Scene: Madam Hilda's Café – Back Office, Late Night
The café was long closed. Tables stacked. Lights dimmed.
Behind the counter, a small backroom door sat half-open, the soft clatter of typing echoing from inside.
Aeris sat at a desk, her hair damp from a shower, wearing a simple white hoodie.She was typing into a terminal—an encrypted channel connected to Madam Hilda's internal network.
The screen displayed:
MISSION REPORTObjective: Internal conflict incidentLocation: Ironvale South Wing – Student CorridorIncident Status: Escalation due to civilian instigationOutcome: Target neutralized. Property damaged. No fatalities.Penalty: Detention (1 hr). Observational cover maintained.
She hit "Send."
A moment later, a reply popped up—Hilda's classic style:
"Understood. You're still terrible at blending in. Clean the tea shelf tomorrow."
Aeris smirked.
Scene Shift: Upstairs, Aeris's Room – 11:27 PM
She dropped onto her bed, letting her head fall into the pillow. For a moment, just quiet.
Then—
Phone buzz.
Incoming call: RIN
Aeris blinked. She almost didn't answer.
But... she did.
Rin (on video call, way too cheerful):
"Alina! I've been trying to reach you all day! Were you hiding??"
Aeris (half-asleep):
"I was in detention. Because of a dummy."
Rin:
"Ooooh! Drama~! Anyway, forget that. I've got huge news!"
Aeris raised a brow.
Rin (bouncing with excitement):
"The academy just posted the list for the Interclub Exhibition Tournament! It's happening next week!"
Aeris (blunt):
"And?"
Rin:
"And—and—and STAR Club got approved as a late-entry wildcard!"
Aeris blinked.
Aeris:
"…You're the only member."
Rin:
"Not anymore~! Because you joined."
Aeris:
"I never—"
Rin (ignores that):
"AND they require at least two members to participate. So guess what?"
Aeris:
"I'm dropping out."
Rin (pouting):
"Nooo! Come on! We'll have uniforms! And banners! It's a great way to promote the club and make our name stand out!"
Aeris:
"I don't want to stand out."
Rin (sparkling eyes):
"But you'll get to fight in front of everyone! Isn't that what you're secretly dying to do anyway?"
Aeris narrowed her eyes.
Rin leaned in close to the camera.
Rin (grinning):
"...I heard rumors the top clubs might be watching."
That made Aeris pause.
Rin caught it.
Rin (soft):
"It might be the best way to find out who's really hiding behind those high-ranking club titles."
Aeris (quietly):
"Fine. One match. Then I'm out."
Rin (pumping her fist):
"YESSS! Thank you, thank you! We'll practice together! I'll make tea!"
Aeris:
"Don't. Make. Tea."
Rin:
"Okay okay! Energy drinks instead!"
Aeris:
"…That's worse."
Rin waved before hanging up.
Aeris set the phone down beside her.
She stared at the ceiling.
A sudden wave of unease came over her—not about the fight.
What if one of them sees me?
The Four VIONNEs.If even one was there…Would they recognize her?
Would she recognize them?
Her grip tightened around the pillow.
I'm not the same weakling anymore.