After Valkyrie announced the challenge, the bell's rang. We have no choice but to go back to our class. Miyuki still looks stuttered. Judai, on the other hand, is making stupid jokes. He was trying to cheer Miyuki up. Although, we completely ignore him.

When we have finally arrived into our classroom, i can see that all my classmates is staring at us. Its like we are some sort of superstar or something.

And then, a girl with a green hair started to talk.

"Akari-chan, we have heard about you."

Some of them nodded upon the girl's words. Rumors sure spread fast here. Even though it just happen during our lunch earlier. And then, she continues.

"We heard that you stand up against THAT Valkyrie. You said something like you will win against her class in this festival."

They started to stare Miyuki. Uh-oh. This isn't good. I guess they're angry to Miyuki. All of a sudden, Miyuki bow at them.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to bring troubles to this class."

We are surprised by her sudden action. I can hear some of them are whispering to each other. And then, i also bow to them.

"Please forgive Miyuki! Its actually my fault!"

"Bro.."

When i bow my head toward them, Judai also did the same thing.

"If Aki-bro said so, then i was at the fault as well."

And now, three of us is bowing to our classmates, seeking for a forgiveness. Although its all my fault to begin with. Despite all that, they didn't seems to sound angry or anything. As i lift my head, i can see that they're smiling at us. I wonder why..

"Akari-chan, you don't need to worry. Its not your fault."

Said the girl with the green hair just now. And then, a boy with a black hair continue.

"If we got a challenge, we definitely answer them! That is what Usana-sensei taught us."

"Yeah, yeah! We will surely try our best to win the festival! Am i right, class rep?"

Another girl with a blond hair butt into the conversation. Looks like the challenge didn't bother them a bit. Instead, they accepted it. I can't believe it.

However, our class representative haven't said any words. This class's decision is his decision. He stare at Miyuki with a rather stoic face. And then, he smile gently.

"She's right. Whether the challenge is from a famous kid or anything, we will surely top the best in festival!"

'Clap' 'Clap'

They're clapping. This gloom situation has turned into a cheery one. Or rather, is it even glooming in the first place? I'm not sure. What i know is, its turning Miyuki's depressed self into a happy one.

I'm so glad to have these kind of classmates. Its so different from any schools that i have been into before. Not only that, the girls are hugging Miyuki and its really a tear jerking moment. A smile curved into my face.

Although Judai is crying like a baby right now. These moments is surely one of the best in my life.

Or so i thought. The girl with a blond hair suddenly said something surprising.

"Wait, if it wasn't because of Kurozaki-kun, this wouldn't happen."

...

Wait, why would she bring that up? And now, all my classmates is glaring at me. They have emitted one of this scary aura around them. The happy, tear jerking moment turn out to be a glaring contest toward me.

"Guys, its not Aki-kun's fault!"

Miyuki tried to cover me, but they ignore her. What happen to their fighting spirit just now?! This is no good. At this rate, something not good will happen to me.

Oh, no. Stop coming to me. Why are they taking out weapons? Actually, is this world even allow the students to bring weapons? Wait, what are they going to do with those weapons? Why are they grinning?

...

No, no, no!!!

...

..

.

"Gloom~"

"Aki-kun, don't be sad. I'm sure they have forgive you."

"Yeah, bro. Its not that worse, tho'."

"I don't want to hear that from you!"

I jerk at Judai's oh-so-helpful-courage-words. Is he even trying? I rather do 24 hours of homeworks than getting their punishment. Am i that unlucky to get punish anytime in this world? This world must be hating on me.

'Krekk'!!

And about time, Maya just left the classroom. I was waiting for her with Miyuki and Judai outside the classroom. She sure take some time. I wave at Maya. As usual, she look at me with an irritated face.

Hey, its not my fault that we were here together. Stop looking at me like that, you witch cosplayer.

"We left first, okay? I will be waiting at the principal's room with Meiko-san."

"Bye, Bro."

"Okay. See ya, Miyuki, Judai."

I wave toward them as they was walking far, far away from us. And now there is only Maya and me.

...

This is awkward. She didn't seems to care that much. I should try to say something.

"Umm, Maya..-san, should we get going?"

"...Yes."

She start to walk ahead of me. I try to catch up with her. As usual, she didn't have any desire to have a conversation with me. If we weren't forced down like this, i wouldn't do this. Not with this kind of girl.

...

..

.

We have walk almost a while. None of us striking any conversation. It is as we were walking alone. This is truly awkward. I can't see her face right now, but i get this feeling that she didn't feel comfortable to be with me. She walk a bit faster that me, trying to catch up with my big step. I'm sure she feel insulted.

Luckily, the room is just around that corner. I didn't have to try to talk to her.

...

..

.

'Krekk' !!

"Oh, it seems the representatives from 2-b class has arrived. Here, sit down at this chair."

A girl with a green twintail hair with glasses show us the way to our seats. Oh i see, so this is the student council's room. Looks fairly big enough. And considering the amount of classes in this school, i wasn't even surprised.

When we have sit in our respective seats, i can see various of students. They must be the representatives of their respective classes.

Among those students, i can see Valkyrie is sitting a bit far from our seat, glaring at me while smiling at me. Beside her, there is a boy with a short blue hair, looking down. I assumed he is shy.

I have to forget about her for now. I have to focus. The class's fate and my necklace's fate is in my hand. Or in Maya's. Ah, whatever.

And then, a line of students came into our sight. I assumed they're from student council, since they wear that red armband. The girl with a blond hair start to speak.

"With this, we will started the first day of meeting for Festival of White Flames. Now i introduce you, the student council's president, Aome Eikichi."

That guy immediately sit at the middle of the table, as he is their leader. He didn't seem to be the type to talk a lot. And then, the meeting started.

Nothing too important is talked about. Its all about rules, and some events to hold of inside the festival. That, until someone raising their hand.

And that person is Valkyrie.

"How about we create a contest? About the loser will get punish. If a class win in the shop category, they will get reward. They will do whatever the class they want to do anything they like. Interesting, huh?"

...

We are all surprised by her suggestions. She indeed has being straightforward in trying to defeat my class. Why she is so desperate to do this?

"Valkyrie. I believe we have forbid this kind of event since 2 years ago. Have you forgot what happen before?"

"Ara.. you sure is talkative, miss vice-president? Even a second year can become the president. What a loser."

The situation seems to be a bit bitter. Is Valkyrie is always like this? The vice president seems a little bit angry toward Valkyrie. And that event doesn't seems to be joking. However, for the first time, our president suddenly say something.

"Yuuma, Valkyrie. This is a meeting for the festival. I never recall that you can talk something irrelevant."

"..."

Both of them seems scared. I believe this president is the one who create these pain in the ass laws that we have been following. No doubt of it. This guy is really something. He managed to stop their argument.

"However, that event is acceptable."

All of us seems surprised by his sudden decision. We never thought that he will accept this dangerous kind of event. What's with his sudden change? I can see Valkyrie is smiling. That vice president didn't seem to satisfied with anything that she heard from him. She ask him at a rather disagree tone.

"W-why? This kind of event is dangerous! If they request to kill or anything like that, what will happen?"

"Any dangerous request is forbid."

He still didn't answer the question. The meeting was in chaos. The president just sit there, and his opinion remain unchanged. Then, the green hair twintail girl just now try to calm us up. This meeting is really going nowhere. Not with all this chaos.

"Everyone, calm down. If you want to take it out, do it in the next meeting. Just leave it for the tomorrow's meeting."

The girl with another twintail pink hair with glasses said those words with a stern face. The situation become a little bit calmer after hearing her voice. The vice president become a bit hesitated, and then she announced the end of the meeting for today.

"Everyone, today's meeting has ended. There is still tomorrow meeting after lunch. Everyone, dismissed!"

Phew, finally. Its finished. Although there is still a tomorrow's meeting. And its after lunch time. Dang..

We left the room and i said something to Maya.

"See you tomorrow, Maya..-san."

She nod while giving a really sharp glare toward me. Is this girl really hate me or anything?

Anyways, there is nothing progressive today so i run toward the exit. I can't let Miyuki and Meiko waiting for me for so long.

...

'Bam'

After running for a few minutes, i stumble upon a girl. Both of us fall on the floor. When i open up my eyes, i see a familiar girl. Isn't she the girl from back then? The one who wear glasses and pink hair. I try to stand. So she is.

And then, i ask her.

"Are you okay?"

"...Yes, i am."

She nodded. Luckily she isn't the type to lash toward people or known as Lucia.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stumble upon you--"

"Its okay."

She smile, while fixing her glasses. This girl ain't normal. I wonder why she isn't the vice president.

"Anyway, my name is Janice. A member of student council of this school. For your information, you can't run inside the school building. I will be ignoring your mistake so next time, don't do this again, Akihime-kun."

She walk away, after throwing all those warnings and introduction. Well, i was actually saved. She didn't punish me. I feel so lucky..

But, how did she know my name? Hmm.. Is this the power of a student council member? I don't even know.

With these thoughts on my mind, i continue to run toward the exit, ignoring all her warning.

...

..

.

"Oh, i see. So the student council accepted this weird event?"

I nodded. Miyuki seems to feel a bit of uneasiness inside her heart, judging by the look on her face. As always, Meiko didn't seem to be bother by Valkyrie's weird event.

"As long as your class win, there shouldn't be any problem, right?"

"Yeah, but.."

Now that i think of it, it didn't sounds that bad. If we were the one who win, we also could do a lot of things to her class. Although if it were me, i don't want to do anything drastic.

"Aki-kun, you should rest earlier. You seems pretty tired."

"You too, Miyuki. You should have some rest as well."

"Eh? Uhh.. alright."

She seems to be worrying about me, i guess. But i was worrying about her as well. But she really need to stop doing that. There is nothing wrong with me tho'.

As she look away, i stare at the window, and our destination has arrived.

...

..

.

After we finish the dinner, i walk to my room a bit earlier than usual, as Miyuki has suggested earlier. Right now, i am alone with Lucia. Both of us haven't say anything and its been a while now.

Last week, i have create a big wall between us and our relationship isn't going nowhere. And now, its my chance to make up with Lucia.

"Lucia, i want to say something to you."

"..."

She didn't respond to what i was saying, like usual. I wonder what happen inside her head? Not that i should be focusing on that.

"Listen, do you remember the last conversation we had?"

"..."

There is still no respond from her. I try to talk more, but suddenly..

"Yes."

She answered! Yush. Now is my chance!

"Good. Now listen here. I want to apologize you for the last time. I don't know if i have hurt your feeling or anything. I am so sorry!"

I bow my head toward her. She stopped walking and look behind. I can't see her face because i am bowing, but she certainly seems surprised by this. If it was me, it would surprise the hell outta me.

"Raise your head, human."

I raise my head, and i saw her unexpected face. Her extremely angry face. I don't understand this woman. Is she even have a soft spot? But now that i see it carefully, her eye seems a bit teary. I guess she isn't a monster.

"Human, listen this. I don't want you, especially you, getting involved with my personal life. Do you understand that? I won't open up to you."

"Wait, i don't even want to know about your personal life or whatever. I just want to be nice with you--"

"Humans are all liars! They are a bunch of heartless creatures. They will do anything to destroy anyone's family."

...

Eh? She suddenly revealed her dark past as she crying.. or angry. Perhaps both of them? I didn't know that she really hates human. She really has been through many thing in her life, huh?

As i thought i would feel sorry for her, i heard something that is unforgivable.

"Humans like you never knew the feelings of losing a family. Humans are always happy with their family, while they stole mine. I won't forgive them.."

She keep crying, talking while ignoring my presence. It is as she is confessing to someone about her dark past or anything.

...

I don't like this.

"Say, you were crying while revealing all your so dark past and you even claim that all humans have family. Trying to fish for my sympathy, huh? That is so wonderful, Lucia. I didn't know you were that close minded."

She seems to feel a bit surprised with what i just said. Even i was surprised. But, i can't stop myself.

"W-what do you mean by that, human? Of course all humans have family and they won't feel the suffering that i felt--"

'Bang'!

...

The sounds of the wall banging. I was the one who punch the wall. I lost it. She seems a bit stuttered.

"Lucia, i was trying to being a bit nicer to you. I don't know what these 'humans' do to your family, but i just can't ignore those last sentences you just said."

"..."

"Humans.. not all of them have family. They also suffered the same just as creatures in this world were. Not all humans are liars or anything you claim of. I just want you to keep that in mind."

I walk away, trying to go to my own room. I already know where my room is, so there is no problem.

However, before i left her, i said something to her.

"Also, don't talk like you know anything about me."

Those words.. i can't stop thinking about this. I have lost my cool. This isn't me at all.

I feel like i have make it much worse. Our relationship isn't progressive at all. She is like that angry short girl from that anime i used to watched.

...

Well, i can't be bother to be friendly with that maid. She is actually racist, now that i think of it. All with these human this and human that.

"Argh!"

My hand.. its bleeding.. I guess it is from before. That time when i punched the wall. The wall sure is hard as concrete.. Although they are made of concrete..

...

Ah, darn it! I just want to go to sleep! Screw Lucia, screw Valkyrie. I am so tired. I don't have time to deal with something bothersome. That kind of person isn't me.

And so, i went to sleep after trying to refresh my mind at the bed.

---

Author's Notice

Special chapter next! About Aki's past. Although there is only a little bit about his past will be revealed..

Don't forget to read it ;3