"Well, I guess we have to work together on our project," Anya told Damian with a smile.
The two walked along the hallway towards the gate.
"I guess I have no choice," Damian said, although he really was happy with it. "When should we start?"
"Well, I will be going to the Planetarium with Papa and Mama on Thursday so I think Friday would be best." Anya suddenly stopped walking and thought hard with crossed arms.
Damian looked at her. "Something the matter?"
"Nothing. Anya just feels a little sad that we won't get the bonus points for passing early." Anya explained. "If I can just convince Papa and Mama to go tomorrow instead..."
"There is no need to push for the bonus points. What matters more is the quality of our output anyway." Damian said. "I'd rather lose the bonus point than submit a crappy output. So you better do well, you hear me?"
"I know, I know. You've told me countless times already." Anya said. "Geez, why do I have to be working with you of all people?" She sighed.
"You get to deal with what you've dealt with." Damian smirked. The two arrived at the gate where a school bus awaited Eden students by the bus stop.
"Alright, Anya will give her all!" Anya said. "Anya promises that, Sy-on boy."
The bus then horned to signal that it's going to leave in 2 minutes.
"It's time for you to go." Damian took out a bag of peanuts and discreetly gave it to Anya.
As expected, Anya's eyes sparkled as soon as she set her eyes on it. "What? This is for Anya?" Anya beamed at Damian. "Thank you, Sy-on boy!" She said.
Anya ran to the bus and took a seat next to the window. As soon as she was seated, Anya waved at Damian.
'Maybe I should ask Papa and Mama if we can go tomorrow instead.' Anya thought.
~~~~~
"Papa, can we have the Planetarium visit tomorrow?" Anya asked Loid.
Loid looked at his daughter. "We've scheduled it on Thursday, right? Why tomorrow?" He asked.
"Yes Papa. But the deadline for our output is Saturday morning so Anya thinks it's better to do it sooner." She explained.
"I see." Loid acknowledged.
'Hmm, I already took an important mission for tomorrow. It's impossible for me to go.' Loid thought. Anya heard this and turned to her mother hoping for a favorable reply.
"Mama can you come with me tomorrow?" asked Anya.
"Er, let's see..." Yor struggled to take out the words from her mouth. "I-I have a meeting tomorrow afternoon with my boss. It's a monthly meeting and he told us that he wants everyone to be there. I'm sorry, Anya, it seems I can't make it tomorrow." Yor said with a visibly troubled expression as she rejected her daughter's request.
"Oh... Okay..." Anya sadly replied. Anya felt disappointed. She wants to make a really good output so that Damian would like her and they would be friends more. But Anya thinks it is not possible for her to create something stellar in just one day. Anya's thoughts wandered, projecting Damian in it. 'I thought you promised, Shrimp. What's this? I should just've worked on my own.' Frustrated, she sighed.
Loid and Yor noticed Anya's silence and pondering. While they understand their daughter, both of their commitments just cannot be moved. The two looked at each other to try to seek support and try to comfort themselves. However, they both ended up taking a deep breath.
Suddenly, the phone rang.
~~~~~
On his way to the dormitory, Damian noticed his friend Emile walking to his direction.
"Bossman!" Emile called out. He ran to Damian.
"Oi, Emile. Are you in a hurry?" Damian asked.
"Yes Bossman. Where is Anya?" Emile asked.
"She already left." Damian noticed the direction from where Emile came. "Did you go to the faculty building?" Damian asked.
"Bossman, you forgot, don't you? The effect that Anya has on you is really something!" He giggled. Damian stared at him, slightly puzzled.
"I also missed the Planetarium last Monday," Emile clarified. Damian has now remembered.
"Anyway," Emile continued, "Our teacher asked me to call Anya back."
"Why? You better tell me the details." Damian said.
"Of course, Bossman! So tomorrow, after the afternoon class, the school arranged for a Planetarium visit for those who missed it last Monday. I was asked to tell Anya, but unfortunately she already left." Emile scratched her head. He then noticed his friend smile.
"Bossman?" Emile asked.
"Has our teacher left his office?" Damian asked.
"Nope. He said he'll wait for me to report back after telling Anya-"
"Anya's not here. Let's go to the faculty room." Damian ordered.
Puzzled, Emile looked at his friend. After a short while, he slowly smiled. "I see. Let's go, Bossman!" He exclaimed.
~~~~~
Loid stood up to pick the phone up. Meanwhile, Anya still silently ate.
Yor tried to offer Anya some peanut cake to cheer her up. Anya nodded, thanked her, then ate it without a word.
'Anya must really want to have more time to work on her output.' Yor closed her eyes and sighed.
"Yes, definitely! I will allow it. Thank you." Those were Loid's last words to the caller before he put the phone down. He then went back to the dining table— now with a cheerful face.
"Oh, so Anya's eating peanut cake already?" He said, trying to engage his daughter. Anya nodded.
"Anya, Papa has good news for you," Loid started. Anya looked at her father with a blank expression. Yor also looked at him, wearing a puzzled look.
"What is it, Papa?" Anya asked in a monotone.
"Your teacher called. Eden arranged for a Planetarium visit tomorrow afternoon for students who missed it last Monday. I told them that I am allowing you to go with the official chaperone from school," Loid said beaming. "What do you think, Anya?"
Anya's face turned from expressionless to pleasantly thrilled.
"Really Papa?!" Anya asked, to which Loid confirmed by doing a thumbs up.
Anya stood and rejoiced. "Yehey! Hahaha! Anya will be going to the Planetarium tomorrow!" She ran around excitedly.
"I'm happy for you, Anya!" Yor told her daughter.
"Mmm, mmm! Thank you, Mama, Papa!" Anya said.
'This way, we won't cram too much and would even possibly finish our output early for the bonus point! Sy-on boy will be pleased!' Anya thought.
"Alright, Anya, if you've finished eating, you should already rest since you have a long day tomorrow," Loid told his daughter.
"Okay! Good night, Papa, Mama!" Anya happily ran to her room. She then prepared the things she will need for tomorrow.
~~~~~
Anya went to school cheerfully the next day. After the last class, Becky wished her friend to enjoy the short excursion.
"My chaffeur is here. I need to go. See you tomorrow! Enjoy the Planetarium!" Becky waved as she ran to her service.
"Thank you, Becky!" Anya said as she waved back to her friend.
Anya saw the clock— it was 2:40pm. She then turned to the bus stop.
"Now then, I'd better wait there."
Anya walked to the direction of the bus stop while trying to remember their teacher's instructions from earlier.
"And lastly, those who were authorized yesterday to join the make up Planetarium visit later should be at the bus stop at exactly 2:45pm. The arranged chaperone from the Planetarium is a professional who shall guide you for the duration of the visit. You will be taken there by the Eden Academy car service which will be waiting for only 5 minutes. Planetarium reservations were at 3:00pm so make sure to come on time or you'll miss certain attractions. Do I make myself clear?" She imagined her teacher talking to her in her head.
"Yes ma'am." Anya said to herself.
Anya sat at the bench and waited for the service. Indeed, the car came at exactly 2:45pm. A woman in purple uniform came out and greeted Anya.
"Miss Forger, I presume?" The woman said.
"Uh, yes." Anya responded.
"Good afternoon, Miss Forger! I am Iwata, official chaperone and guide arranged for Eden Academy make up Planetarium visit."
"I'm Anya Forger! Pleased to meet you!" Anya beamed.
"Likewise. Alright, today you will be learning about the heavens, Miss Forger. You will see the universe, the galaxy, the stars, the planets, and other celestial bodies. I hope you'd have fun!" Iwata said.
'Planets... Stars... Heavens...' Anya's eyes sparkled. 'I'm excited!' She thought.
Iwata opened the car door. "Please, take a seat."
Anya took a peek and immediately saw Emile near the door.
"Hi, Anya." Emile greeted.
"Emile? Aren't you supposed to wait at the bus stop?" Anya said while she went in.
Emile replied, "Yes but since I am with a certain someone, I was given some special treatment." Emile glanced at the boy just behind him. Anya's eyes followed.
"S-Sy-on boy?!" Anya said in a surprised tone.
"Oi," Damian curtly replied. He almost secretly giggled to himself when he saw Anya's surprised face.
Anya smiled to acknowledge him. She then looked around to pick a seat. However, she noticed Damian tapping the vacant seat beside him.
Anya hesitated at first but Iwata spoke.
"How about the the window seat at the back, Miss Forger? It is the best seat in this car."
"I-I see. Thank you." Anya saw Damian stop tapping the seat. She hurriedly sat beside him.
"Very well, let us be off." Iwata said. She gestured to the driver. The car started moving.
Anya somehow had trouble sitting comfortably. 'Why do I feel nervous?' Anya thought.
"Er, Sy-on boy, why are you joining us today?" Anya asked.
"Well I-I was a little fuzzy during the visit last Monday. I didn't think it affected me that much until I started writing yesterday. So I told our teacher. He gave me permission to join today." Damian explained.
Anya scanned Damian's thoughts as he spoke. 'Fuzzy head... Want... Go... Emile... Anya... Feel strange... Again... Mmmm... it's even harder to understand Sy-on boy's thoughts today.' Anya concentrated so much in reading Damian's jumbled thoughts that she did not realize her distracted facial expression.
"Oi, Shrimp! Are you listening?" Damian asked annoyingly.
"Ah— yes I heard you, Sy-on boy!" Anya exclaimed.
Damian crossed his arms. "Tsk. Why did you even ask me a question if you are not even interested to listen to my answer?" He said.
"Uh— sorry, Sy-on boy! But you know, I am really glad you came here with us!" Anya said.
"You expect me to believe that, after you almost refused the seat I offered and did not listen to me answer you?" Damian mockingly said.
Emile kept himself quiet. However, he felt that Damian went too far on his last remark and Anya's response was a bit delayed, so he glanced briefly at the back. To his shock, Anya's eyes were beginning to water.
"Uh— Bossman..." Emile called. Damian looked at him. He signaled him to look at Anya. Damian saw Anya tearing up, also to his shock.
"Sh-shrimp!" Anya looked at Damian. Damian saw a pair of welling emerald eyes. As soon as he saw it, his heart felt so heavy, and apologized profusely.
"I-I'm sorry Anya, I didn't mean it. I-I was just joking!" Damian said. Anya's tears continued to well up.
"Oi Anya! Please don't cry!" Damian took his handkerchief and wiped a streaming tear in her left cheek. Anya was startled. Both then felt a strange pounding at their chest. They quickly turned their backs to each other to hide their blushing face.
"Uh, Anya is sorry for spacing out a lot today, Sy-on boy," Anya said while playing with her fingers.
"I'm sorry too for going too far with my jokes," Damian said with clutched palms.
Emile saw everything that happened. At first, the boy struggled to not react at the two. Now, he's intensely affected by the awkward silence in the air.
Emile then looked outside and finally knew what to say. "Waaiittt— look! Isn't that the Planetarium! That's what I saw in the newspaper! Hahaha..." He said.
Both Anya and Damian looked and saw the giant signage of the Planetarium and the huge dome-shaped establishment.
Anya's mood immediately shifted. "Waaaa we're really here! I'm excited!" Anya said with uncontained excitement.
Strangely, Anya became fixated at the dome.
"Sy-on boy look!" She pointed at the giant half-sphere establishment. "The outside looked like the peanut outer skin!" Anya exclaimed.
'Unbelievable, she even saw a peanut from this building!' Damian thought.
"Damian look!" Anya took Damian by the arm and pulled him to her side of the window.
"O-oi Shrimp! Don't touch me casually!" Damian pretentiously protested. Damian glanced at Anya and can't help but notice the pure amazement she wore in her face. He found himself staring at her.
The car eventually slowed down and brought the three children at the Planetarium entrance. Emile alighted first, followed by Damian, who then gave out his hand for Anya to hold as she disembarked. Anya took his hand, her excitement still apparent in her eyes.
Suddenly, a loud voice echoed around them. "Welcome to Ostania National Planetarium, students of Eden Academy!" The cheerful announcer said. Immediately after, several popping sounds were heard. Lots of colorful and glimmering confetti fell from above. Anya was awestruck.
"Woooooowww," An amazed Anya said as she reached for the falling confetti. To her right, Damian watched her awestruck face with wonder.
"Anya's excitement is contagious," Emile whispered to his friend. Damian smiled.
Iwata then led them inside the Planetarium. Inside was theater-like, and the three took the seats at the center. Emile sat to Damian's left while Anya sat to his right. A high-quality projection flashed at the ceiling. Anya was completely fascinated throughout. She learned about the Earth, the other planets, the sun, the stars, and the galaxies. She took great interest at the image of the dark starry night and the colorful nebulas that she whispered, "Anya wants to walk under the stars someday..."
Damian heard Anya's words. He remembered himself saying the same thing.
"Sy-on boy?" Anya said while still gazing at the ceiling.
"Shrimp?" Damian turned to her.
"Let's walk under the starry night someday!" Anya lift her hands as if trying to reach the ceiling.
Damian contemplated whether to rebuke her or not. Finally, he looked up and answered.
"I'd like that."
The show ended. Iwata explained a few things about what they saw. They were then brought to a secret area which Damian said was not part of the original visit.
"They're giving us a special perk? As expected of you, Bossman!" Emile exclaimed.
"I don't understand what's happening either," Damian said.
"Exciting!" Anya followed.
At the end of the metal corridors, they saw a huge door. Iwata used her card and then it opened. Inside was a big space with glass ceiling. The glass was clear that the sky can be seen from the inside.
"Bo-bossman!" Emile exclaimed, pointing at the middle of the room.
Damian's jaw dropped as his eyes traced what Emile pointed — a huge telescope!
"And as a treat, we will let you see the heavens for yourself. Each of you were given permission to take a peek at the Ost Telescope!" Iwata announced.
"Sy-on boy!" Anya beamed at Damian.
"Ah!" Damian said with a huge smile. He walked towards the telescope. He was visibly excited!
The three were assisted as they tried out the telescope. This time, Anya watched a fascinated Damian.
'He really likes looking at the sky.' Anya made a soft smile.
After 15 minutes, the three were led out of the Planetarium and their visit has concluded. Iwata and the driver dropped Anya off to her house before going back to school grounds and dropping off the other two.
"Shrimp, let's work after class tomorrow at the garden for our output." Damian told Anya.
"Okay! See you tomorrow, Sy-on boy, Emile! And also, thank you for today, Iwata!" Anya said as she left the car. She then went straight to Loid and Yor who waited for her at the front door of their apartment building.
After the visit, Emile became very inspired to create a painting about the outer space.
On the other hand, Damian was greatly inspired to work for aeronautics and space.
He also thought about walking under the stars with a someone special someday.
~~~~~
End of Story Arc: Nurturing Bonds
Next Chapter: The Second Son (Chapters 14 & 15)
~~~~~