The next day, Aether meets Venti and Albedo in his first class. They greet each other and take their respective seats as students chatter around and ramble about their days. Albedo looks as refined as yesterday but Venti has an unusual glint in his eyes. Not like he wasn't a happy go lucky type of guy to begin with but there is something unknown behind those pupils. Aether wonders what had gotten the bard so giddy but just as he's about to ask Venti, the teacher enters the hallway and the students stumble to their seats.
The class has just begun but Aether already feels half dead, it's because the class is of geography and the teacher is literally just reading from the textbook. How boring, Aether thinks and stifles a yawn behind her hands. He yawns again after a minute or so and hears a quiet chuckle from his right. His eyes are teary from the yawns as he looks towards Albedo with a sheepish grin.
"Didn't get enough sleep?" Albedo whisper-asks and thumbs a tear escaping from Aethers sleepy eyes gently.
Aether finds the gesture a bit intimate for his liking but doesn't comment on it and whisper backs "No, I just find geography extremely boring."
Albedo is about to say something when Aether spots the guy from yesterday preparing to sit beside Venti as if he hasn't just entered the class midway and the teacher is literally sitting right there. Albedo looks towards the guy and comments "As early as always."
The guy pretends he didn't hear him and his eyes lingers on Aether, a shocked expression which he tries masking by looking away and at Venti as he sits down beside him.
Venti perks up and starts talking to the boy as if they're best of friends and the teacher clears his throat due to the increased whispers in the classroom. The rest of the lecture is a blue of images as Aether daydreams about his lunch time.
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Aether is brought back to the world by the ring of the bell suggesting the end of class. The students make haste of grabbing their books and leaving the classroom while some are still sitting idly, not present in the current world. Aether's friends, he sure hopes they are friends by now, also stand to leave the class as Aether stretches, his arms in the air, his back curved. Albedo beckons him towards the door and he again meets the eyes of this mysterious stranger. The stranger looks away as soon as they make eye contact and they walk towards the sitting area.
"Ah Aether, let me introduce you guys" Venti drags Aether by arm towards the guy and looks points at him "This is my brother Xiao, he's a bit shy but I swear he's super nice" Venti finishes with a smile as Xiao looks at Aether awkwardly.
"And Xiao, this is the new guy I was talking about, Aether ?" Venti finishes as they reach their next class, Aether waves his hand at Xiao in a greeting and says "Hi, we meet again." with a cute smile.
Xiao just nods at him and takes his seat beside Venti as he looks at Xiao and then Aether simultaneously.
"Wait, you guys have actually met? When?"
"Oh, I met him yesterday on my way to the bus station. It was raining so he offered me his umbrella." Aether explains while taking out his books from the backpack. "By the way, thank you again." Aether smiles gratefully at Xiao.
"mhm" Xiao replies but Venti is still all giddy for some reason.
"Wait wait wait, so Xiao yesterday you muffcdfb-"
Ventis' sentence is muffle by Xiaos stuffing a bun in his mouth "Eat something, you haven't had breakfast."
The teacher enters the class and the rest of the day is spent taking notes and dozing off before lunch break.
"Oh by the way, have you joined any club yet Aether? It's mandatory" Albedo asks Aether when they are on their lunch break.
"Not yet, I'm thinking of joining the judo club, I've been into that recently." Aether chuckles and takes a bite out of his zinger burger.
"Oh oh", Venti perks up, "Xiao is in the club, he can guide you if you're interested. Right Xiao?"
Xiao looks at Aether and replies 'yeah sure' before going back to munching his food. A man of few words Aether thinks.
Before Aether can reply, Albedo interprets "Orr you can join the alchemy club, we do exciting experiments every other day."
"Albedo is in the president mode again" Venti comments, his food flying over his tray. "He's always asking people to join his club because he feels alone."
"I'm not alone, mind you. I just think it'll be a great experience for Aether and he can always come to me when needed." Albedo flushed red and stabs the fork at the piece of apple.
"Oh now I'm confused." Aether pouts.
"What's there to be confused about? Judo is definitely better." Xiao comments and surprises everyone.
Venti gasps dramatically "I can't believe you got the offer to join judo club by my own brother Aether. I knew miracles existed."
Xiao looks at Venti with exasperation and gathers his things for his next class.
"You can take your time to decide Aether." Albedo smiles at him, "I'll be waiting for you."
How can Albedo do this to Aether? He's practically telling Aether to join his club.
"Hold it chemist, don't pressure him" Xiao comments sharply and glares at Albedo.
Aether feels confused at the scene unfolding before him because how can a talk about joining clubs turn into a competition.
"Now now, both of you settle down. You are scaring the poor guy." Venti chides them both and the rest of the day goes smoothly. No one mentions the clubs as they spend the rest of the day making fun of Ventis rhymes and taking the god forsaken classes.