"Let's go, Timeth." Acma yawned, she was so into reading about GFs that hours had passed at Zyma's room, and she was now feeling exhausted as her head reached her capacity.
"Are we almost done with this duty? I think I'll have a trauma after this anyway." Timeth shared as he put on his hood and facemask.
Acma did the same, and the duo walked into the training center's secret area as usual.
"Someone got to do it. Better our time than the precious time of our seniors. We're… helping. Think about it that way, Timeth." Acma gave Timeth a few fake words of encouragement.
"Why are we here?" Trepie #23 asked Zyma.
"Just come and see a two-faced friend," Zyma replied.
"Don't you think it's a good idea to clarify a bit? I'm risking my reputation coming here with you after curfew. You're not asking me out again, are you?" Trepie #23 questioned.
"Oh, come on, Trepie #23. We passed that stage long ago. Besides, you're on the Disciplinary Committee. Your record is as clean as a diamond. No one would think you hang out with someone like me," Zyma reassured her.
"Right..." Trepie #23 smiled warmly. "So, who are you spying on? Am I your shield?"
"Oh, don't ask. You're ruining the surprise," Zyma teased.
As they stepped into the area, they noticed couples making out. Some opened their eyes to see who was approaching but quickly returned to their activities.
Zyma scanned the surroundings but couldn't spot the ones he was looking for. He walked towards the balcony, and that's when he heard a gasp and caught a whiff of the familiar lavender scent.
"Found ya," Zyma muttered.
He drew out his scythe blade and swiftly cut through a nearby bush, revealing the couple he had been searching for. They were still fully dressed and wearing face masks.
"Have you just started or already finished?" Zyma smirked, playfully sneaking away his scythe and turned towards Trepie #23 in triumph. "See? She has a boyfriend. I win."
"Trepie #23..." Acma gasped. "You're with him?"
"Um..." Trepie #23 hesitated, unsure how to respond.
Timeth noted something down on his sheet, murmuring. "Zyma, Trepie #23, S20."
"Timeth, don't..." Acma interrupted Timeth's writing.
"Wait… What is it?" Zyma noticed the camera in Acma's hand.
He snatched the camera from her and realized that, in addition to the photo he had just taken with Trepie #23, there were more pictures of other couples in the secret area.
"Give it back!" Acma demanded, taking the camera back from Zyma. He then grabbed her wrist, and they began to apply their martial arts training in real life.
After ten moves and a few screams, Acma found herself restrained. Due to her screaming, other couples in the Secret Area approached the gang in curiosity.
"What the hell? This is not okay. We're not in training," Acma exclaimed in pain.
"I'm confiscating the evidence. Violating people's privacy, huh? Let's see what the Disciplinary Committee thinks about this," Zyma threatened, looking at Trepie #23.
"Oh yeah? Do you even know where they are? Someone please tell this crazy man!" Acma yelled.
Timeth and Trepie #23 chuckled in response.
Xu's office.
"That's what happened. He attacked me in front of everyone, trying to destroy evidence. There are plenty of witnesses. Miss Xu, you have to do something!" Acma explained the scene.
Xu facepalmed, unable to count how many times she had to deal with this whiny Trabia transfer student.
"So, you were caught?" Xu asked.
"C... caught?" Acma asked, not understanding Xu's question.
"Acma," Xu looked into her eyes and explained, "I chose you and Timeth to be temporary members of the Disciplinary Committee because no one knows you are in the committee, and no offenders would run away from you. I can't let you do this work after you scream for the whole garden to know your duty."
"Miss Xu... I'm sorry."
"That's okay. Hand over your findings. I'll find someone else to replace both of you. Thanks for your work so far, anyway."
Acma handed over the sheet and did her best to hide her relief from being released from this useless responsibility.
"Okay, you two can go," Xu dismissed Acma and Zyma.
"That's all, Miss Xu? What about his assault?" Acma gasped.
Xu let out a sigh and stood up, looking into Acma's eyes.
"Acma, I have high expectations for you. But you've caused more trouble than you're worth. Try not to create any more scenes with your mentor, or I'll postpone your SeeD exams. Understood?"
With that, Acma and Zyma left the room.
"I'm sorry. Does it hurt?" Zyma initiated the conversation.
"A lot."
"Ointment?"
"No, thanks. I'm broke."
"On the house," Zyma giggled in response to her resistance.
"What's wrong with you?"
"It's just a natural instinct to protect people's privacy."
"Since when do you care about other people's privacy?" Acma asked, confused. "What were you and Trepie #23 doing there?"
"Just talking."
"What kind of talking?"
"That's none of your business."
"You're not spying on me and Timeth, are you?"
"Tch… tell that to the dozen couples you took photos of."
"So… you and Trepie #23 are a couple?"
"I didn't say that."
"In the early stages, then?"
"Why don't you ask her?"
"Sure I will. I feel so betrayed. The two people I spend most of my time with…"
"And hey, don't fool me, you want to get off this duty, don't you? Xu gave transfer students this job because no one wants to do it everyday after curfew." Zyma added.
Acma couldn't hide her happiness. "That's not all of it. We have to classify the levels of intimacy among the offenders, and there are lists of verbs that neither Timeth nor I could find in the dictionary. Can you imagine?"
"How cute…" Zyma smiled, then changed the subject. "Back to business… Now that I know he's not your boyfriend, let's use your room as our study meetup spot."
"My room? What the hell?"
"I can't turn on the light in my room. It would destroy certain items. Plus, there's a smell of zombie powder."
"What about the library? You know, where everyone studies," Acma protested.
"See you tonight."
"You're kidding, right?"
And with that, he jumped out of the window from the third floor and disappeared.
"For Hyne's sake!"
