Harry made sure since he was old enough to understand the world around him, that a fake face was how he ensured the comfort of those around him.

Not even a scrape on his knee could force the tears wanting to escape.

"I'm fine", was what he'd always say as his mom gave him a kiss on the cheek.

When the students started attacking him at the academy, never once did he burst into tears while cowering behind his shield. Or when someone's Weapon whacked his body.

Because he couldn't let Silica know just how much it hurt him. And when he met Hayato, he made it his mission to be the strong one for his little brother.

Last night was the first time he'd ever been so vulnerable. And in front of his leader, someone he highly respected and loved.

If she's in her office... How can I ever look her in the eyes again...

Last night was fresh on his mind. He wouldn't be the only one thinking about it when their eyes met. That's for sure.

When he finally came to the closed door that was Sarah Katayama's office, Harry held his breath.

There's no way she wouldn't be in there. She knows what I plan to do...

There's no way she'd just give him the keys either. Harry was at the top of his class. A straight A student and somewhat rare shield Weapon user.

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Any school would fight to keep him there. Many schools had fought over him and his friends to have the best Warriors honoring them with their presence to boost their prestige.

How do I go about this...

Harry paced back and forth, his hand wringing the collar of his casual purple shirt. How can I even speak to her after what I did. Or... What I didn't do rather...

He didn't realize how many minutes of him pacing passed by until someone calling out to him brought him back to the present.

Up ahead in the corridor a short haired girl with dark pink locks ran up to him. His heart sank.

Her eyes sparkled in the light with fear

"S-Silica---"

No... No... No...

He knew exactly what she'd say. Knowing her for so long, it was only normal.

He knew how she'd try to convince him to stay. To try again. Not realizing just how bad he'd treated the girl last night. Not caring even if she did know.

He took a step back, shaking his head. "Silica, there's nothing you can say to help me feel better about--- oof!"

He flew backwards onto the marble flooring. For awhile he started up at the black ceiling hundreds of feet above, unable to comprehend the concept of breathing.

Since when did that happen?

Slowly sitting up, with wide eyes he looked back at Silica standing before him, her fist thrown out from her where his stomach had been.

It'd been so long since Harry had misjudged someone's actions about to come.

Instead of an embrace and her stern but encouraging words...

... She'd given him the punch of his lifetime.

Not only that, but her pink eyes were blazing and her nostrils flared.

For the first time in their friendship, he was seeing the side everyone else had seen quite often when something happened she didn't agree with.

So this is the "Pink Haired Demon"...

Some may think a nickname like that isn't so fear inducing...

But such a girl is capable of taking down thirty grown men by herself with her spear.

And such a woman was glaring at Harry with all her might. He swallowed hard, a shiver running down his spine.