"SO IT REALLY WAS YOU!!" Jessyka shouted, ready to jump on Guina.
Sekai barely managed to hold her back.
"Jessyka, calm down!"
"Miss Jessyka Everhart, please," said Guina, her tone calm but firm. "Try to maintain some decency in a school environment. You're such a beautiful girl — acting so aggressively only ruins your appearance."
"As if I cared about what you think of me! Give me just one minute and I'll dye that blonde hair of yours red, you spoiled brat!" Jessyka snapped back, glaring.
"Oh my, such hostility. Did I do something to upset you, Miss Jessyka?"
"Yes! You separated me from my beloved Sekai! How could you?! Sekai and I have never been apart! NEVER!"
"I think 'never' might be a bit of an exaggeration, Jessy…"
"Silence, Sekai."
"Y-yes..."
Guina, still smiling faintly, stepped closer. Sekai kept his hands around Jessyka's waist, holding her back as Guina leaned in — perhaps to keep Jessyka from lunging at her. The president raised her hand, gently lifting Jessyka's chin.
"Truly, you have a lovely face… and such a fiery attitude. You seem like the type who'd do anything for the one you love."
"Don't touch me, you bleached witch!" Jessyka snapped — and spat right in Guina's face.
"W–What?!" Sekai froze, horrified by what she'd just done.
The president calmly stepped back, pulling a handkerchief from her pocket to wipe the spit. There was no anger in her expression — if anything, she looked amused.
"Well, if you're that upset, Miss Jessyka… how about we settle this with a duel?"
"Wait, I don't think that's—" Sekai started, but Jessyka cut him off.
"I accept! I'll wipe the floor with you, you blonde witch!"
"Oh, so eager to accept a challenge. But how about we make it a little more interesting?"
"What do you mean?"
"The loser has to grant one wish to the winner. How about that?"
Jessyka smirked. "Fine by me."
Sekai released her and stepped to her side.
"This won't end well…" he muttered, clearly worried.
"Very well, Miss Jessyka. After classes, in the school gym. Just the two of us. But you can bring as many witnesses as you like."
"Humph. Sekai is all I need."
Guina gave a small smile, turned around, and left with quiet grace.
"You sure about this, Jessy?" Sekai asked.
"Of course, Sekai! This'll be a piece of cake !"
"I don't know… she gives off a strange aura. I'm not sure this will be as simple as you think."
"She's just a spoiled brat! Don't worry, I'd never lose to someone like her."
"If you say so… but please, be careful."
"Aww, that's so sweet, you worrying about me!" Jessyka said, hugging him tightly.
"Of course I'm worried about you. I don't want you getting hurt."
"Oh, Sekai~! Then give me a kiss!" Jessyka said, puckering her lips.
"Cut it out—come on, we need to head to class." Sekai pushed her face away with his hand.
Jessyka pouted. "Fine…"
"Alright, see you later," Sekai said, waving as he headed toward his classroom.
—
On his way down the hallway, Sekai turned a corner and bumped into a girl. She was standing right at the intersection and didn't seem fazed by the collision.
"Oh—sorry," Sekai said quickly.
A few books slipped from Sekai's hands, scattering across the floor. He crouched to pick them up, unaware that the girl was slowly stepping closer.
"Collar… collar… give me the key…" she whispered so quietly that Sekai didn't hear.
Just as she reached him from behind, a golden streak flashed through the hallway. The girl collapsed to the floor, unconscious, as a black mist drifted out of her body.
Behind her stood a golden figure.
"Hm? A breeze…?" Sekai murmured, unaware. The girl he'd bumped into suddenly collapsed beside him.
"What the—?! Are you okay?!" Sekai caught her in his arms, touching her face and checking her pulse.
"Oh my, it seems the poor girl fainted," said a familiar voice, calm and casual. "Probably anemia."
"Huh?! President? Sorry, I didn't see you there. This girl just passed out all of a sudden… I think I should take her to the infirmary."
"Yes, please do. Though I'm sure she's fine — probably just heat exhaustion. It's quite hot today, after all."
"Right, I'll take her there."
Sekai lifted the girl onto his back and hurried toward the infirmary.
Guina simply watched as he walked away with the unconscious girl.
Sekai Everhart… it seems you'll have to keep an eye on him…
The blonde girl then crouched down and picked up the books Sekai had dropped.