Chapter Text
On Valentine's day, giving chocolates to the person you like meant a confession.
It could lead to those two people dating.
Or perhaps, a soft apology and rejection.
Columbina isn't afraid of the latter, because today was the day she will confess her feelings to her senior.
Arlecchino from Class 3A.
She fiddled with the small wrapped box in her hands. Inside it were the chocolate covered strawberries she painstakingly made the night before. It took numerous tries and plenty of help from her sisters to get the temperature right for the chocolate. And at long last, after five attempts— the chocolate hardened and left a clean finish on perfectly ripe strawberries her mother had provided.
She didn't know whether her crush liked strawberries. She didn't know if she preferred white or dark chocolate, but she made the effort to include two types. She was like that when she liked someone, and that she did feel for Arlecchino.
Anticipation sparked through her as she approached the empty locker room. She made sure to come to school late so the hallways would be empty. There she slid the box into Arlecchino’s locker and waited.
Today is going to be the day.
Apparently the universe had other plans.
Instead of her afternoon being spent for the chance to talk to Arlecchino, she finds herself at the back of the school building, right when everyone had gone home or to their respective clubs. And instead of her company being her admired senior, it was three other girls who she hardly knew. Columbina tried to make herself smaller under the scrutinizing gaze of the people in front of her.
“Do you know why we brought you here Columbina?”
The voice that spoke was Sandrone Guillotin.
The prodigy in her grade.
The one every math teacher in the school praised.
And not just praised, they practically worshipped her. Every mathlete competition, this girl was there, every regional science investigatory project competition, she was there. She had the reputation of a genius and of course Columbina knew. This was someone from just the classroom next door, after all. She also had one other reputation– and that was for being one of the most feared student in this school. She didn't care if the person she was scolding was a freshman, she could care less about them being a year ahead of her either. If the person did something she did not approved, she doesn't spare them of her sharp insults and attitude.
What could Columbina possibly have done to garner the attention of this fierce being? She racks her memory for answers. She never crossed paths with her except the hallways. Never interacted with her unless it was in general orientations where Sandrone was part of managing the events. And gods, Columbina was terrified of the possibilities.
She only wanted to confess to her crush on Valentine's day just like everyone else, why was she dealing with the ice princess now?
Oh.
Could Sandrone be an admirer of Arlecchino, too? Is that why she called her here? Did she saw Columbina slip in those chocolates in her locker?
Sandrone regarded her silence as a no, oblivious to her inner turmoil. “Hmph, well then I suppose this will explain it better.”
Then it suddenly made sense.
She pulled out something from her bag and from the shape of it, it looked like a box.
That familiar wrapping made Columbina's face pale.
“You slipped this in my locker this morning, didn't you?”
Oh, dear gods.
She had made a grave mistake.
Somebody ought to bury her now, somewhere far, somewhere no soul can find her.
Because how in the world could she have left this happen?
The two girls next to Sandrone were silent the entire time. Amidst her gay crisis Columbina still recognized them. The one on the left with her obnoxiously styled blonde hair and trimmed uniform was Rosalyne. Who was from the same club as Arlecchino, whom she was close with. They walked together in hallways and they ate lunch together along with Sandrone. The other, was Jahoda, who seemed less enthusiastic from being brought all the way here. These three make up the trio that Class 2A feared, because of their competitiveness, their drill sergeant methods when it comes to class performances, and their quick witted insults.
“We saw you, you weren't that clever, you know?” Jahoda spoke and Columbina wishes she could just pass out and disappear.
“Well, irregardless. There's no excuses for you now.” Rosalyne flipped her hair over her shoulder, as dramatic as she could be.
Columbina thought about lying, maybe even running away from these people. She wasn't an athlete, but she could run fast given this was a life and death situation. Because this was life and death. The fate of her reputation lies on what she does next in this very moment. The entire time she stood there, she must've looked like a deer caught in the headlights. She thought distantly, that this was the worse Valentine's day ever.
“Sandrone, I believe this has been just one big misunderstanding—” She tried to put on her easy smile. One that her classmates had often commented that it could make her get away with anything. It better be! Because now the ice princess was stepping closer.
Looking at the situation from an outsider's perspective, she would've found it funny. Girl tries to confess to her crush only to send her chocolates into the wrong locker instead. But no, she was the butt of the joke and it was anything but funny. She wonders how Sandrone might have reacted to it. Seeing chocolates that were sent to her by someone she probably didn't know existed. She must've been mad, or barely gave it any thought and now just wanted to warn Columbina for wasting her time.
Save some embarrassment for Columbina. This was probably the highlight of her year. And that was in a bad way. Why couldn't she have double checked the locker? The premise of a love confession had blinded her.
“Hm? Misunderstanding? Well it seems awfully clear to me.”
Sandrone stepped closer. Her eyes cold and calculating. Columbina feels her heart about to pump out of her chest. Her steps falter but she did manage to step back. One step backward for each step towards her. Sandrone remains impossible to read. But then she takes in all of Columbina, and does the strangest thing–
Her voice softened.
So unlike the cold, ruthless STEM student people seemed to call her.
“Do you wish to date me, Columbina?”
Columbina froze.
What?
“...What?” She finds it in herself to say. Words seemed difficult to think about now because it was like a hammer had hit her skull. Was Sandrone thinking the chocolates were for her?
Of course, because it never had a name of the person intended to. Only mine.
Columbina felt like vaporizing entirely.
Sandrone, too, was probably thinking the same way because now— a pretty blush covered her face. Her hands are clutched into a tight hold on her sides as Sandrone defended herself. “W-well, it's not like I'm asking you or anything–! You did it first, you sent your chocolates w-with some cryptic note and I didn't know what it meant so I brought you here!”
Was this a dream? Did Columbina fell asleep again during her lecture and somehow managed to dream of azure eyes and that bitter coffee scent?
She shook her head and said calmly. “Would you kindly…explain what you mean, please?”
Sandrone flushes red even more. It was a strange sight to see on the otherwise immovable force that was Class 2A’s president but Columbina doesn't mind it.
She finds herself…amused by it.
“I-I—! w-well, this isn't — no it's just–” Her schoolmate was reduced to a stuttering mess. Beside her, Rosalyne and Jahoda exchanged concerned glances before ultimately deciding not to interrupt the situation. They looked just as lost as she was, and Sandrone…Sandrone looked flustered beyond recognition. How many people have seen the head strong student like this? She distantly thought. And to think this was all because of some misplaced chocolates.
Columbina stares, and stares. Into those serious blue eyes that are now looking anywhere but her.
“...I— I accept your confession.”
Oh no.
She finally says and Columbina…feels her heart stutter. Of why, she didn't know. This was bad. This was really bad. Would telling the truth be too late by now? Sandrone looked obviously serious, even with her embarrassment. She looked as if she believed that this wasn't some mistake caused by Columbina's negligence.
Oh gods, what do I do?
“I wish to date you, too, Columbina.”
There. A bucket of ice cold water dawned on her. Even now, her conscience was eating her alive, could she live through her high school years if she rejected the ice princess of their school? This wasn't even for her!
Before she could even say anything, Rosalyne stepped closer and she felt her soul just vanish. “You know we came all the way here and searched the entire school for you, right? So you better give our Sandrone an answer.”
Jahoda was next to pressure. “Yeah! And mind you, you're lucky enough she even acknowledges your confession. Sandrone is in a league on her own in this school.”
“S-shut up you two!” Columbina looked at Sandrone, then the other two. “...So?”
Then,
“Y-yes?”
She finds herself saying.
What?!
“What do you mean by that? You seem doubtful!” Even Sandrone could see how much of a mess her mind was. Columbina swallowed, it was too late. Because she was a push over, and it would be so embarrassing if she told the truth now wouldn't it?
This was going to be her life now.
“Dating seems far too quick, Sandrone…I wish to…get to know you more.”
Then, a beautiful expression graced her face. The azure of her eyes seemed reminiscent of the sky because of the newly found light within them. The pretty shade of pink reached the soft button of her nose and temples. She looked as if she were about to explode. Why did she react this way? They weren't even a thing and Columbina hadn't promised her anything yet.
“—!!”
Her hands began to shake and Columbina notices far too quickly. She looked at her companions, at last acknowledging their presence and the fact that they weren't alone here. She looked back at Rosalyne. Then Columbina. Then at her hands. Then at Jahoda until her eyes went back to Columbina's soft pink ones.
Words seemed impossible to form.
“I-I…”
Then she abruptly turned away, leaving her back to Columbina who was more confused than ever.
Sandrone ran.
Quite quickly— with none of grace she usually carried.
But not before saying something to the confused girl who was rooted on the spot against the wall.
“I WILL PICK YOU UP TOMORROW AFTER SCHOOL-!”
“Sandrone wait for us—!”
And that was that. That was how Columbina's Valentine's day went. She expected rejection.
But instead it ended with her having confessed to the wrong person who accepted it back.
That following Tuesday, Columbina discovered that rumors traveled faster than sound.
Not because anyone had seen the... incident, thankfully. No. Because Sandrone Guillotine had apparently never learned the concept of keeping secrets.
"Congratulations!"
Columbina looked up from changing into her indoor shoes. A classmate she'd spoken to perhaps three times in her life gave her a thumbs-up before walking away. It was one of the strangest things that happened to her throughout all her years in high school. Well, aside from what happened yesterday. Were they all going through mass hysteria? Her sister Aria had explained that to her before, that people in the same place, could all go insane with no clear cause.
"...Thank you?"
She wasn't sure what she'd been congratulated for. Five minutes later, another girl from Class 2A stopped by her desk.
"I didn't know you liked smart girls."
"...I beg your pardon?"
The girl only giggled before disappearing into the hallway. Columbina blinked.
"...Something feels wrong."
"It is wrong."
Sonnet—her older sister by exactly eleven months and thirty days, a fact she delighted in reminding everyone—slid into the seat across from her with all the elegance of a cat claiming territory. Her pink hair was a glaring contrast to everyone else in the school because she was like that. It wasn't even allowed and the teachers did try to make her change it back. But well, her sister must've been such a headache that they gave up on trying by the next week of persisting.
"You've become famous." Sonnet said teasingly, obviously finding immense delight at her sister's distress.
"I've what?"
Her sister sighed dramatically. "Have you not looked outside?"
"...Should I be worried?"
"Incredibly."
Columbina stood, curiosity getting the better of her. She peeked through the classroom window, towards the now crowded hallways. There were people. Lots of people. Not enough to look claustrophobic, but enough that they definitely weren't there for educational purposes. Some were pretending to refill water bottles. Others leaned against lockers while very obviously not talking to each other. One girl even had binoculars.
"...Is she using binoculars?"
Sonnet nodded solemnly. "She is committed to the craft."
"...What craft?"
"Gossip."
Columbina slowly closed the curtains. "I don't understand."
"You will."
"I would rather not."
A loud murmur suddenly erupted from outside. Heads turned in perfect synchronization. Someone whispered—
"She's here."
Columbina frowned.
"...Who's—"
The hallway parted. Not metaphorically. Students physically stepped aside. Walking down the corridor was Sandrone Guillotine. Her uniform was immaculate. Her posture perfectly straight. A leather satchel rested neatly over one shoulder. She looked exactly like she always did—calm, composed, untouchable.
The only unusual thing...
...was the bouquet.
It wasn't outrageously large. Just enough fresh white lilies and pale blue forget-me-nots tied together with a navy ribbon. She carried it with both hands. In a very careful manner at that. Like it was fragile.
"She's holding flowers."
Sonnet nodded again.
"For you."
"...For me?"
"That is generally how courtship works."
"I'm not being courted–"
"Mm. Were the chocolates we made not for her?"
"Well..yes but I am absolutely not—"
"Mmhm."
Columbina rested her forehead against the cool window. "This is becoming increasingly difficult to explain." Before Columbina could decide whether hiding under her desk qualified as a reasonable life decision, there came three precise knocks on her classroom door.
“Tell me about it when we get back home, dear sister.”
Every conversation died. Even the teacher who was eating her recess snack looked up. Sandrone stood outside with the same composed expression she'd worn while presenting research papers during their yearly defense. Except, the tips of her ears were pink.
The teacher, Miss Yae, smiled knowingly. "Oh? Looking for someone?"
"...Yes."
"Go ahead."
Sandrone stepped inside. Every pair of eyes followed her. Her gaze swept across the room before immediately landing on Columbina.
"There you are."
Columbina wanted to disappear into another dimension. Sandrone approached her desk with measured, practiced steps. She stopped exactly one meter away. Produced a small notebook. Flipped it open.
"According to several published relationship guides..." she began, not looking up from the page, "...it is customary to provide flowers after accepting a confession."
She turned another page. "I researched appropriate floral symbolism. The lilies represent sincerity. The forget-me-nots symbolize remembrance."
She closed the notebook with a decisive snap. "I selected them because they appeared... appropriate for the situation."
A silence followed.
Long enough for someone in the back of the room to whisper,
"She researched dating!"
"I heard that."
"So did everyone."
Sandrone inhaled. Then, with the determination of someone presenting the answer to the final problem in a mathematics olympiad, she held the bouquet toward Columbina.
"I hope they meet your standards."
Columbina stared. Definitely not at the flowers, but at Sandrone. Who looked more nervous than she had behind the stage at Nationals.
It was... unexpectedly adorable.
"...Thank you," Columbina said softly, accepting the bouquet before Sandrone's arms gave out from holding it so stiffly. Immediately, Sandrone seemed to relax by approximately three percent.
Mission accomplished.
Rosalyne, who had apparently materialized in the doorway solely to spectate, covered her mouth.
"...She smiled."
Jahoda nodded beside her.
"Our president smiled."
"Record the date, this has blackmail potential."
"I already did!”
Sandrone turned sharply.
"I can hear both of you."
A collective laugh spread through the classroom. Even Sandrone looked momentarily defeated. Columbina hid a small smile behind the bouquet.
Perhaps...
Getting to know Sandrone wouldn't be so bad after all.