"Okay that's it for today class. I'll see your project to be completed by this Friday" says the teacher and he leaves the classroom.
You groan while your friend snickers and you glared at her.
"Not funny Xiang... Why do I have to pair up with him?!" You yelled, pointing at your supposedly project partner.
Childe, that's his name. You and him don't really get along well... Other than the fact that you've known him since little, you two never get along.
"Aww, I'm a little hurt N/N-chan~" says Childe and you had an irk mark.
"Stop calling me that!" You said as you slap his shoulder.
"Haha! You two sure get along well!" Says Xiangling.
"No we don't!"
===
"Bye bye!" You wave goodbye to Xiangling who is on her way to hang out with Xingqiu and Chongyun for their project.
Lucky them. The class was odd-numbered so the three of them got to be in a group while you are stuck with Tartaglia.
"Hey there N/N-chan, my place or yours? Of course I'd prefer—"
"Shut up. We are doing it at rhe library"
"Ooo, then try your best to keep quiet" He teased which made your face went red.
This is why you and him don't get along. He enjoys teasing you. Especially when he (un)intentionally teases you with a dirty joke.
Funny thing is, you two were neighbours when you were younger. That is until he moved away and came back quite recently.
The two of you made your way to the library as you borrowed the library's laptop while Childe grab some books.
"Okay, if we want a good grade, we ought to do this right. No fooling around. I don't want an F grade" You said as you open up Google Chrome.
"Neither do I. So, what are we supposed to be doing?"
"Sensei said to research and do up a presentation on the history of the topic. So I'd say..."
"Nnghh~! Finally!" You said as you stretch your arms and making your way out of the library.
"I can't believe we manage to finish it within hours. And there is still time to spare" says Childe.
"I'll finish up some of the editting and mail it to you. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off" You said and left.
At night, after you had dinner with a friend (who happened to be bored), you two parted ways as you make your way home.
You decided to take the short cut since you wanted to quickly get home and shower. You take a turn by the small alley.
"Geez, what's the town council doing? Always never fixing the lamp post here" You mumble as you quickly walk past it.
However, you stop when you felt a presence near you. You held your guard up as you squeeze your bag strap and speed up.
"Woah there girlie, why walk so fast?" Your eyes widen when you were stopped by a drunken teenager.
"Woah, heh, she's cute"
'Ah shiet. There's three of them!'
You take a few steps back until your back hit the wall and the drunkards only walk closer to you.
"L-Listen here. I've got no time to stay for a chat so I'd best be on my way" You said and attempt to walk past them but you failed.
"Now now don't be such a party pooper!"
'Ugh... The smell of alcohol!'
"Come have a drink with us!" Says another as he grabs a can of beer and attempt to make you drink.
"Get away from me!" You yelled and push them away and quickly make a run for it.
"That slut. After her!"
You ran and ran but it felt like you were lost within the alley. And you hit a dead end and the drunkards had already caught up with you.
"Alright, be a good girl and stay there"
You shake as you shut your eyes widen as you felt yourself shrinking with fear.
"Whose idea is it to go and harass an innocent girl?" A familiar voice question.
You open your eyes and you never felt happier to find someone you know.
"Childe!"
"Hah? Trying to play knight in shining armor? Don't joke with us!" They begin to throw punches at Childe but he wasn't a pushover.
Childe quickly defeated them within less than 5 hits.
"W-Wait! Y-You're Tartaglia!" The guy panicked.
"No way!"
"Let's get out of here. We can't beat him!"
The three scram away and your legs finally gave up on you as you collapse to the ground.
"N/N-chan?!"
"Th-Thanks... Childe..." You mumbled weakly and he sighs.
"Let's get you home" You nodded.
The next day, you call Childe over to the school's roof top as you hand him a bento as a thanks.
"Thanks for yesterday... Here" You said.
"Heh, no problem. But don't go over to those kinds again" says Childe.
"I won't... But... Are you really Tartaglia? The one from whom they call the Harbingers? I-I thought—"
"So what if I am? Are you scared of me?" He ask.
You had thought for a moment. The Harbingers were a group of people who are said to be ruthless and they do drugs.
When you and Childe were younger, you two vow not to fall to the dark side. Over the years, you heard of a member known as Tartaglia who is feared by others.
Never did you expect it to be Childe. But despite knowing he's Tartaglia, you don't feel scared. Rather, you feel assured.
"Why would I be scared. Tartaglia is Childe and Childe is an annoying classmate and neighbour of mine" You said.
Childe was surprised. He didn't know you would feel like this.
"Thanks N/N-chan, I appreciate. Now feed me will ya?" He ask and you chuckle.
"Geez..."
Maybe... Just maybe... Your feelings for Childe could change just a little. Perhaps one day, you will come to know of your true feelings for him.
