Declaration of War (part 2)

"I see… Well, for sure, I definitely do not have a say regarding your relationship between one another. But, I do want to point out something.

You and Nick aren't dating. He only sees you as his friend, and nothing else. It's also not your business to be anywhere close to him. Don't you agree?"

Her words do strike the sensitive parts. It's true, Nico and I aren't dating at all. We were only allied in arms, fighting together against demons. Our relationship mostly circles around that area, and any one of us could find somebody else to be our boyfriend or girlfriend.

Her words made it sound like she knows Nico deeply. It was as if she knew that Nico genuinely only sees me as his friend, and nothing else.

But, I also know Nico. Maybe I've only known him for less than a week, but I already know what his behavior is like towards me. It was not the behavior of someone who treats me as his friend.

This girl is definitely jealous of my relationship with Nico. But, she has no place in the world to be talking about that relationship. She is a nobody.

"While that may be true, who's to say that it won't happen?"

I asked her with a little taunting tone, and she quickly turned confused.

"What?"

"Who can say that 'Nick' and I wouldn't be dating in the future? Someone like you, who can only harass others for stealing your crush?"

".…I admit. You have some bravery for pissing me off. In that case, let's see just how long you can keep this act up. After all, Nick is much closer to me than to you. Physically speaking, of course."

She replied to me with a grin, and I know exactly what she is planning to do.

She is in the same class as Nico, the A class. Physically, she is much closer to him since they were in the same class. And who knows what things she will do towards him during the time in class?

She has that one big advantage, indeed. Given time, she might succeed in doing whatever she intends to do. But, I can't back up now, can I?

"That's true. Then, I wish you good luck. You're going to need a lot of effort to do so, and things will probably turn out your way. But, you should know something. No matter how hard a lady tries, a man's heart can sometimes only follow towards one direction if he wants it.

Why do you think Nico went to find me? Why didn't he get close to you instead of me? Why isn't he dating you instead of looking for me? Do you know?"

Hearing the barrage of questions, the girl could not look more annoyed.

School has started for over a month now. Everyone has gotten acquainted with one another, and only now has Nico met me. She probably has known Nico for a while, and it goes the same way for Nico. And yet, why aren't they dating?

"A long lasting romance may take some time to develop. A rushed relationship like yours will only crash very quickly."

"Is that so? I saw it in a different meaning completely. It's that Nico just doesn't see you. You are simply not a big enough existence in his eyes, probably because you were too boring. Men will always go for girls that is popular and widely known, like me.

Speaking of which… who are you, again?"

Not once have I called her name. I know what her name was, but I never once called her. On the other hand, she knew my name and called me when we first talked. It made it seemed like I was the widely known one, and she was the random nobody coming to greet me.

As expected, that pissed her off even more, since she was actually really popular.

"Funny... I didn't even know who you were until you stole the wallet."

"Yeah, I heard that so many times already. You should get better material because it's getting boring."

"Oh? Then, what about the glue incident? Nick had to change his pants because of you, didn't he?"

"That was his fault for sitting on my chair. Is there a problem?"

Hearing me talk so lightly about Nico definitely made her pissed. She, who looked at Nico so highly, was definitely annoyed by how easy I was belittling Nico. After all, Nico favors me more than any other girl, even her.

As such, her jealousy grows even stronger.

"There is a problem, and I'm here to warn you about it. Get away from Nick. You are causing only problems for him."

Yeah… I know that very well.

However, the date with Nico has made me realize something. And that is what Nico thought of me.

Even if he is affected, he will always want to be involved. Because that is what it means to care for someone. It wasn't just being nice, it was being truly caring.

And knowing this, I simply had nothing to lose.

"It's quite unfortunate, but Nico was the one clinging on to me. I had already told him to not come to my class, but he still met up with me after school. He even bought the same bubble tea as me during our date yesterday."

Technically, it was two days ago. But, I just needed to mention the date to her to piss her off even more. Also, I was the one who bought the same one as him, not the other way around. Of course, I wouldn't say that kind of detail to her.

And… look at that. Her expression is finally turning up for the better.

"D-Date…?"

"Yeah! So, no need to be so overly worried about me."

Right after I said that, the bell that marks the start of the first lesson rang. I turned my eyes towards the speaker above the door with a grin, and I turned back towards the girl. She looked even more pissed off than before.

"I just don't understand it. Someone like you goes on a date with him?"

Someone like me, huh…?

Was it my personality? My infamous record for 'stealing' Emil's wallet?

Or… is it my cheap appearance again?

Fuahh… Looks like I'll have to ask Mom for help, after all…

"It's definitely not something that you can understand. In fact, it's not something anybody can understand."

I said as I began walking towards the door, and as I walked past her, I whispered to her ears.

"It was something only Nico could see. So, don't bother being all jealous about it."

I said to her ears and immediately walked away. I left her inside the ladies's bathroom and headed towards my classroom that isn't far. And during the walk, I was deep in my own thoughts.

Holy-molly, I sounded like a villainess.

I was taunting her. I even mocked her for being jealous. I'm much uglier, less popular, and possibly dumber than her. And yet, I'm winning so hard.

Alica Kenton… not only did she come from a wealthy conglomerate family, she also had the looks of an angel. She is easily the most loved girl in our year, or maybe in our entire school. Even seniors can't help but turn their attention towards her.

There are just so many stacked individuals in our year, huh? Then again, why am I here?

Upon returning to the classroom, I noticed Peach and Emil were back on their seats. I just silently walked back to my desk and sat down, preparing for the first lesson to start.

Beforelong, the first lesson began. I was taking my time recalling the conversation at the bathroom with Alica that I was simply ignoring the class entirely. After all, the first lesson was History. The most boring subject there is.

From her words, Alica is definitely going to be doing some things to Nico. I'm not sure if 'Intense Flirting' is included in her plans, but those things do worry me. Someone with her specs will easily get any man if they were to try. I'm worried that Nico is actually not that honest of a man.

Speaking of… Why am I even thinking about this?

Wouldn't it be better if Nico went out with her instead of me?

… Can I even think like that?

I was too busy thinking on my own that I didn't realize that the first lesson was over. Two hours flew past just that easily, and it's suddenly lunch break time.

In case it wasn't obvious, the lunch breaks of this whole week have been the worst out of the entire time I've been in high school. Some were good and acceptable, some went far worse than I can imagine.

However… this has got to be the most difficult lunch break... in my entire life.

"Alica is looking for you in the bathroom."

All of a sudden, three girls approached me on my desk.

Lunch break hasn't even lasted for a minute, and these girls are already right by my desk. I recognized that they were from class A, and I know that they are probably Alica's lackeys.

Something is happening, at a very fast rate. If I respond to this situation slowly, then I will only get beaten down.

All of my instincts are screaming, telling me that a danger is coming for me. From the moment these three girls called me to the bathroom, I knew immediately what the danger truly was.

It's a declaration of war. Alica... is waiting for me.

In that case, I should get prepared.

"Let me clean my desk first. Tell her to wait."

I said to them, and they only stared at me coldly as they left. I watched deeply as the three left my classroom, and I began packing up my books into my bag. After that, I stood up and ran towards Emil.

"Emil."

I called Emil who was eating her lunch with Peach, the girl who I considered to be my arch nemesis. Not just them, Peach's friends were also grouping up next to Emil.

These four girls excluding Emil are my enemies inside this classroom. There is nothing I wanted more than seeing them suffer.

However, what is about to happen might be so much worse than anything that Peach can do to me. I will need Emil's help, even if I have to beg in front of Peach like this.

Emil, Peach, and the other three girls turned surprised as soon as they saw me approach them, and two of the girls stood up as soon as I got close.

"What do you want?"

One of them asked me suddenly, but I ignored them. I kept my stressed eyes at Emil, and spoke seriously.

"Emil. I need your help."

I quickly said, and Emil noticed the worried expression.

"W-What is it?"

"Something complicated has happened to me, and I will need you to do something for me."

I said to her, and I turned to Peach and the other girls.

"In fact… I might need help from all of you."