[Elsword] - Formulated Hearts

Act 09 - Double-Booked

...

The Nasod Queen lazily sat in her seat during chemistry class, on that bright, sunny morning. She felt sedative, despite the shining sun that shone into the room from the windows, which usually served as a tool to keep students awake. She was having trouble listening to Mr. Pesop, though she would've still succeeded the course regardless.

Eve's attention was soon restored when the instructor had mentioned a project, involving pairs of two. Usually, she was the one who had to pull most, if not all of the weight for these 'group' projects. After all, she was often used for her intelligence.

'Eve wonders who she'd be paired up with this time... Humans are so bold, daring to treat the Queen like this...! I don't understand...'

"Match-making time, kids! The ladies will pick a name out of a brown paper bag. Remember, this is worth 30% of your grade this term, so work hard!" Pesop chuckled, passing around the container with small slips of scrap pieces of paper.

~

When it was Eve's turn, there weren't many choices left. She was one of the last to receive the bag, it would seem. Closing her eyes, she shoved her hand into the eco-friendly sack, and rummaged through, retrieving the name.

Chung.

"Alright, class. Meet up with your partners, and choose a date and time to make progress on this! It'll be due next week. Have fun!" Pesop gave everybody a striking thumbs-up.

Eve headed over to Chung's seat, slightly waving her hand as a greeting.

"Oh, good morning, Miss Eve! Are you my partner for this project?" he asked, smiling as usual.

She briefly nodded.

"Okay! I'll try my hardest, Miss Eve!" the Chaser gave the Empress a salute. "When would a suitable time be for you? Are you free today?"

"Analyzing... Yes, Eve is available, name an hour and Eve shall check the compatibility."

"How about five o'clock? It gives us a few hours to rest and prepare."

"Affirmative. Where?"

"Mm, would your place be okay? I might not be able to host it at my house, unfortunately..." he nervously scratched the back of his head, eventually twiddling with his thumbs, awkwardly.

"Positive."

"See ya then, Miss Eve!"

Ring~! The bell rang, and off they went their separate ways, to their next subject.

~

During history, yet another group assignment was announced after a long, boring lesson. One after another, piles and piles of homework, when would it finally end?

Ms. Stella, from the desert-canyon-like village of Bethma, had explained that their task was to conduct research about the history of one of the main areas of Elrios: Ruben, Elder, Bethma, Altera, Feita, Velder, Hamel, Sander, Lanox, or Elysion.

"I've already selected the pairs and topics, so let's get this over with, quick... Sigh." Stella began reading out the names and their respective areas.

The Queen glanced around the classroom, though there wasn't anyone she could recognize, except... a certain rude psychotic. As she thought about it, she realized that she hadn't had much contact and interaction with him since that event, although there wasn't much of a reason why she'd speak to him, and vice-versa, anyway. A part of her was still slightly interested in his somewhat insane behaviour, nonetheless...

Her prayer was heard; her partial wish was granted.

The keywords that receded from Stella's mouth echoed in her mind. "Eve and Add; Altera."

When the appropriate moment came, Add approached Eve, though he kept his undeniably cold and dominant facade as he spoke to her.

"I'll be at your house today at five. No inquiries nor negotiations, robot." he swung around, exiting the classroom right as the bell sounded, a small yet smug smirk curving on his delicate lips.

It was the same time Chung had suggested, though it was too late for her to change anything. It was futile to adjust things with someone like Add. She was officially double-booked.

The real question was, how the hell was he aware of where she lived?

~

The remaining two periods of school breezily passed by, Eve scurried straight home without any interruptions, to prepare for both assignments.

The Queen thought about how she'd elucidate the situation to the two boys without upsetting either one, or perhaps even both of them, when they made their appearances. The answer was, she couldn't, but at least she could try.

...