Disclaimer: It's obvious I don't have Tales of Xillia, because it was properties of Bandai Namco.

Jude POV

It had been a week since our trip to the beach and our summer festival together. It still hit me as odd that Milla and I became friend, but I could manage. After all, it wouldn't be so hard to have Milla as a friend rather than someone like… Jun, for example. And with that, summer break ended and after the second term started, as usual, I was bothered by Jun about his pathetic love life.

"Say Jude, do you think Mai-chan think of me as lame?" Jun asked as he ate his sandwich. I knew he was talking about the… well, 'incident' a week ago where he got beaten up pretty badly by Milla and Leia. I wouldn't stand by his side because it was obvious that it was his fault. And then there was an 'incident' when those two went on their own agenda. From the babbles that Jun told me when we get back, apparently Mai kissed him on the cheek and knowing Jun, he turned into a massive fool he is.

I wanted to slap him with a dictionary since it was the hundreds time he asked me about that for the past week either by mail or when we did meet. But knowing this fool, I knew he didn't notice that he managed to hit a hundred for that question in a day. I let out a deep long breath and was about to shut him up like I usually did but was interrupted by the sudden absence of sound that happened in my class.

I looked to Jun who had turned his head to the class door and followed suit since his mouth had went agape I would believe that his jaw had rolled on the ground. What I saw there was… unexpected, but it would explain the sudden silence inside my class.

"Is Jude here?" the person who caused the silence in my class asked innocently as she entered my class, it sounded like she was looking for me. It's not that I minded about her looking for me though.

"What's wrong Milla?" I replied to her call as I waved lowly to her direction, signaling her to come closer. I was as surprised as the other was when she entered my class but I won't immediately turn into stone statue like the other. Milla is a friend after all and I'm not one of her fans so I must act like normal.

She, Milla, smiled slightly at my sight and she gracefully took my invitation. She stepped in like a super model and I swore there were imaginary roses thrown to her direction as she passed and few people fainted when she passed by. However I seriously doubt she realized since she looked as calm as ever.

When Milla was in close distance of me, she offered me a book that I recognized easily, the Zestiria novel that we shared. She smiled politely and said, "I was done with it so it's your turn now."

I was slightly amazed at the speed of her reading. I didn't think she would finish it in a matter of a week. It would take Leia at least a month to finish the novel… or maybe I was just around illiterate people for far too long. It was then that I remembered that Milla is in the library committee (and active at that) as well, she must be a literate person.

"Thanks… Anyway, Milla will you come to library today?" I said as I asked for her plan after school. As long as I remembered it right, today we had library committee meeting going around. Though again, the member rarely came save for select few, mainly Milla and me.

Milla tilted her head slightly, seemingly not getting what I was talking. She then searched her memory of what I was implying and let out a small voice of recognition. She then clapped her hands in apologetic manner as she said, "Jude, could you fill me in? I needed to train for my club. You had my number right? If the teacher needed me, just mail me and I would try to do something about it."

I nodded at her explanation. It was rare to see that Milla looked apologetic though now I knew that she took a responsibility close to her heart. I remembered that I had saved her phone number since we had befriended each other, though we rarely texted each other. I wanted to text her but if I texted her without anything important… it felt like I would be like the second Jun and I don't want to fall as low as that.

Milla then smiled in grateful manner as she then said, "I'll be back to my class now not going to make Leia and Mai waiting… oh about Mai…" when Milla mentioned Mai-san's name, she looked at Jun with the killing glare she used last week. I didn't need to be a genius to know that she was still angry.

If look can kill, Milla's look would kill an army… seriously.

Jun gulped visibly on Milla's intimidating presence. He looked like he knew that flipping out in happiness at the mention of Mai-san's name was a bad move right now. He never went on monologue when he was around those he respected and apparently, I'm not, so he always went on one hell of monologue whenever I mentioned Mai-san. Anyway, back to the present, I remembered that Milla only forgave Jun from 'touching' her chest for a day so Jun should be scared for his life now that she is mad about it again.

Milla still glared dagger at him as she said, "She asked me to forgive you. I do not like the idea but since it is Mai's request… I would tolerate you but another mistake like that…" when she trailed her sentence, she put up her thumbs on the right side of her neck before making a slicing gesture to the left with those cold eyes of hers. Without waiting for answer she left the class with a frown though she still maintained her graceful posture.

My eyes followed Milla as she walked away until she closed the door. It was then that I noticed that the absence of sounds happened again as the people around looked at me. I raised my eyebrows and told them without words to just leave the matter away as I turned my attention away from the door. I was greeted by the ensuing sounds once again after that.

I looked at Jun who was as pale as a ghost with his teeth clattered loudly as if he had just been frozen solid. I placed a hand over his shoulders and he turned around to see me in response. He was about to comically crying but I cut it short as I said, "It was nice knowing you Jun." trying hard to sound like I regretted our parting though I was half-glad about it.

"Jude, you are cruel heartless friend! I'm not dead yet… for now," Jun said with hopeless tone. Well, he was hopeless to start with after he picked a fight with Milla. Anyone who picked one with her is dead meat.

I continued my eating and contemplated on how to save Jun's life half-heartedly. Although it was obvious that there was only one solution and so I said, "Never ever tackle her on the rest of your life if you still value your life… but if you do that, I need to look for clothes to attend your funeral."

Jun instantly complained at how it sounded like I was hoping for him to just die already. I'm not going to deny that one and it made him cried comically. Well, so far it was a normal day of school…

When I noticed it, summer had come to close and autumn breeze had forced us to change our attire. But the most significant change in my life was the constant outing with Milla's group with mine, Leia's idea.

I didn't particularly hate it since I wouldn't get stuck with Leia and her random talking now that Milla was there. I didn't need to mention that Jun constantly (trying to) flirts with Mai-san only to fail pathetically, don't I? Their interaction was funny as hell so that forced me to pair with Milla. I didn't feel forced at all since Milla was a good companion when Leia started her crazy plan to hook Jun with Mai-san (that I honestly doubt to be a good idea). Being with Milla was thousands time better than having Leia drag me around her plan.

I was resting in my room as I studied my lesson, though it was a little bit too easy for me to handle. I realized that after knowing m-… I mean, my friends, school became something I looked forward into so at least I tried to study the material. I never thought that I would have this kind of fun when my father dictated that I must study in high school.

My train of thought was cut short by a gentle knocking on my room's door. I looked up and recognized that by the way it sounded it was my sister, well, adoptive sister, who was knocking. I smiled slightly when I heard a soft voice emanated few minutes later as it said, "May I come in?"

"Yes of course Elize," I replied almost instantly. It was a little too fast, so Elize must have noticed that I already realized that it was she who 'bothered' me, if I described it in her words. However, she should understand that she never being a bother for me.

Elize, my 12 years old little sister, entered my room as she clutched a doll that came from one of the crane machine somewhere in overseas when we both stayed there though she went back a year before I graduated. I didn't get which part of the doll that she called 'Teepo' is cute, but I never told Elize that.

Elize was never a native of this land so she had a trouble speaking up what was in her mind since her speaking was broken here and there. It didn't hide the fact that she was a lot more open than I was. She was still shy around me because it was I who begged father to take her in 3 years ago, when I found her bullied by other kid. But, I knew that her social circle was quite a big one since she was a more sensible version of Leia.

I only knew that she had no parents only later on after I talked with her constantly after our first meeting when I saw her being bullied. Some of it was a feeling of pity, but when I said that I would ask my father to make her my sister, it was just the feeling of similarity that made me act like that.

As the only son of a famous doctor, I was often left alone to fend off for myself when my father had an important work, a life to save. I didn't hate him for it though sometimes I hoped he would accompany me sometimes and it was lonely. I felt that Elize was lonely as well so I said that I wanted her to be my sister.

It did take a lot of convincing on my part that Elize was a good girl. My selfish wish even make my father flew to my place as he made me show him Elize. I guessed he noticed whatever it is that made him think that Elize could be my sister and instantly adopted her, talk about sudden change of heart.

Well that should have summed the reason why Elize still acted shy around me. She often called me her 'savior' and was thankful for it thus the reason why she was shy. I acted like a good big brother for her and asked, "What is it Elize?"

Elize took a seat on my bed as she fiddled her fingers on Teepo. She looked at me and then back to her doll as she looked down in embarrassment. With a soft tone, she then said, "I heard… about festival… culture festival… at Jude-niisan's school… am I false?" (1)

I smiled although honestly, I was just reminded of the existence of that highlight of the year for those who weren't senior. My class had discussed to open up something like a ghost mansion of some sorts. Seriously, I wasn't even half-interested in it. I even forgot what my part was already, but at least I'm not acting as one of the ghost… maybe. Maybe I need to ask Ruca-san tomorrow.

"Well, it is true… however it was still a month away. Why did you ask Elize?" I replied as I asked what her intention on asking me about that event. I knew that Elize would always come when my school was open to public, even in overseas, but she would mention it when it was just around the corner, not a month away like this.

Elize looked surprised as she then hugged Teepo and tried to hide her face for some reason I didn't understand. She then said in panic, "L-Leia-san… dropped by… she said to me to oshiete (2) Jude-niisan… her class… o-opened me-i-do (3) café."

I tilted my head to the side. I tried to rack my head for something closely similar to what word she told me, the one that was broken. After I knew what she wanted to say, I mentally facepalmed on my desk. Seriously, what is inside her head when she told Elize that?! I tried to contain my inner complain when I said, "Why did she bother telling me that?!"

Elize stepped back as she fidgeted and said, "L-Leia-san tell me… so-someone called M-Milla… will be m-me-i-do."

I placed my palms over my forehead since it started throbbing painfully. Now, I honestly didn't get what Leia expected me to react. Milla is my friend for god's sake! And I had no hidden fetish on Maid or Nurse or Bunny Girl or whatever she thought I had.

But I was apologetic to Elize who needed to listen on her ramble. I quickly looked at her and then with a grateful smile, which I somehow pulled, I said, "Thank you Elize. Sorry, am I making you scared? Did Leia make you scared?"

Elize smiled as if she was at ease before she shook her head and said, "N-no… I'm not scared… Jude-niisan isn't scary… Leia-san is just weird when speaking…"

I sweatdropped as I tried to catch what she wanted to say. I would believe that her answer was mostly negative. I decided to drop my study for the day and play with Elize instead since the house was empty except for us.

"It's been awhile since we could spend time together. How about I cook you something Elize? We can play afterwards," I said as I got up from my seat and cleaned up my study desk.

Elize's eyes brimmed up in happiness as she cheerfully asked, "I want some pancake and ice cream! After that, can you tutor me Math? I want to be as good as Jude-niisan in it!"

I chuckled at the mention of tutoring. I thought I would end my study and now I would teach. It looked like that book love me. It was then that I remembered of the ticket to amusement park that I coincidentally got when I bought my medical book. I grabbed Elize's hands as I said, "Sure, why not? Oh, since tomorrow is Sunday and I'm free, do you want to go somewhere Elize?"

Elize looked happy as she gazed at me with her eyes had this stars blinking inside them. She then asked, "T-then can we go to amusing park?"

"You mean Amusement Park? Of course, why not?" I replied as I corrected her choice of words as I said that.

Elize shrunk in embarrassment when I corrected her mistake as she clutched Teepo tightly. I smiled seeing her reaction though then I said, "It is okay Elize, you will get better as you stay here. Now, let's get ourselves some food to eat and then I will tutor you on math. So, cheer up okay? You are my precious little sister after all, you should smile more often."

Elize looked to me and then she nodded her head with some pride when I mentioned that she is my sister. As she did that, she smiled brightly and said, "Yes!"

Dictionary:

(1) If you think Elize isn't speaking in proper English, it wasn't a blunder. I'm doing it on purpose because Elize's speaking is supposed to be broken

(2) Oshiete: This is one of words in Japanese language, which had the meaning 'Tell'.

(3) Me-i-do: Elize was talking about 'Maid' here. I used the Japanese pronunciation of it.

Elize is so cute isn't she? I won't mind having little sister like her either~ Teepo here is just a normal non-talking doll since magic didn't exist in reality XD. Jude and Milla actually acted more like friends rather than anything beyond that but I thought it would be funny that Leia started imagining that Jude has a fetish on Maid. Don't take this story too seriously since it was supposed to be light-hearted.