The time was nigh.

The tournament would begin tomorrow.

And he still had these three boxes of chocolates that he got from Gamma back then. At first he wanted to give two of them to his mob friends, but since Alexia's confession they kinda ignore him, so it is what it is, and now he doesn't even know what to do with them. He could give one to Alexia — he heard boyfriends usually exchange gifts like these with their girlfriends or something, — but what to do with the other two? Give them to Shades? Good joke, they own the company that produces it, so he will be basically giving them what they already have. Claire?… Actually, yes, if he gives it to his sister then it might soften her demeanor, maybe she wouldn't even be as clingy… Or maybe it will do the opposite and she will take away all shreds of free time he has now. He will think about it later.

So, what to do with the third box? He doesn't have sweet tooth to eat that many (when he asked for chocolates Gamma ordered to bring the highest quality they had, and the amount packed in one high-quality box… he doesn't want to think how much it costs)… Nah, to hell with it, he will just give it away to the first person he meets! Oh, here's the target! She's walking to the library, looks like a bookworm, possibly from research faculty?

"You don't have any chocolate?" why, yes, I practiced this dialogue in front of mirror for hours, how could you tell?

"U-Um, w-what?…" man, that peach-haired cutie sure is shy.

"Well, now you do. Here, take it," and place it on stack of books she was carrying.

Great, one given, two left. Let's go, Cid, you have a mob mission to finish!


"Um, what's this 'chocolate'?…"

Cute peach-haired girl tried to understand what, exactly, was given to her. She saw multiple dark-brownish pieces through the transparent part of a beautiful box. Why would he need to give away something like that which probably is very expensive to her?… What's the mystery behind it?

"Man, she sure is lucky…" she heard girls' murmurs around her.

"Yeah, can't believe that guy actually got his hands on such an expensive box… that should be one of the higher quality, isn't it?" another one joined

"Even for a lower-tier products you would need to stand in queue from morning to evening just to get your hands on one, and even that is not guaranteed because they're sold out that fast, yet here he is, giving away such a precious luxury… He probably spent a lot of time for that confession…"

'C-Confession?!' her cheeks immediately burned after hearing that.

"I'm gonna be honest here, if that guy gave these sweets to me, I would just take him with me to altar. Like, no questions asked, just take and go; he's sweet, and, though average-looking, still is pleasant to the eyes… Wait, anyone actually knows who is he?"

"Not sure, but I heard his name is Cid Kagenou…"

"Wait, Kagenou? Like Claire Kagenou's relative? That Kagenou?"

"Think he's her younger brother, not sure though… Wait, wasn't he in relationship with princess Alexia? Why is he confessing to our Sherry now?"

"I barely saw them together after instructor Zenon's demise though… Wait, instructor was princess' fiancee-to-be… Could it be?!"

"Yes, yes, Kagenou-kun probably served as shield for princess so she would be able to feel herself free in the academy! And now since she doesn't need it anymore they went on their ways, though I still sometimes see them talking so they probably are good friends. So princess is free to pursue her own goals while this guy went on to confess his love!…"

"It should've been me, not them!…"

Sherry's pink cheeks were a dead giveaway about her current feelings. Her shy nature could no longer hold against such a heated situation and she ran away, back to her room. 'I-It can't be, right?! W-Why would he confess… T-To me… U-u-u… It's so embarrassing… What do I do now…'

"…Also, have you heard what Claire Kagenou did to that one guy who tried to bad mouth Cid?"

"You mean that time when she took him to rooftop and practically tortured him for an hour non-stop? Even student council wasn't able to stop her in time back then. Let me tell you, I saw this almost in the first row, and her expression was something that haunted me in nightmares for months after…"

"And that guy just said something about her brother… I passed by Claire when she tried to burst in to princess Iris' office, y'know, when Cid was blamed for kidnapping princess Alexia? So, she took out half of the knights and it required Rose Oriana — the current champion herself! — to go out against her. And I'm gonna be honest with you there, if it wasn't for the fact that she was probably tired from fighting practically everyone before that, I wouldn't bet on princess Rose's victory…"

"I mean, I can see why she's isn't expelled yet. Every time she does something like that it's because of her brother being offended. If it doesn't concern her brother, she's actually good-mannered and reasonable…"

"Strict overprotective strong big sister that would do anything for the sake of her little brother that doesn't have that much achievements… It totally should've been me…"

"Which role?"

"Both!"


Two chocolate boxes to give away. One is for Alexia for sure, second one… Hmm… Claire? But Cid doesn't want to meet her now, she would probably cling to him again and then force him to spar with her, in which Cid would totally lose because Cid Kagenou is an average mob, absolutely not comparable to the genius that his sister is.

Cid had to admit, though: she was actually very invested in training. Of course, not on the level as he is, but still she put much work in it. Though he one time noticed that his sister overstrained her magic, leading to Magic Overload, and she was absolutely not ready to handle it yet, so he had to intervene and then chide her about that. Thought he could've sworn that she actually enjoyed being scolded by him? Nah, probably his imagination, the very next day she choked him again.

Right, Alexia. Chocolate. Alexia and chocolate. Chocolate and Alexia.

He actually didn't see her since that night where he met impostors, she couldn't have gotten that badly wounded, now could she? Hmm, all the more reason for "worried boyfriend" to meet her, then!…

"Cid Kagenou."

Huh? Familiar voice…

As he turned around, he saw crimson-haired beauty gazing at him with eyes as red as blood itself… Or commonly known as Iris Midgar. Yes, he was in the mood for poetics, because everyone knows all masterminds behind the curtain are very well-versed in art! He didn't take piano lessons for nothing!

"Yes, princess Iris?"

"Just Iris. What are you doing here?" she sized him up. "And with… Chocolate?"

Yup, while he was thinking, he came up to the place where Alexia should've been.

"Well, you see, Iris-san," still show some respect, you're low-ranked mob and she's princess! "I haven't seen Alexia in the academy, so I thought I could visit her… And brought this."

Iris expression softened. Success!

"Understandable. You're probably worried about her, considering your relationship…" and then her gaze became even more stern, "However, she has made some… Poorly thought decisions and got herself in danger, so she is put under house arrest until Bushin Festival starts."

Really, now? Did that night's little adventure really screw everything up that badly?

"Well, I don't want to worry you even more. Just know that she's currently safe and sound. Right, about that: I will give you a pass. You can come and visit her, anytime. Yes, including now. Even if Alexia doesn't show that, she is always very happy to see you. And this gift… Hm, wait, there are two boxes? Why two?"

"Oh, the second one is for my sister… She's probably still frustrated about that… event… and I wanted to cheer her up."

Iris sighed softly and put hands on his shoulder, lowering her face to his.

"You are a good brother, Cid Kagenou. And equally good friend. I am sorry for putting you through this and dearly hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me. Maybe you do not have power of Dark Knight, yet, but Claire always said you have potential to become one. Alexia praised you sword, too. I am inclined to believe they are not wrong. You already have a will of one."

Iris' gaze ran over his body for a few more moments, then she nodded, seemingly satisfied, and let him go.

"Well, let's not wait any longer. I wish for you to meet her as soon as possible."

And he wishes nothing would go wrong.


"P-Poochie?!- I mean, Cid?! What are you doing here?!"

Everything went wrong. Starting from her calling him a dog.

"Well, Kitten, I heard you got sick, so I decided to give something to cheer you up. What would you like? Chocolate? Cuddles? Sweets? Everything at once?"

Kitten called Alexia Midgar just stared at him with wide eyes and pink cheeks as she frantically tried to cover herself with blankets. Why?-

"Nee-sama! You could say that you're bringing him! I-I am not even in proper clothes!"

Oh.

"Sorry, Alexia, I didn't expect to meet him, either," 'She totally planned this, though, I can see it from her smiling face!' "But… Seriously? Pooch? Kitten?"

Alexia started screeching. Cid just stared at the scene with unamused expression. He ought to do something… Oh, he has an idea! Delta and Zeta liked it very much, but every other girl got jealous and asked him to do it, too! Girls surely like it!


"Nee-sama, surely you don't think a boy going into a girl's room without asking her first is a nor- Guh?!"

Her outburst was interrupted by sudden feeling of a hand on her head, and that hand did not belong to her sister. No, its owner was actually her boyfriend, Cid Kagenou! He was ruffling through her hair with the most serious expression she has ever seen from him!

And for some reason, she actually liked it! Every passing moment her wish to push him away melted like ice in summer, while her wish to just lie down, don't go anywhere and just enjoy this feeling was overwhelming her like a rising tide…

Maybe, it's not so bad? Sure, Iris looks at them with widest eyes she has ever seen, but who cares? She got to feel so good… Wait, she's a princess! She can't just give in to this… this… Pooch! She's the one in control here- wait, what's that?

Chocolate?! He actually brought her sweets?! And by the looks of it they're not some cheap knock-off, either… Wait, from where did he get the money? His family doesn't have that much, does it?

"Ah, these? Don't worry, I got a discount for participating in survey," he answered her unspoken question.

U-u-u! Not fair! She wanted to command him! She wanted him to be her cute Poochie! Why is she the one who crumbles under that warm hand gently caressing her soft hair?!… No, she has to do something!… Wait, she still didn't talk about Bushin!

"Cid!" she pushed his hand away, "Festival. You don't need to participate in it! Just give up, your opponent-"

"I know," he interrupted her while opening up the box, "Rose Oriana. The princess of ally country, the current champion. I know all of that," he gently pushed a chocolate piece into her mouth, "But I prepared. I got everything ready. I revised my techniques so even if I lose, I lose on my terms."

She could only feel the sweet taste as her tongue tried to touch every corner of small piece almost on its own will.

"Don't worry, Alexia," a smile, so rare coming from him, "I've got this. I spent a lot of time preparing for it. Fourty eight techniques. At least one should work."

Her eyes grew moist.

"C-Cid… You don't need to prove anything…"

She, again, felt his hand gently caressing her.

"I don't prove anything. I just do what I want to."

Right. Of course. He always did everything he wanted to. If he wanted to speak truth in her face, he would do it. If he wanted to get money, he would do anything for that. If he wanted to participate, who's to stop him?

'I don't know how everyone could think of you as weak, Cid…'

"Oh, well then, it's about time for me to leave. Still have something to do," with that he stood up and headed to the door, "Get well, you still need to watch my phenomenal performance!"

Click.

Iris looked at the door in thought.

"Alexia," she turned her head to younger sister, "you're very lucky to have someone like him as your friend…"

"Mmm," Alexia nodded, "even though he has his flaws, they only serve to make his good sides shine more."

"Wonder where you learned to talk like that?" Iris faked thinking.

Sure enough, it caused her poor younger sister to erupt in embarrassment.


"Well then, Kagenou-kun… I have to thank you for indulging my request. She looks way happier now that she met with you," Iris smiled at Cid.

After he finished with Alexia, Iris decided to accompany him back to his dorm. Something along the lines of "can't allow my sister's precious friend to go out alone without protection". Personally, he would refuse, but he's playing the role of Cid Kagenou, you know, the average mob, and remember what mobs do when princess says something? They agree! So now she's walking with him… Or 'with' is redundant?… to his dorm.

"Mmm, think nothing of it. I wanted to meet her on my own."

"And that's even better. I'm happy to know that my sister finally found someone she could trust wholeheartedly," her face was practically shining at this point.

Well, it's not like he had a bad time, either. When Alexia was not bitching at him, she was surprisingly wholesome and tame. Hell, he just had to headpat her and she would become like a cat! If he had known it earlier…

"Hey, Cid," he suddenly heard Iris calling out to him.

"Yeah?" wait, why is she looking behind him? And why is her face so pale? He can even see sweat forming on her forehead…

Alright, he got a bad feeling about tha-

Clang.

Cid felt something metallic on his neck. And he already can tell who it is…

"My dearest, cutest, most beloved little brother," he could feel feminine hands running around his neck as Iris started leaving the scene (traitor!), "I missed you so, so, so much," hands found his cheeks and started squishing them while Iris accelerated (traitor!), "and yet here you are, walking with that princess in tow to your dorm while I am sitting here, worriedly waiting for you, all alone," she finally stepped from behind his back, "and what's more? You're coming from the princess' house! So tell me, little brother…" her bloody red eyes were uncomfortably close to his own grey ones as he could feel parts of her raven hair tickling his nose, "What, exactly, were you doing with Iris and Alexia, why do you have a chocolate box, and why can I smell a strong female scent on you?"

'Well, it's shadover, my Shades.'