The girls enter the large school building sitting past another fence. Qu Yi notices that Yuan Shao loves to hear herself talk, and with her unique vocabulary Qu Yi has decided to nod and agree with whatever Yuan Shao says. Yuan Shao continues talking about the elegance, grace and dignity that is expected in the name of the Yuan family that comes with Qu Yi’s enrollment into the class.

  Qu Yi takes note of the long and large hallway of the school building. The tiled floor is reminiscent of her old school building. The red brick wall is something she is used to seeing, although there are many posters, fliers and other information pasted all over it. She notices many different girls of all sizes in different colored uniforms, similar to what she noticed on her way to the dorms.

  Unbeknownst to the four girls, three girls have taken interest in the four walking down the hall. Each one wears a matching blue uniform, a pleated dark blue skirt that goes down to their shins, and a white vest over a blue button up long sleeve blouse. The tallest of the three is a girl with the blackest of black hair and is watching the four with a serious look on her face. Her right eye is covered by her bangs that were full enough to keep it completely hidden from view.

  “President, it appears as if a new student is here with the royal snob.”

  One with light cyan hair that was tied with two long and full high pigtails smiles as she examines the four. “Heyyy sis, no need to be so serious! Yuan Shao’s class is full of a lot of incompetent students! What issue would one more be?”

  The final one, a very short girl with dark brown hair tied meticulously into a bun, with no stray hair out of place replies, “A new student? In the middle of a semester? This is unprecedented. Something is wrong.”

  The girl with pigtails grows a wide smirk as she looks to the short one, “You’re always so serious cuz!” She puts the small girl in a headlock. “You need to lighten up a bit! The class president doesn’t need to be so uptight!” The short girl struggles slightly, but her face shows no change, apparently she’s used to this.

  The tall one glares with her visible eye at the one currently head locking the president. “Yuan! Don’t headlock the class president! And don’t casually call her ‘Cuz,’ even if she is our cousin!”

  “Lighten up, Dun!” She lets the president out of the headlock, who still has her face as unphased as before. “Let me see your cute ol’ eyes!” She approaches as her hands get closer to the bangs covering her sister’s right eye.

  The tall one blushes deeply as she covers her right eye. “H-Hey! You know I don’t like you doing that!”

  “So serious! Come here, Dun! I wanna see both your eyes!”

  “S-Stop!” The tall one begins avoiding contact with her sister Yuan.

  While this continues behind the small president, she is intensely examining Qu Yi. “This one is important. I can tell. I want her in my class.”

  Yuan Shao, Qu Yi, Wen Chou, and Yan Liang all enter the classroom. Qu Yi looks in awe around the class. The classroom is fancy to say the least. The wallpaper is white with yellow embroidery around it. Thick yellow curtains hang on each window with a large bow keeping each tied, making sure not to cloak the windows. The desks and chairs have an ornate design. It hardly feels like a classroom to Qu Yi. She feels as if she has wandered into a large study in someone’s mansion.

  Yuan Shao fluffs her hair as she approaches the lectern in the front of the class. There are quite a few other students in the class, each in their own conversation, wearing the same uniform that Qu Yi is now sporting. Qu Yi peeks at a few, two talking with green hair, one sitting in the back with black hair, one with light blue short hair talking to one with black hair and freckles. Qu Yi’s discomfort is shown on her face. Both Wen Chou and Yan Liang stay by her side.

  “It’ll be okay Qu Yi!” Yan Liang smiles, sensing Qu Yi’s discomfort from her body language. “Everyone in the class is really nice! I’m sure they can’t wait to meet you!”

  “Now, members of the honorable Yuan class!” Yuan Shao announces in her pompous voice. The class immediately silences as attention turns to her. “I’m up in front of the class to let you know about the introduction of our newest classmate!” Yuan Shao signals with her hand to Qu Yi. Qu Yi feels the eyes turn to her, making her want to shrink smaller.

  “Now,” Yuan Shao continues. “I know she may not look up to the high standard of this class! However, I’m sure after a few days she’ll be prim and proper like everyone else in this class!”

  Wen Chou snickers at the end of the sentence, causing Yuan Shao to quickly look over to her. Wen Chou is quick and returns to form, pretending she didn’t make a sound. “Anyway! This is Qu Yi. She is skilled in archery, and she will need a bit of help getting used to the nobility of our class!”

  Thankfully, the hero of the story awakens from his catnap. I am still alive, unfortunately, and due to a nagging feeling, I feel as if I should check up on Yuan Shao’s class. Have to make sure the Goodie-Two-Shoes and the Idiot won’t try to get out of the work I pawned off on them. I hear the pampered voice of the president introducing the new student and sigh to myself as I know, something went awry. I enter the classroom as she begins the next part of her speech about the image of the class.

  If there is one thing that pompous president seems to enjoy, it’s hearing her own voice. “With our superior grace and beauty, I’m sure we can welcome Qu Yi and help spread the glorious name of Yuan Shao-”

  “I’m going to cut you off there,” I say as I come through the doorway of the class. I can sense Yan Liang’s eyes widen in fear. “This is all fine and good, but I believe I set up the new student on a tour with her two roommates. Get a tour of the important classes around here.”

  Yuan Shao glares at me for stealing her spotlight. “Mr Lei! With all due respect, I am introducing her to our class first!” She pulls up the back of her hand to her cheek as THE laugh comes out from her, “Ohohohoho!”

  I laugh along, although to be more accurate, I am speaking the words that can be mistaken for laughter, “Ahah. Hah. Hah. Okay.” I give her a look, “Problem is, if Goody-Two-Shoes,” I point to Yan Liang, “and the Idiot,” I point to the teal haired idiot, “wait for this speech to end, half the day will be gone.”

  Yan Liang gives a sigh of relief, hearing that I understand the situation. The Idiot however just points to herself in confusion.

  Yuan Shao stares at me with a look of annoyance on her face, “Shouldn’t you be off bothering my younger sister’s class, Mr. Lei?”

  “I’ll get there in due time. For now, I want to make sure the new student gets to see the classrooms I listed on the tour, meeting the presidents of each.” Yuan Shao folds her arms as she turns her head away from me. “Also,” I held up a stack of papers, “Here’s the packets for this next week. Make sure you drop them by my office on Friday.” I walk to the lectern next to Yuan Shao and plop down the stack of papers. I lead Qu Yi out of the room with her two roommates following her. When the three exit the room, I turn back to Yuan Shao. “Now, you may continue your useless speech.”

  She turns back to me angrily as she stamps her foot. “I can’t do it now! You ruined the whole thing!”

  “Sounds like I did everyone a favor.” I hear a few chuckles coming from a few students. “You’re welcome!”

  Qu Yi lets out a sigh of relief. “She’s a bit overwhelming isn’t she…?” She looks to Yan Liang and Wen Chou.

  “You can say that again.” Wen Chou smiles, holding her hands behind her head.

  “W-Well she grows on you when you get to know her!” Yan Liang smiles slightly.

  I look to the three of them. “All right, looks like Qu Yi is in good hands. I’ll leave that to you two.” I begin walking away, mind wandering with everything else I need to do today.

  “U-Uh! L-Lei Bo!” I hear Qu Yi speak up.

  I turn to view her with my right eye. “Yeah?”

  She blushes as she fiddles with her hands. She looks down and bows slightly. “Th-Thanks for the opportunity at this school.”

  I blink, confusion evident. Is this really that snarky, once a boy kid I left with? She seems much happier with her roommates already. Did I miss something? I smirk. “No problem, Kid. Wasn’t my choice either. Have fun with your friends.”

  The three head off down the hall, Yan Liang and Wen Chou sandwiching Qu Yi between themselves.

  “Anyway, so down here is the bathroom closest to our room.” Yan Liang points to a bathroom that had a female bathroom person and a handicap sign in blue outside of it. “It’s just a short walk as you can see.” She points to the classroom’s location behind the group.

  Qu Yi looks around, a look of confusion on her face.

  “Something wrong?” Wen Chou asks, taking note of it, she leans forward to look at Qu Yi better.

  “It’s just… I’m not seeing the boy’s bathroom.” Qu Yi twiddles her fingers as she looks down the hall for a second bathroom similar to the first. Both Yan Liang and Wen Chou give each other a look before turning back to Qu Yi.

  “Well, there isn’t one this far into the school.” Yan Liang chuckles, “There’s just the one by the reception desk. That’s only for visitors and parents and stuff!”

  Qu Yi blinks confused for a moment, trying to figure out why that would be before she slaps her forehead. “R-Right! Ah! I’m used to my co-ed school.” She averts her eyes awkwardly, as she, of course, doesn’t want to tell them the question was for her personal use and she simply forgot she is now female.

  Both Yan Liang and Wen Chou can’t help but snicker. “It’s all right,” Yan Liang reassures, as she gives a comforting smile. “Your old school sounds tough. I couldn’t imagine going to a school with boys.”

  Wen Chou smirks. “Yeah, because you freak out whenever you get near one!”

  Yan Liang blushes brightly, “H-Hey! I-I do not! I-I am very g-great around boys! Like the time… uh…” She begins to trail off, as she thinks furiously, trying to counter Wen Chou’s accusations.

  The bright smile of Wen Chou’s grows as she circles her index fingers around each other, as if signaling her to “Go on, go on!”

  “I-It would be easier to think if you d-don’t rush me!” Yan Liang turns around to avoid feeling the pressure of Wen Chou.

  Qu Yi can’t help but smile sympathetically to Yan Liang. “It’s okay. Boys really aren’t that complex.” She thinks to her past self freezing up whenever a girl sent a question her way. “I’m sure they’re just as scared of you as you are of them.”

  Wen Chou bursts out in laughter, “Wow Newbie! I didn’t know you could go for the jugular when you want to!” Qu Yi quickly turns with an unknowing look to Wen Chou. “That’s what you tell people about spiders and snakes! Not about boys!”

  Qu Yi blushes brightly at hearing Wen Chou’s interpretation. “EH?! I was trying to help!” she protests.

  Yan Liang turns to Qu Yi, showing even more embarrassment on her face. “I-I’m not scared of them Qu Yi! I remember! I talked to a boy one time at a movie theater!”

  Wen Chou looks to her smugly. “Really? And what did you say?”

  Yan Liang blushes as she looks down, her volume lowering, “I-I’d like a large popcorn and a drink…”

  “PFFFFT! Hahahahaha!” Wen Chou falls to the ground laughing, her feet kicking up, tears streaming down her face. Qu Yi can’t help but smile, but quickly covers her mouth as she blushes, wanting to avoid upsetting her new friend. Yan Liang is blushing brightly, but can’t help but snicker as well, seeing the laughter of her two friends.

  Wen Chou slowly stands up, wiping away the tears from her eyes, “Fear not Yan Liang,” she says, laughing every other word, “Qu Yi and I can help you get over your fears!” She turns to Qu Yi, “Right, Newbie?”

  Qu Yi blinks for a moment, not expecting to be put on the spot. “Y-Yeah I’ll do the best I can.”

  Yan Liang closes her eyes smiling at the two of them. “W-Well, thanks, but I’d prefer we focus on helping Qu Yi around the school first.”

  Wen Chou scratches the back of her head awkwardly. “Oh yeah, forgot about that because I was laughing so hard.” She turns back to Qu Yi. “All right, Newbie, as you can see, the drinking fountain is just across the hall next to the restroom.” She points to a large drinking fountain with a nozzle on each side and two separate places to fill up water bottles.

  Qu Yi approaches the drinking fountain in amazement, never seeing one so modern. “Private schools really are something…”

  Yan Liang looks over the note from myself, “Okay, so now to take you to all the ‘important classes.” She begins naming them off, “Cao Cao, Sun Ce, Liu Bei, Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu’s then our class. According to this they are the most ‘important classes.” She frowns, “Isn’t it a bit weird that a staff member lists classes as ‘more important?”

  “Sounds like there’s a bit of bias, but hey, I don’t mind being called important.” Wen Chou smiles proudly as she looks to Qu Yi.

  “Yeah! There is obvious bias going on!” A voice lets out down one of the hallways, causing the three to turn towards the culprit. Yan Gang stands there with her arms folded, giving a glare to the three.

  Wen Chou and Yan Liang raise an eyebrow and cock their heads simultaneously at her. Their faces of obvious confusion show they have no idea who the person is that just joined their conversation.

  Yan Liang is first to gather her bearings, clearing her throat. “Uh, hey!” She smiles, attempting to alleviate the awkward tension. “I’m not familiar with your name. I’m Yan-”

  “Liang” Yan Gang interrupts. “I know your name, you spoiled rich snob.” She shakes her head disapprovingly.

  Yan Liang stares at Yan Gang in surprise, before coming to her senses. “Eh? Ehhhhh?!”

  Wen Chou stifles a chuckle behind her. “Yeah, Yan Liang, how dare you be spoiled and rich,” she adds in between her laughs.

  “Wah?!” Yan Liang turns to Wen Chou desperately. “Wen Chou! This isn’t funny!”

  Qu Yi has a puzzled expression plastered on her face as she heads towards the orange-clad girl. “Um, Yan Gang?” She meekly waves to her.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Yan Gang turns her head away from Qu Yi, “I have nothing to say, to my…” she pauses for dramatic effect, “ENEMY.”

  “Uh… A-Alright then?” Qu Yi turns and begins walking back to her roommates.

  “H-Hey! Wait! Come back!” Yan Gang holds her hand out desperately. When Qu Yi turns, she quickly normalizes her pose to folding her arms side eyeing Qu Yi. “A-Aren’t you going to ask what’s wrong?”

  Qu Yi turns back to her, with a raised eyebrow, “I mean, I was just about to, but you said-”

  “W-Well, lucky for you I changed my mind! So you can ask!”

  Qu Yi sighs, “So what’s wron-”

  “Gongsun Zan’s class is a very important class! You should come to our class first!” Yan Gang stomps her foot childishly.

  Wen Chou approaches the girl, looking her up and down. “So, your name is Yan Gang?”

  Yan Gang jumps back and turns away from Wen Chou, causing her side ponytail to bounce slightly. “I have nothing to reveal to a dog of the evil Yuan Shao!”

  Qu Yi responds to Wen Chou for her. “Yes, that is her name.”

  Yan Gang jumps up. “H-Hey! Don’t let them know my identity, Qu Yi!”

  “But… Didn’t you shout it when we first met?” Qu Yi looks confused and somewhat annoyed at the orange-clad student.”

  “W-Well, when I need to protect someone it’s only custom for a hero to announce herself!” She spins on her right foot and stops with her left, holding her right hand up with two fingers in front of her face, doing, what I can only imagine, is a hero pose.

  A girl with dark green hair tied into a long low ponytail pokes her head out of a classroom nearby. “Hey, Yan Gang! Are you done getting your drink yet?”

  Yan Gang turns around on her heels to face the girl. “H-Hey! Don’t shout my name out like that! A hero’s identity needs to remain a secret from her enemies!”

  “Oh. Sorry, my bad, ‘Orange Magical Girl.’” The girl smugly smiles and pulls her head back into the classroom.

  Wen Chou leans her arm on Qu Yi’s shoulder as the two turn their attention back to Yan Gang. Her face is bright red blush, looking down to her feet, avoiding letting the group see her eyes.

  “I-I’m j-just g-going to return to m-my classroom now…” She begins taking very quick and small steps backwards from the two until she turns the corner to walk backwards into her own classroom.

  Yan Liang manages to compose herself as she approaches Wen Chou and Qu Yi, “Well, she seems… Nice?”

  “She sure seems something,” Wen Chou remarks.

  “I still don’t know what to think of her yet.” Qu Yi sighs, “She defended me when some students were upset I was sitting on a bench before I came to your room.” The group continues down the hall as if they had not been interrupted by the sudden event.

  “Our room now, Newbie.” Wen Chou smiles. “After this tour we can probably finish moving your stuff in.”

  Yan Liang peeks forward to look at Qu Yi’s face. “Huh? Were the girls getting mad at you from Dong Zhuo’s class? They wear these purple almost military uniforms, and you weren’t wearing a uniform until you got to our room. So, were they upset because of that?”

  Qu Yi shakes her head in response, “I don’t think so? These girls were just upset I sat in a bench their president normally sits in.”

  “How were they dressed?” Wen Chou asks curiously. “I want to know who I need to teach a lesson.” She punches the palm of her hand in a threatening manner.

  “That’s not necessary,” Qu Yi holds up her hands trying to calm Wen Chou down. “Their president seemed very nice, um, Zhang Jue is her name?”

  “Ah! Yellow Scarves!” Yan Liang exclaims. “That class is full of delinquents! Be aware of their uniforms!”

  “I don’t think they even have a classroom.” Wen Chou signals to a group nearby wearing yellow scarves, and messy, uneven skirts and shirts, some having yellow headbands. “A bunch of classes are still open, don’t know why they don’t go there.”

  Qu Yi peeks over to the group Wen Chou pointed out, but she then notices many blue posters on the wall with inspirational messages. “What’s with these posters?”

  “Cao Cao always likes recruiting new students.” Yan Liang sighs, “Her class posts these all around the hall.”

  “They’re obnoxious to say the least.” Wen Chou frowns, giving a disgusted look to some of the posters. “She is obsessed with having the best class and having the best sports teams of every sport.”

  “Well! Look who graces us with their presence!” A girl loudly exclaims, as she is taping another blue poster on an empty spot of the wall. The three girls turn to her. She has light cyan hair tied into two full and high pigtails. Her uniform is a white vest and a button up long sleeve shirt underneath with a light blue ribbon under her collar. Her skirt is pleated and goes down to her shins. Her leather loafers and socks fit her perfectly. “Members of the ‘honorable Yuan Shao class!’” She fakes a curtsy before laughing.

  Wen Chou rolls her eyes at the girl, “Look, it’s obvious we don’t get along, but we have been instructed to come here with our new roommate.” She signals to Qu Yi with her head.

  The girl’s voice has a sudden change, from mocking to interest. “Oh, hello there!” She hops towards Qu Yi, not leaving much space between the two. “So you’re that new student. I’m Xiahou Yuan. You know, my cuz’s class always wants to help students reach their full potential!” She raises her eyebrows up and down rapidly at Qu Yi, as if trying to recruit her.

  “P-Please give me space…” is all Qu Yi mutters with this girl being so close to her face.

  “Excuse me!” Wen Chou forces her way between Qu Yi and Xiahou Yuan, allowing Qu Yi to hide behind her. “Please leave all questions to me and Yan Liang. Qu Yi is still new here and is adapting to everything.”

  Yan Liang jumps in surprise but quickly follows Wen Chou’s lead. “Right!”

  “Don’t worry, Xiahou Yuan here is friendly.” A short girl says as she comes out of the classroom. “Maybe just a bit overly so.” She is the same girl who watched Qu Yi as she entered into the school. Her uniform is similar to Xiahou Yuan’s, but her uniform is a darker shade of blue, with a shorter skirt. Her hair was carefully styled with no hair out of place, giving her thick bangs and a smooth bun that seems to try to make her look taller.

  “What are you talking about, Cuz?” Xiahou Yuan cheerfully says as she puts the short girl in a headlock. “There’s not such thing as being overly friendly!”

  “Yes, yes, I know.” The short girl lets out, “Now if you could…”

  Xiahou Yuan releases her cousin. “Sorry Cuz! You’re just so short and cute. It’s hard to resist!”

  The small girl waves her off. Qu Yi takes note of a very hidden blush on her face, but she tries to keep herself calm. “Yes, yes. Please, continue putting up the remaining posters while I take the time to introduce myself.”

  Xiahou Yuan smiles. “Sure can do, Cuz!” She waves to the group of three in yellow. “I’ll have to get to know you later!” She grabs a pile of posters sitting on the side of the hall and runs off.

  “I’m aware my cousin can be a bit much. I hope you are fine.” She looks to Qu Yi with piercing brown eyes that match her hair. “How silly of me, waiting so long to introduce myself. I am Cao Cao.” She makes a quick bow of introduction, “I am president of the classroom you see behind me.” She signals with her hand, “I hear your name is Qu Yi? It’s nice to meet you.” She holds out her hand awaiting a handshake.

  “Don’t even think about it Shorty!” Wen Chou stands in front of her hand. “We know how you are! You’re planning on trying to con our roommate and new friend into joining your class!”

  Cao Cao smirks. “So protective, as expected from a mutt with more brawn than brains.” She folds her arms getting close to Wen Chou. “I don’t know if your new roommate would be a good match for my class yet.” She turns away slightly. “You see, we need a certain level of intelligence to be in my class, not that you’d know much about that.” She waves her hand dismissively as she closes her eyes smiling.

  “Why you…!” Wen Chou glares daggers at Cao Cao. She begins to approach until Yan Liang grabs her arms, holding her back as Wen Chou struggles to free herself from her grasp. “You listen here-” she begins ranting angrily as Yan Liang continues to hold her back. It is very clear to Qu Yi that both her and Cao Cao don’t like each other.

  Qu Yi moves past her two roommates to look down at Cao Cao. She is even shorter than her current height by at least an inch. “I-I… guess there’s bad blood between you two, b-b-but… I hope that we can all be friends eventually…” She bows to Cao Cao.

  “Eh?” Wen Chou stops struggling as both her and Yan Liang turn to Qu Yi surprised to see her speak up for herself.

  Cao Cao seems just as taken aback, before she returns a smile. “Well, I’m sure we will. What brings you to my classroom?”

  Yan Liang speaks up as she lets go of Wen Chou. “Oh Mr. Lei told us to show Qu Yi around to some of the more important classes.”

  Cao Cao smirks, although she tries to hide it. She’s very unsuccessful. “I see that not even Mr. Lei can deny our importance. After all, we do have the highest test scores, assignment scores, not to mention we master any sports we play. Not to mention-” She continues to ramble a bit longer about classroom achievements.

  Qu Yi leans her head over to Wen Chou and Yan Liang. “Are all class presidents like this? Or is it just the first two I get to meet?”

  Yan Liang returns the whisper. “Well, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao have a past rivalry from a young age, so maybe they are trying to one up each other?”

  Suddenly a voice shouts next to Cao Cao, “SIS!” Everyone present jumps and turn to where the voice comes from. It’s a girl who is taller than Cao Cao, wearing the same class uniform and is holding posters to her chest. Her hair is styled into two low pigtails with hair color matching Cao Cao. She has a cowlick sticking straight up from the center of her head like an antenna.

  “Oh, Cao Hong, when did you get here?” Cao Cao smiles lightly, trying to get over the fact she is caught off guard in front of the new student.

  “Sis… I’ve been here the whole time.” Cao Hong looks down, disappointment evident on her face.

  Cao Cao thinks, her index finger to her chin. “The whole-? Since when?”

  “Well, I’ve been putting up these posters with Cousin Yuan. I introduced myself to Qu Yi with her.” She looks to Qu Yi, “Right?”

  Qu Yi scratches her head, severely confused. Yan Liang and Wen Chou also begin to whisper to each other.

  “Wait, was she here the whole time?”

  “I-I don’t think so? I didn’t hear her.”

  Cao Hong lets out a sigh, seeing the confusion present among the four. “Sorry, people tend not to notice me. I already met you Qu Yi, but, I’m Cao Hong, Cao Cao’s younger sister.” She bows slightly to her, making sure to keep the poster she held from getting wrinkled.

  Qu Yi smiles. “O-Oh! It’s fine! I was the same way at my old school!” She wishes. It was mostly harassment, on the good days she was ignored.

  Cao Hong perks up, her cowlick pointing straight up. “Wow! I can’t believe I met someone like me! I-”

  Cao Cao clears her throat, causing Cao Hong to quite down mid-sentence. “About that, Qu Yi, your old school, what happened there? How did you suddenly get accepted here? We’ve never had a single student join before, let alone, mid-semester.”

  Qu Yi begins looking around awkwardly, “Uh, well…” She trails off, she doesn’t know exactly what to reveal. Other than the email, it seemed like a regular transfer, but them never having a mid-semester transfer makes her hesitant to tell the truth, especially recalling the reality of this dimension.

  “Hey, Shorty!” Wen Chou quickly steps in front of Qu Yi again. “While we agreed to show Qu Yi around, I don’t think we agreed to have her interrogated.”

  Cao Cao gives an annoyed look to Wen Chou over the nickname, before turning .back to peek at Qu Yi, “I suppose not. I am simply curious. Please excuse me if I seemed rude Qu Yi.”

  Qu Yi smiles, grateful for Wen Chou’s save. “I-It’s fine, it’s just… complicated.”

  Cao Cao smiles to Qu Yi. “Well, if you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to show you inside the classroom at the very least. We have worked hard on it to make it up to my demanding standards.” She turns around to lead the three to the classroom behind her.

  Cao Hong approaches Qu Yi shyly. “So, Qu Yi, if you don’t mind me asking, how would you get attention at your old school?”

  Qu Yi’s eyes widen. If she was noticed it was going to result in bullying, so her goal was to not be noticed. Having someone ask her how to get noticed is certainly out of her element. “W-Well, I never really tried… but seems here I keep getting stared at, so it may take some getting used to.”

  Cao Hong’s eyes practically sparkle. “I want to do that here! Everyone staring at me! Wow! Sounds like a dream come true!”

  Qu Yi smiles, seeing how happy the thought makes her, “Well, I-I think it’s a bit overwhelming.”

  Cao Hong perks up as she walks with her, “M-Maybe if we can be friends then people will notice me. That way they stare at you less?” She smiles as she daydreams about it. “Um, well, if you want to be friends… of course.” She twiddles her fingers, being sure to avoid crumpling the posters in her arms.

  Qu Yi smiles to her. “Sounds nice. I sure wouldn’t mind!” She can’t believe it, only a few hours here and so many students are being so nice to her already.

  The group walks into a classroom. It looks like a class Qu Yi imagines a private school would look like. While not exactly “noble and fancy” like Yuan Shao’s, it is much more classroom focused. They have state of the art computers students sitting on them working on posters. A projector is connected to the ceiling, broadcasting some high-level math assignments to the white board in front. Some students on a back table are focusing on some clay and art projects.

  “W-Wow, this is, intimidating.” Qu Yi chuckles.

  Cao Cao turns to her with a raised eyebrow. “How so?”

  “I-I just mean, there’s so much going on, different tasks. I’m used to a class working on the same thing. It also seems a bit hard to talk and make friends…”

  Cao Cao scans the classroom. “Well it is currently time for work. We have set times for breaks, but I suppose we can make an exception for you.” She smiles, a look of almost pity to Qu Yi as she claps her hands. All students look at her before realizing she wants them to stop working, as they go to talking amongst themselves.

  The tall girl with bangs covering her right eye from earlier approaches. “President Cao Cao, is something wrong? We’re taking a break earlier than expected.” She looks to the time.

  Cao Cao smiles to the girl. “I simply want our class to show off our comradery and not look as ‘intimidating’ to the new student while she visits.” She uses her hand to refer to Qu Yi. “Dun, this is Qu Yi a new member of Yuan Shao’s class.”

  The girl referred to as Dun looks Qu Yi over, walking around her. “That’s it? I was expecting her to look stronger up close.” She grabs Qu Yi’s biceps, much to Qu Yi’s shock. “I assumed this was a plot of Yuan Shao’s to try to strengthen up their baseball team. now since that’s our next sport we’re mastering.” She shakes her head disappointingly. “Appears to be more of a self-sabotage.”

  Qu Yi blinks, trying to release herself from Dun’s disapproving gaze back into the comfort of her roommates. Before she can, however, Wen Chou already separates the two.

  “As if! We have more than enough decent players to crush your attempt at being the best in each sport!”

  Dun looks down to Wen Chou. “I’m not insulting you or Yan Liang’s talents Wen Chou. But other than you two and Zhang He, does the rest of your class really have the same competence as you three?”

  Yan Liang tries to calm her roommate down. “Wen Chou, I don’t think this is the proper time to discuss this-”

  Wen Chou ignores the pleas from her levelheaded comrade. “Unlike you, we don’t try to poach students from other classes! Besides, everyone else is just as good. As for Qu Yi, well, you never know! You two thought Yan Liang looked bad her first year!”

  “They did?” Yan Liang mutters to herself, seemingly having forgotten herself.

  Qu Yi quietly whispers to Wen Chou, “Um… I don’t really remember the rules of baseball.”

  Wen Chou’s look of determination shifts to one of bewilderment, “… Wut?”

  Dun facepalms. “You could ask her before trying to defend her honor on something she doesn’t know about.”

  Cao Cao snickers. “You know, you really shouldn’t embarrass yourself in front of your new roommate before we finish introductions. It’s very unbecoming.”

  Wen Chou turns to Cao Cao, embarrassment on her face as her cheeks push out, but can’t think of a good comeback to improve her situation.

  Dun gasps as a thought comes to her. “Many apologies. I know your name, but I haven’t introduced myself. I am Xiahou Dun. I am President Cao Cao’s cousin.

  Qu Yi smiles, then looks between Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun. “So, um, Cao Cao just called you Dun, is that just a nickname?”

  Everyone in the conversation stare at Qu Yi with a confused look, looking at her silently.

  Qu Yi begins looking between all of them. “W-Was it something I said?”

  Yan Liang is the first to speak up, as if on cue to salvage the situation. She chuckles. “Well of course Qu Yi, Dun is her given name, and Xiahou is her family name.”

  Qu Yi’s eyes widen. Of course, I did warn her about this when I was taking her up to her new room. It seems like the excitement caused her to forget, so now she openly admitted to not knowing a basic vital thing about the way the world works.

  Wen Chou laughs also. “Nice joke there, Newbie. Really had me there for a second!”

  Qu Yi quickly shifts her face to snickering. “Uh, yeah! I guess it was kind of a dumb joke.”

  Xiahou Dun raises her left eyebrow. “Must be some Yuan Shao thing.” She shakes her head unamused.

  Cao Cao’s gaze pierces Qu Yi. To her, Qu Yi was clearly serious about her question. Why would someone ask something so blatantly obvious? Here, not knowing that is as simple as being surprised water makes something wet. Her mind races. What possible reasons could there be for this?

  However, to the rescue again, I walk into the classroom. “Hey students!” I say as I walk in with a stack of packets full of busy work stapled together. I notice the three roommates, “Oh, Kid, Goody-Two-Shoes, and the Idiot are all here also.”

  Wen chou whispers to her roommate. “Are you really okay with him calling you an idiot? Aren’t you offended?” Yan Liang appears to not want to offend her friend, so she stays quiet, although she is annoyed Wen Chou assumes I’m talking about her.

  With me entering the room, the short know-it-all Cao Cao begins hounding me. “Mr. Lei, I must talk about these packets you keep giving us. They are simply too easy. We’re on way more advanced work through some of the library textbooks, if you could give us more challenging work, I would highly appreciate it.”

  I sigh as I approach the president’s desk. “Well, I would ‘highly appreciate it’ if you enjoy these math problems, writing prompts, and word searches I worked so hard to compile together.” I drop the huge stack of packets I have just worked tirelessly stapling together.

  The Know-It-All sticks to me like glue. “But Mr. Lei! This is a prestigious academy! I would hope that we can get the materials that would better us and be a challenge!”

  I lean on the stack of packets I just dropped on her desk, “Listen Cao Cao, I understand you want your class to seem like the best in the world-”

  “We don’t just ‘seem like’ the best in the world,” she interrupts.

  “Right.” I say, giving her a look that makes it obvious I wish I was elsewhere. “Let’s say I look at that higher material for you. Do you know what that would require?”

  Cao Cao thinks for a moment. “It will make the other classes feel inferior to our superiority? Which would go against what the school hopes, to make everyone feel included?”

  I raise a surprised eyebrow, “What? No. Where’d you get the idea that is the school’s hopes?” I whisper to her. “It would mean I have to spend time in MY office, which is located right next to a certain Devil Child, which would lead to even MORE demands and perhaps even some evacuation days.”

  Cao Cao shudders. “I understand, I suppose I don’t want more of that.” She gives me a knowing look. “I will continue to provide my class with the materials we seek. I’m sorry.”

  “We all are.” I head to the door and look to the three students clad in yellow. “Shouldn’t you move to the next class by now?”

  Yan Liang jumps. “O-Oh! Right! Yeah, let’s go you two. Next up, Sun Ce’s class.” She grabs both girls’ hands and practically pulls them out of the room.

  I should keep in mind how much Goody-Two-Shoes is afraid of being in trouble.” I look where Yan Liang was standing. “Might come in handy.”

  “Mr. Lei,” a voice right next to me lets out.

  “Gah!” I jump and look to see who it is. “Oh, Cao Hong. What’s up?”

  The girl sighs and looks up to me. “I think they forgot I was here…”