Closer to Liella

Although there were no signs of the members calming down, once it was starting to get late Heina announced the end of the party and they disbanded obediently. As Star Stream Academy had a single dorm for female students, all of them walked together in the same direction. Annaleigh expected for them to cuddle her once more, but Heina kept her at the back of their formation so that they could talk. While Annaleigh anxiously wondered about what the conversation could be about, Heina slipped her arm around her neck and on her shoulder.

"Anna, how much time do you have?"

"..."

As Heina's question was so far from what Annaleigh had imagined, she froze in place as her mental processes halted. She continued walking a moment afterwards, but she couldn't respond because she was still trying to sort out her thoughts. Fortunately, Heina didn't intend to frighten her junior too much.

"It's fine if you don't want to answer, but can you promise me something?"

"...What is it?"

"Be sincere with Liella while you're here. That girl, is rather difficult, but I think you'll be able to handle her."

"I don't know about that, but I'll try."

"Thanks."

Annaleigh was shaken by Heina's words, but she wasn't very worried after she had time to calm down. It might be a unique effect of Heina's charisma, but Annaleigh couldn't feel suspicious of her so she wasn't afraid that she would blackmail her or do anything to put her at a disadvantage.

The next day, Annaleigh arrived at class early and spotted Liella in her usual spot. She then gathered her courage and greeted Liella with a clear voice.

"Good morning, Liella."

Everyone else in the class held back their laughter as they imagined the indifferent response that Liella would give, but soon they were watching the two with wide eyes.

"Good morning, Annaleigh. How's your condition?"

"I'm fine, I'm not experiencing any lasting muscle pains."

"Good, can I expect to see you later today?"

"Yes, of course."

Even though Liella only glanced at her, Annaleigh's face showed that she was bursting with joy after finally being acknowledged. Her mind knew that she should use this opportunity to deepen their relationship, but the euphoria was enough to keep her satisfied. As her classmates watched them, they couldn't imagine how or why they seemed closer, but eventually news that she was seen with members of the Asteria Dance Club came. Although she wasn't the first to use this tactic to approach Liella, in the other cases neither Liella nor the other members cared to this extent. While on-lookers bit their napkins with bitter expressions, Annaleigh spent the morning in bliss.

Unfortunately, she wasn't able to find Liella when time came for lunch, but Annaleigh felt confident that she would be able to have lunch with her eventually. She still didn't have lunch in the private room for A class, but this time she had her meal with a smile. However, there were many who didn't like such an expression on her face.

Suddenly, an empty tray landed on Annaleigh's tray, crushing the remainder of her lunch. She half expected it, and when she looked up, she saw a group of three year three students in front of her. None of them were in A class, but she believed that there was someone in A class behind them. While she began contemplating how to handle this matter, one of them apologized sarcastically.

"My sincere apologies, I thought I spotted a fly."

"Is that so? You must have been so frightened."

"That's right. I can't help but get upset when I see a fly buzzing around a pretty flower."

"That makes sense, but if it was buzzing, then wasn't it a bee? Unlike common flies, honeybees actually bring significant benefit to flowers."

Since she seemed naïve, the three girls were surprised by her subtle razor-sharp comeback. Naturally it would be better if there was no trouble, but if anyone wanted to bother her then Annaleigh planned on crushing them as quickly as possible.

"Hmph, do you think yourself to be of use to her?"

"Hmm, that's odd. Weren't we talking about flies and bees? What are you talking about?"

Everyone already knew what was beneath the layers of their conversation, but as she was the first to reveal her true intention, the girl that confronted Annaleigh had to admit her loss on the social front, but she refused to give up here.

"Fine, I'll be direct. You're a stain on Lady Liella's beauty. If you have any sort of respect or admiration for her, distance yourself."

Tensions rose due to her strong warning, but Annaleigh's smile never faulted.

"A stain on her beauty? You think too highly of me. It seems in your eyes her splendid demeanor can be harmed by one such as I, but let me correct you. Lady Liella isn't a flower delicate enough to be sullied so easily. If you think otherwise, then perhaps you should get your eyes checked."

With those lines, she strutted out the cafeteria with the air of the victor. News travelled fast so by the end of the day Annaleigh felt stabbed by hateful eyes from every direction. Even so, Annaleigh jumped up to follow Liella after school, but then a major obstacle appeared.

"Annaleigh, I challenge you to a duel."

One of her classmates confronted her with the rest in the background watching them. Considering the fact that this would bite into her time with Liella, Annaleigh wished she could refuse, but the rules of A class restrained her. Although students of A class could reject challenges from other classes unless there were special circumstances, they weren't able to reject challenges from each other.

"Could we do this another time?"

"Why? So you can run?"

As Annaleigh began to bite her lip in frustration, she noticed that Liella was still in the classroom and realized that she was waiting on her. With her annoyance quickly swept away, Annaleigh said, "Sorry Liella, it seems I'll be late to club."

"Mmm, finish up and come as quick as possible."

"Yes."

Liella then left the classroom but her unspoken intent of 'I'll be waiting' turned the members of A class speechless. Most rejected reality, but even those who accepted this couldn't understand how it was possible for their ice queen to show favour to the new girl. Trying to come up with an explanation they could believe was all they did until Annaleigh reminded them about the duel.

"So, what sort of duel do you have in mind? Please make it something quick because as you can tell, I have an appointment to uphold."

"You!"

The girl who challenged her was a few steps away from erupting in rage. She glared at Annaleigh with hatred that would intimidate a serial killer, but she sealed that intense feeling so that she could calmly respond.

"Yes, it shouldn't take long. I challenge you to a match of arcane calligraphy."