Chapter 23: Alexia vs Rose
She and Cid hurried to their respective locker rooms to change into their exercise clothes. As she was changing Alexia was trying to decide whether or not a simple beathing with her sword would be enough of a punishment for 'Muffin.'
Maybe I'll give him one kick in the balls for every time he calls me that. I'm really way too easy and kindhearted sometimes.
Alexia drifted in and out of torture scenarios and ended up taking a bit longer to change than usual. When she came out into the main hall of the dojo Rose and Poochie were standing there chatting. He had his usual blank expression, but Rose's cheeks were a noticeable shade of red. Feeling a bit panicked she hurried up to join them. Even though Poochie knew what was going on, she was still worried over what Rose was telling him. She didn't believe Cid had the guts to start any rumors about her, but he had a special gift for annoying her. He didn't need any additional ammunition.
"Sorry, I took so long," Alexia stepped in between them and grabbed hold of Poochie's right arm. "What were you two talking about?"
"Nothing much," Cid announced. "Rose sempai was just telling me about philosophy."
"Philosophy?" Alexia asked in confusion.
"Cid, I've told you before there's no need for honorifics. Please, just call me Rose. After all we've been through together there's no need for formality between us."
He gave a disinterested shrug. "Okay, I guess."
All they've been through? Alexia wondered. She's putting an awful lot of weight on beating him half to death in one match. It's not as if anything else has ever happened between them. The princess suspected Rose was playing up to him to try and get close. The other girl would then try to drive him away. Alexia hadn't thought Rose to be that sort of person, but what other reason could she possibly have for trying to play up to Cid?
Girls could really do some crazy things when they were in love.
"So, you were discussing philosophy?" Alexia put in trying to move the conversation in a different direction.
Rose redirected her gaze and when she answered her tone was a bit sharper than it had been with Pooch.
"I was telling him that fate will favor those who will sacrifice everything to be with the person they love, the person they are fated to be with. I believe that even if the whole world stands in the way, nothing can prevent true love from blossoming."
"Heh, you don't say," Alexia's response was less than enthusiastic. She had really, really, really hoped that Rose would give up the idea of the two of them becoming a couple. No such luck. "Well, since we're all in our workout clothes why don't we stretch and warm up?"
Rose agreed and began using mana to loosen up her muscles. She stopped when she noticed the way Alexia and Cid were doing physical stretches instead.
"Is that how you loosen up? It's a bit unusual."
"It's something Poochie invented," Alexia explained. "It's actually a good way to get ready."
"Oh? Then I'll try it too." Rose's cheeks blushed. "Cid, could you show me how to do it?"
"I guess," Poochie answered with his usual indifference.
Pooch spent the next couple minutes demonstrating and explaining the different stretches. A couple times he even put his hands on her to correct her movements. When he did so a noticeable shudder ran through the other girl's body. It was an impressive act. If Alexia hadn't known the truth, she'd have assumed Rose had feelings for Cid. Clearly, this was some sort of devious scheme to try and lead Pooch astray and cause a breakup. It was a little disappointing to discover Rose could be so deceitful. Alexia had actually believed her to be an open and honest girl.
When they got done stretching Alexia went over and tapped Rose on the shoulder. "Could I have a quick word with you?"
"Of course."
She led the other girl to a far corner of the dojo and away from Cid. Alexia took a deep breath.
"It's not going to work."
Rose lifted an eyebrow. "I beg your pardon?"
"What you're trying to do with Poochie, it's just not going to work." Alexia had no doubt at all that just about any other boy at the academy would fall for Rose's act. It was just that Cid was too lazy to bother with normal male behavior. Plus, she had personal experience with his strange immunity to the charms of a beautiful princess.
The other girl's expression darkened, and she crossed her arms over her chest. "I think I made it clear that I was not giving up. You said you could accept that. Are you going back on your word?"
"No, no, I'm totally fine with it," Alexia said quickly. The absolute last thing she wanted was to upset her enough to do something rash. "I just wanted to warn you, so you don't get your hopes up. I mean you can go ahead and play whatever little games with him you want. But no matter what you do it won't work."
Rose narrowed her eyes. "Little games? Is that what you think this is? You don't believe my love is genuine, do you?"
"I do, I wouldn't be taking this so seriously if I thought it was just a silly crush. Though if it were, that would make things easier for all of us." Alexia couldn't keep a hopeful tone out of her voice.
Rose stood there a moment, staring at her in icy silence.
"Thank you for sharing your opinion with me." She turned on her heel and headed back to Cid.
Well, that could have gone better, Alexia thought.
"So," Cid said. "How should we divide up the sparring? It's a little awkward with three people."
"Well, I think-" Alexia began but was cut off.
"Actually, before that I would like a match with you," Rose turned to her. "I've never trained in Royal Bushin after all. I would like to get a sense of how it compares with Rising Wind."
"Really?" Alexia asked suspicious. "You fought three Royal Bushin users during the school tournament."
Rose nodded. "Yes, but at the time I was more concerned with advancing in the tournament. I was unable to fully appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of the fighting style. If we sparred, I think I would learn quite a lot."
"Well, that's fine, I guess. Uhm, you seem very serious about this." The way Rose was glaring it was as if she'd stolen something from her.
"I am serious," Rose declared. "I'll ask you to go all out so that we can get a full measure of one another."
Does she think she'll make my heart flutter if she's a strong swordsman? Alexia knew a lot of men thought that way. She supposed that maybe Rose had a bit of that kind of thinking too. Alexia had watched Rose win the school's entry tournament for the God of War Festival less than a month ago. So, the two of them having a match seemed a bit pointless. But then again, she had no idea what the rules were for a romantic relationship between two girls. Maybe she sees this as flirting.
The two girls were soon facing each other while holding wooden swords. Poochie was standing off to the side calmly watching. Alexia was ready to have a serious spar, but Rose was gripping her practice weapon so tight her knuckles were white. Her eyes were narrowed, and she could see the other girl's muscles quivering and sense mana building up. Rose seemed to be taking this awfully seriously.
Alexia decided to lighten the mood with a little joke.
"You know if all our genders were flipped this would be something out of a romance novel. It would be the big fight scene where the two guys in love with the same girl battle to try and win her over."
"Yes, it would," Rose replied without any hint of humor. "Shall we start?"
Alexia nodded and Rose charged in.
Alexia wore a black uniform that represented the fact she was considered a master of Royal Bushin. And since her kidnapping and rescue by Shadow she'd worked hard to improve her skills and refine her fighting style into a more simplified version that mirrored what Shadow used. And while she was still nowhere near her sister's level Alexia believed she'd really improved.
She'd watched Rose in her one-sided massacre of Pooch as well as in other matches and her fighting a bear. Alexia judged her skills to be very high, though still a notch below Iris's. She didn't believe she could win this spar but still expected to put up a good showing.
So, when Rose landed a single hit to her ribs that sent her flying into a wall it was a little disconcerting.
"Ow!" Alexia couldn't keep from shouting out in pain.
"Sorry! I'm so sorry!" Rose rushed up to her side. "I didn't mean to be quite so rough! I was sure you'd be able to at least partially block that."
Alexia glared at her. "I wasn't ready."
"You said you were," Cid pointed out.
That earned him a glare too. Trust Pooch to not even be on my side! "I was expecting a hard spar, not a full-on attack!"
Cid shrugged. "Sounds like it's your fault for not taking this serious enough. By the way, I can only close cuts. If your ribs are broken, you'll need to see a real doctor."
"I am kicking you later," she muttered beneath her breath.
Rose was bowing her head in what looked like a sincere apology. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you. I just wanted…" Rather than continue she glanced over to Cid.
"I don't think you have anything to apologize for," he said. "You said you wanted to take this seriously, so Muffin had fair warning. By the way, your strike was excellent."
Rose's cheeks blushed. "Thank you, Cid."
While still lying on her butt Alexia managed to kick him in the shin.
XXX
Despite that rather inauspicious start the three of them continued the sparring session. They traded off partners and focused mainly on the basics and trying to help Cid improve. When Rose and Cid worked together Alexia couldn't help but notice Rose being a whole lot gentler with him than with her. Rose didn't openly attack her again, but their spars were much faster paced and rougher. She supposed part of that was the difference in skill between her and Pooch. But part of it was also her efforts to win Pooch over while making her look weaker.
Rose seemed a genuinely nice person, but clearly had a manipulative side. That was fine though. It actually made Alexia like her better.
At the end of their sparring session Alexia turned to Cid. "Hey Poochie, why don't you go on ahead to the cafeteria? I'll catch up."
He shrugged. "Sure thing, Muffin."
Alexia felt a vein throb but didn't say anything in front of Rose. She waited until he left the dojo, and the girls were alone.
"You know," Alexia said. "Any other boy on this campus, probably in this country, would be thrilled to have two beautiful princesses 'fighting' over him. But not Poochie."
Rose nodded. "Cid didn't react very much."
"I did warn you."
Rose let out a despondent sigh. "He must truly love you."
No, he's just too damn lazy to care. "Now that you understand that will you give up?"
"No. I am as determined as ever. I won't try and come directly between you two. But I can't give up on the person that I love."
"Of course, it couldn't be that easy," Alexia muttered.
"I assume you're revoking your invitation to train together?"
Alexia laughed. "Nah, you're welcome to keep sparring with us. If you're not giving up then I think I'd prefer to have you close, where I can keep an eye on you."
Rose smiled. "I'd like that as well."
"Want to join me and Cid for lunch?"
"Absolutely!"
The three of them began training together and having lunch afterwards every day. Alexia was surprised at just how well the three of them got along. She thought of Rose as her second genuine friend and just wished she would give up on the two of them becoming a couple. Things were going so well as the God of War Tournament approached.
Authors Notes: I'm sure none of you will be surprised that I've been watching the anime. It looks gorgeous, and while there are a few things about it I don't care for, overall, I like it. I was inspired to update after seeing episode three and the debut of best girl. I am very pleased to see she is as manipulative and evil in the anime as in the light novels.
And as for the episode as a whole I can only say one thing.
Woof!