Hello hi hello. Been a while since I wrote anything. I recently watched all the current LWA material, and holy moly did I love it. I didn't think I could still find an anime that could make me laugh and cry as much it did. Wonderful stuff. It's fun and innocent, with great characters and a terrific aura of positive energy. It inspired me to write again, woo! I really hope there's a new season or a movie or anything. Definitely getting the game when it comes to Steam though!
Anywho, let's kill some time with a silly little thing. Reviews are greatly appreciated, even if you have harsh criticisms. I learn from all feedback, and am gracious for it. So here we go!
Love~!
Queen Sydon
Little Harem Academia
To be Loved
The power to touch peoples hearts. To spread love and compassion everywhere she went. Atsuko Kagari truly believed she could do it, and no amount of snide cynicism from those who didn't believe in that kind of power was going to stop her. Even so, her own physical and emotional energy had its limits, but if she could somehow bend the laws of nature to not need sleep, she reckoned not a moment would be spared for rest in grasping her wonderful dream. Akko had wondered this as she collapsed in a heap into her bed after a gruelling Tuesday session of endless lectures and classes at Luna Nova academy. It had been one of those days that didn't so much as drag, but more stretch onward into a baffling infinity of boredom, note-taking, and exhaustive droning by passionless old Witches.
For a regular girl, it would've been torture, but Akko was anything but. Her lack of patience had made the ordeal akin to crossing the Pacific Ocean in a cardboard box with naught but a wooden spoon.
Akko was exhausted in more ways than one. She hadn't even the strength to change out of her uniform before falling face-first onto her warm bed. Lotte and Sucy were already fast asleep, having made it to bed an hour earlier. Akko's extra curricular activities and after-lesson tutoring by Professor Ursula had ensured she'd be the last one to call it a day. It was necessary of course, her grades were so abysmal, especially in Magic History, that to skip out on them would see her education fall into a slump which even Akko doubted she could scurry out of.
"Uugaah…" She heaved an exasperated sigh as she turned her head on her pillow and blearily glanced at the Shiny Rod propped up on the desk in front of her. "Heyyy, Rod-Chan…what a day…you'll help me sleep won't you?"
Akko wasn't expecting any kind of reply. Her exhausted state was merely making her a little delirious. In any case, the Shiny Rod sat motionless; it's pristine, glassy orbs shimmering slightly in the pale cloudy moonlight.
Being like Chariot. To be loved. It was a lot of work. Almost overwhelming at times, like right then of course. Akko knew there was no easy road to what she wanted to achieve, after all it was something she had learned not too long ago from Professor Ursula; "That which is dreamed cannot be grasped, but work towards it, day after day, and you will find it in your hands."
Even so, with her body aching and her mind fizzling out like a burnt potato, Akko whispered into the ether of her slipping consciousness: "Please, help make my dream a little easier…"
She'd slurred the last bit of that, having fallen asleep with a dramatic snort that de-shelved one of her textbooks from the desk with its force.
Unknown to them all, the Shiny Rod had flickered to life for the briefest of moments; fanning out a sparkling sphere of green starlight that enveloped the room and eventually all of Luna Nova. As quick as it had come it was over, and the night passed in peace, cradled by the gentle sounds of Akko's retching snores.
=][=
Akko had had the best nights' rest in a long time. She'd even had a wonderful dream of Chariot's magic show, only instead of her marveling at the sight from the crowd she was up on the stage with her idol, casting wondrous magic in unison that lit the sky in a dazzling display of color. She and Chariot were riding the Shooting Star over the jubilant cheering crowds, standing side by side on the broom as they waved at the sea of smiles below them. Akko was laughing so hard she leaned forward too much and almost fell off, but a firm hand on her shoulder saved her from any fall. When Akko glanced at Chariot to say her thanks, she was a little surprised to see Ursula by her side, smiling warmly at her.
Akko wanted to say something graceful, but felt tears of joy welling in her eyes, muffling her words with sobbing laughter. Ursula pulled her close to comfort her, planting a small kiss atop her head in a loving gesture. With that, Akko felt her body tilt back as she fell into the stars with her idol cradling her. There was joy in heart as she let the momentum of the graceful fall carry her; a warm sensation prickling along her neck and shoulders.
A gentle wave passed over her, and with another deep sigh, Akko felt the rays of the sun welcoming her for a new day. Akko didn't move for a while, breathing softly as the thoughts of her dream danced in her mind. She concentrated for a moment as the fuzzy experience sharpened into something more cohesive; forming a warm center that settled in her heart and stayed there.
She finally opened her eyes, taking in her familiar room and the familiar ceiling of Lotte's bunk up top. The Shiny Rod was still there where she'd left it, the coffee-cream of the shaft glowing in the bright morning sun.
"Did you…? Hm, thanks Shiny." Akko was already grinning ear to ear, feeling energized and buzzing with the excitement for a new challenging day.
Feeling a little sheepish for sleeping in her uniform, Akko did her best to smooth out the creases and imperfections, relieved that her rest had been easy on her in that way too. As she readied herself for the day, Lotte and Sucy roused themselves from their respective beds, blinking in mild shock that Akko had managed to be up and about before either of them. On the worst days, they'd had to prop her up a like a lethargic puppet without strings so she could dress herself.
"Good morning, Akko." Lotte smiled cheerily as she sat up from her bunk and donned her glasses. "Wow, it looks like you had a nice rest."
"That's too bad. I wanted to try out a new energy shroom on her. Not my lucky day." Sucy added, sitting up from her own bed as she sat forward with her chin resting on her knees, eyeing Akko strangely. "But maybe I'll ask if that's ok next time."
"Morning guys! I'm feeling it today!" Was Akko's chipper response. "We got Ancient Magic History right after breakfast. Let's get to it!" She declared as she pointed dramatically towards the bedroom door, much like an aspiring conqueror perched atop a massive battleship bound for reckless adventure.
Lotte and Sucy moved around her as Akko held the pose, busying themselves in getting ready without rush. Books were packed, wands holstered, hair was combed, and uniforms were donned.
"Yaauugh…" Sucy stifled a yawn with her hand as she and Lotte finally took their place at Akko's sides, ready for the day.
"Okay Akko, I think we-"
"RED TEAM GO!"
Akko blurred as physics realigned itself to shift aside as the jubilant girl had already disappeared through the bedroom door, having thrown it open so hard that Lotte's entire collection of Nightfall books shuddered and fell in a heap atop a well-placed pillow below the shelf. The suddenness of her exit had caused a few of the other girls outside to scream as the mysterious morning typhoon of energy with a pigtail had zoomed past them.
"Akko's in high spirits today." Lotte grinned happily.
"Sure is." Sucy muttered, wearing an uncharacteristic smile of her own. "Akko forgot her bag."
The Mushroom Witch picked it up from the perch on the bunk bed and moved along with Lotte to exit the room after their friend and defacto leader.
"Sucy, are you feeling ok?" Lotte asked with slight concern as they shuffled out into the corridor.
"No." Sucy responded simply. But that smile of hers was still plastered on her face. Normally, Lotte would only see such an expression on her in the presence of some dangerous fungi or right after a chiding joke or disastrous prank. It was odd to say the least.
Lotte thought a little to herself, remembering a moment in the past where Akko had been having trouble sleeping, and Lotte had offered to read her one of her favorite chapters of Nightfall volume 322. The two of them had stayed up well into the night, reading through the entire book together atop Lotte's bunk, laughing as they shared the journey into an imagined world; all the while illuminated in the soft glow of Lotte's little faerie friend sleeping between them. Why had a memory like that bubbled into her thoughts like that all of a sudden? When Lotte realized she herself hadn't stopped smiling that morning either, she responded to Sucy honestly.
"Me neither. It's...kinda nice."
=][=
Red Team sat down at their usual table for the wondrous breakfast treats that an ancient magic school could offer, namely buttered toast, bland tea and a bran muffin that could pass as a rock on both texture and taste.
Akko had long since gotten used to the wholly underwhelming breakfast at Luna Nova, but that day she scarfed down the grub eagerly. Regardless, she could just swipe some tarts from the cafeteria later. Having been caught once, she'd become exceptional at avoiding detection by scurrying off into dark corners in mouse form.
"Mmrmf!" Akko devoured a slice of buttered toast in two bites, leaving a glazed mess on her face.
"Akko, here." Lotte offered a napkin which Akko accepted graciously, beaming a smile wider than normal thanks to her cheeks being at maximum capacity for food intake. With some difficulty, she swallowed the excessive helping with a weighty gulp, dabbing her messy lips with the napkin for all of half a second, before setting her eyes on the next target. The rock/muffin stared back at her grimly, challenging her will.
"Wow, these things just keep getting worse, huh?" Akko remarked with a slight slump of her shoulders.
Sucy raised a small vial of a cherry-red liquid above the muffin and let its contents drip onto it. Almost immediately the bran 'treat' warped and popped as it rattled about on Akko's plate who watched the transformation with curious surprise.
"Oooh!"
With a final pop, the bran muffin was no more, replaced by a delicious creamy tower of a cupcake awash in glistening custard and flaked with tasty-looking chocolate.
"Wow! That looks great, Sucy!" Lotte remarked with a smile, but tilted her head with a nervous laugh shortly after. "Just be careful, Akko. Hopefully it's side effects are worth the taste…"
"Eh?" The brunette's mouth froze inches from the tasty treat. Her eyes narrowed as she cast a furtive glance at Sucy.
"You don't have to worry." Sucy replied with a slightly wounded tone, looking away sheepishly for a moment before fixing her lone visible eye on Akko with a gentleness neither she nor Lotte had seen before. "It's good."
Akko very slowly and deliberately closed her mouth as her features softened at Sucy's reassurance. Troubled, she turned to Lotte who only smiled softly with a curt nod.
"W-well, ok then!" Akko chirped, brushing aside the awkwardness by taking a gigantic bite out of the muffin. Lotte and Sucy watched apprehensively as Akko chewed the sweet with all the grace of a child sampling their first-ever cake.
"Waah~!" Akko's eyes went starry-eyed as her face lit up flush with joy. "Delicious! Thanks Sucy!"
"Mn." Was her curt reply, already chowing down on her own rock-muffin.
Lotte opened her mouth to say something but only managed a shrill yelp when a breakfast tray slammed down hard at the opposite end of the table.
"Yo." Amanda greeted informally with a wide smirk and sat herself down as her teammates, the ever-talkative German Wiz Constanze, and Jasminka master of edibles, did the same at her sides.
'How you guys been? Put it there, K.'
Amanda sat forward with her fist outstretched. Akko had her mouth full of magic cupcake but she beamed happily as she did the same and exchanged a friendly fist bump with the fiery redhead, adding a finger flutter at the end too of course.
Akko managed to finally swallow the treat and smiled cheerily at her extended entourage of friends.
"Hello Amanda, Jasminka, Constanze!" Akko greeted them all in turn, radiating positive energy more than usual which the American quickly seemed to pick up on.
"Haah? Ain't you chipper today. What's got you in such a mood?" She asked evenly, resting her chin lackadaisically on her palm. On her left, Constanze was tinkering with her Stanbot, possibly programming it for something elaborate. Jasminka was oddly not chowing away on crisps for a change, instead sitting quietly but still wearing her unflappable grin.
"Ahh, yeah I'm feeling pretty good today, heh." Akko chuckled sheepishly. She didn't want to really talk about her dream so openly in that moment. It was a little embarrassing that such a little thing had put her in high spirits. "Just got a good rest is all. Plus, Sucy transformed my muffin into something real yummy!"
Amanda's gaze flickered to the aforementioned Witch for a moment who only stared coldly back at her, munching away at her own unmodified muffin with slow, calculated bites.
"Oooh…? Don't be surprised if you sprout hair all over your face at any moment. Though I think Akko with a beard could still work." Amanda guffawed loudly at her own remark.
Sucy's cold stare darkened into a seething glare as her eye narrowed dangerously at the redhead.
Lotte noticed this quickly and nervously waved her hand at her friend. "Aah, I-I…she's just joking, Sucy.' The bespectacled girl turned to Amanda next in a hope to mediate. "Right, Amanda?"
Amanda stared at Sucy unblinking. Suddenly the space rippled with intensity as the air grew heavy with unseen magic.
"Ara?" Akko tilted her head as she watched the exchange, suddenly feeling a little uncomfortable. Right on cue, Constanze's Stanbot sprung to life and hopped into place in front of Akko, landing on the table with a little thump as it struck a disco pose. "Oh, hey there!"
The small German girl fiddled with her remote control, scrunching her face in deep concentration. In response to her focus, the Stanbot broke out into a quirky dance as it tapped its little feet in a blur of movement before moon-walking back and forth in front of Akko, who watched with growing delight.
"Aw, that's so cute! Look at those little legs!"
With another twirl the Stanbot whipped out a notepad and pen before scribbling something onto it with furor and determination.
"Eh?" Akko watched amused as the Stanbot flipped the pad so she could see. To her genuine surprise, it was a sketch of her. The lines and shading were incredible, even the individual traces of her hair looked meticulous. Her ponytail looked like the real thing!
"Woah…that's woah…" Akko breathed as she thought of something meaningful to say, but couldn't quite put anything into words. She instead looked over to Cons, who looked up from her control unit with a tiny smile before issuing another command to her robot.
In response the Stanbot flipped to a new page and scribbled something else much quicker this time, showing it to Akko promptly.
There's something I need to ask you.
Akko blinked at that, her surprise and curiosity growing with every passing second. Everyone around her had gone eerily quiet all of a sudden...
"W-what is it, Cons?" She asked nervously. Constanze made a little sigh under her breath and issued another command to her Stanbot which prepared to write a new note. This time however the little robot froze in place as little plumes of smoke started to fizzle out of its head.
"Oh no!" Akko yelped, watching the poor thing start to freak out and go spinning off their table and across the cafeteria like a little smoking pinball. It crashed into something at the other end garnering a few distant cries of shock.
"Ahh…" Constanze murmured to herself with a pang of disappointment, furrowing her distinct eyebrows before leaving the table to clean up whatever mess her Stanbot had caused.
"Um, okay." The brunette girl watched her go, confused and a little concerned. "Is Constanze feeling all right? That wasn't like her at all."
"Yeah. She was pretty expressive today." Lotte added, her voice growing quieter as she spoke. "I think she wanted to tell you something, but didn't really know how. Maybe she's…uhm…never mind…"
When Lotte trailed off, Akko pouted a little at her close friend with a raised quizzical eyebrow. "Maybe's she's what, Lotte?' I don't get it at all."
"Akko." Amanda spoke up firmly, getting the attention of the three girls in front of her. Something about her sharp tone made Akko tense up in her seat. But it was Amanda's serious and stern gaze that put her on the spot. There was something awash in those striking green eyes, Akko noticed. A determination fuelled by a fire she had no clue the origin of. More and more she felt a prickling sensation in her hands and neck at this most eventful of breakfasts.
"Yes…?" She barely managed to squeak out. A distant thought of turning into a mouse and skittering away entered her thoughts. Especially when she took notice how everyone at the table was staring at her with something more than just mild curiosity. She hadn't somehow become super interesting for no reason, had she?
"Don't you know what's happening a week from now?" Amanda pressed on with that same sharpness to her words.
"The Twilight Ball."
It hadn't been Akko who'd answered, but Lotte. The girls turned to the demure Witch, whose gaze was downcast and hidden by the sheen of her glasses. Lotte's hands fidgeted nervously at the hem of her skirt as she spoke further, her voice timid and hushed like she was confessing some truth that had been locked away.
"They haven't had one for a long time. It's supposed to be a wonderful night, where the unity between witches and the world is to be celebrated. I was-"
Lotte sniffled minutely. Akko's mouth was agape at the sudden emotion. Lotte was…crying? Her heart sank at such a sight. On reflex she reached out her hand, meaning to hold Lotte's to try and comfort her, but the girl suddenly shot up from her seat, wiping away small tears from beneath her glasses.
"I was…" She paused again, avoiding eye contact with anyone there as she forced a smile. "I'm heading to class. It's still a bit early, but I could use a review on my notes."
She hurried off without waiting for a response, leaving Akko there with her hand frozen in the air in feeble shock. Lotte did grace the smallest of smiles at her friend as she left, and even in that briefest of moments Akko could see she hadn't stopped crying.
"Lotte!" She cried out, standing from her seat quick enough to knock her chair over. Sucy's gentle hand was all that kept her from sprinting recklessly after Lotte's retreating form.
"Hey." Sucy said calmly, letting her shoulder go as Akko turned to face her. "Let's give her a bit of room. We're heading to the same class anyway, so it'll be easier to talk to her. And as for you…"
Sucy glanced at Amanda who arced her brow in reply.
"Huh?'" The brash girl muttered a little rudely.
"Whatever you were going to ask, can it wait? Even you've gotta notice bad timing when it happens."
Amanda parted her lips for a snappy reply but held back her words, looking to Akko for a moment. The brunette saw the challenging aura about her vanish quickly as the American's expression softened. Akko wondered what prompted the change in demeanour, but then finally noticed the light tears forming in the corners of her vision, Akko figured she must've cut a pretty sorry sight. Amanda's brashness relented then, and she quietly picked up her tray before leaving with a curt: "Later guys..."
Jasminka watched her friend go, deciding it was better to follow her, but before leaving, she reached into her bag and pulled out a little plastic case, placing it front of Akko.
It was a pristine tart of a much higher brand than the ones at Luna Nova proper. It was topped with perfectly cut strawberries, succulent kiwis, and lathered in tasty-looking whipped cream.
"Share with Lotte, hm?" She said simply and left to join her teammate.
Akko was already starting to wonder what was happening. Her friends were acting strange in being extra friendly with her, but had suddenly become cold to one another. And now the Twilight Ball had become a huge deal with her at the centre of their rapt attention. Had she done something wrong? Why did becoming a Great Witch have to be so confusing sometimes?
A polite, refined cough sounded behind her then, followed by the scraping of a chair as it was lifted off the ground and placed behind her.
"Ms Kagari, if you will."
"Eh!" Akko's pigtail twitched at the familiar pristine tone and she whirled around a bit too quickly, checking her knee on the chair. "Yow! D-Diana!"
The Princess of Luna Nova. The graceful Witch Aristocrat. Diana Cavendish stood before her, looking as pretty and refined as always; back straight in perfect posture, platinum blonde hair combed into faultless tresses that framed an immaculate visage that at that moment held a reservedly concerned look.
"Are you hurt, Atsuko?" Diana queried, cupping her chin in one of her slender hands. "It wasn't my intention to alarm you like that. Please, accept my apologies."
She bent forward a little in a prim curtsy towards Akko, who could only stare back in disbelief. Some of the Luna Nova students nearby gasped and whispered among themselves at such a gesture. Akko noticed how every passing moment was drawing more and more attention towards her, so her desire to mouse her way out of the premises genuinely became more than just a silly idea.
"A-ah…! That's ok, Diana! Really!" She lied as her knee throbbed terribly in pain. Akko flapped her hand about to appease Diana's concern, her cheeks prickling with the mounting embarrassment. "It was an accident! You were just helping with my chair, right? A-anyway…I uh…um…"
Akko couldn't think of anything more to say. Sucy beside her had fallen silent, staring blankly at Diana.
"I am glad, Atsuko. Were you in a hurry? There was something important I wanted to ask you."
Sucy grunted something under her breath, to which Diana didn't seem to notice or perhaps chose to ignore completely.
Akko flapped her mouth open and close a few times, but no words came. She was enraptured by Diana Cavendish and those peerless aqua blue eyes gazing at her with such composed confidence. The heiress was also wearing a darling smile that Akko had never witnessed; unguarded and compassionate, a true reflection of her familial heritage.
It was Affection.
When Akko seemed unable to formulate a reply, Diana took the initiative with a bold step towards the Japanese girl, whose face was glowing red like a sun about to burst.
"Have you considered who will be your date for the Twilight Ball?"
=][=
Ok, I'll stop it here for now. The chapter ended up being a bit longer than I thought! But this is fun. I can have another chapter up quickly if you guys think its any good. I have some curious ideas for where this is heading, haha. Please let me know what you guys think. Bye bye then!