Chapter 16

The moment I go through our hotel room's door I jump on the bed. I grab my tail in my arms and roll around giggling blissfully. Laying down is way too comfortable. I never tried rolling around on my bed since our 'home' was always quite tense. But it's pretty funny actually.

I catch Anna clutching her heart above her clothes and stop mid-roll to look at her with concern.

"Are you alright? Did that weird guy hurt you?" I ask, brow furrowed.

"N-no... Just... Too much cuteness. Ugh." She answers, her voice is choked with something repressed. Something dangerous, for me at least. And it makes my spine shiver.

Eliza let out a little giggle at Anna's reaction and put a hand on her shoulder.

"We'll need to do something soon or you'll explode Anna." She says, her tone mischievous.

"If someone wasn't that dense it'll be easier" Anna grumbled quietly.

I... No, no she's not talking about me. Nuh-uh. Impossible

As I sit up her words make my heart skip a beat but I shake my head to clear my thoughts. I can't believe that. I shouldn't believe that. I don't deserve to ruin her life by allowing myself such feelings. Be it for her or Eliza.

My gaze flicker between them for a brief second before getting up abruptly, startling them.

"I'm going to shower!" I say as I flee into the bathroom and lock the door behind me.

I put my back against the door, my gaze on the ceiling, and sigh heavily. I should just focus on the Academy. I can't wait to start everything. Learn tons about dungeons and the world they never explained before. Romance? Nah. Again, it's impossible. Can't have that when you are worth nothing, right? That's what that man always said at least. I shake my head and slap my cheeks, pushing those thoughts in a corner of my mind.

Right, shower. Then sleep.

I don't take very long in the bathroom. I still take care to wash myself properly. With my tail, hair and ears too. The past few days Anna and Eliza taught me everything they could. I'm grateful about that. Even if I've always wanted to be a girl... Without the body to go with that wish, there's no way I could have known how to take care of it. And they were very insistant that I take good care of my skin, hair etc. Everything about me.

Well, I don't mind. It's a nice feeling to take care of myself. I really hope they find someone worthy of them. I'll make sure of that. At least I know who isn't, me for exemple.

I don't even like them that wa-... Do I? I don't know. Maybe. Argh. They don't at least. I think?

I aggressively rub my towel on my hair and ears before donning a random nightgown. I get out of the bathroom and freeze slightly. They are both looking at me with concern overflowing from their eyes. A warmth spread in my chest and I smile gently at them.

"I'm fine, I'll just go to sleep now I'm kind of tired." I say, my voice light and sweet as much as I can.

I don't really let them answer, I just slip under my blanket and hug my tail as I close my eyes. A few minutes passes by when I feel someone join me under the sheets and hug me from behind. For once I'm glad of that superior sense of smell because it tells me it's Anna that just joined me.

"Hm? Anna? Oh! You need some blood right? Go ahead!" I say with a smile.

She doesn't answer and just buries her face in my hair, making me giggle confusedly.

"That tickles!"

"You are a dense idiot. But that's fine. You'll understand at some point." She whisper between my ears, sending them in a twitching frenzy.

This made my heart skip a beat instantly but I don't answer. I don't know if I want to go down that train of thoughts for real. She's my dear twin Sister and that's fine.

Perfectly fine.

Another warmth slipped into the blankets and I see Eliza's perfect face right in front of me. She smiles and put her arms around me too with her forehead against mine.

"She's our dense idiot, right Anna?" She giggle a little, her tone full of fondness. Anna simply grunted in affirmation.

No, stop. Please. I don't... You deserve better. Both of you.

"Sleep now, Jane. It'll be okay." Eliza's voice is coaxing and gentle.

Lulled by their voices, my eyes close slowly as my consciousness fade little by little toward sleep. I don't notice the single tear escaping my eye as I finally asleep, enveloped by their warmth.

When I woke up we were a tangled mess. Each of my legs are between theirs, Anna is practically sprawled over my back with her arms around my neck with her face nuzzling one of my ears. Eliza's arms are around my waist and, I have no idea when, right under my nightgown and pressed against my skin. Her face is buried in my breast too.

As my mind gets clearer and clearer, my face starts to burn hotter and hotter.

afjac, What the?!

My hands tightened on my tail out of embarrassment. I know I love to laze around in bed and warmth... But that's too much right?! I freaking hot in here. But also still quite comfortable... No, I need to get up. I sigh a little and try to slowly wiggle out of that mess. I first grabbed Eliza's arms and slowly removed them from under my nightgown, that rolled up to my waist. I have a feeling the culprit is right in front of me. Because we didn't move at all. She must have done that unconsciously while sleeping...

It took me nearly half an hour to escape from their embrace without waking them up. I breathe a sigh of relief and look at them. They looks so peaceful like that. Maybe in a few years I won't be able to see this scene. It'll be reserved for their wife. A little pang of pain struck my heart at those thoughts but I push it aside and just dress up, seizing the moment they are still asleep to avoid getting embarrassed.

I just put a simple white shirt and black shorts that show my quite long legs, even if I'm pretty small. I have a feeling I'll still have to fight today.

Let's let them sleep a bit more. I'll go alone for now.

It's almost time to go anyway. I quite want to watch the matches. I still think it could be useful even if I don't have their weapons. I take a small note and write a few sentences for the two girls before going out.

Before long I'm again in front of the mysterious door to the academy, with the same man standing guard in front of it. Does he ever rest? Whatever, that's not my problem. This time he doesn't check who I am and just let me enter without problem.

The field in front of the Academy was once again busy with life. But less than yesterday. I guess some people did get their invitations stolen and those thieves got kicked out. Not my problem anyway. I know they just got awakened. But if they managed to get their invitations stolen they probably deserved it.

As I make my way toward the arenas I can hear whispers around me, their gazes following me. Most of those are about my race and the fight I had yesterday. But a lot of them are still about Eliza and Anna and their relationship with me. They did understand that Anna is my twin, we do ressemble each other a lot after all. But they seems confused about Eliza.

I sigh a little. I'd rather have their eyes on me. At least this way they will be able to have a peaceful Academy life. Of course I don't wish to block potential friends. Just rumours. It's never fun to be the center of rumours. Me? I don't care. If someone comes to annoy me I'll just punch them.

Uh. I've never been like that. Maybe it's being a fox that makes me think this way? Meh, it's okay. It's funnier.

A little walk was enough for me to reach the arenas. I heard that even if you 'lose' in your match you don't lose the qualifications to be a student. It's mostly to know what they need to teach you as a priority. Well, maybe some will really lose their opportunity.

After reaching the arena I find a seat to settle down. The first few fights weren't really interesting. I just took note of the way they wield their weapons. But it's pretty basic. I actually do wonder why I think that. Is it because I've fought others already? Or maybe I'm a genius? No that's a joke. And being a 'genius' was never really a good thing. Too many expectations to meet, so much pressure. Someone talented can't only rely on it. It's one percent talent and ninety-nine percent efforts after all.

"Claire Tsukiakiri versus Sterno Lins!"

The judge's voice dragged me out of my thoughts. When I turn my gaze to the arena I'm surprised to see the Cat girl I saw yesterday. She still looks anxious but her steps are still steady, her tail swaying lazily behind her.

Hm. I have a feeling it'll be interesting.

I don't even know why. But something about that girl catches my eyes.

When they both got into position they summon their weapons. Claire's is an exquisite longbow. I thought I was looking at a piece of sunset. The limbs are a deep crimson, it shone like rubies when the light catch on it. Fine golden filigree covered it in elegant and gentle paterns of leaves and blossom falling from a tree. On each side the tips were narrowed gracefully like a blade drawn from their sheaths, edged with gold ornements.

The grip is wrapped in dark leather bound by a crimson cord and right under hung a red floral charm with thin red tassels swaying softly.

As far as I was I almost couldn't see the bowstring. Like it wasn't even present. But it gave of a sensation of hidden strength.

For some reason I don't understand, that picture of Claire holding the bow in her hands seemed perfect. The instant it appeared her whole aura changed. Gone the anxious Cat girl. What replaced it was a confident girl. I arc an eyebrow at that transformation.

Oh?

Her opponent was a shield and sword user. I learnt that it wasn't like my situation. It's a classic combo that comes from a single column. They are mostly suited to be the tanks of parties, aggroing monsters and keeping their teammates safe. It's possible he'll win that one. As long as he comes near and land just one good hit.

The judge announced the start of the fight and Claire nocked an arrow instantly before she let it loose. The piercing sound ended with a loud 'thuck' when it landed on the man's shield. His whole body took a step back as his eyes widened. I see him grit his teeth and start to run toward the girl.

She doesn't stop firing though. But having witnessed the power between her shots he decided to make the arrows deviate instead of blocking them head-on.

Thanks to that decision he got close enough to her and tried to slash her from above. She took a step back and used one of the limbs of her bow to block the blade. My eyes widen at that. I know our weapons are almost unbreakable. But having the guts to block a sword with a bow is impressive.

The instant she blocked, she lifted her booted foot and pushed him away, using the momentum to do a high backflip. While in the air she nocked her bow again and fired three arrow back to back. All of them hitting his shield almost at the same spot.

Then she started to run around him and it's when I notice that she didn't move at all when he approached. Like she was fully confident she could escape whenever she wanted. And she was right.

While moving she didn't stop firing her arrows, the sheer number of them flying out was impressive. Her arms formed a blur around the bowstring. I can't even see it anymore. The most impressive thing was that every shot was very precise. Soon his shield was full of arrows and his arm trembling. I could see he couldn't lift it anymore. A last arrow whistled next to his cheek, drawing a line of blood and her surrendered on the spot.

A whistle escape my lips as I look at the Cat girl in the field letting her bow dissipating.

"What are you looking at Jane?" A voice rang very close to my ear as a body pressed itself against me, making me jump in surprise.

I turn my head to the right and see my twin's face right up my nose. I jerk a little backward, only for my head to bump into something soft. As I turn again this time I see Eliza as close as Anna is.

"Sneaked out to check out other girls?" Her voice is full of amusement and teasing.

"I-uuh No! You were sleeping so soundly I-I didn't want to wake you both!" I answer, my voice fumbling.

Both just hum, smiles on their face, before leaning back a little to give me more space. They both took one arm in theirs as they turn their gaze toward the field where Claire was just a moment ago.

"So? Who was it? We only saw the end but she seemed quite skilled." Eliza ask with curiosity in her voice.

"Claire Tsukiakiri apparently. I know nothing more. But yeah, her fight was pretty impressive. The opponent couldn't do anything at all." I answer, excitement in my voice.

I really enjoyed watching that fight. And I realise that the other archers I fought were pretty bad at that time. There's not even a comparison between Claire and them.

As we chat and laugh peacefully I notice a staff member coming our way. I tilt my head slightly, my ears dropping the same way, and look at him.

"Hello Misses. Could I ask you Miss Denki to help us evaluate some future students please? Headmistress Virina thought it would be a good idea for them. Just for one or two matches for now." He ask as he looks at me in the eyes.

I don't know how, but I kind of knew it would happen. Virina must have thought of that yesterday after my fight. I don't really mind though. So I nod at him with a smile before getting up.

I just hope they won't try to kill me this time. What was that axe guy's deal by the way?

I still have no idea why he tried to eliminate me like that. Does wielding a big axe makes you lose some neurons and be prone to anger? Or was he just stupid from the start? He remind me of a dumb minotaur.

That comparison makes me giggle quietly as I follow that staff member. He looks at me for a second, confused, but continues to walk.

I'm soon in the waiting room again, all gazes suddenly on me. They all seems perplexed to see me here. After all I finished my test yesterday. The man that guided me explained briefly. I see some of them furrowing their brow, displeased. I just shrug at those reaction. I don't care at all. I still notice some of them kind of shivering.

Ah yes. I did draw blood yesterday.

If I remember correctly, except when I fought there was almost no blood at all. Maybe just a little cut. So seing someone get their sinew cut must have frightened them. I always forget not everyone had to dive a dungeon barely a day after their awakening. I sigh a bit and look at them, my tail swaying leisurely behind me.

"I won't hold back. I'm certainly not the best here. There's always someone better. But I still won't pull my punches." I announce, my voice stern.

Oh. Seems like it fired up some of them. Meh, whatever.

What did I expect? A nice challenge? I shouldn't have from people that have very little to no fighting experience. I know I don't have much either. Just different.

Thankfully after two matches I join Anna and Eliza once more.

"Let's go listen to the music students!" I say the moment I reach them, my tail swishing excitedly behind me and my ears straight on my head.

They exchange a glance, giggling, and nod to me.

Before even reaching the area dedicated to music we can already hear some melodies being played. We take a seat in one of the arenas. Those ones feels more like a Theater than where we were fighting. Must be for a good sound distribution.

I start to sway in my seat slowly with my eyes closed to the sound of the music being played. It's a slow and gentle melody but I don't know what's the title. At some point I hear a strangled noise coming from my right. Opening my eyes I look at Anna. She's staring at me with eyes wide open, hand in front of her lips.

I tilt my head, confused.

"Something's wrong sister?" I ask, my voice tinged with concern. She's been doing that a lot lately.

"N-no. J-just ignore me and listen to them, p-please." She answer me, her voice shaking a little.

I narrow my eyes at her but she just smile behind her hand, Eliza giggling besides me.

Whatever I guess. I'll just enjoy the music.