I’ve Been Had!

You know, I never understood how comfortable a table was until I took a proper look at one. The light brown of the oak beautifully reflected the afternoon light coming in through the window. The randomness of the patterns lulled you into a beautiful sleep. Not only that, but the legs were just high enough that my back didn’t hurt when I laid against it. Of course, you couldn’t forget about that wood finish! It was so nice to rub my cheek against. Even the itchiness was endearing!

“What are you doing, Heston?” the girl next to me questioned. Hers was the last voice I wanted to hear.

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m admiring the table,” I said without sparing a glance.

“I see that. But why though?”

“Because someone – <cough> you <cough> – won’t let me go home, making me do this damn ‘disciplinary committee’ work every day. Seriously, aren’t I allowed to take at least one season off? It’s only fair.”

“It’s only been six weeks, and you want another ten off already?”

“With how much you work me, I can easily ask for triple that.” Seriously, first this demon leader of the Disciplinary Committee coerced me during recruitment week. Then, she sent me off to handle almost every single club dispute because she thought it was funny! Regular explosions, mana explosions, potion explosions… I didn’t even know a school could be blown up so many times in sixty days! Someone should really put up a sign saying “WARNING: BEWARE OF INTERMITTENT EXPLOSIONS!”

She, of course, ignored my complaints, quickly switching topics. “So, notice anything different, perhaps?”

“Well, the table has a few holes in it.”

“Just look up for a second, will you?”

“Will you give me a week off?”

“I’ll remember to consider it.” Complete nonsense, but it was at least something. For the first time since I entered the room, I took my eyes off the table.

Standing there in front of me was my most tedious nightmare in cosplay: Niyatha Dufort. Although her looks were decidedly average, that sailor uniform managed to highlight her nonexistent features. The dark-red armband on her arm had been replaced with a slightly lighter red. Or was it orange? It was hard to tell. Finally, with an orange-yellow headband decorated with two ribbons on her chestnut wig, she wagged her finger with that annoyingly smug expression. I immediately wanted to press the emergency S.O.S. button on my phone, but even then, I was confident she would be the one to come, dragging me along to the next disaster.

“Soooo?” she asked playfully.

“Why in the world are you wearing a wig?”

“Did you forget today was Halloween? Were you not paying attention in class?”

Huh? Is that a requirement? The teacher never said anything useful. He just read out of the textbook, so I used the opportunity to make back the energy I lost here.

“Also, didn’t your mother ever teach you to compliment women when they ask about their looks?”

“I have no intention of getting dragged along to find aliens, time travelers, or espers.”

“What in the world are you talking about?”

“Huh? Do you not know who you’re dressed up as?”

“Am I supposed to be someone? I thought this was just an average schoolgirl.”

How can she be so oblivious and yet pick the perfect costume? Gimme some of that so I can go home already!

“Now, let’s get down to business. I need you to inspect the clubrooms for this year’s Halloween Festival.”

“We have a Halloween Festival?”

“What are you even doing in class?”

Sleep mostly. Though, she would definitely get all up in my face if I said that, so I elected to redirect instead. “And why do I have to do it? There are other committee members besides me.”

“Everyone else is busy with their other clubs. You’re the only one who’s just in this club.”

“What about y– wait, nevermind. Stupid question.”

“I actually have something to do myself, you know?”

Like what? Bug me?

“But I understand how unreasonable it sounds. So I’m prepared to offer you a single day off!”

“Make it a season,” I immediately countered. It made no sense arguing with her. I still had my pride, though.

“Okay, half a day,” she shot back.

“Urgh… five weeks!”

“Twenty minutes.”

“...fine, I’ll take the day.” Why do I even try?

“Perfect! Now, make sure to take this along with you,” Niya pushed a carved-out pumpkin with a black handle into my hands as I tried to stand up.

“Why…?”

“For trick-or-treating, of course!”

A flabbergasted expression crossed my face. How am I supposed to do that? The clubs aren’t going to randomly have candy lying around!

“Oh, stop worrying so much. It’ll work out, trust me.”

Yeah, no. “Whatever…” I muttered. I lazily stumbled over the door and opened it, only to be met with a pitch black void.

…yep, definitely not dealing with this today. I raised my left hand, prepared to cast the only spell I was good at. “Dispel the mana within this hallway [Disen–”

Clack! My spell failed as I felt something lock onto my left wrist. I looked down to see an ominously purple bracelet stuck there. Next to it was the bright smile of demon leader Niya.

“Now, now, we can’t have you disenchanting the entire building. It’s supposed to be the Halloween Festival, after all! No worries. I’ll make sure to take it off once you're done.” She pushed me into darkness, ignoring my expression of horror. “Good luck!” she yelled, slamming the door shut and turning off my only light source.

…

…

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I’ve been had!