Smile (ch14)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY $10+ PATRONS!

I whipped this up as quickly as I could this morning on this holy international holiday of Diana's birthday. I hope you enjoy.

Standalone drabble, not a part of the little ot3 series the previous few chapters have focused on!

Disclaimer: I do not own Little Witch Academia.

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														Chapter 14.

All throughout the morning, Diana can't help but feel that something is amiss. Not necessarily in a bad way, but in a way that makes her curious.

During the morning lectures, it seems to her that Hannah and Barbara are a bit chattier than usual, almost constantly muttering to one another under their breath. Diana has to scold them several times.

And then in the 5-minute breaks between classes, during which Diana chooses to go over her notes and read, her teammates quickly excuse themselves and scurry off. That's also odd, because they typically stick by her no matter what, but Diana doesn't ask questions. They're back before the next lecture begins, so she has no reason to inquire.

But it's when the lunch bell rings when things start becoming even stranger. Hannah and Barbara messily pack away their things and jump out of their seats, giving Diana a start.

"Girls? What in the world-"

"Sorry, Diana!"

"We gotta go somewhere real quick!"

"I could infer as much," Diana says, folding her notebook neatly. "Just give me a moment and I will-"

"Th-That's okay! No need!"

"We'll just be a minute! We'll see you at lunch!"

And before Diana can become any more puzzled, her two teammates hurry off out of the room. Diana can only look after them and wonder.

She takes her time putting away her books as her other classmates file out.

All except one, it would seem.

As soon as Diana is ready to begin heading to the cafeteria, an all-too familiar voice calls out for her.

"Dianaaa!"

She heaves a sigh, a reaction that's become almost second-nature to hearing that voice by now.

"What is it, Akko?"

The energetic witch comes skidding to a halt in front of her with both hands clasped together and a watery look in her eyes.

"Diana! It's terrible! You gotta help me!"

Diana puts a hand to her forehead in an effort to dissuade the oncoming headache.

"Whatever do you mean?"

Akko sniffles and whimpers and looks guiltily back at her lecture seat.

"I... fell asleep during class... W-Would it be okay if I copied some of your notes...?"

Diana sighs again.

"I had a feeling it was something like that. While I do admire your desire to admit your mistake and catch up, I would advise you to be more attentive during class."

"Y-Yeah..."

"Very well. Come with me."

Diana retrieves her notebooks and then joins Akko at her seat.

They spend about 15 minutes in the empty classroom together with Diana reading her notes aloud and Akko passionately scribbling them down. At last, with a glance to the clock, Akko flops down on the table.

"Aahhhh, okay finallyyy." Her stomach gives a monstrous growl right on cue.

Diana closes her notebook and stifles a chuckle.

"I must admit that I, too, am feeling a bit peckish. Shall we, then?"

"Yeah!"

They put their things away before heading out of the classroom together.

Diana walks calmly as per usual, but Akko seems even more energetic than usual today. She bounces and hums and laughs to herself all the while, until at last they reach the cafeteria. At that point, Akko suddenly lunges in front of Diana to beat her to the doors.

"Ready!" she shouts.

Diana blinks and tilts her head.

"Akko, what are you-?"

"And go!"

Akko leans back and pushes the doors wide open.

At that exact second, a burst of colorful light fills the cafeteria. Dozens and dozens of magical, spell-cast animals and designs float about all around the room, along with just as many balloons, and a big pop that is then followed by a stream of flowing rainbow confetti raining down on everyone inside.

And it is just about everyone. Diana's team and Akko's, in addition to Amanda's team, Avery's, and just nearly every other witch at Luna Nova. And they all give one unanimous shout:

"Happy Birthday, Diana!"

As they cheer, they all wave their wands, and the same letters appear in the air in a beautiful display of magic.

Diana nearly stumbles from the shock of it all.

"What... everyone, what is...?"

Akko stands at the head of the pack with her hands on her hips and a huge grin across her face.

"Ta-daaaa! Did we surprise you? Was I a good decoy?"

"Decoy...?"

"Yeah! See, I didn't actually fall asleep during class – well, not today anyway... But Hannah and Barbara said they still needed a bit more time to arrange things here, so it was my job to keep you back at the classroom for a little while longer! So I had to re-write the notes I'd actually already taken, haha."

Diana is still baffled, nearly in disbelief at the wonderful magical scene before her. She looks to her two beaming teammates.

"Hannah, Barbara, you two-"

"Sorry we were being so sneaky!"

"We didn't wanna spoil the surprise!"

Diana can't think of what to say or do. She'd forgotten her own birthday, truth be told, but everyone else had remembered.

Just then, the merry voice of Jasna sings out.

"Coming through~ Make way~" She meanders out of the kitchen with a big cake, and everyone marvels at its craftsmanship and beauty.

"Yo, Jasna, that looks great!"

"As expected of one of Luna Nova's top culinary students!"

Diana is rendered speechless as Jasna places the cake on the table in front of her. It's rather large and mostly white, rimmed with beautiful blue frosting and decorated with fruit slices. It's just like the cake she'd used to have back at home...

Hannah and Barbara come forward again, blushing slightly.

"S-So do you like it?"

"We mailed Anna and asked her for the recipe."

Diana looks over the dazzling cake, then back up at the room still lively with magic and bright with smiles. When she blinks, she feels water.

"Hannah, Barbara, everyone... thank you..."

"W-Waaah, D-Diana!"

"D-Don't cry! Oh my gosh!"

"I-If you cry-"

"-th-then we're gonna-"

And right on cue both of them burst into tears and throw their arms around her. Diana hugs them back and sheds only a few quiet tears with a smile on her face all the while.

Everyone in the room applauds and wishes her a happy birthday once again.

Once all the tears have dried, everyone gathers around to sing to Diana, and the candles on the cake are lit with magic. She blows them out daintily, and more cheers erupt.

"That's Diana for you!"

"I'm glad we could surprise her!"

"It was so much fun!"

"Okay, okay!" Akko yells above the others. "Time to cut the cake! Someone gimme the knife!"

"Uh, I don't think that's such a good idea."

"Hah?! Why not, Sucy?"

"Akko, I think she's right..."

"What?! You too, Lotte?!"

"Oy, pipe down! Give it here."

"Somehow I don't like the idea-

"-of Amanda using a knife either..."

"Wh- hey!"

As the chorus of bickering and laughter fills the room, the warmest feeling she's ever known fills Diana's heart.

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A/N: Ahhhhh it was nice to get to write another little something for LWA again. I miss it so much... Wishing everyone a wonderful day today for Diana's bday~