Warfare Augmented Intelligent Frame Unit

Chapter 7 - Endless Banters

Chapter 7 – Endless Banters

The sun had barely crested the horizon, casting a golden hue across the sleek, towering structures of Orbital Technology Applied Kinetics University. It was the second day of classes, and the crisp morning air hummed with energy. I navigated the familiar hallways with ease, already accustomed to the route that would take me to my classroom. Being familiar with the layout now, I arrived without a hitch, making it just in time.

I stepped into the classroom fifteen minutes early, and the atmosphere was noticeably different from the day before. The room buzzed with conversation and movement as students settled into their places. There was an undeniable liveliness in the air, the stiff tension from the first day melting away. I suppose most of the students had already adjusted to their assigned partners by now.

I realized that perhaps the same could be said for me. Yesterday felt like a stroke of fate, a surreal day when I managed to speak to the person who had, for so long, been the bane of my existence. My thoughts drifted back to Myrrh.

She was already seated in our usual spot, her profile framed by the soft glow of sunlight streaming in through the window. Her gaze was distant, eyes unfocused as she stared outside, lost in thought. One hand propped up her chin, and she looked almost serene, though her expression remained unreadable. I approached silently, not intending to break the delicate quiet, but as I pulled out my chair, something unexpected happened.

"Good morning, Zaft," Myrrh greeted, her voice soft and distant, like a leaf drifting lazily in the wind.

For a moment, I stood frozen. Hell must have frozen over for her to actually speak to me—let alone greet me first. Then, I remembered our reluctant agreement from yesterday. We had promised to try and make this partnership work, no matter how much we loathed the idea. After all, our grades depended on it.

"G-Good morning, Myrrh," I stammered, still caught off guard.

Myrrh turned to face me, her lips curling into a mischievous smile, her narrowed blue eyes gleaming with playful malice. "Next time, greet me with more respect," she said, her voice dripping with mock grandeur. "'A fabulous morning, Your Royal Highness Myrrh Alicent'—that would be the proper greeting from now on. It's only right that a hooligan like you show some respect."

Without missing a beat, I met her gaze with a deadpan expression. "Good fucking morning, you snotty brat Myrrh Alicent. That's the best I can do."

Her smile faltered into a pout as she leaned back in her chair. "I don't get why you hate me so much. Everything I've done was in the name of duty and honor."

A bitter laugh slipped from my lips before I could stop it. "That's exactly why Ephraim left you. You're so narcissistic and selfish that you can't see past your own reflection."

"Hmph." Myrrh crossed her arms tightly across her chest, her chin jutting out defiantly. "Speak for yourself, gremlin. You never even had a girlfriend in high school. Girls avoid you like the plague—it's a miracle you're even allowed in the same room as one."

Fantastic. It wasn't even eight in the morning, and my day was already on a downward spiral. I could already feel the headache forming, the kind of dull throb that only Myrrh could conjure. I sighed inwardly, praying that midterms would breeze by so this torturous partnership would end as soon as possible.

"Oh, before I forget," Myrrh suddenly chirped, clapping her hands as if a thought had just struck her. Her face lit up with a smile that was far too innocent for someone like her. She reached into her bag with deliberate slowness, pulling out a small object that glittered in the light.

She held out a pink handkerchief, the fabric neatly folded in her palm. "Here!"

"Wait, this is..." I trailed off, my eyes widening as I recognized the familiar fabric.