"... As we continue this lecture... Hino! How would you live if you were forced to attend the Hilter Youth as a Child?"

The blacknette jumped up. "Um... Well... I-I'd crossdress to join the boy's side and learn how to fight in a war... I guess?"She added with confidence.

The class burst into laughter. "Join the HJ? Back in those times, with your physical abilities, you'd be even lucky if you got to be a newspaper boy!"

"Think about getting better at PE first, Bookworm!" Rei sat down with embarrassment.

"That is a unique idea, Miss Hino. But would it work, I wonder?" Rei blushed.

"W-well... I guess it could... I-I mean, there are plenty of women who pulled it off in history, isn't there?" She stuttered. The teacher smiled.

"If you have time, why don't you write me a story about it? I'd love to hear that." Her words made the blacknette beam instantly. "O-of Course! I'll do my best!"

(At lunch time)

"Yo! Rei! Got your Vanguards ready and fired up?" N, the school's self-proclaimed Vanguard King called out to the blacknette. "Um... Right back at you!" She called out.

Playing Vanguard was one of Rei's favourite things. Ever since she transferred schools, Rei had a hard time finding anyone with a common interest until N introduced her to Vanguard, a card game which fighters call 'units' and 'ride' them to knock out the opposition's Vanguard by dealing six damage. Rei loved it because, when she was fighting, she felt like she could be another person, living in a different world, one not chained down by the logics and uniformed by the world.

"A-are you sure that I can have these?" She asked with wide, astonishing eyes. N smiled and patted her head.

"Go ahead and take em'. They're all yours now." Rei smiled happily.

"Thank you so much!"

" I attack at Asha for 31000 with my avatar, 'Lighting King Zorras'!" Rei declared. Ethan smirked and raised up his hand, making the blacknette pout. "I Perfect Guard it!"

"A 'Perf', Ethan?" N poked his head in. "C'mon man, that's unfair and totally mean. She hasn't gotten any 'Perf's in her deck." Ethan, who looked at the brown-haired boy talking, sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair. "Life ain't fair, N. She's gotta learn that. Now, Stand and Draw!" He declared, earning a frustrated groan from his opponent.

"I'm attacking for 16000 at your Vanguard with an extra Critical!" Rei looked at her hand before glaring daggers at him. "No guard."

"Triple drive check! None, Draw (draw and +5000), and another 'Crit'! Take four damage!"

The blacknette puffed her cheeks. "You win. You could've gone easy on me, you know!" Ethan shrugged.

"You gotta learn lessons through pain."

Rei glanced at her deck.

"Maybe you're right."