5th July
Tuesday
Selica's Pov

When I set out today , before I had even reached the class , I found Max already standing at edge of corridor . He was certainly peculiar figure in my head. I knew that he was smart and he liked to think but after what he had told me on Saturday , I was just more confused as to how to picture him .

It was easy to describe Claude for me as she was brilliant and yet just like any of the people but Max 's actions were so typical. At one time, he can be just like ordinary person and then at one time, he can be so strange as if particularly showing how different he was .

Even though I do get flustered around him like other people, there is still no uncomfortable feeling behind it. After  enrolling here , I was surprised to find the new lifestyle that I was now suited to.

It was all new for me. A fleeting hope does reside within me that Isla may never come but I know it is impractical and wouldn't happen. I just don't want to put those two in danger who helped me even after knowing I lead them into danger.

"Zee! I mean Selica .. what are you doing here ?" He asked noticing me . Zee! Zee! Was that a nickname for me? Should I ignore it as he tried to cut it off or give a reaction. Oh ! What do I do ..

"I...wa-s just going.." I began as he nodded already before I even finished in understanding. Well! It was quite natural for anyone to assume that I was going right now to school .

"You made any friends?" He asked looking away . Why was he hiding his face though ...

"No ! Not yet ." I quickly shook my head.

"Alright! Try to familiarise yourself with your new surroundings. Blend in to it and  basically enjoy school life. Don't worry about other stuff you know...I mean just saying." He quickly left after that . My heart almost skipped a beat at thought of someone looking out for me  after all this time. I would do just that , Max or at least try to.

Max's Pov

It was really hard to say all that but I did it . If I had looked , then it would have been not possible. Really! I am fine if I treat someone as involved in case or like comforting a witness or something for gaining information but providing unrequited concern towards someone isn't my strong suit but I kinda felt like I needed to pay back for the time she looked out for me back in first 2014 .

So with Claude's help , I manage to do all that and left soon. As the bell approached 1, I picked up my bag and headed towards library.

I remembered the rule change mentioned by Student Council President.

"Well! It was vague to say the least for rule change . Principal said that from now on, exam paper will be issued from axis library instead of main library and then shortly after axis library was shut down and paper started to come from main library only . So basically a nullification as end result and shutting down of one library."

I had never visited axis library. It must have been adjacent to where the pets of students are kept and on North block that I don't visit much. Probably on backside of senior wing.

I would definitely need to break in there but I can't do that right now . The Student Council President was keeping tabs on me through someone. It was a blonde haired guy of seventh year . Probably plays sports but just as a hobby and squanders time based on job he is given . I don't think students in senior year have much time to be able to tail a first year for two days straight so he must be one of the carefree guy. Right now, he was pretending to read a book " Curses Of Heavenly Chick" I highly doubt anyone can take that seriously.

Well! I won't do anything. I will just research by books in main library. It is not like my usual activities are hindered by his presence that way.

"Alright! Let's get started" I said to myself enthusiasticlly picking up a book about history of school . I had studied it one time but only till middle so it was good as time as any to finish it plus now I had chance to read full book.

Kisaragi's Po

For two days , I have been following this first year . Man ! It was so boring. He literally had no friends or even wanted to have and just kept to himself. I just saw one interaction between him and a girl and almost like he was trying hard to make small talk.

After he left , I checked the log of library to see which book he had taken . It seemed "History of school" for real ! Jeez ! How boring this kid could get?

As I followed after him , I found him sitting  on a bench alone lost in a thought. Yeah! I think I am done ...I may have free time but I can't waste time tailing a boring guy. I ain't seeing this guy breaking any rules. That Judy guy must have been tripping along with Selena.

Agnes just nodded after my report and told me to do what I wanted now . Well ! Didn't expect him to br understanding and so accepting. Huh! Guess I was wrong about him .

Agnes Carthage's Pov

As I thought , he was completely taken by the disguise of Max Ryder, ordinary kid , interested in just books and introvert . While it may not be wrong, he was definitely not boring and ordinary student. So Max! Now that I have taken Kisaragi off you , what are you planning to do!

Oh well! I must not waste time thinking about such things right now. I must study to perfect my scores this mid-term as planned now.

Max's Pov

Well now that guy was out of hair , I only had to do one thing. I had to break in Axis library in North block.

"It has been long. Will you help me this time too? I wonder...." I smiled think of a past acquaintance.

I was currently waiting outside second year dorm as people were wondering what a gloomy and kept to myself guy like me was doing there .

"Hello Mike! Can I talk to you for a while?" I approached him as he came . He looked skeptical at first but nodded.

"I have heard that you like to ride over rules .." I began as his face scrunched into disdain.

'So what! You here sent by teachers again to give me lecture?"

"No! Mike . I was just wondering if you would help me break into Axis library in North Block . Of course I would pay you ." I asked him.

"How much money are we talking?" Mike looked like he was born ready.

"200 pounds ." At which he flashed a grin. That expression...that grin at prospect of causing trouble...for a bigger plan.  It feels so nostalgic.  After what had happened with Selena Arias in first timeline , I was hoping that he would join me again in my expedition of mystery solving and we would sail through it together but he was so shook to core after what happened to him after arrest that I just felt like it would be wrong to push him and ask him to get involved in any such troublesome stuff.

But this Mike is still as clumsy and adventurous as ever.  That is the reason that we can now ally ourselves for same goal again. I would definitely not ask him to do anything drastic this time . He is very useful so it would be waste to let him go because of pushing too hard.

Few minutes later

I approached someone else. After all , I had to deal with her at one time or another. So I think this is as good as time as any plus I do need to widen my circle again especially in this case as much as I prefer to be alone.

"Kate! Let's have a talk." I said as she was sitting with group of her fangirls and all.

"Hey ! Talk to her with little more respect , understand you ...."A guy began. Oh ! Here we go again. Well...he started it to be fair.

"I don't particularly understand. I see that you hail from a family that clearly has been kowtowing to several of the influentials just to grab power and you have been clearly disqualified from joining any of the club because of how undertalented you are , but really interrupting me when I have spoken as courteously as possible is nothing more than another derogation on your personality . Oh wait! You are already regarded as lowest in your clan ." I quickly stated my deduction seeing him as all looked aghast while the guy looked he wanted to punch me but if he does, he would be in trouble so he was trying to control himself. Kate just sighed gesturing me to follow her.

I guess she must be thinking that why would Max all of sudden ask me out especially in front of my friends and for real , did he have to be do blunt and stuff like that . She would also be wondering why now after all the time I basically refused to reveal anything to her , disregarded her enquiry though to be fair , she was quite arrogant in her attitude when asking so..

Well! No use figuring out what she is thinking after all . We are going to talk.  I can just stop thinking and just have a conversation with a girl I knew in previous timeline who also confessed to me but now doesn't remember that ever happening or knows me at all now but I wasn't particularly worried about her not liking me anymore or so.  What I was concerned about was would this girl ... would this current Kate help me directly on being asked ? I don't know how Axel managed to get her into L.O.S.T but I certainly am sure that I need more help.

"So what do you want to talk about? I don't have time to waste on you ." She scrunched her face .

"I understand. Well as you know you are always baffled by my actions and wonder how I know so much about you . It is not I am stalking you or anything or have deep pockets not now at least .I am just able to percieve things about you from your behaviour and little things that you don't even realise you do . I understand you are thinking that what is my point in just telling out of blue that I am simply great at art of deduction. Well! I am currently investigating a mystery and I think I would need your help . You don't look like a person who is having as much as fun as you let others show even while among your fan groups. It is just a habit of yours that you have forced yourself into and think you should retain it even if you don't feel like it." I calmly stated as the leaves rustled with the wind blowing.

Kate's Pov

As he talked more and more, I was kinda concerned about how much he knew about me but .. but ever since he borrowed my phone and I heard him talking all that strange stuff and then bluntly stating facts about people even today in front of me , I knew that Max Ryder was no ordinary introverted kid. He was not plain or gloomy like the reputation he had got. It was a choice. A choice that I had to make between throwing shackles of my life to project my reputation to people whose opinion I didn't really care about and to help a guy who was interesting and strange as they could get. So Summer , what are you gonna do ? I ask myself. What should be my answer ....

"Forget it. I guess it would be too sudden for you to decide at moment knowing you. Take your time, Kate ." He broke into a little smile before waking away with his hands in pocket as I was left standing rooted to that place. Why couldn't I speak up ? I just had to say a word right. But there was just something... about him that wasn't getting to me at all. The way no matter how rude even ..he still acted like he had spent lot of time with me and the way he spoke my name was just like familiar to him as if he knew me greatly more than just by simple deduction.

Was I amnesic? I don't think ..I have met even once in childhood because I must have remembered at least one instance so just how did he know so much about me ! Well, there is only way to find more about him , isn't there?

"Max ! Wait ..." I ran after him as I finally reached him after few minutes with me panting.

"So I take it that you have decided to join me ." His tone was like as if he expected this. Wait ! Don't tell me that he walked away not to give me more time but rather knowing me to hasten my thought process and decision making . Seriously...who is this guy?

"Who are you ?" I asked curiously.

"I am Max Ryder and I am simply going to be greatest detective of all time. So would you help me in achieving that , Kate!" He took my hand but it was more like he already knew .

"Yes" As his silverish eyes stared right back at me . No! Of course they are black. Stop fawning....so easily.

"Good ! Kate . " He thanked me but I managed to hear him mutter "Two. Well still we are back together. Just you wait Thoth, I will show you .." as he heaved a sigh.

"You really should head back ." He advised.

"Wait ! Why ?" I asked not understanding.

"Well! It is still surprise for me thinking this way but won't your friends think of something different if you are taking alone with a guy for like so long after leaving them when you don't talk to any guy ...you know." The fact he stated it calmly made me even concerned about my situation as I quickly hurried back. Well ! I was never able to find out why you need my help but I look forward to what you are planning.

Au revior readers! Keep posted for the next chapter.