Kaiser lay on his back staring past strands of blonde hair into the green irises of Valerya Prokov, who nonchalantly looked at him from atop the vehicle's chassis. A casual grin upon her face as she rested her head against one hand, observing with attentive eyes. Stoic as ever Kaiser showed no surprise and held eye contact, speaking first. "Why are you here Prokov?"
"Oh? Don't know what time it is?" she asked, flashing an empty wrist at him. With a hum, Kaiser checked the time. Pulling out his stopwatch he saw it was close to school starting. Sliding out from under the tank he glanced at Valerya. "I appreciate the notice" he thanked moving her blonde strands of hair out of his face as he sat up.
As he left to change he heard Valerya hop off the chassis with a huff and follow him with a skip. Humming happily behind him until he slammed the office door shut between them explaining that he was hanging through the door. She simply resumed humming right outside, ensuring her presence was known.
Once in his school uniform and cleaned up he emerged from the office, coming face to face with Valerya's cheery demeanor. Without the glare of the lights covering her face and speaking directly, this was the first time he had seen her so close. Her face was small and round with a clear, healthy glow. Sharp emerald eyes portraying youth, highlighted by gold-threaded hair. The pride in her looks showed as her school uniform and grooming. He hadn't noticed how self-attentive she was before.
Having looked a fraction too long, Valerya hopped on the chance to initiate conversation. "My, my, eyeing up a girl without hesitation? And without subtlety? How direct" she teased feigning bashfulness.
Kaiser raised a brow and placed a hand on his hip in response to her act. "Is this the infamous flirting from Valerya Prokov I've heard so much about?" He asked sarcastically.
Valerya turned a shoulder to him and brushed her fingers through her hair showing off its luster. "Oh, and you'll even admit to talking behind her back? Aren't you a bit too interested?" she asked, placing a hand on his chest, dodging the question.
"And aren't you too rehearsed in this act?" he retorted, crossing his arms.
Letting a small sound akin to a "puhu" she quietly chuckled, withdrawing her hand. "Only you could be colder than my sister. And to me, of all people. Besides that 'acting' as you call it, I like to refer to it as a simple quirk" she giggled into a raised hand.
"Mhm," Kaiser grunted, bored of her excuse. "Now then" he continued.
"Let's talk," the two said in unison, their facial expressions changing minutely. His a discerning frown, hers, an opaque smile, but both read the surprise hidden behind the facades. Kaiser's eyes widened a fraction as Valerya's mouth parted. The two then read each other once more as a brief silence ensued.
"Oh, my~" she chirped. "Aren't we similar?" Leaning onto her hip, maintaining eye contact, Valerya gave an interested grin.
Kaiser begrudgingly agreed. "It seems you're also not just another promising junior". The compliment led to a surprisingly genuine smile blossom from the girl.
"That's perhaps the first honest compliment I've heard from someone other than family that wasn't about my looks, and from you to boot" she quipped. Kaiser relaxed, leaning against the closed door behind him, seemingly showing disinterest. Rather than explain that he wasn't being rude, Valerya seemed to infer it was merely his typical disposition without an exchange of words.
Extending a hand and rolling it at the wrist, he signaled her to start. "I can guess you aren't asking for my hand, are you?". Kaiser gave a sarcastic glance. "Nat?" she asked to confirm." His nod led to her sighing in relief. "I'm glad you haven't given up," she muttered.
As if called upon the small garage entrance slammed open. A bewildered Natalya looked around before spotting the two in the open. "Valerya!" called Natalya as she stormed over to them.
"Speak of the devil" muttered Kaiser glancing at the approaching figure.
Valerya turned and waved at her sister, eyes closed in a quickly plastered smile. "Tch, she came faster than expected," she murmured. "We'll continue talking at lunch, I'll give her an excuse and slip away," Valerya whispered, still waving.
Kaiser nodded his head a fraction. "Meet me here in the office, the door will be unlocked and the place will be empty" he whispered, turning away from the oncoming sister.
"Ooh, an inconspicuous solitary place? Rather bold aren't we?" replied Valerya through a stifled smile. Their chat was over with no room for rebuttals as Natalya descended upon them. Natalya's first action was to snatch Valerya's hand and pull her to her side.
"Oops, we've been caught" joked Valerya.
Giving a double-take between the two Natalya voiced her suspicion. "Caught doing what?" she demanded.
With a sigh, kaiser stood straight to address her. "Ms. Prokov here was explaining just that to me. She says she had come to check on the instrument troubles with her vehicle after yesterday's practice. I had just completed the maintenance as she arrived and she inquired as to what was wrong and what remained to be fixed." He answered promptly.
"Then why are you in a pristine school uniform?" pressed Natalya.
"I had forced her to wait for me to change. I can show you the security footage of her waiting outside the office if you would like?" he responded pointing to a camera in plain sight. Kaiser glanced over to Valerya seeing her giving a delighted smile to the lies and half-truths rolling off his tongue. Only a moment later for it to immediately switch to a stock image of an innocent smile nodding along to his words as Natalya looked over her shoulder.
Natalya seemed unwilling to believe his claims of being alone with her little sister, disbelieving, and within reason. it was Valerya who brokered the peace. "Sis, it's almost time for class" she interrupted, chewing on her lip in distress.
Natalya turned and began pushing Valerya away. "We'll be taking our leave now," she said pushing Valerya along.
Kaiser could hear their hushed voices argue as they left. "Nat you don't need to worry" and "How can I not worry when you act like this Val?!" Then suddenly going quiet as they looked back at him. Valerya giving a wink and not noticing her sister mouth the words "Stay away" to him. Kaiser assumed the wink was assurance Valerya would arrive at the designated time and Natalya's message was both referring to her sister and her time at the range.
As he vacated the building for the mechanical classes to ensue, Kaiser glanced at the vehicles behind him. Before shutting the door he wondered to himself. 'Why can't people be as simple as machines?, not that I'm one to speak.' he thought mockingly.
-Transition-
His day then proceeded as usual. Unimpeded sleep until the bell rang signaling class periods and then lunch. Shaking the groggy feeling he felt coated in, Kaiser slowly stood, gathered his things, and departed without addressing his peers or their acknowledgment of his departing till he was already gone.
Focused on his rendezvous he discreetly and quickly returned to the hangar office foregoing lunch itself. The hangar was brightly lit but the office had its blinds and curtains drawn. Thinking he had arrived first, Kaiser entered into the dark room to be greeted by the sight of Valerya leaning against the central desk with only a single lamp illuminating the room's interior.
"How did you arrive before me?" he inquired. "And why is it dark in here?" he demanded.
Valerya gave an amused chuckle before answering. "I have many ways". When Kaiser raised a disbelieving brow she amended her statement with a cough. "I asked the teacher permission to leave early." Seeing his expression shift more she reinforced her claim. "My charms do work, even on adults, and besides doesn't it feel like a secret rendezvous? Something that could get us in trouble?" she insisted, fumbling at his doubt. Kaiser's face shifted to disagreement though he did acknowledge the trouble aspect from needless rumors and Natalya herself. "Rude" stated Valerya, seeing his expression. "My charms aren't that different from what you do, or so I've heard."
"My persuasion and your... flattery are two severely different methods I'm afraid" he corrected.
Valerya threw her hands in the air with indifference and sighed. "Well let's get down to brass tacks then as we aren't going to get anywhere on that topic. Natalya seemed panicked when I left early and she's bound to be tearing through the school right now. Especially after seeing us this morning and with how much she worries".
Kaiser gave a light snort at her. "Brass tacks? Rather 'uncute' speech from someone of your image and reputation."
Valerya gave a sly grin in return. "You're none too polite yourself when all's said and done."
Kaiser nodded along with her statement not refuting it. "Then you begin" he offered. "It'll be quicker if you tell me your position in all this."
A mischievous grin spread across her lips before she began. "The heart of the matter is the fact that sis takes on too much. To clarify she tries to solve all of her problems and others without knowing how. She tries to push through or move on, but she can't". Slowly kicking one leg out, then bringing it down and repeating in an exaggerated pace, Valerya explained circled the office.
Kaiser hummed as the girl paced about. 'A sentiment I can relate to' he thought, expecting her to continue.
"Waiting for me to spill my guts?" Valerya mocked shaking her head. "We'll be taking turns here. But I'll give you a freebee in the form of a question." Turning on her heel she faced the light of the lamp, her hands behind her back, and looking up into his eyes. It was a pose she rehearsed often. Knowing he was unaffected by her acting, Kaiser deduced it must have been reflexive on her part from always keeping up her act. The caution in her tone betrayed her posture, however. It showed anxiety clearer than any physical gesture. "Just what do you think of my sister?" she asked anxiously.
'Trying to discern my stance on the issue?' Kaiser thought answering immediately. "She's an amazing girl. And even more so as a peer to work with." The answer was received positively as Valerya relaxed slightly at his words, humming in thought. He continued speaking, clarifying his stance. "Yet it is clear she has a problem with authority. Or to be precise, with me."
"And personally?" Valerya asked, rocking back and forth on her heels.
Watching her display Kaiser snarkily replied. "Not going to follow your own rules? You just skipped over my question." He informed.
Valerya stopped rocking and began to pout, suddenly perking up at a realization. "No, I didn't, you just asked if I'd follow my own rules and the answer is yes" She triumphantly responded. Rolling his eyes at her wordplay Kaiser allowed the loophole, wanting this trade of information to begin so it could end quickly.
"Personally" Kaiser stressed. "I think no different. She is outstanding and I would prefer she would cooperate and speak to me at the least." Valerya hummed herself, mocking his own before clapping her hands together and gesturing for him to inquire next. "Now why does she loathe me?" He asked.
Valerya brought a finger to her lips as she began to pace again, before stopping parallel to him in the dim light. With a snap of her fingers, she pointed to him and answered. "If I had to say it's likely that she looks up to you in a certain way. But then the same problem rears its ugly head again."
A look of doubt set on Kaiser's face to which Valerya insisted. "Honest! No lying in this room between us" she declared.
"Strange way of showing admirance" Kaiser muttered.
Valerya took the muttering as a cue to proceed. He wished for more clarity but became caught in her momentum. "Why do you care? About Nat, that is" she asked, returning to her spot, sitting on the desk next to its dim lamp.
Her soft easygoing smile and tone had irrefutably changed into a sharpened gaze observing his body language and words. "I've seen you try to speak to her, the occasional glance, yet you don't show any real concern or at least none that I can see. And I tend to believe I can read others very well."Trying to hide her concern with an intimidating gaze Valerya stared unblinking at him. Yet her eyes, shaking ever so slightly betrayed her.
"I see" Kaiser muttered. Valerya ignored his self-contemplation and demanded an answer. Kaiser delivered without hesitation. "What was there for me to be concerned about? As you said she wouldn't speak to me and not for lack of trying on my part. My glances you mentioned? They're of a peer, one senior to her in rank and experience who knows there is an issue but has no way of even approaching the problem. I won't throw my life away out of worry for her nor anyone else but that doesn't mean I won't worry about her."
With each word, Valerya seemed to lean forward inch by inch, her stare intensifying on him before finally, she let out a belated breath and slumped her shoulders.
"Someone hurt her, didn't they? Emotionally betrayed her perhaps?" He asked. Valerya's closed eyes darted upward, her slumped posture tensing. Unfazed by the present anger on her face, Kaiser saw he had hit the nail on the head and added to his statement. "It was someone close to her wasn't it?" Reluctantly Valerya looked away giving a stiff nod at his words.
A small sigh escaped Kaiser's lips. "Truthfully I don't care about her" He answered. Valerya's eyes focused on him, her brow creasing with growing spite. "How could I?" he continued before she erupted. "I'm known to be callous and many perceive me to be a myriad of other negative connotations. There is no reason for any of us to care for one another, However, if there was one reason to trust me, let it be known I do care about my mission. You and your sister are vital components to this school's success and I will not fail you less I fail myself. That you can count on".
"Your self-interest? Just what is this mission then?" The girl asked baffled at his statement.
Kaiser closed his eyes and answered. "My long term is irrelevant. My short term is to lead a unit that leaves every battle victorious, as unscathed as possible. For that, however, I need both you and your sister. You don't need to like me but I do need you to understand your value to the others placing their hopes on you. And if, whosoever is willing, then perhaps I could grow to care for them" he finished.
Taken aback, Valerya was stunned, to say the least at his words. His retraction of care, not that a lie would have comforted her any, as well as the offer to care for the others. A plain description of how to grow close to others, seemed such a strange concept leaving his mouth, and it was not just relegated to herself and sister for convenience but others who showed themselves capable and willing. The thought of him not coldly brushing others aside would have alerted and excited other students if they knew.
As her mind raced, Kaiser asked his most important question. "What happened?".
Valerya's composure finally crumbled at the question, caught off guard once more. Discomfort, blatant on her face, was apparent as she wrestled with the inner turmoil of what to say. She meant well for her sister, obviously caring deeply. That much was clear but as with the marksmanship team's manager, no one wanted to speak of another person's secret.
Taking a step closer, Kaiser demanded her attention. "Look at me," he said. Cautiously her eyes looked up at him. With a stern tone, he extended a hand, his palm upwards. His face softened as he spoke, uncharacteristically becoming sincere. "I can't help if no one is willing to tell me what I need to help with".
With a weak chuckle, Valerya faltered at the unexpected move. "C- come off it, the heartfelt playboy approach may get some hearts to skip a beat but it won't work with any sensible girl" she quipped.
Though playing it off as if a joke, he could see she was trying to regain her usual composure. "Then why are you averting your eyes?" he asked, keeping up the pressure, firming his stance on the issue. When no response came he relented, temporarily granting her a moment to collect her thoughts.
After a moment of slow breaths, Valerya muttered aloud. "As dangerous as the rumors".
she quipped. Feeling the usual nuisance in rumors being mentioned, Kaiser felt the need to discredit her remark. Instead, he remained quiet as she became serious.
"It was back in middle school." she began. "Both Nat and I were well known in our school and well-liked. Girls hung around us and boys, well you can guess." Seeing her raise her shoulders and glance downat her chest, Kaiser felt as if rolling his eyes at her 'humble' brag but gave a nod encouraging her to continue.
Seeing as he didn't snip at her as she suspected, Valerya pressed on with a frown. "Suffering from success I suppose you could say? It didn't help that we started 'developing' faster than others at our age... and as with any popularity there came jealousy. Anyone we rebuffed as potential love interests or as friends would quickly spread rumors behind our backs. It didn't help that our parents were stricter at the time, telling us to focus on our studies rather than love interests and friends. I can't blame them either, we were just middle schoolers." she recalled aloofly.
Taking a deep breath, Valerya paused organizing her thoughts. "We weathered the stares and words because they were minor but then as with any young maiden, someone caught Natalya's eye. They had quickly become friends and ever the go-getter she had begged our parents for permission to start dating before high school." Valerya chuckled into her hand softly at the thought.
"Father was distraught at the sight of mother supporting Nat's pursuit in love. I think he wanted to protect her from heartbreak but even he couldn't expect what was to happen. Eventually, father caved and Nat confessed". Hesitating once more, Valerya stared blankly, the thoughts in her mind were portrayed on her face despite the dim lighting of the room. 'Should I say anymore?' her face seemed to say. Both she and Kaiser knew the story couldn't stop halfway. Her pause was perhaps a silent apology to her sister as she opened her mouth once more.
"It seemed a marvelous first love. He was kind, handsome, none too talented but was in numerous sports teams, which made him seem oh so perfect to others. And then..." Valerya drifted off quietly, leaving Kaiser to grit his teeth expecting her next words bitterly.
"He was found getting very intimate with another girl, from another school by an acquaintance. By the time Nat heard of it, there were apparently more reports of his cheating with a multitude of other girls from schools around town but he had already spun a different tale. Soon everyone thought she had been the one to cheat and upon getting caught, persuaded others that it was me spreading discrediting rumors of him to cover for her".
Clicking her tongue at the memory of deceit Valerya winced at the bitter memory. "Without too many boring details it ended with our friends and popularity dying in a huge 'scandal' as the students called it. The only respite we got from it was the fact that he was his own worst enemy. Bragged over everything he participated in but never contributed more to those teams than getting beaten to a pulp and losing matches. Eventually, he lost his right to claim innocence as well".
Kaiser raised a hand to interject on the topic. "I read into your pasts when I was looking for potential recruits. When your school applications passed through my desk I looked into what information was available. The only thing that was posted publicly was that some student 'had committed a crime of indecency' or so they said".
Valerya gave a slight smirk at his revelation. "Looks like you were on this case since it began" she noted giving a satisfied chuckle. With a sultry voice, she leaned forward emphasizing her chest, and spoke. "Want to know how it was settled? How I settled it?" Kaiser's eyes stood steadfast with her own, refusing to take her bait, he shrugged his shoulder a fraction.
Mirth set onto Valerya's face at his indifference before she leaned back in a fit of laughter. "Who wouldn't be curious? It was nothing grand. I gathered testimonies of the girls he had toyed with and even had one willingly be bait after hearing my side of the story. She roughed him up and soon after I submitted the evidence to the school and the police." Naturally, that boy didn't come along to Kuromoromine after his expulsion due to the girls only rule in effect at the time. I did hear instead, he got his just deserts," she concluded.
"Mess with the wrong female?" Kaiser asked.
"Well yes he did but... well, apparently it wasn't exactly a girl. But a well-disguised male".
Kaiser shot a hand up, rubbing the bridge on his nose. "That's enough of that subject."
Hoisting herself onto the desk and kicking one leg over the other Valerya cast a sidelong glance at him reminiscing in the joy of karma. Seeing her satisfied smile Kaiser couldn't help but think. 'This minx has more bite than bark'. Kaiser even allowed a slight grin at her story. "I'm glad it was sorted out, for a moment you almost moved me into offering a hand at revenge".
Leaning forward, resting her head onto a hand, Valerya sounded her interest. "Is that so? She asked. "How would you go about that?"
"My years of InfanterieKampf have led me to know quite a few people, some claiming to be rivals and some who have a rather stiff sense of justice. Unlike us." He quipped, glancing at Valerya whose smile brightened at the implication. "I'm sure I'd find someone to dig up his sins or at least pay him back for it."
Valerya whistled. "Shouldn't commanders be against such abhorrent actions?" She sarcastically asked.
Kaiser nodded his agreement. "I'm not the commander though, Virtanen is. I just so happen to be the type to do what he needs to get my way".
"My oh my, more and more interesting by the minute" commented Valerya teasingly. "Let me be the first if not last to thank you for your unneeded efforts" She joked. However, that is all in the past or should be but the scars remain for the victim". With her ominous wording, she summarized the aftermath.
"It soon blew over as the school year was ending with our returning popularity due to everyone wanting happy memories upon leaving. We then went to Kuromoromine partially hoping the massive school and student population would leave us unnoticed. We were freshmen at the time and co-education standards were still two more years away so no worry of male students.
"But while Nat was in Kuromormine's marksmanship team and I took part in the arts the same rumors soon sprouted and carried on, jealousy sprouting amongst new friends soon to be foes. Eventually, Natalya sought to nip it in the bud by becoming an ice princess, and I by manipulating the information and others if necessary."
Kaiser hummed attentively. "Rather fascinating way to summarize your sibling and self."
Valerya cocked her head indifferently. "The truth is the truth." She shrugged. "I know she is over that boy-"
"But the sting of friends and teachers betraying her has left a mark?" Kaiser clarified.
Raising her index finger, Valerya gave a small frown. "Bingo, some of these circumstances must bore some eerily similar features. Your unfounded popularity. The range of skills, granted you seem to able to back them up. And the fact that your talent has garnered our admiration."
Kaiser raised a brow at her words. "Our?" he repeated.
Without skipping a beat Valerya nodded her head. "Yup, her admiration." Having stressed the word Kaiser didn't linger on her slip up. "The only real differences are that you haven't spared a single lustful glance at her and rather than fall for you Nat has gone on the defensive in terms of preparing for your inevitable advance or betrayal".
"Have I given any signs warranting such measures?" he asked.
"Not at all, but the scene is too familiar and to Nat, it may as well be the same act on repeat." she clarified.
Kaiser hummed in curiosity. "If so then why aren't you apprehensive towards me?"
Valerya hopped off the desk and turned her back to him. Sparing her side profile she gave a smile with a teasing gaze. "We are siblings, you caught my sister's attention, why wouldn't you catch mine? It just happens I'm a bit more level-headed whereas Nat is a bit more muscle-brained" she giggled.
Kaiser shifted his stance, leaning onto his other leg, and ran a hand through his hair. "Well then, allow me to clarify my position. I am human Valerya. Imperfect. I take my affairs seriously, more so than others. Every moment of training, every match to come, every mistake. I treat this all as if it were real. And as such every mistake is mine to bear and correct. I've thought this way since middle school in InfanterieKampf and it won't change anytime soon".
Valerya's deliberated internally before responding. "Fine" came her short reply. "I'll believe your word for now. But this begs another question. What are you going to do with my sister? What are your intentions?"
Kaiser cocked his head mimicking hers in confusion. "What do you mean? I believe I've already answered that'' he stated earnestly.
"Not that" she snapped. "I mean, it's certainly no insult but you are rather handsome and seem rather popular amongst the fairer sex..." Recoiling from slight embarrassment she hissed her frustration as Kaiser remained lost at the sudden compliment. "Those blogs and even other school students are talking about you. And for better or worse it seems your personality has added fuel to that fire." Valerya began rubbing her temples, struggling to explain her point.
"Popularity is a strong term, I'd recommend infamy" he suggested. "It seems nothing but rumor and gossip surrounding those blogs so feel free to ignore them since they 'hold no water' or so they say" he reasoned.
Valerya looked between her fingers, from them she saw Kaiser, clearly disbelieving of her statements missing her point. Dumbfounded she hopped off the desk and approached Kaiser pointing a finger at his forehead. "Are you serious? Is 'work' really the only thing on your mind?! There are legitimate people jealous of you! I thought it was an act to look cool or an attempt to get the attention of some girls and be a playboy! or-"
"Prokov," Kaiser stated firmly. "I'm inclined to take that as an insult. And I've said this repeatedly. I do prioritize my work."
Valerya turned her back to him, grasping her head in frustration. "Agh, that's not the point! Your attitude, the way you act, your field record! It doesn't add up you would go out of your way to help Nat!" she exclaimed.
"My field record? I see you did some digging yourself" he noted aloud. Valerya stopped mid-complaint, realizing her mistake as Kaiser approached from behind. "And I think you're misunderstanding I-"
Tired of his aversion to the point Valerya quickly turned and shouted up at him. "My point is aren't you just attracted to my sister?!" she declared standing on her toes shaking at the exertion it took to overtalk him from such an overextended posture.
Kaiser remained unphased at her jumping in his face. He waited in silence and after a few moments, Valerya slowly descended to her heels, unable to hold herself up any longer.
Slowly huffing and catching her breath she looked defiantly up at his eyes which looked coldly back. "I am attracted to her'' he answered. Before Valerya's expression could change he spoke again. "As I am to you" A myriad of emotions overtook her in the instant as he continued speaking. "I am a male in the midst of his youth of course I would be attracted to females with beauty such as yourselves."
Valerya's emotions seemed to settle upon some small happiness from being right, disappointment at being right, and most of all, confusion. But Kaiser didn't stop with the emotional roundabout. Stepping towards her he leaned down as she backed away caught off guard. "You're severely mistaken if you think I do what I do because of a fleeting emotion such as attraction."
Her rear bumped into the desk as she leaned back, his hand slamming down onto it, making her wince in surprise. "I'm not such a fickle man."
"Val!" shouted a voice outside of the office and echoing into the hangar. Immediately both Valerya ad Kaiser's eyes shifted to the office door. The voice belonged to none other than Natalya.
Frozen in place, Kaiser felt two fingers under his chin drag his head back down to look at Valerya. She playfully pressed an index finger against his nose. "let's put a pin in that, or would you like to explain this to my sister when you're already having such a hard time?"
Kaiser realized what she insinuated. He had inadvertently pinned her against the desk and was now leaning over her. He dreaded to think of what he would hear if anyone saw them in such a position in the dimly lit office, during lunch, and secluded no less.
Without a word, he moved over to the blinds to see Natalya slowly walking through the hangar and approaching the office. "It would be better to avoid unnecessary confrontation" he commented in a hushed tone as Valerya gathered her things and headed for the door.
Valerya fixed herself, adjusting her hair and ensuring she looked her best before leaving. Kaiser watched for a moment then grabbed her shoulder. As she turned, he gave one last comment. "You didn't let me finish. I'm not doing this just for your sister. If you ever need my assistance. I'll come and help, however I can."
Stunned silence was replaced by Valerya snorting into a fist. Gently she brushed her hand against his and layered her voice with sensuality. "Thanks, but I'm not like Natalya, I won't need extra reassurance."
Kaiser released her as she gave a sly wink and a flirtatious wave. "Give me back my sincerity before you head out" he deadpanned, walking to shut off the lamp.
"You're not as fun as my sister" she cheekily pouted before leaving.
"Stay out of trouble" he replied.
Valerya hummed in acknowledgment. "Sure thing, Adam"
As Kaiser shut off the light Valerya had said her parting words and was out the door. Coincidentally Natalya was standing just outside. Luckily enough she had not heard the quiet farewell. In the dark Kaiser's eyes met Natalya's but she had glossed over him not noticing his figure in the darkness as the door swung shut behind her sister.
"H-Hey Nat" stuttered Valerya, caught off guard by her sister's close appearance. Stealthily Kaiser hid, sneaking to the window as their voices grew distant.
"Why did you run off? And to here no less?" Questioned Natalya crossing her arms and shifting her weight to one hip.
Valerya kept eye contact as she started walking to the hangar's exit, dragging Natalya with her. "I heard the Senshado uniforms had come in, in fact, that's why the Lieutenant Colonel was talking to me earlier, he was wondering why I was here when you arrived. His earlier explanation was a convenient lie I fed him" she explained with a forced snicker, raising a black uniform she had snatched, out of her bag.
This raised Natalya's suspicion. "Convenient" she agreed. "Why though? you couldn't have waited for when they were issued with me? How did you even get in there?"
Valerya took a moment to respond after seeing Natalya's lonely face. "Oh please," she mocked. "I got a custodian to open it up after telling him I had 'left something' and you know I like having first pickings."
"That little minx…" Kaiser scowled quietly as he peered through the blinds, noting how fluently she lied, trying to manipulate her sister's doubts. 'I don't remember telling her to address me by my first name and I doubt she realizes she's missing quite a bit of that uniform' he noted, disbelieving that she had snagged the articles of clothing for the convenience of a lie. After all, she clearly liked mixing truth into her white lies.
Natalya stopped in place, bringing a hand to her chin as Valerya turning to wonder why the halt. "Something on your mind?" Valerya asked innocently.
"With you...always" jabbed Natalya. "It's just that I heard a few students say that they saw a certain male and you head here. They were quite a buzz about it. And you were even here earlier with him".
Valerya stiffened slightly at the revelation but not enough for Natalya to notice amidst her thoughts. "Come on Nat, I already said he had caught me trying to snag a uniform earlier and you know how people get about us, sis. Always spreading rumors."
Natalya's tone became downcast at the thought. "Your right Val, They never said you two came together anyways. Guess I'm just paranoid, sorry about that".
Valerya shook her head exaggeratedly. "Enough of the sad act let's change topics". Quickly Valerya resumed walking to leave the hangar, keeping Natalya distracted. "Did you hear that the LtCol was asking a lot about you lately?" she teased.
Natalya cautiously asked, "Why? What would he want with me?" before exiting the hangar. Kaiser dropped the blinds in relief. Sitting in the darkness he waited to leave. 'Can't go immediately or it'll be suspicious if I'm caught right after. Guess I'm spending lunch here. I'll treat myself to a nap in class later since I've had nothing to eat' he reasoned.
Slowly the clock on the wall ticked by audibly in the darkness as he awaited the nearing end of lunch. Soon he would have another chance to interact with Natalya and now he had assistance. A new ally and hopefully a way to convince her. Or so he hoped.
-End Chapter-