A team too LARJ

by Johno 343

This is a story about a team of four students at Beacon Academy and their adventures. Life at beacon is about to get interesting. With RWBY and JNPR along for the ride, it's certainly isn't going to be normal. Their past, growth and trials will shape these characters to become great hunters/tresses. This is the story of team LARJ.

17. Special Chapter 1

Hey Everyone Johno 343 and my brother Bugdevil came up with special Chapter for Volume 1. This chapter, among other things, delves deeper into the character Holly Cruz - a 2nd year Beacon student and one host of Beacon Radio, everyone loves her right?

But wait till you see what happens when she isn't on live broadcast~

Additionally there are a few other side-stories.

Merry Christmas and a Happy new year!

(Updated)

---

Special Arc (Omake), Chapter 1: A new hope

Disclaimer: The following stories and events may or may not have taken place in this or another way. Probably. Possibly. Perhaps.

Special future Idol anti-shyness training Diary (Part 1)

Dear Diary,

this is the first time I am writing a diary, so please bear with this inexperienced me (ehehe). My name is Holly Cruz and I'm your host at today's Beacon Radio broadcast!

Oops. That's not right. Right now I am just Holly Cruz, the second year Beacon student. Old habits die hard as they say. I'm embarrassing myself already...

The truth is I am starting this diary to keep watch over my progress for the special training I'm starting today (Super serious!). Don't tell anyone, but the shocking truth is that I am a very shy girl! Yes, I know. A radio host being shy? What's this fishy sounding story? But it's completely true. I can't even look a person into the eye without blushing. And when I am asked a question in class I barely manage to raise my voice. The teachers always scolded me for that and my classmates don't want to approach me (Sad).

In any case, this ends today! Or... at least it will start to end today... slowly, but steadily. As my mom always says: "Be assertive! Take the lead in the relationship and be the first to propose. That way the man knows his place right away!" Eh? For some reason that advice sounds really wrong when I write it down...

B-back to the training! I really racked my brain over this for weeks and now I finally came up with the omni-solution. Chop right into the crowd and get used to it until I am shy no more! Easy, but effective, right? So to grab the lion by its tail I'll start with the most crowded place of all: The Mess Hall (Dun dun duuun).

I'm not afraid. I can do this. Go Holly!

Wish me luck diary,

Holly

---

Special future Idol anti-shyness training Diary (Part 2)

Dear Diary,

...I failed (Depressed).

Please hear me out first! I at least made it to the entrance. That sounds pathetic, doesn't it? But it was really weird there. My heart was pounding and my hands were all sweaty and I was taking deep breaths to calm down. And then I extended my shaking hand towards the door-

Whoooosh! The door flew wide open and a person crashed into the wall on the opposite side. It looked very painful and I think I heard the sound of bones cracking...

I was so shocked that I froze on the spot, unable to say a word.

The boy who had just made extreme contact with a wall was already getting up as if nothing happened! He looked around, rummaged through his pockets and then pulled out something round. It was of a dark color and shimmering in the light. Then the door burst open even harder (thank god it was the other door and not the one I stood behind) and a girl with really pretty long black hair appeared. She was holding guns towards the small boy and her eyes were burning like a thousand suns... or something like that.

"You dare to survive after what you did?!" She yelled at him.

"Wait Alex! Let me have some fun too." Another girl that looked rather masculine appeared behind her and she was pumping her fists with a scary expression on her face.

The small guy with turquoise hair swallowed and looked like a cornered rat. But before anyone could react another girl appeared and punched straight ahead. The small boy must have reacted in the last second, because he somehow dodged the golden fist. The wall next to him got DENTED in! I think if anyone had been hit by that fist they would be mashed potatoes (shiver).

"Take pictures of me, I don't care. Take pictures of Alex, I don't care."

"Hey!"

"...but take indecent pictures of my lil' sis and you are in for a world of pain!" The blonde girl cracked her fists. Now I saw that they were not golden, but actually she was wearing golden gauntlets.

The little boy was gulping once more and then with a swift move he threw the black ball to the ground. With a weird swiiiiishhh sound some sort of black gas spread around and covered my vision. I coughed several times while the other girls were yelling.

"Where did he go!?"

"I go left, you two go right!"

"He will pay for this!"

I even heard gunshots and explosions(!), but when I could finally see again everything was over. Nobody was there anymore. Obviously I was shaking like a coward and close to tears. The entrance to the Mess Hall suddenly seemed reaaaally far away... and I turned on the spot and ran back to the dorms.

I'm a failure! But I didn't know the Mess Hall was such a scary place (confused). I think I will have to prepare myself better. Maybe the Kendo club can lend me some body armor...

I'll try again tomorrow! Wish me luck diary,

Holly

---

A team too LARJ?

The four usual teams were gathered on the grass in front of Beacon Academy and engaging in a game of catch. The rules were a little modified to the extreme though.

Ruby: "Here I goooooo! Unholy death ball of doooom!"

She threw the ball with such speed that it caught fire and accelerated even more on its way towards Jaune's face. The ball was supposed to be caught, but if the catcher was knocked out it wouldn't count.

Jaune: "I got it, I got, I got-BWAGONG!?"

It hit him at the targeted area, straight between his eyes. With a magnificent arc (pun intended) he fell into the dirt. Akashi appeared right behind him and caught the ball before it could hit the ground.

Akashi: "It's not over yet!"

He was smiling while throwing the ball high into the air. Ruby had no chance of reaching so high and Juge appeared on the scene and caught it over her head.

Weiss: "Okay that's it. 20 – 18. Team Akashi, Juge, Jaune and Antonio wins."

She sounded bored.

Yang: "No way!?"

The blonde brawler looked crestfallen. They all gathered and congratulated each other or licked their wounds. Jaune was awakened by a few slaps on the cheeks. When his eyes opened he looked into the happy faces of his teammates.

Jaune: "We won?"

They nodded. Jaune pumped his fist, but Ruby crossed her arms and pouted.

Ruby: "Not fair. We weren't allowed to use our semblance... and these guys are giants!"

She pointed at the boys team. They looked at each other and shrugged.

Yang: "No, sis is right. You guys are too tall. I mean Jaune is the tallest in his team."

Jaune scratched his head and looked at Ren, Nora and Pyrrha. It was true, but Pyrrha wasn't much smaller than him.

Riza: "Same goes for Antonio."

Alexandra: "Ahem."

She stood next to her team leader and everyone looked at their heads. They were about the same height. Antonio was the only one who looked downwards and saw the big heels on his teammate's boots. Alexandra glared at him.

Alexandra: "Got something to say?"

Antonio: "Of course not. It's as you can see. We are actually about the same height."

Blake: "Your team is very unbalanced in that regard..."

She looked at Kirk and Jasna. The short-haired girl laughed.

Jasna: "I may be smaller than Anto, but I am the one with the bigger ba-"

The well dressed leader of AKJA closed her mouth with his hands.

Antonio: "What did I tell you about language, dear Jasna?"

Juge: "She is about a head shorter than him... and then there is Kirk."

Ruby's eyes sparkled and she pulled the turquoise haired boy towards her.

Ruby: "Look, look! I am not the smallest of us all!"

She was extremely happy about that fact.

Akashi: "Isn't Kirk at least taller than Ruby? Here let me measure it..."

Ruby: "Nope! Look closely now..."

She grabbed Kirk's spiky hair and ruffled it down until it was hanging neatly down like her own. Everyone stared at Kirk now.

Akashi: "It's like he is a different person!"

Jaune: "You look... almost cute."

Ruby: "That's not the point! Look when his hair is down he is smaller than me."

She grinned. Juge nodded.

Juge: "His eyes only reach to her nose, so even with his hair up that much was obvious."

Lucy: "So cuuute ~~"

She threw her arms around both Ruby and Kirk's shoulders with enthusiasm and hugged them strongly.

Riza: "You are pretty small yourself Lucy."

She grinned and shook her head. Akashi patted her fox ears down with a snicker.

Weiss: "And that idiot is the tallest of us all."

She sighed. That made Juge spin around and as if he teleported, he appeared right next to Akashi. His head almost hit the young Mayhiro's in the process.

Juge: "Nonsense. I am taller."

His attitude had suddenly changed from calm to competitive.

Akashi: "I really don't care... but men in my family tend to become pretty huge, so I guess I can't help it."

He laughed confidently. Juge stood on his toes and overcame Akashi's height. That created a spark in the brown-haired boy's eyes and he also raised himself up.

Juge: "What is it? Are your genes not good enough?"

Akashi: "For a great Velmón you sure are short. I bet even Yang is taller than you."

They glared at each other and Juge pulled Yang over at her arm.

Juge: "Haha! I am taller than her, you failed. Look at how much space there is between our heads. She could only surpass me if she used hairspray to make this mountain of locks stand up like Kirk's."

He was patting on Yang's head repeatedly while talking to Akashi. With every hit her hair was glowing more. And then she finally snapped and her eyes turned red.

Yang: "On your knees servant-boy!"

Juge's knees magically hit the floor in an instant.

Akashi: "Now that you are kneeling before her you don't seem like such a big deal anymore, huh?"

Mayhiro smirked.

Yang: "You too scrawny."

Her red eyes forced Akashi into submission immediately. He was kneeling right next to Juge.

Ruby: "That proves it. Yang really is the greatest."

Weiss: "No competition."

Nora: "I can jump the highest!"

Ren: "…"

The rest of the group laughed.

---

Special future Idol anti-shyness training Diary (Part 3)

Dear Diary,

it's me, Holly. I can now report to you that I managed to enter the Mess Hall! Wait, wait that's not all there is to it. Today was somewhat of a success (I think?). Let me tell you exactly what happened.

So I entered the lion's den with nothing but some protective armor on me (I borrowed it from the Football team). The helmet was kinda huge and obstructed my vision sometimes. The chatting around me turned into a big swirl of noise and my heart started pounding like crazy every time someone's gaze went over me. Some of them were staring! Why were they looking at me so much?! I was getting way too nervous and ran to the lunch lady as fast as I could. She was also staring at me, but her expression seemed more... bored?

"What can I do for you big girl?" She asked me and her voice was really unamused. Was she staring at my body? This woman was scary too.

"E-eh? W-well maybe you could give me... some... food." My voice on the other hand got quieter with every word. Bad Holly! You have to speak up!

"Really now?" The lunch lady was now looking annoyed. She pointed at the menu. "What will it be smart-ass?"

I flinched back at her tone. What did I do wrong?

"The croquette... dish... seems nice." I gathered myself, somehow avoiding hyperventilation and ordered something.

"Nice is a very subjective word." The lady said with a shrug and slammed the mushy food on my plate. After that she shushed me away to make room for the next person in line. I fled the place and turned towards my second quest.

Finding a table (haauu). My hands were shaking of course and I was really happy I didn't order soup at that moment. Every table I passed seemed to be full, or at least it looked like that (my vision was blacking out every now and then). It didn't help that everyone was looking at me like I was some sort of circus attraction! Did they know who I was? No, nobody outside of the station knows what I look like. Holly Cruz is just a name and a voice to the people. I reassured myself again and again, but they still looked at me weirdly. So I passed by almost every table in the hall until I finally hit the last row.

And there it was! A half-empty table. I seriously sighed in relief and walked over to sit down. But then I noticed why this particular part of the Mess Hall was so empty. A group of really scary people was gathered here!

On the left I saw the three girls from yesterday (the ones that shot at people and dented walls in with their fists). On the right were even more shady people. A white wearing beauty who's eyes were cold as ice while she yelled at a brown-haired boy who had some wild looking hair. A guy who was wearing a blue vest and a short white scarf instead of his school uniform and lastly a faunus girl that was throwing words at a red-head who was wearing headphones in the middle of their conversation. Generally they had an atmosphere of absolute rejection around them. How could anyone, save the scared me, enter there?!

I gulped down my fear and slowly walked towards the free area to the left. How to tackle this delinquent looking group...? There! Two less scary people were having a calm conversation at one end of the table. A black haired girl with a bow on her head and a really handsome man with well combed hair and a pendant around his neck. They looked approachable at least.

When I walked behind them I could hear snippets of their conversation.

"...I can really appreciate his works. Especially after reading act three."

"Seriously? I figured act three was the worst part about it."

"Why is that?" The man asked with surprise. Their conversation seemed really important, but I had to make a move!

"Uhm... h-hello-"

"Don't you find it just despicable how haughty and self-absorbed he wrote the last scene?" Bow girl retorted.

"Ah yes. I can see how you came to that conclusion. But this is a royal tragedy. The author wanted to capture that feeling at the very end."

"And the way he treated his faunus slaves... It makes me sick."

"M-my name is Holly and...-"

"As terrible as it may seem this was written before the human-faunus war. Back then these things were rather common. Just view it as historical continuity." The man was raising his hands placatory.

"I guess so. But he still writes like he was drunk from act two until the final scene."

There was no room to interjeeeeect! My head dropped as I was accepting this cruel fact.

Maybe I could find another seat. I looked over towards the other side. There I saw...

... a camera?

It was nothing but a camera. I couldn't even see anyone holding it, but it faced right towards me! M-maybe it was just a coincidence.

Zoooooom.

It zoomed at meeee! I took a few steps back in surprise and felt something hit my shoulder (which was luckily protected by the shoulder pad).

"Ouch! Dammit." A brown haired boy was falling on his behind and cursing. When he looked up he tilted his head in confusion. "Sorry... miss? I didn't want to hurt you." He said without much regret.

"N-no it was my fault..." I hastily replied and tried to help him up while still holding my food in the left hand. Needless to say I clumsily lost balance and it fell towards the floor!

Or not. The man with a white scarf had appeared next to us and held my tray in his left hand while pulling the other boy up with his right hand.

"You have to be more careful Akashi." He said scoldingly.

"Hey this race was your idea Juge!" The one named Akashi replied with a grin.

"I know." He nodded. "But that's what you get for having an early start." The competition in their eyes was somewhat breath-taking.

"Tch. And I would have gotten away with it too if it wasn't for hockey girl over here." He said jokingly.

Hockey girl? I looked around, but there was no sight of this mysterious person.

"That's a football outfit." Juge corrected him.

"I knew that."

"Thank you miss for stopping this idiot from cheating." He smiled at me and then got into position.

"Woah are you going to run already? I'll be first!" Akashi got into a mad sprint and the blue vested man followed behind.

I looked after them in a daze. They were kind of nice... in a weird way.

After I gathered myself again and turned back to the table it was completely empty.

"What?" I was really surprised. Then I noticed the time. "Lunch break is already oooover?!" I cried out with tears in my eyes.

And that's what happened today diary. I am not sure if this was a success or another failure. Did I do something wrong? The taste of mushy cold croquettes will now appear in my mouth every time I enter the Mess Hall...

There has to be an easier way to socialize! Those two boys seemed friendly. Maybe I should search for them. Take a first step at talking to boys.

Be brave Holly! You can do it Holly!

Wish me luck diary,

Holly

---

Travis Velmón and Warmachine

"Time to give these beasts a lesson in humility." Travis said with a cocky smile.

"Mios is hungry." Warmachine said with an excited voice below his mask.

"About that... you know how creepy you sound, right?"

"C-creepy? Is that true?" The man covered from head to toe turned towards Travis.

"Yeah, especially with that ridiculous mode where it covers your whole arm... it looks like a giant leech trying to swallow you whole. Plus razor sharp teeth inside the 'mouth'. Yep, pretty creepy. Looks almost alive."

"Mios only eats creatures of darkness. There's nothing unsettling about it!"

"Whatever you say..." Travis leaned his hand on Severer. They got back into position.

…...

They were in the middle of eliminating the normal Grimm on their way to the Cardinal Sin when Travis finally stopped.

"Okay, I was trying to ignore it, but this seriously freaks me out!" He crossed his arms and slid to a hold.

"What is it Travis Velmón? We have no time to waste!" Warmachine kept shredding the Grimm to bits with his weapon.

"That thing makes really weird noises! I just heard it slurping and howling!"

"Your imagination." The robed man said as Mios bit off a Beowulf's head. The weapon burped.

"It's not my imagination! This thing is alive!" He pointed at Mios. It immediately turned rigid.

"A case of the nerves? I would have expected more of a Velmón." Warmachine petted his weapon and whispered 'good girl'.

A vein popped on Travis' head and he pulled out Bringrad, his smaller ax, and threw it into the distance. It was spinning rapidly. "Catch!" He yelled.

Like a spirit had overtaken Warmachine's arm he was pulled towards the flying ax and Mios caught it between its razor sharp 'teeth'. It brought it back to Travis and barked.

Travis and Warmachine stared at each other.

"Is this thing a pet!?"

…...

On their way to the shrine they met Tahli who was carrying two girls. The eye-patch wearing hunter slowed down to greet her, but Warmachine was faster. Pulled at his arm he was catapulted towards the dirt-blonde huntress and Mios barely missed her. She had dodged it through sheer reflexes.

"Are you trying to kill me?!" She glared at the masked man.

"...I think it just wanted to lick your face as a greeting." Travis said with one hand on his forehead. Mios whimpered.

"Eh?" Tahli's face went blank. Then Riza looked up and at the metallic arm in front of her. It suddenly started shaking and a low hissing sound could be heard. The still half-awake Riza growled back.

'Fox and dog don't get along, huh?' The one-eyed hunter thought to himself.

…...

After defeating the Sloth Sin the two master hunters went back to the unconscious teens. Travis walked ahead and looked around.

"Let's take out those remaining Grimm too, so the area will be clear for a while."

"I'll take the boys, you can concentrate on the elimination." Warmachine said.

"Alright. Can you carry two people with that right arm of yours though?" He asked teasingly.

"Of course. In fact Mios makes it easier." He claimed.

"What do you mea- Oh my god spit them out right this instant! Bad girl! Tell your... thing to spit out my son!" Juge and Akashi had already half disappeared into Mios jaw. Only their legs were hanging out.

"Shush girl... you will get indigestion again."

"It doesn't have a stomach! Also how do two grown guys even fit into that small opening?!" Travis lost his cool and kicked Mios in the stomach area(?). The metal apparatus vibrated and then pulsated as if about to throw up. With an extremely disgusting sound, that made no logical sense coming from a metal thing, the two Beacon students were spat out.

"Not so rough." Warmachine said angrily.

"Don't give me that!" Travis pointed at the weapon. "This thing could have shredded them to bits." He was arguing with an inanimate object...

…...

But the vomiting party didn't stop with the two teenagers. Mios convulsed some more and then it spat out another object.

"Wait... are those my tea-cakes from last week!? They are still sealed... I wondered where they had disappeared to." He picked the packaging up that was somehow not damaged by all the blades. It was covered in something slimy though... Drool?

"Oh dios mio... let it all out girl." Warmachine patted his weapon. Another thing came flying out of the jaws.

"Hey that's my maintenance tool set! It's been missing since the very beginning of our journey. Severer has become extremely dirty after all this blood and cutting... I really needed that. Is nothing safe from your gobbling lawnmower?!" Travis picked up his beloved tool set full of cleaning brushes and sharpeners. After that he took Mios by the neck(?) and glared at it. In that moment it spat out the last piece, a small shiny thing that hit Travis in the face and then landed in his remaining hand.

"Ouch! What's thi- Woah that's my wedding ring!? I didn't even notice it was gone..." He scratched his head and rolled the ring between his fingers.

"I wonder what that tells us about your marriage." Warmachine commented dryly.

---

Special future Idol anti-shyness training Diary (Part 4)

Dear Diary,

Haaauuuuuu.

I guess this is the part where I hug my pillow and cry myself to sleep? Cindy always tells me to let my tears out when I am sad, but Cindy is a crybaby. Not that I have any business criticizing her.

Alright I can already see this is going nowhere. I have to explain to you what happened today.

As I promised yesterday (serious) I went looking for those two boys. Beacon is pretty huge and finding two guys in this mass of people is pretty hard, but once I have set myself a goal I will go for it until the very end (proud)! My father always told me that I am good girl, because I stuck to my goals too. That's how I got to Beacon in the first place, but that's another story entirely.

Anyway after walking around campus for some time I finally found one of them. That brown hair and casual looking outfit stood out especially with his company. A blond boy with light armor and blue jeans and a small boy with turquoise hair. I knew that boy! He was the one who got attacked by the three furious girls the other day. So they knew each other?

They were heading somewhere in a hurry and looking around carefully as if they expected someone to follow them.

Now that I had seen them I could hardly run away, so I did exactly what they were apparently expecting. I sneaked after them. For your information, I'm really good at hiding my presence. It's a skill(?) every shy girl develops after some time. I don't want to brag, but at this point I could probably sneak up on a veteran martial artist while wearing frilly pink clothes! N-not that I ever wanted to wear such a sparkly outfit before... (ehehe).

But it was a little strange. They were heading for the gym. Well that wasn't the strange part, the really curious thing is that they headed for the locker rooms. And even that wasn't so surprising, but it was the girl's changing room they stopped at! They sat down against that wall apparently exhausted, because they really sank down and leaned against each other. It might have looked like they tried to check every direction too.

I sneaked towards them unable to raise my voice I just had to try to get close enough so they could hear my quiet words.

"Everything clear." The blond guy said.

"You sure, Jaune? I don't want to get flanked by some stray girl in the middle of the... operation." He stressed the last word like they do in action movies.

"Kirk is a pro at this, just trust him." Jaune replied.

The small boy nodded and adjusted the lens of his camera. So this was the camera that was staring at me yesterday! If it was his then he was really good at hiding too. I am kind of impressed.

"So when will the herd arrive?" The boy named Akashi asked.

"5 minutes." Kirk said with a quiet voice. He was almost at my level of quietness.

The boys leaned together and looked through the windows. It was relatively high up, but they had prepared boxes to stand on.

"Alright let's recall the mission. Jaune is the lookout and I will hold Kirk on my shoulders so he can take the goods."

"I will use the cry of the goshawk if anyone approaches." Jaune continued.

"Pictures." Kirk finished.

"Purrrrfect." Akashi nodded with a pleased expression.

I didn't really get their plan at all, but apparently they were going to take pictures of animals. A herd and a goshawk? I am not sure if birds gather in herds. I never met bird photographers before, maybe that's their business talk.

As they sat down in wait for their prey (why were they not looking at the trees?) I finally managed to get close. Akashi sighed and closed his eyes in anticipation.

"Waiting is the worst part." Jaune said.

"That's right. Then let's talk about something interesting." Akashi smiled.

"Girl's underwear."

"Good idea Kirk!"

What?! I didn't know boys were so openly talking about these delicate topics. I could never join such a conversation.

"Let's not get into the gritty details here, no use talking about ribbons and frills already. The basics are important." Akashi raised his index finger. "Which color is best?"

"Blue." Kirk immediately answered.

"Nice. I am a fan of red actually." Akashi patted the little guy on the shoulder. "And you Jaune?"

"I-I-I'm not so sure. I don't really mind that much..."

"Come on, man! You must have a preference."

Jaune gulped. "P-pink?"

"Woaaaah! So fancy. Why are you shining so bright today Jaune? I think I have to avert my eyes hahaha." He laughed.

Kirk on the other hand stroked his camera with a serious expression. Then he nodded.

"W-what about... uh... w-white?" I whispered.

"White?" The three crossed their arms in thought. "Actually... yeah. No reason to deny the basics."

"Pure."

"It's so standard it's almost the indisputable victor."

They all nodded.

"HAAAAAAAAAAAH!?" And then they suddenly jumped up in shock and pointed at me as if I was a ghost. I jerked back too and hid my face.

"T-trouble ahead captain! We have been infiltrated!" Jaune lost his cool.

"How could she slip by your defenses so easily lieutenant?!"

Kirk flailed his camera around while sweating.

"Th-this is a most unexpected turn of events. Abandon the operation right now!" Akashi yelled and pointed towards the escape route.

Then voices of girls could be heard from inside the dressing room.

"Hey did you just hear a guy scream outside?"

"I heard it too. Weiss let's take a look."

"Do you always carry those guns with you Alex...?"

The three boys eyes turned white and their faces pale.

"Time to make our professional escape, right Kirk? ...Kirk?" The turquoise haired boy had already disappeared into the distance.

"Traitoooooor!" Akashi yelled after him with manly tears of anger in his eyes. "Come on we'll book it too Jaune." He grabbed the blond's arm and started running.

Now I come to the very embarrassing part...

I was scared at their sudden screaming and that's why I was sitting on the grass hiding my face, but I was in a rather... problematic position, blocking the escape route with my body. The two boys who started running away tripped over me instantly and landed face first on the floor. B-but the one called Jaune fell weirdly and his hand landed on my... on my... uuuuugh... N-nevermind!

The next second some of the girls appeared at the scene and I saw their glares between my fingers. If death had a facial expression it was probably like theirs at that moment.

"So you pigs assault a girl..."

"...in broad daylight..."

"...in front of our dressing room?"

It was all a misunderstanding but my brain was overheating because of the weirdly placed hand so I didn't say anything.

Akashi and Jaune robbed away until they hit a wall.

"H-hey Weiss! This is a misunderstanding-"

"It's hard to misunderstand these boxes in front of the dressing room, the camera next to you and Jaune's lecherous hands all at once." The girl with a scar over her eye retorted with an icy voice.

"C-camera?" Akashi asked and then he found it lying on the ground next to him. "Why did you let go of it Kiiiirk!?"

"I will accept this as a confession." She said while preparing her rapier weapon. Was it called Myrtenaster? Everyone knew Weiss Schnee and now I could see first hand why she was called Ice Queen.

"Jaune... I am disappointed." A red haired girl in armor said with a sad expression.

"C-come on Pyrrha, I wasn't spying on the girls or anything. That would be wrong." He said flimsily.

"Are you okay?" A short-haired girl with a red cape came to my side and held out her hand. "I'm Ruby. Please forgive those guys. We are sorta... acquainted." She said apologetically. I took her hand and shook my head vigorously.

"They are not..." I wanted to say guilty, but the cruel massacre happening behind Ruby's back made it hard to speak.

"And now to get my hands on that little piglet. This is his camera no doubt." Another short haired girl said while playing with the mentioned camera.

Later the girls brought me to Miss Goodwitch and we talked about the 'assault', but I didn't manage to say much. It was all a misunderstanding and I am at fault. Those three birdwatchers where punished (executed?) because of me.

I am sorry for being so useless and shy. I have to get over my flaws! I will have to find those boys and apologize tomorrow.

Wish me luck diary,

Holly

---

Special future Idol anti-shyness training Diary (Part 5)

Dear Diary,

today was another embarrassing failure. Not as terrible as yesterday, but I still want to slap myself with Cindy's plush animals... It's not like I want to really hurt myself (they are fluffy). Oh, I didn't mention that yet, did I? Cindy is one of my roommates. We are an all-girls team. And as chance has it we are also all part of the Beacon Radio club. Though I am the only hostess from our team. There are three hosts in total and the other two are just so confident! I have to admit I'm a little envious...

Back to the topic. As I mentioned yesterday I wanted to apologize to the three boys who's lives I ruined so thoughtlessly (guilty). Today is a Sunday, so I could start my search from the morning already! So where would you expect most people to come through, generally speaking? You are just a diary, so you wouldn't know, right (laugh). There is a square in the middle of Beacon that connects every part and wing of the Academy. It's really huge and there is some sort fountain and monument in it. Either way these are the crossroads of fate, everyone walks by here at least once a day. Sorry for being dramatic ~

There were so many people walking by here that I couldn't very well stand in the open, so I hid behind some bushes. They were softer than I expected! It wasn't long before a person I'd wanted to see appeared from the dormitories. It wasn't any of the three boys I wanted to apologize to, but instead the blue vested guy from the Mess Hall. He was Akashi's rival or something? I think his name is Juge. I heard a lot of variations over the day...

To be honest I wasn't sure how to approach this man. He was sitting near the fountain checking his scroll for something and he looked so immersed that I felt like every word from me could ruin the painting like scene. After a while a red-haired girl appeared and sat down next to him. She was wearing headphones. The weird part is that they were just sitting there, not even exchanging a single word! The girl was listening to whatever and Juge was just reading. Then, very secretly, the girl placed something next to Juge and stood up. She walked away slowly and as auspiciously as possible. Just what was this about? When I looked back at Juge the package had disappeared.

While I was waiting in my comfy hiding place I noticed another girl approaching the young man. It was that blonde girl with the fists of steel! Did every single weird person here know each other...? She approached him casually and then rubbed his head playfully. He looked up and greeted her, but I could not understand them very well, because of the fountain.

"...doing... servant-boy?"

"...job for... secret."

Servant-boy? Secret job? I don't really understand even now. The blonde started to talk more vigorously.

"You wanna... at the... you can't refuse!"

Mafia tactics!? Juge smiled stiffly, probably scared to death! Or at least I think so... actually he looked just amused. He must have nerves of steel! If this scary girl threatened me I would just faint.

"Sorry Yang... tomorrow?" He answered calmly. The blonde girl named Yang looked disappointed. She shrugged and walked away at a steady pace.

This is so frustrating! I needed to get closer to understand. I had already forgotten about Akashi and co. Now my radio journalist sense had taken over completely. This story was smoking hot! I tactical rolled out of the bushes (at least I did in my head, but rolling around with a skirt is super embarrassing, so instead I just walked out of it) and hid behind a lamp-post. Next I advanced towards the fountain from Juge's blind spot. I was now sitting on the opposite part of the fountain's edge and he had his back turned to me. Perfect.

Not much later yet another girl appeared. She was also blonde and had long hair, but hers was not as wild. She also had fox ears. A faunus with white light clothes.

"Juge, where is Lucy?"

"She left here a while ago. I don't know where she went."

"What's she up to this time...?" The girl asked with a sigh. "I will find her. You stay here as a lookout, understood?"

She was ordering him around too?

"Sure." He said and waved her goodbye.

The next girl appeared.

"Juuugey! Do you have the goods? You better say yes!" That girl was... Ruby. I met her yesterday. She sounded very confident.

"Here they are." He passed her the package from before.

"Sniff sniff. Mhmmm ~ Just as expected. Good job, servant-boy."

"Please don't call me that. Yang is bad enough." He said with a frown.

So this innocent looking girl was part of the blonde's organization? Looks really can be deceiving. This man was some sort of middleman who exchanged goods between two organizations. The plot thickened!

"Sorry. Yang just always sounds so happy when she says it. Well see ya!" She turned around, but then spun back again. "Oh and if you see Weiss... don't tell her about this. She will punish me again." Now the small girl seemed a little timid.

"Got it."

Weiss Schnee was involved... just how?

After Ruby left a few minutes later...

"Speak of the devil." Juge mumbled.

"Is that any way to greet a person?" Weiss Schnee retorted. She sat down next to him in a high class pose and waited.

And waited some more.

"Tell me already!"

"About what?"

"Don't play dumb. I know that Ruby gets her goods from Lucy. Where did she go?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about." Juge replied calmly.

Nerves of steel! He just resisted the all-encompassing power of the Schnee company. Weiss must have been here to bust this criminal conglomerate on orders of her father. And Juge just flatly lied to her face!

"...you know I could tell you one of Yang's weaknesses." She said with an evil grin.

"...mrm..." Juge groaned. He couldn't help but look up from his scroll.

Wait what? So he wanted to have a trump card against his own employers? Was he secretly a double agent? What a daring man. My heart was pounding in anticipation.

"Fine." he finally said. "She went towards the east wing. So what is this secret weakness about?"

"Here I will text it to you over scroll... done. Right now I have no time to waste." Weiss stood up and started running.

Ruby didn't go to the east wing at all! He just played her like fiddle! I was squirming on my seat from the pressure.

Later yet again a girl appeared. Strange how he only had female contacts...

"Ren?" Was the very short question from this orange haired girl. Was it a code word of sorts?

"Library." Juge replied without even looking up.

"Thanks Jugey ~" She patted him on the shoulder and left.

There were many more such encounters over the span of the day, but one particular was also interesting.

Miss Glynda Goodwitch herself approached middleman Juge!

"Mr. Velmón."

"Good day professor Goodwitch." He said politely and looked up. The sun was already very low on the sky, close to sunset, but not fully there yet.

"I have heard about you... and your situation."

"Oh?"

"I hate to ask this of you, but could you please tell me the location of professor Mayhiro?" Ms. Goodwitch looked visibly exhausted.

"Akashi's sister." Juge cupped his chin. "I think she went towards Vale. Something about a drink with a special someone."

"That insufferable woman..." She slapped her riding crop on the stone. "This is strictly between us, understood?"

"Of course." Juge said with a slight bow.

Even the professors are part of his secret web of informants and customers?!

After Ms. Goodwitch left and the sunset started, Juge finally stood up and stretched.

"You can come out of hiding now." He said all of a sudden. My heart stopped. How did he sense me? My sneaking skills are maxed out! But now that I was found out I had to make something up.

I walked out of hiding and looked down on my feet.

"H-hello..."

"I wonder why you were sitting here all this time. Do you need something from me?" He asked with a friendly voice.

Need something? Like a... favor? Info. I don't want to get involved in this shady business!

Adrenaline was rushing through my body and my vision blacked out.

"U-uh-hm the truth is... in reality... I mean I... you... we..." I stuttered badly.

Now Juge seemed a little nervous too.

"No need to rush. If there is something... I mean... I will wait." He said and I think I saw a tinge of red on his face while he averted his eyes.

Waiiiiiit, did he misunderstand? I am not even sure if he is a secret agent or anything, but this set-up, this atmosphere... doesn't it kinda seem like I want to confess to him?!

"Noooooo!" I burst out from embarrassment. "I-I-I just wanted to ask you... where is the closest restroom!"

Argh.

Worst.

Lie.

Ever.

Juge stared at me with an empty expression. He looked to the left where a sign pointing at a restroom was hanging. He looked to the right where a sign for another restroom was hanging. This was the connecting square of Beacon. Every road led to everything, including restrooms.

He pointed me towards the closest one.

"You should have just asked me 8 hours ago." He said with a hint of pity in his voice.

Noooooooooooooooooo! I ran away with tears of embarrassment running down my face.

And that's why I want to slap myself with Cindy's plush bunny. I think instead of getting less shy I just embarrassed myself even more the last few days. I just want to give up (crying). The Radio Station is so much more comfy and save...

I have to try... harder...

Holly

---

Nora and Alex - Secret Agents (Part 1)

Nora: "Aleeeeeex!"

Alexandra: "N-nora? What is it?"

The black-haired girl looked up from her studies. The short-haired hyper girl had suddenly burst into team AKJA's room.

Nora: "I need your expertise, your style and most of all: your guns!"

Alex: "I don't under-"

Before she could finish her sentence the orange haired girl grabbed her arm and pulled her through the hallways. They finally stopped at the corner of the library.

Alex: "What is it...?"

Nora: "Ssshhh ~"

She put a finger to her lips and signaled Alex to be quiet. Together they peeked around the corner. There on a wooden chair Ren was sitting, reading intently in a huge book.

Alex: "Lie Ren? Why did you drag me here..."

Nora: "Ren is acting suspicious. I just know he is hiding something from me. Nobody hides from Nora!"

She squinted her eyes like they did in movies. Alexandra stared at the black haired boy, but didn't see anything out of the ordinary.

Alex: "I see... so what exactly has that to do with me?"

Nora: "You totally look like one of those secret agents in movies. Just look at your style and those guns. Help me uncover Ren's dirty secrets, pretty please!"

She was grinning pleadingly and it was impossible to refuse such a face. Alex sighed and then nodded.

Alex: "Whatever. I wasn't really busy anyway."

Nora: "Greaaat-o! Let's go."

She jumped to the ground and crawled over it like a lizard. It looked extremely comical and was hiding her about as well as a neon sign saying 'I am sneaking!'

Alex sighed again. She grabbed the armored girl by her collar and pulled her back into cover.

Nora: "What-what-what?!"

Alex: "You are too suspicious. Watch and learn."

The long-haired girl leaned against the stone wall and peeked around the corner. Then with swift movements she did a cartwheel to the next cover behind a bookshelf. She ducked under an opening where books had been taken out and sneaked to the back of the shelf. Then she climbed up a ladder leaning against it and reached the wooden top of the shelf. With a long jump she moved to the next row of shelves and then tip-toed to the edge of the nearest to the target. Very carefully she grabbed one of the cords above that lead to the huge chandeliers and climbed through the chains and the glass parts without making a sound. When she finally stopped over the target, Ren, she looked down to check out what he was reading.

Alex: "Dead... Fantasia?"

She read the title. This was a novel of the adventure category. Just a normal book.

Nora: "That. Was. So coooool!"

The orange-head suddenly yelled. She ran over to Ren and pointed upwards.

Nora: "Ren, Ren did you see her? She's a real secret agent ~"

Her laugh was especially loud in the quiet library. Everybody looked up. Alex blushed and held her skirt tightly.

Ren: "Nora? What are you doing here? Is that..."

His eyes were focusing on the black haired girl above. With a dive-kick she landed on the table and then jumped down. Her body was shaking in embarrassment as everybody stared at her.

Alex: "What are you looking at?!"

She yelled at them and gave them the iciest glare she could muster. They hastily avoided looking at her and the librarian appeared to quiet her down. Instead of waiting for the lecture Alex grabbed Nora and pulled her out of the library.

Alex: "What the hell, Nora? This was supposed to be a sneaking mission! You can't just go to the target and reveal your partner!"

Nora: "Ahaha sorry! I forgot about the mission when I saw you do sick cartwheels ~"

Alex: (So she forgot about it instantly!?)

Nora: "Ren was just reading a novel after all. Looks like we will have to stalk him some more."

She was serious. Alex facepalmed and turned away.

Alex: "I am not getting involved in this any further. The last thing I need is a reputation as a stalker."

Nora: "Awwww pleaaase don't leave me! I want to become an agent too. Teach me your ways 00Alex!"

Alexandra: "….."

Could it harm to help this girl a little bit more?

---

Special future Idol anti-shyness training Diary (Part 6)

Dear Diary,

before I tell you about today's events I should probably fess up. Since the very beginning I neglected to tell you why I started this training (ominous). Sure, being shy is troublesome and people never notice me in a good way, but I really don't mind that much. The truth is that my general shyness is only minor compared to my stage fright! If it's hard to talk to people then it's absolute hell to stand on stage and be the total focus of attention...

Why am I talking about standing on stage? Here comes my true reason for all this training to conquer my weakness. Since I was a little girl I wanted to be a singer! Or even a pop idol. I know that many girls have that dream and I know that much more talented people fail on the road of stardom, but still... is it wrong to dream on even now?!

The Radio Station was the closest to sharing my feelings with everyone through my voice as I could get. I just can't bring myself to sing. Am I good enough? What are they thinking? Will my song truly touch their soul? These questions chase me in my mind.

Every Friday after our last broadcast I wander around the Academy. Most of the time I end up on the rooftop staring at the sunset. It's like the inside of my heart is projected outwards and slowly embraced by the mountains. Only then can I release my song. Nobody is there around those times, in this desolated place that I chose as my stage. It's a great relief and I feel like I can release all my pent up frustrations and desires at once!

Today I did it again. I spread my wings and let loose. Today's song was about my training and about all the people I encountered. It was a song that I came up with on the spot as always and it was probably not that good. My lyrics are always childish and my voice is too high or at other times too low. But without an audience to please I don't feel any restraints. My feelings aren't perfect and my song is the manifestation of those imperfect emotions.

Before I noticed a long time had passed. The sunset had left and a mild night sky enveloped the world. Over the sound of my own voice I had blended out everything else. That's exactly why I was so surprised when I turned around.

Two people were sitting there leaned against the the wall next to the exit.

My mouth stood open as I was totally frozen in shock. My back leaned against the cool metal railing.

They both stood up in what seemed to be slow motion and then the light of the stars and the moon revealed their faces. The right one was the boy named Akashi and the left one was the mysterious Juge.

"...!" My voice wouldn't come out at all. Both of them were looking in my direction and then Akashi shrugged while Juge rubbed his neck.

"Sorry for sneaking up on you like this." He said apologetically.

"I wouldn't call it that. When I arrived here I made a lot of noise, you know? You were really... into it." Akashi smiled at me.

"W-why-..." My voice broke.

"We heard your song. It drew us towards you." They both nodded.

My song? How was that even...?

"It was really beautiful!" Now Akashi took a step forward and clutched his fists while holding them up excitedly.

"It touched my soul." Juge added while crossing his arms and closing his eyes.

"R-really?" I asked in disbelief. It was like in a dream. They had heard my song... and they praised it! Only my parents and my uncle ever listened to my music. I could never tell if they were just polite, but these total strangers... what would they gain from deceiving me?

But even then...

"Absolutely!" Akashi interrupted my thoughts. "I want to hear more of it. Right Juge?"

"Indeed." They both seemed so sure of themselves and of their opinion.

I folded my hands before my chest and looked down on the cold stone floor. Something warm trickled down the left half of my face. Eh? Was I crying? I don't remember anymore.

"I am sorry." I finally manged to squeeze out.

"Huh? For what?"

"Because of me you got punished by the girls." I said while looking at Akashi.

"What's that?... oh that was you back then? Don't misunderstand, that was all on us!" He waved his hands and denied me strongly.

"But you were just bird watching... and yet they accused you of such terrible things!" I insisted.

"Kuh..." Akashi turned his head away from me and looked troubled. "Y-yeah bird watching..."

"Akashi..." Juge squinted his eyes while looking at the other boy.

"Let's just forget about that incident! If I say it was our own fault then it is just that, got it?" He regained his spirit and pointed at himself.

"You really are something else." Juge mumbled.

"B-but I eavesdropped on your secret meetings, M-mr. Juge!"

"Meetings? Mister?" Juge had a questioning look on his face. Then he smirked. "Is that what it looked like to you? It seems I gave the wrong impression, my apologies." He raised his hands apologetically.

"Eh?"

"I was just doing a job given to me by a professor. It was nothing serious. Those meetings were all per chance."

In my mind I tried to piece together what they said, but in the end I think they were just trying to be nice. They must be really kindhearted people! Now I felt even more guilty.

"Well you already seem to know our names, but let's introduce ourselves anyway, alright Juge?" Akashi prompted. Juge nodded.

"My name is Akashi Mayhiro, first year and soon number one student in Beacon!"

"I'm Juge Velmón, heir to the Velmón clan and future number one student here at Beacon!"

They both introduced themselves at the same time, with the same passion. It was kind of overwhelming!

"Y-you both will be the top student?" I wondered.

"Wrong! Only I will reach the top."

"You wish!"

The both of them went into a stare lock and sparks were flying around.

"Please d-don't fight...!" I exclaimed weakly. They both instantly stopped to my surprise.

"Now that we told you our names..."

"...please grace us with yours."

For rivals they sure were good at finishing each others sentences...

I nodded. "I'm Holly Cruz."

"The radio host?" Akashi jerked back in surprise.

"I knew that voice was familiar, but it's still different in real life."

Their stares made my face go hot and I turned my back to them.

"Not trying to be rude here, but you are quite different from your usual self." His voice revealed some sort of doubt I think.

"I-it's true! This is the real me." I suddenly yelled out for some reason. I couldn't stop myself anymore. "This shy girl that nobody notices! The one who always has trouble to speak to her own classmates! This girl with a dream of singing on stage one day can't even properly release a single note when somebody is looking... All my training to overcome my weakness... and nothing has changed... That's me...!" I was breathing heavily after shouting so much. Why was I breaking apart like this? In front of total strangers too... If there was a hole in front of me I would have surely jumped into it.

The boys went quiet for some time.

And then...

"That's an admirable dream." Juge was the first to talk.

"What...?" I spun around.

"It's really great how you fight so hard to make it come true. That's why you were approaching us, total strangers. To overcome your shyness, right?" Akashi tapped his temple.

"You were wrong about one part though." Now they both closed in on me.

"We have noticed you! Your song has reached us and we were looking at you while you were shining brightly."

W-what was wrong with them? Why were they staring at me, why were they saying such awfully kind words? If they did that I...

"Woah! Please don't cry!" Akashi flailed around.

This time I was really crying and it wouldn't stop with one tear either. After a while the flood stopped and my eyes were dried.

"Thank you... for those words." I whispered and rubbed my eyes.

"But are words really enough for you?" Suddenly Juge came closer and grabbed my hand.

My from the crying relieved face was now getting hot again and I started shaking. Why was he grabbing my hand (blush)?

"I... but... th-what?" I stumbled over my own tongue.

"Let go of her!" Akashi slapped Juge's hands away and coughed. "What he is trying to say is that we want to do more than just give you our words."

"Your song was so beautiful, your determination so inspiring." Juge and Akashi both pointed at me.

"Let us support you!" They exclaimed in full synchronization.

My mind blanked out. I can't really recall what happened after that, diary. Sorry for stopping at the important part, but it was really a lot to take in.

All I know is that I can't give up on my training just yet.

I'll keep fighting until I've reached my dream.

Wish me luck diary,

Holly

---

Supporting my sweet Holly's training! Diary! (Part 1?)

Yo Diary!

It's me Akashi Mayhiro. This is the first time I ever wrote a diary, but it already feels so smooth, don't ya think?

Anyway let's get to something more interesting. The last week was quite eventful as I have come to expect in this Academy. It's pretty fun, but also kinda stressful (wiping my forehead here). I am definitely not the only one who feels like that.

Kirk almost died on Monday after trying to sneak a peek at the girls under the table in the middle of lunch. The little guy is pretty good, but not that good!

The next day he didn't even show his face at lunch, though I could swear I've seen his camera around? Anyway, that's when I first encountered her. Not that I had realized immediately. Juge and I had this nice idea for a race, but I ran into someone. She was wearing a hockey outfit I think. Or was it...? Doesn't matter! What's important is that I met Holly. Not that I knew who she was back then. Didn't pay much attention to her at all.

But I am convinced that it was fate now!

The next day Jaune, Kirk and I went on a mission. It was very tricky and we had prepared it for a long time. Too bad it didn't work out as planned. I once again ran into Holly, but this time not as literally. So we got kinda found out by the girls and really beat up a lot and that's why I didn't remember Holly at all, but now it's all back. I didn't see her face then either, because she hid it, really strange that.

And then on Friday it happened. I was sleeping under a tree after I escaped the lessons and the others. Sometimes I just need some alone time, you know? It was pretty late when I woke up and the sunset sure was pretty. While yawning to myself I heard a sweet sound from afar.

I mean it. It was so sweet and warm that it could have send me back to dreamland immediately! I couldn't hear the lyrics, but this melody was more than enough to peak my curiosity. So I ran towards the source, taking a few staircases and stopping only to listen more closely. When I finally reached the rooftop of one building I saw the slender figure of the singer.

I am not the poetic type, but at that moment I felt like writing a poem to describe my impressions. Silver hair fluttering in the wind she stood there, singing on top of her lungs and raising her arms above. With the red sky and the rest warmth of the day it was just so... incredible.

I think I fell in love with the song right there.

She sang about a lot of things, they seemed so normal, yet so sublime.

I almost tripped and kicked the railing really loudly, but Holly didn't notice me at all.

I ended up leaning against the wall and listening to the whole thing. Sometime later Juge also appeared and we listened to it together. What was he doing there? I don't really care.

All that mattered was her great song.

After it had turned dark and the last bits of her song had been send into the air she finally stopped and turned towards us.

Needless to say she was surprised!

I will be honest with you, diary. Holly is a real beauty. I mean it. She is just so incredibly cute! Her silver hair reaches down to her waist, her hands are so small and her body slender. Yet her curves are just right... hey don't judge! I'm just a guy.

Those hair accessories that were woven into her side bangs were super well made. And her emerald eyes were staring at us.

The rest is really confusing so let's just say we both swore to support her! Uhm... I guess that was too fast? She basically wants to become a singer and damn she has all the qualities to become a star. Her shyness is adorable, but also something that needs to be overcome. Here I come into play.

I will support this sweet girl in her training as best as I can.

So since that day I am tagging along with Holly and giving suggestions.

But one thing bothers me...

Why is that idiot Juge following us?! This is my job. Doesn't he already have Yang and Riza? Get your hands off my sweet Holly. Can't you see that she is not ready for your tactless flirting? Just how much of a playboy does he want to be!?

I will have to show him who can support Holly better... even if it means using force.

Let's rock diary!

Akashi

---

Diary in the name of recording our progress (Part 1?)

Dearest mother,

I am aware that this is a diary, but as you taught me it is best to always write as if it was addressed to you to keep my language and my style in check. A wise suggestion indeed.

Allow me to report to you about something very important to me.

Recently I encountered a fair maiden. It has been several times in the short span of four days. Coincidence? I think not.

First I encountered her in the dining hall. I was engaging in friendly strife with one of my teammates, Akashi Mayhiro, when we encountered a girl wearing a football outfit. It was out of place and immediately grabbed hold of my attention, but due to Akashi's early start I was forced to put it out of my mind.

I obviously won the race as you would no doubt demand of me.

Two days later I was tasked with taking notes of the traffic around the central square of Beacon by professor Nord (the professor for social studies). I have no lectures with him, but he still approached me, so I could hardly decline. For that purpose I took a central position and used an analyzing software on my scroll. A lot of teammates and friends appeared that day and asked me for help. It is a central crossroad after all, so that shouldn't come as a surprise.

Soon I noticed a presence behind me, but I didn't think much of it at first, as I felt no malicious intent. At the end of my mission I finished up and asked for them to reveal themselves.

I was very surprised at what I saw. A graceful beauty had revealed itself before my eyes!

You are aware that I don't sway in front of looks, but my heart was clutched at this shy expression and the general atmosphere. She had been watching me for so long... waited until we were alone and now she was embarrassed to tell me something...

I admit I made false assumptions, maybe out of overconfidence. I am very ashamed.

In the end it was just a misunderstanding.

Yet even on the next day her image would not leave my mind. Her voice had reminded me of something, but it would elude my memory every time.

After giving the results to professor Nord following lectures I was on my way back to the dorms when I heard her voice again. It was not in my mind like all the other times since yesterday, but from somewhere above. The melody was so soft and delightful that I felt drawn to it instantly.

Thus I hunted it down until I reached the fateful rooftop.

Akashi was already sitting there. 'Why?', I wondered. But now it seems obvious. Nobody could ignore Ms. Cruz's song. And neither could I ignore the image in front of me.

Silver hair shining in the evening sun, swaying in the wind.

Slender arms stretched towards the sky, reaching for the world above.

And a voice... so strong... so emotional... that it touches a person's heart.

To cut to the chase, I was enamored with this song. Her song.

When we confronted her she was showing her incredible kindness. She worried so much about such banalities. How could I not want to give my strength to such a fair maiden?

I swore to her that she had my support in the name of our clan. You know how much weight such a promise has of course. Seeing to this girl's dreams is just as important to me as my own.

For a dream shared is all the more desirable.

Following this grand evening I accompanied Ms. Cruz every now and then. Giving advice and supporting her are no trouble at all.

Only one thing is nagging on my mind...

Why is that buffoon Akashi barging into our holy mission?! Doesn't he already have Weiss and Lucy? Just how greedy can one man get?

Either way I will continue my efforts... even if it means disposing of the bothersome factors.

As always yours truly,

Juge Velmón

---

Nora and Alex – Secret Agents (Part 2)

Last time on "Nora and Alex – Secret Agents" the beautiful spy Alexandra had been contacted by her genius partner Nora. She told her about a shady underground deal going down in the catacombs of wisdom between the criminal organization led by notorious villain Lie Ren and some unknown new evil. After incredible agent stunts and the help of her trusty partner Nora, Alexandra uncovered the truth behind the case...

Alex: "There was nothing. Ren was just reading a book."

She sighed. What was with that dubious intro anyway?

Nora: "I am 120% sure that Ren is hiding something from me! Just look at his hair. So suspicious."

Alex: "His hair is the same as always..."

Nora: "Don't be silly. Look at that one strand that's standing up a little bit."

Alex: "Isn't that just bed hair...?"

Nora: "Oooh!"

She looked as if her spirit had just been enlightened.

Alex: "Don't you 'Oooh' me! Are you telling me there are absolutely no hints?!"

She rubbed her hands over her face.

Nora: "There is definitely something. I can't really explain, but... it's his aura? I can just feel that something is off!"

Nora crossed her arms with a disgruntled expression.

Alexandra was looking at her without much energy, but she had promised to help and she wouldn't go back on a promise. However one looked at it, this seemed to be nothing more than one of Nora's delusions again. They were probably wasting their time here...

Nora: "Aha! I remembered. Ren always disappears around noon for about an hour and whenever I ask him he just says 'It's nothing'. Soooo suspicious!"

The gun wielding beauty cupped her chin with her hand. That was actually more of a lead than expected. It was at least a little unusual.

Alex: "Fine. We will tail him today around noon then. Maybe we can find out about his... suspicious behavior."

And as she said a few hours later the duo tailed the green wearing student. He didn't notice them, so they were doing quite well. Nora was a little too hyperactive, but Alexandra managed to hold her down.

Alex: "Look, if you want to be sneaky the most important part is to be quiet. Never make noise and always stay out of the target's vision."

Nora nodded silently, mainly because her mouth was held shut by her instructor.

Alex: "And don't act suspicious. If others see you tailing someone they might inform your target. So act natural..."

Nora: "Got it! Heeey Ren, what are you doing-YIPES!"

Alex immediately grabbed the orange haired girl at her collar and wrestled her down.

Alex: "Not THAT natural! I just said you can't reveal yourself to the target!"

While looking over her shoulder to check if the young man had noticed she almost choked Nora. After the air was clear they advanced towards their goal again. As sneaky as was possible with Nora around they followed Ren to his destination. It was the entrance gate of Beacon.

Alex: "What is he doing here?"

She wondered. Nora raised her hand and a light-bulb appeared over her head.

Nora: "Ren is... leaving Beacon!? Nooo, please don't give up Ren! We need youu-"

She started running towards him, but Alex tripped Nora's legs and she hit the ground face first. Nora's assumptions aside, the young hunter was acting weird. He was looking back and forth as if he expected someone to tail him. He was right of course, but they were too well hidden for him to know. Alex genuinely felt suspicious of him now. Another person appeared, just out of view. Even when Alex leaned strongly to the right she couldn't see them.

Ren: "...do you have it?"

?.?.?: "Yes. Do you want me to give it to you right now?"

Ren: "No. That can wait until next week. I am in your debt."

?.?.?: "It's fine. Still I have to wonder, why do you want this dangerous thing? My family has tons of it, but we also have a militia which uses them."

Ren: "It's for a certain someone. I need to end this once and for all. It will blow her away."

?.?.?: "Sounds messy. I won't clean up behind you, just so you know."

Ren: "Don't worry. After next week there won't be a mess to worry about anymore."

Nora & Alex: "….."

The agent duo gulped. That was indeed a suspicious exchange. After they were done talking Ren and the mysterious person parted. The hunter was walking back to the main hall while the other person had left the scene behind the gate.

Nora: "R-r-ren wants to 'blow someone away'..."

Alex: "…with something dangerous from the militia."

Their eyes met.

Nora: "He wants to kill someone!"

Alex: "Wait! This must be a misunderstanding..."

Yet she had no better explanation. It was supposed to get messy. From her experience that meant nothing good. Could Lie Ren truly have such dark intentions? They would find out next week.

---

Special future Idol anti-shyness training Diary (Part 7)

Dear Diary,

It's me Holly Cruz, Beacon Radio's top host!

Sorry sorry, I didn't want to sound too confident there (laugh). Cindy and Amanda would probably stare at me if I randomly shouted that too. They've been asking me where I go all the time, but really I can't even tell them. It's a new place and new people everyday.

Since Akashi and Juge are supporting me occasionally a lot has changed. I feel like I am being pulled by the hand over the local festival. It's great and yet somewhat stressful (wiping sweat).

Today we went outside and into the crowds of other students. If I had been alone it would have given me a heart attack to be surrounded by so many people and I would probably have hyperventilated or something embarrassing, but Juge and Akashi split the groups around me and pushed anyone out of the way who walked through our path... I feel like we were kinda missing the point?

Later I was introduced to the two's teammates. They are a mixed team of two guys and two girls. First let me describe the more mature looking Riza Inari. She is a faunus with cute fox ears and a incredibly fluffy tail! (I touched it. It's even better than Cindy's plush animals.) But you should try to avoid playing around with it too much or she will get angry... not that a diary would want to touch it anyway (ehehe).

I must say Riza is beautiful, has a great figure and is so confident. I wish I had even a fracture of her strength! And even though I was playing around with her tail she didn't throw me out the window like she did with Lucy. She is very kind.

Ah Lucy Stripes! That's the other member of team LARJ and their leader. She is a cute red-head with an aura that says 'Cuddle me'. She really loves music, so we connected easily. It's surprising how far her range in bands and genres goes. You don't see many teenagers listening to Native Faunus Tribal music in their free time. According to the boys she is actually a very skilled fighter too. What would I give to have even a fracture of her calmness...

Those two were nice to me, but I asked Juge and Akashi to hide my identity. I thought it might make things weird if they knew who I was. So they simply call me Holly around them. It's not like there is only one Holly at this Academy and nobody would suspect shy old me to be a Radio Host (sad).

After explaining some of my situation to them Riza looked troubled.

"Something to overcome shyness? I don't really have any experience with that kinda thing." She confessed. Just as I expected of a strong-willed girl like her.

"I have an idea ~!" Lucy exclaimed.

"What is it leader?" Juge seemed surprised. He was always treating her with respect, but he also looked a little doubtful.

"Baseball!"

"Huh?" Everybody including me stared at her in confusion.

"Team spirit is everything. May our sweat and guts melt us together and we will be reborn as one!" Her speech was not clearing up my confusion, but Akashi seemed to agree.

"Lucy is right, team-sports are the first step in getting more confident and trusting your back to others. And if you can trust your team, it is just a small step to trusting your opponent too."

"Is this supposed to be a sports movie...? That's way too cliché." Riza didn't buy into it.

"I suppose it is worth a try. Will you bear with us Holly?" Juge smiled at me encouragingly. I felt a little more confident with all these people trying to come up with ideas just for my sake. After all my own ideas had not worked out, so why not? I nodded and pumped my fists.

"L-let's try it!"

We managed to convince the Baseball team to lend us their equipment and gathered on the sports field. This place was amazing. Let me explain diary. There is a space in Beacon that can basically be turned into any basic structure or sports field. The lines could form a Dodge-ball square or a Baseball field at a simple button press.

I have to confess something... I never played Baseball before. I don't even know the rules (blush). The problem is I couldn't even say that much, because my voice would always crack. So I am not entirely sure what was correct play and what not in this game.

As far I could understand usually Baseball is played with two teams of nine players each. We were just four people, so there was no way we could play by the normal rules. We changed it up to two teams of two. There would be one Pitcher, one Catcher and one Batter. The Pitcher and Catcher are always a team and the Batter and Runner the other. Those positions would be switched whenever one team scored a point. For simplicity's sake 10 points was a total victory.

Before the game Juge gently put the glove on my hand to show me how to hold it. For a moment our hands touched... I was blushing. I am so weak. The others looked at us too. Did Mr. Akashi glare at me?!

To make things fair we drew lots. In the end I was teamed up with Mr. Akashi ( I call him Mr. because I really respected him in that game). Juge and Riza were the opponents. Lucy was the ball boy... I mean girl. She would get any ball that got hit too far away. I started as a Pitcher. Mr. Akashi was wearing the helmet and glove and gave me thumbs up. His smile was giving me courage. Juge was the Batter and for some reason he looked really downcast. Riza was standing in front of first base in anticipation.

I will tell you right away that I am not a very fit person. I like singing, so my lungs are strong, but my arms are puny and my legs not muscly. As a huntress that condition was a serious problem, but let's talk about it another time. The white leathery ball felt numb in my hand and I gulped while looking ahead.

"H-here goes nothing...!" I tried to yell, but my voice was barely audible I fear. With all my strength I threw the ball at Juge. It was going really slow! I almost wondered how gravity wasn't pulling it down immediately (sob). Juge was gripping the bat as tightly as he could and his eyes were fixed on the snail-like ball.

"Taaaak thiiiiis!" He shouted and swung the bat with incredible strength.

He missed.

Akashi caught the ball easily in his glove and gave me another thumbs up. I just got my fist 'Out'! Ma-maybe it was so slow that Juge couldn't react to it normally?

"What are you doing Juge? Play seriously!" Riza yelled at him.

"I'm sorry renard, but it seems that my Baseball skills are lacking." He answered coolly.

"What did you call me!?" It seemed like those two were not getting along.

"Come on guys, keep the 'married couple quarrel' spiel for after we beat you." Akashi said with a grin.

"If you wanted me to punch your teeth in you could just have asked normally Akky." Riza gave him a dark smile while cracking her fist.

"U-uhm... p-please don't fight... everyone!" My weak voice was making them stop luckily.

My second pitch went a little different. This time Juge hit the ball, but it was so weak that it just fell to his feet. That was a 'Foul' right?

"Out! Only one more Jugey ~" Akashi said with a sweet voice.

"...hrm." Juge's face was like stone. There must have been some inner conflict I couldn't understand.

"I-it's fine Juge! I am also new to this. We can become better together." I tried to cheer him up. Juge's eyes widened and he grabbed his bat tightly while shaking.

"Yes. Let's try our best." He said happily.

"Tsk." Riza seemed annoyed.

I gave him my final pitch and this time he hit it very well. It flew a few meters and landed in the grass. Eh? Was this my time to get it? I was a little unsure, but it didn't matter anyway. As if something had possessed her, Riza's eyes were sparking and she ran the whole lap like a high-speed projectile!

"That's one point for team Blueberry Jam!" Lucy announced.

"That name..." Riza sighed. Juge glared at her for some reason. "What? Got something to say?"

"I can't believe you." He said with crossed arms. "You truly are ruthless."

"Huh...?" her fox ears twisted as if she was not sure if to be angry or amused.

"Don't worry Holly. You can do it! I believe in yoooou!" Mr. Akashi yelled over their bickering while doing poses. He was so nice. I nodded and Lucy brought me the ball.

My next pitch went straight into Mr. Akashi's glove again.

"Triple Out hahaha!" Akashi triumphantly said and gave me a high-five.

"Switch ~" Lucy said.

I am not sure how it happened, but in the end I was the Runner and Mr. Akashi the Batter. Riza was wearing the helmet and glove, while Juge went to the pitching mound.

The two boys stared each other into the eyes.

"You better give it your all this time!" Riza yelled at Juge. He nodded.

"I don't really care what techniques you use, my batter arm is perfect. After training with a Hammer and a Bow you just get a feeling for this type of swing and aim stuff!" Mr. Akashi was very confident!

"Heh." Juge was giving him a hollow smile. His form looked really professional and he made a long swing. "DIIIEEE!" He yelled (I must have misheard. It was probably just a war-cry) and the ball caught fire. Like a rocket splitting the atmosphere it advanced towards its goal and... hit Mr. Akashi straight in the face.

"PWAH!" He exclaimed in pain as he was catapulted into the grassy hill.

Juge blew on his smoking hand and even Riza looked shocked. Akashi rose from the earth and pulled the ball out of his skull.

"You clearly did that on purpose! I totally heard you scream 'Die' there! Hitting the batter directly is cheating!"

"Oops." Juge said with a weird smile.

"Out." Lucy declared.

"Come on ref! That was a bad move." Mr. Akashi complained. His face was red where the ball hit him. The red-head shook her head.

"Gah... bring it on then!" Now Mr. Akashi was all fired up. Juge prepared another throw...

"MY HAND SLIPPED!" He yelled. What I found weird about that statement is that he said it slightly before he threw the ball. Maybe I saw wrong.

"LIKE HELL IT DIIID!" Mr. Akashi shouted back and tried to hit the ball, but this time it drilled itself into his stomach.

"You two..." Riza facepalmed.

"Out!" Lucy said happily.

About two hours later we finally wrapped up the game. When it was my turn to use the bat Mr. Akashi showed me the right way to hold it. Juge stared at us. I tried to hit his pitches and somehow my arm was moving by itself. I always hit the ball without even trying. It seemed like my bat was moving the right way every time...

Riza's pitches were a lot harder to hit and she got me three Outs. In the end we won, albeit barely.

Riza was furious at Juge for some reason and he had to apologize a lot. Mr. Akashi's face was pretty hurt, but he still managed to smile like a victor.

Lucy gave me hug and then put me on her small shoulders. She was surprisingly strong. My long hair got tangled up with her sweater after we fell on each other. We laughed a lot. The red evening sky was really beautiful.

Towards the end we all sat down and rested after the exhausting match.

"So Holly... do you feel a little more confident now?" Akashi asked me while leaning his head on both arms as he was lying in the grass.

"I... don't really feel different... eh... sorry." I answered truthfully. It was fun, but I still felt bashful.

"Are you sure?" Riza said with a relaxed expression. She was brushing her tail in the warm evening sun.

"H-huh?"

"Don't you feel more relaxed around us now?" Juge explained. His words made me realize something. Sitting around together with people I barely knew and holding a conversation... playing games together and enjoying myself. All that was totally new to me. At the Radio Club we got to know each other slowly over a whole year and I had the advantage of my Radio Host personality. This was an actual group activity in the open... with people I just met recently.

I nodded with blurry vision.

"It was fun." I said and I just could feel myself smiling warmly automatically.

"Great to hear it." Akashi said while rubbing his bruised face.

"Pocky?" Lucy held a pack in my direction.

"She likes you." Riza said as if she was talking about a dog that had just licked my face. We chuckled.

So in conclusion: Today was a success.

Hopefully tomorrow will be even brighter.

Wish me luck diary,

Holly

---

Nora and Alex – Secret Agents (Part 3)

Last week on "Nora and Alex – Secret Agents" our heroic agent duo discovered the malicious plans of crime boss Lie Ren. He was planning to assassinate someone in Beacon Academy with a dangerous object of unknown origin. What is this weapon of mass-destruction? Who is the unfortunate target of the ruthless plan? We are about to find out...

Alex: "Seriously what's with these exaggerated intros?"

Nora: "Ssshhh! Ren is meeting with someone."

It had been exactly one week and Ren was acting very uneasy today. Everything was pointing at the suspicious exchange from last week. He must have obtained the object and now he was going after his target... for whatever.

Alex and Nora were located in the bathroom stall next to Ren.

Alex: "Why are we in the boys' bathroom!?"

The black-haired beauty whispered as loud as she could.

Nora: "We can't hold back when a life is on the line!"

Alex: "He clearly said it was a 'she' he was going to blow away."

Nora: "That's just a cover up."

Alex: "Do you even know what a cover up is...?"

Who in their right mind had a meeting in the restroom anyway? After a while Ren was washing his hands and another person entered the room. They could only hear his footsteps which suddenly stopped next to Ren.

?.?.?: "Yo Ren! Also taking a piss?"

Alex: (How unrefined! This must be...)

Ren: "… hello Akashi."

Akashi: "This bathroom is the best. Nothing goes over this 'hut in the woods' feeling."

Ren: "..."

The bathroom on the second floor was indeed looking more rural and... unsanitized. No comparison to the always clean girls' room. Sometimes double standards were nice.

Nora: "Aka is so funny."

She giggled. Alex shook her head.

Akashi: "You wanted something from me?"

Now the girls' ears perked up.

Ren: "Right. I didn't intend to talk about it in here..."

He coughed. Alex put her ear to the door full of scribbles and drawings.

Akashi: "Any place is fine, no?"

Ren: "It's about something that has been on my mind lately. I have to show you..."

They heard a clicking noise.

Akashi: "Eh? What's that? Looks like metal and..."

Nora burst out of the bathroom door and pointed at the two boys.

Nora: "Hands up you two and nobody will get hurt!"

Alex: "….!"

Alexandra was so in shock that she didn't manage to hide herself in time.

Akashi: "G-girls?! I-what-you-"

Ren: "Nora..."

He sighed. So he found them out. Everything was over.

Ren: "… I told you a hundred times not to follow me into the bathroom. It's just not right."

Alex & Akashi: "...eh?"

Nora: "Riiight, I forgot. Teeheehee."

Alex & Akashi: "Teehee... hee?"

This was not the first time Nora went into the boys bathroom? And she had totally forgotten why she was here...

Ren: "Please leave. I am done too. Here, for you Akashi."

He gave the frozen Mayhiro a metal pen. He received it with his stiff hands.

Ren: "I found this under my bed. It seems you threw it away by accident."

Akashi: "Y...ye-ah. That's mine."

He nodded mechanically. Ren pulled Nora out of the bathroom and then glanced at Alexandra.

Ren: "I am sorry if she dragged you along."

And so the two shocked people were left alone. Alex regained her composure first and adjusted her uniform. She walked past Akashi and then threw him a glare.

Alex: "No word of this to anyone or that metal pen will disappear into a different dark place."

Akashi nodded while shivering. Alex left the bathroom.

Akashi: "I don't have to go anymore."

He whispered.

…...

Later Nora and Alex regrouped and followed Ren once again. The black-haired girl tried to erase any memory of the last hour permanently. They had followed their target all the way back to Team JNPR/LARJ's shared room.

Alex used her foot to block the closing door before it shut and then pulled Nora behind her right into the girls' side. They both hid behind Jaune's bed and table. It was pretty chaotic and reflected the owner's personality. There was one other person in the room.

Juge: "Greetings Ren."

Ren: "Good day Juge."

They both nodded at each other in understanding. There was a calm comradery between the two. Ren was a very silent person and Juge seemed like a kindred spirit. Because of all the trouble around team LARJ and JNPR ever day they barely had time to bond recently...

Alex: "He wouldn't do anything to a friend... right?"

She mumbled. Next to her the sounds of crunching could be heard.

Alex: "What are you doing!?"

She hit Nora's head and pulled the cookies out of her hands.

Nora: "I need my daily sugar intake or I will never grow up to be a big girl."

Alex: "I don't want to know how you got that stupid misconception..."

The huntress sighed and looked back to the boys. Juge had sat down on a blanket on the ground.

Ren: "Is nobody else coming?"

Juge: "Not that I am aware of. Everyone else is busy today. We are completely alone for the next few hours."

Ren: "Good."

A small smirk appeared on Ren's face and he pulled something out of his pocket. Something long that blinked in the light of the sunrays creeping through the half covered window.

Nora: "A knife!"

Alex: "No way..."

This setting was too perfect. Ren could take care of the clueless Velmón and then dispose of his body in that blanket while the others were gone. A perfect crime.

Juge: "You want to meditate with me?"

Juge asked with a friendly smile. Ren stopped his motion and then nodded. Alex bit her lip and stared at them from her position between Jaune's pajama and shield-sheath thing.

Nora: "Jugey is totally oblivious. Ren will stab him while he closes his eyes!"

She was about to get up again when Alex pulled her down. This time she wouldn't let Nora blow their cover.

Alex: "We will wait. I don't want to make a scene again."

Nora: "Meh."

They watched as Ren sat down next to Juge and they both started meditating.

Ren: "By the way... I have something for you."

Alex: (Here it comes.)

The black-haired boy handed his friend a silver object with a black stick stuck to it.

Juge: "Incense! That's a great idea. And the base is so well made. Is that silver?"

Ren nodded.

Nora: "That's it? At least try to stab him with it..."

The orange-haired girl seemed disappointed and drew on some of Jaune's paper's with red marker. They were probably important...

Alex: "I knew it was unlikely. We will have to wait for an opening to escape."

The two boys were now sitting in a position that had a perfect vision cone over Jaune's bed. They would immediately be noticed if they moved away. The two boys were meditating, but Ren's eyes stayed open, while Juge closed his.

And they kept meditating.

And then some more.

Alex started sweating. It had been about two hours already. The position behind Jaune's bed started to get really uncomfortable. Were they seriously going to meditate all day? Weren't they getting bored? Nora had already fallen asleep and Alex only prevented her snoring by pushing one of Jaune's socks into her mouth.

-Several hours later-

Alex: "I don't believe this..."

Her back was hurting and she felt an itch along her whole body by now. The two silent sentries were just sitting there and breathing incense like air! Were they really human?

Finally the sound of a door opening broke the insufferable atmosphere. Noise was entering the double-room and the rest of team JNPR and LARJ appeared. Ren and Juge got up and stretched with happy sighs.

Alex: (You dare to sound so refreshed?!)

Her mood had just worsened. Conversations started and everyone was going to their respective bed and stuff. Jaune sat down in front of them and looked at his papers.

Jaune: "Whhhyyyy are there red scribbles all over my homework!?"

He cried out in despair. The others didn't take notice. He let himself fall on his bed and sighed. Two slender hands appeared around his throat and nails dug into his skin.

Alex: "Not a sound or it will be your last."

Jaune: "…!"

He nodded with a pale expression.

Alex: "Listen to me Jaune Obey Arc."

Jaune: "I don't have a second name-"

Alex: "Now you do!"

Jaune: "Y-y-yes! My name is Jaune Obey Arc!"

Alex: "Nora and I have been stuck here for hours... I want you to make a big fuss and distract the others so we can escape."

Jaune: "W-what kind of fuss would you prefer... milady?"

He asked carefully. Alex loosened the grip around his throat.

Alex: "You will come up with something. I have trust in you."

Jaune gulped. Alex pulled the sock out of the still sleeping Nora's mouth and handed it to Jaune. It was full of drool... The blond hunter dropped his shoulders. He then proceeded to move to the middle of the room and suddenly shouted.

Jaune: "Grimm attack! They are like... everywhere! Look they already got my socks. I saw one jump out the w-window."

He threw his wet sock out the window and pointed to the grounds below. The others looked at him like he was crazy, but then took a look outside anyway. While they were distracted Alex pulled Nora out of the room and into the hallway. She was breathing heavily and her heart was pumping fast.

Antonio: "…"

The leader of team AKJA had just passed the door and looked at them perplexedly. The black-haired huntress was holding a drooling and sleeping Nora in her arms and covered in dirt. One of Jaune's shirts was stuck to her back. Alex glared at him.

Antonio: "What a beautiful empty hallway this is. I will just admire the sublime brick work."

He looked at the walls. Alex escaped the hallway and woke Nora up with a few smacks to the face. The orange-haired girl's eyes fluttered open and she immediately stood up full of life again.

Nora: "That was a great nap ~"

Alex: "Great for you!"

Alex hand-chopped Nora's forehead.

---

Special future Idol anti-shyness training Diary (Part 8)

Dear Diary,

Good morning (yawn). I haven't written to you in several days, because I was so busy, but now I finally found some time for myself. Club activities additionally to training really suck up a lot of my time, but I am kinda happy about it too!

Something is troubling me recently, beside my terrible shyness of course. Akashi and Juge are such nice people. Maybe a little too nice? They are trying their best to support me and I feel they are overdoing it a tidbit...

A few days ago when I went to classes I bumped into someone on the way. His head was shaved and he looked extremely angry, so naturally I shrunk back and my voice broke. He yelled at me for a few minutes and then pushed me aside and left. It was horrible, but I was at fault too.

Later Juge and Akashi found out about it and asked me who the guy was. I didn't remember, but they swore to find him and give him a piece of their minds. Even though I didn't want them to get into trouble they found the bully and his friends and got into a fight... When they came back they had bruises and swollen faces, but they seemed satisfied. I brought them to the infirmary where a very short nurse with pink hair chewed us all out (even me for some reason) and swore that she 'would not treat us again if we got into a stupid fight'. Is she really a nurse...?

Anyway from that day on every morning when I left my room the two of them were waiting for me. They insisted on escorting me to classes, despite me being their senior. Aren't they going to be late for their own classes? Another strange thing is that they arrived earlier and earlier. When I went outside around 4 am once because I couldn't sleep I saw them sitting in front of our team room's door!

"M-morning... Holly. Great day- I mean night for a walk, right?" Akashi said with dark circles below his eyes.

"I agree. The sun is so bright..." Juge mumbled. Akashi punched him against the arm. "I mean the moon... yes the moon." He looked like he would fall asleep any second. How many nights had they been doing this already? I pleaded them to go to their own room and sleep. If they were protecting our door at night then that was not necessary. Nobody would attack us.

"That's not it though..." Akashi mumbled. I could barely hear him while he avoided his eyes.

"I will escort you first." Juge said with his eyes closed. Was he... sleep-talking? I don't really know what their intentions are, but I hope they don't overdo it for my sake.

One night Juge was walking up and down the hallway to keep awake perhaps? Well Amanda almost sliced his throat with her claw weapon, because she thought he was a stalker! The other night Cindy almost got a heart attack when she saw Akashi was resting on a tree branch close to our window. Amanda almost cut his heart out with her claw weapon...

"This has to s-stop! I know you just want to be nice, b-but please don't trouble yourself so much." I said with all my courage. They rubbed their necks and nodded. Since then they were just appearing at our door at exactly 8:30 am. Sometimes they look a little roughed up or even out of breath. They must have been running or something.

I must admit I do feel pretty safe with those two around. They actually saved me several times already. Like yesterday morning.

"Look out! It's a giant waspbee!" Akashi shouted and I ducked in fear. He hit Juge really hard in the back which made him grunt in pain. "Haha it flew away. Sorry about that Juge, buddy." For the fracture of a second Akashi's smile seemed to be overshadowed by something malicious... but I certainly imagined it.

"No problem, my friend." He answered politely. "Oh, but you should look out because of that weirdly placed and totally not planted dust canister to your feet." He warned Akashi very slowly and composed.

"Wait wha-!?" The explosion was pretty, but Akashi didn't wake up for an hour even after I splashed water on him. Juge held his head in place the whole time in case of concussions. They are such good friends! Maybe he was a little tense though, because his fingers left marks on Akashi's temples.

Now I realized just how much time alone I spend before. With people always around me I do feel somewhat pressured. To take a breath and have some alone time I am currently sitting in the Mess Hall. Nobody is here, because breakfast time is already over. The weekends are really relaxing, but the food will still be made around the same times, so don't slack off (strict). A few people are sitting in here too, but nobody I recognize...

Yo diary!

Today I woke up in the middle of the night. I can't believe that bastard Juge glued my clothes to the bed with industrial super-glue! I can see his prickly elite grin in my mind already. He is probably having a fun time with Holly right now... I'll get you back Velmón! He doesn't know about the surprise in his bag yet. Tomorrow he will spend all day scrubbing away bwahahaha-

Mr. Akashi...?!

Oh hi Holly. I am currently writing, so can this wait?

This is my diary!

...You are right! Whoops. I messed up.

How can anyone even make such a mistake...?

I guess my mind was just distracted ahaha ~

Why are we communicating through writing? You are sitting right next to me.

No idea. So... you are writing a diary too?

Yes. I use it to keep track of my training. What was that about glue? There is something stuck to the back of your head.

Dammit, I thought I got all pieces of the bedsheet off... T-this is nothing. Juge spilled some of his glue on my bed and I didn't notice. We are clumsy like that!

D-don't pull on it so much. Doesn't it hurt to rip out that much hair?!

N-not at all... Men are destined to lose all their hair anyway!

Your tears are sogging my diary...

Sorry.

Can you please leave me alone? This is a private diary.

Of course! I will never mix this up with a public diary again.

Let's Rock diary,

Akashi

He really didn't need to finish it... I will continue later. For now I should try to find a new hiding place. It's time to tell those two to give me a little more personal space too.

Wish me luck diary,

Holly

---

Nora and Alex – Secret Agents (Part 4)

Last time on "Nora and Alex – Secret Agents" our wonderful heroines prevented the assassination of two Beacon Academy students. First they saved Akashi Mayhiro from certain death inside the men's room and then they prevented the homicide of Ren's close friend Juge Velmón. Will the evil overlord Ren's lust for murder ever subside? Will our femme fatale be there in time? Find out in this episode of-

Alex: "Nothing will be found out! I quit."

Nora: "Nuoo! Please stay Al. I need you."

Nora gave her puppy eyes, but Alexandra was through with this nonsense.

Alex: "Ren is obviously not a killer and I can't believe you dragged me through all these terrible situations. Also don't call me 'Al'."

Nora: "B-but I totally saw something suspicious a few minutes ago..."

Alex: "… what is it?"

Despite giving her a rough attitude she still couldn't ignore her fellow huntress. She hated herself for being so weak.

Nora: "Ren met with Riza and she gave him something."

Alex: "So what?"

Nora: "Uhhh... I think she was the one Ren talked to last week. The mysterious girl who got Ren the murder weapon!"

Alex: "Please don't refer to it as a murder weapon before a murder was committed... And are you sure?"

Nora: "Yeppers!"

Alex: (Riza Inari's family... yes they are reigning over quite some land. They probably have a militia. I am also sure that it was a female's voice I heard.)

Alex contemplated Nora's words and then nodded.

Nora: "You believe me?"

Alex: "Yes. It seems likely that she is his contact. I am not sure what their purpose is, but now that I've bitten into the sour drop I might as well finish it."

Nora: "I love sour drops!"

Alex: "...I am sure you do..."

She sighed and walked ahead. Time to tail Ren once again.

After a few minutes they found him walking towards the backyard of the faculty office building. He was looking a little out of it and walked in circles. Waiting for a little while someone finally appeared. It was professor Goodwitch!

Glynda: "I am sorry for the delay. My work was piling up and I needed to... straighten out one of my co-workers."

She lightly slapped her crop into her hand. Ren nodded.

Glynda: "Then let us get to business. I know you have something to say to me. It's wrong to hold back your emotions."

She sounded almost understanding. Ren looked down and then he pulled out his twin guns!

Nora: "No way! Professor Goodwitch was his target?! I thought you were after me Ren! Don't go after other women..."

Alex: "You want him to target you?"

She shook her head. There was something more important to worry about here! She pulled out her Desert Eagles and aimed at Ren. But if she shot from here he would immediately see through their hiding spot...

Alex: "Nora duck!"

She whispered and then shot right to the side where the orange-haired girl had been sitting. The hyper girl jumped flat on her chest and Alexandra released a few shots. The bullets were deflected by the metal railing to the side and then from the faculty offices platinum roof. From there they were directly aimed at Ren's guns and they shot them out of the hunter's hands.

Ren: "Ouch...!"

He let go of the guns that were hit by the ricochet shots. Professor Goodwitch looked surprised and checked the vicinity for the attackers. Alexandra hid deeper in the bushes.

Glynda: "Come out of there girls."

The eyes behind her glasses looked straight at their hiding place. How did she so easily detect them? This must have been the skills of a top class huntress.

Or not. Alex noticed that Nora's legs were hanging out of the bushes. She sighed. As the two 'agents' left their post they were watched intently by the blonde professor.

Glynda: "Heavens, what where you thinking girls? You can't just shoot your fellow students. Do you have any idea how dangerous this was?"

She was already in lecture mode.

Nora: "But professor... It was all Al's doing."

Alex: "Thanks a lot 'partner'! And don't call me 'Al'!"

The black-haired girl rubbed her temples.

Alex: "I am sorry Ms. Goodwitch, but I did it to protect you. Ren aimed his guns at you-"

Ren: "I am sorry."

He interrupted her words. They looked at his apologetic face.

Ren: "I didn't intend to make it look so threatening. Professor Goodwitch helped me with my stance. I didn't even have my fingers on the trigger."

He rubbed his head.

Alex: "… Why professor Goodwitch?"

Ren: "She saw me training and commented on my poor form. So I asked her for help and after some training I wanted to show her the fruits of my work."

Glynda: "I understand the situation now. That is still no excuse for shooting your guns at other students. And really, did you think I couldn't protect myself against a rookie?"

She adjusted her glasses. Alex and Nora looked down to their feet.

Glynda: "...but you only disarmed him and in the end it was with good intentions. I will overlook this just once. Do not expect to get off so easy next time."

The professor walked back into the building, but before she entered the door she turned her head over her shoulder.

Glynda: "You have improved. That was a much more stable stance."

The rare words of praise were accompanied by the closing door sound. The three students were left behind in awkward silence. Finally Alex couldn't bear it anymore.

Alex: "I am sorry for doubting you. Nora and I were suspecting you unjustly..."

Nora: "I never thought Ren would shoot her ~"

Alex: "Hmph... I was too trigger happy. Sorry."

She crossed her arms and looked away.

Ren: "I accept your apology. But I have to ask you two... why have you been following me so much?"

Alex: "So you noticed after all."

He nodded. Nora put out her tongue and smiled guiltily. Alex just shrugged and grabbed Nora by the neck like a small cat.

Alex: "This ditz suspected you of doing something behind her back. One thing came to the other and we overheard your conversation with Riza. I am sorry for eavesdropping too. It seems like our imagination went too far."

Ren: "So you heard that too."

He seemed a little downcast. Putting his hand in one pocket he pulled out a metal object. It was a middle-sized box...

Nora: "What – is – this? It'ssoshiny!"

Nora instantly grabbed it and spun it in her hands. Ren nodded as if he had expected it.

Ren: "It's a lunch box. It was supposed to be a surprise."

Alex: "...come again?"

Ren: "It's a metal lunch box with a special child-safe lid."

Alex: "B-but Riza said the thing was from the militia!"

Ren: "It's a military edition. Made specifically for rough terrain and damaging situations. It will never dent in or get rusty."

Alex: "…."

She stared at him with disbelief. Then she shook her head strongly.

Alex: "Why would she need this? I'm sure I heard the words dangerous and 'leaving a mess'!"

Ren: "Nora... tends to be overly active. She has destroyed several of her possessions without even trying. There is a new lunchbox every week with her. She also throws them around sometimes... and a metal box hurts a lot more when hit with it."

Nora nodded and threw the box into the air and caught it again.

Ren: "The only problem is that even with a strong box the food doesn't get preserved any better. So it will turn quite messy inside while shaken around. Nora will have to learn to be more careful with her belongings now. At least the furniture and walls will not become messy anymore. Or at least I hope so..."

He didn't look convinced. With good reason. Nora was playing with the special lid, but didn't manage to open the easy child safety mechanism...

Alex: "I knew this was pointless. That's why I can hardly complain at this point."

She raised her hands and shrugged in defeat while sighing. In that moment Nora managed to open the lid and yelled out in victory. After closing the box carefully she hugged Ren.

Nora: "Thanks Ren. This thing is awesome!"

Then her eyes locked on to Alexandra who backed away too slow. She grabbed her arm and then pulled her into the hug too.

Nora: "Grouup huuug~!"

The two black haired students looked at each other and then at Nora and started smiling.

There were worse things than playing 'Secret Agents' from time to time.

---

Special future Idol anti-shyness training Diary (Part 9)

Dear Diary,

It's me again, Holly Cruz! Did you miss me (smile)?

I want to talk about something special today. Like I said before my dream is to become a singing and dancing Idol on the bright stages all over the world. And although I am still far from that dream I am a little more hopeful now. My family is very supportive of me too, so why did I enroll in Beacon Academy? I am sure that you asked yourself this question many times.

The story behind this path is a little complicated...

The Cruz family was always very diverse in their career paths. My mother is a musician and my father a banker. My grandparents were both engineers and my Uncle is a barkeeper. Such a thing as a 'family business' does not exist. Everybody pursues their own dreams. In a way this was the best family to be born into for me. I could take my own path as a singer and be supported strongly in it. And yet... My shyness and stage fright got in the way. I just never managed to overcome it. So what was I supposed to do?

There is something a little special about my singing. I don't mean that I am very good, just that it does things. I remember when I was a child I would always sing to the neighbor's cats and they would all fall asleep. Back then I thought they were just bored, but when I tried to sing something more aggressive they would suddenly become agile and active. Cats are just cats, so I didn't think too much into it. The more I sang the more I realized something. When my father was burnt out from work I sang him a song of how much I appreciated his work and he was suddenly fired up again. That seems like a natural thing for my father, but he told me that it was like his tiredness and depression was just swept away. The same thing happened many times in other situations.

In the end someone told me the truth. The hunter who lived in the apartment above us one day heard my song and then approached me. He told me that my singing was filled with a mysterious power... like the Semblance of a huntress. And sure enough it was the manifestation of my aura that gave my song real power. He trained me a little bit and soon my song could boost a person's confidence and strength or confuse and weaken them.

My semblance is based on my emotions when I sing and it is a supportive ability. It doesn't really help much in a fight by myself, but it could help others fighting alongside me.

Still I wasn't really sure what to do with this revelation. I was too shy to sing in front of others than my family and not really intend on ever getting into fights. The huntsman asked me if I wanted to become a huntress perhaps. I denied him strongly (chuckle).

"I can't... I am scared." I said while pressing my legs against my face. We were sitting against the wall of the veranda.

"That's okay, we all are. Not everybody chose to become a hunter or huntress at first." He was staring at the sunset with a calm expression. "But consider your gift. It's something pure... your feelings can literally support others. Where others can't do anything even if they feel so strongly that they could burst, you can actually give your comrades strength and weaken your enemies." After that he sucked on the straw inside his drink.

"B-but wont I be a burden? I can't fight..."

"That's what the academies are for. They train you to survive. There were always hunters specialized in support. Many missions require parties of us to fight together to prevail." He shook his head. "You said you wanted to become a songstress. Why is that?" His words seemed to have a deeper meaning so I took my time thinking about it. In the end there was nothing to reconsider. My answer was clear from the start.

"I want to share my feelings with everyone." I said truthfully.

"Then you already know why this path is right for you. Your feelings will reach your comrades and give them the strength to survive. That is something a mere songstress might never achieve." He shrugged and leaned back. "Don't get me wrong... just because you will be a huntress doesn't mean you can't also be an Idol. If you become strong enough to support others, you will be strong enough to support yourself. And then it will be easy to take the stage in one fell swoop, am I right?" He laughed.

I was doubtful if he took our conversation even seriously. The job of a huntress was something that one should dedicate their life to! Fighting to protect those who can't protect themselves. My ambitions were nothing grandiose like that... but his words moved me.

With time I grew to be more drawn to the idea of becoming a huntress up to the point where I mentioned it to my family. My father was not happy about it, but my mother and uncle were overjoyed. Uncle is kind of a weapon nut and he saw an opportunity to make me something. I wasn't even sure of my path and yet he already gave me a wonderful present. My weapon is a mic stand. It's made out of strong metal and can turn into a rifle or a shield. It also is a fully working mobile mic, so I can spread my song anywhere!

I admit that it also played a role in my final decision (sigh).

Going to a hunters academy all by myself... it seemed like a weird mix of a dream and a realisitc story you read in a novel. I don't know if I was ready and I still don't know today...

Headmaster Ozpin recruited me personally. It was a weird coincidence, as I was actually trying to got to Signal. I was already past the usual age, so they told me to perhaps look somewhere else. Depressed by this fact I left in tears and sat down in the park closeby. A few stray cats were sitting around and I felt reminded of home. I started singing, to release all my frustrations and the cats meowed alongside me like a chorus. They surely tried to comfort me, because they all snuggled close and licked my hands and face. Maybe it was because I ate a tuna sandwich for lunch though...

In that moment a gray-haired man walked towards me and sat down on the bench. He was wearing small shaded glasses and a black outfit. He had the aura of a very collected and respectable man.

"That is a very interesting ability you have there young lady."

"..." I glanced at him, but didn't respond.

"My bad, first I should introduce myself. My name is Ozpin. If you would kindly give me your name?"

"Holly Cruz."

"Mhm. What a... radiant name. Very befitting of you aura I must say."

"...m-my aura?" I was uneasy.

"Of course I mean it in both senses of the word. Your semblance is a very warm one." He smiled.

"W-who-?"

"I am a man who seeks to protect the future of this world. Training the next generation and maybe even the one after that... to become the best they can be. Do you want to become the best you could be?" I was reminded of the hunter that lived upstairs back at home. This laid back yet wise attitutde. Was it the sign of a great hunter? Either way I could feel the same strength and wisdom in this middle aged man named Ozpin.

So I nodded.

"In that case come to Beacon. It's a place that will shape you into the real you or at least someone that you can accept as you. Being a huntress is about helping the people, but in a way it is also about helping oneself." His words were calm and clear, yet I felt a passion in my heart that was hard to describe in words.

And that's how I came to Beacon. No previous studies at Signal, no knowledge of how to fight. It was a new world for me. And despite all my shortcomings I do feel like at the end of this journey I will find the self that I wanted to be, more than just the self that I could be.

Remembering the past has made me realize a few things. I am already not the Holly from back then anymore. And I will continue to change until I've reached my dream. Be it my current one or the dream of the future.

That's why I can never give up. That's why I will continue to write this diary too.

Wish me luck from now on too diary,

Sincerely, your Holly

---

See you Real soon!

J 343 and Bdevil