Chapter 35 - Trust Falls (2)

"Caught you." Hajime said.

He held her in his arms, a prince carrying a princess, her eyes burning holes in his skull, the veins on her forehead popping out.

"Idiot." she said.

"What I caught you, didn't I." he teased 

"My spine." her voice trembled, "I felt it in my bones."

"Your bones?"

"I swear," her breathing was labored, "if you don't put me down, I'll-"

"You'll what?"

A vein popped.

"I'll bite you."

"No, thanks." he said.

"Let me down."

"How about a thank you."

"Put. Me. Down."

"Say please."

"Now."

"Fine, fine." Hajime gently put her down, her feet sinking into the mud, as she examined her clothes.

"Get away from me."

"Once again, not the most grateful person." Hajime said, a smile stretched across his face.

Aveline stomped away, her feet kicking up mud, as her brows furrowed.

"That was impressive." Professor Mayrose's hands were clasped together, her eyes were fixed on him, "I can't believe you managed to use all of her mana. What you demonstrated was at the upper of Orchida."

Hajime scratched the back of his head.

"Was it that impressive?"

Professor Mayrose leaned in closer to Hajime, her warm breathe brushing against his ear.

"Only Avyris' are capable of using all of their partners mana." she said, "I hope you'll reach the same heights as them."

The commotion Hajime's caused attracted all sorts of attention, from the nobles that lived in the inner area to the commoners living on the other side of the river. The sea of students parted, slowly a figure Hajime knew all too well came walking.

"Headmistress Charlotte." Professor Mayrose stood straight, her hands behind her back.

"Can you explain what happened?" the headmistress asked.

"Hajime over here managed to use all of Princess Aveline's mana." she said.

"Is that true?" Charlotte asked him.

Hajime forced a smile on his face, "Yes."

"Very impressive." she grinned, "It's nice to see young students so talented."

"Well, I've got other classes to teach." the professor said, "Hajime and Aveline, that will be all. If you'd excuse me."

The Headmistress let out a long sigh.

"There's nothing more to see here, everyone leave."

The crowd dispersed as students gave the two a few last glances. Calantha, Brielle, and Veloria were the last to leave, their lingering gaze on Hajime drawing the attention of the two that stayed behind. One smiled as the other frowned.

"So Hajime." Charlotte said, her eyes darted to Hajime before they looked into the distance, where the castle stood, specifically at the woman watching them.

"You've caught the attention of the Empress and the King." she continued.

"Did I?" he said.

'System can I scan her?'

'Nevermind then. I don't have a lot of points left.'

Charlotte disregarded his blatant attempt at feigning innocence, as she faced Aveline.

"Princess Aveline, what punishment should I give Hajime?"

"Punishment?" Aveline was caught off guard.

"He did endanger your life, didn't he? Surely you must think it is justified to punish him, for such an insolent deed."

Aveline glared at Hajime before she took a deep breathe in, regaining control of her expression.

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

Aveline ran her hand through her hair, as she cleared her throat.

"I trusted him, so the blame lies on me too." she said, "No punishment is needed."

"Is that so? Would you want to sever your bond with him? I would be the one to perform the ritual." Charlotte asked.

Hajime cleared his throat, drawing their attention to him.

"I may not be well versed in law, but Aveline promised to give me a two-week trial." he said, "Surely breaking the agreement just because I gave her a fright is unfair."

Aveline's eyes twitched, breaking her facade.

"Shameless." she muttered.

"Well Princess?" Charlotte said.

Aveline crossed her arms.

"I'll stay with him, but as punishment you'll have to throw him in the mud.

"Gladly."

Before Hajime could process their conversation, three roots grabbed him by the ankles and tossed him in the air. He thought he had a chance to prepare himself for the landing but a passiflora flower materialized above his back. Hajime felt its weight on his back as it slammed him into the mud.

He laid in the mud, admiring the capabilities of someone in the Pothos realm, like being able to summon a flower in the air. He got up only to find Aveline standing alone there. A subtle smirk on her face. It faded as soon as she noticed his eye contact.

"Thanks for catching me." he teased.

"..."

She shook her head, her violet hair flying in the wind as she started to walk toward their mansion.

Hajime followed after her, a small smile appearing on his face as he sprinted towards her, her glasses still in his pocket.

"Wait u-"

Aveline lost her footing, falling face first in the mud, her hair getting a makeshift dye.

"I think that's karma." he chuckled at the girl laying in the mud.

"..."

"Need a hand?" Hajime offered.

"..."

"Aveline" he said.

"..."

"Okay then, I'll pick you up."

He wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up, carrying her in the way that was becoming all too familiar to her.

"You're trouble." he said.

Aveline buried her face into his chest, her mud-drenched body leaving a dirty print on his uniform.

"Hey my clothes are already dirty." he said.

"Good." her muffled voice came from within his chest.

"Huh?"

"..."

They reached the iron gate. Hajime contemplated putting her down to take out his keys but the way she was holding on to him, he decided against it. He opted for the alternative.

"Hey can you do me a favor?"

"..."

"Could you get out my keys and open the gate?"

Aveline slowly opened her eyes, the remnants of a nap still in her eyes, she blinked a couple of times, the sunlight blinding her.

"Sleepyhead the keys are in my pocket."

Aveline released her grip, her arm moving up towards Hajime's pocket. She fumbled around his pants, feeling something long and hard.

She froze.

"Yeah that's not a key."

She shot up, her head colliding with his.

"Ouch." Hajime winced.

Aveline cupped her head. She set herself loose from him, landing on the cobblestone with a thud. She took out her keys, opening the door. 

"Perv." she said before she scurried inside the mansion.

"Adorable." Hajime replied.

The gate closed behind him as he made his way through the garden, happy that he managed to grow closer to Aveline.