"I'm glad to see things are starting to change, Sona." A voice called out to them from the left hallway.
"Oh, Master. I'm glad to see you're back. You disappeared after we returned to the classroom." Sona turned around to face the short, strawberry blonde beauty.
"Yes, I did. I'm sorry I left without saying anything. Did you miss me?" Saphira teased and walked up to him. She placed her hands on his chest and pressed her forehead against him. "If it was up to me, I'd never leave your side, my sweet Sona." She cooed and hid her face in his chest with a smirk.
"Master, you're embarrassing me." Sona scratched his cheek shyly.
"No fair, Saphira! You're hogging Sona!" Ayame pouted and wrapped her arms around his neck from the side.
"Ah, Ayame...?" Sona looked at the young wolfborn and chuckled softly. "You girls make each day happy for me." Sona reached both hands up, placing one on each of the girls heads. "Thank you. Really." He started rubbing their heads gently.
"Hehe. I'll help make each day happy, Sona." Ayame giggled happily, her lavender tail swaying back and forth.
"That's right. We all will. Won't we, ladies?" Saphira called out to the girls hiding in the shadows.
"How did she notice us?" Deltune whispered to the other girls.
"She's just got a nose for that sort of thing." Konotsune shrugged and was the first to walk out.
"I don't know why I let you involve me in this scheme of yours..." Sulris sighed and shook her head.
"Well nobody stopped you, Sulris." Ellie teased and stuck her tongue out at the dark elf.
"Ok, ladies. It's fine. Just know I won't do anything with one of you that I wouldn't do with all of you. You are all so important and special to me. I don't want to lose any of you." Sona smiled softly and waved the other girls over.
"You are indeed a strange one, Sona." Saphira shook her and chuckled softly.
"You're gonna make us cry, Darling." Ellie whispered and all the girls crowded around Sona.
They all shared a warm embrace for several moments. "Okay." Deltune sniffed. "Let's get going. We are going to be late."
"Yeah. You're right." Sulris backed away and dried her eyes. 'He really cares about all of us.' She thought to herself as the other girls pulled away.
"Looks like we missed the group hug." Junichi laughed as he walked down the spiral staircase situated in the middle of the room.
"Oh, boo. I wanted to be included." Subaru pouted as she followed after her brother.
"There will be plenty more down the road. I'll make sure everyone is included, even you Junichi." Sona looked to his shield familiar and smirked.
"Oh, that won't be--" Junichi went to protest.
"Hehe. Yay, Uncle Junichi will join us, too!" Ayame giggled happily.
"I...." Junichi sighed. "Yeah, I'll join you next time." He closed his eyes and folded his arms across his chest in defeat.
"Haha. Even the stalwart Junichi isn't strong enough to resist Ayame's charm." Sona joked and grinned.
Every one started laughing as Junichi's cheeks turned red.
"Alright everyone, let's get a move on." Subaru started herding them all towards the door.
Forty minutes later, the nine of them had gathered around the massive fountain in front of the mall to wait for the rest of their class. The courtyard outside the Mall was massive, featuring dozens of vendors and food stalls just outside. The fountain behind them was powered by Magitech Stones and featured numerous water spouts that shot up every couple of seconds.
"I guess we still managed to get here early despite our earlier distractions." Sona looked up at the clock tower that sat atop the mall. "1:50. Okay. They should be arriving soon." Sona took a seat on the small concrete wall that surrounded the fountain.
"I'm actually a little surprised. Okay. Well, since we have time..." Saphira looked to Sona. "I'm taking the girls over here for a moment. Sona, be a dear and wait here for the others. Ladies. if you'll follow me." She motioned with her finger for the other girls to follow her.
"Okay, Master. I'll be here." Sona watched curiously as the girls left and followed Saphira. "I guess it's just you and me, Junichi. What do you suppose they are doing?" Sona looked to his familiar in hopes of an answer.
"I honestly can't say with any certainty, Master Sona. I can't read that woman at all. It's like she knows I'm watching so she conceals her thoughts entirely. However, she's done a lot for you and I know you care for her, so I'll trust her for you." Junichi explained "Sorry I couldn't give you the answer you wanted."
"It's no problem, Junichi. You are just looking out for my safety. I appreciate that, and thank you for trusting her." Sona blushed. "I do care about her deeply, and the others. Even you, Junichi. It's like having a big brother again."
"Again? Did something happen to him?" Junichi looked to his Master.
"No, nothing like that. Before I died I checked up on him. Healthy as an ox and a beautiful family." Sona sighed and hung his head. "However, he and the rest of my family disowned me. None of them wanted anything to do with me. I can't say I blame them. I was a real piece of shit, Junichi. To them, to what little friends that stuck around and worst of all to myself." Sona sighed and shook his head, trying to forget the past. "Honestly I wonder if they even cared that I died." He exhaled slowly.
"Master.." Junichi stepped towards him. "Dwelling on the past won't change a thing. If you spend your whole life living in the past, you'll forget the present and you won't have a future. You don't want that life again. Look at the pain it's caused you, Master, but look where you are now. You've got amazing talent, wonderful women throwing themselves at you, and a second chance at life." Junichi reached his hand out and grasped Sona's shoulder. "If it helps, you can think of me as your older brother. It will become true eventually, anyway. Subaru loves you. You know that. If you marry her, I'll become your brother in law. Until that happens, though..." He crouched down and hugged Sona. "I'll look out for you, like a real brother."
"Junichi..." Sona felt tears begin to form in his eyes. 'He's right. The past may hurt, but I can't live there. Nothing good will come from that line of thinking.' Sona's resolve to not cry was shattered when Junichi hugged him. Tears streamed down his face no matter how many times he dried his eyes. "Thank you, Junichi. Thank you..." He hugged Junichi and cried for several minutes.
A few people passing by watched the scene but other then that, they just kept moving along.
"Ahh.." Sona sniffed and dried his eyes. "I haven't cried like that in a long time." Sona wiped away the last of his tears.
"Well, it's my duty to protect you. Not just from outside harm, but also from your own emotional and psychological problems. I meant it, though, Master. I'd be honored to call you my brother." Junichi stepped back a bit. "If that's okay."
'I've yet to see Junichi act like this before now. What's running through his mind...?' Sona thought. "I'd like that, Junichi." He looked around slowly. "It just now turned 2pm. The others should--"
"Sona! Junichi!" Artemisia's voice called happily towards them. She waved both her arms over her head, giggling while she called to them.
"Speak of the devil." Sona chuckled and rose to his feet. He waved back at the Dryad girl. Toshi and Aki were tagging along behind her.
"Hey, what's going on Sona? Where are all your lady friends?" Toshi asked as they drew near.
"Saphira needed to talk to them alone. No clue as to the nature or reason of the conversation." Sona pointed off in the direction they had left.
A few minutes before Sona met the others.
"Saphira. How far are we going? Why can't we speak in front of Sona?" Deltune questioned after they had walked a pretty good distance from his side.
"Yes. I'm curious, as well." Ellie spoke up after Deltune.
"Well there are two things I wish to discuss. The first one we could have done in front of him, but the second thing..." Saphira came to a stop and turned around to face them. "...is I wanted to ask you about him. Has he said anything since you all confessed to him?"
"Oh, I see now." Ellie placed her hand on her cheek and twirled in place, her dress swaying with her movements.
"He told the three of us that he loved us, but other than that, no. He's still trying to make a place for himself in this world." Deltune looked up at Saphira and smiled. "In all honesty, I'll wait however long I must. For a thousand years or more if that's what it takes."
"You really love him, don't you, Deltune?" Ayame looked to the blue haired goddess.
"Mm-hmm." She nodded and covered her face with her hair. "I've loved him since before he even knew me."
'Hm. Before they even met? There's a story there. Now I'm curious, but I can wait.' Saphira thought to herself.
"Honestly, I think it would be best to wait until he graduates before we push the issue." Elandeli yawned softly and looked back towards the fountain. "What was that other thing you wanted to discuss?"
"Right. You did mention there was a second reason." Sulris looked back at Saphira.
"The second thing. Right. Well in two months summer vacation starts for students. I was planning a two week training camp just for the girls. That way I can train you all personally, away from prying eyes. Your practical exams take place once you return from summer break, so it would keep you in top form, plus help you all grow stronger." Saphira looked to each of the girls. "The choice is entirely yours, and one you don't have to make right away. Take some time and think on it."
"Hm. A training camp, huh?" Konotsune mulled the idea over in her head. "Well, I do want to grow stronger for him. I know you said we had some time, but I've already made my decision. I'll go."
"Well if my darling little sister is going, then I can't possibly stay behind. I can't let her outshine me. Count me in." Ellie nodded to her sister and smiled.
"I'm going, too." Deltune wasn't about to be outdone by the other girls.
"If Big Sis Deltune is going then I refuse to stay behind. Me, too!" Ayame exclaimed and raised her hand.
"Well I won't be the odd one out. I'll go with them." Sulris looked to the other girls. "We all should grow stronger together, after all."
Saphira grinned and nodded her head as she folded her arms across her chest. "Good, good. I'm glad you all realize what's at stake. I'll make you stronger. That's a guarantee." She looked around and nodded. "Let's head back. I'm sure the others have arrived by now."
The ladies all turned around and began to retrace their steps.
"You okay Sona? You look you've been crying." Toshi asked as he sat down beside the red haired boy.
"Mm? Ah, yes. I was just thinking about my island. I got a little homesick. That's all. Thanks for asking, bro." Sona looked up at the clouds passing overhead and forced a smile on his face. 'Just make yourself smile. When you do, you will make yourself happy.'
"Ah. I understand that sentiment." Artemisia walked over slowly, a slight side to side sway in her steps. "I miss the forests where I was conceived. It's so different outside the safety of the massive oaks that cover our commune." She sat down on the other side of Sona. "It's okay to feel homesick. Just cherish the memories that you have and don't think about the bad. I know it sounds hard, but nothing in life worth doing comes easy." Her legs dangled from the concrete wall, bouncing back and forth.
"Artemesia..." Sona nodded. "Thank you. Both of you."
"Sona!!!!" A voice shouted his name from a distance.
"Hm? Ayame...?" Sona stood up and looked around slowly. 'There's to many people. It's hard to pick someone out of a crowd this thick.'
"Sona!" Ayame shouted his name again as she pushed through the crowd of people. She managed to get through after some struggling and fell into his arms.
"A-Ayame!" Sona was shocked but calmed down after a second and hugged her to his chest. "That was a bit scary."
"There are so many people." Ayame looked up. "The others are behind me. We should meet up with them. They aren't as crowded over there." Ayame pointed in the directed she had traveled.
"Yeah. That sounds like a good idea." Aki rose to her feet and grabbed Toshi's hand. "Come on brother or we'll be left behind."
"Me, too!" Artemisia grabbed Toshi's hand and then grabbed Sona by his hand, too. "Stay together!" She giggled softly.
"Right. Ayame." Sona gently grabbed her hand. "Show us the way."
"Mm." She nodded and started pulling on Sona's arm. "Where'd Junichi go?" She asked as she looked behind them.
"No clue. I wouldn't worry, though. Junichi is quite intuitive. He'll find us once we are clear." Sona informed the Wolfborn.
After some intense shoving and pushing, the five of them managed to get through the crowd of people. It was a hard fought battle but they emerged on the other side, victorious.
"Whew." Sona exhaled heavily. "Is everyone here?" He looked around slowly and counted.
"Yeah. I'm here. Toshi, too." Aki sighed and stood up.
"I'm here, too. Hehe." Artemisia giggled happily. "That was fun."
"You and I have drastically different ideas on what constitutes as fun." Ayame breathed deeply and stood up straight. "Okay. It's just over this way." Ayame grabbed Sona's hand again. "Forward!" Ayame shouted happily as they took off.
"Okay." Sona chuckled softly. "Come on you three." Sona looked back at the three students behind him.
"Coming!" Artemisia happily rushed after them followed by the two kitsune siblings.
"Ayame should be back soon." Sulris leaned against the wall, near the door to the entrance.
"Yes. Sona should be with her along with our classmates." Deltune kept her gaze towards the direction of the fountain.
"Here they come." Konotsune pointed towards a head of fiery red hair bouncing through the crowd.
"It's about time." Saphira chuckled and walked over to meet them. "Where are we having lunch?" Saphira looked around at the students.
"It's a little hole in the wall cafe. Very few people know about it, but it's amazing." Ellie motioned for them to follow her as she walked into the massive Dragon Peak Mall.
"Hm." Sona watched and then followed after them.
"What's wrong, Sona?" Deltune dropped back to check on him.
"Oh, nothing. Just thinking about this cafe. In my world, the best cafes were ones like that, hidden away. Diamonds in the rough. I was just wondering if it was the same here." Sona reached his hand over and gently slipped his fingers into her hand.
"Okay." She blushed and laced their fingers together. "You're doing okay here so far, right?" She looked over at her red headed lover.
"Yeah." Sona blushed. "I'm adjusting well so far. I really like it here. Thank you, Del."
"You don't need to thank me." Deltune blushed and turned her gaze to the ground.
"It's right up here, folks. Welcome..." Ellie stretched out her arms slowly. "To the Vanilla Blossom Maid Cafe!" Ellie spun around on her heels and giggled sweetly. "This is where Kono and I like to come a lot."
'A maid cafe...?' Sona thought and was stunned for a second. 'We had a lot of these where I lived, but I never went to one. They have them here, too?' Sona was pulled from his thoughts by a gentle tug on his arm.
"Come on, Sona. Let's go. I'm starving!" Deltune pulled him from his thoughts as they all entered together.
"Welcome home, Masters." A group of four maids stood in front of them and bowed.
"How many is in your party today?" One of them asked as she started gathering menus.
"Twelve of us, but two of them aren't here at the moment." Sona made sure to include room for Subaru and Junichi. 'I wonder where they went?'
Aki looked around the group, silently counting everyone present. "I think his math is off. There's only ten of us." She whispered to her brother.
Toshi looked around slowly. "Yeah, but you forgot those two people who stay by Sona's side. His familiars aren't here yet." Toshi whispered back to his sister.
"Very good. This way please, Masters." The cute red head turned around, her tail swaying side to side. She led them to a large table on the opposite side of the cafe. "Please let us know if you need anything." She looked to Sona. "Especially if you want something, cutie." She purred and reached her hand out, caressing his cheek with the back of her hand as she left.