The S-Class Mage is a Gyaru!?-Chapter 50: Rising Star, Part Four

Chapter 50: Rising Star, Part Four
{Akari}
The next morning, I strut into Crescent Moon like I own the place.
Heads turn as I walk by, whispers following after me. I catch some snippets here and there.
"can’t believe she did that"
"Miyuki’s face though"
"God, it should have been me!"
I just smirk and keep walking. I mean, I can’t help it if every single little thing I do ends up in the rumor mill.
And then I see her.
Miyuki’s standing by some of the lockers. Although she’s got her usual scowl on, she somehow manages to look even stiffer today. But, there’s something else there too. A hint of color on her cheeks, a certain tightness around her eyes.
[Well well well, what do we have here?]
Far be it from me to deny the opportunity to have a bit of fun when it just falls on my lap like this, right?
As I strut by her, I catch her gaze and hold it, letting my smirk grow into a full-blown grin. And then, just as I make sure she notices me, I blow her a kiss.
Her reaction...
PRICELESS!
Her eyes widen, her mouth falls open, and that hint of color turns into a full-on blush. Then, her face morphs into a deep scowl before she snaps her mouth shut and turns away. At the same time, I catch her fists clenching.
And the whole time, I’m grinning like an idiot.
I’m still riding that high as I saunter into class, sliding into my seat next to Reina with a wink.
"Morning, gorgeous," I purr, leaning in close.
Reina rolls her eyes, but I catch the way her lips twitch.
"Do you ever turn it off, Nakamura?"
"How could I? When you’re here turning me on~" I wriggle my eyebrows. That one was a bit more... direct than my usual flirtations, I’ll admit, but it’s hard to keep things low right now with such an ego boost runnin’ through me.
She scoffs, but there’s no real heat behind it.
[One of these days, Reina. One of these days.]
"Setting my burning desire for you aside, though, how’s what’s-his-name doing?"
"
Jun
," she puts an extra bit of emphasis behind it, "is doing just fine, thank you."
"Good to hear. Any chance I’ll get to meet him soon?"
"You want to?"
"Hell yeah," I shrug.
"Bullshit."
"Nah, for real," I smile. "I’d love to go get a drink or something."
"You, the woman who’s basically asking for a restraining order from me on a day-to-day basis, would love to meet my boyfriend?" Reina could not arch that brow higher if she tried.
"What can I say? I’m adventurous like that."
"Suicidal is more like it."
The classroom door slides open before I can respond and Haruka bounds in, all bright blue eyes and an even brighter smile.
[My wife!] My heart melts just at the sight of her.
"Heyyyaaa, how are the two baddest bitches in Class 1 doin’?"
I stand up and Reina pre-emptively rolls her eyes, knowing what’s coming.
"I’m doin’ just fine, baby."
And, naturally, we lock lips. God, her tongue tastes so good today! I mean, not just today, but... You know.
But before we can really swap some spit, Professor Chen walks in, her severe bun even tighter than usual. The class falls silent as she takes her place at the front, her gaze sweeping over us.
"Good morning, students, how is everyone?" She doesn’t wait for an answer. "As I’m sure you’re all aware," she begins, her voice crisp, "the upcoming exhibition with the Honda Guild has been the talk of the school."
[That ain’t the only thing the school’s been talking about~]
Murmurs break out, excitement palpable.
I sit up straighter, my interest piqued.
"The details have been finalized," Professor Chen continues, "after reviewing your applications, I have a full list of our Class 1 competitors." She clears her throat. "Miyamoto Reina."
Reina stiffens beside me, but her face remains impassive.
I’m a bit surprised, actually.
[She signed up?]
"Nakamura Akari."
[Obviously.]
I blow a kiss to the class, earning a few titters and one very exasperated look from Professor Chen.
"And Amano Lily."
I nod to myself.
[Yeah, no way she’d ignore a chance to get some publicity.]
"Now, there is a difference between this and the Symposium," Chen continued.
[Oh?]
"You three will not be competing with one another, rather, you will be working together, competing against the Honda Guild."
Now, it’s my turn to be surprised.
[Oh... That’s something I didn’t see coming. Kinda guessed this would be an everyone-for-themselves type beat.]
Reina’s hand shoots up.
"What exactly will this exhibition entail, Professor?"
Professor Chen’s lips thin.
"The details surrounding each competition are still being ironed out. But, well, there’s bound to be a combat portion, so you may as well get started on preparing for that."
[Makes sense.]
From there, the rest of the class proceeds as normal.
The entire time, I’m thinking about this next event.
[Me, Reina, and Lily, all working together? Shit,] I sigh. [This could be... kinda weird.]
---
{Lily}
The student council room is just as stuffy as ever when I walk in, all dark wood and heavy curtains. It’s like they’re trying to cosplay as some sort of secret society, with Miyuki as the ever-so-serious leader.
[Ugh, spare me.]
I paste on my sweetest smile as I take my seat.
"Miyuki-sama, Mei-san, always a pleasure. What’s on the agenda today?"
Mei leans forward, her eyes gleaming.
"The exhibition, Lily-san. And the opportunity it presents."
[Opportunity? Do tell.]
Miyuki nods, her face grave.
"Indeed. An opportunity to finally put Nakamura in her place."
At the mention of Akari, I feel my smile turn a bit more genuine. Nakamura Akari, the bane of my existence. The so-called prodigy who coasts by on raw talent while the rest of us have to claw our way to the top.
[Undeserving bitch.]
"Ah yes, Akari," I say, my voice dripping with false sympathy. "Such a shame, isn’t it? All that potential, wasted on someone so...crass."
Miyuki’s fists clench.
"Crass doesn’t even begin to cover it. She’s a menace, a deviant. She...she forced herself on me, Lily. In front of the entire school!"
[Wait, what?]
I lean in, my eyes wide.
"Forced herself? You don’t mean..."
Mei nods, her face solemn.
"A k-kiss, Lily-san. Nakamura stole Miyuki-sama’s first kiss."
[Well, well, well. Looks like little miss perfect isn’t so untouchable after all.]
I let my face show the appropriate amount of shock and outrage.
"Miyuki-sama, that’s horrible! I’m so sorry you had to go through that."
Miyuki looks down, her shoulders shaking.
"I felt so violated, Lily. So...dirty."
[Oh please, spare me the crocodile tears.]
But I reach out, placing my hand over hers.
"We’ll make this right, Miyuki-sama. Akari will pay for what she’s done."
Miyuki looks up at me, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
"You mean it, Lily? You’ll help me put her in her place?"
[With pleasure.]
I smile, all teeth and no warmth.
"Of course, Miyuki-sama. In fact, I already have some ideas."
Mei leans in, eager.
"Do tell, Lily-san."
I sit back, steepling my fingers.
"The exhibition is the perfect stage. We need to outshine Akari there, in front of the entire magical community. Make her look like the uncouth upstart she is."
Miyuki nods, a fierce light in her eyes.
"Yes, exactly! But how?"
[Oh, I have my ways.]
I think back to all the late nights I’ve spent practicing, all the favors I’ve had to trade, all the...unsavory things I’ve had to do, just to keep up with the likes of Akari.
[Professor Sato’s office couch will never be the same...]
But I keep my smile pleasant, my voice even.
"Leave that to me, Miyuki-sama. By the time I’m done, Akari will be nothing more than a cautionary tale."
Miyuki claps her hands, delighted.
"Wonderful! I knew I could count on you, Lily."
[Yeah, you can count on me to use this little vendetta of yours to my advantage.]
Because here’s the thing: I don’t give a damn about Miyuki’s bruised ego. I don’t care about her little crush on Akari, or her student council power plays.
All I care about is winning. Proving that I’m the best, that I deserve to be here just as much as any of these spoiled, talented brats.
And if taking Akari down a peg or two is what it takes? Then sign me the fuck up.
"I’ll keep you updated," I say, standing up. "Trust me, Miyuki-sama. By the end of this exhibition, Akari will be nothing but a bad memory."
Miyuki nods, satisfied.
"I look forward to it. Thank you, Lily."
I bow, the picture of obedience.
"Anything for you, Miyuki-sama."
[Anything to get me closer to the top.]
And then I’m out the door, my mind already spinning with plans. Not just plans to take down Akari, though that’s certainly a delicious bonus.
No, the plan’s to make sure that when the dust settles, it’s my name on everyone’s lips.
My face in the spotlight.