Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 693 155.4 - Case of a breakfast

Chapter 693 155.4 - Case of a breakfast

"I didn't know. I just picked what I had."

Irina stared at him, her fiery eyes narrowing with suspicion. Those words-I just picked what I had felt hollow, a flimsy excuse that didn't match up with the improbability of the situation. Not because she'd caught him slipping or because his face betrayed him, but because something in her gut told her it wasn't the whole truth.

And Irina Emberheart trusted her instincts.

She pushed back her chair and stood, walking toward him with deliberate steps. Astron remained where he was, leaning casually against the counter as he watched her approach. His sharp purple gaze followed her every move, calm and composed, but she noticed the faintest flicker of something in his eyes-amusement? Challenge? She couldn't quite place it, but it only fueled her determination.

Stopping just in front of him, she set her empty cup down on the counter with a sharp clink. "Refill," she said flatly, holding his gaze.

Astron arched a brow but didn't move immediately. "Demanding, aren't we?" he remarked, his tone light.

Irina crossed her arms, her expression unwavering. "Stop dodging," she said firmly. "You didn't just 'pick what you had. That's a lie."

Astron sighed softly, his calm demeanor unshaken as he reached for the teapot. "You're persistent," he said, pouring the tea into her cup. The fragrant steam curled upward, but his movements were almost too casual, too composed.

"And you're deflecting," Irina shot back, her tone sharp. She took the cup and stepped closer, her fiery gaze locked onto his. "Why those herbs, Astron? Why those exact three?"

Astron paused for a fraction of a second, the briefest hesitation in his otherwise smooth actions. It was enough for Irina to pounce. "See? You hesitated," she said triumphantly, her tone gaining a hint of smugness. "You do know something."

He set the teapot down with a quiet clink, finally meeting her gaze fully. "You're reading too much into this," he said, his voice calm but firmer now. "It's just food,

Irina."

"Just food?" she echoed incredulously, her hands moving to her hips. "Do you have any idea how many herbs exist that you could have chosen? And you just happened to pick the exact ones I like? That's not a coincidence."

Astron tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "Why does it matter so much to you?" he asked quietly. "Do you think I have some secret motive for making AMTMH--R8,EBUMHBE FR F5, P55" ,E 3Ru

breakfast?"

"It's not about the motive," Irina replied, her voice softer but no less insistent. "It's about you not being honest. I want to know how you knew."

The silence stretched between them, the air thick with unspoken tension. Astron's gaze didn't waver, but Irina could feel the weight of his thoughts, the way he seemed to be calculating his next move.

Finally, he exhaled softly, his lips curving into a faint, almost imperceptible smirk. "And if I said I guessed?" he asked, his tone carrying a hint of challenge.

Irina leaned closer, her fiery hair brushing against her shoulders as she stared him down. "Then I'd say you're a very lucky guesser," she said dryly, her voice tinged with sarcasm. "But I don't believe in luck like that. So, I'll ask again-how did you know?"

Astron's smirk widened ever so slightly, the amusement in his eyes more evident now. "You're relentless," he said, almost as if to himself. "Fine. Let's just say..." He leaned slightly closer, his voice dropping to a softer, more deliberate tone. "I pay attention." Irina blinked, her breath hitching as his words sank in. "Pay attention?" she repeated, her voice faltering slightly.

He straightened, his calm composure firmly in place as he picked up his own cup. "You can learn a lot by observing," he said simply, taking a slow sip of his tea.

Irina stared at him, her mind racing. Pay attention? What does that mean? How much does he know about me? The thought sent a shiver down her spine, though she wasn't sure if it was unease or something else entirely.

Astron met her gaze evenly, his lips curving faintly. "If it helps me understand them,

why not?"

His answer was maddeningly simple, yet it left her even more tangled. "Why not?

'What do you mean why not?"

Irina thought, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Of course, it's because...

Her chest tightened as the realization formed, sharp and undeniable. I only want you to look at me. What else? I want you to only pay attention to me, to focus on me. The thought sent a flush of warmth to her cheeks, but it also filled her with a gnawing uncertainty. But... is that too much? Would it come across as demanding? Selfish? She bit her lip, her fiery gaze flickering back to Astron, who had returned to his tea, seemingly unbothered by her internal turmoil. His calmness only made the storm in her head more pronounced. Doesn't that mean I'm just meddling in his life too much? That I'm trying to control something I have no right to?

Her mind raced as she tried to untangle her emotions. Knowing him, he probably wouldn't appreciate it. He values his independence-his space. If I start demanding things like this, would he... push me away?

The thought made her stomach twist uncomfortably. Irina wasn't used to feeling this way-unsure, vulnerable, like she was treading on fragile ground. She'd faced countless challenges, countless opponents, but this was different. This wasn't a fight she could win with skill or strength. This was something intangible, something far

more delicate.

But even so, she thought, her resolve hardening. I can't just ignore it. I can't pretend it

doesn't matter.

Her fingers drummed against the table as she wrestled with her thoughts, her fiery temper clashing with her own thoughts.

Finally, she exhaled sharply, leaning forward slightly as she tried to steady her voice.

"Astron," she said, her tone softer than before but no less determined.

He glanced up, his sharp purple eyes locking onto hers. "Yes?" Her heart raced under his gaze, but she held her ground. "Do you ever..." She

hesitated, the words catching in her throat. "Do you ever feel like... you pay more

attention to some people than others?"

Astron tilted his head slightly, considering her question. "Of course," he said after a

moment, his voice calm. "It depends on the situation. Some people require more attention, others less."

His answer was practical, and straightforward. But it wasn't what she wanted to hear.

It didn't address the knot of emotions twisting inside her.

"Humph."

Hence, she did act.