out towards Sergio and Gina.

Oops, that took a day longer than I expected. What had happened? Is Amato gonna be alright? Well, I'm now trying hard to go break into the 3000 words mark. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to do it for this chapter. Keep a look out for the next one, it's gonna be one heck of a chapter!