Through The Blaze (ch3)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY HIGH-PLEDGING PATRONS!!

I think some people are catching on to what this is. Let's see if they're right!

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia

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													Chapter 3. Cancelation

Akko wakes with the same optimistic mindset. She wants to be early again this morning, but not so she can be the first one in the classroom this time.

As Lotte and Sucy begin getting ready, Akko explains to them that she wants to catch Diana in the hallway before homeroom and speak to her. Akko isn't sure how early Diana might be though, so she hurries on ahead of her friends to scarf down a quick breakfast alone in the dining hall, finds Diana is nowhere to be seen there, then takes off down the hallways toward their homeroom class.

/I just wanna talk to her and make sure she's okay!/

With this goal in mind, Akko rounds the next corner with a bit of speed-

-and slams right into somebody.

With a mutual yelp the collision pushes them both backward from one another, and Akko ends up on her rear. Wincing, she rubs her lower back.

"Ah, s-sorry, I was in a bit of a rush- Diana?!"

Sure enough, when she looks up she finds the other witch is none other than the exact one she'd been looking for. Diana blinks and gives her a look that's equal parts puzzled and irritated.

"Why am I not surprised to find you running in the halls despite the hour?"

Akko's already on her feet, offering her hand.

"Sorry! I was actually looking for you, Diana!"

"For me?" Diana accepts the offered hand. Akko pulls her up.

"Yeah! I wanted to make sure you were okay. Y'know, after what happened the other night at the library and stuff."

Diana's expression becomes a fraction more serious. She searches Akko's face carefully.

"Whatever that was has passed. You needn't worry."

"Are you sure? You seemed kinda tired yesterday."

"You're mistaken. I was merely surprised at seeing you not only on time to classes, but early to them. And even more shocked to find you participating. I hardly knew how to react."

Akko feels a blush spread across her cheeks.

"Aw, I mean I wasn't that good at it... was I?"

"You did very well yesterday, Akko. I'm proud of you."

"Really?" she squeaks. "Thanks, Diana!" She throws both arms around her in her zest and squeezes.

Normally Diana would tell her not to do this in the hallway where they could so easily be seen. But today Diana accepts the contact and even reciprocates. It makes Akko feel like she's needed it these past few days. She holds on an extra second longer before releasing her.

"I'll see you tomorrow in the library then, right?"

"Indeed."

"Great! I can't wait! Thanks, Diana!"

With this Akko twirls around and marches merrily back off toward the cafeteria to sit with her friends for the remainder of breakfast.

Diana watches her go without a word. When she brings a hand to her forehead, it comes back damp with sweat. She pulls out her handkerchief and cleans herself up a bit, then dutifully continues with her patrol.

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Akko has another successful day that day, as well as the day after.

It's getting to the point where people are beginning to accept the timeliness and occasional participation from her.

She still makes plenty of blunders during spell-casting and experiments, but with the lessons she's been taking with her friends after classes recently, she makes a lot fewer mistakes than she would have otherwise. She's also improved in her flying thanks to Amanda.

By the end of the day, Akko is feeling more proud of herself than ever, having just received praise from the Headmistress herself. She's on cloud nine as she wanders back to the dorm room with Lotte and Sucy, who are equally as surprised and happy for her.

"That's so wonderful, Akko!" Lotte smiles. "Even Headmistress Holbrook is noticing your efforts!"

"You'll be Luna Nova's next Diana Cavendish at this rate," Sucy teases.

"Well, I wouldn't go that far," Akko chuckles, though she has to admit Atsuko Cavendish has a nice ring to it, even though she'd totally misinterpreted what Sucy had meant with the comment.

But the mention of Diana does brighten her mood even further. She wants to hurry up and finish all of her homework this afternoon so she'll have nothing to worry about later this evening when she goes to meet with Diana in the library.

Diana had been quiet in classes again today, probably to give Akko a chance to take a bit of the spotlight for herself.

/She's helping me out in a lot of ways. I gotta be sure to thank her!/

One way to do that is to finish as much of her work as she can now so she'll have less to pester Diana about later.

So she works diligently on her homework for an hour or so, with minimal snack and bathroom breaks. Lotte and Sucy enjoy the peace and quiet as Akko works and keeps to herself. Sucy is able to fiddle around with some of her potions and Lotte is able to read comfortably.

Just before dinner, Akko announces she's finished.

"Done! Wow, that almost never happens!"

"Good job, Akko!"

"See what happens when you don't screw around so much?"

"Yeah, yeah," Akko sticks her tongue out at Sucy briefly. "All right let's go eat! I'm starving!"

As they head to the dining hall, Akko keeps an eye out for Diana again, but can't spot her or her teammates.

/What's been up with them lately? I can't remember the last time I saw them eating down here.../

Akko pushes the thoughts to the back of her mind and enjoys her own meal with Lotte, Sucy, and Amanda's team. They chat and joke around as always, laughing and stealing bits of food from each other's trays, which Jasna always offers to replace.

Akko has fun at supper, but excuses herself early to shower before her lesson with Diana. Once her hair has dried and she's back in her uniform, Akko checks the time and decides to head to the library a little early tonight. She takes a few notebooks with her and sets an eager pace. She wants to get there early and surprise Diana again.

The hallways are mostly empty, and they're especially quiet near the library at this hour.

But there's something different about it tonight.

Outside the old wooden doors, guarding it on either side like gargoyles, are Hannah and Barbara.

A few months back Akko would have scrunched her nose and gagged. But as they are now, she walks right up to them without too much fear.

As they notice her approaching, both girls turn to face her, eyes stern.

"Akko-"

"Hey, guys!" she chirps. "This is a weird place to study, don't you think? Maybe you should go inside the library."

"We aren't studying," Hannah snaps.

"We've come to deliver a message."

"Message?"

They nod.

"Diana isn't coming tonight."

"She says she's really sorry."

"She couldn't even write a note."

"We just came to let you know."

Akko feels her notebooks slipping from her hands a little. Her heart drops as does her smile.

"She's not coming...? Why not?"

Hannah and Barbara share a glance, a glance serious enough that it tells Akko they aren't just pranking her for old time's sake. But it also seems like they're hiding something.

"She's just really busy," Hannah says eventually.

"You know how she is," Barbara tacks on. "Like we said, she's really sorry, Akko."

"You can talk to her tomorrow."

"Hopefully..."

Akko looks back and forth between them.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

But the pair offer no more information.

"Don't worry about it."

"Goodnight, Akko."

And with this they scurry off together before Akko can stop them.

She stands there alone outside the library, which has become her favorite place on campus recently. She'd been looking forward to tonight. Now she doesn't know what she should do. The sadness and disappointment squirm around in her stomach like worms.

Diana's never canceled on her before. It almost feels like she's stood her up.

Eventually, Akko heaves a sigh and turns around to head back to her room. She explains everything to Lotte and Sucy with a mutter, changes clothes, and crawls into bed.

She'll talk to Diana tomorrow.

Hopefully.

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A/N: I really enjoy getting to write Hannah and Barbara as Akko's frienemies now instead of just her straight-up enemies. I imagine they still bug each other plenty, but it isn't aggressive anymore.