"Hello there! Sorry for the intrusion. I do hope I am not imposing on you all," the Stella said with a nod and a warm smile.

I raised an eyebrow at her and she returned the gesture, winking playfully.

"Oh no," Albert said, waving his hands in the air in front of him. "Not at all. Not at all. We're just glad to have the company, right, Sienna?"

I nodded, giving her a warm look. "Yeah, absolutely. The more, the merrier. Good to... er. Good to see you so soon, Stella," I added, catching her eye and smiling.

I had no idea why Stella, who was so goofy around me and Albert the other day, was putting on airs now. Was she embarrassed? I guess it was possible... she hadn't met Ichigo like this before, and she had an image to keep up.

Although unknown to both her and Albert — Ichigo and Stella already knew each other in passing. We'd spent a good chunk of the last two weeks hanging out as magical girls, and I had only learned about their identities over the last day or so.

"I had a lovely time the other night," Stella continued, flashing Albert a smile. "I am so glad I was able to get to meet the both of you."

She turned to Ichigo with a nod, extending her hand to the other girl with a warm smile.

"I do not think I have had the pleasure, however. You must be a mutual acquaintance of Albert and Sienna, correct? I'm Matsudaira. Stella Matsudaira."

"Nice to meet you," she squeaked, taking the hand. "I'm... I'm..."

She looked up at Stella and swallowed nervously.

"Uh, I'm... uh..." She trailed off, her cheeks turning a bright shade of red. "Aw, crap. Of course I know who you are."

Ichigo took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

"I'm Ichigo," she said, finally finding her words. "Ichigo Tennokari. I'm a first-year student like Sienna and Albert here. And you're Stella Matsudaira, of the Matsudaira Corporation, right? Your dad's company produces a ton of the high-end equipment superhero teams use. I-I-I mean, that's amazing! That's awesome!"

Stella laughed and nodded. "Indeed! That would be me, and I am quite proud of my family's work. My... parents have done much for the community and for our local hero population. I hope to one day live up to the legacy of my parents, perhaps even surpass it. I have much work to do before then, though. But yes, that is indeed my family, and yes, that is indeed my name," she confirmed, laughing.

A flash of pain shot through her eyes for a split second, but she masked it with a cheerful expression.

"But enough about unearned accomplishments!" she said, waving her hands. "It is an honor to meet you. Tell me about yourself, Miss Ichigo. Where are you from, what brought you to the academy?"

Stella was a good actor.

"Oh, I'm from the greater area." She shrugged. "My family runs an MMA dojo called Tennokari Fight Camp. They wanted to get me enrolled at the academy as early as possible to get a good education, but... er... my parents are a bit old-fashioned. Unlike my brother I never unlocked a World Skill so I can't do the cool flashy powers thing and had to settle for the general program."

"Oooh." Stella nodded. "Yes, of course."

She turned her attention back to the food on her plate, cutting into a piece of tofu with her chopsticks and eating it.

"Ichigo, huh? That is quite a lovely name, you know," she asked, smiling. "I must admit I find it quite charming. And I couldn't help but overhear. It seems you are quite the fighter, is that correct? I hear that there is a large community of combatants here. I would love to learn more."

"Well, er... my mom was an amateur boxer in Japan before she came here to the states for a college degree and found out she loved the culture. And then my dad met her in a tournament and one thing lead to another, and... well... the rest is history," Ichigo said. "And well... they run a general martial arts gym. They were really excited when my older brother was born, and they've always pushed me and him into the fighting arts. He was better at it than me, though. He's so strong and cool."

Ichigo blushed. "I wish I had the talent he does."

"Oh, I am sure you do!" Stella smiled, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "I know we have just met, but you strike me as a passionate, talented athlete. And I am sure you are every bit as capable as him."

"Thanks." Ichigo blushed, smiling back. "I, uh, don't know if that's true but I'll take the compliment. You, uh... I'm sure you've done all sorts of stuff. Given who your mom is and who your dad is... that must've been a wild upbringing."

"Quite," Stella nodded. "Quite indeed. But we need not discuss that. I have a reputation, I am aware, and I would much rather learn about you. I must admit, your background is fascinating. Your mother and father both have quite the pedigree when it comes to combat and martial prowess. It seems the apple does not fall far from the tree, as the saying goes. Your mom was quite the prospect."

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"E-eh?! You've heard of my mom?!" Ichigo's jaw dropped, and her eyes widened.

"I was quite young, of course." She nodded. "But yes, my parents and I were present during her title eliminator against Holly Stone in Saffron Grove Stadium when I was seven, if I recall correctly. A splendid bout of competition. It was the closest anyone ever got to beating Holly. Holly was a dear friend of the Matsudaira family, you know. Long before she united the belts."

"I had no idea," Ichigo stammered.

"Your mom is an amazing fighter, and a wonderful woman." She nodded. "I must admit I was rather saddened to learn that she retired shortly after her bout with Holly."

"It was her third attempt working up to a title shot, and it broke her heart." Ichigo sighed. "Plus, she was crossing over thirty three and the pressure to support my brother was getting to be too much. She had to make a hard call. I still remember how devastated she was when the decision was made, but... well. I don't blame her. It's hard to chase your dream and take care of a family at the same time. She gave up two years of her prime to have us and her career suffered because of it. I've just always felt like I owe it to her, to try to chase heights she couldn't reach. My brother is a lot better at that, though. He's a prodigy."

"Indeed," Stella nodded, her tone solemn. "But one does not owe it to anyone, no matter how great the sacrifices their caretakers have made for them, to follow in their footsteps. It is a noble sentiment, of course, but the heart of an artist, the soul of a fighter... they are not bound by blood or family, and it would be unfair for you or anyone to expect such a thing of you. I would argue that the debt owed is that you follow the beat of your own heart, and live a fulfilling life in your own right. Your dreams, not those of another, must be the driving force behind your life."

Ichigo stared at her for a moment, then nodded, looking down.

"I suppose so," she admitted, before looking up with a cat-like grin. "But I'll kick some friggin' butt and make sure my mom and dad are proud to call me their daughter, either way! They might have pushed me, and my brother might have left me behind in the dust, but I'll do everything I can to chase him and surpass him!"

Stella giggled as Ichigo pounded a fist into her palm.

"Oh my." She laughed, covering her mouth. "What a feisty little kitten."

Ichigo's eyes widened, her cheeks burning.

"Eh?! I-I'm not a little... feisty little anything!" she squeaked. "Wait. What'd you call me?"

"Nothing," Stella replied innocently, a playful glimmer in her eye. "You merely remind me of someone I am acquainted with. With a name like Ichigo, though. It's uncanny."

Ichigo pouted, tilting her head in confusion as Albert looked between the two.

Stella smiled, tilting her head to the side. "I meant no offense. It is just a joke."

"R-right." Ichigo frowned. She looked over at Albert, then back at Stella.

Albert had stopped eating, looking between the two of them. He had his eyebrows furrowed, and his lips pursed, a thoughtful expression on his face.

He'd caught on and probably had a strong clue as to what was going on.

Of course he would have. He couldn't confirm it, but he was the type to consider all possibilities in an instant no matter how improbable. Virtually without limit.

Al snorted, rolling his eyes and taking a sip from a glass of water. I chuckled and shook my head, shooting him an annoyed glare. It wasn't the first time he'd caught onto something that should've remained hidden. Nor would it be the last.

He just smirked back at me, a smug look in his eyes as he took another bite of his chicken breast. He could be so cheeky at times.

"Alright. So, what's everyone's plans for after school today?" Al asked.

"Oh." Ichigo perked up. "Looking for company?"

"Maybe. I need to er, do some shopping."

"Okay, sure." Ichigo smiled, turning back to her food. "My next class ends at four thirty. If I skip out on training for today and just head back to the dorms, I should be free by then."

I checked the schedule on my phone, scrolling down and looking over the next classes.

"Yeah." I nodded. "Same. My last class ends at five, though."

Albert nodded.

"I've only got one more class, myself, but it doesn't end till five. So, uh, just wait up for me and we can all meet outside the library. Then we can go to the train station and ride out downtown."

"Alright!" Ichigo said with a nod. "Sounds like a plan to me. You, er, need any help with whatever you're getting, Albert? Or..."

Albert laughed awkwardly. "Well..."

"He dropped his phone in the toilet," I teased.

"Sienna!"

Stella finally breaks the facade of a formal lady after learning about Al's predicament. She fights the urge but bursts out laughing

"Hey." I giggled, shrugging my shoulders. "She's going to find out when you come home with a brand new phone anyway."

"Yeah, I suppose," Al said, sighing. "How about you, Stella?"

...

"Stella?" Albert asked again.

The girl had her head tilted back, staring up at the ceiling with a blank expression. She was biting her lower lip, her hands resting on her lap.

"I..." She started, her voice trailing off.

...

...

...

...

...

She suddenly burst into laughter, slapping the table in front of her and shaking her head, tears forming in the corners of her eyes as she wheezed.

"O-oh my God!" She giggled, her face contorting with mirth as she clutched her stomach.

"Ah!" She squeaked as she lost balance and toppled backwards in her chair, nearly crashing into the floor as she caught herself on her palms, laughing hysterically as she practically cartwheeled nimbly back on her feet at an angle.

The three of us stared at her in stunned silence.

She finally calmed down, wiping the tears from her eyes, before looking back up at us and chuckling nervously.

"I-I'm so sorry." She laughed, her cheeks burning. "I'm not laughing at you. I'm not. I'm not! I'm really not. I-I... just..."

She paused, a thoughtful look crossing her face as she sighed.

"Oh my gosh," she muttered to herself, burying her head in her arms. "I'm such an idiot. I'm an absolute moron."

"Stella?"

"S-sorry. Just how flat Sienna's delivery was... and that it's a completely normal, completely relatable accident. And then the imagery just popped in my head of Albert standing there, staring at his phone floating in a toilet bowl... oh my gosh. I'm so sorry! That was really insensitive, I shouldn't laugh. It's just too much. I'd l like to come too, though. You guys are... ahahahaa!"

"O-kay," Ichigo muttered, raising an eyebrow. "What the hell is happening?!"

She was staring at Stella like she'd seen a ghost.

She turned her head, giving me an incredulous stare. I just shrugged, laughing and shaking my head.

"You'll get used to it pretty quick when it comes to Stella, Ichigo," I teased, giving the girl an amused smile. "Just roll with the punches."

"I... er..." Ichigo mumbled.

...

...

"Okay, then."