Leave Me Alone, Big Brothers! [BL]-Chapter 71: Nael’s Secret

Chapter 71: Nael’s Secret
Nathan felt an unpleasant atmosphere after his earlier remark. No one really responded to what he said, but it was as if they were keeping their distance afterward.
Even though he tried not to care, the tension bothered him. Still, he chose to refocus on his goals.
He wasn’t there to make friends, because he knew from the start that no one would really want to be his friend. He just had to focus on studying, graduating, going to college, and getting a job right away, earning his own money so he wouldn’t have to depend on anyone else.
Sigh
. The class felt so long.
Meanwhile, Nael’s last class ended early. The students cheered happily and immediately packed up their things.
Nael sat at his desk, his fingers tracing the smooth edge of his laptop. For the first time, he found himself observing Nick and Jonas not as friends, but as actors. He could see the slight tilt in Nick’s smile, the one that didn’t reach his eyes, and the way Jonas looked at him with his usual gaze.
Remembering Nathan’s words, he chose to be cautious.
He didn’t want a conflict. Conflict meant exposure, and exposure meant losing the one thing that made him feel "gifted" beyond his last name. He needed to keep them at arm’s length until he could bury the secret they were threatening to unearth.
Nael gathered his things with practiced speed.
"Going home already?" Nick asked, standing close to Nael’s chair. "We were thinking of hitting that arcade in the South District."
"Oh, sorry, I can’t today," Nael said, forcing a sheepish smile. "Alexander wants me back early for some family dinner. You know how he is."
It was the first time he had lied to them. They knew Nael couldn’t refuse his brother, and for the first time, Nael saw relief in their faces at his refusal.
Nael took a breath. Maybe Nathan wasn’t lying. He had been too comfortable to notice that detail, that the people he considered bestfriends could turn out to be far more frightening than enemies.
"Bye!" Nael said, grabbing his laptop bag. He watched them wave and walk away, their laughter echoing in the hall. Only then did he let his shoulders drop.
Nael grabbed his bag from the locker.
"Going home?"
Nael jumped, spinning around to see Hale leaning against a locker. Hale’s dark, intense gaze was fixed on him, unblinking. Unlike the others, Hale didn’t seem interested in the Salazar prestige. Nobody really knew what interested him more than food.
"Hale," Nael breathed, clutching his bag. "You startled me."
Hale walked toward him, his boots clicking softly on the floor. "You’re so quiet today. Is everything okay?"
Nael looked into Hale’s beautiful brown eyes, searching for a sign of where the boy stood. Was he with Nick and Jonas? Or was he truly worried? At X Starling, trust was a luxury Nael couldn’t afford. He was only just realizing that now.
"I’m just tired," Nael said, his voice small. "It’s been a long week."
"Is it Mr. Hans?" Hale asked, his voice dropping to a low, casual tone. "Is he giving you trouble?"
Nael’s heart skipped a beat. A wave of cold panic washed over him, making his hands shake. "Hale! You, you can’t say that name here. Not like that."
Hale’s lips curled into a small, enigmatic smile. "There’s no one here, Nael. Relax. I just noticed he’s been acting weird toward you in Biology lately. Tell me, what’s going on?"
Nael shook his head vigorously, his mind racing. "Nothing. Really. Nothing is happening. Is that really obvious (about Mr. Hans)?"
"No, I just noticed it," Hale said. "You know, you should stop it."
Nael looked down, anxious. Did everyone already know, and only he was oblivious?
"No, it’s not about him," Nael finally said, reassuring Hale.
Hale tilted his head. "Or is it about your twin?"
Nael went quiet. It was true, Nathan’s arrival had shattered the perfect, static world Nael had built. Everything was changing, and he felt he needed time to adapt again. On the other hand, he was relieved that his brothers were now more focused on Nathan.
"No," Nael said, his voice gaining a sudden, firm edge. "Nathan isn’t the problem. I’m fine, Hale. You don’t need to worry."
Hale’s eyes flashed with a flicker of genuine concern, or perhaps it was just curiosity. "You know, you can’t fool me. But if you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t push. Take care of yourself. See you tomorrow."
Hale turned and walked away, leaving Nael standing in the cooling locker area. Nael waited until Hale was out of sight before moving.
He didn’t head for the main gate. Instead, he slipped through the side exit, his sneakers crunching on the fresh snow as he made his way toward the abandoned annex behind the school.
The building was a relic of the school’s past, its brick walls covered in ivy and blanketed with white snow. Inside, however, the air was different. The dust had been swept away, and a small space had been cleared.
Zimmer Hans sat at the only sturdy table in the room, the glow of his laptop illuminating his sharp, handsome features. At thirty-seven, the Biology teacher possessed an intellectual gravity that drew Nael in like a moth to a flame. He had spent three months carefully cultivating this—this "special mentorship."
He looked up as the door creaked shut, a slow, humble smile spreading across his face.
"My sweet baby boy," Zimmer said, his voice a warm, melodic baritone. "You came earlier today."
Nael walked toward him, the weight of the day’s stress beginning to melt under Zimmer’s gaze. "Yes, I missed you!"
Zimmer closed his laptop and gestured for Nael to come closer. "Me too, baby. Come here, sweetheart."
Nael threw his bag on the floor and quickly threw himself into the teacher’s arms, a warm, passionate embrace ensuing.
But when Zimmer was about to kiss his neck, Nael stiffened and pulled away. "Ngh... not today..."
Zimmer stared intently. Although he looked disappointed, he finally nodded. "No problem. It’s been more than three months, you’re still afraid of me."
Nael shook his head. "No, I’m not afraid of you. I just..." He remembered his brothers’ words not to get involved with a man before he graduated. He was too afraid to break that rule, knowing how they had protected him all this time.
Zimmer reached out, his hand resting on Nael’s shoulder, the touch lingering a second too long to be professional. Nael leaned into it, seeking the comfort he couldn’t find in the cold Salazar mansion.
"I’m sorry..." Nael said.
Zimmer rubbed the boy’s head. "It’s okay. No problem. We have a lot of time. I can wait until you’re ready."
Nael nodded, grateful to have an understanding man like Zimmer, someone who knew how to calm him down without intimidation, and who taught him many things.
His biology grades had skyrocketed compared to the other students, and Zimmer didn’t hesitate to show him forbidden content to help him understand more quickly.
More than that, Nael found Alexander there. Zimmer was calm, thoughtful, and attentive, more attentive than Alexander had ever been. He didn’t hesitate to hug him and give him peace, something Alexander had never done.