Chapter Text
Astronomy class wasn't Diana's favorite class, but that didn't mean she didn't give her all every time she had class. Today they were doing a practice exam of filling out a star chart. Diana treated every practice exam as the real thing. She'd filled out twelve practice charts on her own that were potentially the maps of the stars Professor Ursula would pick. All her quills had ink bottles to match them. She'd done her wrist stretches to ensure there would be no cramps during the exam.
But typically, for all her planning, she was never truly prepared for the chaotic power of Akko Kagari.
Just as Diana had sat down and begun her mental focus breathing, Akko stormed into the room and sat down right next to her.
"Oh the practice exam is today?" Akko asked.
"Yes, Akko," Diana said.
"Do you remember what the test is on?" Akko asked. "Oh, duh. Astronomy."
Diana guessed that Akko would get about a 2% correct on the exam.
"Alright class, well, uh," Ursula said. "Today we're gonna chart. Well, uh this star system I suppose..."
Ursula changed the projection above the class.
"This is similar to what the midterm test will be but that one won't be with me." Ursula said. "You'll have 30 minutes to chart this star system. Make sure you don't forget to label anything! Uh. That's all you can start!"
Ursula started handing out the parchments for the students. Diana wondered if Ursula would ever gain any confidence in her public speaking in class.
Diana started analyzing the stars above. It was the third of the twelve practice practice charts she'd made. Child's play.
Diana dipped her pen and started to draw just as Akko grabbed a pencil bag and dumped a pile of crayons on the table.
"Y-you're using crayons?" Diana whispered, already thrown off her game.
"Yeah, why?" Akko asked as she drew a crooked red line on her chart, barely matching the constellation line.
Diana just sighed. It was test time, not analyze Akko's test time. But Akko, even if unintentionally, was not letting Diana focus. Akko had complete carefree confidence as she drew. There was something almost enchanting about it. Diana tried to force the thought away, but she couldn't help noticing Akko looked incredibly cute.
Luckily Akko didn't notice that Diana was flustered and blushing. After humming her way through the crooked, mostly incorrect lines, Akko leaned back in her chair and said she needed some brain food. She opened a crinkly bag of chips and started loudly crunching through them.
"Where did you even...?" Diana asked. She'd have to have a word with Jasminka afterwards about not sneaking snacks in.
"Vending machine," Akko said.
"What vending machine?" Diana asked. "We don't have vending machines here."
"Oh," Akko said. "Then where did I get this? I know it was a vending machine. Was it in town maybe?"
Akko burped and tried to chuck the wrapper into the garbage can in the back of class. She missed.
Even though she was crude and improper, even as she chucked the garbage there was still something so enticing about her. Diana stared at her,
"You better focus on your test, Diana," Akko whispered. "Time's almost up."
"Oh?" Diana asked. Her stomach dropped when she realized how long she'd been staring.
Diana finished the test, but she wasn't satisfied with her performance. She had been too distracted. By her estimate, she'd only gotten it 98% correctly, which was unacceptable.
"Man, that was boring." Akko said.
Akko's paper had become pretty much a doodle in the end covered in chip crumbs. A short lecture followed but Diana kept finding herself turning to Akko and sneaking glances at her. Every little movement like her hands brushing through her hair, her soft sighs, her exaggerated yawns...they were all so adorable.
"A-Akko," Diana said. "Before you go..."
"Yeah?" Akko said.
"You..." Diana started.
Diana wasn't even sure what she was saying, she really just wanted to spend more time with Akko.
"I know I probably should try harder...you don't have to tell me again." Akko said.
"No, I just wanted to say," Diana said. "You have a way about you."
"...huh?"
"You're very. Theatrical. Like..." Diana said. "Like Chariot."
Akko gasped.
"What!? You really think so? Wow, that's like the nicest thing you've ever said to me."
Akko suddenly gave Diana a quick hug.
"Thanks Diana!" Akko said as she took off.
Diana stayed frozen, flustered and blushing worse than ever before.