"The marriage wasn't canceled but they changed the date of our marriage," Kazuha announced while sipping the fruit juice he buy from the canteen.

Scaramouche sighed in relief. The marriage wasn't canceled but was pushed out, it's good to know that his parents quite consider Kazuha, still, he will be more glad if they completely push it out.

"So who's your fiancé?" Lumine asked. Scaramouche stared at her. Did she didn't know that Heizou was Kazuha's fiance? Or she is just pretending to not know? After all, Aether knows who is it.

"Heizou Shikanoin, he's nice." Kazuha smiled dreamily. As if something about it was good.

"I know that guy!" Lumine excitedly replied. "The guy with auburn hair! He's my brother's friend."

Based on her reaction, Scaramouche got his answer, she didn't know. Maybe Aether got to know about it because he was an acquaintance of Heizou?

"Still, can't they just cancel it?" Tighnari asked. "You're family was already rich, why need an extension?" Scaramouche chuckled at Tighnari's wording.

"Dunno, but I can handle it if Heizou was nice. I don't want to stand beside with a shitty personality."

Finally, Kazuha comes to realize how much he is worth. Scaramouche wanted to give him applause.

"Well, at least it is. But he's a little weird though." Lumine commented. "I'm not saying things behind his back but I heard from Aether he's a flirt, he likes to play with omegas and never takes them seriously. Be careful around him, he might just doing nice things because he wanted to appease you."

"As if I will take him seriously." Kazuha rolled his eyes. "I heard from his sister that just like you said, he likes to flirt with everyone. It's not like our marriage is all about love, is all about business. But yeah, I would hunt him down if he ever cheated on me. Or flirt with another omega in front of me."

Scaramouche wanted to applaud Kazuha. That's right. He got it right.

"We will bomb his house in Inazuma if he ever did," Childe said.

"Just create an article about 'Heizou blah blah blah was caught cheating' and all of their business will go down since the future leader is a cheater." Tighnari giggled at the thought.

"I will look upon his future later," Mona added.

"Or maybe pull his eyes you know." Scaramouche had the most terrible thought among the others.

Albedo who was silently listening choke on his drink. Even Kazuha and Lumine look at him as if he just muttered the craziest thing they ever heard.

"What? I mean if he can't keep his eyes steady for Kazuha, what's the meaning of having one? Just pulled out his eyes and let him die."

"Instead of his eyes, why not his you know? So he can't keep bragging that he was an alpha who needs an omega." Signora's sinister smiles didn't help at all with Scaramouche's suggestion.

"You two are about to do the most terrible thing." Kazuha looks at them with tired eyes.

"Nah, it was the truth." Scaramouche rolled his eyes.

Albedo faked a cough.

"... It's already time, why don't we go to our respective rooms? I bet you wouldn't like your professor lecturing you in front of the class." Albedo gets up from his seat.

Scaramouche nodded. It will be annoying dealing with nagging. He clicked his tongue as he looked at his phone. 2:10, It's already time.

"That fast?" Childe questioned as he organized his notes from the table and put them in his bag.

"Time flies so fast when there's gossip." Tighnari shakes his head. Looking disappointed that it's already time.

"That's why a meeting when there are no classes is a good idea." Of course, there's Signora who's opening her agenda of the meeting on weekends.

"Sometimes is good." Mona put her right arm around Albedo's torso. "We have a date on weekends so we might not attend every time we have meetings, only sometimes."

Albedo smiles.

"Well, it's fine to me. It's good to hang out with you guys on weekends. It's all in Mona's though."

Scaramouche was internally screaming. Who said to them they can freely flirt in front of them? Why do these two have like a cute relationship? He is envious.

"Go now, you will be late for your class." Lumine shoo them with her hands.

"And stop flirting in front of us," Scaramouche added.

Mona giggled. "Yeah yeah whatever, bye!"

Scaramouche watched the others and waved them goodbye before leaving the cafeteria. Only he and Lumine were left alone at the table. Perks of being classmates in this subject.

"What time you're going to go home later?" Lumine asked.

"The work in the councils decreased a little, so we might end a little early. Maybe 5 at night?"

Scaramouche reminisces about the documents in the council office. In the past, it was like a mountain pile of papers, but suddenly the papers deceased a little when Scaramouche goes to visit the council. Even the other members were surprised to see it.

'I wonder why.'

Scaramouche glanced at Lumine. "Why?"

"I'll be going home early as well, maybe we can leave together?"

"Sure." It's good to have company when going home.

"But we're riding a bus right?"

He doesn't have any energy left to deal with Aether later. Not after what happened yesterday.

Lumine seems to read what Scaramouche's implying and replies.

"I was planning something like that, but if that's what you want, sure." Lumine had a smile on her face as she said that.

"Is that Ayaka?! Omg!"

The sudden voices of the girls giggling and gossiping made Scaramouche and Lumine look where the noises are coming from.

It was the entrance of the cafeteria. Scaramouche can see Ayaka together with someone that he doesn't want to see.

"It's Aether!"

Aether did say to him that Ayaka and he weren't dating last night and that Scaramouche was stupid for assuming that. But there's a matter that Scaramouche didn't look at, and that's Aether who did not say he doesn't have feelings for Ayaka. He just say she was not his girlfriend.

Scaramouche glared at Aether and Ayaka's back.

He felt pathetic. Just last night, he was contemplating what Aether said, but looking at the scene right now. He feels so pathetic and stupid.

Did he seriously think Aether was being serious with that move? He even asked his friends because he thought he was serious!

"Do you want to go somewhere else?" Lumine noticed the gloomy look on Scaramouche's face and suggested.

Scaramouche looks away. "Why would we? It's fine here."

Lumine sighed. She seemly thought that Scaramouche have feelings for her brother for asking that.

"I'm sorry." Scaramouche eyes widened as he instantly put his attention on Lumine.

Why Lumine was apologizing? She did nothing wrong!

Lumine ignored Scaramouche and continue speaking. "My brother was a little asshole right, he can't think right."

"Right... You don't need to do that, it's okay." Aside from the fact Lumine was right about Aether being an asshole. She doesn't need to apologize for her brother's action, Scaramouche wasn't affected anyways.

He was just disappointed.

Lumine suddenly rolled her eyes.

"I don't why Ayato keeps treating Ayaka like a baby who can't even walk without anyone helping her."

"Ayato?" Scaramouche heard this name before from Lumine. But he didn't pay attention since it was probably some close relative.

"It's Ayaka's older brother. He's the current Ceo of Kamisato Company, it's a famous company in Inazuma."

Scaramouche flinched. Kamisato Company, how could he not know this? This company is famous for its performance in the business industry. He heard his moms talking about this company before since the one who is managing that was a young guy.

'They were good, but not good enough to rival the Raiden's Company.' He heard his mom Yae say this before.

And it's Ayaka's older brother? How narrowed-minded was Scaramouche for not realizing this before? He never really cared about people's surnames, only names are important to him since it's annoying dealing with them, but this is really beyond stupidity.

The moment he knows that Ayaka is Kamisato, he should realize that she might have connections with the Kamisato Company even if she is just a cousin or something!

Scaramouche tried to pretend to be calm as he nodded at Lumine.

"Our family are close with each other, so we were like childhood friends but not really."

Guess it's explained why Ayaka and Aether were close.

Lumine looks at Scaramouche with serious eyes. "What I will tell was a secret between us, I will soon tell this to others as well, but I'm saying it to you because I know you need it."

"Huh?" Why is Lumine acting like this suddenly?

"Ayato had been trying to make Aether be always with Ayaka even in the school. My brother can't simply turn him down since they were like really close." Lumine put her elbow on the table and used her palm to rest her cheeks.

Scaramouche glanced at the table where Aether and Ayaka were seating.

Scaramouche pouted as he looked away.

They look good. Somehow Scaramouche feels like his mood was worsening, it feels like he ate spoiled food.

He wasn't the only one pouting, Lumine was as well.

"Somehow, I feel like Ayato was playing a matchmaker for the two."

Scaramouche just listened. He doesn't know how to respond to that. He should be happy or not?

"I know it's normal that Ayato would do something like that. Aether becoming Ayaka's fiance will cause a lot of good fortune and vice versa. Not only that, it will bring their company and our company as well in a higher position."

"Just like what happened in Kazuha's," Or maybe Yoimiya's.

Scaramouche commented. He completely understands why people in business often matched their children with another business person's children. It's needed for business, it's a must to do so if they are aiming for a higher status in the business world.

"Yes. Our parents might think that they were a great match because Ayato had been showing off them. So, his goal might become possible."

Aether marrying someone.

That thought somehow made Scaramouche feel like it was a betrayal.

Scaramouche eyes widened as the realization hit him hard.

It's not like that, right? How could he feel like this? He didn't like Aether.

"But I don't think Aether will agree with Ayato's want. That boy will agree to this arrangement but not when it's about marriage. Marrying someone out of business was nothing but taking his freedom of choice to marry someone he loved. He heartedly hated it."

"Yeah..?"

"If ever our parents come to the story, I don't think Aether had a choice to choose. My dad's words are absolute, he had no choice but to agree if Dad wants him to."

Of course. Scaramouche fucking knows their parents' orders were absolute. Even though he was a little bastard if his moms told him something like that, he had no choice but to agree with them. It's not because he is afraid of making them angry, but he is afraid to disappoint them, he is afraid to disappoint his loved ones.

What about Aether? Surely he will feel the same way.

"Hmm." Scaramouche hummed.

"It looks like Aether was enjoying this arrangement though, I don't know. I don't care, it's on him." Lumine annoyed said, completely resting her head on her both hands on the table.

While watching Lumine. A thought goes to Scaramouche's mind.

'If Aether knows about this, he should know they will eventually come to an engagement, why bother to ask me that?'

Scaramouche titled his head. As expected, he hated Aether.

+++

kuni likes aether 😘😘 not scam

Fri at 3:51 PM

child without e:

hohoho who changed the gc name?

anyways, i heard that ayaka and aether were together in the canteen

you 'kay scara?

Fri at 4:11 PM

child without e:

practicing right now

wow lu, your brother is xool

*cool

i ask aether ahout ayaka and him

he says they were just friends nothing special

you can breathe now kuni (⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)

Seen by child without e and kunikuni

Kunikuni changed the name to "no one asked ginger"

Scaramouche sighed. The others were not replying to Childe nor reading the chat, they are probably busy with their classes. Good for them, they don't have to deal with Childe's bullshit.

'Look how shameless he is.'

Scaramouche was currently on a bench, seating with his bag resting beside him. His classes ended early as he expected, and he can't wait to go home to rest.

He just needs to wait for Lumine since the girl texted him that her class was about to be dismissed.

Scaramouche scrolls through his phone as he waited. It somehow helped him not to think about Aether who was probably practicing in the court of the university. And Childe too, was part of the basketball team of their university, unfortunately.

He stops scrolling as he comes to a post. It was from Ayaka's account.

A picture of her smiling while doing a heart pose with Aether looking bored, posing with a peace sign.

Scaramouche chuckled. Peace sign? Does Scaramouche look like he wanted peace?

Ayaka's sure popular. Inside and outside of school. There are so many likes in the post, relatives, friends, or schoolmates, and everyone who probably knows her liked the picture.

Scaramouche knows he shouldn't be bothered too much, he shouldn't care about them. Yet, he finds himself clicking the comment section.

ayesha.kami:

you guys look so cute!

kokomi.lov:

so cute! it's been a while since i saw you together 💖💖

idontknowyourname:

when's the wedding? hahaha jokie

Scaramouche mood worsened as he continues to read the comments.

no one asked ginger

child without e:

hashsjshakha this is new hahaha

our practices ended early

@kunikuni @lumimi wait for me uwu

lumimi:

sure :)

Scaramouche wanted to question how the heck basketball practice ended early today,  the earliest time they ended was 6 pm before, but still, he didn't reply and just reacted to the chat. Seems like Lumine is done with class.

lumimi:

lets go to cupid arrow's cafe after all of you are done with classes!

i remember kuni told us about the yoimiya girl, lets see her!

child without e:

omg yas i remem that

lets see her!

rostam lover:

sure, no prob.

my bf will be there as well

astrologer:

a new girl! i'm excited!

albedo says he will be going as well!

our class will be dismissed at 6, is still okay?

lumimi:

of course!

cyno the adventurer:

im so busy but nari will be there as well so i'll go

Scaramouche was speechless. So, these fuckers will make him lonely again by inviting their lovers? Woah, he can't believe it.

And they had a right to say that he might be lonely when in fact, they are the reason why he is lonely?!

"You're here." Scaramouche was startled. He looks behind his back to see the owner of the voice.

Childe says the basketball practice just end just now, what the heck this asshole was here this fast?

Scaramouche simply stares at Aether.

"What's the problem?" Aether asked.

While Scaramouche was thinking about the things he hated about Aether. This guy had the audacity to ask him what.

"Why are you here? Are you going to start another fight? Spare me for that, I'm not in the mood for your games."

Scaramouche says, ignoring Aether's question as he looked away and checked his things on the bench. He just hopes Lumine and Childe will be here as quickly as possible because it feels suffocating being alone with Aether.

"The practice is done. You? I'm at least surprised to see you here this early."

Yeah, but you don't look like that at all. Aether had that look like he expected Scaramouche to be here.

Scaramouche sighed.

He wanted to go home.

"Class is dismissed early, the council works is done." Scaramouche calmly replies.

Aether's brows furrowed. He looks like he just heard something unpleasing.

Scaramouche didn't care. He doesn't have the energy to argue with him this time. Aether can have fun with Ayaka anyway. He should do that and not bother Scaramouche.

"You should have gone home."

Scaramouche suddenly had the urge to roll his eyes and lashes out at Aether, but he stop himself and reply calmly as possible.

"I'm waiting for Lumine and Childe. We'll be going out together."

Aether's cold expression seems about to break. He stares at Scaramouche with puzzlement. Scaramouche was probably hallucinating when he saw Aether having a concerned look.

"Are you Scaramouche?"

Calm down. He's trying to annoy you. Scaramouche reminded himself.

"Yes, I am."

Perhaps Aether was confused that Scaramouche was replying normally to him.

Usually, Scaramouche would glare at him and lashes out at him with every insult he knows and acts as if nothing happened after, but Scaramouche wasn't in the mood to entertain Aether right now.

Aether should go to Ayaka if he wants someone to entertain him.

"What?"

Scaramouche raised an eyebrow at Aether. Aether just stared at him as if he was analyzing Scaramouche.

"Are you angry?"

Scaramouche is surely mistaken he just saw Aether having an expression as if this is the most critical problem he ever had.

"No, why would you think that?"

Scaramouche heard Aether mutter a curse under his breath.

"You sure?"

"Yeah?"

"Normally, you would get angry with everything I do. You will glare at me as if I was annoying. You will even say that you hate me as much as I hate you. That is the Scaramouche I know. But looking now, you're not in your usual self."

These are probably the longest words that Aether uttered to Scaramouche. In the most unexpected way too.

"What's the problem? Did I do something that upset you this much?"

Aether looks at Scaramouche as if he was a math problem that needs to be solved.

Scaramouche continues to be quiet.

"Is this because of last night?"

Why does this feel like... such a couple situation?

"Or earlier in the cafeteria? Which one is it? Or is it both?"
!'

Of course, Scaramouche would not say something like that today. He is angry, he is tired, maybe both.

Aether should be thankful because Scaramouche was just doing this and not entirely ignoring him. After all, that just means he is very angry.

"No, why would I?" And Scaramouche was intrigued by something to even care about it.

"..."

Scaramouche stares at Aether once again.

"When you say about us pretending to be a couple, are you making an excuse to not engage with Ayaka?"

Because, if Lumine was right about Aether not wanting to be engaged with Ayaka. Scaramouche can see Aether doing this.

Aether's eyes widened.

"How did you know about it?"

Scaramouche chuckled sarcastically. He was right.

"Kuni!" Scaramouche look around as he heard Lumine's voice.

And there, he saw Lumine walking together with Childe.

Scaramouche picked up his bag from the bench as Lumine and Childe were already near their location.

Scaramouche saw how Lumine's eyes widened when she saw Aether with him, and how Childe's eyes squinted as he look Scaramouche and Aether back and forth.

"Brother," Lumine called