The Lady Vs. The Genius (Battle of Campus Elites)

Ep XXVIII: The Project

The Lady Versus The Genius

(Battle of Campus Elites)

Ep XXVIII: The Project

Seiko's POV

[on the way back to old Hachiban mansion]

"That redhead guy is connected to someone in the palace," I told Lily as I started driving off my car to go home.

"Yeah, he just told us you that in the cafeteria earlier. Carson is the son of the royal secretary that went under investigation for the frustrated murder. They attempt to kill my dad by poisoning him. That's the reason why my dad was paralyzed and the rest of my misery." She answered as she tossed her hands up in the air.

I cleared my throat a bit, "I heard that story. What I meant is, James is part of the plan. They still have the plan to go after your father. And honestly, it's like, they are in a soap drama. Can you believe that?" I turn to the right.

She faced me again with her body half facing me, "You don't have to spell it out. I understand that having a high position in society is something else, but killing other people to get that position is so overrated. They have ruined my life."

"I cannot hold this anymore. So, how is it possible that James believed that you and Chiyo were sisters? I mean, you are obviously an English blonde girl who obviously makes you the lady of Cambridge. Is he that dumb?"

"Carson and the rest of the world haven's seen me ever before. As royalty, they are not allowed to see me until I go to school when I reach 3 years old. No one knows how I looked like when I left the palace except for three people. The doctor who gave birth to my mom passed away a year after I was born. 2 old ladies nursed me in that big room where you probably saw me. It's part of the royal code to protect royal babies. The world was about to see me, then that thing happened to my dad."

"Quite a news for me, your grace. And never suspected you as the Lady of Cambridge." The red light turns on, "Too impossible."

"Chiyo's mother has a deep blonde hair, a half Russian- Japanese scholar in the military the secretary met. That's why they believed that we are sisters." She sighs in despair, "That means being able to keep a photograph of me is a privilege."

"Yeah, right!" I laughed.

•••>>>O[Flashback]

I was standing behind a big Tarpaulin, across the other side of the door, to hear out this redhead guy.

"Things are going smoothly, as we have planned. I was able to get the first target. She's with me. I didn't know that the commander had a gullible daughter. The other girl they said is her sister looks like the new duchess, except that she's blonde with green eyes. It is a weird get-up for an Asian." He's chuckling like an idi0t, "No, the duchess has black hair and brown eyes. She used to study here in Hachiban University then mysteriously disappeared after her birthday." He is being asked because he paused talking, "The duke? He is not easy to deal with. Good thing, I was able to distract them by putting up a commotion. I think I can do this in no time, Boss."

I need to warn Chiyo about this guy. That Carson guy is here to bring disaster.

[End of Flashback]

*Finger Snapping*

"Are you half asleep?" Lily Anne is right in front of my face.

I almost throw my book out of the window in surprise.

"I just remembered something." I reasoned out.

"Your school is on the news. Someone is really up for something bad." She's looking at her phone.

"That's the least you should worry about. Hachiban University has been one notorious school of bullies, and people know that. They are aware that this school has bullied, all school has. The people will probably know the truth in no time. It's nothing like there's someone as powerful as the Queen of England that would fund that evil person who wants your throne."

"How can you say that?" She frowned at me, "Those people are close to my dad. They tried to kill him before... I'm so scared because I cannot do anything about it. You probably won't understand because you have never been in my situation."

"How was the death threat have something to do with the school?" I asked.

"Can't you see? They are after me, and now they are also after you and Seiichan," she really looks worried.

I stand up and walk closer to her, "Hey, I don't like that you are scared, Duchess of Cambridge. That's not how I know you. Aren't you the girl full of guts to declare the war against the campus heir? Where's that girl? Duchess Lily Anne needs that girl." I'm trying to convince her.

Lily Anne paused, then glared at me. She must've realized that she was supposed to be tough.

"Is that tough for you?" She asked.

"You know, I could've kicked you out of my school for annoying me."

"Yeah. You know what, this is the first time I will agree with you. I think Yurime Hanazaki needs to girl up and face it."

"And you got me. You got the whole lot of us behind you to win this battle against those people who were trying to take everything from you," I breathe to throw a pun, "That's why they have to get a husband, duh..."

"Oh gross!" She comments.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Stop telling me that. It's cringe-like slapping me in the face." She said.

"Me either," I told her to tease her more.

"I wish I am a genius like you so I can finish high school and go back to the palace and remove those who do not deserve to be in their position." She lays down in bed.

"There's a reason why I was selected to be the duke. I'm Japan's finest who is here to do what you can't. Fair enough?"

She just looked at me like a puppy, not understanding what I was trying to say.

[Next Day: Hachiban University, Science class]

"I have news for you, kids. I have decided what project you have to complete this quarter," our science teacher said, "Since we are studying biology, your project will be taking care of babies."

My mind almost exploded.

I hate infants.

"Mrs. Murphy, you are not serious about it. Are you?" Ara asked.

"I'm not kidding, my dear Ara," the teacher responds, "you will take care of a kid from the orphanage our young director supports."

"Can we hire a sitter for that?" Jin jested.

"The kids will be checked up on every 12 hours by their own sitters from an orphanage. If anything happens with the kid, it will be your accountability. We have your parents signed up for it. You will have the kid for 96 hours," she smiles again, which is scary, "AND!" she emphasizes on that word, "The good news is…" she smiles at us like it's good news, and she looks around to see if there's anyone interested to know, "Do you want to know?"

"Please do not prolong our misery," Uno said.

"You are going to do it by pair!" She enthusiastically fists up in the air, "For the first pair, it will be Uno and Ara." She winks at Uno. Feels weird.

Mrs. Murphy continues pairing us up with our classmates as if she's an ancient matchmaker.

"Since Seikun has not participated in this project, he will still have to do it. Yurime, my darling, you will be the Seikun's partner for this."

The class starts laughing like it's such a joke. I cannot see Lily Anne's face, but I can imagine her expression as she covers her face and looks away. I'm okay with Lily Anne wanting to be paired up with Seiichan—after all, my brother is someone who can do all chores on your behalf.

"It's okay, darling, no need to be shy." Mrs. Murphy taps Lily Anne's head gently, "I know that you prefer your best friend-- Seiichan, to work within this project. But he has passed this project already since he is the one who participated in charity works."

Seiichi is not here today since he is busy cleaning up yesterday's mess, but she still mentions him. Obviously, they all prefer Seiichan than I to be in this class.

"You will meet your science project tomorrow after your homeroom. I'll tell you other details tomorrow." Our teacher is the one who is most excited about this. Mrs. Murphy should've been a guidance counselor or anything but a science teacher.

This project screams another trouble we need to go through. Until time gets us to lunch and the cafeteria never felt so discomforting before. Seeing this redhead guy sitting with Lily Anne and Chiyo across the room is slowly getting straight into my nerves. I can barely focus on my food.

"Do you want to join them again?" Jin asked, laughing.

"I want to!" Sirida answered, "I hate that redhead person. Ever since he came here, Chiyo-sama and I barely spent time together!" So my cousin stands up, gets her tray, and walks towards them.

"Your cousin is as weird as you." Ara snide.

"I know." I stood up and followed Sirida anyway.

I feel my blood boiling up as I draw nearer to them. From my peripheral sight, I can see the gossiping people. Things I was not able to yesterday due to the negative effect of glucose in me. The longer we hide in the shadows of fear of people getting to know who Lily Anne makes things worst little by little.

We have to figure out how I can protect her without having to hide who she is.

[To Be Continued]