In the classroom of 1-E, the now-familiar spectacle of Erika and Leo's bickering filled the air, as routine as the morning bell.
"Why do you always have to be like this?!" Erika snapped, her voice sharp with exasperation.
"Look who's talking!" Leo shot back, undeterred.
Tatsuya, who'd been holed up in the library during lunch, had no clue what sparked this round. He turned to Mikihiko, who was watching the chaos unfold nearby. "What's got them at it today?"
"Apparently, Erika wanted a drink, but Leo snagged the last one," Mikihiko explained with a sigh. "Now it's less about the drink and more about… well, arguing for the sake of arguing."
"I see," Tatsuya said, his tone flat but curious.
Mizuki was doing her best to mediate, as usual, but her efforts were predictably futile. Tatsuya glanced at the scene, then back at Mikihiko. "They never run out of things to fight about, do they?"
"Probably because they keep rehashing the same stuff," Mikihiko replied. "I swear I heard this exact argument yesterday."
"And I'm guessing I'm the one who has to step in?" Tatsuya asked, already knowing the answer.
"You're the only one who can handle those two," Mikihiko said, gesturing to the other classmates nodding in agreement. Early on, others had tried to intervene, but now the consensus was clear: leave it to Tatsuya.
With a resigned sigh, Tatsuya stepped forward. "Alright, Erika, Leo, that's enough."
"But—!" Erika started.
"Hey, come on—!" Leo protested.
"Erika, it's just a drink. No need to throw a fit," Tatsuya said, his tone calm but firm, like a parent reasoning with children. "And Leo, you know dragging this out only makes it worse. Why not give in for once?"
Both knew they were being treated like kids, but Tatsuya's logic was hard to argue with. Grumbling, they fell silent, unable to muster a strong comeback.
"…Tatsuya-kun, hang out with me after school," Erika said suddenly, her tone softer but resolute.
"Me?" Tatsuya blinked.
"Yeah, you," she confirmed, a spark in her eyes.
"Well, I suppose I can," he agreed. With no Disciplinary Committee duties, no research left to do, and Miyuki tied up with student council work (she'd even told him to head home without her), his afternoon was free.
"Great, it's settled then," Erika said, shooting a pointed glare at Leo before sauntering back to her seat.
"Sorry, Tatsuya," Leo muttered, scratching the back of his neck. "I don't know why, but I always end up arguing with her."
"It's fine to watch from the sidelines, but playing referee gets old fast," Tatsuya said dryly. "Try to keep it in check."
"I know, I know. It's just… one thing leads to another, and we're at it again," Leo admitted, looking sheepish.
To Tatsuya, their spats were just petty lovers' quarrels, but to Erika and Leo, they were deadly serious—two stubborn souls caught in a cycle of tit-for-tat. "Spare a thought for Mikihiko and Mizuki's stomachs," Tatsuya added. "They're turning blue just watching you two."
"Sorry," Leo said again, glancing at the pair, who looked like they were perpetually on the verge of ulcers.
It was a familiar scene, but Mikihiko and Mizuki lived in constant dread of the day these arguments turned into a real fight. Tatsuya, however, never stepped in unless their pleading faces left him no choice.
After classes ended, Tatsuya found himself dragged out of school by Erika, somehow ending up in the same hovercab with her.
"Where are we going?" he asked.
"Shopping. Your treat, obviously," Erika replied with a grin.
"Hey, now," Tatsuya said, raising an eyebrow. "I'll go along if it'll cheer you up, but keep it reasonable, alright?"
Even with his generous budget compared to most high schoolers, Tatsuya wasn't keen on bankrolling Erika's tantrum-driven spending spree. He set a firm boundary but decided to humor her until she was satisfied.
"…Tatsuya-kun," Erika said after a pause, her tone softer.
"Yeah?"
"You know, even when I'm being a pain, you're always so patient with me. You act all cold and distant, but you never brush me off in moments like this."
"Cold? That's harsh," Tatsuya said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "I've got my share of warmth, you know."
"But you don't step in to stop me and Leo until Mikihiko and Mizuki are practically begging," she pointed out.
"If they could handle you two, I'd let them," Tatsuya replied. "Besides, you don't exactly come at me head-on like you do with Leo."
"What, you want me to argue with you?" Erika teased, matching his smirk.
Tatsuya chuckled, making it clear he was joking. "Just saying."
Erika's smile turned wry. "Nah, I'll pass. Arguing with you wouldn't even be a fight—you'd just shut me down."
"If you can be that rational, why do you always lose it with Leo?" Tatsuya asked, genuinely curious.
"It's just…" Erika hesitated, her voice trailing off.
"What? Don't tell me you've got a thing for Leo," Tatsuya said, half-teasing.
"No way!" Erika shouted, her reaction so intense it startled him.
"You don't have to yell. This cab's small enough for me to hear you just fine," Tatsuya said, wincing at the echo. "And now it's twice as loud."
"S-Sorry," Erika mumbled, flustered. "But it's your fault for saying that!"
"It was a joke. You tease Mikihiko and Mizuki all the time—how's this any different?" Tatsuya pointed out.
Erika's expression shifted, her voice quieter. "It's different."
"How so?"
"Miki and Mizuki? They're totally into each other. That's why I tease them," she explained. "But me and Leo? It's not like that. We're just friends, at best. And… I didn't want the person I do like thinking I'm into someone else."
Tatsuya fell silent, processing her words.
"…Oh no," Erika gasped, realizing what she'd let slip. "I didn't mean to say that!"
She flailed, panicking. "Forget that! I'm not trying to start a magic war with Miyuki or anything!"
"No idea why Miyuki's getting dragged into this, but if you want to take it back, that's fine," Tatsuya said calmly. "Means I don't have to respond."
"…Could you at least give me an answer?" Erika asked, her voice trembling, her eyes glistening as she looked up at him. "I know it's probably a no, but I need to hear it. I can't move on otherwise."
Tatsuya met her gaze, then reached out, ruffling her hair with a touch more force than necessary. "Hey!"
"You don't get to decide my answer for me," he said, his tone firm but not unkind, as he looked away.
Erika's teary expression didn't fade, but a hint of a smile broke through, as if she'd caught the meaning behind his words.
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