{Shoya's POV:}
"What happened to you?"
"Why are you here?"
Well, now, I'm being flocked by my classmates. Not in Altheria, that school is still under construction. By my previous school's.
Basically, I just finished my training with the Emperors and returned home. I stopped by the nearest convenience store to me and went to go buy something. Coincidentally, there was a robbery there, I have no idea why anyone would try and rob a convenience store of all places, and I stopped it.
I met Kei and her friend there.
It was the next day and Yuki-nee suddenly told me that I need to go to school. And so, I did go.
Ever since I returned, I noticed something.
Maki, my childhood friend, has been avoiding me.
I've noticed her glances from time to time, but when I tried to talk to her during break but she brushed me off.
Maki is probably pissed since I left without a word.
"Hey, what's that on your hand?"
Someone asked.
When I looked at it, I noticed. I forgot to cover my Black Emperor's Sigil. It's too late now. I'll need to hide it tomorrow.
"Just a symbol I drew with ink during class."
"Woah, with ink? That looks amazing!"
A boy complimented me.
"Thanks..."
It's lunch now and I don't know who I should hang out with. I don't feel like entertaining these guys forever.
I haven't met up with Kuro. She's in 1-3 if I'm correct. I'm in 1-2, so why hasn't she visited my class?
"Shoya!"
Ah, speak of the devil.
Kuro ran into the classroom and called out my name while raising her hand. She looks excited about something.
"Uh, yeah?"
"Let's have lunch!"
Kuro shouted.
Everyone looked at her, surprised.
"Sure,"
I said.
I stood up and walked toward her.
"Must be nice, huh?"
Maki quietly said from behind me.
When I turned to look at her, she calmly moved her eyes from me to her book. I turned and continued to walk with Kuro.
"Sheesh, what's that girl's problem?"
Kuro seemed to be irritated at Maki.
"Oh, you saw that, huh?"
"Yeah! That girl is super ungrateful!"
Wait...
I made my hand flat and hovered it above her head.
"What is it now?"
"Nothing, just... When we first met, you were up to my collarbone. Now, you're up to my nose. You've grown a lot in 3 months."
"Have I now?"
Kuro looked smug.
We entered the cafeteria and got lunch. I got curry udon and Kuro got a rice omelette for lunch. Childish, much?
"So, you haven't hidden your sigil?"
The girl asked me.
"Get off my case, I forgot."
I said then proceeded to slurp my udon.
"What did you tell them?"
"That it's ink. Tomorrow, I'll hide it."
Kuro's eyes widened.
"You can hide it?"
"Yeah, with Lilith's techni--ah."
That's when I remembered something. Something important. I never went to Olympus with Kuro. I went by myself. I've grown stronger but I don't know about her. She doesn't know where I've been for a whole month.
"With what?"
I sighed.
"By making a thin hexagon of mana over the back of my hand, like a mana coat, it'll be like it was never there."
Putting her chopsticks in her mouth, she then pointed at me.
"You had secret training?"
"Yeah..."
I casually continued to eat.
"Lucky..."
Kuro seemed slightly sad. She's the type who wants to be spoiled. I was happy when I saw her wearing her necklace when I got home.
"Hey, if you want, I'll teach you. I don't know when you have PE, but you'll need it then."
"Will you?!"
She didn't have ears and a tail but I could tell that they're secretly perking up somewhere.
---
The school day finished and I walked out of school with Kuro.
I saw Maki ahead of me.
Should I talk to her? What if she reacts the same as earlier? I don't know...
"Hey!"
Kuro shouted.
She shouted but not directed at me. It was at the person in front of us. It was for Maki Homura.
The girl continued to walk forward.
"Hey! You with the mid-length brown hair!"
After being called out, Maki turned back. At first, she didn't look so mad but her face tightened when she saw me.
My heart skipped a beat.
"Why are you ignoring him?"
She asked Maki.
I simply watched. I ignored those who were watching on the pavement.
The brown-haired girl stayed silent for a second before answering.
"Why should it matter to you?"
"I'm his best friend! I don't want to see him sad! Tell me why, why are you ignoring him?"
Kuro and Maki were level as their eyes met each other. They glared at each other, almost like wild beasts ready to kill.
"So, you left me for her. What a great friend you are."
Maki spat.
I could hear my heart beating in my ears.
"Maki, I didn't have a choice but to leave..."
I barely formulated the words.
The moment I learned that I was a Streia, ULTIMA--my little sister, Yumeko--told me that I either go to Altria or I die. Of course, I didn't want to die.
"Didn't have a choice? What bullshit excuse is that?"
Why is she so aggressive?
Should I have told her that I was leaving? I had a day and a few hours to tell her, but I didn't.
No, that was the right choice. I couldn't deal with seeing her cry so... that's why I left without telling her.
"Well? Tell me, now that we're talking."
Maki said.
I didn't say anything. I stared at her.
When she got the feeling that I wouldn't talk, she winced and continued walking ahead.
"I see. See you tomorrow, Sasaki."
She's... referring to me by my last name. I guess friendships don't last forever.
"Shoya, you're..."
"I'm fine."
I told Kuro, as I wiped the tear that secretly dripped down my cheek.
I don't understand girls. Or, at least the girls that I think of as close friends. In order to get some more understanding, I need to call someone.
"Kuro, go on ahead."
I told her.
I got out my phone and texted someone.
The text read:
--[Are you free? If so, meet me in the Sakura Cafe near my school.]
I sent another text saying:
--[You should know where that is.]
"What'd you mean? Shoya, I know you're sad but we should get home."
"Yeah, I am sad but I'm finding a way to understand it."
Kuro furrowed a brow.
"Understand it?"
There were multiple vibrations from my phone.
I looked at the texts and Kuro peeked at my phone screen.
[Lol. Now you ask for my help. Okay, I'll comply. Don't worry, I know where it is.]--
[4:30 pm should be fine, right?]--
[I'm in Hawaii right now but getting over there shouldn't be a problem.]--
[See you there. :P]--
"This person is in Hawaii? It's almost 4:00 pm now, how will they get over here?"
Kuro asked, surprised.
I smiled.
"The answer is simpler than you think."
"Huh?"
"Just go home and tell the others that I'll be home a little late."
The black-haired girl didn't look pleased.
"Who're you going to see?"
"No one. Just a white-haired flirt."