Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 596

Chapter 596 132.4 - Picking up clothes ?

As they looked out over the city from their high vantage point, the sky stretched endlessly above them, and the hustle and bustle of the streets below seemed like a distant world. The ambiance was serene, almost dreamlike, and for a moment, Maya felt as though they were removed from the complexities of their lives, suspended in this peaceful space together.

The waiter approached with a bottle of the restaurant's finest wine, offering to pour them each a glass. Maya nodded, allowing the ritual to continue as she glanced back at Astron.

"This is quite the setting," she said softly, her voice light but with a touch of thoughtfulness. "I thought it would be a nice way to start the day."

Astron raised his glass slightly in acknowledgment, though his expression remained neutral. "You've chosen well."

Maya chuckled softly, her gaze lingering on him for a moment before she took a sip of her wine. She knew that while Astron appreciated precision and efficiency, there was something about enjoying moments like this that he was still getting used to. It made her all the more determined to show him what life could be like beyond the constant focus on training and preparation. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

As they waited for their meal to arrive, Maya found herself leaning slightly forward, resting her arms on the table as she looked at him more intently. "You know," she began, her tone playful yet sincere, "this is the first time I've come to such a place with a man."

Astron's violet eyes flicked to hers, his expression as composed as ever, but Maya didn't miss the brief pause in his movements. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it was there—a momentary shift in his usually controlled demeanor.

Her statement wasn't just an offhand remark; it was a quiet confession. Despite her upbringing, her status, and the many people she interacted with, Astron was the first person she had brought into her personal life in such a way. She had gone to different places with friends and even her close companion Amelia, but never had she ventured into such a space with a boy.

Astron remained quiet for a moment, his gaze steady but thoughtful as he processed her words. "I see," he said slowly, his tone as measured as always, but there was a certain weight to it now. He took a sip of his wine, glancing out at the panoramic view for a second before returning his gaze to her.

Maya's smile deepened, feeling a sense of satisfaction at having broken through his usually stoic facade, even if only slightly. "I'm not just saying that to flatter you," she added with a softer tone, her voice sincere. "It's the truth. You're the first person I've brought into this part of my world."

Astron's eyes softened for just a moment as he set down his glass. "Then I'll take that as an honor," he replied, his voice low but sincere.

There was no grand declaration or overly emotional response—just a quiet acknowledgment of the significance behind her words. But that was Astron, always understated yet profound.

"And….You are the first woman to take me on a dinner like this."

Maya's heart skipped a beat at his words, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. She hadn't expected that. Though Astron's tone was calm, his statement held a quiet weight that sent a ripple through her emotions. He had just matched her subtle confession with one of his own, and in his own understated way, it was just as meaningful.

For a moment, she was speechless, her usual composure faltering as she processed what he had said. She felt a warmth spread through her chest, and a soft blush crept up to her cheeks before she could stop it.

"Is that so?" she managed to say, her voice softer now, almost tentative. She felt a small flutter of excitement at the thought of being the first person to share such a moment with him. It made everything feel more significant, more intimate.

Astron nodded, his violet eyes meeting hers with that same quiet intensity. "Yes," he replied simply. There was no need for further explanation—the simplicity of his statement carried all the meaning that needed to be conveyed.

Maya's lips curled into a soft smile, a mix of playfulness and warmth. "Then I'll take that as an honor, too," she said, echoing his earlier words.

For a few moments, the air between them was filled with a comfortable silence, the kind that didn't need to be broken.

Well, at least that was the case for Astron.

For Maya…

Well, things were a little different.

The reason?

The people surrounding them and what they were talking about.

While Maya sat there, savoring the quiet moment with Astron, her heightened senses began to pick up on the conversations from the nearby tables.

At first, it was just snippets of idle chatter, the kind that filled the background of any high-end restaurant. Couples laughing softly, the occasional clink of glasses, and waiters moving gracefully across the room. But soon, her ears honed in on something more specific—words that seemed to circle around one familiar subject.

Astron.

The tables filled with girls scattered across the restaurant were buzzing with hushed excitement. Though their voices were low, Maya could easily make out bits and pieces of what they were saying.

"Look at him. That guy over there… he's so handsome. Do you think he's from one of the noble families?"

"His eyes… I've never seen anything like them. He has to be someone important."

Astron's gaze flickered briefly, his eyes scanning the room for a split second before returning to hers. "You must have already accustomed to this."

"You didn't?"

Astron gave a slight shrug, his gaze steady as he replied, "It doesn't bother me. I just don't care about the attention." His words were calm, devoid of any arrogance, just a simple truth.

Maya's smile lingered as she watched him. His nonchalance was both intriguing and admirable. There was something refreshing about the way he carried himself, unaffected by the opinions of others. It was part of what made him so different from anyone else she had ever known.

"I suppose that's another way to look at it," she said lightly, her tone playful, though there was a deeper truth behind her words. She leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand as she studied him. "Maybe I should take a page from your book."

Astron glanced at her, his expression still calm but with a hint of curiosity. "And why's that?"

"Because," she began with a thoughtful smile, "being in the spotlight all the time can get tiring. It's nice to have someone who just... doesn't care about all that."

Astron's expression remained calm, though a faint flicker of something passed through his eyes as he recalled their first interactions. "Considering how you acted when we first met—ordering me to eat snacks, acting so free-spirited—I thought you didn't care about what others thought."

Maya's smile widened as she leaned back slightly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "It's not that I don't care," she admitted with a soft laugh. "It's just... when I'm at the academy, it feels like all those other people are little hatchlings that need nurturing. I can't help but feel responsible for them in a way." Her tone was light, but there was an underlying sincerity to her words. She always had a way of balancing her carefree attitude with a deeper sense of duty.

Astron raised an eyebrow at that, a hint of curiosity flickering in his violet eyes. "So, am I also one of those little hatchlings you feel the need to nurture?"

Maya's smirk grew as she crossed her arms, leaning in with a playful glint in her eyes. "Of course," she teased, her voice carrying a hint of mischief. "You, Astron, are the adolescent hatchling who needs the most care. Always pushing yourself, always too focused on things you can't control. Someone has to keep you in check."

For the first time, Astron's usual stoic expression faltered, his eyebrows twitching ever so slightly. "Is that so?" His voice was calm, but there was a subtle challenge in his tone, as if he were silently debating the truth of her statement.

Maya couldn't help but chuckle at his reaction, clearly enjoying the rare moment of teasing him. "Yes, that's exactly how I see it," she replied, her tone playful yet firm. "You may think you're the one always in control, but even the strongest need a little guidance now and then."

Astron didn't respond immediately, his eyes narrowing slightly as he regarded her. There was a moment of silence, but rather than a verbal retort, he simply allowed a small, almost imperceptible smile to form on his lips—a rare sign of amusement, though fleeting.

It was Maya's victory.