Chapter Eight

An empty and closed classroom welcomed Lea and Hana. They stood there for a while, coming up with a decision on what they should do next.

"It's already close."

"She must have went home."

"Then let's go and get Siren."

"Okay."

-

Infirmary

"Why are you here?"

Standing in front of her is Peach, who is quietly observing her, noticing little details about her. From her bed hair, to her slightly opened and wrinkled uniform. It was painfully obvious that she had a good sleep and has completely forgotten about her responsibility.

"So this is where you hide." She said non chalantly as she sit on the bed beside her. "You left your shift and didn't come back. You've caused trouble to the class. Lea and Hana had to work your shift."

'I know that already, why does she had to rub it in?'

When she didn't answer, Peach gave her a cold glance and said, "That's very irresponsible of you, Siren."

"So, what could be my punishment, Ms. Class President?" She could feel the bitterness in her mouth as she utter those words. But more importantly, her heart won't stop beating so fast ever since Peach came. And she hate it so much.

She froze on the spot when suddenly, Peach came closer to her and started fixing her hair, their bodies only inches apart from each other.

"W-what-"

"Well, for the trouble you have caused, you have to work the entire day, with possible to no rest. And an apology to everyone..." She stopped fixing her hair and looked straight into her eyes. "...and to me."

'Crap. Why does she have to be this close?'

"W-why do I have to apologize to you?"

"You've been doing a lot of troubles to me lately, and I don't like it."

"What troubles? I-is it because I pushed you earlier?"

Peach just stared at her, seemingly awaiting for more.

"It's your fault! Your hand... I-it's cold, it surprised me. And can you move away? Who said you can touch me like that?"

'Shit. I' m just blabbering nonsense.'

Peach grinned at her response. "I'm used at you treating me like that, Siren and besides, you seem to like it, so why would I stop?"

She swallowed an invisible lump on her throat when Peach started caressing her face using her index finger until it stopped on her lips, slowly tracing the outer line. She hissed at the sudden touch, almost holding her breath. She feels like going crazy.

"Am I right, Siren? You liked this right? So there's no reason for me to stop."

"Y-you..."

'This is bad... This is really bad.'

She tried pushing her away but it only seemed like she hugged her, making Peach to giggle lightly. Peach leaned even closer, her lips almost touching her right ear and her breath tickling her, adding to the agonizing sensation she' s feeling.

"Don't make me mad Siren, You won't like it."

"A-are you threatening me?"

Peach chuckled once again, sending shivers to her entire body. Hearing her chuckle like that with only a small distance between them is a nightmare for Siren.

"No... I'm just reminding you." She moved away and stared at her again.

"You understand me now right, Siren?"

'I knew it, she was just playing with me.'

With all her remaining strength, she pushed her away. "Damn you." She stomped her way out leaving Peach smiling bitterly to herself.

"Why do you hate me so much?"

-

Day 2 of the school festival

A dark aura surrounding Siren has stayed with her the entire day making it hard for other people to approach her. Even Lea and Hana, who's been with her for the longest, can't approach her without flinching at her attitude.

"Uh... I think you should take a rest, Siren. Let us take care of the things here." One of her classmates asked not being able to handle the situation any longer. Siren only glared at her but her expression turned soft when she realized her action. She sighed and agreed to take a rest, leaving the classroom and taking a walk.

'This is all because of her. I' m so annoyed, I can't concentrate well.'

She unknowingly stops at Yujin' s classroom. The door's close making her wonder if their Class has continued their exhibition. She got her answer when she tried opening the door only to find it locked.

"That's weird. This is the last day of class exhibitions, why would they close?" She stood there for quite some time. "Whatever. It's not like I care. I wonder where Yujin is? I haven't seen her since yesterday." She walked again aiming to find Yujin but to no avail. Her break comes to an end so she has to go back to their classroom which she regretted doing as her mood went even sour upon seeing the face of the person who caused her bad mood.

'As expected. My day is ruined.'

She tried to ignore her and went on to work silently until she felt a presence behind her.

"Your apron is untied. Let me fix it for you." Peach's voice echoed behind her.

'As if toying with me last night wasn' t enough, and now this?'

"Don' t touch me." It was a whisper, almost unaudible but enough for Peach to hear.

"Just a little."

Siren almost hissed at the sudden coldness at her lower back. Even with a cloth, she could still feel Peach's cold hands.

"Why are you-"

"Don't forget that you still owe me something." Peach whispers in her right ear, sending shivers down to her spine.

'Is she torturing me?'

"I... I don't owe you anything." She tried to sound tough and rude but to no avail. She hates how her voice sounded weak, almost like she's pleading and trembling.

"You pushed me away yesterday."

She turns around hastily only to be welcomed by Peach's face so close to her. And with that, all of the words that she's about to say disappeared in an instant.

"You remember, right? That was so rude of you, Siren."

"So you're doing this a revenge? Are you a kid?" She answered with a clenched teeth, trying her best not to look affected.

Peach smiles. "I'm just acting as usual. What revenge are you talking about?"

"Then stop talking about that! And you're so close. Have you got no concept of personal space?"

To her surprise, Peach leans on her chest, as if to listen to her heartbeat.

'What...'

"I just like being this close to you."

"You-"

She looks up again, still with a mischievous smile on her face. "Go back to work. And do your job well so our classmates won't get mad at you."

Siren stares at her in disbelief.

'That girl... She played with me again!'