Sunny was someone who thought he wasn't affected by rumors, after all, he purposely spread some painting him as insane. Though it was a much different case when he is seen as a Legacy's boy toy and also a.. he's not even going to finish the Cassie part. Across from him at the lunch table, he could see Cassie's face, which was growing redder by the second, attempting to eat, her entire body shaking. He hoped soon she realized that it just seems more incriminating. As for Nephis, she was even more quiet than usual. No, she wasn't quiet, rather it was as if she was made out of stone. Her movements were robotic and her face didn't move a muscle. In fact, when she brought the spoon to her mouth she didn't even bother opening it, rather she just pushed it in. There was no point in attempting to fix their reputation as they would be leaving in some weeks, but still.. that is when he heard someone approaching them from behind.
"Excuse me Lady Nephis, and uh.. you two."
He tried not to sigh. Getting up, he grabbed Cassie's arm, lifting her up before starting to drag her to the door. She wouldn't be able to eat anyways, so they might as well go to the training room early. Though thinking on it, his action right now just may make the rumors worse, so it goes.
"Just find us when you're finished with your.. conversation?"
He didn't really know what the person needed, but he honestly couldn't care. That was until he was about to reach the door and heard a thud and a slam. Turning around, he saw Nephis standing up, her face disgusted. On the floor was the boy who approached them, holding his cheek.
"Repeat that again, you repugnant peon, I dare you."
Well, that escalated quickly.
---
All three of them were in the training room now, though they weren't doing much training. It was more like taking anger out, though the only one doing that was Nephis. She was constantly pushing him back, her swings being more aggressive. Luckily, he was able to hold his own, though he didn't know for how much longer he could. Managing to slip out of her constant berate of swings, he was finally able to speak.
"What even hap-"
"That fool was attempting to imply taking your place in what he called.. nightly escapades.."
Yuck, he wished he never asked. He didn't really have a response, so he just said the first thing that came to his mind.
"Damn, that's rough buddy."
Her swing broke his sword, and if he didn't get out the way, his arm would have probably been next.
---
Nephis was still blowing off steam in the training room, so he and Cassie decided to walk back to their dorms. Well, he's walking her to hers, after all, now that people were approaching them. And it was a good thing he did, because as they were walking a boy walked past them before whispering something at Cassie.
"Slut."
Sunny froze for a second, not because he was angry the guy called Cassie that. No, he knew she was thick-headed enough to not let that get to her. Rather, it made him recall something from his childhood. It was back when his mother was still alive. A seemingly rich man who, looking back on it, must have been a legacy. The man approached his worn down mother, asking her for something. Though he doesn't really remember the conversation, he does remember that word as it seemed so foreign to him. He never knew what it meant either.. well, until now. Using context clues, he could piece it together. That's why he wasn't surprised when he zoned back in only to realize his fist was about to crush into the boy's nose.
---
It crashed into his face at first, sending him onto his back. Before he could get up, Sunny straddled him, raining down his fists onto his face. He could hear protests from all around him, but he could drown them out. After all, in front of him wasn't the boy's face but rather the legacy man's face from that day. Only then did he realize it was the same boy who asked Nephis that question. Stopping his fists as he was pulled back by multiple people, he couldn't help but think of the hypocrisy of it. While Cassie and him were treated like this because of the rumors, everyone still treated Nephis like a princess. It wasn't just about classism anymore. After all, Cassie most likely had a similar background to most of them. Rather, it was about power. Nephis was strong, and they were seen as weak. That's why right here, right now, he had to change that perception. As he got out of the grasp from those who dragged him off the boy, he got his footing back before putting his fists up. There were three of them, and he knew he would lose. After all, it was still only some weeks ago that he had a malnourished body. He was able to beat the tyrant because of his "aspect" and using a weapon. But right here he only had his fists, which were weaker than those in front of him. Though it didn't matter if he lost, after all, the only thing he has to do is not look weak, right?
No, that would never change. They would forever see him as someone who's weak. So that's why he has to leave an impression that wouldn't leave them. The rumors couldn't get any worse from now, so he did the most logical thing.
He pretended to be crazy, screaming and going into a frenzy.
---
Walking out of the principal's office, he was let off lightly. Though he knew why, it was because he was Changing Star's friend, of course. He knew this because the principal talked about her reputation and how it can be damaged with his actions. They were supposed to meet up with Nephis, this time not in his room of course. But before that, he noticed Cassie waiting for him outside the office door. Before she could say anything, he hugged her. Though he wasn't really imagining himself hugging her. Rather, this is the only way he can forgive himself. Back then, as a weak kid, he did nothing as that man disrespected his mother, though it's not like he could have fought back anyways. Still, due to him not knowing anything, he couldn't even give her a hug to comfort her, to let her know that they would be in that hell together until the day she inevitably died. Even so, that's not what hurt him the most. Rather, it was the fact that he had forgotten his mother's own face. That's why he's sorry.. because he's not planning on remembering. The tides in the world are turning, so from now on he can only focus on the present and the future. Pulling away from Cassie, he grasped her face, engraving it into his memory so he would never forget it. She didn't say a word, as if she knew why he was doing this. Once he was done, he grabbed her hand and started to walk. In the end, he's decided to trust the two of them. From now on he'll hold those he holds dear close.
---
"Unhand my face, cur!"
Nephis was struggling out of his grip as he engraved her face into his memory. Though he wouldn't let go, of course.