Chapter Text
Just like what happened after you completed his obstacle course, Coach Vargas is quick to praise Silver and his muscles for a job well done, and he also reveals that Silver’s finishing time was only a second later than yours, meaning he had almost beaten your record, much to everyone’s amazement.
Unlike most NRC students, Silver doesn’t get upset about failing to beat your finishing time and instead just commends you for being a worthy rival, because he’s such a good sport.
Not long after that exchange, once Silver has exited the obstacle course and Vargas has used his magic to reset the third and fifth obstacles, Kalim gets his turn to challenge the obstacle course, because he’s practically bursting with energy thanks to the kiss you gave him and because Silver’s impressive performance got him so excited.
Regrettably, despite his impressive energy boost, Kalim isn’t able to clear the obstacle course like you and Silver and instead ends up wiping out at the third obstacle.
However, Kalim does better than your sons, who end up tackling the obstacle course soon after him, because Silver’s performance got Grim and Deuce all amped up while Ace did it to get the other two to stop calling him a chicken.
Amusingly enough, both Ace and Deuce fail at the second obstacle, for the same reason of being unable to get past the first trapeze bar. Meanwhile, poor Grim gets taken out by the angled steps, because he severely overestimated his skills and didn’t take the first obstacle seriously.
Thankfully, when Jamil finally takes his turn, he does better than his dorm leader and your sons, but sadly, he’s unable to reach the end of the obstacle course, like you and Silver, because he gets taken out by the Rollercoaster due to him falling to make it to the third track.
Honestly, a part of you was surprised that Jamil made it that far, because it’s been ingrained into him since a young age that he must never do better than Kalim at anything.
Even though Jamil had declared back in December that he would never force himself to hide his talents again, he still often finds himself doing that unconsciously since it’s hard for him to stop doing something he’s done his whole life, so you had half-expected him to do that today.
Fortunately, that didn’t happen today. Today, Jamil held nothing back, so he could clear as many of the obstacles in Vargas’s obstacle course as possible, which is how he did better than the majority of the students who have tackled the course so far.
And you couldn’t be happier for him.
That’s why you’re quick to praise Jamil when he returns to the area where you and the rest of your friends, along with the tsums, have been watching people challenge the obstacle course. “You did great, Jamil-senpai. You didn’t look like you were struggling at all with those first four obstacles, and you almost got through the fifth one.”
“Yeah, you were awesome, Jamil!” Kalim grins, “I knew you’d do well!”
When Deuce and Silver also praise him, Jamil, who just finished using his magic to dry himself off, because he got completely soaked due to falling into the pool of water underneath the Rollercoaster, gets predictably embarrassed when he receives a lot of positive attention all at once. “I would’ve preferred to make it farther than the fifth obstacle, but I’m glad I at least cleared half of them this year.”
And, of course, Jamil is quick to deflect attention away from himself by asking, “More importantly, shouldn’t you start heading to the locker room by now, Yuu? I know you’re enjoying all of the Pomefiore students’ current suffering, but I personally would prefer you to not drag things out and only allow the rest of us a few minutes to shower and get dressed.”
After exchanging knowing looks with Jamil’s tsum, who just shakes its head, you chuckle, “Alright, Jamil-senpai, now that I’ve gotten to cheer for all of my friends while they challenged the obstacle course, I’ll head for the locker room.”
You look at the five tsums that are all clinging to different parts of your body. “I guess you guys will all be coming with me to keep watch?”
Much to your surprise, while Ace’s, Silver’s, and Malleus’s tsums make noises of agreement, Jamil’s and Idia’s tsums rapidly shake their heads before aiming sharp looks at Ace’s tsum, making you believe that they don’t want Ace’s tsum to come along for some reason.
Seeing this, Jamil raises an eyebrow. “It looks like both my and Idia-senpai’s tsums don’t want Ace’s tsum to accompany you for some reason. Should we be concerned?”
Before anyone else can respond, Jamil’s tsum quickly leaps onto its counterpart’s shoulder and makes direct eye contact with him, no doubt so it can give him a telepathic message to explain why it doesn’t want Ace’s tsum to be a part of your tsum entourage
Within a matter of seconds, Jamil’s face shifts from being shocked to incredibly irate, making you wonder what kind of trouble Ace’s tsum has caused in the past that would make someone, who’s normally good at keeping his composure, that visibly mad.
Jamil fixes his sharp, glaring gaze on Ace’s tsum and coolly states, “Ace’s tsum is staying here while Yuu uses the locker room. My tsum has made it clear that Ace’s tsum cannot be trusted when Yuu is in any kind of changing room.”
While Grim, Kalim, and Silver all frown and tilt their heads, Deuce scowls as he grabs Ace by his collar. “I always knew you were a pervert! Go back to the chicken coop where you belong, you shameless bastard!”
“I didn’t do anything, you moron!” Ace retorts as he tries to free himself from Deuce’s tight grip. “Don’t lump me together with that little bastard, who’s nothing like me!”
Meanwhile, as your best friends are bickering, you raise an eyebrow at Ace’s tsum. “Please tell me that your horrible reputation is the result of your bad sense of humor pissing off everyone around you. Otherwise, you will be getting the cold shoulder from me for the rest of your visit.”
Appearing panicked, Ace’s tsum quickly tells you that it has never actually tried to seriously peek at your counterpart while she was undressing. It would never do something so disrespectful; it always just teases her and plays pranks, all of which she knows full well are never meant to be taken seriously.
Regrettably, your counterpart is the only one who knows that. Everyone else thinks Ace’s tsum is a pervert, much to its great annoyance.
As your shoulders relax upon hearing Ace’s tsum confirm your suspicions, you wryly reply, “While I'm relieved to hear that your typical antics are all meant to be just harmless teasing, which my counterpart allows cause she trusts you and knows not to take you seriously, everyone, who thinks you're a pervert, isn't technically wrong. After all, I can’t think of another word to describe a guy who actually likes it when a girl kicks his ass.”
Much to your amusement, rather than take offense to your words, Ace’s tsum just becomes visibly sheepish, so at least, it’s willing to acknowledge the truth of your words.
At the same time, all of your friends, whose eyes widen, shout, “What?!”
“Oh, is that why Ace is always pissin’ Yuu off?” Grim asks, once he overcomes his initial surprise. “He actually likes gettin’ beat up? What a weirdo.”
Appearing even more irate than before, Deuce starts shaking Ace harder. “Is that how it is, you pervert?! You’re the worst! Never get close to Yuu again, or I’ll send you flying into the ocean!”
Blushing so hard he looks as if his face could start emitting steam at any moment, Ace fiercely denies, “Of course, I don’t like getting beat up! Don’t be stupid! I just like messing with Yuu! She’s the one at fault for always getting so angry over simple teasing!”
You eye him dubiously. “If you didn’t piss me off on a regular basis, I’d believe you, but considering you do and never seem to learn your lesson…”
“It is NOT like that!” Ace retorts, his face now even redder than his dorm leader’s hair. “I swear!”
Kalim laughs, “You’re sure not very convincing when your face is as red as a tomato, Ace! Ahahaha!”
“Hmm.” Silver crosses his arms. “I can’t say I completely understand what’s happening here, but I would like to give Ace the benefit of the doubt.”
“You are the only one who feels that way, Silver.” Jamil deadpans before sighing, “However, this matter really isn’t that important at this point in time, so let’s leave Yuu and her sons to deal with it later since I really want no part in it.”
“Just hurry on to the locker room, Yuu.” Jamil instructs, “But leave Ace’s tsum here for our peace of mind and for the sake of the tsums who don’t want him tagging along.”
While Ace’s tsum makes a noise of protest, you gently pat its head. “I know you’re not as dangerous as you’re being made out to be. I trust you, but since I really don’t want you to end up fighting with Jamil-senpai’s and Idia-senpai’s tsums, I think it’s for the best that you stay here.”
When Ace’s tsum gives you the tsum equivalent of a pout, you give it a smooch to cheer it up. “So please be good while I’m gone. If you do, I’ll let you sit in my lap during today’s unbirthday party. How’s that sound?”
In an instant, Ace’s tsum’s whole demeanor brightens. It even starts doing backflips, much to your amusement.
As Kalim cheers on the backflipping tsum, who’s putting on a great show now, Jamil, Ace, and Deuce give you displeased looks while Jamil’s and Idia’s tsums make sounds of protest.
Chuckling, you shrug. “No matter what Ace’s tsum has done in the past, I still trust it, just like my counterpart obviously does. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t still be friends with it, and as a result, it would’ve been harshly dealt with by now by Deuce’s tsum and all the other tsums, who wouldn’t allow an actual dangerous threat to stick around.”
While Jamil’s and Idia’s tsums promptly avert their gazes and Malleus’s and Silver’s tsums nod in agreement, Jamil, Ace, and Deuce finally settle down, obviously realizing that you make a good point.
Once that’s all settled, you gently toss Ace’s still celebrating tsum over to an amused Kalim since you can trust the dorm leader not to be rough with it. “Alright, it’s time for me to head for the locker room with my four tsum entourage. I’ll see you guys in a little bit.”
Upon hearing that you’re ready to leave, Jamil’s tsum quickly reclaims the spot on your shoulder that it had previously occupied, while Malleus’s tsum, who had been resting on your knee, leaps onto your head, leaving Silver’s tsum to occupy your other shoulder.
As Idia’s tsum remains wrapped up in your arms, you rise to stand before approaching the tsum carrier, which was left off to the side after Idia’s tsum vacated it earlier, since you figure that Idia's tsum would prefer to travel that way. That’s why you’re surprised when Idia’s tsum shakes its head and telepathically tells you that you can just carry it.
“Are you sure?” You ask, “While the hallways should be vacant since classes are in session, we may still see some people while we’re in the main school building.”
Briefly, Idia’s tsum appears nervous at the prospect of being perceived by strangers, but it quickly composes itself and assures you that it’ll be fine for this short quest.
A proud smile rises to your lips when you see the normally socially anxious tsum being so brave. “Alright, if that’s how you feel, then I won’t press the matter.”
After that exchange, you tell Deuce not to kill Ace while you’re gone since it’s clear that Deuce still wants to fight with the redhead due to the fact that he still hasn’t let go of Ace before finally taking your leave.
Because you want to have plenty of time to enjoy your shower, you move at a brisk pace since, before you can head for the locker room, you first need to pick up your gym bag, which you always leave in the teachers’ lounge after using its private bathroom to change your clothes.
Trein had given you permission to do that since he didn’t want you to ever have to go inside the locker room while boys were inside it, and it’s just more convenient for you to leave your bag there since the teachers’ lounge is closer to the private shower that only the faculty and staff are allowed to use.
Fortunately, because you gave yourself a sufficient break following your run through the obstacle course, you’re able to get to the main school building pretty quickly, although you do feel some of your muscles protesting your actions since they clearly wanted a longer break after the extensive workout they got earlier.
When you think about the workout the obstacle course gave you, the corners of your lips quirk upwards. Jack and Sebek are gonna love the obstacle course, considering how much they enjoy training and being challenged. Those two will definitely get far, and I could definitely see them potentially clearing the whole thing, Jack especially, since he’s such a beast at all things involving athletics.
I wonder if those two have already had P.E. today. You wonder. More than likely, their schedules got changed like my class’s did, so Coach Vargas could have multiple joint P.E. classes today. That means it’s possible they had P.E. earlier than usual like we did.
Obviously, you’ll just have to wait until lunchtime and ask them since you’ll only have to attend one more class this morning before it’ll be time to head for the cafeteria, and it’s unlikely that you’ll see those two before then since you don’t usually run into them in between classes.
Sebek is gonna be so jealous when he finds out that Tsunotaro watched me and Silver-senpai complete the obstacle course. You amusedly think to yourself. He’ll definitely never let me hear the end of it, so I’m hoping that he gets the joy of having a joint P.E. class with Tsunotaro since that’ll save me from having to deal with his sulking.
Little did you know just how wrong you were.
Fortunately for Idia’s tsum, when you eventually enter the main school building, it’s devoid of people, just as you had expected it to be, so you’re able to reach the teachers’ lounge without running into anyone.
The teachers’ lounge itself, however, does have a few faculty and staff members inside, but you don’t spend more than a minute there since you left your gym bag near the door, meaning Idia’s tsum is only briefly on the receiving end of the adults’ intrigued and amused stares.
Once you’ve grabbed your bag, you head for the locker room. Along the way, you happen to pass by an ornate mirror hanging on the wall and promptly pause when you get a good look at yourself.
All you can do is giggle when you see how silly you look with all these tsums attached to different parts of your body, especially considering Malleus’s tsum is on top of your head. “Thanks to Tsumutaro, it looks like I’ve got horns like Tsunotaro. Hehe!”
In response to your words, all the tsums look at the mirror and proceed to make amused sounds while Malleus’s tsum starts happily bouncing on your head.
Quickly, you pull out your cell phone and open the camera app. “I gotta get a picture of this.”
Thankfully, when you hold out your cell phone to take a selfie, all of the tsums immediately go along with this turn of events, even Idia’s tsum, although it still keeps most of its face hidden against your chest.
Once you see that all the tsums are looking at the camera, you smile and take the picture, which turns out rather well, you must say.
Your smile grows when you check out the picture along with the tsums. “Perfect! I’ll have to show this to Tsunotaro later. He’ll definitely get a kick out of it.”
While Malleus’s tsum makes a noise of agreement and happily bounces, you put away your cell phone and resume heading for the locker room.
When you later reach your destination, you look at the tsums who are within your line of sight. “Alright, we’re here. Would you guys be fine with guarding the door from the outside? It’d probably be better to do it that way to ensure no one gets through the door while I’m in there, although I highly doubt that you’ll actually see anyone while class is still in session.”
“But, if you do encounter anyone who tries to come into the locker room while I’m in there, do whatever you need to do.” You add, “Under these particular circumstances, the use of physical force is allowed.”
Much to your amusement, the tsums, within your line of sight, all nod, all the while wearing fierce, determined expressions. Meanwhile, Malleus’s tsum leans over to look you in the eye, so it can telepathically tell you that absolutely no one will be getting past it.
The corners of your lips quirk upwards. “How very reassuring. Thank you, Tsumutaro, and to the rest of you as well. I know I am in good hands.”
After that exchange, you give every tsum a thank you smooch before setting them down on the floor in front of the door to the locker room, which you enter once you finish unloading all of your tsum cargo.
Immediately, upon entering the locker room, you’re assaulted with the kinds of smells often associated with locker rooms, but it’s not as bad as it could be thanks to all the Pomefiore students, who use this locker room, whom you know are the reason for all the perfume-like scents that are still faintly lingering in the air.
There are also thankfully plenty of air fresheners in the room, which makes sense, considering teenage boys use this room regularly.
Honestly, if the location of that private shower wasn’t so inconvenient, I would have no reason to complain about it since it’s always so clean in there, and it never smells like BO. You wryly muse. Hopefully, the shower stall area is better than the locker room.
Fortunately, your wish gets granted since the shower stall area smells much better than the locker room, perhaps because this area is better ventilated.
As you sigh in relief, you quickly set down your gym bag and take out all of your needed toiletries and your towel, which you hang on the rack by the shower stall you choose to use.
Once you’ve got everything you need inside the shower stall, you remove your clothes, enter the shower stall, and turn on the water. From then on, you proceed to have a very nice and relaxing hot shower, which feels absolutely heavenly on your fatigued muscles.
Of course, what you love most of all is the fact that you can take your time with this shower since you’re in no rush to get anywhere today, and you naturally milk this for all its worth, especially since the longer you take, the less time the other students will get to shower.
That said, you don’t want to make your friends suffer because of your pettiness since they don’t deserve that. That’s why you don’t end up taking as long a shower as you could have.
Plus, you don’t want the tsums guarding the locker room to be forced to stay in that position for a prolonged period of time, although you know they wouldn’t complain since they’re all sweet like that.
With that thought in mind, you wrap up your shower, which was long enough that you can ensure you’ve guaranteed the suffering of many of your antagonizers but still short enough that your friends will all still be able to shower before their next class, although Ace and Deuce don’t actually need to shower, because they, along with Grim, have flight class next period, meaning they’re just better off waiting until that class ends to shower, especially since your best friends technically have already taken a bath this period thanks to them falling into the pool of water that’s underneath the trapeze bars section of the obstacle course.
Quickly, you turn off the shower and grab your towel, so you can begin drying off. Once your body is completely dry, you put on your school uniform since your next class is thankfully not flight class.
It’s only once you're fully clothed that you resume drying your hair, which is still partially damp, because you always end up saving drying your hair for last.
Because you know how Jamil is and because you’ll be seeing Vil next period, you make sure to thoroughly dry your hair to ensure you don’t get in trouble with either of them, and then, you take out a hair brush, so you can make your hair presentable.
Once you’ve checked your appearance in one of the locker room mirrors and are satisfied with how you look, you put away your brush and sling your gym bag over your shoulder, so you can finally head for the exit.
Along the way, you pull out a small bottle of body spray from your bag, which you had gotten from Vil, who had been given the free sample but had no interest in keeping it, and use it on yourself since you want to ensure you’re smelling nice for the rest of the day and not smelling like the locker room.
A pleased smile rises to your lips when the scent of sugar cookies invades your senses. Out of all the body spray samples Vil-senpai has given me so far, I think I like this one the most. It’s hard to beat the smell of sugar cookies.
Around that time, as you’re returning the bottle of body spray to your bag, you exit the locker room and reunite with the tsums, who all start excitedly bouncing when they see you.
Upon taking note of the obvious lack of unconscious bodies in the area, you grin, “Looks like you guys had a trouble-free guard shift. I’m glad. Thank you for your service.”
Immediately, Idia’s tsum jumps into your arms and buries its face against your chest. Meanwhile, the rest of the tsums return to their previous positions on your shoulders and head.
Chuckling, you gently stroke Idia’s tsum’s head as you check to make sure all of the other tsums are comfortable and secure in their new positions before you begin heading back to the obstacle course, taking along your gym bag since you intend to ask Jamil if he’d be willing to return your bag to your dorm with his magic so you won’t have to worry about bringing it back to the teachers’ lounge and picking it up after school.
Because you’re hoping that there are still some students left, who haven’t yet challenged Coach Vargas’s obstacle course, meaning you can still see some more hilarious wipeouts before the period ends, you move quickly since there really is nothing more entertaining than watching everyone, who had previously heckled you, fail to do as well as you on the obstacle course.
Of course, there is a possibility that someone managed to complete it while you were gone, and if that is the case, your money's on the Savanaclaw students, who hadn’t yet challenged the obstacle course by the time you left, since, while they’re no Jack Howl, they all have the potential do well, because they all have a lot of athletic talent.
That’s why you hadn’t been surprised when, before Jamil had his turn, you saw one Savanaclaw student get as far as the Spider Wall before failing while the others made it to the Rollercoaster before they ran out of luck.
Since you’re on good terms with pretty much all of the Savanaclaw students, you’re perfectly fine with them doing well on the obstacle course, especially since you can recall hearing them growling when you had gotten taunted earlier and they also laughed at the guys, who had given you a hard time earlier, when they all failed during their turns on the obstacle course.
For that reason, you’re hoping that, if anyone completed the course during your absence, it was someone from the Savanaclaw dorm, although you’ll also be satisfied just as long as the person isn’t someone who regularly antagonizes you.
Because, like most NRC students, you are just that petty.
“There she is!”
“It’s about time!”
“I thought we’d have to worry about Coach Vargas coming after us if we had to wait here any longer!”
Much to your surprise, just as you’re about to leave the main school building and pass through the area containing the vending machine where Malleus’s tsum likely got the bottle of water it brought you, you're abruptly pulled away from your thoughts when you encounter three second year students, two of whom are Scarabia students while the third member of their group is an Octavinelle student.
Instantly recognizing these three students as being a part of this period’s joint P.E. class and feeling relatively certain that they had been a part of the group that had taunted you earlier, you’re immediately on your guard, especially since they’ve made it obvious that they were waiting for you.
At the same time, the tsums all narrow their eyes and warily eye these boys, obviously understanding that these upperclassmen are up to something.
Because of your past experiences, you automatically assume that these upperclassmen plan on picking a fight with you, probably for daring to do so well on the obstacle course and making everyone else look bad despite you being a mere magicless student.
That’s why you’re completely caught off guard when the Octavinelle student requests, “Tell us what the secret is to beating the obstacle course, Prefect. We’re willing to pay the price as long as it’s reasonable.”
When you raise a perplexed brow, one of the Scarabia students huffs, “C’mon, we’re not idiots. There’s no way a first year student could complete one of Coach Vargas’s obstacle courses from hell on their first try without any outside help.”
His dormmate nods in agreement. “Yeah, you must have had some inside info that helped you, like some tricks that would increase your chances of getting through the obstacles.”
“One of my first assumptions normally would’ve been that you had one of your friends covertly use their magic to help you, but Coach Vargas would catch that, considering what good eyes he has.” The Octavinelle student comments, “So, since it’s unlikely that you got that kinda help during your obstacle course run, it seems more likely that you somehow got ahold of info about it ahead of time.”
“Info that we’re willing to pay for, so we can also get through that course.” He adds, “We need it quickly since we’re some of the last guys left who haven’t challenged it yet.”
Upon realizing that these guys seriously believe that the only way you could complete the obstacle course is by cheating, a wave of pure hot fury washes over you. “How DARE you-!”
Before you can finish your sentence, Silver’s and Malleus’s tsums zoom straight toward your startled upperclassmen and proceed to unleash their righteous fury on them.
It’s at that moment the sound of thunder reaches your ears, immediately prompting you to look toward the closest window. Much to your surprise and confusion, the weather looks just as nice and clear as it did when you were last outside.
Your earlier ire completely forgotten, you curiously try to pinpoint the source of the thunder-like sound you're currently hearing before eventually realizing it’s somehow coming from Malleus’s tsum.
All you can do is stare at it incredulously. “How is Tsumutaro making that thunder sound effect?”
Rather than give you a proper explanation, Jamil’s and Idia’s tsums, who had decided to stick with you and let the other two tsums handle the job of punishing your infuriating upperclassmen, both give you the tsum equivalent of a shrug, making you snort.
“I suppose some things are just meant to remain a mystery.”
Surprised, you focus on the door up ahead that you had intended to use to go outside and see Jamil standing there. “Jamil-senpai? What are you doing here?”
After he smoothly walks around the area where the other second year students are getting beat up by Silver’s and Malleus’s tsums, Jamil comes to a stop before you and promptly uses his magic on your gym bag and makes it disappear, obviously having correctly guessed that you had intended to ask for his help with transporting it to your dorm. “I had noticed those three leave with the excuse that they wanted to grab drinks, so they’d have something ready after they finished their obstacle course runs and got the feeling they were up to something since they were gone for far too long.”
“Very few people are brave enough to ditch Coach Vargas’s class, considering how he always goes to extremes with his punishments, so I correctly assumed that whatever they were doing involved you.” He adds, “That’s why I decided to come see what they were up to.”
His noticeably sharp gaze briefly bores into the Scarabian students currently getting pummeled before he returns his focus to you and softens his features. “I apologize on behalf of my dorm for the rudeness of my fellow dorm members. I promise those two will be properly dealt with later.”
“And, while I’m sure you already know this without me needing to say as much, pay no mind to their foolish assumptions about you cheating.” He continues, “Because anyone with more than a single brain cell knows that you didn’t cheat. It was obvious that you completed that obstacle course honestly with your own hard efforts.”
While Jamil’s and Idia’s tsums vigorously nod in agreement, the corners of your lips curve upwards. “Thank you, Jamil-senpai, and don’t worry, I won’t let their stupid assumptions get to me.”
“And there’s no need for you to apologize.” You add, “You know, I never hold you dorm and vice dorm leaders responsible for the actions of the assholes in your dorms, but I do appreciate the gesture.”
Your smile grows. “Thank you for worrying about me and for coming to make sure that I was alright. I really appreciate it.”
Predictably, Jamil averts his embarrassed gaze. “I was just making sure the guys from my dorm didn’t give me even more work to deal with, that’s all.”
Much to your amusement, Jamil’s tsum gives him an unimpressed look, obviously just as unconvinced by Jamil’s poor excuse as you.
Before you can point that out, Jamil quickly changes subjects by addressing Silver’s and Malleus’s tsums. “Tsums, while I have no issue with your current actions, please refrain from knocking those three unconscious.”
He smirks, “After all, they still have an obstacle course to challenge.”
While Malleus’s and Silver’s tsums immediately nod and the other two tsums start excitedly wiggling, a broad grin quickly rises to your lips. “Oh, this is gonna be so~ good.”
And, of course, you were exactly right.
Much to your immense delight, just as you had hoped, the three foolish upperclassmen, who had accused you of cheating, end up doing horribly when they finally challenge Vargas’s obstacle course.
Thanks to the injuries they sustained at the hands of Malleus’s and Silver’s tsums, none of them were able to get past the first obstacle, resulting in them being on the receiving end of plenty of mocking laughter and taunting.
Naturally, you were one of the students laughing your ass off, especially after the Octavinelle student ended up face-planting into the sandpit that's below the angled steps.
What made this even better is the fact that Coach Vargas still hadn’t given your friends and the rest of the guys in this joint class permission to hit the showers because, by the time you had returned, the three guys, who had accused you of cheating, were the only ones left who hadn’t yet challenged the obstacle course, so all of the students in this joint class were present to see those three fail epically.
Of course, you also enjoyed the fact that all of the Pomefiore students were forced to stick around and be sweaty until every student challenged the obstacle course.
As if to add the cherry on top, once the final three students finish their failed attempts to challenge his obstacle course, Coach Vargas declares that only you and Silver were able to complete his course, and because you had the best finishing time, you’re getting extra credit on top of a perfect score.
This truly is the best P.E. class ever.
While you’re internally cheering, Coach Vargas finally dismisses the class and gives the guys permission to hit the showers, resulting in all of the Pomefiore students stampeding toward the locker room.
Much to your amusement, Grim also gets taken along for the ride, against his will, because his assigned babysitters have finally remembered that they’re supposed to be monitoring him and deem it necessary to make him wash up despite the fact that they have flight class after this.
Since Grim probably could use a shower after falling into the sandpit that's under the angled steps earlier, because you doubt he was able to shake off all the sand in his fur, you allow this turn of events to happen and don’t heed your partner’s calls for help.
Plus, you soon get distracted by Ace who remarks, “Man, as if Yuu even needs extra credit by this point. She already got some from Beanfest. How much extra credit can you even give a student for P.E.?”
“Don’t forget my grade is combined with Grim’s.” You dryly reply, “Considering how all his grades are, even though P.E. is one of his better classes, I will take every extra credit I can get.”
While Deuce and Kalim laugh and Silver huffs in amusement, both Ace and Jamil snort in response to your words before the redhead says, “Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I retract my previous statement.”
After that exchange, you and your friends get ready to leave since the second years need to shower and your best friends want to freshen up and grab some drinks before flight class.
It’s during this time, just after you finish throwing the tsum carrier, which Idia’s tsum has resumed hiding inside, over your shoulder, that you realize something important that makes you pause. “I wonder what I should do about Tsumutaro. Since my next class is with Leona-senpai, I think it would be better to bring Tsumutaro back to Tsunotaro, but that would mean having to hang outside Tsunotaro’s classroom ‘til the bell rings, which could potentially make me late to my next class since I don’t know how long it’ll take me to wake up Leona-senpai.”
“If Malleus-sama’s tsum does not mind, I can take care of delivering it to Malleus-sama.” Silver offers, “After all, I’m sure Malleus-sama would hate for you to be late to class.”
“There will be no need for that, Silver.”
Catching everyone off guard, Malleus, who’s now clad in his gym uniform, abruptly appears amongst your group in a cloud of firefly-like lights, making Ace and Deuce yelp in surprise.
Once you overcome your surprise, you smile, “Oh, that was nice timing. Did your class for this period let out early, Tsunotaro?”
He nods. “Yes, the teacher had an important phone call to take, so my class was dismissed just now. Since my next class is P.E., I quickly changed my attire and came here.”
While Malleus’s tsum, whom you had been holding in your arms ever since Idia’s tsum retreated to the tsum carrier, immediately jumps out of your arms and onto its counterpart’s shoulder, prompting Ace's tsum to eagerly take its place, Malleus smiles, “You and Silver put on a most impressive performance earlier, Child of Man. Congratulations to you both for completing Vargas’s obstacle course and being the only ones in your class to do so. You should hold your heads up high since not many people have accomplished that feat since I began attending Night Raven College.”
Silver immediately bows his head. “Thank you very much, Malleus-sama. I am honored by your praise and very grateful for your kind words.”
At the same time, you beam, “Thank you, Tsunotaro! I’m glad you had fun watching us! Hopefully, you’ll have just as much fun when you take your turn on the obstacle course.”
“Heh.” Malleus’s smile grows. “I’m quite looking forward to challenging this year’s obstacle course since it’s always quite the challenge, even for me.”
As everyone stares at the fae with obvious surprise, Deuce remarks, “Woah…Even Draconia-senpai views it as a challenge…That makes what Yuu and Silver-senpai did even more impressive…”
“That’s rather surprising.” Jamil comments, “I would have thought someone of Malleus-senpai’s caliber would have no trouble with any kind of obstacle course since his impressive athleticism is well-known.”
“Yes, I truly find it hard to believe that this obstacle course could seriously challenge you, Malleus-sama.” Silver chimes in. “Surely, you are just being modest.”
Much to everyone’s great disbelief, Malleus replies, “I’m not, actually. After all, last year was the first time I had successfully managed to complete Vargas’s obstacle course, and it took a great effort to do so.”
Everyone, sans Silver, gapes, “EH?!”
Silver stares at his liege with noticeably wide eyes. “You failed to complete the obstacle course during your first year at Night Raven College?”
“That’s right.” Malleus confirms, “Regrettably, I used too much of my strength in one of the obstacles and broke it as a result. Breaking the obstacle course is against the rules, so I was consequently disqualified.”
Realization immediately dawns on your features. “Ah, I get it. These obstacle courses are challenging for you specifically because you’re so strong. Even though you normally have excellent control of your strength, challenges like these obstacles would make it difficult to maintain that control.”
“Exactly.” Malleus nods. “Regrettably, Vargas’s obstacle courses are rather easy for me to damage, so I must exude great caution when traversing them.”
With an amused smile, he adds, “Lilia has the same problem. That’s why he also ended up getting disqualified during our first year, although he had an easier time getting through the course than I did last year.”
“Ah, now that you mention it, I do recall Fa-I mean-Lilia-senpai saying something along those lines in the past.” Silver replies as he nods in understanding.
“Wow! I didn’t realize just how strong Lilia was!” Kalim grins, “That’s amazing!”
“It’s terrifying is what it really is, considering you’re both in the same club.” Jamil mutters under his breath, all the while wearily massaging his temple.
Meanwhile, Ace shakes his head as he mumbles, “Guess there actually is a downside to being one of the strongest mages in the world.”
All you can do is laugh. “I know it’s not easy for you and Lilia-senpai to find worthwhile challenges, so I’m glad Coach Vargas’s obstacle courses can keep you guys on your toes. Hopefully, this year will go well for you both like last year.”
“That is my goal. After all,” Malleus chuckles, “it would be most disappointing if I were to lose to you and one of my retainers, and I’m sure Lilia would feel similarly.”
A playful grin rises to your lips. “Don’t worry, Tsunotaro. Even if you do lose, I promise I won’t give you too hard a time about it since I’m so nice and all.”
As Malleus continues to laugh and his tsum happily bounces on his shoulder, Deuce mutters, “Only Yuu could say something like that to THE Malleus Draconia and get away with it. Amazing…”
Soon after that exchange, Malleus's tsum meets your gaze and sends you a telepathic message, reminding you about the selfie you took with the tsums earlier, which you had wanted to show to its counterpart. After thanking the tsum for the reminder, you proceed to eagerly show the picture to Malleus, who, as expected, is amused when you point out how it looks like you have horns like him thanks to his tsum.
Not long after you finish showing Malleus and everyone else, who had wanted to look at the cute selfie, the picture you took with the tsums, everyone, who needs to head for the locker room, remembers that they need to hurry if they don’t want to be late to their next class, so you all quickly exchange partings with Malleus and wish him all the best with his upcoming P.E. class.
Naturally, you also give Malleus’s tsum a quick kiss before telling it that you’ll see it later, much to its delight.
Shortly after you all start hurrying toward the main school building, Ace and Deuce begin wondering about who will be overseeing their flight class today since apparently Coach Vargas will have another period of P.E., and he can’t be at two places at once.
Unsurprisingly, Ace is hoping that they’ll be left unsupervised, so they can just relax and take it easy during their class.
Unfortunately for him, Jamil promptly bursts his bubble by revealing that last year Vargas had a staff member oversee his flight classes while he was monitoring the students challenging his obstacle course, meaning that’s likely what will happen today, much to Ace’s great disappointment.
Not long after that exchange, around the time your group draws closer to the main school building, you part ways with your friends since you need to go look for Leona, who should be somewhere outside in the nearby surrounding area, sleeping, since the Alchemy elective you take with him will be held in the Alchemy lab that’s inside the main school building today.
Unsurprisingly, Ace’s, Jamil’s, and Silver’s tsums weren’t too pleased about this, Ace’s tsum especially, but thankfully, the latter two didn’t protest too much and were able to keep Ace’s tsum from stubbornly clinging onto you.
As a result, Idia’s tsum is the only one still with you when you begin your search for Leona, which is really for the best, considering Leona isn’t too fond of the tsums but will be able to tolerate Idia’s tsum since it’ll be hiding away in the tsum carrier the whole time you’re with him, meaning you won’t have to worry about those two clashing.
At least, or so you thought.
Fortunately for you, Leona apparently decided not to make things difficult for you today since you eventually discover that he chose to nap in one of his well-known hiding spots that is easy for you to find, because you know where to look.
With a sigh of relief, you gently set down the tsum carrier before kneeling down beside your sleeping upperclassman. “Today is my lucky day it seems.”
“Leona-senpai, it’s time for class.” You gently shake his shoulder. “Please wake up and walk on your own two feet to class; I know I’ve proven in the past that I can, in fact, carry you when absolutely necessary, but I really don’t wanna have to do that today after having just gone through Coach Vargas’s exhausting obstacle course.”
Regrettably, it’s at that moment you realize that you jinxed yourself earlier when you said that today is your lucky day.
Because your luck promptly runs out.
Faster than you can react, Leona wraps an arm around your waist and promptly turns to lie on his side, forcing you to come along for the ride. That’s how you soon find yourself on the ground, wrapped up in his arms, with your face buried against his chest.
Upon realizing that you're completely trapped with no way of escape, because Leona Kingscholar never lets his prey get away once he finally makes his move, you groan, “Leona-senpai!”
Chuckling, Leona buries his face in your hair. “Heh, no need to make a fuss, Herbivore. Just allow me to graciously reward you for doing so well in Vargas’s obstacle course. You’re lucky I’m in such a kind and generous mood today.”
You blink in surprise before asking, “Did you actually see me challenge the obstacle course? It’s rare for you to watch other classes when you could spend that time napping.”
“My original intention was to sleep, but once I found out that it was that time of year for Vargas to force his stupid obstacle course on us, I decided to scope things out to see what it was like this year.” Leona answers, “Fortunately for me, I happened to watch the joint class that had TWO people capable of clearing the whole thing, so I was able to see how all the obstacles worked prior to my afternoon P.E. class.”
“And since you made yourself so useful to yours truly, I decided, out of the goodness of my heart, to reward you with a much needed nap, which you can enjoy along with my excellent company.” He smugly adds, “Today truly is your lucky day.”
Even though this turn of events is obviously far more beneficial to him than it is to yourself, you can’t help but smile fondly, because you can tell that Leona is trying to be nice by giving you a way to take a break whilst having a good excuse to keep yourself out of trouble since he knows Crewel would likely go easy on you upon hearing that you were being held here against your will by Leona since everyone knows how strong the dorm leader is.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you intend to allow Leona to have his way since, even if Crewel does go easy on you if you miss class, you know Vil won’t, and you really don’t want to end up on the receiving end of one of his lectures, especially if that will entail his tsum also joining in.
Because you really do not want to deal with receiving the “I’m disappointed in you” look from something as adorable as a tsum; your heart wouldn’t be able to take that.
Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done, because, before you can start demanding your release, a sudden wave of exhaustion washes over you, instantly weakening your desire to resist Leona.
“Dammit.” You grumble, “Why do I always get sleepy every time you try to force me to nap with you? It’s like your perpetual desire to nap rubs off on me if I spend a long enough period of time within a certain range of you.”
As Leona laughs, obviously enjoying this turn of events, you find yourself feeling progressively more sleepy despite all of your best efforts to resist and wake yourself up. “This must be what Silver-senpai feels like on a daily basis. No wonder he’s always falling asleep.”
Looks like Leona is going to get his way, after all.
At least, that was what you had thought until you hear a sudden squeaky cry of anger, which successfully drags you out of your drowsy stupor with a jolt.
Much to your surprise, when you look up, you do so just in time to see Idia’s irate tsum, who must have taken notice of your plight and left the tsum carrier to come to your rescue, tackle Leona in the face, catching him off guard.
With an annoyed growl, Leona latches onto the tsum and forcibly pulls it away from his face. “An armadillo that looks like Radish Sprout? What the hell is this thing doing here?”
As Idia’s tsum struggles to escape Leona’s hold, all the while making lots of angry noises, you quickly take advantage of Leona loosening his grip on you to escape his clutches. “I’m tsum-sitting Idia-senpai’s tsum for the day like what I did with your tsum ‘cause it wanted to stay with me.”
Once you’re free, you reach for the tsum being held captive. “Please release it, Leona-senpai. It only tackled you ‘cause you had me trapped. The tsums don’t like that sorta thing, you know.”
Clicking his tongue, Leona loosens his tight grip on Idia’s tsum, so you can pull it into your arms. “These things are a real pain in the ass. When’s Crowley gonna finally learn how to make a damn barrier that actually works?”
While you begin petting Idia’s tsum’s head to soothe it, you answer, “If it makes you feel any better, the tsum counterparts of all of my friends, who hadn’t had tsum visitors prior to last night, are here now, so I think things will calm down on the tsums' end now that all my friends’ tsum counterparts have gotten the chance to meet me.”
His eyes narrow. “Does that mean Vil’s tsum is here? If so, that makes me even more unmotivated to go to class. I don’t wanna have to deal with two Vils.”
All you can do is sigh. “I guess I should’ve seen that coming…”
When Idia’s tsum makes a noise to gain your attention, you curiously look down at it, and upon meeting its gaze, it sends you a telepathic message that surprises you.
“You think we should go to class without Leona-senpai ‘cause you’re confident that you can explain everything to me?” You ask, earning a nod from the tsum, who cockily adds that it will do a better job at explaining everything to you than Leona ever could, much to your amusement.
The corners of your lips quirk upwards. “Now, I don’t know about that. While I’m sure that you’re just as much of a genius as your counterpart, Leona-senpai is really good at explaining things and making it all easy for me to understand, so you shouldn’t look down on him.”
Unsurprisingly, Leona isn’t too pleased when he hears that Idia’s tsum thinks it can explain things better than he can.
He narrows his eyes. “The little armadillo is quite cocky, isn’t it? Guess I should expect no less from Radish Sprout’s counterpart.”
When Leona and Idia’s tsum start exchanging glares, you sigh. So much for there being nothing to worry about with these two…
Catching you by surprise, Leona suddenly starts smirking. Before you can question his sudden change of expression, he abruptly rises to his feet and helps you do the same.
Faster than you can react, Leona uses his magic to make Idia’s tsum float and proceeds to use his Spelldrive skills to flawlessly throw the annoyed tsum into the open tsum carrier, the door of which he quickly closes before the tsum can try to escape.
After he uses his magic to make the tsum carrier float and to simultaneously keep Idia’s tsum from being able to open the carrier’s door, Leona casually slings an arm across your shoulders. “Alright, let’s head to class, Herbivore.”
As the two of you begin heading toward the main school building, along with the floating tsum carrier that trails after you, you give your upperclassman a disapproving look. “Leona-senpai, I know you’re not a fan of the tsums, but you shouldn’t be so rough with Idia-senpai’s tsum. I feel bad for it since it was only trying to look out for me.”
“Meh, it’s fine.” Leona waves his free hand dismissively. “Those little armadillos are sturdier than they look, and it’s not like I’m doing anything bad to it. Besides, considering how Idia is, that carrier must have been made specifically for that armadillo to hide in, right? So it has no reason to complain about me putting it back where it belongs.”
“Plus, class will go smoother if it stays there, considering it likes me about as much as I like it.” He adds, “So, obviously, it’s for the best to keep us apart.”
As always, Leona makes a good point. Considering how hard Idia’s tsum is thrashing in its attempt to escape the tsum carrier, it’s clear that your upcoming class will not be smooth sailing if the tsum is allowed the freedom to attack the lion Beastman.
Plus, considering how Vil’s tsum will also be in the class, things will already be precarious without Idia’s tsum thrown into the mix, so it really is for the best that Idia’s tsum remains inside the tsum carrier for as long as you’re with Leona.
Regrettably, because the tsum carrier is soundproof, all you can do is aim an apologetic look in Idia’s tsum’s direction since it would be dangerous to open the tsum carrier when it’s so pissed off.
Meanwhile, Leona just smirks, because he knows that he has won this round, making you roll your eyes.
“You’re only coming to class ‘cause you wanna piss off Idia-senpai’s tsum, aren’t you?” You dryly ask, “I know you wouldn’t change your mind just ‘cause it claimed it can be a better teacher than you, but you would definitely do it ‘cause you know how much Idia-senpai’s tsum would hate you sticking close to me for the whole class period.”
His smirk grows. “Heh, don’t know what you’re talking about, Herbivore. I decided to go to class, because that’s clearly what you wanted to be your reward for doing well in P.E. today.”
Knowing he’s lying through his teeth, you tiredly sigh, “Please don’t go overboard when you’re taunting Idia-senpai’s tsum. It’s been so good to me since it arrived, so it really doesn’t deserve your brand of punishment.”
Rather than give your request a response, Leona decides to abruptly change topics by asking, “Is that sugar cookie scent from something you got from Vil? Smells too artificial to be the result of your usual baking.”
Not expecting him to bring up your body spray, of all things, you blink. “Uh, yeah, it was a body spray sample he was given but didn’t wanna keep, so he passed it along to me, like he does with all the stuff he’s not interested in that he thinks I would like.”
The corners of your lips dip downward. “The smell isn't too strong, is it? Grim said it didn’t bother him, and I also tested it with Jack, so I had thought it’d be okay to wear.”
Because you never want to wear anything that would be unpleasant for your friends with sensitive senses of smell, you always make sure to get their opinion on anything scented that you use, and it’s also why you refuse to wear anything that has a strong scent, although it’s also because you personally just aren’t a fan of strong scents.
Even though you’re free to wear whatever you want, you still want to be considerate of the important people in your life, because it’s what they deserve. Plus, you would never do anything that would decrease your chances of getting hugs and cuddles from Jack and the others.
Feeling a hand ruffle your hair, you pull yourself away from your thoughts and focus your attention on Leona who answers, “It’s not bothering me, so you’re fine. I was just curious about it since this was my first time being around you while you were wearing it.”
With a teasing grin, Leona brings his face dangerously close to yours and says, “I don’t mind it at all since it makes you smell even tastier than usual. Makes me wanna try taking a bite.”
While Idia’s tsum's thrashing becomes even more erratic thanks to Leona’s actions, which you can tell are solely for the sake of messing with the poor otherworldly creature, you find yourself flushing, unable to help yourself, because, despite knowing Leona’s just messing around, it’s hard to keep your composure when he teases you like this.
Just goes to show what a dangerous predator this lion really is.
A cute pout rises to your lips in response to his teasing. “You’re lucky I like you so much. Otherwise, I’d give you a good smack for a comment like that, you troublesome upperclassman.”
Leona barks out a laugh as he pulls his face away from yours. “I would expect nothing less.”
As he’s laughing, you feel his tail wrap snugly around your waist and take note of how he hugs you even closer to himself, all the while keeping his arm firmly wrapped around your shoulders.
Despite yourself, you automatically lean into his touch, which provides you more comfort than you’d like to admit to your cocky friend, because it’s hard for you to get mad at him when you know he would never allow just anyone to be this close to him.
The current position you’re in is a special privilege Leona provides just for you, and you never want to take that for granted; you always want him to be able to tell just how much it means to you that he trusts you this much.
You always want him to know just how much he means to you.
As if reading your mind, Leona tightens his grip on you, pulling you impossibly closer, before carding his fingers through your hair with so much tenderness that it makes your eyes burn with emotion.
In response, you tightly latch onto the back of his vest with one of your hands as you bury your face against his side, all the while taking in his scent of musk and sandalwood, which always puts your heart at ease.
It’s really not fair how much power Leona-senpai has over me. You think to yourself. He always gets his way in the end when he does stuff like this that always makes me so happy.
Unbeknownst to you, while you’re distracted, Idia’s tsum, who has finally given up on trying to escape the tsum carrier, glares heatedly at Leona, who, upon sensing its glare despite being unable to see the tsum through the tinted carrier door, smirks in triumph.
Unfortunately for Idia’s tsum, losing is never an option for Leona Kingscholar, not when you’re concerned.
And that’s something that won’t ever change.