Rho and Ace are training, Nuri and Kaya are in the kitchen, Rin is meditating alone. Nigel is sleeping.

  After a while, everyone gathers in the kitchen. The food is ready on the table. Rho and Ace sit down.

  Nuri: the food is ready! Rho and Ace enter first.

  Ace: I'm starving...

  Rho: Me too. they sit at the table.

  Then Rin came in and sat down.

  Rho; This is really good... did you do anything different this time?

  Nuri: a little, this time I used advice from the academy.

  Kaya slaps him gently and coughs

  Nuri: and yes, Kaya also helped.

  Kaya: And it was exhausting, I don't know how you have the will to do this every day, but I couldn't.

  Nuri: Exhausting? All you did was clean the vegetables.

  Kaya: Please forgive me, but the potatoes didn't peel themselves...

  Nuri: Okay, you had two things.

  Kaya: hey, that was demanding too...

  Nuri: What would have happened if, in addition to that, you had to mix things up... I don't even want to know how you would have managed to survive...

  Kaya: That is how you are going to play... fine then. You can't eat spicy food, even though your power is literally fire!

  Nuri exclaimed.

  Nuri: how could you mention that... you know how I feel about that!

  Kaya approaches him, and takes the food next to him, which is very spicy.

  Nuri: You know how hot that is? It is too spicy!

  Kaya: I know, and I can eat it. And she eats.

  Nuri: how dare you...

  Kaya: nyami nyami

  Ace: give it to me, I want to try it.

  Nuri: you too!

  Kaya hands her spicy food

  Ace: this is really spicy... but not bad.

  Rho: can I try?

  Rin; now i'm curious too

  Kaya adds the same to all of them.

  Rho and Rin try it, and start talking about how hot it is.

  Rin: water water water...

  Rho: you two are not normal! This is terribly hot!

  Nigel enters the kitchen.

  Nigel: what's going on here?

  Rin and Rho drink water.

  Ace: look who finally decided to get out of bed.

  Nigel: Normally I would still be asleep, but the noise from here woke me up, what's going on?

  Kaya starts to say something but Ace interrupts her.

  Ace: wait... takes spicy food. And added Nigel.

  Ace: here, it'll help you wake up.

  Nigel: what is this?

  Ace: the answer to your question. Just try it.

  Nigel tries it and has the same reaction as Rin and Rho.

  Nigel: Why did you give me this!

  The others laugh.

  Ace: it was worth it.

  Nigel took and drank some water.

  Kaya: Looks like we know who the winners are here, right Ace?

  Ace: you know it!

  Nuri: if you're done with that, I have a question for you.

  He looked at all of them .

  Rho: what is it?

  Nuri: I met some students from the academy last night, it looks like there's a party tonight, are you up for it?

  Nigel: forget it

  Rho: I'm not really into that either...

  Kaya: oh c'mon! We also need to relax a little and enjoy ourselves. After all, if S has left us alone, we don't have that much to worry about.

  Ace: I don't know...

  Nuri: there will be alcohol

  Ace: Okay, I'm in.

  Rin: you're really not hard to persuade.

  Ace: what can I tell you, I'm adaptable.

  Kaya: then, the others? What do you say?

  Rho: maybe that's not such a bad idea...

  Kaya: That's our Rho! Nigel? Rin?

  Rin sighs: If you're all going, then I'm going too, someone needs to keep an eye on you.

  Ace: Of course, because the fun is instantly better when there's a supervisor...rolls her eyes

  Rin: Just keep up that attitude and no alcohol for you young lady.

  Ace laughs: good one

  Rin: I'll let you believe I was joking.

  He turns to Kaya.

  Rin: Kaya, how old are you?

  Kaya: 19. Why?

  Rin: no alcohol for you.

  Kaya: but why!

  Ace: just ignore him, of course you'll drink.

  Rin: Why are you encouraging her?

  Ace: she's young and let her enjoy herself if she wants. After all, I started drinking when I was 15, and as you can see, everything is fine with me.

  Rin: I see... Kaya, you are entitled to one glass.

  Kaya: ok ok.

  Rin: like you. Turns to Ace

  Ace: What?

  Rin: You heard me. You have a problem with alcohol and it's worrying.

  Ace: That's not the reason... I just pissed you off so you want to pay me back.

  Rin laughs

  Rin: And that

  Nuri laughs.

  Rin: why are you laughing, everything I said to them also applies to you.

  Nuri: oh man...

  They continue to argue. Nigel sat down next to Rho.

  Rho: And, are you going too?

  Nigel: well, I have nothing better to do.

  Rho seems nervous.

  Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

  Nigel: What is it?

  Rho: nothing...

  Nigel: something is, what is it?

  Rho is silent

  Nigel: you know I won't give up?

  Rho takes a breath: oh okay... the thing is... I've never been to a party before...

  Kaya hears it.

  Kaya: did you just say that you've never been to a party?

  Rho seems embarrassed

  Everyone is looking at her.

  Rin: You lucky one.

  Kaya: how is that possible?

  Rho: Let's just say that my life didn't really allow me to do that before... and I never had someone to go to a party with...

  A short silence.

  Kaya: That's it, then we'll all are going, and we'll make sure we all have a good time. You'll see, it will be great, you don't need to worry.

  Ace: that's right, we'll all be there, even the supervisor... she said in an ugly tone.

  Rin: I would watch out for that tone. But yes, you have nothing to worry about.

  Rho: thank you...

  Nigel laughs a bit

  Kaya: hey you two have party clothes right?

  Ace: what's wrong with what I'm wearing?

  Rho: party clothes?

  Kaya sighed.

  Kaya: you two are coming with me. And pulls them with her

  Rho: where are we going?

  Kaya: we don't have time for talking, you'll see.

  She starts to drag them away, from kitchen. soon they left.

  Three of them remain.

  Nuri: What will we do?

  Nigel and Rin say at the same time

  Nigel: sleep

  Rin: train.

  Nuri: and what do you think about the three of us hanging out? I don't know if we ever had a chance to do something without girls.

  Rin: what do you suggest?

  Nuri: we could go outside for a while, in nature, watch the birds...

  Rin and Nigel look at him.

  Rin: I'm going to train

  Nigel: I am going to sleep

  Nuri: wait!

  They stop

  Nuri: how about billiards?

  Nigel: I could play pool.

  Rin: ok, I'm in favor.

  Nuri: great, let's go!

  The three of them

  They are in a clothing store.

  Rho: what are we doing here?

  Kaya: we're here to find something nice for a party. Don't worry, it'll be great, we'll try on clothes, talk, you know, girl stuff.

  Ace: I think my nightmare is coming true...

  Rho stays calm but confused the whole time.

  Kaya: oh come on, it'll be fun! Kaya finds something for Rho.

  Kaya: I think this would look great on you!

  Rho takes: I'll try.

  Ace: I will find a place to sit...

  Kaya: oh no no, we're looking for you too. What do you think of this?

  Ace: too feminine...

  Kaya: at least try it.

  Ace: okay... and when we try this, then we're done?

  Kaya laughs

  Kaya: no you fools, we have so many clothes to try on before we find something we like...

  Ace: oh well... how about this?

  She showed man clothes.

  Kaya: I'm pretty sure that it is for men...

  Ace: Really?

  Rho: how about this?

  It was too professionally.

  Kaya is watching...

  Kaya: looks like I'll have my hands full with you... but I can do it... she breathes slowly.

  Ace and Rho look at each other.

  Ace whispered to her

  Ace: I think we're going to break her...

  Rho: I think so too...

  Kaya: oh no, I will break you, and make you into beautiful girls...

  Ace: someone kill me...now...

  Kaya: You're not going to get out of this, so the sooner you accept it the better.

  Ace: ok...

  Kaya laughs and they start looking around the store.

  The three of them are playing billiards.

  Nigel: I can tell you, this was not a bad idea.

  They play pool.

  Nuri: thank you.

  Soon a few more people entered.

  Max: so who do my eyes see?

  Nuri: Max!

  Nuri: let me introduce you, this is my brother Rin and this is, dare I say it, my friend, Nigel.

  They nodded their heads

  Max: nice to meet you, I've heard a lot about you.

  Nuri shakes his head

  Nigel: oh really, what did you hear?

  Max looked at Nuri

  Max: only the best...

  Rin: of course...

  Sarcastic

  Nuri: do you want to join us?

  Max: I could play one game

  Rin and Nigel play against each other, Nuri and Max play against each other

  The three of them try things out.

  Rho is in the cabin, and she is trying the things that Kaya gave her, but when she was undressing, she saw a few scars on her body that she was hiding, the scars would disappear when she used the transformation, but they were always there like this. she puts on something that covers everything.

  Rho got out of the cabin

  Rho: what do you say?

  Kaya: it's nice.., but I think you should show a little more skin.

  Rho: Oh... I don't think that's a good idea.

  Kaya: why? You're pretty, you should show it sometime.

  Rho: it's not for me...

  Kaya: why not? You’re always dressed in something closed, even when it's hot... What's up with that?

  Rho: I'm more comfortable that way...

  Kaya wants to say something but then Ace comes out.

  Kaya: wow...

  Ace looks embarrassed

  Rho: You look...

  Ace: stupid?

  Kaya: wonderful...

  Ace: there's no way I'm wearing this...

  Kaya: why not!?

  Ace: I don't know, I feel too...feminine

  Kaya: you are a woman, you know that?

  Ace: I know... just...

  Kaya: you'll try other things if you don't like it, but neither of you will be going to the party tonight if you don't wear something I found for you.

  Ace: ok... and go back to the cabin

  The three of them.

  They are playing billiards. Rin and Nigel, Nuri and Max.

  Rin and Nigel. They play in silence for a while.

  Rin: Do you mind if I ask you something?

  Nigel: feel free.

  Rin: Why do you think Sorious decided to let you go?

  Nigel thinks for a while.

  Nigel: When we first fought we made an agreement in which he said he would let me go if he saw me a second time, but only on one condition.

  Rin: and that is?

  Nigel: All he asked of me was to say the word ?friend“ at least once, that is, to mention that word at least once in a sentence.

  Rin: why do you think he asked you for that?

  Nigel plays pool

  Nigel: because he was sure I wouldn't be able to do it, I would rather fight than say it that easily.

  Rin: why would you be that stubborn?

  Nigel: I was that kind of person. I was a person who didn't care about anything, and had only one goal. Trust me, there was nothing but darkness in me... and he knew it, but he also gave me a chance to change.

  Rin: But then again, why would that be hard for you to say?

  Nigel: because I didn't believe in friendship, and he was the first person ever to tell me that one day I will find friends, people I would want to fight for, and that just made me laugh.

  I just didn't believe in anything.

  Rin listened

  Nigel: you know the irony is, I think he's the first real friend I ever had. He smiled slightly.

  Rin: he's not the only one anymore. Rin plays a move.

  The three of them

  They are sitting in the shop talking. And they laugh.

  Kaya: I can't believe you had your first kiss at 17.

  Rho: And that was your only kiss ever?

  Ace: Yes, and when did you do it?

  Kaya: I don’t know, like 13 or 14…

  Ace: with how many people?

  Kaya: I don't kiss and tell, but I'll just say that the number is much higher than yours, she laughs

  Ace laughed.

  Ace: and what about you?

  Rho: Oh... I... I'll have to be honest, and admit to you that... I've never kissed anyone...

  Kaya: really?

  Ace: I thought I was winning this game, but we definitely already have a winner.

  Rho: what can I tell you... I never had the chance.

  Kaya: how come?

  Rho: let's just say I was busy with other things...

  Ace: I understand.

  Kaya: so, Ace, who was your first kiss with?

  Ace looks at the floor, and you can see a lot of pain in her eyes.

  Ace: his name was Aaron, he was my enemy since I was little, but at the same time my best friend... I always competed with him, and tried to beat him but for some reason I never managed to beat him, he was always one step ahead, except in alcohol, no one can get me there, she laughs. He was the only person I could never beat.

  Kaya: what happened to him?

  Ace hides his face: Unfortunately, he passed away... and that day we had our first and the last kiss

  Kaya and Rho are silent, feeling empathy

  Kaya: I'm so sorry...

  Rho: you must miss him a lot

  Ace: I do.

  A little silence.

  Kaya: do you think you will ever love someone again?

  Ace: I don't even know if I'll ever be able to kiss anyone again, let alone love...

  Rho: I'm sorry...

  Ace: It's okay... it took me a long time to accept the fact that he's gone, it doesn't get much easier, but you get used to it. I'm sorry if I made you depressed.

  She talked calm, but you could see she was hiding a lot of pain.

  Rho: no... We’re just happy you can share it with us, right Kaya?

  Kaya: of course, and just so you know, we are here for you.

  Ace: thank you. What was your first kiss like?

  Kaya: Very strange... His name was Jake, and he was much better looking than at kissing...

  They laugh.

  The three of them.

  Max: maybe you're a better cook, but I'm definitely a better player.

  Max wins.

  Nuri: I can't deny it. Good game.

  Max: we should do this again sometime, but now I'm in a hurry, see you later?

  Nuri: yes, yes, we will be there.

  Max: see you and waves

  Nuri: how are you doing?

  They have been struggling on the last black ball for a long time.

  Neither could put the ball in because they were setting difficult angles for each other.

  Nigel: I see what you're doing... setting up impossible combinations.

  Rin: I do the same as you, but nothing is impossible if you are good enough.

  They're still trying.

  Nuri: how long have you been struggling with the last ball, it seems impossible, why don't you just say it's tied?

  Both: no!

  Nuri: but we should go...

  Nigel: feel free to go, we'll be right behind you

  Rin: yes, I will beat him soon.

  Nigel: I think you mixed something up my friend

  Nuri: do as you wish, I'll go to the ship. I can't watch you two anymore.

  He leaves.

  Rin: you're good, I'll admit that. But don't think you're going to beat me.

  Nigel: I don't think so, I know i will beat you.

  They return back to the ship.

  Kaya: I have to tell you, I'm proud of you for holding on

  Ace: I didn't expect to say this, but it was even tolerable.

  Rho: yes. I agree.

  Kaya: I'm happy that we spent today together, I think this is the first time we have a girl's day.

  Rho nods.

  Ace: yeah, we should do it again but just not there anymore, next time we choose.

  Kaya: ok, ok, agreed.

  They get on the ship

  They see Nuri

  Kaya: hey, where are Rin and Nigel?

  Nuri: they are still playing pool.

  Ace: have you been to billiards?

  Nuri: yes, but the two of them still have a problem with the first round, and they can't finish...

  Rho: why don't they just give up?

  Nuri: you have to ask them because I wonder the same thing.

  Kaya: oh hey, here they come!

  Rin and Nigel climb aboard.

  Nuri: how did the match end?

  Rin and Nigel look at each other...

  Rin: they threw us out of the bar...

  Rho: why?

  Nigel: we couldn't finish the round at all, so we became a bit...

  Ace: Troublesome?

  Rin: kind of like that

  Kaya: what did you do?

  Rin: we just caused a bit of a mess...

  They both looked away

  Nuri: so nobody won?

  They shook their heads.

  Kaya: as much as I'd love to hear more about this, we need to get ready for the party, let's go. She drags Rho and Ace.

  Ace: But I want to hear what happened!

  Kaya: ask them later.

  They were gone in their room

  Nuri looks suspicious

  Nuri: why do I have a feeling that you two are not saying everything?

  Rin: I have no idea what you are talking about.

  Nigel: yeah.

  Nuri sights and starts to leave

  Nuri: oh whatever, I have to get ready.

  Nuri also leaves

  Rin and Nigel stays

  Rin: we'll never tell what really happened, right?

  Nigel: we are taking that to our graves.

  Rin: good.

  After a while, Nigel and Nuri are standing on the boat, waiting, the three of them.

  Kaya comes out first.

  Nuri: wow, you look great!

  Kaya: thank you, but it's nothing. Just wait until you see what I have made of them.

  Kaya: what are you waiting for? Come here!

  Ace: I'm not wearing this...

  Rho: come on, it's not that bad, Rho comes out.

  Everyone is surprised. She looked beautiful

  Nuri: wow.

  Nigel: not bad Rhodri, Smiles

  Rho: thank you...

  Kaya: Ace, your turn!

  In that time Rin comes from his room.

  Ace: I feel so stupid in this...

  Kaya: just get out!

  Ace slowly comes out embarrassed but she looked beautiful.

  Rin is speechless

  Kaya makes a happy face

  Nuri: wow... you look good.

  Ace: I look weird don't I?

  Nigel: not weird, but definitely different.

  Nuri: but good different,

  Rin says nothing, just watches her, lost in the moment.

  Kaya: I really know how to do a good job. So shall we?

  Nuri: let's go.

  Everyone heads towards the party, Rin and Ace go last.

  Kaya: I can't wait to dance!

  Rin and Ace are walking behind them, a little distance from them

  Ace looks nervous

  Rin: Is everything okay?

  Ace: I feel like I look weird... you're honest person, tell me honestly... do I look weird in this?

  He looked at her...

  Rin: no... You look... he stops, and she stops too

  Ace watches him

  Rin: gorgeous.

  Ace will blush a little

  Ace: Really?

  Rin: I know I should have told you sooner, but the reason I didn't is because ... well... he gets a little closer and whispers

  Rin: because you left me speechless.

  She was surprised, he smiled and kept walking. She looked at him and smiled a bit then started to walk again.

  They continue walking and just come to a party, there are many people, everyone is dancing, drinking and having fun.

  Rho looks at them

  Rho: I change my mind, I can't do this. She turns around, but Kaya and Nigel stops her.

  Kaya: too late! We are going.

  Rho: why did I agree to this...

  Kaya smiles.

  Kaya: o come on it will be great! I know it will. Let's go!