AN: Sheesh. Even though I was almost finished with this chapter last week, I managed to miss the deadline. I blame my laziness and a bit of writer's block.
Anyways, reviews and constructive criticism is always great as usual. Enjoy!
Text- Regular text.
"Text"- Dialogue.
'Text'- Inner thoughts.
Elegance.
That's the only thing I could think of as I walk towards Yuri, who was sitting in a far-flung corner of the room. She kept her back straight and shoulders back, holding down her book on each side with her hands as she silently read. I could see her focused amethyst eyes under the bangs of her matching hair.
Without a doubt, this girl was elegant and the most well mannered out of the bunch. I mean, look at her posture!
"Ah." Noticing me, Yuri looks away from her book as she closes it and gives off a smile, "Welcome back, Bahamut." She accepts the green tea drink I hand her, "Thank you."
"No problem." I notice the book she was reading before she puts it away in her bag. "Oh? A different book?" I say as I pulled the desk next to her.
"W-well, it was something that I picked up a week ago… Here let me show you." She takes out the novel once again and hands it to me.
"19*4? What is this, a horror novel?"
"No actually, it's a dystopian novel. I thought I should change up the genre now and then. Anyways, it follows the story of the protagonist who lives in Oceania, a totalitarian version of a post World War II Europe.
He works at the Ministry of Truth as an editor, but he finds himself feel oppressed. Why? Because of the government which controls everything: from the history to the language itself. The government which is named the Party also watches the society of Oceania through these devices called the telescreens."
"A telescreen? What's that?"
Her eyes glimmer in excitement as her smile only grows wider, "Well the telescreens is actually a television which also acts as a security camera and microphone at the same time. It's placed mostly everywhere.
Anyways, the protagonist vents out his problems through writing down his rebellious thoughts down on a journal. But the catch is that if he's caught, he will- Oh my!" Yuri stops herself by clasping her mouth in embarrassment as a bright red blush forms.
"I-I didn't mean to ramble on like that! I'm s-sorry!" The panicked girl stammered as she looks away from me. She starts playing with the locks of her violet hair again. "I just got carried away again…"
I couldn't help but laugh at her misery, to which it seems like she figuratively shrinks from it. "Look Yuri, I think I told you something like this yesterday: it's fine being passionate about something, I don't mind you rambling about this. So lighten up a bit."
Her mood seems to brighten up as a smile begins to form, "W-well it's just that, I'm a bit self-conscious about things I like…"
"Well, I think that's fine. Anyways, don't you want to read?"
She begins to calm down as she gives me a bashful smile, making my heartstrings tug, "Of course..."
Damn these hormones, making me-
"I see that you are excited to learn the secrets of dark magic!" She said as she quickly takes out The Portrait of Makarov once more, "As I said before: the teachings of Elyssa Libitina will be taught to you as the blood moon sees potential coursing through your body!"
'You just had to ruin the moment didn't you?'
Yuri does the pose again: covers her right eye with her left hand while she wraps her body with the other. "I could only hope that the overwhelming knowledge will not corrupt your mind… Now then Bahamut, let us-!"
The sound of someone quickly getting up from their seat cut Yuri off as it catches our attention, "Okay everyone~! It's time to share poems!" Monika said.
I don't know if she did that on purpose, but I have the feeling that she did. Either way, I'm a bit thankful.
"Ah…that's a shame." Yuri trails off, "I almost forgot about our assignment. Bahamut, would you like to share with me first with me?" She said as her personality does a complete 180.
Ignoring that fact, I scratch the back of my head, "Well since I'm already here with you…"
I can see her fancy handwriting on the loose leaf, as she takes it out of her bag and exchanges it for mine.
'Let's see…
Ghost under the Light
The tendrils of my hair illuminate beneath the amber glow.
Bathing.
..
..
..
..
..
'It's kinda hard to understand really…'
As she read, I felt nervous since it was my first time writing down a poem. It doesn't help the fact that more than a full minute had passed, giving her enough time to read the poem. My poem wasn't even that long! I felt a bit of unease; was she judging me and my poem?
I decided to face my fears and break the silence, "Um…"
"O-oh! I'm sorry, I was just-! Um-!"
"It's fine Yuri. You don't have to force yourself."
She takes a breath in and exhales outs, "Okay. I think I've got it. Was this your first time writing?"
"Well, yeah actually. I never really done anything like this."
"I see. I guessed that might be the case after reading through this."
I immediately plopped down on my chair, hanging my head low. "So it was that bad huh? Haha…"
"No, no!" She reassured as she waved her hands, "I wasn't trying to say that! I-I think it was fine for your first time!"
"Well, thanks. Anyways do you have any tips on how to do better?"
Yuri pauses for a moment, pondering on what to say. Then quickly with her left hand, she covered her right eye as her right hand was placed on the left side of her hip. "Have you ever thought about tapping into the power within yourself?"
I felt my eyes twitch in annoyance as I immediately got up to get away from her.
"N-no! Wait!" She exclaimed as she grabs the sleeve of my blazer, bringing me back. Yuri quickly let go and plays with her hair. "S-sorry! I raised my voice and… Uuuuu…"
After a few more minutes of Yuri apologizing, she finally gave me a few tips to use and had a discussion with me about our poems and the symbolism behind it. For a chuunibyou patient, I could tell that she enjoys writing down poems by the way she explained it. We set off to find new partners to share with after finishing our talk.
I came up to Natsuki who was currently glaring at me as she held her crushed strawberry milk carton in one hand and poem in the other. By the looks of it, she was still annoyed at me exposing the truth of her wound. As she sips on her straw, it makes that one sound whenever your drink is empty.
Feeling a bit awkward about the situation, I decided to break the silence. "So Natsuki…" I said as I scratch the back of my head before continuing. "Are you ready to-?"
"How was it?" She interrupted mid-sentence before placing her empty milk carton on a nearby desk.
"How was what?"
"Ugh." She lightly facepalmed herself, quickly dragging her hand down her face. "The first volume of Parfait Girl you dummy!" She blushes and folds her arms. "What did you think about it?"
"Ah…" I scratched the back of my head and averted my gaze. "I didn't really get to read it last night…"
Natsuki's eyes widen in surprise as her mouth was agape. "Wha-?!" The short pink-haired girl scrunches her eyebrows. "The Wicked Eye grants you a gift and you waste such an opportunity?! I hope you know you'll be cursed for thousands of years! You and your blockhead descendants will live a life of misfortune! Idiot!"
"R-right…Sorry."
Her anger dissipated and slowly turned into disappointment. She sighs. "Just as I thought, you probably think it's stupid huh? Whatever." Turning away, she mumbles loud enough for me to hear. "Just like the others…"
"Natsuki, I didn't say-"
"Forget about it Blockhead," She extends her poem towards me. "Hurry up and exchange poems with me. And you better give me back the first volume after this."
"Natsuki let me finish. I didn't say that I didn't enjoy it, I just didn't have enough time to read it last night."
"Ugh." She tries to shove her poem into my hands, ignoring my reasons. "Just take it already Blockhead!" As she does this, I could see the frustration in her face. It must have hurt sharing something you like with someone else, only for it to be disregarded. I couldn't help but feel guilty for it, so I decided to take matters into my own hands.
"Alright, alright. Natsuki, how about this..."
She backs off and folds her arms while she impatiently taps her foot. "What now?"
"Tomorrow during lunch, I'll let you borrow any one of my favorite series since you gave me yours. Since I'm fairly close to finishing the first volume, you lend me the second one tomorrow when I give you mine. How does that sound?"
Natsuki says nothing at first as uncertainty fills her face. She casts her gaze downwards as if she were pondering.
"Aw common, let me make it up to you. I have a few good series in my shelf somewhere..."
The manga reader perks her head up at the mention then bashfully looks away.
"Let's see…" I start to count the amount of series I have with my fingers. "I have few slices-of-life ones I can lend you. Ah, I do have that one romance one… Nah you wouldn't like it. Oh, I know! I can give you this one action one-"
I start to notice a light pink blush forms on her cheeks. "R-ro..." She mumbled.
I raised an eyebrow towards her. "Er… What was that?"
Her light pink blush transforms into a bright red one, full of embarrassment as she puffs her cheeks and points at me. "T-the Wicked Eye commands you to bring the romance one!"
...
…
...
"Huh?"
Her pointer finger starts to shake. "D-d-don't get it wrong Blockhead! It's the Wicked Eye that calls forth to read romance! I rather read an action series, but the rule of the Wicked Eye is absolute!"
"…Then I'll just bring you an action one tomorrow-"
"No wait!"
As the vertically challenged manga reader spews out any types of excuse from her mouth, I couldn't help but sigh.
'That's right, Parfait Girls could be considered as a romance I guess. But it wouldn't hurt for her to be a bit more honest with herself. Oh well… least I got her out of that mood.'
"Alright, alright, I get it." I interrupted to stop her. "Tomorrow at lunch. Okay?"
"Glad you can understand, Blockhead!" Natsuki said with a smile. "But you better not be lying blockhead! I'll obliterate you with my spells and take it from you if you are!"
I suppressed a chuckle as I notice she starts to lighten up. "I promise. Now then," I offer my poem before continuing, "Let's exchange poems." She takes my poem out of my hand in exchange for hers.
'Let's see…
Eagles Can Fly
Monkeys can climb
Crickets can leap
…
…
…
…
…
Seems a bit simplistic, but I can kinda get the meaning…'
"Now then Blockhead!" Natsuki enthusiastically says, catching my attention. She puts her hands on her hips with a smug smile. "Let's hear the praise that the Wicked Eye wielder deserves!
"Well, what did you think about mine first?"
Natsuki pauses for a moment in thought before she nonchalantly shrugs. "Meh."
'Ouch…'
After Natsuki's brutal but constructive criticism and discussion of the message of our poems, we set off to find new partners to share poems with. That was when I felt someone quickly place their hand on my shoulder as something sharp poked my back causing me to jolt.
"Sneak attack for times two damage!" A familiar voice whispered. I turned around only to see Sayori's mischievous smile as she held her pencil and one hand behind her back. "Ehehe~! You really left your guard-!
As a punishment, I flicked her forehead to interrupt her. "I think you were the one who left your guard down."
She rubs her forehead. "Tch. Looks like I have lots to learn before our rematch…"
I rolled my eyes, "Anyways since you're here Sayori, let's share-"
"Actually," She interrupts me with a worried look on her face. "I've got to ask you something. It's really quick!" She said as she claps her hands in front of her face.
I raised an eyebrow. "Ask away."
'It better not be something with her delusions…'
"Okay soooo… Bahamut," My childhood friend started off reluctantly, "How-" She stopped as she realized words got caught in her throat.
"Sayori? What's wrong?"
My childhood friend shakes her head reassuringly as she twiddles with her thumbs. "It's nothing, it's just that…"
A few moments pass by and confidence filled her bright sapphire eyes as they locked onto my amber eyes. "How…!" She squeaked, being surprised by her own voice, making her face blush in embarrassment. "H-how long have you and Monika been… together…?" Sayori whispered.
It was now my turn to blush, I shift my head towards Monika who currently talking to Yuri. "Sayori, where did you hear that?"
'Rumors really do spread around fast…!'
My childhood friend covers her right eye with her left hand. Her right hand held the left side of her hip.
"My umm… advanced hearing mastery skill allows me to listen to what these commoners say of course! It's important for us to gain information so we can…"
She pauses for a moment and stops her ridiculous pose before continuing, "Well it just so happens to be that I picked info up!"
I sigh and shook my head, ignoring the fact that she gave up on making things up. "Sayori those are just rumors you know. We aren't actually… you know!"
The idea of dating Monika formed in my head. "Dating." I said emotionlessly.
Regardless of how pretty she is, her (and as well as the other girls) delusional personality and the slave work she makes me do is a turn-off.
"You aren't lying, right?" She said as she stares into my eyes to see if I really was.
What's with her worrying about this situation?
"No. Why would I be lying in the first place?"
"You promise?"
I sigh. "Yes, Sayori. I promise I'm not lying."
"Hmmm… is that so?" She puts a hand on her chin as she narrows her eyes at me, puffing her cheek. A smile forms on her face as she giggles. "You fool! I was just testing my lying detection skills on you! I see you didn't notice it at all!"
"Right…"
She puts her hands on her hips. "Now then Bahamut, I think it's time for a rematch!"
"No thanks."
She pouts with a downcast expression. I seriously don't know why she looks sad when I reject her delusions. "You're no fun…"
"Yeah, yeah. Come on." I offered my poem to her. "Let's share poems already."
Her cerulean blue eyes glimmer in excitement. Quickly, she snatches my poem and shoved her own in my hands. "Heh! I guess this poem sharing is going to be our duel for now! You don't stand a chance!"
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say Sayori."
As I held her poem, I noticed a few details on her loose leaf which was straight ripped from her spiral notebook. Besides her little drawings on the edges of her paper and scribbled out words, there were a few stains on the piece of paper. I can guarantee that these are food stains knowing her.
'I'm going to bet that she made this during lunch… Let's see anyway.
Dear Sunshine
The way you glow through my blinds in the morning
It makes me feel like you missed me.
…
…
…
…
Huh. Looks like she made it this morning because of this last line I guess.'
I look back up to Sayori who was analyzing my poem in thought with a somewhat confused look on her face. She sighs as soon as she finishes reading it.
"So, how was it?"
She starts to twiddle her thumbs as she looks off somewhere else in the distance. "L-Let's talk about mines first!" She nervously stammered.
I felt a swift mental punch in my gut as I heard the stutter in her voice.
'Are my poems really that bad to the point where Sayori wants to avoid talking about it?'
After receiving criticism and writing from Sayori while discussing our poems, we set off to find a different poem sharing partner. Thankfully, her criticism wasn't that bad. I had figured that she didn't have the heart to tell her feelings about it. But after pressing her about it for a bit, she finally told me what was wrong with it.
"It was just kinda confusing!" She had said, "It wasn't bad or anything, I liked it a lot!"
It was kinda weird for someone like her to give me advice, even though I used to look out for her during our childhood days. But what I realize was even weirder was that these chuunibyou infected girls - who only think about their "magic" and "spells" - were giving me writing advice. You would think they would tell me other things, but they didn't. Maybe I judged them wrong...
Since I had already shared poems with all three other girls, it was time to face the club president herself.
"Ah," Monika said as she notices me. She shot me a smile and offered her poem to me. "Are you ready to share poems?"
"That's what I'm here for." I responded as I took her poem in exchange for mines.
'Okay… let's see what she has in store…
The Cage
Perhaps it was me.
A shadowy figure trapped between four walls of its cold prison.
It's hands holding onto the bars as its eyes peer through the dark
It screeches, begging to be free.
They all laugh, mocking its imprisonment
But not I.
Its life is on display like a script just playing away.
Its path was chosen since the day it was birth.
It looks my way and I blink.
"You who is so free.
The one who has choices.
The world out there looks so bright.
Won't you set me free?"
I walk away, ignoring its pleads.
The figure was foolish.
For its destiny was to be trapped for eternity.
…
This was a bit… dark? Kind of confusing too…'
Looking up from her poem, I could see that Monika had all of her focus on my poem. I couldn't help but feel somewhat nervous as she read my poem a bit longer than the other girls. But after a minute or so, she finally looks back up with an understanding look.
"How was it?"
"Hmm. Well, I could definitely see that this was your first time expressing your creativity through poems. But for your first time, it wasn't that bad! You should be proud of yourself!"
I avert my gaze as I felt my face somewhat burning. I couldn't help it since it was the school idol herself complimenting my works. But if only she (and the other girls) didn't act the way she does during club time, life would have been much better I suppose. "Thanks Monika.
The ponytailed brunette gives me her captivating smile as she hands me back my poem in exchange for hers. "Not a problem Bahamut. But I do have some criticism for it..." She holds the corner of my poem and points towards a line on my poem. "This can be interpreted differently than what you thought originally. It can change the whole meaning of the poem."
I nodded in response. "Right."
"Also, you're using the wrong words here. You don't have to use fancy words to expressive yourself if you don't know what it means.
"Urk! I see-"
"Oh and your use of imagery is a bit lacking here to the point where it sounds vague…"
"W-wait-"
"Ah, also you shouldn't really use a lot of cliches in your writing… Well at least in my opinion."
"Okay-"
"And right here you shouldn't…"
Monika proceeds to criticize my poem, leaving nothing behind for the next few minutes; rendering me both defeated and speechless. It felt like her words were going straight through me like a knife each time she criticizes it.
"Lastly, you should-" Monika stops as she notices me slumped down on my chair with a downcast expression on my face. "Ah... Did I go to far…?"
"...You think?"
She scratches the back of her head. "Ahaha… Sorry. Well, it wasn't that bad, I actually enjoyed it️. Just remember that we all make mistakes when we start something new - it's just apart of the experience!"
Monika then puts her hands behind her back and smiles. "And besides, the most important thing is that you tried your best! So keep your head up Bahamut! You weren't called the Emperor's Swordsman for anything!
Wow… I couldn't help but smile as I let those words of encouragement sink in. Besides that last part of course, what Monika said really did help boost my confidence up. Well, I guess she isn't the club president for nothing. "Thanks Monika. I guess I needed that just a bit. Anyways, what was your poem about exactly?"
A flirtatious smile forms on her face as she leans in forwards. "Oh? I see you're taking a bit of interest in me~ I wonder why?"
My blush intensifies. "W-w-what? Monik-"
She gasps in the realization before covering her left eye with her right hand as her left hand on the right side of her hip. "I see! You must be interested in my power as the Lady who Knows Everything! It's to be expected anyways as my power sees no limit…" She said as she trails off.
I gave myself a facepalm. "Yup. You're exactly right." I sarcastically said.
"But…" She looks off into the distance towards the window. "Let's just say I had a bit of inspiration."
I raised an eyebrow in curiosity. Inspiration? Just what does she mean by that?
"Anyways, here's my tip of the day!" She said to recapture my attention once more. "Sometimes you'll find yourself facing a difficult decision. When that happens, don't forget to save your game! You never know when you when something unexpected may-!"
"Wait, wait, wait. What are you talking about a game?"
The club president looks away for a moment, her face began to show signs of being slightly annoyed. "I was traveling to the very top of Low Hrothgar a few days ago…"
'Ah, she's talking about that one game. Huh, I didn't really expect her to play games… Then again, I didn't expect her to act delusional...'
She looks directly into my eyes, a pout on her face as she furrowed her eyebrows. "BUT! That damn Fire Troll killed me and made me restart the whole quest again…"
I couldn't help but empathize with her… I know the exact game she talking about and it took me a few tries to- "HEY WAIT A MINUTE! I thought you were going to give me a writing tip?!"
Her calm expression returns once more as she puts her hands behind her back and leans in forward. "About that actually. I'll help you out with your poem writing skills after this club meeting. If you want, we can also start your next poem too!"
'Ah, crap… I don't really want to spend another minute in this club period. Maybe I can use the same excuse again.'
I cleared my throat, "Actually Monika. I don't-"
The dark aura surrounds her once more, sending a chill down my spine. Despite the dark aura I'm sensing, her smile contradicts it. "I won't take no for an answer Bahamut~! Besides, apparently, there are some spies going around The Place of Everlasting Knowledge leaking some information..."
Monika begins to move in closer towards my ears, causing the tempo of my heart to increase. "I don't know what would happen to you if it does get leaked you know~" She whispered.
The way she said those words made me shiver in fear. "O-okay! Not a problem Monika! I'll stay back for a bit!"
Once again, I felt defeated once more. As long as she has that information, she can get away with anything she wants with me!
She clasps both hands together as that dark aura disappears again. "Great! I'm glad you understand Bahamut. Anyways-!"
"What the heck is with this language…?" A voice questioned which caught our attention. We both turned around to both Natsuki and Yuri reading each other's poem with a confused look on their faces.
Natsuki furrows her eyebrows in frustration as she reads the shy maiden's poem while Yuri herself smiles sadly as she reads hers.
"Eh? D-did you say something?" Yuri shyly said as she nervously looks up from Natsuki's poem.
"Oh, no it's nothing."
I couldn't help but feel worried that another fight between them was going to occur. It was frustrating enough that they argued over their stupid delusions yesterday, but if those two fight over something like poems…
I nudge on Monika's elbow to catch her attention. "Hey Monika, I think something might happen between them again."
"No, I think that they'll be fine. After all, I did punish them earlier."
I scratch the back of my head. "Well if you say-"
*CLINK*
The sound of an object being hit against something had caught my attention, and I quickly turned my head. The sight before me was two girls holding their ground against each other as they clashed with yardsticks in hand. "Wha-?! Hey, what are you two doing!"
"Foolish Third Eye, of course, someone like you doesn't understand the symbolism in it! It's not cute, it's meaningful!" A confident grin grows on Natsuki's face. "That's why I'm going to make you eat your own words!"
"Tch." Yuri moves slightly forward, causing Natsuki to stumble a bit backward but she still held her ground. Yuri lifts up her bangs to reveal her 'Third Eye' before continuing. "Of course someone like you that comes from that barbaric Red Crimson Demon clan wouldn't understand at all. Soon you shall be engulfed in the wrath of the Third Eye!"
Natsuki furrows her eyebrows even further as she tries to budge forward. "Nn…! Why I oughta…! I would like to see you try!"
'How did sharing poems lead to this?!'
I look over to both club leaders to see their reactions. But of course, both Monika and Sayori said nothing as they focused on the duel.
'Argh! What's with these girls?!'
I decided to take matters into my own hands as I started to approach them. "Hey guys! Can you two-!" I was cut off by Monika who had extended her arms to stop me.
"Silence my swordsman." The club president interrupted. "They're having a duel to who's more powerful. Rivalry in comradery is important you know. "
I shook my head in disbelief. "But Monika, it's going to turn out like yesterday! Someone is going to get-!"
"Heeey!" Sayori cuts me off as she pokes her head right between us. "Who do you think is going to win? My bets are on the Wicked Eye, she's pretty quick and strong!"
Monika puts a finger on her cheek in thought. "I'm sure that the Wielder of the Third Eye is going to win. After all, she is taller than Natsuki and the power of that Third Eye isn't something to be messed with."
A sigh escapes my lips as I collapsed onto a nearby chair. I placed a hand on my forehead as I slightly moved my head back. "I give up…"
I decided to resign myself and watch this little duel between them. If someone gets hurt, then so be it.
Natsuki quickly backs off from Yuri. With one foot in front of the other, she grips her yardstick above her head with two hands and points the tip towards her opponent.
On the other hand, the usually shy maiden also has one foot in front of the other. She grips her yardstick with two hands while it's pointing downward, but the edge is aimed for Natsuki, ready to strike her diagonally.
Silence had filled the room as they focused on each other, waiting for their opponent to strike. Suddenly, the two girls both started to rush each other as they prepared their strikes.
I could only let out a sigh.
"Yeah. Someone is going to get hurt. I wonder if the nurse is still here today..."
"Darkness, blacker than black! Combine with crimson to cut my foes apart! CRIMSON EXECUTION!"
'Lame.'
"By the blessings of Libitina herself, you shall face the wrath of the Third Eye! Face judgment! A THOUSAND BLADES!"
'Oh my God. Yuri that was even lamer…'
PIN-PON-PAN-PON
The Westchester bell echoes throughout the whole school, indicating that the club was finally over for the day. But unfortunately for them, the result of the unexpected surprise had caused them to stop midway in shock and trip on themselves.
As evident by Sayori as she groaned, disappointment had filled the classroom because of the climax's premature end.
"Tch. Looks like you got saved this time, Wielder of the Third Eye." Natsuki said as she dusted her skirt. "I hope you're ready for tomorrow when we continue this."
"Of course I will be prepared," Yuri responded as she dusted her blazer. "Perhaps tomorrow will be the day when you will finally be cleansed of your ignorance of the Third Eye."
I rubbed my fingers on my forehead and let an exhausted sigh out. Maybe it was luck that the bell had rung before they could deal with any type of serious damage to each other. Either way, I'm glad I didn't have to go back to the nurse office to grab ice packs.
Monika snapped her fingers to catch everyone's attention. "Okay everyone! Looks like it's time to leave already. But besides that disappointing ending, how did you all feel about sharing poems?"
"It was a lot of fun!" Sayori started off.
"Hmm." Yuri pondered in thought. "It was certainly interesting."
"I guess it was alright…" Natsuki added on as she nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders.
I realize it was my turn to speak as they all focused their attention on me. "Ah. Well, it was something new to me. But I think I got the hang of it. It was nice for you guys to give me some advice for me too."
The girls' smiles began to grow warmer as I said those words. "That's great Bahamut! I'm glad you enjoyed it." Monika spoke up and faced everyone. "I can't wait to see how you all will express yourselves tomorrow again with your poems. Anyways, it's time to pack up. Good work today everyone!"
And like so, everyone besides Monika began to scatter to grab their bags to leave for the day.
"Excuse me Bahamut." I turn around to face Yuri who had on a slight downcast expression. "It seems that we didn't get to read today at all…'
"O-oh. Yeah, you're right." I scratch the back of my head. "Sorry, I guess we got caught up with poems sharing huh?"
"Ah, well that is correct…" Yuri starts to play with her hair nervously. "By the way, I-I didn't mean anything bad about your poem earlier, I quite enjoyed it actually…"
"It's fine. I know you didn't mean anything bad when you told me what you thought about my poem."
She lets out a sigh of relief. "T-that's good. Well then Bahamut, I shall be taking my leave. May the blessings of the Third Eye be with you." Yuri as she respectfully bows and heads out the door.
I scratch the back of my head. "Uh…thanks Yuri."
"Ahem." I turned my head around to see Natsuki with the straps of her bag on her shoulder. She placed her hands on her waist as she looked at me with her unwavering gaze.
"S-so!" She started off with a blush on her face. "About tomorrow…" The pink petite looks away in embarrassment. "We shall meet in the Halls of Consumption, right?"
"Yup. You got it."
"And you won't forget, right?"
"I promise. And don't worry I'll finish the first volume by tonight."
She huffs as a grin appears on her face. But she quickly hides it by covering the right side of her face with her left hand, revealing her eye by using her pointer and middle figure. The other hand was on her left side.
"I hope you intend to keep your promise! You wouldn't like to deceive the Wicked Eye at all! Unless of course, you want to experience true despair!" Natsuki threatened with her harmless delusions.
"Yeah, yeah. Wicked Eye this, Wicked Eye that. I'll see you tomorrow during lunch."
"Heh. So at least the former Emperors Swordsman has enough common sense to heed my warnings." She turns around and heads for the door, "Glad you understand. Seeya tomorrow then Blockhead."
"Right… Seeya tomorrow Natsuki."
And like that, she waved goodbye without looking back and slides the door close. I let out a relieved sigh as she does. Seriously, just what goes through those girls heads…
"Heeeey!" An annoying but familiar voice caught my attention. My childhood friend held the straps of her bag as she huffs her cheeks. "Why aren't you ready to leave yet? Let's go!"
I rubbed the back of my head, "Sorry Sayori, it looks like you have to walk home alone again."
"Eh? Why?"
As if on cue, Monika approached both of us. "My apologies Aurora Sunshine, Bahamut here will be under my supervision for his training."
Sayori slightly tilts her head to the right. "Training? But he's already a high-leveled swordsman!"
"No, no I'm not." I retorted.
"Actually, he's not doing any physical training," Monika replies, completely ignoring my retort. "You're aware of his poem right?"
My childhood friend glances my way before shooting me a nervous smile as if she were trying to cheer me up about the writing quality of my poem.
Ouch.
Well, at least in my defense, it was my first time writing a poem so at least cut me some slack. Sayori then returns her gaze back to Monika with a nod as she let an "mhm" escape her lips.
"While it's not necessarily bad at all, it could use some improvement. There are only a few days until the festival, so we need to prepare as much as we can for our performance. That's why I offered to help him out after club time!"
A downcast expression appears on Sayori's face. "O-oh, I see…" I then start to notice that my childhood friend starts to tighten her grip on the strap of her bag. Suddenly, her face brightens up in excitement as she loosens the grip. "Well if that's the case then, why don't I help?"
Monika flinches at her offer as she looks a bit shaken up. "Huh? Well-"
With a huff of confidence, she puts her hands on her waist and proudly smiles. "I am second in command of our stronghold, so I think I could help him out too! Plus I was going to talk about his poem on the way home anyway!"
Sayori then looks my way once more as she puts her hands behind her back and smiles. "Besides! The more help he can get, the better right?"
As I sat down on my desk with a blank piece of loose leaf in front of me, Monika took out her red pen with a heart clicker out from her bag. Currently, the situation presented before me is that the Club President decided to help me create from scratch a new poem.
At least this time I'll be having help along the way. "Now then, let's get started!" She drags a chair and sits down on my right. "Remember, the key to writing a good poem is to jot down all of your emotions. Since your poem was a bit too vague-"
"Eh? Was it really too vague?" The Vice President interjected much to Monika's annoyance as she sat to the left of me. "I don't think that was the problem…"
Well actually, this was the full situation at hand now besides making a new poem. Monika allowed Sayori to help me out to create a new poem from scratch, but I didn't realize the full extent of the problem until now. Both girls had different opinions about the problems of my poem, and I couldn't help but feel that something bad will happen between both of them.
Then again, these two are nothing like the other club members. They won't somehow duel each other out of nowhere because of their opinions of a poem...
Right?
"Eh? I thought it was vague. Do you think otherwise Aurora Sunshine?"
Sayori starts to drum her fingers on the desk in thought. "Well, I thought so too. But that wasn't the main problem, it was just really confusing!"
"Well, I believe that if he could just express himself better through his emotions, it wouldn't be as confusing."
"I don't think so. If he had just rearranged a few lines, I think it would have been better!"
The two girls eventually had a full-blown debate about my poem while simultaneously criticizing my work. At one point, they even asked me to bring out my old poem to point out the flaws. But as they continued to argue, it felt like they had forgotten my existence in the classroom, even though in a way I was the subject.
'Alright, it's time for me to say something…' I cleared my throat to catch their attention but failed to do so. "Guys? I think that-"
Quickly, they both turned their heads at me. Monika had shot me a glare as she pouted while Sayori did the same but placed a finger on her lips to silence me.
"Ugh. Fine…"
As they went back and forth between each other, discussing the problems within my poem, I started to worry as I sensed hostility between both of them starting to rise.
Having enough of it and to prevent it to escalate even further, I decided to man up and intervene. I lightly hit my hand on the table to interrupt them as I got up. "Hey! Can you two stop arguing for a bit! You guys are both right in the end, but we don't have much time until they close the gates. So can we just hurry up?"
"I suppose you're right Bahamut." Monika sighs in response. "Although it was more of a friendly argument, I do believe there is no point in continuing it…"
"Thank you, so let's-"
I was interrupted by the sounds of the chair scraping the floor quickly and was greeted by the sight of Monika standing with her yardstick in hand. "I believe that the only way to settle this is to have a duel!"
"Where did that yardstick even come from?!"
To my left, Sayori had also quickly got up from her seat with a yardstick in her hand. "Looks like I'm facing the final boss a bit early huh?" My childhood friend said with a confident grin.
"No seriously, where are you guys hiding the yardsticks?! It's like you guys are spawning them!"
As they ignored my question, they quickly made their way in the middle of the classroom and gripped both of their yardsticks with two hands. After making space in the middle by moving the desks, both presidents started to circle around each other, waiting for the other to strike as Sayori started to hum a melody reminiscent of a boss battle tune from a game.
"Hey, hey! Can you guys seriously stop acting like-!"
Suddenly, Sayori rushes her opponent and pulls her yardstick back and thrusts it into Monika with a confident expression. "Piercing Heavenly Strike!" The coral pinked haired girl exclaimed. But that expression was soon wiped off as she realizes that the club president had quickly sidestepped away from her strike successfully.
Because she went in with force and missed, Sayori had slightly tripped and was on one knee. She clicked her tongue in disappointment for missing. Seeing her chance, Monika arched her yardstick quickly downwards, but light enough to not hurt my childhood friend seriously. "Rending Corruption!" She exclaimed as she strikes.
The 'clinking' sounds of wood- more specifically, yardsticks -were made as Sayori quickly blocks her attack just in time.
It was this at this point is where I gave up and sat back down to enjoy the show. I knew that nothing will stop them.
Both girls glared at each other as a power struggle between the both of them started. "Face it Aurora Sunshine, I'm much more powerful than you! Submit to me and you'll be let off with a warning!"
Sayori's hands start to wobble as she struggled to get back up. "N-never!"
I couldn't think of any more reasons to be in disbelief of what's currently going on right now. But I do think that I've figured it out. Apparently, the only way to solve conflicts in this club is through duels or through 'magic'.
Maybe if I was put into one, I could actually knock some sense into the rest of my club members... Though I'm probably getting a bit too ahead of myself because these girls are a bit too far gone.
But with these two girls distracted, it was time for me to make my great escape. Slowly, I grabbed my bag and quickly made my way towards the door. The two club presidents were still dueling against each other and spewing out nonsense as I quickly slid it open and quietly closed it.
I let a sigh escape my lips as I walked through the lonely halls. 'Thank God I got out of that one… Hopefully, they don't-'
Suddenly, the classroom door behind me quickly slides opens with force, causing the sound to echo in the hallways. I turn back to see both Monika and Sayori peeking through. "There he is!" My club president said with one yardstick in hand and her bag in the other. "Get him!" She said as she locked the door behind her.
"Aw crap!" I held the straps of my bag tighter as I ran through the halls. Quickly, Monika had passed Sayori who had a head start and was now following my trail down the staircase. I knew she would eventually catch me, but it didn't stop me from trying.
And that's how this day ended for me. Not one bit of poem writing was ever achieved on that afternoon.
AN: Not much to say besides that this last part here was the one that got me stuck. I had second thoughts about putting those two in two a mini argument (a duel between them was still going to happen either way) but since I already wrote it out, I decided to keep it.
Thank you to: randomidiot1816, ZombieSlayers and for reviewing. Much appreciated!
ZombieSlayers: Well, it's not that he's intimidated by her, it's just that he's fearful of the blackmail that she has on him. He just doesn't want it to be exposed, and since Monika has a high reputation in her school, people are bound to believe what she says. He just doesn't want another rerun of his middle school when he found out how people actually viewed him as. Thank you for putting down your thoughts though, I really do appricate it.
Anyways, thank you all for reading. Have a great day/night.