Warfare Augmented Intelligent Frame Unit

Chapter 37 - Peroxide Clown

Chapter 37 - Peroxide Clown

"Pffft! Ahahahaha!" Myrrh's high-pitched, teasing laughter rang through the narrow school corridor, bouncing off the locker-lined walls the instant she caught sight of my face. 

I grimaced, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks as I looked at my reflection in the glass window. My normally neat, maybe-handsome face was now a mess, marred by thick smears of lipstick that twisted into a garish clown's grin. Swirls looped over my eyebrows, and to make it worse, a crude, unmistakable penis-shaped doodle stood out prominently on my left cheek. I rubbed at the ink with my sleeve, but the drawings remained—permanent marker, just as I feared.

"Did Cindy really do this to you?" Myrrh gasped between fits of giggles, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes. "I don't know... I think the look suits you! Maybe you should keep it—makes you look distinguished!" She snorted, struggling to hold back another round of laughter.

"Shut up, Myrrh. You totally sold me out," I grumbled, crossing my arms and pouting like a sulking child.

"There, there." With an amused smile, Myrrh reached up and patted my head, ruffling my hair as if I were a pet she was trying to comfort. Then, she rummaged in her shoulder bag and pulled out a thin folder stuffed with papers. "Anyway, we've got to get these application forms submitted for the licensure examination tournament." She flashed the documents at me, her tone suddenly serious. "Neil and Fei are waiting for us at the main faculty building."

"Fine," I muttered, releasing a long, defeated sigh.

As we stepped out of the shadowy academic building, the sun hit us with an unexpected warmth, and there they were—Neil and Fei, standing just outside by the rose bushes. The moment Neil spotted me, his face lit up with unrestrained glee.

"Bwahahahahaha!" Neil's deep, booming laughter echoed like a cartoon villain's, causing him to double over, gasping for air. He laughed so hard he began to choke, his face turning red as he pounded his chest.

Fei, on the other hand, looked genuinely concerned. Her brow furrowed as she approached cautiously, her black long hair catching the sunlight. "Um, Zaft... Are you alright?" she asked softly, her eyes darting nervously between me and the still-guffawing Neil.

"You call this okay? Try having a dick drawn on your cheek and see how you like it," I snapped, my voice sharp with irritation.

Fei's eyes widened, her concern deepening. "Are you really planning to walk all the way to the main faculty building looking like that?" she asked, her tone gentle but tinged with genuine worry. She kept glancing at the drawings on my face, her brows knitting together in distress.

"Why not?" Myrrh cut in, a mischievous smirk spreading across her lips. "I think it suits you better. At least now you look less like a goon and more like a proper clown." She crossed her arms and tilted her chin up, exuding a smug satisfaction.

Fei, however, couldn't shake her concern. She quickly rummaged through her bag and pulled out a packet of wet napkins. With careful, delicate movements, she poured a splash of rubbing alcohol onto one of them before holding it out to me. "Here," she offered, her expression earnest, a touch of sympathy in her gaze.

"T-thanks," I mumbled, feeling a flicker of guilt settle in my chest. I took the damp napkin from her outstretched hand, avoiding eye contact as I began to scrub at my cheek. The permanent ink only faded slightly, leaving a faint ghost of the offensive doodle behind. The shame of my earlier snappishness gnawed at me—Fei didn't deserve that, especially not when she was trying to help.

With the worst of the markings at least somewhat smudged, the four of us set off down the long path toward the main faculty building. The midday sun cast soft golden light on the concrete, and the murmur of students filled the air, echoing from every corner of the bustling campus. I could feel their eyes on me—every snicker, every curious glance, every barely stifled laugh was a needle prick against my pride. I was the unwilling center of attention, my face a grotesque billboard that turned heads as we passed.