Shiraga: longest...chapter...ever...RIP my fingers
enjoy folks, now I need some serious rest
Chapter 11: Double Date
"Eve-sama, the sun has risen."—in front of the large wooden door, Chung knocked on it to call for his master. Inside, Eve was still lying on her queen size bed. After hearing the servant call, she sat up, rubbing her eyes and allowed Chung to come in. Chung, in his servant suit, a black coat with white shirt inside and a black bow tie, walked inside pushing a small dining car.
"Your morning tea, my lady."—he handed over a cup of tea to Eve. While the princess sipping on her tea, Chung placed a small table on her bed and putted the knives and folks and finally the breakfast.
"Chung, what is today schedule?"—Eve asked while cutting the big piece of meat on her plate and putted it in her mouth.
"At 9:00 you will have your art lesson, 10:30 will be your piano lesson, at 14:00 you will have a meeting with Rod Ross to discuss about the forming a contract with his company. And that it for today."—Chung reported to Eve while checking the holographic screen on his watch. After Eve finished her breakfast, the phone rang.
"This is the Seraphia house…Eve-sama."—after picking up the phone, Chung handed it over to Eve.
"This is Eve-"
"EVEEEEEEEE-CHAAAAAAN! HOW DO YOU DO? DO YOU MISS ME? BUT I DO! I MISSED YOU SO MUCH THAT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERY NIGHT!"—an energetic voice from the other side of the line shouted into the phone, but Eve was already prepared for these kind of situations so she covered the phone until the voice died down.
"Did you just cover the phone while I was expressing my feeling to you? So meany Eve-chan!'
"What is it, mother? If you call back home this early in the morning just to say these things then I'll hang off the phone."—she replied coldly to the one that she called 'mother'.
"Mou~ I just wanted to have some mother-daughter conversation with you, is it really that hard?"—her mother pouted.
"Okay, so what is it that you wanted to say?"—Eve sighed.
"I just want to check on you. The amount of work here are endless and I haven't been back home like forever. But good news is I'll be back soon, just 3 more days!"
"Mother, did you dump your work on your assistance and sneak out while no one was noticing?"
"W-w-what are you talking about? O-of course not! Why would I do that?"
"Sound like you are, mother."
"Anyway, when I'm back, I'll give my Eve-chan a really big hug. Oh just thinking about it make me trembling with joy!"—and her mother kept going on and on with her daughter complex.
"And one more thing, Eve-chan. Do you have anyone in your mind yet?"
"By 'in my mind', what do you mean, mother?"
"Oh, you know, boyfriend."—as her mother mention the word, Eve choked on her tea and coughed several times.
"Oops, I have to go now, see you later, Eve-chan. And I wanted to see your boyfriend when I'm back!"
"W-wait mothe-"—but before Eve could say another word, her mother already hanged up the phone. All these events took in one hour. Now let go back 1 hour earlier, in a different place.
"Lu-sama, it morning already."—Lu knocked on the door to Lu room. He waited for 5 minutes and no response.
"Sorry for my intrusion."—he said and turned the knuckle on the door then walked inside with a small dining car. Lu was laying on her bed, hugging a pillow while drooling.
"Lu-sama."—Ciel shook her slightly. Lu opened half of her eye and glanced at him.
"Hmmm…just 5 more minutes…"—she said then pulled the blanket on to cover her face.
"Last time you also say that but you woke up 5 hours later."—Ciel said with a sigh. But while he was complaining, Lu had already went back to sleep.
"Look like I need to do this the hard way."—he said then walked to the window and pulled the curtain open. After placing some pillows into a large area on the floor, he grabbed the blanket and pulled it with all his might. Lu got launched into the air and landed down on the pillow area.
"Aaaaaah! My eyes! They burn!"—the sunlight shone right into her eyes. She covered her eyes and started rolling on the floor.
"So, are you awake yet, Lu-sama?"
"YES! No thanks to you Ciel!"
"Never know that this trick work so well. Thank you, Feuer-kun."
"Your usual, hot chocolate with extra milk."—Ciel poured the milk into the steaming cup of hot chocolate and handed it to Lu. In just one sip, Lu drank all of the glass content and gave it to Ciel asking for more. Ciel placed the table on the bed and placed her favorite breakfast on the table.
"Ah~ nothing better than the smell of hot pancake and melting butter on it in the morning."—after having her nostril full with the smell of the food, instead of cutting the pancake into small piece, Lu cut it into half and shoved it into her mouth.
"This is your today schedule: 8:30 you will have a meeting with a business partner from a friendly company, 10:00 we will have a side trip at the Velder mall as the manager of requested for our opinion to improve it. In the afternoon-"—Ciel was reading the schedule to Lu then the phone on the table rang.
"This is the Sourcream family…Yes, I'll give it to her. Lu-sama, your mother call."—when the word mother came to her ear, Lu placed her favorite cup of hot chocolate down and snatched the phone from Ciel.
"Mom!"
"Hi there Lu-chan. How have you been?"
"I'm fine! What about you?"
"The doctor said that my condition had improved a lot. And they let me have a vacation far away from the hospital, so I guess I can go home for a few days."
"That is great news Mom! When you come home, I'll show you around the town. We will chat with each other all day long until we fell asleep!"
"Seeing that you are doing well, I'm so happy, Lu-chan. I wish I could be a better mother if it wasn't for this disease of mine."
"Don't say that Mom. You are the best mother in both Elrios and demon realm."
"Oh, actually, there is one thing that I wanted to see when I'm back."
"What is it mom? I'll do anything if that can make you happy."
"Glad you say that. So the thing I wanted to see is…Lu-chan boyfriend."—and Lu mother said the word. Lu was sipping on her hot chocolate, so she thought that she misheard the word.
"Um…Mom, can you repeat it?"
"I wanted to see your boyfriend."—at the second time, she knew that she heard it right. Lu spitted the chocolate out of her mouth toward Ciel, but the butler was already well prepared. He opened an umbrella and blocked the hot chocolate.
"The doctor called. I have to go now Lu-chan. See you later."—the she hanged off the phone, leaving Lu still shocking with the phone in her hand. And now the clock hit 8:00 in the morning.
"Ciel!"
"Chung."
"Cancel every appointment on today schedule. I need to find a solution to this."—even thought living in 2 houses across the city, Eve and Lu said the same thing at the same time.
"Even thought I said I need to find a solution…"—Eve said to herself while putting her clothes on. She putted one of her finger on her forehead, tapping on it to think of a way.
"…But this is just so sudden, I don't even know where to look."—Lu said while walking around her room.
"A boyfriend? Mother is being ridiculous again."—Eve.
"I know that Mom is weak and she wanted to have someone to be by my side to help me with the company soon. But…"—Lu.
"I'll have a serious talk with mother later. First thing first, I need to deal with this stupid problem."—Eve.
"But who should I discuss this with?"—Lu.
"Chung won't work. She already knew about him. And I cannot ask anyone in school either."—Eve.
"Even if it just a fake one, I need to find someone that suit the Sourcream name."—Lu.
The 2 girls kept walking around their room thinking for a way while their butler stood on the side. After 5 minutes of walking restlessly, they finally came up with a solution.
"That it! If it him then it might work!"—Lu.
"I hate to admit it, but this is the only possible solution right now."—Eve.
The 2 then picked up their phone, dialed the number and waited for the response as if the other side of the line is their savior, well, literally. After pressing the last number, their phone received the signal, traveled inside the wire, onto the antenna and the disk sent the signal away. Flew at speed of light, the signal quickly reached the destination, and the phone of the receiver rang.
"Mmm…Z…Z…Z"—the receiver was still on his bed, with his face wedging in his pillow. The phone rang again and again, until the silver hair male got woke up completely.
"Gah! Dang it! Why would anyone call this early in the morning?"—he picked up his phone and checked the number on it.
"What so early in the morning Lu? This better be good enough to ruin my sleep."—he scowled into the phone.
"What? Your Mom is coming home…so you wanted to do something for her…and she wanted to see you with…WHAT?...I'm going to call Feue…do not tell anyone else? Yeaaaaaah, nope. Okay, I'm gonna hang up now."—he said and about to hit the 'End Call' button.
"Lu-sama, the cookies are ready."—he heard Ciel voice on the other side of the line with the word 'cookies', so he putted the phone back near his ear.
"Give me 5 minutes, I'll be right there."—he hanged off the phone and immediately got down from his bed and changed his clothes. He opened the door and walked down stair quietly. He peeped into the kitchen to see if anyone was inside, and the one that was supposed to be inside at this time every morning was nowhere to be found. Then he noticed a small piece of paper near the tray of breakfast.
" 'I'll be out for today and might come home late.'? Oh well, need to get going fast."—he read the piece of paper, finished his breakfast and putted it into the sink, everything done in 2 minutes.
"Let see, Lu house is about more than 3 kilometer from here. Turn left 3 times, 5 times right, and the amount of people on the street right now is not very crowded. Good, all set."—after checking the map on the device, he shoved it back into his pocket and crouched down like an athlete at the starting line.
He closed his eyes to concentrate as his body started to glow with purple electricity. The electricity covered his whole body, but he concentrated most of them on his legs. Done with the preparation, he opened his eyes and stomped his feet on the ground. He bolted on the road almost like a comet, the shockwave from the electric burst broke some nearby windows.
"Oops, too much power again."—he knocked his head slightly and kept running. He turned right once, then left, passed the crowd on the street, 2 times right, the final corner he turned left, and he reached the Sourcream mansion door. He reached the destination in 2 minutes 54 seconds, still 6 seconds left to spare.
The maid that was sweeping the yard saw him at the door, so she walked over and open it.
"Good morning, Add-sama."
"I told you guys to stop with the 'sama' part already."—he said while huffing for air. The door of the building then opened and Lu with Ciel walked outside. Still not done with resupplying the air for his lungs yet, he rushed over at Ciel.
"W…where…is the…COOKIES?"—he asked while his face expression looks almost like a hungry carnivore.
Now let turn the clock back to several minutes earlier, on Feuer side.
"Yosh, that should do it."—he said after checking the temperature of the food inside the pan. He turned off the flame and took the apron off.
"Add-kun! Bre- Hm? Strange number?"—he was about to call Add for breakfast, his phone rang and it was a strange number.
"Hello? Oh, morning, Eve-dono. Do you need somethi-…Urgent? Okay, I'll get going now."—he said then turned off the phone Putting the breakfast on the table and the small piece of paper, he left the house in quiet as Eve requested to keep this as a secret as long as possible. He checked the map on his phone for Eve house and grabbed his bike. 30 minutes of cycling and he reached a big steel door with the 'Seraphia' name on it.
"Can I help you?"—the speaker on the door asked.
"Um, I'm here to see Eve-dono."—Feuer responded. The door opened and he walked inside. In the middle of the front yard was a big fountain with a statue of an angel standing on the top. On the left side was a labyrinth made of tree bushes. Judging from the shape of the bushes and the quality of the leaves, the labyrinth was taken care usually by the hand of an artist. The right side was a small tea table under a big tree, with several funny looking statues.
But for a house this big, it was quiet, too quiet. No sign of worker, servant or any maid. Feuer kept walking and when he reached the fountain, 2 shadows appeared from the tree foliage and the labyrinth. One was a male with red hair and a red tie while the other was a girl with long blue hair tied into a pony tail and a blue bow tie. They rushed at Feuer and attacked him. He threw his bike at them which got broke into half the next second while he leaped back.
"Aw man, I just feel like having a trip around the town on my bike."—he said looking at the remains of his poor bike. No waiting for him to recover, the 2 figures rushed at him again. The male threw a jab while the girl swept the ground with her leg. Feuer leaped back a few more steps to dodge the attack.
"First time I see someone beside me and Add-kun can fight this simultaneously. But now I'm having number disadvantage. Guess no time to learn their attack pattern."—he sighed with a small dry smile. He rushed at the 2 figures and threw multiple kicks in the middle to separate them. His intention was to leave an opening to lure them to hit that spot, and use their own attack to counter them. As expected, the male saw the opening and threw his punch. Feuer immediately turned around and grabbed his hand, using the momentum from his opponent and his own strength, he did another 180 degree spin and threw the male away.
But right at the moment when he grab the male arm and about to spin, the girl appeared from behind. She was using the red hair male as a camouflage. She immediately threw a kick aiming at Feuer head. Not enough time to react, Feuer released his left arm and used it to change the direction of the kick. It was a close one, the kick was strong, stronger than Chloe, strong enough that even though it missed his face, but the force from it was as sharp as a sword. The spot on his cheek where the kick passed by started to bleed. He threw the 2 away and leaped back.
"Guess normal tactic won't work on you guys."—he wiped the blood away and stood straight up. He relaxed his body while slowly inhaled and then exhaled. The flame then built up around his body, but instead of their normal red color, the flame changed to a slightly more yellowish color.
"Vermillion Feather."—the yellow flame then formed a glowing aura around him. The aura emitting from his body, the fire around it looked almost like they were burning feathers. He drew his legs on the ground while his palms formed into a claw like shape. He rushed at the 2 assailants again and just like the last attempt, he threw multiple kicks to separate them. The male delivered a punch at the opening spot, and he grabbed his hand attempting to throw him away.
The girl rushed behind using the male as camouflage, but then Feuer appeared right in front of her and thrust his palm forward. The girl looked around to find the male and noticed that he already got sent flying away. She threw her kick and Feuer countered with his. The girl kick was strong, but a small flame detonated behind Feuer leg and like a plane engine, it pushed Feuer leg forward and he kicked the girl away, toward where the other male was lying.
" ' Vermillion Feather' can temporarily increase my speed with the use of my fire, but it puts great strain on pressure on the joints. Normally I can only last in this state for 5 minutes, but look like these 2 won't go down without a good fight."—he thought to himself while calculating the time and proper tactic to take down the 2 fighters.
"That enough, Ignis, Leviathan."—the 3 suddenly halted as they heard the sound of someone clapping their hands. The turned to the door of the mansion and saw Eve was walking toward with Chung following behind. The 2 attackers immediately bowed down as they saw their master.
"He is my guest today, you 2 knew that and still insist?"—Eve scolded the 2.
"Our apology, Eve-sama. We know that you asked him, but even if it just for a fake boyfriend, we cannot let any them have any harm to the 'Seraphia' name. That is why we must test him to make sure he is not some half-ass peasant."—the male explained.
"I'll make an exception this time, but these kind of action will not be forgave if happen again."—Eve said to the 2 which they nodded back. Then they scattered and returned to work.
"They must really worry about you to do this without asking."—Feuer laughed while walking inside with Eve.
"They are the guardian of 'Seraphia'. ALong with Chung family, their families had been serving my house for a very long time. But sometime they are just overreacting. How is your injury?"
"Nothing to worry about. So what about all this 'fake boyfriend' that those 2 mentioned earlier? Does it have anything to do with what you wanted to discuss with me?"—Feuer asked when they entered the living room. Eve ordered Chung to prepare the tea and motioned for Feuer to sit down.
"The thing that I'm about to tell you, take it as a personal request from me, Eve Seraphia, not from the President of the Student Council."—she said with a serious expression.
"I need you to become my boyfriend."—Feuer was listening carefully, then the thing that Eve requested made him paralyzed with a poker face. He remained the shocked expression until Chung walked in and placed the tea tray down.
"Ah! S…sorry, that was…a bit shocking I guess."
"No, my apology. I should explain to you from the start. Have you heard of the 'Seraphia Inc'?"
"A very famous company. Their power reaches very far in many essential fields. It is said that they can rival even the 'Sourcream' which is a multi dimension company."
"Yes. My mother is the supreme manager of the Seraphia Inc, and I am her heir."
"Wow, I can pretty much guess your family status by looking at how you do at school, but never know that your house was this big."—Feuer said in awe while taking a tea cup from Chung.
"I'm currently asking my Mother to let me solve some of the company problems by myself so I can be prepared when taking over the company. But she still insisted that I need someone to help me beside Chung. And recently she wanted to see me with a boyfriend. So I need your help."—Eve let out all her thought while Feuer and Chung putted on the gas mask because while talking, Eve was literally burning with anger.
"She must have been hiding all of her emotion for a very long time."
"Eve-sama, she always acts strong on the outside, she created an invisible wall to isolate herself from the other. Just to show her mother what she is capable of. But she is very lonely and fragile inside."-Chung said and turned to Feuer.
"So please, Feuer-sama. I beg for you, please break down the wall that is isolating Eve-sama."—Chung bowed his head down. Feuer finished his tea and placed the cup down.
"She is a friend too, even thought Add-kun might, no probably will protest, so I'll help without condition. But can you stop with the 'sama' part? It kinda awkward when your name being called with that."—the 2 finished their conversation just in time Eve calmed down a bit, so they took off the gas mask.
"Even thought my Mother said she wanted to see my boyfriend badly, but she is not an easy person to deal with. Until she comes back, we will have 3 days. In that time, I'll give you a special training."—Eve said pointing her finger at Feuer as the 2 from earlier, Ignis and Leviathan lifted Feuer up.
"T-training?"—he said as he felt a very not good feeling.
"They will train you to become a real noble man. Be prepared because these trainings are not easy."—Chung then opened the door while Ignis and leviathan dragged Feuer out of the room. They dragged him passed the hallway and tossed him inside a very big room with 4 maids waiting inside.
"First thing: the appearance."—Ignis said as the 3 maids started taking measurements on Feuer body.
"People usually say 'Never judge a book by it cover'. That only works in the normal world. In this world, your appearance and how you look play a very important role. If you look good, you will leave a very good first impression to those you meet. And especially when you are going with Eve-sama, we will make you become the most flawless being on earth."—at the speed of light, the 3 maids done with taking the measurements and began making a new suit for him.
When the 3 maids completed the suit, they took off Feuer clothes and putted the new suit on him against his will. Later on of his life, when thinking about the event, he wrote down into his notebook with a trembling hand: "I felt like I was being harassed. No, I was definitely being harassed!"
"Not too shabby right?"—Ignis asked while Feuer looked at himself in the mirror.
" 'Clothes make a man'. Yup, those from the previous generation were right."—Leviathan added on.
"Next, we need to adjust your hair style."—not waiting for Feuer to react, they dragged him to a big table with 3 mirrors and putted him down on the chair. The 3 maids had already readied their scissors, combs, hair gel and other make up stuff that Feuer had never seen before.
"Um, can you do this without those things? Eve-dono asked to keep this a secret, but if you throw all those things on me, Add-kun will certainly notice."—Feuer words somehow worked magically. He said it before the 3 maids rushed in like little girls about to butcher their doll, and his word saved him just in time.
"Well, if you put it that way. We will see what we can do."—they said then untied Feuer ponytail.
"Wow, just look at your hair. They are gorgeous! It so silky! How did you take care of your hair so good?"
"When I was little, my Mom loves to comb my hair whenever she gets the chance. I usually insist but can never escape from her. Now, she is somewhere faraway. Sometime I wish that I let her takes care hair a bit more back then."
"Oh…W-we are sorry for making you remember bad memories."—the 3 maids bowed their head.
"It okay, I was the one that decided to say it. So, any idea for the hair style yet?"—putting the sad story aside, the 3 maids returned to making a new hair style. They tied his hair into 2 smaller ponytails, and his front proportion was pushed back using gel.
"Behold, Feuer No 2!"—the maids said while showing Feuer his appearance after changing: new suit, new hair style. Now he looks more like someone from a noble family.
"But we are not done with your training yet! In the noble world, a good appearance always goes with many good skills."—they said and dragged him out of the room and into the garden.
"Art! Feel the wind, the surrounding, the animals, the nature around you, pour your feeling into it and convey it through your picture!"—Leviathan said with great enthusiasm placed a picture frame down in front of Feuer and gave him the painting brush. But without letting him finish his painting, after 30 minutes the 2 dragged him away from his chair. When thinking about the events again, he also wrote down into his notebook: "First I got harassed, then I got kidnapped. Life sure is a long chain of surprise that coming at you when you least expected!"
They dragged him out of the front garden and to the back of the house. When they stopped, Feuer saw a small house made of mostly wood. Leviathan opened the door while Ignis threw him up into the air. But instead of the ground, Feuer landed on a very well made saddle.
"Horse riding! While flowers show the elegance of a lady, riding on the horse show a man grandeur!"—Ignis said and whistled to signal the horse to run. Feuer tightened his grip on the reins while the horse ran around the yard. Seeing Feuer as a stranger, the horse went rampage and tried to shake him off it back. Now the horse riding training for nobility looks more like a horse riding show of the wild west.
The show went on for 3 hours, and finally both the rider and the mount dropped to the ground, huffing. Without letting Feuer rest, the 2 dragged him back into the mansion. Passed the long hallway again and into the door at the end of the end. They putted him down on the chair with the longest table that he had ever seen in front of him with Eve and Chung at the other end.
Leviathan clapped her hand, from another door in the corner, the maids and servants walked out one after another, with dishes in their hand. They putted the dishes down on the table and opened the cover. The aroma of the food immediately filled the room. Taking a few sniff, Feuer could tell the skill of the chef as he is also one at the Glitter Hunter.
"Eating! You cannot show your nobility if with an empty stomach. But the way you eat is also important."—the 2 said then placed several knives and folks on the table. Feuer stared at the set of shining silver utensils with great confusion of how to use them right.
"First, you use a folk to hold the food. Then with the knife on your free hand, cut them out into smaller piece."—the 2 showed him how to do it by stabbing the folk into the piece of meat on the plate, while using the knife to cut it into smaller piece. After getting a hang of the basic, Feuer quickly finished the dish to compensate for all the loss of his energy earlier.
"How was the food?"—Eve asked from across the table, sipping her tea while the maids and servants taking the dishes away.
"It was delicious."—then in the afternoon, the training continued with many more nobility stuff. Eve wasn't exaggerating, the training could literally be called hell. But compared to the training that Add was currently having, Feuer training was a bit easier.
"I told you already! You must address me with softer voice!"
"How do you expect a yankee to use a soft voice? How can that even help you in a fight? Call out your enemies name until they scream for help because of awkwardness and beg for your mercy?"
"Well this is a good chance for you to start using it!"
"Dang it! If it wasn't because of those cookies, I would never been here in the first place!"
And their training went on for 3 days. Every day when they returned home, Add couldn't explain why Feuer looks more tired than usual and same goes with Feuer couldn't explain why Add always return with lots of cookies. 3 days, time flew like an arrow. Right at 7:30 in the morning, Add and Feuer immediately leave the house and ran to 2 different directions. Feuer arrived at the 'Seraphia' house and noticed a long line of servants and maids at the front door, with Eve and Chung standing in the middle.
"Just how many worker you have exactly?"
"300 maids and 300 servants."—Eve replied. A sound of engine then came from faraway. Eve signaled for Feuer to stand next to Chung, right behind her. The sound kept getting closer, and closer. But nothing was rolling on the road. They all then felt a strong gust of wind from above. They looked up and saw a helicopter was hovering above them. The door of the helicopter opened and a woman jumped out from it.
"EVEEEEE-CHAAAAAAAAN!"—she shouted while diving in mid air a bit before opening her parachute. The parachute slowed down her fall, but having her feeling restrained for too long, when reaching the appropriate height, she ejected from the parachute, did several body spins in mid air and landed down on the ground.
"EVEEEEE-CHAAAAAAAAAN!"—she screamed Eve name again while rushing forward to embrace her daughter in a hug. Eve dodged her assault, but her mother was faster. She immediately changed direction and caught Eve into her arm.
"Oh I missed you so much! Eve-chan!"—she said while brushing her cheek against Eve.
"Welcome back, Nasadia-sama."—Chung bowed his head as he received Eve SOS signal to get her out of her mother arm.
"Oh, Chung-chan, long time no see."—she said patting his head. Then she noticed Feuer.
"Oh my el. Eve-chan! So you DO have a boyfriend! I'm so happy, my girl had grew up so fast!"
"A pleasure to meet you, Nasadia-san. I am Feuer, Feuer Klugheit."—Feuer said while putting a hand on his chest and bowed down.
"So, Feuer-chan, what do you think about my daughter? Her breast might be small, but she is still growing."
"Mother!"
"I'm just kidding! No matter if your breasts are flat or big, I'll still love you. Now let get inside so we can have a better chat."—Eve mother suggested.
"So, Feuer-chan, how long have you and my daughter being a couple?"—she asked when they moved into the living room.
"Since the middle of 1st year. Eve-san is in the Student Council, so I received a lot of help from her."
"But he also helped me back, Mother. And before we know, we are already more than friends."—they all both had came up with an act to fool Eve mother. Eve mother, Nasadia nodded. They thought that their plan had worked out perfectly, until Nasadia activated her trap card.
"The love of a student and the Student Council President that bloomed from helping each other. But have you 2 go one a date yet?"—Eve had expected a counter from her mother, but for the Ice Queen that knows not even the least about love of a couple, this was unexpected.
"D-d-d-d-date?'—she stuttered.
"What? Are you telling me you had been a couple for more than a year and you 2 still haven't go on a single date?"
"Because the work of Student Council is always full on the list, so we couldn't find any appropriate day to do so."—realizing the situation, Feuer jumped in the conversation.
"My my my, that is not good, not good at all."—Nasadia said. She putted a hand on her chin and started thinking. Then she snapped her finger as a brilliant idea flashed in her mind.
"Then it is decided. You 2 will go on a date tomorrow!"
-Sourcream Mansion, several minutes earlier—
After leaving the house and using the same method, Add reached the Sourcream mansion in 3 minutes. He saw all the maids and servants had lined up into 2 lines at the gate, with Lu and Ciel in the middle.
"Remember our training Add."—Lu reminded.
"Yeah yeah, and you remember our deal."—Add replied. Then they heard the sound of a car coming. When the car came into sight, it was a black limousine. A very, very, very long black limousine. After the car stopped, the driver got off from his seat and walked to the very back of the car and opened the door. A woman with white hair, braided into a ponytail hanging over her left shoulder stepped out.
"Welcome home, Helle-sama."—the maids and servants bowed their head in union.
"Long time no see, everyone. And long time no see, Lu-chan."
"Mom!"—Lu shouted and rushed forward to hug her mother.
"I missed you so much!"
"I do too, Lu-chan."
"Welcome home, Helle-sama."—Ciel greeted politely.
"Hello, Ciel-san. Thank you for taking care of my daughter."
"Long time no see, Helle-san."—Add waved his hand.
"Oh my, if it isn't Add-chan. You last time I see you, you were still a little."—she said while brushing her fingers through Add messy white hair. The other servants proceeded to carry the luggage inside the house, while Lu and her mother took a tour around the house as Helle had been away from the Sourcream mansion for too long.
"How long has it been, since I last walking along this hallway, touching these walls, meeting all the familiar faces."—Helle said to herself while walking around the familiar yet strange space in the house. Being gone for too long because of her health condition, she forgot some details like where is the library, but the places where she spent her time with Lu and her father, she still remember deeply. End of the tour, they sat down on the big sofa in the living room while Lu tell her mother about how much things had changed since she left.
"So, how have you 2 been so far?"—she asked while Ciel serving the tea.
"I-it been good so far. We spent time together at school whenever we have the chance. R-right Add?"
"Y-yes, that right, Helle-san!"—Add said. The 2 acted according to the play that they made up, but neither of them can make it sound natural. Seeing that her mother started to suspect, Lu glanced at Add and signaled him to do something. Add, pushing his genius mind to it limit to find a solution.
"A-a-as you can see, Helle-san. We are a lovey dovey couple."—Add said putting his arm on Lu shoulder to pull her in closer. Even thought she was the one who asked, being surprised by his act, Lu arm followed her instinct and gave Add an elbow hit to his side.
"So have you 2 go on a date yet?"—and the deadliest question came. Add spitted the cookie in his mouth out hearing the question.
"W-we wanted to, but the company work and school stuff are always overload so we didn't have time yet."
"Is that so? Well, the tour around the town can wait. Lu-chan, Add-chan, how about a date by tomorrow?"
And from 2 places destined across the town, 2 girls screamed their lungs out after hearing the suggestion that their mother made.
"WHAAAAAAT?"
The day went on with the mothers being over excited for the next day while the daughters and their fake boyfriends desperately finding a new solution as all their plans had gone vain. Night came, the 2 boys returned to their house, both being completely exhausted so they didn't talk to each other but moved back to their own room. They dropped themselves on their bed, facing the ceiling.
"Hey, Feuer."—Add called from his room.
"Yes?"
"Where have you been these recent days? If you don't want to say, it fine."
"Sorry, I can't tell you. But after tomorrow, I have something to tell you."
"Yeah, me too. Well, sleep soon. Tomorrow is gonna be a long day."—then the 2 closed their eyes, and forced themselves to sleep.
"Tomorrow, Velder Mall at 8."
The night passed, and the morning came with the sun. The 2 woke up early, done with the self hygiene and adorned themselves with more fashion clothes than usual. Add with a black sleeveless jacket and a white T-shirt inside, and a pair of jeans with a small chain on his left. Feuer putted on a light red shirt, an arm band and a pair of trousers with his bag hanging diagonally. After checking their appearance in front of the mirror, they left the house. They walked to 2 opposite directions, but their destination was the same, the Velder Mall down town.
They both arrived at 7:55, but their meeting spots were different. Feuer and Eve met at the North gate while Add and Lu met at the South gate.
"Sorry for the wait."—Feuer waved at Eve when they met in front of the North gate.
"It okay, I also just arrived."—the 2 then noticed something were moving in the bushes and on the trees across the street since they arrived. They immediately turned their head around and saw some maids, servant and Eve mother, Nasadia were hiding in the bushes.
"Look like your Mom wanted to see her daughter first date with her own eyes."—Feuer said while Eve sighed.
"Let just…go inside first."—she said then turned around and started walking. Feuer ran after and grabbed Eve hand.
"W-what are you…?"
"If you wanted to fool your mother, you have to make as if we are a real couple. Holding hand is common thing that couple do."—Feuer smiled as his fingers moved to interlock with Eve fingers, to which she turned her face away to hide the blushing on her face.
"I can never tell what you peasants have in mind."—if they didn't know the story, everyone would be fooled that the 2 were real couple. While on the other side of the mall, at the South gate. Add met up with Lu and with the same situation, Helle and other workers in Sourcream mansion also followed them. Add showed his hand to signal Lu to hold it. But holding hand made this unbalanced couple looks even weirder. They look more like 2 sibling with Add being the big brother while Lu being the little sister more than a couple. Feeling like someone was mocking her height, Lu stomped her feet down on Add feet hard.
"What was that for?"—Add shouted.
"Nothing,"—she said then dragged Add into the mall.
"Is this the first time you go to a mall like this, Eve-san?"—Feuer asked while adjusting the honorific to fit with the couple theme to fool the stalkers.
"Yes, it is indeed my first time. Usually if I need anything, I just tell Chung and he will make the call. It actually easier than going to the mall like this."
"But choosing the thing that you want by yourself is much better."
"I do not see how that seems better."
"If that the case, then today I'll show you the fun of 'peasant' world."—he smiled a big smile and dragged Eve hand into a shop nearby.
"Welcome, customer. Oh may, aren't you 2 a lovely couple? So how can I help you 2 love birds today?"—the owner of the shop asked the 2.
"What are all these things?"—Eve asked while looking at the accessories behind the glass and on the wall.
"They are small accessories that you can use to pair with your clothes. They come with many shapes and sizes."—the owner explained. While Eve still examining at all the small funny looking accessories, Feuer whispered something into the owner ears and she nodded back with a smile.
"Have you found anything fit your appetite yet?"—Feuer asked.
"Unfortunately, no."—she said back shaking her head slightly.
"Well, how about this one?"—Feuer picked up a small hairclip and putted it on Eve hair.
"What do you know, it fits very well."—the owner of the shop said after examining Eve with her professional eyes.
"I'll take the hair clip and the thing from earlier."
"That will be 15,000 ED total."—Feuer grabbed his wallet and putted the money on the counter. The owner gave him a small pack with the thing that he requested earlier. He returned to Eve while she running her finger along the shape of the hairclip.
"Can I borrow your phone a bit?"—Feuer asked. Eve didn't understand what he was planning but to avoid the stalkers behind them having any suspicion, she just gave him her phone. He took the phone and pulled the thing inside the small pack out. With some hand motion, he returned the phone to Eve with a small white accessory on it.
"Your is Remy, mine is Moby. These 2 are accessories that go by pair especially for couple."—Feuer explained.
"T-thank you."—she whispered after they continued walking.
"My my, that boy sure knows how to treat a lady. And I have never seen Eve-chan have such expression."—Nasadia said to herself while drooling and with her camera in hand. While on the other side of the mall, Add and Lu were arguing with each other whether to visit the pet shop or the clothe shop first. After a battle of rock, paper, scissor, Add won and they decided to visit the pet shop first.
"They sure get along well."—Helle said from behind the fountain. Her words made all the maids and servant stared at her full of awkward as couple was clearly not getting along with each other, not even a bit.
"Next stop, the movie."—Feuer said and the 2 walked inside the theater.
"Which one do want to see?"—the 2 stood in front of the posters on the wall advertising the currently available movie. Eve examined all the posters for a bit and pointed her index finger at the poster on the right.
"You sure you want to see this?"—Feuer warned. Even thought she didn't know what type of movie it was, she just nodded anyway.
"2 tickets for 'Velder Hallucination' please."—Feuer said to the theater conductor and placed the money on the counter. He also bought 2 drinks and a pack of popcorn. The 2 entered the dark room of the theater and got to their seats. After a while, the movie started. It was a horror movie. The events take place in Velder, but in the near future, the city got invaded by a mad demon scientist, everyone in the city got infected by his chemical and turned into monster. A group of 9 survivors that luckily immune to the infection must put a stop to the madness.
"Somehow the mad scientist in this movie looks familiar to Joaquin-sensei to a very freaky degree."—Feuer thought to himself at the scene where the mad scientist shows up.
"Above average graphic, the music is not even the best, the content was used by many previous movies, and the makeup make it looks even more fake."—just after 30 minutes of the film, Eve had already pointed out all the flaw in her criticism.
"How can they make anyone scare with such quality?"—even thought she said that, when the mad scientist greatest experiment suddenly appears, Eve unintentionally shut her eyes and cling to Feuer arm. But the film was interrupted by several flashes from a camera from the line of seat not too far behind them. The 2 exited the theater and continued on their date. The more Feuer side looks like a real couple, the more Add side looks like a fake couple because of his and Lu constant quarrel, and surprisingly, Helle didn't even suspect a bit. When the sun reached the top of the head, Eve sat down near the fountain to rest.
"Here you go."—Feuer said handing over a crepe that he brought from the stand nearby.
"So, have today changed your opinion on the 'peasant' world yet?"
"I must admit, a lot of thing I have never experienced before."—she said. Suddenly, a truck bolted into the mall. After it stopped, several men in mask jumped out with guns in their hand. A man pointed the gun into the sky and released a barrage of bullet.
"Everyone on the floor now! Disobey I'll drill some sense into you with my gun!"—he shouted while everyone in the mall started panicking. Then 4 more trucks entered the mall from 4 directions and shut down the gates to prevent their hostages to escape and to prevent the police from interfering. Eve stood up and about to give the man who caused the panic a slap, but Feuer immediately grabbed her hand from behind to stop her.
"Remember, Eve-san. Today you are the queen. How do you expect me to face Nasadia-san if your hand got damaged?"
"You can still joking around at a time like this?"
"Worry not, for time being, let just lay low."—Feuer suggested. After gathering everyone in the mall into a big group at the big fountain in the center of the mall, the bandits leave 4 men to guard the hostages, 4 groups at each gates and the rest started their robbery. Everyone got their hands tied behind their back with duct tape.
On the first floor, the one that seemed to be the head of the gang took off his mask, revealing a scar on his right eye.
"Boys! Start shopping! Today our life change forever! Hahahahaha!"—he shouted with excitement and pointed his gun at a shop nearby and shot down the glass. Those that still hiding on other floor started panicking. A guard that got taken down earlier used his last bit of strength and slammed the alert button.
"You son of a!"—a bandit cursed and took the life of the guard away. The hostages also started to panic while some little kids began sobbing. Eve, angered by their action, stepped up and gave all of them a slap across their face. That was what she intended to do, but just like the rest, her hands got tied behind her back with duct tape.
After 10 minutes, the police arrived. They stopped outside the mall and formed a barrier with the cars and trucks while helicopters slowly descended down on the roof. The Commander, while all the other police wore dark blue uniform, his uniform was red and black. He stepped out of his car and turned on the megaphone.
"Those inside, surrender your weapon, put your hands behind your head and slowly step outside! And open the door too while you are at it."—the Commander said into the megaphone with a slight mocking tone. The head of the bandit picked up his radio, plugged into the control panel of the security room and started talking.
"Don't you think you are asking a bit too much, you police pest? Reconsidering your position right now, and we have hostages. If you don't want any of them to turn into cheese, then call back your helicopters now. Don't try to dare me."
"Hmp, I knew that negotiation would be useless. Call back the helicopters as soon as the S.W.A.T got deployed."—he said and threw his megaphone away.
"Sir, what about their scout on the observatory?"—a fellow police asked.
"Worry not, we got the Wind Shooter to deal with that."—he said calmly. On the rooftop of a tall building 500 meters away from the mall, a girl in special S.W.A.T uniform was stationary there with a very big bow.
"Wind blowing to the right, speed: 3 m/h. The glass thickness: 1 meter. Readjusting mana portion."—the girl mumbled and looked into her sniping scope. She concentrated her mana and formed an arrow on her right hand while the left hand aimed the bow into position.
"Target: Velder mall observatory, acquired."—after her sentence ended, she released the arrow. Cutting through the wind and flew toward it target. Pierced through the glass like a knife cutting the butter, the arrow pierced the bandit in charge of the observatory head and knocked him out immediately.
"Target eliminated."—she said into the radio to signal the Commander.
"Good. Call back the helicopters. Initiate the operation."
Meanwhile inside, the bandits almost done with gathering their loots. The head bandit smirked and picked up his radio again.
"Are you still out there, police-san? Of course you are. Well listen up. We are almost done with our shopping, so we need a pick up. Send a helicopter to the rooftop and withdraw your force now, or ewe won't go easy on the bullet."—he said and walked away from the security room.
"Tell the S.W.A.T team to speed up. We are running out of time."-the Commander ordered his subordinate while he armed himself with his beloved katana. Meanwhile inside, the kids had reached their limit. Some of them cannot hold any longer and began crying.
"Mommy, I wanna go home."—when the bandit noticed the whining of the kid, Eve immediately moved in and calmed him down.
"Don't worry, little one. We will get you out of here."
"You promise?"
"Yes, I promise."
After making sure that none of the guarding bandits had their eyes on him, Feuer ignited a small fire to burn the duct tape imprisoning his arm. The head bandit after making the announcement moved down to where the hostages were being kept.
"May I have your attention a bit, ladies and gentlemen? Since I requested a helicopter but look like your heroes outside declined the request. So I'll need your cooperation to show them who is the boss here."—he said and grabbed a woman hair, forcing her to stand up.
"Now let see how those pests out there like this."— he said and pointed the gun at the woman head. Now that the duct tape are rid of, Feuer rushed at the nearest bandit and delivered a kick into his face, sent him flying toward the wall. The other 3 bandits rushed at him, but out of nowhere, Ciel and Chung appeared and taken the 2 down. The 3rd one pointed his gun at Feuer, but before he could pull the trigger, a strong punch landed in his face and sent him flying toward the wall, next to the first one.
"Tch you pes-"—the head bandit cursed. But no matter how he tried, his finger, his arm, his muscles, his whole body, none of them could even move a bit. Then before his eyes, 2 women with white hair appeared.
"I got your muscles vital spots. You won't be able to move for about 3 days." / "The poison that I injected is enough to make even a Cutty Sark to fall. Wonder if that is the advantage of the muscle head?"
Seeing that the hostage are freed, Feuer immediately proceeded to untie Eve and the others. When he looked up to see who was his savior earlier, he saw someone that he is entirely not expected.
"Add-kun?" / "Feuer?"
4 pairs of eyes met each other. Add stared at Feuer while Lu stared at Lu.
"Now this is...awkward."—Add said to break the silent atmosphere. Lu was about to start a quarrel with Eve as why was she with Feuer and other things, but decided to save it for later.
"You are not bad yourself there."—Nasadia complimented.
"Why thank you. You are very good back there too."—Helle smiled back.
"Mom/Mother? Why are you here?"-Eve and Lu asked in union.
"Well...long story."—knowing that the truth cannot be hidden any longer, Nasadia and Helle explained to their daughter.
"We both will have a serious talk after this."—the 2 daughters scolded their mothers. After untied all the hostages, now what they all need is to let the police get inside.
"So, anyone got a plan?"—Add asked. After 5 minutes of thinking, Helle raised he hand.
"The 4 of you will go and open the gate so the police can get inside, it might be risky but I know you 4 can do it. The rest of the workers will spread out and deal with those on the other floor. Eve-san, Lu-chan, I need you to stay here and protect the hostages."—they all nodded and spread out. Add, Feuer, Ciel and Chung headed toward the 4 gates while the workers of both the Seraphia and Sourcream spread out to the other floors.
"Mom, how can you come up with a plan in such a short period of time?"—Lu asked curiously.
"It something that you will eventually learn when you wanted to sneak outside a hospital with the security of a military base."—he smiled while explaining which sent shiver down Lu spine.
"For a fake boyfriend, that boy sure is good. I almost thought that he was your real boyfriend."—Eve got startled at her mother word. Since when and how did she know that they were fake couple.
"Seeing your reaction from earlier when I mention about a date, I could tell that you 2 were acting."
"Then why did you even make us go on a date?"
"Well, let that be a lesson for you, Eve-chan. Your strength do not come from you alone, but also from the others around you."—she said and gave eve a flick on the forehead.
"From those...around you..."—she said to herself while rubbing her forehead. At the North gate, Add was bolting toward the bunch of bandits. Their guns started spitting fire at him, but none of the bullet could reach the target because they all were redirected by Add electricity field. South, West and East gate suffered the same fate. The bullets got melted by Feuer flame and got shot down by Ciel and Chung magic bullets.
"A bunch of muscular and none of you can withstand more than 2 hit?"—Add.
"Next time, do not try to mess with human life in front of me."—Feuer
"This is for ruining Eve-sama date."—Chung
"Dare threatening Lu-sama again and you will see hell."—Ciel.
They 4 pressed the button to open the gate and hid themselves in a nearby corner. The police didn't understand what just happen, but not letting the opportunity slipped away, they all moved in full force. The entire gang of bandit got arrested, but the big guy where about are unknown. After taking the testimony, all the guests were released.
On the way back, Nasadia and helle ordered the workers to return to the mansion first and let them have some personal time. They all stopped in the park. After scolding her mother a bit, Eve walked to Feuer to apology.
"But all the things you did were an act? How did you do that?"—Eve asked as she was curious about how did Feuer managed to fool even her mother. He whispered something into her ear and putted a finger on her lips.
"Let keep this as a secret between you and me."—after waving goodbye, the 2 boys returned to their home. They walked inside, and dropped themselves on the ground right after they closed the door.
"So...taht was what you wanted to tell me?"—Add asked.
"I can say the same to you, Add-kun."—Feuer replied back. The 2 remained quiet for a while, then started giggling and soon turned into a big laugh.
"Today must be the most disturbing day of our life."
Shiraga: yah, i reupdated the robbing part as the last version doesnt feel satisfy at all.