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In Arcane Academy, Ayanakoji Kiyotaka and Suzune Horikita (you) find yourselves thrust into a magical school where alliances are forged, rivalries are fierce, and secrets run deep. As vice leader's of your class, you must navigate the treacherou...
My eyes snapped open, the hair on the back of my neck stood on end. He was here.
"You're deep in thought today..." a monotone voice lulled.
I narrowed my eyes at the blank space of my desk, trying to hone my breathing.
"You're sweating too..." he mused thoughtfully.
I clenched my jaw hard enough to hear a bone crack. Pulling back his seat, he sat beside me. I couldn't keep it from him any further, this was as far as I could go. Immediately, I turned to him. My breath caught. He had the same bleak, dull expression plastered to his face. He was dressed in his usual school uniform, blemishless and clean. He narrowed his eyes at me. I could almost see the calculations in his brain through his eyes.
*thunk*
Before I could open my mouth again, a hand slapped my desk. Instinctively, I jumped.
"Suzune!" a boisterous individual thundered.
Sighing in exasperation, I lifted my head to a face that was all too familiar.
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The individual was as straight as an arrow, tight as a bowstring. Dressed in his school uniform with his top shirt button undone and his hair a bit dishevelled, he was quite the sight. He loomed over me in an attempt to intimidate me, being tall and muscular adding to the equation. I gazed at his face. He flinched as soon as our eyes connected, his mask of intimidation breaking. In my pherherical vision, I noticed Ayanakoji directing his focus to the window. I knew he couldn't bear to watch these things. Noticing my attention straying, the individual bowed before me. I swallowed. Even for him, this was too far. A murmur went through the class, snickering at the pitiful state of my oppressor.
"I want to thank you for helping me pass the last exam! If it wasn't for you, I would have been expelled!" the individual declared in one fell swoop.
It was quite astonishing that he could finish a complete sentence without stuttering in my presence. Masking my surprise, I flipped through my notebook and plucked out a booklet.
"Make sure you study for the upcoming exam for next week..." I responded sternly.
He accepted the booklet with shaky hands. He bowed again, declaring his thanks most profoundly. His sidekicks, Harauki and Kanji, choked with laughter.
"Don't worry Suzune, you know I'd never miss one of your lectures..." he answered timidly, shifting on his feet.
"Sudo," I uttered flatly.
A bead of sweat ran down his neck, his eyes widening at the utterance of his name. Ayanakoji side-eyed me, keeping his face neutral. I had never said Sudo's name before. Softening my features, I continued.
"I won't be here to keep you in check this week..." a hint of flirtation in my voice. "Promise me you'll study while I'm gone?"
Unsure of what to do next, he bowed.
"O-of course! Again, thank you!" he proclaimed.
Turning abruptly, he stumbled to his desk in an attempt to maintain his dignity. I sighed. He was utterly hopeless.
"You'll drive him insane," a voice hummed from my left. Again, I jumped. I had almost forgotten he was there. His head rested on his palm as he analyzed my every movement.
"Who knows," he drawled, a tone of amusement coating his words. "Maybe he'll be in Class A once we're back."
I sat there, agape. He tilted his head at me, a knowing look on his face. I cursed under my breath. Of course, he knows. He knows everything.
"We'll be leaving today," I muttered, staring at the blankness of my desk again. "Ms. Chabashira said she'll tell the class we've been selected for higher studies..."
Ayanakoji simply stared at me. I lowered my eyes a bit. He knew it was a lie.
"The school participates in sending their pupils to a larger academy every year. There are Nurturing schools around the world that send their students. In the Academy, it's said that they teach magic, not that I believe that..." I rushed, spilling as much information as I could.
"How exciting," was his only response, clearly lacking the "exciting" part.
Ms. Chabashira entered the room, pointedly looking at me. I braced myself. She made short work of our departure, explaining that I and Ayanakoji have been selected for higher studies. The class erupted into a murmur.
"Excuse me!" a bothersome voice interjected. My brow furrowed.
"How were THEY picked?" the individual seethed, her naturally ecstatic expression failing to keep its composure. "I'm sure minds like Yukimura and Hirata far surpass them!"
Oh Kushida, I thought. Gaining the approval of the class won't overturn this one.
Ms. Chabashira only smiled.
"I may as well remind you, Kushida." Ms. Chabashira commented with a hint of sadism in her voice. "Those two were the only reason some students passed, and if you are willing to openly defame them, I suggest you leave."
