Chapter 27: Undercurrents (2)

***Scarlet P.O.V.

I made an excuse and escaped the party.

I sighed while looking at the stars all alone away from all the noise.

'Why are people couldn't help but compare me with her? I didn't want to have beef with her? Does it matter that I defeated her?' I couldn't help but get frustrated with all this nonsense.

I get that people were surprised that the youngest daughter of House Peterson lost to a nobody but that didn't give them authority to classify me by just that.

'I am more than just that. Just wait. I will make you all acknowledge me for what I am without being compared to someone else.'

***Steve P.O.V.

"And apparently miss Samantha came out of the same room as professor Dumbbell did. Do you it's not suspicious?" Stella's friend whispered to us all.

"That's fine all but why are you whispering? Do you think professor dumbbell would hear you if you speak normally?" Liam joked around.

"Nah, it's just a sub-conscious thing. But anyway, what do you think? Are those two be the next power couple in your Academy?"

"I don't about that but I feel that professor dumbbell would attract jealousy of many suitors and fans that religiously like miss Samantha." One of the people in the group interjected.

"I agree, she is caring, kind, and most of all very professional in her role. Plus she's beautiful. She made a lot of fans unknowingly. They would not be happy with the professor even if these are just rumors with no basis behind them." Stella remarked.

I somewhat expected this while coming here but it still felt redundant. Teenagers liked to talk about topics that were a little bit forbidden and controversial during parties. A budding relationship between two staff members felt completely appropriate.

"Why are you so silent, Steve?" The person that started the topic noticed that I haven't said anything yet.

I smiled, "I just don't feel the need to discuss the private life of someone unless it's necessary. We should give the rumor sometime and if it projected some facts rather than assumptions then it should be appropriate to discuss it. I'm more eager to know if you guys know what will we during in the next few days."

"You know what, Steve has a point. Let's not fall into the cycle of gossiping about rumors. Remember when we did it and at the end of the day, we found that it was nothing like we expected and it was such a let down isn't it? "

They all nodded before one of them spoke, " So as you guys know, we would have to pick a club in the next few days. Did you guys decide which one you want to join?"

Stella shook her head," I would like to wait until the day when they will be given the chance to promote themselves and I will choose one then. I am thinking of choosing a normal and one of the important ones."

"I have already decided to choose the acting club if we are talking about normal and I will decide the important one after checking them out. I would like to check them out first before deciding since I would be dedicating most of my time to it." Liam said.

Everyone one by one gave their answers before turning to me.

"Well, I visited the club building as soon as I was done with the lunch today. Sadly, I couldn't check them out properly since there were no club members at that time but I felt that the newspaper club is interesting too."

"Paper media?"

"Why? Did you find something interesting?"

"Nothing like that. It's just that you get to learn many things from it."

Stella hummed," I would like you to explain to me about that. In my opinion, the media had just become something that only cares about views and ratings."

"That's true. The media has become biased to a degree. It's either leans left or right side of the spectrum but that's not local media. Local media is still very much fulfilling its role to report the news without any disturbance with the facts."

"And what can I learn from it, First and foremost, investigation skills are something that both a detective and a media reporter share between them. You also need to know the history and current affairs if you want to add them to your article so it also means that you acquire knowledge about the history and scientific research and advances. "

"It's a multitalented discipline in itself."

"If you say it like that then yeah, it almost seemed as profitable to join the newspaper club as acting club. Why didn't I notice that?" One of the people mockingly laughed at himself while shaking his head.

Before I could say something else, I felt a certain pull from outside. I realized that the pull was coming from the link between me and Cynthia. I wondered what she was up to?

" Excuse me guys" I nodded at them before slowly leaving the party.

*** Scarlet P.O.V.

"Who's there?" I turned around to face the bush that moved just now.

As I warily watched it, it once again showed movement before a pair of eyes revealed them.

My breath stopped as I looked at the yellow eyes that seemed to inspect me. The first thought I had was that it was likely related to the incident that happened during the opening ceremony and I need to stay valiant and calm.

Before I could think of any ideas to earn some time for the backup to come, the creature revealed itself in its full glory.

My eye twitched as I looked at the foot-sized three-tailed cat like a beast that slowly walked up to me.

"Meow" She observed me with caution yet still slowly approached.

I couldn't help but release the breath I was holding inside my lungs as I kneeled.

I heard that by kneeled the animal felt less threatened by you.

"Where did you come from, huh?" I muttered as I slowly tried to raise my hand toward her.

"Meow" She looked at the forwarded hand for a few moments before approaching me.

I smiled as I pat her behind the eyes before picking her up in my arms once she relaxed.

I walked up to the bench before taking the seat again with her in my arms.

"Did you run away from your partner to enjoy the stary sky?" I noticed that she had a collar on her neck and an artifact no less. She clearly was well cared for.

Her fur was shining and well-groomed while her body proportion suggested that she was well fed too.

We spend some time looking at the stars and enjoying each other's company before I felt another presence approaching.

This one clearly didn't want to conceal its presence since I could identify their location without even trying.

Before long, a male student revealed himself by walking out of trees before looking at me.

***Steve P.O.V.

I'm ashamed to admit that for a few moments my brain got frozen when I looked at the girl carrying Cynthia.

Graceful would be the right word to describe her. Dense and fluffy red hair flowing to the hip, and same colored eyes. She tilted her head as she observed me.

Thankfully I was not so much out of my space that I would not realize that I might look like a creep if I kept staring at her.

***Scarlet P.O.V.

The guy walked up to me before looking at his partner in my hands.

"It looks like she likes you."

I smiled as I turned to look at the front once again.,"You think so?"

"She doesn't stay with someone else except me except now. Thank you for taking care of her. I hope she doesn't make things difficult for you." The boy remarked as he took sat beside me. I let him since he seemed aware of the concept of personal space.

"No, not at all. In fact, she rather made my mood better instead." The cat got up and jumped from my lap to his shoulder before meowing once.

"Ohh, then that's good. I hope whatever upsets you get resolved as soon as possible. By the way, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Steve."

He didn't ask for a handshake instead he too relaxed his posture and enjoyed the sky.

"Scarlet, I'm assuming that you are a first-year too." I didn't interact with boys like what I'm doing right now unless I know them for a while but somehow I felt a weird feeling in my heart that made felt natural around him.

"I'm very happy to inform you that you are right in your assumption then." It looked like he didn't realize who I am.

"So what are you doing here all by yourself, Scarlet?" He asked with some hesitation.

**Hahaha, amazing. Just amazing, I see what is going on here. First that boy and now this girl.** System couldn't help but laugh looking at the unbelievable scenario happening in front of him. I guess it's natural that they both ended up interacting with Steve since if both sides were equally matched then the joker could decide which side would get the victory.