“Sixty-eight percent?” This is terrible, this can’t be right. “That’s really not that bad, all things considered Claire-chan.” I know Rae is trying to make me feel better but I also know this is not a good score. “What did you get?” “What?” I reach over to her test and she panics, making a dash to intercept me, “What did you get?” “Noooo” she swipes her test away from my reach, I just lean over her and try to pull it from her grasp, “Claire-chan, this isn’t fair!” she whines. I lean into her ear, “Be a good girl for me.” She freezes and I manage to swipe her test finally. “Claire-chan! That’s not fair.” I turn the pages over, “Ninety-four percent?” Heavens, I really did poorly. “Claire-san you shouldn’t compare our results, it’s not fair.” “Most things aren’t fair till we make them, I need to improve.” “You will,” She swipes the test back, not as though I give her any fight anymore, “Look it’s the first test so it wasn’t that hard but I didn’t have to cram ten plus years into my head in less than two weeks. And all the studying I have been helping you with has been helping me too.” “I should have done better.” I shouldn't be pouting. She groans, “Look there will be more tests, we can get you there but you are doing good, you passed which is a miracle that you got to that point.” “I suppose…” I’m sure if I stare at the test hard enough I can will it to burst into flames, damned be the fact that my magic is gone. “Hi Claire-chan.” I perk up as I hear Pepi, Loretta is in tow behind her, “How did the test go.” She narrows her eyes at Rae. She isn’t going to let up, is she. “It should be better, sixty-eight percent.” I know it is what it is but I can’t stop my frustrations. I used to be a teacher! Pepi hums. Loretta decides to comment, “Wasn’t your tutor supposed to help your grades?” Oh no… is she jealous? Loretta No! “It’s not her fault, I’m to blame. It’s just been a struggle for me.” Pepi hums again, “Sounds like you need a better tutor huh, or are you just not trying very hard Oohashi-san?” Rae bristles at the implication, “I am doing what I can!” “It’s not her fault.” I try to warn them. Pepi however seems not willing to let it end quite there, “Really, is she even taking it seriously? You keep saying you are studying, studying, studying. You can’t make events anymore? We never even see you anymore.” “Pepi-chan!” She stops at my reprimand, as if catching herself finally. She looks apologetic but doesn't say anything. “There has been so much to cover and it’s like I have had to relearn everything all over again. She has been helping a lot. I’m not happy with my results,” I sigh, “But it is better than I would have gotten before alone, much better.” Rae’s right, she usually is. It doesn’t make me grit my teeth any less. “If you say so…” Loretta pouts, and side eyes Rae. “Can you at least make one party this week? Look, you can even bring your… tutor with you. Rod Bauer-san has the sports bar rented out for Saturday. Everyone who matters will be there.” I do feel guilty. I have been largely absent from the social life the old me used to have, I keep seeing messages from other classmates… I need to study though, that much is obvious but can I afford to ignore everyone else? If nothing else I am alienating Pepi and Loretta, that doesn’t sit right with me. “Rae-chan, what do you think? Could you at least come with me?” I try to whisper to her. The gears are winding in her head as she considers, her lips draw into a straight line, “Ugh, maybe? You want me to come?” “Yes please, I am going to be so lost as it is.” She does not look enthused at the prospect, chewing at her lip. I pout. She instantly folds. Claire… But I need her! “Okay, Yes I’ll come, but I’m not drinking, okay.” “That’s fine, I don’t want to drink too much either.” It’s too easy to drink too much. I pull back from our whisper and Pepi does not look impressed but at least she waited. “Okay, yes, I will do what I can to be there, umm which bar is it?” Pepi’s face scrunches, “Really, it’s the sports bar, Bar forty four, the one we usually go to.” “Right, of course.” I can’t let her know that I have no idea where that is. “You okay Claire-chan?” “Of course, just tired, it’s been a lot of studying.” “Hmm, well okay, we will see you then, make sure she dresses better, she can’t be… that.” I do not appreciate her tone… Rae looks like she is about to say something, but just pouts. That was rude Pepi… but I won’t start a fight over it. “I will make sure we both look great, and I’m sorry for worrying the two of you.” The apology surprises both of them, “Uh, sure thing Claire-chan, Okay, well we have to get going.” “We do?” Loretta questions. “Yes.” Pepi starts to drag Loretta away, who just acquiesces to it. Once they are out of earshot Rae groans and slumps on her desk. “I have to dress up?” “Don't worry, I will find something for you.” Rae groans. “I know what works for you, I might even be able to have Lene take us somewhere if she can book an appointment for Catherine this weekend.” “Wait, what.. you don’t need to buy me clothes?” “I don’t need to, but I will.” “But-” “Trust me Rae chan, I won’t go overboard and consider it a thank you for all the tutoring. I know what looks good on you and what you like.” She still looks apprehensive. “If you don’t like it, we won't get it, but let’s try at least…. Please?” Her resistance crumbles, “Fine.” She sighs and then pouts, “But not too much, K?” “Of course, would you happen to know the bar Pepi-chan mentioned?” “No, but I can look it up later, Misha might know, Misha might even be there if Yu-san is going… umm how long do we need to be there?” “I don’t know… but I suspect long enough to socialize. I worry there will be too many people I don’t recognize…” Some faces I do recognize from before, but for everyone I do, I see two I don't. The student body is massive. “Hmm yah that could be a problem but I don’t know, if it’s a party at a bar it might be loud and you might be able to half-ass conversations? I actually don’t know what it’s going to be like there, ughhhhhhh.” I do sympathize with her. “Hrmmm, I suppose we will have to see.” I can’t really say I am looking forward to just diving into the unknown like this. “Thank you for coming with me Rae, if you want, we can spend the following day doing something more relaxing, I would like to continue that game from before.” She smirks, “Sure, we will probably need to do some more studying before and over the weekend at some point, but I would like that too… So umm… what do you think of it so far?” “Oh I don’t even know where to begin… it’s just such a marvel of… engineering? Science? Having our little person move around is… well to borrow the colloquialism; cool. And it has such catchy music, and the story is very interesting. We have to stop Kamoshido, what a vile person. I know it’s just fiction but I really want to put a stop to him.” She laughs softly, “Yah he really sucks, he is a great way to set the stage for the game… I don’t know if I would say it holds up in the same way throughout the rest of the game but yah. And I don’t know if you also thought it too, but when I played it with the fem mod, the first time, and the part comes where they leak that your a delinquent to the whole school, in my head I was like oh, they also leak that the MC is trans too, and that's why everyone is always misgendering you and it makes it all comes around in my head in a strong way… but yeah I don’t know if you also…” She is getting self conscious as she catches herself rambling. I did not consider that, but I can see it now. It’s an odd concept, taking the narrative and having something changed with the ‘mod’ that she mentioned. It’s such a different way of engaging with the narrative then I am used to but there is something about it that feels intuitive, and her interpretation… “That does make sense… we have to beat that man up.” Rae laughs, “Don’t worry we can get there.” “Misaki would be proud of you.” “What?” Maybe I didn’t have to bring that up, but… “I… you did a lot of good, you helped a lot of people in our old life, Like Misaki. I know it’s still fresh but I just wanted to let you know that and… I don’t know what will arise now but I will be here to help with anything, okay?” She looks a bit fragile, maybe I shouldn't have mentioned it, but she does smile after she collects her thoughts, “Thanks Claire-chan. I don’t want to say anymore goodbyes… buuuut we really should get going, we are going to be late to the next class if we don’t leave soon and I really don’t need your lackeys having more reasons to plot my murder.” “Pepi and Loretta, but yes, you are right.” “The tall one really doesn’t like me.” “Her name is Loretta, I… I think that might be because she has had a… crush on me.” “Uh yah.” “I can’t believe I never noticed- wait you knew?” Did everyone but me know? “I mean have you seen how she looks at you? Of course I recognized it!” “Oh god… hrmm, what do you mean you recognized it? “Ahhhhh, well you know…. Game knows game….?” She tries to jest. “No, I want to hear you say it.” She groans. “ Raeeeeeee .” “Ugh! Yes, of course I also have a massive crush on you.” I love when her voice trails off into a whisper. “Excellent, we should get going as you said then.” I run a hand down her arm and I can see a shiver cascade from the point of contact, I then rise and make way towards our next destination. I can’t help but smirk as she pouts. “Ugh what? Wait, oh come on. CLAIRE-SAN! That's not fair…”