Harriet was busy cleaning her locker looking for her 'lucky' sneakers, but to no avail. After the promise she and Yuusha made, it seems that she has become more of a space case. It was noticed by the other Ace-Op members, well except for Clover who knew what she's going through. She continues to throw all her things outside of her locker, this time one of her socks hits Vine directly in the face. A quiet laughter can be heard from the others to Vines dismay. Harriet was running back and forth in the locker room screaming where her shoes were.

Elm: "Um...Hare"?

Elm gets Harriet's attention by grabbing her shoulders.

Harriet: "What is it Elm!? Can't you see I'm- Ah! There they are"!

Harriet picks up her lucky sneakers from the bench behind her. She then realized that she had forgotten she placed them there when getting ready for the ranked match announcements. A noticeable blush can be seen stinging across her face the minute she realized she messed up.

Marrow: "You ok Hare? Being scattered brained isn't like you at all".

Vine: "I agree. If anything you're always ready for just about anything. So why are you so out of place"?

Vine chimes in as he removes one of Harriet's socks off of his face.

Harriet couldn't answer their questions. Nobody but Clover knew why she was like this. She was afraid if the team found out about the deal she made Yuusha, they'd laugh and make fun of her not getting a boyfriend legit. Too bad she didn't know that thanks to the outburst yesterday in study hall, half the academy is talking about the: Hero & the Hare.

Harriet: "I'm sorry guys. But since when did you care about my well being? I can take care of myself".

Clover: Oh we know. It's just that you've been out of it since you and Yuusha lasted talked, which was yesterday. What exactly happened"?

He plays dumb despite the fact that he heard the promise they made.

Marrow: "Wait! Yuusha, and Hare? When did that happen"!?

Harriet: "None of your business, puppy. Now go play fetch with your boomerang".

Marrow: "Oh. Ha ha ha ha ha. HA! First time I heard that from you...Rabbit".

She speed tackles him to his locker holding him by his collar of his coat. Marrow knew Harriet can be playfully aggressive when she and him exchange insults towards each other, but he's never seen her like this, especially after he calls her by the pet name Yuusha gave her. Lighting can be seen running all over her body in an aggressive manner, shutting down anything with electricity.

Harriet: "Listen Marrow! I appreciate what you do for this team as much as the next person. But only Y/n is allowed too call me "Rabbit". Is that clear"!?

Vine uses his semblance to separate the two. Marrow was shook with anger, and fear that his own teammate lashed out against him. Clover rushed over to see if he wasn't hurt.

Elm: "Hare! Have you lost your mind"!?

Vine: "We understand you care about Yuusha, but you shouldn't treat your peers like this".

Harriet saw the damage that she had committed to Marrow. Once she came to her senses. She walks up to Marrow to apologize to him. But before she could, Clover cuts her off.

Clover: "Hallway. Now".

Outside of the locker room. Clover give Harriet a stern talking to about her recent behaviour.

Clover: "Hare? Do you need to go back to re-education for how too control your emotions? Because given how much Yuusha is on your mind, I'd say so".

Harriet: "Sorry Clover. It's just...I've never done this before. Have a 'boyfriend' I mean. Well, we're not really in a relationship now of course. Me and Y/n, we basically call each other by our nicknames".

Clover: "Then why are we so different? Each one of us has a nickname. All of you call me "Lucky". I hate that name, but it was the only time you guys were less formal around me. And it made feel like a more friendly person than I already am".

Harriet remembers that time clear as day. It was the first mission the Ace-Ops completed thanks to Clovers leadership skills, it was she who called him Lucky in front of the whole team. He hated the nickname. But it stuck with him, and he wouldn't have it any other way. Clover praised Harriet's creativity when it came too nicknaming her teammates. So much so she got rewarded with the name "Hare" from Elm. This was proof she found a team she belongs with. And secretly, can call this team...a family.

Harriet: "I'm really sorry Clover. It's just that...Yuusha. I don't know why but. He's driving me crazy. I can't help but-"

Ironwood (PA): "All students and faculty. Please convene to the auditorium for an official announcement about the upcoming Vytal Festival".

Clover: "Guess we'll fine out what you mean later. K"?

(Atlas Auditorium)

Ironwood: "Alright everyone. Now that your all hear, you're all getting ready for the Vytal Festival coming up soon. But to do that you'll need to rank up your team in order too participate".

You were present during the speech but there was one massive problem: your teammates ditched you, so there's no chance of you qualifying for the tournament. You mentally cursed yourself for not applying for another team, but now it's too late. You began to walk away from the assembly before bumping into someone. It was Brine Stone. Never in your life you'd think of running into Stone of all people.

Brine: "The hell are you doing here, Y/n? Last time I checked, this assembly was for teams only".

Y/n: "That maybe true Brine. But that won't stop me from competing. So unless you have a problem with me I suggest you mind you own fucking business"!

The bickering boys could be heard over Ironwood's speech, causing him to yell at the two interrupting him.

Ironwood: "Stone! Yuusha! If you two have something important to share, then feel free to share with everyone here".

Brine saw this as an opportunity to take action against you.

Brine: "Yeah, as a matter of fact General there is something that needs to be shared. Yuusha says he'd like to challenge Winter Schnee to an official ranking match"!

The entire auditorium gasps in unison as Brine stated to everyone present. That bastard! He knew he couldn't beat you in a straight up sparring match, so he committed a low blow against you, pitting you up against another Atlas Elite. And worse of all, a Schnee! At this point you might as well just pack up your things and leave campus. Harriet who could be seen in the bleachers could not comprehend what she'd just heard. She knew that you aren't on the levels of the Elite, even with the training you've undertaken.

Ironwood: "Oh? Is that right Y/n? You wish to challenge my second in command"?

Winter Schnee who was standing beside the General slowly walks off of the platform and into your direction with a piercing gaze that can turn anyone into a frozen statue.

You tried to look respectfully imposing knowing full well that it wouldn't matter. Winter is in a league far beyond any average Huntsman, or Huntress.

Winter: "Answer the question...Yuusha. Do you really wish too challenge me? I hope you're not as foolish to think this is funny".

Winter stared at you through your soul expecting an honest answer. So you say the first thing on you mind. But you'd regret it later.

Y/n: "Your breath smells like lemons".

You were so scared you didn't know what to say. Winter's gaze goes wide with shock and anger as she gets even closer to the point where you noses touch. Holy hell, her breath does smell like lemons. That's...actually not a bad thing.

Winter: "You think this is funny!? Am I a joke to you"!?

Y/n: "No ma'am! It's just th-".

Winter: "Then what is it?! Do you want to fight or not"?

You're backed against the wall figuratively speaking. But you thought to yourself that if you were to fight Winter and fail, you would forever be labeled a failure to all of the kingdom of Atlas. But at this point you had nothing more too lose after your team left you, and now you have an Ace-Op training you, what more damage could be done? So you looked into her eyes and gave a confident answer.

Winter: "Well? What's your answer"?

Y/n: "....Yes".

To everyone's shock including General Ironwood, thanks to Brine Stone you were in for the fight of all fights. This was the perfect time for Ironwood too give Yuusha an ultimatum.

Ironwood: "Y/n Yuusha! Step forward".

You walk past Winter moving up to the podium.

Ironwood: "I hope you're prepared for what's about befall you? This is your very last chance. From this point on, you'll have one of the two outcomes presented to you".

"Should you happen to beat Winter by means of aura depletion, ring out or knock out. You can either join a team as a temporary member for the festival, or start over and make a new team for the festival".

"But if you lose. You'll be expelled from this Academy, and will have to wait a whole year to reapply as a Huntsman for Atlas Academy".

Harriet: "WHAT!? General that's-"!

Turquoise: "That's just dandy darling"!

Turquoise Shell chimes in to situation too Harriet's dismay. While also having a standing ovation from the other students for the fabled "Tortoise" has arrived. With a gentle wave of her fan she makes a snide remark about your short comings in the past semester which earned you the nickname "Abysmal Hero" from others.

Turquoise: "This prestigious academy is better off without him tarnishing it's illustrious reputation. What would the other Kingdoms say when they hear that Y/n Yuusha: a boy who couldn't stand up to the likes of the Ace-Ops, or the well respected Winter Schnee? Why, they'd just laugh and call us the Kingdom that produces weaklings! Oh the horror"!

All the students began to laugh at you after Turquoise statement. But that didn't stop you.

Harriet: "Watch your mouth bi-"!

She approached Turquoise ready too give her solid punch to her face until you call her by her pet name.

Y/n: "Rabbit! It's alright. I've got nothing more too lose anyway. General. I accept these conditions".

Ironwood: "Very well. The challenge is hereby official. Y/n Yuusha vs Winter Schnee will take place here, in the Academy auditorium".

Ironwood declares for all to hear. Winter with a cocky smirk turns towards you and gives a declaration.

Winter: I'll give you one week to prepare. Wouldn't want this fight to be onesided now would we"?

With that, Winter walks off towards the auditorium exit but not without subtly looking back at you. You look up at Harriet who has a very angry look on face.

Harriet storms away from her team leaving the others bewildered. They decided too go after her. But not without Team KNOT quietly laughing behind them. Turquoise comments.

Turquoise: "Now. The real fun begins, for your "boyfriend"... Harriet darling".

To be continued...