The next day marked the beginning of a new routine where my classes stretched into the afternoon.
I woke up at four in the morning and headed to school. After sitting through lessons all day, I would spend my evenings chatting with Frank, Cedric, and occasionally Ilmera or Noelle before finally heading home.
I had grown used to the early hours and the rhythm of school life, but the difficulty of the material was another story entirely. It wasn't getting any easier.
"This is impossible..."
On Thursday after school, I sat in the classroom with my head in my hands. Ilmera and Noelle, who were also still there, looked at me with exasperated expressions.
"It’s just as I imagined," Ilmera said. "It’s like watching Yuika during the first week of April."
"Indeed, Yuika-san was clutching her head just like that, wasn't she?" Noelle added.
"Where is this Yuika anyway?" I asked. "It’s been four days and I still haven't seen her."
"Flat on her back with a cold," Ilmera replied.
"It seems she might have pushed herself a bit too hard," Noelle said.
A cold, huh...
"Don't they say idiots don't catch colds?"
"Have you never caught one?" Ilmera shot back.
"Well, yeah..."
"Then idiots get colds too."
"Setting aside whether she's an idiot," Noelle cut in, "I hear she should be back by next week."
So my first meeting with her would be next week.
"Tsukasa, what are you doing tomorrow afternoon? It's just a boring History lecture. Want to head into town?" Frank invited.
"Tomorrow..."
Ah, I couldn't. I had already promised Shar I'd attend a Curse Studies lecture with her tomorrow afternoon.
"I’ve got plans tomorrow afternoon, so I'll pass."
"Plans? Family stuff?"
"No, I'm taking a Curse Studies class."
"Oh... come to think of it, you were saying something about Dispel. But wait, was there even a Curse Studies lecture tomorrow?" Frank looked at the other three.
"Who knows?"
"There isn't one for Class D," Noelle confirmed.
"Honestly, I can't think of a man who looks less suited for Curse Studies than you," Ilmera remarked. Given her tone, she might have actually meant that as a compliment.
"It’s for the third-years in Class A," I explained. That was what Shar had told me.
"Class A, huh..."
"Well, if it’s Class A..."
"The people there are usually pretty calm," Noelle added.
I wasn't sure what to make of their reactions. "Is there a problem with the other classes?"
"It’s not exactly a problem," Frank said. "You’re allowed to audit any class from any year, after all. It’s just that our class and Class C don’t get along. Especially the first-years."
"Why?"
"Because the top of our class and the top of Class C are like cats and dogs. Plus, there are the Factions to deal with..."
"I don't know about factions, but is that 'cats and dogs' thing between La Forge and Sharleen?"
"That’s the one."
Again with the prestigious families. Since I was involved with both sides, I was the one ending up in a bothersome situation. We were all from the same country, so they should just get along—that was exactly what Frank and Ilmera had been saying before.
"Are they really on such bad terms?" I looked at Noelle, who was also from France.
"It’s... complicated," Noelle said with a strained smile.
"Plus, the Student Council President's entourage is annoying," Cedric added.
"They really get on your nerves," Ilmera agreed. They both nodded emphatically, so I just stared at them.
"...What?" Ilmera asked.
"I get where you’re coming from, but I think you’d understand if you actually talked to them."
Hearing that didn't exactly make me want to talk to them, but there was Shar to consider. Well, whatever.
"I don't really get all that drama, but anyway, I'm taking Curse Studies tomorrow."
"The difficulty level is nothing like the first-year stuff, but good luck."
"Working hard for your goal is a good thing."
"I don't quite understand it myself, but please do your best."
"Let me see your notes when we're third-years."
They seemed like good people, but every one of them had a look that said, 'He probably won't make it.' Sadly, I felt the same way.
We left the classroom together and headed toward the dorms. After parting with the girls, I returned to the Boys' Dormitory before heading home early for the day.
"How is this going to work tomorrow?"
Although I had made the promise with Sharleen, I hadn't contacted her since then, so I wasn't entirely sure of the details. After I finished changing, I went to the room next door and pushed the door open.
"Knock first!" Toko barked from her bed, where she was buried in manga.
"Toko, is it okay to just call a girl out of the blue?"
"Huh? Why? You gonna confess?"
"As if. We have plans for tomorrow, and I wanted to talk about that."
"Then go ahead. It’s important, isn't it?"
I guess she was right. "Sorry for bothering you."
Since my business was done, I left the room.
"I told you to close the door!"
I ignored her shouting, went back to my room, and dialed the number. It rang for a while before she finally picked up.
"Hello?"
I thought she might have been in the Astral, but she answered normally.
"Hey. Is it okay that I called?"
"I was just idling around anyway, so I don't mind."
"About tomorrow afternoon... the Curse Studies lecture. Are we still on?"
"Of course. I wouldn't have anything to do even if I went home anyway."
I wondered if she didn't have any clubs or anything.
"Then, can we meet up somewhere? My classmates made it sound like I'll get lynched if I show up at another class's building alone."
"Ah... Class D, right? Sorry about that." Sharleen seemed to sense the situation and apologized.
"No, it’s not your fault. I just don't really get the drama."
"There’s just... a lot of friction. Sigh." Sharleen let out a heavy sigh.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes... I don't think there will be any problems in Class A, but if you're worried, let's meet in front of the Class A Building. We can go in together from there."
"Sounds good. Ten minutes before the lecture?"
"See you then."
I hung up the phone.
"Hmm..."
I couldn't see what the problem was with her. She seemed like a genuinely good person.
Between the beautiful, kind Sharleen and Toko... yeah, it was definitely Toko's fault. That girl had a foul mouth, after all.