Chapter VI

Sollicitudo

Akko was aware that something wasn't right within her, that something was changing, and after everything that had happened over these weeks, this realization was becoming increasingly evident.

She knew she wasn't the same as before, and she was struggling to accept it, especially the not-so-positive things she had acquired, including a terrible fear of being in large crowds or being observed.

In these situations, inexplicably, anxiety would creep up her body, making it difficult for her to breathe. The only solution she had found so far was to be with her two great friends, Sucy and Lotte, but that wasn't enough.

In fact, unfortunately for her, that situation was happening right now.

.

.

She was standing in the middle of the class, trying to decipher a text of magical philosophy, and even though it was one of the few subjects where she could say she was doing well, fear was attacking her mercilessly.

"And? Miss Kagari, can you explain what you just read?" asked Professor Pisces.

Akko, unable to say anything, started to shake, and no matter how hard she tried to utter at least one syllable, nothing came out. It was so frustrating, and tears inevitably welled up in her eyes, always ending the same way, with her giving in to this fear.

"Um, it seems once again Miss Kagari can't grasp something. Would anyone like to help her?"

And there she was again, dear God, why did this have to happen to her? Why couldn't she overcome it? Break that invisible barrier and shatter that irrational fear.

Indeed.

She had developed it when Diana had rejected her, but she knew that it was her own mind that had constructed it.

"I can help her, Professor," she was surprised to hear that voice. Still standing at her desk, she turned to look a few rows above and saw that this time it wasn't the prodigious witch raising her hand; it was Hannah.

"Oh, Miss England! What a surprise! Of course, we'll listen to you!" responded Professor Pisces.

And so, the girl began to speak, but Akko wasn't paying any attention to what she was saying. Her entire mind was occupied by analyzing something else: the brown-haired girl. How Hannah had changed as well because of her, how there were no longer any insults directed at her, how she always felt calm when she was near or in her company, how she had simply evolved from being someone Akko hated to someone she felt could become very important in her life.

After a few minutes, when the young woman had finished speaking, Akko still kept looking at her, and for something that obviously wasn't a coincidence, their eyes connected. She offered a smile, and the Japanese girl could only turn her gaze away while her face turned as red as a freshly boiled tomato.

"All right, thank you, Miss England. You may take your seat. Miss Kagari, is everything clear to you?" the witch asked again, to which Akko nodded and sat back down. "Then let's continue..."

And so the reading continued. Luckily, she was never called upon again, saving her from further embarrassment in front of the class, something she truly appreciated. However, she couldn't be at ease because she always felt gazes from her sides, and she could swear there were a few more from above. But it was quite understandable. Lotte and Sucy needed an explanation about all the things that were happening, especially the breakfast with Hannah.

The other looks were clearly from Amanda and her group, but in that case, she didn't care. She was still furious with the American for what she had done, and the fact that she couldn't even apologize was the last straw.

"All right, ladies, that's all for today. See you in a few days. Before you leave for the next class, I need you to read pages 30 to 45 and bring me a written analysis of what you understood. Have a great day." With that, the teacher exited on her floating fishbowl, headed who knows where.

Akko, already gathering her things in preparation for a much-needed dinner and perhaps some time to clear her mind before sleep, felt a small tap on her arm. When she turned around, she noticed it was Lotte, who was looking at her intently.

"When are you going to explain to us what's going on?" the orange-haired girl said without any filter.

"Lotte, not now, please. I just want to get out of this place and have something to eat," Akko responded, trying to reason with her.

"No, I think Sucy and I deserve at least some answers right now," she said with a furrowed brow, and the brown-haired girl knew that an upset Lotte was not a good sign.

"Leave her. We already know she has a new girlfriend now," Sucy stated in a mocking tone, as a small laugh escaped her lips.

"W-what are you talking about, Sucy?" Akko rebuked, clearly nervous, and then continued to stammer, "H-Hannah and I, we're just friends."

"Hummmm, yeah, whatever you say," Sucy said while continuing to laugh.

"Friend... girlfriend... Can someone please explain to me what's going on?" It was Lotte again, who was starting to lose her patience.

"L-Lotte, onegai..." She now resorted to her native language in an attempt to calm things down a bit, but as always, her luck was taking a turn for the worse.

"Hello, Akko," she heard from behind her, and upon turning around, she immediately felt her nerves triple. "H-hello, Hannah," she responded to the greeting while fidgeting with her hands to calm herself in some way.

"Are you okay?" the girl asked with obvious concern. 'Thump-thump,' and there was that strong heartbeat again, making her do unthinkable things, like the other day.

Approaching the girl without any nervousness now, and forgetting all that had happened before, she nodded and said, "Yes, I'm fine. I was just talking about something with Lotte and Sucy."

"I see..." After that statement, they fell silent for a while, and Akko once again could only gaze into those beautiful black eyes that drew her in more and more, like a black hole.

"U-um, I-I just came to give you this," Hannah spoke first as she handed over a notebook. "These are my class notes, in case you want to review them. After all, you looked a bit lost."

Akko, now managing to react, responded, "T-thank you. I'll review them later." And as soon as those words left her mouth, the girl turned on her heel, bid the three of them goodbye, and quickly left the classroom.

"Atsuko," she heard her formal name and turned back to her friends. She found an even angrier Lotte, while Sucy had a wide grin on her face.

"Aaaaaaaa," she sighed and then said, "Okay, I'll tell you everything, but at least let me eat something." Both witches nodded, satisfied, and were finally able to finish getting their things ready to leave the classroom.

As they walked down the hallway on their way to the dining hall, Akko looked out the window, and as the sun set behind the deep forests of Luna Nova, she lost herself in her thoughts.