Chapter 42

The next morning Odette got up early and went to the Pomefiore dorm, she arrived just in time for the ballet practice.

"No more incidents?" Vil asked as she entered the ballroom.

"No more." She parroted back as she took her spot next to the stereo.

For the next few days everything went smoothly. They did most the dance practice in the morning and most of the singing in the afternoon.

Vil had Epel singing solo to see progress nearly a week later.

"Stop the music!" Vil called out over Epel.

Odette immediately stopped the track.

"What's wrong Vil?" Rook asked looking concerned.

"He's going to get another tongue lashing. I feel bad watching this day after day." Ace sighed.

"He is main so Vil excepts a lot but still." Deuce whispered.

"Every time I hear stop the music, I feel like hiding." Grim confessed.

"I don't know how Epel is doing it." Odette added.

"Have you learned nothing from your ballet lessons? I told you to throw out your antiquated notions. Stop being half-hearted. Don't sing without thinking. That's just lip service." Vil commanded looking as mad as he sounded.

"This is the most charming I can sound." Epel confessed.

"Being charming is another matter entirely. Do you think that'll be enough to take down Neige. Now take it from the top." Vil ordered as he turned away to give Odette the signal but Epel cut him off.

"Nnngh! I don't, I don't wanna be cute."

"Excuse me?" Vil snarled.

"I never wanted to be in this dorm to begin with, and I don't want to compete in SDC neither. I didn't come here to NRC to sing and dance. I came to became stronger. I don't want to be a dainty flower. I want to be BIG, STRONG, and TOUGH." Epel snapped.

"Unbelievable! Most of us out grew throwing tantrums by the time we were three. You talk as if charming and strong as if the two are mutually exclusive. When in fact both of them are equally valid form of powers. As long as you fail to make the distinction you will never be a match for me." Vil informed him in a matter of fact tone.

"Get off your high horse! I'm done! I'm out! I quit!" Epel shouted.

"What?!" Everyone else in the room exclaimed.

"Is that a fact? Very well I believe it's time for the usual then." Vil sighed looking put out.

"Can you two please stop fighting." Odette said taking a step towards them but Rook but a hand on her shoulder to keep her from getting closer.

"Don't worry, this isn't a fight." He informed her.

"It's not? It looks like sparks are flying to me." Jamil commented.

"Just obverse." Rook replied.

"Go on then, get out your pen." Vil said pulling his pen out.

"Today is the day I put you in your place." Epel snarled.

"This is totally a fight." Deuce sighed.

The fight was over just as quickly as it started with Vil as the victor.

"You're neither cute or strong. You're just an apple with no poison. You'll never be able to land a hit on me like this." Vil sighed putting his pen away.

"Ouch, harsh." Ace winced quietly.

"Wow, Pomefiore goes harder than Savanaclaw on athletics, who knew." Grim commented.

"Vil, he's just a freshman cur him some slack. I can't think of anyone on campus who take you a fight." Kalim reminded him.

"Stay out of this Kalim." Vil warned him. "I told you the day we met and I'll tell you again. If you want to be yourself become strong and beautiful first. Now if you're done throwing your tantrum we can get back to rehearsal."

"Dagnabit." Epel cried then ran out of the room.

"Epel!" Everyone called after him but no one moved once Vil nailed them with a look.

"Let him go, if that was enough to crush his spirit then I'll remove him the team myself." Vil informed the group.

'What an unreasonable ass.' Odette fumed silently as Deuce spoke up.

"Don't you think you're being a bit harsh? He's been putting in a lot of effort and you're just dismissing it."

Odette looked over at Deuce in awe.

"Spare me your childish notions of hard work guarantees a reward." Vil snapped.

Everyone looked on shocked.

'He's not wrong unfortunately.' Odette thought wincing.

"For that matter you're in no position to worry about others. You're the farthest behind in your performance. Potato #1 started at the same time and the difference between you is great. You're bring the rest of the group down, haven't you noticed?" Vil pointed out.

"I know." Deuce muttered.

"Then don't talk like your spot is guarantee when you're dead weight." Vil stated.

"Sorry." Deuce apologize.

"Yeesh, you really set him off. This is why I tell you to keep quiet and don't interfere with others. You're not exactly smart about these kind of things." Ace said.

"Shut up! Don't you think I know that!" Deuce yelled turning towards Ace.

"Whoa easy." Ace said holding up his hands in surrender.

"A 'smart guy' like you wouldn't understand." Deuce shouted then left the ballroom too.

"What was that about? I'm so confused." Ace muttered.

"You were insensitive, everyone has their own things going on." Odette sighed.

"Maybe you should think before opening your mouth." Grim mocked him.

"You have no room to talk, why should I walk on eggshells for someone who is bringing the team down? We're doing the same practice. It's not my fault he can't keep up." Ace countered.

"Oh Ace." Odette sighed shaking her head. "

"Why are you acting like your disappointed in me!" Ace asked.

"Because I am." She answered.

"It's him you should be disappointed in. He can't keep up." Ace countered.

"You can be so short sighted." She muttered.

"We're not going to have a good practice like this. Sempai? Should we take a break?" Jamil suggested taking a few steps towards Vil.

"I think he has the right idea." Rook agreed.

"Taking a rest might clear our heads." Kalim added.

"Fine if we must." Vil sighed as he headed out to the hallway. It was empty. He took out his phone. "Mira Mira, who is the most beautiful of all?" He asked.

"My results show the answer to your question of most beautiful is Neige LeBlanche." Mira Mira answered. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Vil looks upset as he turned his phone off and put it away. 'The idea of hard work is always rewarded is only in fairy tales.' He thought.

He suddenly realized Rook was beside him and he jumped a little.

"I'm surprised you've lost him. To think Roi Du Poison could take a swipe from such a little kitty cat." Rook said.

"Could you stop please." Vil said.

"Maybe Monsieur Pommette needs a demonstration. Shown the power of your beauty." Vil suggested with a sly smile.

"Very well." Vil reluctantly agreed.

Back in the ballroom Odette stared at the closed door. 'I'm getting a bad feeling, but who is it coming from? Vil or Epel? Can we stop it this time?' Her eyes began to wander between the remaining dancers who were now stretching. She walked over to the mini fridge and pulled out a bottle. "I'll be right back." She called over her shoulder.

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.