Here's the next chapter of 2B and 9S's story. Hope you enjoy!

The school bell rang, signifying the end of class. It was break time, and students began to file into the school hall. Most of them were heading to the canteen.

Shauna, however, decided to stay in class. Retrieving a lunchbox from her bag, she opened it, peering at its contents. There were some eclairs and a packet of fruits. Eclairs were Alain's specialty, and he has spent years perfecting his very own recipe.

Shauna nibbled at the pastry, wondering what "secret ingredient" her father has added this time. He liked doing this, saying that it'd hone her sense of taste. It was also a method to get his daughter's opinion before deciding if said eclair can make it to the display cases of the bakery. Shauna surmised that her father added caramel this time.

She looked out of the windows. There were a few birds soaring about in the sky. She wondered if they were mocking her with how carefree they were.

Lunch break was over as soon as it started. Shauna cleared her table as she prepared for the next class. Her classmates began to enter the class in a steady flow, as though the sand flowing in an hourglass.

Their class teacher walked in. She waited for the students to settle down before she began to say anything.

"Alright, students, we'll be having two new transfer students joining our class," she said as she clapped her hands together.

"My prediction was right, there were new students coming in today after all," whispered a redheaded girl with wild hair to her desk mate.

The desk mate, with straight red hair, responded with "I've always wondered how you got information like this,"

The new students walked into the class.

"Wait, aren't they-" the first girl began to say.

"Let's just keep quiet and see how this pans out,"

Shauna was positively surprised. By saying they don't attend school yet, they're just under process of moving into her school, and share the same class as her, no less? 'The school uniform really suits them,' she thought.

"Please introduce yourselves," announced the teacher.

2B went first. "Good morning, everyone. I am Secunda Borealis. I am looking forward to spend the school year with you all,"

She stepped to the side as 9S came forward. "Hi everyone, I'm Nonus Scientia, and you can call me Nines. I hope we can all get along well,"

That being said, both the androids bowed. As the class clapped, the students began to talk about the newcomers among themselves.

"Secunda and Nonus will join us for two months, or maybe longer, so do your best to be of assistance to them. Secunda, Nonus, there are two tables prepared for you at the back, so please make yourselves comfortable," said the teacher. Turning to the class, she began to pick up from where they have left off.

"2B, did you spot Shauna anywhere?" 9S asked as he put the books on his table.

"Wasn't she near a pair of red-haired girls?" 2B answered as she caught said pair glancing at her. She recognised the pair. "Wait, aren't they from the Resistance Camp?"

"They're the ones who needed desert roses before, right? If they're right here, does that mean Anemone, Jackass and the others are fine?"

"I don't know, 9S. We can ask the questions later, so let's focus in class right now,"

-

The final school bell rang. The teachers wrapped up their classes and sent the students off. The redheaded twins approached the androids.

"Hey there," greeted Popola.

"Hello, Popola," replied 9S.

"Why pick Secunda and Nonus, when you could've just went by 2B and 9S?" Devola asked.

"Would it seem strange if we're addressed by our YoRHa code names?" 2B responded as she finished packing.

"That's true," agreed Devola. "Anyway, what brings you two here?"

9S decided to be cheeky. "I don't know, why are you here?"

"We figured that school would be the best place to expand our knowledge, and to watch the humans," answered Popola instead. "Anemone agreed on letting us study here," she added.

"There you have your answer," replied 9S.

2B was more interested in the latter information. "The people from the Resistance Camp are safe?"

"Yeah, Anemone leads them as a community," answered Devola.

"You should visit us sometime," added Popola. She pulled out a memo pad and jotted down the address. Tearing the page out before handing it to 2B, she said, "It's kind of far away, so you don't really need to oblige yourself to come,"

"Then why bother giving them the address?" Devola asked indignantly.

"We'll visit you guys, so don't worry about that, Devola," said 9S.

There was a pause. "You promised, okay? You'd better fulfill it. Come, Popola, let's go home now," said Devola finally, as she made her way to the door.

Popola waved at the androids before following suit.

2B folded the paper and carefully tucked it into her blazer pocket. She picked up her schoolbag and rose from her seat. "Come on, 9S. There's no sense for us to be dawdling here,"

When they exited the school, they noticed Shauna waiting at the front gate.

"Who are you waiting for?" 9S asked.

"Oh, I'm just waiting for you two since I didn't have the chance to talk to you today," answered Shauna.

"We can talk on the way home, so let's go," suggested 9S.

-

Bonus*

"... wake up..."

"...9S..."

I'm immobilized. I can't even hack into my own system to troubleshoot the problems.

'Do you really love 2B?'

What? Of course I do.

... This voice sounds familiar. To be honest, this setup itself feels familiar. Have I done this before?

'Are you sure?'

Why would I doubt it? Yeah, it might be one-sided, but who knows? I might be able to win her heart over. I can try and try.

'Even at the cost that she'll break you over and over, or even kill you?'

Why'd she do this to me? Is there a reason for her to do so?

I still could not hack into my system, no matter how hard I tried.

Someone grabbed my shoulders. The darkness has dissipated. Adam stood before me, his scarlet eyes betraying no emotion. I remember now. The voice belonged to him.

"Hasn't it always been your goal to * her? Go, do it," he cajoled.

No! I'll never do that! Why would I do this to someone I love? Adam is lying. I'm sure of it.

Adam's eyes glowed as he repeated the words "kill" over and over again. He began to shake me violently.

-

"Nines? Nines, wake up! You're going to be late for school!"

I finally managed to open my eyes. 2B was gripping my shoulders, her sky blue eyes telling me that she was beginning to become annoyed. Or was it worried? She shook me once more.

"Stop!" I managed to blurt. I've become dizzy. When I've returned to normal, 2B let me go.

She was in full uniform, which was a white shirt and a black tie underneath a black blazer. The blazer has two red lines running at the cuff, and also on the edges of the lapels. The school emblem was emblazoned on the left sleeve. 2B also wore a pleated thigh length skirt.

"If you don't mind me saying, you're really beautiful in the school uniform," I said.

2B seemed to have softened for a second, but all of it was replaced by steel. "I don't have time for empty flattery, 9S. Now change, quickly,"

She left my room. I noticed a fresh pair of uniform hanging at the door. It was ironed well, without a wrinkle in sight. 21O must've hung it there after I'd retired for the night.

-

"Ah, 9S. What took you so long? I shall be accompanying you there today since there are still some issues left to be cleared up," said 21O after giving my uniform an once over. There was a folder under her arms.

"What's in the folder, Operator?" I pointed at them.

"They're the papers necessary for your transfer into the school, of course," she answered matter-of-factly. "Come now, we mustn't waste any more time,"

Kainé looked sad that we weren't able to bring it along. I patted its head affectionately before leaving for school.

I couldn't think of any other surnames for 9S, so I decided to borrow Ignis's. What should the androids do with Devola and Popola?