Eight

An empty and closed classroom welcomed Lea and Hana. They stood there for a while, coming up with a decision on what they should do next.

"It's already close."

"She must have gone home."

"Then let's get Siren."

"Okay."

- - -

Infirmary

"Why are you here?"

Standing in front of her is Peach, who is quietly observing her, noticing little details about her. From her bed hair to her slightly opened and wrinkled uniform. It was painfully obvious that she had a good sleep and has completely forgotten about her responsibility.

"So this is where you hide." She said nonchalantly as she sat on the bed beside her. "You left your shift and didn't come back. You've caused trouble to the class. Lea and Hana had to work your shift."

'I know that already, why does she have to rub it in?'

When she didn't answer, Peach gave her a cold glance and said, "That's very irresponsible of you, Siren."

"So, what would be my punishment, Ms. Class President?" She could feel the bitterness in her mouth as she utter those words. But her heart won't stop beating so fast ever since Peach came. And she hates it so much.

She froze on the spot when suddenly, Peach came closer to her and started fixing her hair, their bodies only inches apart from each other.

"W-what-"

"Well, for the trouble you have caused, work the entire day, with possible to no rest. And an apology to everyone..." She stopped fixing her hair and looked straight into her eyes. "... and to me."

'Crap. Why does she have to be this close?'

"W-why do I have to apologize to you?"

"You've been giving me a lot of trouble lately, and I don't like it."

"What troubles? I-is it because I pushed you earlier?"

Peach just stared at her, awaiting more.

"It's your fault! Your hand... I-it's cold, it surprised me. And can you move away? Who said you can touch me like that?"

'Shit. I' m just blabbering nonsense.'

Peach grinned at her response. "I'm used to you treating me like that, Siren and besides, you seem to like it, so why would I stop?"

She swallowed an invisible lump in her throat when Peach started caressing her face using her index finger until it stopped on her lips, slowly tracing the outer line. She hissed at the sudden touch, almost holding her breath. She feels like going crazy.

"Am I right, Siren? You liked this right? So there's no reason for me to stop."

"Y-you..."

'This is bad... This is terrible.'

She tried pushing her away, but it only seemed like she hugged her, making Peach giggle lightly. Peach leaned even closer, her lips almost touching her right ear and her breath tickling her, adding to the agonizing sensation she was feeling.

"Don't make me mad Siren, You won't like it."

"A-are you threatening me?"

Peach chuckled once again, sending shivers down her entire body. Hearing her chuckle like that with only a small distance between them is a nightmare for Siren.

"No... I'm just reminding you." She moved away and stared at her again.

"You understand me now right, Siren?"

'I knew it, she was just playing with me.'

With all her remaining strength, she pushed her away. "Damn you." She stomped her way out leaving Peach smiling bitterly to herself.

"Why do you hate me so much?"

- - - -

Day 2 of the school festival

A dark aura surrounding Siren has stayed with her the entire day making it hard for other people to approach her. Even Lea and Hana, who's been with her for the longest, can't approach her without flinching at her attitude.

"Uh... I think you should take a rest, Siren. Let us take care of the things here." One of her classmates asked not being able to handle the situation any longer. Siren only glared at her but her expression turned soft when she realized what she was doing. She sighed and agreed to take a rest, leaving the classroom and taking a walk.

'This is all because of her. I'm so annoyed, I can't concentrate well.'

She unknowingly stops at Yujin's classroom. There are many people crowding the inside and outside of the classroom and she decided not to disturb Yujin anymore.

"It must be nice being busy like that." She walked again. "I'll just go back to work." Her break ends, so she has to go back to their classroom which she regretted doing as her mood went even sour upon seeing the face of the person who caused her bad mood.

'I hope my break was longer. I don't want to go back yet.'

She tried to ignore her and worked silently until she felt a presence behind her.

"Your apron is untied. Let me fix it for you." Peach's voice echoed behind her.

'As if toying with me last night wasn't enough, and now this?'

"Don't touch me." It was a whisper, almost inaudible but enough for Peach to hear.

"It won't take long."

Siren almost hissed at the sudden coldness in her lower back. Even with a cloth, she could still feel Peach's cold hands.

"Why are you-"

"Don't forget that you still owe me something." Peach whispers in her right ear, sending shivers down her spine.

'Is she torturing me?'

"I... I don't owe you anything." She tried to sound tough and rude but to no avail. She hates how her voice sounded weak, almost like she was pleading and trembling.

"You pushed me away yesterday."

She turns around hastily only to be welcomed by Peach's face so close to her. And with that, all the words that she was about to say disappeared in an instant.

"You remember, right? That was so rude of you, Siren."

"So you're doing this as revenge? Are you a kid?" She answered with clenched teeth, trying her best not to look affected.

Peach smiles. "I'm just acting as usual. What revenge are you talking about?"

"Then stop talking about that! And you're so close. Have you got no concept of personal space?"

To her surprise, Peach leans on her chest, as if to listen to her heartbeat.

'What...'

"I just like being this close to you."

"You-"

She looks up again, still with a mischievous smile on her face. "Go back to work. And do your job well so our classmates won't get mad at you."

Siren stares at her in disbelief.

'That girl... She played with me again!'