Chapter 17

Princess

Hello!

Two updates in two days.

I really have no life.

Anyway a lot of you have been asking me who Misaki's friend Rika exactly is and let me start off by saying Rika is actually Erika-chan from Maid Sama anime and manga.

I thought it was a cuter name for her.

And as she said several times throughout the story she is indeed Misaki's best friend, but she also holds a great amount of magical power and position in the school.

This chapter is another round in the Academy wars and this is the chapter where you learn about what Rika (Erika) is capable of.

Enjoy.

At the Courtyard

As usual Misaki was late.

Regardless she walked in a slow pace as she made her way to the stadium.

Just then she noticed two guys standing a few feet away from her.

They were laughing with each other like maniacs and kept on whispering something about every girl they saw walk by.

Misaki looked down at her attire and groaned inwardly.

She had picked the wrong day to wear her top that had its sleeves starting at her elbow. The parts of her bod consisting of her neck to the area beneath her collarbone was exposed. Not to mention if she bent down a part of her cleavage could be seen.

If they harassed her she couldn't even fight back with magic since they weren't Warriors.

And the Warriors code clearly states the a sorcerer or a summoner will be severely punished for harassing a civilian with their gift. However no one said physical fight wasn't allowed.

Even so it could be easily assumed that Misaki had used her magic to beat them since she looked so fragile.

Misaki groaned and tiptoed past them hoping to go unnoticed. But sadly things never went her way.

"Hooo," one of the guys whistled. He bent down his glasses and eyed her from top to bottom. "Hello pretty girl," he said and took a step forward with his hands in his pocket. His shirt was completely undone and revealed what must have been what he thought was his hard built chest. But to be honest Misaki thought even a demon looked more decent.

"And who might you be my pretty little doll?"

Pretty little doll? Where did guys even learn their poetry from?

Misaki continued to walk but was blocked by the other guy. She sighed out loud. This one was rather charming to look at but was equally a jerk. He was tall and blonde and what infuriated Misaki more was that he reminded her of that guy Takumi.

She waited patiently for them to finish. She looked around people saw her but continued to walk. Humans really were selfish creatures.

"You're gorgeous," the guy with the glasses cooed.

"I know a great pub," the tall guy remarked. He touched her shoulder and yanked her arm. Misaki tried to pull away but she didn't want to use her physical strength since it would create suspicion. "Don't be like that," the tall guy added in a husky voice. "I'll buy you a nice drink and then maybe we could get to know each other at a nice hotel," he brushed her arms and Misaki shivered. She was losing her temper and was about to step on his foot and use her magic to fly off, sut someone had come to her rescue.

Takumi had been just walking to the stadium minding his own business when he noticed Misaki surrounded by two guys. And they were...touching her?

Takumi walked as fast as he could.

A tall guy was making his way up her neck with his hand and Takumi practically batted his hand away.

He pulled Misaki towards him and she looked up at him wide eyed. God he loved those eyes!

"There you are sweetheart," he exclaimed as he wrapped his arms around her.

Misaki at first looked at him confused but when he glanced at the perverts she got the message.

Next it was Takumi's turn to be surprised.

She wrapped her arms around the collar of his black tunic and cape and pulled him closer. "Where have you been?" she pouted. Takumi bit back a choking sound.

He quickly composed himself and kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry love, I got held back by something," he whispered to her as he leaned in closer. He thought she would drop the act but instead her eyes fell on his lips just like his did on her's.

"You're no couple," the guy with glasses growled.

"Yeah!" the tall guy agreed. "We've seen guys like you before. You pretend to save the girl but then take her for your own amusement!"

Misaki considered what they said. But then again she had known Takumi for a while now and he didn't seem like the type to play around with girls. The only girl she knew that had been harassed by him was herself. But something told her he was just playing around. Misaki felt his grip on her tighten. There was some sort of feeling in his eyes but Misaki couldn't exactly tell what it was.

Was he jealous?

"We're not faking," Misaki closed her eyes and faced the perverts.

But they didn't buy it. "Prove it," they retorted in unison. With one last look at Takumi she closed the gap between them.

Takumi was taken aback. He honestly was not considering this. He pulled her closer. "Not convincing enough," he lied but she regardless nodded and kissed him harder. She parted her lips slightly and Takumi took the chance to slip his tongue in. This time Misaki gasped and pulled back almost too fast. Her eyes met his and she self consciously placed her hair behind her ear.

When she tried to speak to the perverts they were long gone. "Sorry," she whispered half to herself.

"It's fine," Takumi claimed running a hand through his hair. It shone in the sunlight.

He really is handsome Misaki realized.

He caught her staring at him and she blushed and looked away.

"You're pretty when you blush," he smirked to himself and he linked her arm with his.

"What are you doing? She asked as she followed behind him.

"Wouldn't want you to run into more perverts," he reminded her.

She understood and followed quietly. When they entered the arena he spoke again. "Why didn't you fight back?" he inquired.

"My level of physical combat is a lot better than most people expect. Apparently I look fragile so people often underestimate me. If I had done something to them it would have created suspicion and Seiko's reputation would've gone down even more," she explained.

A strand of her hair was in front of her face and Takumi held the urge to tuck it back in. "You really care about your school. Why is that?" he asked again.

"It's where I grew up," she explained as her eyes softened and a smile touched her face. "I've been there since I was young. Master Jest has always made me feel home."

"He's like family," Takumi nodded in understanding.

"He is family," she told him.

Takumi smiled. "You really love your master."

"No," Misaki began. He raised an eyebrow. "Well yes I love him but he's also family," Takumi stopped in his tracks.

"What are you saying?" He asked tilting his head to the side.

Misaki turned to face him. Their arms still linked. "Master Jest," she began. "He's my grandfather."She finished and waited for him to respond.

"Usui-san," she tilted her head to the side. He chuckled at first but then all of a sudden it turned into a hearty laugh.

"What's so funny?" she asked. Then furrowed her eyebrows. "Are you making fun of me?"

"No no no," Takumi held up his hands in defense. "I was laughing at my ignorance," he reassured her.

He smiled at her brightly. "Does anyone else from my school know," he asked.

Misaki thought for a moment then shrugged. "Maybe," she walked inside the gate. "My grandfather does like to brag about me a lot," she added.

"Is it because you're so gifted," he stalked behind her.

"Yes gifted," she mumbled. Takumi frowned. "Something wrong," he asked concerned.

"No," she shook her head and then walked towards her part of the arena. Takumi was about to walk back to his own when Misaki called out to him. "Usui-san" he frowned at the formality she placed. "Thank you," she smiled brightly at him then walked up the stairs leaving Takumi there smiling like an idiot.

I love you, he had told her.

"Does he?" Misaki inquired to herself before the sunlight engulfed her from the darkness.

At the Arena

Rika paced back and forth after she heard the announcement. Where was Misa?

Today's challenge was made especially for girl and she was not ready to go in there. She needed some encouragement.

As if on cue Misaki walked in. She looked shocked for some reason when her eyes fell on the blonde guy Takumi. Of course she was shocked. That guy was drop dead gorgeous.

"Misaki," Rika called out. Misaki snapped out of her thought and smiled. Rika hadn't missed how Takumi had looked straight at Misaki at the mention of her name. Misaki caught him looking blushed and looked away.

Rika realized how she did that often. Could she possibly like him? Rika wondered to herself until Misaki snapped her out of it.

"What is it?" She inquired.

"Look," Rika pointed at the illusions. From Hakusen Megumi. From Kokusen it was a girl named Aya. From Ouran it was Haruhi. From Miyabigaoka it was Chiyo. From YSA regular team it was Sakura and from the YSA level X team it was Rika. The challenge was called Beauty Harshness. All the girls had to charm the judges with their magic using their own special trick then the judges would give them their rankings from there. Highest ranking won ten points and the lowest won five.

"What's the problem?" Misaki asked.

"I don't know what to do?" she cried.

"Um you just use your magic," Misaki said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Rika looked at her blankly then screamed. "NO," Misaki felt her hair fly back at the loud sound.

"My magic is hideous. Oh the judges will despise it. Then I'll have to drop out of the academy and live in the slums and become a who-" Slap! Rika stood there dumbfounded.

"You're so dramatic," Misaki brushed past her. "Just do what you do best!"

"Do what I do best" Rika mumbled to herself. She smiled brightly then got to the stage.

Haruhi and Megumi were the first to go. They each used their special tricks then received their rankings. Haruhi was ahead of Megumi but only by two points.

Next was the Aya girl from Kokusen Academy. Erika didn't even know what the magic was all she felt was a strong vibration until the judges gave her a full score. The audience was astonished. What did she even do? Was it some sort of hypnosis that they gave her a full score for?

Next was Sakura. She summoned one of her light spirits and created a huge fireworks display which placed her right behind the Aya girl.

Next was Chiyo Sakurai. Rika always assumed she was the shy kind of girl but then when she clapped her hands together and created a huge garden Rika was jaw dropped. She just boosted herself up before Sakura which meant Rika had to do even better.

When Chiyo returned to her seat Rika found something highly suspicious. She didn't seem like she used her full strength for some reason. Regardless Rika walked to the front of the stage then sighed. She looked back at Misa who flashed her an encouraging smile.

Rika exhaled. Her aura then surrounded her.

The men who once admired her were now freaking out.

Because she had transformed herself.

Her Hell's sorcery had been placed into action.

She raised her hands high and spawned a dark orb that she shot up in mid air. Millions of shimmering ice fragments showered from the sky.

The judges were left in awe. That move alone placed her at the top.

Ten points were placed next to her name as raised its ranking.

The crowd cheered and a smile of her own touched her face.

I finally gave you guys the kiss.

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