Seeing Louise hugging Hayashi Maki's arm, Kirche puffed her cheeks.
"I have a familiar, sure—but before Hayashi Maki was your familiar, he was a man. Vallière, must you interfere with my romance with Darling?"
Kirche's words turned Louise red with anger.
"Romance? Don't be ridiculous! There are limits. You have so many suitors—you don't need Hayashi Maki. If you know what's good for you, stop clinging to him!"
Kirche glared back. "Germanian women are better. I'm not like you—so jealous and possessive you'll make men hate you."
She was trying to show Hayashi Maki the difference between them.
Louise snorted. "Bold of you to say. Weren't you unpopular with Germanian men? Isn't that why you came to Tristain—because none of them wanted you?"
Bullseye. Any man who touched Kirche burned; they called her "Kirche the Ardent," and she still had no fiancé. The noblemen of Germania kept their distance for that very reason. With no choice, she'd come to Tristain to seek her destined one. After all this time—even a year into her studies at the academy—though half the boys adored her, she'd found no man unaffected by her "ardent."
Now that she'd finally found one—handsome, unaffected—she wouldn't give up easily.
She and Louise drew their wands in unison.
"In that case—duel!"
"If you lose, Zerbst, stop pestering Hayashi Maki!"
"Heh—don't forget, you're Zero Louise. You've never cast a successful spell. If you lose, don't get in the way of me and Darling!"
Just then Tabitha flicked her wand; a gust whisked both wands into her hands.
Louise and Kirche stared, stunned. Tabitha said two calm syllables: "Indoors." Attack magic was forbidden in the dorm—a successful cast from Louise would demolish the place anyway.
Foiled, the two glare and huff and turn away from each other. Old family enemies, after all.
Kirche's eyes slid; she snuggled onto Hayashi Maki's arm again.
"Darling~ look at Vallière—always ruining our moment. She's jealous. Not like me. With me, you'll never want to leave."
She pressed her softness against his arm. His gaze dropped instinctively.
"Zerbst!" Louise stomped, furious. "Jealous? Of what, exactly?"
"Hehe—everything," Kirche said, lifting her chest. Louise was instantly checkmated. Figure is a hard counter; to men, cute often loses to sexy. Kirche had both; Louise, a petite loli type, came up short.
"Hayashi Maki—who do you choose?"
Louise gritted it out, fists clenched. Kirche struck a coquettish pose and gazed up at him with dewy eyes.
Hayashi Maki calmly slid one arm around Louise's waist—and the other around Kirche's.
"Can't I have both?"
Why choose one and offend the other?
That, of course, offended both of them.
"Drop dead!"
Each punched him once, then glared at each other again.
If he wouldn't decide, then—
"Duel!"
"Outside!"
They snatched back their wands and stormed for the door. Hayashi Maki sighed, grabbed them both, and pulled them into a hug.
"Alright, alright—no fighting. Bedtime." He flopped onto the bed and pulled both girls under the covers.
Tabitha: "…"
Had he forgotten she was there? Should she… join, too?
Kirche nestled into his chest, cheeks rosy. His masculine warmth set her heart racing. She shot Louise a triumphant look. See? He likes me too!
Louise scowled. "This is my bed. Why is she on it? Don't you have your own, Zerbst?"
Kirche feigned deafness. "Huh? What was that? I'm so sleepy… Darling's arms are so warm."
Louise ground her teeth, ready to retort—then Hayashi Maki's lips covered hers. Eyes wide, she stared up at him. Not now—someone else is here!
Kirche puffed her cheeks, sour. She hadn't even kissed him yet—damn Vallière!
Hayashi Maki stroked Louise's hair and murmured, "It's late. Rest, my Louise."
"I—I am not yours!" she huffed, but her body went soft; the will to spar with Kirche evaporated.
Kirche tugged his arm, pouty. "What about me, Darling?"
Hayashi Maki gave her a look. "If you don't mind, stay. If you do—back to your room."
"Hmph. I won't give up, Vallière. You win this time!" Kirche sniffed, fed up with the dog food, and flounced off—her resolve deepened.
Hayashi Maki didn't ask her to stay; the chance had been there. Louise beamed, finally triumphant. "Hmph. Count yourself sensible," she sniffed, turning her back to him. Hayashi Maki chuckled and hugged her waist.
He was about to say something when a petite figure slipped in and claimed the spot Kirche had vacated.
Tabitha.