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Chapter Text

Zuzanna walked out of her Mother's car along with her two siblings, Garroth and Vlad. The fresh cold air hit her face and she slightly shivered despite the fact she had worn multiple layers. Her two brothers walked on ahead after waving goodbye to their Mother.

“Goodbye my little Zuzu, have a wonderful day at school!” Her Mother, Zianna exclaimed cheerfully.
The freshman flushed red underneath her scarf. “Mom!” Zianna simply chuckled as she drove away. “Love you Mom…” Zuzanna mumbled softly. “Mom can be a bit much but I know she means well.”

Then she sat on a bench secluded from the crowds of people as she patiently waited for the doors to open. Zuzanna scrolled on her phone as she looked for cool MMOs to play with her friends online and doom scrolling on YouTube. Unfortunately, her doom scrolling was interrupted by the annoying voice from none other than Dante himself.
“Ladies, ladies! Please, one at a time!” The bluenet chuckled. Zuzanna could already feel her eyes start to roll.

Dante was a major flirt and he’d practically throw himself onto anyone that wore a skirt. To which, she had the misfortune of being a girl. But fortunately, there has not been an instance of him harassing her so Zuzanna was pleased about that.

Though her satisfaction was immediately soured as she heard a high pitched voice hissing. “Dante Kun….” It was none other than the pink haired meif’wa named Kiyomi.
The upperclassman started to sweat nervously, “B-babe I swear it's not what you think it is…” He stammered, his hand moving frantically, uncoordinated as if trying to push her aside. Kiyomi huffed as she crossed her arms. “We were supposed to go to that new cafe that just opened up for breakfast!!” She whined.
Dante merely muttered a half assed apology.

Zuzanna awkwardly got up from her bench and tried to find another secluded spot. As she left, she glanced back and her blue eyes met with Kiyomi’s golden-honey eyes. Zuzanna huffed as she quickly ran off.

“Why must I act so foolishly today?” She scolded herself internally as she tried to rid herself of that awkward feeling and away from that bright girl with the golden eyes.

Chapter Text

Kiyomi's golden honey eyes trailed off away from Dante, her focus on the Ravenette who ran off. Their eyes had met for a moment.
“....”
She could still see those remarkable light blue eyes gazing into her own eyes..
“Kiyomi…?”
She knew very little about Zuzanna and wondered if they could perhaps become acquaintances..
“Kiyomi?”
She immediately snapped back to reality, the illusion of paused time fluttered away. “Ah.. Yes, Dante?” Kiyomi asked, dropping the honorific as she reminded herself that there wasn't a need for it here and the spoken language. She felt a strange kind of shame but hid it away as she smiled sweetly at him.

He smiled apologetically. Well, he made an attempt to smile albeit being awkward. “So… That new cafe… Right?” Dante asked. She nodded. “Sorry that I couldn't come there today.” He apologized smoothly. “My buddy, Travis, asked for a ride to school today.”

Ah. Kiyomi felt that immeasurable wave of disappointment wash over her again tenfold. By now, she should have expected it.. Yet she always foolishly hoped that Dante would do something different. Choose her first. That's how a boyfriend is supposed to be to his girlfriend right?
“But I suppose that love can't always be perfect.” Kiyomi thought to herself.

“It's okay Dante!” She immediately exclaimed with her usual cheerful tone as her hands intertwined with his. “There's always next time..”

He smiled with relief. They both walked and chatted until the doors opened at 6:45 to let everyone inside.

Then they separated and his attention faded away from her once more.

Chapter Text

It was the early morning of late July and Zane had been frantically waiting since 5 refreshing his emails to see the O’Khasis Prep acceptance letter.

He was anxious to see whether he got in or not. Surely he had to get in? He’s studied so much for it during Middle School if you disregard the times he was watching My Little Horsie for at least 1 hour before cramming his schedule for it. He was sure he had to have done well.

Right?

He took a quick break from staring at his computer when his Mother called him down to have a slice of Strawberry Vanilla cake. Once he came back he refreshed his screen once more.

OKP Decision Letter

Zane immediately clicked on it. He had been waiting for this moment his whole life.

“Dear Zane Ro’meave,
Thank you for applying to O’Khasis Prep. We appreciate the time and dedication you took to take the entrance exam. After careful consideration, unfortunately we must inform you that we cannot offer admission into this High School. There was a high number of applicants due to the fierce competition. We appreciate your interest and wish you the best on further endeavors.
Sincerely,
O’Khasis Prep”

He had to reread it. No. That couldn’t be. There was just no way.

“No, no, no, no, no, no.” Zane whispered to himself as pushed back his seat and put his head to his knees. Tears spilled down his face, he tried to wipe them away furiously but he couldn't get rid of them.

“Father told me that boys don't cry over such things..” Zane thought to himself as his breath came out in short pants. “But.. He also said that men don't fail. They succeed. There is no such thing as failure for a Ro'meave.”

Despite what Zane knew, he couldn't stop the sobs from coming.

“I can't.. I can't… I can't…” He hiccuped as his sleeves were wet. A mark of his sorrows. He couldn't possibly come out of his room like this. Even if his grades were good, did it matter?

“Perhaps it never mattered at all.” He told himself as he crumpled onto his bed.

And that Freshman year, he’d go to Phoenix Drop.