A few seconds later, Luan was looking around the entrance hall of the Leo Institute of Duelling. She had to admit she felt like a little kid in a sweets shop. Meanwhile, Yuya and Zuzu were talking with the receptionist. She could could hear what Yuya was saying. "Can you check again? I know Declan Akaba. He should allow me to visit." "And your name is?" The receptionist asked. Yuya sighed in annoyance before trying to stay calm as he said, "Yuya. Yuya Sakaki." "I'll call Mr Akaba." The receptionist said calmly, clearly oblivious to Yuya's tone. Before Luan could say anything, she noticed Zuzu staring at her strangely.
"Uh, is there something wrong with my hair?" Luan asked in concern before groaning in annoyance. "Oh, way to go Luan! Now you're sounding like Leni!" Zuzu smiled as she put her hand on Luan's shoulder. "No, I was thinking of a costume for you." She reassured Luan. The entertainer of the Loud family was confused by this. "Why? My clothes aren't that bad." She asked. Yuya tutted as he walked over to his new assistant. "Luan, dueltaining is more than just putting on a show. It speaks of matters far beyond normal entertainers. Art, truth, beauty, astonishing feats that have the crowd on the edge of their seats!" He explained. "Yuya, I just know how to do kids' birthday parties. I can't do big stuff." Luan said nervously. "I prefer if I just went small." "Oh, sure, you could do that. Or you could dazzle!" Yuya said. Luan chuckled nervously. "Please, please, no dazzling." Yuya looked confused, but the receptionist interrupted them before he could ask why. "Mr Akaba will see you now, Mr Sakaki."
Yuya nodded as he took Luan's hand and escorted her through the hall. As she walked through the halls, She looked through the glass into a few rooms. She was bummed that nothing was happening in there but when she asked Yuya why no one else was there, he reminded her that the carnival was on. She did feel a bit silly when he reminded her about the carnival. Just then a voice interrupted her thoughts. "Been a while, Yuya. " Luan turned around to see a thin young man with pale skin and grey hair, the front layer lighter than the back. His hair was s arranged in a simple style, flicking upwards at the ends and purple eyes that were hidden behind red-framed spectacles. He wore a purple-coloured militaristic outfit with several black buttons, a purple cape with a black ending, and a pair of grey boots.
"Hey, Declan! I figured you were around somewhere." Yuya said, smiling. The young man shook his hand. Then he noticed Luan nearby. "Who is this?" He asked, pointing to the young comedian. "This is my new assistant, Luan." Yuya explained. The young man nodded. "I see. Well, we all must prepare for succession." He extended his hand towards her. "A pleasure to meet you Miss er-" "Loud." Luan muttered. She felt ashamed about her name but tried not to let it show. "I see." The young man said. "My name is Declan Akaba. It's my honour to welcome you to this city." Luan shook Declan's hand. She was smiling but deep down she was nervous that her brother would find her. Yuya noticed the worried look on her face.
"Is something wrong Luan?" He asked. "Nothing. Everything's fine." Luan quickly said. "It doesn't look like everything's fine." Declan said. "Hey, cut her some slack. She told us she ran away from an abusive brother." Yuya explained. "Really? What about her parents?" Declan asked. "Long gone." Zuzu explained. "I see." Declan nodded as he looked at Luan's clothes. "Well, the first order of business is to get her some fresh clothes. She looks like she needs them." Luan nodded in approval. She definitely needed to freshen up.
Declan escorted Luan to Leo Institute of Duelling's dressing rooms. He explained that his father, Leo Akaba, Was trying to redeem himself after he did something terrible. Luan was surprised to hear that but decided not to press him on what happened. As they arrived at the dressing room, Declan told Luan to leave her clothes outside the door that led to the private shower that performers used so they could be mended. Luan was happy to do that. She was tired of looking like she was just assaulted. As soon as she was undressed, she knew just what she needed to do first: wash herself. She happily stood under the water of the shower, feeling a little pleased with how things were turning out for her. But then she remembered her sisters. I better call them just in case they're worried about me, she thought. Just then she heard Yuya's voice. "Luan, are you ok?" "Yeah, I'm fine. Uh, don't come in right now Yuya. I'm not decent." Luan replied. "It's OK, I'm not gonna peak. Declan's left a towel for you in there." He replied. "Tell him I say thanks." Luan called. "Also I hope you like the outfit I picked for you." Yuya called back. As soon as Luan dried herself off, She saw that Yuya had slipped in some new clothes for her. She sighed in disbelief at them but she put them on.
Outside the shower, Yuya told Declan about Luan's situation. "I'll look up some info on her family. I'll ask father if he knows the Louds. This could be like Z-arc all over again." The president of Leo Corp told his fellow Lancer. "Thanks Declan. I just don't want her to be upset." Yuya said. Just then Luan exited the shower. She had her hair done in her usual ponytail with a fresh new yellow scrunchie But she was now wearing white tights, yellow pointe shoes and a yellow tutu with a pink flower in it.
"Wow! You look amazing." Yuya said, impressed. "I feel embarrassed." Luan whispered looking nervously at her skirt. "You got nothing to be embarrassed about." Yuya reassured her."Really?" she asked. "Indeed. A perfect outfit for a dueltainer." Declan said, approaching her. "Miss Loud, I wish to speak with you a little more about your family. But it's ok if you don't want to talk about it." Luan reached into her bag and pulled out a family picture that she and her sisters took for Lincoln to show him they cared for him. She never got the chance to give it to him before the accident.
"Nah. It's Ok, I want to help if there's anyway to fix my brother." She said, handing the picture to Declan. "This is your family? I didn't know you came from such large one." "Yep, I'm the 4th eldest." Luan replied. "Really? Wow, that's something. I guess the white haired boy's your brother." Yuya said looking at the picture. "Yep. Lincoln used to care so much about us, but know he doesn't even look at us anymore. I don't understand how he could turn so corrupt and cruel." Luan said, fighting back tears. "It's OK Miss Loud. I'll do everything to help you and your brother." Declan said. "You will?" Luan sniffed. "Of course. My father did irredeemable things in the past but he's working to make up for that. And he's made a revolutionary change. I'm sure I can help your brother too." Declan replied. Luan dried her tears and smiled. "Thank you. That's really making me feel a bit better." She said. "Don't mention it. Oh and by the way, Your outfit's a special material my father designed. That tutu won't get damaged when you wear it." Declan said. Luan looked at her tutu and smiled. Looks like I have a new favourite outfit, She thought to herself.