A/N: I was told that Lelouch's name is pronounced 'Rurushu' in Japanese and it's more suitable to change his name to 'Kururugi Rurushu'. I've thought of this and decided that this is a great suggestion (I actually like it very much too), but because this might confuse some readers, I decide not to change Lelouch's name. But you can put it in mind whenever you read Lelouch's name in this fic. I'm thankful for this suggestion! I'm happy you liked this story, Tsukiko Tokoyami-san! xD

Lelouch swept the blue-colored binds aside and a gentle ray of morning sun tenderly brushed against his pale skin. He almost instinctively closed his eyes slightly at the intruding light, shadowing his vision with a hand. As soon as he slid open the casement, he saw the birds were singing on the branches of a chestnut tree that stood right in front his room's window.

He breathed in the fresh morning air and sighed. The drowsiness still shown in his half-lidded eyes, a yawn escaped his mouth. The view of the empty school grounds in an early morning felt refreshing and peaceful.

Lelouch glanced at the alarm clock on a bedside table on his left, the short needle stopped at seven and the long needle at number 11, five minutes before the alarm went off. But Lelouch only slept for two hours last night.

He pushed the off button.

He lifted his gaze and incidentally caught the sight of a sleeping boy across the room. He stirred under the blanket. His hazel-tinted head turned and faced Lelouch, his eyes were still closed as he sighed softly.

Lelouch tore his gaze away and stared up towards the green leaves of the chestnut tree, slanting his eyes as little rays of light that escaped the gaps blinded his vision.

Two

"Lulu, are you listening?"

Rivalz snapped his fingers in front of the seemingly unfocused Lelouch, who was staring absently at an empty wall, his hands rested on a bunch of papers. He looked around and realized he was in the student council room, alone with Rivalz. He glanced down and came to realize there wasn't a single vertical statement, instead, written diagonally across the sheet. Lelouch was both surprised and relieved it was just a normal paper, not some important document.

Rivalz shook his head. "Geez, what happened to you? You've been like a zombie since the inauguration ceremony this morning!"

Lelouch didn't reply.

He gathered the papers and tidied them up in silence. He vaguely remembered how he got into the council, but still remembered clearly that he had agreed to join as a member of student council along with Rivalz, although not yet officially. And he was doing the application form—which clearly he hadn't yet written a single sentence of it.

Rivalz stared at his friend oddly, but decided Lelouch might be just nervous about the whole big news, like the others. "It's shocking huh, having a royalty in our school. The girls look all dreamy though. But man—why does a prince want to enter this school?" He wondered loudly, crossing his arms on his back.

The quieter of the two flinched.

"I mean, Ashford is great and all, but don't they have a line of world-class schools in Europe? Oh yeah, he said something about 'learning about the social life of citizens and citizenship' didn't he?" Rivalz continued his chatter. "Ah, but…"

"Isn't he your roommate, Lulu? You must've felt the most awkward, huh?"

The raven-haired boy halted suddenly.

Unknowing of Lelouch's reactions, Rivalz's cell rang and he picked the call almost immediately. "Hello? Oh, President!"

Lelouch resumed silently tidying the desk, putting the papers safely into the clear folder. His thoughts, however, weren't focused and kept straying about. He wouldn't have minded this if only his head wasn't centered on one person.

Only a day had passed yet it felt like a long dream, a nightmare of someone who was supposed to live peacefully in the Britannia motherland, now came back to this cursed country where those nightmares were born. And appeared in front of Lelouch once again.

"Sorry Lulu, the Pres needs my help! I'll be back soon." Rivalz announced. Lelouch replied with a nod.

Rivalz quickly rushed towards the door and went out, leaving the raven-haired boy alone in the council room. While Lelouch tried to focus his straying thoughts back to work, he was unaware the door was soundlessly being flung open and another person stepped into the room, observing him wordlessly.

That person took slow steps, as she approached the serious student. Every step she took seemed like a breeze; soundless and light. She didn't even bother to call his name when she suddenly spoke out.

"You look riddled." She languidly said.

Her words took Lelouch by surprise; he sharply turned towards her and relaxed all of a sudden when as soon as he saw her. "It's just you." He sighed and closed his eyes tiredly. "You startled me. Can't you at least use the door when you get in, C.C.?"

"I did. Though, I didn't knock." The emerald-haired girl casually said. Before Lelouch could say anything, she added. "I wear the uniform you gave me, no one suspected I'm not a student, so don't give me that look."

Lelouch didn't know how to say to prevent this woman from straying off wherever she wanted to; or he might as well just give it up. "I'll let it slide this time. But don't go around without telling me next time."

"That's what I was wondering about." C.C. plunged herself into the sofa. "Where am I supposed to hide if your lover has taken half of the room?"

His face suddenly turned as if he had been choked while drinking. "He's not my lover! He's just a… a roommate!" Lelouch fervently exclaimed.

"Lover or not, it makes no difference to me. You don't look happy at all, I see." She stared up to Lelouch's expression.

A grim frown appeared on Lelouch's lips. "How can I?" He retorted while avoiding C.C.'s observing gaze. "He's not supposed to be here! I thought—I thought I've made sure he wouldn't come back anymore… I thought you had seen to it that he wouldn't!" He sharply threw a glare towards the composed girl.

"…don't be so angry." She calmly stated. "Haven't I told you that it would only be temporary? That man's birthplace was here, his blood and instinct longed to return to its rightful home, it's no wonder he'd return to this land someday, your childhood friend. It's only a matter of time."

Lelouch couldn't reply.

"The spell hasn't been broken yet, has it? I can tell whether the seal has been undone." She asked.

Lelouch shook his head. "No. He doesn't remember me… at all." C.C. caught a glimpse of a tightly balled fist.

"…then, what is it you're worrying about? It matters not whether he's here or abroad, his memory won't return and no one would suspect a thing about his identity." She rested her back against the cushion comfortably.

"I know." Lelouch murmured. "But…"

C.C. watched Lelouch's expression. She crossed her arms as she spoke with a deep tone. "Lelouch. Seven years ago, your wish was granted and that resulted to the life you've lived to this day. Are you having regrets now?"

Lelouch's amethyst eyes widened and he retorted. "No! Of course not… I've never regretted the decision I made. Never." A shadow covered his face.

C.C. blinked and sighed, bringing a fist to her chin. "It's good that you didn't. You can get nothing from regretting the past, after all." Her eyes suddenly narrowed as she stared down at the floor.

"…anyway, look for a new place for me to use since your room is unavailable now. I'll try not to get unnecessary attention until then." She stated as she stood. Lelouch watched as C.C. leisurely strode towards the door in light steps, turning her head halfway around by the entrance.

"Lelouch, need I remind you that the geass's effect will start decreasing soon?" At her last words, Lelouch's purplish eyes widened and he suddenly stood up, causing the chair to fall down behind him.

C.C. wasn't fazed at all despite his reaction, she added. "If you want to strengthen the seal, you know the terms and conditions. And Lelouch…"

C.C.'s golden brown eyes shone as she stared straight to Lelouch's violet orbs. "Don't lie to yourself." And then she left.

Seconds after she left, Rivalz entered. He stared at the entrance as he did, looking astonished and curious. "Wow… I've never seen a cute girl like that before, wonder if she's a transfer student?" He mumbled softly and then turned to face the other boy. "...huh? What's wrong, Lulu? You're as white as a sheet!"

Lelouch was still standing on his toes, both palms spread and pushed against the wooden surface of the desk. He had a look of someone who had just seen a ghost. "Nothing." He uttered, balling his fists. He tried to relax his nerves. "I haven't had enough sleep, that's all." He gave Rivalz a forced smile.

Rivalz looked unconvinced, but he decided not to push it. "Really? Ok then… by the way, she needs us to return some accounting files back to the library. Are you coming? Um, but don't push yourself too hard okay?"

"It's okay. I'm fine. I'll help you." Lelouch assured.

Lelouch finished tidying the desk in silent, his mind filled with thoughts.

Lelouch left the student council room alone, hugging a heap of books to his chest. Rivalz had an urgent appointment and had apologetically asked Lelouch to replace his part of the job, which the raven-haired boy agreed to do. There were ten books in his arms, which he had to carry carefully and they were quite heavy.

The library was located at the farthest west of the academy, at the Junior high school division's building, which was quite far away from the student council room. He had to cross the school grounds to get there. It was pretty much a pain because there hadn't yet a library in high school division's building.

The classrooms were almost emptied in the first day of school, since the only schedules were the opening ceremony and classroom announcement in the morning, the real classes would start tomorrow. The rest of the students were likely had gone home, though some still lingered around the school area.

Lelouch was crossing the outer corridor when he saw some students were walking from the opposite direction. He recognized them as seniors, and Japanese on top. Lelouch frowned and tried to remain quiet. As their distance became closer, the one in the front, who seemed like their leader, noticed him.

As Lelouch had expected, he purposely bumped onto Lelouch's shoulder, with a degree of strength that made him dropped the books.

"Oops, sorry, sorry." The nasty fellow said, his voice didn't sound at all apologetic. "Guess I can't see ya there, Mr. Honor Student."

Lelouch didn't answer such obvious attempt of provocation. He sighed softly and crouched to pick up the fallen books, ignoring the other students' mockery. But unfortunately, it only roused their anger.

The leader of that gang especially, his black eyes shone angrily as he glared at Lelouch's back. "Tch. Guess nothin' fazes ya huh, traitor!?" He spat at one of the books Lelouch was holding.

Lelouch turned to him, frowning. But said nothing.

"What's with those eyes? You wanna act a saint? Huh!?" The senior went to grab at Lelouch's collar, forcing him to stand up. Lelouch suddenly found himself breathless, for the strong grip was purposely meant to choke him. Yet he kept a strong front although pain showed on his expression.

The senior looked amused. "Can't do nothin' Mr. Goody-two-shoes? Tired of kissin' those Britannians' asses, huh? Hmph. Even yer strength is as girly as you look." He and his gang laughed aloud as he stared at Lelouch's pained face, and suddenly he had a look on his face that made a chill ran down Lelouch's spines.

"Say, ya…" He brought his face closer; a hand went to Lelouch's face and trailed his fingers along his face. "Yer face's really pretty… like a girl." An odd smile graced his eerie face.

Before he could do more, a shout reached Lelouch's ears.

"Hey!! What are you doing!? Let go of him!!"

"Shit!" The senior quickly released his grip and ran away with his friends. Lelouch slumped to his knees and gasped, coughing violently.

"Damn! They got away—hey! Are you alright?" He felt someone caught a hold of his shoulders and shook him. Lelouch was still gasping for air, he looked up and saw a blurred image of someone's childlike face, so familiar that he subconsciously called out,

"Su… zaku?"

The person's voice sounded surprised. "…!! Lelouch!? Are you alright? Did they hurt you?"

The face in front of his eyes gradually became clear. The face was more mature, but nevertheless still had hints of childishness. And he was really, Suzaku. When Lelouch realized this, he instinctively jolted up in surprise.

"Thank goodness, looks like you're alright. I thought they did something to you, Lelouch." Suzaku looked relieved, giving him a wide smile.

Lelouch only stared at him.

"…oh! Sorry I called you so familiarly… you just called my given name so…" His face flushed in embarrassment, scratching the back of his head.

For a moment there, Lelouch was taken by surprise, he quickly looked away. "No… it's okay. I'm fine." He said.

"I'm glad. Oh—your books…" He bended his back and started helping Lelouch picking the fallen books, but after they had picked them all, he didn't return the books he picked. When Lelouch raised a brow in question, he quickly answered.

"Let me help you. There were a bunch of people—reporters—keep following me everywhere asking for interviews, if I tell them I'm helping a friend it'll stop them for a while, so… please?"

Suzaku's earnest request and the look he gave Lelouch, made him feel—though he didn't know why—guilty. It was just like the look Suzaku used to give him whenever his egoistical whims kicked in, since they were children—the puppy dog eyes.

"F-fine." Lelouch finally said, feeling defeated.

"Great!" Suzaku exclaimed with a bright grin, hugging the six books to his chest.

Lelouch felt strange.

Before they began, Suzaku turned to Lelouch. "Um, by the way… can I call you Lelouch? It's easier and—I kind of want you to call me by my first name too. Like before."

Lelouch's purplish eyes widened slightly. Suzaku looked a bit nervous under his gaze.

Like before.

Unexpectedly, a thin smile raised on Lelouch's thin lips. A beautiful, sincere smile. "Of course, Suzaku." He uttered brightly.

Suzaku was astonished.

"Shall we?" Lelouch took the first step, turning towards the other.

"R-right."

The smile was still there.

"Lelouch"

Just like before.