Anger Management

I sat on a bench in front of the building where the meeting was hosted, embracing the quiet atmosphere of the courtyard. Far in the distance, the main gate could be seen, and in between was the gentle inclining path.

With final exams over, I expected it to be a lot more crowded around here. Today, it does feel colder than usual. Maybe that's why it's so empty.

The meeting that ended just a few minutes ago was certainly... something. It wasn't enough to pique my interest, but at the very least, it kept my attention.

After initiating a brief welcome to all the new members, the officer board ran through a presentation, informing us of upcoming activities. They mainly focused on one big event.

A month from now, the culture club will be working together with the student council to host a small school festival as a celebration of the coming new year. As members of the culture club, we'll be manning the booths and macro-managing the festivities.

Just what I needed. Another obnoxiously loud event to ruin my perfectly peaceful life. I might need to find something else to do, but... I already promised Saki that I would help out a bit. I'll at least stay until after the festival.

From my school bag, I pulled out a small book and began reading. Moments like these are what I enjoy the most about the normal world. A quiet area beneath a bright blue sky, a soft breeze pushing against my face, and a nice little hobby to pass the time. As trivial as it may seem, this is my golden standard.

"So you also read books, huh?" asked a familiar voice. "You're just full of surprises, aren't you?"

I tilted my eyes up, but I didn't even need to look to know who that overly pretentious tone belonged to. Standing at the other end of the bench was Taiyori Ayaka, along with a girl who seemed to follow her around everywhere.

"What do you want?" I sighed as I turned back to my book.

"Hah. What do you mean?" she chuckled. "We're clubmates now. I was just observing you to get to know you better."

"The 'Belle' herself is giving me her undivided attention? How surreal."

"Think of it as nothing more than... a curious fellow student."

"Am I supposed to feel flattered?"

"That's up to you, but I would guess not since you despise me so much."

I couldn't help but let out a slight chuckle. "Is it really me who despises you? Or is it you who came to that conclusion after our first, less-than-stellar encounter?"

"Still hung up on that?"

"Was it not you who has been stabbing me with your eyes ever since?"

Her brows curled as a frustrated smile appeared on her face. "In all of my life, no one has ever spoken to me the way you do."

"A taste of the real world, if you will," I said.

Taiyori Ayaka, huh? She presents herself in a certain way that would draw the eyes of the oblivious who follow her without question. Am I really the only one who can see past that façade? She acts like a queen amongst a flood of peasants, and to her credit, it's actually working.

I'm surprised, to be honest. The most I've heard about her was that she's a member of the student council, she's beautiful, and she's highly coveted by many kids throughout the school. Yet, I haven't heard a single thing about her status as the heiress of Yori Corp. I thought for sure she would leverage that in some kind of way.

"Hm... Perhaps if you apologize, I'll overlook it just this once," she said.

"And why would I do that when I've done nothing wrong?" I scoffed. "Are you that delusional to think that I would fall to the ground and kiss your feet like everyone else?"

"There you go again. Just like before, you have that irk in your tone as if you absolutely loathe me. You're not even trying to hide it either. That's fine, though. I wouldn't expect you to have the word 'respect' in your vocabulary."

"That's where I think your mindset is misconstrued. I don't loathe you, nor am I speaking like I do. Simply put, you are someone who has failed to earn my respect. Instead, you did the exact opposite. After all, was it not you who blew up on me first?"

"I didn't mean to be disrespectful. You did help me. I'll admit that, but if it wasn't you, then some other bumbling idiot would've stepped up to do the exact same thing. It's happened way too many times for me to keep count, so surely you can understand why I was being so skeptical, hm?"

"Hah. A heads up would've been nice."

"Was it not obvious?"

"Clearly not."

Even though I wasn't looking at her, I could tell that the frown on her face was growing worse. It was bound to happen. People like her are one and the same. Born with a silver spoon and only value their own opinions while trampling over those who are less fortunate. It disgusts me.

"So?" Ayaka said.

"So what?" I said.

"I'm still waiting for that apology."

"Did I say that I was going to give it?"

"No, but being able to recognize your wrongdoing and correct it is a skill that you should have. Maybe I was expecting too much out of you. That's my mistake."

I shut the book between my fingers and rested my eyes. In all my life as an assassin, I've never been more annoyed than I am now, and it's all because of a single little girl. Makes sense, to be honest. After all, the small ones who act tough are always more infuriating than the big ones who share the same energy.

"Let's get one thing straight, Taiyori," I muttered. "I'm not one of your followers. I don't know you nor what you stand for, and I sure as hell don't care enough to try. Sure, your name has popped up every now and then, but I've never been anything more than curious up until now. The only thing I feel towards you is indifference, so just forget about me and move on with your life. Rest assured, I'll do the same."

The surprised look she's giving me right now makes it seem like she has more to say, yet nothing left her mouth. I wonder if this was a reality check for her, an epiphany of sorts that not everyone is blind enough to simply fall for her at first glance. Hopefully, I'll be the first of many, but the world isn't kind enough to give me my way.

"You mean that?" she asked, clearly unsatisfied. "Every word?"

"Was it not obvious?" I asked as a mockery of her own words.

"Tch, you really are so impolite."

"I figured you wouldn't want to stay next to a nobody like me for long since you're 'so' much better than me. Isn't that right?"

After a moment of glaring at me with smoke flying out of her ears, she finally turned away.

"Let's go, Misha," she grumbled.

"Y-yes!" the girl next to her said.

Just like that, they were gone. Suddenly, I'm remembering the conversation I had with Watcher two days ago. He wants me to hook up with Ayaka, huh? Yeah, over my dead body. She's way too dramatic.

Speaking of which, how am I the impolite one? I'm just matching her energy. Besides, she was the first one to raise her voice. I'm not in the wrong for doing the same, right?

Man... Now I'm pissed.

"Hey, Tsuki!"

I turned over to see Sakuno running over to me with two cones of ice cream in his hands.

"Damn, you look pissed," he noticed immediately. "Did something happen?"

"Just an unfortunate encounter with a shitty outcome," I muttered. "I don't think I've ever met someone teetering on the line of being so infuriating to the point where I literally don't know if I'm justified in killing them."

"Was it the Belle again?"

"Yeah."

Sakuno sat down next to me and handed me one of the ice cream cones. I took it and began licking off the top.

"So this is the normal world," I sighed exhaustively. "Kinda sucks."

"Ah, it ain't that bad," Sakuno chuckled. "People like her exist in the underworld too. Only difference is that she didn't commit any crimes."

"I get that, but it's so hard to just let it go."

"Patience, young one! There comes a time and place for everything."

"I know you're not the one telling me that when you almost broke a poor guy's arm."

"It was self-defense!"

"Sure."

As much as I hate to admit it, Sakuno is right. I need to work on my patience for that kind of stuff. It's normal, and it's going to happen again.

For my own sanity, I have to avoid Ayaka. Being around her drops my mood so badly, but something tells me that this won't be the last time I see her.