Once the teachers had dismissed them most of the surrounding students began to slowly disperse, people beginning to go about their day or just milling around with their friends as the air started to fill up with the low susurration of human activity. The tree Water dorm students were among those still hanging around, though none of them had spoken since the speech had ended. Of course, it was Jasmine who first broke the silence.

[color=6ecff6]“We get to team up with another dorm? How exciting!”[/color]

Touma looked around, his height allowing his to look straight over Kanna’s head to speak to the transfer student. [color=6ecff6]“Oh yeah, I forgot you’re still kind of new here. It only comes into play in your third year, though I never really understood why they set it up that way. It seems kind of complicated.”[/color]

Shifting around until she was facing her classmates properly, Jasmine placed her fisted hands on her hips and similarly spoke over her friends head. [color=6ecff6]“Well I think it’s fun!”[/color] If her beaming smile was anything to go by she really believed what she was saying, though her expression shifted to a more serious one before she continued. [color=6ecff6]“Besides, you’ve spent two whole years only really getting to know people in your own dorm. It wouldn’t hurt you guys to make friends outside of that for once. Right Kanna? Wouldn’t it be great to team up with Naoki?”[/color]

The Water dorm’s top student was silent, which seemed to be the theme of the day, but rather than be annoyed at being ignored yet again Jasmine just frowned in concern. Though her face showed little emotion the set of her shoulders and the tightness of her jaw gave away the anger she was feeling. Why did Professor Noir have to point at Kanna of all people when making his example of an alliance? It wasn’t like she didn’t understand Kanna’s reasons for disliking the Synchro dorm. Or Asahi’s. Or Touma’s. She just wished her friend wouldn’t waste so much energy on it.

It would make it so much harder for her to convince Kanna to team up with the XYZ dorm as well, as was made painfully clear when Kanna finally turned to face her and responded in predictable fashion. [color=6ecff6]“We don’t need to team up. Our dorm is strong enough without anyone else’s help.”[/color]

Jasmine crossed her arms across her chest and looked down at her friend, meeting fiery, determined eyes with her own shimmering blue. [color=6ecff6]“Nobody is saying we aren’t. We all know you and Asahi could take on anyone in this school and win. It’s not about that. Teaming up with the XYZ dorm might be the best option for us; it’ll give us a better chance of earning points and its one less dorm we need to worry about fighting. We should do what is best for our dorm.”[/color]

It was an old battle fought on a new battleground; once more Jasmine was trying to get her best friend to loosen up while Kanna stubbornly tried to forge her own path, with no help from anyone else. Jasmine could be equally stubborn at times and for some reason the disarmingly bubble student was often able to make Kanna’s own determination falter where no one else could; even if such victories were only ever short lived.

Kanna closed her eyes and let out a sigh. [color=6ecff6]“Ok. I see your point, but I’m not making any decisions yet. We need to have a meeting, all five of us, to discuss this; see if you can find Asahi and Keita and meet me back at the dorm.”[/color]

[color=6ecff6]“Alright, I’m on it. I’ll see you two later.”[/color] It was almost a surprised when Touma responded, both girls having nearly forgotten the boy with how involved they were in their own thing. By the time they turned to wave him off the oversized student was already walking away from them.

Jasmine watched him go with an abashed look on her face. [color=6ecff6]“We should try not to fight in front of other people. I’ll go find Asahi; I have an idea where he might be. What are you going to do?”[/color]

In lieu of answering Kanna looked over her shoulder towards where a group of Fire dorm students were still hanging around talking. [color=6ecff6]“I’m going to make sure people know who we are.”[/color]

Thinking back to what Kanna had said back in the auditorium Jasmine couldn’t help but roll her eyes exasperatedly. [color=6ecff6]“Ok, fine. Just stay out of trouble. I’ll find you once I’ve found Asahi.”[/color]

The taller girl grabbed Kanna in a quick hug before walking away, giving a quick wave over her shoulder before disappearing into the crowd. Waiting until Jasmine was completely out of sight, Kanna took a deep bracing breathe before spinning around and marching over to the gaggle of Fire dorm students until she was standing in front of one in particular.

[color=6ecff6]“Machi. I challenge you to a duel.”[/color]