Academy Showdown - Book I - Rise of the Phoenix

Chapter 2: Homeroom

WITH APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES until the opening bell, Emi surveyed the area and noticed a massive crowd had formed around the canopy. The students whispered among themselves, watching in awe as an extraordinary scene unfolded before them. It was hard to blame them—it was definitely something one had to see to believe. Yuki Kageryuu, a sophomore at Phoenix Academy, stood in the shadow of the sapphire-haired boy, tugging at his ear with the exasperation of a parent disciplining their child. It was a spectacle bound to capture the attention of everyone around.

"You don't see something like this every day," Emi remarked, turning to glance at the canine girl beside her. "Isn't that right, Ca...dy?"

Emi's voice trailed off when she realized Cady was in a daze, her tail wagging excitedly as the only indication of her awareness.

I guess that confirms it.

"Now why would my sweet little Sacchan want to hide from me, I wonder?" The raven-haired girl mused, tilting her head as if genuinely contemplating her own question. She lightly touched a fingertip to her chin and even produced an audible "hmm" for good measure. Then, she pulled out her mana crystal-powered (MCP) smartphone and held it in Gayle's face.

"Could this be the reason?"

"Grr, damn that old Cuthbert," Gayle growled. "Whether it's primary or secondary, once a snitch, always a snitch..."

Yuki put away her phone and swiftly thwacked the boy on the back of his head.

"Oww!!"

"Is that any way to speak about an instructor?" She sighed and pinched the brim of her nose. "Gayle...it's the first day of school, classes haven't even started yet, and you're already pulling stunts like this? Vandalizing school property? What are you, twelve?!"

Ah, so that's what he did. Emi thought. As foolish as that was, she was under the impression he had done something much worse. At that moment, her previous altercation with the boy replayed in her mind as well as the baseless accusation she'd made. A strange feeling washed over her.

"Relax, I didn't use the permanent spray paint so it'll wash off, no problem!"

"That isn't the point!" Her expression turned deadly serious. "Do you have any idea who you've just crossed?! Not only the Harvesters, but Radical Red as well! Once they find you, there'll be..." She stopped and heaved another sigh. "You know what? We'll talk about this later. As for right now..."

Yuki then turned to the girls and smiled warmly. "Ladies, I would like to apologize on my friend's behalf. As his elder and senpai, I have taught him that he should always think before acting. As you can see, it hasn't quite sunk in yet. If he has offended you in any way, I humbly ask for your forgiveness. He will face appropriate consequences."

Yuki bowed deeply. Emi raised her hand to protest, but then she saw the raven-haired girl give Gayle's ear another forceful tug, instructing him to bow before them. He obediently lowered his head, face reddened with embarrassment and shame.

"I-I'm really sorry..."

Emi had to fight back a smirk. Not too long ago, the boy had some kind of tough-guy routine going only to find himself being humbled in front of strangers by an upperclassman just moments later.

This is just too good.

"Now, I do believe you all were in the middle of introductions?" As the others nodded, the girl gave the boy's ear another tug.

"Ow... I'm positive you two already know my name at this point," he grumbled, "but whatever, common courtesy and whatnot..."

Emi rolled her eyes. You're one to talk about common courtesy...