Having escaped the awkward tension inside the diner, Kaiser proceeded out into the parking lot. Having left his phone in the vehicle as to be polite he went to retrieve it and saw a small cluster of boys and girls gawking at the vehicles.

'I suppose regular students find our gear fascinating after seeing so much of their own Senshado team. After all, it isn't every day foreign students visit your school in the open." he lamented walking past the group and to the Mercedes.

Reaching into the vehicle and grabbing his phone, Kaiser patted his pockets, ensuring he was prepared to depart. Closing the vehicle's door he could hear small bits of the group conversating behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw a few with their phones out, taking pictures of the Mercedes at a distance.

'Well I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask for directions' He reasoned, turning to approach the students.

As he turned to face the unknown students, an expression of friendliness set upon his features. A practiced facade in the shape of a soft smile and gently relaxed eyes. It was a face of friendliness in stark contrast from what others knew to be his real demeanor at school and fewer yet knowing him personally. Virtanen had taken to calling it his poker face, an apt term.

His first step in their direction and they quickly lowered their phones, catching his attention as they had theirs on him. Thoughts immediately entered his mind. 'Embarrassed of being seen taking pictures without permission? Or are they keeping tabs on us?' He pondered, becoming suspicious of the five students, now with their undivided attention on him.

With as charming a tone he could manage, Kaiser approached one of the males of the group and greeted him. "Hey there, as you can see I'm not from around here and was wondering if you could answer some questions for me." He asked casually. The group of three females and two males seemed surprised at how easily he had spoken to them. 'As if it was in contrast to their expectations…' he noted.

Quick on the uptake, it seemed the most sociable of the students, a shorter male of the two, Quickly responded."Sure thing pal" he nodded with a smile.

Kaiser gave his thanks and proceeded to ask. "Well, first of all, could you all point me to the library?"

A few simple instructions were exchanged as Kaiser nodded along, memorizing the directions and thanking them again for the kind help. "Then second, and not to be aggressive here" he cautioned. "Don't you think it's rude to take pictures of someone without permission?" Holding his smile of friendliness and polite tone, his eyes pierced through them.

A tension that no one wished to address arose amongst them. Quickly the other male intervened, coming to his friend's aid as he was at a loss for a response. "Sorry about that there, er, bud. It's just that we don't always see other faces on ship, let alone such a nice vehicle. A-and you seem like you could be from the famous Kuromoromine!" He explained gesturing up and down Kaiser's figure due to the black uniform while his peers nodded in agreement.

Kaiser lightly chuckled at the insinuation. "Don't worry I'm not from Kuromoromine, so I won't bite. Besides, I know social media's a big source of entertainment here" he reasoned, pacing to the side as the boys chuckled along, thankful for his understanding.

"However," said Kaiser, turning around quickly and approaching the mousy-haired and petite girl of the group, who had been hiding behind her peers almost as if wanting to be unseen. Perhaps shy, but Kaiser had deemed her suspicious as she was the one most fervently snapping pictures. Reaching a hand around her shoulder, Kaiser asked her a question. "Wouldn't it be better to have a clearer picture of your target?"

The girl, surprised at his sudden movement and forwardness froze on the spot sputtering as to why she could not do just that. "I-I-I couldn't. Besides they wouldn't want to see me, I look awful while your uniforms so clean and the contrast is too much and, and-"

Kaiser chuckled again, hollow to himself but seemingly genuine to the stunned group, as he took a step closer and insisted. "Don't worry I'm sure whoever sees it won't mind, besides you look lovely." At the insistence and unexpected advances, the other four students stood aside, faces full of surprise as their friend caved. Meekly and with flushed cheeks she stepped next to Kaiser as he squatted slightly next to her face, removing his cover.

The girl snapped a couple of photos with shaky hands, lowering her arms as Kaiser whispered into her ear. "Don't worry. Perhaps next time, try to be more confident".

The girl recoiled in embarrassment, holding her ear as one of her friends stepped in between them. With a forceful thank you and farewell he ushered his bewildered friends on with the mousy girl, still red to the ears.

Kaiser waved farewell as they entered the diner. As they were out of sight he turned around, seeing no one within his immediate vicinity placed his cap on his head, and sighed. His tiring smile was gone, and he felt drained from the act.

He hadn't enjoyed the performance but figured it was best to play it safe. If they truly were keeping tabs on them, then they would be cautious of his peers inside the diner. And if they weren't then they would just think he was some assertive boy hitting on their friend. Either way, he hadn't given his name and sent a message that wouldn't bite him.

Without delay he then proceeded to the library, stopping to ask the occasional local student or resident just to be sure. As he had just finished Speaking with a red-headed student who waved goodbye to him, he noted once more just how much attention he garnered, especially walking alone at this school.

He had noticed the glances and stares directed at him as he passed the shops and homes. Keeping an aloof expression he seemed unperturbed by the glares, it did however keep him on his toes, near paranoid at all the drawn eyes.

He hadn't expected Kay to give them free rein of the ship in her absence and felt her words were hollow. The stares as if they all were reporting his actions and thus making him feel trapped in uniform and an easy target. A speck of pure black amidst varying colors and different uniforms.

Kaiser had mulled over the recent argument he had left at the diner and would admit his tendency for conflict had lead to him traveling without a ride and in plain sight for all to see. As he pondered over whether his peers were still garnering as much attention as he was the library came into sight.

The large structure was of a Victorian era, gothic architecture, standing high above the adjacent low, squat business's and residences next to it. The aesthetic was a welcome sight to him in comparison to the jubilant and youthful populace meandering about the ship with modern fashion and the copy and pasted homes. The architecture was old, calming, and inviting, without hesitation, he entered.

Standing several stories tall with each floor covered in styled black tiles and rows upon rows of literature adorning whatever space was available. The lobby as you stepped in was the only real vacant space present within. In its massive center lay a monument of a Sherman tank breaking the crest of a hill and small figures pursuing in its wake.

The plaque presented in front of the monument was dedicated to Saunder University's first Senshado team which had advanced to second place its first year, third the next, and finally first the year after. Dedicated by the school and its sponsors, it seemed that the team which had finally taken first place dedicated the win to their seniors for their time and training as freshmen, hence the figures in the actual statue representing each individual senior.

'Touching' Kaiser thought glancing up. His eyes were met with even more stunning decoration. A dazzling display of mustang fighter planes hovered in midair, retained by wires, their positioning formed a star and lighting bolt when gazed from directly below. It was Saunders' symbol. Looking around the display, he noticed It stood in the center place of the entire building and stretched up towards the ceiling. As one ascended the floors and looked at it from the sides they would never see the same perspective from where it was meant to be.

'How many people have seen it from its intended perspective' he pondered, admiring the work and history behind the art. 'Perhaps it was meant for those who took interest in Senshado and would surely approach it... Forgoing the thought of visitors, how many students on this ship knew of the view?' Snapping out of his contemplation, he continued.

Heading to the front desk behind the monument Kaiser spoke to a stern-looking girl barely older than he. As he approached she raised her head from her reading material, noticing an incoming figure from her peripheral view, and gave a taut smile before it receded into a look of indifference. The polite smile was followed by "How may I help you?"

Her eyes widened slightly as she made eye contact with Kaiser. Perhaps the uniform portrayed a level of professionalism as she looked down, placing a bookmark in her reading and gave her full attention. As she situated her desk, she took a long glance at his decorated blouse and the cover he had placed on before her. Naturally, she raised an inquisitive eyebrow. Despite her obvious curiosity, she remained professional, clearing her throat into a smoother, more polite form befitting her looks, and asked once more.

Kaiser returned the quaint smile with a polite voice to follow. "Yes, I was hoping to find the sections of the school's history. Old news articles, memoirs, or perhaps videos on old extracurricular teams".

The girl nodded politely, Requesting "Just a moment" while keeping her eyes on his uniform.

'She doesn't recognize it. Perhaps she hasn't heard or at least doesn't know too much of Transcendence' He reasoned as she continued typing. Taking a slow breath, Kaiser leaned forward hoping to distract her from thinking too deeply about his attire. "You're staring pretty intensely there, did I do something right for that?" he grinned invitingly. The girl's eyes shot downwards to her hands now no longer typing, at being caught staring before drifting slowly back to face him apologetically. She was at a loss for how to respond.

Kaiser's mind screamed in embarrassment and protest at the display he was putting on yet pressed forward. "I'm just kidding. I know it's the uniform. I'm, well, I suppose new around here. Parents always say I should be more sociable but that's not such an easy thing to do. So here I am exploring. I wanted to know a bit more about this school so I stopped here first." He explained throwing a lazy hand to the side, showing his dismissal of the excuse as if he didn't care for his own words. Along with his tone and manner of speech he easily sold the act.

The girl's shoulders relaxed as she readjusted to the conversation, slowly resuming her typing. "I see." she agreed. "I can understand the annoyance of parents dragging their children around. Don't worry however, Saunders is second to none in terms of academia and sports. I'm sure you'll like it here if you choose to stay."

Kaiser nodded his thanks at her words, seeing that she had assumed he was a transfer. "I didn't think it wasn't half bad here but it is a bonus having met you." had commented hoping to keep her thoughts and questions away from his enrollment.

At his words the receptionist's figure tensed slightly. Her mind clearly, was no longer dwelling on his uniform or origins. A red tinge having set upon her face, spreading from the mole on her left cheek clear across and under her glasses. She squeamishly began to fiddle with her auburn hair in her left hand as she scribbled onto a note with her right.

Suddenly she extended her arm outwards to Kaiser, who backed away at the sudden motion. Slowly he took the paper worried about what was on it. With a sigh of relief, he saw it was the areas of the library containing the information he requested as well as links to websites for further reference. Before he could deliver another smile and thank her, the girl stood with a "pardon me" and retreated to a staff-only room.

Watching her leave, Kaiser ascended the staircases. Out of the public eye for a moment he ruffled his hair in distress. 'Oh god, that was humiliating!' His mind screamed. 'I can't believe I did that' he continued thinking in panic. He couldn't decide what was worse, the act working on the poor girl or the fact it came to him naturally. 'I'd die if anyone saw that' he declared internally, straightening himself out before moving on.

Arriving on the fourth floor Kaiser saw that it was devoted solely to the history genre. Passing aisles and aisles of books, he arrived at the furthest corner of the floor without seeing hardly any foot traffic in the rather empty building. Scanning the shelves Kaiser absent-mindedly thought of the past few hours aboard.

There were hardly any males roaming about and he doubted it was because they were all ashore. He could only surmise Saunders was just as slow at integrating males as the majority of schools despite the expectations for fervent applications to the famous institutions.

As far as reports and news articles went the only major school ship keeping up with Transcendence's male to female ratio was Pravda and a few smaller vessels, who were all too eager to accept the manpower. However, rumors found their way through the grapevine naturally and even Kaiser who staved off such untrustworthy methods heard of the intense training that was entailed. Apparently, the student leadership of other ships was on par with some of his own methods, which only encouraged him to be even harder on his cadets.

Having grabbed a few texts, he returned to a secluded table of his choice, marked by his cover's presence, and dropped them off. He repeated this process two more times while deep in thought. Now on his fourth trip, he slid a book off the shelf opening it for a quick skim. Glossing over the contents he couldn't help but feel a slight sense of unease. As if an intense stare was boring into him from behind. Casually he slowly turned glancing over his shoulder.

There was no one. He continued looking and finally saw someone. A short girl had noticed him staring and quickly ducked behind another set of shelves leaving him be. There was no one else around and it surely wasn't the girl he had seen. He didn't want to dismiss it as his imagination but without evidence sighed, shutting the book, and taking it with the others in his opposite hand.

Strolling back to his table he couldn't get the feeling out of his head. 'What was that? Are they watching me again? No one was behind me and I didn't hear anyone either.' The thoughts plagued him as he stepped past the final bookshelf hiding his table. Turning the corner he was met with a sudden shout and a figure jumping out at him.

Caught by surprise he reacted instinctively. Dropping the books, Kaiser grabbed the assaulting figures' extended arms and pushed them back, pinning them into the large wooden shelf behind them. Attempting to further restrict their mobility Kaiser pressed his left leg and side into them restricting their movement, prepared to take the scuffle to the ground. As he switched from instinctive reaction to clear thoughts again, he was met with an awkward "huh" and wide blue eyes peering up and deeply into his own.

It was Kay. Kaiser's mind raced, wondering why she was here, why she had snuck around him specifically to catch him off guard, and most of all how he was going to accomplish his objective with her around.

"Um, hey there Adam," She said quietly trying to avoid causing further noise in the library.

Kaiser starred another second before realizing what he had just done. He had pinned the Senshado commander and poster girl of the residing school up against a bookshelf in the library, stopping her from moving.

Even faster than he had reacted a moment ago Kaiser stepped back, hands in the air, and retrieved his books before walking away. "Apologies and I've told you, it's Kaiser" he strained through gritted teeth.

Surprised once more Kay followed after him, taking a moment to collect herself, then following with a teasing tone replacing her surprise. As Kaiser strode over to his table placing the books down Kay chided him. "If you're that rough with a friend no wonder you were so aggressive with a girl you just met." she taunted.

Kaiser buried his face in a palm at the insinuation. He couldn't see her but could tell by her tone that her smile widened regardless.

"Miranda may be graduating soon but she isn't very well versed in how to handle boys, let alone such a smooth operator~" Kay sang, taking a seat next to Kaiser.

Kaiser gave a muffled groan in shame. "What do you know," he asked.

"Not 'know', heard, witnessed to be precise." she triumphantly said. "Miranda's got a great memory even when flustered. I saw from afar and she happened to seek me out. The way she retold it was like reciting Shakespeare" grinned Kay.

Casting a sidelong glance of disapproval at Kay, Kaiser sighed. "I apologize for that... discourse. I never expected it to be successful. I just didn't want her pestering me too much on not being a local and with no library card. She seemed stern and resilient at first."

Kay nodded with her arms crossed and a frown in agreement. "Yeah, Miranda's always been like that. Hard carapace, soft interior. You're the first to blow right past it though" she chuckled.

Kay's teasing quickly wore on Kaiser's nerves. "So why are you here anyway? isn't your arrival a bit too convenient?" he pried, curious if she was tailing him.

His question was quickly deflected with a wave of the hand from Kay. "I haven't seen you in some time, without a single word, might I add. Then you pop up in my school out of nowhere and immediately try to leave again. So I figured you would take my offer to look around and knowing what little I do about you, thought that you may come here" she explained.

"Well as you can see I have a way of occupying myself," he said, gesturing to the piles of texts.

"I figured as much" She groaned reaching to her side. "Coincidentally, I have my own work too" Turning to the table she pulled out a stack of documents from her bookbag. Kaiser looked at her questioningly.

"Then why are you here?" He blatantly asked as Kay brought a pen to her lips with a quiet hum.

"Quiet environment, change of pace, no prying eyes, no one to barge in demanding my attention" she listed off. With each reason she gave, a finger was raised until she had a handful. "And of course even if it's in complete silence it's nice being in a friend's presence." she honestly admitted.

Raising a doubtful brow at her end statement Kaiser questioned her logic. "I don't remember declaring friendship".

"I don't remember saying we're rivals either." rebutted Kay. "So if we're not either then what are we?" she asked glancing at him with a look of superiority.

"Acquaintances" Kaiser immediately answered.

Kay gave a light scoff at the lack of hesitance. "There's that typical answer once again" she giggled.

Rolling his eyes, Kaiser tried once more to get rid of her. "I doubt your entourage would be happy with me being your company" he insisted.

"Who? Naomi and Arisa? They're their own women and besides..." Kay trailed off, scooting her seat closer to Kaiser. Lowering her voice, despite the lack of any persons on the same floor. "Naomi's helping Arisa with some boy troubles."

At the revelation, Kaiser turned to Kay, giving his most disinterested look. "I thought you'd react that way" Kay sighed. "But it's a big thing for normal students, especially her. She has it really bad for Takeshi."

Kaiser leaned onto the table, uncaring for the topic as he flipped the pages of a book half-heartedly. "I almost feel bad for Takeshi," he quipped, allowing Kay to realize she had revealed a little too much. Quickly she recoiled in distress, turning away at her blunder.

Kaiser rolled his eyes, flipping another page. "I'm not going to rat the girl out, you know that otherwise, you wouldn't have mentioned it in the first place. Besides didn't that happen in last year's match with Oorai anyways?"

Kay grimaced at the memory. "Yeah. Arisa didn't recover for a while after that she's kinda hoping everyone's forgotten by now." The atmosphere had turned quiet between the two as opposed to what either usually expected of the other. It was clear Kaiser didn't want Kay's presence and Kay wasn't going to leave easily if at all. Both determined, Kaiser acted first straightening himself and began to read.

Quietly he conceded. "You're the commander of this school. You are free to do as you wish".

Kay gave a slight glance, surprised at how he had given in. Just as quickly however she turned to her paperwork and began writing. Like this, the two passed the hours of the day away. Kaiser just hoped she wouldn't notice the books and articles he had hidden at the bottom of the stack and their bindings facing away from her. His attempt at casual information netting had not proceeded as smoothly as he wished.

-Transition-

As the hours passed and darkness rapidly set upon the ship, Kaiser noticed the lapse in time and drew his pocket watch. It was just past six and time for him to depart. On cue, Kay leaned back in her chair stretching upwards with both arms and stifling a yawn. She had finished her work an hour or so ago and yet stayed in her seat idly playing on her phone or just watching him gloss through texts.

"Well, it seems it's time for me to take my leave" Kaiser announced standing. Kay stood with him and quietly helped him replace the texts he had borrowed, though he was careful she didn't see the titles of the more incriminating texts pertaining to the Saunders previous tactics.

Soon Kaiser descended the stairwell ready to depart but felt the need to cast an irate glare to his side. "And why are you leaving with me?" he asked.

"It's getting dark out, and it would be irresponsible to let you walk home alone" she joked.

Kaiser rolled his eyes at the remark as they entered the main lobby. The female librarian having been replaced with a sharp-eyed male, nodded in acknowledgment at Kay who returned a friendly wave as they departed. While those two shared their short exchange, Kaiser noticed the few students still meandering about the building stare at them.

Ignoring their looks Kay, relaxed as ever, chatted on while Kaiser attempted in vain to seem a part of the background. It was a hopeless attempt when he was walking next to such a famous individual. Quickening his pace, he sought to exit the building while Kay struggled to keep up with his pace.

Descending the steps of the library Kay called after him. "What are you in a rush for?"

Kaiser didn't look back but answered regardless. I think it's best if I'm not seen around you too often. Rumors circulate naturally and I'm sure about you like a wildfire. Whether jealousy or fanfare, I don't like that kind of spotlight. Besides I'm leaving it's not like you have to keep an eye on me anymore." he reasoned.

"Haah?" Kay exclaimed in annoyance. As Kaiser reached the bottom step Kay descended the last few by jumping down after him. As she rebounded from the drop and stood tall, she looked up at Kaiser with a stern face and a finger in his chest. "There you go again with that mystery act! You did the same thing when I first tried talking to you! As I said, I'm making up for lost time and that's final. After all, we're comrades in Senshado now!" Her short lecture over, she straightened her back and gave a trademark smile as if she had answered all his problems.

Kaiser stared down at her at a loss for words. As she stood firm smiling he began walking away, having snorted at her act. Standing stunned at his response Kay watched him walk away before he turned to her. "Coming or not? It won't bother me to leave you here. I'm not one of your ravenous fans after all." With an embarrassed grin, she walked over to join his walk.

"I can think of worse things to do' Kaiser admitted to himself.

As he explained before leaving for the library, Kaiser had messaged his peers to meet him back at the restaurant so they could leave for Transcendence. He and Kay were now walking in silence, strolling back. The sun had left leaving the stars out in abundance and the moon beginning to drift silently in the cloudless sky. As darkness had just set, the street lights adorning the roads began alighting themselves.

While idle chat began, Kaiser had come to realize he had inadvertently taken a longer route than necessary from the group who had given him directions. This was self-evident as the route he had taken was through a denser residential side of the ship, adorned with large houses and limited yards.

The route Kay had taken the initiative to guide him through was more barren with the only illumination gifted was that of the streetlights past the thick foliage around them and the moon. Their path had taken them on a short trail through one of Saunder's residential parks.

As Kaiser spent more time staring at the sky mindlessly walking to Kay's pace, the sound of her stifled mirth caught his attention. Glancing to the side he saw her notice his inquisitive look. "Dare I ask?" he said.

Kay calmed her voice before explaining. "Well it's just, well, I haven't forgotten how you treated poor Miranda back there all serious and now you're all aloof.

As Kaiser raised a brow she clarified. "The poor little librarian you swooned" Placing a hand on her forehead she pretended to sway as if lightheaded and bumped into him as they walked. Kaiser grunted at the mockery, not budging at her little display.

"I've never seen you act like that you know. It makes me wonder. Why didn't you act like that with me, Naomi, or Arisa? Is the way you act with us another act? It just makes me realize that I don't know much about you despite all that time at camp." Kaiser hummed, acknowledging her statement while gazing at the sky in thought once more.

Giving a moment of silence to organize his words, he slowly explained himself. "There'd be no point"

He received a questioning look through squinted eyes from Kay. "I. Don't know how to take that. An insult comes first to mind" She responded bluntly.

"Take it as you may but it wasn't. If I showed a facade to those who took the time to know me and especially those who wormed their way into my life despite my protests it would be as if I was spitting on their goodwill" he stated.

Kay placed her hands behind her head, contemplating his words. "Besides" Continued Kaiser. "We spent a lot of time together but it was only a couple of months. Do you seriously think you'd get to know everything about me?."

Kay chuckled to herself softly. "I suppose sometimes I do get ahead of myself. I always prefer to be at the front leading and right in the midst of it. Jumping straight in! But you can see how sometimes that gets me or others in trouble." she gave a somber sigh at the statement. "You know I didn't even want the commander position at first. I was told I would grow into it however" Recalling the memory she gave a deep sigh, dropping her hands to her sides. "At least Megumi thought so."

Kaiser was surprised by the sudden shift in tone. She had mentioned Megumi before with little detail. He had found out through some research and questioning she was an old senior of hers now in college but never had grown sad at the mention of her. Rather she would flinch as if to remember something traumatic or glow upon a fond memory. It was an unusual aura emanating from Kay, the first he had ever seen.

"What does it matter?" He asked

Kay returned a confused look at his statement. Hoping to dispel her suddenly dreary attitude he explained. "From what I can tell your peers love you. You've led them through multiple victories and more importantly recover from worse defeats. You may not be what your senior Megumi had expected or maybe even wanted but you are you. I don't think anyone would ask for anything different."

Finishing his explanation Kaiser glanced to gauge her reaction. Kay seemed downcast and slightly shiver. At least she seemed so before letting out a small fit of laughter.

"What was all that for? I'm fine! A-OK! You think you had to go that far?" she laughed merrily.

"Kaiser's lips tugged down at the response but stood his ground. 'It's not like other teens don't get random spikes of depressive moods' he thought. Amidst her laughs, he felt he could not explain his line of reasoning and so dug in his heels. "I meant what I said"

His serious tone saw to Kay's laughter dying down quickly into her awkwardly scratching her head. "Well, thanks then." she timidly replied. As if to restart the conversation she coughed into her hand. So then why don't we do this the right way? Get to know each other?" she suggested. Kaiser raised an eyebrow, clearly disliking the idea. "Come on just a few questions between us, no one to hear and you admitted that I'm at least an acquaintance and we will be seeing more of each other. You can go first if you'd like" With her offer she stared him down for a response not willing to take silence as an answer.

Kaiser knew he didn't have to give anything nor have anything to ask. He was just naturally disinterested in others and their personal affairs. But, he did have questions in regards to work. Ever focused on whatever task he had before him, he would always complete it. Now before him was a prime source of information. She had no reason, to truthfully answer his questions but he figured if anyone were to openly admit to something, it would be her.

"First I would like to ask if you actually thought I wouldn't catch those students of yours sent to spy on us." He and Kay glanced at each other simultaneously. Both keeping their pace slow and heads forward but where Kaiser kept a straight face Kay had shown a bit of her other side. Her eyes turned sharp once more and her smile into a devious grin.

"I assume by the sudden flip in your demeanor, I'm right?" he clarified.

Kay chuckled. "Come on, we got along so well at camp because we're the same. In a lot of ways might I add. The only difference is that I like to have fun whereas you lose it when you're too focused on combat" she explained shaking her head side to side and raising her hands as if giving up a lost cause.

"I'm aware I can get a bit intense." He agreed.

"A bit? it practically sent shivers down our spines at camp" she chuckled.

Kaiser knew her for a brief few months, not even speaking the past couple, yet could hear her voice switch with her attitude. It was one of the reasons he found her company interesting, unlike so many others, the facade she held and her true self she hid for excitement.

Interrupting his thoughts, Kay gave a warning "Before answering I suppose I should tell you we aren't the only ones who enjoy everything like this. These games we all play, espionage, alliances, and combat. The other school's commanders are just like us. You may need to get your friend, Virtanen was it? He'll need to pick things up quickly or you may have to fill in."

With a smug grin, she watched Kaiser nod and answer that he's working on it, before continuing. "As for your little 'spies', I figured they wouldn't get past you. But I assure you they aren't from our school. I caught a whiff of their presence before you arrived and kept tabs on them. They weren't pressing Saunders for info. It seems they did initially but changed their target."Before Kaiser could question further, she raised a finger to her lips silencing him before she explained.

"I'm sure you can already guess. The sudden emergence of a new school ship has caused ripples in the water. Adding to Orai's surprise win last year all the big fish are on alert for new threats. Of course, we are too" she explained with a sly grin and wink.

As Quickly as before she reverted to her usual cheery demeanor and pressed on. "I have to say though Adam I'm surprised. I didn't expect your acting to be so good. Treating them like they were actual students at Saunders? Smart. They were so courteous and polite they stuck out to me and a few more observant students but I didn't think to use our school's reputation of over-friendliness against them. I eventually had them come to me after you and your friends had left to see what they had to say for themselves" Recounting the story Kay grew more and more delighted at the memory amid her laughter.

Growing embarrassed at the revelation she had seen more of his acting, Kaiser ignored her using his first name, trying to hide the shame. "I'm aware of not only your proxies but you had a few follow me around as well, even some adults kept an eye on me."

"Bingo~" she replied pointing with her index finger. "Now for my question, a simple one. What was with that line?"

Unsure of what she meant, Kaiser gave a questioning look. "What line?"

Leaning towards him, she faked a deep voice feigning sensuality and obviously mocking him. "Next time be more confident" She mocked.

Kaiser groaned at her act. 'Of course, she would take the time to interrogate them just to mock me.'

"You should have seen that poor little girl's flustered face as she told me" laughed Kay.

"It was a way of getting into their head" Kaiser gritted through his teeth. "A way of saying I knew what they were doing without definitively saying I knew something. If I called them outright for spying without evidence I'd look even more foolish" he defended.

Kay hummed to herself. "I'm not so sure that the girl and her friends caught the message," she argued as he wiped a hand down his face.

Kaiser ignored the remark and changed subjects. "My turn, and let's go back a bit further" he suggested, eager to detract from today's events. "My peers were annoying me for an answer and I didn't have one. Why waste the time trying to befriend me? Just because I was one of the only males? It didn't make sense why you went out of your way with the friendliness act."

Kay hummed to herself pondering her reasoning. "It was no special reason. I had heard of the upcoming integration of males this year and low and behold there you were this summer out of the blue. Then you were all by your lonesome with that typical look on your face" she recalled, looking up in thought. "And then there was your attitude" she snickered.

Kaiser nodded at his recollection. "I thought it would be enough to drive you off, to be honest".

Kay gave a sarcastic laugh in response. "Cold and Curt. It was the iciest reply I'd ever gotten. And I've spoken with Pravda and Kuromoromine's girls, even met the head of the Nishizumi style once! Let alone to get that reaction from a boy, it was a surprise, to say the least"

"I'd say your confidence is more astounding" quipped Kaiser.

With a roll of her eyes, Kay continued. "But let me ask you in exchange then," she said, stretching her arms. "Did you not recognize me at the time or were you playing dumb?"

Stopping for a moment, Kaiser glanced down to see her holding a serious expression. With an annoyed sigh, he continued walking and answered. "Of course I did. I researched before joining this sport and only an idiot wouldn't have heard of a school's commander let alone such a popular one. But despite my efforts to stay under the radar before the tournament season started, it didn't prevent you. Just because your popular doesn't mean anything to me and it won't cause me to burn a bridge I have no reason to burn" he explained.

Having declared his stance he softened his tone. 'We're students, despite the competition we're supposed to focus on improving ourselves' he reasoned. "We are future adversaries but for now and in the future we will be peers studying. I never cared for your position, yet you try to force me to know you a little more each time we meet. Hard to ignore someone who's forced themselves to be known. Besides we're nearly the same in rank so that makes us acquaintances, a step up from the usual adoring fan you meet. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Just acquaintances?" she teased, leaning a shoulder towards him.

In tandem, he stepped away. "Your teasing may get any of your fans or friends to fumble around you but I'm no fool" He chastised.

"Oh? Is that so? then..." she said walking ahead of him. "I suppose you weren't asking me permission for the scrimmage but the Saunders team as well. In that case, Arisa and Naomi seemed rather opposed, so perhaps I should deny-"

Grabbing her shoulder, Kaiser jerked her suddenly, turning her to see his annoyed expression. "Perhaps you were asking a friend?" Kay grinned despite his glare. "I could still cancel you know."

Refusing to compromise with the obvious taunt, Kaiser released her and proceeded to walk. The forested area began to clear as streetlights came to view with a cement walkway just ahead of them. "I'm not going to be pulled along by you Kay," he responded, making for the road ahead.

Humming a mocking tune to herself she tutted at him. "Oh, but I do get reactions out of you. Wouldn't you agree?" she asked placing a hand on his shoulder standing on her toes to whisper in his ear, her tone turning serious once more.

"Everything in Senshado has meaning. Not just victory or violence as you're used to. Despite this, my goal, my purpose, is for everyone to have fun." Her voice flickered back to its carefree origin once more as she released him. "It's meant for us all to develop. My personal goals nor anyone else's should hinder anyone's growth," she explained raising a lecturing finger in the air.

Kaiser pondered why she had turned so serious when in the distance he could make out the lights of the food district and the occasional passing vehicle on the road ahead now that the foliage had cleared. Their conversation was soon coming to an end.

"You may be onto something," Kaiser thought aloud. "If we both went to the same school we might have achieved something amazing. Although it's impossible that would ever happen" he admitted. Following behind her once again quickening pace he saw the smug grin adorning her face return once more as she spoke over her shoulder.

"Don't just give up yet. I'll prepare the transfer for you anytime. Just come on over when you feel like it." she joked, spinning on her heel and extending a hand. Her act was premature as her foot caught on the cement slabs ending the dirt path they trod. She stumbled backward into the light of the streetlamp as Kaiser easily caught her.

Grasping her arm and pulling her back up she found herself steadied against his frame. "Airheaded or clumsy which do you prefer?" he complained. Kay released an awkward "Ah- whoops" embarrassed at having lectured him not a moment before and then being treated as a child the next.

A slow screech and sound of wheels reversing caught their attention as they looked to their side. The vehicle that had passed them slowly reversed before stopping next to them on the curb. Confusion set in before morbid horror as Kaiser locked eyes with his peers in the Cadillac staff car and Mercedes.

-End Chapter-