Chapter IX

Dubia et Pax

Akko spent her days peacefully, attending classes punctually, and lately had mastered the art of not falling asleep in class and taking proper notes. The issue with Diana didn't bother her as much anymore, though it still made her somewhat nervous, and her anxiety attacks when in public were not as frequent. It could be said that she was truly surpassing herself, but this was not solely due to her constant effort. Obviously, everything starts with one's own work, but she couldn't deny that much of this progress was thanks to a certain brown-haired girl.

It was truly impressive the effort she made for her every day. Always in the morning, she would wait for her at the door of her small dorm room, and from there, the four of them, including Lotte and Sucy, would go out for breakfast together. In the dining hall, she would sit by her side and share with her. When it was time for class, they usually reviewed some of the day's topics with a small game they had invented to keep Akko from getting bored. And after classes, if they had time, they practiced a bit with the broom.

Akko, of course, was totally excited; there wasn't a night when she didn't wish for the next morning to arrive so she could meet Hannah again. However, there was something bothering her – the way the witch from the blue team behaved with her friends. For a few days, she hadn't spent much time with them, and although she had noticed that Barbara still talked to her, there was not even a glance exchanged with Diana. Obviously, Akko being Akko, felt the imminent need to help, but for the time being, she wanted to hold back. And yes, it sounds strange – Akko holding back? Impossible! But it was another beautiful morning, and she didn't want to ruin it by thinking about other things.

"Knock - Knock" sounded at the door of the small room, and before Lotte or Sucy could open it, Akko, who was already ready and dressed, darted out to open it.

Upon sliding the door open about sixty degrees, she could see that eagerly awaited guest. Her uniform was impeccable as always, and her demeanor showed the kind of family she came from. "Hannah!" she exclaimed, and then threw herself into her arms, which were obviously reciprocated. After a few seconds of enjoying each other's company, they separated, and the brown-haired girl confidently entered the room.

Akko watched her greet her two friends while she sat down on her bed, and she took the opportunity to lie down on the opposite side of the bunk bed, placing her legs over Hannah's thighs, after obviously closing the door.

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Time passed while Lotte and Sucy finished getting ready, and Akko was using that time to finish reading some of the comics she hadn't yet completed. On the other hand, Hannah simply enjoyed the silence, thoughtful while involuntarily caressing the girl's shin as if it were a sort of therapy that relaxed her.

"Ahem..." Both girls heard, and when they turned their gaze to where the sound was coming from, they realized it was Lotte, indicating that she was ready, while having a faint blush on her cheeks.

"We're ready, lovebirds, although if you want, you can stay in your own world. We're enjoying it," Sucy now commented, observing them with an ear-to-ear smile.

Akko quickly gathered her legs and stood up, her face redder than her ribbon, while Hannah, a bit less hurried, stood up and looked away to hide her embarrassment.

Upon leaving the room, the Japanese girl, who was the last to exit, noticed something: the bow Hannah was wearing was slightly askew, perhaps it had shifted when the two were on the bed.

After closing the door first, she turned around and walked towards the girl who was standing with her back to her, chatting a bit with Lotte, and gently taking her by the shoulders, said, "Stay still for a second."

Raising her hands to the asymmetrical object, she adjusted it a bit, and when she saw that it was in the correct position, she let go and spoke, "There, your bow was a bit crooked, I was just fixing it for you." However, she didn't hear a response from Hannah. The English girl had become completely still, and around the edges, the blush on her face could be seen again. Looking ahead, Lotte had her eyes wide open, and Sucy couldn't contain her laughter as she said, "I think it's someone else who's more than just crooked," and immediately burst into laughter.

Akko had never seen Sucy laugh so much, and after analyzing what she had done, the way she had approached the dark-eyed girl, an even stronger blush than before emerged on her face.

For the rest of the journey, the atmosphere was a bit awkward, especially between the two of them, and Akko's mind was swarmed with thoughts.

'What are you doing, Atsuko! Control yourself, girl.'

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'Aaaaaa, but she looks so cute, how can I resist!'

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'Atsuko, have you already forgotten what happened with Diana?'

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'...N-no, b-but'

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'But nothing. How do you know she's not the same? How do you know she won't hurt you in the same way or worse?'

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'She's not the same. Haven't you seen everything she's done for me, everything she still does?'

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'Yes, but don't confuse sympathy with love...'

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"Haaa," she sighed, saying softly in Japanese, "親愛なる心に感謝します"

"Did you say something, Akko?" asked the very girl who was turning her mind into a web of confusion. "Nothing," she replied confidently, and they continued walking while a small doubt began to grow in the girl's heart.