It wasn't until weeks after that Battler even began to seriously consider his options. So far, he'd been avoiding Mr. Ronove at all costs; going so far as to take the long way around to his English class just so he wouldn't have to pass by the Chemistry class and chance having to say hi to the teacher. When Mr. Ronove directed his questions at Battler, the latter answered but avoided the former's gaze. Beatrice had laughed to see the arrogant Battler get knocked down a few notches.
Now, the teen sat in the cold, uncomfortable seat of Mr. Ronove's class. Battler warily watched him from under a fiery fringe. Class had been pretty normal after that incident, so maybe the whole thing was finally blowing over. Maybe now Battler didn't have to worry so much anymore. Other than the usual jabs from the teacher, he was acting as if nothing had happened.
And well... perhaps nothing really happened. It was just a joke, nothing more. Battler was just blowing things out of proportion.
So then, why did feel slightly disappointed?
Riiiiiiiing!
Oh, seems like it was time for lunch now. Battler's gut seemed to growl in agreement. Of course, Mr. Ronove just happened to be nearby and hear it.
Battler was far from mortified, but he hesitated to look up nonetheless. Ah, but he had to if he wanted to get out of the class.
What god did he piss off to have this happen to him? Luckily, Mr. Ronove only smiled behind a dainty hand, seemingly trying to hold in laughter. The sight unwillingly made Battler smile in return. This time, he actually gave a small two-fingered salute and farewell, to which the teacher smiled wider and nodded his goodbye.
Unknowingly, Beatrice had been looking at the exchange with furrowed brows.
As Battler walked through the hallways, the blonde sidled up to him. "So are you two the best-est of friends now?"
On the other side, Mammon came up and animatedly waved her hands around. "Yeah, what was up with that?"
Ah, so they'd seen that? It's not like anything was a secret, but Battler was still reluctant to share any information. A pause, and then a shake of the head.
"Hn. Well, it's not like it matters much. Anyway, let's hurry and get to lunch before Beelzebub eats everything!" Mammon sauntered off, leaving the other two behind. Beatrice just directed a smile towards Battler that seemed to say, this girl, and followed Mammon to the cafeteria.
"Would you like to taste your food, too?" George waved his water bottle towards Battler, who was currently shoveling lasagna into his mouth. Battler only made a noncommittal noise and continued devouring the rest of his meal. Jessica rolled her eyes before she turned her attention back to Kanon. The solemn teen continued his re-telling of a seemingly dangerous tale, completely unperturbed by Battler's barbaric behavior. It wasn't often that Kanon would grace the table with his magnificent stories, so everyone paid close attention. Battler stopped enough to reflect back on how Kanon had grown in the short few months since they'd taken (forced) him into the group, and smiled behind his napkin.
He used to be so shy, the red-head thought. Given, Kanon still didn't talk much, but girls had now (mis)interpreted that as him being all cool and mysterious. Currently, Satan had her arm wrapped around Kanons' shoulders as Jessica gave a rather indiscreet glare towards the sister of hell. Battler thought he was a lucky bastard.
"Ah, I think I forgot my notebook at the library..." Kanon started to disentangle himself from the grip of both Satan and a newly emerged Beelzebub but was forced back down onto the bench with a solid plonk!
"Noooooo, you're not done with your story yet!" Beelzebub whined, then looked over at Battler with big doe eyes. "Battler, you know what it looks like, can't you go get it yourself?"
"Uh-"
"No really, it won't take that long. If I could just..." Kanon continued struggling, but soon discovered that the girls were exceedingly stronger than they looked. Battler noticed the sharp nails digging into Kanon's forearm and gave him a sad, understanding look.
"It's fine, Kanon. It's the purple one right?" Battler only waited for a short nod and was off, not bothering to throw the rest of his food way knowing that Beelzebub would take care of it.
The library was far too big in Battler's opinion. It was it's own building, with towering bookshelves and long corridors. The multi-colored spines of books seemed never-ending. The teen couldn't understand how anyone could ever find anything in this supposedly organized maze. Battler was glad he only had to look for a notebook and not a specific book. There were a couple of tables towards the back of the library, so Battler headed back there while weaving through the multiple bookshelves.
Oddly enough, there was only a few students casually reading books at the tables, some with a mess of highlighted papers and sticky notes spread around them. Alas, there was no sight of the notebook. Battler dimly wondered if it could be buried under other students' notes and was about to go ask, but stopped in time to see Mr. Ronove slightly leaning over a chair as he conversed with one of the students.
Was this really happening? Out of all the times he could choose to be in here, he had to choose today? Battler cursed and stayed behind a bookshelf, pretending to be browsing as he pulled a book out and discreetly peered through the new gap. Hurry up and go away, he mumbled under his breath. He warily watched the exchange between student and teacher, looking for signs of discomfort so he could jump in and save the student. She was a small one, with a messy bun and round glasses. She smiled demurely at what Mr. Ronove was saying; nodded minutely with the apples of her cheeks beginning to color. The teacher seemed to be wrapping up their conversation and then went on to another student.
Just what was he doing? Battler huffed. Why did all the girls fawn all over him? He didn't understand. He shook his head and was about to just go and tell Kanon he couldn't find the damned thing when he saw a flash of purple in the corner of his eyes. He quickly turned back to the gap and saw Mr. Ronove waving around the notebook.
Battler held in the urge to scream in frustration, compensated with shoving the book back in its place and pulling painfully at red locks. A student that was browsing further down the corridor directed a questioning gaze towards the panicked teen. Battler smiled sheepishly in return before puffing out his chest and walking out from behind his cover.
As expected, Mr. Ronove noticed the rather loud entrance but nonetheless smiled pleasantly and gave a small wave. Battlers' brows remained furrowed as he stomped over to the brunette. In a voice pushing the limits of what was considered library-acceptable, he began, "Why do you have that?"
Mr. Ronove blinked at turned his gaze to what Battler was so menacingly pointing at, then seemed to understand and smiled once more. "Ah this? I saw this discarded on the floor and thought it too wasteful to leave, so I started asking students if it was theirs. Alas, there seems to be no name anywhere in here. Shame, the notes in here are especially organized," Mr. Ronove patted the cover appreciatively.
"Give it to me," Battler demanded.
"Oh, this is yours? I must say, you did a great job... but it would better if you paid this much attention in my class!" Mr. Ronove started to chuckle but was cut off.
"It's my friend's, I was just asked to find it. Now, could you please hand it over?" Battler stuck his hand out.
Mr. Ronove blinked once more, then grinned toothily. "Only because you said please."
Once Battler accomplished his task, he nodded his thanks and was about to set off when he was stopped by a gloved hand on his bicep. His eyes travelled up the offending arm to find his teacher's perpetually smiling face. Before he could shake the appendage off, Mr. Ronove moved away on his own. Battler told himself the attention was unwanted. Definitely unwanted. Yup.
"My apologies, I'm sure you have somewhere more important to be," Damn right he does " but I just wanted to advise you to learn the ways of your friend there," He nodded at the notebook in Battler's grip. "They seem to really have it together, apart from not putting their name anywhere on it."
Battler gave a half-hearted glare.
"Now, now, I'm only speaking factually," he put his hands up in mock-surrender. "Your grades have been slipping and if you keep this up, I'll have no choice but to put you in mandatory tutoring."
Please, no. Anything but that.
"Maybe you can ask this person for help. It'd be in your best interest, unless you prefer spending your time back in my classroom."
No.
Battler laughed a tittering, nervous thing. "Yeah, I'll make sure to do that, Mr. Ronove. Don't worry about it!" Battler convincingly assured the teacher.
"Good, good. Well, I bid you a happy rest of the day, dear Battler," The brunette bowed slightly and straightened to smile at his student.
Battler did not feel his heart skip a beat; he simply rolled his eyes and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Yeah ok, whatever," He was about to walk away (escape), but tacked on a, "You too," at the end and exited the goliath of a library.
