Author Note: I just watched the whole anime from start to finish today and I had to write this. This is a total joke fic but also I could totally see these characters acting like this.
Angela stood in the hallway at magic school, watching other students file out of a classroom. She brushed her long blonde bangs out of her face as she waited for her target to appear, and then straightened her school uniform to fend off nerves.
As a first year magic student, Angela had just got out of her elemental specialty class. She was born with water magic, which allowed her to lift some water into the air and move it around. She was still in training, so it wasn't anything too impressive yet. Each element area had specialty classes apart from the other elements, which is how she ended up waiting in the hall outside the earth class.
After ten or so students filed by, her target appeared. Looking as if she had stepped straight out of heaven, Katarina emerged from the classroom. Angela's vision focused in on her, taking in every detail of her hair and face. How she smiled even when just walking by herself, how she carried herself with such strength and poise.
She was incredibly kind to everyone she met and the way her face lit up when she ate sweets was absolutely adorable! Angela couldn't get enough of her. Ever since they first met back at the start of the school year, she'd been smitten.
Wait though, Angela snapped herself back to reality, the other teen was getting away. Even as Angela stared, Katarina didn't so much as glance her way. She just walked past and was already a few paces down the hall.
"Katarina-sama!" Angela called out and took one step forward. She didn't want to miss her chance; today was going to be a big day.
Luckily, Katarina turned back when called. She waved once and paused in walking away, "Angela-san, hi, what is it?"
"C-can you meet me after class ends today?" Angela foolishly stumbled over her words, flicking her eyes down in embarrassment.
There was a moment's pause as Katarina considered it.
"Uh, yeah sure I can do that." She finally said, somehow sending a wave of both relief and panic through Angela.
"Great!" Angela responded stronger than she had intended to. "How about at the field behind the school?"
"I'll be there!" With a firm nod and a wave, Katarina was off once again, likely to her next class. Angela watched her go, both nervous and excited for what was to come. She also saw Keith pass by, his eyes locked firmly on Katarina's retreating form.
She settled more on excitement than fear; Katarina had agreed to meet her! Angela withheld a squeal of joy as she started walking to her next class. There was just one more for the day, one more class to sit through until she could meet with Katarina.
Usually class went by quickly, but this one seemed to last forever. Anxiety came back to the front of her mind every time she looked at the clock and saw that only a few minutes had passed since last time. She was starting to doubt if she should even do this when the class ended. What were the odds that Katarina returned her feelings? Not very high, but still, you can't win if you don't try.
Gathering her courage, Angela left the school and went to the agreed upon field. It was empty when she arrived; Katarina wasn't there yet. She should be soon though, at least Angela hoped she would be. It would be absolutely mortifying if Katarina didn't show.
Angela wrung her hands together nervously, casting her gaze back at the school. She again felt relief when she saw a figure moving towards her.
Wait that was wrong, it was two people?
As they approached, Angela could make out the forms of Katarina and Keith. She was happy to see Katarina but wondered why Keith came too, she hadn't invited both of them.
"Angela-san!" Katarina waved as she neared her, that bright contagious smile on her face.
"Thank you for coming." Angela felt a flush creep over her cheeks, despite Keith's presence.
Katarina beamed, "Any time." She replied simply. Though it was just two words, they pierced through to Angela's heart. "What did you want to talk about?"
Suddenly, Angela felt even more self-conscious than she had before. She could see Keith over Katarina's shoulder, his arms crossed and eyes placed directly on her. It sent a shudder down her spine.
"C-could we possibly speak alone?" It was worth asking, this was too embarrassing to say in front of him.
"That will not be possible." Keith replied smoothly, his arms tensing slightly giving away his mood.
Katarina's smile shrunk slightly. "Sorry about that, he's quite overprotective." Keith bristled behind her, but Katarina didn't react to him. "Just pretend he isn't here."
Well, Angela thought, this was not going as planned. She couldn't possibly confess her feelings while Keith was here. It was just impossible, way too embarrassing. Why was he refusing to leave anyway? Was he really just an overprotective younger sibling? It didn't really make sense. Angela didn't have too much time to dwell on it though, as Katarina was waiting for her to say why she called her out there.
She would need to talk about something else then, so Katarina wouldn't think she was being weird and never want to speak with her again.
Angela opened her school bag, pulling out a piece of paper from a class that morning. "Alright I guess." She tried to play it of cool, but in her mind was still churning. "Could you help me with question 3 from class this morning?" She hadn't finished the class work yet, so that would make a good cover.
"Of course," Katarina accepted the paper and looked down at the problem. If she was confused about why they had come all the way out the field to do this, she was polite enough not to ask.
Katarina thought for a moment, before coming back with the exact answer for how to solve it. It was so impressive, how much she knew and how willing she was to help.
As Katarina returned the paper, Angela made sure to jot down the answer she received. She tried not to seem glum as she bid the pair farewell and turned to head back to the school.
She might've imagined it, but she thought she saw a hint of a smirk on Keith's face.
The next day, Angela decided to try again. She planned to do it after an earlier class, one she had together with Katarina. She sat a few rows behind the other girl, in a good spot to watch her during class.
She tried not to do that too much, but sometimes she just couldn't help it. Even the back of Katarina's head was too cute, and the way she raised her hand high to be picked was precious.
They'd have about ten minutes between this class and the next one when it ended. That wouldn't be a lot of time, but Angela could make it work. Instead of going out of the school, she would just ask Katarina to stay back in the classroom for a few minutes. That way they would be alone when the rest of their classmates left.
It wasn't as romantic as the field, but at least Keith wouldn't be there to ruin it this time. Things would definitely go her way!
With that optimism boosting her up, Angela went straight to Katarina's desk when class was dismissed.
"Thanks for your help on the assignment yesterday." Angela smiled as she stopped next to the desk. Katarina was still seated with all of her books and notes on the table.
Katarina turned her head and smiled back, "You're welcome, I was glad to help." She was such a saint.
Angela placed her hands on the table and leaned down. "D-do you have a minute to stay after class?" She asked in a softer tone.
Immediately Katarina's eyes narrowed in concern. "What happened?" She stood and leaned in, matching the change in tone.
"Nothing, I just," Angela swallowed hard. "Want to talk alone with you."
"Alright." Katarina still looked slightly worried as she resumed putting her books in her bag. Her concern warmed Angela's heart.
Before either could say anything else, another girl linked her arm with Katarina's. It was another one of her friends, Mary. She wrapped her arm tight around Katarina's, but her eyes were on Angela.
Angela had never been afraid of her classmate before, but that glare made her reconsider.
"We have to get going." Mary said with her lips far too close to Katarina's ear.
This flustered Angela, but Katarina didn't seem phased. "We have time still. Besides, I'm going to stay and talk with Angela-san for a minute."
"Don't you need to finish the assignment before the next class?" Mary tightened her grip, giving Katarina a slight tug towards the door.
"Oh crap you're right…" Katarina hung her head for a moment, before looking back at Angela with wide apologetic eyes. "I do have to go; we can talk some other time okay?"
Angela didn't have much choice but to say, "okay, good luck on your assignment." In her head, she cursed her back luck. Again, she hadn't been able to talk one on one with her. Why was this so difficult to arrange?
Angela had her head down so she didn't catch it, but Mary glanced back on her way out the door.
They say the third time's the charm. Angela was counting on that, since her first two attempts had gone disastrously. She had a new angle of attack though, this time it would work for sure.
Instead of making a verbal confession, she would leave a signed note in Katarina's bag. That way, there was no way someone else could interrupt or get in the way.
To prepare, all she needed was the note. It took a few drafts to write one that didn't sound too stiff, but after 5 hours of rewriting she was ready.
The next thing Angela needed was an opportunity.
That would be even harder than writing the note, since Katarina didn't often leave her bag unattended. It would have to be when she went to the bathroom or was working with one of her friends on the other side of the classroom.
It took almost a week for the chance to come. The class had been randomly assigned pairs for an assignment, and luckily Katarina had been assigned someone on the other side of the classroom. She left her bag at her desk, which made this the perfect chance.
Angela had to move to find her partner too, but she could make a stop along the way. She carefully held the note in her palm as she approached the abandoned bag, trying to conceal it from any wandering eyes.
She quickly opened the top of the bag and slid the note in, closing it with the same speed. Mission complete, now Katarina would know of her affection. She felt as if she were gliding as she continued to her assigned partner to start work on the assignment.
That feeling quickly crashed when Angela sat down and saw someone else approached Katarina's bag. It was a student, though not one in the same year as the rest of the class. He was there to assist with the current project. Angela tried to remember his name, what was it again? Nick or something? No, but that was close.
As he opened the bag, she remembered his name. Nicol, that was it. What did that matter though, he was opening the bag she had just put her confession in. What a snoop!
Angela glared daggers his way, but couldn't bring herself to move as he took the note from the top and resealed the bag. He didn't open the note, just looked at the outside of it.
Then Nicol turned, looking directly at Angela. Somehow he knew that it was her; she hadn't realized he was watching.
The pair locked eyes across the room, despite the bustle and chatter around them.
Nicol held the note in two hands, lifting it slightly to chest height. Angela could've sworn she heard the sound of paper ripping as he tore it in half.
No wait that was probably the sound of her own heart screaming in rage. What was this, some kind of conspiracy? All of these people kept getting in her way, with Nicol here being the most forward about it. It only got louder as he ripped it in half again and deposited it in his pocket.
"Angela-san." An unfamiliar voice was calling her name, but she could barely hear it. "Angela-san?" It got a bit louder, and Angela swiveled her head towards it. Her partner for the assignment had been calling her, looking annoyed at the lost time.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." Angela gently pat one of her cheeks to focus and turned her attention to the assignment. "I'm ready now, let's start." She would have to figure out what was up with Nicol and mourn the loss of her confession note later.
Her partner only sighed as they got to work.
Despite the effort to focus, Angela couldn't stop thinking about how this was strike three. If it was baseball, she would be out.
At this rate, Angela would never have a chance at a hit. Every time she tried to be alone with Katarina, the same thing happened. One of her meddling friends would insist on being there, or would distract her, or would just intrude on the moment. She could never say the words she truly wanted to say.
It was getting quite irritating.
She tried again at the library, an impromptu attempt as it was a coincidence this time. Angela saw Katarina reading at one of the tables, so she decided to sit down and talk with her.
That only lasted a minute before Sophia joined them. That was all she got, 60 seconds of one on one Katarina time, before they were interrupted. Not that Angela didn't like Sophia, but she really wanted time to confess to Katarina.
With Sophia in the conversation, she swiftly took control of it. She brought the topic around to literature, which Angela wasn't super knowledgeable in. She wasn't sure how to add to the conversation, but that seemed to be Sophia's goal.
A week later Angela tried again. She went out to where she knew Katarina was growing crops, since she often spent time there in the afternoon. The outfit she wore for farming was so refreshing, it was like seeing a whole new side of Katarina.
As expected, Katarina was tending her crops. But again, Angela barely spoke to her for a few minutes before someone cut in. This time it was Alan, carrying a violin for some reason.
Actually, it seemed like Angela just had bad timing on this one, since Alan offered to leave them alone when he saw them talking. Katarina, bless and curse her heart, insisted that he stay and play for the crops as intended. Thus again Angela couldn't speak with Katarina alone.
She was almost ready to give up, but her feelings were too strong for that. Her next attempt was just to go for it and walk up and ask Katarina if they could talk alone. Even if she was in a group, she could separate from them for a bit.
Angela didn't make it to that point. As she approached Katarina's group, which had all of the people who kept getting in her way in it, the frigid glare of yet another person stopped her dead in her tracks. Prince Geordo had seen her coming, and clearly he didn't approve. He was her fiancé after all. Angela didn't even say anything, she just took a step back and fled in the opposite direction.
At this rate, she would never get to confess.
So this was how it ended. A doomed love that was never meant to be.
Angela sat in the school courtyard, on one of the benches. She allowed herself to slouch, just for a bit. Even though she hadn't gotten to confess, it still felt like a rejection.
She wondered why all of Katarina's friends insisted on getting in her way, but really it didn't matter. They obviously didn't approve of her. Katarina probably wouldn't either.
Angela was drawn from her depressing thoughts by the sound of a familiar woman's laughter. It was coming from across the courtyard, at the other set of benches.
Katarina herself was sitting there, along with the last of her friends, the commoner Maria. It was hard to tell from this distance, but they seemed to be having tea and giggling about something.
Angela dusted her clothes off and stood, determined to get closer. There were some bushes about half way across the courtyard, which would make an adequate hiding spot. She walked slowly and stealthily to the bush, poking her head over to watch her crush.
Indeed, Katarina was giggling. She had the biggest, most beautiful smile Angela had ever known. Her eyes were focused on Maria, body leaned in as if to capture ever word.
Angela wanted to make her that happy too. This was what she yearned for all along.
She wouldn't take no for an answer any longer. So what if her friends refused to leave her alone? Angela would prove that she was no pushover! She was going to make this confession.
With this resolution in mind, Angela stepped around the bush and walked briskly towards the happy pair. They noticed her almost immediately, with Katarina waving hello as she approached.
"Katarina-sama, we need to talk." Was what Angela lead with, not the smoothest really but it had been a long month trying to do this. "Right now." She made a point of not looking at Maria, not wanting to engage with yet another set of angry eyes.
If Angela had looked, she would've seen that Maria just looked confused, and probably would've left them alone if asked to. But all of this time being intercepted had made Angela jaded, and she was beyond the point of trying or caring.
Katarina nodded, "I'm listening." Her eyes were wide and curious.
Angela swallowed once, just ignore that Maria is there, it's fine, she thought to herself. "I-I just," She took a deep breath to center herself. "I like you. A lot." Her face grew hot as she confessed, as she finally said those words. Katarina's expression didn't change. "W-would you like to go out with me sometime?" Angela held her breath as she waited for a response.
A small smile grew on Katarina's lips. "I would." She said, causing Angela's heart to soar. She couldn't believe it, she actually said yes. "I like you and want to hang out as friends too." Katarina's smile grew as Angela's heart spluttered and thudded to the ground.
"O-oh I see." Was all Angela could manage.
"The girls and I are going shopping this weekend, we'd love if you joined us!" Katarina continued on.
Angela sunk to the bench on the other side of Maria, her knees not quite willing to keep holding her. "I'd love to." She said, even though that was not exactly the truth. It seems that just like for her confession, she would have to accept that nothing would go according to plan.
Angela wanted to cry, but it could've been worse. This was still a step in the right direction. At least now she would get to spend more time with Katarina.
Along with all those other people who tried to stop her from confessing…
Maria turned to her, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Welcome to the group."
End note: This is what my brain spit out when I finished the series. Katarina is as dense as a sack of bricks. Thanks for reading!