Student To King: The Transportation To A New World

Aria's Recollection 4: Growing Comfort (Rewritten Complete)

The Next Day

It was the second period, and Aria, with a free block, found herself on the rooftop, her usual refuge. But this time, she wasn't alone.

"What...?!" A jolt of surprise shot through her. "This is a first...!"

The rumble of the doorknob, followed by the door creaking open, startled her.

"To think you'd be here," Ace said, entering the rooftop. He looked at the door, still holding the key he'd used to unlock it. "It's the only place we haven't looked, but..." He paused, eyeing her. "How did you even get in here? No wonder there are barely any reports of you being bullied."

Aria stammered, a blush rising on her cheeks. "I...uh...oh no..."

Ace, key still in hand, surveyed the rooftop. Aria's mouth hung open in anxiety. Her body was tense, filled with a nervous energy she couldn't explain. In a clumsy attempt to calm herself, she reached for her bottle of tablets, but one slipped from her grasp and clattered onto the ground.

"Huh? Really your pills at this time? Aria, Relax... you're not in trouble. There's a reason why this rooftop is locked and well its not a good reason either." Ace's tone went cold at the last few words until his realisation kicked in. "Wait... can you answer my first question." Returning to his usual tone.

"I pick locked my way in..." Aria answered in a quiet voice. 

"Huh?" His eyes widened in surprise then soon returned to his usual expression placing his finger under his chin. "Hmm, that does make sense. Well, I'm going to make sure that someone is always with you during your free periods and your breaks from now on."

But I... I'm not really... good with others..." Aria's fingers intertwined nervously. 'Except you...' she silently added.

"Am I not different? We're of opposite genders, so technically it's easier if you talk to another girl. Unfortunately, the one you met yesterday is quite lively; I'll inform her of your whereabouts."

"Wait...! This is all so sudden, Ace! Gods, I should just take a pill now."

"Please take the recommended dosage if you are. There's a pressing issue of some students doing shifty jobs related to drugs so make sure you have your prescription."

'Huh? I wonder what's going on around the school.' Aria pondered.

"Oh, Hilda just messaged and she's with a friend this time. Don't worry, they're not one of Reina's goons so you guys have fun here." Ace says as he turns his back waving goodbye.

'Reina? Reina hasn't really done anything to me... though she did give me a dirty look that other time.' 

Before Aria could gather her thoughts, Ace turned and began to walk away

"W-wait! Where are you going...?!" 

"There's something I have to ask the teacher about. But don't worry you'll be fine." Ace says with a confident tone before exiting the area.

Aria took a deep breath remembering her talk with Ace from yesterday.

Hilda... the same Hilda that tried to talk to me. I ran away from her even though she invited me. I'm a horrible person. Aria thought as she sat against the fence looking down.

After a few seconds, she heard footsteps heading her way and before she could react a girl slammed the door open with a beaming smile on her face. 

"Yahallo~! So this is where you've been hiding all this time, Aria?" Recognizing the voice, Aria leaned back shyly, unsure how to react or respond.

"We met yesterday. It's me, Hilda. I also brought one of our friends; she should be coming up here soon, though I left her in a rush, hehe."

"Nice to meet you... sorry about yesterday I-"