Chapter 22

Nikami POV

"O-oh u-uhm! I'm Yasachu Kowamekuna!" Yasachu replied to Shukona's question.

"Kowamekuna? I haven't heard that last name. Are you a new noble daughter or something? Maybe a secret daughter?" Shukona asked her yet again, her eyebrows still up.

"Shu, she's a commoner." I said at shukona.

Shukona face then immediately went from curious to a mixture of surprise and irritation.

"Hah?! A commoner?!" She looked down at Yasachu.

Yasachu looked scared and was even shivering.

"Your probably wondering why I decided to meet Shu with the protagonist. Your probably all like, Why are you doing this?! They are going to fight! Wrong. They aren't going to. Shu may look irritated but that's all that. Irritation. Not pure hatred towards the protagonist. I changed the Character of Shukona a lot... The in-game Shukona has a hatred of the protagonist since she hates the fact that a mere commoner can get into this school. And also that she had the natural talent Shukona never had. As you might know her brothers are very powerful and she was expected to be the same, unfortunately, she wasn't. She only had an interest in plants which is deemed useless in this world. It is also because the protagonist got the attention of Raijin, the one she loves. But that little dance back then was my slingshot. I shot 3 birds with one stone. From teaching Shukona magic and being her friend I did a lot. First off, She's much more powerful now not unlike the game. So she got the attention of her parents, not like her game self. Secondly, being her friend is very useful to me. Since she thinks that I was being selfless while in reality, I planned this all from the start. So I could change her fate." I thought in my head.

"Can't you two introduce yourselves? Formally?" I gave a suggestion

"Hmph! Fine. She will introduce herself first." Shukona commanded

"U-uhm! Okay! My name is Yasachu Kowamekuna!" She bowed down shakily.

"I'm Shukona Amartini! I won't bow down to a commoner like you." She glared at Yasachu and Yasachu shivered at this sight.

"Your probably wondering what the third thing I got from being her friend.... Well, it is simple. She may be tough but inside she's very gentle... She's a wonderful friend. No, I'm not being nice to her this is all in my plan." I thought to myself while looking at Shukona just glaring at the poor shivering Yasachu.

"Shu calm down." I stared blankly at her.

"How would I?! it is surprising how you would be calm, even though a commoner is here in this school! I feel dirty just looking at her. And what's with her white hair? I hope she won't spread a plague." Shukona rolls her eyes

"White hair is usually associated with sickness, or oldness. Which is understandable since most old people have white hair. But... If your young and you have visible white hair... It is usually associated with curses, sickness, and weakness. I have a tiny bit of white hair in my hair... And just that caused such a big ruckus. Saying that I'm not fit to be the queen, since I might be sick, or be cursed, or be weak, or if my future children will be weak. Of course, all those are false. I am perfect. In every way shape or form.... No, I shouldn't say I'm perfect. No one is perfect.... Why did I even think that... Either way, such a small patch of white hair cause such a big uproar... I can't imagine how tiresome it would be to have fully white hair. Another thing that the developers twisted in the game, Since the norm is that the protagonist in every otome game or dating simulator in that matter... Would look as plain as possible, since they are supposed to mirror the player." I thought inside my head.

"I-I won't spread a plau-plague Amaratini-sama! I promise!" Yasachu nervously replied.

"Shu, please calm down for a bit. Even if she is a commoner she is still a student at this academy. Try and be a bit respectful." I said to Shukona, while glancing at Yasachu.

"Hmph! Fine then, I guess I'll be a bit respectful!" She clicked her tongue at Yasachu.

". . ." After that, there was just.... Silence. For normal instances I would be fine with it, but... Looking at these two...

Shukuna is still glaring at Yasachu, Yasachu is slowly inching closer to my back. I need to break this silence. If not Yasachu will dislike Shukona, and her chances of a bad end will raisen.

"So, Shu. What do you think of the uniform? Isn't it comfortable?" I asked her.

"Hmph, Sure it may be comfortable but...." Shukona said with a disapproving look in her face.

"Bu-but...?" Yasachu titled her head.

"But it looks... Disgusting!!" She yelled out in disapproval.

"Disgusting? Can you elaborate more?" I asked her yet again.

"Gi-girls aren't supposed to wear such... Such war looking clothing!! They need to look elegant, and beautiful! They need to have laces on their dresses!! Stockings! Gloves! It is all about elegance! Elegance! Not this... Barbaric looking uniform!" Shukona ranted about our uniform.

"I don't think it is barbaric, its a surprise to even see skirts in here. I thought we would wear shorts or something... And besides, this isn't a normal school. This is The Afosíosi Magic Academy. This school focuses on the magic power of a person, not dresses." I tried to defend the School's uniform.

"But it looks like crap. Utter crap." Shukona still won't budge.

"Bu-but I think it looks... Badass?" Yasachu replied to her rant

"Ugh, you commoner just don't understand! You really don't understand the importance of elegance!" She puts her hands on her hips and pouted.

"I see.... It is indeed important to us nobles... So we don't get looked down upon." I said in agreement while nodding

"For noble girls, Elegance is extremely important... After all, if you don't have that much elegance you would be looked down upon... And Shukona really values elegance... As expected of the villainess." I thought in my head still nodding

"But of course, I don't need to be looked down in front of a short commoner like you. Since you are already lower than me, in status and in physical appearance." Shukona looks down opon Yasachu.

Shukona was already taller than me, so she does have an intimidating body. The protagonist is shorter than anyone at the cast as well.

"I don't think the physical appearance part is right..." I thought out loud.

"The protagonist may have a short body... But remember, she carried that huge backpack... Over to another country, and didn't even look like a problem to her." I thought to myself, while looking back and forth to Yasachu and Shukona.

"Wha?! Wha-what do you mean by that Nika?! I thought you were on my side?!" She looked a bit disappointed.

"Besides, what does she have that I don-...." She looks at Yasachu's curvy chest and looks back at hers. Just a slightly curved line.

"Nevermind." She looked away once again.

"O-oh." I looked at her, my emotionless face slightly changed with the look of pity.

Yasachu was just standing there, confused at that exchange.

"W-well uhm! Even if the uniform looks warlike... An-and barbaric... You still look beautiful and elegant to me Amaratini-sama!" Yasachu smiles gently at Shukona.

"Wh-wha?" She looked at the smiling small girl in front of her, with a tint of pink in her cheeks.

"Of course, a natural charmer. All Main characters are like that. I bet she's too dense to even know that she is a natural charmer. Another thing for the main characters." I thought while looking at the blushing Shukona.

"Hu-huh?! I-I don't care about your opinion commoner!!" She glares at Yasachu still red.

"But... Thanks, I guess." She looks away still red, playing with her hair.

Yasachu smiled brightly since Shukona said thanks to her.

"I'm glad you two are getting along." I smiled a little bit at the two of them

Shukona looked at me, now her cheeks are less red

"Ha-hah?! Who would get along with a commoner like her?!" She said angrily.

"You, and possibly me. Even if she is a commoner, she got into this school. That means she must be strong. Say... Kowamekuna... What is your main element?" I said tilting my head in asking a question.

"Of course I already know her answer. I just needed to ask since it would be weird to know her main element without her even telling us." I thought in my head.

"U-uhmm.... Well, its Light Magic..." She slowly starched the back of her head.

"Hah?! You're a Light User?!?" Shukona's eyes widened in surprise.

"Hm... I see, no wonder you got into this academy." I nodded slowly, not fazed at all.

"You know the drill of all Fantasy Dating Games, the main character almost always has the super ultra rare magic. Most of the time it is Light Magic, since the norm knows that light magic is extremely strong and important." I thought while staring at them blankly.

"ye-yes... I am a light user..." She smiles at both of us.

"Wha-what...? A-a... A commoner?!! A commoner has the element of Light?! Your lying!! There is no way you have light magic!! Wh-why don't any of the nobles have light magic?! Why you?! You are just a commoner!!" Shukona's face was a mix of anger and frustration.

She pointed at her while yelling, her left hand was turned into a fist. Her face was distorted with anger, how dare a commoner have an element like that?

I slowly walked towards her and stood in between the two of them.

"If Shukona resort's to violence.... It would be bad for her, I don't want her to go into the path of the villainess.... Not her... She's my friend." I glared at her while folding my arms.

Yasachu was behind me shivering nervously.

"Shu, calm down, please. " I glared at her.

"No!! I won't calm down!! Why are you protecting her anyway?! She's just a commoner!! I am your childhood best friend!! Why are you with her side!!" She yelled at my face. While my face darkened, my cold face can be seen with a tint of sadness.

"its because if you hurt her... You'll die...and I don't want that. I can't just say that out loud of course.... You won't believe me..." I thought in my head still looking sad.

"I can understand your rage Shu, but... Please try and calm down, your scaring her." I tried to calm her down

"If you do understand, Why are you with her?! Huh?! Explain that to me!! Explain to me Nikami!" She glared at me.

"Because if you hurt her, there is a chance that you might be expelled. And your reputation will drop, so Shu.... I'm doing this for your good. Calm down, please." I tried explaining to her.

"....Tch...." Shukona knows that Nikami is right, so she took a deep breath and puts her hands back on her hips.

"Fine. Whatever, just don't think I'll get along with that commoner." She glared at the Yasachu behind me.

"Shu... Thank you." She smiled a little bit at her

"Don't thank me, I should thank you instead. You stopped me from being an idiot, I was blinded by rage." She sighed and smiles a little bit at me.

"I-i'm so sorry.... I'm so sorry..." Yasachu said, her voice shaky and breaking. She was still behind me, with tears in her eyes.

I turned my head towards her direction and pat her head.

"It is okay. Don't cry." I said calmly at her, I slowly put my hand down from her head.

I smiled a little bit and then I turned back to Shukona.

"Say, why don't we go around this academy? To explore it a bit. To try and calm your nerves Shu." I gave a suggestion

"Hmph, very well then. I'll go and lead both of you, since I was here longer. I know the Structure of this Academy a little bit." She nodded and slowly walks towards the back entrance of the academy.

I looked back at Yasachu, who as still shivering a bit. But it wasn't that bad anymore.

"Don't worry, she's just like that at the start. Soon she will warm up to you, she did with me as well. She's gentle I promise." I tried to re-assure Yasachu.

She smiled and nodded a bit.

"I see! Thank you for telling me Shiromoru-sama... I'll work hard to get her to warm up to me! I won't give up!" She smiles brightly at me, she wipes off her tears and nodded.

"..... Now I can see why the capture targets fell in love with this girl. That is one bright smile, too bright for me though. I'll make you fall in love with Shukona, so both of you can be happy..." I thought to myself, not even noticing myself smiling.

"That's good." My smile then faded immediately.

Yasachu's eyes widened in surprise, she just made her smile! Yasachu was extremely happy.

She wasn't shivering anymore, she got one of her wishes to come true. Yasachu wants to see more of Nikami's Emotions, and now made it her mission to see all of them.

Shukona stopped since she couldn't hear any foots steps following her. So she turned around, and saw them talking together then sighed.

"Hey! Aren't we supposed to walk around the academy?! Follow me already you two!" She pouted and folded her arms.

I turned my head to her and nodded

"Sorry." I slowly walked towards her still having the emotionless face I always had with me.

My pace was calm and slow, not rushing anything.

"Wait for me!" Yasachu followed me from behind, her short legs walking towards Shukona. Her smile still bright as ever.

Shukona pouted even more, looking both at us. She was standing there waiting for both of us to arrive.

When we both finally arrived.

"Geez, you two are so slow." Shukona sighed softly

"I-i'm sorry Amaratini-sama!" She smiled nervously.

"...." I just stayed silent looking at these two interact.

"Hmph, you better be sorry. Now, follow me commoner." She turns to the hallway, flipping her hair on Yasachu's face in the process.

"O-oh okay!" She smiles brightly even if she was just hit on the face by Shukona's green hair.

Shukona turned her head a little bit towards me.

"You too of course Nika. " She then looks back onto the hallway. She strutted into the hallway, her chin up and chest out. Still looking as prideful as ever.

I nodded in response to this and calmly walked with her.

Yasachu happily followed me from behind, still feeling like a dog. Her Ahoge, the hair who is standing up, on her head swinging around like a dog's tail.

The three of us walked along a long hallway with big windows on the right side, the sun's rays shining into the hallways. On the left side were rooms with metal signs on top of them.

"Swordsmanship club.... Magic fusion club.... Enchanting Club...." I mentally read the metal signs on top of the doors, it seems that this part of the school is all the clubs...

After walking into this hallway for a while there was an open area on the left side, it looks like a courtyard of some sort.

Shukona entered the courtyard and I followed her. I slowly turned my head behind me and saw Yasachu still following us.

I looked back into the courtyard and was met with sunlight on my eyes. I closed one of my eyes and tried to block the sunlight with my right hand, I took a few steps forward and the sunlight on my eyes was gone.

I finally took a glance at the courtyard on the ground was filled with bricks, but some parts had patches of land in them which also had a single tree on it.

It was quite large, there are some benches scattered around the courtyard. But the thing that stood out the most was a swarm of ladies in the middle of the courtyard.

Shukona looked at the swarm of ladies a bit confused.

Yasachu peeks from behind me, she also looked a bit confused. But curious too.

I was... Also confused.

"Who is this...? A capture target? But no.... Wait... I think I remember this... But I... I just don't remember the person..." I stood there, still confused about the swarm of ladies.

"Can I touch your tail?" A girl said

"Your soo handsome! Are you sure you're a girl?" Another girl said

"Kyaaa! Your so amazing!" Another girl said.

"A.... A handsome girl...?" I thought out loud. When I heard those two words my heart dropped, The only one who could fit that category would be...

"Ra-rai...?" My cold face completely fell apart, my eyes were shot wide open.

I was even shaking a little bit, my heartbeat going faster and faster.

"Wha-what if it is her?! Ra-rai... I know I shouldn't be scared... B-but I can't help it anymore... For... How many years, I haven't seen her.... And for worse... What if she completely changed? Like in the game? What if she hates me? What if-" I got snapped out of my panic by someone.

I felt a warm hand on my right hand, I looked up and saw Yasachu looking concerned.

"Shiromoru-sama... Are you okay? You looked panicked for some reason...." She asked in a low voice, but it was loud enough for me to hear.

It seems that she notice my change of emotion.

I go back to my normal cold face, my heartbeat slowly going back to normal.

"That was pathetic of me. I'm sorry for worrying you." I sighed a bit

"I-its okay! I don't get why your so nervous but... I won't ask." She smiles brightly.

Yasachu was concerned about Nikami but she was happier to see her face change.... Even if that emotion was a negative one.