"Ohhhh" Khay exclaimed. "Would you look at the time, we really need to get going, else there's going to be trouble."
"Really?" Trilith and Lilith asked in unison.
"Yes, now come on."
"Alright." Lilith responded.
"See you at the event Kaina." Khay waved, giggling.
"Don't be late." Trilith shouted.
The three took to the roofs and sped off into the distance leaving Kaina there by himself.
"That's kinda not fair… I didn't even get to say much to you guys." He cracked a faint smile.
The life of the party rushed at Trilith and brought him back to reality. And quickly he had to ask. "What even led you to that conclusion?"
"What? Kaina? I read a book."
"Say what now?" Lilith shot out. "You… actually sat down to read something? Must have been quite the book. What's the title?"
"It's from this book I read a long time ago, I found it around the house, it was signed to Miscovan, so it's probably one of his things. But it looked like a very old book, too old to belong to that 30 something year old Miscovan."
"Maybe it was a gift?" Trilith suggested.
"Or family heirloom?" Lilith added.
"That old book? Well that's the only way it makes sense." Khay concluded.
"So, what was the title of this book?"
"I can't really remember, it's been years but the things I read then kept jumping at me and Kaina kept crossing my mind. It was something like—verbs?"
"Isn't that like basic language topic?" Trilith replied.
"Yeah, even Trilith knows that."
"Preverbs?" He said, wondering to himself.
"Ahhh… Just forget it, you're giving me a headache. I shouldn't have asked."
"Sorry Lily. I don't remember the title"
"Let's just ask Miscovan then. When we see him."
"Mischievous Trio."
A voice came calling.
"This voice." Trilith said, and they turned to see.
"Amine!"
"Hey there guys." He stood wearing a black suit over a white shirt and black trousers. Mira to his left wearing a light orange straight dress that hung a bit below the knee. Ingrid wore a sleeveless light pink mini dress and a had a black suit over it, Kiriku had on a black trouser and light violet shirt, then to Amines right was Han; in a hazel brown suit and trouser, then his younger brother Lui in a dark blue suit over a white shirt.
They joined them, exchanging pleasantries, went for some more drinks and talked and laughed about awhile.
"It's rare to see all us together like this isn't it?"
"True."
"School seems to have taken a toll on all of us."
"Speak for yourself Kiri boy." Khay replied. "The Mischievous Duo never tire."
"Trio." Mira added.
"What?" Lilith questioned.
"Well, you are part of them no matter how you look at it. I'm sure you've heard that before." Ingrid added, Lilith groaned in response.
"Don't fight it Lilith, you're as part of them as much as you choose to ignore it." Amine chuckled.
"I'm not." She sighed and they all laughed in response.
"It's nice to have us all together like this, really." Khay suddenly commented.
"It is." Amine replied.
"You think he's going to make it?" They were all silent after Khay asked that question. It was almost too obvious who he was referring to, to Amine, Lilith and Trilith.
"Well, the party isn't over yet, let's see." Amine responded.
"Who are you guys talking about?" Ingrid questioned.
And like a response by nature, he came strutting in wearing a deep purple colored suit and trousers. His hair was brushed to the back and trimmed, and over his nose, he had a white band aid.
"Speak of the devil." Amine said.
His presence warranted unwanted gazes and he saw people look at him and quickly avert their sights and they did their best to move out of his way.
"Great. He made it." Khay said.
"What's so great about him making it? I mean I know Takel gave you three specific orders not to miss this event but what's so great about Kaina's presence?" Mira incessantly questioned.
"You guys know something we don't?" Ingrid followed. "What could have changed? It's Kaina!" she stared in his direction and they all did too.
He had seen them and everyone that had seen him, he'd seen them too and he wanted to head over to the trio and others. But he had something he had to do first. His gaze located the Blue Peacocks. And he walked towards them without delay. Gathering his composure.
"Yegan."
"Kaina."
"Honcho" one of the Blue Peacocks spoke. He was the same guy Kaina had almost strangled about 4 hours ago.
"Kai…" Kaina called out. "How's your neck?"
"Nothing a good rub couldn't fix." He chuckled nervously. "Nothing to worry about."
"I see. That's… good."
"More importantly, Honcho, Yegan said you wanted to talk to us."
"Kai…"
"Honcho." Yegan sighed as he looked at Kaina.
"Yegan, Kai, Ohga, Yousef…Hodgard…" Surprised, their eyes fixated on him. This was something they hadn't experienced in years, for Kaina to call out their names. He normally didn't bother. The only one he allowed himself to have such luxury with was Yegan Yerevan and Kai, they had been friends with Kaina longer and even before the Blue Peacocks were formed. They came to know that sort of familiarity never travelled across to them unless he was angry or upset about something. And now, he was calling all of them, by name.
"Honcho… You're acting strange." Kai nervously chuckled. "Right guys?"
"I asked Yegan to assemble you guys... There is something I need to tell you."
"Boss." Hodgard, the grey haired hulking of a youth strongly spoke, his voice as bold as his physique. "Whatever that's on your mind, we're behind you."
"Who are we to hunt down? Is there anyone disturbing the majesty of the Blue Peacocks? We shall deal with them. Honcho needs not lift a finger." Ohga resounded.
Kaina couldn't help but crack a faint smile at their resolve and seemingly misplaced loyalty. As much as he loved that, it had gone on for far too long and it had to stop. They could be better.
"Ohga, Yousef, Hodgard, Kai. It is we, the Blue Peacocks who have been disturbing the peace of the students of Dolrea. I've had a sort of an eye opener and I've had to sit down with myself and ask myself some questions, the things we've done, the things I've led you to do. I'm sorry… guys."
"Honcho…" Kai softly cried out.
Back at the Khay's corner, the group couldn't help but focus on Kaina, he was being odd, the trio and Amine had a fair idea, but the others did not.
"Looks like they're just… talking." Ingrid commented
"Very weird." Kiriku supported.
"That's a really rare to see coming from a group like Kaina's." Mira added
"Well… what do you know, people can change?" Khay wondered.
"I should have done better." Kaina said to his friends. "We can do better, and I know it's not going to be easy, hell, we've made enemies these past years, and it'd be a surprise if they just vanished but they won't, so it won't be easy to make a change."
"Yegan." Ohga called out. "What's boss saying?"
"He's saying that… we're turning over a new leaf." He smiled.
"We are?" Kai exclaimed.
"Yes we are. Starting today." Kaina re-affirmed. "But first, there are a few things I need to get out of the way. Try to keep your eyes focused, this is the new me, at least who I am trying to be."
"Boss…" their softened voice let out.
Yegan could only sigh in response as Kaina walked away from them. And he found his way to the pulpit that had a microphone set on. And everyone turned their attention on him.
He tapped the microphone. "Uhmm… Can I have everyone's attention?"
"What now?" Ingrid cried out.
"Khay…" Lilith called out. "You don't think he's going to- -"
"Oh I think he just might." Khay responded.
They conversed amidst the murmuring body of students.
"Ladies and gentlemen." He paused and huffed out nervously as everyone's attention was on him. "Boys and girls." He reached out into his pocket and pulled out a paper and began to unfold it.
"Yup." Khay softly replied to Lilith's suspicion. The room was quiet and everyone there was attentive to what Hikami Kaina had to say. And he did not waste any time.
"Over the course of years we've spent at this very academy, which has been home to students from far and wide, made to live in peace and learn from one another, there came a storm, an annoyance, a beast, that disturbed this peace we shared. And it got worse and worse, I was that beast that disturbed the peace we shared. I've done things which I am not proud of, some things I can't take back. I know I have no right to ask because of the pain I have caused you, but I met a very good old friend of mine, who knew the Kaina before the Blue Peacocks came to be and offered me a light to my path, the path I strayed from. I have wronged you all and I know I stand in no place of worth but I must ask, I ask you to forgive me, for tormenting you over all these years. Forgive the members of the Blue Peacocks. They only followed me, and my twisted nature didn't spare even them for what I subjected you all to.
Thank you, Yegan, for always trying to speak sense into me, Raggard Ramparts; thank you for opposing me and my misguided ways. Mischievous Trio; Khay Barmeda Chislon, Llilith Rajagalia, Trilith Rajagalia, thank you for being the light that I couldn't see.
To the entire students of Dolrea Academy, thank you for bearing with me and my blind cruelty, I promise. That is a thing of the past. Once again, I ask that you find it in you to forgive me."
Kaina was done with his apology and yet, the room was dead silent, there was no roaring of cheers or applause, just silence. Then...