"So, how did your mum react?" Shinku asked as he, Rebecca and Éclair walked down the street toward the school. With the supposed bomb threat the day before hey had expected the school to be closed, but it wasn't. They were all pretty tired though, as Rebecca's kidnapping had messed with all of their heads the day before.

"She didn't take it good." Rebecca responded with a forced laugh, "that person that saved us, she explained to my mum the same thing she said to yours, that I had gotten kidnapped due to being mistaken for a member of a gang family, and because of it my mums' been on my case to dye my hair, of all things. She wouldn't even let me in the past, and now she's almost demanding it!"

"Sounds rough, she probably just wants to protect you." Éclair said calmly as they turned the corner and walked down the last stretch of road before the school.

"Yeah, but it's strange. . . . . . . . . . There really isn't much in the way of gangs around here and, what those people said. . . They knew about Flonyard?" Rebecca asked, unsurely.

"It seemed like it," Shinku said with a nod. "I've been wondering how they knew though. Could they have been before?"

"Maybe, your mother has after all, and so did the principal at the school." Éclair added, trying to help figure the situation out.

"I guess. It's just worrying me is all."

"Both you need to stop worrying!" Rebecca said with a smile as she ran forward and turned around to Shinku and Éclair. "It's over and done with, and all we have is today, and next week and then our break happens and we can go to Flonyard again. How's that drawing thing going anyway, Éclair?"

"It's going well, I think I should have it done by next Friday. And then we can head to Flonyard on Saturday if what Shinku's mother says is right." Éclair answered, finding herself smiling at the prospect of returning home.

"Well that's good then! We can get you home and then everyone will be happy! I'm sure the princess and everyone is worried about you, and think of the stories you'll be able to tell them about Earth!" "Rebeca exclaimed, glad that her change of subject was helping Éclair's mood.

"Yeah, I guess so." Éclair said as she glanced to Rebecca as she fell back into step with Éclair and Shinku, then began slowing her step and holding Rebecca back for a moment and whispering. "I'm kind of worried how everyone will react to, well, me and Shinku though." Éclair admitted with a blush.

"I wouldn't worry too much about it. Everyone's your friends, so I'm sure they'll understand and support you. And like I said, if Shinku tries something stupid you'll have everyone at your side helping you beat him for it!" Rebecca whispered back with a smile, causing Eclair to giggle a bit.

"Yeah, I guess, it still worried me though. The princess, and Yuki and Rico all have feelings for him just like you do so-,."

"Ah, what, what are you talking about, Éclair?"

"Oh, please. It's pretty obvious. If I can't lie about having hidden my feeling for him you can't either!"

"He's just my friend and- and I mean that-"

"That's not going to fly, Rebecca!"

"Ah, no fair!" Rebecca suddenly screamed as she ran past Shinku and towards the school, with Éclair chasing after her with smile.

Shinku looked at the two of them with a confused look as they ran past him, having not heard their conversation and then smiled. "It's a race then, right? Okay!" he called out as he began chasing after them, causing both of the girls to panic slightly and laugh, though they were unsure why.

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"Sir?"

For a moment there was no response, and then a computer monitor lit up, barely revealing the edges of a person s face in the dark room. "Yes? What is it?"

"We've lost numerous teams, including our capture team. What do you believe we should do next?"

"Hmm, begin carefully moving all of our equipment to the designated place in Japan. We'll lay low until we need to strike, and then take everything for Earth!"

Authors note: Short chapter this time, but that's just how it rolls, the next few should be primarily just the fun general stuff of school and Shinku and Éclair's relationship, and I'll be leaving the darker stuff to dwell a bit, so look forward to more fluff!

Also, is anyone even back to reading this? I got back to updating it after so ling, ad I know there were people looking forward to more chapter, but it's kind of, worrying that I've had not a single word one way or another. Maybe I'm paranoid.