Inverse System

Back in the gulf city, the group was preparing to leave Sho's house, some of them going to take commissions, some of them going to battle strategies class with the principal. Everyone left, and it was only Rein, Sho, and Chloe left.

"You okay Sho? I didn't hold back much, it's impressive how fast you recovered," Rein complimented as Sho recalled something.

"Yes, that nurse's Spring is really powerful. Is she a student? I wanted to thank her, but she ran away as I woke up," Sho informed, wanting to know the identity of the one who healed him so quickly.

"I don't get hurt that often so I don't really know her," Rein laughed and went into thinking position as he felt Chloe and Sho stare at each other, Rein smiling, understanding the situation.

"Heh, I guess I'll leave you two alone for a bit to sort things out. I'm assuming you're going out on a commission after this Chloe? Too bad I can't join you. I'll be heading back to the dorm, see ya," Rein waved as he left the house, leaving Sho and Chloe alone to sort out their situation.

As Rein left, his face turned stern as he faced the north exit. He put his hood up and ran through the crowd in the streets, running through to the tunnel as he talked to Versys.

"You felt that? There's a shit ton of people above us. Who knows what happened to Chloe's bro," Rein thought in his head.

"You'd better hurry, it's about to get worse," Versys warned as Rein exited the tunnel, seeing the sight of thousands of Orthlys soldiers spread across the grass field.

However, to his surprise, they were all retreating, riding back northeast. Scratching his head, he didn't notice Zane anywhere in sight.

"What the hell happened here..?" Rein uttered as he stared into the horizon.

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"Forgive me, princess," Sho calmly apologized, bowing his head down to Chloe who stood there with a serious expression on her face.

"It's fine. I can see the merits to the prince and a princess of Econica and Orthlys getting married, so I don't blame you for what you did," Chloe spoke in a mellow tone.

"No… Those weren't my intentions. I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, but my intentions weren't to put a stop to the war diplomatically," Sho admitted as he straightened his back, perking back up from the bow.

"Then you…" Chloe stopped speaking and let him continue.

"Yes… Princess Chloe, I love you."

Chloe stared at him in awe as he poured his heart out, him staring back at her as she showed a shocked reaction.

"Though, I'm afraid it might be too late now, isn't it?" Sho's face washed over with disappointment as he spoke those words, Chloe's expression changing to a sorry one.

"Sho Econ… Thank you for everything that you've done. I now see what kind of man you are. You're caring, reliable, resolute, and you never give up. When I was crying, you did all you could to comfort me. Even after class, you escorted me back home. And back when we were kids, you would always come back for more after I kick your butt," she giggled as she spoke, Sho's eyes glimmering with happiness.

"Heh, so you still remember. But even with all that being said, I'm just not the one, am I?"

"Yes. Despite all that, I'm sorry, but I fell for someone else. He's mysterious, strong, and always does the unexpected, yet, he inspires me, makes me feel safe, and fills me with happiness all at once. I don't know how it came to be, but I think I fell for him at first sight," she divulged as Sho sat down on his futon, leaning against the wall as he stared into the ceiling.

"Yeah, he's strong alright. I'm assuming you're gonna try and keep it secret?" Sho predicted, to which she nodded.

"How did you know?" She asked.

"Haha, that's just the kind of person you are. Considering all of those false rumors around you, I figured you didn't want them to associate him with you. Though, I really think it's unnecessary," Sho exclaimed.

"Unnecessary? How's that?" Chloe sounded.

"That guy's like a brick fucking wall. Do you think a little gossip would get to him? But ultimately, it's up to you and him. If he's the type of guy I think he is, he'd probably just grow from the shit they say. If he is that kind of guy, then I think you're in good hands," Sho spoke as he put his knee up as an armrest for his arm.

"Thank you… I was just about to go out on a commission with the rest of class S, you're free to join us if you'd like," Chloe invited him, to which he shook his head in negation.

"Thanks for the offer, but I think I'm gonna rest up in here for a bit… That nurse sure was good, but my stamina is still depleted. I'll see you tomorrow though," Sho waved as Chloe left.

He dropped his head down to his futon, putting his arm over his eyes as he did when he spoke with Rein after their fight. He smiled in acceptance, sighing to himself.

"Tough luck for me I guess."

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Later that night.

"I'm back!" Chloe entered the dorm room after returning from her commission.

"Welcome back!" The two girls rushed out of the kitchen to meet her at the door, as soon as she saw them she pounced, hugging them tightly and snuggling her face against theirs.

"Are you not tired? You should rejuvenate with a bath," Saphrilla suggested as her face was being mushed against Chloe's.

"Just seeing both your cute faces is enough to rejuvenate me!" Chloe gushed as she continued squeezing them, Emria laughing semi-happily and semi-nervously, while Saphrilla sighed, unamused.

"Were you two cooking? Want me to help?" Chloe asked, seeing slight smudges of tomato sauce on their faces.

As she asked that, the two jumped in their skin, knowing how abysmal her skills in the kitchen were.

"Ahaha… I think we'll be good…" Emria slowly began walking backward.

"Y-you should simply take a bath for now Chloe," Saphrilla suggested, the two bolting it back to the kitchen as she stood there, confused as to what just happened.

She sighed and took off her shoes, getting a change of clothes ready for when she got out of the bath, wanting to get into something comfortable.

"Hm, I haven't seen Rein yet…" She said as she was about to enter the bathroom.

"He's in the training room! He got us to seal it with soundproof pads earlier and told us not to interrupt him!" Emria shouted from the kitchen.

"Though, he did say that if you come we should notify him. You could go and notify him yourself!" Saphrilla raised her voice as Chloe thanked them for telling her, putting her change of clothes in the bathroom then walking to the training room, which was closed by see-through sliding doors, which were no longer see-through as they were padded from the inside.

She knocked on the door, then slid it open, seeing Rein cross-legged on the ground, his hair black, his eyes closed as he breathed in a rhythm.

She slowly closed the door behind her, sealing the room back in a soundproof barrier.

"Oh, you're back Chloe," Rein opened his eyes and greeted her, his hair turning back to normal.

"Haha, so you noticed me. Sorry for interrupting you, I just wanted to let you know before I took a bath," she laughed as he stood up.

"No worries, I was just meditating," he stretched out, having kept that position for hours without interruption.

"Meditating?" She said in a curious voice.

"Yeah, though I was thinking about you most of the time so it distracted me," he approached her, getting in very close proximity with her as he put his arm on the wall behind her.

"Wha… And how is that my fault?" She blushed, looking away from him.

"You're gonna have to apologize somehow, right?" He tilted her chin back to look him in the eyes, seeing her glistening purple eyes contrast against her bright red face, which amused him.

"Rein… I just came to tell you I'm back…" She faintly resisted, not actually putting up much of a fight.

"Oh? Then why'd you close the door behind you when you entered? You know, the rooms soundproof. We could do whatever we want in here, nobody could hear us, and we wouldn't hear them," he lifted his hand to her cheek as he caressed it gently, her finally giving in to his advances.

She closed her eyes and got ready, waiting in great anticipation as she felt his hand smoothly embrace her cheek. However, she didn't feel anything after a while. She peeked her eyes open, seeing Rein smiling at her tensed-up face, smugly looking at her as he removed his hand off of her cheek.

"Well, thanks for letting me know you're back! The girls should be finishing up dinner soon, so go get freshened up and join us!" Rein suddenly opened the door behind her, then patted her on the shoulder, walked to the living room, and sat down on the couch.

She stood there, bewildered with a lingering blushed face as her lips trembled, small tears forming in the corner of her eyes out of disappointment, glaring at him angrily as he sat at the couch, carefree.

"You idiot!"