As Derek distanced himself from the scene, Nathan, seizing the opportunity, couldn't help but taunt Yoma from behind. Chuckling mischievously, he mocked her failed attempt at executing an evil plan. "Aww, looks like your plan didn't quite work out," he smirked. Yoma, unfazed by Nathan's words, rolled her eyes dismissively. "I don't care," she retorted confidently. "I know he'll come to me eventually." Nathan couldn't resist laughing at her response, finding amusement in her persistence. "Come for what?" he jeered. "To be a loser like you?" he added, his words dripping with sarcasm. Yoma chose to disregard Nathan's taunts and gracefully walked away, leaving him behind. Nathan, watching her departure, couldn't resist muttering under his breath, "Tss, that Yoma," as a soft chuckle escaped him. However, his attention soon shifted as he noticed Derek in the distance, lost in contemplation. With a playful smirk, Nathan approached Derek and inquired teasingly, "What's wrong?" his tone light and curious. Nathan's playful demeanor hinted at a deeper understanding of the complexities that surrounded Derek and the intricate web of emotions that entwined their relationships.
Derek, clearly not in the mood for Nathan's presence, responded curtly, "If you're here to annoy me, you can leave now." Nathan, however, found amusement in Derek's irritation and let out a gentle laugh. "Aww, come on now," he teased, "how can I leave such a loser like you?" Ignoring Derek's dismissive remark, Nathan boldly took a seat beside him. "You may say you don't need me," he remarked, "but deep down, you need some company right now." With a hint of sarcasm, Nathan added, "And who better to provide that company than the most charming class president? Take it as an opportunity, you dumbass." Nathan's words, though laced with playful banter, hinted at a genuine desire to offer support and companionship to Derek in his time of need.
Derek, clearly exasperated by Nathan's presence, couldn't help but question his intentions. "What do you want now, Nathan?" he asked, his tone tinged with annoyance. Nathan, unfazed by Derek's reaction, let out a gentle laugh. "Oh, nothing much," he replied, his voice laced with playful teasing. "Just admiring your beauty," he added, his words intended to provoke a reaction. Derek, taken aback by Nathan's audacity, looked at him with a mixture of disbelief and disgust. "What the heck?" he exclaimed. "Are you out of your mind?" Derek's incredulous response reflected his disbelief at Nathan's flirtatious comment. Nathan, maintaining his smirk, simply responded, "Nope. Not really," as he continued to gaze at Derek with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Feeling uncomfortable with Nathan's flirtatious behavior, Derek firmly pushed Nathan's face away. "Stop it," he asserted, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and assertion. "I'm a boy," he emphasized, as if to remind Nathan of the boundaries. However, Nathan, undeterred by Derek's response, let out another laugh. "Then what's the problem?" he teased, his tone playful. "I don't care," he added, implying that gender was not a concern for him. Derek, slightly exasperated, couldn't help but question Nathan's sanity. "Don't tell me you've gone crazy from studying too much," he quipped, attempting to lighten the mood. Nathan, with a hint of mischief in his eyes, responded, "No, I'm crazy for you." Derek, finding amusement in Nathan's response, let out a gentle laugh. "Nah, you're the crazy one," he retorted, playfully teasing Nathan in return. Nathan, pleased to have elicited a smile from Derek, smiled back. Without uttering a word, he stood up and took his leave, leaving Derek with a lingering smile on his face.
Derek let out a gentle sigh and rose from his seat, deciding it was time to enter the classroom. Despite their previous clashes, he couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. It was refreshing to see a different side of Nathan, the class president known for his stern demeanor. Derek didn't harbor romantic feelings for Nathan, but he appreciated the lighthearted and flirtatious conversation they had shared. It was a pleasant change from their previous encounters, where Nathan had been less than friendly towards Derek. This newfound camaraderie brought a smile to Derek's face and brightened his day, reminding him that people can surprise you with their hidden qualities.
On the other hand, Nathan's intentions towards Derek were not driven by romantic feelings. He simply wanted to bring some lightness and joy into Derek's life. Nathan's flirty and humorous demeanor served as his way of making things right between them. Despite his reputation for being mean, Nathan had a compassionate side that compelled him to uplift others. He didn't want to see anyone feeling down or sad, as he understood firsthand the pain of loneliness and sadness. Nathan's actions were a reflection of his own experiences, and he genuinely wanted to make a positive difference in Derek's life by offering a bit of happiness and companionship.
Despite Nathan's popularity and recognition, he often felt a deep sense of loneliness within himself. He couldn't shake the feeling that his friends were only using him for their own benefit, rather than genuinely caring about him. This underlying sense of isolation led Nathan to act mean towards Ace, who seemed distant and uninterested in forming a close bond with him. However, it's important to note that Nathan didn't harbor any hatred towards Derek and Marianne. In fact, he cherished their friendship and considered them to be his trusted companions. Nathan's love for Derek and Marianne was genuine, and he valued their presence in his life.
As Nathan reached the age of 18 and now at 20, he began to gain a deeper understanding of life and the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. This newfound realization prompted him to reevaluate his behavior and interactions with those around him. Recognizing that he may soon be leaving the academy, Nathan felt a sense of urgency to make amends and improve his relationships with others. He understood that it was crucial to treat everyone better, as he wanted to leave a positive impact on those he encountered.