Chapter 26 - Push

12.30.1204 - Thursday (Trista's Liberation)

The liberation of Trista had gone smoother than anyone onboard the Courageous had expected. It seemed that the Noble Alliance had called all their men to return to defend Heimdallr, so no one was there to stop them. They were even given a warm welcome by the townsfolk.

Once they reached Thors however they had to deal with Class I and Class II, it seemed the Noble Alliance had left them in charge of holding down the fort. After a short battle, Class VII with help from Towa, Angelica, and George were able to take down Class I and Class II. Not before Towa showed off just how better she had gotten with her orbal gun thanks to Rean.

Once Class I and Class II were defeated, Principal Vandyke and the other missing staff members walked out of the Main Building to congratulate them on their battle. It turned out that Class I and Class II had released all the imprisoned staff after the Noble Alliance left Trista.


Soon everyone in Trista began to celebrate their liberation. Thanks to Towa's efforts all the runaway students that had escaped during the invasion were back and accounted for.

Class VII went their separate ways to celebrate with their clubs and other friends. Of course that meant that Rean was off by himself. He spent a few minutes talking with Valimar, but after a while he decided to walk around Trista and see how things were going. Admittedly there was one person he wanted more than anything to avoid. It didn't take an orbal scientist to realize that the Noble Alliance was now cornered and that the war would most likely be over in no time.

Rean couldn't be happier, but a part of him knew what was going to happen soon. Towa would have to respond to his confession. He knew that once the war is over that she would be able to just tell out right that she doesn't feel the same way. It was a difficult truth to accept, but Rean knew he'd have to hear it at some point. For now though, he was doing his best to avoid her. Even if he could only delay the inevitable for a little while longer.


Towa had planned to spend time with Rean after updating Principle Vandyke about the status of the runaway students, but after leaving his office she couldn't find Rean anywhere in the Main Building.

Before Towa could look for him outside the Main Building however, Angelica and George stopped her and took her to the rooftop with them. Apparently they wanted to have a talk with her.

"Well?" Angelica asked.

"Well what?" Towa responded.

"Towa, you know exactly what we brought you here to talk about." George answered.

"I-I have no clue." Towa lied.

"Oh, really? Then come on out Rean!" Angelica announced as she stepped aside.

Towa immediately ran towards the door and get out of there as soon as possible. Unfortunately for her George blocked the door, stopping her in her tracks.

Towa would have to face Rean now, and in front of her friends no less.

"Don't worry, we're not that cruel. Us three are the only people up here. Everyone else is off with their friends around Trista. We're honestly just curious if you're really going to do it?" Angelica explained.

"O-Oh, you guys really scared me for a second there." Towa admitted.

"Sorry, but Angie told me what you had planned." George apologized.

"Don't worry, I should've expected Angie to tell you." Towa responded.

Towa took a deep breath as she prepared to tell Angelica and George her plan to give Rean a proper response to his confession, or lack thereof.

"I-I'm not really sure. I know that I want to tell him that I feel the same way, but guys… he confessed to me months ago. I-It's too late for me to tell him how I feel now. I'm sure he's changed his mind by now, why else would he be avoiding me since we liberated Trista. Should I even be surprised?" Towa revealed.

"Wait what?" Angelica questioned.

"We've both been walking a thin line between just being friends and something else. One I'm sure no captain should be having with one of their crewmates. I'm sure Rean's tired of it by now. I suppose now that the war is nearing its end, he has no reason to stay so close to his captain. That's probably why he's continued to spend time with me since we reunited onboard the Courageous." Towa continued.

Angelica and George questioned how distorted Towa's view of how Rean thought of her had become.

"Why are you two looking at me like that?" Towa questioned when she saw her friends staring at her.

"Is that seriously what you think Rean thinks of you?" George asked.

"Huh?" Towa responded.

"Trust me, there's no way Rean feels that way. Does he really strike you as the impatient type? I'm sure he'd wait a lifetime for your answer. That hint you gave him back in Celdic probably helped." Angelica assured Towa.

Her friend's words gave Towa some comfort. However, one thing was still bothering her.

"Then why is Rean avoiding me?" Towa asked nervously.

"You do realize it's Rean you're asking about right? I wouldn't be surprised if he's just as nervous as you on the other side of Trista." George answered.

"That or maybe Class VII took him somewhere to talk." Angelica continued.

The three of them shared a laugh about the whole situation. As much as the situation involved her troubles, Towa was glad that she and her friends could distract themselves from something that's been weighing on them since the Imperial Liberation Front invaded Trisa.

Despite everything that he's said and done, Towa, Angelica, and George still weren't sure what to think about Crow. None of his actions added up to them.

They refused to believe that Crow had lied to them for over a year. While never the most reliable guy, he always went above and beyond for them.

Despite planning to attack Orchis Tower with Garrelia Fortress' railway cannons, Scarlet's recent testimony revealed that their plan only required the railway cannons as a scare tactic. The real focus was just to assassinate Chancellor Osborne, and no one else. Then there was the invasion of Trista. According to George, Crow ordered the Imperial Liberation Front to not harm anyone in Trista. Towa also had her suspicions that Crow was the one who sent the anonymous tip to Toval and Prince Olivert about Rean being outside Ymir.

With everything added up, Crow's actions hinted that he didn't have the same goal as the Noble Alliance.

Unfortunately, Towa, Angelica, and George couldn't figure out what that goal was.

The only thing they could think about was the promise the four of them had made during their first year at Thors. Despite everything that's happened, Towa, Angelica, and George wanted nothing more than to have Crow be at their side when their last day at Thors arrived in a few months.


Rean had made a few loops around Trista in the past hour, well a few would be an understatement. He could sense people starting to stare at him after the 20th loop around Trista.

Before Rean could go for another round however, his Arcus started ringing.

Rean quickly answered. "Hello, Rean Schwarzer speaking."

"Rean! T-This is bad, we've got a situation in the old schoolhouse! Jusis, Laura, and Fie are holding steady, but we need you to get here as quickly as you can!" Elliot yelled.

"I'm on my way!" Rean responded before Elliot hung up.

Rean quickly bolted towards the old schoolhouse with his tachi in hand.

Rean wasted no time entering the old schoolhouse once he got there.

"Don't worry, I'm here!" Rean announced ready to fight.

Rean quickly realized that no one was inside the old schoolhouse besides a chair and some rope.

"Uh… Elliot? Alisa? Emma? Machias? Jusis? Laura? Gaius? Fie? Millium?" Rean quietly asked.

Rean suddenly heard someone casting magic. But before he could turn around to see who it was, he quickly fell asleep.

There Rean laid on the floor of the school house as Class VII walked up to him.

"Did we really have to put a sleep spell on him?" Machias asked.

"Considering our original plan was to have Laura and Fie knock him out, I think we made the right choice." Alisa answered.

"We should hurry up before he wakes up." Gaius told the others.


Slowly Rean woke up and found himself tied to a chair inside the old schoolhouse. It didn't take long for him to realize that his classmates were surrounding him.

"W-What the heck is going on?" Rean asked them.

"Sorry for lying to you, but this was the only way we could sit you down." Elliot responded.

"Why do I need to sit down? I listen quite well when standing up. Untie me and I'll show you." Rean told him.

"Sorry, but we know the moment we untie you'll just leave without telling us." Emma revealed.

"Telling you guys what?" Rean asked.

"Do you honestly have no idea what we're alluding to?" Laura asked.

"Not a clue." Rean responded.

"You really didn't think we'd notice what's going on between you and Captain Towa?" Alisa bluntly stated.

Rean immediately tried wiggling out of the rope he was tied in.

"Don't bother lover boy, I made sure to tie it well. Not even Instructor Sara or Sharon could get out of that you know." Fie teased.

"W-What are you guys talking about? Rean asked as he tried to hide how flustered he'd gotten.

"Look Jusis, he looks like a big tomato!" Millium teased.

"The faster you cooperate, the faster we'll untie you." Jusis explained.

"T-There's nothing going on between me and Captain T-Towa." Rean tried explaining.

"Is that why you two keep on disappearing together while we're all resting?" Machias pointed out.

"To help her practice using her orbal gun! Didn't you guys see how well she handled it earlier!?" Rean explained.

"You do realize we have a training facility onboard the Courageous right?" Gaius brought up.

"W-Well we sort of got used to practicing outside." Rean admitted.

"Then there's that date you two went on back in Roer. Don't bother denying it, Angelica told us all about it." Emma brought up.

"T-That wasn't a date! I was just hungry and showed up at the same time as Towa and Angelica." Rean tried explaining.

"Should I even ask why you took Captain Towa with you to see your family recently, along with the fact she was wearing one of your hooded sweaters when you two returned?" Jusis commented.

"I-I received a request from my parents and Captain Towa tagged along, as for why she was wearing one of my hooded sweaters… I didn't want her to get a cold." Rean admitted.

Class VII could only laugh at Rean's explanations.

"Are you done? You've all had a good laugh at my expense. Can someone untie me now?" Rean complained.

"Not until you tell us your plan." Alisa told him.

"My plan?" Rean repeated.

"Don't you have a plan to tell her how you feel?" Gaius asked.

Rean sat silently as he recalled what had happened back at the school festival.

"I already have told Captain Towa how I feel, or well tried to. For a while I hoped that she had forgotten about what I said, but after what she told me outside of Celdic I know that she knows. I've done my best not to get too worked up over it. Considering how long it's been, I'm pretty sure I'm due for that rejection any day now." Rean thought to himself.

"Why do you look so glum?" Millium asked.

"Oh… uh just never really gave it much thought. I'm sure Captain Towa doesn't feel the same way." Rean half-lied.

"So that's what this is about." Jusis commented.

"Huh?" Rean responded.

"Rean you don't have to be scared. Just tell her how you feel." Laura told him.

"If you want some advice, I'd recommend doing it somewhere private. Aidios only knows how mad Patty would have reacted if I confessed somewhere less private." Machias advised.

"It'd also recommend trying not to mix up your words. I swear Mint won't ever let me live down when I told her that I 'wove' her." Elliot continued.

"If I had any tips, I'd say to also do it somewhere peaceful. For example, I took Linde for a walk outside Trista when I confessed to her." Gaius added on.

"Unlike these lovestruck fools I can't say my advice holds any actual relevance, but I recommend just spending time with her alone before confessing." Jusis continued.

"You guys…" Rean responded.

Rean soon turned to the girls in hopes that they'd also give him pointers.

All the girls (besides Millium) turned their heads away from Rean.

"Judging by how red their faces have gotten, I'm guessing they haven't told the guys they like how they feel yet." Rean thought to himself.

"I-I think I speak for all of us when I say this. Knowing how dense you are there's a pretty good chance Captain Towa already told you how she feels about you without you even realizing." Alisa informed him.

"By the way, it might also help to let Captain Towa take the lead. So if she asks you to do something, be sure to do it." Fie added.

"Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if Captain Towa confesses to you instead." Emma continued.

"C-Captain Towa confessing to me? I doubt that." Rean responded.

"Well Rean, will tonight be the night?" Laura asked.

Rean took in everything his friends were telling him.

"I'm not sure how useful all their advice will be seeing as I already confessed to Captain Towa, but they're right. I can't let myself be scared. I need to hear Captain Towa's answer. No matter how much it'll hurt, we can at least be friends." Rean thought to himself.

Judging by the determined look on Rean's face, Class VII decided it was time to untie him.

"Thanks guys. I think that's exactly what I needed to hear. Now to find Captain Towa." Rean announced.

"Oh, I know! I know! Lammy flew me here earlier, and on the way I saw Captain Towa with Angelica and George up on the Main Building's rooftop!" Millium revealed.

"Well then, here's hoping I don't interrupt anything." Rean responded.

Class VII wished Rean the best of luck as he made his way to the Main Building.


Towa had continued talking with Angelica and George as they saw the sun set and the moon rise.

The day was almost over and Towa was starting to worry if she'd be able to find Rean before it was too late.

Luckily for Towa, Rean suddenly appeared.

"Oh hi, Rean." Towa nervously greeted.

"Hey. Nice night, isn't it?" Angelica said.

"It's a little on the chilly side, but it still feels pretty nice since there's no breeze out." George noted.

"Oh, yeah.. You're right." Rean responded.

All four of them took around Thors, the Main Building's rooftop certainly gave them a view that couldn't be challenged.

"Heehee. We're finally back here." Towa noted.

"Yeah… Gotta admit, seeing it again is making me feel all emotional." Angelica added.

"Haha. No doubt. Especially since unlike the rest of us, you guys were last here during the festival." George responded.

Rean suddenly sensed Towa, Angelica, and George becoming quiet.

"They're probably feeling lonely with Crow missing." Rean thought to himself.

Rean soon turned to his upperclassman to make them a promise.

"Captain Towa, George, Angelica. I want to thank you. You guys have helped us out so much. There's no way we could've gone that far without you. If it were just us first-years, I don't think things would've gone half as well. So… on behalf of everyone here, thank you. For everything you've done." Rean told his upperclassmen.

"A-Ahaha… We should be the ones thanking you!" Towa responded.

"Yeah. Think about all the work Class VII put into this and try saying that again." George added.

"Exactly. You guys even helped me deal with my old man! Where would I be without YOU?" Angelica brought up.

"I guess… but for the record, we've needed you just as much as you say you need us, you know. You shouldered the most responsibility on the Courageous, the ship that carried us and our dreams this far. And I'm gonna need you to keep watching our backs tomorrow. You think you can do that for us?" Rean continued.

"Heh. Like you even needed to ask." Angelica responded.

"We'll be right there with you." George informed him.

"We would never abandon you after we've come this far together." Towa answered.

"Thanks. I get this feeling like tomorrow's going to mark a turning point for us. Whether the Imperial Army's operation is a success or a failure... It feels like the time for me to fight Crow is almost here." Rean announced.

Towa suddenly recalled how she almost lost Rean the last time he fought Crow with their Divine Knights outside of Trista.

"That's true." George commented.

"Yeah. He won't let a chance like this just waltz on by." Angelica continued.

"And this time, I'm not going to let him win. I'll beat him, drag him right back here, and force him to finally graduate with you." Rean promised.

Towa, Angelica, and George were caught by surprise by Rean, either because of his sudden confidence or because of the promise he was making to them.

"You… sure that's even possible, Rean?" George asked.

"That's not going to be-" Angelica said before getting interrupted by Rean.

"I'm well aware that it won't be easy. But everyone, not just me, wants the four of you together again. Class VII managed to reunite, right? Now it's your turn." Rean informed them.

"You're amazing, Rean… And if you say that's what you're gonna do, I've got no reason to doubt you! Good luck!" Towa responded.

"Heh. Tomorrow's operation is sounding crazier by the minute." Angelica noted.

"Seriously. I'd better hope I can finish polishing off that tachi." George added.

All four of them shared a little laugh.

It didn't take long for Rean to remember why he had gone up to the rooftop with them. He started to realize that he had overlooked two big obstacles.

"I've been so focused on Captain Towa that I completely forgot about Angelica and George. I know for a fact that they'd never let me be alone with Towa." Rean thought to himself.

Suddenly to Rean and Towa's surprise, Angelica and George started to walk away.

"W-Wait where are you two going?" Rean and Towa asked.

"Sorry, but there are some projects I left in my lab that I want to look over. Goodnight you two." George said as he left.

"I actually have a date lined up in five minutes. Rean do be a dear and take care of our atowable captain for the rest of the night." Angelica revealed as she left.

Rean and Towa stood by themselves trying to process what had just happened.

Towa soon understood what her friends were trying to do.

It was up to her now to tell Rean how she felt.

Towa invited Rean to continue watching the view with her, to which he agreed.

Towa used that time to think of a plan.

"Alright, I just have to catch Rean by surprise. I can't do it here, the last thing I want is for someone to interrupt me like Principle Vandyke interrupted Rean. Wait, would the Class VII Dorm work? We're all still supposed to sleep aboard the Courageous, so then his dorm should be empty tonight. Now I just have to figure out a way to get both of us inside without raising alarm bells in his head." Tow thought to herself.

"S-Say Rean… you wouldn't mind showing me around the Class VII Dorm would you? Despite all the times that I've walked you there, I've never actually seen the inside of the Class VII Dorm." Towa asked.

"Sure." Rean responded.

It was clear to Towa that Rean didn't suspect a thing.


Thus Rean and Towa made their way to the Class VII Dorm.

Despite both of them knowing full well that the Rean and Towa that entered the dorm will not be the same Rean and Towa that leave the dorm later, they're expectations for what would happen between them inside the dorm couldn't be any more different.


Author's Note

Oh boy, I sure do wonder what's going to happen next chapter!

Preview - "_ did say to let _ take the lead I suppose. I'm sure she thought up a politely worded rejection speech." _ thought to himself.