'There's Ash,' Yiyi said, counting one raised finger.
They were on the roof of the senior's building, well hidden on the narrow side behind the water tank. Yiyi was leaning against the whitewashed concrete. Saya was lying on her back, resting as she listened. Sara was sitting against the parapet, directly in front of Yiyi. Celia was standing by Sara's side, looking out at the expansive view of the school grounds the roof offered.
Ash was a delinquent in the truest sense of the word. Everyone knew. But there wasn't a thing anyone could do. There were two reasons. One, his father was on the school board, his mother was in the city council, and his grandfather was an extremely famous and widely respected retired general of the country's navy. His pedigree was incomparable. But even that wouldn't be entirely sufficient. The bigger reason was two, he left no evidence. There was never a witness. No one could ever prove anything. The only reason they knew he was to blame was because, even though he didn't confess, he made no effort to shy away from the blame. The rule was simple. You didn't cross Ash, or you wouldn't escape from the barrage of hell.
Ash was still popular though. Not just because of his identity. He was extremely handsome, with curly, amber coloured hair that shone under the sun like it was entirely gold, skin that seemed tanned to perfection, golden eyes that petrified anyone glared at, and a killer smile that sliced apart any defences raised around any heart however strong. And he was extremely charming, even when he was being extremely mean. The vast majority of grown ups were helpless against him. Innocent students didn't stand a chance.
Ash's recklessness attracted from among the student population those who were unruly and had contempt for rules. In other words, delinquents. Ash's kingdom didn't have borders or lands. The citizens were spread out as if all of the school was theirs. They were usually quiet, even though they were often in trouble for their disregard for the school rules. Learning from Ash, they were all smartening up.
'I'm not sure how easy it's going to be triggering the delinquents,' Yiyi said weakly. Delinquents should be the easiest to piss off, but Ash changed them.
Saya snorted contemptuously. Yiyi glared, what, her eyes were asking. Sara smiled, as if waiting for another quarrel. Celia smiled slyly. Saya saw Celia's smile, and returned it in kind. In that brief exchange, they each said what they had to. Saya looked at Yiyi, and explained.
'They're just kids. You're overestimating them. Even Ash. Isn't he rather simple? Didn't you say it yourself? Cross him and prepare yourself for a barrage of hell. And if the delinquents were learning from him, wouldn't they learn this too? Cross them, and prepare for a barrage of hell. Just get You's admirers to cross the delinquents.'
Yiyi was taken aback. It did sound rather simple when Saya said it. 'How,' she asked, looking at Saya more favourably.
'Post an open challenge on their name,' Saya said coldly, but smiling warmly at Yiyi at the same time. It was perfection of the evil look.
'That simple?' Yiyi asked, uncertainly.
Saya burst out laughing. Celia offered to explain.
'Under normal circumstances, it certainly wouldn't be enough. But right now, You's admirers have an infamous reputation. Who wouldn't know by now that they started the war against Gara? And wasn't a perfectly reasonable explanation for their actions ready? You accepted Min's confession. His admirers are heartbroken. Their rationality is gravely affected.'
Sara and Yiyi looked at the evil Celia and Saya admiringly. It was a simple but truly perfect plan.
'Alright then,' Yiyi said, her voice coloured with affection, and a second finger raised. 'Next, is the last prince, Roe. He isn't a dark prince. He's in direct competition with You.'
At seven, Roe ran track for the first time, participating in the class race. He fell short of the school record for 50m by a second. But the record was set by a boy of sixteen. When Roe was sixteen, he would be so much faster. He was immediately absorbed into the track team. At nine, he was the star of the track team, equaling records set by the seniors. His decently good looks were heightened by his aura and genial personality. His average height was mounted a few inches. His admirers grew in number as he grew into a handsome young man, and they were the passionate, for they were also his loud and fanatic fans. You's normal admirers and Gara's quiet admirers couldn't stand up to Roe's boisterous fans.
'Does he have red hair?' Sara asked.
'Yes,' Yiyi answered. 'Why?'
'I was wondering if that was why his parents gave him the name,' Sara answered, with a laugh. 'Roe means red haired.'
The girls erupted into raucous laughter.
'We don't have to do anything to him,' Celia commented.
'Yes,' Saya agreed with a nod. 'His loving fans will drag themselves into the fight. How could their beloved prince be left out of the war for the crown?'
Celia and Saya exchanged the most evil looks. They looked enchantingly beautiful. Yiyi blushed looking at them. Sara smiled contentedly.