"Phew…" Alisa sighed in relief when she saw that the other new council members were still waiting for their bus. Because she's on picket duty today, she kept feeling restless since earlier, afraid of missing out again like her first day. But fortunately she's not late this time.
If she did, maybe she really will be asked to walk alone to the council building later--which who knows how far!
Alisa was about to approach Mary when she saw her. But then she realized that she was busy chatting with the other kids--and unfortunately looked like they were having fun showing off their respective magic abilities. Alisa didn't really want to join in, so she decided to walk to the other side of the fountain and sit alone first.
But when Alisa was about to enjoy her peace while observing her surroundings, a girl walked up to her. "Hey, you over there." She called.
Not immediately answering, at first Alisa looked to the left and right checking if she's actually talking to her and not someone else. But then the girl really walked straight to her. "You're a new member too, right?" She asked.
"...Oh, Aria! Hi!" Alisa suddenly exclaimed while standing up. She didn't really recognize her at first because of her loose hair. But after looking at her upclose, she finally remembered her. She was the senior that helped her and Mary on the first day. "Nice to meet you again." She added.
Even though oppositely, it turned out that Aria was the one who got confused now. "You are…?"
"I'm Alisa. I was late during the initiation. With Mary and Hal too." She replied while pointing at Mary on the other side.
"Ah, right. You're the kitten from back then." Replied Aria who finally remembered. "No wonder it feels like I've seen you before when I saw your photo." She added while looking at the data file she had been holding.
'…Kitten?' Alisa thought for a moment, though she immediately decided to just let it go. "Mm, so are you the guide for today?"
"Unfortunately, yes." She chuckled bitterly. "But before the bus comes, I have to confiscate your pin first."
"...Pin?" Alisa repeated in confusion. "You mean this pin?" She asked, pointing at the small pin attached to her tie. "Why?"
"Of course because now you're a council member." Replied Aria. "That pin was given so that the students couldn't go to the Council area. But as you're also a member now, you won't need it anymore."
"I see…" Alisa looked somehow sad, but then she continued, "But, mm, I can't take it off though. It even always magically appears on all my clothes even though I only put it on this uniform."
"Yeah, I know." Aria said lightly. "But I can take it off. Come here." She continued while showing some glows on her hand.
"..." Alisa didn't really know what kind of magic Aria would use to take her pin. But she looked so scared when Aria's hand kept getting closer to her that she immediately shut her eyes tightly.
And that made Aria feel weird. "...It's not gonna hurt or anything, okay. Can you please relax?"
"I-I'm sorry." Alisa said nervously. Though she still closed her eyes tightly again.
'What's wrong with her?' Aria thought for a moment. She was actually going to take it off anyway. But when she was about to do it, she suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, right. If I'm not mistaken you're in the magic control division right?" Aria said while checking the paper in her hand again. "Then for today it should be fine."
"Oh? You mean…?"
"Yeah, not all divisions are placed in the council buildings. So several divisions also have a place outside the west area, including yours." She explained. "You'll immediately get off there for today, so it shouldn't be a problem for now."
"Just make sure to ask Hazel to take it off if you're going to the council building later on." She added again.
"Really? Thank you--"
BEEP BEEP! And at that moment, the bus finally came. It was the same bus she had seen the first day, but this time only one came. "Alright, now go." Said Aria and Alisa immediately ran happily.
And that oppositely made Aria feel bitter. "Doesn't she look a little too nice for that division?" She muttered by herself. "Not to mention she'll be with Hazel. Emh, now I'm worried."
On the other hand, as soon as Alisa got on the bus, Mary immediately pulled Alisa's hand to sit beside her. Not just for any reason though. "You talked to Aria earlier, didn't you?" Asked Mary as soon as they sat. "What were you talking about?"
"What? Ah, she just said I can keep my pin for today."
"Wait, right. You're still wearing it." Mary replied, who also realized that the pin was still attached to Alisa's tie. "Why? I thought she was taking it from everyone who had them."
"She said my division is outside the west area and I'll get off there for today. So I can just take it off later on." She explained.
"Ah, that's why…" Said Mary, who immediately understood. "I did hear that there are several divisions that's placed outside the council building. So your division is included, huh…" She muttered. "Then you won't go to the council building today? That's bad."
"Test, test." And then, Aria suddenly talked at the front. "Okay, everyone listen up." She started.
"This bus only goes to the council building at 3 o'clock and returns at 6. So if for example you are late or maybe you need to go there other than the scheduled hours, please find the ways yourself." She explained.
Everyone sounded dissatisfied whispering about that, so Aria added, "Or well, if you can't find one, at least we provide bicycles too." She said. There was no further explanation for that matter anymore, so she immediately cut it off. "Okay, any questions?"
As if she had been waiting for it, Mary immediately raised her hand. "Does that mean we can't be in the council building after 6?"
"Not really. Technically the council building is open until midnight, so…" Aria answered. But feeling that her answer was a bit ambiguous, she quickly added, "But, my advice, don't hang around there after 9 o'clock. He doesn't really like it." She said and everyone came back whispering to themselves.
"Who? The president?" Asked Alisa to Mary.
"Most likely." Mary nodded quickly. But then she was busy raising her hand again. "Can we see him later?" She asked.
Not answering right away, Aria instead lowered her megaphone and laughed bitterly to herself. "I hope not." She muttered.