The girls had rummaged through an entire wardrobe, trying on everything from elegant gowns to hilariously oversized hats and feather boas. Every time Akari stepped out in a new outfit, there were whistles and cheers, with everyone voting on which look suited her best.
After exhausting the wardrobe options, someone suggested movies, and out came a magical projector that whirred to life with a wave of a wand. They piled onto a mountain of pillows and blankets, popcorn and sweets scattered all around, as they watched one movie after another projected onto the wall in vivid, enchanted colors. They laughed, screamed at the scary parts, and whispered comments about the dashing lead characters.
By the time the final movie ended, it was almost midnight, and everyone was giggling uncontrollably from exhaustion and sugar overload. Akari, who had rarely experienced a night quite like this, found herself smiling from ear to ear.
"Alright, who's ready for round two?" one of the girls teased, holding up yet another movie.
Akari groaned, only half-joking. The girls burst into laughter, tossing pillows at each other, until eventually, they all collapsed in a happy, exhausted heap.
"How about something better?" Mina grinned mischievously, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Uh-oh, what's the idea?" one of the girls asked, already bracing herself.
"Truth or dare," Mina declared, as if unveiling a grand plan.
Akari felt a flicker of nervousness. She knew exactly how unpredictable these girls could be, and "truth or dare" in their hands was bound to be dangerous. She sent up a silent hope to dodge the spotlight. Thankfully, for the first ten rounds, she managed to escape every time, watching as her friends laughed, shrieked, and occasionally regretted their choices.
But then, the moment she'd been dreading finally arrived. All eyes turned to her with eager grins.
The girls exchanged mischievous glances as Akari chose dare, and Mina's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Alright, Akari," Mina said with a grin, "I dare you to sneak into the boys' dorms and give both Arnold and Kuro a little peck on the cheek without them noticing."
Akari raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Are you all out of your minds? Kuro's a light sleeper, and Arnold's always on alert! There's no way I'm doing that!"
"But wait," one of the girls chimed in, "if you pull it off, we'll take you out for a whole day in the kingdom—and we'll feed you a mountain of ice cream!"
Akari's resistance crumbled at the thought of ice cream. "Well… when you put it that way," she said, feigning reluctance. "Alright, I'm in! But if I get caught, you all better be ready to rescue me."
The girls cheered her on, and with a mix of determination and mischief, Akari tiptoed out of the room, heart racing at the challenge ahead.
As Akari stepped out of the girls' dormitory, her heart raced with excitement and a hint of nerves. The girls had sent a tiny recording insect along with her, ready to capture every moment for their viewing pleasure. She knew they were all watching, waiting for her to make her move.
As she approached the boys' quarters, Akari activated her camouflage ability, blending seamlessly into her surroundings. She took a deep breath and opened the door to Arnold's room.
"Alright, just a quick peck and I'm out," she whispered to herself. But just as she was about to make her move, Arnold's instincts kicked in. He sensed something was off.
"Hey guys, is it you?" Arnold called out, his voice echoing through the dimly lit room. "Hey Kuro, don't joke like this! It's not funny! Come on, reply me—wait, Akari? Is that you? Anyone? Answer!"
Akari froze, her heart pounding in her chest. She could see Arnold scanning the room, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Realizing she was stuck in this situation, Akari decided to play dirty. With the dim light in the room, she figured she could manipulate the moment. "If I just lean in and make him think it's a dream…," she thought with a mischievous smirk.
With stealth that would make a cat jealous, she crept closer to Arnold. She could see him sitting on his bed, his expression still bewildered but somehow dreamy. As she leaned in for the peck, her heart raced. But in a twist of fate, just as her lips brushed against his, the room suddenly illuminated, revealing the unexpected kiss.
Both of them froze. Akari's cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and she immediately pulled away, her mind racing with panic. "Oh no, oh no, oh no!" she thought, her embarrassment overwhelming her. Arnold, however, didn't seem to share her alarm. He stared at her wide-eyed, a goofy grin spreading across his face.
"Did… did that just happen?" he asked, a hint of a dreamy smile in his voice. "Is this real? Am I dreaming?" His expression shifted to one of pure delight. "Wait, if this is a dream, does that mean we're dating now? Wow, what a great dream!"
Akari, still flustered, shook her head vigorously. "No, no, it's not—wait, what?" But before she could clarify, she darted out of the room, her heart racing even faster than before.
"Did I just kiss Arnold?" she muttered to herself, her face burning. "What have I done?" Meanwhile, Arnold sat there, basking in what he believed to be a romantic dream, completely oblivious to Akari's embarrassment and the reality of the situation. "I can't believe this! I need to tell Kuro about this!" he thought, still grinning like a lovesick fool.
Akari was already embarrassed enough after her unexpected encounter with Arnold, but there was no way she was backing down from the challenge. She steeled herself, activating her camouflage ability once more as she tiptoed into Kuro's room. To her surprise, she found him slumped over his desk, looking disheveled and sporting a goofy grin, as if he were floating in a dream.
"What the hell? Why are you drinking? You're barely 16, you lightweight!" Akari exclaimed, momentarily forgetting her mission as she closed her ability, revealing herself with a huff.
Kuro blinked slowly, his gaze dreamy and unfocused. "Hey, is that you, Akari?" he murmured, swaying gently in his chair, looking like he'd just come back from a trip to the clouds.
"Yes, and what are you up to?" she shot back, trying to sound angry, but the ridiculousness of the situation was starting to break her composure.
"Hey, I promise I didn't know! I just randomly picked a drink," Kuro insisted, his words slurring together.
Akari raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Wow, Kuro, a real light drinker, huh? If you keep this up, you'll be the first knight to get knocked out by a single sip!"
Kuro, in his tipsy haze, suddenly lurched toward Akari and wrapped his arms around her tightly, pulling her into an embrace that left her cheeks ablaze.
"Hey, dumbass! Get a grip of yourself!" Akari protested, her heart racing as she squirmed in his embrace, feeling a mix of flattery and panic.
"I love you! I love you so much!" Kuro declared, his voice slightly slurred, his eyes sparkling with what could only be described as drunken sincerity.
Akari's mind raced. "Nooo! I can't handle more of this!" she thought, her brain practically short-circuiting as she tried to process his words.
Just as she thought he might be drifting off to sleep, Kuro leaned back a bit, and Akari braced herself for a sleepy goodbye. But instead, he suddenly leaned in and kissed her—a kiss that was anything but gentle. It was like he was trying to crush her lips into jelly.
"Wha—?!" Akari exclaimed, her eyes wide as she pushed him back in shock. But before she could gather her wits or say anything else, Kuro had already slumped against the pillow, snoring softly like a lumberjack who had just felled his last tree.
"What just happened?" Akari muttered, shaking her head in disbelief. "Did I just get kissed by a drunken idiot?"
With a sigh, she rolled Kuro onto his bed, glancing at his comically unconscious figure. "Well, that was… something," she said, feeling a mix of confusion and embarrassment.
Turning on her heel, she left the room and headed back to the girls' dormitory, feeling flustered and completely overwhelmed by the night's events. "I've had enough excitement for one night," she thought, shaking her head as she walked away.
When Akari returned to the girls' dormitory, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. The girls had been eagerly waiting for her, their expressions a mix of curiosity and mischief. As soon as she stepped through the door, they surrounded her.
"We saw everything!" Mina squealed, barely containing her laughter. "You were so smooth sneaking into Arnold's room! But wow, did you see his face after that kiss?"
"Right?" another girl chimed in, unable to hold back her giggles. "He looked like he was on cloud nine! I thought he was going to float away!"
Akari rolled her eyes, trying to play it cool despite the embarrassment bubbling inside her. "It was an accident! I was just trying to complete a silly dare."
"An accident, huh? Is that what you're calling it now?" Lina teased, nudging Akari playfully. "You sure know how to cause a stir!"
"And Kuro? What about Kuro?" one girl added, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "We all saw him drunkenly declare his love for you! You really knocked both of them off their feet tonight!"
"Oh, I don't know what you're talking about," Akari said, trying to act nonchalant while feeling her face flush. "It's not like I planned for any of this to happen!"
"But it did happen, and we all witnessed your glorious moments! Kuro hugging you, saying he loves you, and then kissing you!" Mina giggled. "You have two boys completely smitten!"
Akari groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I can't believe this is happening. Why can't I just train in peace?"
The girls erupted into laughter, clearly enjoying the chaos. "Oh, come on! Embrace it! You're the queen of drama now!" another girl teased.
With a sigh, Akari finally joined in the laughter, realizing that despite the madness, it was all in good fun. The teasing continued, but she felt a sense of camaraderie with her friends, grateful for their support as she navigated this unexpected love triangle.
As the teasing continued, one of the girls leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "But seriously, Akari, who do you like out of the two? Arnold or Kuro?"
The room fell silent, all eyes on Akari as the question hung in the air. She felt a mixture of embarrassment and surprise wash over her. "I... I don't know!" she stammered, her heart racing. "They're both—"
"Both what? Handsome? Sweet? Hot messes?" one girl interrupted, snickering.
Akari couldn't help but chuckle at that. "Okay, fine. They're both good-looking in their own ways. But they're also a total handful!"
The girls giggled, nudging each other. "So, you're saying you're into troublemakers?"
"Honestly, it's not like I'm trying to date either of them!" Akari protested, though her cheeks were still flushed. "I'm just trying to survive this knight academy without losing my mind!"
Another girl chimed in, "But you have to admit, having two boys fight over you is kind of fun!"
"Fun? More like a headache!" Akari groaned, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "And don't forget that I'm still getting used to being around so many girls! It's all a bit overwhelming."
"Well, you'd better figure it out soon!" Mina said, winking. "Or you might end up with both of them chasing you at the same time!"
Akari buried her face in her hands again, but despite her embarrassment, she couldn't shake the smile off her face. The chaos was exhausting, but there was something undeniably thrilling about it all.
The morning sun poured into the dining hall as Kuro and Arnold settled at the table for breakfast, bleary-eyed but buzzing with the remnants of last night's chaos. Kuro, still rubbing sleep from his eyes, broke the silence. "Hey, were you in my room last night?"
"Uh, no," Arnold replied, furrowing his brow as he spooned some cereal into his mouth. "I thought it was you in my room!"
Kuro squinted at him. "So, who else could have been in my room? The door was clearly open, and the mess on the ground wasn't there before!"
"Yeah, and someone also rolled me onto my bed when I accidentally drank," Kuro added, shaking his head as he remembered the night's events.
"You drank? Aren't you a bit young for that?" Arnold raised an eyebrow, a mix of disbelief and concern flashing across his face.
"Hey! I picked up the wrong drink by mistake!" Kuro protested, crossing his arms defensively. "It was a total accident!"
"Okay, back to the topic. Who was in our rooms?" Arnold pressed, his expression serious.
Kuro leaned in conspiratorially. "I had a dream about Akari yesterday. Please, not her! She's going to kill me if she finds out I drank!"
"Wait, I had her in my dream too!" Arnold exclaimed, suddenly realizing the implication. Both boys stared at each other, the gears in their heads whirring as they processed the bizarre situation.
"No way!" they both shouted in unison, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Wait, what?" Arnold said, his mouth dropping open. "She kissed me!"
"I kissed her!" Kuro exclaimed at the same time.
"What?!" They both shouted simultaneously, their eyes wide in shock.
"You kissed her?" Arnold blurted out, pointing an accusatory finger at Kuro.
"She kissed you?" Kuro shot back, equally incredulous.
They stared at each other, processing the chaos of the night before. The air around them was thick with confusion and disbelief, both boys trying to piece together the puzzle of what had just happened.
"Hey, you shouldn't just touch others without permission! She's going to kill you, Kuro! But she kissed me herself! Maybe I have more of a chance with her," Arnold exclaimed, his eyes wide with realization.
"Hey, stop it! You never had a chance! There must be a reason why she gave you a peck on the lips," Kuro said, jealousy bubbling beneath the surface, but there was also a hint of happiness in his voice from having kissed her the night before.
"Well, yeah, she came into both our rooms," Arnold said, a hint of disappointment in his tone.
"Great, now we're both in the 'Akari Mystery Zone'—sounds like a bad detective novel," Kuro quipped, rubbing his chin dramatically. "Let's go crack this case wide open!"
"Right! The Great Akari Caper," Arnold added, puffing out his chest like a detective. "We'll need disguises. Maybe fake mustaches?"
"Perfect! Because nothing says 'serious sleuths' like poorly glued-on facial hair," Kuro snickered.
"Hey, if it works for the heroes in those terrible movies, it can work for us!" Arnold shot back, both of them laughing as they plotted their absurd investigation.
On the other hand, Akari was out with the girls, buzzing with excitement as they shopped for the upcoming ball after their exams. They all soared through the sky, flapping their wings in graceful arcs, while Akari rode alongside them on a flying horse named Stardust, who was far more enthusiastic about the journey than she was.
"Stardust, slow down!" Akari shouted, clutching the reins as the horse bucked slightly, eager to join the girls in the air. "I'm not ready for a sky dive!"
"Just hang on tight!" one of the girls called back, laughing as she swooped low. "This is how we do it!"
As they glided down to the marketplace, Akari couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy as the other girls elegantly landed with a flourish. She, on the other hand, dismounted with a less-than-graceful thud, stumbling slightly as Stardust pranced around excitedly.
"Look at you! The noble knight and her trusty steed!" one of her friends teased, suppressing a giggle.
"Yeah, yeah, just wait until I find a way to win the ball," Akari replied, brushing herself off while shooting a playful glare at Stardust. "You'll see who the real star is!"
With a renewed sense of determination, she joined the group, ready to tackle the world of dresses, accessories, and all the sparkles that would make the ball unforgettable—despite her flying horse's antics!
As they navigated the bustling marketplace, one of the girls turned to Akari with a mischievous grin. "So, who are you taking to the ball—Kuro or Arnold? You know everyone has to have a partner!"
Akari feigned indifference. "I haven't decided yet. I mean, they're both… charming in their own ways," she said, trying to play it cool.
"Come on! You have to choose! Kuro is all brooding and mysterious, and Arnold is the charming prince. It's practically a fairy tale!" another girl teased.
As Akari and the girls moved through the vibrant marketplace, they were completely engrossed in their chatter about the upcoming ball. Kuro and Arnold, however, trailed a few paces behind, trying to stay hidden while eavesdropping.
"Do you think she'll pick one of us?" Kuro asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Honestly, who knows? She's been acting like she's completely oblivious," Arnold replied, shaking his head. "It's like we're invisible."
"I wish I could be invisible right now," Kuro muttered, peering around a stall at Akari, who was animatedly discussing dresses with the other girls.
As they continued walking, one of the girls asked, "So, Akari, who are you thinking of taking to the ball? You know you have to have a partner for the dance!"
Kuro and Arnold exchanged worried glances, both holding their breath, hoping she would say one of their names. Akari grinned but shrugged, playing coy. "I haven't decided yet! It's such a big choice!"
The boys rolled their eyes, not realizing that their fate hung in the balance as the girls gushed and giggled, unaware of their secret audience lurking nearby.
Now Akari was in a gown shop, surrounded by her friends as they browsed through the colorful array of dresses. The atmosphere was lively, with laughter and excited chatter filling the air. The girls were all in a flurry of fabric and frills, eagerly selecting their gowns for the upcoming ball. In this academy, it was customary for partners to wear dresses that either matched or contrasted beautifully with each other, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.
"Which color gown are you going to wear?" one of her friends asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Wait a second," Akari said, suddenly struck by an idea. She activated her magic tool that connected her with the boys. Meanwhile, Kuro and Arnold, unaware of what was coming, quickly hid in an unrecognizable area, preparing for a video call.
"So, both of you guys are together?" Akari asked, her tone casual but her curiosity evident.
"Yah, what's up?" Arnold replied, trying his best to sound nonchalant, though he couldn't help but feel a hint of nervousness.
"What color is your favorite?" she inquired innocently.
"Black," Kuro answered without hesitation.
"Blue," Arnold added, a little too quickly.
"Thanks, bye!" Akari abruptly cut off the call, leaving the boys in a confused silence.
"Why did she ask our favorite color and then just hang up?" Kuro pondered aloud, scratching his head.
"Simple, she wants a dress color that matches mine, idiot," Arnold said, his realization dawning.
"Hey, she asked for mine too!" Kuro retorted, a hint of indignation in his voice.
"Maybe she doesn't want you to be suspicious," Arnold teased, a smirk creeping onto his face.
"Dream on," Kuro shot back, still in disbelief.
On the other hand, Akari had already approached the shopkeeper and requested to see dresses that blended blue and black, her mind racing with ideas. She could already envision how stunning they would look together, her heart fluttering at the thought of coordinating with either of the boys. The anticipation was almost too much to bear.
However, there was a problem. While the gowns were designed to showcase elegant backs adorned with delicate embroidery and shimmering fabric, the other girls had the advantage of their wings to conceal any imperfections. For Akari, it was a different story; without wings, the design would reveal more than she was comfortable with.
Just as she was about to give up hope, the shopkeeper approached her with a bright smile. "I have just the thing for you!" she said, leading Akari to a section of the shop where she revealed a stunning pair of fake wings specifically designed for those who had lost their own in an accident. These wings were beautifully crafted, resembling soft, iridescent feathers, and glimmered under the shop's lights.
"Try these on!" the shopkeeper encouraged. Akari hesitated but decided to go for it.
After securing the wings, she began trying on various gowns. One was too puffy, making her look like a walking cupcake. Another was elegant but felt a little too much like a wedding dress, and one sparkled so brightly that she feared she might blind someone.
Finally, after several hilarious attempts, she found a dress that struck the perfect balance. It was a sleek, flowing gown that accentuated her figure, and the color was a beautiful blend of blue and black that matched the wings perfectly. As she twirled in front of the mirror, the wings fluttered gracefully behind her, completing the look.
Her friends cheered from the fitting area, "That's the one, Akari! You look amazing!" With a grin, Akari knew she was ready for the upcoming ball, feeling both excited and a little mischievous about the attention she would undoubtedly attract.
Kuro and Arnold cornered their friend Mina, who had accompanied Akari on the shopping trip the day before. They exchanged determined glances, both eager to get the scoop on what Akari had been up to.
"Mina, we need to know what Akari was doing yesterday," Kuro demanded, crossing his arms.
Mina raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by their sudden interest. "Oh, you mean the same Akari who pulled off that epic prank on you guys?"
Arnold shot Kuro a look. "Don't dodge the question, Mina. What did she do? We want the details!"
Mina laughed, enjoying the moment. "Alright, alright! So, Akari had to complete a dare from the girls' night. They challenged her to sneak into both of your rooms and give you a peck on the cheek without being caught. You should have seen her face when she realized what she had to do!"
Kuro's eyes widened. "Wait, she actually did that?"
"Of course! And I can't believe you two didn't notice her sneaking around!" Mina replied, clearly relishing the story. "She said you thought it was a dream when she kissed you, Arnold. And Kuro, she didn't even think you were serious about your drunken confession!"
"Drunken confession?" Arnold echoed, now completely bewildered. "What do you mean?"
"Let's just say, Kuro might have gotten a little too comfortable after a few drinks," Mina teased. "But it's not my place to spill the tea. You'll have to ask him about that one!"
Kuro frowned, clearly annoyed at his friend. "You better tell us everything else that happened!"
Mina waved her hands in a dismissive gesture. "Sorry, boys. What happens at girls' night stays at girls' night! But trust me, Akari is definitely up to something, and it's not just about the ball dresses."
As they stood there, Kuro and Arnold exchanged exasperated glances, both feeling a mix of frustration and curiosity. They had underestimated Akari, and now they were more determined than ever to figure out what she was planning next.
Despite their newfound determination, Kuro and Arnold quickly realized that confronting Akari was far more daunting than they had anticipated. The thought of facing her after the embarrassing dare sent a shiver down their spines.
As they lingered in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to speak with her, they caught sight of Akari approaching from a distance. Panic set in, and both boys exchanged frantic glances.
"Quick, hide!" Kuro hissed, pulling Arnold behind a nearby wall.
"Where do we go?" Arnold whispered, his voice barely above a breath.
"I don't know! Just act natural!" Kuro replied, trying to flatten himself against the wall as if it could make him invisible.
When Akari finally arrived, she looked around, her curiosity piqued. "Boys? Are you here?" she called out, scanning the area. "Come on, I know you're hiding!"
Kuro and Arnold could only hold their breath, their hearts racing as they listened to her approach. They stayed absolutely still, hoping she wouldn't notice the two figures peeking out from behind the wall.
"Fine! If you're going to hide, I'll just go find something to do myself," Akari sighed, turning on her heel to leave.
Just as she began to walk away, Kuro and Arnold exchanged desperate glances, silently deciding it was now or never. But in a moment of panic, they both took off in opposite directions, nearly colliding as they bolted away.
"Wait, where are you going?" Akari called after them, her eyes wide with confusion.
"Anywhere but here!" Kuro shouted back, running down the hall.
"I'll take the back exit!" Arnold replied, sprinting in the other direction.
Akari stood there, scratching her head in disbelief. "Seriously? Are they really that scared of me?" she muttered to herself, shaking her head with a mixture of amusement and frustration.
And so, the boys disappeared from sight, leaving Akari both puzzled and slightly entertained by their antics, unaware of the chaos she had inadvertently caused.