Chapter 3: Family Meetings

"Miss Vanessa, how could you," Asta cried, once he was done staring at her as if she told him he'd never be Wizard King.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Vanessa wailed, latching onto Asta to smother him with a hug. She hugged him as tightly as possible. She saw Gauche and Zora eye-roll, while Finral rubbed his temples. The others just watched thoroughly stunned. "I thought it was a cute story. And I thought everyone would enjoy it and should read it. I had the money sent to Hage for your family!"

Asta sniffled as she ruffled his already messy hair. And then, he sighed and leaned into her hug.

Vanessa knew that she was forgiven for her transgressions.

"Miss Vanessa, I don't want the story published anymore. It's private. There's a lot of thoughts in there that are personal," said Asta, solemnly.

"Yeah, sure, no problem, kiddo! I'll send a letter to the magazine and stop the deal," said Vanessa, readily agreeing. She was just grateful that Asta was such a sweet guy that he couldn't stay mad at anyone he considered family.

"Mostly your pining of Yuno is in there, huh," said Noelle, knowingly.

Asta squawked indignantly, "Noelle!"

"What? Everyone knows," said Noelle, hand on her hips. Noelle had gotten quite more confident since she defeated Vanica and Megicula to save Lolopechka, the Heart Queen. She and Asta had a great bit of banter between them. Vanessa was happy to see Noelle and Asta be best friends.

"Gotta admit that Princess here is right," said Liebe. Liebe, by always being around Asta, and Noelle, by also always being around Asta, got along scarily well with each other. It was like when it was revealed that Magna and Zora got along scarily well after their six months of training together. The Black Bulls were made up of unusual friendships. "Everyone who's seen you interact with your Golden Boy knows. How many times can you stare lovingly into someone's eyes without anyone else noticing?"

Noelle said, "See!" Noelle and Liebe high-fived each other. Vanessa giggled.

Asta's cheeks got pink as he broke free of Vanessa's hug. He said, pouting, and wagging his finger at his devil brother and his best friend. "I regret the day that you two met and decided that you were going to tease me together."

"So now that's done," said Magna. "How were you going to end the story, Asta? I've been reading it the entire time."

"Magna, really? Why didn't you tell me sooner," asked Asta.

"Well, we didn't know you wrote it," said Magna. "And it was a fun story. By the way, the character that's supposed to be me is super cool! Thanks."

Asta got flustered. "You guys weren't supposed to see it."

"Well, it is a flattering portrayal of us in our early days," said Finral, mildly. "It's very sweet that you think so highly of us."

"Can I read the back copies," asked Noelle to Magna. "I want to know about the character based off of me. It had better be good."

"Is Marie in it," asked Gauche.

"Not as Marie," said Asta, sheepishly. "I gave everyone new names!"

"Don't worry, Noe-Noe, Asta made you way more awesome than you actually were back then," said Magna, with a grin.

Noelle summoned a water ball with her magic and launched her water ball at Magna's head. Magna dodged it and ran out of the house. Noelle chased after him.

"Oh, tag with Noelle," Luck cheered, running outside to join the fun.

While distracted, Vanessa leaned down to kiss Asta's cheek. "Really, I am sorry."

Asta nodded. "Miss Vanessa, you always mean well when you meddle."

Vanessa grinned.

"ASTA, YUNO'S HERE!" Luck yelled.

Once he, Klaus, and Mimosa tracked the initial message with the mysterious T. Atoes, the message led them to Hampshire in the Forsaken Realm, which was the closest post office to the Black Bulls' base. The helpful post worker mentioned that the drunk witch from the Black Bulls dropped off the mail on the day the letter had been postmarked. Yuno fumed as he landed in the front yard of the Black Bulls' base where Magna, Luck, and Noelle were chasing each other with their respective magics.

Once Luck saw him and screamed for Asta, Asta came running out of the house and grinned widely at Yuno.

Yuno ignored the off-kilter beat of his heart when Asta smiled at him and asked, "Do you know about Star Knights?"

Asta grimaced. "Yeah. I've sorted it now. Miss Vanessa took my story and sent in it. We're not doing that anymore."

Yuno blinked once and asked, "Wait, you wrote it?"

"Yes," said Asta, scrunching up his face confused.

Relief made Yuno sigh. "I thought you had a stalker, Asta."

Asta walked closer and took Yuno's hand in his and looked Yuno in the eyes. "Sorry I worried you. But no stalker this time."

Smiling softly and staring into Asta's pretty green eyes made Yuno feel like everything was right in the world. "I wasn't worried," said Yuno, lying through his teeth.

After a few minutes of enjoying basking in Asta's presence, smile and adoration, Yuno heard Noelle yell, "Liebe, they're doing it again!"

"Ugh, gross."

Mimosa and Klaus landed behind him, as Yuno sped ahead to get Asta quicker. Mimosa said, "Not worried, my cute tush!"

Asta dropped Yuno's hand to go greet Mimosa and Klaus and tell them what had happened with Star Knights.

Yuno sighed and missed Aata holding his hand already.

It had been two weeks since Yuno dragged her and Klaus all over the kingdom to find Asta's non-existent stalker, Mimosa yawned as she made her way to the tea room in Clover Castle. She wished to be at home in the Golden Dawn making blueberry pancakes with Letoile and Langris and not forced to attend High Tea with her Vermillion Grandmother and Silva Grandmother, as well as other royal ladies, such as Aunties, Cousins, Distant Cousins, maybe the Queen.

She wished she was brave enough to go against her Grandmothers. But they were not women you cross. Hedy Vermillion seemed sweet enough but she was the type of woman who liked to brush everything under the rug and pretend everything was peachy-keen. Meliora Silva was a severe, unhappy, bitter woman, who had nothing but criticisms for everyone around her. Famously, Meliora and Hedy hated each other, even if Meliora's daughter married Hedy's son (Mimosa and Kirsch's parents).

Noelle never got invited to these events, which was good because Noelle would hate them. Nebra always got out of them, claiming that the Silver Eagles Vice-Captain needed Nebra for an important task for the squad. Mereoleona was not welcome from what Mimosa understood.

I wonder what I can do to be uninvited, mused Mimosa, as she entered the Tea Room of Clover Castle. Captain Dorothy had way better tea parties, in her opinion. Mimosa loved tea parties, but not with these women.

"Mimosa, you are late," said Meliora Silva, the matriarch of the Silva Royal House and pain in Nozel's backside. She had white hair and blue eyes. "It's unbecoming of royalty to be late. And what are you wearing?"

Mimosa looked down at her outfit and thought it was particularly nice, wearing her Golden Dawn uniform properly since later, she, Yuno, Langris, David, Klaus, and Letoile were going on a mission to the colder area of the kingdom. Pants were necessary for the cold, especially after she experienced winter in Spade, while she was in her summer outfit. She didn't want to have to rush to change when she got back home from High Tea. "My Golden Dawn uniform?"

"You wore pants to High Tea," said Meliora, sneering. "The gall. Just like your mother and your aunt." Never mind that she just insulted both of her daughters. How could Meliora Silva give birth to Mimosa's mother and Noelle's mother? A true mystery.

"It is rather unflattering on you, young lady," said Hedy Vermillion, the matriarch of the Vermillion Royal House and a pain in the backside of Feugoleon. She had white hair as well (originally it had been blonde) and blue eyes. As usual, the two Grandmothers sat at the heads of the table, merely to glare at each other, while everyone else anxiously sipped tea. "A royal lady must always wear proper dresses to functions."

Mimosa held her ground. She didn't think it necessary to explain why she was dressed in her uniform. Captain Vengeance already made an exception for her to wear whatever she wanted because he was friends with Fuegoleon. The one time he requested that she wear the uniform and her Grandmothers gave her a problem. "A Magic Knight must always be ready."

Silence descended on the room.

"Imperient, just like her mother," Meliora murmured into her tea. "Sit down, Mimosa."

Mimosa sat down in her seat reluctantly.

"Now, that everyone has shown up," said Hedy, clearing her throat. "I heard that there's a popular new series amongst the noblewomen."

"Where did you hear that news? Grace Tormenta? That woman never knows how to shut up," said Meliora, dismissively.

Mimosa gripped her hands together. She had a feeling about what series they were about to discuss.

"I've read it," said Hedy. "Star Knights is actually quite good. I was surprised to find that I enjoyed the series about a peasant girl with no magic."

"Oh, interesting. Good characters? Good plot," asked Meliora. "How interesting can peasants be? I mean, they're not nearly as good as royals."

Mimosa failed to keep herself from cringing. She hated when they spoke like this. It's why she had been so annoyed with Kirsch for so long, but ultimately, she knew that he was repeating what he heard to keep the Grandparents off his case.

"You have something to add, Mimosa," asked Meliora, sharply.

"Now, Meliora, I'm sure Mimosa is just uncomfortable in her outfit," said Hedy, mildly.

Mimosa felt her patience snap. She stood up and slammed her hands on the table. She said, heatedly, "How can you sit there and not realize that the story is based on Asta?! The same guy who saved the kingdom twice and the same guy that Magic Parliament keeps persecuting!"

Meliora and Hedy looked at Mimosa in shock. The other ladies at the table cowered and tried to pretend they weren't there.

Mimosa seethed. "Some of the best Magic Knights are non-nobility! Don't talk about them so dismissively! It's not like you're out on the battlefield risking life and limb for this kingdom."

"Get out," said Meliora. "Come back when you learned respect."

"Gladly," said Mimosa, fleeing, but not before she heard Hedy Vermillion say,

"She really is like her mother."

With everything settled with the Star Knights situation, as Magna and Luck helpfully informed her at the Azure Deer headquarters, when they were returning a very pricey gift that Rill sent to Charmy, Fragil felt that she had to return her mother's back copies of the magazine and maybe pick up her grandmother's recipe book to let Charmy borrow. (And maybe, Fragil will try her hand at cooking curry and tapioca pudding, for no reason in particular). Her mother was in the garden, sunbathing when Fragil arrived at her childhood home.

"Mother, I've returned the copies of your magazine. Thank you," said Fragil.

"Darling! You could have just sent them in the post, but I appreciate the visit nonetheless," said Grace Tormenta, not even looking at Fragil.

"Actually, I need Grandmother's recipe book," said Fragil.

"Oh! Well, you know where it is. Bring it back in one piece, please, it's a family heirloom," said Grace, waving her hand.

"My Lady! News just broke," said Anthony, rushing to the backyard with a letter in his hand. "It's the magazine! Star Knights is going on hiatus indefinitely!"

Grace gasped dramatically. "What do you mean? Oh, Anthony, get me a brandy! What a sad day indeed. Fragil, darling, isn't it tragic?"

Fragil smiled awkwardly. "Sure. Don't drink too much, you remember what the doctor said."

"Yes, darling," said Grace, fanning herself.

Fragil shook her head and went back inside to fetch the recipe book. She didn't want to deal with her mother right now.

Zora rubbed his eyes as he slowly followed the energetic Luck and talkative Magna. As much as he actually cared about them, they were so god-damn exhausting. But they wanted to visit Magna's Ma in Rayaka for some reason all of a sudden and Yami told Zora that he had to go with them to make sure that they didn't destroy anything along the way. Someone always had to go and watch these two, especially since Magna and Luck got together in a relationship that was more than friends, more than just rivals, but nebulously undefined because they were weird.

Rayaka was like any other small town in the Forsaken Realm, meaning it reminded Zora of his hometown Tolsa. He hated it just a bit.

Magna's Ma lived at the edge of town, where she ran her blacksmith forge. Zora had met Magna's Ma once or twice and it was safe to say that Magna was his mother's son.

"Ma," Magna called, running into the forge, with Luck on his heels.

Zora sped up just in case but found Magna and Luck hugging Magna's mother, who just looked elated to see them. Zora sighed, "Sorry for the intrusion, Miss Shula."

Shula Swing wasn't very tall, but she had well-defined arms from working with metal. She had black and gray hair like her son and gray eyes like her son. She had the same wild grin too. "Zora! Ain't no need to be so damn polite! Yer family too!"

She was also as pushy as her son.

"Ma! Guess what," said Luck, nearly vibrating with joy. "Asta wrote a story that got famous!"

"Hah! Really," said Shula, amused. She patted both Magna and Luck on their heads. Magna flushed, while Luck smiled. "Well, I guess I'm due fer a break. You boys hungry? I got some spicy curry and rice on the stove!" Shula led them to the little house that was connected to the Swing Forge. Inside Magna's childhood home, the smell of spicy curry reached Zora's nose. Shula said, "Wash your hands, boys. Then sit down at the table."

Magna and Luck washed their hands enthusiastically. It was like they both turned into children more than they already were on a regular day.

Zora sighed and washed his hands.

Once they were seated at the small but sturdy table (built by Shula herself as she dabbled in carpentry too), Shula served up three plates of food and three glasses of milk. Shula sat down, not eating at the moment herself, and asked, "So, what's this about little Asta havin' a story published?"

"Zora can explain it better," said Magna, mouth full of food.

Zora shook his head. "Asta's been writing a story to help him process events of his life, and Vanessa found it. She had the bright idea to sell it to a magazine, under a fake name, and got the money sent to Hage. Turns out that Star Knights was a hit. Asta found out she did it and put a stop to it."

Shula smiled, "Ya Black Bulls get up to the weirdest shit, I swear."

"Yeah, true," said Zora, nodding his head in agreement. He glared at Magna and Luck. "Did we really have to come all the way to Rayaka to tell yer Ma something ya could've sent her in a letter?"

Luck said, "Nope! That was just additional news. Tell her, Magna, tell her!"

"I'm gettin' to it, Luck," said Magna, somehow finished with his food already.

Shula narrowed her eyes. "What did you two do?"

"God only knows, Miss Shula," said Zora, sighing. Remind him again why he pushed Magna into confessing to Luck? Right, right, he wanted Magna to be happy.

"It ain't nothing bad," said Magna, protesting immediately. "Well, you know how me and Luck are together..."

"Yes," said Shula, slowly.

"And that we really do love each other…" Magna continued.

"Yes, get to the point, Magna," said Shula.

Luck blurted out, "We like someone!"

Zora put his spoon down and said, "What?" This was news to him.

"What," Shula asked. Shula put her hand on her forehead and sighed the long-suffering sigh of a single mother with one ridiculous son. "What do ya mean that you two like someone?"

"Yeah, so it just happened like a few months ago. It was sudden. We didn't expect it. But we like the same person, a lot and we want to tell her," said Magna, nodding.

Shula grabbed one of the glasses of milk and downed it. She probably wished it was whiskey or rum.

"Wait, who," Zora asked. "And you didn't tell me, Magna?" Zora listened, for six God-forsaken months, to Magna moon, pine, whatever you want to call it, over Luck. And now he was being told that these two battle idiots actually liked the same person and wanted to bring them into their already weird relationship? Zora felt like he deserved to know when something disrupted Magna and Luck's relationship. Zora wished that Vanessa was there right now with her shitty, dirt-cheap wine.

"It was different than with Luck for me," said Magna. "We weren't sure what we were going to do."

"Fragil makes us both happy," Luck explained.

"But it's weird," said Magna. "How can you have mushy feelings for more than one person? So that's why we didn't say anything at first."

"Wait? Is that why you kept pulling Tormenta into yer nonsense when Rill drags her over," asked Zora. Granted, Fragil never minded. Fragil had patience in droves. She came up with games, non-violent games, to play with Luck and she listened to Magna talk. He honestly thought Fragil was just being polite while her Captain made a fool of himself in front of Charmy.

"Yeah! We wanted to be friends with her. She's fun," said Luck.

"But then, we both thought her smile was pretty," said Magna. "Very confusing time. Eventually, me and Luck agreed that we would just ask her to join us."

Zora looked over at Shula, who had a strange expression on her face.

"Ma," asked Magna, hesitantly.

That snapped Shula out of whatever she had been thinking. Shula proved at this moment that she was indeed Magna's mother. "Is this girl kind? Can she fight? Can she keep up with ya both? Can she cook? Because neither of ya sure as hell can't. What does she like to eat? What does she like to wear? 'er hobbies? Does she have a family? Oh God, having to explain this to a regular family...Are you two sure that this is what you want? Don't be playing with this woman's feelings! Ya hear me, boys! Ya gotta be hundred and ten percent certain that ya want her. A relationship like this takes a lot of communication, which you two are both shit at. Honestly!"

"Ma, relax!"

"Don't tell me to relax!"

"Stop yelling!"

"Boy, I swear to God! Ya had better answer my questions," said Shula.

Before Shula and Magna broke into an actual fight, Zora interrupted. "Fragil Tormenta is a 21-year-old 3rd Class Intermediate Azure Deer Magic Knight with snow magic. She's from a small Noble family."

"A noblewoman," Shula gasped. "Really aiming high, huh?"

"Fragil likes sweets, especially lemon sherbert," said Luck.

"She can cook, at least, she did with Charmy," said Magna. "And she wears an outfit that protects her from her snow magic."

"I see," said Shula.

"Me and Magna really like her," said Luck, earnestly. "And we know that it's important to talk. That's what Vanessa says."

Shula sighed heavily. "Well, if she accepts ya two, ya had best bring 'er around here, so I can meet her proper!"

"Of course, we will, Ma," said Magna.

"Yeah, yeah, we will, promise," said Luck.

"You two are fuckin' morons," said Zora. Heaven help Fragil. She was going to need it.

"With that settled," said Shula, she turned to look at Zora, and smiled, "How's it going with that pretty Vice-Captain boy of yers?"

Forget Fragil, heaven help Zora. "Magna, you told yer Ma?!"

"Was I not supposed to…?"

Zora sighed.

Dear Author T. Atoes,

Here at the Common Realm Monthly Literary Magazine are pleased to inform you that there are several patrons wishing to pay you to continue your serialized story Star Knights. Enclosed is the amount of yul offered by patrons. If you accept, please send a reply within ten days.

Sincerely,

Samson Wright, Editor-in-Chief

Asta frowned at the letter that Vanessa had given him. He looked at the amount of yul and it was more than everything single Black Bulls' paycheck combined. It'd set up Sister Lily, Father Orsi, and the little kids for life if he accepted it. But his story was never meant to be for the rest of the world. It was just meant for him.

He wasn't very smart. He yelled all the time, because he had hearing problems, though only Doctor Owen knew that fact. Not even Yuno knew. Asta was oblivious and things went over his head that he didn't understand. Sometimes, he felt that he was the butt of the joke. Sister Lily, in her infinite wisdom, taught him writing and reading the best she was able and taught him to write stories. She told him that stories were a way for people to safely explore their feelings.

So, after joining the Black Bulls and so many things happening to him, he began writing a story. Star Knights was both not about him, but about him. Maris' story was a mirror of his own. Why did he make the main character a girl? He didn't know. Maybe to make it less obvious it was him. It didn't stop Asta's feelings for Yuno to slip in when he wrote about the rival character Malo, who he based off on Yuno.

"Stop sighing and go to sleep." Liebe slept in the bunk bed Henry made for Asta and Liebe when Liebe officially moved into the base. Liebe had the top bunk and Asta had the bottom bunk.

"What should I do?"

"I don't care. Go to sleep."

"Liebe, come on, help me."

"Take the money and finish the story."

"But…"

"Then, don't do it. Asta, please, I'm tired. Go to sleep."

Asta sighed and nodded. He shut off the light and went to his bed to climb on top of it. Tomorrow, he'd figure out what he was supposed to do.

"Your squad gets into the weirdest shit, babe," said Jack, laughing into his drink. Jack, Yami, William, and Fuegoelon were in their usual bar, just having drinks and shooting the breeze like they did every month.

"Laugh it up, Bean-Pole," said Yami, annoyed.

"Yuno's been very stressed lately," said William, knowingly.

Yami rolled his eyes. "When is he not stressed about Asta?"

"I want to tell him to just go for it," said William.

"Says you, who can't even form a coherent sentence around our former enemy number one," said Yami.

William flushed and coughed. "Yes, well."

Fuegoleon sighed. "Remind me again why I came out with you three?"

"You pay," said Yami, Jack, and William.

"Right," said Fuegoleon, sighing. "Dorothy never makes me pay for her."

"She's asleep most of the time," said Yami. "And she makes Nozel pay."

"That's better," said Fuegoleon. "Nozel should pay for all our drinks."

"He should," said Jack.

"That'd be the day," said Yami, rolling his eyes.

"So, what are you going to do about Asta," asked William.

Yami shrugged, taking a swig of his drink. "Nothin'. Kid's grown, he'll figure it out."

Fuegoleon said, wryly, "Helpful."

"I'm a good mentor," Yami said, defending himself.

"Sure," said Jack, in disbelief.

"Rude."

With the situation with Asta out of the way, according to Mimosa, Kirsch had another issue on his hands. With this latest interaction with Zora still fresh in his mind weeks later, Kirsch found it imperative to get some advice. Levi was his only option. Cornelia would just laugh at him. Levi would listen.

"Levi, may I speak with you privately," asked Kirsch, after Levi answered his bedroom door.

Levi shrugged, "Yeah, come in, I guess." Levi's room was just like everyone else's room in the Coral Peacock headquarters. Kirsch had preferential treatment because he was Vice-Captain (and Captain Dorothy's favorite).

Kirsch didn't bother sitting down. "I need advice."

"Okay," asked Levi, curious. "You're freaking me out a bit. Are you sure that this is something you want to ask me about?"

"Yes," said Kirsch, as patiently as possible.

Levi nodded. "Alright, what's your issue?"

"Lately and by lately I mean for the last year, I've been drawn to Zora of the Black Bulls. However, my hands start sweating, my stomach hurts and I feel very warm. I think I'm having an allergic reaction to his stink bug, but I just can't seem to not go to him every time I see him," said Kirsch, as sincerely and honestly as possible.

Levi's eyes widened. "You're serious?"

"Very," said Kirsch.

Levi put his hand on Kirsch's shoulder and said, solemnly, "You've been obsessed with yourself for years that you can't tell when you have a crush on another person. You like Zora. That's why."

"I like Zora," Kirsch asked, incredulously.

"Yep! You want to talk to him all the time. He makes you nervous because you want him to like you, but you didn't have good first impressions, so that stresses you out. The symptoms of your non-existent allergy are all signs that you have feelings for Zora," Levi explained, with more patience than Kirsch expected. "You probably find him handsome too, right?"

Kirsch went silent.

Levi was right.

"Are you sure it can't be the stink bug," asked Kirsch, morosely.

"It's not. Just admit it. You like Zora," said Levi, grinning. "You want him to pay attention to you, take you places, kiss you and all that mushy-gushy relationship stuff. Good for you. Never thought I'd see the day when you think someone is good enough for your time and effort."

Kirsch blinked a couple of times. "Levi, I can't like Zora! He hates me!"

"Yep."

"Not helping!"

"Confess, get rejected and move on like everyone else," said Levi. "I'll even comfort you when he breaks your heart."

Kirsch frowned. "You're the worst best friend."

"So are you."

Kirsch said, "God, what am I going to do?"

"One day, I think Charmy will let one of her wolves eat him," said Mackenzie, the Vice-Captain of the Azure Deer squad, as Fragil walked next to her as they chased after their Captain who stopped at Sosshi for some food to give to Charmy. As if Charmy didn't make her own food.

"No, she wouldn't. I think she likes Rill, but she doesn't understand that it's romantic," said Fragil.

"You're the romantic, Fragil," said Mackenzie, rolling her eyes.

"And you're a realist, Vice-Captain. Poor Levi didn't need you to break his heart like that," said Fragil.

"I don't have time for relationships," said Mackenzie, stiffly. Fragil just knew that Mackenzie had almost been swayed by Levi's charming self, but not quite. Levi was handsome, kind, and strong and thought Mackenzie was "the prettiest girl in the world." Fragil felt so bad that Mackenzie rejected him, but he seemed to bounce back quickly enough.

Fragil shook her head as they came upon the Black Bulls' base. There was strangely no one outside of the base, which meant people were on missions or they were inside. The Black Bulls didn't lock their door, so Rill burst into the place. Fragil cringed, while Mackenzie sighed.

All the Black Bulls were in their sitting room, arguing with each other with Asta in the center.

"What's going on," asked Rill.

"Family meeting," said Zora, as far away from the group as possible. "Shrimp's got an offer to get paid for his story but he doesn't know what to do."

"Always take the money," said Mackenzie. "My father said that."

"Asta's story is very personal," said Fragil. "He shouldn't be swayed by money if he doesn't feel comfortable letting everyone see his story."

"Ugh, you're right," said Mackenzie.

"Charmy!" Rill immediately went to Charmy's side and gave her the bread he bought for her, but she didn't even see him as she was busy stuffing her face with pudding. Mackenzie went over to try to get him to leave her alone while she ate. Charmy was known to try to eat a finger or hand or two if you got too close to her when she ate.

"Fragil," said Magna, bounding over to her. He grinned. "It's good to see you."

"Lively as ever," said Fragil, grinning widely. She pulled out a bag of cookies to share.

"No! Leave him be," said Nacht, using his Shadow Magic to protect Asta. Liebe dispelled that quickly.

"You're all over-reacting."

The yelling between the Bulls continued. Eventually, Luck got bored and came over to join Magna and Fragil. Zora snuck out while no one was looking.

Fragil handed Luck a cookie. "So, what do you think Asta will do?"

"Finish the story," said Magna and Luck, at the same time.

Fragil giggled. Magna and Luck were soulmates. They were so cute together. Even if she thought they were both sincere and kind people and kind of liked them both. But it was always the case for her. Fragil was unlucky in love.

"I'VE DECIDED!"

That shut everyone up.

Asta said, loudly, "I'll do it!"

Fragil looked at Magna and Luck in awe and said, "You were right! Wow!"

"Asta doesn't like disappointing people. And his adopted siblings can use some new clothes and stuff," said Magna.

"Asta doesn't leave anything unfinished," said Luck.

"So, it was Asta all along," said Viola, smiling. "Good for him. He writes well for someone with limited education."

"His Sister Lily taught him. I assume that she had been educated as a tutor or teacher prior to becoming a nun," said Klaus, sitting in his sister's office. He found it important to update her on happenings so she didn't bother any of her writer friends anymore. "He's continuing the story, but he was very embarrassed about it. He said he wanted an editor because he knows that there's mistakes."

Viola said, "I'd be glad to do it."

"I figured, which is why I told him to meet you here tomorrow," said Klaus, nodding. When Asta called to tell Yuno, Mimosa, and himself about his decision regarding his story, Yuno had been upset, but Mimosa was pleased. Klaus was happy if Asta was happy.

"Sly little brother. You're lucky I love you."

"I love you too, Big Sister. And thanks."

"Sure, I know he's important to you."

~to be continued

Let me know what you think.
Chapter 4 will be out on June 18th!