The aroma of chocolate filled the air as Sukasa, Hino, and Kaiyō walked down one of the long hallways of Arkanum Academy. Each of them held a generous slice of chocolate cake, savoring every bite as if it were a newly discovered treasure.
—After the banquet, my brother will give a speech —Kaiyō commented with a confident smile, finishing his slice with one last bite—. I hope to see you there.
Sukasa nodded, her eyes shining with pleasure as she enjoyed her cake.
—Don't worry, we'll be there —she replied, savoring every bite—. Wow, this is delicious... How can it be so good?
Kaiyō laughed proudly, brushing crumbs off his lips with the back of his hand.
—I know, it's one of Mrs. Fukuko's specialties. They say her recipe is a closely guarded secret.
He took one last bite before licking his fingers and stretching with satisfaction.
—Well, ladies, I'll take my leave for now. I have a few things to do before the speech, but I'll see you later.
He bid them farewell with a slight bow, his black coat fluttering slightly as he walked away with quick steps.
Sukasa watched him go and sighed, feeling a little nostalgic.
—See you later, Kaiyō. And thanks for everything...
Hino, with a mischievous smile, approached Sukasa and took her arm.
—Sukasa, let's keep exploring the academy. We still have time before Igurū's speech.
—Yeah, good idea —Sukasa replied, finishing her cake with one last bite—. Let's go.
They walked leisurely through the hallways, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and admiring the architectural details of the academy. The high vaulted ceilings, the stained-glass windows filtering the sunlight, and the symbols carved into the walls reminded them that they were in a place full of history and power.
However, the tranquility didn't last long.
—CLEAR THE WAYYYYY!
A sudden shout echoed through the hallway, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps. Before Sukasa and Hino could react, a figure crashed into Sukasa, sending her tumbling to the ground with a thud. Her cake flew through the air... and landed directly on her head.
For a moment, Sukasa lay still, trying to process what had just happened. The chocolate cake dripped down her face, and her uniform was stained with cream and crumbs.
—Huh...? —she murmured, completely bewildered.
The boy who had knocked her down, a young man with messy black hair and sleepy eyes, rubbed his head with a groan.
—Auuugh... I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking...
As he looked up, his eyes fixed on the cake covering Sukasa's face. Without thinking, he ran a finger across her cheek, collecting some of the sweet... and then tasted it with an expression of absolute satisfaction.
—Mmm! Delicious! —he exclaimed, as if nothing had happened.
There was a moment of absolute silence.
The students around them watched in surprise, some whispering among themselves.
—Did you see that?
—Was that... an indirect kiss?
—How shameless!
—Oh, he's dead...
Sukasa blinked a couple of times as her face went from absolute shock to bright red. Not only had she been knocked down in the middle of the hallway, but this guy, without any shame, had licked her face!
Her thoughts swirled in a storm of embarrassment and anger.
"Did this idiot just take advantage of me in front of everyone?!"
The heat in her face only increased as she heard some murmurs around her.
—YOU IDIOTTTTTT!!
With a swift motion, Sukasa punched him, sending him flying through one of the hallway windows.
—WAAAHHHH! —Kuro screamed as he disappeared into the air.
A few seconds later, a loud crash announced his landing on a tree in the courtyard outside.
The students fell silent for a moment, staring at the window in disbelief.
—Who was that? —one asked.
—I don't know, but he sure flew far —another replied.
—Do you think he's okay?
—That girl has incredible strength!
Hino, with a mix of surprise and concern, looked at Sukasa.
—Sukasa... don't you think you overreacted a bit?
Sukasa still had her fists clenched, trying to calm her breathing.
—T-that pervert licked my face! How could I not react like that?!
She crossed her arms, her face still flushed.
Hino looked at her, holding back a laugh.
—Yeah, but you sent him flying from the fourth floor...
Sukasa huffed and looked away.
—W-well... maybe I got carried away a little...
Meanwhile, outside...
Kuro hung from the tree that had cushioned his fall, swaying slightly in the wind.
—Ayy... that girl sure has a temper... —he complained, rubbing his head—. Igurū's going to kill me... again.
He sighed resignedly and dropped from the tree, shaking the leaves off his clothes. Suddenly, he remembered his mission.
—Oh, right! CHOCOLATE CAKEEE!
And without another word, he took off running again, dodging the students who were still processing what had just happened.
In the dining hall...
Kuro sat in the dining hall, finally savoring the chocolate cake he had been searching for. With each bite, he closed his eyes and sighed with pleasure, as if he were tasting ambrosia itself.
—Mmmm... this is pure happiness... —he murmured, enjoying the last piece—. Mrs. Fukuko, if I ever go missing, look for me here, because I'll never leave this dining hall.
Mrs. Fukuko, with a warm smile, bowed slightly as she cleaned the table.
—No problem, young Kuro. I know how much you love it, so I saved you a slice.
Kuro looked at her with genuine gratitude, placing a hand on his chest dramatically.
—I'll be eternally grateful! —he declared passionately, raising his hands to the sky—. Tasting this is like finding water in a desert or eating after months of starvation!
He spun in his chair, posing as if he were in a theatrical performance.
Mrs. Fukuko let out a laugh, shaking her head.
—Always so dramatic, young Kuro.
But before he could continue his spectacle, two shadows approached him stealthily from behind.
—Kuro! —a firm voice called.
Kuro was so startled that he choked on his cake.
—Ugh! —Coughing, he looked over his shoulder and saw Igurū and Remy standing beside him—. Oooh, Igurū, Remy! So good to see you guys —he said, recovering quickly and smiling as if nothing had happened.
Remy returned his smile warmly.
—We're glad to see you too, Kuro.
Kuro winked at her, but when he turned to Igurū, he noticed his critical gaze.
—And you, Igurū...? Don't you have anything to say to me?
Igurū looked him up and down with a serious expression.
—You look terrible.
Kuro almost fell out of his chair.
—That's not what I expected to hear!
Igurū gestured to the mess that was his uniform.
—Why is your clothes like this?
Kuro scratched the back of his neck, laughing nervously.
—Oh, well... I had a little mishap on my way to the academy, hahaha...
Igurū narrowed his eyes.
—I heard a student was punched and sent flying through a fourth-floor window for trying to mess with a first-year girl... That wasn't you, was it?
Kuro's face froze in a forced smile.
"Damn, gossip sure travels fast in this academy..."
—I don't know what you're talking about... —he replied, feigning innocence while looking away.
Igurū sighed deeply, like someone who's used to these situations.
—Never mind. Come on, I'll lend you one of my uniforms. And I suppose you didn't bring your coat either, did you?
Kuro shrugged.
—I didn't see the need to bring it, since it's the first day and all...
Igurū closed his eyes for a moment, massaging his temple.
—Oh, what am I going to do with you...?
He took a deep breath before looking at him seriously.
—Well, stop complaining and hurry up. The speech is about to start.
Kuro's face tensed immediately, as if he'd just been told he was being sent to the dungeon.
—What? No, no, no. You know I hate those events. Don't make me go, please! —he exclaimed, standing up with the intention of escaping.
But as soon as he took a step, Igurū caught his leg with superhuman reflexes.
—At the very least, you need to be present for the ceremony. Act like a man and come with me —Igurū said, not letting go, with a mix of reproach and authority.
Kuro struggled desperately, clawing at the floor as if he were being dragged to his execution.
—Nooo, Remy, help meeee!
Remy, with a calm smile, watched the scene as Kuro disappeared down the hallway, being dragged mercilessly by his friend.
—Those two will never change... —she murmured to herself before following them at a relaxed pace.