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[color=9a8c9a]"How could this [i]ever[/i] be a utopia?"[/color]

[color=888888]— Black Gate[/color][/center]

Michi listened to Kiyo explain her thoughts on trust, even if she didn’t do anything more than look out at the cafeteria. [color=9a8c9a]"Wrong."[/color] Her eyes tilted towards Kiyo. [color=9a8c9a]"Humans are far more dangerous than magical girls. They are weaker, but large in number and unpredictable."[/color] She looked ahead again. [color=9a8c9a]"But they can’t relate to anything, that much is true."[/color]

Like Kiyo, Michi was startled by the sudden arrival of Shuuko 1 and Shuuko 2. [color=9a8c9a]"We were talking. Surely not everything needs to revolve around-"[/color] She pinched the bridge of her nose when Kiyo stood up. [color=9a8c9a]"Just settle down, I have a mirror right here."[/color] Michi fished a makeup mirror out of her bag and pushed it towards Kiyo. [color=9a8c9a]"I’m sure there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for most of those things. In fact, I think you’re going to see Suki’s situation isn’t all it’s cracked up to be."[/color]

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[color=tomato]"Why are my ears burning?"[/color]

[color=888888]— Suki Oyama[/color][/center]

Suki had gone from being quite bouncy (at least on her heels) to as rigid as a stale breadstick. Her eyes shifted between the two Tsubomis. It made sense that bad Tsubomi would kick some helpless girl over and over again, but why had good Tsubomi transformed into acid drop? Had Bad Tsubomi bullied good Tsubomi into vanishing from school, or was this something good Tsubomi decided to do all on her own?

Then Haruna suggested she could wait in Suki’s place if she wanted to talk to one of the Tsubomis. 

[color=ff6347]"Uh…"[/color] No, she didn’t want to talk to bad Tsubomi. She looked like she was in the process of kicking someone as gently as she could, and could only imagine her getting a lot more aggressive with someone who threatened to kill her. Acid drop was transformed, so having a conversation with her, while far more pleasant, had other drawbacks. Few students perceived Suki in a great light anyway, but she didn’t need to add potentially psychotic to her list of perceived afflictions. But Suki had very little say in what happened next, as Acid Drop was approaching them instead. [color=ff6347]"Sure"[/color] she told Haruna, in an attempt to seem somewhat in control of the situation. [color=ff6347]"Yea, today’s going great, I’m just looking for-"[/color]

There was suddenly a shift in the energy in the cafeteria. Haruna had been getting lots of desires from everyone, and Zassou could pick up many different emotions. But soon, many of the students would start to desire romance, and even Zassou could pick up on their emotions lining up with something similar to what Oros felt when she spotted a light girl. All of these students opened their bento boxes and lunch pales and reached inside. They all dawned a blue ribbon and started poking their food with a silver fork, unwilling to start eating.

[color=ff6347]"...Uh, I’m looking for a girl with a blue ribbon and a silver fork."[/color] Suki rubbed the back of her head. 

It was so strange. Nearly everyone had a blue ribbon and a fork. Upper classmen, underclassmen, even the server behind the counter. Suki’s eyes scanned everyone, but they were all acting the exact same way. Just patiently waiting for the person who got their letter to approach them. But why was there so many? They couldn’t all have written that letter. Yet no prank could be so big it encompassed the entire school. But there was something else amiss as well.

Suki took Zassou’s hand in her own and turned it over. Then she looked Haruna up and down. The delinquent wandered over to the VIP table, where she looked between Kiyo, Michi, and the duo that were clambering around the former. [color=ff6347]"Hey! What gives!?"[/color] Suki placed her hands on her hips. [color=ff6347]"Why aren’t any of you guys wearing ribbons?"[/color]

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[color=deeppink]"Worth the wait, I’m sure."[/color]

[color=888888]— Willow[/color][/center]

Willow suppressed a chuckle. There was no doubt that Suki enjoyed affection, but the idea of Suki shacking up with a harem, magically or physically drugged, was so far outside the realm of reality it was impossible to take seriously. The times Oros did work her magic on someone, she always seemed to lose interest as soon as they went unconscious. Willow could appreciate a lie more than most, but the reason she was on the verge of laughter now was just trying to picture this farcical setup. [color=ff1493]"Ah yes, I can see it now."[/color] Willow pressed her fingers into the side of her head. [color=ff1493]"You're laying in your bed, all sad and lonely. And then in comes Suki with a gaggle of woman. Your favorite school teacher, your favorite idol, ya mum. But it's past your bedtime, so you take you pillow and press it into the back of your head. You scream into the mattress just to block out the sound..."[/color]

The cat girl trailed off as most of the people in the cafeteria began dawning their blue ribbons. Suki's conversation with Haruna and Acid Drop hadn't escaped her ears.  

[color=ff1493]"Oh my! I left my ribbon in my other coat!"[/color] Willow patted herself down. [color=ff1493]"Quick, give me yours! Or did you forget yours as- Oh, sorry, I was eavesdropping again. Girl with familiar energy?"[/color] She looked towards the girl that was holding Tsubomi’s leg. [color=ff1493]"Yea, that’s her. Unless you have a ribbon she’s your best shot at romance."[/color]


[hr]

Finn smiled, sighed, and lowered his head. [color=daa520]"No need to thank me for something you earned. I look forward to the next lesson."[/color] With one last nod, he departed.

And for a time, though not very long, Norika would be left to her thoughts. It was getting close to lunch time and her food had not been delivered yet. As insufferable as her parents were, they would never think to starve their remaining child. The maids and butlers of the house, while equally insufferable, did at least respect the money they were being paid. They were well trained, and paid for delivering excellent service. 

Fifteen minutes into lunch, and still no food…

Then Norika would hear a thud outside the door, along with some muttering. Then a second thud. 

If Norika was brave enough to peer into the hall, she’d see that two maids had passed out in the hall. One of them was carrying her food, which was now spilled all over a throw rug.