Okay. Pull yourself together, Ikki. Breathe. You can handle this. Just... do your usual thing.

Caroline's gaze sharpened, taking a step forward. The sound of her immaculately chosen shoes clacking on the floor cut through the tension like a blade.

"You..." she said, her voice dripping with disdain, "Why am I not surprised to see you here, meddling in my affairs yet again like the mangy cur you are? And now what? Playing the knight in shining armor again? How quaint."

I took a deep breath, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace as I scrambled to my feet. I held my hands up, trying to defuse the situation. "Look, Caroline, I heard a commotion when leaving class and just came to check it out. I just wanted to make sure everyone was okay." I glanced at Natasha, offering her a reassuring look. "Isn't that what we're supposed to do as students here? Look out for each other?"

Caroline's laugh was short, bitter. "Oh, please. Spare me your self-righteous drivel. You have no idea what you've walked into, Earth boy. This is none of your business."

I could feel the situation slipping, every word out of my mouth seeming to tighten the noose. But backing down wasn't an option, not with Natasha soaked to the bone, fumbling for her glasses in the corner of my eye. I couldn't leave her to face this alone.

"Maybe not," I conceded, keeping my voice calm, "but that doesn't mean I can just walk away now that I've stumbled my idiot self into it again. C'mon, Caroline, I've seen enough at this point to know this isn't you. What's this really about?"

For a moment, Caroline's facade cracked, her eyes flickering with an emotion I couldn't quite place before she masked it with a sneer.

"Listen. You really haven't endeared yourself to me at this point, and I let you off with a warning last time you stuck your head into this matter. I will not give you another chance to steer clear of my business. Stay out of this. You really, really do not want to test me on this. This. Is. Personal."

My mind kicked into overdrive as I took a quick glance at Natasha. The last time I got involved? Was she the guitarist who'd been driven off by Caroline last week?

I'd talked to myself to death about staying out of her business and trying to pave over that misunderstanding. That pissing off someone as wealthy, well-connected, and powerful as her would be a death sentence for me - and would probably hurt me down the road. My first responsibility was to my family; getting on Caroline's bad side could definitely jeopardize that.

But could I call myself my father's son if I just walked away and left Natasha to fend for herself against someone clearly out to harm her? No, that wasn't me. Even if it meant crossing paths with Caroline and risking her wrath, I couldn't just stand by.

Natasha's slate black hair was soaked in toilet water, clinging to her face as she struggled to put on her glasses from a half-kneeling position. I could see the surprise in her eyes as she wiped her forehead to clear her eyes, only to look down in surprise as blood began to trickle from a cut on her temple. My heart constricted at the sight, and any lingering doubts vanished. I took a step forward, my voice firm.

"Caroline. Look at her," I gestured towards Natasha, trying to appeal to any sense of compassion Caroline might have left. "She doesn't deserve this. Nobody does."

Caroline's eyes narrowed, the visible magical energy around her flaring with an intensity that made the air crackle. Shadows and wind swirled around her, a dangerous dance of power that could easily overwhelm me.

I could feel the threat in the air, tangible and heavy, pressing down on me with a weight that screamed of danger. I wasn't a match for her, not by a long shot. My heart raced, fear knotting in my stomach, but I stood my ground, determined not to show my fear.

"SHE doesn't deserve this, you say? Do you have any idea what she's done? What she's taken from me?" Caroline's voice wavered, a mixture of anger and pain. Her gaze shifted to Natasha, her expression hardened. "You think you can just swoop in here and be her so-called savior? That things can always just turn out well for her despite everything she's done? Well, I'm afraid it doesn't work that way."

Caroline took a step forward, her power crackling around her like lightning. The room seemed to darken, the air growing thick with an unspoken threat. Natasha huddled closer to the wall, her hands trembling as she clutched her glasses. It was clear that Caroline's words had struck a nerve, dredging up past wounds and grievances.

I felt a surge of determination, my empathy for Natasha fueling my resolve. "Caroline, whatever happened between the two of you, whatever grudge you're holding onto, it doesn't justify this level of violence. If there's a problem, there has to be another way to solve it."

The heiress scoffed, her voice laced with bitterness. "You really are clueless, aren't you? The world isn't as simple as you believe it to be. You think I haven't tried reasoning with her in the past? But she's blinded by her own ego and ambitions and has no regard for the consequences of her actions. And I was right, in the end."

Tried reasoning with her? Blinded by her own ego and ambitions? It was hard to reconcile those words with the timid girl cowering in the corner. There had to be more to this story, something deeper that fueled Caroline's anger.

"Look," I said, my voice steady, "I know there's more to this than meets the eye. I can see the pain in your eyes, even if you try to hide it. But hurting her won't solve anything. Revenge won't bring you peace."

She paused, her expression faltering for a moment before hardening once again. "Peace? You think I want peace?! No, what I want is justice. Natasha needs to pay for what she's done."

The room seemed to grow colder as Caroline's power intensified. I gulped as I looked around and saw frost literally forming on the walls around us around the water pouring out from the bathroom.

I knew I had to act quickly before the situation spiraled out of control. Natasha was vulnerable, hurt, and frightened, and Caroline's anger threatened to consume her completely. I gulped as Caroline locked her gaze on me, her eyes reflecting a vengeful determination.

Just as the tension peaked, a soft, trembling, but firm voice cut through the air. "Carrie, please... stop."

Natasha stood up, clutching her soaked uniform by the ribs and nursing a visible cut on her cheek, her eyes fixed on Caroline. She adjusted her glasses and opened her eyes. I could only gape in surprise as her green eyes sparkled with quiet determination, a flicker of bravery shining through her fear.

Caroline's gaze flicked towards Natasha, her expression softening just a fraction at her use of a nickname. It was a fleeting moment of vulnerability that vanished as quickly as it had appeared, but it was enough to dial back the immediate threat.

Natasha stepped forward, placing herself between Caroline and me, her posture resolute despite the obvious tremble in her stance. "Ikki doesn't understand what's going on, and it's not fair to involve him in this. And I... I'm sorry for whatever I did to upset you, Carrie. But please, let's talk about this somewhere else. Calmly."

"So, you're calling this pathetic little excuse of a boy Ikki, then?" Carrie sneered, crossing her arms. "My, my, so I was right. I should have known the two of you would meet after the performance he put on last week. You've really been living it up, haven't you? Traipsing around, acting like some kind of superstar like the histrionic bitch you are."

Natasha's expression faltered, hurt and confusion warring in her gaze. "Carrie… it's not like that. I didn't mean for any of that to happen last week. I just wanted to apologize, to try and fix things between us."

Caroline's laugh was harsh, devoid of any warmth. "You knew I was going to enroll here. You know I told you I never wanted to speak to you nor did I ever want to see you again. And then there you were, guitar in hand putting on a song about the Lustrous Valiants? How do you think I felt seeing you for the first time in years, acting like nothing happened?! Singing about that team with that stupid smile on your face?" her voice broke, a mixture of anger and grief lacing her words.

Natasha flinched. "I... I didn't know you'd be there, Carrie. It's a song. About the good times when we'd watch them in action. I thought... I thought maybe we could start over. I just wanted to make things right between us."

Caroline's eyes flickered with many emotions, a storm beneath the calm before hardening again. "Start over? After everything that happened?! You really are naive, Natasha. Or should I say, delusional? You can fuck. Right. Off."

The words hung in the air like a poisonous gas, suffocating the room with their venomous intent. Natasha staggered back, her face a mixture of shock and hurt, as if each word had been a physical blow. I felt a surge of anger rise within me, but I knew that confronting Caroline head-on would only make things worse.

"Natasha, this isn't right. You can't let her bully you like this," I stated through gritted teeth as I calmed myself down.

Caroline scoffed, her gaze icy. "Bully?! This is far beyond your simple-minded understanding of schoolyard politics. This is about consequences. About blood. About actions chosen by her and their inevitable repercussions."

The air around us grew even colder, the tension palpable. I could feel the power emanating from Caroline, a clear warning of the danger she posed.

"Carrie, I'm begging you. Let's not do this here. Not now," Natasha pleaded, her voice steady despite the visible shaking of her hands. "Ikki, please… you should leave. This is between me and Carrie. I don't want you to get hurt because of me."

I shook my head, refusing to just let it go. "Look at you. She just chased you into a bathroom, and blew you through a damned door. You're drenched from head to toe in piss and toilet water, covered in cuts, and we need to get you some medical attention. How can you ask me to just walk away from this? What kind of person would I be if I did that?"

Natasha's eyes filled with tears, a mix of gratitude and fear shining through. "Ikki, you don't understand the history here. It's complicated, and Caroline... she's not someone you can just stand up to like this and expect everything to be okay."

Caroline's laughter cut through the air, cold and mocking. "He's quite the head case, isn't he? Stepping into battles he knows nothing about. How noble. How utterly foolish." Her gaze turned back to me, sharp and threatening. "You should listen to her, Earth boy. This is your final warning. You are seriously getting under my nerves. Stay out of things that don't concern you, or I'll make sure you regret it."

"I'm not going anywhere," I said, my voice firm. "Not until I'm sure she's safe. Caroline, whatever's going on, there has to be a better way to resolve this. You can't just use your magic to intimidate and hurt people."

Caroline's eyes flashed dangerously. "You think you can dictate how I wield my strength?! You, an outsider. A flea-ridden peasant from Earth? You have no idea the pain she's caused me. She deserves EVERYTHING she gets."

The air was thick with tension, the weight of years of pain and anger hanging between them. I stood there, caught in the middle, helpless to stop things from escalating. Everything I said seemed to make things worse. This girl seemed to pull the worst of my anger and indignation out of my core.

"Listen, you..." I growled, clenching my fists as Caroline stepped closer, her shadows crackling around her like electricity. I could feel the heat of it searing my skin, but I refused to back down.

 

"Enough!"

 

But just as I was about to give in to my frustrations and unleash a torrent of heated words, a soft yet commanding voice cut through the haze of anger.

It was Natasha, her eyes brimming with tears but her voice steady with a newfound resolve.

I turned as Natasha huffed deeply, closing her eyes to calm herself down.

Then, she stepped up to touch my arm. "Ikki… you have it backwards. I was the one who cornered her here."

I blinked, confusion washing over me as I stared at Natasha, my mind racing to piece together her words. "You... what?"

Natasha's gaze was heavy, laden with guilt. "It's my fault. Completely my fault. I wanted to try to make things right with Carrie after she rejected my first apology a few days ago. When she refused to see me today, her friends tried to keep me away from her. I managed to distract them and send them on a wild goose chase, then I doubled back here to find Carrie crying alone. I confronted her, hoping for a conversation she wasn't ready for. But she warned me to leave, and I didn't listen. I pushed her too far when she was already hurting. It's all my fault that she's lashing out like this. And I'm sorry that you've been dragged into it."

Her admission was like a rap on my head, flipping my internal narrative on its head. All I'd seen on the cameras was Natasha backed into a corner, shouting at three silhouettes while distressed.

It was then that I turned around fully took in Caroline's visage. Even to my untrained eye, I could spot some hastily applied makeup, remnants of tear stains on her uniform, and a faint trembling in her hands. Whatever happened, it seemed like Caroline was more than just a bully with a cruel streak.

Caroline snorted, wiping away the tears from her cheeks. "I'm not going to apologize for standing up for myself and doing what I need to do to protect myself from people like you." She glared at me, her eyes dark with anger and betrayal. "You have no idea what it's like to live with the shadow of someone like her hanging over your head. To be constantly reminded that your past is never truly behind you. And to have the unwashed shit of a plebeian I don't even know come waltzing in and trying to play hero and stop the big bad villainess? Don't flatter yourself."

"I... I didn't know," I admitted, feeling the weight of my ignorance. The situation wasn't as black and white as I had assumed. The dynamic between Natasha and Caroline was woven with threads of pain, guilt, and unresolved conflict.

My presence and insistence on intervening only added to the tension and made everything worse.

Caroline sighed, a mix of frustration and resignation in her posture. "Of course, you didn't. It seems like your worm-addled, Earthbound mind can't begin to fathom how much of a thorn in the side you are. We are not characters in one of your silly fairy tales where the knight saves the day. This is real life, and it's messy, painful, and complicated. Now, fuck off and crawl back under the ditch from whence you came."

"Hey!" I bristled. "Can you cut it out with the fucking condescension and racism for five seconds?!" My voice rose in anger. "Look, I get it, I stepped into something way bigger than I thought. I'm sorry, alright?"

Caroline rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Your brazen stupidity is astounding. But I meant what I'd said. Should you continue to prove to be a thorn in my side, I will make you regret ever crossing the portal here. I will make you wish you were dead. That's not a threat, Ikazuchi; it's a promise."

I stepped forward out of reflex, ready to bite back, but Natasha held an arm across my chest, stopping me. Her touch was gentle but firm, and I could feel the tension in her body.

"Please, Ikki. This isn't your fight. Let me handle this," Natasha pleaded, her voice filled with a raw, desperate edge.

Her watery, doe-like green eyes met mine, colored with a silent plea for understanding and trust. I could see their fear and pain but also a resolve that hadn't been there before.

Clearly, she felt responsible for the situation and was determined to face the consequences of her actions, no matter how much it scared her.

The air around us was charged with a palpable tension, the kind that precedes a storm. Caroline's magic hung heavy in the atmosphere, a silent but ever-present threat. But it was Natasha's request, her clear bravery in the face of her fear, that made me step back.

"Okay," I said, finally relenting, my voice low. "But I'm not leaving you alone with her."

Natasha gave me a grateful, if pained, smile, then turned to face Caroline, who watched our exchange with an unreadable, disdainful expression.

"Carrie," Natasha began, her voice stronger now, "I know I've crossed a line. Several lines. I was wrong to force this conversation on you, especially today. I... I just miss you. I miss us. But I understand if you can't forgive me. Just... please, don't take this out on Ikki. He didn't know any better. His heart was in the right place."

Caroline's gaze softened ever so slightly at Natasha's words, a flicker of pain ghosting across her expression before she masked it with a scowl.

"Your misguided attempts at reconciliation are both pathetic and infuriating, Natasha. You've made your bed, now lie in it. As for him," she said venomously, turning her gaze back to me, her eyes cold and calculating, "he's made himself a part of this whether he intended to or not. Consider this a lesson, Earth boy. Stick your nose where it doesn't belong, and you'll find it cut off."

With that, Caroline turned on her heel, her cloak of shadows swirling around her as she walked away, leaving a heavy silence in her wake.

Natasha let out a shaky breath, her hands shaking as she turned back to face me. "Thank you, Ikki. For everything. I'm sorry you got dragged into this."

I shook my head, still trying to process everything that had just happened. "Natasha, this is a lot to take in. But first, we need to get you cleaned up and to the infirmary for a check-up. You're hurt."

She shook her head, "No, Ikki. It's fine. I was the one who shattered the door and… I'm alright. I… apologize. I had just enough time to register that someone was at the door when you knocked, but I had to destroy the door and break my fall without hurting you. It was... tricky."

 

Wait, what?

 

I blinked, trying to wrap my head around the information Natasha had just dropped. "You... destroyed the door? You knew I was there?"

Natasha nodded, scratching her neck with an awkward smile. "Yes, she launched me into that door, but I redirected her mana to break my fall. Um, I kinda knew someone was there so I tried my best to avoid catching you in it. I'm no big, fancy, blue-blooded mage like Carrie, but I've got my fair share of tricks. You know, like a ninja."

She winked at me; I couldn't help but chuckle at her attempt at a joke. "That's pretty incredible, Natasha."

She stiffened before letting out a high-pitched giggle, and I could see the tension in her shoulders slowly easing. Then, she furrowed her brow, scrutinizing me with an appraising look.

To my surprise, she suddenly rushed over and started fussing over me, grabbing my arms and poking at my ribs.

"Ow!" I yelped as she prodded the sore spot. "What are you doing?!"

"Ikki, let me see," Natasha replied, concern etched across her face as she inspected the bruise. "What happened here?"

I had a sudden flash of deja vu to when my sister had checked me the same nearly a month earlier, and a pang of homesickness washed over me.

"How did you... you know, never mind," I mumbled, unable to hide my embarrassment. "I've had the crap beaten out of me several times over the last month. It's been bruised ever since, and I just... keep exacerbating it. It's fine, really, it's nothing."

Natasha sighed, a mix of relief and frustration in her expression. "I see," she said, nodding thoughtfully.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine," I reassured her, brushing off the concern with a slight blush. "But what about you? That fall looked pretty bad."

Natasha smiled weakly, brushing a damp strand of her slate-black hair from her face. "I'll be fine, honestly. I've picked up a few techniques over the years for situations like that. Some basic internal focus techniques for presence of mind and to break my fall comes in handy for split-second choices like that. I'm just glad you aren't hurt."

I nodded, impressed by Natasha's resourcefulness and resilience. "Still… we should at least get you cleaned up and dry. And maybe you could fill me in on what's going on between you and Caroline? If you're comfortable with that, of course."

Natasha hesitated, biting her lip. "I... it's a long story. I'm not sure you'd want to get involved any more than you already have."

I offered her a small smile, trying to ease her concern. "I seem to have a habit of getting involved in messy things lately. And besides, I want to help if I can. Even if it's just listening."

She looked at me, a mixture of gratitude and apprehension in her eyes. "Thank you, Ikki. Umm, truth be told, I'm not too comfortable with talking about the details there. At least right now. It's a painful memory for both of us. I'm also honestly afraid if I drag you into this more than I have, it might put you in an even more difficult spot with Caroline. I can't do that in good conscience."

"I get it, Natasha. We'll take it one step at a time," I replied softly. "But I meant what I said. I'm here if you need someone. And I can handle myself. I think."

Natasha gave a small, sad chuckle. "You're a brave one, Ikki. You know? Or maybe just stubborn. Either way, I appreciate it. But please, be careful around Caroline. She's not someone you should take lightly. She's… complicated."

I nodded, taking her warning to heart. "I'll be careful. But you should be too. And if you ever need backup, or just someone to talk to… well, I'm always ears."

She smiled a genuine smile that reached her eyes for the first time since the whole mess began. "I will. Thank you, Ikki. Really."

We exchanged a look of mutual understanding, and Natasha looked away with a blush.

"And, um, if you don't mind," Natasha added hesitantly, "could you… could you maybe take notes for me in history on the days I don't show up? She... had a point there. Let's just say I have a small record deal going on. I might be absent from time to time."

A record deal? I raised an eyebrow, trying to keep my expression neutral as I processed the new information.

Natasha sighed, looking away before slowly turning back to face me. "It's... complicated. But yes, a record deal. I'm a smalltime indie neo-classical artist, and my schedule can be pretty unpredictable. I'm still relatively new to this whole thing, and I'm trying to keep my footing. It's not easy to juggle everything, especially when juggling it all includes avoiding your vengeful ex-best friend."

"Of course," I said without hesitation. "Natasha, you don't even have to ask. I've got your back. I'll take notes for you whenever you need it. Just let me know if you're gonna be out, alright?"

She let out a sigh of relief, her shoulders visibly relaxing. "Thank you, Ikki. You're a lifesaver."

I couldn't help but feel my cheeks warm up a bit at her words. "Nah. I'm just, uh, trying to be a good friend, you know?"

"Friends, huh?" she asked, pulling a phone from her blazer pocket. "Hmph. It's been a minute since I made a new one. Here, can I get your number?"

"Yeah… sure!" I said, trying to sound casual as I pulled out my phone. We exchanged phones, and as I typed in her contact, I couldn't help but notice how her fingers hesitated over the keys as if she was second-guessing giving her number to me.

"Done," she said with a small smile, looking up at me. Her eyes held a warmth that made my chest feel lighter despite the heaviness of the experience we'd just had.

I grinned, feeling a strange mix of elation and nervousness. "There. We're officially friends now. Can't get rid of me even if you try."

Natasha laughed, a genuine sound that filled the air between us. "I wouldn't dream of it, Ikki. But, um, don't get too carried away."

I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at her playful remark. "Oh, so you're saying I have to keep my enthusiasm in check?"

Natasha smirked, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Well, let's just say I wouldn't want you to regret it later. People can be unpredictable, you know? I might start sending you random unhinged pictures and animations of cats or lizards at 4 A.M or something."

I burst out laughing, the tension from earlier dissipating like morning fog under the sun. "Cats and lizards, huh? I'll take that risk. It sounds like a fair enough trade-off for having someone as brave and kind as you as a friend."

Her smile widened, and for a moment, everything else seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us sharing a genuine connection.

"Brave and kind? You give me too much credit, Ikki. But thanks," she said, her voice soft. Then, she winked at me and chuckled silently. "And just so you know, I'm holding you to that. Expect your phone to be flooded with feline cuteness at ungodly hours one of these days."

"I'll be waiting for that," I said, still grinning. "And Natasha?"

She looked up with a curious expression. "Yeah?"

"You've got toilet paper in your hair," I said, pointing at her while keeping my expression as neutral as possible.

Natasha's hand flew to her hair, her expression shifting from amusement to mild horror as she felt around.

I resisted the urge to giggle and reached over, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder as I fished behind her pink ribbon with my other hand, finally pulling out a small, soggy piece of toilet paper.

Her cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, and she let out a half-embarrassed, half-amused chuckle. "Oh no, how long has that been there?" she asked, trying to brush off any remaining dignity along with the offending paper.

I shrugged, trying to keep the atmosphere light. "I think it just adds to your charm. But maybe we should head to the infirmary, and check on that cut. We can ditch the toilet paper chic look on the way."

Natasha nodded, still chuckling softly. "Yeah, that sounds like a good plan. Thanks, Ikki. For everything today. Um… I didn't expect to find a friend in the middle of all this mess, but I'm glad I did."

"I'm glad too," I replied, feeling warmth at her words. "Hey, let's get going and get you dry and cleaned up, yeah? Maybe some soup while we're at it?"

She smirked and pulled out the pink ribbon in her drenched hair, causing her hair to hang around her neck in a loose bob. "Lead the way then, Ikki. O guardian angel of mine."

I blushed and looked down at the soggy piece of toilet paper still in my hand, feeling a sense of accomplishment and amusement. Natasha was about two or three inches shorter than me, and when she playfully waved the ribbon at me with an impish grin, I couldn't help but laugh and finally toss the toilet paper in her general direction.

As we walked away from the drenched hallway, I couldn't help but feel a sense of optimism. Despite the chaos and the complex emotions involved here, something good had come out of it.

Although Caroline's behavior and threats still worried me, I couldn't help but feel that maybe, just maybe, things were going to be okay.