Chapter 15 - Returning Home

10.8.1204 - Saturday

Rean wasn't sure how to feel. When he left for Thors he promised himself never to return to Ymir until he found a path for himself. Now he was returning to Ymir just as lost as when he left. He was hoping he'd be able to avoid interacting with his family as much as possible. Even if it meant he'd have to hide away at the Phoenix Wings for the whole trip.

Unfortunately, Elise was at the station waiting to greet him and everyone else and take them to the Phoenix Wings. She coincidentally just had to be visiting, no don't Princess Alfin told her that his class was going to Ymir as reward for what happened in Roer.

As Elise led them to the Phoenix Wings, Rean concluded that if played his cards right, that this would be his only interaction with his family.


While Class VII held a meeting, Towa and Angelica decided to unwind in their room while Sara talked with Elise in the hallway.

"Let's say you and I head to hot springs?" Angelica asked.

"I'm good Angie, feel free to go on without me when it's the women's bathing hours. Although, I do plan to go use the spring at some point." Towa answered.

"Don't tell me you plan to use the hot springs with Rean during mixed bathing hours, how scandalous" Angelica teased.

"What!? T-That wasn't what I meant! I just want to wait until it's nighttime so I can see the stars! Angie, get your mind out of the gutter!" Towa responded while her face started to heat up.

Suddenly Towa and Angelica heard someone enter their room.

"I heard yelling, is something wrong?" Elise asked.

"Don't worry, I'm just teasing Towa here." Angelica cleared up.

"Oh I must've been mistaken then. Do enjoy the hot springs." Elise replied.

"Thank you, I'm looking forward to trying it out myself." Towa responded.

Elise quickly went downstairs and told Rean that their parents wanted to meet with him. She could tell that wasn't what her brother wanted to hear, but she knew it was for the best.


Rean quickly greeted his parents, as much as he didn't want to return he didn't mind seeing them again. He couldn't remember the last time all four of them had been together.

After a private meeting, his father gave him a letter from Master Ka-fai. Then his mother and Elise joined them with tea. His parents asked him and Elise the usual questions, mainly about school and friends. It was nice.

Then his mom; Lucia Schwarzer, asked him something he wasn't expecting.

"So Rean, when do you plan to start courting a girl?" Lucia asked.

"E-Excuse me!?" Rean nervously responded.

His father; Baron Teo Schwarzer, continued from where Lucia left off.

"Well, seeing as you turned 18 a few months ago we figured that now would be a good time to discuss this matter. The courting process usually takes a while so many nobles start to give it a serious thought once they hit 18." Teo added on.

"I-I uh… never put much thought into it. I sort of just assumed you guys would just put me in an arranged marriage or something like that." Rean explained.

Rean felt that there was no way that this conversation could get any worse.

"Don't you dare think we'd do such a thing! We've told you and Elise that you two are free to pursue a relationship with any partner of your choosing, noble or commoner. We only want you two to find the right person." Lucia scolded Rean.

"Commoner huh?..." Rean accidentally said out loud.

"Oh, so I do have a potential sister-in-law then." Elise teased. She did her best to suppress her anger.

"Oh is it that Herschel girl you mention in your letters from time to time? I'm assuming she's that petite girl with the green Thors uniform?" Teo asked.

The conversation got worse.

"W-What!? No, President T-Towa's just my upperclassman. Nothing more, I swear!" Rean exclaimed as his face started to blush.

"I think we've said what needed to be said. Rean, as long as the person you wish to be with makes you happy. We'll gladly give our blessing when the time comes to start courting them. Go and have fun with your class." Lucia informed Rean.

She could tell her son was becoming a blushing mess, and that was all that she needed to confirm her and her husband's suspicions.

Rean sat in his chair taking in what his parents told him.

"Thank you mom and dad, you too Elise. I think I'll start putting some thought into it." Rean said as he got up.

"Glad we could help." Teo replied.

Thus Rean returned to spend some quality time with his schoolmates. Talking to his parents really was a good idea in hindsight. To think that he was planning to avoid them the whole trip.


The day continued casually.

Class VII played billiards in the main lobby. To everyone's surprise Gaius was a natural at the game, even the experienced Crow sang high praises. Sara visited a local pub. Angelica went to visit the Schwarzer Mansion to give Teo a letter from her father. Towa herself decided to take a long overdue nap in her room.

Before everyone knew it, the sun had set, and after having dinner together most decided to get some rest.

Rean was not one of them however. He waited to make sure that everyone was asleep so he could have the hot springs to himself. He was risking it especially since it was so late in the evening, which meant it was mixed bathing hours until the morning.

He snuck outside the boys room as quietly as possible, as he didn't want to wake them up.

Once in the hallway he sensed someone by the balcony: it was Angelica.

"I see you're still awake too huh?" Angelica greeted him.

He could tell something wrong, Angelica clearly needed someone to talk to.

"Is something wrong Angelica?" Rean asked, making his concern clear.

"I've been wondering, Rean, mind doing me a favor?" Angelica asked as she looked up to the stars.

"Of course, I do owe you for helping tutor me a few months ago." Rean replied.

Angelica soon asked Rean how his school days were going. To which he told her they were going well, terrorist threats aside. She requested him to take her orbal bike off her hands. Rean was initially concerned that Angelica was dropping out, but she cleared things up. Apparently her father was furious at her for her involvement with what happened in Roer, and as punishment he was putting her on leave from Thors. Principal Vandyke tried to stop her father, but due to his high status amongst the nobility as head of one of the Four Great Houses, there was little he could do to stop him. Luckily, Angelica had high enough grades that she would still graduate, but she might not be able to step foot in Trista for a long time.

Angelica knew that Rean wasn't sure what to do, and told him to give her an answer by the time they returned to Thors. She then told him to enjoy the hot springs and the sights were gorgeous inside there before returning to the room she shared with Sara and Towa.

Rean planned to do just that as he made his way to the hot springs.


Towa couldn't remember the last time she felt so relaxed, no wonder Angelica tried getting all the girls in the hot spring earlier. Besides Angelica being Angelica, of course. Angelica also didn't lie about the sights, there were so many stars in the sky. Ymir was still the perfect place to go stargazing. She started to regret not bringing her telescope with her.

Suddenly she heard someone enter the spring. She had tried to pick a time where she could be alone, but if she had to leave then so be it.

"Oh President Towa you're here… um, take all the time you need, I-I'll wait outside for my turn." Rean said as he tried to go back from where he came.

Towa was a little conflicted, as much as she waited to be alone in the hot springs, she did enter during the mixed bathing hours. Rean had much of a reason to be there as she did. That and a part of her didn't mind being alone with Rean.

"R-Rean, wait! Since this is mixed bathing hours there's nothing wrong with us sharing the hot springs.'' Towa said all while trying to stay as composed as possible.

"I-If you insist, President Towa." Rean replied. He tried his best to hide his blushing face from Towa.

The two sat next to each other silently for a few minutes. Despite both agreeing to share the hot springs, they couldn't deny how awkward it felt being so close to each other in only towels. Although they both had to admit, it felt kind of nice.

In an attempt not to stare at Rean's (in her opinion, rather well built) chest Towa let her eyes wander back up to the stars.

"The night sky is so gorgeous in Ymir, Rean. I really should have brought my telescope." Towa said in an attempt to break the silence.

"I had no idea you liked stargazing, President Towa." Rean commented.

"Well my grandfather was an astronomer, so it's no surprise I'd inherited an interest in stars too." Towa explained.

"I see. Well you could always bring your telescope next time you visit Ymir." Rean replied.

"Rean, my family's store might be successful. But I doubt that we have the money to afford a stay in the Phoenix Wings again." Towa responded.

"I mean, as one of Baron Schwarzer's children I am allowed to request a room at the Phoenix Wings for special occasions. Maybe you, Angelica, George, and Crow can come here after you graduate?" Rean suggested.

"Rean, I couldn't accept such an offer when you and Class VII are stuck at school." Towa answered.

"President Towa, there's no one I can imagine more deserving of having a vacation in the Phoenix Wings than you… a-and the others. You guys have helped me and Class VII so many times it's the least I could do." Rean insisted.

Towa could tell Rean was being genuine and didn't want to be rude by rejecting his invitation.

"Fine, I'll think about it." Towa replied.

"If you say so, let me know what you guys decide." Rean responded.

The two decided to stargaze together for a while longer. They also both also started to feel sleepy. They probably would have fallen asleep inside the hot springs if it weren't for a staff member telling them that they needed to return to their rooms so they could clean the hot springs.


The next morning, Class VII and the other guests prepared their things to return back to Trista. Unfortunately, during the night a blizzard had started. Rean and his family realized how similar the blizzard was to one that happened eight years ago. Blizzards in Ymir weren't uncommon, but this one came out of nowhere just like the one from eight years ago.

Suddenly a staff member of the Phoenix Wings came running towards them and handed them an envelope. Despite not having a sender it was addressed to Class VII, so it was clear someone personally dropped it off in the Phoenix Wings that night.

After reading the letter inside aloud, Rean and Class VII decided to venture out to Ymir Valley to face the mysterious sender as the letter instructed.

The Schwarzers, Sara, and the second-years decided to stay in Ymir in case something happened.

Once Class VII left, the Schwarzers invited Sara and the second-years inside their home to stay warm.


Once inside, the adults got to talking while Elise started a conversation with Angelica and Towa. She mostly asked Towa about Student Council work. To Towa's surprise Elise had begun helping the St. Astraia Girls' School's Student Council. Not as an official member yet, but once she's old enough to apply she planned to join.

Leave it to Angelica to tarnish a normal casual conversation.

"So Elise, is there anyone who's caught your eye?" Angelica asked. Clearly growing bored of the previous conversation.

"W-Well there was someone when I was younger, but I doubt he'll ever see me the same way I saw him." Elise admitted as her face started to glow slightly red.

"At least you aren't denying that you had a crush. You could learn a thing or two from her Towa." Angelica teased.

"A-Angie!" Towa yelled as her face got red. If there was someone she didn't want to discuss her crush on Rean with, it was definitely his own sister.

"Oh President Herschel, so you've got a crush on someone?" Elise asked.

"I won't deny that I have a crush on this guy at Thors, but I doubt he views me the same way." Towa admitted trying to calm herself down.

"You doubt? Towa, you two have done so many things together, you put most actual couples to shame. You two have shared how many boxes of tea by now? I can't recall any other time you dropped everything to help someone study besides the times he walks up to you, and only you, to ask for help, do you? Tell me exactly how two people walk around Heimdallr together while holding hands and not notice their fingers intertwined? George even told me you arrived late to the Lower-Class dorm a few days ago wearing his uniform coat and then ironed it the next morning before returning it to him. You two must be the most oblivious lovebirds I've witnessed in my lifetime." Angelica told Towa.

"W-W-What!? There's p-perfectly reasonable explanations for all those things!" Towa yelled as she started to scold Angelica.

Both Towa and Angelica got so distracted by Towa's scolding that they ignored Elise's sudden mood shift.

"So President Herschel was the mystery girl from Rean's letters then? He did mention President Herschel from time to time. Mainly because of his involvement with the Student Council at Thors." Elise started to think to herself.

She was kicking herself for not connecting the dots and realizing President Herschel was the same girl he wrote about sharing tea frequently with and that gave him a tour of Heimdallr. Now that she thought about it, her friend Mildine at St. Astraia did tell her that she saw her brother walking around while holding hands with a girl leading him across Heimdallr some time ago. She knew Rean wasn't exactly the most aware person when it came to his own romantic feelings. She knew that President Herschel was Rean's first crush, especially since he never was the most social kid growing up. Granted that might have just been because they were the only two kids their age in Ymir. There was that brunette tourist that Rean hid in a cave with during a blizzard. But then they never returned to Ymir, so it was safe to assume that Rean had forgotten about her.

Elise didn't want Rean to get his heart crushed by the petite brunette girl in front of her right now. If the temptress President Herschel wanted to toy with and corrupt Rean's pure heart, then she'd have to get past the Schwarzer family first.

As if on queue the adult's joined in on the conversation.

"What's with the commotion over here?" Lucia asked.

"Judging by Elise's and President Towa's red faces it must've been boy talk, no wonder Angelica is the only one who looks glum." Sara teased.

"Oh then that means you must be President Herschel, we really couldn't thank you enough for everything you've done for our Rean." Teo greeted.

"Oh, I'm not sure I've done much to help Rean. In fact, I should be thanking you. Rean's helped me- I mean the Student Council, so much this school year." Towa responded.

"Nonsense. Rean's letters give such high praise of you. We knew he went to Thors with so many worries, but we weren't sure what we could do to help him other than support his decision to attend Thors. Imagine our surprise when his first letter arrives and he tells us the Student Council President herself came to his rescue and helped calm him down on his first day. As a concerned mother I couldn't thank you enough. Please continue taking care of my son." Lucia revealed.

"Oh trust me, President Towa's done a stellar job taking care of your son at Thors already. Not a week goes by at Thors without President Towa walking Rean to his dorm at least once a week." Sara teased.

Teo was taken rather aback by that comment. He had expected Rean to be the one walking the girl he liked to her dorm. Now he was discovering that Rean was the one being walked to his dorm by the girl that was making his son's heart aflutter. He knew that Rean never had a childhood crush growing up, so when he and his wife started reading Rean's letters it became abundantly clear that Rean had unknowingly started developing a crush on President Herschel while at Thors.

"Rean definitely is his father's son." Teo thought to himself.

"I-I'm simply following Thors tradition. If a second-year and a first-year leave the school grounds at the same time, it's the job of the second-year to walk the first-year to their dorm." Towa said in her defense. She did her best not to get too flustered.

Angelica laughed to herself after hearing Towa's defense. She didn't have the heart to tell Towa that the Thors tradition about second-years walking first-years to their dorm if they left the school grounds at the same time was all a lie she came up with. She made it up when Towa caught her stalking some cute first-year girls during their first week at Thors, and she needed a good excuse. Thankfully Towa bought it, and was seemingly following in her footsteps by walking Rean to his dorm constantly.

Just then, Sara's ARCUS began to ring. After a quick chat, Sara informed Teo that the threat to Ymir had been dealt with. Apparently, a member of Ouroboros came to cause trouble, but they were able to stop them.


With the blizzard in Ymir put to an end, Class VII and the second-years went to get their belongings from the Phoenix Wings.

While on their way, Angelica asked Rean if he had an answer for her.

"Of course, I'll do my best to keep your orbal bike safe." Rean answered.

"Just what I wanted to hear. Make sure to take her out for lots of rides." Angelica replied.

"Don't worry, I plan to use your bike frequently." Rean said.

"Oh, I wasn't talking about the bike." Angelica teased before turning to look at Towa.

Rean simply continued walking, confused by Angelica's comment.


As the group prepared to leave, Rean received a call from Teo to meet with him.

Apparently Master Ka-fai had asked Teo to review Rean's current status and decide whether or not he was worthy to advance to the next level of his swordsmanship. After the events of this morning, Teo knew that Rean was more than ready to advance his swordsmanship.

Rean humbly accepted his new position. He was glad that he was finally no longer just a beginner.

"Do take care son." Teo said with a proud look in eyes.

"Feel free to come back to Ymir whenever you want." Lucia said while entering the room with Elise.

"Rean, please try not to lose your way." Elise warned.

"Don't worry, I don't plan to, t-thank you everyone. I-It was nice seeing you all again." Rean said, trying to hide his tears.

Rean clearly must've done a bad job of hiding his emotions as his family gave him one large hug, one he was more than happy to return.

After a few minutes the Schwarzer family let go of each other and waved Rean off to meet with his class.


The trip back was rather quiet, mainly because everyone had fallen asleep.

That included Towa, who had fallen asleep while leaning on Rean's arm again. Not that Rean noticed, as he had also fallen asleep and even started leaning on Towa's head in his sleep. Luckily they woke up before the others, and after they both apologized, they agreed to act as if nothing had happened.


Author's Note

I thought it would be fun to have a chapter based off the drama CD for Cold Steel 1.