The next day, birds chirp atop the trees, and the leaves rustle gently in the breeze. Rose, just woken up and yawns as she sits up in her bed.

"It's morning again... I guess I should start preparing for school"

Rose get up on her bed and go outside of her room. She's brushing her teeth on the bathroom and suddenly she checked her phone.

"WHAAATTT?!! 7:28am ALREADY? I'M LATEEEE!!!!"

Rose rushed to the shower and took a quick bath after that she immediately go back to her room to dress up.

"Where's my necktie???" Rose looking around her room

" I know I hanged it in my wardrobe but I can't find it" after a few moments Rose found her necktie on top of the table.

She put it on quickly and brushed her silky pink hair in front of the mirror. Rose went downstairs and left the house.

Rose ran towards the school's direction. Meanwhile inside of the Class 2-F classroom, Kiyan and Shin chatting about kinds of medicine.

"Are you planning to apply as a doctor Shin?"

"No, I don't have any plans. I only started reading medicinal books because I find them interesting."

" I see, by the way why Rose is still not here. The class is about to start"

"She'll arrive here any second now. Probably she overslept again"

Rose is running then she saw the University Gates are closed. The guard is not letting any late comers to enter. Rose is one of those late comers...

"Why did this happen to me?!" Rose exclaims, looking irritated. Suddenly, her expression shifts as she comes up with a brilliant idea.

"That's right I should use that!" She hides behind of the tree and summoned her regalia...

[ Mask of thousand faces, heed my word. Reveal thy self, Ever-changing Persona ]

Rose's appearance changed. she appears exactly like Ms. Herschel.

"I hope this works" She went to the school gates and talk to the guard on duty.

"Good morning kind Sir"

"Ms. Herschel? What are you doing outside the campus?" The guard looked so confused

"I needed to meet someone outside of the campus for private affairs. Can you open the gates for me?"

"Uhh I don't know, but I haven't seen you go outside the campus... Wait a second ma'am I'll open the gates"

The guard opened the campus gates for Ms. Herschel(?)

"Thank you, Mr. Guard. Chuu~" Rose sent a flying Kiss to the guard

"I feel like I'm having a heart attack... Thank you Miss Just tell when you need anything "

The guard is blushing and closed the gate after Rose walk towards the campus doors.

After Rose entered the building she went to the women's comfort room but she didn't expect what is waiting for her there.

She saw the actual Ms. Herschel looking in front of the mirror fixing her make up. Ms. Herschel turned her head at entrance and she saw another figure of herself.

Ms. Herschel blinks after Ms. Herschel closed her eyes. Rose undo the transformation and her appearance goes back to normal.

"Why are you looking at me like that Ms. Herschel?" Rose play dumb

"Oh... hi pink-haired girl, nothing maybe I'm just hallucinating. You're from class 2-F right?"

"Yes ma'am"

"after you use the bathroom head back to the room. I'll start when I get back there okay?"

"Understood ma'am " Rose head to the toilet and pretended to use it.

When she comes out Ms. Herschel already left the comfort room.

"That was so close! I should go to the classroom"

Rose entered the classroom and headed to her seat. Kiyan waves his hand at her and she waves back.

"Wassup guys... " Rose said and she sighs heavily

" Why do you look so tired?" Kiyan asked

" Lot of things happened... " Rose rest her head on top of the desk

" I already warned you before that don't sacrifice your sleep for those comics that you're reading" Shin said while reading his book.

"Wow coming from the one who reads a book everytime he got a chance"

Ms. Herschel entered the room and go at the teacher's table. She checked the class attendance and started the class.

" Everyone, you know the drill. Keep your things under your desks and listen to my lecture. Today we're tackling mathematics“

'My brain stopped already after I heard the word mathematics ' Kiyan said on his mind

" Get your books and open it on page 23. You can see that there is a series of questions need to be solve, this is only a pre-test so the scores will not be recorded"

The whole class becomes quiet and started answering the problems on the book.

(30minutes later...)

" I'm going to announce the scores of those who passed the pre-test."

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"Top scorer Shin Narukami" the class applauded

"All the names that I'm going to mention are the ones who passed"

" Emily, Liz, Kiyan, Harry. The rest failed the test"

"WHY MY NAME DIDN'T MENTIONED?" Rose said with a shock expression

" You're not listening Rose? You failed"

" You don't need to point that out Shin. This sucks..."

*Riiiiinnnnnnggggggggg*

"That's all for this math class. See you all later after lunch. Class dismiss"

Ms. Herschel left the room and some of the classmates too. Someone is walking towards Shin's desk. It's your girl classmate Emily she has short brown hair with bangs and brown eyes.

Shin looked at Emily with a normal look on his face.

"What do you need?" Shin raised an eyebrow and asked

"If you don't mind wanna have lunch together Shin? I prepared so much– I wanted to share it with you" Emily said

'this is not looking so good...' Kiyan looks at Rose who's emitting a hostile aura towards Emily...

" Sure, I don't mind" Shin replied...

As soon as Rose heard Shin's reply she falls silent and the emotion on her face changed.

Emily and Shin left the classroom to eat lunch...

"Hey Kiyan, do you have plans?" Rose asked with a cold tone

" I'm sorry but I do, I'm going to meet Claire at the student council office to do some paperworks"

"I see... Goodluck then" Rose left the classroom

'I hope she's okay... I should go to the office too'

Kiyan headed to the student council office as for Rose she went to the school's garden and sat on a bench there.

" Why did Shin agreed to eat lunch with another girl... He doesn't like me ?" Rose is feeling sad while drinking her orange juice.

Meanwhile at the rooftop Shin and Emily are sitting on the bench.

"Which one do you like Shin?" Emily said after she opened her lunch box

" I'll take that octopus"

Emily tried to feed Shin but he declines the offer.

"I have my own chopsticks, I can feed myself."

"Ohh.. Okay here take as much as you like"

Shin ate all the octopus and Emily is blushing while having lunch with Shin.

"Hey Shin, are you free after school?"

"I don't have any plans I think, why?"

" Would you like to go out on a date with me later?"

"Hmmm? Only if you help me with something, sure I'll go"

Emily gasps and agree immediately to Shin's condition.

"That's not what I expected Shin, but it's fine I guess...“ Emily replied

" You can go back to the classroom Emily, I'll rest here for a bit"

"You want to lay on my lap?"

"No, I'm fine I just need to have some 'me' time, thanks for the meal"

"If you say so... See you after school Shin"

Emily left the rooftop and Shin stared at the corner of the rooftop.

"You can now reveal yourself, Azriel Crowford"

Azriel lifted his camouflage and walks toward Shin.

" As expected for a former assassin, your senses are sharp"

"What do you need?"

"Nothing actually, I'm just resting here then I heard you two are coming so I hid myself"

"Kiyan mentioned you before, you seems like a good person but where did you learn how to use magic?"

"Family teachings, I practice magic since I was a child "

"Is that so? I won't question you anymore. I'll leave for now, if you'll excuse me"

Shin left the rooftop and leaving Azriel alone.

" Luckily he didn't draw those poison daggers that he's hiding or else something's about to go down" Azriel said after Shin left.

The school bell is ringing, Rose who's sitting in the garden wanted to ditch the next period.

" I want to go home..."

Shin who's standing behind Rose at the garden.

" I know I can find you here"

" What are you doing here, lover boy?"

"What are you saying? Time to head back to the classroom "

" I know!" Rose head back to the classroom leaving Shin behind.

The next period is starting and Kiyan is not on his seat. Rose looks very sad, her head is resting on her arms while waiting for Ms. Herschel.

Emily turned her head to Shin.

"Don't forget our date Later, Shin"

Shin didn't respond as for Rose her eyes widened after hearing what Emily said and pretended that she didn't hear anything at all.

Ms. Herschel entered the room carrying a basket with bunch of fruits.

"Our next period is, art class. Try to replicate this basket full of fruits on the top of the table. I'll rate your grades base on your works. So unleash the inner artist in you"

"Mr. Kiyan can't attend this class because Ms. Claire borrowed him to do something "

Rose seems unmotivated at all she's not starting to draw even 10minutes already passed.

'date huh... I guess I'll try to spy on them later '

After some time the art class finally ended. Emily rushed to Shin's desk.

" Let's go Shin!" Emily seems full of excitement

Shin looked at Rose as she left the classroom without saying a word on him.

Emily and Shin left the campus too and the two of them went to the shopping district. Unaware that Rose is tailing them on the distance.

"Hey Shin, why do you want to buy a necklace?"

"I wanted to give it for someone I treasure"

Emily blushed and twiddling her fingers

"I-I see... Let's go"

Shin and Emily walk into a jewelry shop. Turning to her, Shin asks.

"Which necklace design do you prefer?"

"Me?! A-anything will do, as long it's from you..."

" I mean what's a good design"

"I believe in simplicity wins all so– I think that necklace with a star shaped pendant is good"

"I see, thanks"

Shin approached the clerk at the jewelry shop and asked, "Do you have any necklaces with a heart-shaped pendant available?"

Rose, standing outside the shop, watches them through the glass. Tears stream down on her face as she takes in the scene before her.

"I guess this is over. What does Shin see in Emily that I don’t have?" Rose mutters softly, her voice is trembling as she sobs.

Inside the shop, Shin bought the necklace with a heart shaped pendant leaving Emily in shock even though she picked the star shaped one...

" Do you have any places wanted to go Emily?"

"Of course! How about the sweet shop over there" Emily pointed her finger on a sweet shop nearby and they headed there.

Rose didn't follow them anymore and she left the shopping district.

Shin and Emily took a seat at a small table inside the shop, placing their orders as they chatted quietly.

"This is a sweets shop Shin why did you asked for a matcha tea? Theres a lot of other options here look"

"That's what I like to order"

"Ehh you don't want a strawberry parfait?"

"Hey Emily, thanks for helping me pick out the necklace," Shin said with a smile, grateful for her assistance.

"... You're welcome Shin" Emily becomes silent and she walks towards the shop's door

"Where are you going? I thought you wanted to eat?"

" I lost my appetite "

Shin quickly stood up and tried to follow Emily, but she ran away. Determined, he rushed in the direction she had fled to catch up with her.

It's getting dark already but Shin was able to catch up with Emily. She is sitting on a bench near on the lamppost.

"Why did you ran away?" Shin asked

"Do you think I'm that dumb? How can you call this a date? You're just asking me to help you out to buy a present for someone! You didn't actually wanted to go out with me" Emily lashed out on Shin

"But I told you that earlier when were at the rooftop"

"I know... but I didn’t think it would end up like this" Emily replied to Shin

"I hate you Shin!!" Emily shouted at Shin and slapped his face then she walked out.

"I didn't mean to go out with her earlier; I just needed someone to help me choose a gift for her..." Shin says, touching his cheek where Emily had hit him.

"I'd better go to her house to give this to her"

Shin left the shopping district and walked in the direction of Rose's house. As he passed by Estelle Memorial Park, he spotted Rose sitting on a bench, crying.

Shin walks slowly towards Rose and approaches her.

"Why are you crying here, Rose?" Shin asked

"Nothing... What are you doing here? Stay away from me"

"Why? I am looking for you and then you're pushing me away?"

" I saw you with Emily buying an accessory on a jewelry shop"

"You followed us? Uhhh.... I guess there's no way I can hide this from you... Here, take this"

Rose wipes her tears on her eyes.

"What's that?"

"The accessory I bought on that jewelry shop"

"Isn't this for Emily?" *Sobs*

"That's what she thought too HAHAHA, You see? She slapped my face earlier"

"I'll do that too, if I'm Emily "

Shin laughs and smiled at Rose

"Then I'll gladly take the hit, if it's you"

Roselle's eyes widened on Shin's statement.

"Stupid..."

"I know, why not open the box? I hope you like it. I picked that one myself "

Rose opened the small box that Shin gave to her. She saw a necklace with a heart shaped pendant with a pink crystal on the middle.

"I like it! Thank you Shin " Rose smiled with a tears on her eyes.

Shin wiped off Rose's tears.

"I'm glad that you liked it"

"Shin, put this necklace on me"

"Sure"

Shin gently helped Rose put the necklace around her neck.

"That looks good on you"

"Thank you Shin"

"Shall I walk you home? It's getting late"

"Let's go~"

The two of them left the park and walk together.

'Sometimes, not everything you see says it all ' Shin said on his thoughts

Shin looked at Rose and she's smiling because of the gift.