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The following is a fan-based

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Chapter 12: Family Matters (4)

Beta-Reader: Ant0nius

I wasn't sure what had exactly happened between Shin and his mother.

Sure, Hope told me a long while ago that the guy had left home without the woman's consent or permission to join Prism Uni, and her mother had then added that this escalation had left the white-furred Cat Prime rather furious with her son, but I didn't know the precise events that led up to this very scene.

With Shin having picked his own bed as a seat and her mother standing in front of him and beside her husband, the atmosphere created by these two was tense enough to put an end to the other activities in the dorm room.

They both didn't strike me as individuals committed into making a stupid and irreversible decision that could lead to unpleasant ramifications.

But from the way these two ignored the burden of starting this important conversation that saw my young friend's family visiting him for these few days, I could tell that something about this already bizarre situation was just… missing.

It had to be the truth. It couldn't be anything else, considering that these two were still dealing with a case that had both of them ignore each other so vehemently and tensely.

This was the first time I saw Shin appear so serious and unwilling to allow any uneasiness in his features. Quite a unique sight for sure, but one that didn't get much of a reaction out of me.

Hope had picked the seat in the couch closest to the private scene before outright barraged me with questions over this development. I hadn't mentioned yet that Shin's parents were there. So, I only told the truth.

The parents found the room faster than they could return to the dorms. It was frustrating for her, and I could understand her initial outburst, but was quite surprised by the immediate apology that I got as she realized that this happened out of causality rather than anything else.

I would've expected her to fuss a bit more on the subject matter but… it was nice that I wouldn't have to deal with this issue for longer than a couple of honest words.

Vixy and Tiggs had taken their leave as the situation became more complicated and… the Fox Prime didn't feel at ease from watching the scene unfold.

From what I could remember from one of the previous conversations I had with Traci, the leader of the cheerleaders had her own troubles with her own mother that prevented her from helping with other family problems.

I didn't blame her for wanting to be spared by what was going to be a massacre, judging from the way mother and son were already behaving as.

Miles offered few suggestions over the reasons why Mrs. Aryoko could behave this harshly, each sounding more annoying and awkward to listen to. I knew he was trying to make comedy out of this situation to ease up the situation, but Hope gave him a sharp glare once her patience about it reached its limit.

Hikari peered from my shoulder over the situation.

The girl had a confused and uneasy look settled on her cute face. A slight sense of nervousness was there on her visage to remind me of how unsure she was over what had driven her brother out of home.

Despite our best efforts to convince her that she wasn't part of that fallout, her concerns about it far from being quelled.

Professor Aken was standing the closest to us, his stare giving utmost attention at the main event of this reunion as a knowing smile lingered on his lips.

"Are you two going to say anything at all?" Shin's father, Bengala, inquired with an impatient tone. "I mean, you've been staring at each other for two minutes now. I think you both have things to say and- I think I will be quiet now."

The final twist was conceived out of dread at the mother-son glare duo. It was a temporary agreement that suddenly shattered as the staring resumed.

Yet, my attention was now back on the Tiger Prime. Mr. Aryoko reminded me of someone I had seen before. And while there were numerous Primes that looked similar to each other, this individual just struck me as familiar.

I think I've met him before… but I couldn't exactly remember when or where this happened.

Still, as his attempt to mediate the discussion failed, Bengala decided to wander off from his wife's side and check on us.

"Hope, it's been a while," The man greeted. "And you've grown beautiful. I bet your dad had to make sure no one tried to steal you away from him."

For some reason, I felt the need to shiver at this...

The Gazelle Prime looked awkward at the comment. "He's been busy with the fishing company."

"Always the hard worker, I would never expect anything less from Kayin," The Tiger Prime said while nodding, his attention turning right onto… me. "And I've heard you're one too, Mr. Parker."

I blinked in surprise. "Me?"

"Professor Aken was keen to praise your understanding of his subject," He continued with a nod, ignoring the frown coming from the teacher himself. "And I also see that you've already befriended little Hikari. What do you think of him, sweetie?"

The girl giggled a little bit, pressing her arm on my back. "Frankie-nii is super-nice."

I allowed a smile and quick nod, glad to have made a good impression with Shin's little sister.

"That's good to hear, princess," The man hummed happily before he gave me a curious look. "And Frankie, that's your name… right?"

Nodding at his question, he hummed even more. "I know this sounds like a sudden question, but is your father's name Andrew?"

"Yes?" I interrupted with a shocked tone and look. Shin's father knew mine? Why couldn't I remember if-

"I think I met him years ago while training my team there," He explained with a bright smile. "I remember having just heard of this formidable boxer and I really wanted to spar with him. I ended up fighting him only once, but it was quite the fun fight."

"Your father is a boxer?" Hope inquired with a fascinated tone.

"He used to be one. Kind of dropped it once I started to walk," I replied with a nod, my response getting a surprised look from the Tiger Prime.

"He quit?" He asked in pure shock. "I would have thought that he had plans of going professional once you were born."

"I think… he just got frightened by the prospect of losing," I pointed out with an uneasy voice. "His real fear was that if he ended up losing, he wouldn't have been able to sustain the family."

"And so he became a computer nerd," Miles added dryly.

Bengala sighed at this discovery. "A pity. If he had been a Prime, I would've probably got him in the Courage Clan."

I offered a nod- only to freeze up at these words.

"The Courage Clan? The… group led by the Crest of Courage?"

My question was met with a smile. "You're speaking to-"

"A professional boxing trainer!" Hope jumped in with a panicked tone. "One that has contacts with the Courage Clan."

The Tiger Prime frowned at this, and Miles snorted at the young woman's outburst.

"What was that?" The Cat Prime asked mirthfully, only for Hope to refuse offering a truthful explanation.

Merely giving her a confused stare, I started to partially ignore Hikari as the young girl giggled at the 'dumb reaction'.

"I suppose you don't want them to know 'that', right?"

The Gazelle swiftly nodded, and I felt even more drawn to ask what they were talking about.

But before I had the chance to do this, Bengala turned his attention to the last occupant of the couch.

"And then there is-"

"Miles Lionheart. Ladies here know my name quite well," The guy smugly interrupted, only for Hope to snort dryly at that comment.

"Yep, they know how much you've spent time looking at their social pages."

…

"Wait, they really know that-"

"I think she's joking, Miles," I interjected with a sigh. "But I'm sure they might learn to know you for that if you don't do anything else other than browsing your phone when we're not in lectures."

"I-I plan to join the Football team!" He rebuked annoyed, only for the Tiger Prime to frown at his ambition.

"I've heard that the team was already complete. Even the reserves," The man pointed out. "Plus, you don't seem to train a lot."

"I- I run laps around Prism Uni-"

"The Campus. And it's occasional at best, Hope interjected with a nod. "Like seriously, what's your excuse about it?"

"How about you explain to me why you're all so against everything I do?!" He rebuked fiercely. "Anything I do is worthy of criticism."

"Miles, you know that we've told you that 'ladies' like someone that is productive, consistent with his plans, and also keep a healthy shape," I reminded with a calm voice. "And the only times we 'criticize' you is when you're doing something that only ends up hurting you in the end. Like trying to skip study sessions."

"And to what end?"

"As Frankie said, girls dig guys that don't waste time doing nothing," The Gazelle Prime replied with a kind smile. "Miles, you're our friend. Of course we want you to be successful and be happy."

Hikari tugged at his sleeve, catching his attention and smiling. "You're a good person, Miles-san."

He sighed, quietly pondering over what he was supposed to say at that much encouragement. "I… I guess I should really try."

"I've heard there is a good gym nearby," I suggested happily. "I wanted to check if they had a good swimming pool to train by, so you could come with me next weekend."

"Swimming sounds nice," The Cat Prime agreed and I felt like I've finally found the first of many solutions needed to help Miles make a proper stand in these few years here in Prism.

But now that this interaction was mostly wrapped up… the much-needed discussion between Shin and his mother still hasn't started yet.

And the lecture after Professor Aken's usual lesson had to have already begun at this point.

I sighed since I knew that if we continued to allow these two to not get some mediation, we would end up wasting the entire day without getting anything meaningful done.

Glancing back at Hikari, and finally noticing her curious stare directed back at me, I decided that drastic problems needed drastic responses.

So I stood up from my seat, gesturing for the girl to follow me as we walked up to the bed beside the one Shin was currently sitting by. Hope offered a curious look, with Miles merely glancing as he knew that I had something planned and… both Professor Aken and Bengala gave me an intrigued look as I approached the danger zone.

Shin was the first one to notice what I was doing, with Mrs. Aryoko turning only as she realized that her daughter was now sitting in front of her. The woman's eyes lifted up to glance at me with a confused look.

"Are you two going to talk now?"

And her confusion twisted in a quick scowl, while her son allowed a grimace on his face.

"These are private affairs, young man," Shin's mother pointed out. "And from what I've heard, you're not someone that would generally disrespect people in such a manner."

"And normally, you would be correct, Mrs. Aryoko," I rebuked with a nod. "I'm not entirely sure of myself whether this is really needed or not- but then again, you two have already wasted a full twenty minutes staring at each other, and have made no progress."

She blinked, her orange eyes sporting some confusion and interest. "And?"

"And while I understand that working these kinds of things requires a lot of time spent trying to either negotiate a compromise or a winning side, I will remind you both that Shin, Hope, Miles, and I are all students at this school," I brought up before allowing a sigh out of my lips. "And we just ended up skipping a couple of lessons to try and get this situation at least started."

"You don't have any reason keeping it in here," The blonde pointed out. "This is about Shin and his family. And you three-"

"Are good friends to your son, ma'am," I interrupted with a serious tone. "While it might not be enough in your eyes to see us as part of this situation, I can assure you that we're all in for the sake of helping Shin if there is a genuine problem."

She scoffed. "Even if you don't know what actually happened?"

"Yes," I answered readily. "But I think telling both sides of the story can be a good way to start this conversation. And while I understand you might be unwilling to speak of your family's affairs before a 'group of strangers', we've no reason to do anything malicious about this."

"That sounds… intriguing," The woman remarked. "But then, I would have to also ask a favor from you in return, Parker-san."

I blinked, feeling quite surprised at the 'price' to actually help with the situation. "If it's something that I can offer without hesitation, then I will."

She nodded, a pleased smile adorning her beautiful face as she started to explain.

"I've never denied my son the chance of studying outside of our house," Mrs. Aryoko said with a determined tone. "The only requirement I would impose to Shin was, and still is, that the place he decided to study in was somewhere I could get someone to keep an eye out for him."

I tilted my head in visible confusion. "Protect him?"

"He is my heir. The one that will one day be bestowed with the leadership of the Aryoko Clan," She elaborated in great details. "His safety is my priority, first as my duty as his mother, and then as the head of the clan."

"So you were against him coming to study here in Prism because you are unable to get anyone to watch over him?" I guessed, getting a quick nod from her.

"That's correct," The Cat Prime responded positively. "I thought that sending him so far away from home would leave him without anyone to assist him if someone attacked him."

I could see Shin getting slightly irritated at this, and I had a little idea about what was putting him in this kind of mood.

His mother was, probably unconsciously, putting him in a state of embarrassment. And that was irking him the more this side of the conversation continued.

"So you wish for him to… return home because you wish for him to be protected?"

"That was my first intention," She admitted with a nod. "But as I thought more about it, I think I wish to see if the situation actually requires him to leave, or if the security in here is capable of keeping him safe."

That last part actually got her son's attention away from the irritation.

"What?"

The woman sighed. "While I might have been stern over your interest in leaving our house, Shin, I would never shun you from wanting to learn more about the world," She mentioned with a kind tone. "I was there when you started to ask the first few questions about the things around you. You were curious from the very beginning, and as a mother, I can't help but be proud of the kind of man you're turning into."

…

"But you're afraid that he is going too fast," I supposed. "That the faster he goes, the more in danger he will end up in."

"And is it wrong for me to think such?" She inquired with a strange tone, drawing a perplexed look from me.

"Not… truly," I answered slowly. "I think mom would be reluctant to send me to a place which could lead me into a dangerous circumstance. She might be crazy from time to time about it herself, but it's legitimate for a parent to worry about their children."

Her smile widened. "I'm glad that we're on the same page, then."

She glanced at her son and sighed. "I understand if you're angry that… I might appear overbearing. But if I go out of my way to try and assure your protection, it's all because I don't wish for you to be harmed."

"I'm… I'm strong," Shin pointed out with a frown. "I've trained a lot so that I could be able to finally see the world beyond the cage."

"And that's something that I've seen. Your father also told me that you excelled in numerous sparring sessions against his students," The Cat Prime agreed. "But my worry still lingers."

"I think that's… not something that can be resolved by paranoia," I offered my own thoughts about the matter. "A parent will always feel worried about their children- but it's also true that once we're all old enough to give a try at life, we should be allowed to do so."

She sighed. "Even if said trial is dangerous and filled with life-threatening turns?"

I frowned at the oddly-specific question, but I still shrugged and nodded.

"Would it be surprising if I said yes?"

A snort left her lips. "No. Actually, that's a fair point you're making."

"Also, I think it's possible to sign a form to request one of the special Nanozell Spirits assigned to Prism Uni to be used by students to return home in case of urgency," I added with a nod. "It's one of the few features that was added in relation to the fact that most of the students come from the other continents and that planes might take too much time to arrive at the proper place."

But I knew that Shin had to have already told her about it, or else they would've considered it already and…

…

Mrs. Aryoko regarded me with an incredibly confused look and Shin looked… nervous.

"Is that so?"

I offered a frown and a nod at that skeptical query, letting the mother ask for clarification with her son… while I found my attention drawn to Hikari.

The girl gave a soft tug at my sleeve. "What is a Nanozell Spirit?"

I suppose she had never heard about those. It wasn't that much uncommon for people to have never seen one before either.

"Well, a Nanozell Spirit is a creature born from Nanozell, a kind of energy that the High Prime discovered a long time ago," I started to explain with a hum. "While they might appear like spirits, which is why they are named that, they are actually a mix of life and machinery. In fact, they are mostly known to operate devices, either small or big ones, because of their connection to those."

Hikari nodded, still looking a little bit perplexed about this new information, but still glad to have something as a base to work on.

With that detail down, I glanced at Shin with a skeptical tone. "I thought you had read the pamphlet."

"I did," The White Tiger Prime confirmed before letting out an awkward sigh. "But I… forgot about it while I was coming up with arguments before speaking up about my intentions to Okaasan."

"It would seem like you can actually get tangled up with things if you're all worked up," I pointed out mirthfully, further capitalizing on his embarrassment. "Maybe give it a cool-headed thought next time you've to contemplate something important?"

Shin nodded without hesitation, trying to ignore the twitching smile on her mother's face as the woman realized what just happened.

"Son, did you really forget about something that would have spared all of us from this situation?" Bengala inquired from his newest seat… the one I had abandoned to the one I was currently using.

Still, what the Tiger Prime was saying was technically true and… Mrs. Aryoko looked fairly irked about that matter. And I knew that Shin couldn't be defended on that perspective.

I noticed that Hikari had realized this much herself from the way she was trying to hold back a giggle at her brother's mistake.

Offering a smile, I went to pat her head as we witnessed the two keeping quiet for some time and… then Shin remembered something really important. And not an excuse that he needed to avoid his mother's wrath.

"W-Wait, aren't we going to be late for Professor Bayer's lecture?"

He quickly jumped to reach for the backpack containing today's textbooks and notes, ignoring his father's amused look and his mother's groan of disappointment at this curious scene.

The young man took the proper textbooks and things, rushing out of the dorm room without saying much to anyone.

It took me a moment to realize that-

"Wait, don't you share that class with him, Miles?" I asked with a little bit of nervousness.

The poor guy finally took in the fact that his 'beacon of hope' had just left through the door without him. I never saw the Cat Prime bolt so quickly after someone that wasn't a gorgeous girl.

But while the amusing scene was enough to bring up a smile to my face, the little entertainment was short-lived as Hope stood up from her own seat.

"A-And we have class with Professor Dorion!"

...Oh- OH!

I carefully stood up, giving a quick apology to both Hikari and her parents about the fact we had to leave them alone while I rushed towards the doorstep with a panicked look plastered on my face.

A surprised silence filling the rest of the people as Hope and I quickly ran away through the corridors and towards the classroom in question.

…

…

Bengala chuckled. "I think they haven't noticed that they were holding hands when they left."

His daughter giggled at the comment, while Kate merely smiled at the scene.

And Sem… smirked at how things were developing into. Hopefully Ambar will be careful while handling this curious group.

~Ifera's POV~

Her face still hurt, no matter how much attention she gave it.

While Ifera wasn't a professional medic, her understanding of basic medicine should've been enough to fix the damage caused by that unneeded punch.

And yet, the simple application of medical ointment meant to help with this kind of situation didn't help in soothing the pain she still felt from that sudden attack.

That sneaky human had managed to hit her in the most unexpected way one could've ever imagined. And yet, Ifera was equally annoyed and impressed by such a development.

To think that such an individual existed within the circle created by the abominations' spawns. And to think that it was a human that had flawlessly pushed her back.

Maybe there was also the fact that the Crest of Death had been there to give her the fright of her life. The Lion Prime was as terrifying as those that had survived the encounters with him had said he was.

But still, that punch, that simple but effective counter to her assault had left her pondering more about the circumstances at hand.

Maybe this wouldn't be easy at all as she had initially suspected it as being. Which would explain why Shin Aryoko hadn't called upon more Knight groups to hunt her down the moment he spotted her.

Or…

What if the human was actually a knight? Could it be possible that the mongrels were actually recruiting simians in their own army?

Highly debatable, but not something to exclude without further study. It would mean running once again on the young man with the shiny and dazzling blue eyes.

What an oddly satisfying element to stare at, especially when the owner of the pair was one of her enemies. The truest form of villainy!

But there wasn't anything she could've done by just whining about the predicament. As much as it pained her to admit it, Ifera would need some reinforcements if she wanted to succeed in this mission.

Someone else to trust in, to rely on, to order around, and send into suicidal missions. Like the one to approach the human and gauge more about his capacities?

But who should she ask for? The roster of people that would flock at the chance of helping chaos was extensive, but just a handful of them were worthy of the task at hand.

Ifera spent a while thinking about it, and she couldn't find anyone that would match with her needs!

Tolmin? Too demonic.

Drake? Too smartassy.

Uphel? Too impish.

Ymo? Too devious.

Ayah? Too unruly.

Hrad? Too barbaric!

GAH! WHY IS THIS SO DIFFICULT?!

It shouldn't be. Life should be easy for her now that she was on the best way to return the Emperor to its proper seat of power.

And yet the world seemed to conspire with every step she was making in that direction. But why? Why would her destiny as the harbinger of the proper order of things be so difficult!

Chaos was the truest form of order. The chance of being freed from the restricting form of 'justice' that the foolish High Prime had concocted all for the sake of hide tyranny behind a thin fog of 'happiness'.

The world was too cruel to accept this degree of unfairness. Which is why the Narakhan's cause was never shattered despite the intense campaign promoted by the Crest of Light and the Crest of Wisdom.

They lived through the onslaught, and each generation offered a new batch of soldiers to the just cause promoted by the one that stood before the Gods and said no to them.

No at their unfair judgment.

No at their insistence at favoring a single race they believed their best creations.

No at their greediness and laziness.

…

But then the Crests banded up together and stopped the grandiose plan from actually succeeding.

Even thinking about this was enough to remind her of the humiliation and dishonor born from the spoils of defeat.

This wasn't freedom. This was a golden cage.

One that Ifera wanted to crack and destroy with her bare hands.

She nodded to herself, smiling as her devotion to the cause felt renewed at the idea that there was actually a challenge before her.

The young Coyote was legitimately fearful of what might happen at the next mistake, but she learned that life was the best teacher and that its best method of teaching its students was through trial and error.

This mistake, albeit frustrating, gave her an idea of what she was going to face.

This wasn't just a cast of Primes trying to stick together. There was also a human.

And this human, probably, was the key to her success.

He was strong, yes, but he was surely very close to her main targets. Compared to Shin Aryoko and Hope Ravenhurst, the guy had to be also weaker and thus her best bet to strike at the group.

He didn't have a Crest-bound ability, nor he had anything that a normal Prime Knight should be able to use in combat.

He was a simple bodyguard with strength, speed, and a gaze of an ange- Her mind was playing tricks on her again!

Why was it so complicated to think about him and not turn her attention back on his lovely eyes- and now she was doing it again.

Groaning in frustration, more leaves fell off the tree branch she was lying onto.

It was frustrating enough just finding another park to hide in until she was sure that the Crest of Courage and the Crest of Light had left town, but at least she was sure that they were hunting her down as she had feared for.

Maybe they had underestimated her. Maybe they thought that her retreat was one driven by panic and unwillingness to die against someone incredibly strong.

Which was mostly true, but also false on a simple account. That retreat was a single loss in a war she was aiming to win at all costs.

Her life was expendable to restore the will of the Emperor, and the fear she had felt was quick to falter at the necessity of accomplishing her long-term plans.

And nothing in her path will make her back down from her own dreams. The world was hers to conquer for her liege, and not even the High Prime herself in her battle armor and with a murderous attitude directed at her would get Ifera to stand down.

…

…

Actually, the mere idea of facing the Crest of Wisdom in her peak form was slightly unsettling. For various reasons.

Just as the Coyote Narakhan finished to handle the general outlines of her newest predicament, her attention was drawn away by a ferocious rack hitting her side and pushing her off the tree.

"How dare you enter this private park, you filthy Narakhan!" The old Park Guard exclaimed furiously. "This isn't a place that welcomes your kind, you useless-"

"You're too loud."

She slammed her elbow onto his head, making him trip and fall back unconscious.

Holding her hurting thigh, Ifera stared furiously at the sleeping form of the pathetic elder that had attacked her.

Now she sure had a reason to spill blood over the city. The intense craving was fueled by the racist slurring that the disappointing sack of bone had decided to deliver up to her and…

She decided against triggering any investigations that might reconnect back to her.

It wouldn't help her case. Especially with five Crests in this city that could act on her crimes.

The Narakhan merely left the place, annoyed and irritated by the lack of proper retribution, but intrigued by the chance of visiting some good restaurants with the money she had found on the pathetic old fool.

With the rest of her coin stuck in her original headquarters, Ifera had long decided to stay away from the place until she was sure the Crest of Death had lost interest in it.

She would return to pick up her resources once the waters had calmed down… but for now, she was going to delight herself with some delicious Pizza.

While the Humans were considered by her race as something inferior to even the Primes, the fact that they had managed to come up with some delightful cuisine was enough to spare her from reacting harshly at the various families eating in that place.

Time was still on her side, and then… the opportunity to strike again will come up to her once more. She knew it and she was ready to savor it like that pepperoni Pizza that had conquered her attention.

AN

I'm still confused as to why your mother decided to skip today's session.

I think she's planning something about your lack of updates for your little story, Bukharin.

Should I be worried?

Maybe. Just like you should once the next chapter to this story arrives.

...Why?

I can't tell.

...Aren't you a lovely lady, Nae-

Spare me the sweet words. I will be merciless.

And incredibly huggable-

No hugs for you.

Aww…