Six

"Wait for me. I'll just give this to them." Siren heads off to where Peach is. "We finished up cutting this, Can we go home now?"

Peach accepts the cut-outs, her face showing no expression. "Siren, she's not our classmate, Why did you let her here?"

"Can't she stay here? She's not an outsider, she's also a student here."

"Still. To this homeroom and this class, she's an outsider."

"I don't care what you say." Siren turns around, snatches Yujin, and steps outside the classroom. Peach follows them, her expression now grim.

"Peach, Are you alright? Siren always does that, don't mind her."

Peach looks at her classmate, this time, cheerfully.

"Right. Anyway, if you're all finished, you can go home. Thank you for your hard work, everyone!"

-

"S-siren... Are you mad?"

'Just what's going on with her? Since when did she become this nosy? Our classmate brought his girlfriend, and she said nothing. I brought a friend, and she's suddenly behaving that way. So irritating, really.'

"Siren..."

'I can't wait for this year to be finished, I hope she will not be my classmate next year, she's truly annoying.'

"S-siren..."

"WHAT?!"

Yujin winced at her unexpected rise in tone. Siren quickly calmed herself down when she realized what she did.

'It's all because of her.'

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that." She quickly apologizes as she slowly lets go of her wrist.

"I-it's fine. But... Are you okay?"

"Huh?"

"Actually... Lea and Hana told me you and P-peach are not on good terms... It also looked like you fought earlier. Are you okay?"

Siren murmured. "We're always that way. It's fine." They began strolling again peacefully.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah. I just got a bit irritated."

None of them talked until they arrived at a two-way street.

"Then, I'll go this way. What about you?" Siren asked, pointing to the left intersection. Yujin points at the opposite side. She nods and bids her farewell.

"Uh... Siren..."

"What is it?"

"C-can we also go to school together tomorrow?"

Siren let out a small smile, finally able to slowly calm down after seeing Yujin's flustered state.

'She's really cute.'

"Sure." Before she realize it, she put her hand on her head and slowly ruffled her hair.

"S-Siren?"

"Oh. Sorry. I acted on impulse."

It is quite dim where they are with just the light post giving a light yet Siren can see the blush on Yujin's cheeks.

"See you tomorrow."

"A-alright."

Siren walks again, and her mood gradually lifted.

'Because of her, I feel sort of better. Maybe it isn't so bad having her around.'

-

The school festival arrived. The school has improved vigorously, much to the delight of the students and guests. There are stalls and booths all over and the student all gives dazzling presentations at their stalls.

Siren, Lea, and Hana strolled around and visit different stalls. They had a good time eating and visiting other students' booths. Then, they take a rest at their hang-out place while eating snacks.

"I can't enjoy this festival because next week is exam week. How cruel of them to make that schedule?" Hana can't erase the frown on her face as she eats her corn dog.

Lea frowns at Hana's statement. "Do you need to remind me that? I haven't touched my book since last week. The only thing I could probably answer on that test is my name. I can feel my summer bidding farewell."

"You look so quiet, Siren. You must confident in the upcoming exam week."

Siren sneers. "As if. I'm doomed as well. Also, I would prefer not to worry about it. And I don't want to stress over it. I'll just enjoy this free time and cry later."

Both of them nod in agreement. "You're correct. Let's just pour our hearts out by crying next week. By the way, I haven't seen Yujin. I wonder where she is?"

"She's in Class 4, correct? Do you think it's a good idea for us to visit their homeroom? I heard they're doing this fortune-telling thing."

"Fortune telling? Oh. Sounds interesting. Siren, how about we go?" Siren just nods as they advance toward Class 4.

They would immediately spot Yujin outside the classroom, looking all cute with her oversize dark blue robe and a big cone-shaped hat that resembles a witch's hat.

Hana giggles at the sight. "I thought they were doing fortune telling, why is she dressed like that?"

"Why? It's cute." Lea commented, not leaving her eyes on Yujin who is still busy talking with her friends who are all making a fuzz and taking nonstop pictures of her.

'Yeah, she's really cute.'

Siren walks past them and approaches Yujin. And as if on cue, her face turns beet red that she almost hides inside her robe.

"W-why..."

"We're here to get our fortune read. I think we might have the wrong place." Siren answers playfully, a big grin plastered on her face.

"No, you came to the right place! Come inside, come inside!" One of Yujin's classmates interrupts them and pushes her inside. "Yujin, assist her, okay?"

"B-but-"

"It's your chance! You wanted to impress her, right?"

"W-what..."

Her classmate just laughed at her reaction. "She's been waiting for you since this morning. You're Siren, right?" She added, looking at Siren.

"Kaye!"

"Go inside, you won't regret it!" Kaye almost pushed them inside that Yujin runs inside, panicking.

"Well, then. Impress me, Yujin." Siren chanted playfully.

"I... I'll do my best."

She grabs her lightly by the wrist and drags her slowly to one of the empty seats. They decorated the desk with a thick, red coat with a big crystal ball on top of it. She sits behind the ball as Siren sits in front of her.

"What should I do now?"

"Give me your right hand..."

Her warm, sweaty hand enveloped Siren's as she started massaging it lightly. Siren can't help but chuckle.

"You are supposed to read my palm."

"I... I am!" She answered in a slightly raised voice but continues to massage her hand. "Um... I can see good fortune awaiting you."

"Really?"

She nods, not leaving her gaze on her hand. "Yeah. And..."

"And?"

"Y-you're about to meet your soulmate."

Siren places her free hand on her chin as she rests her elbow on the table, still amused at what she's witnessing.

'I could do this whole day.'

"Really? Do you know who might that person be?"

"I can't give out a specific name but-"

"Siren, we have to go!" Hana interrupts them. "Hi, Yujin! Read my palm next! Also, let's take a picture!"

"Okay..."

"Let's go," Lea added, appearing behind Hana.

"Alright." She slowly withdrew her hand. "See you later." Yujin nods as she makes a small wave to bid them farewell. Outside, they can see Peach with a stern expression on her face.

"Uh-oh." She heard Hana whisper.

"You're late." Peach commented as soon as she got close.

"I'm not."

"You seem to have fun so much that you forgot your duties."

"I said, we are not late! Look, we are just on time!" She shouted, pointing at the clock inside the classroom. "What is wrong with you, why are you always picking on me?"

"I am not. Aren't you the one that is being childish here?"

"Oh, please, shut up."

She storms inside the classroom to change into her uniform. Their class is doing a cafe and the three of them got assigned as servers.

'She knows how to ruin my mood. I was just having fun seconds ago. So irritating.'

Her anger fuels her even more than she has a problem fixing the tie on her apron.

"Why the hell is this thing not-"

"Let me help you-"

The sudden coldness that touched her hand surprised Siren. She pushed away Peach unknowingly. It must've been strong as Peach ended up on the floor.

"I'm - I... Why would you touch me like that..." Siren doesn't know what she would do next and as panic arises through her body, she did what she thinks is the most appropriate.

She left Peach.