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The following is a fan-based

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Chapter 24: Lively Friendship (4)

Beta-Reader: Ant0nius

It was the morning of the big day and… Tiggs and I were in a hurry.

While we would have normally been around the school's main building to prepare the remaining things needed to receive our parents, we were called to urgently help around with the final tasks needed to get the Shark Bite ready to handle the large list of possible customers that we were going to face today. It wasn't anything too time-draining since the boss knew we had to get back to Prism Uni as quickly as possible to greet our parents. Pulling out some of the unused tables and chairs out of the storage area and giving them a good clean, then turning the 'birthday party' area to an extent of the normal halls, before finally getting a list of today's menus out so we were aware of what we would face later during the long shifts.

The very moment we were done with all of this, it became time for us to quickly run back at Prism Uni and get everything prepared for the important event. Tiggs hummed about how her mom was going to pester her about her job when it came to her pay, the length of the shifts, and then maul her on the section regarding her grade. She was doing mostly fine, but still suffered by a fair margin in Chemistry due to how complicated the subject felt to her. This was something I agreed with her on, but I unfortunately couldn't help her with, due to how awkward my grades were on the matter.

To be fair, our current efforts were nothing to disregard. While Tiggs was in her second year, she was doing an amazing job compared to her first one. Higher grades, more participation, and getting a job. That, I told her, would get her mother to not 'maul her' about having a hard time with that lone subject. In fact, the ones I was more worried about were my parents... and Vixy's.

Sure, the Fox Prime had mentioned more than once that her dad wouldn't bother murdering me for dating his daughter, but even she admitted that she wasn't sure how her mother would react to the news. The woman seemed to be a particularly tough individual to satisfy when it came to achievements, especially when the ones she had to judge were her own child. I promised her that I would have been there and helped her with any kind of trouble. So, despite my worries on that front, I still felt confident I would have lived to see tomorrow and more.

Now, it was the time for the real concern. Mom would definitely ask me about my love life, and she would probably notice that there was just something 'off' between me and Vixy. Mostly on me due to how well she knew me. I was incredibly worried about her blurting out something that could create multiple regrets, and that was more than enough to get me tenser about how I was supposed to handle this kind of situation. Things just weren't going to get any easier by the time this was all over, I could already tell just from reflecting on the training I had to get through with Professor Aken. I was unsure how difficult it could become, and I definitely could feel it wasn't going to get any easier compared to what I had faced back when I learned to box with dad.

"This is going to be a long day, Traci," I commented quietly, disrupting the little silence we were in during the walk. She giggled, shaking her head in an effort to push away the uneasiness.

"I suppose it might be, but at least we get to see each other's parents. You've been telling me so much about them and now I want to see it for myself," She beamed quietly. "Also, mom has been begging me to meet you. Saying that she couldn't believe it that someone as nice as you decided to finally 'help my sorry butt around'."

I chuckled at that. "Man, that's some… confidence."

"She's just joking, and… I guess she just wants to thank you or something. Mom tends to be like that when I tell her that I made good friends," The Tiger Prime admitted… then her smile widened as another thought entered her mind. "Also, what are your plans for when you meet Hope's father?"

I blinked at her unexpected question. What was I supposed to do about it? Really? I didn't mind thinking about making first contact with the rest of her family but… just how weird would it get for me to worry more about meeting my friend's parents than my girlfriend's. I am not sure how to answer, so… I took the safest route.

"I would just… talk to him?"

"And?" She pressed for more and I huffed.

"…I don't know. I'm completely clueless about Hope's father since she's only told me about her mother since I've met her before," I confessed without hesitation. "I guess I would try to make a good impression."

"That's the main priority of first contact with a girl's parents," Traci pointed out mirthfully. "Which is why I expect you to help me meet Vixy's dad. I know I can at least have a chance in making a foothold about any progress if I manage to befriend him."

I nodded, my lips twitching as I remembered that one element I still wasn't unsure how the girl was actually reacted to. Tiggs managed to hold a smile when I told her about what was going on with her love interest and me. It was there, but it wavered right as I looked at her. As much as she tried to hide away the upset, I could still see it on her face. And I could tell she was aware of this too.

"I will help you as much as possible-"

"And don't even give me that look," The big girl interrupted, pulling me a little closer as we turned the last corner to reach the school's principal entry point. "I know what you're thinking and… yeah, it sucks she is into you this much, but I know you will not go too far. Even a kiss is… easy to deal with. I believe we had a little more than just that last time we were cuddling up together."

Blushing at that reminder, we actually paused as we noticed that two individuals were grumbling by the closed gates of the main building's entrance. We stared at them silently but soon we were close enough to gain a better look at these two. From afar, they didn't seem too close to each other, but as we got closer to them I started to realize that they were father and daughter. At least, that's the feeling I got when the girl beside the man called him 'dad'. Their appearance wasn't a mirror copy, so that discovery caught me off-guard.

The Coyote Prime had dark-gray fur and black hair. His green eyes showed off a mix of annoyance and sheepishness while he regarded his daughter in what looked to have been a mistake of his that had them both waiting outside. He was wearing a sleeveless light-orange jacket over his half-sleeved white shirt, then a pair of black pants that ended with light-blue and white shoes.

The girl actually looked familiar after a second look. Her dark-brown, coppery hair was styled in a way I had seen someone wear before, and her serious pink eyes were too unique for me to be confused around with too many individuals I knew about. She reminded me of someone that was perhaps here today… and I just figured out that Hope did mention she had a younger sister. The Gazelle Prime which I could only presume being that little sibling was wearing a half-sleeved light-blue shirt that stopped a little before her midriff, she was also wearing a pair of light-orange shorts and some light-armor to protect her knees down to a pair of sneakers.

"Excuse us, but… is everything alright?" Tiggs asked with a calm voice, clearly curious about the predicament but not enough to be too invested into it just yet.

The man sighed in embarrassment. "Unfortunately no. We were trying to enter but… it seems we needed to keep the pass needed for the Parents' Visit Day… which we left with my wife and she is already inside the school."

"We went to pick a snack to eat for my sister but dad had to forget the pass inside," The annoyed tomboy added, causing her father to snort.

"Weren't you the one that pulled me to leave for some snacks? You put me in a hurry, Joy."

Joy looked away, a light blush on her face at being called out so quickly. While the sight was kind of adorable, I had more worrisome matters to be concerned about. Those were Hope's dad and sister. There was no doubt for me to not believe that was the only possible truth. While I could have just had Tiggs lead the conversation for me… I would give out the impression of being a shy moron that had others to talk for them. Or maybe I was just overreacting since the guy had the muscles and the capacity to split me in half if he mistook my relationship with his daughter.

Knowing that remaining silent would just hurt me in the long-term, I decided to actually speak up and hope for the best.

"Well, we are students. We could ask to have you verified so you can enter just this once if you really have someone waiting inside," I brought up, drawing their attention on me. "Also, I can't help but notice… are you two related to Hope Ravenhurst?"

Maybe I shouldn't be so direct but… this should put me in a safer spot compared to them making that connection later on.

The man nodded. "Friends of Hopers?"

Joy snickered at the comment, but still looked interested at the development.

"Yep, she is a good friend of ours. I'm Traci."

"Frankie," I added curtly and… that's where I saw the Coyote Prime give me a surprised look.

"Frankie Parker?" He guessed with an amused tone, chuckling as I nodded nervously. "Hope said you were a close friend of hers. I suppose I don't have to expect any surprises."

I could understand the innuendo and I nodded again. "Y-Yeah, we're just friends."

Another chuckle. "I wouldn't mind if you were something more. Just be surprised if I have to be honest because she kept mentioning your name and just saying you were friends."

Well, at least I don't have to worry about that kind of front from the looks of it.

Or so I could say when it came to possible attempts at my life from this guy I would soon learn his full name being Kayin Ravenhurst. Because, while the father was cool and fine about it even though it was clear something within him was just set to make my life miserable if I somehow, even unconsciously, hurt his daughter, the same couldn't be applied to his younger daughter. Pink eyes stared at me with amusement and interest as an unquestionable amount of teasing initially aimed at her big sister was now going to shift right at me due to the correlation with Hope.

And for that I knew things just were going to be tough for the two of us.

"Mom, do you... think Dad and Joy are going to be fine?" Hope inquired quietly, unsure if she should be either more worried or amused about the fact these two left without their passes. Having read the pamphlets plenty of times to know that the school's security wasn't going to let any registered adult in without their passes on, the chances of them entering the school's perimeter peacefully felt really slim.

Grace could only giggle at her daughter's silly concerns, hugging her a little tighter as they both waited by her dorm room. The college was way bigger than the one that she had expected from Ambar's description, and yet she could only be happy for how well-equipped the classrooms were. For a moment she thought at least a few of those courses she heard about would have lesser quality tools at their disposals, and yet she was pleased to learn things were running as smoothly and nice as the online info had brought up to her.

"Dear, I believe the only worry we should have is if your dad allows your sister to think up the solution to that kind of problem. At that point, then it would be a cause of concern… for them," The Love Crest replied mirthfully, making it clear once more to her cute daughter that while she was generally passive about silliness, she would react accordingly in case something bad happened and embarrassed little Hope too much.

That response seemed to calm the young woman well enough to ease down with the tension, and give Grace the chance to further inquire about a topic that was quite dear to the fellow Prime. It was something she was really curious about, especially with the latest messages about it.

"So, how have things been with Shin? I heard you were getting closer to him. Close enough to get at least a peck out of him."

As expected, Hope blushed a pretty red at the mention of the very topic that had ruled a good part of her mind ever since she hit puberty. The child-like attraction had been there from the beginning, but it became more pronounced by the time she began developing her emotions some more. And while one could easily think this meant she was in love with someone, Grace was the one that knew well enough that it wasn't the case.

What happened to her daughter was something that tended to happen to many girls that had long-standing crushes. Something that was tied more to physical admiration than pure attraction. A good-looking young man like Shin was quick to gain the interest of the young woman, making her desire him more and more with how much he was growing. His emotions were definitely approaching the test of adulthood and he was already showing some struggles with those. But he was doing well- way better than many that bore his age.

But… the problem wasn't Shin. At least, not as much as she would like it to be. Hope was a stubborn child, one that she had really little trouble about when it came to many things back home. Very obedient, very lovely- but nonetheless a Ravenhurst with the same determination as her father and younger sister.

"I-I'm really close. Just a tiny bit more, I… I think I can do it," The girl finally admitted, and yet Grace couldn't help but be unsure that something serious will ever come up from this.

Hope was still young, naive when it came to love. Even though she had the chance of studying many cases of affection and being close around to see her mother handle a couple of issues that demanded her attention, that didn't mean she was prepared to handle her own romantic life like this. Not at all. Too confident, and yet so insecure.

Despite her best effort to hide away how fragile her attraction for Shin was, it would be foolish to ignore that something within Hope was changing. Something that had to do with love and its purest form of affection. Something Grace had worried about for so long, and yet now couldn't help but feel relieved it happened with such an amusing individual.

Frankie Parker was a factor that Hope hadn't known until she came to study here. Not only was he chivalrous enough to aid her with these plans of hers, something that should have normally shied away many friends due to the nature of that personal mission, but he was also so adorable himself when it came in hiding his own feelings to her daughter.

A human with many doubts, he still carried himself with a smile and degree of kindness that was unusual for someone here at school. That was how Hope mentioned him early on. Someone that she just had to tie herself in due to circumstances. Cute reasons that saw these two cooperate for some actually successful plans to see Shin approaching Hope more into a more intense relationship. It wasn't going to happen for these two to end up together but… the 'hope' wasn't going to go away for little Hopers.

"I assume you will have some results in a couple of months. I'm glad to hear that," Grace commented happily. Despite her certainty in her daughter's path to little defeat, she couldn't just bring her down like this. Not when there was someone at the end of that route that was going to give her the love she needed. It was only going to take a little amount of time- she could feel it was getting so close.

As the younger Prime nodded at that comment, the sounds of giggles filled the room as they both turned to see that a couple of individuals were approaching. The first one to come into sight in the hallway was an annoyed Kate. The woman was holding her arms together, looking away at the Wisdom Crest as she clutched at her like a child that didn't want to go to school.

"Kaaaate. Save me from Carmesi."

"She isn't even there, Ambar. You could at least not latch onto my wife like that," Bengala commented sheepishly, holding a sleepy Geecku while patting her head. "I mean, don't you have to check on your daughter-"

"That was the first thing I did when I came here," The High Prime interjected, still whining. "So, when that terrible woman comes, I can be ready to-"

"Ambar?" Grace called out with a calm and soothing voice. The effect was instantaneous, with the Bear Prime's attention suddenly turned away from Kate and right back at the Love Crest. Hope had to move away as the redhead rushed for a tight hug with the fellow friends.

"Grace! I need your help with Carmesi."

The woman giggled. "Don't worry, I'll protect you from her, care bear."

A tiny blush appeared on the High Prime's face at that cute pet name, but in the end they both shared a laugh at the long-awaited reunion. It was the first time so many Crests were reunited in a single place that wasn't the Gathering. It was also unusual to see Kate in such a place. Sure, her son was there, but Grace would have expected for Bengala alone to take care of this entire situation.

It was odd to see the Crest of Light breaking off from her self-exile from modern society, but… didn't Hope say something about her having discussed this with Shin? She could clearly remember some issues between Kate and her son about him coming to study here at Prism Uni. Perhaps something else happened that Hope didn't tell her, something that had changed things to the point where Kate relented on this circumstance?

"Grace."

"It's been so long Kate, Bengala… and my, oh my. Hello to you too, Geecku."

The Life Crest detached from the Tiger Prime and giggled while walking closer to the fellow Crest. "Gracie!"

Hope stared at the scene with a mix of wonder and confusion. This was the first time she saw so many Crest behaving so friendly with mom. Well… to this degree at least. Yet she was glad to finally make the acquaintance with 'Geecku', the 'curious' friend that Frankie made a few days earlier. She quickly realized where the unusual behavior of the woman was, with her English partially broken and her sudden interest in being close and in touch with people. Grace could only giggle mirthfully as both Ambar and Geecku were snuggling with her without any shame in their actions. The scene didn't seem to gain any shock from the rest of the Crests and… it was clear that it was actually something they were accustomed to see from their mostly defeated looks. The only one being fine with this was Bengala.

Despite this moment of calm and peace that lasted about twenty minutes of pleasant conversations between the parents, Grace decided that it wouldn't do if they spent the entire day there when there was so much that needed to be done. And to do so, she decided to come up with a twist in their discussion.

"Well, I don't know you all but… I have to see if my dear husband and youngest child haven't destroyed anything yet. Plus… I would like to get to see the other parents, there is this young man I also would like to meet and-"

"Oh, are you referring to Mr. Parker?" Ambar interjected with a fascinated tone, while Geecku perked with child-like interest.

"Frankie?"

"I wasn't aware that you knew about Parker-san, Geecku," Kate confessed with a perplexed look, while Bengala merely limited his surprise to a deeply-amused look now plastered on his face.

That detail seemed to stir quite the reaction from the rest of the group. A completely positive one from the looks of it. And that caught Grace off-guard since she hadn't thought that the other parents had the pleasure to meet the young man before her. It made her a tiny bit jealous, but also even more interested by the degree of amusement that was soon to come when she finally had the opportunity to have a talk in person with him.

With the small entourage of Crests making their way towards the main courtyard, Hope lagged a little behind as she pondered about the situation that was soon about to come. Things could either take an awkward shift really soon or perhaps something calmer was about to come out of this. Only time was going to bring out the truth.

But for now…

Worry, panic and dread as she imagined the disaster when Vixy brought her parents to meet Frankie. It was going to be equally legendary and horrible at the same time! She had to make plans to save him!

Miles wasn't exactly sure how this actually happened. One moment he was wondering when he was going to be pitied by some of his friends' parents since his own couldn't come to check on him today, then he was suddenly pulled in a quick hug by a human woman with blonde hair, pretty blue eyes and a familiar kind smile.

Of course he wasn't alone when that happened, with Shin following his steps together with his little sister which seemed to stare at him a lot for some reason. Maybe it was because he looked cool? Or maybe because he looked so odd in there.

The last one hit him really awkwardly, and yet it soon disappeared the moment the embrace unfolded. The woman giggled and pulled away for a moment.

"Are you Miles? I can tell your face is one only a 'Miles' can have," The kind lady asked kindly.

Ah?

The woman giggled. "Miles Lionheart. I think you're my baby boy's friend. Frankie."

Now that actually made sense to him. He nodded and soon he was pulled in another hug. A giggle, he felt really warm due to how nice the embrace just felt in that moment. So sudden, so loving. So motherly.

He was caught off-guard in the fullest and unable to say anything as the woman went through a rapid-fire introduction from the lady. It was clear that it was Frankie's mother, but now he knew her full name was Coraline Parker and that she was now interacting with Shin and his sister.

"And hello to you two, little ones."

"M-Mrs. Parker, I'm actually a student-" A flustered Shin muttered nervously, unsure how to handle that coddling.

"That doesn't mean I should treat you like a lovely young man you are, Mr. Aryoko."

His green eyes widened in surprise. "Y-You know me?"

"Well, Frankie told me about you and Miles. He is rather fond of you two as his friend and… to think you have also such a cutie for a sister."

"Thank you for the kind words, lady," Hikari replied chirpily, drawing a wider smile from the human woman.

"Aww, and what's your name?"

"Hikari," The young Prime answered and the motherly lady nodded.

"A pretty name for such a little cutie, how about I give you a little hug?"

The girl didn't refuse the offer, and, taking a few steps forward, allowed herself to be engulfed by a loving hug. Nuzzling her head onto the woman's shoulder, Mrs. Parker hummed happily as she caressed her upper back.

I guess that's where Frankie's obsession to hug Tiggs comes from.

Miles was quite sure of this and, while he would have waited for this strange meeting to settle to a form of normality, he was surprised when someone spoke up beside him.

"Apologies for her suddenness," A older brown-eyed version of Frankie that was now standing beside him commented sheepishly, his intrusion almost getting the Cat Prime to just be surprised. "She can be quite touchy with people that are friends to our family. I'm Frankie's father, Nolan."

The student nodded. "I'm Miles-"

"Frankie spoke highly of you Miles. A good friend, but one that is working on finding his own way. How are you doing right now, son?"

Should he say something about it? That question had felt more appropriate to ask himself about when it was just his friends inquiring or even when he imagined the pitying he was supposed to receive by these folks. Yet he was being treated way nicer and way more honest for his mind to just accept this route of action. Against his previously good judgment, he decided to let out a couple of issues he was having with his grades.

They were busy in that pleasant conversation that things seemed to be fine for them all, and then someone else took this situation to properly join the conversation, this time with a more touchy approach than the one used by Frankie's mother. The blonde was caught off-guard when someone actually walked behind her and pulled her in a sudden hug. The Tiger Prime had some familiar features to a certain tall young woman, but she was shorter and a little rounder on the pleasant side. Her hair was red and set free as the scarlet locks flowed down to a little above her butt.

The surprising meeting was ultimately unveiled as one moment he would have never expected to be a spectator of, especially when it was confirmed that this new lady was none other than Traci's mother, and that she had been thrilled to meet both her daughter's newest friend and his parents. Much to his surprise, both women hit it off way better than expected and… it sure things escalated even further when another mother decided to join in with that bizarre befriending session. Taller than Tiggs and definitely more renowned than her, Tila Sunrise was here and… she looked as gorgeous as his magazines. An Amazon of a Snow Leopard Prime with pure white hair that loving curled and stretched down her frame, her pretty blue eyes were shining with cleverness that was just well-hidden away with her simple manners. She was an impressive that was known to be rich, renowned as a celebrity for her chains of Hotels, the 'Sunrise Inns'.

It was also, through reunion of loving mothers that it became apparent to Miles that Shin actually had a fair taste in women from the silly reaction he had when Tila appeared to his sight. The White Tiger Prime seemed to be into big ladies from the looks of it and… now he could understand why he seemed to be a little more open when talking to Naerie compared to Hope when it came to romance. Poor girl never had a chance since the game had been rigged from the start.

Things were still going pretty smoothly, and even though Nolan was quick to grow distracted as he greeted the new ladies in the group, he still offered Miles quite the advice when it came in seducing ladies and finding the best schedule to handle his school-related stuff and the rest of things that were troublesome for a guy like him. The situation was pretty stable as far as he could tell since Mrs. Parker's quirkiness was evenly split between entertaining the Aryoko siblings and chatting quite animatedly with the two fellow mothers that were easily becoming her newest friends… that is until a degree of peer pressure started to impose itself upon the entire courtyard.

Frankie was there with Tiggs and they both were being introduced to a certain Fox Prime's dad. The predicament looked quite tense from afar. While Vixy was keeping beside who Miles couldn't only guess was her father as the man looked flatly at their mutual friends, the other guy and his daughter were standing tensely in front of an angry-looking older version of Vixy. Except this one instead of red hair combined with yellow had actually a chocolate-brown shade to it and looked absolutely murderous and ready to actually kill somebody in that precise moment.

With one scene looking like a fierce battle in the making and the other looking like something worse as a parent stared straight at the one that his daughter is currently dating, no sane person would have jumped at the opportunity to introduce. And yet both Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Biggs seemed to take this challenge with pride as they rushed up at the situation and quickly spoke with the opposing sides.

Vixy's mom seemed to pause in surprise at the arrival of a human mom, while her father merely gazed at the cheerful Tiger Prime. Miles wasn't sure what was happening in that precise moment since he was pretty far from the scene but… something was indeed happening as the belligerent behavior of the cheerleader's parents.

One thing was sure to poor Miles. From the chuckles from Frankie's father and the muttering of 'Caroline doing her thing', the Cat Prime couldn't help but feel that this wasn't the first time the human woman had managed something this impressive and… he was really confused by her overall set of skills. Now he could see why Frankie said that the first greeting with his mother was going to be quite intense to face.

If only he knew that this was just the beginning and now the setting for a crazy stage was prepared for quite a couple of amusing sights.

AN

So… what's with you and Carmesi?

There are things that can be said and… things that are best left untouched after so long.

I suppose that's a sore spot… what about Tila. She is here.

Yesss- let me at her and… I promise I will be good to you for a week.

Two months.

Five days.

...That's not how this is supported to work.

Two days.

Ambar-

Give me a hug~!

GAH!