A/N: Guess who's back!
Honestly, I didn't think I would put another chapter out so quickly. The reason was the same one that got me writing this story in the first place. I do not like the way the canon is going and where it could go.
Too much uncertainty for us Haruto x Saki fans. I have no idea what's going to happen and it's killing me. My motivation really got going though around the episode where Lieselotte died.
Did not see that coming.
Anyways, so she finally gets into her body only for that bastard A-drei (who seemed like a nicer guy than I expected) to be there waiting. And that preview at the end of the episode where it showed that body bag.
I was like fuck!
I knew that was her, who else could it be?
And then she gets killed in front of everyone in the latest episode and I'm like WHY?!
Why does Saki have to go through all this?!
And then I read the manga spinoff about her past.
I knew her childhood was messed.
Her freaking mom is crazy.
And scary.
Also we got to see a young Saki, she was so cute.
Moving on.
I'm sure you've seen that I've added a love triangle between L-elf and Shoko and Lieselotte. I really just couldn't help it. Just like Larsmen said they're the complete opposites and I just like the interactions between the two even when it's not a lot. Like in the first episode (I think) in the second season there was a quick scene where Shoko is working on something and L-elf checks up on her I guess. The scene was short and so was the interaction was little yet I couldn't help but like it.
I guess the same could be same for Lieselotte. She seems like the sweet, caring, motherly type. And I couldn't not put some L-elf and Lieselotte in there after watching his confession. I thought he knew her for years not minutes.
And yet he fell in love with her.
L-elf is just a love struck boy underneath all that badassness.
How cute.
And when he told her he loved her and she could laugh at him, he just seemed so awkward, I was like whoa where'd L-elf go.
That being said I don't plan on Lieselotte being a Magius, in fact, I don't plan on Magius to be the same thing as in canon. What I have planned is the Magius being a supernatural occurrence that has been around since the beginning of man that no one knows how they came to be.
Almost like Geass from Code Geass. No one (as far as I know) knows where it came from but it still was out there. The Magius will appear every whatever amount of generations and it'll be like their destiny to rule or guide, depending on their beliefs, mankind. And then a random amount of decades, or more so, later the next generation of Magius will appear and since it's their destiny to rule or guide mankind they'll eventually clash with the previous generation of Magius.
Of course one will win and the other will lose, the winner will rule mankind and the loser. . . . not entirely sure. Since their immortal I can't really kill them, unless I make it where a Magius can kill another Magius. If I did that there would have to be certain circumstances to kill a Magius. It won't simply be bang you're dead.
That's about it.
It's not set in stone but that's what I'm leaning towards.
Anyways, enough of me, on to the story.
"I'm starting to regret running with you."
"Don't be like that, Saki. Come on, were almost at the top."
Two weeks into his new exercise routine, Haruto decided that running around the school's track field wasn't enough; Saki could agree with that. It was hard not to notice how fast his (along with hers since she continued to run with him) stamina, along with his speed, grew.
It was pretty impressive.
It probably helped that he pushed himself harder and harder every time he ran.
By the time he was done, he would be heaving for air so hard that Saki would be worried that he might strain his lungs if it wasn't for the fact that he couldn't die. That was actually his common response when she would voice her concern with his overexertion.
"Not like it's gonna to kill me, right?"
She couldn't really argue with that.
But, she would be keeping an eye out for that in the future. Saki couldn't help but worry about the possibility of Haruto becoming self-destructive due to that type of mindset in the future. She didn't need him killing himself, literally, because he pushed himself to the extreme.
It seemed like a possibility.
Saki could see a fire in Haruto's eyes ever since he accepted her help with his curse and it had been growing ever since.
He was determined.
Determined protect everyone.
Determined to make a difference.
And, she hoped at least, determined to protect her.
The thought of Haruto wanting to protect her made Saki feel so warm inside.
"See," Haruto began between his labored breathing, "that . . . wasn't so hard."
". . . . Actually," Saki responded as she dragged her feet over the last step, "it . . . . was."
Slowly trudging to a spot of grass near the temple they had run to as their destination, Saki sat down before flopping on her back. Chuckling at the panting Saki, Haruto followed her actions and laid down with his arms and legs spread apart.
He, despite his labored breathing, felt good.
All the strain he was feeling felt good.
It felt like he was doing something.
His thoughts stopped when he felt a weight on his stomach, drawing his attention. Tilting his head towards his stomach, Haruto was met with the sight of the back of Saki's head; the rest of her was curled up into a ball.
"Uh, Saki?" they had been spending almost all their time together in the last two weeks which was why Haruto could proudly say he kept himself from blushing.
"Yeah." rolling over so she was facing him, Saki gave Haruto a tired smile.
"What are you doing?"
"Using you as a pillow. Think of it as payment for putting me through all this running." getting over her fatigue, Saki playfully stuck her tongue out at Haruto. He opened his mouth to reply but stopped himself. He was gonna say that she didn't need to come with him, but two reasons stopped him from doing so.
The first was that he thought it would be rude. He's seen and read enough anime and manga to know girls didn't like that response. The second was, quite simply, he didn't want her to go. Haruto was, without a doubt, enjoying his time with her.
She was just so . . . . fun.
So, instead of the response he planned on giving, Haruto went with another.
"Sorry for all the trouble I've caused you. Is there anything else I can do to make it up to you?" Saki blinked a few times due to surprise before a blush formed on her cheeks causing her to look away shyly.
". . . et . . . ad."
"What? I couldn't hear you. What'd you say?" his inquiry seemed to make Saki even more embarrassed, seeing as she quickly buried her face in his stomach to hide it.
She was blushing so much that her ears were red.
Haruto had to keep himself from laughing when Saki mumbled her response into his stomach. Not understanding her once again, Haruto decided to take a more playful approach.
"You know," Haruto began with a chipper tone, "that offer doesn't last forever. Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Zer-"
"I want you to pet my head!" just before Haruto hit zero, Saki screamed one of her more innocent desires. She didn't dare bring her face away from Haruto's stomach, instead, she buried it even further.
She knew it was childish to ask for such a thing, but she just wanted him to pet her head.
She didn't know why, she just wanted it.
'Now he probably thinks I'm a child.' as Saki's thoughts began to run wild, a soft hand was placed on top of her head before it started petting it.
Turning her head to look at Haruto with wide eyes, Saki was met with one of Haruto's warm smiles. For a split second she froze, then the blood drained from the rest of her face and centered at just her cheeks while she closed her eyes and gave a smile that she hadn't given since her time with her manager.
The sense of joy and giddiness that ran through Saki Rukino was euphoric. Her insides were practically on fire
In Haruto's eyes, she looked like a child.
She was just so happy.
So much so that she began to rub her head into his hand, almost like a cat.
Despite the cold front she puts up for others Saki really was a gentle person.
That's the conclusion Haruto couldn't help but come up with after spending so much time with the girl, and there wasn't a thing anyone could do to change it.
Not after he's seen this side of her.
"~Hmmmm~." Saki, enjoying Haruto's caressing hand, hummed in delight.
(Click)
Snapping her violet eyes open, Saki found herself staring at Haruto's phone.
"Did you . . . just take a picture of me?"
"Sorry." Haruto apologized while scratching his cheek sheepishly. "I couldn't help it. You just looked . . . . really cute." hearing Haruto's reasoning, Saki did the only thing that she could do.
She buried her face into his stomach once again, trying her best to hide her extremely blood-red face.
"Y-You . . . think I'm . . . . cute?" straining his ears, Haruto was just able to make out Saki's mumbles.
"Well . . . yeah." a few months ago, Haruto was positive that he would've been too embarrassed to tell any girl that, but now being embarrassed was far too low on his list of priorities. "I'll delete it if you want."
"No." Saki's voice stopped his thumb from clicking on the button needed to erase the picture. "It's ok. Just . . . don't show it to anyone else, ok?" Saki didn't like showing weakness, and in her book, that picture was her at her weakest.
But . . . . if it was Haruto, than she was ok with him seeing her so weak.
Saki trusted Haruto more than anyone.
"Sure." Haruto replied as he stopped petting Saki's hair which earned a pout from the girl. "It'll be our little secret." Haruto smiled before he began petting her head again.
He couldn't help it, Saki just looked too damn cute.
"~Hmmmm~." snuggling into Haruto's stomach, Saki was slowly lulled to a blissful, light nap.
With Saki asleep, Haruto turned his eyes to the module's artificial "sky" and began to let his mind wonder, and of course, his mind drifted to the girl sleeping on him. Saki's presence in Haruto's life was really the only solid ground he had. Everything and everyone else was up in the air and could change anytime.
The war could escalate if the other world powers, ARUS and JIOR, decided to get involved with the current war between themselves (they really needed to come up a better name than new JIOR) and Dorssia, although, he would like to think that ARUS and JIOR would aid them rather than attack.
And who knew how everyone else would react if they found out about his curse. More then likely they would fear him maybe even hate him.
There was too much uncertainty in his life.
Too many things that could send his life into a tailspin, and that made him anxious.
Anxiety wasn't a good feeling to live with. That was a fact that Haruto was becoming too acquainted with in his opinion. It felt like he was walking around with a brick in his stomach waiting for the other shoe to drop.
But, when he was with Saki, all the anxiety just withered away. Just her presence was enough to calm the worries and fears Haruto carried. Just having one person who accepted him and his curse made a world of difference.
That being said, Haruto couldn't help but think that having someone accept him wouldn't have been as meaningful if it wasn't Saki. Shifting his eyes towards the girl he was still petting, Haruto couldn't help but smile at her. She became such a big part, possibly the biggest, of his life that it was almost impossible to believe.
Haruto wouldn't have it any other way if it was his decision.
"She looks like a cat."
"~Nyaaa~!" he couldn't help but flinch when Saki's eyes snapped open as she responded to his comment, surprising him.
"You were awake?"
"Only for the last couple of seconds, ~nya~." Saki replied with a cute cat noise at the end of her sentence as she crawled over Haruto and hovered above him on all fours. "So, you like cat girls, Haruto? That's good to know, ~nya~." Haruto's only response was to nervously gulp at the far more intimate position they were now in.
"Hmmmm?" Saki gave a questioning look at Haruto's lack of response before a smirk crossed her face. Leaning down until her lips were right next to Haruto's ear, so close that he could feel her breath tickling said ear, Saki continued her teasing with a seductive voice. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?"
"I- Uh. No, I-I mean-" luckily, the stammering Haruto was interrupted when his phone began to ring, giving a much needed distraction. He may have been getting more used to Saki's teasing but that didn't mean he could withstand such a high level attack.
Haruto still had much to learn.
"L-elf?" Saki couldn't help but groan when she heard Haruto read the name of the caller with surprise.
Of course he would call at that exact moment.
"What happened?" Haruto questioned L-elf as he answered the call. "Is Dorssia attacking again?" sighing as Haruto talked with L-elf, Saki sat back and waited until the call was done.
"Alright, me and Saki are on our way." ending the call and placing the phone in his pocket, Haruto turned his attention towards Saki, only to stop and blush. Saki herself gave Haruto a confused look before she herself realized what he was blushing for and proceeded to join him.
During Haruto's talk with L-elf, Saki got tired of being on all fours and sat back, and since she hovering over Haruto at the time that resulted with her unintentionally straddling his waist.
Neither one of them said anything, instead, they opted to stay in their positions in awkward silence. They simply didn't know what to say. Even though they wouldn't come out and say it, the position they were in felt . . . . good.
Haruto was a boy after all, and Saki, well, she had a high desire for intimate acts.
With only Haruto of course.
But eventually, the awkward silence was ended when Haruto nervously coughed into his fist.
"L-elf wants us to meet him for something." if Haruto could, he would pat himself on the back for not stammering.
"R-Right." standing up (not without rubbing against his crotch just a little bit, she couldn't help it she was a pervert after all) Saki offered Haruto a hand and helped him up.
"L-Let's go." that time Haruto couldn't help but stammer as the sensation of Saki rubbing against his crotch overloaded his mind for a few seconds. He couldn't help but wonder if she did that on purpose before mentally shaking his head at how ridiculous he was being.
It was obviously an accident.
To him at least.
As Saki watched Haruto walk towards the stairs that led away from the shrine, a pout graced her face. She didn't like the awkward atmosphere at all. So, to change that, Saki opted to run at Haruto and hop right on his back, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"S-Saki? What are you doing?"
"Carry me, I'm tired." Saki playfully demanded.
"But-"
"It's your fault I'm tired, so take responsibility." it finally made sense to her why anime characters always said that line. "Think of it as training."
"Fine. Fine." Haruto conceded earning a childish "yay" from Saki which in turn made Haruto smile.
Who knew Saki could be so childish?
It was nice to see.
And even though he wouldn't admit it (it just sounded too selfish) Haruto liked that he was the only one that got to see that side of her, let alone being the one to please that childish side of her.
It made him feel warm inside.
That's why he conceded to her demands despite being so tired.
It had nothing to do with the fact she was wearing her P.E uniform and he would have to hold her by her thighs to keep her from falling.
Her bare thighs.
'They're soft.' Haruto nervously gulped once again as he made his way down the stairs.
It took longer than usual to reach the end and when they reached the last step Saki spoke up.
"Mush!" she yelled.
" . . . Did you jus-"
"Mush!" Saki continued to urge Haruto on, continuing her child-like mood, causing him to chuckle before picking up his pace.
"Better?"
"Mush!"
"You're killing me."
"Mush!"
"Ah! Fine!" ignoring his fatigue, Haruto broke into the fastest jog he could manage. "Better now?"
"Mush!"
Walking into the conference room, Haruto's and Saki's cheerful mood calmed down and was replaced with a more serious one. L-elf was all business so the meeting was without a doubt for a good reason.
The other two Valvrave pilots were already seated at the oval-shaped conference table waiting for L-elf to explain the reason for them being called.
"Why are you dressed in your P.E uniforms?" Kyuma questioned as Haruto and Saki sat next to each other at the table.
"We were running." Haruto answered before Saki decided to explain a little more.
"Our Haruto here has been working out these last couple of weeks." Saki couldn't help the tinge of pride that seeped into her voice.
"Oh?" Raizo perked up when he heard Saki. "Finally got your priorities straight, huh?"
"Haruto has always had his priorities straight, unlike you!" Saki defended as she glared at Raizo.
"Tch." Raizo crossed his arms and looked away. "Having your girlfriend defend you." Haruto and Saki both became embarrassed at Raizo's comment which didn't go unnoticed by Kyuma.
'That's interesting.'
Kyuma had no time to give the matter more thought as L-elf strode into the room and to the front of the table. He wasted no time getting to his point.
"Today we start your training." quick and to the point, just like always.
"Training?" Kyuma questioned. "What do you mean? How are we going to train piloting the Valvraves?"
"You won't be training to be better pilots, not yet at least, you'll be training to be soldiers. Complete soldiers. The best soldiers" L-elf's statement caused everyone to remember the words he said before Dorssia's last attack.
"It's time to grow up."
With that said, everyone in the room became far more serious. They knew he was right, that they were the factors that would decide whether they won or lost the war. They needed to fight, they needed to win.
They all had the same goal, but each had one specific reason that stood above all the other ones they had.
To avenge the girl that he loved.
To keep anyone else from dying.
To support the boy that she loved.
To make up for the mistake that caused everything.
They all had their reason.
They all would fight.
Seeing the resolve in the pilot's eyes, L-elf couldn't help but be pleased with what he saw, of course he didn't show it.
He remained as stoic as ever, however, his thoughts were far from that.
'Just wait a little longer Lieselotte. I will save you.'
After the meeting, the three male Valvrave pilots found themselves outside waiting for Saki and L-elf. They were no longer wearing their previous attire, instead, they were wearing green camouflage pants, a green tank top, and black military boots.
'Where the hell did L-elf get these?' the attire seemed appropriate to Haruto since they were beginning their training to be soldiers but that didn't satisfy his curiosity as to where they came from.
Putting aside his curiosity, Haruto couldn't help but roll his eyes due to how long Saki was taking to get dressed.
'I guess I'll have to get used to waiting for her.' Haruto's thought was done absent-mindedly meaning he was unaware of the possible implications that were behind it.
Haruto had to wait no longer when Saki stepped out of the elevator that led to the lower levels of the module. She was wearing basically the same thing the other three pilots were wearing except for one thing.
Her top wasn't a tank top.
It was a green, sports bra.
(Gulp)
And judging by how Saki was pulling at it, it was a few sizes too small.
As Saki came closer, she looked up, only to smirk when she saw Haruto staring at her chest.
"Like something you see?" Haruto's head snapped up away from Saki's breast and towards her smirking face. Hands behind her back, Saki leaned forward and began to whisper into his ears. "If you want . . . . I can show you." that caused Haruto's entire body to freeze up as a tingle went down his spine and towards a certain place.
"..." he was more than speechless.
She was joking right?
She had to be.
"And no, I'm not joking."
Well, that answered that.
Haruto would be lying if he said he didn't want to see them, what teenage male wouldn't?
But . . . . . . .
He couldn't really think of a but.
Sure they weren't dating or anything but at the same time he had to admit the bond they shared was something stronger, albeit a little twisted, than a simple relationship.
And it wasn't like they hadn't already done some stuff.
Sometimes he could still feel her soft lips pressed against his.
Her tongue fighting for dominance over his own.
(Gulp)
"Pervert." before Haruto could respond to Saki's teasing, the elevator that Saki came out of earlier opened up, revealing L-elf. Unlike them, he was dressed in his school uniform.
It was obvious he didn't plan on joining them in their training.
"The first part of your training will be to increase your physical capabilities." L-elf began, ignoring Raizo's defense of how he was already at his physical best. "Strength, speed, stamina, agility, all of them will be top-notch when I'm done with you."
"Ok." Haruto replied. "What do we do first?"
"First you run to the shrine and back."
'That's not too hard.' Saki thought.
"Ten times."
Ass.
"In an hour."
Hole.
Asshole.
Saki's opinion of L-elf was never stronger than it was at that moment.
"Ten times in an hour?" Haruto couldn't help but give L-elf an incredulous look. "L-elf, we can't do that." sure they were motivated but that was asking too much.
"Correction." a sigh of relief escaped the pilots when those words left L-elf's mouth. "You now have fifty-nine minutes and forty-five second."
"Wha- But-" Haruto was cut of when he felt a hand grip his arm before he was pulled away.
"Run, Haruto!" deciding to follow Saki's advice, Haruto turned around all the way and began following his fellow pilots.
It didn't take long for Haruto and Saki to take the lead.
"Does he really think we can do this?" Kyuma asked behind the leading pair.
"I don't think L-elf would ask us to do something we couldn't do." Haruto answered earning a scoff from Raizo.
"Why you always defending that guy? He's no different from the other Dorssia soldier bastards."
"You're wrong." Haruto replied as he shook his head. "He's different."
"How's that, huh?"
Haruto's response was simple yet firm.
"He's on our side."
"I-I can't . . . . b-believe . . . . they . . . l-lapped . . . us." it took all Kyuma's energy to choke out those words through his desperate gasps for air. Raizo, who looked like he jumped in a pool, was too tired to even speak.
They were on the last half of the last lap and they knew they came nowhere near the time limit.
But the fact that they were about to finish, just barely, the laps, more like marathon, was good enough right?
What more could L-elf possibly expect from them?
.
.
.
"Why are you two running again?!" as much as he wished it, Kyuma knew his eyes weren't playing tricks on him. Running towards their direction was an exhausted and dejected Haruto and Saki, there was no doubt about it.
"L-elf said we have to do it again until we get it right!" Haruto answered but didn't stop, he, along with Saki, ran as if death was right behind them.
"..."
"..."
"Shit, than I'm walking the rest of the way." Kyuma had to agree with Raizo.
What was the point of running the rest when they knew they would have to do it again?
Might as well save their energy.
What little was left at least.
(Pant)
(Pant)
(Pant)
(Pant)
Sprawled along the floor were none other than four teenagers that were waging war against a world power that ruled roughly a third of the world and so far they were holding their own. Despite that amazing feat they were completely and utterly defeated.
By running.
It was too much, they couldn't do it.
They spent literally all day trying to pass the goal L-elf placed for them but to no avail.
The "sun" was "setting" and the four pilots wanted nothing more but to go to sleep.
"Pathetic." L-elf scoffed as he looked down at the four of them. "You start again tomorrow at six am sharp." with that said, L-elf turned and walked away.
He had work to do.
"I hate that guy." Saki mumbled as she absent-mindedly reached out and twirled a strand of Haruto's hair around her finger.
"He's just trying to help." Haruto once again defended, not really minding what she was doing.
"Yeah, well, his help almost killed us." Kyuma interjected as he stared at the "sky".
"We can't die."
"It's a figure of speech, Haruto."
"That bastard thinks he's better than us!" everyone couldn't help but roll their eyes at Raizo's outburst. "I'll show him! I'll get this down in a week!"
"That's the spirit." Haruto commented as he sat up.
He liked that about Raizo.
He never let anything keep him down, always pushing forward with full confidence.
"Let's do it." that caused everyone to sit up and look at him.
"Do what?" Saki questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"What Raizo said-"
"It's thunder!"
"-Let's prove L-elf wrong. Let's show him were not pathetic. Let's prove that we can protect everyone." with a confident smile that seemed to infect the others, Haruto stuck out his fist and waited for the others. Saki didn't waste anytime to placing her fist next to Haruto's, giving him a smile which he returned. Kyuma and Raizo followed soon after, a smirk on their faces.
"Let's win this war."
After Haruto's little speech, Raizo and Kyuma found the strength to drag their tired bodies to their rooms for a much needed nights rest. Haruto and Saki on the other hand, were having more trouble.
"We should get going too." Haruto stated from his sprawled out position on the floor.
"Yeah." despite what they said, neither one of them moved one muscle.
"..."
"..."
"We really should get some sleep if were gonna do this again tomorrow."
"Yup."
"..."
"..."
Once again, Haruto made a statement, Saki agreed, and neither one of them moved a muscle.
"Ten more minutes?"
"Ten more minutes." after her reply Saki dragged herself so the top of her head was touching the top of Haruto's as they continued to stare at the "sky" above them.
"I wonder what's it gonna be like." Haruto randomly stated drawing Saki's attention.
"What are you talking about?" tilting her head and eyes at his direction, Saki voiced her question.
"Us. I wonder what it's gonna be like when we finish his training." Haruto explained as he too tilted his head and eyes towards her. "What are we gonna be able to do, you know?"
"Maybe we'll be like those anime characters, running around taking out dozens Dorssian soldiers with just our bare hands." Saki mused causing Haruto to chuckle.
"That'd be something." after that the pair fell into a comfortable silence as they enjoyed each others company and recovered from their fatigue.
.
.
.
.
.
"Alright." Haruto sat up earning a groan from Saki. "Come one, Saki, we have get some rest for tomorrow."
"I'm tired." Saki whined like child before stretching her arms towards him. "Carry me."
"What?" Saki couldn't help but break out in giggles when he gave her the most incredulous look ever. "I can barely even stand, there's no way I can carry you."
"But, it's your fault we were running this morning before we had to go through the training from hell." Haruto opened his mouth to defend himself but cut himself off. He was pretty sure he would be wasting his time trying to argue with her.
In the last couple of weeks, Haruto discovered that Saki could be surprisingly stubborn. When she dug her heels into the ground she really dug them in. That being said, he also discovered that if he tried hard enough, he could break her wall of stubbornness. But, he was too tired to even begin to try that, so he decided doing what she said would be easier.
With that in mind, along with his sweet, sweet bed, he grabbed her outstretched arms by their soft hands and pulled her to her feet. After that, he turned around and stumbled when Saki hopped on his back.
"I'm not sure I can carry you." Haruto had to take a couple of steps to catch his balance. "You're too heav- Owww! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!" Haruto cut off his statement to replace it with pain yelps as Saki pulled his cheek. After an excruciating ten seconds, Saki let go of his cheek with a "hmph" before she crossed her arms and looked away.
'Crap, you're not supposed to call girls heavy.' Haruto once made that mistake with Shoko when they were kids and it didn't end well with him, but unfortunately he completely forgot about that incident until that exact moment. "Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it. I'm just tired . . . . you're not fat at all. Look, I'll take you back, ok?" a nervous sweat trailed down Haruto's forehead as Saki remained silent for the next few second while he was busy hoping she wouldn't get like Shoko did when he made the same mistake the first time.
He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding when he heard Saki giggle before she wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled into his back. Not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, Haruto made his way towards the dorms in relative silence before Saki broke it.
"Hey, Haruto?" her voice was gentle, so much so that Haruto couldn't help but smile despite how tired he was.
"Yeah?"
"Remember when you gave that speech to us?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"Well, I . . . just thought that . . . . you were really cool."
"I-I didn't really do much though."
"You're wrong." Saki denied with a shake of her head. "You stepped up as our leader today, that wasn't nothing."
"Leader?" Haruto turned his head allowing him to look Saki in the eye. "I'm not your leader, L-el-"
"He's not our leader." Saki firmly denied. "And he's definitely not my leader. You are. I only follow you, Haruto. You know that right?"
"I . . . Why? Why me?" that was the only response he could think of.
What had he done to earn so much dedication from such a wonderful girl?
The most he could think of was when they found the other Valvraves (it almost seemed fitting for it to be the two of them that found the others, seeing as they seemed more centered around the core of the mysteries surrounding the Valvraves) and he offered to be there for her after she told him that she had no one. He meant it of course, but at that time it had to do more with him just being kind then the strong feeling he was feeling for her recently.
But, could that one offer have been enough to earn such loyalty from her?
And if it did, what did that mean about Saki?
What did that say about how things were for her before he met her?
Just like a few weeks prior, Haruto couldn't help but think of one particular question.
Was Saki lonely?
"Why you?" Saki responded to his question as she put a finger to her lips. "That's a secret remember?" sticking out her tongue, Saki gave Haruto a playful wink.
Right.
She said the same thing when he asked that same question not too long ago. When Saki was trying to get it through his thick skull that she did in fact wanted to help shoulder his curse. He couldn't help but wonder what that reason was.
Could anyone blame him?
Unfortunately, it didn't seem he was gonna get the answer anytime soon.
He'd have to be patience.
But, more than anything he was grateful.
"Fine." Haruto sighed as he continued his journey.
"Awwww, don't be mad." Saki hugged Haruto tightly. "You'll get your answers soon, be patience."
"If you say so." Haruto replied before he spoke up once again. "And, Saki?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"Anything for my, little Haruto."
"Little?" it spoke volumes about how close the two had become when Haruto was more curious about "little" then the possessive "my".
"Because you're a little cutey when you get all embarrassed . . . . See, like right now."
"S-Sure." Haruto's never had any girl call him cute before, so he wasn't really prepared for such a thing.
Damn her teasing.
She was like a master at it.
But two could play that game.
"Maybe I should call you, little Saki, then." reaching into the pockets of his fatigues, Haruto pulled out his phone and brought up the picture he took of her earlier. "You looked pretty cute in this picture." Haruto's words gained the reaction that he was hoping for.
And that was an embarrassed Saki.
"I-Idiot! You don't just randomly say that to a girl! Idiot!" after responding in a manner that could only be described as tsundere-like, Saki buried her face into his back.
Haruto himself let out a small chuckle at little victory.
That was one point for Haruto.
At that point, his fatigue started to catch up to him causing him to stumble and sway.
"Kyaa!" a scream escaped from Saki's mouth as she held onto Haruto hoping not to get thrown off. "Are you ok?"
"Just tired." Haruto replied as he placed a hand on a wall to keep himself balanced. "I don't think I can make it to your room. Sorry."
"That's ok." she reassured as she slid off his back. "I shouldn't have made you carry me, I was being selfish." it was obvious that she was having trouble walking but she still moved forward.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Haruto."
He couldn't watch anymore when he saw her legs give out on her completely.
"You're not going to be able to make it to your dorm, Saki." kneeling down beside her, Haruto held out a helping hand.
"Then what? I'm not sleeping here and I don't think I can stay awake much longer."
"I-If it's ok with you," Haruto's face at that point became blood-red, "you can stay in my dorm tonight. It's not too far from here."
"Really?" Haruto felt more sure about his offer when he heard the slight excitement in her voice. He didn't wanna look like a pervert but it seemed like the most logical decision. Saki couldn't make it to her dorm and Haruto couldn't carry her there, so why not go to Haruto's which was closer?
It's not like they weren't close enough to do such a thing, or like they haven't slept in the same bed once. Sure it was after one of his "episodes" and he passed out after, but the fact remained that they slept in the same bed and the world hadn't ended.
So why not?
He'd be lying if he said the idea didn't get his blood rushing to his face . . . . as well as to another place, but Haruto was past the point where he would let those feelings overtake him and cause him to back down. He did NOT want to be like those anime characters that got all embarrassed and end up running away just because of those feelings.
He couldn't let emotions run his actions.
If embarrassment were to control his actions who's to say that fear wouldn't hold him back in the future. That, and it didn't really seem "manly" to runaway from a girl.
He had some pride as a man.
"Sure, if you don't mind." Haruto answered with a more confident voice.
"Ok." giving Haruto a gracious smile, Saki took his hand and was helped up. "Do you think we can make it to your dorm?"
". . . . I guess were gonna find out." with that said, they both continued their struggle against gravity and distance, leaning on each other for support . . . . literally.
Finally making it Haruto's room, a trip that took nearly ten minutes when it normally would've taken three, the two young immortals did nothing more than fall face first onto his bed.
"I don't wanna train tomorrow." Saki whined into the mattress while kicking her feet against it like a child.
"I know." Haruto agreed as he managed to turn onto his back. "But we have to."
". . . . Fine." Saki sighed as she dragged out the "i" before she also turned to lay on her back, turning her head to face Haruto. "Thanks for letting me stay here tonight. I'd probably be passed out in the hall if you hadn't offered."
"No problem." Haruto returned her smile before reaching out for his alarm clock. "What time should I set the alarm? Five?" hearing how early they would have to wake up, Saki let out a long groan of frustration. She hated waking up early, let alone waking up early to go through another day of hell.
"This sucks." Saki stated as she crossed her arms and gave a pout.
"Well, you better get used to it, this is probably gonna be our life's for a while." that did nothing but earn yet another groan and Saki burying her face into his shoulder.
Haruto couldn't hold back a chuckle.
It seemed now that they were alone Saki was letting her carefree, childish side out, having hid it when they were in others presence.
(Zzzzzzzzzz)
"Saki?" looking down at the girl who was still laying her head on his shoulder, Haruto saw that her eyes were no longer open. "Can't really blame her." as if to emphasize that point, a long yawn escaped Haruto's mouth.
It was time to go to bed.
He was tired.
She was tired.
So tired that they didn't even take off their boots.
They needed the rest.
(Beep)
(Beep)
(Beep)
(Beep)
(Beep)
"Oh my goodness, shut up." as if it would shield her from the noise from hell, Saki pulled the blanket over her head and curled into a ball.
It didn't help much.
Obviously.
"Haruto, turn it off." even in her half awake state, Saki was well aware that she was sleeping in the same bed as Haruto. It was the main reason she didn't want to wake up, because if they woke up then they would have to get up and get ready.
She wanted to stay the way they were forever if she could.
But that was impossible.
A groan indicated that Haruto was beginning to wake up causing Saki to speak once again.
"Haruto, please turn that damn thing off."
"Right." blindly reaching out his arm, Haruto was able to turn off the beeping from his alarm after his fourth try. "We've got an hour to get ready." Haruto stated as he sat up with half-opened eyes.
"I don't wanna get up." Saki whined as she curled deeper into the blanket.
"I know, but we have to." Haruto sighed while rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand.
"Fine." the covers were thrown off her as Saki abruptly sat up with a pout on her face, looking just as tired as Haruto. "But, I'm taking a shower. There's no way I'm going through another day of all that sweating without one." Saki's nose crinkled when she smelled herself.
They were too tired to clean themselves up so it was no surprise that they both smelled.
"Gross." Saki simply stated as she stood up and made her way towards Haruto's bathroom. "You don't mind if I use your shower do you?"
Would he, a guy, care if a girl used his shower?
"Go ahead."
Of course not.
Getting off the bed, Haruto, who was still half asleep, quickly changed into a gray, shirt and black, basketball shorts before knocking on the bathroom door.
"Saki, I'm gonna wash my clothes do you want me to wash yours too?" stepping back as the door opened, Haruto was greeted with the sight of Saki clad in only a towel; Haruto didn't really react do to his groggy state of mind.
"Good thinking." it wouldn't do to go around wearing clothes that were soaked in sweat. "Thanks." receiving her camouflage pants and green sports bra, Haruto made his way towards his washing machine that also doubled as a dryer, only to stop and turn around when he heard Saki calling out to him.
"Yea-" suddenly his vision was obstructed by something.
Grabbing the piece of cloth that landed on his head, Haruto held it up to exam it, only to go completely red in the face when he saw what it was.
"~Wash those to please~." apparently it was never too early for Saki to tease him.
The piece of cloth that she threw at him, was none other than her white panties.
That woke him up.
Quickly throwing the clothes into the washing machine, Haruto made his way to his bed and collapsed back first on it. He had no intention going back to sleep, he just simply had nothing to do until Saki was done with her shower.
Speaking of Saki, from what he could hear coming from the shower, she was really good at singing,
Not that, that surprised him, she used to be an idol after all.
In fact, he really liked her singing.
It was amazing.
It was soothing.
In fact, a yawn escaped his lips, so soothing that he found himself drifting off to sleep.
Maybe he could . . . . .
Stepping out of the shower, Saki wrapped a towel around her wet figure before going to the bathroom mirror that was located above the sink. Wiping the steam off the mirror, Saki stared at her reflection before giggling like a school girl.
She just took a shower in Haruto's bathroom.
Saki knew that it wasn't that big of a deal (it wasn't like he was in there with her) but she just couldn't stop smiling. It probably had to do with the fact of how close they've become, something she was more than grateful for.
Drawing her attention away from the mirror, Saki grabbed another towel and dried her hair before carefully picking up her hair ornament that she had so delicately placed on the sink counter top. She stared at the hair ornament for a few seconds before she left the bathroom, only to find Haruto asleep.
Her lips scrunched up when she saw he was asleep.
So, that's how it was gonna be.
He makes her wake up only to go to sleep the second she's not there.
She would make him regret that.
The only question was how?
Tapping a finger against her chin, Saki quickly came up with a way to get her revenge. With a smirk plastered on her face, Saki crawled up beside Haruto, leaned down so her mouth was next to his ear and . . . .
"Haruto, I missed my period!"
"WHAT?!" as if the reaction was built into his DNA as a male, Haruto shot up with eyes so wide that Saki wouldn't be surprised if they just fell out of his head. "YOU MISSED IT?!" Haruto didn't wait for an answer, instead, his mind went through a storm of thoughts and questions.
Saki missed her period?
Didn't that mean she was pregnant?
Who was the father?
That was stupid question, who else would be the father?
He was gonna be a father?
What were they gonna tell everyone else?
How would they react?
How would Shoko react?
What were they gonna do now that they were down one Valvrave pilot?
There was no way in hell Haruto would let her fight now that she was carrying their child.
Could whatever the hell they were even have kids?
Would their kid even look human or would it look like some kind of alien?
Would it pop out of Saki's stomach like that movie Alien?
Oh God, what if their kid was just like from that movie Alien and tried to kill everyone?
How would they stop it?
What would they name him or her?
How the hell did he get to that question?
It was at that point that Haruto noticed that Saki had been smirking at him with her hand on her hips the entire time.
"..."
"..."
"You were lying weren't you?" Haruto couldn't help but give a long sigh as he slumped back onto the bed.
He should've known.
"Serves you right for falling asleep."
"I only fell asleep because of your singing." Haruto mumbled earning an eye twitch from Saki.
"So my singing's boring, huh?"
"Ow! Stop pinching my cheek!" Haruto shouted making Saki pinch even harder. "I didn't mean your singing was boring, I think it's really good! I liked it!" Haruto seemed to say the right words since Saki let go of his cheek, allowing him to rub it with a grimace.
Turning his attention away from his throbbing cheek and towards his torturer, Haruto couldn't help but raise his eyebrow at how quickly her mood changed. No longer did Saki have an irritated look, one he knew wasn't really serious, on her face. Now, her face was flushed, her eyes diverted to the side, her chin down and tucked by her shoulder, and her hands were fiddling with the hem of the towel she was wearing.
Saki looked like nothing more than a timid little girl.
(Click)
He had to take a picture.
He couldn't help it.
Timid Saki was too cute.
It rivaled blushing, cat-like Saki.
"Y-You l-liked my s-singing?"
In her short time as an idol, Saki was given hundreds, if not thousands, of compliments. Most ranging from how amazing she was, how much they loved her, stuff like that. All of them made her happy, she loved being complimented, but all of those combined didn't come close to making her as happy as she was when she heard Haruto say, more like screamed, that he liked her singing.
She was the happiest girl alive without a doubt.
"Yeah." Haruto replied, giving her a smile. "I can see why you became an idol. Saki's singing is the best." the blush she had on her face was nothing compared to the one she was now wearing. She was actually worried that her face would start steaming, no matter how impossible that was.
"You think I'm the b-best?" Saki had to turn around before asking her question. There was no way she could look at his smiling face and manage anything better than incoherent stammers.
"Yup." his lack of hesitation only caused her to bite her lip.
Deciding she needed to respond, she did so in the only manner she could think of.
Tsundere.
"Hurry up and take a shower, idiot!" running behind him, Saki pushed him forward until he was in the bathroom and shut the door before leaning on it. Her breathing was frantic and her mind was in a euphoric jumble.
'Haruto likes my singing! He thinks I'm the best!' a squeal escaped her lips as her demeanor changed from embarrassed to absolutely giddy.
With a hop to her step, Saki hummed a tune as she looked through Haruto's closet. The only pair of clothes she had were currently being cleaned, so she decided to wear one of his shirts. Her choice of clothing was a simple green, long-sleeved shirt. She could've picked a pair of shorts as well but she simply didn't want to.
Putting on the shirt, Saki couldn't help but like how it looked on her.
How it went past her waist and to the middle of her thighs.
How the sleeves easily engulfed her hands.
But most of all she loved the scent.
It smelled like Haruto.
(Giggle)
Flopping face first onto the bed, Saki cuddled into the covers, immersing herself in Haruto's scent.
'You're nothing more than a silly, little girl when you're with Haruto, aren't you?'
She was perfectly ok with that.
And as if to prove how much of a child she was, Saki found herself sitting on the edge of his bed with a pout on her face a few minutes later.
He was taking too long.
She wanted to see him now.
She was such a spoiled child.
A leg crossed over the other, an elbow placed on her hip, her head resting on her palm with a finger impatiently tapping her cheek, was how Haruto found Saki eight minutes later when he walked out of the bathroom. Neither on of them spoke when they laid eyes on each other. Both for similar yet separate reasons.
For Haruto, the sight of a girl, Saki at that, wearing only his shirt was a sight he never thought he would see.
It was . . . strange.
A good strange, but strange nonetheless.
And how did he know she was wearing just his shirt and nothing else?
It was because of her crossed legs.
With her legs crossed, the hem of the shirt she was wearing, his shirt, rode up enough to show him pretty much all of her...
(Gulp)
...thighs.
The reason for Saki's lack of speech was that when Haruto went to take a shower he didn't take any clothes with him. He had planned to wear the fatigues L-elf gave them for their training, clothes that were currently being dried. That, of course, meant that he was only wearing a towel around his waist.
(Gulp)
Saki could see the last few weeks of weight lifting (he did more than just running) were paying off for him. Sure, he didn't have the body of a professional athlete but she could definitely see muscles forming out nicely. The water droplets dripping down from his chest to his abs just added to the sight.
"I take back what I said in the library." Saki managed to say. "If someone walked in right now, they might get the wrong idea."
That snapped him out of his stupor, allowing him to turn to the side and scratch his cheek sheepishly.
"R-Right."
(Beep)
"We should get ready if we wanna get breakfast." Haruto stated when he heard the washer beep, indicating that it was done drying their clothes.
A few minutes later Haruto and Saki found themselves walking through the empty halls heading towards the cafeteria. The cafeteria was automated so they didn't have to worry about there being no food because it was too early.
"It feels weird walking around school dressed like this." Haruto commented as he gave himself a once over.
"That's true." Saki agreed before she tugged on her sports bra. "This thing is too small."
"Hey!" turning around the pair saw Kyuma and Raizo, who were also dressed in their fatigues, coming their way.
A cheeky smile made its way onto Saki's face before she leaned close to Haruto and spoke to him in a hushed tone.
"What are the odds that they slept in the same bed like we did?" Haruto was stuck between grimacing and chuckling at the thought.
He decided to go with chuckling, something Saki joined in on.
"What the hell are two laughing at?" Raizo was not a morning person in the least, and hearing people laughing so freaking early just pissed him off a little.
"Don't be so grumpy." Kyuma interjected with a smile on his face.
'I forgot how much of a morning person he was.' Haruto thought.
Saki couldn't help but join in on Raizo's grumpiness when she heard how chipper Kyuma sounded.
It was too early to be in that good of a mood.
"Why are you so happy?" she questioned with a slight glare.
"Why shouldn't I be? It's a great morning." his response earned an eye twitch from Saki.
'I'll show you a great morning.' stepping forward to inflict some kind of pain in hopes of ending his good mood, Saki was pulled back with a "kya" when Haruto reached out and grabbed the only thing he could.
The back of her sports bra.
"We should get breakfast while we still have time." Haruto suggested as began walking towards their goal. All the while pulling Saki from the back of her sports bra.
"Haruto, let me go, I can walk!"
"Can you?" looking over his shoulder, Haruto pointed his gaze towards her before directing it towards the target of Saki's current irritation. Saki followed his gaze towards Kyuma who was following a good amount of feet behind them, oblivious to the two, while humming a happy tune.
Her eye twitched again.
". . . . Yes."
"I thought so." he gripped the piece of cloth tighter.
"Haruto!" and she whined like a scolded child. "I just wanna smack that smile off his face."
Was that so bad?
In hindsight, she was probably being a little hypocritical.
Not too long ago she was in an even better mood than the smiling Kyuma.
But that was different.
She was happy because of Haruto.
It wasn't like . . . . her violet eyes glanced to the still grumpy Raizo before glancing back to Kyuma.
Just maybe . . . .
A giggle escaped her lips once again, earning a sigh from Haruto.
"You're still thinking about that, huh?" with a smile on her face, Saki turned around to catch up to Haruto, prompting him to let go of her top as she was distracted from hurting their fellow pilot.
"But wouldn't be fun to tease them if it were true?" it seemed the thought of teasing anyone, not just him, was enough to brighten Saki's mood.
"For you maybe." Haruto shrugged. "Besides, Kyuma's had a few girlfriends in the past."
"But, but-"
"Just let it go, we both know it's not true." Saki's smile turned into a pout at his words.
"Spoilsport."
"I think you like teasing people too much. What's with that?"
"Hmm? No clue, I just like to." resisting the urge to cuddle into him since they weren't alone, Saki gave Haruto a reassuring smile. "But don't worry, Haruto, I like teasing you the most."
"I wasn't worried about that! And I'm not happy about that at all!"
Most of their banter stopped when they reached the cafeteria, opting to replace talking with eating. They had less then ten minutes until six and neither, despite what Raizo said about not being afraid, one of them wanted to know what L-elf would do if they were even a second late.
Finishing their meals, the four soldiers in training only had a few minutes left, prompting them to jog through the school's hallways. As they made their way through the still empty halls, Haruto couldn't help but muse on how much further they were stepping away from this "world".
They were no longer students of these halls.
If anything they were guardians.
Protectors of those that still lived in the illusion of such peaceful world.
Haruto knew that world truly didn't exist for any of them.
Not anymore.
The Dorssian Military Pact Federation would kill all of them if they were given the opportunity. It was their job to make sure they didn't have that opportunity. If that meant Haruto had to give up the life he once had than so be it.
At least he wasn't alone.
Haruto couldn't help but glance to the girl jogging beside him, something she noticed and returned with a smile. With Saki, Haruto knew he would never be alone, because even within their new world, a world of blood and death, they both had their own world to themselves within that one.
Just the two of them.
"Two minutes to spare." without looking up from his hand-held device, L-elf made a comment about the four Valvrave pilots punctuality which wasn't impressive in his opinion.
"What are these?" noticing four military packs (where was he getting this stuff?) Haruto tried to casually pick one up only for it not to budge. "What's in these? Weights?" it took him a good amount of effort but he managed to pick one up before he dropped it.
"One hundred pounds of weights to be specific." L-elf responded still not looking away from his hand-held device. "They were your punishment if any of you weren't on time."
The four soldiers in training couldn't be anymore happier that they weren't late. Running with those on their backs was beyond impossible for them.
"Don't look too relieved. You will be running with those in the future when your leg and back strength are up to the task."
"Ok." Haruto's quick and simple response caused the other three pilot's protests to die in their mouths.
"Haruto, are you serious?" he was lucky Saki loved him so much or she might have half a mind to strangle him a bit.
"If that's what L-elf thinks we need to do to become stronger than that's what we'll do." his words were spoken with complete confidence and determination. So much so that the other three couldn't help but be infected by it.
Haruto was slowly but surely turning into a leader right before their eyes. He had no idea how proud of him Saki was, and he definitely had no idea how much of a turn on it was for her.
She liked leader Haruto.
She liked it a lot.
"The parameters are the same as yesterday. To the shrine and back ten times in one hour." wasting no time, Haruto took off and was followed by the other three. Saki, of course, was right behind him trying her best to get to his side.
'He's gotten a lot faster.' she mused before she picked up the pace.
Haruto wasn't the only one that was training in the last few weeks.
She was right beside him the whole time.
Except for the weightlifting.
She was not doing that.
She didn't wanna ruin her girlish figure.
After all, she might be a "space vampire" (she and Haruto really needed to brainstorm for a better name), a Valvrave pilot, and soldier in training, but she was still girl.
A girl in love at that.
Once again, Haruto and Saki found themselves trudging through the school halls after a day of running.
"There goes another wasted day." Saki deadpanned from beside Haruto.
Luckily for him, she was walking on her own.
"Don't be so negative. We were five minutes faster today."
Ah, Haruto and his optimism.
A trait they didn't share but one she loved about him all the same.
"I guess you're right." she smiled at him before her smile faded into sheepish look. "Um, Haruto?"
"Yeah?"
". . . . Can I stay in your room again?"
". . . Sure." once again Haruto felt a sense of pride when he managed to keep a blush from forming on his face.
He was getting better.
Making it to his room (luckily just like the day before no one was around to see Saki also go into his room, the rumors would spread like crazy) the exhausted pair, face planted on his bed. But, unlike the day prior, they had enough energy to kick off their boots, eliciting a content sigh from the two.
A few minutes later they managed to flip themselves over onto their backs which was followed by Saki cuddling up into Haruto. Another content sigh escaped the girls lips as she felt Haruto's warmth seep into her body.
"You did it again, you know?" furrowing his eyebrows at her random statement, Haruto voiced his curiosity.
"Did what again?"
"Stepped up into your leader role." she replied, referring to how Haruto was able to not only cut off everyone's protest about L-elf's plans of having them run with those military packs full of weights, but to also install confidence and determination in them.
"I guess I did."
"Yeah." if it was even possible, Saki snuggled closer into him. "I'm proud of you."
" . . . What? . . . . You're . . . proud of me?" his astonished look earned a confused one from Saki.
Why did he look so surprised?
Had no one said they were proud of him?
Saki found that hard to believe.
How could anyone not be proud of him?
Just by being so sweet, caring, and innocent after all these years living in the world they lived in, the world everyone lived in, should've been enough for everyone to be proud of him.
People just didn't appreciate how rare innocence was.
She did.
She appreciated who Haruto was.
Not what he was capable of.
Not that she didn't think he was capable.
Haruto was capable of doing anything he set his mind to.
But even if he wasn't, she would still love him.
She would still be proud of him.
That being said, she wasn't just proud of him because of the type of person he was. She was also proud of him for stepping up and taking on the responsibility that was placed upon him. A responsibility that should've never been placed on his gentle shoulders. But, she knew more than anyone that life wasn't fair. That's why she would always remain by his side and support him.
No matter what.
Getting back to his question, Saki returned his astonished look with an encouraging smile.
"Of course, I'm proud of you. What you're doing is amazing. You have so much on your shoulders and you still stand strong. I'm so proud of you." in all of Haruto's life he couldn't recall a time when someone was proud of him. And it wasn't something he ever thought he deserved. Haruto knew he hadn't done anything that was worthy enough to make someone proud of him before the Dorssia attack, and even after he never really thought that he was doing something great.
Despite what he told people, protecting everyone wasn't his sole reason for fighting.
In his mind he was simply doing his best to make up for a mistake.
A mistake that put everyone's life in danger.
How Haruto saw it, if he hadn't gotten so set on revenge when Shoko "died" and fended off the Dorssia Navy, they would've simply taken the Valvraves and left. But, since he fought back, successfully at that, they all had a bull's eye on them for resisting the Dorssia Military Pact Federation if what L-elf said about their pride was true.
And it was all his fault.
That's the main reason for his fighting.
Guilt.
He always had guilty thoughts running through his head. He may not have shown it but he was guilt ridden person. He just hoped that he could keep more people from dying. The death Aina still weighed on his shoulders and he wasn't sure how much more he could take.
But, despite not feeling he deserved to have someone proud of him, Haruto couldn't help the feeling that welled up in him when Saki told him she was proud of him.
It felt . . . . good.
The fact that it was Saki that was proud of him made him feel warm inside.
"Thank you." and so Haruto flashed her a truly grateful smile.
And she returned that smile with one of her own.
Neither one of them said anything from that point on. They simply stared into each others eyes, appreciating each others presence in their life's.
Haruto wasn't sure which one leaned in first but the end result was all the same.
Their lips met and they couldn't have been any happier.
A/N: And done.
As you seen, this chapter had some character development for Haruto by taking a small step into his leadership role. Nothing big of course that'll come with time, gotta take it slow. In Saki's case it was more like character showing than development. I was honestly worried if I was making her too playful, but when I read that manga about her and saw her interaction with her manager, I think I hit her character pretty spot on.
She trusted and probably loved her manager like her sister so she was able to open up to her. Now sh'e doing that with Haruto but more so.
When it comes to the four Valvrave pilots, I'm thinking of making them become really close. The whole comrades in arms type of thing. You gotta think when you fight along side someone you can't help but share a strong bond. So in time the four will form a really tight knit group.
Now to clarify a little about the L-elf, Shoko, and Lieselotte love triangle.
Right now, I honestly don't know which girl I'm gonna have him end up with, so when that time comes to start deciding which one, I'll probably put up a poll to see what you people think. The only way I can see L-elf picking one is by killing one of the girls off. I'll probably do it by having one of the girls sacrificing themselves to save the other. If I'm gonna kill one of them than might as well send them off saving someone.
But don't worry this is hundreds of thousands of words away from now.
Yeah, I plan on making this story a marathon.
Before I reply to a review or two I need to say that this is the first fic I've written that has a military, strategy element to it. So, I wouldn't suggestions about anything. It could be from a crazy L-elf plan, strategy, a combo between two or all of the pilots, military rankings, certain training methods for Haruto and the others, or maybe just a scene or interactions between characters.
It's not guaranteed I'll put your suggestions in the story but you never know, I could.
Aho-Hito/MissingLink01: I will write more lemons scenes in the future and I'll go into detail when it's actually Haruto making the conscious decision and not him losing control. And by the time they get to earth Haruto will be WAY better than Marie was in canon as a pilot. I actually want a scene where there's another Dorssia attack and instead of sending all the Valvraves out L-elf just sends Haruto, who's been trained by L-elf by this point, by himself and just tells him to go to work and just Haruto destroys them.
The point of it will be to make a statement which is like "look what this one pilot can do by himself without a strategic plan, imagine what would happen if the rest joined with a plan" basically.
Xilentblade1125: I hope you were, along with the others, are satisfied with the romance in this chapter. Honestly I'm actually worried that you guys might think it's too much, but I'm trying to make up for the lack of romance in the canon. Tell me if it's too much with a review readers. Also thanks for saying that you would pick my story over canon (I assume that's what you meant) that's honestly the biggest, in my opinion, complement you can get as a writer.
That's about it.
Until next time.