(P.S A NEW BLACK! What is going to happen next!? Will we know what Makoto had gone through? Well, read on to find out!)
Bold = English Conversations
Bold + Italics = Japanese Conversations
BLACK 35
Sora was walking to the Academy by himself, basking on what he felt was a nice gentle breeze for the coming of Autumm. Beside him was Marcus and Chikacho as they both had looks of concern as they were scratching their heads. "Are you sure we should leave her in our room for a while? Her friends might be worried about her going missing all of the sudden." Marcus said, trying to maintain his calm cool composure while still being worried as Sora nodded his head slowly. "I understand you are her friend Sora... But don't you think it may be for the best to bring her back to her room and let her friends take care of her?" Chikacho suggested as Sora sighed a little and shook his head a little.
"Well...I plan to talk with her friends...But knowing them they would just come to me straight away as they figured that if Makoto was to run anywhere she would turn to me as a last resort. And they would have spent the whole night looking for her outside before confirming their suspicions." Sora said as Marcus and Chikacho looked at him a bit creeped out, since when did he become this future foreboding about his predictions. As if on cue, Noel, Tsubaki, Mai, Cajun, Shiori and Hunter came running towards the trio.
"Before you say anything...Can I just say that you all look like you didn't get a good rest last night." Sora said with a little worry as he noticed the group's clothes looked rather rushed being put on as the girl's hair looked a bit disheveled. "We...We know..but can you tell us if Makoto is with you right now?!" Hunter asked as Sora looked at him noticing something strange. "I just noticed...your eyes were brown before... are you wearing contacts?" Sora asked as he also noticed that his eyes began to glow red a little. "Huh...My bad, they seem to be some high tech contact lenses." Sora continued as Hunter looked at him seriously, causing his red eyes to glow even more red.
"Can you please answer the question now Sora! We need to know now!" Hunter strongly said as Sora nodded his head. "Yes...Makoto is in my room right now... but I wouldn't recoommend going to visit her right now, she is not in the mood right now... or at least that is what she is showing to me right now." Sora explained as everyone looked at him worried even more as Noel and Tsubaki surrounded him a little. "Please tell us! Does she at least look alright!? Is she hurt in any way!?" Noel asked as Sora shook his head.
"Makoto's not hurt in any physical way... though something is troubling her mentally. Did something happen in the last week to make her that way?" Sora asked as immediately he said that question, Noel, Tsubaki and Hunter immediately had worried and concerned faces as Sora immediately got suspicious about the way they were acting. "What's going on...did something happen to her?" Sora questioned as the three people in question looked at each other, not sure what to say in this case. "W-Well... She...was involved in something that we dragged her into it... I take full responsibility for what happened..." Noel apologized, surprising Sora greatly. Before he could question her though, his ears caught wind of something else that alarmed him greatly.
Female Student: Hey did you hear? One of the students is actually in risk of getting her scholarship revoked from the school.
Male Student: Oh really now? That isn't surprising... This school is tough after all
Female Student: But here's the thing, It's actually Makoto Nanaya!
Male Student: Woah really? Has her academic studies gotten to a point even her physical score can't pull her up?
Female Student: That's not even the case. She actually started flunking in Phys Ed! It all started last week too!
Male Student: Damn... I always knew that she was bad in Academics but Phys Ed too? That's so not like her.
The moment Sora heard those words being said, he noticed the students being a couple of friends who were in the same class that they were in. "Hey...what are you guys talking about Makoto?" Sora asked as he immediately went for the two friends as they looked at him briefly for a moment before answering, "Oh yeah...You were sick the week before. There's this rumor going around that the school is planning to cut off Makoto's Scholarship because she's recently flunking in classes hard." The male student said as Sora's eyes widened greatly hearing that news.
He knew that Makoto wasn't that good when it came to academic studies, hell he even saw her struggle to finish some of her homework in time. But physical education? That's just impossible for him to even envision in his head even after he gave it more thought. He just knew that he had to find the truth for himself. "Thank you for the news that you gave me you two." Sora said as he felt something take over his feet, making him rush forward as Marcus and Chikacho stared at the three in question. "Tell us...what happened to Makoto a week ago...please we want to know so we can try to help her as much as we can." Marcus begged.
Noel, Tsubaki and Hunter looked at each other with some unease as they didn't know what to do at this point. "W-Well...if we tell you...can you promise us...that you will keep it a secret from Sora?" The moment this was asked, Marcus and Chikacho couldn't help but feel a sense of irony in that question. They were keeping a secret that could determine the lives of everyone in the Academy and now they have to keep a secret from their beloved brother/master that could determine the fate of one of his closest friends. "We promise." Were the only words that they could say as the massive group decided to tell their story somewhere private.
As the group told their tale towards Marcus and Chikacho, Sora was busy rushing towards the Academy going to the only person that he knew would know about any Academy related rumors and matters. He went straight for the first floor as he soon found the teacher's lounge as he knocked on the door as calmly as he could, steadying his hand as the very thought of Makoto having her scholarship cut as he waited patiently for anybody to respond to his knock. When that didn't work he knocked on the door and waited once more.
"Oh screw this..." Sora muttered a little, having gotten sick of waiting as he opened the teacher's door. As soon as he did that, he was greeted with the presence of a well endowed woman as He was slightly surprised to see Miss Estella greet him. "Oh...well this is a rare time for you to be here Sora Minakaze." Estella said as the mature air she had around her demanded respect as Sora politely bowed a little bit. "I got something I wish to confirm with you Miss Estella..." Sora said as Estella raised her hand. "Please...Just call me Miss Emma. Short is better." Estella explained as Sora nodded his head.
Soon he found himself sitting in front of Miss Emma in the teacher's lounge as she was sipping on a cup of earl grey. "It is nice to see you this early today. You have more than enough time to reach to class as soon as our conversation is over." Emma said as Sora kept a bit quiet as it was just the two of them in the lounge at the moment. "Where are the other teachers? I would have thought that they would be here by now?" Sora wondered as he stared at the empty seats that would have been filled by teachers of various backgrounds and experiences.
"Well... Some of them are doing their daily errands around the Academy. There are a few others that have been dispatched to Ikaruga thus we are actually low on staff at the moment." Emma explained as Sora slowly nodded his head. "I see... I thought the Academy already had enough recruits from the third years that graduated this year." Sora wondered as he remembered the day he was in the hall and saw the student body's favorite council president, Jin Kisaragi, graduating top of his class as he was currently stationed in Ikaruga at the moment where the war was highly concentrated at the moment.
"Do not think that wars can be won by just a single extraordinary person. Jin Kisaragi may be in that graduating class, but that doesn't mean he can win this war by himself." Emma said as Sora knew that fact really well. "Wars are won by numbers and experience... Jin may have the skills but when it comes to the art of war, he is still inexperienced." Sora said in a mature tone, surprising Estella a bit as she sipped on her tea again.
"Well...I believe that you are not hear regarding missing teachers or the Ikaruga war... There is something else bothering you in your mind...Am I correct?" Estella said as Sora immediately nodded his head at those words as Estella waited patiently for him to respond, placing down her tea as she gave him her full attention. "...I heard rumours that the Academy is planning to cut off Makoto's Scholarship...am I correct?" Sora said as Emma remained quiet for a bit before sighing greatly.
"I wish it was as simple as us stripping Makoto Nanaya of her scholarship." Emma explained as Sora rubbed his forehead. "Can you just cut straight to the point, we don't need to sugarcoat the situation." Sora said straight as Emma kept quiet before deciding that since this was one of her friends, he deserved to know at least. "With her failling grades... especially in her physical education. We are considering of expelling her from the Academy."
The moment that Sora heard those words, his eyes widened greatly as he stood up feeling anger flow into him as Emma could clearly see fists form as Sora forced himself to the couch once more. "Is...Is there any way to repeal the expulsion? Makoto doesn't deserve that just because she suddenly plummeted in one week." Sora explained, unable to register the fact that she was just going to be expelled for what is essentially one bad week.
"I understand that you have your worries at the moment... But I am sorry. The Academy has a very strict reputation to uphold. It doesn't matter if it's one of the Duodecim or someone who is in the scholarship program, if they fail to uphold the standards that they showed us in the beginning of the year we have to do something about that." The words that Emma said felt disgusting to hear in Sora's ears. He knew that she probably didn't want to say those words as well but years of experience told her otherwise. It was then he decided for himself that he should take action at that point.
"Is...It possible for me to talk to the principal regarding this?" Sora asked as this immediately raised a red flag in Estella's mind. "I'm Sorry Sora..but not anybody can just walk in and ask the principal anything. And even if you did, she's a very busy woman and will not have the time to entertain your request." Estella said, trying to divert Sora's attention away from the principal but Sora is a persistent man as he cleared his throat. "You can't tell me there's nobody I can talk to regarding this matter. She's my friend and this is an injustice to her. She has been consistent physically even though her academics have been failing, there has to be some sort of consideration for her!" Sora said as he was trying to find a way to undo the unfair treatment that was being given to Makoto as Estella herself could see how hard he was trying to and felt a pain in her heart.
Estella: It is as not as simple as what you say Sora Minakaze
Sora: And why's that? Is it because of all the bureaucratic nonsense the Academy likes to use? Stuff like preserving the reputation of the Academy?
Estella: As if... You underestimate the Military's Academy for producing some of the most capable soldiers that the NOL still currently have. Even if everyone here has yet to experience battle, it is our duty as former NOL soldiers to pass down our knowledge to the new generation. If the student is proven to not be growing despite our support then we have no choice but to cut them off before they become a hindrance to the growth of other students.
Sora: Even if that student didn't do anything wrong for one whole year and just messed up a few times in a week?
Estella:... I didn't create the rules Mr Minakaze... But I believe that they are not wrong in their beliefs. We cannot help those who cannot help themselves.
The more Emma spoke the more rage Sora felt boil within. He wanted to contain it so much but it was no use. "So what if they cannot help themselves!? There are people who need each other too you know!? Are you simply going to forsaken them as well!" Sora shouted, feeling the veins on his neck slowly pop as Emma stood tall as well and stared him down. "Do not raise your voice...Mr Minakaze... I understand your words but the fact still remains that those are the rules." Emma said as Sora tched, feeling frustration before releasing all of the tension he felt from the body as she looked at the clock. "It's almost 7.30... get to class right now." She continued as Sora kept quiet for a bit before walking out of the teacher's lounge, bumping into Coach as he looked at the stressed woman.
"Geez Estella...you look like you went through hell. Did you have a rough conversation with Minakaze?" Coach asked as Estella sipped on her tea that she left on the table. "...Sora wanted to know why we were planning to expel Makoto Nanaya despite her having one week of bad results." Estella explained as the Coach sighed. "You know I agree with him too... that is way too harsh especially with what happened with her and her friends one week ago." Coach explained as Estella shook her head.
"I understand but... The rules are there for a reason...Coach. Even if we want to bend them for some people, we can't do so unless we risk backlash from those who suffered injustice before." Estella said as Coach sighed and patted her shoulder. "I understand...but there's no time to spend thinking about it. Classes are about to start. Let's just wait till the end of the day and see what happens alright." Coach said as he looked at Estella with a soft look, making the strong headed woman relent as she took a deep breath.
"You're right... We just need to see what happens next." Estella said as she placed her cup of tea on her table. Grabbing her attendance sheet, she walked out of the teacher's lounge, her thoughts still on the words that she said to Sora and what they meant. She soon reached her class as she saw the groups of students that were in their own cliques breaking away and taking their seats. It was then she saw Team Remix Heart and Hunter Long as they sat in one line while one person from their group was missing.
"Has anybody seen Makoto Nanaya?" Estella asked as the class kept quiet for a bit. "W...We haven't seen her yet Miss Emma." Noel meekly said, afraid of having a sudden backlash at her as Emma took a small breath and walked towards the teacher's table. "Everyone keep quiet, I shall be taking attendance right now." she said as everyone did so without fail. She then began to give the roll call, as each name she called they responded with "Yes Maam".
Yes... she understood very well that life isn't fair... that people are often unfairly treated because of the circumstances they weren't in. But if they were to let those people off the look that wouldn't be fair for those who had to live with the same circumstances their whole lives. She may not know much about Makoto's personal life but that didn't matter in Torifune. Here, you are an equal regardless of race, religion or beliefs. Because of that philosophy, she must uphold it to the very end even if it pains her.
"Sora Minakaze..." The moment she called out for that particular name she was greeted with silence. "Sora Minakaze...if you're sleeping behind there I would suggest that you wake up right now." Estella said with a serious tone in her voice as she focused her eyes on the attendance sheet. Finally having had enough, she looked forward, "Sora Minakaze!" raising her voice to wake up the white haired person that would have been sleeping at his desk...if he was there. This immediately alerted Estella as the class noticed a small look of panic as she quickly cleared her throat. "I will be marking him Absent then." she immediately said, calming down the class as she realized where he could have went.
As soon as she finished marking attendance and left the students to their own devices, she immediately began to run to the third floor where the principal's office was. While most normal people would be tired out from sprinting three flights of stairs at once, Miss Estella made sure she didn't lose any of her stamina from all of the physical training she had placed herself through. Still sprinting, her eyes caught sight of Sora Minakaze as he was waiting patiently in front of the office door, his eyes closed and his hand ready to knock on the door.
All in one swift motion, Estella grabbed Sora's wrist before it could touch the door and grabbed his black jacket in order to hold him there as she went to restrain Sora's wrist behind his back. "What in the hell were you thinking of doing?..." Estella said as a strict menacing aura surrounded her as Sora opened his eyes and looked at her. "I was just going to see if the principal was inside...I have knocked at least once before I was going to knock again before you suddenly got behind me and restrained my left arm...Can you please let go of it by the way, It's starting to hurt." Sora said frankly as Estella released him off his load as he rubbed his wrist, noting the strength that was present in it.
"I already told you that you're not allowed inside the principal's office. How many times must I say this before you understand." Estella said with a strictness in her voice as Sora sighed. "I just want to try and see if I could see her..." Sora said frankly as before Estella could say any further. She felt her shoulders being tapped as she turned around to see the face of the principal as she was simply smiling. "Oh, Miss Mckenzie, Mr Minakaze, what brings you two waiting in front of my office?" the principal said with a smile on her face as Estella wanted to say something but Sora beat her to the punch.
"I want to ask you about Makoto Nanaya Principal." Sora said frankly as Estella was left with an awkward pause as the principal's smile slowly disappeared but not enough that it wasn't there. "Ahhh...I understand, you were sick for a week so you didn't see Miss Nanaya's drop. Why don't you two come in my office so we can talk. It's not nice for us to have a serious conversation in the halls like this where students may hear us." The principal said as she opened the door to her office, allowing both Sora and Estella inside before entering and closing the door herself.
The coffee that the principal provided was rather pleasant for Sora to drink. Even if he could taste a little bit of the hot water used to prepare it, the bitterness of Coffee helps to completely wash it away as he placed down his small cup of black coffee. "Thank you for the coffee principal. I'm sorry for intruding like this." Sora apologized as the principal raised her hand. "Please. There's no need for formalities here. In this room, you can express to me anything that may be on your mind." the principal said as Sora felt himself releasing some tension while Estella's own tension was still high.
"Tell me Mr Minakaze... What about Makoto Nanaya do you want to know?" The Principal asked as Estella decided to take a calm deep breath and let the principal handle the situation as Sora composed his words. "Please tell me... is there anything you can do to reconsider not expelling Makoto? She hasn't done anything wrong for the whole year and only has had one bad performance in one week." Sora said as he waited anxiously on his seat for her answer.
"Ahhh...I understand that Miss Estella has told you about our school's reputation am I wrong?" The principal said as she turned to Emma as she nodded her head. "Ahhh...that good... Mr Minakaze, I will not repeat the same words that Miss Mckenzie has told you. Makoto Nanaya's "Bad" Week was more of a nervous breakdown I will say. But for the sake of the school's reputation I cannot do anything about it." the principal said as a sense of defeat flowed into Sora's body. Was his friend really going to get expelled at this rate?
"Though...I do sense a drive within you. A drive to keep Makoto in this Academy. That I find commendable." The moment Sora heard those words, he looked at the principal as she took the cup of coffee that was finished and poured him a new one. "I cannot guarantee that Miss Nanaya will not be expelled... Estella, please tell me if she is in class right now." The principal asked as before Estella could say a word, Sora politely raised his hand. "Makoto said she wasn't feeling well today... she didn't tell me why. But that's all I know."
"I see...thank you for telling me Mr Minakaze. Also thank you for politely stopping Ms Mckenzie instead of cutting her off, you seem to have some good manners." the Principal said as Sora felt a sense of confusion overcome him. He didn't want to say anything at this point or even ask what good manners are with the seriousness of this conversation. "If that's the case...then she is must be suffering a bout of depression from something too...That would explain her decreasing performance the last week." The more the principal spoke, the more hopeful Sora became as he had hoped that the principal would eventually see the logic and grant the pardon Makoto deserves in Sora's mind.
"Unfortunately...despite knowing this... even I cannot still bend the rules in order for just one student and risk angering the rest of the students we had to expel over the years." The moment the principal said that, Sora was so tempted to stand up and raise his voice but was soon greeted with a hand from the principal herself. "But...I can give her until next week to come back to the Academy...and if she doesn't come back then I am afraid I will have to go with the expulsion."
The moment the principal said that, Sora immediately took a seat and exhaled deeply. "...Thank you..." Sora said quietly as the principal kept quiet and stared at the man. She then stared at Miss Mckenzie and immediately had a thought. "Though... I am not sure if she will be able to come back at that time... at least by herself." the moment Sora and Emma heard those words, they looked at the principal as she nodded her head. "Tell me Mr Minakaze... on your resume, you wrote that you wanted to be in the Academy to fulfill a wish...what is that wish if I may ask." The principal questioned as Sora looked at her confused at her choice of question.
"...That wish... was for my sister. She wanted to go and get education. So I decided to help her fulfill her wish...because she's dead now." Sora said softly as he was reluctant to answer the principal as she simply nodded her head. "I see...so you aren't here because you yourself do not want to be educated..." the moment Sora heard that, his attention was directed towards the principal. "I am beginning to wonder if you truly belong in this fine establishment of ours... if Miss Nanaya is staying in your room and you wish to keep her in the academy. Then you yourself must prove that you have the determination to do so." the moment Sora heard those words, he couldn't help but feel something burn inside his belly as he tried to retain his calmness.
"..Who must I beat in order to prove you that I am serious in wanting Makoto here in the Academy." Sora said with a seriousness that caught Estella off guard a bit. She swear that kind of seriousness could come from... "Oh it's simple. Just the teacher that is here right now." the moment the principal said and gestured her head towards Emma, She couldn't help but feel a sense of surprise suddenly come over her. "P-Principal!? A-Are you sure?!" Estella asked as the principal just nodded her head. "Mr Minakaze has proven himself against most of the students here. I am sure he can handle one of the faculty here."
Miss Estella couldn't help but wonder what the principal was thinking as Sora looked at her with a burning determination in his eyes. "It's alright... If I have to fight against you Miss Emma. I will fight you Miss Emma. To prove to the principal that my wish to take care of Makoto until she comes back. Just give me a date and time and I will fight her anytime." Sora said seriously as the principal simply smiled. "Now child, you're going to be late for the first period. Will you please hurry into your classrom for now." the Principal encouraged as Sora nodded and left the two adults in the room.
"Can you please tell me what are you thinking maam! Setting up a fight between me and a student like that as if it was nothing!?" Estella questioned as she was trying her best to not shout at her boss but failing in the process as her voice broke a little bit as well. The principal however began to laugh as Estella knew her boss very well and she was one mysterious woman at times. "Well... It's simple really, I wanted to see how far he is willing to go for a friend of his. I was worried he was going to try and use her in some way but if he's genuinely wanting to face against a teacher to save his friend from expulsion then I cannot stop him." The Principal said as Estella looked at her wide eyed.
"And also since when did we expel students if they have one week of bad performances. That is highly unrealistic you know." She continued as that immediately alarmed Estella. "W-Wait a minute!.. then why didn't you just explain that to Sora then!? I just don't understand!" Estella exclaimed, making the principal laughing as her face slowly became serious. "If I did say that, then Mr Minakaze will not show us his full potential now. That boy has been holding back every time and only from the last few fights he had we were able to see glimpses of what his potential really is."
As the Principal spoke, Estella herself began to wonder about Sora herself. Having seen the way he fights at least enough times now, she too can feel that for some reason he's holding back. But why would that influence the principal's decision to have them fight against each other. "But Principal...if that is the case, then why me? In fact, why even have this fight in the first place?" Emma wondered as the more she pushed for information the more the principal gave her.
Principal: To be honest...it's not just him I want to test, I wish to test the rest of the school soon. Sora's the first person just by coincidence.
Estella: Coincidence? What are you talking about?
Principal: Tell me. Have you ever heard of the Black Lotus
As the principal said that, she went to the window and closed the curtains, blocking the light as Estella placed her hand on her chin
Estella: If I am not mistaken... they were a former mercenary group that disappeared two years ago all of a sudden.
Principal:... They didn't disappear, their base was attacked, forcing them to go underground.
Estella: What does a Mercenary group that has gone under have to do with us testing the students all of a sudden?..
Principal: I have heard some troubling rumors regarding them... like how they plan to attack Torifune at any moment now.
The moment that the principal mentioned attack, Miss Emma's senses immediately kicked in as she looked at the principal with worry. "If what you say is true...then an attack would be most likely." She said, slightly surprising the principal. "Oh? You are not surprised by this fact Miss Mckenzie." The principal said as Emma kept a calm face. "To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if anybody tried to attack a city or lead a rebellion while the Ikaruga war is still happening. The NOL cannot risk spreading their forces so thinly at this point thus why you haven't bothered telling the higher ups any of this information and recently tightened security at the immigration border here...am I correct...Miss Principal?"
The principal couldn't help but laugh at that point, she knew Miss Mckenzie was an intelligent woman, but for her to place all of the dots down based from one small sentence based on what she has seen and heard. "I am sorry that I am asking you to be the bad guy in this scenario. As much as I want to let Makoto Nanaya stay...I cannot risk endangering students that cannot defend themselves even if they are depressed. You have to help me test Sora Minakaze and his determination in keeping Makoto Nanaya in the school." the principal requested as she lowered her head a little. Mckenzie looked at her for a bit before she decided on her choice.
"If it's for the sake of the school...then for this case...I will be the bad guy for now. But please if you do decide to test our students next time, leave it to me to create the testing to do so. Not all of the students here even dare to fight against their teachers you know." Estella said as the principal chuckled greatly. Smiling as Miss Estella looked at the time. "If you will excuse me, I have classes to teach and a fight to prepare for." Emma said as she lowered her head and walked out of the room. As she did so, the principal couldn't help but smile as she looked at the time that was on it right now with a small thankful smile.
"Thank you... Former Head of Intelligence Estella Mckenzie."
Date: 28th August 2196
Time: 07.45
GREETINGS LOST SHEEP OF FANFICTION! HOW ARE YOU ALL DOING!? How has the year been for you all so far!? I hope it has been good for you all so far. The end of the first month is quickly approaching us yet again as the short days of February looms for us. What will they have in store for us? Who knows, anything can happen in the beginning of the year. All we can hope for that it's going to be a quiet year this year compared to the shit storm that was 2016.
ANYWAYS WHAT IS GOING TO BE IN STORE FOR SORA MINAKAZE NEXT!? HOW WILL HE FARE AGAINST THE FORMER HEAD OF INTELLIGENCE!? AND WHY IS THE FORMER HEAD OF INTELLIGENCE WORKING AS A SCHOOL TEACHER IN THE ACADEMY RIGHT NOW!? Will all of these questions be answered? Maybe. But the fate of our favourite squirrel girl now hangs in the balance of this next fight! So read on if you dare!..