*
"Faster!! We're running out of time!" (Arin)
"And whose fault is that!? Even after a reminder!" (Sariel)
"It was my reminder! You guys completely ignored it too!" (Arin)
"Hey! You were the one who wanted to make it a lesson about fame or whatever!" (Yggdrasil)
Their complaints struck the corridor walls as they ran with their luggages in tow. Hurried footsteps rain over the carpet like beating drums as they rushed with sweat forming.
" Ah... And we only just dipped in the bath too..." (Arin)
"Let's be careful... We're reaching soon." (Yggdrasil)
The melodious bell chimed as the steel doors parted away. They strode out of the elevator as if all was right in the world, ignoring the sweat of course.
"..." (Yggdrasil)
She no longer gasped and took large mouthfuls of air, her stamina was clearly much more superior than that time when she raced with Corrine. Corrine was a member of the library club, Yggdrasil took that membership too literally and assumed Corrine lived more sedentarily. She lost so pathetically, but was quick to leave it as water under the bridge. Mebi, Corrine's fellow member found it more impressive that Yggdrasil could pass it off so easily.
Gradually, her chest stop heaving so heavily and her gaze played straight. Technically she won this race, she was the first to reach the elevator... Not only was Yggdrasil assimilating more properly with Lastia's body, her physical training also paid off rather quickly. After a few practice runs, her stamina had already increased substantially. Well... Substantially more than how little she initially had...
"Haa~ haa~ Did we make it in time?" (Sariel)
"Hffgh, I think... We did..." (Arin)
Other than the attention of a few students, not everyone was paying attention to them. It meant that their presence wasn't out of place, people who were late would easily stand out. They had reached the hotel lobby just in time. Thankfully they packed most of their items last night, quickly packing last night's clothes was sufficient to finish it off.
"Did something happen?" (Pheena)
Her long black hair was neatly swept into a ponytail, exposing her nape to the cold air. There was a certain demeanour to her that felt tomboyish, that made her easy to get along with. Yesterday they had went to the convention centre together, it was unfortunate that they couldn't enjoy bowling with them afterwards.
"Nothing much. Is Ms. Lily here yet?" (Yggdrasil)
She replied coolly with composure. Despite having rather supernatural origins, Yggdrasil also learn a few tips that were useful in conversation that people often overlook. Shame is temporary, a product of the mind. If one does something embarrassing, it's best to immediately pretend it didn't happen to avoid those intense feelings of shame. It stems from how a person believes how other people feel about them, often demonising the ridicule and amusement at their expense.
In reality, as long as you don't bring up that embarrassing moment, people will forget about it as soon as 1 or 2 days. After a week, there was practically zero chance people would even bring it up anymore. Silence is gold. That's why she was able to swiftly gloss it over, not that almost being late was any embarrassing for her. She was just applying another lesson to this situation.
"Hmm... She's suppose to be here at 10. Usually the teachers would arrive early, maybe she's caught up in something?" (Pheena)
"Oohohoho! Perhaps she's making merry?" (Feilin)
Another student enters the conversation with a mischievous, one with quite the character. Her large twin drills wavered in the air as she spoke, as if having a life of their own. Their black sheen was almost metallic, exuding the meticulous care she put into them. It's not like she had some butlers or maids following her around, it was solely the product of her own efforts. In this contrived way, her twin drills were able to command respect too.
"Where's Juri?" (Pheena)
"... I believe she went to powder her nose too." (Feilin)
"Alright, we'll go looking for her. You guys help us inform Ms. Lily when she arrives, alright?" (Pheena)
With that, Pheena waved as she walked away while dragging along Feilin. A slight distance away, Yggdrasil noticed two guys she hadn't seen during the last 2 days. Ed and Arugawa, she remembered their names but knew next to nothing. She understood most of the girls didn't deal well with Arugawa, he had decent looks but was a little off putting personality wise. Ed rarely spoke, whether by choice or not, those two often ended up alone. It seemed that they at least formed a group with each other, she wasn't sure if they went out of the hotel at all...
Other than those two, she had pretty much met and talked to the rest of the class. It was difficult to remember names at first, but talking with them more made it easier to manage. Making more than 2 friends... Lastia was afraid of trying, because she didn't have much time to treasure so many bonds... She was also too lazy to write their names into her diary. Trying to get to know two people is hard enough for an amnesiac.
A couple of light foot steps strode along the marble lobby floor, followed by some heavy breathing. She had a short bob cut that covered her ears with dark brown hair, a pair of large round glasses and a face without much blemishes. She wore a formal wool fibre suit with a belt and a short office skirt. She was easily the most recognisable person in this class, Ms. Lily.
It seemed that she finished matters in a hurry before arriving here. Corrine and the Feilin had also returned just in time with Juri in tow. Smoothly, their teacher briefed the students on the last day of their trip.
"Make sure you guys stay close! Don't wander around!" (Ms. Lily)
The students replied in their own ways, starting off the final day's trip. Before long, they had boarded a bus filled with their luggages in a lower compartment. Various esoteric looking buildings grazed their view, filling them with wonder. A certain tower stood out in particular, it sported a layered look that ostensibly stacked numerous identical structures on one another. In reality the structures weren't stacked, it was as usual, a normal and whole tower that only looked stack due to the accessories outside.
"What's that?" (Yggdrasil)
She pointed with intrigue in her expression.
"Haa? Isn't that just a pagoda?" (Sariel)