Erika's eyebrows raised as the cardigan was tossed to her and she took it quickly. She listened as Yuuki explained how she'd make an excuse for herself, causing Erika's face to light up with a smile. Yuuki was definetly her best friend in purple crow academy. She took off her own sweater and pulled the school cardigan on. As her curls bounced back into place when she squeezed her head through the neck hole, her glassed-eyes caught note of the clock on the wall.
"Oh gosh, is that clock right?!" She blanched, hurrying putting on the cardigan. She quickly grabbed her school bag which she'd brought with her yesterday and ran to the mirror, straightening her hair as much as she could with her fingers--to no avail, as her curls bounced right back--and ran to the door.
"Thank you Yuuki, I'll see you at lunch!!!"And with that, she shot like a bullet down the empty halls, hopping on one foot half way down to adjust her shoes. She dashed out of the dorms and straight for the school. No way could it already be nearing second period! Luckily she's a diligent student so hopefully this kind of thing will slide since she's consistently on top of her work.
"Hey you."The voice was cool and direct, radiating with a sense of quiet authority. Standing across from Erika was the subject of so many rumors concerning her and it almost seemed like an omen that he was here for her now. Hands in his pockets, the official Hall Monitory for Purple Crown Academy stood with an expression that could have been seen as boredom or deep, pondering thought.
Micheal Davis. The Red King.
"You mind telling me why you're late to school?" he asked with an expression that could be determined as either a glare or one of neutrality, walking up to the curly-haired girl. Erika had skidded to a stop as soon as she heard the voice of The Red King. She panted, not exactly the type to do well in physical education. She straightened as she got a good look at Micheal, the familiar beat of her heart resounding in her chest as it had done earlier. As he got closer, her glasses fogged up and she tightly gripped the handles of her bookbag in front of her. There was no way this was happening right now. Of all the people seeing her like this, it had to be
him?"Uh...uh.. Y-you see I... forgot my uniform and my f-friend...uh..."She stammered herself into silence, unable to look at him at this point. Curse her shyness. Couldn't she explain herself without looking insanely guilty or suspicious?
Micheal looked at her critically-or maybe it was a look of pity?-before sighing. This girl was supposed to be the one dating him? At least, that was what the rumors had made them out to be. Micheal made a mental note to slug the guy who started those lies before focusing back on Erika here.
"Make sure you're more diligent next time. You might as well just stick it out here and wait for the second bell to ring," he said casually, crossing his arms and leaning back on the wall.
"Judging from the way you act around me, I'm gonna assume you're that Erika chick, right?"Erika looked up in surprise when he gave out her name. Then again, maybe she shouldn't be. Everyone knew about the Unaligned Mitsuki girl afterall. Still, having her name spoken by one of
the colored kings? It took her breath away a little. She hesitated, then gave a brief nod. She sheepishly went to stand by him, albeit putting a few feet of distance between them. He was right... she'd only die of embarassment when the whole class turned to look at her coming in late. She set her bookbag down beside her and took out a microfiber cloth from her pocket.
She removed her glasses, relaxing though she still work a small frown on her face. The foggy, thick rimmed glasses gone now, her bright blue eyes were revealed. She pushed a curly lock of hair out of her face before cleaning her glasses. And though she wanted to do her best to not stare, she couldn't resist sneaking a few peeks at the very cute Red King. Her heart thundered in her chest and she swallowed dryly. Okay. Nows the time, don't be weird.
"Y-You're... the Red King... right?"She mentally stabbed herself through the eye. Really? That question? Everyone knew who the Red King was. Ughhhhh someone, come out with a sniper rifle and just shoot between her eyes. She blushed even darker and pretended to be fascinated with her glasses cleaning, her blue eyes wide now.
"Yeah, I am. What about it?"If Micheal was concerned for her fidgeting and embarassment, he didn't seem to care. Or maybe he didn't notice? Whatever the case, he turned to Erika and looked at her directly, expecting an answer from her too.
"You could probably tell from the way I dress. And if you really are that Erika chick, you're the one who hasn't joined a Guild yet. Is that right? Wanna kill the time and tell me why?"HE'S TAKING INTEREST IN ME. The thought shot through Erika's head and she took a deep, shuddering breath. She went to open her mouth to respond, but at that moment, the sound of a camera shutter went off. She turned her head and put on her glasses quickly as a student barrelled out from a hiding spot and shot off across the campus. What had that been about? She shook her head and looked back at Micheal, feeling an odd spur of confidence suddenly.
"I was just um... wondering, you know?" She looked down and rolled a rock beneath her foot.
"As for why I haven't joined a guild... well..." She trailed off as she tried to think of a response, one she wouldn't have to stutter through and embarass herself further on. She looked a bit sad as she admitted,
"I guess... I'm not even good at Deep Ground Online. Even if I did pick... it's not like I'd be any good to anyone." She closed her eyes, sighing. What she said next came out a little spiteful.
"Wouldn't want to tarnish the Mitsuki name...""Talking like that will only get you killed."The statement was blunt and didn't hold back, Micheal sighing as he listened to the girl's words. He closed his eyes to think a little bit about what he wanted to say before opening them again and staring at Erika. In-game, the Red King was known for valuing strength and power above else. Whether or not the same mentality carried over to outside of DGO was yet to be seen.
"With talk like that, your confidence will diminish. You'll end up losing more battles than you win. And when you finally graduate from Purple Crown, you'll be stuck with a deadbeat job. Then you'll tarnish your family name. Just some facts for you to consider. I hate people who talk like they're worthless."His last words hit her like an oncoming train and a lump formed in her throat. She didn't say anything as she stared across the campus. What he had been saying HAD started to make her feel inspired but the harshness of his last statement had flattened all of it like a cat run over by a semi truck. Even so, he had been right. She pushed the glasses up the bridge of her nose, for once feeling as strong as Azga the Amazing as she shoved aside her hurt and replaced it instead with the bitterness that welled up. What had she really expected from the Red King? He was a man all about strength huh? Her next motions happened on their own as a direct result of her emotions. She spun to face him, simultaneously outstretching her hand... and slapping him across the cheek.
When she looked at him, her eyes were bright and full of fire... just like Azga's, really. That had felt so.. empowering. She grit her teeth as she looked him in the eye.
"I hate people who think they're better than everyone else!"If Micheal flinched from her resounding slap, he didn't seem to show it. However, his eyes did widen slightly at the impact of her hand against his cheek before his neutral look returned. Gently, he dabbed the spot she had marked, feeling the sting and heat the blow had left behind.
"Heh. Well maybe you're not so hopeless after all. The fact that you just slapped the Hall Monitor who could very well write you up detention proves you've still got some fight left in you. Who knows? Maybe you'll prove me wrong sooner than I expected."Micheal leaned back on the wall and placed his hands in his pockets. His eyes closed in thought as just then, the second bell began to ring out for all students. Soon enough the halls would be filled with people again, giving Erika the opportunity to slip in undetected.
"Well? What are you standing here for acting like some kind of hero? Get to class already," he told her, moving away and in the opposite direction.
"Consider it a warning since I don't feel like getting you in trouble. You'd probably just end up slapping me again or something."Erika stood, watching after him as he left. Did she really still have Azga's bravery enough still in her to do what she was going to next? She swallowed and took a deep breath. Erika reminded herself:
I AM
Azga."Hey, Red King!" She called out to him from where she stood in the sea of students, raising her chin up a little.
"Hmm?"Micheal turned around slightly just enough to catch her response. He had a feeling she was going to do something really brave and really stupid. But he wasn't phased, even now as he lent her his ear.
"Yeah?"Rather than speak... Erika slowly smiled and raised a hand to him, waving very slightly. She blushed a little but kept her smile. To other students it might seem like she was saying goodbye in an intimate fashion according to the rumors, especially with everyone around to see. This however...
"I'll see you around." Not one stutter. Then she turned and dashed off to class with a big smile on her face, her cheeks a deep shade of rouge and having to giggle to herself. Could she really be falling for that jerk? ...Yeah... Yeah she could be.
Micheal heard the words and turned around. A small chuckle finally escaped him as he walked off shaking his head. What a strange girl. And people really thought they were dating? Strange. Strange indeed.
High Moon
Apollosarcher
7 Szpadel
