Lady Misfortune: Daddy, I'll Be A Righteous Villainess!

What stood out the most among all the stunts that Lady pulled was, in Fallon's opinion, the whole evil flower act.

No matter how absurd it is to pretend to be rude and mean just because it's her so-called role in the story, he does think that she's serious about this entire thing. He eventually began to trust her words, especially after seeing how each of her future predictions came true.  While her confession back then wasn't able to fully convince him, her actions in the present were enough to do the trick.

There was even a time when Lady made a 'How to Be the Perfect Sidekick' guidebook for Fallon.

"Read this in preparation for the future. I have already listed down everything that you can assist me with. Take note of that part that says you have to make way for me whenever I have to bully the heroine. Your job as my sidekick is to help set up the spotlight. I will take care of running the show. Do you understand?" was what she told him then.

Fallon only gave Lady an incredulous face in response.

It's quite entertaining, nevertheless. She also went as far as taking some basic acting lessons in order to pull it off. It was then that he learned that she could actually excel at something regardless of the fact that she's just messing around for the most part. If only it wasn't for this mission of hers, she could've thought of taking an acting career and become a child star with how talented she was. 

Still, no matter what path Lady takes, Fallon supports her.

As long as she's not putting herself in danger, he'll help her in any way he can. He may have foiled her 'evil' schemes from time to time, but otherwise, he's lending a hand – especially when he thinks it's going to be interesting. 

An example of that was when she asked him if she could take Calixtus out somewhere. She already told him that it's because she wanted to get close to him. Knowing that Maximilian would secretly get jealous if he was to learn about that, he agreed to play along. 

On the other hand, Lady never learned about the offer that Fallon received.

He didn't tell her – simply because it's not needed. Even though a few more similar proposals appeared, he turned down each one of them. He's already more than satisfied with how he gets to spend time with her every day. Making accomplishments can wait.

And with that, years flew by. Seasons changed and turned. Then, before they both realized it, they're about to enter middle school. 

At long last, the official beginning of The Princess of High School has arrived.

--- 

"What club are you going to join this year?"

The morning air is refreshing. From up above, golden rays come as waves of invitation to the day. Threads of sunlight peek through the clouds, smiling down at two certain middle-schoolers as they make their way to the academy. 

Lady reaches for the sky. Fallon walks briskly at the side, trying to keep pace.

She puts aside her antics to beam at his question and say through a giggle, "What kind of question is that, Fallon? I've always been in theatre."

"Weren't you listening during yesterday's announcement?" 

Lady tips her head questioningly. Fallon lets out a drawn-out sigh. 

"Nevermind. Of course, you weren't. I shouldn't have asked."

"Huh? What did they announce at the assembly?"

She stops in her tracks to regard him fully. He frowns. 

"I'm not telling you. Suffer for not listening."

With that, Fallon turns away and stares ahead. Lady, undeterred, sing-songs, "If you don't tell me now, you'll suffer for it later. Do you really want me to annoy you until the first period starts?"

"You really need to bother someone else. Why is it always me?" he groaned as he pushed her away.

She takes hold of his arm, chuckling lightheartedly. Then, with an arm around his shoulder, she pulls him close for a side hug and goes on to say, "Because you're my best friend, and you love me! Now, answer my question!"

He tries to pull away. The corner of his mouth pulls up for the tiniest bit, though. 

"You're not allowed to be in the theatre club anymore," he informed her with his trademark snark.

"What?!" she bolted out, flabbergasted.

"You heard me. You have to change clubs." 

"Why?! They can't do that! You're lying!"

"I'm not."

"Why aren't I allowed to join theater again? That's frustrating! I'm good at nothing else!"

"Because it's considered a voluntary extra-curricular now. Clubs are a required extra-curricular."

"Wow. That's dumb."

Fallon shrugs. This time, he takes his turn to pull Lady along.

"Hey, I'm not on the board. Besides, you can still join there – just not as a club. So, you'll have two extra-curricular activities now."

She pauses at that, considering. He looks at her with curious eyes. 

"That would be good. But having two of those would suck," she huffed.

"You're just lazy," he deadpanned.

"I can't afford to be busy! I've got a mission to do!"

"Oh, right. It's finally that day, huh?"

Lady nodded.

The time she's long been anticipating has come. For years, she waited and waited. Now, all her preparations and practice can be finally put to use. She'll be facing her fate starting from this day forward.

It's exhilarating yet nerve-wracking at the same time. 

"Well, it's still the second day of school anyway. I still have lots of time before they actually make us pick clubs," Lady said coolly. 

"Even then, you have to choose one soon so you can list yourself before club capacity runs out," Fallon replied.

"Oh, yeah! I forgot that's a thing! Hmmm… Maybe I can join the chess club!"

"Pfttt! Are you just going to ignore how boring chess club will be?"

"Hey! Just because everyone else is dumb at chess doesn't mean I can't join the club! Besides, I can probably teach them how to beat you! Just imagine it! After four years of scorn and resentment, the chess club shall finally rise in rebellion to defeat you!"

"How could you possibly teach them to defeat me when you can't even come close to beating me?"

"Ugh! Stop crushing my dreams!"

He laughed at her face. She decided to reconsider the chess club.

"Lady! Fallon!"

Hearing an all-too-familiar voice call their names, they both look ahead.

Lady brightens up at the sight that greets her at that moment. Belle is waving at her and Fallon from the school gate. Hartigan stands beside her, looking somewhat astonished.

She happily waves back at the two of them.

They've grown so much - more attractive. She can already tell that they're going to top the popularity poll again. The same goes for her cousin who has also become quite the fine-looking one.

"How are you guys…?" Lady asked once she and Fallon were close enough. 

"Are you alright? Have you been sleeping well? Are you fed-"

"Seriously, Lady, you've got to stop asking those things…!" Belle laughed. 

"Can't you see? Hartigan's getting bigger!"

"Hey, I'm not…!" Hartigan cut in, pouting. 

"I'm betting you I can still beat her at dodgeball."

Belle and Fallon snort. Lady just grins knowingly.

Hartigan blushes then.

It isn't because they're making fun of him. Rather, it's because this girl he used to call 'ugly' and 'chubby' during the entire half of primary school is becoming more and more gorgeous by the day. He couldn't take his eyes off of her at all – she is such a wondrous beauty.

Her golden-yellow hair has grown longer, its wavy ends reaching just below her waist. The roundness of her face is no longer there either. It turned symmetrical - refined. She now has the air of a true lady. 

"Anyway, look at my new bag! Isn't it cute?" Belle chimed in, starting the usual girlish chit-chat with Lady. 

"She's been going on and on about that new bag for ages!" Hartigan complained to Fallon who really could not bring himself to care.

He continues to say something, but Fallon has mastered the art of tuning him out. He does see Hartigan as a good guy, yet sometimes, he only seems capable of talking about the same things over and over again. 

He supposes it helps him process things, which he can't really begrudge him of doing. Everyone in their little group has their own little quirks, after all.

While having these thoughts, Fallon notices a bright, shiny car stop in front of the school gates. 

For a moment, he can't help but marvel at its sheer whiteness – it's immaculate and spotless. He briefly wonders if rubbing his shoe against it will leave any mark. Eventually, he reckons it probably won't no matter how illogical the thought was.

The door of the car opens, and out steps a teenage boy he has never seen before. His hair is platinum blonde, nearly going white, and his eyes are pale blue. He knows for himself that it rarely happens, but when he thinks that a guy is one hell of a handsome dude, he truly means it – and that's exactly what this stranger is. 

The first thing Fallon thinks of is, 'Well, damn.. A new snobby rich boy has come to town.'