Lincoln, I know it's been awhile, but you'll be happy to know that everyone has decided to leave Royal Woods for the Thanksgiving to free their minds of this useless baggage brought on by the war. We're staying with the Casagrandes for a few days in order to make amends with Ronnie Anne...at least, that's what most of us would do. Lynn is unable to detach herself from the events that triggered this war. I believe it would be wise to update her on anything extraordinary to relieve her of her pain.
-Lancy Lisa
Son, I don't want to bog you down more than we already have, but there's a reason we kept that secret from you. And that reason just played out in front of our eyes. We knew you would look back on that time you took a hit and think to yourself, "why did I ever do that?" Given everything that's happened since then, we feared you would leave us, and...well, the rest can speak for itself. Not to mention that those people that hurt you will try to get revenge. I've already said too much. I'll fill you in on the rest as the month goes on.
-Papa Lynn
Hey, Linc. Hope you're having a fabulous time in Japan. I know I'd be stoked if I got the chance to see what the IS academic IS all about, hahaha! That was lame. But everyone else laughed, which is what I needed, because holy hackle-tech-ery the mood is HORRID! Lucy's practically relishing in the downplayed moods. I hope you'll be able to visit us soon; I could really use the mood swings.
-Le Joker
I hope you appreciate the sacrifices I make for you. Because of your stupid war, I got investigated. And as a result, I AM SUSPENDED FROM ANY ROYAL WOODS PAGEANTS UNTIL NEXT YEAR! I had to beg my beloved Winston to escort my poor legs to his kingdom just to boast my power and fix YOUR mess!
Ok, maybe I can be a little bit narcissistic. Just a little...
-Lols
Hey, bro. I bet you didn't think I'd give my body to get the W, did you? Welp, it happened. The same jerk who broke my ankle a few months ago? He broke the rest of the merchandise. And he ended up getting suspended, him and his meat head compadre. I've been stuck at home, doing nothing since then. It's the worst; I can't do anything, I've had to rely on Margo and Clyde for everything...it sucks. I'll just say it sucks being useless.
-LJ
AKATSUBAKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!
-Tabunny
These were just a small sample of the myriad of emails that Lincoln took the evening to respond to. He skipped the entire afternoon training to finish the queue, after which he was completely famished.
"Whoooowee!" He stretched, "Out with that crud..." He saw Laura exiting the shower, "Hey, wanna grab some grub?"
"Not now," Laura said, "Mentor demands we change roommates after supper."
"Ohh..." Lincoln started to gather his belongings as well, "So, this is it for us?"
"No. We will still be in the same class. And there's the matter of daily training."
"Ugh..." Lincoln groaned, "Ok, that's the last of it."
"I see," Laura said, "Well, then, shall we be off?"
"it's not like you to just accept an invite like that," Lincoln remarked.
"I've learned to accept that part of life," Laura commented.
The two made their way to the courtyard. Ichika, Charlotte, Cecilia, and Rin have already been assembled for a private dinner under the pavilion.
Ichika saw Lincoln approaching and waved, "Hehey, little Loud! You almost missed it!"
"Missed What?" Lincoln asked.
"The seasonal delight that is the luncheon redux!" Cecilia said, "We would've had this sooner, but..." she angrily poked Rin's shoulder.
"YAAAAAHAHAHAHAaaaaa...ow..." Rin groaned, "Like you wouldn't do the same thing!"
"No, I wouldn't," Cecilia said, "I'd wait until training to throttle him so that it looks less boorish."
"Excuse me?!" Ichika butt in, "Do you know what could've happened if she'd been caught?!"
"Oh, I do," Cecilia haughtily acknowledged, "and I just witnessed it."
"But do you know what will happen if she goes back home?"
"Oh, I d-Uh..." Cecilia suddenly shuddered.
"Sorry, Charles," Ichika said, "Welcome to prison."
"Hmhmhm, aren't you two overly dramatic," Charlotte laughed, which was met by a growl from Rin.
"Ok... I guess this is supper..." Lincoln led Laura to the giant table, "So, what's the big occasion?"
"Well, we're here to celebrate our joyous pasts!" Cecilia said, "It does feel like we keep clinging to each other for support, doesn't it?"
Lincoln and Laura were blank-faced.
"Well, say something," Cecilia ratted, "I've set up a speech for crying out loud."
Out of nowhere, Houki's voice, "Something I've set up a speech for crying out loud."
"Hello?" Ichika turned around, "Whoa...that's a bit much..."
Laura peeked over the people taller than her, "How feeble indeed..." she scoffed at the reason for the giant food table, until she saw who accompanied the table, "M-Mentor?!"
Houki, Cecilia, and Maya walked the giant food table into the pavilion.
"Oh, looks like we have a couple more guests!" Maya clapped, "Now we don't have to worry about the trash compactor!"
"Hooray...great..." Chifuyu hissed. She now has the 'honor' of showcasing her new chef's uniform in front of the two people she'd never wanted to see her like this.
"Mentor..." Laura has just about malfunctioned, "Why are you dressed like this?..."
"Because every other student is celebrating the month of giving Thanks in their respective halls," Maya said, "And I figured that you and Ichika and First year Representative Contenders would be busy with your other tests, so I gathered everyone here for a mid-autumn celebration!"
"I get it," Lincoln said to Maya whole nudging Laura's arm, "So, Miss Yamada made Miss Orimura wear that outfit."
Maya blushed a little, "Well, I wouldn't exactly call it that-"
"Yes," Chifuyu cut her off, "This was all Maya's doing. Get her."
Laura gave Maya the dead eyes, "You dare ruin her image..."
"Dial it down, Bodewig..." Maya nervously said while Lincoln massaged Laura's shoulders.
"Ok, people!" Chifuyu clapped, "Food's coming down!"
After Maya served the silverware and Chifuyu and Houki prepped the meal, all nine gathered together for one big "ITADAKIMASU!"
The group dug in for the big dinner. It was bigger than any of them ever imagined.
"Geez, this is enough for 13 people," Lincoln wolfed down some ramen.
"I noticed," Charlotte said, "I feel full just looking at it..."
"Better be careful," Rin joked, "The class trip is coming. We're going to a winter resort!"
"Yes, don't eat too much," Chifuyu grinned, "and don't shoot so recklessly," causing Rin to slump.
"So, does this mean we're back to square one?" Ichika asked.
That aroused Cecilia's curiosity, "What would make you assume that?"
"Well...how do I put this..." Ichika thought, "With everything that's happened this year, the unmanned IS and the tournament kerfuffle, you'd think that we'd learn some of lesson. But lately, I've been walking around the school, and I've heard people wishing that things would go back to the way they were...whatever that means."
The cycle...The damned cycle...
"Uh, Yeah," Lincoln scratched his neck, "Anyone know what that could mean?"
"It means they wished you were the same as when you first arrived in the school, all dense and unknowingly dragged into their little games," Cecilia explained, "I find it rather distasteful how they value a manservant over an actual man."
"That's rich!" Rin laughed, "This is coming from someone who was captivated by a one-day stand!"
"And where were your double barrels this morning?!" Ichika griped.
"Oh, don't sweat the small stuff," Rin tried to nag him away from that incident, "If you had only known that Charles was really a Charlotte."
"How was I supposed to know?!"
"How were you not?"
Charlotte interrupted, "Miss Rin, can you pass me the Kobe wagyu please?"
"Sure!" Rin snagged a piece of beef with her chopsticks, "Heads up!" and flicked it right into Charlotte's mouth.
"Mm! Thanks!"
"Anytime, Charles," Rin OOPS, "Wait! No, I meant-"
"Hahahahaaaa," Charlotte chuckled, "How were you supposed to know, Miss Fan?"
"Exactly!" Ichika said, "You can't!"
"Leave me alone," Rin growled.
"You can't blame her," Cecilia said, "Witnessing the very couple that raised you divorce at a moment's notice would skewer anyone's perception of man and woman."
"Hallelujah, something that I can understand!" Rin feigned cheerful applause before she fully absorbed what was just said, including the D-word, "Hey, How did you know about that tidbit from my past?..."
"Well..." Cecilia got nervous, "I, uh...overheard your conversation with Ichika earlier today..."
"Oh, here we go," Houki stuffed a gigantic mouthful in her belly.
"Wait, that was you?" Ichika asked, "That's where the burning sensation came from?"
"You didn't blab this to anyone, did you?" Rin aimed a piece of sesame chicken to Cecilia.
"Of course not!" Cecilia defended herself, "Why would I spill something so personal onto unworthy ears?!"
"Because it's in your nature," Chifuyu said through a mouth full of sushi, "The first time you saw me in the entrance exams, you begged me for the latest news on the two male pilots."
"*GULP* Uh...well, I was just..." Cecilia panicked, "...scoping out the competition! Yes, that's all it was!"
"In other words," Laura said, "you are saying that you aim to be the best."
"Well, I would think that the goal of a Representative Contender would be exactly that," Cecilia confirmed.
"Ohhhh..." Maya caught onto that statement, "To be the best, you have to be the best," and she made Cecilia and Laura shudder, "and guess who's technically the best..."
Chifuyu choked on a sip of soda, "OOF-ACK...ACK...hhh..." she kept her eyes down as she could feel all eyes on her, "Gee, I wonder..."
"There's more to it," Laura said, "To even have a chance at facing the best, you have to go against the only other person who could match her caliber."
"And who could that be?" Charlotte leaned in, while Cecilia and Houki grew uneasy for different reasons.
Rin slammed her hands on the table, alerting everyone to her dramatic intro, "THE ENERGY OF THE PINK BUNNY THAT WILL ALWAYS KEEP GOING, THE BOMBASTIC CREATOR OF THE INFINITE STRATOS AND THE ORIGINAL BRUNHILDE! TABANEEEEEEE SHINONONO-"
Houki angrily bopped Rin's head, "I have no idea who that could be."
"Owwwww..." Rin rubbed her hair, "That was mean..."
"Do I sense a bit of jealousy in you, Miss Houki?" Charlotte grinned, "Or are you still angry that Tabane is your sister?"
"Well...I don't know!" Houki stammered, "I guess... I'm just mad, ok?"
"Why?"
"Because for the longest time, I've never even seen her. She was always smart, but she was always frail. The moment she was born, she had to be hospitalized, and we had very contact because she was always being treated."
The table fell silent. No one knew how much Tabane had gone through in her childhood years.
"Gee," Lincoln said, "I had no idea..."
"It's not that big of a deal," Houki continued, "Well...it wouldn't be if she'd at least talk to me. Or explain why Mom and Dad always cuddle to her needs every day. I'm the younger sister, but they're always giving care to Tabane, while I've been left to dry. And to make things worse, after Tabane created the IS, I was separated from my parents and shipped off to hiding while Tabane was whisked away to kingdom gone! Seriously, I think those nanomachines she developed got to her head! It would have been nice to get a phone call, or at least a letter, but NO! NOTHING! JUST DEAD SILENCE! I THOUGHT SHE COULD WORRY ABOUT ME, BUT TURNED OUT I WAS SO STUPID TO WORRY ABOUT HER BECAUSE SHE GOT TO TALK TO EVERYONE AND GET ALOOF WITH HER PRANCING AROUND IN THE IS WHILE HER SISTER AND PARENTS WERE STUCK IN LIMBO FOR SIX WHOLE YEARS WONDERING WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH THE WHOLE DAMN WORLD GETTING ALL-"
"Houki! Houki! Houki! Easy! Take it easy!" Rin jumped on Houki's back and massaged her neck, "It's ok...it's all in the past...there's nothing but the moment..."
"Hah...hah...hah...hah...hhhhhhhh..." Houki relaxed herself as much as she could, "Just...just say something...that's all I ask..." before going back to her food.
"But at the very least, your parents are still alive?" Cecilia asked, and Rin and Houki nodded.
"Uh, better not go there-" Lincoln was cut off by Cecilia.
"That's a relief," Cecilia didn't listen, "Mine are dead. I'm an only child, so that only made it worse for me."
"Whoa!" Rin exclaimed, "The hell did that come from?!"
"Oh, you told me this story," Charlotte said, "You had a fortune to protect, no?"
"Yes," Cecilia nodded, "Either keep the fortune, or live in Blackpool."
Most of the group twitched upon hearing the word 'fortune'.
"Well, I'd say you're better off than me," Charlotte said, "My papa had an entire company under his thumb. We were supposed to develop the next Gen3 prototype, but he's the typical 'Do it my way!' boss. He refused to make changes until he found out that his manufacturing permit was in danger of being revoked."
"So, your father sent you as a ploy for money, essentially," Laura said.
"That's crude, but...basically, yes," Charlotte sighed.
"It can't be any worse than being cast out for not being able to fulfill the singular purpose you've been trained to accept as your life's mission," Laura bluntly stated, maintaining her emotional blankness while everyone else reacted with bewilderment.
"Could you repeat that?..." Houki asked.
"All I heard was backanugkelaukfuaknx life's mission," Rin quipped.
"I can think of something," Ichika said, "How about getting kidnapped and feeling like you always have something over your shoulder, no matter how much you don't want it?"
"I think we've all been there," Lincoln said, "I still nothing but dust mites in my slot of the trophy case."
"All I have is kendo," Houki said, "Tabane has...everything else."
Suddenly, Chifuyu stepped in, "I had to constantly watch over Ichika."
"Yes, we already know he's your younger brother," Rin groaned.
"But did you know that we're all we've got?"
"Huh?!"
"Say that again?" Cecilia leaned her head in.
"There's a reason I'm strict on everyone, especially Ichika," Chifuyu elaborated, "Our parents didn't care about us. They constantly fought over the stupidest things.
It got to the point where they couldn't take it anymore and flat out disappeared when we were young. We had to learn to survive on our own."
"Jesus..." Rin muttered.
"Didn't know that..." Cecilia whispered.
"I don't like to talk about it either," Ichika said, "They're my parents. They're supposed to be the role models, the people we should aspire to be when we grow up..." he went to a second plate of food, "...instead, they endangered four lives."
Lincoln took in everything that was said, and played the connections game again, "As if I needed a reminder..." he felt irritated that he had to get everything he felt during the squirrel costume incident spat in his face, "...at least it can't get any worse, right?..."
"Miss Yamada?" Laura suddenly caught her eye, "You've been awfully silent throughout the exchange."
"*SURPRISED INHALE*" Rin yanked Houki down, "Did she just say..."
"Aye," Houki narrowed her eyes, "she did."
"Oh, that's because I didn't have a traumatic past," Maya laughed, "I grew up in the normal boring crowd, so I just carried on with my life," earning the ire of every other person at the table, "What? Why's everyone looking at me like that?"
"Frickin' normie..." Lincoln uttered under his breath.
"Must be nice to live like a cushion," Cecilia agreed.
"How can we legally traumatize her?" Houki wondered.
"What are you trying to say?!" Maya stammered.
Rin broke the tension, "Hold up. There's something I've been wondering."
"What would that be?" Charlotte wondered.
"Well, we got two guys who can wield a weapon only meant for females," Rin smirked, "Does that mean that Ichika and Lincoln are actually girls?"
That brought on reactions from the other girls at the table:
"OOOHOHOOOO, SNAP!"
"I didn't consider that!"
"Burrrrrrrrn!"
"Ichika, How could you?!"
Ichika threw his hands across a plate, "Whoa Whoa Whoa! Are you saying that we're not real men?!"
"Well, if being an IS pilot is any indication," Laura smirked.
"I can prove my manhood right now!" Lincoln stood up.
"I recommend you not," Charlotte stopped him, "You're going to raise so many questions-Hahahahahaaaaa!"
"Oh god, we're gonna go there?..." Chifuyu groaned.
"Maybe we should've brought the wine," Maya muffled through a mouthful of fried rice.
This was the mood of the dinner from that point onwards, just a bunch of friends that have one thing in common venting out as much emotion as they could in an hour and a half. They all had their say in certain topics, and they all had their fair share of miracles and grievances from life; even Laura got in on the verbal action with a little encouragement from Lincoln and Charles, and Ichika became a bit more aware of a woman's psyche (to Houki and Chifuyu's approval and Rin's disdain).
Lincoln offered his two cents whenever he could, but most of the time he just laid back and watched the conversation unfold. It was very refreshing taking part in a gathering that didn't induce chaos or backlash from anyone. But the longer he stayed for dinner, the more disconnected he felt. Not because he didn't talk as much as he wanted to, but because his eyes were shifting back and forth between each person here, mirroring that one big quality in their verbal speech that his sisters shared.
It was more than a simple detach. He felt like he was invited to the grownup table, only the "grownups" were grown-up versions of his sisters and himself. And he fit in right away, striking up conversations he wouldn't normally have with his family in his world. It was scary how much he settled in with the older people. It was scary how much he didn't want to go back to his old life.
And yet, he still continued to carry all that emotional baggage on his shoulders, simply because there was no one...nothing to carry it off him.
The dinner ended with high spirits, hyped handshakes, and a well-deserved reminder of that upcoming test. While everyone had walked back to their rooms, Laura and Lincoln were standing in front of Room 1025.
"Any moment, Charlotte will finalize the room change," Laura said, "So it looks like we won't be communicating with your family together."
"I'm positive we can all fit in that room," Lincoln said, "It's just two people on full-sized beds. What's space to us?"
Charlotte came out, "Well, Ichika. I'll be seeing you tomorrow."
"Same here," Ichika waved, "Till then," then went in the shower.
Charlotte waved back, then turned to Laura, "Well, Miss Bodewig. Shall we?"
Laura nodded, "I'll join you shortly."
Charlotte went ahead to Laura's room.
"Well," Lincoln said, "How do I make this goodbye obviously not a goodbye?"
"Impossible," Laura answered, "You'll drag it out longer than it has to."
"Right...well, see you tomorrow," Lincoln held his palm out.
"Likewise," Laura recognized this gesture and slammed her palm against his.
"Hehey, you learned it!"
"I saw many soldiers do it. Only makes sense for me to do so."
"Of course..." Lincoln turned to enter 1025. But just as he stepped one foot inside, "Hey, we-" YANK! "-GG-WA-"
-SMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCH!-
"BLECH-ACK-ACK-HHH...you...how...the..."
"In case your relationships back home falter *WINK*" -walk away-
"Uhhhh...I'll think on it later..." Lincoln closed the door and plopped his bag and body on his old bed, "AAAAAGHHH...that feels nice..."
"I'll say," Ichika opened the door, "The hot water's a magical enchantment on my shoulders."
"You're not going to the bathhouse?"
"Nah. I need to unwind in the comfort of my personal space once in a while," Ichika stretched his body out on his bed, "AHHHHHHHHHHH...man, I haven't felt that since I got here..."
"Oh? What have you been feeling?"
"Tension. In every sense of the word. I can't relax with all these girls buzzing around me. It's like they've forgotten that I'm supposed to be a pilot."
"Yeah, I never got that. Maybe we stood out an unusually compatible pair..."
"If that was the case, that door would've been turned to wood shavings within the first month."
"Hahahaha, true that...You think they'll look at differently now?"
"They have to. I stood up for myself a bunch of times. And I stood up for you, in every single girl's smug little faces."
"Yeah...I saw..." Lincoln was very touched. No one had genuinely stood up for him in the face of adversity until Ichika and Charles. They were the only two people who had no ulterior motive other than preventing any more harm to him. Did he ever witness this level of camaraderie from Clyde?
No...probably not.
"Say," Lincoln asked, "We haven't chatted in a while, have we?"
"Nope..." Ichika sat up, "I have to ask. The whole dinner you just sat there and stared at us...were you really looking at the older versions of your sisters?"
"Uh...Yeah. I'm trapped in the uncanny valley."
Ichika and Lincoln had a night-long conversation about whatever they could think of to keep the friendly banter going.
Meanwhile, after Charlotte settled in 1006, the two were off to bed. But Laura couldn't sleep. She kept replaying that one severely out-of-character moment where she jammed her tongue down Lincoln's mouth. Why did she do that? She already got a high five from him. She already got the hangout, eat, talk, and share a tea ceremony with him. Why did she have to get in a wet kiss?
"Sigh..." Laura mouthed, "One of the many great mysteries I may never solve..."
Charlotte was awoken by the sound of a sliding door. She slowly opened her eyes and saw Laura sitting on the rail staring at the brilliant light of the moon. She rubbed her eyes and walked out to meet Laura, "Is something on your mind?"
"Yes," Laura said without turning her head, "I am in conflict with myself."
"Oh? Is it about Ichika or Lincoln?"
"Wha..." Laura jolted, "How did you know?"
"I am quite privy when it comes to emotional states," Charlotte said.
"Emotional...elaborate."
"Before, I used to think of them as weaklings, but now my perception of weakness has been skewered. Their weakness is actually their greatest strength. They would go to great lengths for another person."
"I think anyone would," Charlotte leaned her head on the rail, "You'd be surprised to see what someone would do when their loved ones are in danger."
"I see...so, the main reason Mentor came to Germany... was because of her brother..."
"Miss Orimura didn't know it at the time, but she singlehandedly wiped out a quarter of a major international terrorist organization. But she only saw them as a bunch of thugs who kidnapped the only person she had left in the world. And she had the Barrier Disabling Attack active too. She would not stop using it until she made sure Ichika was safe."
Laura continued talking with Charlotte about how unpredictable an honest person could be, and how much one person was actually worth to another.
Meanwhile, Houki took her own words into consideration and searched for a private place to calm her mind. She ended up wandering into a holding area's launch pad, where almost no one would think to look for her.
"Well..." Houki gulped with so many emotions running through her mind, "If I don't do it, no one else will..." she took her cellphone out and prepared to make a call, "Hhh...ok...my word is my bond..." She tapped the call button and waited. And waited. And wai-
["Hi, hi, hi-di-ho! It's everyone's favorite superstar, Tabane Shinonono!"]
-CRK!-
Houki crushed her only means of communicating with her sister, "Why did I even bother..."
"What could you be doing up at this hour?" Cecilia startled her from behind.
"Cecilia?!" Houki patted her chest, "I could ask you the same question!"
"I couldn't sleep because of your constant ruffling, so I decided to visit the toilet," Cecilia smirked, "I never thought you would actually sneak away on your own."
"Well... I just..." Houki gave up, "*SIGH* You ever feel like you were able to do something, and when you finally get down to doing it, it was worthless?"
"...Often."
"Well... I tried calling my sister."
"Your sister?" Cecilia exclaimed, "The creator of the IS Tabane Shinonono, your sister?!"
"You couldn't tell she was the creator when you call her. Heck, I just called her. fter who knows how long of not having a normal conversation with her, I finally mustered upnthe coorage to call her."
"You did?! Well, what did she say?!"
Houki propped her hands on her head like a pair of bunny ears, crossed her eyes, and did a mockery jig with a very high-pitched voice, "HI, HI, HI-DI-HO! IT'S EVERYONE'S FAVORITE SUPERSTAR, TABANE SHINONONO!" She then dripped her facade and sat down on the edge of the pad, "God, she makes me wanna-UUUGH!"
Cecilia knelt down beside her, "No offense, but...are you absolutely sure that she's the creator?"
"Honestly, no I'm not. I haven't talked with her in so long..."
"What was she like before she became the creator?"
"Oh...smart, very mouthy, always had something to say about everything. That smart mouth drove everyone away, except me and the family. Then, one day she received an exoskeleton that could help her with her daily activities."
"And let me guess. That changed her entire life."
"Yep. First thing she did was make Nano machines because she knew that they wouldn't support her the older she grew. Turns out those nanos allowed her to walk freely, without any help...and it all went loopy from there. She started getting more into her work and her achievements. She can't talk like a normal person anymore. It's like I don't even know she's my sister anymore."
"Sheesh... I figured you two were disconnected, but not to this extent."
"Yeah?"
"I mean, for all I know, I know your parents are still alive, and your sister is making a name for herself. That has to be some sort of a blessing?"
"I guess, but everyone looks at me like I have to follow in Tabane's footsteps. I don't know a quarter of what she says half the time. Sometimes, I wonder if I would be better off as an only child...I already feel like one."
"I am one, and I can say with absolute certainty...you're much better off with a wild sibling than without."
"Really? You have a fortune behind you."
"And no shortage of enemies who are willing to take it from you, whatever means necessary."
"What?"
"Oh, politics is a fickle thing when you have a teeny tiny bit of Royal blood in you. I have a queen as my ancestor, and that's all the excuse they need to come after me. My parents were my last line of defense. Now, the only thing prevent a hostile takeover is my status as a Representative Contender, and even that process is littered with dirty rife."
"Wow...there really is no such thing as a lavish lifestyle, is there?"
"Dear Houki, I shall tell you this: the only reason you're making more money is because you have to spend even more money. And to make more money, you must also spend money on protection and advancement."
"The hell kind of cycle is that?"
"The kind that scars you for live. I'm barely alive right now."
"When were you ever alive?"
"When I crossed your path?"
"All I saw was the sparkle from your eyes, lady."
And they continued their verbal antics throughout the night.
Rin was having a very rough night with her unusually large dinner, so she decided to spend her night outside, running around the campus as fast as she could to tire herself out. She was three laps in when she saw Kim running as well.
"Look out behind you!" Rin approached on her right.
"Oh, Huang!" Kim said, "I didn't expect you out here so late!"
"I had a big dinner! So...wow, I gotta run."
"I see..."
"Hey...what do you think I should do?"
"About what?"
"About Ichika?"
"Oh? There's a good trouble maker. Why do you ask?"
"Well, he's become less of a dunderhead, but he's still leaving the rest of us hanging over him, like a bunch of seagulls over a clownfish."
"Well, why would you be into him? He's a walking piece of cardboard, isn't he?"
"Yeah, but he broke a promise!"
"To marry him? Well, it doesn't do you any good if you refuse to explain it to him."
"I thought he could figure that out! Even fry Linc figured it out, so why couldn't he?!"
"Because that wasn't the big focus of his life. Right now, he just wants to honor the Orimura name and do right by his sister. It's not that he doesn't know, but rather he didn't have the time to know because he was too busy just trying to live."
"I know. He lost his parents, but-"
"I know why you are insistent on Ichika. He is the closest thing to resembling your father figure, correct?"
"Uh...that's...well..."
"That's your issue. You have all the time in the world, but you won't give a single second to him unless it works in your favor. The world doesn't work like that. You need to give him the choice and the time. If you restrict his choices and don't allow any recovery time, you'll make him look and feel worse than you want him to."
"I don't like where this is going..."
"Most of us don't, but we don't have a choice. Keeping people close to us is a lot harder than you think. Which would you prefer: to have Ichika as an eternal friend, or to make him yours now and have him as a husband with unfulfilled ambition later?"
"Ugh...where do you get these things?"
"I'm a third year here. I've seen some stuff."
"Oh. Makes sense. So, it's not long until you graduate, huh?"
"Actually, I'm graduating this winter."
"Huh?! Whaddaya gonna do till then?!"
"Dunno. My teacher said something about a special mission. If I succeed, I'll become Korea's IS Representative."
"Holy...that's quite a plate you got in front of you."
"I know...which is why I'm out here as well."
"Hey...wanna race?"
"Why?"
"Because if I win, I'll make you tell me the secret to being an IS Representative."
"Really? You think you can match a third year, just because you fought for real a couple times?"
"You'll be quite surprised."
"Fine. If you're so confident...if I win, you have to cut your hair!"
"What?! How dare you?!"
"What's wrong, Rin? Cold feet?"
"Oh, you are mincemeat!"
And Rin and Kim ran a stamina battle until sunrise. Sadly, the marathon ended in a draw.
The days came and gone, yet there was a different vibe in the school. Some of the students at the school were actively avoiding Lincoln and Ichika, which was a big relief for them. The boys hung out with their friends daily, which solidified their overall bond. Lincoln made to clear his head of the usual headaches with Maya, Kim, and Akina, while wading his way through the post-drama of high school.
The emails he received from home told of a slightly improved condition, but ultimately meaningless, as Hazeltucky picked up a few more academic victories to win the fall semester war, forcing the Louds to take refuge for the Thanksgiving break in Great Lakes City. Those emails would come back to rip off a piece of flesh from his rear, one week before Thanksgiving. Homeroom period, ten minutes before the bell.
"Ok, class!" Maya called the room to attention, "As you know, the class trip to Fuji-San will take place next Wednesday. So, to that, we will be drawing lots with the other classes to see who will be in a group! No more than three people together, though that won't stop groups from combining, most like."
As expected, the class whispered with excitement, for the weekend was theirs to shop to their hearts content. Lincoln wondered whether this trip would be worth it, considering everything the other students have done.
That all went out the window with Maya's next words, "You all know that, but...how do I say this...there's one person who won't be going." The entire class stopped all noise and listened in as Maya continued, "Um...Lincoln Loud?"
"Yes, ma'am?" Lincoln worried.
"Your parents refused to sign the release form, so...that means you have to stay here for the week."
Lincoln begrudgingly accepted, "Understood." Just one more bit of bad luck to keep him chained to the ground.
"I know it's a big downer," Maya said, "but if you could stay here for just a little while longer...after the bell-"
"I understand," Lincoln stopped her, "I have some things to do while everyone is away."
-DING-DONG-DING-DONG-
"Oh! That's the bell!" Maya ended class, "Everyone have a safe and productive day!"
The class was ready to taunt him for getting a long overdue just desserts for the bet, but they couldn't because of the friend group he formed with the other pilots, who considered him one of their own. They had to settle with disdainful glares and prideful smirks, arrogant expressions that honestly did nothing to dampen his mood.
"Hey, Linc," Ichika stopped by to console him, "Sorry You can't make it."
"Oh, I've gotten used to handling crap," Lincoln said, "I'll brush it off in a few...weeks?"
"Haha, it's not the worst thing that could happen."
A student called out to Ichika, "Let's go, Orimura! We have to plan for our special trip!"
"In a minute," Ichika sternly said before rubbing Lincoln's shoulder, "We'll talk later, ok?"
"Not to worry, Lincoln," Charlotte said, "We'll write to you on everything that happens. Maybe you could join us during the winter break."
"I'll buy you the most expensive souvenir they have," Cecilia said.
"Let's break out of here," Houki pushed them along, "I don't want to make him feel worse."
"It's fine, really," Lincoln said, "I'll be with you all in spirit."
This was a massive bummer. To be left out of the school trip was to be left out of a family trip. Not pleasant, especially when...it keeps bringing him back to the thing that started this mess. When the entire room was vacated to leave just him and the sub homeroom teacher, he started to doodle away in his notebook to try to get his mind off the devastation that was his squashed heart.
But then, he saw Maya proof the room, closing the blinds on all the windows, and even initiating a max-level soundproof feature. He knew then that there was a bigger reason he was being held over, but he was too fraught with deja vu to deduce what that reason was. His mind froze when Maya stood in front of his desk and knelt down to put her hands on his book. At that point, he just let whatever would happen to him come to pass.
And it did. Maya placed her hands over his and looked at him with steely green eyes, "Royal Woods and Great Lakes City have been targeted for a simultaneous attack."