8 Frustrating

"Yattaaa..! Woooh..! Yeey..!"

Lotte turn away from her book to look at the brunette dancing joyfully, twirling in laugher with the golden stuff on her right hand, the Shiny Rod.

Alkun also join in his owner's antics with cheerful of celebating while on the brunette's head.

Lotte sigh to herself.

Just a few minutes ago, she would never believe it, even if someone tell her, that a sick person and have been bed rest, would have so much energy a minutes later.

Akko twirled to their side desk, waving the wand infront of their other roommate. The grey witch watch the brunette with a deadpan look.

"Hehe! Sucy, look! The Shiny rod!"

And then the latte hive a sigh "Yes.. you said that a hundred time.." Sucy's voice has a hint of annoyances.

Lotte laugh awkwardly apon the sight of the grey witch straightforward words toward Akko. But it seems the latter ignore her comment and still continue to smile widely.

"Just how in the world did you get this much liveliness apon having a bad fever just a minutes ago?" An annoyed Sucy said to no one in particular.

As hearing what her friend said, the brunette halt to a stop, arm stretch wide while staring at Sucy with confused expression, her head tilt to the side.

"Eh? Me? A fever?" Utter the brunette as she look at them both, as if saying she wasn't informed with it.

Lotte purse her lip, put down her book and look at her friend with concern, then change with uncertain. It look like she need the explanation from her earlier dilemma.

"Well.. it just happened sudden, Akko. One minute, your burning up while you were asleep.."

"You were groaning and breathing roughly. Lotte panicked so much that she was about to call the nurse" Sucy added without turning away from the potion in her hand, she's already back at their desk doing her business.

"R-Right.. then suddenly, you jolt awake and it seems like your fine. I was surprised myself when you look like nothing happened." Lotte finished.

Akko stared at her while listening, if she is, Lotte second guess the unreadable expression from the girl's face. But if anything, she waited for the brunette's reaction about of that mystery.

"Is that so.." Akko say, Lotte wait for another respond. But receive with an abrupt shrugged.

"Oh well." Akko dismissed.

"Your not.. worried about it?"

Her answer came out abit of a shock for her.

The brunette tickle the back of her neck, grinning innocently "If i think about it too much, it will cause headache for me. Plus, i won't get the answer anyway.." she laughed awkwardly.

"And beside, i turn out fine, didn't i?" The smile on her face widen.

"I guess.."

Lotte stared at her in wonder, and she's pretty sure Sucy's hidden side look at the brunette is doing the same even without turning her head.

The ginger witch isn't aware that they have the same thoughts.

She's so single-minded..

Sighting with eyes close, Lotte smile slightly, her attention already drift away from the beloved nightfall book in her hand. Surely this girl wouldn't surprise her more in every way possible.. probably.

Maybe i'll just have to get use it..

She watch the girl again that's trying to cast some spells with the Shiny rod, but with to no little effort of chanting the right word.

Lotte giggle, finally closing her book. "Hey guys, I think we should get ready for class. We don't wanna be late."

"Classes?!" Akko excitedly smile with stars in her eyes.

And with that, the brunette's speed transformation into her uniform goes like a hurricane.

_______________

Lunch time.

"Geezz! That was so boring!" I exclaimed in frustration once more after seems like a minute ago. Even with the tantrum, i still took a bite of my food in front of our table from time to time. Can't waste food y'know.

"Your still saying that.." Lotte said while continuing her eat.

She said it so calming that I immediately burst up to my seat, startling Lotte in the process, and spread my arms wide dramatically.

"But i mean, shouldn't magic be more interesting?!"

With both hands in my head, i furiously scratch it as if to get rid of the headache. Irritate and frustrated combined.

"What's with those confusing alphabet?!"

The very first lesson we have was like something out of a module. Seriously, what's with the professor magically droping a perplex language on the board and expect the student to read it?!

"But, the professor did explain about it thought?" Lotte said, fallen deaf through my ears as i continues my ranting.

"And i can't even understand the heck words they were saying!"

Reading a historical book i don't even have a clue of what is about for the whole period.

Its like an in and out of my ear. I even fall asleep!

"I'm pretty sure i can understand those.." Sucy utter, looking uninterested while still proceeding to eat "Can you pass me the ketchup, Lotte?"

I groan, casting my frustration in a bend of a one eighty degree. It's an unknown miracle that my spine haven't snap yet. "I don't get it!"

"Your loud." Sucy interrupt.

Ignoring her comment, i slam my hand in our table, hearing a yelp behind me. I ignore that also.

"How came Chariot was able to perform those cool magic with this scrappy classes?!"

"By biting her tongue and make the most of it, Akko."

I jumped, I mean literally, as i turned to recognize the figure.

"D-Diana!"

There stood the blond-haired girl, Diana. My childhood friend, with an arm crossed, looking at me with unimpressed expression.

Her eyes narrow at me. "I see you are quite hyperactive this afternoon. But please tone it down as you are disturbing the other students here." She say in a mono tone voice.

The stare of Diana with those eyes of icy blue, lingering on me made my mouth zip shut. Sure, we talk for about a minute this morning. But that was it, we did have the same classes but still never get the chance to interact, or so no one take the initiative. Honestly i was still awkward coming up to Diana, if not a little hesitant... Okay, super hesitant.

To the point that all i could do was sometimes glance at her back during class, if my sit was in behind row. While doing that sometimes takes little notice of how she is during class.

And by all means, Diana Cavendish definitely stands out, that was the most noticeable thing. I knew that she was smart, but to the extent of everyone seems to know her and praised her so much made me gawked to the floor.

I would have never thought that shy and cute little girl whose always hiding behind me, will turn out to be such a cool beauty.

I could feel a faint color in my cheeks as I cast my head away from such statue. Brows furrowed, and a pout to to myself in frustration of how little i grow. I felt so embarrassed for not changing something out of me except randomly deciding to grow out my hair cause I feel like it. And here she is being all miss popular.

"Seriously, this is your childhood friend, Diana? Isn't she pretty loud for your own taste?"

"Yeah like, she like a walking megaphone."

Turning in front, i tilted my head slightly from the new presence. Their comments almost made me shot back a reply, but stop myself as the sight of them hit the familiarity of a little flashback.

Three girls laughing with a mocking tone, two of them having an auburn-hair color and a dark one.

Then it hit me. "Ah! I recognize you two from the leyline!"

Indeed, they were that rude witch i encounter on my first day!

The auburn girl look at me as her single brows arch, a small smirk make its way to her face. "Well what do you know.. I guess, it is a little nice to finally meet you, Diana's childhood friend." She said

Her hand goes her waist as the other to her chest. She introduced herself.

"The name is Hannah England, it's a pleasure. And as for my friend, Barb.." she gesture the other girl.

"I'm Babara Parker. We're Diana's friends and teammates."She boosted, flipping her dark hair.

They suddenly become polite! I couldn't help but think that. Is as if they're making a presence from the outside, and that alone i could tell the mocking tone pass through them. A one-eighty degree change of personally.

Murmur and whispering caught my attention. Wondering my eyes, many students are watching curiously, some are confused or even surprised. Hearing a few words of shock and questions.

A sudden felt of anxiety came through me.

And it made me a little annoyed. Is it really that surprising for me to have a childhood friend?!

I frown "Mn, Atsuko Kagari, just call me Akko." My reply came out drop of energy than intended.

I could see the Hannah person eyes slightly narrow at me. It seems like she didn't like how i reply, i guess. Should I do it again with more enthusiasm? Maybe not, that would be awkward as it is. Last thing I want is to embarrass myself again, specially in front of Diana.

"By the way.. I heard you mention Chariot, don't you know that she has a bad reputation?" Hannah suddenly bring out that topic.

I looked at her with confusion in my face, i could ask of what she meant. But little did i notice the looked in her face, what's with the smirk for? If i'm imagining things, then smack me. But there's something intended to that statement of hers that wanted a reaction out of me.

I get the impression that they don't like me very much, so much so the first interaction i have with them last time. Is this what rich people think now a days? I precisely couldn't tell.

"Right? Pulling those absurd magic, it's pathetic." the other minion went ahead and support her friend statement.

Hearing her words, i could feel a heat make its way to my head. And the fact that their saying this to my face makes it more irritating, the way they pulling this kind of behavior feels like their doing this on purpose.

I clunched my fist to hold myself back to rebuke, but the glare i give them is proof enough that i'm doing a poor job at it.

"That's not true.. there's nothing wrong with Chariot's magic! Take that back!"

They definitely taken by surprise from my short temper. But that alone didn't seem to made them stumble back from their composure.

"Oh, why are you so mad? We're just stating facts."

Just what are they after?!

"Her magic.. give me a dream." I put my hand to my chest, determine to made them understand. "Chariot is a great witch! And it's not just me who think that."

"And who would that be? There's no one would bother with her since she disappeared years ago."

I gritted my teeth, a burning sensation in my chest start to waver.

"Me and Diana both admire Chariot since we were kids! And we promise to be a witch like her."

Their surprised reaction to my words as their eyes widen for a short moment, is a little treat for my satisfaction.

But that little silent is what comes with a bad turn..

"Uh Diana? Oh Please, don't make me laugh, that's absolutely nonsense." Hannah dismissed. Not believing what i said in the slightest.

"I am saying the truth! We went to Chariot's concert once, she even said that her magic is cool!"

I stumble backwards as the other girl, Barbara step up in front of me. The serious glare she send at me caught me off guard.

"Don't be delusional, there's no way the daughter of the 1500 years old Cavendish family would look up to a frud of a witch." She said it in a defending tone.

I was confused at first but immediately dismissed it.

The tension grew.

There is no way i will let them get away with what they said about Chariot!

"I said take that ba—"

"Akko, that is enough."

Her voice cut my word, it's like my throat suddenly got block by her tone. It's not the sweet voice that reach my ear, nor the gentle tone i use to hear. Spoken in a cold and stern manner is what the unfamiliar feeling hit me again, the distant in front of me.

Diana..

I saw her troubled face, how her hand pinching the bridge of her nose. i would tremble in the spot of how annoyed she looked. Her sharp gaze land on mine.

"Chariot is heresy in the magical word. Her kind of magic is unacceptable."

"!?!"

I step back, i couldn't believe of what i heard. I stared at her in unbearable shock, my chest start to feel an invisible pain- a pain show in my eye. Diana saw it, her eyes widen.. but turn her gaze away.

Her jaw tightened, as if holding herself back. "For your own sake, you should find a new inspiration unless you want to fail like her. It is clear your academic performance is lacking—please reflect on it." She said, her voice turn back to normal, soft but still distant.

But i couldn't hear her anymore, nor i don't want to listen. My head lowered.

It hurt, someone who i care about say something like that. Or is she still the same person? I tried, fixing the broken pieces we have. But it feels like i'm the only one who want that.

I grip my trembling hand.

I feel so stupid to think we can still be the same as before. I guess being separated for many years drift that possibility.. really, the both of us are not the same as we used to.

Those memories we make, the words i hold on to.. like a broken doll, breaking as it fall.

Why..?

Because we're not kids anymore.

Why?

Because she's not the Diana i used know.

Why?!

Because everything was just a silly promise..

..

..

..

"Liar..."

I couldn't hold back.

"Diana you liar!!" I shout loudly.

My voice echo, the room filled with silent. For those who not minding the situation or trying to ignore it, and even with listeners who do it secretly, I become the middle of their attention. Be it everybody stare at me, i couldn't care less.

I feel so pissed and upset.

"The Diana i know.. would never say something like that! Specially to Chariot!"

I feel a heat in my eyes, tears starting to form.

"You promise.." i mutter.

'She wouldn't care..' it's like a shadow whisper in my head, consuming me to feel this negativity. And that was it.

"Moron! Diana you jerk!" I turn around and rush outside.

To where though ? I don't even know, i'll just let my legs take me somewhere.. Just out of this place..

"..Ak..ko.." i hear Lotte as i passed by, but ignore her. "Wait, Akko!"

"What's with her? Such childish behavior.." Hannah scowl. Crossing her arm with a disapproving look.

"Diana.?" Barbara called, a slight worried in her tone.

The young Cavendish was silent and still, her expression was mask by her shadowing blonde hair.

"It doesn't matter.. let's go." Diana silently said as she turn the opposite direction and walk of.

The two followed. But the dark haired witch was certain, even with just a slight glance at it. The Cavendish prodigy has a frown on her face.

A distance that grew..

'You've change so much.. i don't think i know you anymore..'

She thought back of her old friend Fuki said once.

"What if you meet them and their completely different now from before?"

A emotion of regret flow in her chest.

'Stupid Diana..'

They walk their separate ways.

'I am glad that you haven't change, Atsuko..'

A sigh escape her lip, but the heavy feeling in her heart seem to increase. She wants to let it out, but stop herself to do so.

After all..

She's already used to it.

'But that unchanged seems to be the wall between us.'

The memory resound.

"I will stay by your side, i promise you Diana!"

A looked of hurt in her eyes.

'For i to believe that..'

"Acchan! Till we meet again!"

Disappointment.

'For me to expected something..'

'It feels so..'

The broken promise.

'Frustrating.'

•Chapter Eight •

To be continued..