บท 9: Texting In The Moonlight

"Okay, filter check~"

I hold my phone up, adjusting until the magical sparkles frame my face just right. The moonlight streaming through my window kisses my skin in ways even ManaGram's best filters can't touch. I'm sprawled on my bed in just this oversized t-shirt that barely covers anything important, my bleached hair falling loose around my shoulders like a rebel halo.

[Perfect amount of 'I woke up like this but make it hot' energy.]

My tiny apartment's quiet except for the distant hum of the city below.

You know, as crappy as this apartment is, every inch of it is mine. I worked my ass off for this freedom too, spending last summer juggling those two jobs, working at a maid cafe and a convenience store.

There's a certain magic to stuff when you have it because you earned it.

[Worth every fucking blister from those cheap shoes. Wouldn't trade this level of privacy for anything in the world.]

I type out my caption with perfectly manicured fingers:

"When you're S-Class but can't show off at the symposium... 🤔 Guess some people are scared of a little sparkle ✨ #CrescentMoonTings #WatchMe"

"And... posted!"

I flop back against my pillows, watching the likes roll in faster than Chen can write up dress code violations. In no time, Haruka's spamming the post with fire emojis, making me smile like an idiot.

The comments section explodes with everything from supportive outrage to thinly veiled jealousy from my so-called classmates. Some of these stuck-up professors are probably seeing it too, but honestly? If they wanted me to play by the rules, they shouldn't have made the game so fucking boring.

My phone buzzes with a new message that makes my dick twitch with interest.

[GothQueen🖤]: Subtle.

[GothQueen🖤]: You're really doing this, huh?

[Oh? Miss Goth Queen's checking up on me again?]

[Me]: What, you jealous of my clout?

Her reply hits faster than my heart rate when she bends over in class.

[GothQueen🖤]: Hardly. Just wondering if you ever don't make things about yourself.

[Me]: Baby, if you've got it, flaunt it~

A pause. Then another buzz.

[GothQueen🖤]: Oh, I can already tell you'd be infuriating to talk to for more than 5 seconds.

I smirk, shifting against my cushions as my hand drifts down my stomach.

[Me]: And yet you're texting me at 11 PM. What's that about, huh? Got something you wanna confess?

This time, her reply takes longer. I can almost see her tail twitching as she thinks about it.

[GothQueen🖤]: Fine. I'll bite. Do you actually care about the Symposium, or is this just another excuse to stir up drama?

[Me]: Why not both? Drama and domination? It's called multitasking, babe.

[GothQueen🖤]: Sure.

[Me]: you know it baby 😘

[Me]: btw what's your deal with watching my posts?

[Me]: crushing on me?

[GothQueen🖤]: Don't flatter yourself.

[GothQueen🖤]: My boyfriend wouldn't appreciate that.

[Boyfriend? Now THIS is interesting...]

I shift onto my stomach, kicking my feet up behind me like some teen movie cliché.

[Me]: ohoho? do tell!

[Me]: is he hot?

[Me]: is he boring?

[Me]: both??

[GothQueen🖤]: His name is Jun.

[GothQueen🖤]: He's... proper.

I straight-up hissed when I heard that, like I'd just been burned.

[Translation: boring as fuck.]

A siren wails somewhere in the distance, and I glance out at the city skyline.

[Hm. Probably some psycho fire mage blowing shit up again.]

Magical billboards paint the clouds in neon colors, making everything glow like a cyberpunk wet dream. My room might be small, but this view? Worth every penny - especially at night when everything's lit up like a magical rave.

Not exactly regular in New Tokyo, but it happens.

[Me]: sounds thrilling

[Me]: you should come over sometime

[Me]: way more fun than "proper" 😘

[GothQueen🖤]: To your dorm?

[Me]: nah baby, my apartment

[Me]: living that independent life~

There's a longer pause before her next message. I watch the typing indicator pulse, remembering how her tail does that same little twitch when she's thinking hard about something in class.

[GothQueen🖤]: You live alone?

[GothQueen🖤]: Must be nice.

[GothQueen🖤]: Not having anyone watching your every move.

[Oh? What's this about?]

The moonlight catches on a photo I pinned to my wall - me at my summer jobs, peace-signing through exhaustion like a champion. Below it, my first month's rent receipt is framed like the trophy it fucking is.

[Me]: mmhm, just me and my freedom

[Me]: and my very comfy bed

[Me]: which is currently missing a cute goth girl btw

[GothQueen🖤]: You're annoying.

[GothQueen🖤]: I should go.

[GothQueen🖤]: Jun's calling.

[Me]: boooring

[Me]: but fine, abandon me like that

[Me]: sweet dreams gorgeous 😘

[GothQueen🖤]: ...goodnight, Akari.

I set my phone aside, stretching out on my bed with a grin that would make Chen have an aneurysm. The moonlight paints silver streaks across my skin as my hand drifts lower, thoughts wandering to black lipstick and fishnet stockings, to the way Reina's tail uncurls when she's flustered.

[Well, at least I know how to entertain myself...]

Later, pleasantly tired and satisfied, I check my phone one last time. My post has absolutely exploded - hundreds of comments debating the symposium situation. Some basic bitches are defending the decision, saying the crusty old professors can pick whoever they want, while others are calling out the obvious bias.

Drama is officially brewing, and my dick's not the only thing that's up.

[Let's see them try to ignore this shit now.]

I click off my lamp, letting the city lights and moon paint patterns on my ceiling. Tomorrow will bring whatever drama it brings, but tonight? Tonight is mine, in my space, on my terms.

[Tomorrow's gonna be fun as fuck~]

---

"Y'know, if you wanted to see me, you could've just slid into my DMs," I drawl, strutting into the student council office like I own it. "No need to make it all formal and shit."

"Miss Nakamura." Miyuki's voice could freeze hell itself. "Punctuality is the only thing you've done correctly today. Take a seat."

[Ah... There she is.] I lock eyes with our beloved student council president - Miyuki Hayashi in all her stick-up-the-ass glory. [Little Miss "I'm At War With You" or whatever.]

"Miss Nakamura." Professor Sato's voice hits different, dry as my DMs from boring guys. "Your... social media activities have caused quite a stir."

I lounge in my chair, deliberately spreading my thighs wider than proper ladies should, just to watch them squirm. Their fancy office with its polished wood and magical artifacts is probably meant to intimidate, but honey? I ate intimidation for breakfast.

[Too bad I don't do "scared".]

"Oh? You follow my ManaGram?" I flash them my best influencer smile. "Wow. Love that for you."

Miyuki's eye twitches like she's having a stroke. Living for it.

"This is serious, Nakamura. Your post has caused significant disruption-"

"You mean like publicly declaring me your enemy in front of the whole school?" I examine my perfect nails, pink sparkles catching the light. "That kind of disruption?"

"That was different-"

"Was it though?"

Professor Sato clears his throat, probably trying to keep his blood pressure down.

"Ladies, please. We're here to discuss a... solution. More specifically, to discuss your eligibility for the Arcane Symposium."

[Here we fucking go.]

"The symposium," Sato continues, adjusting those thick-ass glasses, "has strict standards. Traditions that must be upheld. However... if you can prove yourself worthy of those traditions, perhaps an exception could be made."

I sit up straighter, my tits probably giving him heart palpitations.

"I'm listening."

"The Paired Resonance Trial," Miyuki says, voice clipped like she's trying not to scream. "Complete it within a week, and you'll have your spot."

[... The what now?]

I blink, my confidence taking a tiny hit. For once in my life, I don't know everything about magic there is to know.

[Okay... Bit of an ego check I guess.]

"It's an ancient test," Sato explains before I have to admit my ignorance. "Two mages must synchronize their magical frequencies perfectly while maintaining a complex spell matrix. It typically takes months of practice-"

"And I get a week?" A grin spreads across my face like butter on hot toast. "Sounds fun. But what's the catch? I can't imagine that's all your little test is."

Miyuki's lips curve into something almost like a smile. Almost.

"Your partner must be from a different class level. And you'll need to demonstrate it before the entire student body."

[Oh. OH.]

I hold back my grin this time because holy fuck, they think they're being clever. Different class level? They probably think I'll have to work with someone I don't know, someone who'll hate being paired up with me. But...

[Technically, Haruka's Class 2.]

"So when I pull this off," I stand up and stretch deliberately, making sure my uniform rides up just enough to make them both blush, "everyone will see it?"

"IF you pull it off," Miyuki corrects, looking like she's about to pop a vein. "Which you won't. The Paired Resonance Trial hasn't been successfully completed by students in decades."

"Mm, guess I'll have to make history then." I sashay toward the door, then pause for dramatic effect. I blow them a kiss that probably gives Miyuki an aneurysm. "See you in a week, besties!"

I'm already pulling out my phone as the door closes behind me, my fingers flying across the screen:

[Me]: HARUKA

[Me]: babe

[Me]: babyyy

[Me]: how do you feel about making magical history with me?

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