Episode 14

Veena’s birthday came and passed. A few days went by, and it’s the same usual routine and classes. Everyone is busy preparing for the preliminary exams that are scheduled at the end of the month.

And now that classes are over for today, it’s time for club activities. The freshmen members of AWU Alliance made sure to arrive first, and Veena tried her best not to get lost with the help of her classmates.

Then the next who arrive at the clubroom are the second-years, Eru, Shin, and Ze. Although it seems Ze is in a sh*tty mood, most likely because Shin almost emptied his wallet for snacks. Ze lost big time in rock, paper, scissors to Shin, so he’s forced to treat him to snacks. Eru just smiled in the background because of the boys’ squabble.

Then the third-year members arrived. All members took their seats in the same arrangement they had when they introduced themselves. It feels like it’s a seating arrangement that’s already established.

“Will you please not force me to drag you away from the girls flocking over you? I thought I got stabbed all over numerous times because of their gazes. If looks could kill, I might be dead by now.” Ayumi told Bleex. She facepalmed about what happened earlier when she called out to Bleex so they could go to the clubroom together.

Apparently, when Bleex heard this, he made a smug expression and said: “You jealous, ki-?” He didn’t get to finish what he was about to say because Ayumi flicked his forehead, and Bleex yelped in pain.

“As if I were, you crazy flirt. I’m just saying that don’t let the girls who're gaga over you to misunderstand what I am to you.”

“Alright, I’ll keep that in mind. Sorry.” Bleex said, rubbing his forehead to ease the pain.

Now, it’s finally time for a club activity. And for today’s activity, Ayumi wrote down the details on the whiteboard, and it says:

“First Impressions?” Everyone read what was written on the whiteboard out loud.

“Since we already did the introductions, let’s try saying our first impression of each other.” Ayumi suggested as she pulled a box out of her bag.

“Let’s draw lots. Whoever is written on the paper you drew from the box, that’s the person you’ll say what your first impression of.” Ayumi said as she shook the box, and everyone lined up to draw a piece of paper from the box.

“Let’s start with yours truly, me, and the person I’ll say my first impression of will be next, and so on.” Ayumi is the last one to draw a piece of paper from the box.

“Let’s see. The person I got is…Ze!” Ze was startled by this, and for some reason, he feels nervous.

“Hmm…The first time I saw Ze, I thought he was such a sweet person-“ Ayumi got interrupted when Veena stood up and protested:

“Hold up! Sweet? Is there like a secret code going on? As I told you before, his whole appearance screams bad news with his long hair, animal tattoos, and piercings.”

“They’re not tattoos but stickers, you dumb sh*t.” Ze said as he rolled his eyes in annoyance.

“Same sh*t.” Veena responded as she clenched her fist, ready to smack Ze down a peg.

Then Shion tugged Veena’s skirt, telling her to sit down.

“But his love for cats does make him a sweet person. Besides, I told you he’s kind enough to let us in his home when we first visited his apartment, and he even prepared refreshments for us.” Ayumi pointed out

“Ah yes, the refreshments. Catboy is so sweet that he served beer to a minor.” Veena said as she checked out her nails whilst being sarcastic.

“You little-“ Ze is now in a sh*ttier mood because of this Lost Girl, but Ayumi told him it’s now his turn for first impression.

When Ze opened the piece of paper, he took a glance at the person who was seated on his left side.

“Oi, Madan Satan! What’s the holdup? We don’t have all day.” Shin urged Ze to hurry up as he yawned, his mouth wide open.

“My first impression of Shion Ash…Hmmm.” When Ze is busy thinking over long and hard for his first impression on Shion, Shion is losing her mind with each second that has passed. It’s so nerve-racking that the guy she’s interested in is thinking about her.

‘Wait…interested?’ Shion thought, and it felt like her whole world paused.

“I think she’s a good person. A scaredy cat but a good person. Heck, she even deals with Lost girl’s trashy sense of direction without complaints. That very fact is enough of a reason that she is a good person.” Ze said this with a toothy grin, and Shion turned her face away from his side so she could hide her blush. There’s this warm, fuzzy feeling building up on her chest.

Everyone but Ze and Shion made a smug look and had the same thoughts: ‘Oho…Catboy and Scaredy Cat love team?’

“And here I thought the love team of this club is Eru and Shin.” Veena mumbled to herself

It’s Shion’s turn to tell her first impression, so when she opened the piece of paper, she was surprised that it’s…

“Shin Wisteria.” Veena blurted out as she took a peek at Shion’s paper

For some reason, Shin’s sleepiness subsided and he eagerly listened to whatever Shion would say

“All I can think of is that Shin is a glutton.” Shion said the obvious, and the rest of the members, except Shin, nodded in agreement.

“But, he’s a soft-hearted person, and there are times he’s not honest with his feelings towards-“ Shion didn’t get to finish what she was about to say when Shin suddenly stood up and made a fuss, screaming his lungs out.

“You damned bastard! What the hell is your problem?!” Ze said while covering his ears

“Nothing. It’s my turn now, right. Let’s just get on with it.” Shin calmly replied and took his seat. He opened the piece of paper and by the time he read the name of the person he was about to say his first impression of, he immediately crumpled the paper and got red all the way to his ears.

“Oi! What’s the hold up? We don’t have all day.” Ze repeated the words Shin told him earlier

Veena kinda figured out who the person on the paper was solely because of Shin’s reaction.

It just has to be…

“Oh! C’mon, what’s taking you so long? Just say your first impression of your girl and be done with it.” Bleex bluntly said as he propped his chin with the palm of his right hand.

“Your girl?!” “My girl?!” Shin and Eru simultaneously said, then they looked at each other for a moment, and then Eru looked away first.

Shin took a deep breath and said his thoughts:

“My first impression of Eru Leigh is that she's like a spring breeze. Her smile is a peony with her eyes that’s so dazzling, like the finest jewels. She’s a breath of fresh air, and there’s never a moment I feel suffocated around her. She would make a fine bride.” Shin proudly stated and definitely got carried away, that he didn’t notice Eru had gone red and seemed like she was making a weird expression.

Although the rest of the members saw Eru’s weird expression, and just like earlier, they made a smug look.

Next, it’s Eru’s turn. It took a few minutes for Eru to calm herself down and wipe off the weird expression from her face. When she opened her piece of paper, she was delighted.

“My first impression of Angi is that she’s a reliable friend. Just like what Ze said to Shion, Angi also puts up with Veena’s bad sense of direction. The first time I saw her, I knew for sure that she's a person with reason and well put.” Eru stated as she smiled

By hearing this, Angi resisted hugging her upperclassman, and she felt so appreciated. ‘No wonder, Eru is so famous in school, right next to Ayumi.’ Angi thought and nodded to herself.

And so, Angi opened her piece of paper, and by the time she read this, she flinched and made a sour expression.

Lucas looked at her and patted her shoulder. He took a peek at the piece of paper, and the name was:

“Bleex Edward.” Lucas muttered unknowingly

“Do I have to?” Angi said to Ayumi as she sighed in exasperation

“Yes, you have to.” Ayumi replied with a sweet smile, and Angi groaned in response

“All I could say is he’s crazy, a flirt, a pervert, and a narcissist.” Each description felt like a stab at Bleex. In fact, he’s pretty much KOed by now.

“But in fairness, there are times he’s a reliable upperclassman.” Angi mumbled, and she hoped Bleex didn’t get to hear it but her seatmates, Ayumi and Lucas, heard it loud and clear.

“Hearing what you thought of me with your sweet voice is not fair, my Lady.” Bleex said as he brushed off his hair back and Angi rolled her eyes at him.

“Hey, crazy flirt. It’s your turn now.” Ayumi told Bleex and hurried him to open his piece of paper

“Lucas Prince. Hmmm… My first impression is that he’s a very shy guy, but I commend him for trying his best to take a step forward to change. Besides, I’m here as your senior to help you out. So, don’t carry your burden all alone. Let me carry half of it, alright?” Everyone in the room was surprised at what Bleex said.

They didn’t expect him to say that, but Lucas has other thoughts. It felt like Bleex knew something.

‘It couldn’t be, right? There’s no way he found out. Please no.’ Lucas repeated these words in his head.