Confidence Was His Greatest Charm

The gifted program had a somewhat odd sorting system. It separated its classes into age ranges of ten years, but instead of having people move up grades when they hit a certain marker, the class moved up and grew together. That meant, when the first person joined a newly established class, they would likely be on their own for at least a year before anyone else joined.

The current class they were in had been established eight years ago, meaning there would only be openings for another two years, but Ova wasn’t really expecting them to get any more new students, considering this class was already so large. They’d accumulated a decent number of students over the years, and even though he was one of the younger ones, he’d been here one of the longest.

Usually, the school only accepted applicants into the gifted program who were either 18, 19, or 20. Nothing less, and nothing higher. However, there were always exceptions, such as Asaya, who got accepted when she was 21. And also him, who got into the gifted program at the age of 15 under special circumstances. He’d joined the same year as Druyn, who’d been twenty at the time, and the only other person there before them was Viper, who’d already been the sole member of the class for two years.

Ova had noticed that the two other men, both being older and around the same age, immediately hit it off, and even now, Viper and Druyn were still best friends. He remembered it being entirely lonely in class with just the three of them, where Ova would be bored out of his mind while the older guys committed possibly unethical experiments.

Even when Halla joined a year after that, he wasn’t particularly keen at befriending that stickler for the rules witch. It wasn’t until Clementine, Nemara, and Lumis had all joined in one fell swoop that he finally found a roommate and the class began to seem more lively.

But there was still a problem he saw with himself. Ova had no trouble making friends, and he was on mostly good terms with the entire class besides Halla and occasionally Nemara, but there was a reason he’d been ostracized in the beginning. It was because he’d joined the gifted program three years early and made a record for youngest person to ever be accepted in the history of Soul Star Academy.

And Asaya? Her case was more common than his, but it was still extremely rare, nonetheless. Being an “exception” in this academy got you odd stares, and it brought on people wondering just how special you really were. Ova’s hype had naturally calmed down, as he was only fifth place out of the seven who were currently ranked, but Asaya was still new, and to top it all off, she was also a mystery. She was bound to be ostracized, Ova understood that, and it seemed like she did too.

Unlike Willow and Spike, who ran off to who knows where during their free time, Asaya boldly sat alone at her own table in the cafeteria while eating her food in silence. Honestly, her entire demeanor felt like she was daring people to talk to her, just to see what would happen.

“Hm. This batch of newbies sure are a buncha loners, huh?” Ova marveled as he delicately cut at his food with his fork and knife, sawing it into clean pieces that he ate carefully and cleanly, sure not to get any grease on his clothes or face. Viper used to make fun of him for this habit back during their first year together, but that didn’t stop Ova from using his table manners and being as clean as utterly possible. He kept sawing gracefully at the tender meat as he spoke, the rest of the table tuning into his voice as he shared what he was thinking. “I mean, I kinda expected Asaya to be a little bit ostracized considering her circumstances, but Spike and this Willow character haven’t even shown themselves. Makes you wonder what they’re up to.”

“Willow got permission from Pegasus to eat in their room,” Lumis spoke up, and Ova snorted.

“Of course you’d know that, Class Leader.”

“Mhm,” Lumis nodded, not batting an eye at Ova’s somewhat flippant remark. “And Spike has always been a bit antisocial, so I’m not surprised he’s decided to go elsewhere to eat and spend his time.”

At this, Clementine’s crystal white eyes seemed to glow a bit, and she tilted herself upwards to exclaim, “Ah, that’s right! You, Nemara, Asaya, and Spike all grew up in the same town. That’s fascinating. Were you all close?” she questioned curiously, Lumis faltering slightly as he gave an awkward chuckle.

“Ah, well, I’d say me, Nemara, and Asaya were pretty close. But Spike, um…” he trailed off, bringing the tip of his fork to his chin as his long, pointed ears lowered down. “I’ll be honest, he only really liked Asaya. He hated me. I remember first meeting him as a kid, back when I was only twelve, and the first thing he tried to tell me was, and I quote, to fuck off, and that Asaya’s time was too precious to be wasted on me. He must’ve only been nine back then, so I don’t know why he was talking so crudely…”

“Ohh, I see…” Clementine nodded thoughtfully, Ova giving a small laugh as he swallowed a bite of his food.

“So in other words, he definitely has a thing for her. Why’s he acting like he doesn’t?”

“Hm… ‘a thing’?” Clementine repeated, nibbling at an empty fork as she mulled that over. “That implies romantic feelings, doesn’t it? I was under the impression he resented her.”

“Hmm, well, you’re the person who can see souls, so you might be right, I guess,” Ova shrugged, Druyn turning over to look towards his younger sister as he nudged her shoulder.

“What did Spike’s soul look like?” he questioned her gently, Clementine spacing out slightly as she kept nibbling at her silverware, her food having already been inhaled as she used her fork to occupy her mouth with movement.

“Well, when he thought and talked about her, the waves of his soul didn’t read as romantic to me. Romantic waves usually have a fond sort of heat, very intense, but his were different,” she clarified, gaze turning up towards the ceiling as Druyn watched her. “Spike’s waves were filled with a different sort of intensity, the type of betrayal. Whenever he talked to Asaya, his soul was hurting, like he was in pain. It thrummed and pulsated like an open wound. But it’s interesting, because Asaya’s soul reacted almost the exact same way.”

“Oh… really?” Lumis drawled, eyes widening slightly as his ears perked up.

“Yes,” Clementine nodded, deep in thought as she continued to drone on her observations. “Her soul reacted to him with the same hint of betrayal, except hers was less intense. Spike’s soul was like a raging inferno, but hers was cold. Whatever happened, the wound still feels fresh for Spike, while Asaya has numbed it down to the point she can barely feel it. Actually, a lot of her emotions are that way. Like she’s numbing herself down. Although I don’t think it’s on purpose,” she added for good measure, Lumis processing that as he turned to his other side, where the small portion of the table had been silent.

“Nemara, do you remember Asaya and Spike ever getting into a fight?” he questioned, voice prime with curiosity as Nemara’s slender brows furrowed deep, where she tried digging into her memory.

“Ah, no… I don’t,” she admitted after a while, giving a firm shake of her head as she stared at her meal. “Spike always idolized Asaya. He adored her and saw her as a role model while they were growing up. Even when I got into my fight with her, he took her side. I don’t recall them ever getting into a similar disagreement.”

“Hahh, sounds like drama,” Ova groaned outwardly, pushing his tray off the table as he stood up, taking his half-eaten fish with him as he threw his pink ponytail behind his shoulder. “But I kinda feel for her. I’m gonna go see if she wants company!”

“Don’t flirt her to death,” Druyn reprimanded before he could even turn around, Viper laughing loudly at the comment as he fed one of the snakes in his hair a small piece of chicken.

“Oh my! What a terrible way to go!”

“Uh huh, uh huh, whatever you say,” Ova stuck out his tongue, ignoring them as he walked on his merry way over towards Asaya’s table.

And he hadn’t been lying, he really did feel for her. As a very outgoing person, he knew what it was like to feel everyone keeping their distance. Back when he’d first joined Soul Star Academy, people looked at him like he was an anomaly, and they were always tense and over-respectful. He hated that feeling of walking on eggshells, simply because he’d joined at an awkward time. If he were Asaya, he’d just want someone to treat him like how they’d treat anybody else.

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That was why he gracefully set down his tray across from her, bright smile on his face as he brought his hair back over his shoulders and into his lap so it wouldn’t touch the messy ground of the lunchroom, before he exclaimed chipperly, “My, aren’t you cute! Mind if I sit here, princess?”

Hmm, maybe the way he treated everyone wasn’t ideal, in this situation. Not with the way Asaya stared at him, face tinged with confusion and slight disgust as she leaned back in her seat, automatically wary. “Huh? Do you want something from me?” she immediately guessed, Ova cringing as he nervously reached for his hair to comb through it as he kept on his perfectly practiced smile.

“Not at all! I just want to get to know you!” he cheered, pumping a fist in the air as the woman continued to stare at him like she didn’t believe a word he was saying.

“...are you trying to figure out my power?”

“Honestly, I don’t really care about that.”

“Do you want money?”

“Woah, are you loaded? That’s cool, but I’m afraid I’ve got enough money for me already!”

“Are you trying to assert yourself so I don’t step out of line?”

“Haha, what? Do I look like Halla to you?”

“...so you really want to get to know me for my personality?” Asaya blinked, disbelieving, as Ova gave her an incredulous stare.

“Well, why is that so hard to believe?” he laughed slightly, watching as she slowly set her silverware down to stare at him.

“Then… what do you want to know?”

“Um, why are you turning this into an interview? You’re kinda weird, you know that?” he chuckled, only for Asaya to give a lazy shrug of her shoulders.

“Thanks. And I’m turning this into an interview because… why not?” she waved her hand, a slight smile forming on her face as she grinned at him. “My turn. What kind of shampoo do you use for your hair? It looks really soft, and I’m kind of jealous.”

“Oh, haha, is this what we’re doing?” Ova smiled, leaning further onto the table until both his elbows were neatly placed down, his chest leaning against the edge as he gave a small grin. “Now, don’t tell anyone, but I get my own custom-made shampoo. I can give you some to try if you want.”

“I’ll take you up on that offer,” Asaya agreed, slight smile on her features.

“Perfect. Now, it’s my turn, right? What do you do for fun?”

“Heh, I write.”

“Write?”

“Yes. I write. A lot. All day.”

“And it’s fun?”

“Yes. What’s your skin care routine?”

“Ohh, all these questions about my looks have me feeling so flattered,” Ova giggled, hands cupping his face like a frame would wrap around a painting, pretty blue eyes blinking innocently. “That’s also custom made. Why don’t I just bring you my entire beauty routine? We can have a spa day.”

“Sure, I’d like that,” Asaya agreed instantly, Ova brightening up at the prospect.

“Yay, then it’s a date! Are you single?”

“Yes, but not for you,” Asaya responded instantly, their little back and forth picking up speed as Ova let out another laugh.

“Aww, darn, worth a shot. I guess a fun date will have to do,” he stuck out his tongue, playful voice making Asaya smile as Ova grinned. “Your turn.”

“Okay, sure. What jobs do your parents have?”

“Haha, what kind of question is that?” Ova laughed, Asaya shrugging carelessly as she looked away.

“I still don’t trust that you’re not after my money. Maybe Nemara told you what my dad does for a living.”

“Ohh, so you’re checking to see if I’m poor?”

“Mm, I guess… not that I have anything against poor people,” Asaya frowned, suddenly realizing the depth behind her words as Ova gave an amused smile.

What a silly girl. She was more open than he thought she’d be. Guarded, but not closed. She was clearly up for a good conversation, so long as you could maneuver her snarky remarks and jaded outlook. It made him wonder just how on earth she’d been best friends with Nemara, who was also typically very jaded and distrusting. Did the similar qualities draw each other in? Did they imprint on each other?

Or, had the fight they’d had four years ago... if Nemara’s words were to be trusted… really had that much of an impact on the woman in front of him? Ova didn’t know, but he slightly wanted to test her. He wanted to see if she was really worth his time.

“Ohh, well, to answer your question,” he drawled slowly, leaning further onto the table as he narrowed in on her face, eyes looking up at her expression from where he angled himself below her. “I’ve never met my father. I don’t even know his name. And my mother was a prostitute,” he smiled wryly, leaning back as he stroked at his soft pink hair.

There, the test was set. Usually, people had pretty condescending things to say about his mother when they heard about her profession. And Asaya, being the rich girl she was, probably wouldn’t have the best things to say either. He already knew to take it for a grain of salt, but he hoped that she would at least have a better reaction than Halla, who had looked horrified at the mention of such a sinful job. Ahh, but whatever that witch said went in one ear and right out the other, so Ova didn’t mind too much.

Except, Asaya’s expression didn’t do what he thought it would. For a moment, it processed what he’d said with effort, before dropping into one of immense confusion that had Ova wondering what was about to come out of her mouth.

“Um, sorry, but I don’t know how much prostitutes make. I can’t infer whether or not you’re after my money just based on that,” she conceded guiltily, as if that was the only thing of consequence to her. “I know prostitutes can make a different range of profits, and some of the more sought-after women make a whole lot. But there’s also some who don’t make that much, especially if they don’t get as many clients…” she fretted seriously, Ova’s eyes slightly widening as he blinked at her a few times.

Really? That’s all that was on her mind? He couldn’t help but smile, immediately tucking his long hair back into his lap as he leaned forward all over again, face right in Asaya’s business as he gave her a wide grin. “Asaya, my dear, why do you know so much about prostitutes? Surely there are better jobs to look into?”

“Huh? What are you on about?” she scowled, bringing a hand forward to push his face away, to which Ova giggled as his neck craned backwards. “I already told you, I’m a writer. I need to know a lot about stuff so I can write accurately.”

“Woah, you write about prostitutes?”

“I had a prostitute character, once.”

“Oh! Want me to read it for you and tell you if it’s accurate?” he gleamed, smiling wider when Asaya stopped pushing on his head, recoiling her hand to stare at him quizzically.

“Well, sure, I guess. It might take a while for me to get it to you, though.”

“Oh, don’t worry, that’s fine. We can exchange beauty routines until then,” Ova beamed, Asaya laughing slightly as she relieved a small sigh.

“Yeah, sure, that sounds nice,” she agreed, before she reached a leg under the table and gave him a gentle kick to the shins. “By the way, it’s your turn.”

“Huh? Oh, right!” he laughed, easily throwing another question out there with casual flair.

This conversation was fun. It was more entertaining than he’d imagined, but Asaya had already proven to be a bit of a wild card before this. It made him smile, knowing he’d met a more open-minded person, even though she seemed so cautious at the same time. The contradiction was something to keep an eye on, and the rest of their lunch period was filled with them asking questions back and forth, and Ova was glad Asaya had offered such an interview.

He wasn’t the only one who noticed, it seemed, because in class the next day, Pegasus was busy assigning their groups for the first group assignment of the new school year. The first assignment was usually always a group test, especially when there were new students. After all, Ova had been going to this school for five years now, so he should know. These group assignments were supposed to help the new students start fitting in, where Pegasus observed them for a little while before giving them partners who they seemed like they’d get along with well. And, first to be called, was his name… and for the first time in his five years of attending this academy, he was assigned as a group leader.

“Ova, I’ve given you possibly the hardest role of anybody else here, but keep in mind that it’s because I think you can handle it,” Pegasus told him, proud smile on her face as he straightened himself up tall. “I’m putting you in a group of three with both Asaya and Willow. I understand that the two of them are new students, and usually they would be spread out between groups, but I have a feeling this format will work out well,” she explained, Ova practically sparkling as he took all this in.

Wow, he’d never been assigned as a group leader before! Much less the leader of two newbies! He’d been looking forward to getting to know Asaya better anyway, even though Willow kind of creeped him out a bit. But he was good with people, so this would be no sweat! All Pegasus had to do was tell him what the assignment was, he’d be all over it, and they’d win first place for sure! And with this, his confidence was unmatched. After all, his confidence was his greatest charm, when you had a power with rules like his.

Because Ova? The prettier he thought he looked, and the more confident he felt in himself and his appearance, the stronger he became. He could shoot lasers from his palms and fingertips, and depending on how stunning he felt on a certain day was how powerful the lasers would be. The more confidence he had in his appearance, the more powerful he was, and that was generally a good combination, considering Ova was a generally confident person.

He had this in the bag! Asaya was easy to get along with, and Willow didn’t look to be too difficult, either. So, if that was the case, then...

Why did things seem so tense? Him and Asaya sat across from Willow as they sat down on the forest floor, his hair tied up in a high bun to keep it from getting dirty, as the tall, grimy person seemed to be melting into the floor. Their long, spindly limbs were compact to their sides, their greasy hair was a slimy mess, and their dull moss green eyes were fretting everywhere and all across the room.

Seriously… what was their deal? Ova hadn’t been prepared to comfort people! Their team wasn’t doomed because of this, were they?