A week had passed since the Human God’s promise of destroying the Eastern Territories had been made public. In that time, the public had gone through a tumultuous, near-spontaneous demonstration — somehow, a good number of people living in Mi-Zu had thought it a good idea to abandon Feng-Lang to the Lifespring, in order to buy peace. The words of the small activist group had somehow proved to be more compelling than logic dictated it should be, and as news of protests continued to sweep through the city, the boy was beginning to regret not killing them all back then.

On the bright side, if one could call more demonstrations a bright side, a huge movement had appeared in reaction to the ‘Traitorland Movement’, a name that had found huge traction with much of Mi-Zu’s people. Their argument was simple — it was nothing short of treason to even consider discussing the handover of Feng-Lang, when the people and soldiers there were fighting to prevent the conflict from expanding. If the people at Feng-Lang got wind of plans to abandon them, the likelihood of them losing morale or letting some of the Lifespring’s troops into Mi-Zu would increase.

These protests, being the antithesis of each other, had began to result in conflict. The Plenum, however, was evidently not cracking down on either side, a decision that had baffled Gaius for days on end. That said, these considerations didn’t seem to be that important compared to the issue Nakama had just brought up.

“A parent-teacher conference,” Gaius repeated. He was holding on to a letter addressed to the parents of the students at Kishi Gakuen, something Nakama had brought out during dinner. “Isabelle, can you explain to me what such a conference would entail?”

“Gladly.” The Knight puffed herself up dramatically and said, “Parent-teacher conferences are staples in high-end schools, often held after the exams have been graded and returned, in order to inform parents about their children’s progress in studying as well as any pertinent behavioural issues. At the same time, as part of the end-term celebrations, the school usually hosts a festival, which the students are part of, for the public and parents.”

“Wow.” Gaius looked at Nakama, whose eyes were hopeful. “That sounds fun.”

“It is fun,” Isabelle corrected. “One could say that the end-of-term celebrations are the most memorable aspects in such schools. I too have my own fond memories about them.”

“I suppose we could go and have fun there,” said Gaius. “After all, I will be departing for the frontlines soon. And given that there’s an ongoing wave spreading throughout Seireiden now, it’s best if I’m there.”

“It’s a children’s festival, Gaius. Don’t jinx it.” Isabelle glared at Gaius, who, at that sight, suddenly understood that she too was looking forward to attending Kishi’s school festival.

“You’ve done this before on the students’ side, right?” Gaius asked. “What was it like back then?”

“Hectic,” Isabelle replied. “Didn’t you realise it? Nakama’s been going home later and later in the past few days, in preparation for the festival.”

“You were?” Gaius tilted his head. He, as always had been staying outside the school gates, near a tree or two, in silent mediation, so he wasn’t paying attention to these little details. Time flew by quickly whenever he was in introspection, and he didn’t have an artefact to tell the time either.

“We’re doing something fun!” Nakama replied.

“Fun…” Gaius repeated the word. “What exactly will your class be doing?”

“It’s a secret,” Nakama stated. “A big secret!”

“That’s the usual behaviour for us when we prepare for the term-end festivities,” said Isabelle. “I remember keeping mum about the play my class did from my parents for an entire month, because it was fun to do that.”

Gaius, personally, didn’t know what was fun about doing that, but he nodded his head in feigned understanding anyway. It was probably the thrill of keeping secrets, but as someone who understood the importance of open communication…

“Well, since you’re looking forward to it,” said Gaius, “I suppose the two of us can swing along tomorrow for the parent-teacher conference, and then the festival. It’ll be an eye-opener for me. And anything Nakama put hard work into is something worth viewing.”

“Yay!”

Isabelle and Gaius laughed at Nakama’s merry visage, and the boy folded up the letter, stuffing it into his pocket.

“Are you going to introduce your friends to us too?” Isabelle asked. “Gaius has this odd expression on his face whenever he talks about them. It’s kind of painful to watch.”

“I don’t have any expression like that, Isabelle,” Gaius muttered with gritted teeth. “I am perfectly rational when it comes to Nakama and her circle of friends, whom I trust by virtue of their exalted station to be good students and role models for everyone else to follow.”

“Do you really believe your brother, Nakama?” Isabelle asked. “He’s forcing his words out, and if you look at his face, you can see his jaw twitch every few seconds or so. He’s clearly suppressing a supremely complex form of worry.”

“Enough, Isabelle. I’m just worried,” said Gaius. “And besides, I don’t think I have the ability to make expressions that nuanced and full of emotion. I’m sure I’m a deadpan person or something.”

“Or so he says, Nakama.” Isabelle giggled. “Do you believe him?”

“Nope!” Nakama’s spirited reply made the boy grin wryly. He looked at the two girls, who were clearly in cahoots with each other, and rolled his eyes.

“You two are clearly conspiring against me.” He shook his head in mock disappointment, and got up from the table, a smile on his face. “Well, anything goes, so long as you’re paying attention in class and not falling in with bad company.”

“Isabelle, you heard what he said, right?”

“Yes, yes. I did. A gentleman’s words—”

“—cannot be retracted!” The two high-fived each other, before chattering away. Gaius shook his head at the heart-warming sight, and then moved to the window, where he could see troupes of people walking about, holding up placards and shouting.

The stark contrast sent a chill down his heart. He didn’t know what game the Plenum was playing, but if the situation continued to escalate…Gaius shook his head. With Isabelle around, Nakama shouldn’t come to any harm, even if he was at Feng-Lang, but he couldn’t help but feel some semblance of worry.

Shaking his head, he went back to his room.