Chapter Text
Castorice closed her locker, making sure that she had the right textbooks. She couldn’t afford to bring the wrong things to class, considering that finals were so close.
“Castoriceeeeeee, will you please help me with my Maths? Mr. Welt is going to fail me in finals, he’s too strict.”
Castorice sighed as she sized up the white-haired male in front of her, his blue eyes pleading to have her tutoring him.
“I don’t know Phainon, I don’t have the time since I have to study for my own finals.”
She thought of another possibility. “You could join the afterschool tutoring club hosted by Miss Tribbie, I’ve heard good things about this specific club.”
“But-”
“Phainon, just go check it out for Titan’s sake. Maybe I can invite the others and we can study together in the library.”
“With Mrs. Aglaea breathing down my neck every second?”
“Well you don’t have to go then. But just so you know, you were the one that asked for my help, and this is your only chance.”
Phainon sighed, accepting defeat.
“Just try the afterschool tutoring, it won’t kill you.”
—
After a grueling lecture from Professor Anaxa (sorry, A-n-a-x-a-g-o-r-a-s) in Science, he trudged over to the spare room over by the nurse's office.
When he was walking over, he bumped into a certain cat-eared girl.
It was Cipher, the school’s infamous thief, who could steal every single test answer sheet if you paid her enough money. Her eyes widened in shock. “Oh, what do we have here? I never thought the athletic and strong-minded Deliverer would come to Miss Tribbie’s tutoring session.”
Phainon put a hand to his forehead. “Castorice recommended it to me, so I’m here to…you know, try it out.”
“Wow, you sound so unbelievably tired. Tell you what, I think you could use some company. I think I’ll go in there with you, Deliverer boy. Come on.”
Before Phainon could protest, Cipher grabbed his hand and dragged him in.
Facing him was a collection of students and a short, red haired teacher with unique blue eyes with a clover shape in them.
Well actually, there were three teachers, Tribbie, Trianne, and Trinnon, but the latter two were just assistants, so most of them only knew Miss Tribbie.
“This school really is an odd place, huh,” Phainon thought as he and Cipher took seats near the back of the classroom.
“Ah, look who we have here! What brings you two here?”
Phainon let loose a long sigh. “Finals.”
Tribbie put her hands on her small hips and said “Yea, I know, but you usually never visit. How did you get through last year?”
“I had Castorice helping me, and also I saved up enough extra money to have Cipher ste-”
“Hey Deliverer boy.” Cipher interrupted.
“Yea?”
“Shut up.”
Phainon set his stuff down, knowing full well that Cipher was going to leak all of his dirty secrets if he exposed her. Along with being an excellent thief, she knew the dirt on everyone at this school, which she could use as leverage.
Alright, Miss Tribbie, do you think you can help me study with my Maths?”
All in all, it actually wasn’t that bad. Miss Tribbie was really helpful, and Phainon walked out knowing more about the topic than he did when he came in (still though, he still just doesn’t know a whole lot).
He was excited at the prospect of hanging out at the library together, whether it was studying or not (hopefully not) and took his phone out while walking back home.
Phainon: 👋👋👋
Cipher: hi again, deliverer boy, wsp?
Phainon: sooo castorice said smth abt hanging out with everyone @ the library and was js wondering if everyone was good w/ that
Cipher: ✅
Cyrene: I already finished my studying, but I would love to help you guys ♪
Cipher: did u even study
Cyrene: Yes, a little. But most of the stuff I already learned from listening to the lecture ♪
Cipher: dudeee only perfect, top of class students memorize shit on the lectures, so you don’t even have to study everyone else has to take notes
Cyrene: It just comes to me naturally, plus the lectures are interesting anyways ♪
Cipher: huh. also why do you also end your sentences with a musical note instead of a period like regular ppl
Cyrene: It just feels right, I don’t know how to explain it, plus, it’s unique and it stands out, right? ♪
Cipher: yea ig
Phainon: ok time to stop bickering. you two down or what
Cyrene: Yes ♪
Cipher: yep
Castorice: Sure, when?
Phainon: trmw?
Castorice: Oh no, sorry, not tomorrow, I have plans
(Reply to Phainon: trmw?)
Cipher: can do :)
Cipher: o wait nvm cas said no
Phainon: wait what plans
Castorice: Just like work plans and stuff like that
Cyrene: Are you sure? ♪
Castorice: 🙂✅
Cyrene: Ok, I’ve decided I won’t push. It’s your personal business after all ♪
Castorice: Thanks a lot, Cyrene
Cyrene: ♡♡♡
Phainon: okay then, so weekend ok w/ you guys or nah
Cyrene: Yes ♪
Castorice: Yep
Cipher: yessir
Phainon: cerydra hysilens wut abt you
Cipher: dummy they’re doing clubs rn
Phainon: oh yea i forgot
Castorice: Okay, but what date?
Cipher: How about Saturday
Phainon: i have a basketball game then so no can do
Cyrene: Don’t forget the student council meeting that day. We’re planning for that end-of-school event, remember? ♪
Phainon: oh yeaaaaaa
Cyrene: Don’t worry, I’ll text you a reminder ♪
Phainon: tyyyyy <3 so sunday then?
Cyrene: Yes! Actually, we should wait for the others to respond ♪
Cipher: kk sya then!
Phainon closed his phone, wondering if this was enough
—
Cerydra sighed, looking *up* at the face of the opponent she just defeated.
She pointed. “Your guard was down on the right side. That’s how I was able to corner you with the rook. Next time, you should anticipate it more. A good attacking ploy though, you just didn’t get to me in time.”
Her opponent called defeat, and Cerydra looked at the clock hanging off the wall. 4:30. It's time to go.
With a sigh, she slung her bag over her shoulder, muttering “good game” to everyone she challenged. She was currently undefeated, but perhaps that could change next year.
People tried everyday to beat her, only to be met with failure when they couldn’t. She was just too good at chess.
She moved as though she was one on the board, that she was the king and she could move all her loyal subjects across the board to fight for her.
It was amazing, to be honest.
She checked her phone. 45 unread messages.
Ah. They wanted to hang out.
Cerydra: I’m down to studying. I don't know where Hysilens is.
Hysilens: just finished club aswell
Cerydra: Did you read the messages the group sent?
Hysilens: Yes
Cerydra: If anyone likes, I can bring snacks
Hysilens: it’s the library. that strict golden-haired librarian is going to yell at us
Phainon: oh no pls do cerydra! I would like instant ramen!
Hysilens: There’s not even a microwave there?
Phainon: nah ill find a way somehow
Cyrene: Now now Phainon, we don’t want Miss Cerydra getting in trouble, right? ♪
Cerydra: Ok, I’ve decided. I’ll just bring chips or something.
Phainon: oohhh cyrene ur in a hard spot now i know you love ur potato chipssss
Cyrene: Phainon, that’s not very nice ♪
Phainon: 😭😭😭
Hysilens: So Sunday right, I’ll be there, 10 in the morning sharp.
Phainon: scary….
Cyrene: Well, I guess that’s all. See you later! ♪
Phainon: okiiiiiii byieeeeee
Cerydra smiled. Her friends were so diverse, she never knew what to expect next from them. She walked out of campus, making sure to remember to pick up instant ramen for Phainon and chips for Cyrene, even if still didn’t know how Phainon was going to eat them.