When I open my eyes, I'm on my bed. I must've passed out again. As I get up, I see Alistar sleeping on the corner of my bed.
"Hmmm...?" He opened his eyes sleepily and looked at me. "Arata...?"
"Good morning, Alistar." I greeted him, though I said that, it's actually night according to the sky outside, just a little after dusk. "Did you sleep well?"
"Ahh! Arata's awake!!" He shouted.
"How are you feeling?!" Mom took my face in her hand and checked it. "My litttle boy didn't get hurt right?! Tell Mom where it hurts!!"
"Mom, calm down. I'm fine." I answered and Dad patted her shoulder to calm her down.
My eyes sweep the room and then lock onto Reinhardt. My vision of him wasn't clear but there's something about him. I need to know what that vision was about and if we go by the past three times it's likely someone is after his life so I have to protect him. I owe him after all for helping me out and since he has become a good friend too.
"Arata, mind if I see you Brave Crest again?" Reinhardt asked and I nodded.
"Here." I offered him my hand and he looked at it for a second before turning to the three who have the same marks.
"I'm curious about the eight kites on Arata's Crest. I'm going to research about it, would you mind helping me?" He asked. I can't tell what's going on inside his head just by judging his facial expressions.
"No problem." I answered and suddenly a vision struck me. Reinhardt? No, everyone getting attacked on their way home. "Can you guys stay over for tonight?"
"Why?" Ethan asked.
"Just a premonition." I said. "Why don't we have a sleepover?"
"If Arata says so." Ethan agreed easily. "I'll be glad to stay the night and learn more about Arata."
"Then I'll stay as well." Andrew said.
"We'll stay as well." Alexis and Alistar said.
"It's settled then." William said and smiled before turning to me. "First up is a bath!"
"Okay." We answered as we went to the bathroom.
As we cleaned up before we entered the bath I noticed a large scar on Reinhardt's chest. It's the same as the one from my vision. Judging by how it looks it must've been fatal if it wasn't treated immediately.
"Arata! Hurry up!" Alistar said.
"Coming." I answered.
I opened the curtain to reveal a large stone bath and as we all entered the water it felt so relaxing. The water was warm and soothing. I soaked myslef my head to toe and relaxed for the first time in a couple of days. But of course I can't relax for long. I still have to learn more about Reinhardt.
"Arata, what's that scar on you chest?" Alexis ssked pointing to my chest.
"Oh, this." I touched the five inch long scar on my chest. "I don't know. I don't have any idea how I got it. When I was with William this scar was already there."
"It looks like it could've been fatal." Reinhardt said.
"Doesn't the same go for your scar?" I asked pointing to his chest. "Your's is nearly a ruler long."
"Ah, this scar." He touched the scar of his chest. "It was just foolishness of the past."
"What do you mean?" Andrew asked.
"I got it because I thought I could fight a Chimera on my own. A child's foolishness is all." He said and I couldn't help but smile.
"People are foolish to begin with." I said. "But someone once said that the wise are the fools that don't stop moving and fools are the wise that have stopped moving."
"Aster Corner?" He asked and I nodded. "Well, he is right."
"Say, Arata, do you ever wish you could remember who you are?" Zhen asked and I paused before answering.
"We can't take back what has past, what's gone is gone, we can only move forward." I answered. "In my hazy memories, this single sentence was the first thing that came to my mind when I woke up."
"To move forward?" Ethan asked and I nodded.. "Well that's why we're all here isn't it? To move forward."
"That's right." I answered. "Towards a better future."
"Alright, I've had enough, I'm getting out to have dinner." William said.
"Ah! Wait up!" I said as I chased after him and slipped.
"Are you alright?" Reinhardt asked as he caught me.
"Yeah, thanks." I said as he helped me.
We all dried and changed then went to the dining room where so many dishes were laid out again. We all sit down and I notice Mom and Dad are missing and turn to Kai.
"The master and lady have urgent work to attend to, they left a few minutes ago." He answered. "They probably won't be back for a few days."
"Thanks." I told him.
While we were eating dinner, I felt something strange. A presence outside the house watching us. As I was about to bring it up, I notice the gun William is holding. He nods and we wait. Nothing happens though and by the time we finish dinner the presence had disappeared. Who or what they are and why they're here is a mystery to me. They didn't seem to be hostile and they didn't make an effort to hide their presence.
"Where should we sleep tonight?" William asked. "We could all sleep in the spare rooms or in the living room in futons."
"Futons!!" I answered immediately with excitement. "I wanna sleep in the same room as everyone."
"Futons in the living room it is." Alistar said.
We wtached television for a bit before going to sleep and today there was a show about a girl singing beautifully.
"She's pretty." I said.
The girl on the tv had long straight black hair and was cut in a fringe, her eyes red like ruby and skin white as snow.
"Oh, Ophelia." Alistar said.
"Who?" I asked.
"Ophelia, the Brave of Songs, also known as the Songstress." Ethan said. "Her songs are one of the best. She's ranked as the one of the worlds most beautiful singers as well."
"Oh, it's time for bed." William said.
"Oh his right, it's getting late for our little Arata." Alistar answered.
"But, before we go to bed we should do some things first." Zhen said.
"Like what?" I asked.
"Of course pillow fights!" Ethan said and threw at pillow at me.
"Take that!" I answered and took a pillow and threw it at him. "William!"
"Here!" Andrew hit me with his pillow.
The pillow fight lasted for about half an hour before I came out as the victor. We all lied down and got ready for bed. As I closed my eyes, I think of how nice it would be if days like these would continue. Where we can all just be at peace and enjoy our time together.