Another day passed in Thor Academy with classes full of hardworking and sleep-deprived students, business as usual.
After helping Towa with her usual duties, Rean made his way towards Kirche's Cafe to splurge himself as a reward. Once inside he ordered his tea to go, given he had planned on reading a novel that Elliot suggested he should read. After placing his order he noticed a familiar classmate sitting close by. It was none other than the hotheaded Machias Regnitz, with a double-shot espresso, probably the second cup of coffee, and a book in his hands.
Oh, it's Machias. I wonder what he's reading.
Upon closer inspection, Machias was putting notes in several pages, circling lots of paragraphs, and writing his own critiques inside what seemed to be a manuscript to a story.
I know Machias has always been a bit hot-headed at times. But with literature? He seems more frustrated than passionate this time. I wonder if a chess match will help him out. That usually helps him out.
Rean sat beside his shotgun-wielding companion, "Hey, Mac—"
"Rean," Machias said in a hushed voice, "what in the name of Aidios are you doing?"
At least he's not disturbing the guests. Rean thought. He's awfully riled up over a hello.
He looked to his side and saw his ARCUS link with Machias wasn't severed. At least that's still connected.
"I finished helping Towa so I thought I would get myself a reward," Rean explained himself. "I saw you and thought your company would be nice. I can leave if you want."
"Oh, I see," Machias said shamefully, "I'm sorry if my initial reaction harbored any confusion. I was in the middle of … editing for a er… friend."
Rean noticed Machias' flushed cheeks. The tone of his face wasn't like the usual anger he had whenever he quarreled with Jusis, but this one of slight embarrassment.
Although it was said quietly, Rean clearly heard him say, "What in the world was that woman thinking, making something like this?"
"Just what were you editing exactly? Looks pretty hefty for a student to have written."
"I—I well… it's none of your concern Rean," Machias said defensively.
"Sorry, sorry, seeing you get so riled up made me curious is all, and as I said, I like your company."
What is he editing? Aw man, I can't help but feel curious. I really want to find out.
"Rean Schwarzer, what are you scheming?" Machias said.
"E-excuse me?"
" You have that look in your eyes again."
"What look?"
"That gleam— the gleam that screams,'Aw man, I can't help but feel curious'."
Rean gulped at the accurate accusation. That slow gulp gave Machias the answer he needed.
"Did my guess hit its mark?" Machias asked the rhetorical question.
"Am I really that easy to read?"
"Hardly, easy wouldn't do you justice. Anyone in our class would be able to predict your next three moves if they are so pleased. I suggest you work on that."
"I… will?" Rean said. Either this was advice to improve his poker face or an insult. Rean preferred to think it was the former.
There stood a pause, Rean waiting for his drink and Machias staring at him.
"Is this conversation over? I'm still not done editing this— piece."
"Actually," Rean said, " I was hoping we could have a match today if that's too much. Exams are coming up and I wanted to relieve some stress."
"Exams are in a few weeks," Machias said, "but you want a match with me?"
"Yeah, I've been wanting to have one with you for a while now. I think I'll be able to give you a run for your money now that I had some training with Jusis."
Machias smiled, then adjusted his grey frames.
"Well, I may not be the strongest in our class, but if that's what you want, then a match is what you'll get." He quickly packed his things, "Did you want to fight on the Highway or the Academy Field? Also, did you really need to ask him for assistance to go against me?"
"I don't mean a sparring match, I mean in a game of Chess."
Machias stared at him as if he just confessed his undying love.
"Chess? You do know who you're challenging, right?" Machias asked.
"Exactly, watching you play so many matches, I got a bit curious about what'd it be like going against you."
"Very well, let's go to my room. I have a chessboard with the pieces there and I was heading there soon anyway."
"What happened to editing your friend's piece?"
"I've edited half of it already, I can edit the other half before bed. Get your drink and we'll be on our way."
Machias yawned and Rean heard Fred's footsteps and the coughing he'd usually does before saying—
"Rean, your drink's ready!" Said Fred.
Rean got his drink and the two made their way towards the dorms.
"You got tea again?"
"I'll get coffee as my reward next time," Rean said.
"As you should."
"What about you? Have you ever heard of tea? You had an espresso and the second cup of coffee in the afternoon, who does that?"
"I only have that combination after a series of all-nighters. Thank you very much and I shall most likely have it tomorrow as well."
"Suit yourself, a little tea would spice things up. Or at least helps reduce the risk of heart attacks and caffeine intake."
"I'm not even in my early 20s, Rean." Machias' eyebrows furled, "I go to a military academy that has a focus on physical and mental health, I even do light exercises before bed and after I wake up, a week of questionable life decisions and a lack of sleep won't endanger me!"
"I was only suggesting tea. No need to get defensive, it's just me." Rean took another sip of his tea.
Once at the dorms they were greeted by Sharon and made their way to Machias' room. Once inside, Machias quickly set everything up as Rean tried to help but Machias' hand repelled any attempt to do so. "Knights don't go there, let me handle this."
They sat on opposing sides of his desk with everything ready.
I know Machias isn't one to hold back, but he knows I had some practice with Jusis so he'll be on guard, meaning I might be able to score an advantage. Maybe a gamble will set him off.
"Hey Machias, let's make things interesting."
"Interesting? You're playing chess against a chess master, what would make it more interesting?" Machias inquired.
"Best to three, whoever loses has to answer any question the winner asks. Any questions, no holds bar. "
Machias chuckled.
"Fascinating. The earnest Rean Schwarzer making a bet in a chess match against someone from the chess club? Perhaps Crow's been a bad influence on you OR you have something up your sleeve; either way, you're on and victory will be mine!"
"Exactly what I wanted to hear, bring it on Machias!"
"I won't hold back."
True to his word, Machias showed no mercy. The 1st round was Rean's win, he used a move Jusis did on him when they practiced. The following 3 rounds were a slaughter with Machias doing every move in the book to prevent Rean from having any sort of advantage.
It's as if he used the first round to get a study of my style. Rean wiped the sweat off his brow. Maybe if I—
"Checkmate Rean," Machias said, moving his Knight into position, "well, that's the score 3-1."
"Ahh…that's my 3rd loss in a row," Rean said.
"Don't feel too bad, at least the Fried Liver attack worked," Machias said, "your end game moves could use some work, and maybe think of using different opening moves besides Fried Liver Attack or Queen's Gambit."
"I'll make a note of that next time. Good game, Machias."
Machias began putting the pieces back into their respective places into the box, "I still can't believe you were able to get me that first round, that was my mistake."
"Wait, you weren't using that 1st round to get a read on me?"
"I—I mean, yes that 1st round was all a part of my plan! Give you a false sense of security then dash it all to nothing." Machias gave an exaggerated victorious laugh.
"..."
"..."
The atmosphere shifted from a heated chess match to an awkward mood like when someone tells a joke in a group but no one laughs.
"That hurt to watch," Rean said, rubbing his neck.
"Well it hurt to do so, so there are no winners here," Machias looked away, slightly embarrassed from that somewhat childish display of a sore winner.
The conversation paused.
"Since I won that little bet, I want to know where that habit of yours comes from."
"Which habit? If it's about helping others, I've been helping others as long as I could—"
"Not your unhealthy need to help others but the head patting one."
"Head patting one?"
"Yes that one, I heard all about it from the others, and seen you head pat people regardless of gender or even species. "
"Hmm, when did I actually start doing that?" Rean looked out the window.
Faceless upperclassmen and upperclasswomen making snide remarks of the Schwarzers, for adopting him, trouble he caused them, his little sister crying—
"When bad things happened back home my little sister would cry and I didn't know what else to do, so patting her head was the only option I could think of." Rean rubbed the back of his neck, "It's dumb of me to do, I know but—"
"No,"Machias interjected, "you were simply looking out for her as an older sibling should do. I respect that, and I'm sorry if I reminded you of some unpleasant memories. You had that look in your eyes."
"My eyes?"
"That expression that screamed trauma. It worried me. Again, I apologize, Rean. If there's anything you want to talk about, let me know, we're friends after all."
Rean's attention turned to the chessboard.
"Friends," Rean said. "I never thought you'd call me that. Glad to know things have changed."
"What's that supposed to mean? If it's about you lying about your heritage, I'm over it."
"..."
"Honest! I'm completely over that issue. For example, if Eliot told everyone he was the next in line to inherit all of Erebonia, I'd be mad that he was lying about his identity to his friends rather than him being royalty."
"Even if Eliot did do that, he would have his reasons for lying." Rean said. "I had mine given my first impression of your obsession with classism."
"That's because you didn't know the reasoning behind my distaste for nobles. That's all in the past now. I should thank you, however, for understanding."
"S-sure, no problem. Haha…"
"As a display of fairness, I'll let you in on what I was doing earlier. More so what I'm editing," Machias brought out the manuscript from earlier, "It's from Emma."
"She wrote a story? How's it so far?"
He handed it to Rean, it read Bonds that Last Forever.
"She said she wrote a few stories because her club president, Dorenthee I think her name was, had been going through a Writer's Block, so Emma took it upon herself to write a few stories that would chip away that block."
"That's really cool of her, what kind of story is this?"
"Erm…an experimental one I'd say. The plot's a bit slow, and the romance is highly questionable."
"Romance?"
"Yes, a romance book. Though, whether it's romance or not wouldn't harm the overall theme I'd say."
"Well, what's the plot?"
"Hmmm… from what I've read and edited so far, it's about the everyday life of two students: Ray and Marik. At first, they were at odds with one another because Ray lied to Marik about who he really was, while Ray lied because he didn't want to endanger Marik's feelings given how brash and narrow-minded Marik can be at times. It fits with the theme of odd friendships."
Rean nodded.
"There's also a 3rd character added halfway, named Joey who's captured the heart of Ray even though they interacted less than the number of fingers on my hand. Marik wonders if he sees Ray as more than just a friend. The last part I read was Ray meeting another guy named Cyrus, an upperclassman who's helping Ray heal after an accident."
Rean flipped through a few pages and saw Machias' handiwork at play with the suggestions as editor.
"So what makes you think this is a romance novel?"
"It's what Emma said. She also emphasizes the moments where they're close to one another, like hands brushing and shoulder touches. Lots of flowery similes like, "His breath was warm like a summer breeze, eyes focused like a wolf to its prey." They almost even kiss but get interrupted with Joey calling for him to see if he wants to play a game of billiards together for the umpteenth time."
Rean finds the page of Ray and Joel at a billiards table, with a small doodle of what was being explained. It was rather cutesy with all the flowers and stick figures with hearts. He reminded himself that Emma wasn't the best artist, so he could safely assume she did the drawings herself.
"So, what are your thoughts so far?"
"Well… it's certainly well written, I can give it that." Machias adjusted his glasses, "I just don't see the romance part. It doesn't feel convincing, in fact, it feels like she's overdoing small details. The friendship is certainly agreeable and realistic, but the romance aspect is what's questionable."
Rean closed the book. "Emma really wants to help her club president. I wished she asked me."
"I think Emma had her reasons, given the targeted audience members…"
"Is this her only piece?"
"I have copies and other works Emma's done if you're curious."
Machias moved to his desk and opened a cabinet full of Emma's other works. Some were small-sized novels, others were small stories consisting of at least 20 pages. Rean gulped. Machias stared at Emma's works and rubbed his eyes.
"T-there are at least 20 different works here."
"Emma might have overdone it by brainstorming different stories to cheer her club president, but given how much effort she put in, I thought it'd be a disservice to… not assist her endeavors," Machias coughed, forcing the end. "I've edited at least half of them so far this week. I'm rather proud of my ability to edit at this speed."
Machias looked at his wallet at the corner of his desk.
"The amount of my Mira due to Caffeine runs isn't something I'm proud of at the moment," Machias said dejectedly.
"Did she let anyone else read it or them?" Rean asked, wanting to get his friend's mind off the financial issue.
"Well… Alisa's certainly a big fan, shown with how much she's commissioned Emma to write a few."
"Alisa commissioned Emma? How much?"
"Who knows, Emma wouldn't budge on that. But as I was saying, Fie thought it wasn't action-packed enough except for a few, Laura said it was good but not her type of literature she reads, Millennium wasn't allowed to read it, and Sara…" he paused to massage his temples, " told her to pursue her passions and give her 1st edition copies once it's published…"
"At least the girls are supportive, but what about the guys?"
"Gaius said it was a good read but it wasn't something she should ask her classmates to read." Machias said with a yawn, "Elliot asked if she needed a beta reader which she accepted, she didn't even bother to ask Jusis, and Crow said something that made her not ask him anymore."
"Interesting, but why didn't she ask me?"
"Who knows, perhaps you were too busy being the student council's lapdog and so she thought to not ask. All I know is that I have the responsibility to not fail as an editor and friend. I'm just glad exams are over this month."
"I'm not a lapdog. That comparison is a little uncalled for."
"Sorry, just a little sleep-deprived is all." Machias rubbed his eyes again, "I might need to go for a 3rd espresso run."
Rean noticed the dark bags under Machias' eyes. Did he always look like that? Wait, back at Kirche's Caffe he had a double espresso and coffee! He only gets those if he's pulling several all-nighters! He can't keep doing this. I have to help him. A little encouragement ought to do it.
Rean's hand made its way onto Machias' head, ruffling his hair slightly. Normally Machias would've evaded Rean's hand, but he was too groggy as the caffeine ran its course during the 4 chess matches. Machias' hair was fluffier than it looks. Soft.
Machias blinked.
"Keep working hard, but don't overdo it," Rean said, "people care about your well-being. I'm sure Emma would want you to pace yourself. Or at least do the edits without being fueled by only caffeine."
Machias swatted Rean's hand away, "What in the name of Aidios are you doing!?"
"Sorry, old, remember," He retreated his hand, "remember what I said about when my sister was sad? I'd pat her head and she'd feel better."
"You see me as a cute little sister?" his voice raised, "I may have my charms, but at least view them in a masculine manner!"
"I just acted on instinct is all," Rean put his hands up defensively.
"That older brother instinct, right…don't feel that bad then, I think I've reached my limit."
Machias's eyes were losing their focus and his eyelids closed a few times but opened with determination to stay awake.
"Machias, how many Reans do you see?"
He adjusted his glasses, "two and a half Reans. Just what are you trying to prove?"
"Okay, we're getting you to bed."
"It's not even late, and if I sleep now, it'll ruin my sleep schedule."
"Then take a long power nap, or no more espresso for at least a week!"
Machias squinted, rubbed his eyes.
"Just because you win a 3 to 1 vote doesn't actually mean you'll win next time."
Machias pulled the blanket over him and put his glasses to the side.
"Stupid Rean and his clones," he muttered. "Democracy is a lie."
"Get some rest, Machias," Rean said, unimpressed by his friend's lack of self-care.
"Mmm. Thanks, Rean."
"No problem." With everything said and done, Rean collected his belongings and left Machias' room.
He quietly closed the door. Rean looked at his hands.
My head patting habit hasn't hurt anyone, and no one's really told me to not do it. They know I mean well. I'll just head pat when the situation calls for it.
Rean headed back to his room. Now to read that book Elliot recommended.
… Later that day, the dormitory hallway.
Rean made his way to Crow's room, Emma was done with discussing things with Machias it seemed.
"Hey Emma," said Rean.
"Good evening Ra—Rean!" Emma said.
"?"
Emma quickly turned and walked back to the girls' floor. Confused, Rean made his way to Crow's room.
"Something up, Rean?" Crow asked.
"No. Nothing at all," Rean said confused.
Author's Note: I dunno, something about the characters in this game made things somewhat easy to write. It's refreshing and makes things go faster, although I wonder if everything flows right.
October 2021: I finished writing this chapter back in 2020, it feels bizarre looking back at my writing. I haven't edited much of this chapter since 2020, so hopefully you guys like it. I wasn't too sure how Machias would handle that type of material. Eventually I thought confused, but willing to analyze Emma's writing and evaluate its effectiveness overall. Also, I'm not sure why 2020 me had Machias editing the story in PUBLIC rather than inside his own room. I like to think none of them knew who Emma got the inspirations for the characters. Except maybe Crow, because I'm biased like that.