Chapter 104: Chapter 98: Chaos Continues at School

The bright morning sun hung over the school campus as students filled the halls, chatter and footsteps echoing through the corridors. The usual chaos of high school life was amplified today—because they had arrived.

Lumine walked alongside Amber and Ayaka, clutching Snowball’s tiny carrier in her hands. Despite being told not to bring her kitten to school, Lumine had been unable to resist Snowball’s pleading eyes.

Behind them, Aether walked with Venti and Albedo, already deep in conversation.

And then… there was Scaramouche.

Leaning lazily against a set of lockers, arms crossed, and wearing his signature unimpressed expression, he radiated an aura that screamed “Do not approach me.”

“Why is he standing there like he’s the villain in a high school drama?” Venti whispered loudly to Aether.

“Because he is the villain,” Aether grumbled.

Scaramouche’s sharp ears caught that, and his head turned slowly toward them, his deadpan stare piercing right through Aether. “What was that, golden retriever boy?”

Aether twitched. “Nothing.”

Amber, trying to ease the tension, clapped her hands. “Okay, everyone! Let’s focus! Today’s the group project presentations, remember? No fighting!”

Scaramouche rolled his eyes, pushing himself off the lockers. “As if I’d waste my energy on him.”

Before Aether could retort, Snowball let out a tiny meow from her carrier, stealing everyone’s attention.

“Lumine… did you seriously sneak Snowball into school?” Ayaka asked, her voice soft but filled with mild concern.

Lumine held up the carrier sheepishly. “She looked so sad when I tried to leave her at home!”

Scaramouche raised an eyebrow. “You brought a kitten to a school filled with rowdy teenagers and loud noises? Brilliant, Lumine. Truly brilliant.”

“Hey!” Lumine pouted. “She’s fine. Right, Snowball?”

Snowball meowed again as if agreeing with Lumine.

---

During Class

The classroom buzzed with activity as students prepared their presentations. The teacher, a stern-looking woman with glasses and an intimidating aura, was already growing impatient with the noise.

“Settle down, everyone!” she barked.

Lumine sat with Amber and Ayaka in the front row, Snowball hidden beneath her desk in her carrier. Behind her, Aether and Venti were trying to finish their notes, while Albedo calmly reviewed his neatly prepared presentation cards.

And Scaramouche… well, he was lounging in his chair at the back, feet propped up on an empty desk, arms crossed, and a smug expression on his face.

“Mr. Scaramouche,” the teacher snapped. “Feet. Down.”

Scaramouche stared at her for a moment, deadpan, before slowly lowering his feet with exaggerated sluggishness. “Happy now, ma’am?”

The teacher narrowed her eyes. “Watch your tone.”

From the front row, Venti whispered, “Oh boy, he’s really asking for detention today.”

Amber stifled a laugh while Lumine shook her head.

When it was finally their group’s turn to present, Amber, Ayaka, and Lumine walked to the front of the class. Snowball had been entrusted to Aether, who was sitting beside Scaramouche.

“Don’t let her out!” Lumine warned before leaving.

Scaramouche gave Aether a side glance. “You better not mess this up, big brother.”

Aether gritted his teeth. “You’re not helping.”

Snowball, sensing the tension, let out a soft meow.

Venti, sitting beside them, whispered with a mischievous grin, “Honestly, you two bicker like an old married couple.”

Both Aether and Scaramouche turned to glare at Venti in perfect synchronization.

---

During Lunch Break

The cafeteria was bustling with students, and the group had managed to secure a table near the windows.

Amber and Ayaka were trying to feed Snowball tiny pieces of chicken (despite Lumine’s protests), while Venti was humming a tune and stealing fries from Aether’s tray.

Scaramouche, sitting at the edge of the table, was poking at his food with a bored expression.

“So,” Amber began, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Why do you always look annoyed, Scara?”

Scaramouche didn’t even look up. “Because I’m surrounded by idiots.”

Amber gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. “How dare you!”

Venti burst out laughing, nearly choking on his drink.

Lumine, tired of their antics, sighed. “Can we not start a scene in the cafeteria?”

Aether, still clutching Snowball’s carrier tightly, glared at Scaramouche. “And can you stop being so sassy all the time?”

Scaramouche smirked. “What’s wrong, Aether? Jealous because I’m more charming than you?”

Aether slammed his chopsticks on the table. “Charming?! You—”

Snowball, startled by the sudden noise, let out a loud meow.

The table went silent.

Everyone froze, eyes darting toward Snowball.

Ayaka sighed. “You scared her.”

Aether immediately softened. “I’m sorry, Snowball…”

Scaramouche, however, was looking very pleased with himself. “See? Even the kitten prefers me.”

Lumine pinched the bridge of her nose. “I can’t take you two anywhere.”

---

After School

As the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, the group walked toward the school gates together.

Amber and Ayaka chatted about weekend plans, while Albedo and Venti walked slightly behind, deep in conversation about some scientific experiment.

Ahead of them, Aether and Scaramouche were still glaring at each other.

Snowball, now resting on Lumine’s shoulder, was purring softly.

“Honestly,” Lumine muttered to herself, “it’s like babysitting toddlers.”

Scaramouche smirked as he shoved his hands into his pockets. “Careful, Lumine. You might just end up preferring my company over his.”

Aether shot him a glare. “Dream on.”

Venti, from the back, laughed loudly. “This day was perfect. We should do this more often!”

Amber chimed in with a grin. “Oh, definitely!”

As the group made their way home, the bickering continued, the laughter echoed, and Snowball meowed contently—caught in the middle of their chaotic little family.