Full Summary:

Kaedehara Kazuha, one of two new transfer students at Monstadt Liyue High, School of Freedom and Contracts. But he's running from the past. From Inazuma. And he can't run forever. As the situation with the vision hunt decree worsens, and his past slowly creeping up on him, he'll have to once again return to Inazuma. Perhaps he won't have to return alone. But for the time being, he'll first have to survive life in a brand new school passing tests, completing combat exams, discovering something new about himself and even developing a relationship. Will Kazuha be able to navigate life in a new school and return to Inazuma to conquer his past?

Childe, the other transfer student, was sent from Snezhnaya to carry out a very important job. When the time is right, he will strike. But for the time being, he must lay low. Laying low, a completely foreign concept to him for he always craves to fight. Will his time away from the harsh cold of Snezhnaya in the peaceful freedom of ML High show him that life isn't always about strength and fighting?

Xiao has a dark past. One filled with great suffering. Dealing drugs and armed goods. Murder. Blackmail. Assassinations. Terrorism. Extortion. The Yakshas were an infamous crime syndicate, and Xiao had been a member for as long as he could remember. That is, until one day, he was saved and given a second chance. But old habits are not so easily forgotten. Can Xiao live a normal school life when all he's ever known is death and suffering?

Kaedehara Kazuha was an unusual person. For one, his manner of speech was just different. It wasn't as if he had any discernible accent or speech impediment. No, he just spoke in Haikus. Well, not always Haikus, that would be an exaggeration. What isn't an exaggeration is the fact that his manner of speech was just odd.

Quiet and soft, each sentence that leaves his mouth feeling as if it's been carefully crafted, with thought put into it. It was formal and stiff. Emotionless.

Some might call the way he speaks as refined, others, a hassle. Beidou is just glad the kid doesn't speak in some over-convoluted fashion like a certain other electro vision wielder she knows.

For another, when Beidou and her crew found him, they found him resting outside the campus of Inazuma's Elite Eternity School for the Eternal - a pretty convoluted name - with a couple of shogunate samurai lying unconscious around him. The boy sat leaned against a wall, leaf in hand, seemingly unbothered by the presence of Beidou and her crew.

Speaking of her crew, they were making a routine night shipment, albeit a bit on the illegal side, for the school when they happened to stumble into him. At first, Beidou didn't bother giving the boy a second glance. Better to let sleeping dogs lie after all.

However, at the last second, just as she was about to load the last crate onto the ship, she spotted something. A certain circular something that happened to be a vision; an anemo vision.

Her curiosity piqued, Beidou walked up to the kid, intending to ask a couple of questions. A couple of paces away, the boy spoke up.

"Twice a month, on the 1st and 16th day, you bring goods ranging from dandelion seeds to core lapis onto this port." His tone was soft and relaxed, a step or two away from emotionless. "You use what seems to be a normal trade partnership as a cover to smuggle various things ranging from photos and letters to and from the school."

"Heh, that's one way to put it…" Beidou muttered to herself softly.

You see, Inazuma's Triple E school was in a, depending on who you asked, peculiar to downright nightmarish state right now. Their principal or headmaster (or archon as many people like to refer to her as), has declared all vision bearers to have their visions confiscated. All the borders around the campus have been sealed and no one is allowed to enter or exit.

No one knows what led her to do this. All Beidou knows is that it's a massive pain. To the average citizen, her actions may seem a bit odd. They don't care too much about it, however. But to transfer students from Monstadt Liyue High, or ML High for short, who were stuck inside the campus, including a certain pyro vision wielder among many other visionless folks, it was a terrible situation.

The only respite they had was that the campus itself is basically a mini city; it provided all the essentials you needed and then some.

Well, why not just escape, you might ask. Simple. The campus is located on an island and unless you have a cryo vision and the patience to ice bridge across the water, you weren't getting out. And that's not to mention the perpetual thunderstorm that surrounded the area.

As such, despite being a student at ML High, it was Beidou's job to deliver messages and the like to and from those affected.

"Despite having the ability to, you and your crew have yet to smuggle a person out. I can't help but find myself wondering: why is that the case? What is stopping you from doing so?"

As far as first impressions go, Beidou thought to herself, this has got to me one of the more memorable ones.

"A lot of reasons, actually," Beidou said.

"And these reasons are…?"

Beidou sighed and opted to give the boy a short and simple explanation.

"I don't know how much you know about our relationship with Inazuma kid, but smuggling a person out would definitely sour it. It's, y'know, illegal right now." She responded with a shoulder shrug. She was being way too casual, but something about the way this kid spoke just made her feel at ease. It made her lower her guard despite the unconscious bodies around him.

"I would consider the act of keeping your students trapped inside the school, against their will, collecting their visions, something that would have already 'soured' the relationship between the two schools."

This time, a bit more emotion was present in his voice. Beidou only just barely managed to notice it. Any ordinary person would not have.

Anger. Frustration. Helplessness. The emotions were there, however imperceptible.

"So tell me why: Why have you not done more? Why do the other schools act as if nothing is wrong? Why does no one outside seem to care?"

Grief. Sorrow. Pain. The tone of his voice barely changed. Still soft, a little less relaxed, a couple more steps away from emotionless.

The boy hid his emotions well. Too well.

A troubled expression appeared on Beidou's face. She did want to help, and she was helping as much as she can, but there is only so much she can do.

"I… I don't know."

Answering his questions was not one of them.

"You don't know?" His tone was back to normal. There was no accusation in his voice, and somehow, it made Beidou feel worse.

Beidou swallowed. "Listen kid, I don't like this as much as you do. And I guarantee you I'm not the only one feeling this way." Her eyes were closed as she talked, remembering some unpleasant memories. "The higher-ups declared this an internal issue we were not to mess with."

She paused.

Beidou could feel the kid raise an eyebrow at her, his hand beckoning her to continue.

She opened her eyes, her one eye staring up at the almost full moon, the other covered by her eyepatch. "They… they said nothing was wrong. They said the school was experiencing a minor hiccup it's in the process of dealing with and that everything is fine."

"Stealing visions is the school's plan to deal with this 'minor hiccup?'" The boy questioned.

"Snezhnaya, the country, were the first to stop questioning things, opting to side with Inazuma's school. Snezhnaya's school followed suit. They agreed that internal matters should be dealt with without outside interference." Beidou said, bitterness in her voice. "And soon enough, the other schools followed."

Their actions befuddled her.

She never liked Snezhnaya's School of Love. The rumors of child experimentations and research into creating artificial visions surrounding the school made sure of that. But their influence was large and far reaching. Their advanced technology made sure of that.

Nevertheless, the way Snezhnaya dropped the issue so quickly and easily didn't sit well with Beidou. Or the way all the countries ignored the issue, actually.

Ninguang, student council president and the one who informed her of all these happenings, had said to her: "From a business standpoint, it makes sense. The happenings in a school, even if it is one of the Seven Major Schools of Teyvat, should not shut down trade and business between two countries. This issue is among the schools and schools only. If the issue spreads, then I have no doubt actions will be taken. But as it stands, I believe the heads of each country are content with leaving the problem to be solved between the schools. The reason why Snezhnaya's School of Love dropped the issue? They've always been an odd bunch. I don't doubt they have their own reasons. Besides, I feel the issue itself will pass over soon enough, unless Inazuma's Triple E school wants to completely alienate itself from the other six schools."

Ninguang's explanation made sense to Beidou. The first part that is. It still doesn't explain Snezhnaya's school's actions. Something suspicious was going on. At least, that's what her gut is telling her. And from personal experience, she's learned to always trust that feeling.

The break in conversation caused her to turn and face the kid. His eyes, which Beidou just noticed how pretty and captivating they were, were staring out into the distance, oblivious to her observing him more closely.

He had choppy, medium length, platinum white hair, with a single red streak to the right. His outfit was plainly inazuman with a red theme. There were designs of maple leaves scattered throughout his outfit. His vision, the original object that caught her attention, was located near his shoulder plating, attached to some red piece of clothing.

And to Beidou's surprise, another vision, albeit faded out, was attached underneath. She didn't think too much about it, however. It could have belonged to the unconscious Samurai around her.

After looking more closely, Beidou was starting to believe that he may not have showered in a while. He wasn't smelly or unsanitary, he just gave off the vibe of a runaway. And as far as Beidou was concerned, those types of people didn't have the time or the option to clean themselves too often.

Compared to some of her crew members who tend to shower less often than she'd like, he was as prim, proper and pristine as they come.

"Do you even know what is happening behind those school walls?" He finally asked, his voice breaking Beidou's chain of thought.

Beidou paused to think for a moment. "I don't," came her response. "Care to enlighten me?"

The kid turned around, his eyes staring directly into Beidou's own eye. His red eyes met Beidou's ruby coloured eye and she couldn't help but be taken aback. His eyes, so full of sorrow and sadness. Regret and longing. Anguish and bitterness.

"People are-" he said, real emotion in his voice for once. Agitation. Uneasiness. Unrest. Urgency.

He paused, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Once he opened his eyes again and continued talking, he was once again back to the doorstep of emotionlessness. Once again, calm and collected.

"It isn't just visions being taken. The lives of people opposed to the new legislation are being taken as well." By now, his eyes had wandered off, and were looking at her ship now. "People are dying, captain. People are dying and no one outside seems to care."

"What?" Beidou asked, responding on instinct, genuinely shocked. "There's no way…"

The letters, Beidou thought to herself, they never mentioned anything in them. Unless…

There was always a middleman. Beidou never gave anything directly to the students of ML High.

They've been tampered with? Censored so only the information they want out is given out. Or maybe they straight up don't know.

There was also the possibility that the kid was lying. But something about him made Beidou trust his words.

The boy threw the leaf in his hand out into the wind, watching it drift away for a bit before facing her. "Whether you believe me or not does not matter to me. What does is the fact that we should be making our leave now. These guards around me have been unconscious for a while now. Their absence will likely have been noticed, and additional guards will be sent. In fact, as we speak, they are on their way right now."

He stood up.

"We should get going now."

The direction he was headed to was towards Beidou's ship.

"And where exactly do you think you're going?" Beidou asked. And how did you know the guards were coming, she wanted to add, but refrained from doing so.

He stopped walking.

"First time for everything, captain." He said, "With the winds guiding me, I will leave this accursed school to become a wanderer once."

A light breeze.

"So, would you be so kind as to be the wind that carries me off this island?"

He turned around. They were now facing each other on the port.

A sigh escaped Beidou's lips. "Work on your poetry skills," she muttered to herself quietly, before saying, "Kid, I think I've got you figured out."

More or less. Sometimes, when a person reaches their breaking point, they hide under a shell of themselves. She's seen it before. Some put up an air of false happiness. Always joking around, seemingly happy. In this kid's case, he seems to be hiding beneath a mask of emotionlessness. Calmness. Poetry.

A loss of someone close to them or a loved one can lead a person to become detached. Beidou was sure that was the case with this kid.

Just what exactly happened within those school walls?

"I'll allow you to come on my ship," she continued. "But on one condition."

Beidou walked up beside the kid, and put a hand on his shoulder. Unbeknownst to her, the boy flinched at the contact. The gesture and contact was all too familiar to him. Too painful to remember.

"Attend ML High. Make some friends. And when you're ready, come back here. Don't run from the past, it never leads to anything good. Trust me."

Some part of her felt that she was expecting too much from him. Another part of her felt that the key to solving this crisis in Inazuma lay in this kid's hands.

All Kazuha could do was nod numbly at her.

And finally, the last thing Beidou found unusual about the kid - Kazuha as he would later tell her his name - was his smile. It wasn't as if he didn't smile. No, it's just that when he did, it never reached his eyes.

Student Council Meeting Room

Jean Gunnhildr, acting student council president on the Monstadt side of the school. Ordo Favonius, they called themselves. Sat across from her was Ningguang, the student council president for the Liyue branch of the school. The Qixing were their name.

Varka, the actual head of Ordo Favonius, was off doing Varka things. And whenever he did Varka things, he never went alone, often bringing many other knights with him. Suffice to say, they were quite short staffed right now.

Their topic of discussion involved two new transfer students. One from Snezhnaya while the others origins are unknown.

"Beidou said she found him, Kazuha, on her return trip from Inazuma." Ningguang said, with a bit of apprehension in her voice. "Said she saw potential in the kid, and wanted him to attend the school."

She leaned forward, clasping her hands together. "I'd like to hear some thoughts regarding this."

Keqing was the first to speak up. Diligent and hard working, she quickly rose up in the ranks of the school hierarchy. "Well, I for one think we shouldn't be recruiting strangers from off the streets-"

"Seas, Keqing. Beidou found the kid while sailing the Alcor back from Inazuma, not riding on a horse in the streets." Ningguang said, a smug smile adorning her face. She never passed the opportunity to mess with Keqing. "We do have standards after all."

A quiet hmph could be heard from Keqing, a cute pout appearing on her face. Jean always thought that Keqing was a little young to be on the student council. Granted, that's only because of how much power they wield and responsibility they bear.

The Anemo Archon was absent. Has been for who knows how long while Geo Archon only comes to check up on things once per year. The power to run the school essentially lay in the student council's hands.

And the teachers too of course, but at times, Jean couldn't help but feel she wielded more power and influence than them.

Despite being younger than Jean, Keqing was often in many of her classes. Not all, but many. That was because classes were based on skill, not age. Before entering the school, each student was to take an entrance exam to determine what skill level they were at for each subject they wanted to learn.

After that, they would be placed into the right class, only able to go up after reaching certain expectations.

"Same difference. I don't think we should be getting strangers from Archons knows where into our school."

Keqings voice was insistent. Ninggaung, on the other hand, had a light smile on her face. Leaning back, she calmly asked, "Is it perhaps because you don't trust Beidou's judgment?"

From what Jean saw, Keqing was a stickler for rules. She was always adamant about following them. Beidou… not so much.

"Wha!? No…" Keqing denied. "It's just…"

She mumbled something incomprehensible. At least, to Jean. Ningguang understood what she said, if her smile and laugh was of any indication.

"Setting that aside," she continued, switching back to her professional attitude. "I want to hear more opinions on this matter. Especially from Ordo Favonius."

She looked towards Jean, as if prompting her to speak.

"We trust Beidou's judgment and have no issues with him attending." Jean said. "Monstadt accepts all with open arms."

It was more so the fact that Jean trusted the school to do a proper background check on the new student before admitting him in.

"Excellent. Then I trust you'll be the ones to show him around the school?"

Jean nodded. "I'll have Amber get to it as soons as possible.

"Good." Ninggaung responded. "Any objections?"

Silence. Jean turned to look at Keqing, who was quietly sulking.

"And I'm assuming you'll do the same for… what's his name again? Childe?"

"Yes. All the preparations have been set."

Jean nodded back in response. To be honest, she found Childe to be the one more wary of, out of the two.

"Lady Ningguang, I'd like to inquire about which dorms they'll be in."

The voice came from an average looking person. He wore Liyue style clothing, and was one of the visionless members of the council. He was in charge of the management of the dorms for non-vision holders.

"This again?" Ningguang asked, a tinge of annoyance in her voice.

The man chuckled nervously. "I feel it'd be a nice change of pace for him to stay in our dorm area. We'd welcome him with open arms."

"I've already told you countless times: vision bearers and non vision bearers will not be allowed in the same dorm room. The two transfer students will go into the hydro and anemo dorms as required."

"That rule was made long before you were made student council president, Lady Ningguang. Surely, the times have changed now to rid ourselves of these rules that divide us." He offered his counterpoint.

Jean looked out the window. She thought about what she'd do after the meeting was over. They've had countless similar discussions in the past. If it's not about dorm management, it's about cafeteria food. If not that, then park maintenance, the need for so much combat class, ordering new textbooks, the tavern being out of alcohol again. And that's just to name a few.

Suffice to say, these meetings were a real drag sometimes.

She looked to Ningguang, her counterpart of a president. She too seemed like she wanted this conversation to end. Probably so they could discuss more business related matters. She was a businesswoman at heart after all.

"Need I remind you that these rules were put there for a reason. The jealousy of those without visions to those with visions is strong. Imagine how you'd feel living beside someone who you feel has less ambition than you, is less hardworking, yet has a vision?"

The man looked like he was about to retort but Ningguang interrupted him. "That's enough, we have more important matters to discuss."

Her tone was final, leaving him with no choice but to back down.

"Now then, Jean, about the revised budget for the swordsmanship club you're in charge of…"

The meeting continued on. These bi-monthly full student council meetings were exhausting, putting a significant strain on Jean's already heavy schedule, and that's not counting the meetings they conduct with just the Ordo Favonius side of things.

Nevertheless, Jean always gave her 100% every meeting, something she was no doubt gonna regret later down the line. An early death awaited her from the way she overworked herself.

"Then, if there's nothing left to discuss, I call this meeting adjourned."

A sigh of relief escaped Jean's lips as she left the room, the other members of Ordo Favonius following suit. Being student council president, even if she was only acting, was much too tiring.

Kaeya, like usual, was not present - only ever attending meetings that interested him which were usually only the ones about the tournament held between the seven schools. His competitive and cunning nature showed during those meetings.

If Jean were to confront him about his absence, a smart excuse was no doubt on the tip of his tongue, explaining everything. He was very talented, Jean will admit. A smooth talker, master at espionage. The way he spoke just made you let down your guard and give out information. He just had a way with words that worked against her, more often than not.

Albedo was off doing alchemy or drawing. The talent he possessed was undeniable. Towards anything that caught his attention, he would pursue it with great passion. Towards anything else, he could care less. Student council meetings were among them.

Varka was being Varka.

Diluc quit, stating personal reasons being the cause. He was the most dependable council member, and Jean really missed having on the council.

Lisa was with her most of the time. This time, she wasn't. Busy taking care of some matters relating to the school library was her reason.

Eula surprisingly wasn't present. Perhaps she was off delivering vengeance to some poor student.

That just left the visionless members. People Jean weren't too close with. They were from different classes after all.

Jean mentally sighed as she walked down the all too familiar hallway leading to the dormitories. The portraits of various well known students and teachers lined the walls. She always stopped at the picture of a certain red headed girl. Venessa. Her idol, Venessa was who Jean aspired to be.

Continuing her walk down the hallway, Jean felt mentally drained. Maybe she ought to get Amber on the council. She was the same age as Keqing after all.

Speak of the devil, and they will appear. Though, Jean would never consider Amber a devil. She'd go as far as say she was the complete opposite. Sweet, caring, friendly were apt ways of describing her. Overly energetic worked as well.

"Hey Jean!" Amber said, giving her a friendly wave. Her tone was casual, friendly, her smile bright. "What's up?"

"Amber," Jean greeted back, formally. "I need you to show a new transfer student around the campus."

Met with those formal words from Jean, Amber's casual demeanor changed, but her bright smile never left her face.

"Outrider duty it is, then?" She asked, excitement evident in her voice.

"The usual." Jean responded back. "His name's Kazuha. Make sure not to miss anything."

"Of course! You can count on me!" Amber said, giving Jean a salute before heading off to the reception office.

Maybe I ought to get Amber on the Student Council after all?

As soon as Kazuha left Inazuma, he felt something akin to a heavy weight being lifted off his shoulders. The calm and serene weather of Monstadt and Liyue was music to his ears. Clear weather all around brightens the heart, and from the moment he entered ML High, he knew that that weather was around to stay.

Sitting inside the school reception room, he heard familiar sounds of students happily going about their day to day tasks. Studying, working, playing, fighting, sleeping, panicking, eating…Much like how it was back at Inazuma before the decree.

He looked up at the ceiling. He always hated the loud and chaotic din that often accompanied being in a school. But now…

"I've missed this…"

"You say something?" Beidou asked, the voice coming from beside him. The room was simple but welcoming. Various items decorated it. Bookshelves, plants, paintings, the couch he was sitting on - which was awfully comfy - among other things.

"Nothing much. Just pondering why you have decided to stick with me all this time, even after we have gotten into the school."

The quiet sound of scribbling permeated the background as the receptionist worked.

Beidou leaned back into the couch, arms behind her head, legs crossed. Her pose was casual, and so was her tone. "Wouldn't want you running off now, especially after all the trouble I went through getting you here."

Kazuha couldn't help but scoff internally at the statement. Outside, his expression remained the same, but his feelings inside were conflicted.

"I am in your debt, for I could not have left that island otherwise. Besides, I would never break a promise. Ever."

"Hahaha," Beidou said, amusement in her laugh. "Good to know. Then can you promise me this? Promise me to enjoy your time here, make friends, have fun, etc etc?"

"I will do my best."

"A bit more enthusiasm would be nice."

"I will do my best," Kazuha responded in kind, voice the same.

"Oh come ooon," Beidou said, emphasizing slightly on the on in a playful manner. "This is your first day of school here, y'know. Aren't you even a little excited? Or maybe nervous? Anxious perhaps?"

Silence. She punched Kazuha in the shoulder lightly.

"You've got to feel at least something in that head of yours."

Kazuha just sat still, thinking quietly. Beidou rolled her eyes in amusement, already quite used to his quiet tendencies.

"Something must've at least caught your attention."

No response.

"Or," she began dramatically, "perhaps someone?"

It was with that question that Kazuha finally decided to speak.

"On my way here, I saw a couple of posters advertising the swordsmanship club. I would very much like to join and learn the various techniques of the blade outside of Inazuma."

"Heh, you've got good eyes." Beidou said. "I've heard many good things about that club, specifically about their club president Jean Gunhildr."

Kazuha nodded in response.

"Though I can't help but think you answered my first question to avoid the last question I asked you." Beidou noted, smiling cheekily. "So tell me, anybody catch your eye?"

Kazuha shook his head in response.

Beidou sighed in disappointment. "Really hate how hard it is to fluster you."

A mischievous smile.

"Buuut, y'know, there are some pretty smoking hot babes at this school. If you want, I could bring you to my favorite tavern and introduce you to a couple of people that might pique your interest. Drinks on me of course."

Maybe a little bit of fun could help you unwind and put some emotion on that pretty face of yours, Beidou thought.

"I appreciate the offer, but I will have to pass."

"Spoilsport," Beidou muttered teasingly. "But not unexpected."

She was met with a shrug of the shoulders in response.

What Kazuha didn't tell Beidou was the fact that someone did in fact catch his eye. Many people actually. And it wasn't just his eyes catching them, but his keen nose and sensitive ear as well.

Two students in particular really caught his attention. They gave off the same vibe as the Raiden Shogun. They had a geo and anemo vision and though faint, he could detect the scent of the stars on the two of them. Faded, but still there.

But he knew that wasn't what Beidou meant. If he were telling the truth, he would say one girl in particular-

"Your registration forms have been approved."

The voice snapped Kazuha out of his train of thoughts. The receptionist, a woman with black hair and square glasses, spoke to him.

"Thank you," he said, walking up to the desk and grabbing the form. His eyes quickly scanned over it, remembering the important bits.

"You'll give the forms to your examiners. They'll test you and determine what classes you are in."

Kazuha nodded, and began walking towards the exit. Combat exams were first.

"Hold on a second," the receptionist called out to him. "Wait here. Someone will come and show you around the school and to your testing areas. No need for you to wander around the campus aimlessly after all."

Ah, I suppose they are unaware that I know where the training area is, Kazuha thought. The noise coming from that particular building makes it rather obvious.

He went to sit down beside Beidou again, who was smiling.

"You could have told me."

"Told you what?"

"That there was someone tasked with showing me around the school. I had always presumed that if there was someone to do the job, it would be you."

"Now where's the fun in that?" Beidou responded cheekily.

They sat in silence for about a minute or two before the door opened. Beidou stood up immediately, ruffling Kazuha's.

"I'll be off now. Don't forget the promise you made me."

Kazuha nodded in response. Despite the short time they spent together, he'd opened up real quick to her.

"He's a good kid," Beidou said, speaking softly to the person who entered in an effort to make sure Kazuha couldn't overhear what she was saying. She failed though. Kazuha's sensitive ears made sure of that. "Quiet but good. Make sure you take good care of him. And don't be put off by his lack of response."

During the trip from Inazuma, Beidou had quickly taken Kazuha under her wing, acting like a big sister to him. It reminded him of a certain someone he'd rather not think about.

He closed his eyes, his hand subconsciously reaching for the faded vision. He could still hear his voice, his laughter. His open and mischievous nature often clashed with his own quiet one, but he'd give anything in the world to have him back.

Kazuha clutched the faded vision more tightly. One day, he will reignite the vision. Carry on his friend's legacy. Beidou was right. He couldn't keep running from his past forever. One day, he'll have to return.

There will always be those who dare to brave the lightning's glow.

He felt an unmistakable spark from the faded vision; his senses detecting the distinct traces of electricity.

The day he was to reignite the vision may be closer than he imagined.

Beidou's Soliloquy

I've seen my fair share of broken people in the past. Young and old. Shy or bold. They put on a mask and do what they're told. And honestly, it's really hard sometimes to tell if they're alright or not.

You can't just ask them.

I think I really started paying more attention to the issues of depression and the likes when a crewmate of mine killed himself.

All that he left behind was a note.

"I'm sorry, I can't take it anymore…"

There was more to it, but I couldn't bring myself to read the rest of the note.

Because it was then and there that my world fell apart.

Looking back, I knew I saw the signs of something being wrong, but I didn't act, didn't think it was serious. I thought if something was wrong, he'd come to me, the captain, for help. Advice. Anything.

He was quiet in nature, preferring to keep to himself. He seemed fine, really, nothing about him screamed depression. But it was just the little things.

He was an avid reader, probably the only one, actually, on the crew. Any books found on the ship were almost guaranteed to belong to him. Then, slowly but surely, the books disappeared. His interest in them faded.

I didn't think too much about it - the habits from the rest of the crew must have rubbed off on him. They weren't the most studious type after all.

Late at night, I'd see him on the deck of the ship gazing out into the sea. I'd always pinned him as a night owl, but well, I guess that was another sign too.

And finally, his eyes. On the days leading up to the incident, I would look into his eyes and see pain and sadness behind them. Anguish filled his eyes. But just as quickly as I spotted them, the emotions would disappear, leaving me to wonder if what I saw was really real or not.

Who knew what was happening behind the scenes. How his family was doing. What tragedies befell him.

The incident shook the crew, but also made us closer. We were more open with our feelings to each other. Nothing, or almost nothing as everyone has a right to keep secrets, was kept in the dark.

I swore that under my watch, not another crewmate or student or person would suffer the same fate.

I often find myself wondering late at night that had I acted sooner, read the signals better, would things have happened differently. Would he still be here with us today?

When I saw Kazuha that day on the port of Inazuma, I felt undisputable similarity between the two of them.

I'll make him smile fully one day. Not one of those fake smiles that he does out of politeness. No, a full smile that's filled with joy. One brimming to the rim with happiness and laughter. One that reaches his eyes and lightens up his face.

And if I can't be the one to do, I'll make damn sure someone can.

AN: Summary added 4/26; Briefly edited 4/26. Also, if you have any characters you want to see, don't hesitate to speak your mind. My goal is to include as many characters as possible. Kazuha will be the main of course, but I'm open to giving many different characters a more important role in the story.