Chapter 9.

Hasn't been the update time, but I finished this chapter and I like this story the best, so here it is!

"He's alive!"

Mathias shot his head to Sylvia and gave no hesitation, "Get medical attention! NOW!"

Unknown:

Is this a freefall?

I was nowhere, but my mind told me that I wasn't falling. Just suspended in...whatever. Then I realized I was in some kind of liquid. My eyes opened and I realized I have an oxygen mask over my mouth and nose. I was completely clothed and floating in a tank.

Was I back in experimentation? I struggled, but my movements sluggish. I waited for the injection of prana into me and the intense fire that would consume my cells, never killing me as I grew stronger and stronger by the day. I didn't notice as the tank was emptied and the door opened, allowing me to get out, curiously completely dry. When I reached the door, Claudia bumped into me. "Ethan! You're up and moving!"

I pushed her aside, "Get away, get away, get away." I bumped into more people, "GET AWAY!" My shout surprised everyone who gathered at the hospital. Fans, reporters, friends. I shrugged off hands grabbing at me, I smacked away cameras. Only when I reached the entrance, people made way. I saw why. Sylvia looked at me, smiling, showing the purest feelings of happiness. I got ready to run to her.

"Have you been betrayed by someone you trust?...How about we get someone to?"

I stumbled and everyone looked. I stared at her for a moment and Sylvia's face slowly turned to a sneering Magnus Opus. Sylvia took a step but I pushed her aside. She called my name and I screamed at her. Aura burst outwards and shoved her back. She gaped in disbelief and so did everyone. When they surged forward, I pushed the air and the Force shoved everyone back meters. "GET AWAY FROM ME!" Nobody tried to move after that and I ran without direction as far as I could.

I didn't stop and people honked, pedestrians turned, people took pictures. But I never stopped. I heard a screech and turned just in time to see the grille of a truck.

Unknown:

Sitting up in the hospital bed, I turned and saw Sylvia gasp, then smile at me. She tackled me in a hug and I returned it. "Thank goodness."

I smiled as I sighed over her shoulder.

"Shishishishi, moving isn't this?" I turned my head to see Magnus Opum. "What? Why so surprised to see me?"

"Why are you here?" I growled, "Aren't you supposed to stay low ever since your failure with me?"

"Oh," she shrugged, "I'm only here to finish the job."

I stood but felt sweat rolling down my back, putting my arms out to protect Sylvia, "I won't let you do anything to either of us."

"Oh no," she gasped, feigning fear, "I wonder how I'll kill you now, if your loved one did the job for me?"

It was then I realized that it wasn't sweat, but blood flowing down my back. I grabbed the knife then looked at Sylvia, "...W...hy?"

"I had to," she simply replied, "To keep her from hurting you more." Sylvia's face was devastated, but determined.

"But...I don't want to die. I...can't die!"

"Shishishi," laughed the Great Doctor, "That's where you're wrong. You will die here, today." I fell onto my knees and slipped into darkness.

Unknown:

I sat straight up, breathing heavily. Realizing where I was, I put a hand onto the bed and sighed. I kicked the blankets aside then got dressed in the Seidoukan Academy uniform.

I exited the room and walked into the hallway, aiming for Claudia's office. However, when I entered, I saw a man stand, "What are you doing here?"

"Why...I'm the student vice-president? What happened to Claudia?"

He frowned, "Claudia is below. There is no vice-president. Not anymore."

I was astonished at the statement, "Are you saying I'm fired?"

"Shirou," the man scowled, "You were never the vice-president. Stop messing around. Ethan is dead, he was the vice-president." Shirou? I thought. I wasn't...me? "If you want to find Claudia, she's outside."

I backed out of the room slowly then turned to exit the room. I quickly ran down the steps then burst out the door. Bumping into someone, I asked where Claudia was and they pointed at a direction. I ran that way until I saw a crowd. Quickly finding the blonde girl, I pulled her arm, "What happened to Ethan?"

She was surprised at my outburst, then looked at the floor, "He...dueled Kirin, and..." She choked on her words, "He...accidentally killed himself in the duel."

I pushed past her and looked at the coffin. Inside was me, resting peacefully, eyes closed and face pale. I reached forward, but my eyes shot open and with a snarl, pulled me forward and I hit my head on the coffin's side. I pulled away and rolled, looking up but seeing nobody around. Everyone had vanished. I scrambled back, "No, not another dream. Not another twisted vision!"

'I' smiled deviously, "But...if this is only a vision, why do you fear death?" The floor opened below me and I fell into nothing.

Unknown:

Looking up at Claudia, her eyes were emotionless as she attacked with Pan-dora, she then turned to the gang that hurried up to me.

.

.

.

I struggled to steady my breathing, and jumped at the sound of the door's knocking. I shrank back and curled up, shaking. The door opened and I stared warily at the boy who walked in with a green hoodie. He smiled as if he knew something, "So, after three times I guess you realized something?"

"What is it Yabuki? What is all this? Are you even real?" I muttered, shaking my head.

"..." he only watched me staring at the door. He walked over to the side and I heard the sound of scraping. I tensed for the next thing to kill me, but he only dragged a chair and sat in front of me, "This, is the depths of your mind."

"My...mind?" I turned to him.

"Yup," he nodded, "As to if I am real, depends. It really does. In the real world, I am nothing more than a hallucination, or your imagination's creation. However, I am real in here, as anything else and like you. Possibly as real as you. Maybe even more real."

"But...how do you know all of this?" I pressed, "I can't see how if you live here like...like whatever we all are."

He shrugged, "Like my real life counterpart, I know things. Being in the Shadow Star Shinobi can do some things like that." I nodded and he placed a hand on my shoulder, "Hey, not to worry. No matter how many times you die in here, you can't die in real life, only and only if you let it kill you. In a way, this is basically the perfect life."

I muttered while frowning, "Not perfect if you keep dying within hours or minutes."

He nodded in agreement, "Yes, this is essentially the drawback of Pan-Dora. I don't know how you got tied up with Claudia, but this is it. This is Pan-Dora's nightmares. You've died three times by now? Anyhow, this is only a small bit of what Claudia has to deal with. But good job on handling this. I'm satisfied that there's another real person in this world."

I pointed at him, "What about you?"

"Hmm?"

"If I die, will we know that this talk even happened?"

"We both are always in the same universe after each death, so no matter how many times you die and I disappear, we are the same person."

"Oh," I stood and he did too. I looked at him questionably and he shrugged.

"I hope you don't mind, but the time has reached the limit. You must die again. Let's hope we meet again, Kichirou." He rushed forward with a knife and cut my throat.

The depths of the mind:

The explosion rocked the entire world and I landed in the snow as the ground around me steamed and the grass withered, dying slowly and painfully. Ophellia walked slowly out of the dust, smiling demonically. I stood and she thrust out a hand, sending a large miasma hand my way and smashing me aside.

I stood, then collapsed as the poison started to consume me.

She took slow steps, deliberate steps and I fell to a crouch. Looking up, I faced Ophellia in the eyes, the demonic eyes, when she was thrown aside, the flash of a kunai flying through her lungs.

Then, my own vision went dark.

Yakushi Medical Center:

The doctors and nurses rushed in at the flatline of the heartbeat monitor. They rushed around completing all the emergency procedures at such an event and Sylvia pushed through. She froze at the sound of the news that would be relayed to her and stood at the doorway, listening to the high-pitched endless beep.

The staff turned to her and looked at the body of the boy then prepared to start the steps to gather up the body and relay the news to the Sakamoto family.

Just before they had the chance to, the flatline went silent and a small beep occurred. Then another weak beep, at a constant interval until it got stronger and became steady. Everyone was astonished at the miracle and Sylvia gathered all her willpower to keep from breaking down on the spot. The nurses and doctors rechecked the equipment and then allowed Sylvia to sit by Ethan as they returned to their normal work for the day.

The moment the door closed, she placed her head on his chest and sobbed. Ethan had spent one whole month under intensive care, the priority and the quality of that preserved for the president of the Enterprise. Nanobots worked furiously to repair the damaged tissues melted in the heat then frozen from the extensive use of his abilities.

When questioned about his unusual abilities, as it was similar to Ophellia's, Sylvia kept quiet and only acted ignorant of his abilities. Only recently was Ethan removed from the nanobot tank and put under constant watch. This was the first time he had died in the process, but Sylvia had a feeling that it won't be the last time it would happen. She stroked his cheek and felt him move at the touch.

Sylvia caught her breath but he didn't move any more at all, didn't wake, and his breathing seemed to slow even more. His heartbeat then slowed to only a few beats a minute, making Sylvia worry even more. She looked up at the door opening, "Ayato. Kirin."

"Ms. Lyyneheym," Ayato replied.

She smiled sadly, "Please, Sylvia is fine enough. If you want, call me Sylvie. My friends do, and espec-" She brought up her knees up to the chest and the teen understood immediately.

"I see."

When he turned, Kirin bowed, "Sylvia-senpai, do you know if he's getting better?"

"No, I want him to get better, but..." she looked at the monitor, "Just earlier, he had died."

Kirin looked worried, eyebrows raised, "But he's alive now...?" Sylvia nodded and there was only silence, "I'm sorry. I don't know what to say. I never had this happen to me before. This is all so new to me."

Ayato looked up and smiled, "I think this is a new experience for all of us." Kirin blushed violently at his smile and turned away. "Fortunately, with this I think we should be able to help each other more, right Kirin?"

"Y-yes!" she nodded. Sylvia looked away from them and gave a slight smile as her heart ached inside. She only looked up at the monitor as she answered their questions and tried unsuccessfully to talk to them. Eventually, they gave their condolences and left, Ayato's hand on Kirin's head as they walked out side-by-side.

Sylvia looked out the window and noticed how late it was. She laid her head down on the bed and closed her eyes.

She had only slept for a few minutes before she shot up, removed the cap and looked at the cap as her headphones appeared on her head. A tear slid down her cheek as she saw his vitals failing but still took a breath.

The depths of the mind:

-Play Without You by Ashes Remain-

I gasped and choked as I caught my breath. Coughing violently until fresh air returned to my lungs, I heard a knock. I went opened the door this time and saw Yabuki standing in front of me, "Did you save me from the last attack?"

He nodded.

"Thanks."

He gave another nod then walked out the door. I went out after a moment and went to the elevator, shooting for the roof. Exiting the elevator, I looked over Seidoukan as I noticed. I saw nobody, even though it was the time where everyone would be milling about.

"Shishishi finally thinking about it?"

I turned to Magnus Opum, "Yes. Because it would end the torture of you on my mind."

The woman tilted her head, "I noticed, you never mentioned my true name."

I growled, "I have no reason to even acknowledge you. You're a monster and nothing else. You don't even deserve a human name."

She shrugged and I turned back to the edge of the building. I looked over my shoulder and she smiled, waving me to go.

I took one step and as my foot hung over the edge, a hand grabbed my arm and yanked me slightly back. "Don't!"

"Sylvia?" I flinched at the voice and turned. I felt that while she was looking at me in disbelief, so was I. "Are you...real?"

She nodded, "Are you?"

I was about to answer, but instead pulled away, "No, nothing is real here. Nothing."

She grabbed my arm again, "I'm as real as you are, Ethan. I know we both know."

I shook my head, "I know I am real. I suffered here. You are the only one here can disprove that you are real. You could only be another trick. A fake. I've only believed in one real person here other than me. Yabuki. He's the one who told me this is all fake. That can mean you too."

Sylvia put her hand on my chest, "But...you've told me everything. Your past, your testing. We both gave you a new birthday, we both gave you a new life."

I held her hand on my chest and clenched it, moving it away after a moment, before moving away from her.

"Ethan?" she gasped, but I walked back until I was a step away from jumping.

"I can't trust anything in here. But if you are a real entity, I will trust you to sing once more. Okay? Let me listen once more. Maybe then, could I escape."

"Wait. Wait!" She cried but I turned and jumped as I heard the Great Doctor laugh as I fell. I didn't look back up, but I heard Sylvia scream, "NO!"

If I were to die, I was ready. Because I trusted Sylvia. I slammed into the floor after a moment.

The depths of the mind:

I blinked as I got up from the snow. The air was freezing and the woods surrounded me. There was soft crunches as I stepped on the ice.

I saw a figure in the distance and thought I saw Sylvia. Running to catch up, she turned and smiled in greeting, "Hello. Are you going through here for a shortcut too?"

My heart fell as this was another dream. So was the Sylvia in the last. I modded and she giggled, "I noticed your uniform, Seidoukan?"

When I wordlessly nodded, she point ed to my left and told me it was that way, then she walked away from me. I hesitantly went left and saw another person, "O...phellia?" The person didn't turn but walked quicker away.

I ran after her, but stopped at the sound of laughter. "Give up."

Shaking my head, I continued running to catch up, but Ophellia had already gone too far ahead. Catching movement to my left, I changed direction and ran that way, but turned right when I saw her white hair billowing in the wind. "Ophellia!"

But she was gone by then. Her voice echoed throughout the forest, "Why do you want to save me? Why do you want to change my fate?"

"Because it's the right thing to do! The doctor is wrong! We can make our own choices now! What happens today is all up to you! Remember? You're under the supervision of Dirk, Dirk Eberwin now! Not...Not her!"

I received no response and realized I was lost. Gone in this world. The cold slowed my movements and I fell to my knees as I slowly died. I inhaled as I accepted what will happen. I crawled slowly, going for the light ahead, "I knew this would happen one day. But...I can't die. I must get back. She's waiting for me. Wait...ing."

As my vision faded, I tried to nod, "I understand...I must die, right? Spending my time here for too long will cause grief and be a waste of time..."

I closed my eyes as the light moved and drew nearer, hovering in front of me, I slowly crawled and touched the edge, causing a pleasant feeling of peace fill my body.

After all this time, finally...

I knew that I won't truly die, but this time felt different. I could die now and will die.

I saw a shine of light from the bottom of a door and laughed inwardly at the childish imitation of the phase to the afterlife.

Until I heard a voice.

In my eye and in my way
In the sky so far away
Are you hiding in the grey
I am on my way to find you

In the shadow where you lay
In the darkness I'll be praying
one by one in a lonely lullaby

Dancing like a lonely feather
In the windy weather
Looking for a beacon and some clarity
Long to fly again together
And I wonder whether
We will ever find our melody

Over mountain and below the stars
Light my way so I know where you are
And find me,
Anywhere and anytime I sing my song for you

My tomorrow my today
It is time for you to find your way

This song is so familiar, I thought. The voice was also familiar. But here, in the light I stood on, I couldn't think. Nothing came back to me. I wanted to know who sang this song. Whose voice this belongs to. It called to me. Someone is calling to me. Telling me to return. Despite wanting to stay in the light, I backed away and entered the darkness. Only when I left everything flew back to me.

I faced the direction behind me and ran unhesitantly, knowing it was the right direction, seeing the person in the distance. She turned and ran into my arms and while we embraced, our surroundings faded until she faded herself. "I miss you, don't leave me. Please. You promised to do so much for everyone. Don't leave them hanging, but most of all...I love you. Come back, we have so much to do together."

When I saw Magnus Opum, I backed up and turned, "No. You aren't going to affect my life again. You aren't going to control me anymore. I ran from you, I escaped from your grasp. And if I die. I'm dying on my own."

I heard a step and I roared, pushing her away. Far, far away. "I'm going to be free. Free from you, and help Ophellia. Prove her wrong. To prove you wrong. I am not a test subject. I am not no one. I am Kichirou Sakamoto. Ethan between my friends and loved ones. This is my identity. Not a person to disappear into nothing, to be wasted. That isn't going to be me."

-End song-

Yakushi Medical Center:

Opening my eyes, I only saw the bright lights. Wondering if I was dead, I felt a hand hold mine. I tried to speak, but my throat was horribly dry. I felt a cup touch my lips and I accepted the water. When the pounding faded from my ears, I looked to my right and saw the wide eyes. Raising myself on one elbow, "Sylvia? Is this just another reality in my mind?"

She just stared and I reached with my free hand to cup her cheek, "I can't tell if this is real or fake, Sylvia. I just...can't. If I die this ti-" I was embraced tightly and I barely heard her voice, barely audible.

"I can't tell either, but when I fell asleep, I saw you. You told me to sing..." She pulled me into a kiss and when she pushed away, whispered, "You came back. After three whole months, you came back. You...finally did! DON'T LEAVE ME LIKE THAT AGAIN!"

The truth hit me and I smiled. That was the true Sylvia from earlier and she complied to probably my final wish, bringing me back from the dead. As she had kissed me earlier, I made my own move to kiss her. She froze but didn't pull away for a moment then held me closer and brought it a step further by shoving her tongue into my mouth. I fought back and we lightly fought on my hospital bed when I pulled her up. A nurse came in with a few others and saw the two of us. I looked up, seeing their embarrassed faces looking the other way, before glancing at the heartbeat monitor and seeing the pace had picked up rapidly.

Sylvia laughed and I whispered, "I won't. Thank you. Thank you so much."

After they removed me from the equipment and conducted a check to make sure I was functioning properly, they commented on my rapid recovery from such an event and use of power. My prana had been feeding on my own life force once my pool had been drained, but strangely, been feeding me more life as I was recovering, extending my lifetime.

I tuned out the rest of the talk and once they finished, got off the bed despite their protests and flipped. Landing, "I want to get back into my previous physical condition as before."

They glanced at each other and looked back at me, "But yo-"

"I will be fine," I replied but they shook their head.

"No, it's not that we won't let you, but...you got stronger in the three months. And we mean stronger than when you were participating in the Festa. Just to let you know. You should be released in the next two days." The nurse smiled, "Just in time for winter break for you two. Speaking of Festa, thank you Ethan."

I shrugged, "Honestly, it's unneeded. I was probably dead by that time, so I don't remember saving everyone."

"Still. Thank you. It's also an honor to meet the two of you in person. We'll leave you two alone for the rest of the night. I'm sure this is lame, considering it's what you've been doing Ethan, but get some rest."

I nodded with a laugh. "Sure, thanks." When the door closed, I walked over to the window and looked at the lights. "I wonder what will happen now that I'm up. What will I do now?"

Sylvia grabbed my arm, "Oh, you know Mathias Mesa?"

I ran the name through my head, I heard of him before, but..."Isn't he the committee guy for the Festa?" She nodded and I tilted my head, "What does he want me for?"

Sylvia shrugged, "He's asking me to call you to him if and when you'd get up. So, I guess we'll see him in the next two days?"

"Maybe. You'll have to go now, don't you?" Sylvia nodded confirmation and I closed my eyes, "Well, it was really a blessing to see you again."

After giving me a peck on the cheek, "You too."

I stood alone on the stadium. Actually, alone here. At the center of attention. Mathias was going on about how I helped protect the citizens of Asterisk and other heroics. Actually, as I told Sylvia before, I don't remember doing this, but I know I did it. Mathias had assured me beforehand that he already granted Ayato, Julis, and Kirito their wishes. The first two because they were the winners by default as I was dead, and Kirito because he was my partner, and I saved...people.

Now I was getting one because I saved people. It didn't seem right, but I was forced to accept because of my actions and because Kirito declined the wish, saying that he didn't need anything. Ayato asked for the Enterprise to search for his sister and Julis asked the committee to support the orphanages at her hometown. Now...I was here. Looking up at the student presidents, they all gave me encouraging smiles and nods. I nodded at Claudia as she gave hers, but I ran through what I could ask for that wasn't too demanding, but also not too insulting of the offer.

Only when Sylvia gave me a wink did the wish come to me. Hopefully this wouldn't go downhill, but I doubted it will. Like, ninety percent sure it'll go well. No, drop it to eighty.

"So," Mathias turned, "What will you ask of us to do for you?"

"Cameras. I want this to be known. All over the world." There was muttering and when Mathias asked what I was doing, I scratched my head and answered, "Well, you'll see. Just, get a live run of what's going to go on today, and now?"

He seemed intrigued and nodded, the entire setup running, the video live and running. I ran offstage to everyone's curiosity and I leapt onto the raised platform of student presidents, surprising everyone. I grabbed Sylvia's hand and ran back in front of the camera.

"All of you who are viewing this now. You'll probably wondering what I am wishing for, as you all know what I did." I laughed then continued, "Honestly, I don't think I deserve this. I only did what was right, helping others just for the sake of helping others. But...I guess it pays off. My wish was to have this broadcasted to the entire world. Yes, everyone who has a screen is watching this right now. Just because I asked."

I turned to Sylvia and pulled her closer to me, wrapping my arm around her and smiling foolishly into the camera, "Those of you teens and men pining for Sylvia Lyyneheym here, I'm going to say this, but it's too late. I am hers and she is mine. We both had fallen for each other a while ago, if I recall correctly, and we love each other to the very bottom of our hearts. I just want this to be known to everyone. From the youngest teens to the strangest elderly. I was going to win the Festa for her, but...we ended up being together before then, as one event after another, we drew closer and closer.

"Only recently, have we decided to never separate. We will stay together to the very end of our lives. I'll be honest. I'm not sure how many girls like me, bu-"

I turned to Sylvia as she whispered in my ear, "A lot."

I blinked at her answer and returned to the camera, "But yes, I am taken too. I don't plan on a harem or anything like that. I want none, but I will choose select persons for mine...I suppose. I thank you all for listening, and I don't want anything else. I may have crushed many men's dreams, hopes, wishes, and lusts." There was a wave of laughter from the audience present, "SO! I'll end it now just so I don't get any-MMPH!"

Sylvia forcibly kissed me and everyone went silent, and I was sure the entire world went silent. Literally. For about half a minute as they watched her kiss me passionately on screen.

For that long. She turned and spoke herself, "After today, I want nobody else to chase after me. I have had a couple of cases, but I have found the boy I love. I want nothing else in the world. But those of you worried about my tours, they won't be affected at all. In fact, I may bring Ethan along with me at some times. I will see you the next time I go someplace for a tour." She gave a wink and held out a victory sign. When the screen went dark, the crowd went wild though there were occasional shouts of anger, which Sylvia assured me to dismiss. It didn't matter as long as we were together.

Kichijoten Hotel:

"I'm glad you did that," Sylvia commented as we watched the skyline from the balcony.

I laughed as we rested our heads against each other's, "Benzaiten was with me. I said everything I wanted to say and flawlessly too. Maybe. Or maybe it was another omnipotent being who wanted me to say what I wanted to. I could have said something embarrassing or incorrectly, but he did what he did without messing up my life."

"Hmm," she looked at me with narrowed eyes, studying me, "Maybe there is a powerful being out there who made things happen the way it did. But for that reason, I am glad he did that."

I jumped up on the railing, shouting, "I am glad for that too!" Looking down at a giggling Sylvia, "Well, if there is one, he let me come back to life, even if I could have died, he brought us together, let us be together, allow me to save you, and plenty of other things."

Sitting down on the railing and swinging my feet over the edge, I sighed, "But, I just don't know what to do now. I've basically finished what I wanted to do. Everything I've wanted to do. It would just feel redundant to continue past this."

"But you know it's not," Sylvia pointed out.

"Yeah," I laughed, "I still need to save Ophellia. I know I'll meet her out there. In the world. Somewhere." Clenching my fist at the moon, "The time should be soon now, no?"

"Maybe," she smirked, "Especially now that I, the opponent of Ophellia during the Lindwurm Festa is close to you. She'll find us or vice versa."

"Mm," I nodded once with vigor, "Maybe we'll fight each other in the next Lindwurm. Won't that be an amazing battle?"

"Yes," she said while staring into nothing, "It will be."

I tilted my head, "Hey?"

"Oh!" she jumped, "I wasn't paying attention!"

I fell back and rolled to a standing position, "No, nothing. What were you thinking about?"

She blushed, something I've never seen her do. Not a small tint, but a visible red, "Ah...ah? I was wondering about your Gryphs Festa team. You told me once you planned on one."

"Yeah," I scratched my head, "Well, it's really a plan, but if I were to join, I may fight Claudia. I don't want to get in her way though. If I do make one, I would include, Nii-san one and two, Cao Cao and Minato, Tang, and Sig."

"Sig...Siegfried-chan?" Sylvia asked. At my curious nod, she widened her eyes, "You know him?"

"Yeah," I waved dismissively, "He is a cool guy. Very adept in Luxes. In fact, he has one Ogre Lux Gram, after the demonic sword and five other Luxes of his own creation."

She pouted, "Don't avoid my question! You know what I want to know!"

I gave a nervous smile, "The four extra arms? Yes, him. Yes, those. I haven't asked how he got those, but he was one opponent I was never able to beat. But the duels are off-records, so nobody has any results of that. We agreed because he wanted secrecy, he didn't want to be like you nor me. But...he wants to fight with us next year if we participate, and definitely the year after to climb up at top."

By this time, we were inside and the sliding door shut to keep out the chilly December wind, but not the cold. I sat on the couch and waved to the bed, "All yours Sylvia."

I couldn't see her face, but it was looking at the floor, the shadows hiding her eyes. She turned, "Could you sleep with me tonight?"

"Like, on the actual bed?" I raised an eyebrow. She gave no answer but slid under the blankets and patted the empty side. Entering, I said, "Thanks."

"It's just colder tonight," she mumbled as she snuggled closer.

"It's not too bad, and it is warm enough here," I replied.

Her mischievous tone worried me, "But not warm enough." Looking questionably at her, she blushed and looked away. After a moment, "When you dragged me into your mind, how real was it?"

"It was real for the first two times, but it eventually got annoying..." I laughed and she held my hand.

"Please, be serious." When I said nothing, she asked, "So, you still blame yourself for their deaths?"

"No, not anymore. They've died because of Magnus's cruelty. I would have stopped her now, but I had no power to then. As Ophellia would have said, that's how it must have gone for today to be today."

I felt Sylvia press against me, "I'm so glad now that you've put it behind."

"Now all I have to do is pull Ophelia out. As you pulled me out," I rest my head on her head and contently closed my eyes.

"I want to ask this bluntly, Ethan. Can you please have sex with me?"

I widened my eyes and Sylvia rolled on top of me and gave me a kiss, which I didn't bother trying to reject. Not anymore. After sliding a hand up my shirt, I finally accepted what she wanted. I loosened the ties for her uniform and parted her top, the Queenvail Academy uniform being tossed aside shortly after. She started to pull my shirt off me and I helped her do so. We played around for a moment more before she removed my pants sat on me in only her bra.

"Sylvia, you really want to?" I stopped her once she started to remove her skirt.

Her giggle answered the question, "I've never felt this way, you know. Liking someone. Then falling in love. I fell for you when you saved me from Nguyen. I couldn't and didn't want to hide my feelings anymore."

She lowered her voice to a whisper, "Afterwards, whenever I was alone, I would think about you with me, like this.."

I caught my breath, "Sylvie..."

"Please? Only at least this once before the future."

I pushed her onto her back, "Fine, I guess we could. If you want to, I don't see why I should say no, even if there are almost a hundred reasons why we shouldn't fuck now."

"Let's take our time, we could stay here as long as we want and I want the first time to be memorable~"

Morning, Kichijoten Hotel:

Turning to my right, I mumbled, "Morning songtress."

"Mmph," she said into the pillow after flipping on her stomach. "I don't like that nickname."

"But your voice is entrancing, no matter what you're using it for. Singing, talking. Hey, even when you're panting, moaning or having an orgasm, you still sound amazing."

She sat up and hit my shoulder while blushing, "Just go to the bathroom!"

I shook my head while chuckling and rolled out of the bed and showered. After I brushed my teeth and ordered breakfast, Sylvia got out herself, but when she came out of the bathroom, she seemed more dejected than yesterday. As she picked at her food, I held her hand and she glanced up before averting her eyes.

She answered my unasked question, "Ethan...I have to go on a tour the entire winter break. I might return a week at the earliest. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. Now that you have no plans for the break...I feel bad leaving you behind."

I chuckled and put her hands between mine, "It's fine. A bit ironic after my speech...But I can get back in my old shape during the week. I'll be fine, don't worry so much about me. We need to focus on our own lives too. You'll need to because of your occupations, and after that speech. People will be worried you'll put me ahead of them."

She started to protest, "But it's supposed to be that way!"

Smirking, "You're still in the prime of your career. One day, when you're older, we will spend our time without all the reporters and paparazzi. I know."

Sylvia sighed heavily, "I don't like you. You just won't ever get mad over these things."

Smiling, "Because I believe that these things aren't something I should get angry about. There are other things I can get angry about, but this is nothing in my opinion."

She gave a pout, "I think for my Christmas wish, I want you to be angry more often!"

I started laughing and she grinned for a moment before laughing herself, and making a few calls for preparation of her departure.

I couldn't go to see her off for security reasons, despite me being her boyfriend, so I was forced to watch from the balcony of the hotel as her private plane flew off to her destination. I think it was somewhere in China.

I waved at the plane that took off and then jumped onto the bed. "Well, once again like breaks from school. Just gotta do some runs and pushups."

However, I suddenly got a call. Accepting it, I saw Julis smiling, "Ethan. I'm glad to see you're doing fine today. Will you be doing anything with Sylvia this winter break?"

I scratched my head as I blushed, "Well, quite the opposite actually. She had to go on a tour to China. Or maybe it was Singapore. It's a tour around the Asian countries."

Julis beamed, "In that case, would you want to come to Leiseltania with us?" She started, "Oh, I didn't mean to take advantage of you like that. I ho-"

"No, it's good. I'll just need to tell Sylvia not to worry about me because I'm going with you guys. Where do we meet?"

She turned around then looked back at me, "The Floating Airport on the North Kanto Multiplex's Crater Lake." I nodded and ended the call, packing my items then checking out. Informing the teller to thank Mathias, staff, and manager for their hospitality. I looked at the duffle at my side and consulted the map before jogging in that direction. If I wasn't going to be able to exercise for two weeks, might as well do it just for this hour.

I nodded at Julis then followed her to the special lounge we were to wait at until the departure. I pulled up a screen and saw Sylvia, turning over her shoulder to speak to someone off-screen before turning back to me, "Yes? Did something happen?"

"Ah, if you count me going to Leiseltania something."

[Leiseltania...Leiseltania...Julis's hometown?]

At my nod, she pouted then smiled, [You're cheating on me!]

I laughed and she smiled, [I'm glad, honestly. Now I won't have to worry about you running off killing terrorists with Hideki. But remember, don't put anyone ahead of me, understand? I will make your life miserable.]

I paled, "Yeah...don't worry. You'll be number one. Always. Speaking of which, what happened to him?"

[Oh! I remember I forgot to mention him! Hideki and his company now run a force with the Enterprise at almost the equivalence of the Shinobi Shadow Stars. An international public police force. They are called the Soldiers of Dawn. I'll get you to contact him soon.] I looked up and followed everyone out as Sylvie sent me a phone number which I saved on my contacts list, calling the number once we entered the plane.

The line rang three times before someone picked up, [Kenji Shikoku speaking, is this an emergency?]

"Uh, this is Ethan, I just want to talk?" I asked. There was silence then some shuffling.

[Hey, boy. Haven't heard from you, but I know. I just told Hideki now. Just in case you are wondering, I'm Skyguy. Great to hear you're doing well.]

"Great. How's the police force?"

[Interesting to say the least. Our main company also handles counterterrorism, but most of the recruits work among Asterisk borders like normal police. Despite this though, Hideki had to agree on staying at the office to handle all the paper work until we get people to do it for him. It slightly irks him. Ah, here he is now. I'll tell the rest of the guys how you're doing.]

I smiled, "See you soon then, Skyguy. Tell them I said hi."

[I will.] The call cut off then another came up. The person sitting in front of the camera was Hideki. He nodded hello and immediately spoke.

[You've probably heard enough already, but it's good to see you up and awake.]

I smiled, "Not enough. People just don't know that you could go through more suffering asleep rather than if you are awake."

Hideki seemed to understand, [I can relate. Because when you're awake, the past is the past, and you could only focus on the future and present. Only those in the past can bring it back. But in your mind while asleep, your brain knows all your fears, all your dark secrets, and innermost thoughts, and unintentionally makes you live through everything. From the past, present, and sometimes, even relays horrors in the future. Now, let's leave all that behind, Ethan. Unless you want to talk about it?]

"I guess I will. Really what I faced were twisted versions of my life..."

He tilted his head, [I see. Like?]

"My first thing was my entire life leading to me dying and dying. Then the second...I woke up as if everything was normal, but I couldn't get near anyone because of my past."

[Ah, the testing in the lab from Leiseltania?]

I raised an eyebrow, "You know?"

He chuckled at the screen, [Your reaction is quite different than I expected. Yes, I know. Only because I now have access through almost the entire database in the Enterprise. So, naturally, I checked yours first. Because I would have to inform the Sakamoto family.]

"Oh..."

[Anyhow, you don't mind about the testing anymore?]

I shook my head, "No, I'll put that in the past. I've sworn to start anew a few months back, but I didn't. I still let the words of Magnus Opum affect me. Not anymore. I promised myself before I woke."

[How did you wake?]

I scratched my head while chuckling nervously, "Well, Sylvia got me to wake up. Using the song of hers."

[The Lonely Feathers. The song said to be able to find anyone on Earth. I'm generally surprised it brought you back.]

"Hmm, I guess it's just...our such close connection?"

He shrugged, [I suppose. How'd it go with her after?]

I thought about what we did yesterday night, lasting until mid early morning and I tried unsuccessfully to hide my blush. He noticed it and laughed uncontrollably as he figured out what we did, catching the attention of the others in the plane. I waved nervously and they turned away. After I looked back at the screen, he was wiping his tears. [Boy, you're barely seventeen. Don't go getting a kid now. I had Lyynesta at what? Thirty?...]

He grew solemn and I didn't know what to say until he looked to his left and tapped a few keys on his keyboard. Nodding after a moment and making a call. [Hey. Falco the falcon here. You have a trace on Graecus? Leiseltania? The hell is that guy doing there?]

Hideki gave a noticeable frown then tapped the desk in front of him, nodding as he listened. He hung up without a word then turned to me, [Hey, it was good talking to you. But as you can see, I'm a bit busy. Recently been looking for Gustave Malraux. Not exactly sure who he is hired by yet, but I will find out. Actually, I may find out. His records have been partly erased.]

"You mentioned Leiseltania. I could help," I offered. He thought for a moment, then frowned. "I'm heading there right now for the winter break. If Graecus, or Gustave, is there, I'll find him eventually. Even if the two of us don't know why he's there in the first place."

He gave a happy sigh, [When you grow up Ethan, join the Soldiers with us, will you? I'll be glad to have you with us. Sylvia too. With her, nobody could hide from us.] We both laughed and he gave a wave before turning to the computer at his side and gesturing down with his left hand and ending the call.

This chapter is complete. Now, the next one will be the end of Season 2 of Gakusen and Volume Six in general. I hope you enjoyed this one!

I'll be honest, I was about to end the story here, but I remembered the whole point of mine *facepalms* So I went ahead and typed the other few thousand words haha.

Now...I actually had something to say but I put the proofreading as the priority and now...*poof*

Ifnyou have any questions, comments, or concerns, review or PM me, magbe one of those will the thing I wanted to mention. Now, finally I hope all of you who read this likes it and a favorite, follow, and review will be neat!

Will see you next time, on Chapter 10 (Or the next chapter posted by me om the 10k other stories but for Gakusen guys, chapter 10. Peace.)