Hello everyone. Hope you're all ready for for next chapter.

Case in point, I did have to look up some things to make some aspects of the story work and make sense. I'm still relatively new to writing stories on here and I'm trying my best to insure no spelling errors are in the story on top of making the flow of dialogue go smoothly. If you understand, I thank you for your patience.

Let's continue now, shall we?

At the Himezuru Residence

It was now night time at the Himezuru Residence, where everyone has gathered around the dinner table as Hinata is preparing Hamburger Steak for dinner tonight, thanks to a good deal on ground beef from the marketplace, along with having pudding for dessert sense they haven't had some in a while.

"Well, soon enough, spring break will come around and all of you will be able to enjoy some downtime soon." Yuki replied, noting that the school year will be ending soon as after this following weekend, the month of March will start with the school year ending in the middle of the month.

"Well, me and Hinata won't just have R&R with all the studying we still have to do." Akira nervously stated, knowing that Yuki is a stern teacher, although she's very patient in regards to Hinata's studies though.

"Don't be like that Akira, you and Hina will still have time to rest up. All work and no play will make you a grumpy sourpuss after all." Yuki replied back as she knows that it is important to rest every now and than. Whenever Yuki is off the clock from her job at the hospital, she likes to spend time with her family, have a good night's sleep, play some video games, read some manga, drive around in her car, and if she has extra time off, go do some shopping with Es and Hinata, occasionally bringing Akira along to help with the shopping bags.

Yuki Himezuru, Hinata's older sister and Touya's guardian, is the young adult woman with copper hair tied into a ponytail. She works at the Shin Yokosaki Hospital and is one of it's most gifted doctors. While her job has given them enough money to pay for everything around the household, the real reward for Yuki is the fact is that she is able to help people and save many lives. Despite Yuki's eccentric and sunny outlook, she was the victim of a serial killer who would become the dreaded Drive Union known as Ripper, the same person Es and the others faced when he became Freaks. At a young age, Yuki's parents were murdered by Ripper before she was saved by Kazuto Kotetsu, a police officer and a family friend to the Himezuru's. The trauma of seeing her parents killed, on top of having to hide under their corpses to escape from Ripper's murderous hands, left Yuki depressed and she emotionally shut herself off from the world for three years at the orphanage.

It wasn't until Kazuto, under the alias Avenge, brought a young girl to the orphanage and asked Yuki to act as her older sister, that Yuki changed for the better. Seeing the girl's happiness and optimism managed to break Yuki out of her depression, allowing her to emotionally heal and move forward. Yuki would name the girl Hinata due to her bright personality. Some time later, Yuki would began to study medicine and once she came of age, would adopt Hinata and Touya as her sister and brother.

Interestingly, Yuki's Hospital and even some of the police is also affiliated with the Mitsurugi Agency. Due to this, Yuki is able to treat Unions on top of regular patients and is fully aware of Touya's involvement with the Mitsurugi Agency. In fact, whenever Touya, Mei and Es are injured whenever they dealt with a Union, and in the event Mei ran out of healing charms, they would go to Yuki for a patch up. While it worried her whenever the three of them got hurt, risking their lives in potential life or death battles, Yuki is also very understanding of their choice and supported them the best she can.

As for the police, it's because of the Agency's ties with them that Es, Mei and Touya are able to investigate crime scenes and they didn't have to worry about being carted off to prison by them, especially in the event when they have no choice but to kill a Union if they're beyond saving. Not that the three enjoyed doing so. In fact, it is a very sad moment for them and it becomes a heavy burden on their souls when it does happen, yet Yuki, Hinata and Akira don't think less of them for doing so, offering their full emotional support to them whenever they needed it.

"By the way Mei? How does it feel knowing that you'll be a second year student on the next school semester?" Yuki questioned Mei, wondering if she's feeling excited about moving on to the next school level in high school.

"Honestly, it won't feel all that different. I'll just have a red ribbon on my uniform instead of the blue one and I'll just have more advanced lessons. Aside from that, not much." Mei replied, knowing full well that she'll still be a year behind everyone.

"Although... it'll be kind of lonely once I get to my third school year..." Mei honestly admitted, as she knew that once everyone gets through their third year, Mei will have to go through the third year by herself as the others will have graduated from school by then, which made Mei feel lonely at the thought of that. Es and the others reassured Mei that they'll still be together even when Mei needs to go through her third school year by herself, which raised the Shrine Maiden's spirits.

"You don't need to worry about that Mei, you'll still have us even when we graduate from Hakuo North Academy." Touya chimed in, reassuring Mei that everyone will still be with her once she begins her third year at the academy.

Although Mei blushed at hearing that statement, instead of getting frustrated, firing off some rude remarks or running away, she instead gave a calm smile and nodded, knowing she'll still have her friends by her side. Besides, Mei doesn't need to worry about that right now anyway.

"By the way Yuki, I need to discuss something with you in private when we have the time. If that's okay with you?" Mei asked Yuki.

"Sure thing Mei." Yuki replied as Hinata came into the room with dinner. As soon as everyone thanked Hinata for the meal, they began having dinner together, having some good conversation all the while and enjoyed some pudding for dessert afterward.

Himezuru Residence [Outside]

After finishing dessert, and once everyone helped Hinata clean up, Mei and Yuki went outside for a moment while Es gathered what she needed to go over to Mei's home for the weekend.

"So, you'll be leaving Shin Yokosaki City for a while along with Touya and Es?" Yuki asked, as Mei revealed what the new organization they started needed them to do. Once Spring Break starts, it'll allow Mei, Touya and Es to take some time to travel to Ishana, which the Mitsurugi Agency have confirmed a Gate of Sheol to be located at, thanks in part to the soldier she sent as a representative to investigate. Mei knew it would be tough to convince the newly appointed leaders of the Magic Guild to let them drain the Gate of it's seithr, effectively destroying it, but she knew it needed to be done. As much as Mei hated the Magic Guild, primarily due to them slandering her clan's name and attempting to destroy it, she had to swallow her pride to take care of this and prevent Ishana from having their own Wadatsumi Incident.

Fortunately, Kuon, Elise and Zwei, the three mages Mei has become friends with, will be with them in Ishana too, making this trip more easy and less stressful for her. In addition to this, Mei knew that since Kuon has been chosen to lead the Ten Sages in the future and even though Zwei gave up her title as one of the Ten Sages, she was still an important figure in Ishana, which gave Mei hope that they should be able to convince the new leaders of the Magic Guild to let them deal with the Gate. The Shrine Maiden also hoped that these new Magic Guild leaders are more wiser and more cooperative then the old leaders, all of whom were ultimately slain by Freaks.

"Yes. We'll be heading to where Kuon and Elise are living at. The Magister's City of Ishana..." Mei said, knowing full well she'll be stepping onto the grounds of the people who made her family's life hard to begin with.

"Well, as long as Kuon, Elise and Ringo are there, I suppose everything will be okay." Yuki stated, understanding what Mei is asking of her. This prompted Mei to look back at Yuki with a curious expression, honestly thinking Yuki would have some objections.

"Um... you seem to be taking this rather well, Yuki." Mei asked. She knew it would take them at least two weeks toal to go to Ishana, take care of what they need to do and then return home before the next school year begins.

"I can't say it doesn't worry me. I mean, the three of you are already risking your lives to keep both the people and our home safe. However, I trust you to look after Touya. After all, according to Es, you've been watching over her for a long time alreasy after all. Beside that, they're more then capable of looking out for themselves as well." Yuki said, placing her full trust in Mei, Touya and Es.

When Yuki regained her memories of Es, it felt so strange and surriel for once erased memories to be restored some time after Es brought Kiri to the Hospital. Yuki remembered that after Hinata's intense bear hug on Es, Yuki had to put some ice on the poor girl's back, but before she did, Yuki brought Es into a more gentle hug of her own, shedding tears of happiness that the Azure Maiden, a girl she views as another little sister, returned home to her family, safe and sound.

"Well... of course. I'll make sure they'll be safe while they're with me. Besides, we'll be back before the start of the next school year." Mei reassured Yuki, as the latter nodded back at the former.

"I know you will, and we'll be waiting for the three of you with open arms. Like I told Es, you're also part of our family and I'm sure your parents would be happy knowing that you're not alone anymore." Yuki said, remembering the hard decision Mei made of allowing her spiritually dead father to finally pass on by allowing his life support to be turned off.

"Yeah, I'm sure they are..." Mei smiled, wiping away some tender tears as she looked on at the night sky for a while longer.

Himezuru Residence [Entrance]

Mei and Yuki came back inside where Es had her backpack on as she was ready to head over to Mei's place.

"Are you ready Es?" Mei asked Es, who has now changed out of her school uniform into her casual clothes, which consisted of a white blouse and a black overall dress.

"Yes. I am ready." Es said to Mei before turning to Touya, Hinata and Yuki.

"Make sure you have a good time and be safe, Es-chan." Hinata said to Es.

"We'll see you soon, Es." Touya said to Es.

"Make sure you call us in the morning, okay Es?" Yuki said to Es.

"Sure thing." Es smiled, thankful for having a having such an understanding and loving family. Even though they aren't related by blood, they are a true family in her eyes.

Riverside Walkway

As Es and Mei started to walk over to Mei's place, it was around 7:30 PM with the sky beginning to become dark as night began to set in. Es figured that while they are alone, she could finally speak to Mei about what she's been feeling lately, but as Es took in a breath...

"Let me guess Es, you still haven't told Kagari how you feel about him, did you?" Mei said in the most deadpan tone, causing Es to breathe out before she had the chance to say anything.

"A-am I that easy to read?" Es stated, feeling the tension dissappear quickly as it came.

"Well, I had a feeling that was why you zoned out like that earlier today. Either that or you weren't feeling well again." Mei replied back as she looked at the Azure Maiden. She recalled that during Es' first official visit to her house after moving back into the Himezuru Residence, Es wanted to talk to her about a boy she developed deep romantic feelings toward. Needless to say, this caught Mei WAY off guard as she didn't think Es would develop a crush, let alone fall in love with another person. What caught Mei even FURTHER off guard was that the person who stole Es' heart was Touya. Mei couldn't believe it at first, as he was a pretty average person in pretty much everything. Looks, personality, hobbies. Everything. Not that it was a bad thing of course...

Mei understood why Es fell in love with Touya though. For one, he's a very nice guy who treats all his friends and family very well regardless of who they were and where they came from. Still, that was one thing Mei never would have expected to hear from Es of all people. As soon as Es explained the reasons why she fell in love with Touya, Mei supported Es to go for it and tell him how she felt about him. Ever since than, Mei would secretly try to nudge Es and Touya into 'convenient' situations for them to say something to the other, only for it to fall flat due to a Union coming up or something random as Touya getting a phone call from Hinata to Es excusing herself to take care of something else. If there's one thing Mei can admit to without trying to save face outside of her first few attempts to bake cookies, is that she's an awful matchmaker.

"Y-yes. I'm still sorry about that." Es once again apologized for her spacing out.

"Hey now, you better not be catching what Kagari has. We don't need two people over apologizing. Even so, you had the rest of the school year to tell him how you feel... and you keep messing up." Mei stated to Es, pointing out to the Azure Maiden's lack of courage in matters of the heart.

"Then again, Kagari's not that much better either. I swear, he's just as oblivious as Hinata is oblivious to how Kamewari feels about her." Mei continued, noting that Hinata is completely unaware of Akira's feelings to Hinata as Touya is to Es. She couldn't help but feel sorry for Akira in regards to Hinata's obliviousness.

"I just... wish I could say something to him, Mei. But it's not like what it was during the Embryo Incident and the Freaks Incident." Es noted, as without the constant threat of death, there was no rush in trying to say something important. However, Es would start having "butterflies" in her stomach and get a little "tongue tied". Two phrases that would've went over her head during the Embryo Incident. Thank goodness her amnesia burnt the literal mindness out of her before she got her memories back. A moment of silence passed before Es continued...

"Mei, I've been worried lately about something. I think something might be wrong with me..." Es said, prompting Mei to look worried.

"Are you really not feeling well again? Like that one time you got a fever during class?" Mei asked, remembering that Es caught a terrible fever one time before Winter Break started. Es tried to pass it off before she passed out during the middle of class. Unlike when she strained herself when she had amnesia, a fever was more serious, as Es' body started to burn up. When Es was an artificial life form, she never had to worry about common human aliments as she only needed maintenance from Unomaru every so often. Now that she's human, Es is now susceptible to getting sick. Fortunately, it wasn't life threatening. All Es needed was a few days of good rest and she was back up on her feet again, but everyone made Es promise to speak up if she wasn't feeling well again.

"Oh no, I'm not feeling ill, thank you for your concern. Actually, it's related to Touya." Es said as Mei turned her head to the Azure Maiden, nodding to let her friend know that she's all ears.

"It began happening ever sense Kuon and Elise were searching for Ringo that one time. I started to feel different. Whenever I look at Touya, I start to feel... moments of uncontrolled emotional responses..." Es continued, slightly embarrassed at having to mention this to Mei.

"Uncontrolled emotional responses...?" Mei questioned, wanting Es to be more specific than that.

"Well, I stare at Touya far longer than I should be, my heart begins to race abnormally, I feel strangely weak in my legs and I just let out a breath of air like 'Hahhh', as if I'm becoming breathless." Es explained, remembering what she was feeling when she saw Touya earlier today.

At this point, Mei understood what Es was feeling: A sense of longing for Touya and feeling complete euphoric bliss when in his presence.

"Well, you love the guy, so that's to be expected. But it sounds like it's been going on for some time now. Am I right?" Mei replied before noting that Es must have experienced this a couple more times.

"Yes, at first these emotional "outbursts" only happend once a month, but some time after Winter Break, it began increasing. As of today... it became the... sixth... time it happened... this month." Es noted, blushing in embarrassment at having to explain this.

"WHAT?!" Mei blurted out in disbelief, losing her composure for a moment and nearly tripping. Es lost control of her emotions SIX times in one month!? Man, she was in love with Touya BAD!

"Damn, that much!? Thank God that you're not an obsessive yandere..." Mei said, recalling in a few anime shows, a yandere has obsessive feelings about the boy they love to the point of not caring about anything else and willing to kill others as a result to have the objective of their desire for themselves.

"I don't think this has anything to do with School Days..." Es recalled one anime that she and Mei watched out of curiosity and needless to say, the less they talked about that dreadful anime, the better. The first time they watched that from beginning to end, it made Es feel uncomfortable and even made Mei want to throw up. It made them unable to sleep for an hour one night as a result.

"Don't. Remind. Me." Mei heavily emphasized, not wanting to recall that awful excuse for an Anime show before regaining her composure.

"Still, you need to take your mind of Kagari for a while AND I think it's best you try to tell him how you feel already before someone else sweeps him off his feet." Mei noted, truly wanting Es to confess her love for Touya.

"Yes, but... what if he doesn't feel the same...?" Es sadly replied back. Even though they kissed in the past, did Touya truly love her or was it just in the moment for him? Sure, she initiated the kiss first but...

"You don't know that until you tell him. Quit worrying about the "what if's" and just go for it." Mei once again sated it loud and clear to Es.

"Yes. You are correct, I do need to say something to him and soon." Es said, her concerns melting away.

"Thank you, Mei." Es thanked Mei from the bottom of her heart.

"No worries, Es." Mei responded back. With that, the two girls remained in silence as they neared their destination.

Amanohokosaka Residence [Mei's Room]

It was 8:00 PM when they arrived at Mei's home, but it was now 8:30 PM sense Es and Mei changed into their pajamas, washed their faces and brushed their teeth. They are now relaxing in Mei's room, which had a lot of manga, anime and even some figurines in the room, among those figurines included some Pokémon and one of them even being the iconic Black Rock Shooter. Last weekend, Es and Mei have recently finished the third and final season of Shakugan no Shana, which left the two girls satisfied thanks to it's action scenes and slice of life moments. Even the romance between the lead characters, Shana and Yuji Sakai, was pretty good. After watching all but ONE episode last weekend, they finished watching the last episode of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Mugen Train Arc -, which left Es in tears due to what happened to Rengoku at the end and even left Mei misty eyed, with the two eagerly waiting to check out the next story arc, The Entertainment District Arc.

Now that it was 9:00 PM, and since it'd be too late to play some games, the girls decided to put on a movie before turning in for the night.

"Hmmm... how about this one?" Es said as she picked out Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind on the anime streaming service, a popular movie made by the late Hayao Miyazaki, one of the greatest anime movie directors to have ever lived.

"Oh, good choice Es. Miyazaki's movies are always a great pick." Mei exclaimed as they started up the movie.

After finishing the movie around 11:00 PM, which taught a good moral message about the ecosystem and life, the two girls decided to go to bed. After they each used the restroom, Mei had set up a futon to sleep in as she was willing to let Es have the bed.

"Mei, are you sure you want to sleep in the futon?" Es questioned Mei, feeling bad about Mei sleeping in the futon next to her.

"Look Es, it's okay. I bought a futon in case someone came over. I just want you to be comfortable. Besides, the futon's actually nice." Mei admitted, as she bought a good futon that offered comfort, so that she and whoever her guest is can sleep soundly.

"If you say so, Mei." Es said as she slid under the covers with Mei setting up the pilow and blanket on her futon.

"Good night, Es." Mei said as she began to doze off.

"Good night, Mei." Es replied back, as she followed Mei into sleep.

Es truly was blessed to have a great friend like Mei. She only wished that she could have appreciated Mei's compassion more before she learned emotions. Well, better late than never.

Shin Yokosaki City [A Back Allyway]

Somewhere else in the city around midnight, a random thug was being beaten around by a mysterious 'man' made out of metal wearing a light blue scarf.

"Agh! What's your problem buddy!?" The thug said as he tried to get up after being hit by the full force of a metal arm, but the metal 'man' pointed a gun at him, shocking the thug into submission.

"Well, I have a LOT of problems, my 'good' man. But right now, I just want to know a few things. You give me what I want to know and I'll let you go do... whatever it is you low-lives want to do."

The thug could only nod in fear as he wasn't in the mood to to eat lead, with the splitting headache being the least of his problems. The metal man than pulled up a picture of a boy with brown hair and a short girl with blonde hair, both wearing the Hakuo North Academy uniforms.

"Have you seen these two "people", Mr. "Touya Kagari" and Ms. "Es Mitsurugi"?" Replied the metal "man", as glowing cyan "eyes" stared down at the terrified thug.

To be continued...

With that another chapter is done. I've decided to include an antagonist at the end of this to add some tension to the story. Hopefully when this metal man shows up, Es and the others will be ready. He certainly sounds similar to a certain "snake", doesn't he?

But yeah, I have included some anime references as in XBLAZE, as Mei, Kuon and Elise are fans of anime with Es having taken an interest due to the Sunday Morning Block on the TV. So I figured in this story, Es and Mei would watch anime together.

And no offense to anyone who likes School Days, I never watched the full series, nor do I intend to watch it based on the few clips I've seen. Shakugan no Shana, Demon Slayer and Nausicaä are WORTH the watch however.

See you next time!

UPDATE: Grammer and Spell error check.