It was a free day for the entire student body of Thors Military Academy, but for Class VII, it wasn't exactly free considering that ever since the beginning of the term, Principal Vandyck had commissioned a special request for their class to investigate the Old Schoolhouse Building. For Machias, having to do monthly field studies and dealing with the "special" curriculum from Instructor Sara were already tiring enough for him, but battling mysterious monsters that lurk inside the abandoned building was on whole another level especially the deeper they explore it, then the more powerful monsters would appear. Still, some would consider such things as good training for their combat skills, after all, there is no such thing as being too prepared.

But he wasn't exactly on the mood for it today and thankfully, Rean decided to just bring Alisa, Elliot, Laura, Millium, and Jusis for this month's exploration, leaving him, Gaius, Emma, Crow, and Fie to do whatever they want for the rest of the day. With the free time he had today, Machias decided to read the battle tactics book in preparation for next week's test and instead of locking himself up in his room, a change of scenery might lift his mood a bit so he went downstairs to make himself comfortable on the sofa.

Most of the source of disturbance in the dorm were gone at the moment, since Millium was at the old schoolhouse with the others and Crow was nowhere to be seen (probably off gambling with the kids at Kirsche's), he thought that it'd be a peaceful time of studying until everyone got back to the dorm later.

But he had never been so wrong in his life.

Machias tried to concentrate on reading the book on his hands, while he could hear Gaius and Emma chatting about something on the other sofa across him, they weren't noisy enough to disturb his focus. The real problem was Fie, who at the moment used his lap as a pillow as she took a nap on the sofa she shared with him.

He eventually ran out of patience as he immediately put down his book and started to shake Fie's body. "For Aidios' sake, Fie! How long are you planning to use me as your pillow?"

FIe slowly opened her eyes and looked at Machias, still looking red after being suddenly awakened from her deep, comfortable slumber on her friend's lap. "Stop being a nag and just let me sleep, Nagnitz. You don't move much while reading so you're definitely a top-tier pillow material in my book." She yawned once before closing her eyes again.

"Nagnitz? Pillow material? What are yo- Ah! Just go back to your room if you're THAT sleepy! Besides, it's still noon! You should be doing something productive! Don't you have some flowers to take care of with Edel?"

"That's rich coming from a guy who's just spending his day reading some random books. Besides, who the hell wants to study on free days?" Even with her eyes closed, Fie still had enough consciousness to throw a few snarky comments at him which earned a few giggles from Gaius and Emma, slightly wounded his pride since he was trying to be a good example for his friends.

"She's right, Machias. Just let her be, it's not like she's bothering you that much. Maybe she's just feeling a bit winded."

Emma nodded in agreement. "He's right. There's nothing wrong with taking a nap every once in a while."

Machias couldn't believe that one of his most trusted friends and class president would betray him like this, maybe Aidios is testing him or something. "Gah... I mean, I can't see sleeping on someone's lap would be comfortable." He took a glance at FIe who's already breathing steadily, probably already went off to the dreamland.

Gaius put a hand on his chin as if he was trying to remember something. "Well, back at home, my younger brother and sisters used to sleep on my lap. They didn't bother me at all, if I may say."

"Well, whenever I sit on the bench at the park, Celine often came to me and just curled herself to sleep on my lap. Seeing her sleeping comfortably like that actually kind of relaxing my mind, to be honest. She's very cute when she's like that!"

His friends did have a point, but comparing Fie to their siblings or stray cats weren't exactly the same thing. Not that she disturbed him since she barely moved at all, but embarrassing was a better word for his situation right now, Fie's not a stranger to him but also not his family nor his cat, a girl sleeping on a boy's lap sounds like something that couples would do. Which they are definitely not.

"I can't believe you guys are in her favor..." Machias could only sigh in defeat.

"Besides..." There's a hint of mischievousness in Emma's voice. "Fie looks really cute when she's sleeping like this! Both of you look adorable, really! Oh, I wish I have an orbal camera so I can take a picture and show this to everyone!"

"I think I saw one when we were shopping in Heimdallr, but I don't think I could afford it since the price was reasonably high. Maybe Alisa has one in her room?" Gaius decided to play along, much to Machias's chagrin.

And Sharon, who came out of nowhere -like she usually did- clapped with her face beaming with smile. "I can get it for you! I too, want to show everyone this wonderful sight of Master Machias and Miss Fie being all lovey-dovey like this!"

"Oh, that would be splendid, Sharon! Please do!" Emma clapped her hands in excitement and at this point, Machias had no idea whether they were just joking or actually being genuine about it.

"Gu-Guys! Can you please just stop this already?" Machias could feel his face burning. Fie sleeping on his lap was already embarrassing enough for him, now his two friends and the dorm's maid are planning to take a picture of it. Gaius and Emma could only laugh at their vice class president's predicament while Sharon acting like this was normal for her.

"We're just kidding, Machias. No need to be so worked up." At least Machias can trust Gaius' words right now. But Emma seemed to have a lot of fun teasing him.

"You're so funny when you're flustered, Machias! Maybe Jusis needs to see this so he can see you in a new light!" And now she decided to bring Jusis up into the topic which was the last thing he ever wanted right now.

Sharon only giggled and nodded. "Well, it's not like I want Miss Alisa to be mad at me if she knows that I entered her room without her consent." Machias was sure that she definitely did that numerous times already, she is the Reinford family's personal maid after all, but that's not the problem right now.

Machias had lost any kind of motivation to study right now so he just closed his book and delivered an epic slap to his own forehead, much to his friends' and dorm maid's amusement. "Guys... Just... Stop..."

But they were right, after he stared at Fie who was still sleeping on his lap despite all these commotions, she looked rather adorable in her own way, less like a human, more like a cat. She did act like one sometimes with all those wall-jumping skills and fast reflexes while avoiding monsters she demonstrated during battles. Apparently, her cat-like qualities also extend to her sleeping pose.

And Machias felt a sudden urge to pat and caress his friend's fluffy silver hair. But, if he did that then Gaius, Emma, and Sharon would have more fun in making him feel more miserable than ever, so he refrained from doing it and just sighed in defeat, staring at the ceiling.

He didn't mind it at all, truthfully, it's probably just a sign that she already trusted him enough to sleep on his lap and it felt kind of good for him. He just mentally prayed to Aidios that Fie would wake up before the rest of his friends got back or the Vice Class President Bullying Agenda would extend until the evening.