The S-Class Mage is a Gyaru!?-Chapter 83: Arcane Jungle, Part Ten

{Nao}

[This cannot be a fucking coincidence.]

I’m early to the train station (because of course I am). Mom packed me three different lunches, Dad gave me a speech about "showing those Class 1 kids what you’re made of," and now here I am, standing on platform nine with my suitcase in a sports bra and sweatpants, watching the morning fog roll between the floating tracks.

Team assignments came out yesterday. Guess who’s stuck with the blonde menace and her partner in crime?

[Seriously, what are the odds?]

I mean, I was shocked when I heard the news. Not only did Nakamura and Haruka somehow end up on the same team, but I ended up on that team with them???

[Someone has a bad sense of humor.]

A few other students are already here, all Class 1, all looking like they’re heading to some fancy magical fashion show instead of a competition. One girl’s got a designer suitcase that literally floats behind her as she yaps about her annoying chauffeur or something.

And then, peace is lost.

I see them.

"NAO-CHAAAN!"

Haruka’s voice cuts through the morning air like a foghorn. She’s wearing... is that a crop top? In October? Behind her, Akari’s got on this tiny pink dress, and when I say "tiny" I mean she’s probably at risk of being arrested for public indecency at this very moment.

[They look like they’re going to the beach, not a magical exhibition.]

But...

Yeah, yeah, their tits look nice. There, I said it.

"Down here, baby!" Haruka waves like I could possibly miss her. Several students turn to stare as she bounds over, her boobs bouncing with each step. "You ready to fuck shit up?"

"Could you be any louder?"

"Probably!" She grins, throwing an arm around my back. She tries to get it over my shoulder but the height difference makes it too awkward. For some reason, having some girl throw her arm around me makes my face heat up. "But for real, how crazy is it that we’re on the same team? Ya believe that? Shit’s sooo funny."

[About as funny as my sudden urge to jump onto the tracks.]

"Yo, tiger girl!" Akari saunters up, looking about as contrary from "elegant" as possible. I mean, she still looks hot, I guess, but yeah. "Ready to show these Class 1 bitches what’s up?"

Before I can answer, someone clears their throat behind us.

"I assume I’m one of those ’Class 1 bitches’?"

I turn to find myself face to face with probably the gothiest feynal I’ve ever seen.

Black lipstick, fancy cross necklace, enough silver jewelry to open a store. She’s got cat ears instead of tiger ones, and she’s looking at us like we’re a particularly interesting science experiment.

[Wait. I know her.]

I’ve seen her around a handful of times. Can’t remember if I ever had a real conversation with her, though. But, yeah, I think I know who she is.

"Reina-chan!" Akari’s whole face lights up. "You’re early!"

"Someone had to make sure you two actually caught the train." She looks us over, one perfect eyebrow raised. "Though I see you’re dressed for a completely different season."

"Baby, it’s called fashion!" Akari strikes a pose. "Besides, the hotel’s got climate control. We’re gettin’ tropical in this biiiitch!"

She’s doing this thing where she’s got a peace sign up in the air and is swinging her hips side-to-side.

"The hotel my father helped design?" Reina’s tail swishes. "Yes, I’m aware."

[Well... That about confirms it,] I think, scratching behind my left tiger ear as I look away. [This is Kai Miyamoto’s daughter.]

I’ve seen clips of her online, too, come to think of it. Mostly society page stuff about the CrysTech heiress. But seeing her up close...

She looks a lot more normal than I would have thought.

"Alright team!" Haruka claps her hands, still way too loud for this early. "Let’s go show these international schools how we do it in New Tokyo!"

"Please stop yelling," I say.

Reina gives me a look of sympathy. Well, at least someone gets me, here.

---

{Akari}

Professor Chen looks ready to pop a blood vessel as the rest of Class 1 rolls up. Half of them are dressed for a music festival instead of a magic competition, and I’m living for the way her eye keeps twitching every time she spots another crop top.

"Remember," she’s saying as we file onto the train, "you’re representing Crescent Moon-"

"WE’RE GOING ON A TRIP!" Some kid in the middle of the crowd screams, and suddenly everyone’s cheering.

Professor Zhang, standing next to Chen with her dragon tattoos swimming lazily across her skin, actually cracks a smile. Meanwhile, Sato looks like he’s questioning every life choice that led him here.

"Back of the train," I announce, grabbing Reina’s wrist. "Come on, princess, that’s where all the fun shit happens!"

"I wasn’t aware trains had a designated area for ’fun shit,’" she says, but she lets me drag her along anyway.

Behind us, I can hear Haruka already working her magic on Nao.

"Come on, tiger! You can pretend you hate sitting next to me, but we both know you’re gonna end up using my shoulder as a pillow."

"I will literally jump out the window before I do that."

The train’s nice as hell, to be honest. All crystal windows and floating seats that adjust to your perfect comfort level. But the back? The back’s where it’s at. You get this perfect view of the tracks disappearing behind you, plus you’re far enough from the professors that they can’t hear shit.

"After you," I gesture for Reina to take the window seat. She rolls her eyes but slides in, her skirt riding up just enough to show a flash of thigh.

[Very nice.]

Haruka practically shoves Nao into their seat across from us, then drops down next to her with a grin that means trouble.

"This is gonna be lit!" She bounces in her seat, making Nao’s ears twitch. "Team Best Tits, ready to fuck shit up!"

"We are NOT calling ourselves that," Nao growls, but she’s already leaning away from the window and closer to Haruka. Doesn’t seem like she notices that she’s doing that.

[Smooth, bestie. Real smooth.]

The train starts moving with a gentle hum. Through the crystal windows, I watch New Tokyo’s floating spires slide past, all lit up in the morning sun.

"So," I turn to Reina, throwing my arm across the back of our seat. "Ready to show these international schools what’s up?"

She raises one perfect eyebrow.

"You mean am I ready to watch you try to seduce half the visiting students while somehow still winning every competition?"

"Aww, you think I’m gonna win?"

"You have a good chance..." She smirks. "Unless I beat you."

[God, this girl...]

Across from us, Nao makes a gagging sound. But I catch Reina fighting back a smile.

[Oh yeah,] I think, watching New Tokyo disappear behind us. [This is gonna be fun.]

---

{Reina}

Dad: Have you boarded safely?

Me: Yes, father.

Dad: The hotel staff knows to give you the executive suite if needed.

Me: That won’t be necessary. I’m staying with my team.

Dad: ...The gyaru girl?

Me: And others. It’s fine.

Dad: If you need anything-

Me: I know. Thank you.

[At least he’s trying,] I think, watching the city blur past our window. After Mom left, he’s been... well.

"Yo, check this shit out!"

Akari shoves her phone in my face, nearly making me drop mine. On the screen, some French mage is showing off, turning water into crystal butterflies.

"Cuuute," Akari grins, "but like, kinda basic? Watch this-"

She waves her hand and suddenly there’s a tiny cherry blossom floating between us, perfectly formed and glowing pink.

"Show off," I mutter, but I can’t help smiling.

"You haven’t seen anything yet, princess." She scrolls through ManaGram, showing me more posts from the international students. "Look at these bitches, thinking they’re hot shit with their fancy uniforms and-"

"Are you even a little nervous?"

She blinks at me like I just asked if magic was real.

"Why would I be? S-Class, remember?" She grins, tapping her chest. "Plus, have you seen our team? We got you being all smart and shit, me being amazing at everything-"

Across from us, Haruka’s straight up using Nao as a body pillow, head on her shoulder, legs sprawled across the seat. The tiger girl’s trying so hard to look annoyed, but her tail’s curled around Haruka’s ankle.

"And we got those two useless lesbians," Akari finishes. "We’re gonna destroy everyone."

Like it’s the most natural thing in the world, she throws her arm around my shoulders.

[Subtlety is just not a word you know, huh?]

But the train car’s actually pretty cold with all these crystal windows, and she’s warm, so...

My phone buzzes again.

Dad: Just remember, you’re representing CrysTech as well as-

I turn my phone face-down.

[Come on,] I think with a sigh, letting my head drop back. [Give me a break.]