"You've got to be kidding me."
Cyrus muttered under his breath, frustration simmering beneath his calm exterior. Just then, a familiar voice cut through the tension, calling his name.
"Cyrus! My partner in crime! You actually waited for me before heading to class? I knew you weren't as heartless as everyone says!"
"I told you I didn't want anything to do with you, didn't I? So why would I wait for you?"
"Rude! So rude! How dare you talk to me like that? It's time you learned some respect!"
With that, she raised her fists like a boxer and started marching toward Cyrus.
She then threw a punch at Cyrus's shoulder, but it had no effect on him. If anything, it only left him more annoyed by the situation than before.
"Oh, I almost forgot to mention—there's no point in trying to go to class. We're already so late, she won't let us in."
"That damn witch again! Doesn't she realize how much good I'm doing, fighting the forces of evil crawling through the city? She's so silly—really silly!"
"Don't worry, partner, I'll make her realize my worth—"
Before she could finish her sentence, Cyrus was already walking down the hallway, ready to leave the school. There was no point in staying. Besides, he didn't want to listen to Viora's usual gaslighting, claiming she wanted to fight the teacher for both their sakes when, in reality, it was always about her.
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" she called out, hurrying to catch up with him.
"Home. And like I said, it's none of your business."
"Silly Miravine, doing silly things again. You just came back after being absent for days, and now you're skipping class?"
Just as he reached the door, Cyrus paused and glanced back. "Oh, right, I almost forgot. The teacher wanted me to tell you that tomorrow… Well, I don't actually know when, and I didn't ask, but at some point, our class is going on a field trip to Hell Ride Amusement Park. Do what you want with that info."
"Oh, oh, oh! The park where people drop dead! I heard it might close down soon! There are forces of evil at that park, and it's my duty to save the city once more!"
"Of course you, of all people, know about the rumors surrounding that park."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, when the field trip does happen, I advise you not to come. It might get dangerous, and the fewer people on the trip, the better it is for me, to be honest."
With that, he opened the door and walked out of the school building.
***
As he walked home, he heard shouts that gave him a sense of déjà vu. He quickly recognized the voice that was calling out.
"You stupid moron!"
As those words echoed in his ears, Cyrus ducked his head low enough that Viora completely missed him with her baseball bat, which was covered in pink stickers from various anime and video games.
"What do you want now? You're honestly starting to get annoying."
"I said wait! I know why you're skipping class—you're getting ready for whatever monster might be waiting for us at the park, right?"
As Cyrus walked, he suddenly stopped and stared up at the sky before responding, "So, what's your point?"
Before answering, Viora skated dramatically in front of him, spinning around to face him. "Cyrus, I know your ego's so huge that you won't let me protect the city with you because you think I can't keep up, but the park's going to have at least a thousand visitors during the field trip. Multiple people are at risk. You need to put our differences aside so we can team up."
She struck an exaggerated pose as she finished her speech. While there was some truth in her words, it was clear Viora saw this more as a game than a real effort to protect the park's visitors.
In response to Viora's foolishness, Cyrus simply stepped past her and said, "No," before continuing his walk home.
Viora stared at him, dumbfounded, and yelled, "You stupid moron! You're the silliest person I've ever met—you deserve a correction!"
But before Viora could strike him with her bat, Cyrus said, "I'm kind of in a hurry. See you never."
In an instant, moving with the speed of a bullet, he vanished from her sight, leaving her completely alone on the street.
"He did it again! He always does this! He's so… silly! Never mind, Cyrus. I'll take down the monster myself, and then both you and that teacher will finally realize my worth!"
With that, she skated down the street, disappearing into the distance, heading somewhere unknown.
Chapter four end