It's nothing infrequent, not exactly unusual either. An adult who lacks control in their own life takes it out on something or someone weaker than them.

Whether it be a boss abusing their authority by having their workers sleep with them, as otherwise they'd get fired and lose financial stability. Medical professionals tricking their patients into believing anything they say, in exchange getting a fat stacks from selling medicines and procedures that weren't actually necessary. Rich folk adopting a expensive dog breed as a status symbol and then treating it more like a toy than a living creature. Finally, a lonely woman approaching her forties who's likely insecure about herself and as such takes it out on her young students.

Sieglinde couldn't verify if that was actually the case, but she could grasp the sheer spiteful aura emanating from Ms. Hanagaki.

The woman sat there, unmoving, an icy glare that made Lucia shiver anytime she looked up from her paper. Lin wasn't as intimidated, choosing to hold an impromptu staring contest…Her eyes were starting to burn from it.

There could be any number of reasons for why their teacher chose to punish them specifically. The one thing Lin hoped wasn't the case: No real reason at all. That Yumeko Hanagaki woke up today with a bad mood and that somehow Lucia and her were unlucky, randomly chosen to be mad at today. Genuinely that would be the worst as on some levels Sieglinde respected Ms. Hanagaki, it would be a shame if she turned out to have such a childish temper.

Sieglinde found a lot of the workforce at her school rather incompetent, too many old coots who should be in a retirement home and jokesters who really want to be seen as a good friend to a bunch of kids for some reason. Ms. Hanagaki seemed to be only one that took her job seriously, simply trying to teach and get the day over with until her students graduate and get out of her hair. Sieglinde really liked that about her.

"Neapolitan, are you already finished with your assignment?" The woman spoke, her soft voice contrasting with her sharp expression. "I've noticed you haven't written anything down for a while now."

"I don't want to do the assignment."

"…I see. If you refuse to do your punishment, I'll have to talk to your parents about-"

"That's fine. Go ahead and call, I still won't do this crap."

Lucia looked over to Lin with wide eyes, giving her a quick kick against her leg as if to say; "Stop!" likely trying to prevent her friend from getting into deeper trouble on her first day back at school.

Ms. Hanagaki sighed. "OK, fine, I'll bite. What's the problem?"

Sieglinde stood up and approached the teacher's desk. "The problem is that I find the punishment given to us unfair."

"Unfair…? This is the same paper I give out to everyone."

"Not that part!" Sieglinde yelled. "How come we are the only ones to get punished when everyone broke some sort of rule today? Did you not take notice?" Sieglinde slammed a hand down on Ms. Hanagaki's desk. "You straight up caught Sunshine sleeping on her desk!"

Lucia stood from her seat and quickly ran to the front, grabbing the blonde girl by her shoulder. "Lin, you can't punch a teacher! You'll get expelled!"

"I didn't punch her."

"You were going to, Lin. I saw your fist clench in the same way it always does when Ingrid pushes your buttons."

"Thinking of committing violence is not a crime, at least not a punishable one."

Ms. Hanagaki stood from her seat and grabbed both girls by the collar, lifting them up so suddenly that neither could react. "Fine, if you don't want to do this punishment, I'll find you another more appropriate one." With that she dropped the two girls who landed steadily on their feet, though Lin stumbled a bit.

The woman's face lowered, staring directly into Sieglinde's eyes. To the girl's surprise, Yumeko's mouth formed into a smile, something rarely seen outside of school staff group photos. After that she picked up her things and put her personal belongings into her bag, making her way out in complete silence.

Lucia repeated some of the words Yumeko spoke, "I'll find you another…" She rubbed at her chin with worry. "What the heck does that mean? Is she gonna make us clean school property or something?"

Sieglinde shrugged, moving to grab her bag and head out as well. "Whatever it is, I still don't think we deserve anything." One could argue that Lin deserved punishment now for yelling at an adult, but Lin despised the traditional view of always obeying "trusted" adults. She looked over at Lucia's desk and picked up the paper Lucia worked at, a part of her felt guilty for only just now standing up while her friend was trying to work quickly and quietly, but the page was filled with scribbles and doodles instead of actual answers.

"I'm not bold enough to walk over and tell off a teacher like that…" Lucia began, "A call to my mom though? Pff, that's nothing."

Sieglinde picked up Lucia's bag as well and the two girls headed out, hoping the sullen woman was long gone.

As Lin's foot took it's first step outside, after hours of being shackled to these halls, she breathed long and heavily with relief. The first day of school began with rain so the air was still moist. It gave the air a strangely pleasant smell, but dirtied their clean shoes with mud and wet sand.

While Sieglinde tried her best to avoid puddles on the sidewalk, she'd occasionally glance over at Lucia who dipped a bit of her foot into them each time to watch the ripples repeatedly forming from just a tiny disturbance.

Lucia's braids bobbed as she gained a pep in her step. It was the same street they'd walk for years but there was just something so satisfying about walking down this route after a long, stressful day.

Soon they arrived at the split where Lucia had to walk off. As they waved to each other, Lin finally let out a grumbled noise that she's been holding in, it sucked having to wake up everyday again and having to face so many people she can't stand. Lucia is the only thing that keeps her sane, the only reason she hasn't crushed that rational little voice in her head that keeps her from punching everyone.

Besides…They might actually be able to hang out more again.

During the summer they saw each other everyday, they were best friends after all…but not for very long. Lucia always had some sort of other plans already made with her many other friends. It was fine, it's not like she wanted them to be attached to the hip all the time…but with every new summer break, it seemed like Lucia had less and less time for her.

As Luc disappeared behind a corner, a random thought popped into Lin's head, one that made her feel deeply ashamed and she quickly tried to stop herself from entertaining the thought any further.