Rivalry is a partnership in disguise. A relationship between two people that should not involve hate when done right. In order for someone to give it their all and surpass their limits, having a rival to push them is a great way. Without a competitor who can pose a challenge, why go above and beyond?
This morning I found a person who seems to have the same goal as me. We both love The Vice President, Alice Souken. "Aoi Quin" . Have I finally found that person, someone who will push me a step forward towards my goal? A Rival, Should have been obvious to me that lots of people finds Alice attractive and would love to go out with her. Aoi is not the only one who has a thing for All Star Academy's Queen. A sexy figure, nice personality, cute face. Her whole existence screams unfair to me when I look at other girls. Is it because my heart's been captured?
In a sense, every guy in school and some girls are after the same thing as me. There are many competitors that I will have to crush in order to date Alice Souken. Our class's homeroom teacher threw her chalk at me.
"Pay attention Victor! This is important"
"Sorry Mrs Emi"
Almost forgot I was in a class meeting. Apparently, there is a lot of things, us first years have to do in our first semester. Miss Emi is going out of her way to explain each key event. Our class is definitely lucky to have her. Every other teacher would probably depend on the student to read the handouts.
"Now, this school has every club you can think of. I'll hand you a list of them all tomorrow morning so be early. Participating in club activities is a necessity for graduation. Do not think it is optional"
A red haired boy raised his hand and Miss Emi acknowledges him. He had short red hair and orange pupils, his appearance at first glance makes you wonder if he's a foreigner. I know no race who is born with red hair. "Yes Xavier, you may speak" Miss Emi told him.
"It's shocking how nobody has mentioned the monthly challenges yet. Is the school deliberately keeping it secret from this new batch of students?"
Miss Emi refrained from answering his question which was a darn shame because his words piqued my interests. "Monthly challenge, wonder what it's like". Xavier's line was permanently ingrained in my head. I can't afford to forget foreshadowing like that. Our teacher went on to explain other key events that will happen in the first term.
"Another thing, there is a special group that is normally formed at the end of the first semester. They are called Law Enforcers, students recommended by teachers or student council members are eligible of joining this group"
"What's their purpose?" Nayeli asks.
"The name gives it away doesn't it. Four first year students will form First Year Law Enforcers. Four second years will form Second year law enforcers. These groups are responsible for disciplining students, help them through personal issues and prevent major conflicts within your grades"
Tetsu looked confused as he asks "The school already has a student council who enforces discipline. Why have more groups that does the exact same thing?"
"Hahahaha, this Law Enforcer group is Stephano's idea. He has a lot on his plate so he likes it when trustworthy people report to him about matters instead of him looking into it himself. Law Enforcers are just here to make his life easier I'm afraid. Don't fret though, there are benefits with becoming one. You'll automatically be nominated for a position in the Student Council when it opens up" Miss Emi says with a grin. She moved on to explain the examinations. First we have midterms next month in October, next we'll have final exams in December.
"Keep this in mind. Any subject you fail in midterms, it will be deemed that you are far behind in your studies and you'll get abandoned. Meaning, failing your Math mid-terms is an automatic zero for you final exam grade in Math. Fail any subject and you're done for, you'll have to repeat the year like that red head over there". She said that while pointing at Xavier. This school is brutal with its academics. Fail your mid-terms and it's a done deal that you're repeating the year. Fail even one subject in final exams, it calls for repeating a year.
"I better give Aphrodi more notes after school" He was still in the middle of his suspension, so I imagine he's idling around not knowing the importance details being told here.
"After final exams, students will be taken on a week trip to somewhere nice. Last year, we went to Paris in France. Who knows where the school will take you guys this year? The cost for the trip is expensive but if you've passed all your final exams. It will be free of cost". Mrs Emi's words lit a fire in everyone in the classroom. They were suddenly excited and determined not to fail.
"Wooooooh!! Paris's baby" Fugo yelled unable to contain his excitement.
Miss Emi urges everyone to keep quiet. She made it clear to us that she should not be telling us the events of the first semester. She was ordered not to alert the students of anything but here she is, telling us every important detail we need to be aware of in advance. She is already disobeying orders by talking to us. Why did she not address the monthly challenge Xavier talked about though? Something tells me, that it's a big deal. After the class meeting was over, I headed to the Student Council since anyone can enter it apparently. When I arrived at the door, I saw Aoi again. We both made eye contact before entering the room together.
"Welcome! How may I help you!?"
Alice's voice echoed in the room. I quickly thought of an excuse to why I came here. Truthfully, I only wanted to see Alice before I went home. "I need help in joining a club. I'm interested in a wide variety and I can't seem to choose" I told her. Aoi nodded along with what I said. Alice put her right hand below her chin while staring at the ceiling. She was thinking carefully before giving any suggestions. "Well, Aoi should definitely join our school's Music Club. She'll fit in perfectly there" Alice said confidently. She then looked over to me and her smile got wider.
"Judging from the situation you were previously in. You wasn't quick to jump on a side, you stood neutral and did not gang up on Aphrodi. A guy like you is needed in our Newspaper Club. Luckily for us, I'm apart of that club as well" Alice says happily. Her smile blossoms even more, my chest couldn't take anymore of it. I had to lower my head and gasp for air.
"Newspaper Club it is. Thank you Alice. Looking forward to working with you. What exactly do they do?"
Alice whipped out a newspaper and showed me. All Star Academy had its own morning newspaper that shows events that had transpired. The newspaper sadly reminded me of my most embarrassing moment. When I was seen in underwear. In this newspaper, I was the hot topic. Alice took it back after seeing my sadden expression. "Sorry, that was insensitive of me" the queen apologizes. I took no offense to it as long as it's from her. Writing newspaper sounds like something I should definitely try out.
"You in any other clubs?"
"Yep, Photography and Music"
Aoi jumped in joy when she heard Alice was in the same club as her. I wished that wasn't the case. Aoi can't hide her fan girl face around Alice even if she tried. "Believe it or not, I used to play the violin too. The piano and drums were my favourite instruments" Alice told us. Aoi took her senior's hand and shook them up and down. Aoi already knew that about Alice I bet. From her actions this far, I'm starting to think she doesn't like Alice in a romantic way like I do. She probably just admires her a great deal because of her skill with instruments. Now I can't get the image of Alice playing a violin out of my head. "Aoi is not a rival. Good" I said relieved.