========== Back in the Academy ==========
“All right everyone, time out!” Kaori exclaims as her loud voice echoes throughout the entire training arena.
The Class Three students acknowledge their homeroom teacher’s instruction, promptly dismounting from their Uchiganes and setting them to standby modes.
“Early end, I suppose?” Tsurugi asks her while walking up to her side as she dismounts from her unit as well.
“That’s right. Make sure everyone return their respective units back in the hangar. Get them to wash up as well…”
“Will do, Sensei!”
“Finally~! Shower time!” Kirin exclaims in delight while tapping Tsurugi’s back.
Kaori smiles at them then makes her way towards the arena’s hangar bay while the two girls turn to their classmates.
“All right everyone! Lesson’s wrapped up for the day, let’s return the units and wash up!”
“Okay!”
The other students board their Uchiganes and make way for the hangar bay while Kirin spots Inami sitting on the ground with his back against a wall.
“Ari-nii! Aren’t you going to shower as well?” She calls out while jogging her way to his side along with Tsurugi.
“In a bit… I just need a short breather. Then I’ll head back to Hall Seven, pretty sure no one uses the shower there.”
“We’ll come along then, Ina-kun. There’s plenty of time before dinner anyways.”
“If you have nothing else on, I suppose that’s all right.”
“Cool! We’ll head off to shower and get our clothes then we’ll meet up again at Hall Seven, yeah?”
“Of course! Also, I forgot to mention this earlier… But I’m quite impressed how fast the students learned the defensive moves.”
“That’s Class Three for you, Ari-nii. We’re not as famous as Class One or Two but we’re one of the most
adaptable students of the first years.” Kirin proudly remarks then taps lightly on the side of his arm.
“The lesson today definitely proved that.” Inami replies with a cheery smile.
“
Actually Inami-san, I was able to survey the students’ learning curve during the lesson. Not only do they learn fast but they are somehow able to apply their newly-taught skills into combat almost immediately… It’s remarkable to say the least.” Fal speaks from the glowing spearhead pendant hanging on his neck.
“Yeah. Well then, I hope all of you will keep this up for future lessons.”
“Of course! We always have!”
“Good to hear that. I’ll see you two soon!”
Inami waves off then walks his way towards the hangar bay while Tsurugi and Kirin sees him off. Kirin then nudges Tsurugi’s arm, prompting her to turn her head.
“…?” Tsurugi looks over to her, whose keeping her sights on the hangar door while her mouth slowly opens.
“There’s something…”
“Something…?”
Kirin attempts to speak but a strong hesitation holds her back.
“It’s… It’s just, my sister is… well…”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing… Talia-neesan called me the night before, saying that she is getting discharged from hospital soon.”
“Ah… That’s good news, right?”
Kirin softly smiles then looks up to Tsurugi.
“Yes it is! Just that… She also said she’ll be flying over to Japan to visit me once she’s discharged.”
“That’s great! Guess she really misses you.”
“I suppose so… But I’m not so sure…” Kirin’s expression slowly changes to woe while looking back at the hangar bay doors ajar, with Inami no longer in sight.
“What do you mean?”
“I have a feeling that she’s not going to like it if she finds out about Ari-nii’s unit…”
Tsurugi gasps softly, immediately recalling the origins of the Minerva’s core unit.
‘That’s right… Ina-kun’s unit is—’
She pause her thoughts upon feeling a light tap on her arm as she then looks at Kirin, whose face quickly grows a smile as she casts the concerns aside.
“Let’s leave it for later… We still have around a week before she comes.”