Immediately as the units disappeared, Lilith fell to her knees.
"Ha. Looks like you aren't cutting it after all." Aria commented. "So, unless you wanna get trashed all over again, I suggest you stay out of the Red Gang's stuff from now on, got it?" She said, turning around and walking off, the others following her.
...Good lord, how was that so close, and how'd she know so well about how to use that deck?! Tuff said she's only been playing for a day! She internally thought to herself. I better get back to training or this crazy girl could be a real problem!
Once they were gone, however, Lilith heard a voice speak up.
"So, you've witnessed the Red Gang firsthand." A male voice said, as Lilith looked back up and back at them.
"You again, you stuck-up jerk..?!" She asked.
"Are you truly in a position to run your mouth after you suffered such a humiliating defeat?" Maurus asked, taking out a bag and popping a piece of chocolate into his mouth.
"You saw that..?" Lilith asked.
"Of course. I couldn't ignore hooligans at the school gates, after all, so I decided to see what they wanted." Maurus answered. "Seems like all they wanted was to get back at you, although I can't believe you'd be surprised."
"So what, you're just here to rub it in?" Lilith asked, getting up.
"At first, I was going to do exactly that for trying to foolishly fight something like the Red Gang, but then I noticed something more important. Despite how agitating you are, you clearly seem to have at least some potential in you. A very annoying, rough potential, but potential regardless." Maurus said.
That...didn't feel like a compliment. Lilith thought to herself.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend, so the saying goes. So I'm going to have you help me finally deal with the Red Gang once and for all." Maurus then said.
"Huh? Would it kill you to ask instead of demand? I know her leader just kicked my ass, but I don't necessarily like you either, so why should I help you out?" Lilith asked.
"Oh? So you like the thought of potentially living the rest of your life under that red-haired punk's foot?" Maurus taunted.
"Hell no, but I'll get back at her one day, I don't need your help for that!" Lilith said.
"You're all bark, you know." Maurus said. "You don't have a clue how to improve your strategy, nor do you have any idea how to deckbuild as you're still using a trial deck, and you're so impulsive even the slightest bit of strategy could tear your game down. Stop me when I'm wrong." He said, as Lilith flinched. "...That's what I thought."
"Whatever, I'm going home!" Lilith said, walking past him.
"Suit yourself, but once you realize you haven't got a clue what to do, I'll be in the student affairs office." Maurus commented.
That jerk...Like I'd ever go to him for help! Lilith thought to herself while walking away.
"Okay, seriously, what is going on? I keep feeling like someone's..." Felix started, before noticing the kitten from before walk up to him. "Oh, hey Mitts." He said, picking the cat, as a small metallic bug peeked its head out, staring past Felix. "Of course you two are together- Wait, what are you looking at?" He asked, turning around immediately to see a figure who was peeking by the corner retreat back. "Huh..? I think I saw someone there..." he said, rushing over to that corner, as a blue-haired girl with glasses seemed to flinch and yelp at Felix. "...Oh, it's just a girl." He commented.
"U-Um...Hi..." The girl started.
"Were you following me?" Felix asked.
"I'm so sorry!" The girl immediately said, bowing. "I-I just, um...I wanted to say hi, but I didn't know how to, so I tried again, but chickened out, and...um...I'm sorry." She said.
"Oh, wow. I thought I was just being followed by the neighborhood dogs again." Felix said, before blinking. "Wait, that sounded wrong. I'm not calling you a dog, but...What, you wanted to be friends or something?" He asked, as the girl seemed to perk up.
"F-Friends..?! Really? I've never had a friend before!" She said, Felix flinching.
"That's...depressing, but uh...I guess I don't mind." Felix responded.
"Oh..! T-Thank you! I promise I'll be a good friend..!" The girl said. "My name's Aoi, A-Aoi Kasumi..!" She introduced.
"Well, uh...nice to meet you, Aoi. My name's Felix, Felix Crestmore." Felix said. "I uh, was just on a walk. If you wanted to join me..." he started.
"O-Okay!" Aoi said.
"Neat." Felix said, walking down with the cat still following him, as well as the metal bug still on its head.
As Lilith was walking, she reacted in surprise as she saw a strange plush kitten land in front of her, as she looked over to see who had tossed it, as a boy with white hair and a red streak was casually sitting atop a wall, before casually waving to her.
"Yo. You seem pretty upset." He commented.
"That uniform...You're stuck in that academy too, huh? The student affairs head is a real jerk." Lilith commented.
"Ha, I feel that. Heard you were some kinda punk, but you seem pretty cool." The boy remarked, hopping down from the wall and walking up. "Oh, and feel free to keep the cat. I like making stuffed toys. Makes a lot of kids happy, too." He said. "Oh by the way, one of your buttons is undone."
"What? No it isn'-" Lilith started, before looking down. "Are you serious?!" She said, re-buttoning. "Thanks...and uh, who are you anyway? Would be good to know a chill guy that isn't Yato in school." She said.
"Ah, right. Name's Matt. I once met a guy who said their name was Patt, but they claimed it was short for Patthew." Matt introduced and commented.
"...There's no way." Lilith said.
"Unfortunately, it was way." Matt responded.
"Well, it's been nice, but I've gotta...well, figure out a way to get better at cardfighting." Lilith said.
"Oh, word? I'm pretty good at it myself, maybe I can give you some pointers." Matt said.
"What, really? ...You?" Lilith asked.
"What, the guy who makes plushies can't be good at a card game?" Matt asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No, but you just...I dunno, didn't seem the type." Lilith admitted.
"Look, If you need me to prove it...then come with me." Matt said with a grin, turning around and walking. "Also look out for the slope." he added.
"What slope-? AH!" Lilith said, almost tripping over, before barely regaining her balance.
"That one." Matt commented without even turning around.