In the empty classroom, Hajime was standing in front of Sophia. His heart was pounding in his chest. He couldn't even hear his thoughts. Sophia was sitting down, staring at the wooden floor. Suddenly she stood up and hugged Hajime. She started to sob on his shoulder.
"You've been through so much."
Hajime hugged her back. He could feel all of his stress melting away. The smell of roses lingered in the air.
"Do you still see me as me?"
Sophia pulled away from his shoulder and stared him right in the eyes.
"You're still the Hajime I raised and have known for all these years. It doesn't matter if you were a thousand year old man or an actual baby. What matters is our time together."
Hajime pulled her to his chest.
"Thank you."
Sophia pulled back away and pinched his cheek. Her mouth twitched.
"So, how many women have you slept with?"
She narrowed her eyes as if she was daring him to lie to her.
"Ouch ouch, only two mom."
"Really? Only two? Why?"
"It's simple really. I didn't want my secret to spread out and I didn't want to have more children."
Sophia's jaw dropped. She muttered the word children, over and over under her breath. Hajime thought she stuck on a loop.
"How many?"
Hajime scratched his cheek.
"Three."
"Don't tell me Sakura is the mother."
"Uhh, yes?"
Sophia started to massage her temple, "I'm a grandma. My daughter and son are the parents. Triplets."
"Don't worry Mom, they won't be born for at least three weeks. Maybe even a few more months."
Hajime hoped they wouldn't be born so soon.
"Three weeks?" she tilted her head, "I thought it takes at least 2 years before a floralith lay seeds."
Sophia facepalmed, "That flower pot! Those were the seeds."
He patted her head, "Believe me I was as shocked as you are right now."
Sophia pursed her lips, "Who else did you sleep with?"
"Veloria Radiante."
"You mean Velor? I didn't know you were into men," she grinned.
"I'm not," Hajime scowled, "Veloria is pretending to be a prince for some reason. We both got drunk and had sex. And I think I promised to keep her safe forever?"
"What a gentleman. Get a woman drunk and sleep with them."
"Hey, I didn't force her okay."
"I know," she smiled, "I'm proud of you. You didn't take advantage of them and you didn't turn into a sex crazed lunatic like the church of Abstinence claims."
She sighed, "But Hajime. Please don't waste your points on me. I'm happy to just be a part of your journey. You need them to keep yourself safe. Especially for when that unknown being comes here. I don't want to see you get hurt because of me."
Hajime flicked her forehead, "I'm not wasting my points on you. I want to help you achieve your dreams. If I can't do that and stay safe even with this cheat-like system, then I shouldn't have a system."
Sophia pulled him into a hug and Hajime wrapped his arms around her. He could stay like that forever.
He stroked her hair, "And you deserve it."
Sophia started to sob. They stood there for a while, enjoying each other's company, happy to be closer to each other.
"Mom, I need your advice."
"About?"
"Aveline. Octavia told me not to tell her the truth but I want to. I don't know what to do."
Sophia rubbed her chin, "It all depends on if Aveline even wants to hear the truth. So just start by asking her."
"You're not worried that she'd spread my secret around or that the Empresses would find out."
Sophia shrugged.
"I don't think she will but even if she does. You can pin her as a liar and that she's trying to pin Blake's death on you."
"I'm not doing that."
She chuckled, "I know but even if she does tell someone. You still have Octavia to help you. If word gets out I'll ask Nyssa for help. I'll even ask Kaelos if I have to."
Hajime frowned at the mention of Kaelos. The strongest man alive. He was jealous of him; he was that strong without a system. But seeing the beautiful woman in front of him, his jealousy went away.
Sophia poked his forehead, "Quit making a weird face."
Grabbing Sophia's waist, pulling her chin up with his other hand, looking at her lips, he kissed her. Sophia froze. Hajime kissed her a couple more times. Sophia pushed him away.
"We shouldn't. Especially not here."
Hajime smiled, "That's what makes it so exciting."
Hajime kissed her. Sophia's resistance died down, she wrapped her hands around his neck, leaning forward. Hajime caressed her lower back, grabbing her butt. She pulled away.
"Okay okay, that's enough."
He chuckled, "As you wish Mom."
Sophia grabbed her books and straightened her uniform.
"Well Hajime, I'll need to return back to work. "
Hajime kissed her goodbye and left her classroom. He left the main Academy building and entered the cobblestone pathway that led to his home. He needed to see Aveline.
In front of the iron gate, there was man, standing there. The gate was open but he didn't enter. The pathway was blocked by a little girl, her arms crossed, her eyes as cold as ice. Her long blue hair was tied in a ponytail.
"Good morning Sakura."
Sakura stomped her foot, "Hajime."
He gulped. Sakura only used his real name when she was upset; really upset. He slowly walked towards her. Not making any sudden movements as if he was approaching a wild animal. He stopped in front of her, his hand reaching for her head, ready to pat her.
She slapped his hand away.
"Where were you?"
Hajime scratched his neck. Did she mean this morning? Just now? Last night?
"I was with mom."
"I meant. This morning. I checked your room. You weren't there and Aveline seemed upset."
"I was uh, with Veloria."
Sakura narrowed her eyes, "Did you sleep with her?"
"Yes. No. Sorta."
"I thought we agreed on an order. Aveline first then Veloria then Brielle and lastly Calantha."
"Alcohol has a funny way of messing with plans."
Sakura crossed her arms.
"Explain."
"We were drunk and I was feeling too guilty."
Sakura sighed, "Anything else?"
"I may have told Mom and Octavia my secret and I'm going to tell Aveline." he averted his gaze.
Sakura slapped him. Hajime cupped his cheek. She slapped his other cheek.
"Hajime. I think the alcohol made you forget the meaning of secrets. If everyone knows your secret then it isn't a secret."
"I don't like lying Sakura."
"I know but you're hungover and revealing secrets isn't the way to feel better. Sleep on it before deciding to tell Aveline."
Hajime nodded and tried to walk past Sakura. Sakura grabbed his uniform and yanked him back. On the stone walkway, in front of Sakura, the iron gate prevented Hajime from falling down. Sakura had her arms crossed, her eyes were glaring at him, and a vein was bulging on her forehead. A shiver spread down his spine.
"So there's this funny rumor going around. It seems as if you killed three people. Care to explain?"