"That idiot went to school early today," Luka muttered.
Luka was on his way to school with Ana, or so he wanted to. But Ana went to school early today, so he is walking alone.
"The hell with 'Status Quo' if we can't go to school together."
Status Quo, to keep the current state of status or a relationship without any changes.
"I really don't want to go to school today. What if she brings up something new?"
'That would suck,' Luka sighed.
Luka didn't get sleep on Monday because he fought the monster. So the next day, he ended up sleeping in class.
After Ana woke him up, Luka, Ana, and Liz went on a mission together.
The mission was no more than a patrol of the area of the city they were assigned to. After patrol duty, they were on their way home, but Luka was lost in his thoughts.
'So what is our relationship now? Who am I going out with? Was Liz serious about her confession?'
There were many thoughts in his mind. He had no idea what was going on with his relationships.
"What's wrong with Luka? Are you okay?"
"Yeah. I am fine, Ana."
"Don't call me Ana!"
"Huh?"
Ana puffed her chest and said, "Call me captain."
"Hah?!"
"Call me captain when we are on a mission."
"Why?"
"Why, you ask? Because I am the captain."
"Why?"
"Experts made me captain of our squad."
"Why?"
"Argh! Stop being annoying," Ana turned to Liz before saying, "Liz, please say something to him... Liz?"
Liz was also lost in her thoughts. It seems she was worried about the same thing Luka was worrying about.
"Liz?" Ana called her out again.
'Are Luka and Ana going out now? They are interacting the same as always, though,' Liz thought.
"Hey, Liz. Liz!" Ana shouted as she shook Liz.
"Yeah, what happened, Ana?"
"Thank god," Ana sighed in relief and said, "You weren't responding, so I thought you were angry."
"Angry? Why would I be angry?"
"No, I just thought that—"
"Wait a damn minute! She is calling you Ana," Luka quipped.
"So?"
"So why don't you tell her to call you captain'!"
"It's okay if it's Liz."
Luka frowned his eyes as he squinted them and said, "I will call you Ayana."
"Don't you dare call me that!"
Luka smirked and said, "Ayana."
Ana's face twitched as he jumped on Luka.
"I said. Don't. Call. Me. That!"
Ana tried to hit Luka, but Luka dodged all her attacks without a sweat.
"How long do you think I have known you?" Luka questioned as he jumped back.
"Ever since we were kids," Ana replied as she crouched and tried to punch him.
"Exactly." Luka dodged to the right before saying, "These attacks won't work on me."
Ana was on the verge of tears.
Luka started sweating as he looked at Ana's crying face. He stopped dodging before spreading his arms with a wide smile.
Ana stopped midway before she could touch him.
He patted Ana on the head and said, "Sorry. I just remembered old times."
Ana's face flushed as he opened her mouth to say something-- but stopped soon when she looked at Liz.
"It's okay if it's Liz. She is my friend," said Ana.
"I am also your friend!" Luka growled.
"You are my friend?" Ana inquired.
"I am your childhood friend... right?"
"I see." Ana turned around and said, "childhood friend, huh? I thought you were my boyfriend."
"Boyfriend? I am your boyfriend?!"
"Who knows?"
"Hey, Ana... I mean captain! I wanted to talk about that."
"And I don't want to talk about that!"
"....."
"Umm, Ana," Liz called out to Ana.
There was nervousness in her voice.
"Yes, what happened, Liz?"
"I also want to talk about that."
"Huh?"
"I mean, what exactly is our relationship right now?"
"Oh, I also wanted to talk about that," Ana replied.
"..."
Seeing how friendly Ana and Liz have become, Luka was kind of annoyed.
Ana looked back at Luka and said with a grin, "Oh Luka, why are you pouting?"
"I am not pouting."
"Oh, okay. Then why are you sulking?"
"I am not—I am not sulking because you are ignoring me."
"Well, now you know how it feels when someone ignores you."
"..."
Luka had ignored Ana for the past six months due to his trauma.