Beidou x Ningguang (2)

Class ended and Beidou went to the volleyball practice before going home.

"Tomorrow..." (Beidou) mutters while passing the ball onto someone else. The shoes squeaked as they played tossing and spiking. "Alright keep your eyes on the ball you guys!" one of their teammates yelled but Beidou has her mind elsewhere.

In the cafeteria tomorrow she had to meet Ningguang. What for?

Her heart started beating wildly thinking of spending time with a woman who gives a mean look when they lost a game.

It was endearing.

Her mind wandered to that hamster looking expression.

"She looked... really cute when she's mad." (Beidou) muttered standing around the gymnasium.

Being distracted Beidou had that adorable image placed in her mind, she didn't notice that the coach whistled and yelled, "Hey Crux! The ball is headed right for you!"

Beidou looked up after someone called her last name. "Huh?!"

Bam!

The volleyball hit her face really hard, she stepped back a little before her back met the cold gymnasium floor. "Captain Beidou!"

Her teammates shouted in worry running to her side. "Crux are you alright?" The coach kneeled beside her quickly inspecting her face.

"You're being distracted. What happened to you? I need you in tip top shape for the upcoming game, Crux." (Coach)

Beidou shook her head trying to make sense of things. The ball must've hit her too hard she's seeing Ningguang's angry face even in this condition. "Coach I'm... a little dizzy at the moment. Can I take an early leave?" (Beidou) asked.

One of her teammates offered a bottled water, she takes it gratefully nodding before opening it. The coach sighs before deciding that it would be best for the captain to rest after all these days all of the players have been pushing themselves to the max.

"Alright, you're free to go but make sure you make your way to the nurse's office on your way home." (Coach)

Beidou nods on her coach's advice as the other teammates offered a hand to their captain, "Here let us help you captain."

They pull her up from the floor and Beidou felt a little embarrassed. "I'm sorry I can't practice with you all properly. I just have a lot of things to think about." (Beidou)

The other volleyball members shook their head giving her a look of empaty and respect, "Captain you've done so well these days even you need rest. You were always the one who cleans up after practice this time we'll help and cover you don't worry."

Beidou smiles giving her teammates a weak high five before walking through the girl's locker room and packed her stuff.

She didn't forget to stop by the nurse's office. The nurse gave her a packet of ice, inspected her head, and said there was nothing wrong with it. Beidou held the ice packet in her forehead and pressed it that spot gently. "Ugh..." she grunted feeling her head throb a little.

That was one mean spike. "I can't believe I got distracted because of that woman." (Beidou) curses under her breath.

Beidou walked home to her small apartment, entered, and did the same cycle. Maybe just a little more tired than usual.

She opens the cabinet taking in shrimp flavored instant noodles, opened her text book and studied. She boiled hot water before waiting the instant noodles to cook.

Due to budget limitations Beidou can only use her data wisely.

She didn't have wifi and sometimes would do her homework on the library because there were free wifi inside. "If a was 10 and b was 30, okay the formula was... I see."

Thankfully she only had her calculus homework so she could only compute and double check her answers.

She spent her time sweeping around the apartment and cleaning the sink. The water on the tap, made a dripping sound that filled the entire room of the kitchen.

The quietness was unbearable. "It's a little lonely here huh." (Beidou) stretches her arms after cleaning the dining area and went to her room to sleep.

Beidou tossed and turned of how the bed felt like something was missing.

Maybe it was just her imagination but she really wanted to hug something at that moment.

"I wonder what's the transfer student doing right now." (Beidou) muttered, surprising herself. "Huh why should I care though? I should sleep, her matters are none of my concerns."

.-.-.-.-.-.

The next day came and this was the day Beidou was supposed to meet up with Ningguang for lunch in the cafeteria.

Her palms was sweaty as she entered through the school gates. Beidou sees the ever diligent council president who stands up straight to greet her enthusiastically with a smile, "Good morning." (Jean) says perfectly to every student replying the same thing.

Beidou smiles widely in familiarity with the council president, "Yo morning president!"

Eula was there with her trying to greet other students but ended up correcting their uniform regulations and rules. "Your skirt is not knee leveled and why is your tie wrinkled?" (Eula) points at a uniform of one student who quickly adjusts themselves.

"S-Sorry! I'll fix it right away!"

"Ugh damn people from the Lawrence family are just kill joys."

"Can't she just let it go."

Certain students complained behind her back. Eula bites her lip at the comments, she's very well aware they were talking about her. Jean pats Eula's shoulder and gave her a thumbs up. "Good work today, you've done well, Eula."

Eula's eyes beamed for a moment before crossing her eyes and forcing out a glare. "Please it is only natural of someone from the Lawrence family to handle this kind of affair easily. It's merely checking one's uniform so it's nothing. I do not need your compliment." (Eula)

Deep inside though Eula was really happy that she was complimented.

Amber saw this scene while walking through the school gates. She giggled faintly before her greeting giving a light wave, "Good morning!" (Amber)

Eula quickly knew who's voice and cheerful greeting this was. "Amber, good morning to you as well." (Eula)

Amber smiles widely before leaning in closer to Eula. Jean noticed that she needed to be elsewhere and left to greet the other. "Eula~ are you free sometime on Saturday?" (Amber) asked hiding her hands behind her back.

Eula holds down her chin observing Amber who was acting very... suspicious. "It depends. Do you need something on Saturday?" (Eula) asked her tone a little worried.

Amber's face was a little red her hands fiddled behind her back holding two tickets. "Oh um... I uh... I think it's getting late! I should head back first to class! See you!" (Amber) rushes towards the school building leaving Eula to stand there in worry.

Jean overheard everything that went down and sighed. "Amber is really a shy one." she gets back to greeting the other students before seeing Professor Lisa enter as well.

She clenches her fist before calmly saying, "Good morning, Professor Lisa."

Professor Lisa yawns her eyes still half closed, clearly she's not been getting enough sleep. "Good morning."

The tired professor just walked by not even noticing Jean's presence.

This made Jean a little conflicted being used to light teasing and touching whenever they meet.

This was new- "Did she just walk past by me?" (Jean)

"Yes it seems that your lover have walked past by you and completely ignored your presence." (Eula) appears behind Jean's back.

Jean was not surprised by Eula's sudden presence but she was most focused on another thing. "W-We're not together. A student and a teacher relationship is inappropriate." (Jean)

Eula looks at her and couldn't help but smiling in front of her face. "You lie as horrible as Amber." (Eula)

The vice president waves her hand to the president before going inside the school building, wanting to find Amber. In another classroom Beidou sat on her desk seeing Ningguang who was already beside her desk.

Beidou sits down casually while Xiangling runs to Beidou happily holding a bento box. "Beidou! I've brought you your lunch box for today-"

Beidou's body stiffened a little when Xiangling basically threw the lunchbox into her hands. "Ah Xiangling-" (Beidou)

Xiangling didn't let her finish was already explaining to Beidou what was in it. "Okay so today we have fried shrimp, with lemon zest, and sunsettia jam." (Xiangling)

Beidou stared at Ningguang who was not paying attention to the both of them and was simply focused on the board her chin was rested on the palm of her hand simply listening to the music on her earphones while they wait for class to start.

Beidou thought that was a pretty sight but Xiangling called out to her attention again."Uh Xiangling-"

"And so I fried the shrimp with butter with some fizzy sprite and-"

Beidou pulls Xiangling's wrist noticing that she's not about to stop any time soon. "I um... I don't think I can eat your homemade lunch for you today." (Beidou)

Xiangling tilted her head in confusion and looked at her neatly wrapped bento box speaking in a worried tone. "D-Did you get tired of my cooking- or was it the box- or were you worried that you're being a burden on me again-"

Her mind was already assuming a lot of bad things but Beidou quickly diminishes those and shook her head. "No it's just that. The new girl invited me out on the cafeteria and uh... I think she'll be getting me lunch today."

Xiangling almost gasped, "Ningguang?! Asked you out?! For lunch-"

Beidou quickly covered her mouth. "You don't have to be so loud you know- jeez- the girl is literally right next to us-"

Xiangling's eyes widened then nodding in understanding, Beidou lets her go before leaving a sigh of relief on her lips. "I'm really sorry, Beidou but she has never invited anyone before. You could say you're the first." (Xiangling)

Beidou scratches her neck not understanding their conversation turning into bits of whispers. "Why are you making a big deal out of it though?" (Beidou) asks.

Xiangling replied not believing how Beidou could have never noticed. "You know how she's always alone. Many of us attempted to get close but in the end we're only on the acquaintances and classmate line. Everyone invited her out to lunch or to hang out but..."

"I recon they got rejected." (Beidou) places a hand on her hips before shrugging. "Still I don't get what's the big deal. Is it because of those silly rumors? So what if she's loaded?"

Beidou smiles widely before taking a quick glance at Ningguang before replying at Xiangling. "All I see is another student trying to survive another year of school and she owes me lunch."

Xiangling stops for a bit before smiling in return. That's her friend Beidou, no matter the background she's going to treat them all the same. "But... you have to admit she's pretty and your type right?" (Xiangling) recalls something that Beidou has said before concerning about her preferences.

Beidou looks at Ningguang for a bit, those long lashes, red lips, long silver hair that any girl could envy- but for some reason she wants to hold it and brush for her instead- oops she almost went into fantasy land for a second there.

"Oh she's pretty I have to agree. My type, no." (Beidou) laughingly replied to Xiangling who tried containing her laughter.

She takes back the lunchbox in her hands and waves. "Alright since you won't be needing this I'll find someone else who can appreciate my culinary skills hmph."

Xiangling jokingly acts a little mad even placing her hands on his pouting before going to Xinyan.

Beidou sighs before taking her notebook out of her bag. She sees Ningguang taking out her earphones before finally looking at Beidou.

"So, I'm not your type?" (Ningguang) smiles coyly having a more relaxed posture than before, her long silver hair drapes along her shoulders and that caught Beidou's eye.

Beidou almost choked on her own saliva when she heard Ningguang say that. Beidou leans in a little whispering to Ningguang, "Y-You! How much of our conversation did you hear!" (Beidou)

Ningguang hums for a moment holding the earphones in her hand playing with it. "I suppose everything." (Ningguang)

Beidou's eyes widened and then smiled figuring it out. "You never had music on did you." (Beidou)

Ningguang continues to him before placing the earphones in her ear. "Who knows." (Ningguang) dazed around while Professor Zhongli walked in to class right on time.

Beidou didn't knew if she was to be impressed or mad that she got caught talking behind her back. "You're really interesting and I like it."

Ningguang's smile seemed to grow even wider when she heard Beidou say that.

"Good morning class." (Professor Zhongli) greets the classroom as if on time, the other students replied in enthusiastic good mornings making the professor smile. Zhongli nods in acknowledgement.

"Today we'll need to conduct a research assignment in pairs. Please look at your seatmate and work with them." (Professor Zhongli) had given them work for pairs, researching the history of the Archon War.

They had to pair up with their desk mate and well... looks like Beidou and Ningguang will have to stick together for a while.

They stare at each other while Ningguang doesn't really show it. She was actually quite a little interested that she was going to be working with the woman who bested her at her own game.

Beidou just smiles thinking of getting to know Ningguang better after yesterday, realizing she's actually fun to be around.

Ding! Dong! Ding!

The bell rang around the school. Everyone stood up to go to the cafeteria for lunch. Usually Beidou eats homemade bentos with Xiangling in the classroom but today was different.

Ningguang waits for Beidou to finish organizing her things. "What sort of food are in your preferences?" she asks so suddenly making Beidou a little taken aback.

"Uh... Anything related to seafood I'm satisfied." (Beidou)

Nigguang smiles before motioning for her to follow. "Was just double checking if I was right."

Oh right, Ningguang have information on her and she isn't the only one.

"Let's go then shall we? I've asked the chefs at the cafeteria to make something special for you. Who knew you would be popular over there as well." (Ningguang)

Beidou didn't answer and followed Ningguang with the rest of the other classmates into the cafeteria.

When the both of them arrived she was really surprised on how high end the cafeteria was. Due to her financial situation she refused to even set foot in the cafeteria to look.

Not too far on a certain wall there was a poster where she recognized who the person was. "Isn't this Itto? Why is he- oh. He's banned from the cafeteria for challenging someone into a sumo match. Heh classic itto." (Beidou)

She could also spot Kujou Sara not too far away looking left and right seeming to be on high guard while she was holding her food.

Eula was sitting in a corner with Amber panicking because she doesn't know what to do. Amber was trying to feed her the other cut of her steak- and Eula has stopped working.

Xinqui was with Chongyun eating an ice cream together huddled up while reading a book.

Even Kamisato Ayaka with her attendant Thoma sits quietly observing the room.

"That's a lot of high profile people in one room." (Beidou)

After observing the people she can familiarize herself with she catches up with Ningguang who sits in the most extravagant looking spot in the cafeteria.

Beidou hesitantly sits down not being comfortable with such expensive looking everything. Ningguang snaps her hands and immediately the staff came in with almost a dozen plate placing it on their table.

The smell of the sea was unmistakable. When the staff lifted off the lid of the plate the smell of fresh cooked sea creatures wafted through the entire room.

Beidou could even name all of them pointing each dish, "Paella- and are those lobsters- scallop carpacio- fried shrimp- and there's even grilled octopus-"

Her stomach growled loudly. Ningguang had to stifle her giggle when she heard such monstrous growl. Beidou a little embarrassed looked down and was flushed.

"Is it really okay for me to eat all of this?" (Beidou)

"Why of course, I am 'loaded' after all. If you are not going to eat them well I suppose I'll just give the extravagant feast to someone else." (Ningguang) teasingly said the last bit and that made Beidou conflicted but still commited.

"Too bad for you princess, I take my shame back and I'm going to finish this all." (Beidou) smirked holding her chopsticks and picked out the most expensive looking one of all, the red lobster.

Ningguang had her own choice of food, it was some sort of fancy truffle that I'm author is too poor to recognize. Beidou noms down on half of the dishes and looked at Ningguang's graceful movement as she ate. "Ish that gowd?" (Beidou) points at Ningguang's truffles.

Ningguang stares at Beidou's messy side of the table before shaking her head. "Yes, I quite like it." (Ningguang)

Beidou's eyes sparked in curiosity wanting to taste whatever Ningguang had. Beidou looked at her with puppy eyes to which Ningguang has gotten the message that spunky volleyball captain wanted some of her truffles but, "No." (Ningguang) repllied and continued to eat.

Beidou pushes further her chopsticks reached for one of the truffles and ate one. Ningguang looked at her like she was some sort of criminal, actually it was a crime to steal someone's food but... "That was so good I like it too! You can have some of mine if you want." (Beidou) yells continuing to eat while smiling like a little toddler.

How long has it been since Beidou has had a proper meal?

Ningguang heart's softened for a moment. She smiles faintly and couldn't help but let out a giggle, "Didn't I pay for it?" (Ningguang)

Beidou realized, she forgot that fact that this beautiful transfer student actually paid for the food that she was eating right now. "I kinda forgot for a moment... thank you for treating me. I haven't had anything this good apart from Xiangling's bentos." (Beidou)

Ningguang notices that there were crumbs on Beidou's face. "Miss Beidou." she points at her right cheek where the small little crumb rests.

"Huh?" (Beidou) tilts her head before getting what Ningguang meant and wiped her left cheek clean instead. "Did I get it?"

Ningguang tries to point again but Beidou got it wrong several times. "You- hmm." (Ningguang) sighs and stood up from her seat coming closer to Beidou. "Hold still."

Beidou looks up to see Ningguang's hands were suddenly under her chin holding her face close before the other wipes away the said crumb. "There." (Ningguang) mutters satisfied to get the mess out of Beidou's face.

Amber looked towards their direction before looking at Eula in a suggestive manner. "Eula there's something on your cheek too-" (Amber)

Eula grabbed her compact mirror from her skirt and took a look at her face, "Hmm... you're right thank you Amber." she wipes every part of her face before continuing to cut her food. Amber looks down in defeat while Eula felt relieved that she brought a mirror.

Or else her heart would not handle whatever those two are doing.

'Such a public form in display? How insightful! These two are giving Amber weird ideas!' (Eula) glared at the two while Amber thoughts of other attempts to get Eula her attention.

On the other side Ningguang let go of Beidou's face. "What a shame that I have lost. The expressions I could've made you do to pass my time." (Ningguang) grins seeing Beidou as a mere plaything.

"I don't fall down easily, princess." (Beidou) replied mockingly, making Ningguang raise her eyebrows.

However near Kujou Sara's table a certain silver haired boy was grinning widely before revealing himself. "Kujou Sara! I challenge you-"

Sara glares down at Itto before kicking him in his legs. "As I've said, Itto. I don't accept your silly challenges! Let me eat in peace." (Sara)

Itto smiles before taking in Sara's dessert and threw it at her direction. "AW YE! FOOD FIGHTTTT!" (Itto)

Sara dodges just in time but unfortunately someone else got hit by the cake. "My lady!" (Thoma) yells in worry at Ayaka's face full of strawberry tart.

Itto steps back for a bit looking at the person that was hit by his doing, "Oh... oh..." (Itto)

Thoma enraged took his dango and threw it at Itto that he easily blocked and was going to hit Amber's head. Eula took notice of this, quick on her feet she managed to catch the tricolor dango with her bare hands and kept Amber safe. "Amber are you alright?" (Eula)

Amber yelped in response when all hell broke loose.

"YAHHH!" (Itto) apparently threw another set of cake into Sara's direction but now it spiraled into Eula's face.

Eula stood there clenching her fist, her eyes deep in anger. "Ugh! Vengeance will be mine you little-"

Thoma threw another piece of tricolor dango, Xinqui and Chonyun immediately left as the other unimportant npc characters joined in the food fight. "Protect Miss Kujou!"

"That's our man Itto! Yeah!!!"

"THIS IS SPARTA!"

Eula didn't care anymore for vengeance. Held Amber's hand, covered the little bunny with her body and immediately tried getting out of there. "E-Eula but then you'll get hurt-"

Eula reassured Amber with her usual stride and cocky response. "I'll be fine it's you who I'm worried about. I can't stop them on my own, I need to quickly get Jean's influence at once. Now stop squirming and walk!" (Eula)

Amber's face flushed realizing what Eula was doing for her. She nodded quickly not wanting to be a burden for her friend and did what she told.

Itto, Thoma, and Sara were mostly at war. Ningguang and Beidou were in the corner watching. "Oh damn, Itto that troublemaker is at it again." (Beidou)

"Does he do this stunts often?" (Ningguang)

Beidou laughs, "Yeah a lot. He does it to mostly everyone but nowadays he's only pesting Kujou Sara from the most renowned Kujou family. Between you and me, we were guessing it's because Itto likes Sara." (Beidou)

"How adorable. Rivalry love then perhaps?" (Ningguang)

"More like one-sided love. Kujou doesn't seem to be interested in his uh... advances." (Beidou)

"What a shame then. They look cute together." (Ningguang) compliments them, a little envious perhaps. Beidou relaxed planning to watch the whole chaos ensue, they were in the most corner room and food rarely come raining to their side.

Ayaka was trying to make peace but it was useless. Thoma was leading the revenge for her, "How dare you stain milady's face!" (Thoma) throws another food aimed at itto. It was on a silver plate too.

"HAH!" (Itto) blocked it swerving his hand hitting the silver plate too strongly that it's flying fast to Ningguang's side.

Beidou noticed the flying silver tray. Ningguang couldn't move realizing it was too late, "LOOK OUT!" (Beidou) quickly stood up from her seat and thanks to her fast reflexes she managed to keep Ningguang safe but...

Pang!

Not so much for her forehead.

Beidou fell onto the floor looking wasted. "Why... is it... always my head... ugh."

"Beidou-!" (Ningguang)

While the other victims were having issues, Itto was just throwing soft food at people. "Haha! Take that! And that!"

Beidou groans wanting to hit whoever threw that silver tray, that was obviously so dangerous this food fight need to stop.

"In here Jean!" It was Eula's voice that roared through the room. Everyone stopped when they saw the student council president looking mad. "Everyone who is involved in this mess, I'm going to punish you until you forget how to walk."(Jean)

Amber hid behind Eula trying to look inside at the cafeteria.

Ningguang stood up and cried out, "Can anyone help me?! Beidou got hit by a silver tray!"

Beidou groans wanting to speak but she can't. Jean sighs rubbing the sides of her temples, feeling rather moody that her time with Professor Lisa was cut short. "Fix yourselves. Please call the nurse to tend to the wounded, Eula." (Jean)

Eula nods carrying out her order. "Understood."

"I'll come with you, Eula!" (Amber) scurries off trying to catch up with the blue haired woman.

While to others went on their way Jean glares at Itto. "And you're with me, Itto."