Chapter Text
Herta, one of the smartest students in her previous school, with impeccable grades and scores on some of the most hardest exams finally got to her dream college. She managed to beat other students in getting the previous valedictorian position, as expected. Herta got the highest score in the entrance examination.
She of course had to stay awake more than she wanted to just to study, and that hard work would be paid off right now, entering a prestigious college with straight A students.
When she started going, she already made herself some friends, like Screwllum and Asta. her pride was up more than ever, even scoring high on her latest exam.
‘’ It’s that easy. ‘’ Herta chuckled, setting aside her pen which had been used for her midterms. She looked closely at the score of her exam, which is a perfect A+, and then looked at the screen of her phone.
TOP 2
1. Herta Schneider, Ruan Mei — 100
2. Screwllum Buchholz — 99
‘’ But, it seems like she wants a competition. Ugh, when will I ever get a score much higher than hers? ‘’ She rolls her eyes before turning back to the app she was in before and scrolling through social media. While writing an essay to be due next week.
An essay that was based on the scientific point of view to the subject of life. Of course, being one of the smartest, and maybe the smartest one of them all, she can complete this in a matter of time. She viewed life as a signaling and self-sustaining process, it could be anywhere, the ocean, the skies, everything.
She glanced at the time in her phone which was already late noon, and that she should be heading to her dorm soon. Since the college’s acceptance rate is very low, the students are fewer than an average college. Herta enjoyed that so that she can have a dorm all by herself.
The woman picked up her purple bag and left the cafe with her finished cake. Since it was snowing, she had to hold an umbrella.
The cafe was conveniently close to the campus, she only had to walk for 8 minutes to get to her dorm. She walked up to the stairs with some students, but less than usual.
The dorm hallway was quiet, there was sounds of her shoes clicking, but that was about it. The other students are either in their rooms or studying outside the nearby cafe. There was 10 rooms in this hallway, and Herta has the 8th one.
The door slides as Herta opens it, entering her dorm and tiredly sitting on her bed as she reviewed her essay. That should be it, she mumbles.
The room was quite small to her liking, but at least it was cozy for her. When she just first arrived, she eagerly decorated it with her purple style. It had one bed, a window in the middle, and a kitchen and a bathroom. She briefly grabbed her phone and set an alarm to 5 in the morning.
Herta sets aside her bag and gives in to the bed, resting herself, feeling the fabric below her touch her exhausted body. She thought, How could I beat Ruan Mei? Every time I get a high score, Ruan Mei does too.
She shook off these thoughts. Rolling to the cozy side of her purple bed and dozing off to the next day.
Herta was quite different from other children.
She wore different styles of clothing, preferred individual projects, and distanced herself from everyone else. This didn't stop her level of intelligence, working in silence. Yet, she always looked extroverted, but she considers herself not to be.
Popular because of her exceptionally high grades, but she was also very… arrogant. Sometimes she uses her words to prove facts over emotions, but she didn't know that emotions gets ahead of her.
She is a member of the student council, even landing the president position. But she also had an unexpected rival, Ruan Mei. Another member of the student council. She ran for president but Herta got the most votes this year. She expected Ruan Mei to be annoyed, but she wasn't. It was a surprise to her, because when she gets the president position in her previous schools, other people seem to get angry. Despite that, students actually voted for Ruan Mei to be vice president.
They worked together, but what Herta noticed is that Ruan Mei is quiet, distant and seems to keep her emotions. Herta gets annoyed by this fact, but doesn't confront her about it, she's not that petty.
Instead, she focuses on beating her academically, and finally see her emotions. Herta would think that this task would easy, but indeed, it is not. The first exam was easy for her, to get that top spot, but she always had Ruan Mei's name next to her on the listings. Screwllum would also appear, but only a rank lower.
Herta wonders what's underneath Ruan Mei’s icy eyes, but she wasn't that close to her.
Maybe she'll get that answer soon..
It was a new day for Herta, another day to try and take the top place from her rival. Her alarm did it's job, and jolted Herta awake. Their uniform was simple, a white collared shirt with a blue now and blue sweater with black skirt, looking at the mirror, she noticed that she was extra prettier.
Since it was Friday, they had extra free time before their classes started. Herta thought of going to a slightly more distant cafe or going to the library. Eventually, she would pick the library as it helps her study for her grades. Looking at her closet, she tries to find something to top her uniform.
Fortunately, It was winter, in which she neither hated nor loved. Her fingers grab the jacket, colored black. Fixing her bow before putting on the jacket, already feeling the warm sensation coming from it. Perfect.
Herta closed the lights on her dorm, heading out for her itinerary, which is to study and maybe grab her favourite desserts from her favourite cafe.
The campus had everything—from a court, multiple club rooms, and everything there like a mini mall. From fast foods and the perfect library, of all the books from future and past studies and famous writers. When Herta enrolled, she would come and visit the library at least once in a week.
Before she even took her first class in this university, she already memorized the locations and schedules of her classes. To her, it was easy.
The door in front of her leads to the scented library, opening it, the bookcases were perfectly aligned and big, it had stairs,a bathroom, and even cats, but these cats can go anywhere they want, even though they are mostly fed by the faculty of the library. Herta reached for her bag and took one dessert from yesterday’s visit to the cafe and planned to eat it at her table.
She walked slowly before putting her bag in her usual spot, and walking up to the scientific book section. Herta picked up the one about her current studies, all of them were quite interesting so that she grabbed 3 of them.
Herta sat on a table in the corner of the library with the books she picked up and her dessert. It was quiet, as usual. Picking up from her last study, she specifically opened the page where she last stopped. Her left hand was free, but surely it wasn't as a gray cat approached her table and climbed to the top, seeking Herta’s warm fingers.
She was slightly surprised, looking at the cat before petting it gently while flipping pages on the book. The table was empty but only her and some other person on the other side. She stayed quiet for an hour, finishing 1 out of 3 books, learning something related to biology.
Suddenly, the cat warmed up with Herta’s jacket, curling its tail to wrap around her left arm, clinging onto her. She set down her book and fully petted the adorable cat.
“ Cats like you are cute. “ Herta didn't expect a response, but she still adored it and touched only her head. She also noticed that the cat had ocean blue eyes and beautiful gray fur, exactly what she liked.
The cat rubbed her head to Herta, and then, suddenly took Herta’s dessert with her mouth, hopping down and running away from the library.
“ Meow! “
“ …Hey! Come back here! “
Herta hurriedly chased after the cat, opening the doors and running far from her table to the outside of the library. She slightly shivered from the temperature outside while chasing after the cat.
The cat ran off to a secluded place outside, her paws running off to the snow rain and the cat ran like it's for the sake of her life. As Herta got closer and closer to the cat, the snow became heavier, making her feet stay light.
The cat stayed, not moving. Herta notices that the cat stopped under an umbrella held by a hooded person.
“ The snow got heavier. “ The hooded woman spoke with an unfamiliar voice, she was kneeling, picking up the gray cat and taking the dessert from the cat’s mouth.
“ It seems like this cat stole your food. “ She got up after putting the cat back in the ground and looking at the food that was held by the cat.
“ Obviously, what are you doing out here in heavy snow? “ The hooded woman looked at Herta and responded,
“ I was just looking at the snow, but I saw you running to get this cat. " She mumbles.
The cat had already run away, a decent distance from the two.
The secluded area has less people than the front, more colder than the front too, with less lights. There was a nearby cafe which had the hooded woman thinking of something.
“ Was that your cat? She quite looked like she belonged to you. “ Herta sighs and crosses her arms, slightly annoyed by the fact that the sweet dessert she just bought got taken away.
“ A familiar. “ She held her umbrella and looked at Herta.
“ You probably liked that dessert so much. “ Herta looked at her, the hooded woman reaching out a hand to go to the nearby cafe. “ I'll buy you one as a sincere apology. “
Herta looked confused and wanted to say no at first, but eventually agreed.
The cafe had regular people, not too many and not too few. It had the scent of desserts and tea blending it perfectly, as described by the hooded woman when they entered.
The snow got lighter, but slightly better than the heavy snow earlier. The hooded woman let down her umbrella and looked for a table nearby.
“ It was cake, right? Go take a seat there, I'll order.
“ Okay….. thanks?.. “ Herta glanced back at the hooded woman before taking a seat right next to a table next to a window.
It was comfortable for once. She would've never thought a stranger like her would pay money just to pay her back for the lost dessert. Herta looked at the ordering hooded woman cautiously, she could have a reason. But she chose to quickly swipe off these thoughts, because there was no confirmation.
Beep. The hooded woman comes back to see the same kind of cake that Herta lost. Purple amethyst eyes looking back at the teal eyes. The woman sat down in front of Herta’s table and put the cake next to Herta.
“ Hey, why would you buy me a cake? I have the money here.. “ Herta asks, putting a small portion of the cake into her mouth with her fork.
The hooded woman replied nonchalantly. “ You’ll understand sooner. “
Herta looked confused again, this woman is so mysterious. The way she still used a hoodie even when the warmth of this cafe can heat her up more. Her frosty teal eyes.. reminds her of someone.
The hooded woman also bought her own food, and they ate it together. While at the same table, Herta had this cold feeling. Feeling bold to find out anything, she says,
“ If you want me to ever repay you back, here, “ Herta hands out the woman a paper with numbers. “ Just ask me. “
The woman gave no answer but nodded. Opening up her phone under the wooden table and typing her phone number.
“ Herta.. “ She mumbles silently for Herta not to hear it. The hooded woman was so focused.
“ I think we’re done here. “ Herta grabbed her bag and phone, standing up, she said “ Er.. thank you for the dessert. “
The hooded woman gave no answer.
She watches Herta hurriedly run out of the cafe with her stuff. Phone ringing, she had a text about something related to her own duties.
Student Council
Herta : Student Council meeting is soon. Be there!
The hooded woman left the warm cafe, pulling down her hoodie, revealing her black hair with teal hints.
Of course.