"Hey wake up, it's Tuesday. We've got school today," Emily roused Asami, who groaned and turned away from her.

The sky was brightening as the clouds parted, indicating a new day had arrived. Emily in her night clothes, otherwise known as underwear, tried waking Asami up. Nearby, Michelle sat calibrating her prosthetic arm while Alina was nowhere to be seen; she had left for the bathroom some time ago.

"Five more minutes," Asami groaned, her voice muffled by the bedsheet she covered her head with.

"Alright, but she's gonna wake you instead," Emily shrugged and gestured to Michelle who cocked her gun while aiming at Asami.

Asami heard the gun cocking and jumped up from her futon.

"I'm awake, I'm up, don't shoot!" She cried and Emily giggled. Asami looked around and realized that Michelle pointed an empty gun at her: she was doing her morning maintenance on the gun's SEC armaments when Emily asked her to wake Asami. "Oh, that’s evil, you're pure evil!"

"It got you up, non?" Michelle said as she shrugged.

Asami didn't say anything and slouched her shoulders while pouting at Emily who smiled back. After a sigh, she checked her phone and jumped again.

"Holy! Dude, it's, like, six in the morning! Why wake me up so early?" Asami asked in disbelief.

"Because you'd take about an hour to get dressed?" Emily suggested. "Also, eating breakfast, heading to school, that’ll all will take another hour for you."

"Ah … how did you know?" Asami gasped exaggeratingly.

"Your mom eu une conversation with Jason," Michelle answered. Asami who was stretching her back lost her footing and fell backward.

"She what?!" Asami asked, mortified. Her fair face turned pale with horror and embarrassment.

"Yeah, she had a nice talk with him," Emily added while folding her futon. "She said how you sleep in all the time and told him to play loud music while splashing you with cold water if you don't get up."

"He told you that?!"

"Non, he had the phone on orateur," Michelle replied, a grin of satisfaction plastered on her face when she saw how embarrassed Asami was. "He wanted Alina to listen."

"What … omg, my life is finished," Asami covered her face with her hands.

"You have a life? C'est une nouvelle pour moi," Michelle said.

"Oh give it a rest, my HP is down by a quarter already!"

"... Quoi?"

Emily shook her head with a wry smile as she heard them squabbling, enjoying the banter these two had as she left the room and headed to the shower stalls. It was a single large room with shower stalls designed like the one found in a locker room, but each stall had a one-way mirror glass door installed as opposed to a curtain, giving the users more privacy.

After a nice shower, Emily looked for a robe in the wardrobe that was attached to the shower room. She found a black fleece bathrobe to wear and found that settled a few inches above her ankles. The sleeves were long while shoulders were wider than she expected and one side slipped off her shoulders because of it. Despite the robe not properly fitting her, Emily shrugged it off and exited the shower room, preparing to return to the bedroom to get dressed when she heard a sound from the kitchen.

The kitchen was nearby and, when Emily entered, she found Jason preparing breakfast. Across him was a dining table that was used for informal meals and right now, it was full of food that made Emily dizzy from counting.

"Oh hey, didn't know you girls were up," Jason turned and spoke to Emily but his smile faltered when he turned and saw her. She was wearing a bathrobe to cover herself with, and she was unaware that it was actually Jason's robe. Her fresh, pink-tinged skin glowed against the black velvet and one shoulder was exposed as her legs, despite being covered, played peek-a-boo when it revealed itself through the opening of the robes.

“Morning. Something wrong?” Emily asked with a small smile after she noticed Jason looking at her speechlessly. She was curious to see how Jason would respond and his reaction had her satisfied. She took a few steps forward and, as she walked, the opening of the robes extended and Jason caught of glimpse of her milky thighs.

“Uh … that,” Jason seemed reluctant to respond as he gestured at her.

“Yes?” Emily asked teasingly.

“I’ll - uh, you should take that robe with you,” Jason finally said.

“Oh? Does it look good on me?” Emily asked as she spun around. Luckily, she had tied a knot on her waist using the bathrobe belt, or else it would have slipped off.

“Yes. It does suit you,” Jason said slowly and awkwardly. “But, uh, the thing is that’s … my old bathrobe.”

Time seemed to freeze as neither Jason nor Emily moved, the latter frozen in shock while Jason avoided gazing at her eyes.

“I - it was a gift from Alle,” Jason explained awkwardly while Emily’s face turned cherry red from blushing. “Didn’t have the heart to, uh, throw it out. But, now, you should take it -”

- God knows what Alle would do to me if you leave it behind, Jason thought in his head.

“So,” Jason said, trying to change the subject. “Why don’t you get dressed and come back. Breakfast will be done by then.”

Emily barely nodded at Jason, who had returned to flipping pancakes, and dashed away only to bump into Alina who exited the shower room.

“Oh,” Alina looked at the robes Emily was wearing in surprise. She tilted her head, reminiscing as she looked fondly at the robe, her mind recalling the old memories she had with Jason when she was younger.

“I swear, I didn’t know,” Emily said while nearly covering her face with her hands. The strong, muscular smell of musk and spices flowed into her from the sleeves and her face blushed even harder; she realized this was Jason’s scent that was covering his robe and she removed her hands from her face.

“It’s alright,” Alina smiled. She was wearing a pink fluffy, plush bathrobe that reached her knees. Her naturally half curled hair was clinging to her face as drips of water fell from her hair and down her collar bones. “I haven’t seen that robe in a while. Ah, Jason’s face when it didn’t fit him anymore was priceless.”

Alina’s laugh was infectious and Emily also smiled as she imagined a sulking Jason trying to wrap the robe over his bulging muscles while trying to shrink himself.

“Let’s head to the changing room and start getting dressed,” Alina said as she beckoned Emily to follow her.

“Changing room?” Emily asked.

“That’s what I named it,” Alina said. “Notice how the showers were built? This place is meant to support a large group and so there’s a shower room, a changing room with an entire wardrobe of stuff, a gym and training room, and god knows what else Jason installed.”

“Wardrobe. So ..”

“Well, you guys weren’t planning to stay over so none of you brought spare clothes,” Alina explained. “And there’s no way you’re wearing those leather pants. Ms. Silvia would kill you if you were to go to school dressed like that.”

“Oh, god. Do you have extra school uniforms?” Emily asked as she realized how dire the situation was.

“Nope, none that would fit you,” Alina replied. “I talked to Jason about it and he said that he’ll give us a permission slip so we can go to school without uniforms."

"He can do that?"

"You know anyone who would say no to him?" Alina asked back and Emily agreed while nodding her head.

While the two dressed themselves in rather moderate clothes, Michelle and Asami joined in. Alina and Michelle dressed up quickly before waiting for Emily and Asami to finish as the latter two spent a long time prettying themselves with makeup in front of a mirror.

"I'm curious, why are there so many outfits of different sizes?" Asami asked as she applied eyeliner. "Some of these, like, totally wouldn't fit you, even when you're a milf."

"Gee, thanks," Alina replied sarcastically while rolling her eyes.

"It's a compliment! It is! You've got really narrow hips like -" Asami said while turning to Alina.

"Uh huh, yeah, sure," Alina said. "Back to your question. The reason why Jason got so many clothes in different sizes is literally cause he can't stick to one girl."

"Ah, the Bruce Wayne Syndrome at its finest," Asami muttered while Emily stopped her hands which had a sponge dabbed with foundation.

"What do you mean he can't stick to one girl?" Emily asked.

"Well, there are lotta reasons," Alina answered. "Top one being, he can't open up to them."

"So, grand, noir, et beau?" Michelle asked. "What is so bad about cette?"

"It's not bad, per se," Alina replied. "But think about it. You date a guy and after, I dunno, three dates, he knows you so well, like, what you like wearing, eating, or watching and stuff. But, you don't know anything about him. Just when you think you know him, you find another aspect that only mystifies him. He's like the perfect dream guy, but not someone you can see yourself being with forever. And that's just one problem."

"And the other problems?" Emily asked pressingly.

"Hmm, the next one would be him being too much of a horndog," Alina said after pondering for a while. "These four years, I've seen women complain about how they can't satisfy him. And then he ends up flirting with other women and that bothers his lovers 'cause they're concerned that he'll cheat on them."

"But … that can't be his fault," Emily said rather defensively and Alina raised her eyebrows at her.

"Sister, tell me that after you've seen him go at it," she answered. "I mean, he's at it every day for hours."

"Ok so, that's like a plus demerit. Next," Asami said while handing Alina some lip balm. The latter looked at her confusingly and Asami gestured at her to use it.

"Let's see … ah, he frightens some girls away," Alina said after using the lip balm and tossing it to Michelle.

"Comment?" Michelle asked, bemused.

"I mean, you guys know by now, right?" Alina said while shrugging. "He's got … issues ... because of his childhood. He can't let go of the anger and hate, so sometimes it explodes. Like, he'll break someone's arm if they slap or insult his girl. And some of them can't handle that."

As Alina spoke she looked at Emily knowingly, but the latter was preoccupied with her thoughts. Emily remembered the night she met him, how vicious he was to the would-be rapist that tried assaulting her. If the man hadn't gone so far if he only slapped her and Jason broke his arm for that, how would she feel?

A shudder passed through her back as she realized that, just like Alina said, she would've been frightened and probably would've done her best to avoid someone who so aggressive and violent. Her stomach churned as she now realized why Jason was so nonchalant that night; he thought that, like the others, she was scared of him and that was why he kept his distance.

It must be lonely, Emily thought. Saving people, only to have them look at you like a monster.

"Well, regardless of the reason, Jason has never been able to keep a relationship for longer than a year. I think the only …" Alina stopped talking and shook her head while the others stared at her. "It's nothing."

"Only … what? C'mon, tell us," Asami asked while pushing Alina back and forth.

"All right, stop already!" Alina said, continuing only after Asami stopped swinging her. "He … when I still had my parents, we … he dated my maid for two years … until she passed away."

Silence enclosed the room as they all looked at Alina in surprise and waited for her to continue.

"I … our family was rich and me, being the only child, was pampered. I had a maid who was a few years older than me. She was my best, well only, friend and something like a sister," Alina turned her head away from them as she spoke, her eyes closed with tears. "When Jason showed up, the two sorta …

"After she passed away, he … changed," Alina, after the tears went away, turned to look back at the others, only to see a pale Michelle. The latter realized that the maid in question was Katelyn and she recalled what happened earlier in the morning.

Alors, il se sent coupable de la mort de Katelyn, Michelle thought. Est-ce pourquoi ... Mais pourquoi est-ce que ça me dérange?

"He … became more distant, more than ever, when it came to relationships," Alina continued while eyeing Michelle. "He stuck to one-nighters since then."

"Maybe he hasn't gotten over her?" Asami suggested and Alina nodded.

"Maybe," Alina muttered.

"Hey, guys!" Jason's voice could be heard from outside the room. "Breakfasts getting cold."

"Let's get going before he barges in," Asami said and the four left the room.

Standing in the hallway was Jason who was holding a groggy Alice. The latter rested her head on Jason's shoulder with a pout. Clearly, she wasn't a morning person.

"You guys need to hurry," Jason said. "It's way past seven now. Girls, they always take this long?"

"What was that?" Alina asked with narrowed eyes when she heard him muttering the last part.

"I said making breakfast took me so long," Jason fibbed with a smile.

"Liar," Alice muttered and Jason's smile faltered.

"Let's go to the kitchen, quickly," Jason said before dashing away with Alice in tow while the girls giggled.

All six sat down for breakfast and began eating while joking. Jason angered Alina by teasing her with her outfit; he told her that she didn't need the permission slip because she had a school uniform at home but was still wearing a normal outfit. He 'reluctantly' acquiesced with a smile and raised hands when Alina glared at him.

"So, why are we eating here instead of downstairs at the dining table?" Asami asked. She was referring to the dining table that Jason placed in the faux living room.

"That's … a formal table that we barely use," Jason said. "We usually eat here. It's a lot more cozier and family-ish."

"True," Asami said after looking around. It was a rectangular table that wasn't long and formal like the one downstairs that had so much space between each sitter. "Jason, we need to talk about something serious now."

Asami spoke in a quiet and sober manner and everyone turned to look at her.

"It's about an important matter, one that will have major significance in the future," Asami explained and Jason nodded.

"Shoot," he said while taking a sip from his coffee.

"Add me to your harem," Asami said with a serious face while Jason choked on his coffee that threatened to exit from his nose.

"I - you - what?" Jason asked through fits of coughing.

"I mean, it's obvious, isn't it? You have quite a few women near you and I bet you'll have more, so let me join in," Asami continued while everyone else stared at her in shock. "I might as well join your harem. That way, I can have both you and the girls that's like getting two in one - ack!"

Asami was cut off as Michelle grabbed her from behind in a chokehold.

"Excusez-moi," Michelle said as she applied more pressure to her arms and Asami sputtered out choking sounds while smacking the table. "She's délirant."

Alice looked at Asami with bemusement, but Jason caught a glint passing through her eyes that no one else noticed.

"Clever girl," Jason murmured in a husky voice full of gravel.

A light tremor passed Alice's hands as she turned to Jason with confusion before she smiled sweetly and Jason sent her a knowing look. After realizing that she was his daughter, he had been paying attention to her and figured that there was much more to her than what he knew.

"So, how are we gonna head to school?" Alina asked Jason, changing the subject while ignoring the background music of Asami dying. "You gonna drive us there?"

"Nah, not today," Jason said with a shake of his head. "I'm going to spend some time with Alice. You know, take her to the park or something ... what do you do with kids in the morning? Anyways, I'll figure it out. We'll probably reach your school at ten or so. You guys go ahead."

"So … the SLIDE then?" Alina asked and the other girls agreed while Asami collapsed after being released by Michelle. [1]

"Grandma, I saw my dead grandma," she muttered as she dragged herself up and followed after the other girls.

"Uh … Alle, you have a moment?" Jason called Alina over and away from everyone else.

"Yeah, sure. What's wrong?" Alina asked when she saw how serious Jason looked.

Jason shook his head and gathered his thoughts. He was going to tell her about Katelyn. Taking a deep breath, he opened his mouth but failed to say anything, the words dying out in his throat as soon as he looked at Alina.

"I- uh ..."

"Hey, you ok?" Alina asked in concern.

Jason stared into her brown eyes, warm with worry, and his mind blanked. He tried to choke out the words he wanted to say, the confession he had been working on, but nothing came out as he lost himself to her eyes. Worry and fear, regret and shame, all came bearing down on him and Jason failed to express his words.

"Jason?" Alina asked.

"I - I just want you to know," Jason managed to blurt out. "I - I … I love you, kid."

Shame and anger at his cowardice filled his chest as he saw Alina smile sweetly at him despite her bemusement.

"I know," Alina answered softly while tilting her head in confusion; she didn’t understand why Jason was reacting like this. “I love you too.”

Jason hugged Alina tightly and kissed her head, her hair tickling his nose as he bent forward and brushed his lips against her hair.

“I will always love you, no matter what you think of me,” Jason said quietly.

“All right,” Alina said with a raised eyebrow. "... I'll love you too."

As she left with the other girls she couldn’t help but turn to look at Jason again and her heart leapt to her throat. Jason was looking out the window, an aura of desolation and pain surrounding him as the wind from an opened window brushed his hair gently. A nagging feeling crept upon her, warning her that perhaps this would be the last time she saw him and she shook her head, pushing those strange feelings away before she gently closed the door.

[1] SLIDE: a transport based on the real-life Lexus version: (https://www.wired.com/2015/06/lexus-hoverboard-slide/). Basically, it's a form of public transport used mostly by students. There are roads, separate from the roads for vehicles, constructed with maglev tracks that allow boards to hover from one place to another. Students can rent one and travel from one fixed place to another by following the roads.