Viona nodded slightly to the people who greeted her with friendly smiles. She created an image of herself as an introverted student who didn't socialize much with others. Therefore, despite being well-known, no one felt comfortable interacting with her. Because... they didn't receive approval from the Amethyst princess.
She spotted Instructor Ryanto talking to some students as she made her way to the dance class. Viona offered a faint smile and approached the man.
"Mr. Ryanto!" Viona called out with a neutral expression.
"Oh? Amethyst? What's the matter?" Mr. Ryanto asked professionally.
Viona still couldn't fathom how Queena managed to manipulate Mr. Ryanto when the young instructor was so dedicated to his work.
"Sir, I'm new here, but our class has already been assigned to participate in the monthly art performance event. Coincidentally, I've been asked to present a dance. Could you be my instructor?" Viona asked hopefully.
What she said wasn't a lie, so if anyone suspected Viona, they could verify that what she said was true.
"Do you have a recommendation letter from your class guardian?" Mr. Ryanto inquired, waving to a student whose question had been answered.
Viona promptly handed over a paper that she had requested from Mrs. Letty regarding the instructor request.
Mr. Ryanto nodded. "In that case, we can start our first practice session this evening. I'm sure there will be a few more students choosing to dance," he mused, glancing at his watch.
"Alright, sir. Where should we start our first practice?" Viona asked curiously.
As far as she remembered, the location mentioned by Queena as the Incident Scene was the dance practice room on the third floor, with the key held by the Club Dance President. If Viona wanted to prove to everyone that Queena was merely taking advantage of opportunities, she also had to demonstrate that there was nothing wrong in that room.
"Let's use the third floor, the dance practice room where you can request the key from the Club Dance President. If you can't find them, ask a member of the Student Council, or directly request it from the Student Council President. You can provide this letter as proof of my request," Mr. Ryanto instructed, handing Viona a paper bearing his signature.
Viona nodded understandingly and accepted the letter. After giving a respectful nod to the young instructor, she walked away.
Now, she had to ensure that Queena couldn't make use of Mr. Ryanto or any other male instructor as her coach. And for that, she needed to make sure that Queena had no opportunity to think about the art performance issue. But the question was... how could she make it happen?
Viona pursed her lips, gazing at the beauty of the greenhouse surroundings. She needed to come up with a good and inconspicuous idea. But what?
"Come on, brain, think of something!!" Viona thought, her mind working hard.
Suddenly, a purple amethyst flower appeared right in front of Viona's eyes. A wide smile lit up her face as she remembered that her family was the main donor of the school!
Viona could ask her family to install CCTV cameras throughout the school, even in hidden spots! Well, except for the bathrooms and changing rooms. Viona could give the excuse that she felt uncomfortable or... or... ah!
Viona quickly pulled out her phone and called Kak Angkasa, feigning a sad and frustrated expression.
"Vii?" Angkasa inquired with concern, seeing her younger sister's glum face on the video call.
"Elder Bro... is it possible to install CCTV cameras in my school?" Viona asked hesitantly.
"Of course. But is there a problem, Vio? Why do you want CCTV cameras installed in your school? Where are you right now? Is someone bullying you?!" Angkasa asked while adjusting his glasses.
"No, Big Bro! I'm in the greenhouse. I just suddenly thought about what if something happens at this school, and without strong evidence, I'm accused of doing it, or something," Viona admitted, her lips forming a pout.
Angkasa eyed Viona suspiciously. "Someone is trying to do something to you, and no one believes it because they didn't witness it firsthand?"
Viona blinked, then shook her head. Leave it to Angkasa to figure out something that's almost always accurate and on point. "It's not about me, it's about someone else. And it got me thinking, what if it happens to me?"
"I understand. I've asked some technicians to head over there. Elfian might join them as he needs to discuss the matter with your school staff," Angkasa assured her with a smile.
Viona beamed widely. "I knew I could count on you, Big Brother~," she said cheerfully, waving as Angkasa shook his head slightly and mentioned that he had to attend a meeting.
Viona hung up the call and looked around with a bright expression. With the CCTV cameras in place, Queena wouldn't be able to manipulate the situation. Plus, even if she were to participate in the dance practice, which Viona hoped wouldn't happen, the chances were slim.
Viona then proceeded to her classroom. She had 15 minutes until the bell rang, and she was far from her seat. She walked while playing with her phone, searching for any information she might have missed about her close friends and enemies.
Feeling like she was about to collide with something, Viona reflexively sidestepped and leaned against the wall, narrowly avoiding a tray that nearly hit her. Luckily, she shifted a step to the left, causing the tray, laden with food and drink, to crash against the wall with a loud clang.
Furrowing her brow, Viona looked up and found a soaked girl sitting in front of her.
Wait... this was déjà vu!
Viona remembered her first encounter with Queena, when they accidentally collided in the hallway, though back then they were closer to Viona's classroom, and Queena had books. But now... they were near the cafeteria, and Queena was carrying a tray full of food and drink.
Raising an eyebrow, Viona decided to step back and continue on her way to class without further interaction. She didn't want to engage with Queena, as she feared she might lose control of her emotions.
"Wait! Aren't you going to apologize?!" the girl exclaimed, her voice a mix of irritation and accusation as she stood up, glaring at Viona.
Viona halted her steps and took a deep breath. "I didn't collide with you, so why should I apologize?" she asked coolly.
"But you... you made me wet because of that drink! Of course, you should apologize; it's the most reasonable thing to do!" Queena retorted, her hands planted on her hips, her wet clothes sticking to her body.
Viona raised an eyebrow again and stared at Queena in disbelief. "If that's the case, then ask for accountability from the drink. Not from me. I didn't spill it on you," Viona replied, unfazed.
"But if you hadn't blocked my way, the tray wouldn't have fallen, and the drink wouldn't have soaked me!" Queena argued stubbornly.
Viona sighed
wearily. She looked around at the busy students, who now seemed to side with Queena and were whispering about Viona's behavior toward her.
"Look around you. The path was clear. I walked without obstructing anyone. Besides, I didn't collide with you. The tray clearly fell almost hitting me. Fortunately, I dodged, so it hit the wall instead," Viona pointed at the fallen tray near the wall. "If anything, I should be the one demanding accountability since you nearly hit me. But I'm not making a fuss about it. Why are you protesting and demanding accountability from me? Are you crazy or something?" Viona continued, shaking her head before quickly walking away. She really didn't want to get entangled with Queena, as she feared her emotions might get the best of her.
"Stooopp! Don't think just because you're from a wealthy family, you can act however you want here at school? Just because I'm a regular person, you think you can freely bully me?! I'm a human being too, and I shouldn't have to endure treatment like this from you!!" Queena shouted in anger, tears welling up in her eyes.
Viona shrugged nonchalantly, resuming her walk to her class. This time, there were no disturbances or incidents that could slow her down. She reached her classroom just two minutes before the bell rang, leaving behind the echoes of her encounter with Queena.