The first week of every school year always seemed like a festival in the university. There were stands and attractions everywhere. Marth wanted to go around, instead, he found himself guarding the stand of the club he is in. His clubmates thought it would be a good idea because his pretty face would invite more girls which are apparently absent in their club. He let out a defeated sigh and placed his elbow on top of the table with his chin resting on his palm. His eyes slowly start to sink.

"Excuse me, um?" A deep voice called out. Marth didn't seem to hear it. The man poked Marth's arm and he jerked a little. Marth opened his eyes halfway, blinked and raised his face to meet the man. His eyes and hair were bluish like Marth but darker. His hair was unkempt but his distinguishing feature was a piece of cloth that was worn around his head. "Miss?"

Marth thought he heard him wrong but did this guy just assume his gender?

"I would like to join this club." The man said. Marth was unable to speak any words but nonetheless gave him a pen. The man took it and wrote his name and year level on the list provided. Marth looked at the sheet and learned that his name was Ike Greil and a first year student.

"You're a freshman?" Marth was finally able to let out a voice. From the looks of it, he can tell that Ike was taller.

Ike nodded and looked at him with a mildly confused expression. Marth knew what he was troubled about.

"I'm a 2nd year student." Marth averted his gaze. "And a guy by the way." This was not the first time Marth was thought to be a girl and he always felt awkward correcting people about his gender. Ike looked visibly shocked.

"You're one year above me?" Ike rubbed the back of his neck. "I uh, apologize for my negligence earlier. I thought you were..."

"No, it's fine. I get that a lot." Marth smiled. He mistook Ike as a delinquent earlier because of his appearance but it turns out he was actually quite respectful. Never judge a book by its cover, he thought. But then again, they were both guilty of doing it so he dismissed the thought. "The name is Marth Lowell. Welcome to the Swordwielders Club."

Marth stood up and offered his hand and Ike shook it.

"Thanks Miss Lo- I mean Mr. Lowell." He let go of their hands. His tone obviously forced to speak in a formal manner.

"No need to be formal." Marth assured ignoring the mistake. Ike had a look of relief on his face. "There is no need for formalities in our club since year levels won't matter. You can address me as Marth." Ike was not sure if Marth was being ironic and it seems Marth did not notice it either.

"Ike. Just call me Ike." He took a deep breath. "I'll see you then." The two waved goodbye and Marth was left alone again in the stand.

Marth looked at the list of new upcoming members, his lips formed into a curve. His clubmates were going to be disappointed.

The atmosphere of the clubroom was very depressing, filled with the crushed expectations of the old members. They were questioning how and why Marth could have possibly failed.

"Maybe it's not the lack of good faces why there is an absence of girls in our club." Marth stated but also had doubts in what he said. He was part of another club that mainly involves sweets and tea and he was used by his friend, Peach to attract female students in joining the club. There was an abundance of girls (and a scarcity of men) in the club so trying to add more was questionable. Marth guessed that Peach wanted more people to gossip with. "And will you guys stop sulking?! You're making the new members uncomfortable."

The new members simply laughed. Marth apologized for the unpleasant welcome and told them that they will quickly forget about it anyway. True enough, the new members found themselves mingling and even having a little swordplay with the others.

"You weren't lying." Marth's skin crawled at the sudden voice from behind. He turned to look back.

"Oh it's you Ike. About what?"

"Them forgetting their failed hopes." Ike replied and folded his arms. "I think it has something to do with the club name."

Marth chuckled. He thought so too when he joined as a freshman and even until now. It could be called Fencing Club or Kendo Club. Swordwielders Club sounded like something kids from kindergarten would make.

"You think it's childish?" Ike nodded. "Actually, there is a story behind it."

"Do tell."

"It was shared to me by a senior who graduated already." The two went to the benches that was placed near the edge of the clubroom as Marth continued with his story. "The person who created this club had quite an 'eccentric' personality. He believed that swordplay was an art and that every individual has its own style. There is no such thing as similar, only different versions! If he were to name this club, Fencing Club, that would not justify his beliefs since according to him, they would have to follow a certain pattern and stick to it completely breaking the concept of uniqueness. By naming it Swordwielders Club, people can stay true to their own style whatever they wish and perfect it. I think it is a little silly since he's overthinking too much about the club name."

Ike snickered. The two of them were getting along very well despite meeting each other one day ago. Ike pondered about this fact. Marth was very friendly and he seemed to forget that Marth was one year above him but he was fine with it.

"But you know what? His ideology ain't sound so bad. I find some wisdom in his beliefs." Ike said. Marth raised his brow and smiled at him knowingly. Ike was amused at the look Marth was giving him. He added, "The staying true to your own style part. I mean I'd hate to be forced to pretend for someone else's sake, at least, that's how I interpret it."

Marth was stunned for a second at his newfound friend's reflection. "How so?"

Ike thought for a moment. "I'm currently living with my well-off aunt and she would often advise me to talk in a 'refine' manner." Ike shuddered. "It was very suffocating. It does NOT suit me at all." He remembered his sister who would often criticize him for speaking in such a brusque manner that he would intimidate her friends.

"I think I can relate, a little." Marth chuckled. His family was a bunch of nobles and as such they would practice proper etiquettes and manners. He didn't mind that. He would often explore the vast area of their land and interact with their servants. The servants would treat him with utmost courtesy, not that he was complaining but it kind of bothered him. He wanted to interact like friends ignoring the difference of their status. However, there was something off on what Ike just said. Marth was troubled about this. "Aunt? Where are your parents?"

"My parents? They're dead." Ike replied rather quickly and Marth was surprised at how normal Ike made it sound.

"Oh... I um, sorry I asked." Ike noticed that Marth's face was filled with guilt. He thought that it may be a sensitive topic for him so he chose not to ask.

"So," Ike decided to change the topic as to brighten the mood. "I just learned that this school had its own dormitory. Do you have a room? You mind if I be your roommate? Assuming you have your own room of course." His home was far away and it would be so tiring if he goes back and forth every day. He hoped Marth had one.

Marth lightened a little. It was quite direct of him to ask. He does have a room that is good for two or three people and yearns for a roommate since he is just the only one living in it. "I have but you don't mind?"

"Why would I?"

"I mean, we just met and we're already sharing a room together." Marth looked at him doubtingly but he was smiling. Not to mention, they had different year levels.

"Then all the more reason for us to share if it meant we'd get to know each other more." Ike grinned.

Marth gleefully laughed. "You're very honest you know that?"

Author's note:
I searched "headband" in Google to make sure if it really was a piece of cloth around the head. It was. But, it can also be those jewelry headbands that girls wear which might be confusing so I decided to turn Ike's headband as a thin piece of cloth while Marth's headband as a headpiece. I'm assuming if there are readers who don't have a clue about Super Smash Brothers might get confused (I'm basing this on my friends who I let them read my works). I also had a friend who can proofread my stories so I decided to revise some parts of this one.