With their orientation class completed, many of the students were left somewhat sour by the roundabout mannerisms in Professor Cyno. They had all expected him to be the warrior type but were underwhelmed by how he presented himself as a calmer intellectual.

It wasn’t bad per say, but was well…disappointing.

Supposedly, during the Starfall war, there were many courageous tales of the Genius Cyno, who had fought on the frontlines many times. Rumors had it that his style of battle used many of his technological marvels.

All of course, were of his own brilliance and ingenuity. People would gossip about him and his creations, storming the battlefield on multiple fronts. Bring both aid and destruction in their wake.

Not living up to those rumors though, Cyno came off as more of a researcher type and not the walking devastation he was portrayed as in his books, or the accounts from other veterans and survivors of the war.

Nevertheless, his speech worked to actually motivate a majority of those who could pick up the meaning between his words.

Among the downtrodden folks, Amanda herself had actually preferred if Professor Cyno just answered her question about what was down in the star depths in the first place. It nagged at her, this curiosity had been brought about ever since she was young.

The reason? Well Amanda knew that her parents were gone, and that the Starfall and the star depths it created were to blame. So there was more to this curiosity than a grudge.

In the modern day, even with how peaceful it was, she could tell that the effects of the Starfall had yet to subside. In addition, nothing conclusive about the star depths had ever been discovered.

Even today, explorers are still needed to pierce the veil on the ignorance of their changed world and the effects of the Starfall event. She sighed, turning away from her thoughts.

In a way, I want closure.

I want to know what took my family away from me, and had caused so much trouble for the world.

If I, no, if WE. Knew what was down there in the depths, then maybe, maybe we could put the world back together, find a…solution. WE suffered enough, right?

“Amanda? Are you alright? You've got the most irritated expression I’ve seen on your face. And that is a first, you’re usually so upbeat.”

Walking beside her, Stella stopped Amanda who seemed a bit lost. Both Stella and Ikki, who stood next to her, could see the deep sorrow sealed behind Amanda’s calm lips. Something was eating at her mind..

Amanda waved them off, turning her frown upside down as she took a breath.

“No, I’m fine Stella, Hah… I just wish that teacher was more upfront about the star depths.”

“Oh, is this about what you’re trying to look for? The thing your journey was about?”

“Yes, a bit, but it seems like my road to finding it is not going to be short, or even easy.”

“Well don’t worry, I’ll be here with you, for each step of the way as we become explorers.”

Amanda chuckled. “Heh, thanks.” She put her arm around Stella’s shoulder as she rubbed cheeks with her.

“Heh heh, stop that, it tickles.” Giggled Stella. “Come on Amanda, stop.”

“Oh ho ho ho.” *Click*

Immediately, With a snap of her camera, Nene took a picture of the ongoing sweet times of youth between both the red and blue haired princesses. It was a beautiful sight that would thrall any man’s heart, so it was surprising to Nene that Ikki could keep a straight face.

“This is going to be big when this gets on the paper. I can see it now!” Nene’s eyes glimmered as she looked to the blue sky, imagining the title of her next article. “Princess of Flame and Ice – A Pact Made in Heaven, heh heh heh, I can’t wait to see all the commotion this makes.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Ikki said. “Plus, you should probably get their permission before posting anything, you might make some people mad if you make articles on them without their permission.”

“Lighten up Ikki, it’s only a bit of fun.”

By how Nene’s cheery smile was, Ikki could already see that she surely had a cheeky and also mischievous side of herself. He wondered just what else she’d get up to, since she sure had the upbeat and energetic personality to go with her fascination in current events.

“Hmmm? Oh, Itsuki! Hey! We’re over here!”

Taking notice of his senior and friend of sorts, Ikki waved Itsuki over who looked a bit tired.

“Where have you been? You missed the orientation.”

“Yeah.” Amanda said accusingly and she came over, lorded over him with their difference in height. “I didn’t think you were such a slacker when it comes to being on time, just what do you have to say for yourself!”

“Uhhh, well first off, I didn’t miss the orientation.” Replied Itsuki. “I woke up before any of you.”

“What! How? I was sure you were still asleep.”

“Did you actually see me asleep or were you just assuming?”

“Well of course, I…oh.”

Realizing how she had actually never gone into Itsuki’s room this morning and how it was locked tight, she stuttered, trying to get out of the foolishness she had found herself in.

“I Uhh… you what…wah.. whatever, so where were you then? I didn’t see you in the auditorium.”

“Hmm, does it really matter?”

“I-I…guess not, hah.”

Letting out a tired sigh, Amanda realized that her little prank to rub Itsuki’s tardiness in his face was backfiring and was petty. She tried to look away but Itsuki was staring at her with those blank eyes and struck some hesitation in her, but she noticed something.

“Hey! Your eyes are red, you aren’t sick right? Or is it just me, but are your eyes a bit wet as well?

“Huh? Oh, yeah, it must be my allergies.”

Itsuki shrugged, turning his head away. For a second, Amanda saw what looked like a bit of color form on his cheek, though it might have just been her imagination.

There was no way this guy cried, if he did, pigs would fly.

His eyes wandering, Itsuki looked around at the departing students. Some were loitering around while others were probably heading to their next class or just getting something to eat. There was always a break between each class, so right now, the students had some free time to kill.

“Excuse me, Itsuki right?”

Finding a voice recorder shoved in front of him, Itsuki gazed back to find the ever-energetic Nene. He recognized her face from the student directory and online profiles.

“Yes, that’s me, going by your looks, you’re Miss Nene if I’m not mistaken.”

“Oh, you know me?”

“Yes.” Itsuki nodded. “The newspaper club has interviewed me a few times in the past, so they’ve kept me up to date on who in their club wants to talk with about explorer life. I’m guessing you want me to share?”

“Maybe… yes? But right now, I want to know more about your relationship with Stella and Ikki, also, what’s this recent hubbub about Amanda being your assistant. I’ve heard rumors about you two, and there ummm…most of them are strange.”

Not liking the sound of Nene’s tone, Itsuki tilted his head in concern at how truly strange these rumors could go. He had heard a few about himself. The dorm room demon, or the dead eyed student, or even the weird nickname of “zombie”.

All attributed to his stern look and usually tired appearance these days, something Amanda knew too well of.

“Like what?” Amanda asked. “Don’t tell me people are talking bad about me.”

“No no no.” Nene shook her head vigorously. ”I don’t think I’ve heard a single bad rumor about you Amanda, there’s just.” She paused and lowered her voice. “There’s the rumor that Itsuki works you like a slave and that you two are in some kind of weird lovey dovey frenemy or rivalry relationship. Is it true?”

“Wah? What the hell!” Amanda screamed while Itsuki only continued to look unperturbed.

“Well that’s dumb.” Said Itsuki bluntly.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“Hmmm, going by your tone Itsuki, I’m guessing both these rumors are a bust huh?” Nene said, a bit depressed. She thought she was on a gold mine of secrets and was ready to unravel the true details of what was going on between them.

The recent policy changes made by Itsuki with Amanda’s help, had caused the newspaper club to want to get a scoop on just how these two people would maintain the future order and rules of the dormitory.

Not to mention, the two of them drew a lot of attention when they saw the blue beauty of the dormitory taking orders from a shorter looking student, who seemed both suspicious and dangerous.

“So what’s really happening between you two?” Nene asked.

“The assistant part is correct.” Answered Itsuki. “But about that rumor of me working her like a slave, I believe it’s wrong since I give Amanda a sufficient workload, nothing she can’t handle. Also, that other rumor is likely just bogus, to me, she’s just an inexperienced explorer in training.”

Amanda gave a pained look at Itsuki’s use of the word inexperienced. It didn’t feel right for her to not snap at Itsuki for his comment, but really, she was inexperienced when compared to him, who was a full-time explorer.

Though, his earlier words were another story.

“Sufficient?! You call three all-nighters sufficient!” Amanda yelled, raising her voice as her brows furrowed. “That was more like hard labor, do you know how tired I was every night, how much sleep I lost! Not to mention, on top of all that, we still fit sparring matches in with the others. Your ludicrous style of fighting makes me almost have a heart attack!”

“Well toughen up. Also, at the time, it was an emergency, so we needed those overnighters. If you have a complaint, go blame Joel for dumping more work on us. We literally had only a few days to write the new policy and get everyone situated. Just be glad you didn’t have to do most of the paperwork, if I let you touch the computers, we might have not finished in time.”

“I! Told! You! The computer thing is not my fault. And! I did most, if not all, of the person-to-person interactions and tours! I know you said I have good people skills, but come on, couldn’t you have done some of it to take some off my plate.”

“Sure.” Itsuki said with a hint of sarcasm. “I would have, but only if you could actually use one of the computers without breaking them. I… huh?”

Just before Itsuki could say more, a visage in the corner of his eye caught his attention.

“Hmmm, what? What is it?”

Amanda glowered and looked around, but couldn’t tell what Itsuki was looking at, and neither did Nene.

“Shush. Quick, come with me.” His confrontational tone leaving him, Itsuki motioned them to follow him.

“What?” Amanda was utterly clueless as to why, but his insistence won out. Just what was so important for this guy that he’s dragging me with him.

“You too Nene, come on with me, you might want to see this.”

“Oh, really? If you say so.” Nene pushed up her glasses, an excited smile crossing her lips since she could smell it in the air.

Something interesting was going to happen.

“What? Hey! Itsuki?” Ikki cried out to him, and turned to Stella who had no idea what was going on as well.

“Maybe it's related to their supervisor and dorm work?” Stella guessed, but Ikki shook his head. Seeing that Itsuki was already out of sight, he had missed his option to ask.

“I don’t think so. Usually, Itsuki’s really organized so he doesn’t just leave in the middle of the school day without a reason. Whatever it is, it must be important.”

Maybe it was Itsuki’s keen senses, is what Ikki thought since he had seen this reaction from Itsuki a few times in the field. Itsuki always seems to know what’s going on, but I don’t get it. What could be getting his attention?

Lost in thought, a voice called out to Ikki, and it was a familiar one at that.

“Ummm, E-excuse me?” The familiar voice said.

“Hmmm, that voice. Could it be?” Ikki’s brown eyes lit up as he now noticed that someone had tugged on his shirt from the side. From the corner of his eye, he could see the faint color of greenish white hair and fair white skin.

His eyes drew down a bit and found a somewhat similar in height student just a few steps away from him. She had a mature face and the small maiden-like smile she had almost made the girl seem younger than she looked. The slight sternness in her emerald eyes showed just a tinge of dominance though.

“Hmmm? Ikki? Who is this? Is this girl someone you know?” Stella asked but Ikki only gawked, his mouth agape as it upturned into a smile.

“D-Do you recognize me?” The girl asked, slight hesitation in her eyes. She seemed as if she were about to cry suddenly. Just before she could, the girl found Ikki’s hand cupping her cheek.

“Wah? What the… Ikki? What are you doing?” Stella flustered but Ikki’s attention was locked on the new girl, which was to much of her dismay.

“Sh-Shisuki, it’s you, right? I’m not dreaming, right?” Ikki asked again and tilted his head down a bit, exasperated. His height made him just a few inches taller than the girl, so with this changing his vision’s angle, he made meaningful eye contact with her.

“Y-You recognize me?” Shisuki’s eyes glimmered, a pooling of tears almost escaping and bursting from her pair of green pearls.

“Of course I do, I’m so glad you’re here. You’ve…grown.”

“I-it’s been so long, I thought.” A crack formed in Shisuki’s voice. “I thought you’d mistake me for someone else.”

“It took me a few seconds, but there’s no mistake. Your voice, your eyes, and your warmth.” Ikki adjusted his hand on her cheek. While he said it felt warm, it was more akin to a lukewarm with a chilling after tone.

She wasn’t cold, but cool.

“Oh little brother.” Shisuki chuckled, her hand coming up to clasp Ikki’s hand on her own cheek.

“Ah-ah-ah.” Stella gaped, making a pathetic sound like a startled bird.

She felt as if the sight of this brother and sister reunion was shining and blinding her eyes. There was so much heartfelt emotion between these two that it was enough to probably give everyone nearby diabetes tenfold over.

Her mind was racing if her spot in Ikki’s life was going to get overridden, but she remembered his words.

Their only brother and sister, Ikki said it himself. I can trust what he says… right?

“Stella? Stella!”

“Huh? What, yes, I’m here. I uh huh?”

“Calm down Stella.” Ikki said. “Did you not hear me? Do you need to go to the nurse?”

“N-No, I’m fine, but that girl, why is she…”

“Oh, her?” Getting that Stella was concerned about his older sister, who was suddenly hugging him with tears in her eyes, he explained.

“It’s been a few years since I last saw my older sister. She used to look a lot different from now, so it looks like she thought I might not have realized it was her when we first met again after so long.”

Ikki patted Shisuki’s head and she nuzzled close to him, burying her tear soaked cheeks into his uniform.

“I see.” Stella was suspicious. “But don’t you think this is embarrassing?”

“It is a little, but I can tolerate my older sister’s antics, can’t I? She’s family.”

“Well sure, but I wish you’d…mhmmmmm.”

A frown painted across Stella’s, the jealousy in her heart stirring.

I haven’t even hugged him yet, so why does she get to. She’s the older sister, but really, have some decency!

“B-brother?” Shisuki mumbled.

“Shisuki? What is it?”

“Could I ask you a favor?”

“Of course, do you want to talk?”

“Umm, it’s a bit personal, so could you come closer.”

Ikki nodded and craned his ear to Shisuki’s mouth to hear her whisper. Whatever she wanted to say, it was likely for his ears only.

“Hmmm! What the!”

But as Ikki leaned forward, he soon found himself leaning back. Had he lost his balance or had someone pushed him? The answer to that was in fact right in front of him. His lips parted to ask but was then pressed shut as a pair of soft lips met him on the way down.

***[Within Eyeshot - A Distance Away]***

“So explain to me why you wanted us to give them some privacy?” Amanda asked Itsuki as they watched as Shisuki tackle and kiss Ikki. It was a surprising event and it was drawing attention, a concern that Itsuki had.

“I was trying to give Ikki some privacy with his family but…this…this was unexpected.” He said plainly.

“I get the feeling that you planned this.” Amanda accused. “I thought you were for Ikki and Stella, why are you letting this happen?”

She was so exasperated since they had been egging Stella and Ikki on for days, but now, another new combatant had entered the field for Ikki’s heart, and it was Ikki’s sister of all people.

“And why her? They’re siblings! Itsuki! Do you get a kick out of this or something?”

“No, not really. And again, I didn’t think this would happen. I just wanted my friend to find his resolve.”

“And what the hell does that mean!”

All Amanda could understand from Itsuki’s reasoning was nothing, for someone who seemed so detailed in work, he sure had a nonsensical side to himself.

“You’ll figure it out.” Brushing Amanda off, Itsuki noticed Nene who was drooling as she wrote feverishly into her notebook.

“Oh man, oh man, oh man, this is going to be good. Two fair maidens fighting for the heart of a man, this is like that play I saw back then. Will he become a demon lord or the harrowing hero, I wonder which one? Oh! I can’t wait to publish this.”

“Miss Nene!” Itsuki spoke strongly.

“Huh? Yes!” Tensing up, Nene found Itsuki’s pair of black eyes bearing down on her. Unlike before he seemed small to Nene in stature, but now, even with the height difference she had over him, Itsuki’s presence seemed taller and bigger than usual.

“While I might agree that this will make for a great story in the paper, I suggest you keep this scoop on the down low.”

“Wah! Why? This could be the next big hit!”

“I know, but we can’t risk international backlash from the European union. Even if Stella’s noble title is void here, you can’t go posting controversial info to the web about a noble. Political relations are hard enough as they are.”

“But what about the rumors and hearsay, if that can get around, then why not my scoop? My news article?”

“Because rumors are manageable. But info from a reputable organization like Andromeda’s newspaper club. It will have lasting effects and consequences. Plus…”

The smallest amount of what Nene and Amanda could describe as a smile formed on Itsuki’s usually stern exterior. It made him seem happy, but only a little. In fact, if Amanda were to put it into words, he looked more like a little demon from hell who was ready to play a shrewd trick.

“This will be more fun.” He said in a low voice, some excitement in his tone.

A shiver ran down Amanda’s spine, more from surprise at how this unempathetic dolt who was usually so overly head long into work, was actually trying to do something entirely different from his modus operandi.

“Sometimes Itsuki, I find myself agreeing with you, but it gives me the creeps.”

His smile wiped away, Itsuki scoffed. “Let’s just watch the show. Also, don’t interfere Amanda. Your nosiness might turn into a bad habit.”

“I am not nosey!” Amanda argued and Itsuki continued to verbally counter her.

All the while, Nene could only stare on blankly in amazement, finding Itsuki’s and Amanda’s verbal back and forth equally, or somewhat more interesting, than the literal love triangle forming just a ways away.

“Heh heh heh, this year’s going to be fun.” Nene checked to see if she still had enough memory on her camera and was jubilant that it had a few hundred terabytes free. Perfect!

[Shisuki Kurogen - School Attire]

Description: While thin and somewhat frail looking like a young child, Shisuki is quite tall and acts quite mature for how she looks. Above average in height for women her age and beauty that screams purity like the reflection in a still and calm pond of delicate water.

image [https://i.postimg.cc/j2MRVHDS/1697079255401.jpg]