Will You Go Out With Me?
A crisp autumn day after classes had started, a week into the semester. Bianca had grown a bit closer to her desk mate by then. Light brown ponytail, eyes like rubies. Her name was Shasha Noah. As for her personality—
"Bianca, you've got it so good..."
After morning classes ended, Shasha yawned lazily and turned to Bianca, a sly smile playing on her lips as she slumped over her desk.
"What a pretty name, and your face lives up to it and then some. Delicate little body, but those sharp, cat-like features. I'm so jealous!"
"...You're plenty pretty yourself, Shasha."
Bianca mumbled awkwardly in response, and Shasha let out a giggle.
"And you're sweet on top of that? That's not fair!"
"Cut it out, Shasha..."
"No joke, Your Majesty."
She was lively in every way, you could say. It definitely made her easier to get along with, but still.
"Don't say stuff like that..."
Queen? Queen?!
Bianca glanced around timidly, cheeks burning, but surprisingly, the other kids didn't seem to care much. If anything, a few of the boys were nodding along!
Bianca wanted to crawl into a hole.
"Anyway, you're just too cute. Whatever, right? Your loyal servant shall attend you."
Ignoring Bianca's plight, Shasha linked arms with her. The sudden warmth against her skin made Bianca flinch.
Wh-whoa, hang on...
It was only natural, really—she'd been a perfectly healthy guy not long ago. How could she be used to this?
Do girls normally mess around like this?
The first time Shasha had done it, Bianca had panicked way more, but now she had a bit of resistance built up.
S-so soft...
Shasha was definitely glamorous. Bianca's face flushed as she finally spoke up.
"So, where are we headed?"
"The snack bar, duh!"
As they walked to the snack bar together, it happened for the third time that day already.
"Hey, sorry, but could I get your magiphone number?"
A boy approached despite Shasha being right there. Bianca should have been used to it by now, but she still froze up. How was she supposed to turn him down?
"Uh, um...?"
While Bianca hesitated, Shasha stepped in.
"Good thing you know it's rude. She's got a boyfriend!"
Crack—
The boy's face crumpled.
"Oh, uh... I didn't know. S-sorry!"
Shasha chased him off and burst into laughter.
"This is kinda fun! Am I the fox next to the lion or something?"
"Shasha, I keep telling you, I'm not actually dating anyone."
Bianca was grateful but pouted anyway.
[Are you maybe dating Carlyle?]
[Wh-what?!]
She remembered how flustered she'd been at that first question!
[N-no way! There's no chance I'd date a jerk like Carlyle!]
Maybe the tone was too harsh, or the sudden outburst did it, but the quiet classroom had erupted in laughter. Thanks to that, Bianca's image had solidified as a bit of an airhead.
Me and that Carlyle guy...?
Yeah, no way. As Bianca thought that, Shasha spoke up.
"But hey, Bianca. Even if it's not him, it'd be better for you to just say you have a boyfriend."
"Huh? Why?"
"Look at yourself. You can't give them any openings!"
Shasha pulled out a small mirror from her pocket and held it up to Bianca's face.
"And this is without makeup. It's practically a crime. You owe an apology to plain girls like me."
A shy expression clashing with cat-like features. Soft, light golden hair, dainty features all around.
"Be honest, Bianca. Don't you think you're pretty even looking at yourself?"
Bianca couldn't deny it. But still.
This isn't my real self right now. So it doesn't count.
She nodded slightly anyway.
"Wow, such a jerk. Pretty even when you're being annoying. Totally unfair."
"Hey, you asked..."
Shasha was teasing on purpose. But seeing Bianca's reaction, she thought to herself,
She's so innocent.
From the outside, it was obvious. Cute as a button, but her actions were pure airhead. Maybe that's why even Carlyle, that playboy, had fallen for her? That's why Shasha had asked earlier out of curiosity. She was the nosy type, after all.
What's a girl like her lacking?
The rumors were spreading. Someone had seen the two of them together. Even if it was that star Carlyle Schultz, his reputation with girls wasn't great.
Of course, she'd gotten a firm denial right away, but Shasha didn't buy it.
Hmm...
Anyone could see they were dating.
"There you are, Bianca?"
Just look at this situation.
***
"Let's eat lunch together."
Black hair, golden eyes—a handsome young man who felt more like a youth than a boy. His face could seem cold without expression, but right now, Carlyle Schultz had a smile on his lips. He'd approached the kittenish, sharp-featured Bianca Shama first.
"No thanks. Why? I'm eating with Shasha."
Bianca was stubborn, but Shasha just looked annoyed at the scene.
These two are always like this. Got a scripted routine or something?
The guy always pulled, the girl always pushed. But the funny part was, her friend had never actually refused Carlyle Schultz, not once.
Oh, and get this! Just the other day, when Shasha had subtly badmouthed Carlyle herself.
—Hey, Bianca. Doesn't Carlyle come off a bit prickly? Kinda off-putting?
—Hmm, I dunno... Not really that bad...
She'd jumped to his defense, even though she insisted they weren't dating.
So Shasha grinned and shoved Bianca's back.
"Your boyfriend's here! Go on, Bianca!"
"Ah, no, it's really not like that!"
"Sure, sure—quit playing hard to get!"
And that's how it always ended up.
Following unhappily behind Carlyle, Bianca pouted.
Everyone's totally misunderstanding us already because of this.
Thinking she and Carlyle were dating. It was ridiculous. She'd denied it a million times, but the rumors wouldn't die—all because of this guy.
"What are you gonna do about this?"
Bianca glared at Carlyle's back and spat it out.
"Do about what?"
So shameless, even with the misunderstandings.
Lately, the two always ate lunch together. That's why the absurd dating rumors wouldn't fade.
And there was a reason for it.
Truth was, Bianca was being blackmailed by Carlyle.
He'd saved her from that thug Nathan Jackal, but with ulterior motives.
—You'll pay up, right? For saving you from that punk.
The next day, Carlyle had made his demand. Strictly speaking, he hadn't really saved her—she could've handled it alone. But she had gotten help.
And another reason. Carlyle had suddenly brought up their forgotten bet.
—We settled it back then. Though someone doesn't seem to remember.
—B-bet...?!
She hadn't forgotten! Bianca's jaw dropped. She'd assumed it was dropped since no one mentioned it.
She argued it wasn't a real bet, but Carlyle's rebuttal was sharp.
—Then what was it? You treated it like one and accepted.
Cheating with facts. Fine, it was a bet. She'd admitted the bed bet counted, after falling for his taunt. Every little thing led to this.
—What do I owe you?
As a result, Bianca became Carlyle's lunch buddy for a month. That shameless jerk's.
"Trip and bust your nose flat."
She muttered curses at his back.
"Wake up premature tomorrow."
"Wanna test it on you?"
Bianca went silent, dumbfounded. Test it on her?
"N-no!"
Ridiculous. Her face burned. Talking to him always felt like losing ground, so she shut up. Carlyle just chuckled.
She was reminded yet again: verbal spars with this guy were unwinnable.
***
The rooftop of the academy's annex was Carlyle Schultz's hideout. Now theirs.
Grab—
Bianca flinched as Carlyle took her hand, but it was familiar now. Before she could protest, she was in his arms, ascending the emergency stairs.
"These steps are too high for you."
"What do you mean? I can climb stairs myself."
She thought that and tried once—big mistake. They really were high.
—Eek...!
Even adult male legs would've struggled; Bianca's face went pale.
—Th-thanks...
Who knows what would've happened without Carlyle. The old building had damaged steps everywhere, no railings.
"Just this part."
Only the top floor.
"Repairs won't happen till year's end. Hold on a few seconds."
"But do I really have to go all the way up there...?"
Did she?
"You promised, Bianca?"
You're light anyway, no big deal. After his coaxing, Bianca nodded. A promise was a promise.
Words once spoken...
A true man's path was keeping faith.
In the end, she let him carry her quietly to the roof. At just under 160cm, she was tiny next to his near-190cm. A 30cm gap.
"Hey, go slow."
Clutched in his arms, climbing high steps.
"If you drop me, you're dead!"
"Just hold tight. Don't worry."
High up, scary. But gripping him firm like he said felt secure. Unthinkingly, she hugged his neck like a kneading cat. To not fall.
Actually, from then on, Carlyle's easy smile faded. Like a devil whispering temptations, desire welled up for the girl in his arms.
...Whew.
Trouble. She steps back one, he advances two. This game of cat-and-mouse was getting harder to play.
Soon, they reached the annex roof. Set down, Bianca stretched.
"Phew—nice and breezy."
Carlyle or not, she always felt refreshed up here. Campus sprawled below. Early autumn trees ablaze in red. Boys' shouts, girls' laughter carried on the wind.
"Come here, Bianca."
Bianca bristled on reflex.
"What, why?"
She knew what came next, like always.
***
"Who are you to order me around...?"
Her words cut off. Carlyle closed in, stealing her lips. Bianca flushed, breath stolen. She pounded his chest in protest.
Thud—
Her expression melted anyway.
"Nngh—mmph..."
She fell into his gentle touch. Soon, her slim waist was encircled by his arm. Some desperate feeling she couldn't name made her legs press together, then stumble back—right into the net.
Their bodies overlapped on the rooftop hammock where he always napped. Lewd sensations and self-loathing surged.
Pathetic, unable to resist being pushed around. Bianca kept thinking,
...Why no resistance?
What made Carlyle Schultz feel so different from that thug Nathan? Nathan's touch alone disgusted and enraged her. Why not now?
It wasn't that she liked him. Definitely not.
Like always, she got swept up again.
As Bianca gasped for air, Carlyle broke the kiss.
"How long you gonna tease me?"
His low voice sank deep. Out of nowhere?
But his face was serious.
"What are we? Friends, at least?"
Bianca had no answer. She didn't know either.
Memories flashed. Rival Carlyle, the transfer student she hated. Always second place, frustrating. She'd dismissed him as a delinquent compared to model student her, consciously belittling him.
He was shameless and annoying, sure.
But is that all...?
After becoming a girl, seeing him often shattered her prejudices. Carlyle wasn't a total thug like Nathan. Sometimes normal, unpredictable, but not bad-hearted.
So maybe.
"Friends could work."
Carlyle tilted his head, unsatisfied.
"But what about this...?"
His golden eyes swirled with deep, unnamed emotion.
"Friends don't feel like enough."
"Eh, huh?"
Bianca panicked. Her eyes widened for another reason—a quick peck.
Carlyle pulled back, playful.
"Friends don't do this."
He pondered, then added,
"Will you go out with me?"
Wh-what—?!
Overwhelmed by the mood? Bianca's brain froze, unable to process. Vision blurred, heart raced—before she knew it, Bianca Shama...