Sitting down with Yuko, we finished the octopus balls. Eating beside her felt like dining with family. Though the food was different. Very different. The octopus was oddly chewy, but at the very least it got that man who claimed to be my father out of my mind.

"Done?" Serrano asked, snapping me back to reality. He watched us with careful eyes, as if he were a prison guard. He had finished his food before us. "We need to meet up with the others."

"Lighten up," Kohri said as he finished his own plateful.

"Lighten up? We're not here to play games or pig out!" he said, shaking his head. "We're only staying here to analyze the fighting styles of these mages in the hopes that the five will learn some magic. Now hurry up and finish or they'll think that something bad happened to us."

Kohri rolled his eyes. "You're as uptight as always. One would have thought that almost dying would make you appreciate life a little more."

Serrano narrowed his eyes. "And you're too carefree, despite being a knight."

"I'm not a knight anymore," Kohri said, his icy blue eyes on the empty container. "I am here as Tetsuya's blacksmith and soldier. Remember, I gave up on being a knight long ago. The only reason I joined was to keep an eye on Hyo."

"You should stop saying that. That title is ours from the day we take the oath up to the day we die. You should be aware of that, considering your predecessor."

What about his status as one of the Seven? My dad is still alive.

"I am not worthy of being Dad's heir," Kohri said as he closed the foam container. He stood up and threw it into the recycle bin. He turned toward his fellow Seven-Hill knight and walked past him as if they weren't talking a moment ago.

"What's his problem?" I questioned, tilting my head.

What came upon him to make him act like this? He's usually positive.

My cousin sighed. "You should ask him yourself, but I doubt that he'll tell you why he thinks the way he does."

I didn't doubt him, considering the way that Kohri avoided his question. Serrano also avoided my dad's question back at the hill.

"Hey, Serrano. What are you hiding?" I asked, tilting my head toward the right.

Serrano lowered his eyes toward my green armor. "Kohri should never have given you that armor." With those words he left, running off like some coward.

Perhaps this was my chance to get payback on that jerk. Still, I felt bad for teasing him. I chuckled. Since when had I started to care for others again? Especially that guy...

Alright, maybe I did care a bit when we thought him dead...

I glanced back at Yuko. Right, it all began with her. Or did it? Perhaps I never truly stopped caring.

Oh, come on Tetsu. You're just saying that to excuse the way that you treated Yuko when you first met her.

"Is something bothering Master? Yuko asked, glancing up at me with curious round eyes.

I patted her head and did my best to smile. "Don't worry about it."

Yuko flashed me a toothy grin and knocked the air out of my lungs with a hug.

I couldn't help but laugh. She had grown stronger. No longer did she show as much signs of illness as she did when we met. Perhaps, the only reason she had been in such bad condition was because of how that man treated her.

Is that guy really my father? He can't be... right? No, who are you fooling, Tetsu? He is. You just had to get one look at his face to see it, the connection. Not to mention, he can use Aventine.

Yuko's uncle stared at us with narrowed eyes. "I don't know what kind of spell you put on her but I'll uncover your deceit," he warned, eyes still filled with the same mistrust and hatred as before.

I tried my hardest to smile. He was just like the stupid king of my country. "Listen here, I won't hand over Yuko to you. Even if you are her family."

"Master," Yuko said, her face red.

I turned around. Why was she blushing?

"Let's go," I said, holding her hand tightly. I stopped by the banner and glanced back at her uncle. "Don't worry. I won't allow anyone to hurt Yuko. If my father dares to do something to her then I'll shield her with everything that I got. Though, I prefer to avoid that guy myself."

Yuko's uncle smiled slightly. "You better or I'll shatter that shield of yours as revenge."

"I'll shatter it myself if that ever happens," I said, looking down at the smiling Yuko.

My face reddened. Oh heavenly creator, was I becoming a lolicon like Eiichi? No way, that wasn't possible. Right?

I let go of Yuko's hand and ran out only to bump into my father. "You," I said, startled that he was sticking around.

"Hey there, son! I was just about to go look for you. I wanted to let you know that there's a place I need you to accompany me to," he said as he turned around. The mysterious man walked forward and stopped when he noticed that no one was following.

"Where?" I asked, keeping a firm grip on Yuko's hand.

I wasn't going to jump through this man's hoops like some circus animal. Something he was probably used to considering his field of work included selling rare animals.

"To Wynaga, the realm of dragons," he responded, lifting his hood over his head. "We are to take advantage of Agnes' broken state to upgrade it. Though first we need to convince someone to join your team. Or better yet to return to it."

Return to it... does he mean...

"For now go and rest. We will depart tomorrow, kiddo."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Don't call me kiddo! Not even son! I rather not be!" I snapped, averting my gaze.

"Tetsu..." he muttered.

I pulled Yuko away and ran to catch up with Serrano and Kohri. We were to meet up with Setsuko and the others.

***

"This is it," Serrano said, pointing to the ten story building in front of us. It was a building that resembled more a palace than an hotel. The outside facade was like that of a king's villa with ivory pillars and fountains with statues spitting out water. Not to mention the various kinds of flowers around us.

"Why are you acting so surprised?" Serrano asked, snickering. "The palace back home is more impressive than this hotel."

He was right, but the place gave out a warmth which the palace lacked. Ironic, considering the cold one was a 'home' yet it felt more frigid than an hotel.

"Yuko will be staying with Setsuko," Serrano said as we entered the lobby. It was made out of black marble. The floor was so well polished that one could easily see their reflection.

"Woah!" Yuko said, mouth wide.

The sound of snickering filled the lobby. Setsuko stood up from a comfy looking chair in the south-eastern corner.

"Ah, sorry," Setsuko said, stifling her laugh. She ran over to Yuko and hugged her tightly. "Aww, she's so cute! I wish that I had another sister like her."

I smiled but that smile vanished as soon as I glanced at the girl who was sitting near where Setsuko once was.

Rosalba stood up and pushed her long hair back. She gave her sister and Yuko a faint smile before walking away.

"Wait!" I called out.

Damn, why did you call her?

"Y... yes?" the second princess of Kuroriku asked without turning over to look at me.

"Uh, good night," I said.

"Y... you too," she said before running off.

"Hey," Setsuko said, walking up to me. "I know Serra told you this already but, please continue avoiding talking to my sister."

Does she still doubt my innocence?

"I don't think that you're the one who did it, and I think that deep down she herself would like to believe that," Setsuko continued. "Yet, it'll take time for her to fully accept it. It doesn't help that the idea that it was you was pushed on her."

Pushed on her? By who? Eiichi? Her father? The other knights?

"I wish that she had had more trust," I said, walking past Setsuko. "Hey, aren't you going to chase her?"

Setsuko folded her arms together and sighed. "Rosa told me to give her some room. She's still tired from the trip."

"I see," I said, stretching my arms toward the ceiling. "I'm pretty tired too. Know what number my room is?"

Serrano sighed. "You'll be sharing your room with me."

I raised an eyebrow. "You? Not Kohri?"

"If it was up to Hyosetsu and I, we would have avoided being paired up with you two. However, that's the way that Ximena and Setsuko paired us up."

Ximena ran in with Nori. "I heard my name brought up!" she yelled. "What's up? Anything wrong?"

"You paired me up with this guy?" I asked, shaking my head at her.

Ximena put her hands on her hips and nodded. "Yes. Serrano and you need to rekindle your friendship. Having you two be in the same room might help you two to talk."

Serrano and I glanced at each other than then turned away from the other. "As if I'll talk to this guy!" we said in unison.

Ximena walked up to us and put her hands on our shoulders. "Or would you rather sleep outside?"

"Sounds good to me, I'm used to it by now!" I snapped.

"I can sleep outside. I did it several times when I was a kid," Serrano said.

"Uh, that was with me," I said. A smile dotted my face. "I actually just recalled something."

Serrano gulped as he turned toward me. "Don't you dare bring that up."

"Oh?" the princess asked, inching forward. "What is it? Did Serrano pee his pants due to fear?"

"No way!" Ximena exclaimed, stepping back.

"No, but close enough!" I added.

"Don't, I'm warning you, don't do it!" my cousin snapped at me.

"You see.."

"Tetsu!" Serrano yelled, grabbing my by the shoulder.

I grinned. "Come on Serra, let me share it with them."

He narrowed his eyes. "You know, I still got that picture of you drooling."

"What?" Yuko asked. She began to jump up and down. "Let me see, let me see!".

"NO!" I yelled as Serrano brought out his phone. Why couldn't that thing have gotten lost in the Abyss? Or even better, destroyed.

Ximena giggled. "See, you two are sounding like your old selves again."

"Really?" Setsuko asked. "That means these two bickered like this even as kids?"

Ximena nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah. But it was much cuter." She nudged Nori forward. "He will be sharing the room with those two. He'll make sure that their fights don't become like the one that put Tetsu in a coma."

"How do you know about that?" Serrano asked, his face pale.

"I told her," Setsuko said as if she had done something to be proud of. "Now, tell me what you did as a kid and show me that embarrassing picture of Tetsuya!"

"How immature," I said, turning my back to her.

"Yeah," Serrano said, walking alongside me toward one of the silver elevators on the side of the lobby.

"Hey, who are you calling immature?" the first princess yelled.

"She's more childish than Yuko or Nori," Nori said, following us close behind.

I snickered. "Yeah."

Serrano stifled a laugh. "Though that's one of her cute points."

"Same with Rosa!" I said, grinning.

Nori narrowed his eyes at my cousin. "Does Serra like Setsu or Xime?"

Serrano's face reddened. "What kind of question is that?"

Nori ran on ahead of us and opened the elevator. "Serra is lucky that he saved Nori. If not then Nori would keep him away from Ximena."

I lowered my eyes. How would Nori react if he learned that I was the son of the one who enslaved his family? Would he hate me like Yuko's uncle did?

Serrano wrinkled his brow at the teen's words. "Keep me away from her?"

Think that Serra has a love rival on his hands.

https://youtu.be/9wp5jBgOcKo

***

"This is it," Serrano said, opening the door to our room. It wasn't the suite that I had expected it to be. Instead it was simply a room with two beds.

"Nori calls dibs!" the cat boy yelled, hugging a small bed.

"You don't want to trade?" I asked.

"Eh?" Nori asked, blinking.

"Yeah," Serrano said, nodding. "You wish to be a priest, right. It's only proper to give to the needy."

Wow, this guy should avoid spending too much time around Osamu and my father. He's starting to sound as manipulative as them.

Nori shook his head. "Ximena said to keep the single bed."

"What?" the two of us said.

So Serrano isn't the only one to have betrayed me. To think that I trusted in Ximena to side with me.

Nori frowned. "Sorry guys."

Yeah, right, like you're sorry. You just want to use Ximena's words as an excuse to have the bed for yourself! So much for a upcoming priest...

I sighed. "I guess that we got no choice."

Serrano sighed. "I don't know why Ximena still trusts you."

"And I don't know why she likes you."

"Go to sleep!" Nori yelled as he covered himself in blankets. "Or Nori will call Ximena and Setsuko here!"

This kid is using threats now? He's more like Ximena's faithful guard than a child of the cloth.

Serrano sighed as he took off his shirt, revealing his surprisingly toned upper body for someone who looked so lanky. He took out a pair of blue pajamas from his hyper ring as well as a pair of grey sweatpants and a blue shirt. He threw the sweatpants and shirt at me.

"There, put those on. Your clothes are covered in sand. Just be sure to dust it off before putting them on."

"Isn't there a shower here?"

Serra looked at the bathroom door. "Yes, but it's broken."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Did you break it?"

His left eye twitched. "Why do you think it was me?"

"Not sure, maybe you did it to spite me."

Serra gave me a deadpan look. "You think I'm that spiteful?"

I scoffed as as I removed my shirt. "You nearly killed me, cousin. Or did you forget?"

He grumbled.

I sighed. "Guess I'll just take a bath tomorrow someplace else. I should've asked Kuroshi to use his cleaning spell on me."

Serrano sat down on the bed. "How did that guy gain access to magic, you think?"

"No clue," I said as I changed into my sweatpants. "I wonder if we might have some Xelerian in our blood. Or maybe he used the cores he cultivated..." I lowered my head. "From Yuko's family."

Serra sighed. "The second theory does sound plausible."

I glanced over at Nori who was sleeping in his clothes even though they were almost as grimy as the ones I had on.

"Hey, Nori," I said.

"Yes?" Nori said, opening his eyes.

"You alright sleeping with those clothes on?" Serrano finished for me. "They're rather grimy with dust from the Abyss."

Nori glanced down at his clothes. "It's all that Nori has."

"Really?" I asked. I closed my eyes. This kid, he's so much like Takuya.

"Yes," Nori said, submerging his head into his red blankets. "Nori is an orphan like Yuko. Nori as Serra know, is being cared for by Ximena's papa and mama. Nori doesn't wish to use their money to buy new clothes. The church needs it, for repairs."

"The church?" Serrano asked.

"Ximena's papa is a priest. Nori is his pupil. Master Kasai no Ki is poor. The church is falling apart. It needs fixing. They already used money to buy Nori these clothes."

Serrano sat down on the bed and lowered his eyes to the blue carpet. "I know that, but not that they were struggling. Why didn't Ximena ever tell me?"

"I doubt that you could've helped her," I said, sitting down next to him. "You might be Setsuko's betrothed and a Seven-Hill, but you have no wealth. I also doubt that our king would've had money go to fixing the church of a couple of immigrants from Kasai no Ki. Or at least I don't imagine he would. Knowing him, and not to mention the bad blood between clans."

"You're right..." Serrano, looking down at his hands. "But I could at least help with manual labor. Hey, Nori, how about we go out early tomorrow to buy you some new clothes? I'll pay for them myself."

"Really?" Nori asked, wide-eyed.

Serrano stood up and walked over him. "Yeah. It's the least I can do for helping us out."

Nori smiled. "Gee, mister is so nice! Oh, but Nori wanted to go with Ximena to find his family."

"Your family?" I asked, sitting up. "Didn't you just say that you were an orphan."

"Nori means his mama and papa's family. Like Yuko, Nori had relatives who fled with hers. Nori wishes to find them. Tomorrow Nori and Ximena will ask Yuko's uncle if he knows where they are."

Serrano smiled. "That sounds good. Hopefully he does. If not then I'll do all that I can to help you find them. Though, if possible we might have to delay the search. I mean, our mission can't be derailed. We're here to observe the magic of the Xelerians and perhaps even to recruit additional allies in the fight against the Abyssmal beings."

Nori's eyes drooped down. "Oh..."

My cousin ruffled Nori's red hair. "Cheer up, kiddo."

Nori smiled back. "Thanks, Mister."

Serra chuckled. "Now off to bed you go. We have another long day tomorrow."

Serrano, he will make a great father one day. I... I hope that I will make a great one too.

I took the right side of the bed and closed my eyes as Serrano put Nori to sleep.

"Hey," I heard a voice call out, waking me up from my half slumber. I felt the bed move slightly as someone climbed on the left side.

"What?" I grumbled.

"T... t... thanks," Serrano whispered.

I opened my eyes. It was dark, but green light from one of planet Xeleria's three moons provided a bit of light. I spun around.

Did he just say what I think he said?

"What was that?" I asked, my eyes wide open now.

"You heard me," Serrano said, covering his face with the blankets. "Now go to sleep."

I laid on my back and smiled.

Maybe one day he'll be able to trust in me again.

"Hey, Serra?"

"Don't call me by that! You know I hate it," he snapped.

I snickered. "You know, the more you forbid it, the more I'll call you by it."

The guy sighed. "Just tell me what you were going to say."

"Do you still remember that day?" I continued.

"Which day? The one we met?"

"The day when we went camping."

Serrano laid on his back and stared up at the ceiling. "Oh, that one. Of course I do. Why else would I wish for you to shut up about it."

I snickered. "It wasn't all that bad."

***

[Fourteen-years Ago]

"Tetsuya!" Serrano said, running into our little red tent as I was preparing our sleeping bags. The guy suddenly hugged me.

"What's wrong?" I asked, staring at my shivering cousin.

"I... I heard moaning outside. It... it sounded like that of a spirit!"

"A spirit?" I asked, peering outside of the tent.

"No, don't go!" he cried out. "It might eat you!"

"Eat me?" I smiled and grabbed the wooden sword by the entrance. "I'll just cut it down with this if it tries that!"

"No, you fool! You can't possibly fight a spirit! At least not with that! Also, don't leave me alone! I might get eaten by that thing!"

I sighed. "Okay, I won't leave little Serra alone."

Serrano pouted. "Don't call me that!"

I giggled. "Serra, Serra! The cowardly lion, Serra!"

"Argh, don't call me that!" Serrano said, pushing me down.

I winced as something sharp hit my arm.

"Tetsu!" Serrano said, eyes as wide as golf balls. He stood up and slowly walked away from me. "I'm... I'm so sorry."

I turned to see the wooden sword, is tip was covered in blood, my blood. Thankfully it was only a scratch. I got up and sighed. "It's fine. I'm fine."

Serrano frowned. "Really?"

I smiled. "Yeah."

My cousin kept his head down. "Tetsuya is too nice. How can you forgive so easily?"

"I am?"

"Yeah. If it were me, I would hold a grudge."

"Woah? Serra hold a grudge? You sure about that? You don't strike me like that kind of person at all. Serra is as soft as the morning dew."

"You say silly stuff, Tetsu," Serrano said as his face reddened. He walked over to a bag to take out some bandages and some disinfectant. "This will only sting a little."

"Ouch," I said, wincing. "That's not a little!"

"Sorry," Serrano said.

I tried my best to smile. "It's... it's fine."

My cousin lowered his head. "No, it's not. I hurt my cousin and best friend. I'm sorry, Tetsu. I promise you that I won't ever hurt you again. Well, not counting sparring matches."

I grinned. "Same here, Serra. Instead I'll shield you!"

Serrano narrowed his eyes at me. "That's my job."

I chuckled. "Then how about we protect one another?"

My cousin nodded. "Yeah!"

***

['Present']

"Why did you go back on that promise?" I asked.

Serrano turned away. "There are some promises not worth keeping. Especially if it requires ignoring an injustice. Though, perhaps it was a mistake to take matters into my own hands."

I closed my eyes tightly and pulled the blankets against my face. They smelled like fresh linen. I had always liked the smell. Though lately it wasn't as pleasing as it usually was. Perhaps because I had associated the scent with Serra since we were kids.

So, I still haven't regained his trust after all... Why is it easier for Setsuko to trust me, but not him? When will I be able to? Until I've proven myself innocent in court once and for all?

**Solar Note: I hope that you enjoyed this Episode :). Don't forget to click on that star! So, thoughts on the current state of Tetsuya and Serrano's relationship?**