Chapter Text
Doppio stares dazed at his untouched text book. The longer he stared, the more he felt the words were distorting right before him. His friends, sitting right beside him were either scrolling away on their phone or napping, unbothered by the thought of the impending doom of what they call an exam.
“I can’t do this, I can’t. Oh, it's over for me,” Doppio groaned, face planted on top of the textbook, wishing that somehow the words would grow legs and crawl into his brain. The man admits that he isn’t the smartest when it comes to academics but he tries and he’s trying so hard right now that it might just break his skull in half.
Kotoka looks at him, pausing the game she was playing, “Why not ask Ver for help then? Knowing him, he’ll help you even if he’s drowning in work.” Doppio groans into the book before answering, “But that’s the point! Ver is always so busy, and even if he isn’t, I feel like he’s avoiding me.” The last sentence almost sounds like a whisper.
A blue brow raises in question, “Ver has always been like that when he feels overwhelmed. Don’t worry Doppio, he'll come back around. Just give him time.” Hex Haywire tries to comfort him, sending him a reassuring look. He dares not ask the reason for the student council president’s avoidance in fear of distressing his junior more.
“Aaaa...what pain, what misery. The D in Doppio stands for despair, dejection, despondency, disdain... disaster. Absolute and total disaster.”
To add to Doppio’s list of sorrows, the school bell rings, its pleasant chimes becoming unpleasant the more times Doppio hears it. His friends shot him an empathetic look, rushing to gather their belongings for their next class.
Though his friends had classes to get to, Doppio remained free until his last period, leaving him alone to suffer by himself. With much will power, he forces himself to clean up his belongings. Figured he spent too long wasting away in the library and a change of scenery is a much desperate need.
Before he leaves, Doppio decides to walk around the library a bit more to see if something would interest him. And he sees it from the corner of his eye, a book that seems to beckon at him, as if it was calling out his name.
‘The Ultimate Guide to Love: 100% Guaranteed Satisfaction’
The title seemed off putting, like some sort of tabloid magazine but the hard-bound spine said otherwise. Nonetheless, it piques Doppio’s interest.
Staring at it for a while, Doppio felt creeped out at its ability to lure him in. He forces himself to walk away but ultimately U-turns and grabs the book regardless of his warning signs flashing red for danger.
He sneaks around the library, the book under his arms, held tight to his chest. He doesn’t know why but he felt like he needed to lay low and avoid everyone’s eyes.
Eventually, he finds a secluded table in the back of the library. He stares at the cover, overly fantastical for a hand book of sorts as flowers and vines were embossed in green and red on the near edges of the cover.
Flipping through the pages, he stops at a randomly chosen chapter.
‘Chapter 9: The Easiest Way to a Man’s Heart’
‘Is it through open heart surgery?’ Doppio ponders. Intrigued, he continues reading the paragraph.
‘Answer? Food!
An offering of a meal or a mere snack can lure your kitten out in an instant! From feral feline to a needy clingy kitty. Though the type can also bring varying effects so it's recommended to choose wisely. Know your kitten: they might be indifferent the first time you bring an offering but do not fret, start from a low standpoint and slowly make your way up. Love takes time! For more in-depth instructions, see page 36.’
Doppio stares at the book weirdly. ‘Kitten’ ? He’ll be damned if it wasn’t actually just a book about caring for cats. He is curious, curious if it works – doubt fills his mind but he’s willing to be proven otherwise.
The only problem is who would be his test subject. He thinks of his friends, Meloco would be so unperturbed at his actions that she might actually think he’s possessed and would try to exorcize him. Kotoka is another option, though she’ll just assume he needs something from her. Hex… Hex is too insightful, Doppio thinks, he’d instantly know what he’s up to and even offer a lending ear to hear his troubles though not without making fun of him first.
He needs someone who he’s close with, someone who wouldn’t go insane at him when the eventually find out. Someone who’s willing to make time for him. Who’s smart but oblivious when it comes to his advances so he’ll have a chance to actually ‘test’ his theories. Someone who he doesn’t mind falling in love with…
And there’s only one soul in this entire universe who would fit that description.
“Ver! Ver Vermillion is the perfect subject!” He says aloud, thankfully not loud enough for the strict librarian to kick him out.
Flipping through more of the pages, he reads some more of the book’s contents. His exams are long forgotten in the back of his mind, too busy formulating his grand plan to make the student council president, Ver Vermillion fall head over heels in love with him.
A smug smile overruns his lips upon reading a rather interesting chapter title, ‘Chapter 114: Tips to Tame a Wild Tiger ’