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Vindictus was docked that morning on a makeshift spaceport. The bugles and trumpets played throughout the hallways of the terminal announcing the arrival of the Blanmanche's fleet and the Imperial navy, side by side.

We gathered by the door of the terminal. The doors hiss open, cheering echoes from the tunnel. Kazuya however was quiet, and said very little. It had been a week since the girl Kahlua perished.

He stared contently, lost in a sort of trance. "Leave him be, Mori," Takuto called, drawing me closer, "Kahlua was important to him, all of us, actually. It'll take some time."

Apricot ran forward to him along with Nano and Anise. "Kazuya," she tugged on him, but he shook her off. "S-sorry for what happened," she frowned. They approached us. Anise shrugged, "So. Is Mint Blanmanche here?"

"Almost," Takuto smiled dreamily. "You' know Mint, do you, Takuto?"

"Yes, it was like a yesterday that was ten years ago. Oh right, it was."

"Funny..," I fidget a bit. What would Mint look like? She must be a pretty athletic model in a business suit. The rumors were always juicy, that she could read minds, influence events, and mass charisma to charm men. She sounded like God.

"Say, Takuto.. You've heard the juicy bits of information about Blanmanche?"

"From my planet? Yeah, but.. Don't let it get to your head."

Hmm? What did he mean? Mint stepped inside the terminal halls decorated in the a decorative dress with the blue colors of the Blanmanche corporation. Everyone gasped..

It was a little girl with bunny ears. One of the biggest celebrities in the galaxy is a midget bride. I was about to cry out how disappointed this all was until she stopped to look at me.

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"My, my, you must be the new commander. I was expecting a boy, haha. You surprised me," she offered a handshake. Should I? Everyone looked with ease and readied cameras, videos of the event. I might as well.

We shook firmly without being the least bit meek or awkward, "Were you expecting someone else, Mori? I am Mint Blanmanche if you're curious," she giggled playfully.

"Of. Of course not," I saluted, "It's a pleasure to see the CEO of Blanmanche."

She turned to the door which she came from. Through the windows we saw a shuttle fly past the tremendous display of battleships. "Blanmanche.. If you mind me asking, where did you get all these ships?"

" A fundraiser for the rich and famous on my planet," she tipped her dress. Humbled, I watched all classes of civilian freighters decorated with arms take their turn docking.

"Hi, hi!" Sakuraba waved, Takuto approached. "My, you've two grown since we last met."

"You, too, Mint," she patted her on the hand, "A few inches."

"Now, now no joking, Milfie. Takuto, we have important business don't we?"

Kazuya steps forward, "That's right. We should hurry to the briefing room." He shook his head and walked off. Mint and the Angels were left skeptic and worried. "Troubled..I feel he's in pain..," Mint flopped her ears.

So the rumors were true. She winked an eye at me. "Hmm.. Well, we should hurry after him. I guess." She held her hand up, "There's someone else that I need to introduce...a priestess in charge of the coordination between the Imperial navy and the Emblem Frames."

Priestess, Shatoyarn? The lady of the White Moon? It would make sense she was the creator practically of the fist Moon Angel frames.. Before they were destroyed. My anticipation was met with a sound of bugles as the doors and carpet rolled out. I was soon disappointed however, but also curious.

A women in a dark priestess gown glided through the men saluting her, escorted by Ranpha and a man in gray.

"The entire crew is here," the man speaks in an indifferent tone, pushing his eye-patch back. "All right, shall we get to business?"

There was distant exchange of names and information about the angels unknown to me. Natsume present gave me a warm smile and guided me to the briefing room.

Everyone followed behind and we all sat down. The cold eyes of the Dark Priestess were fixed on the map and me. She sighed, and took off her veil that covered her face. She is a brunette, a very quiet one, too.

"I was brought here to work out the details of the liberation of Magic. It's no easy task.. But we will be bringing the Rune Angel Troupe back into active duty. Is that fine with you, Kazuya?"

"Yes, Noah."

So this girl is Noah..where have I heard that name before.

"You're aware of the risks piloting the Emblem Frames again, Kazuya?"

"After what happened to Kahlua, it's a risk I'm willing to take."

Wait, risk? Everyone stared at me. Did I say that out loud? "Yes?" she asked irritated.

"No one told me about the risks. I thought the Rune Angel troupe was disbanded and only following the Vindictus. What about this-"

Natsume grabbed me by the arm. I shook her off. Anise whispered to me, "Do you have a death-wish? Do you know who you're talking to?"

I stood up. I didn't care who she was, nobody told me about the so-called risks. Not even Takuto. "What risks are w talking about? No one said anything about it when I joined the Angel Troupe. No one said anything about it before when the Rune and Moon angel troupe were assembled!"

She nods, "So Takuto didn't tell you."

I felt betrayed. "So he lied to me." He hanged his head in shame.

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"He was supposed to inform you like the rest of Saint Angel troupe, but that shouldn't be a problem. You are aware who I am, yes?"

"Noah. I've heard you from somewhere.. You're a moon-priestess."

"Yes, and the director of Emblem-frame research, next to Shatoyarn, someone much more famous."

I nod, so she's a second in command. Like me. Though that's where the similarities end.

"Alright.. We've recently discovered a flaw in the Emblem Frame's HALO system. The longer you user it, you will begin to lose years from your life without proper care. I originally tried to mass-produce them. Only until I found out about the risks that I ruled it implausible and discontinued them. Subjects became more stressed and depressed over the course of years. That is why the Rune Angel troupe were originally disbanded."

"So.. Eventually, I'll-"

"If we keep your spirits at your best, it won't happen until later in life. Takuto is starting to show the symptoms actually, he's begin to get more serious. For a change."

"Hey, hey, that's supposed to be a bad thing."

My troupe stood close by me as if to say it would be alright. Things would be okay.

"Is that all, Mori?"

"Yes..."

She sighs and reads the map routes given by Alexander. "I've never seen this system before. Is your machine broken?"

I want to punch this air-head, but she's a priestess. A rude one though. I sigh and soften my fists, "Yes..."

"Noah. Blanmanche will explore this region." The little girl Mint bowed humbly.

Takuto raised his hand, "Wait, what about me?"

"Right, you. Protect Ranpha and me. By taking the long route."

"Why, Noah? What's wrong?" he pours coffee into his overflowing cup.

"The mercenary fleet will be much faster."

"And the imperial fleet, Noah?"

She raises her finger to Magic, "We will gather at this station and then move rally at Magic. Ranpha," she stared at the ambassador who moved and responded little to her grim expression, "Remember this mission is not important, to only you. I hope you don't mind if I oversee management and training of the Angel Troupe from now on."

I turn to my leader and role models, "Takuto, Ranpha."

"It's alright, Mori. Noah won't bite."

The girl in black blushes, "Quiet. This is a briefing room." Her cold eyes pierce my chest.

Noah sighs, "That will be all, everyone except for the angel troupes, Rune and Saint stay."

Mint gets up first and hurries past me. She whispers into my ear, "Don't be afraid of Noah. She's much kinder than she seems. If she wasn't, Shatoyarn wouldn't have allowed her to be here."

That was a relief..Mint's reading me like a book. It has to be true then, that Noah cares.. Funny way of showing how much she cares.

"Mori," she called. Time to talk with her then. I step forward.

Kazuya was on my right, standing formally with Nano-Nano, Apricot Sakuraba, and Anise while the Saint Angel Troupe stood behind us. Fleur tugged on Apricot's shoulder.

"Not now, Fleur," she whispers. He sighs, "Very well, dear cousin.

"Mori, there is an important defense system in the North of Magic Desert called Acre Peak. A chain of mountains no one is allowed in. Anyone who has flied around this area, civilian or military alike would get shot down."

The computer zooms in on the north pole of Magic, obscured by mountains and spirals of clouds. The Order really is up to something.

"We need a volunteer to go with you, alone to to Acre preak.

"I can handle this," Anise steps forward, "My family was a famous treasure hunting party, I can help Mori through the system."

"That's right, we'll need to train you as quickly as possbile to fly in an Emblem Frame again."

"Hah, that won't be necessary. I took out hundreds of fighters on my own-"

Kazuya brushes aside Anise and looks Noah in the eye, "That's not necessary. I should go. The Magician planet was Kahlua's birthplace. And we've vacationed there for a while after Anise joined the troupe for the first time."

"The stress that you will go through will be much worse than last time. Anise would be better suited for the mission. Are you sure you want to continue?"

"Yes."

"Very well.. It doesn't matter as long as the mission is complete. Here's what you are going to do," the screen shows a recording of a private jet flying through the cold mountains with the peaks showing below and the clouds stirring.

It steered through the peaks until a mountain appeared in its immediate front. The jet was about to ascend over the peak when a rocket burst from the ground and destroyed it in a violent cloud of fire.

"What just happened?" I cringed.

"That was one of our planes. It appears that the system shoots at a certain altitude. You'll have to prepare to fly through the peaks and around the mountains. Oh, Anise, that was Blanmanche's private jet. I didn't tell her, but please pay that off."

"What?! I worked so hard to-"

She digressed, "We will start the mission once Sigurd and the imperial navy come. Then we can split up, the Blanmanche group headed to the secret route and you moving ahead of Takuto's fleet. Until, then, I want you to train in the simulation rooms supervised by me until further notice. Is that understood?"

I turned to Kazuya. There was some sort of negativity, pain and vengeance possibly, in his eyes.

"Noah.. I'm worried for Kazuya, are you sure-"

"Is that understood?"

"Yes..Noah."

"Soldiers are soldiers. He will find his way," she rests her hand on Kazuya's shoulder. "You are dismissed, Angels."

The rest of the angel troupe had already left. Fleur gave me one last as he left the room last. I turned to Noah who was looking through the maps. She had a necklace around her neck with the locket of the Black Moon. Fitting personality for a moon-priestess like her.

I better not disturb her. I walked out the room and looked around the terminal when I saw an arrow pointing to the lounge. It's a good place to rest for the meantime. What is it that Generals do before battle anyway? I guess plan...well, it's already done I guess I get a break?

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I was walking through a hallway of men on duty when I bumped into Takuto. He was distressed, carrying a bag of flour looking around. "Is something wrong, Takuto?"

"Nothing at all."

"Okay then. Have a nice day," I step forward.

"No, wait! I'm.. I'm.. Kind of lost."

"What do you mean by lost? Takuto you're supposed to know the spaceport inside out, don't tell me you forgot."

"No!"

I breath a sigh of relief, "Thank goodness.."

"I forgot where I'm supposed to go."

I smack my head. "Hey don't harm your cheeks, Mori." I blush at his remark. Takuto was turning into a pretty lewd man, a married one. "That's not the point.. We have to find out where you're supposed to go."

"Sure, sweetheart..."

"Takuto, you're married."

"Oh, ohh that's right. Um..It's a dangerous business.. With something explosive.. I have to deal with it right away!"

"Wait, explosives, what? Is the ship in danger?!"

Ms. Sakuraba taps Takuto on the shoulder. "Oh there you are, Milfie. I've been looking for you."

"Wait.. What."

"Thanks, Mori-senpai!" he pats me on the head. My heart throbs, "Stop that. Besides.. Milfeulle is here.. And your wife."

"Vanilla doesn't mind. You're like another daughter to me, anyway."

I haven't seen Vanilla in ages, nor Chitose or Forte were they alright? Takuto, reading my expression shook his head, "Don't worry about them, they'll be alright. I believe in them. Anyway, before I leave, check on Anise, Ranpha, and Kazuya. They seem down."

"The halo system won't work if they're not feeling good...Hey, Takuto. Do you think the HALO system is worth.."

"It's a risk, but everyone is depending on us. We can't let them down. We should focus on the now and worry about the later.. Well, later."

"Right," I walk up to a holocron map of the spaceport. "I'll be leaving then, Mori. Good luck!"

"Thanks!"

He disappeared in the crowd of people marching in multiple directions. Thanks, Takuto. Well, it's my job to lead everyone. Just like Takuto."

I head to the lounge, where Anise was devouring her food while mumbling to Ranpha.

"Good morning," I bowed to them. "Hello," Ranpha smiles and scoots over while Anise maintains a grumble. She gets off her seat, "I need to get back to the shop."

"In the middle of a campaign?"

"We still have some time to rest. Besides, I have a contract with Blanmanche. She's going to be at my neck again if I'm not at the store."

"Okay.. Hey, Anise! Do you still have the birthstones?"

"Yeah, why do you ask?"

"Save a pearl for me."

She shrugs lightly, "Sure."

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I sat down with Ranpha, who was eating a bowl of curry and jotting through paperwork. She was engrossed in it, her eyes tense. "What's the paperwork for?"

"I still have my duty as ambassador to Magic. So there is paperwork that needs to be filled out."

"But Ranpha, aren't we at war?"

"Even so, I still have to work things out through diplomacy. It's my job after all."

She put down her spoon in a sort of contemplation. "You really care about Magic, don't you, Ranpha?"

"That's a stupid question. Of course I do."

"Why though?"

She tasted her curry and pushed it to the side, sighing, "They're family. You wouldn't be able to understand unless you're on the planet."

"Maybe I can, I was born on a farm planet after all where the community is small, but has a lot of heart. May I?" I point to the bowl.

"I won't be eating it, you may." I pull it towards me and add some salt and pepper. To my right, a leftover plate Anise didn't finish. I took that, too.

Ranpha eases for a bit after signing two to three papers. Then turns her attention to another pile of paperwork. "Mori, do you remember the girl Kahlua?"

"Yeah..when she died.. Kazuya.. Ranpha do you really think talking to them now will do anything?"

"Mori, it seems tough...but we have to try. They'll seem stubborn and not want to talk to us-"

"So why try after we declared war on them?" I interjected.

"I was stubborn too, Mori. When I first met Takuto I didn't accept him as commander. Trust takes time. When I trusted him I found out he wasn't such a bad guy. Now that you're the commander, I have to take time to accept the fact you're leading now, not Takuto. The people on Magic are the same way. It seems hard, but if we can try, it'll be worth it if we succeed. Peace should always be considered even when we fight."

"You're stubborn, Ranpha," I groan.

"That's why I'm an ambassador," she laughs.

"Good luck, Ranpha," I salute her.

"You're so grown up dressed in your uniform talking to me like that. I wouldn't guess you're a girl. I remember only yesterday, we only had male commanders and female angels," she burst into a fit of laughter.

"Mori, Noah would like to proceed to the simulation zone. Nano-Nano also said hi."

Looks like I have to go, not before doing one last thing. I gave her the bowl with a few "extra ingredients. She peers into the bowl with a curious gaze. "Try it, it's called gumbo on my planet."

"Thanks," she sniffs the scent of the food and lets out a "Mmm."

The spaceport was much like a palace with encouraging boards of letters and pictures, juxtaposed by services offered by Mint Blanmanche: a post office and a few phone booths. Awfully nice of her.

I could use it to phone in my foster parents.. But I have a place I need to go to a.s.a.p. It should be up ahead, a central plaza overlooked by a giant dome casting shadows over the pilots and personnel crowded inside capsules lined along the coliseum of trainees. Anise runs past me, but I stop her with a salute. "Commander," she sighs grudgingly.

"Why are you in a hurry? Training hasn't even begun."

She limps a few steps back as I approach her. "Hey, what's the matter with your leg?"

"Nothing, I'm going to get it checked by John and Cera. Then I'm going to reprot to Manny for interrogation."

"They put you in charge of that in the condition you're in?"

"You're not my mom. Geez, I'll be fine. Really."

"Get to the infirmary, I'll take care of the interrogation," I wave to a attendant patrolling the hall. They get a crutch. "Why do you care so much," Anise sighs at me while holding on. "It's my job."

"I have a job, too. Don't worry about me."

"We all need help sometimes. Anise."

"Fine, do you know anything about interrogating?"

Come to think of it.. Anise doesn't give me a chance to respond, seeing how I paused with a brief worry and futile attempt to recollect memories or reasoning. "I'll have a seat and instruct you, until then."

"Of course, you can count on me."

"Yeah, yeah," she carries herself through the hall. The attendant wrapped their arm around her but she shoved him off.

Noah grilled the cadets. Among them Kazuya stressfully screamed expletives over his simulation plane flying poorly.

Hull: Damaged Pilot: Dead

"Dammit..," Kazuya punched the console.

"What were you doing steering like that? The Braveheart is not designed for you to run and fire like a trigger happy mongrel. You'll get yourself killed like that."

Kazuya gnashed his tooth, his fingers wrists shaking, "I'm trying, but-"

"Maybe you should get some rest. We can have someone rotate with you for the time being-"

"No!"

Noah notices me. With another sigh and lamenting eyes she nudged me to come closer. "The results of the Rune Angel troupe is not... Very satisfactory. We need to reconsider Anise."

Kazuya pushed the buttons incessantly, engrossed in his objective. "I can't do that, Noah. Anise has a bad leg. Besides, look at him. He's important to the mission and the people of Magic. He has to be there."

"Defective pilots unable to cope with the HALO system will put everyone on this mission in grave danger. I won't allow you to use the Emblem frames in such conditions."

"Kazuya's been through worse, trust him."

"...Fine. Humans are so stubborn."

I stare angrily at her for that remark. She shrugs unapologetically, "Well that's what I like about you. I'll train Kazuya the best I can, Mori go check on Anise."

"What about Kazuya? Shouldn't I help?"

"It's your job to lead everyone. Not just me and Kazuya. Visit Anise and see if she's okay."

"Right." I didn't want to argue with that. It was fair enough, though Kazuya..I hope he'll be alright. Anise was waiting with a cast over her leg and a haranguing Nano-Nano. "You shouldn't push yourself so hard!" Anise crossed her arms, "Whatever."

She pressed her hands on her wounded leg and the magic light wrapped around her leg with a flurry of nano-bots. Anise rips off the cast, "Argh, it still stings."

"What's the matter are you like me?"

"No, I'm just getting old." That was an odd thing to say, she's hardly in her 30's in fact she might have turned 18 not long ago. "That's hard to believe," I muttered sarcastically. "Quiet, Mori. I've had so many injuries, it's hard to move."

She swings open the door and bolts inside. Her grimacing face was gone and her limp invisible. Manny sat in a confine glass box with the light spot on him.

"Evening, senoritas. I suppose you want to question the bandido."

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Anise shakes her fist but holds it back against her chist."I swear Manny, if you talk one more time like that I am going to-"

"Anise.. That's enough." For the rest of the interrogation she remains quiet. Fortunately

"Let's start with the first question, who hired you?"

"A special client that wants Normad back on Magic."

"Lucious?" I stare closely at him. He simply leans back in his chair. "You see.. Normad is a gift stolen from the people of Magic, a special computer built into a missile by the Edenians..."

"Yeah, I know about that. Eden had a lot of technology throughout the universe, but what makes Normad special enough to steal."

"His roots..he goes back to a time when Eden was.. A military state."

A time when Eden was at war..Transbaal collected a lot of information of the Edenian days and had finished their last archaeology operations in the JUNO system. Not once did an expert tell me about Eden being a military state..

"I don't believe you. This might be a trick, you have done it before."

"Yes, but that was to retrieve Normad. He is not here and I have no reason to. Eonia must have him."

Anise slammed the table. Manny did not flinch nor move to notice Anise's temper. He focused closely on me like I was a stranger or newcomer, in a sense I was. I am.

"My reasons for taking Normad you see are my mine alone. He is a treasure that is mine to cherish."

"Normad is a gift given to us by the ambassadors of Magic. The Grand council won't allow Eonia or you have it and run away."

"But that is the problem, it is not theirs to give. The Grand Council gave you a beautiful gift, to be a bomb. More or less, a talking bomb. Such intimidation can be achieved with a tool."

"I don't believe Normad is a weapon. He's more like an intelligent computer."

"Intelligent computer, do you believe he can truly be wise in the thoughts and emotions of human beings? To use his might correctly?"

"I believe he can. I don't know...why," I rub my head. "I have this feeling that.. he's in pain, like he was forced into something."

"Very perceptive. Miss, what is your name?" he rises from his seat and presses his face against the light and glass of the the cube which was his cell. "Why do you want Normad? For Magic? For Transbaal's mission, an excuse to make war, or for yourself?"

Anise pulled out her dagger. "Don't, you won't be able to get through the glass." I walked up to him.

I tapped the glass once and he did not flinch at all. "I want Normad, because he's funny." He sat down stupidly, "Well, perhaps we can share?"

"Share with a bandit? Are you insane?!" anise punches the glass.

"That's enough!" I shout and pull her away. "You were a thief once, too. Isn't that, correct, Ms. Azeat?"

She looks away not to give him more of the satisfaction in his lips. She exits the room with the door slamming behind her. "We don't have a reason to share anything with you."

"But you do, I know where they are bringing Normad?" I lean forward into the glass, he's whispering infamous words, "Acre Hill."

"Acre Hill?"

"The most defended and mysterious place on Magic. If you bring me with you, I will lead you to him."

"How can I trust you?"

"They always ask that," he mutters to himself, "You can trust Anise. Besides, you need Normad because of his knowledge, remove him and replace the bomb with a regular chip."

"How will we know Normad won't be dead when we remove him?"

"The people of Eden have used computers like him in many, many, many things. He will take time to adjust, but he will."

"Fine," I walk outside the room. Anise is leaning against a wall with a bad feeling of paranoia. "Isn't Kazuya supposed to be the only one going with you on the mission?"

"Yes..."

"Yet you made a deal with him. What do you think'll happen if he finds out?"

I deject her, "He won't! ...Because you're going to accompany us as escort."

"Wait.. What do you mean escort?"

"it takes a thief to know one."

"Treasure hunter," she corrects with frustration. I shake my head, "Right. Noah said we would go alone, but there's someone that needs to fuel us before we go in alone. She said to scout Magic, so we can do both: Find Normad and recon the defenses."

She limps forward. All the strength from her legs before were gone. I felt bad, asking her to do this. "Maybe I should ask someone else.."

"It's fine. You're right, I'm the only one who can keep him from stirring up trouble."

"So you'll do it?"

"Yeah."

Kazuya was walking in a hurry down the hallway toward us with Apricot, Milfeulle, and Nano-Nano behind him.

"Heey, please come back. Nya."

"Now, Kazz. You're in no position to do this. You need a lot of rest, cake, and more rest."

"I'm fine you guys," he shrugged at them. When he saw me he gave a wave, "Hey, Mori."

"Kazuya is something up?"

"Nah, I'm doing fine. The mission is starting tomorrow."

My curiosity was piqued at the way he was casual about it. Something wasn't right, but he waved goodbye before I could ask anything else. "See you."

"Kazuya," Nano ran into his arms, "Are you really, really sure?"

He contemplated, but his face change to a very disturbing smile that seemed fake.. "Yes. I'm fine." Kazuya picked her up in his arms and carried her off.

"Haha, this way, Kazuya!"

"Kazuya.."

Milfeulle and Apricot Sakuraba were crossing their arms watching with the most motherly looks I have ever seen since leaving Skylon. "Hey, he'll be alright. I'll take care of him."

"A-are you sure, Mori?" Apricot gave me puppy eyes.

"Positive."

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Milfuelle patted her little sister's head and shook my hand at the same time, "Okay, Mori. What's your rank, again?"

"Marshal."

"Haha, one rank next to Takuto. So," she snapped her fingers, "I made some miso soup and salmon, thanks to an old recipe a friend gave me. Would you like some?"

"Sure. I have time-"

"But wait, you should be busy, dong thins..."

"It's fine.."

"No, I insist! I know, how about you invite Ranpha! I'll bring some others to the part too. It'll be a reunion, except we just met!"

"Sure." Milfuelle grapples her strong arms onto me and gave one very tight hug then ran off, "I'm going to make desserts!"

She sure cheered up the atmosphere. Good timing and everything. Hmm, I don't usually believe in luck, so it's kind of weird trying to make sense of things like this happening conveniently. Maybe it's her power, like Fleur's. I digress, where is Ranpha? Last time I saw her was at lunch..Maybe she's in her office.

It didn't take too long for me to exahust myself. My aching feet dropped on the fountain, "Some luck.."

"Rough day?" Ranpha asked.

"Yeah. Oh. Hey, Ranpha!"

"You noticed me, finally?"

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I notice she's holding a bag of coins, "Hey, wait. What are you doing with those?"

"Making a wish," she held her hands in a sort of prayer and tossed it into the fountain. "Today's fortune said my wishes would come true, so I'm making the most of it."

"Let me guess, Transbaal Daily? That's a bunch of baloney. My folks at home told me, their forecast said it would rain all day once..," I sigh.

She shrugs, "They always worked for me."

"But there are some things we can't wish for, mama told me. Like a pony."

"..You wished for a pony, Mori?"

"Hey, I was a kid!"

She simply stares like my other when she didn't believe that I didn't break the window with a baseball. "Well.. We can't wish for peace for everyone, right?"

She snorts. What's the matter with her? "Of course not, Mori. I don't wish for those kinds of things."

"Ohh." I notice only a small, dirty penny in the clear ripples of the fountain. "..What did you wish for?"

"If I tell you, it won't come true," she waves her lustrous hair. The bottom of her heel breaks off and I see her face burning brightly in embarrassment. "I have a feeling your wish.. Might come true. There's a shop not far from here. Mint has tons of them."

"Oh? I'll let you guess what I'm wishing for."

"Yeah, nothing in the rules for wish-making says I can't." We tested out a few pair of shoes. Despite being important people, Mint spared not the slightest discount. She said she didn't want us to get the idea we should depend on her to sell us clothes all the time. All because of something about Takuto refusing a discount from her corporation.

We finally try on the perfect pair for Ranpha and she looked rather elated. "Thanks, Mori! Today's my lucky day! Bwahahah!"

Ding Dong.. It is now, 6 pm.

"Aww, my day is almost over."

"Not yet, Milfeulle told me to invite you to dinner. She's serving something tasty, I think."

"Who? Milfie? Well, I'm definitely going to be there. Tell her I'll arrive in half an hour."

"Lucky day..Huh."

"You don't believe in luck?"

"I'm just good at what I do and good things happen I guess."

She sighs and pats me on the head. This was a side of the ambassador Ranpha I've never seen before. Like a laughing nanny. Well, I guess that would make sense, if the embassies were full of kids wanting their own way, by kids I mean diplomats.

She waved goodbye. By that time the crew and soldiers were departing for the dorms. I suppose I should go to Milfuelle then.

We ate happily for the first few minutes with Apricot, Nano-Nano, and Anise.

Kazuya didn't show up. Mint, Ranpha, and Takuto came into the room dressed in gowns. "Why did you bring your pajamas? We aren't having a sleepover.."

"Oh that sounds like a good idea, you guys!"

"S-Sleepover?"

Nano-Nano jumped on my head, "Yeah," she waved her tail.

"It'll be fun, especially after a long day."

I hesitate, but she merely frowns and glares at me with angry eyes. "I guess I can do it just this once. But where's Kazuya?"

Nano-Nano pouts, "Training again.."

"Shouldn't he be here, I mean he's your-"

"Now, now. Kazuya has something he needs to do. We need to respect his decision."

"I suppose."

Milfeulle wraps her hands together happily. She pours a cup of tea. I accept her off.. Both the sleepover and the cup. I couldn't turn down her off. And this was the second time I saw them all together. The old angel troupe.

Ranpha rubbed her crystal ball, telling fortunes to a meager Apricot. Milfie serving us dessert. "I barely finished dinner, Milfeulle."

"Please, call me, Milfie."

"Hah, okay, Milfie. Where did you learn to cook this recipe?"

"An old friend... She was really special. The bravest of the entire troupe," she looks at me with a very nostalgic eye reminiscing something lost. "She kind of reminds me of you."

"Huh?" I scratch my head."

"Well, she was the youngest angel troupe, but the hardest worker and was always nervous around the troupe. Kind of like you, Mori."

"Nervous?" I rub my eye.

"You haven't been talking to us a lot lately. You're always working on something and I don't get to see you often."

I nod. Takuto sipped his drink while Mint unwrapped a.. Mint. I laughed a little. Takuto lay on the pillow of a soft plushy, "You should try to rest. By tomorrow, we should be at Magic!"

"Takuto, don't you have something to do?"

"What do you mean?"

"Something.. Important?"

He shrugs, 'What?"

"Who's piloting THE SHIP."

"Crap, I almost forgot!" His eyes explode and he swings the door open, "It was nice visiting all three of you, but I have to go! Maybe.. Next time?" He apologetically bows and runs off.

"Takuto...still silly as always," Mint chuckled dabbing a teaspoon of sugar in her tea.

"Aww, what about the sleepover."

"Can't be helped, you two. Well, it wouldn't be fair if we have a sleepover without him," she picked up her crystal ball. It seemed everyone else was packing up their things, too. We gathered only a couple hours ago, and the celebrating was over.

The lights all over the inner dome were shut off for the night and we could only hear the sounds of our footsteps trailing off into different places. As I walked to my dorm, Mint followed me with a lamenting face.

"Is something up?"

"You're worried about Kazuya?"

"Yes, actually how did you know?"

"I had a feeling. Ever since I arrived here."

( watch?v=P07D7XnpkZU )

"Are the rumors true then? That you can read-"

"Now, now. One thing at a time. Kazuya is.. Staying up late tonight. I think it's good that you are worried about him. You both need some sleep before the next mission."

I nod, "I should go find."

"Now, don't be hasty, he's in the simulation room and confronting him will only make things worse."

I frown a bit disappointed, but curious I ask her what I should do instead. "Well..why not give him this," she dropped toothbrushes in my hand and some sleep medicine, "Kazuya is very nervous around people sometimes. This should help him relax, then talk to him slowly."

"Gee, thanks. Mint.. Are these.."

"They're free, don't worry," she returned a playful smile and tipped her dress.

"Thanks, Mint," I ran off to where he trained, the simulation room. Not surprisingly, he was there invested in flying a virtual craft. I remember what Mint said, "Excuse me, Kazuya."

He groans, swearing under his breath at the simulation. As he took it off he saw me carrying the bag of goods. His stomach rumbled. "I brought you something."

"Thanks..," he took it from me and dug underneath the toothbrushes, "Some dark chocolate and jellybeans. It's not much.. Well, I am hungry," he put the sweets in his mouth.

We sat there for a while as he chewed his food. I need to approach him slowly like Mint said. I need to break the ice. With something. Anything.

"Nice night, isn't it?"

That sounded flirty. Kazuya stared unsettled, but nodded. "Hey, uh, I haven't seen you since this morning and- you should get some rest."

He shook his head, realizing what I was trying to tell him, "An angel died. And it's my fault," he put down the bag.

"I know, but everyone's worried about you, even Mint."

"Yeah, I know.. But, the girl that died was my friend and I was her.. Commander. I let her down. I'm a failure."

"No, don't say that."

"It's true," he insisted.

"No, it isn't. There was nothing you could- we could have done."

"How do you know?"

A feeling overcame me, something told me I should say this to him, "She died trying to protect the Vindictus and everyone on board. It's heartbreaking she's gone. But if something were to happen to you and Takuto..Billions of people across the universe.. Won't know what to do."