The Next Morning...
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It took longer than usual to get ready for the Academy, perhaps because of the fact that 6 people needed to change all at once in a tiny house fit for a mere 3.
The girls were hogging the bathroom while the guys weren't leaving the changing room. It was a messy nightmare!
It felt like we would not even make it to the academy in time at all! We might never make it, and then get suspended or even worse - EXPELLED!
Now I was starting to have a churning feel in my stomach somewhere. After all, there is no rational excuse for being tardy...
"Guys, hurry up!" I knocked hard on purpose while waiting outside the changing room.
I was actually so not in the mood of attending classes today because of my appearance. Turns out, I didn't make much progress yesterday due to Natsuno's fever. In fact, it out-right slipped my mind.
(Overall, it's not so bad, but... I have got to do something with my hair...!)
That was the only part I was worried about the most. I started fiddling with the small uneven locks of my hair, feeling conflicted of what to do with them.
"Uuuuhh, just one more minute! "
Raizo's strained tone implied that he seemed to be struggling with something. Just then, out came Yuichi who appeared to be ready.
"How long are the rest going to take?" I asked as soon as his gold eyes met mine.
"...Don't know."
"At least you are done which means only two are left." I heaved a small, relieved sigh.
Yuichi stared at me with a befuddled look.
"...No, I am not."
This time I looked back at him, puzzled.
"Aren't you...?"
He shook his head before walking for the room until I continued, "What else do you need to do?"
He pointed at his sleeves which were unbuttoned before answering, "...They aren't buttoned..."
I finally lost my almost vacant patience as I shot, "Seriously?! Ugh, you could do this out here! I have wasted enough time already!"
I pulled Yuichi by his shirt back outside before barging in the room and scolding, "And you two! Quit taking your sweet time and get out of here already!"
Raizo, who was trying to buckle his belt and Natsuno, who was working on his hair, were both stunned in place. I must probably be looking like a red, fuming tomato by now. I was feeling so infuriated, I couldn't even fully express it.
As if being regulated by my raging temper, both of them hurried with speed, and ran outside like lightning with Yuichi trying to button his sleeves.
Just when I was about to release yet another vexed sigh and change, Mizore and Nikki rushed inside. I grumbled before closing the door shut and changing - each one of us turned to our backs.
We finally did it. What a tiring morning!
After eating toasts, we ran all the way towards the Academy building. And thankfully, I managed to make a decent hairstyle - one which was a bit less embarrassing. Boy, did I get bombarded with questions from my classmates about my bandages! It was pretty hard to come up with believable excuses...
After the last consecutive periods, it was finally time for the clubs as usual.
Raizo and I walked towards the club room.
"Raizo... Do you think he will change his attitude towards me?" I asked my brother who appeared uncharastically happy for some reason while swiveling with the lollipop in his mouth.
"Raizo?"
Upon calling his name twice, Raizo looked down at me in surprise as he questioned, "Huh? Wait, were you talking to me?"
I puffed my cheeks as I continued, "Yeah, I was. What were you thinking about anyway?"
"Well, I apologized to Yuichi! I feel like a heavy weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and it's all thanks to you." Raizo answered with a soft chuckle.
"Wait-- you did that? When?"
"In the changing room. He was so cool about the whole thing that he forgave me with a smile! A SMILE! I have never seen him smile for me specifically so it felt really... nice. I was just going over that feeling."
I smiled at Raizo's memory.
"That's good then. I'm glad you both mended back with each other!"
"Exactly!"
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Before we knew it, we were standing right outside the club room.
"Knock, knock!"
With two knocks, Raizo hurriedly opened the door with a 'BAM'.
"Raizo... You are both late!" Sadashige sensei grumbled contrary to Raizo's attitude.
I slowly walked behind Raizo. I so didn't want him to look at me in my state. But he spotted me after all.
"Hah! Asuna? Is that you?"
Sadashige sensei mocked, but I just strained a smile and replied, "Yup. Nice to meet you too."
"Heh... I must say, that haircut really suits you human."
"Oh, why thank you. But you don't look any different so sadly, I have no comments in store." I replied.
I know very well that Sadashige sensei wasn't complimenting me, but I wasn't just about to ruin my day because of him.
"Bah, whatever. Remembering that today is Asuna's big day after all, I will just give her some slack." Sadashige sensei sneered before walking outside.
I immediately followed, having no clue of what's going on. The others quickly walked behind as well.
Mizore anchored her arm around my shoulder as she spoke, "Aren't you excited? You are going to finally graduate and become the official member of our group!"
My eyes widened with surprise.
"Wait... so does that means I was worthy enough? And... And I did it?!"
Mizore gave a deep nod.
I quickly jogged up to Sadashige sensei and questioned, "Is it true? Will I finally be an official member of the team?!"
Sadashige sensei averted his gaze in irritation as he quickened his pace. Within no time at all, we reached the academy's botanical garden.
"But, why are we outside? Isn't the graduation supposed to be held in the auditorium or--"
Before I could finish, Sadashige sensei roared, "It's time for your final test! The moment to decide your fate! The peak end fight! Against THEM!"
In a dramatic gesture, Sadashige sensei pointed at the others with a threatening grin. They all jumped up in surprise.
"WHAT?!" My jaw dropped at his sudden decision.
"Yes, if a human like you can go up against these five and STILL stay standing, then I will hold your graduation."
"But Sadashige sensei, this isn't what you told us the other day!" Natsuno stated.
"Yeah, and she doesn't even have a weapon. We could crush her in a second at this rate..." Nikki added.
"I am against it as well!" Raizo stepped in.
"...She can't handle me." Yuichi muttered.
"Fine, fine. I understand. You don't want her to join the group then it's fine by me. You just don't seem to recognize her capability, oh well..." Sadashige sensei shrugged in mocking defeat as if he was about to leave.
"Wait. Come on guys, give me a chance in this. I really want to be a part of your hero duties too!"
I begged everyone, and ultimately, they all very reluctantly agreed. Sadashige sensei too, stopped in his tracks.
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We all stood there, facing each other seriously. I could feel the tension in the air.
(I know I can do this!)
All I had to do was still stay standing after the ten minute limit. Should be easy enough, right?
Everyone transformed into their forms as soon as Sadashige sensei announced, "BEGIN!"
They all then dashed towards me one by one. I was barely able to dodge their blows. But I could sense they all were holding back all in the same.
"Quit holding back, and give me your best shot!" I yelled in the midst of the battle noise.
Everyone thought for a second before heading my way again.
"I'm sorry Asuna...!" Raizo apologized before swinging his scythe towards my feet.
I immediately jumped upwards, letting the scythe merely cut thin air. I then locked my legs around Raizo's neck and flung him towards the ground, smacking his back hard.
As soon as I did that, sharp claws buzzed past me. I barely dodged them as they snipped away my bangs. I immediately knew it was Yuichi's doing. Without giving Raizo a recovery chance, I grasped his scythe and swung it towards Yuichi's back. He blocked my attack with his spirit flame.
I heard Raizo complain, "Hey! Did you just take my scythe?! Nobody takes my scythe!"
His 'other' side took over him as he angrily dashed my way, snatching his scythe from right in between my fingers.
"Don't ever steal my scythe ever again, you got that?"
Okay, he scared me to death with his unusually low and deep voice.
(Why is he so mad at me...? All I did was borrow it...)
Perhaps taking my distraction as an advantage, Mizore shot ice crystals followed by Natsuno's light arrows. Some of them managed to pierce through my clothes but I flipped to the side on time, avoiding the rest. Blood dripped on the ground, staining it dark red. I panted lightly before searching for some weapon.
(I know I can't keep on going like this forever. I should somehow defend myself!)
Just then Sadashige sensei's voice caught my attention, "Human-- You sure like to bother me a lot... Hands up!"
With that, he threw something that looked like a plastic dagger. I caught it with ease.
"...But... why?" Yuichi paused in confusion.
Everyone seemed to be in the same boat as they halted their attacks.
"A little change in rules. I was getting bored of watching this dragged show so I figured, why not let Asuna at least fight back?"
"With a plastic dagger?!" I huffed angrily while swinging the dagger back and forth.
"Hmhmhm... Well, if you manage to touch each one of your opponents then, and only then, will you pass this test."
As soon as he explained the new set of rules, everyone scattered around the area.
(W-What kind of a stupid game is this?!)
"GIVE ME A BREAK!!!"
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