'Ain't no way this ever happened in the game scenarios. Oh boy. I guess this is the result for not visiting yesterday at the clubroom.' I think to myself, mentally cursing myself for getting all this attention now.The boys and girls look at me as if I'm the one and only chosen one as soon as Axel mentioned my name.Raven is looking Axel with a slightly raised eyebrow, clearly a bit curious to why he's here.'They haven't even officially met yet.' I think over the game scenario again and clear my throat."Umm, is there anything I can help you with?" I ask Axel as he instantly goes on to sit on my desk."You didn't visit the clubroom yesterday, Zeller. Skipping club activities is not good, y'know?" Axel says as he gives a gentle smile, still making a few girls blush with just his presence alone.'Good God, he's one of the types you don't wanna encounter in real life. Just playing his route is straight up confusing. When I played as Raven, ignoring him makes him interested, but if you give attention to him and affectionate options, he loses interest. Truly, a work pice of art. That's how infuriating his route is.' I think to myself, unaware that I'm frowning at him as he smiles at me."Haha, my bad. It didn't occur to me since I had other things occur yesterday." I say, trying to sound as apologetic as I can."Like trying to smacktalk the principal's son?" Axel states, as he looks at me with amusement.'Oh god, he knows that?' I stiffen and nervously avert my gaze as I respond."Haha, well.. I was only trying to defend my best friend. Everyone's skirt is short and it's just insane that he would point out hers."Axel crosses his arms together as he replies with a soft tone. "Ah, is that so? Well, is she this best friend you're talking about? " Axel looks over to Raven, still keeping a charming smile that makes me wanna punch his face."Y-yeah.. Axel meet Raven, Raven meet Axel." I say as I introduce the two together."Hello." Raven says formally as she stays seated on her seat."Hoho, hey there. Why don't you join our Art Club? I'm sure Estelle will accompany you more that way." Axel says with a smile."... I'll think about it. " Raven mutters, her expression neutral towards Axel.I watch the scene unfold, feeling slightly awkward about the interaction. Axel is his usual smooth and charming self, making the girls around him swoon, and Raven is her usual mysterious and reserved self.'They are opposites in every aspect. Like an extrovert and an introvert facing each other.' I think to myself before Axel turns to me to speak."So, Zeller, I have a small favor to ask, if you don't mind." He says, his smile still in place."Yeah, sure. What is it?" I ask, slightly wary of what he might ask me to do.Axel chuckles lightly at my response and leans in closer."I need you to make a painting for a club exhibition that we're planning to hold soon. It's a big event and we need something eye-catching for it. Think you can handle it?" He asks, his tone still friendly but firm.'Eh? ' I froze in place."J-just me?" I ask.Axel nods his head, his smile widening."Exactly. I chose you, specifically for a reason, y'know?" He replies, his eyes not leaving mine.'Reason? What could that be?' I think to myself and glance over at Raven, who's listening intently."B-but, you're the club president, right? You have more skill than I probably do." I say with a nervous chuckle.'I can't be 99% sure I would magically have Estelle's skills installed in my head just like how it did with the project with Nero.' I think to myself, uncertain with how the system of my character works.Axel laughs at my response, amused by my modesty."You're too humble, Zeller. I've seen your paintings in the art room. They're damn good, and they're definitely better than mine." He says with a lighthearted tone.'No, you f*cking bastard. You're just passing all the work on me!' I argue in my head and try to calm down."What about you? What will you do if I go on with the painting?" I ask him as I keep a gentle tone.Axel crosses his arms and smirk, confidence never wavering."I'll take care of the rest. Promotion, logistics, all of that stuff. Don't stress too much about it." He says with a dismissive wave of his hand.'So cocky. What's with this guy, huh? How is this guy much more worse than a delinquent? This f*cker is so annoying. I wanna punch his face. Oh god, do I wanna punch his f*cking face.' I feel my anger flaring up with every passing second before Axel turns his attention to Raven and leans close to her.Axel's smile doesn't drop as he faces Raven."By the way, Raven, you should really consider my offer about joining the art club.. It's a lot of fun, you know? We could have all sorts of fun events together, and spend a lot more time together, y'know what I mean?" He says, his voice dropping into a slightly sultry tone.'Oh. He's not even trying to hide the flirting now..' I think to myself as I watch from the side.Though, I'm aware it's meant for them to have some romantic tension like the game, the next thing that comes out of Raven's mouth surprised me."I don't like arrogant b*stards." Raven says with a gentle mocking smile.As I hear the censorship sound within the words that came out of her mouth, I stare at her dumbfoundedly."..." Silence filled the room before all the girls glare at Raven who is unbothered by the situation.'Wait, wait, wait, wait. She can't be saying that! Where's the gentle and cutesy heroine who gets flustered and tries to avoid eye contact?! She's totally staring down at him! ' I panic internally at the situation.But, Axel who was momentarily surprised for a moment, looks at Raven with a pause until he goes back with a smirk."Wow. No one's ever talked to me like that before. " He says with the same gentle charisma.I watch the exchange, shocked at Raven's straightforwardness.Axel's smirk only widens in response, apparently amused by her cold remark. All the girls glare at her, obviously displeased with her rude comment."Guess there's a first time for everything, huh? " Axel replies, his tone still light and carefree. He clearly doesn't seem offended.There was a moment of vulnerability that I saw within Raven despite her nonchalant expression that can be seen by everyone.Axel chuckles at her gaze, finding her defiance almost refreshing."I admire your confidence, Raven. You don't seem to be easily intimidated, huh? But, if you think I'm being arrogant, you should come spend some time with me. Maybe I could prove you wrong."He says, taking a step closer to her, leaning in with a smirk.I come in between the two and smile at Axel despite my entire system telling me to punch him right here and now."Now, now.. Club President. We'll go if she wants to. Why don't you head on back and deal with the promotion you said so. You're causing a lot of girls in this classroom to flock around." I say as the girls take Axel's attention and he chuckles apologetically.Axel glances over at me, his charming smile still firmly in place."Ah, right. I guess I am making quite the crowd, huh? But hey, can't help it if all these girls find me charming." He laughs and pats me on the shoulder."Alright, I'll go back and get to work. Don't worry about the painting, Zeller. You got this! I trust you. Have fun with the painting~." He says with a wink at me.When he turns to walk off, I immediately brush my shoulder to where he touched me and watch him leave in disgust.'Boy, do I not like that guy.' I think to myself as I turn my attention back to Raven."Hey, uh.. sorry about him. " I say softly as Raven looks back at me, from her expression turning to a unbothered expression to a genuine gentle gaze.Raven looks at me, her expression softening from her previous unbothered state to a genuinely gentle gaze."No, it's alright. You don't need to apologize for him. He is quite the character, I'll give him that." She replies with a small chuckle."Right, he is.." I say with a smile as the other students go on to take their lunch boxes out, while a few followed Axel or make their way to the cafeteria."..." I looked down, feeling the awkward tension sinking in again as my mind wanders back to Raven not talking to me this morning.But before I could overthink, she gets off from her seat and speaks to me softly."Why don't we go on ahead and eat lunch?" Raven says with a smile.Though I was surprised that she's back to her regular self, I nod and follow alongside her.As we make our way to the cafeteria, the awkwardness of the situation slowly fades away, replaced by a more comfortable silence between us.Once we arrive in the cafeteria, we grab some lunch and finds an empty table to sit at. I can't help but glance at Raven, still curious about her cold demeanor from earlier."Hey, Raven.. can I ask you something?" I finally speak up.Raven looks over, her expression curious. "Sure, go ahead. What's up?"I pause for a moment, not sure how to word my question, but decide to go for it anyway. "Well, I just wanted to ask.. why were you so cold to Axel earlier?"Raven's expression remains unchanged as she takes a bite of her lunch before responding."Hm? Well, I just don't vibe with him. He's arrogant and always seems to be trying to act charming. I prefer authenticity over fake charm." She answers bluntly, not sparing any details.'Well, that makes sense but.. she's the heroine! She's supposed to have some slight attraction to him at least.' I think over as I look at this completely different Raven who seems much more raw than the one in the visual novel who is shy and kind."Like I said, I don't like arrogant b*stards like him." Raven repeats softly while she crosses her legs as she eats her lunch nonchalantly."Right, right.." I mutter as I eat my lunch as well.'But, that wraps up the meeting with all the love interests then. Nomase, Eugene, Rogue and Axel. All of them are not good characters at all. Even though, I played each of their route, there's always something lacking with the heroine that they just can't accept. It's almost like the heroine can't be given a happy ending at all. ' I sigh as I look back to Raven.'Observing back to the game, Raven seems more mysterious and nonchalant instead of kind and caring. Even though she seems gentle with me, her vibe and design are pretty classy in some gothic way.' I think over as I look at her from head to toe as she eats in peace.'But, she's a pretty rare heroine though.' I smile to myself as I continue eating."Estelle, there's something on your cheek." Raven points out with her finger to let me know where it is on my face."Eh? Here?" I try to touch at either side of my cheek but not able to get rid of it.She chuckles softly and leans close to use her fingers to brush it off of my cheek, before placing her fingertips to her lips as she licks it off."...!" I get flustered just from that action but she looks at me with a smile."Hmm? What? Not even a thank you?" She teases softly."Ah.. thanks." I say in response before she goes back to eating her meal.'Come on, she's a heroine! Maybe I'm just too bias for disliking all the male leads. I need to narrow all of them down later to think it over.' I think to myself as I glance back at Raven who's eating happily.'Though for now.. I guess it wouldn't hurt to just not think about it for a bit.' I feel a rush of heat on my cheeks as I averts my gaze from Raven.TO BE CONTINUED