“I’m open! Chad!”

“I’ve got you!”

“Shoot! Shoot it!”

“I’m also open, if anyone feels like passing!”

“No worries, Efrem!” Brad exclaimed, dribbling the basketball over to him, before Efrem attempted to catch it, only to fumble it upwards toward the hoop, before it hit the edge and bounced back off.

“Oh, darn.” Efrem let out, just as Brad caught it again.

“Hey, you nearly got it in this time.” Brad encouraged, as the rest of Team Beefcake circled around.

“Nicely done, buddy!” Thad added, patting Efrem on the back.

“You’ve already made great improvement.” Lad pointed out, giving him a thumbs up.

“I’ll get it in there one day.” Efrem insisted, before turning back around. “Back to our spirited game!”

The team got back into their game, as Julia, Wess and Sola sat in the spectator stands somewhat nearby, all in a makeshift circle.

“Two pair!” Sola bragged, throwing down her hand, as Wess subtly smirked to herself.

“It sure is lovely today. You know, despite having a ton of board games, I’ve actually barely used playing cards. Like, at all.” Julia admitted, fanning herself with her cards a little. “Poker’s a bit out of my wheelhouse.”

“Admittedly, that’s true for me too. At least the gambling aspect…” Wess noted, before placing down each card one by one. “However, the deduction elements have always fascinated me, as well as working with particularly good hands.”

Right as she said this, Wess placed down her last card, as Sola gasped beside her.

“Whoa! Full house!” Sola exclaimed. “Way to get lucky, Wess.”

“Ahh, it’s all a game of understanding tells, Sola. True intentions often have a way of bubbling to the surface despite our own interests.” Wess insisted. “For instance, Julia’s is that her eyes dart between us when she has a good hand, which is how I know tha-“

Wess was silenced once Julia placed down her hand sheepishly.

“…four of a kind.” Julia admitted, looking a bit embarrassed, as Wess struggled to form a sentence. “But they’re only twos, if that makes you feel better.”

“…but your eyes…” Wess managed.

“Yeah, I got distracted looking at Team Beefcake’s game.” Julia confessed, laughing a little. “Guess I’m the one who got lucky.”

“Wowee. Colour me impressed.” Sola said, sliding over her money, as Wess begrudgingly did the same.

“This is why I don’t like betting.” Wess let out, glancing off at the academy. “So, where are our other vivacious team members this fine morning?”

Sola stared at Wess blankly.

Wess’ eyes drooped. “…where are Harley and Essex?”

“Oh! They’re going on a date.”

“Really?” Julia asked, getting a nod from Sola. “Huh. Is this their first one?”

“Kinda.” Sola admitted, picking up her new hand. “All three of us went out on a walk about Detu City a few months back, and both of them went to that movie a bit ago, expect they both ended up hating it and left, like, twenty minutes in, which really sucked since the popcorn there is super overpriced…”

Sola tapped her chin. “…yeah, it just hasn’t lined up yet.”

“Have you and Essex gone out yet?” Wess asked, as Sola nodded.

“I took her to another movie to make up for the last one!” Sola explained, accidentally dropping her cards, before forgetting them while getting caught up in her explanation. “She hated this one too, but stuck it out so that I wouldn’t feel bad. She only told me after, so I made it up to her with some private training, which she enjoyed way more.”

“I wonder what Essex is like on a date…” Julia said aloud, before getting looks from Wess and Sola. “N-Not in a weird way. She just doesn’t seem like the type to…do that.”

“Well, just between us, Harley’s really been planning out this date fully.” Sola bragged. “I gave her some pointers too. By the way, we should avoid the team dorm around three to four this afternoon.”

Julia cocked her head. “What do they need the dorm…?”

Julia immediately answered her own question in her head and blushed, before shying away. “G-Got it, privacy and all that.”

Wess chuckled to herself. “Considering our own little lover’s trysts, Julia, we should probably organise a text chain clarifying when we each need the dorm room, just so we don’t end up walking in on each other by accident.”

“Oh yeah! Essex already did that with me and Harley.” Sola admitted. “So yeah, good idea.”

“Already on it.” Julia immediately replied, her tablet in her hands, as Wess and Sola looked to each other, before giggling slightly.

———

Harley looked out at the training grounds, resting her head on the banister of the team’s balcony, as teams went about their days, helping each other to grow under the pleasant wash of sunlight.

Just as she was lost in daydreaming, the dorm door opened behind her, letting Essex in holding the team’s laundry.

“Essex!” Harley called out, running over to her. “How’s my super cool and very sexy girlfriend doing today?”

Essex looked to the side, before smiling. “…but Sola isn’t here right now.”

Harley laughed a little. “I meant my other cool sexy girlfriend who has killer abs and a gorgeous smile.”

“Oh. She’s doing very well.” Essex admitted, dropping the laundry off on the couch, as Harley chuckled again.

“Glad to hear it. You ready for our big ol’ date?” Harley asked, shuffling her shoulders, as Essex quickly remembered and nodded.

“Yes. This…will be very fun.” Essex assured, mostly to herself. “Will I need to change?”

Harley gave Essex’s suit a once over, before shrugging. “It’s up to you. You can keep your scythe, though.”

“…in truth, it would not be right for me to bring my scythe on…a date.” Essex pointed out. “Dates are not…really encouraged in the Segaru Clan and don’t serve our main purpose.”

“Oh, yeah. Yeah, that’s…yeah…” Harley started, before her eyes drifted to the scythe again. “…soooooo…are you just gonna leave it here?”

Essex nodded, before turning to the study. “One second.”

She stepped inside, before laying her scythe at the base of her bed and bowing her head.

“Muerbetra. Relusa senae.” Essex muttered, before standing back up and catching Harley peeking in.

“Sorry, just curious.” Harley apologised. “I recognised Muerbetra, but…”

“Harley?”

“Uhuh?”

“The date?”

Harley slapped her forehead. “Right, got it!” Harley let out, rushing over to the dorm door, before holding it open. “Ahem…your chariot awaits down at the Flash-Rail station.”

“Is the chariot a Flash-Rail?” Essex asked, as Harley begrudgingly held her tongue while they headed off on their trip.

———

It was a decently kept hallway, he thought.

Not that he really cared much about the presentation of the Venator Academy, despite his reason for coming here. Frankly, how the halls looked was the least of his own priorities.

A slight smudge on the window was bugging him, but it was also one of the few things to focus on while waiting for Faller to leave his office.

Finally, the door behind him opened up.

“General Yarring.” Faller called out, as Yarring turned around, arms folded behind him.

“The newly promoted Principal Faller.” Yarring declared, before stretching out his hand. “How have you been?”

“As well as I could be.” Faller replied, shaking Yarring’s hand firmly. “How goes the Daysend army?”

“…steady.” Yarring replied, getting a laugh out of Faller.

“I’ll bet. Seems you’ve gotten a pretty cushy position now.”

Yarring focused his eyes. “Cushy’s a funny way of describing it.”

Faller chuckled a little, as he patted Yarring’s back. “Don’t act so glum. You’re a fortunate guy.”

“I try to be.” Yarring remarked, sighing to himself, before waving his arm. “So, when’s your next Wailing attack supposed to happen?”

“You’re a riot. Come on, the sooner we start this, the quicker it's over.” Faller let out, continuing with Yarring down the hall. “You’ve gotten a promotion since the last inspection as well.”

“Yes, the old guard finally gave in.” Yarring explained. “Head of the Daysend Army feels a lot better than adjacent to Head of the Daysend Army.”

“And the inspection?”

“Ideally, it will be routine.” Yarring clarified. “I don’t know why they insist the army handle this, but being given anything to do is appreciated. That being said, I’m taking it fairly seriously.”

“Naturally. Don’t you worry, we’ll do a lap of the campus, show off some recent improvements, and you can be on your way.” Faller assured, as Yarring sighed out.

“It’s appreciated.”

———

“Yay! Another one!” Julia let out, grabbing up her winnings, only for Wess’ attitude to continue to sour. “…we can play something different.”

“Oh no, I’m beating you at this before anything else. Your luck is inhuman.” Wess assured, as Sola stared back at Team Beefcake’s game, kicking her legs in boredom.

“Chuck it here!”

“I got it! I g-dammit!”

“Where’s it going?”

“Over there!”

Efrem noticed it heading toward Team Valiant, as he waved his arms wildly at them.

“Team Valiant! Look out!”

The trio lifted their heads curiously, right as the basketball smacked into the corner of the spectator stands, bouncing between some of the seats, before quicky launching itself onto the roof of the dorms, rolling down and getting stuck in the gutters.

The trio all stared at its ascent, as Efrem snapped his fingers.

“Darn it. That’s the second basketball we’ve lost in however many games.” Efrem decried, only for Brad to pat his shoulders.

“Not to worry. I can grab this one.” Brad assured, before using his Whil to sprout angel wings and fly up to it, trying his best to grab it while passing by, only for it to slip out of his grasp, rolling down the gutter and into a narrow crevice between the buildings.

Brad flew himself closer, before struggling to fit his massive arms inside the hole.

“Damn these…beefy arms!” He yelled out, before floating back down to the ground. “It’s stuck in there now.”

“The basketball?” Julia asked, stepping down from the stands with the others.

“Yeah. My jacked arms can’t reach it.” Brad admitted. “Thad, think you can float up there?”

“No can do. I’m just as swole as you.” Thad pointed out, as Efrem put his hand up.

“I could try to use my Whil, Death Cannon, t-“

“No!” Everyone cried out, stopping even the suggestion of using his Whil, before Sola raised her hand instead.

“Brad! Fly me up there and I can grab it!” Sola insisted. “I’m way small!”

“…okay, but I don’t carry people a lot.” Brad pointed out, holding out his arms. “Keep yourself steady while I fly.”

“Careful up there, Sola.” Julia asked.

“We don’t know what that basketball’s capable of.” Wess joked, as Sola gave a thumbs up and flew up with Brad.

They reached it again, as Brad held Sola out, letting her try to grab the ball out, even as it barely budged.

She palmed at it a bit more, right as it loosened up, only for it to start rolling backwards down the other side of the building and out of sight in a sudden and thudding instant.

“Uhh…” Sola let out.

“What’s up? Did you get it?”

“It rolled away.”

“Where?”

“…somewhere else?”

Brad blinked in frustration, before getting them both back to the ground.

“Okay, new plan. The ball’s gone AWOL.” Brad insisted. “Chad, Lad, take the courtyard. Thad, Efrem, we’re double-checking the roofs. Team Valiant, you inspect the main building, just in case it somehow ends up there.”

Julia turned around. “Huh?”

“Everyone got their roles?” Brad asked, holding out his hand, as the others rested theirs on his. “One, two…”

“BEEFCAKE NOW AND BEEFCAKE PROUD!!!”

“Wait, we’re splitting up?” Julia asked, as in a matter of seconds, all that was left was her, Wess and Sola, standing in the middle of the training grounds.

Julia turned around frantically.

“It’s just a basketball.”

———

“So…these are the IF’s.”

“Yes, they are.” Faller declared, indicating to the empty spaces in front of the academy. “Unfortunately, we can’t emerge them without a target, but we can show you the specs later.”

“Have you had the chance to use them yet?” Yarring asked, inspecting the hatches in the ground.

“Not formally. The Behemoth Wailing escaped before we could take it out.” Faller explained.

“I saw. Crafty thing.” Yarring said, getting a closer look at the space.

Faller sat back and let him take his time, before quietly clearing his throat.

“…and how goes your end of the investigation?”

Yarring chuckled briefly. “Your mysterious third party? Nothing concrete, just murmurs about this and that.”

Yarring straightened back up, before inspecting the main building itself. “I have heard mention of particular attacks where Wailing were acting somewhat erratically. More than usual, and seemingly like they lacked logic in their actions.”

Yarring faced him. “This is a pretty informal conversation. You’re usually fine with the typical updates.”

“…forgive me, I’ve gotten a little more desperate in recent months.” Faller admitted, rubbing his forehead. “There’s been a lot on my m…”

Yarring went back in scanning the main building while Faller trailed off, right as Team Valiant emerged from the side of the building, frantically looking around the area.

“You reckon it fell in the moat?” Julia wondered, scanning the walkway out of the academy.

“I hardly think it bounced that far, Julia.” Wess said, only giving cursory glances.

“Basketball! Where’re you at?!” Sola called out, before a loud whistle came from their side.

They turned around to Faller, tapping his foot in frustration, before beckoning them over.

“What’re you doing?” He asked, as Sola stepped in front.

“Have you seen a basketball around here?”

Faller stared at her.

“No.”

He pointed back at Yarring. “Do you know who he is?”

Julia looked back at the man in the needlessly lavish uniform, before shaking her head. “Doesn’t…ring a bell.”

“That’s General Yarring.”

Julia blinked.

“From the Daysend army.”

Julia blinked.

“Head of the Daysend army.”

“…oh!” Julia let out, before looking back at him again.

“What’s he doing here?” Wess wondered.

“Good question.” Faller replied. “He’s currently inspecting the academy, meaning if you’re chasing…”

He looked back to Sola.

“A basketball.”

“Right, a basketball…keep it away from him.” Faller insisted. “We don’t need the Daysend government coming in here, worried our student body isn’t taking their education serio-“

“There it is!” Sola called out, pointing at the entrance to the academy, where someone was bouncing the ball into the building proper. “Come on!”

“Wai-!” Faller tried, only for the trio to run off past him.

“Apologies, Faller! We’ll stay out of your hair!” Wess called out, finally drawing the attention of Yarring.

Yarring turned back to a stunned Faller.

“Should I be worried about that?”

Faller grit his teeth. “Truthfully, no. They’re doing a training exercise.”

“…in the main building.”

Faller gave a shrug. “You never know when a Wailing’s going to attack.”

“…I suppose so.” Yarring said, cracking his neck. “Do you mind if we inspect the bar next?”

“Absolutely not.” Faller said, holding his hand out to insist Yarring take the lead.

———

“Wow.”

Essex stared up at the pretty swanky restaurant, impressed by its sheer effortless presentation, as Harley opened the door for her.

“I figured for our first good date, a romantic meal would be pretty choice.” Harley insisted, getting the waiter’s attention. “And like, even if it isn’t, the food’s damn good.”

He showed them to their table, as Harley went to sit, before getting up quickly and remembering to pull out Essex’s chair for her.

“Relias.” Essex let out, taking her seat. “This effort is very appreciated.”

“Oh…thanks.” Harley said, blushing a bit. “I, uhh, don’t get a lot of compliments like that.”

Essex pulled up her menu, as the waiter came over to take their orders.

“Uhh, prime steak, my good sir.” Harley tried, getting a light chuckle from the waiter, as he moved over to Essex.

“…calamari.” Essex said, getting a whistle from Harley.

“Exotic. Didn’t know you liked squid.” Harley mentioned while the waiter headed off, as Essex looked confused.

“Calamari is squid?” Essex asked. “This is my first time having it.”

“Well, let me know if you can’t finish it. I’ll happily clean off your plate.” Harley encouraged, as the waiter came back with some water.

Harley waited from him to leave again, before pouring herself a drink.

“Hey…”

Essex lifted her head.

“Can I start with a bit of a heavy question?”

Essex thought for a second, before nodding.

Harley took a sip of water. “How do you feel about…us?”

Essex cocked her head. “What do you mean?”

Harley scratched her neck. “Do you like it? Is…I mean, are you…getting what you wanted from it?”

Essex blinked in confusion, before shaking her head. “I didn’t have many desires beginning the relationship. All I wanted was what you and Sola had.”

Harley swirled her drink around. “And do you feel like you’ve gotten that?”

Essex shook her head again.

“…oh.” Harley let out.

“I’m still figuring out what I…want from this.” Essex admitted. “I followed instinct in confessing my feelings, but now that these relationships are real…”

“You don’t know what you’re meant to do in them?”

Essex nodded sheepishly, as Harley slowly smiled across from her.

“Well, first things first, there’s no correct way to date.” Harley explained. “There’s not, like, a checklist you have to follow for a ‘successful relationship.’ A lot of it’s trial and error.”

“Really?” Essex asked, as Harley nodded back.

“Oh yeah. I dated a ton before Sola, and I still screw things up with her.” Harley pointed out, before waving her hand at Essex. “We weren’t even dating at the time and I still fucked things up with you.”

Essex leaned a bit over the table. “So, what are some of the things you learned about dating? Perhaps I can use them.”

“Sure, yeah. Uhh, first rule, don’t date the sibling of an ex. Learned that the hard way.” Harley noted, counting on her fingers. “Second, try to break down barriers really quick. A lot of relationships get harder when you don’t know what your partner wants and you’re both too worried about the others reaction to do anything about it.”

“That…” Essex said, before an idea came to mind, as she quickly leaned herself over the table.

“Third, do-“ Harley started, before being cut off by Essex kissing her on her lips and sitting back down soon after. “…huh.”

“I’ve broken that barrier with you.” Essex insisted, giving a thumbs up.

“You sure did…” Harley admitted, giggling a little. “Uhh…sorry, I’m a little flustered now. Third…get a good in-joke started early.”

“…in-joke.” Essex repeated.

“Yeah, like a really personal joke you two can share.” Harley explained, daydreaming a little. “Sola and I have this one where whenever one of us is on a ledge or something, we’ll pretend to fall off and get caught by the other, and make fun of each other as we do it.”

Essex thought on this for a bit, before staring back at Harley.

“I looked into some pickups lines online to prepare for our date.” Essex admitted. “I’m going to try one of those.”

Does she know they’re meant to be used before a date? Harley wondered, before smiling and resting her head in her hand, giving Essex the okay, as she cleared her throat.

She pointed across the table at Harley’s chest.

“Is that a tank top from space?”

Essex looked into Harley’s confused eyes.

“Because those knockers are knocking me into the stratosphere.”

Harley took a beat, waiting for anymore from her, before she slowly burst into laughter, struggling to breathe from how much she was laughing.

“Oh my god!...that line was so bad!” Harley managed to get out, slamming her hand on the table. “I love it!”

A few other patrons glanced over at the table, as Harley needed a second to catch her breath, before wiping away a few tears. “...phew...you’re really funny, Essex.”

Essex cocked her head, before nodding. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

Harley took a second to appreciate the restaurant atmosphere, before finding herself laughing again.

“...tank top from space...I think you might be a natural joke teller.”

“...that would be nice.” Essex said, just as the waiter brought over their food. “…Harley?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you.” Essex said, smiling warmly to her. “For everything.”

Harley took a beat, before feeling herself well up a little, as she grabbed her drink to recover.

“N-No problem…” She said, taking a sip.

She stared across the table again, before resting her head in her hands again.

How the hell is she so damn cute?

———

“Where…was it?” Julia asked, panting a little, as they scanned around the building for the basketball.

“I think…Donovan had it.” Sola let out, before pointing frantically again. “THERE THEY ARE!!!”

“Sola, don’t yell.” Wess insisted, taking a breather too.

“Sorry! I’m too amped up!” Sola confessed, as Julia waved over to Donovan.

“Hey!”

Donovan spun around, before waving back. “Alpine. Good to see you.”

Julia ran over, before realising Donovan wasn’t holding it anymore. “Wait, where’d the basketball go?”

“Basketball?” Donovan repeated, before putting two and two together. “Sorry, was that yours? I just found it and started messing around. Athlete instincts.”

“Team Instinct.” Wess remarked, as Donovan noticed the pun and chuckled.

“I just left it he…” They said, before searching around them. “…huh. Well, it was here.”

“Umm…” Wess let out, before indicating to the basketball slowly rolling down the hallway, before it was about to hit…

…the stairwell.

“Don’t let it go!” Sola let out, running right after it, as the others followed behind in a sprint.

“I would’ve…thought…you’d be off training with…the team.” Julia admitted, panting as she ran, as Donovan smirked back at her.

“Actually, they are training. They kicked me out.”

Julia’s eyes widened. “Kicked…out?”

“I’ve been training all last week nonstop.”

Julia’s eyes went normal again. “Oh.”

“They said I needed a break or I was gonna burn out.” Donovan remarked, gagging about the remark. “Frankly, I think they’re insane, but the decision was unanimous on their end.”

“You did start…dribbling…a basketball you found…completely unprompted.” Wess noted, as Donovan gave her a cursory glance, before the ball finally reached the steps.

Just as Sola was about to reach it, it tumbled downward, careening down each step, before it was completely out of sight.

Sola hurried over, before peaking down the stairwell.

“I…don’t see it!” She exclaimed. “I think it’s…on a lower floor!”

Julia and Wess caught up to her, before taking another breath, as Donovan started stretching.

“Well, if I’d known it was your guy’s ball, I would’ve left it alone.” Donovan pointed out.

“It’s not ours…it’s Team Beefcake’s.” Julia clarified.

“No way. Those guys rule.” Donovan said, as Wess fell to the floor.

“How…does it keep getting away?” She remarked. “I’m starting to think it’s personal.”

“Don’t give up, Wess! We’re not gonna let the ball win!” Sola insisted, as Wess gave a weak pump of her fist.

“Hoorah. I wish I had your enthusiasm for this.” Wess said, just as Julia started making her way down the stairs.

“Come on, guys. If we leave it too long, it might roll away again.” Julia encouraged, hopping down the stairs, followed by Sola, as Wess sighed out and pulled herself up.

“The lengths I go to…” Wess let out, before turning back to Donovan. “To our next fortuitous meeting, Donovan.”

Donovan rolled their eyes, before running down the stairwell as well. “Are you kidding? This is the next best thing to my regular training. Wait up!”

Donovan disappeared from sight, as Wess rubbed her face in annoyance.

“Alright, I guess we’re starting a convoy then…” Wess said, taking her time down the stairs, just as Julia and Sola reached the bottom floor.

The moment they hit the floor, a ding ran out behind them, as they turned around to see Coatsworth in the elevator, looking back at them curiously, with the basketball nestled quietly in the corner.

“Hel-“

“Wait wait wait!!!” Julia let out, just as the doors closed, suddenly sending the elevator up and out of sight, as all Julia and Sola could do was stare in shock as the floor number readout went higher and higher.

“Don’t tell me you guys caught it already.” Donovan exclaimed, jumping down the stairs to join the duo, before following their gaze. “Why’re you staring at the elevator?”

Julia silently pointed at the floor number, as it ticked up more and more, before eventually stopping at…

“…floor 87.” Julia managed. “That’s where the basketball is.”

Donovan took a second, before staring at Julia. “…how did it get in the elevator?”

“…maybe Wess was right and it’s personal?” Julia theorised.

“Do we have to go back up the stairs?” Sola groaned, holding out her hands. “I don’t have my arm-cannons with me, so I can’t shoot my way up.”

Donovan snapped their fingers. “You guys wait for the elevator. I’ve got this.”

Donovan immediately went into a sprint back up the stairs, passing by a stunned Wess, who quickly joined up with Julia and Sola.

“What happened now?” Wess let out, before a defeated Julia pointed in front of her.

“Elevator…”

“Of course…” Wess sighed, before hugging Julia’s side. “Come here.”

Sola pressed the button, as the elevator quickly came back down a minute later, before opening to reveal Coatsworth again, waiting patiently.

“Sorry, my greeting from earlier was cut off.” He said, waving. “Hello, girls.”

“Where’d it go?!” Sola cried, searching the elevator interior, before spotting something sitting behind Coatsworth’s back.

“Borf!”

“A doggie!” Sola exclaimed, immediately getting distracted by it, as it wagged its tail and spun in a quick circle.

“Why did you ride back down?” Wess asked.

“And why’s there a dog here?” Julia said, before spotting Sola playing with it. “Aww…”

“This is Biscuit. I had mentioned my dog to Seears, so I was taking it to his office to show him.” Coatsworth explained. “And I rode back down because you said to wait. Did you need something?”

“Basketball! Fess up!” Sola insisted, switching to interrogation, as Julia went to hold her back.

Coatsworth instinctively held his hands up. “B-Basketball?”

“Team Beefcake lost theirs, so we’re trying to find it.” Wess clarified. “Apparently, it just rode up with you.”

“Oh. I don’t remember seeing it myself.” Coatsworth noted.

“Is there anyway it could’ve gotten onto the elevator?” Julia asked.

Everyone took a second, before staring back down at Biscuit, happily panting beside Coatsworth.

“Ruff ruff!”

“Bam!” Sola let out, mashing the button for the 87th floor, just as the elevator shot up the main building.

It took a couple minutes, before it opened out onto the correct floor, just in time for the team to see the basketball on the other end of the hallway, seconds away from bouncing down the opposite stairwell.

“NO!!!” Julia cried, right as it bounced down, out of sight again. “It’s going down even more floors!”

“I’m gonna get it! Don’t you worry!” Sola assured, grabbing Julia’s shoulders, before hurrying down the stairs again, followed quickly by Biscuit, now excited by all the running and chasing the ball again.

“Biscuit! Don’t run off please! You’re technically not supposed to be here!” Coatsworth let out, chasing them both, leaving Julia and Wess alone.

“We’re stuck in some kind of loop.” Wess pointed out, as Julia was struggling to form words.

“What’s with this demonic basketball…”

———

“Chad, Lad, what’s the situation?”

“Your instincts were right, Brad. The ball ended up in the main building.” Chad insisted.

“I received a text from Team Valiant as of a few minutes ago saying the ball was careening down to the 30th floor.” Efrem added, holding his tablet up.

“Alright! Let’s go help them out!” Thad insisted, high-fiving Lad, before the team pumped their fists together.

“BEEFCAKE!!!”

“…ave to say, your recovery after the Behemoth Wailing attacks is quite remarkable. I’m right in hearing that no students were killed in either attack?”

“…yes, fortunately. The fact the casualties were so minimal is…a borderline miracle.” Faller insisted. “So please, don’t credit me for that. I take no pride in being lucky.”

“Luck or not, it speaks well to your skill as the current principal.” Yarring encouraged. “That Conrad Baxter was quite the piece of work.”

“Ah, see, I will take pride in not being like him.” Faller pointed out, getting a brief chuckle from Yarring. “I’ve attempted a more compassionate teaching style than his.”

“Oh?”

“The team system only works when teammates understand each other and work together. Five strangers can’t do anything together if they’re only in it for a paycheck.” Faller reasoned. “That’s why Team Spectrum was so successful, after all.”

“…in a certain light, yes.” Yarring noted, drawing Faller’s eye.

“A certain light?”

“Well, they certainly dipped in quality as time went on.” Yarring suggested. “The public noted their lack of enthusiasm in the later years. That sort of comradery is hard to maintain over an entire career.”

“They completed more Wailing hunts in their last year than any other.” Faller pointed out.

“And yet, none of them were as noteworthy as their previous bouts.” Yarring stated. “All their best moments were behind them. Back when youth was their ally and the stars were still in their eyes.”

“So you’re saying they should’ve quit while they were ahead?”

Yarring shook his head. “They should have innovated. They were tired in their later years and their work refused to change. So, they clung to their former title of ‘greatest Venator team of all time’ like a bandage and quietly went off into the night. A Venator team should leave off with a bang, so to speak.”

Faller kept walking alongside Yarring, staring straight forward. “You can’t just manufacture a spectacular Wailing encounter, General.”

“I’m aware.” He stated, staring forward as well.

“You almost sound disappointed.”

Yarring turned straight to him. “Wouldn’t you want one last chance at a glorious bout, Faller?”

Faller chose not to reply, as they turned a corner in the hallway. “…regardless, I want the teams leaving this academy to truly care for each other. We can’t guarantee their success out in the industry, but we can prepare them for what they might have to overcome. As corny as it sounds, teamwork really makes th…”

“It’s getting away!”

“I’ve got it this time!”

Faller’s pupils shrank.

“Oh no…” Faller let out, as Yarring started looking around.

“Faller, what’s that yelling?”

“Nothing important. Let’s keep moving.” Faller insisted, before catching movement in the corner of his eye.

“Watch out!”

“It’s faster than we thought!”

“Wess, look out!”

Wess jumped for the basketball, right as it came down from the top of the stairs, only for it to smack right into her face, sending her flying back, and launching the ball further down the hall, right past Faller and General Yarring.

Before either of them could get a word out, Team Beefcake burst out of the stairwell, scanning around for the ball, before catching it in the distance.

“Ball found! Come on, Team V!” Brad encouraged, picking Wess up suddenly, before running down the hall with the trio.

Faller and Yarring watched as Team Beefcake tore down the hallway after the basketball, with the members of Team Valiant in tow and Wess protesting being carried, only for Donovan to charge out of the stairwell and follow along behind them, right as Coatsworth appeared from their as well, running after the students, only to lock eyes with Faller and give a nervous wave as he passed, just as Biscuit hurried past them too, excitedly barking the entire time.

All of this would’ve been enough on its own, except that the basketball hit the wall and bounced backward, navigating its way through the hall again, as the group watched it swerve between their legs, roll right past them, and simply follow its own whims, causing them to hurry back around after it, passing by Faller and Yarring again in their wild, chaotic frenzy.

Yarring stood perfectly motionless as he watched the chaos unfold in front of him, with Faller refusing to be the first one to speak up, even as Coatsworth waved at him a second time.

Eventually, as the group disappeared further into the building, Yarring felt the need to break the silence, while he sighed out and faced toward Faller.

“This is some training exercise.”

Faller broke a sweat, before clearing his throat a little too much. “W-When it comes to their studies, nothing is off the table.”

“Including the involvement of the Vice-Principal?”

“…yes.”

———

“Aaaaaaaand…we’re back here.” Harley greeted, opening up the dorm door. “I figured we could spend the rest of our date at home. Julia texted me, and apparently, the rest of the team’s out chasing something whatever bla bla bla, so we get the room to ourselves.”

Essex looked around, before facing Harley again and giving a thumbs up. “Cool.”

Harley smirked, as she hurried into Essex’s study, jumping right onto her bed.

“I guess I can kinda come in here whenever, huh?” Harley pointed out, as Essex quickly joined her. “I keep treating it like it’s your room, even though it’s the team’s study.”

“I wouldn’t take up so much space.” Essex insisted. “I have heard Julia describe me as a ‘light-liver.’”

“That’s Julia for ya. Her love language is definitely earnest compliments.” Harley noted, before Essex stared at her, somewhat confused.

“…you’ve used another term I’m unfamiliar with.” Essex clarified.

“Love languages. It’s kinda related to my point at lunch about breaking barriers.” Harley noted. “Love languages are just how you express love. Like, me and Sola are really physical and love hugging each other, while Julia and Wess are more flirty and complimenty. That sorta thing.”

Essex tapped her chin. “What’s my love language?”

“Well…I dunno. It’s different for everyone.” Harley pointed out, sitting on Essex’s bed. “Do you like being more physical?”

“…possibly.” Essex let out. “I wouldn’t know. I haven’t tried anything like that.”

“Really?” Harley asked, as Essex nodded to her. “…I mean…”

Harley took a second to spread herself out on the bed a little more.

“We could always see if that’s something you’re into.”

She moved over a bit, before patting the side of the bed and nodding her head to it.

“Do you…”

Essex stared at the spot, before connecting the dots and blushing profusely.

“I-I-I do not know if I’m ready for this…”

“Don’t worry, I can take it slow.” Harley insisted. “We’ll only do as much as you’re comfortable with. And if you don’t like it, we’ll stop.”

Essex shook her head. “B-But it would not be right if I did so. W-We don’t allow this sort of thing outside of Boncala Day.”

Harley blinked, before reeling back. “Shit, sorry. I forgot. The Segaru Clan has rules about this.”

“My apologies.” Essex quickly replied, as Harley waved her hand.

“No, it was my fault. I was there, I should’ve remembered.” Harley let out. “I mean, I spent most of my time there doing the opposite, but…hang on…”

Harley reached over Essex’s bed and grabbed Maxie, before holding the plushie in her lap.

“Alright, what do you usually do with Maxie?”

Essex was noticeably embarrassed but spoke up regardless.

“…I will lie down and caress him, often stroking his fur and sniffing him.” Essex replied, before realising what she’d admitted to. “Th-The sniffing part is…rare. Very rare…”

“Okay. Lucky Maxie.” Harley joked, before patting the bed again. “How about just that? A bit of cuddling couldn’t hurt.”

Essex’s face reddened again. “…c-can we lie together first? I-I would feel more comfortable easing into this…”

“Yeah, totally.” Harley said, lying out on the bed and giving Essex enough space to spread out.

Essex took her time getting into bed, kicking her shoes off and stepping over her scythe lying alongside the bed, before sliding in next to Harley, as Harley smiled proudly to Essex, turning onto her side.

“I think I know how you like to express love.”

“Vonodo?”

“Quietly and respectfully, just like you.” Harley grinned, turning to face her, as Essex started blushing.

Once she realised she was, she turned away, before touching her fingers together.

“…I think I also know how you express it.”

“Oh yeah?”

Essex nodded.

“Sex and bad jokes.”

Harley immediately started chuckling, as she covered her mouth and struggled to talk. “Yeah…that’s pretty dang accurate.”

Letting herself catch a breath, she reached over to Essex with one arm, caressing the side of her face.

“Let’s just start with a bit of this.” Harley suggested, as Essex began leaning into it. “I know it seems like I’m all about sex, but honestly, I love this stuff too.”

“…this is very nice.” Essex admitted, as she briefly opened her eyes, staring somewhat into space.

Harley noticed. “You good?”

Before saying anything more, Essex decided to get up from her side and crawl on top of Harley, Essex’s face hanging above hers.

“Whoa…”

“…no…I am tired of not acting on this.” Essex insisted, her hair spilling out beside her. “I…I want to feel this.”

“I don’t want you to feel like you hav-“

“That isn’t it.” Essex answered. “I’m helping you understand who I am.”

Essex leaned in, smiling happily.

“And that this is…what I want from us…”

Essex closed the distance.

“…this…is my passion…”

———

Despite having barely spoken during most of the inspection, General Yarring was starting to feel the long trek around the campus. He’d heard about its labyrinthian design, but didn’t know whether that held any water until now.

Speaking of holding water, he asked Faller if he could split off and grab a drink to satiate his thirst. Eventually, he found a drinking fountain and took a moment to grab a sip, just as the chaos from earlier rang out in the halls again.

It passed by fairly quickly, before Yarring heard breathing behind him, as Julia was holding herself up against the wall, trying to catch her breath.

“Geez…we just…can’t catch a break…” Julia let out, before noticing Yarring also there, his attention still on the fountain. “G-General. Sorry, I didn’t know you were here.”

Yarring took a second, before grabbing another sip. “Fountain’s are communal.”

“Hey, sorry about all the commotion.” Julia admitted. “There’s this basketball that we’re trying to…you know what, I probably shouldn’t try to justify it. I just hope it hasn’t interfered with your inspection.”

Yarring stayed quiet as he took his drink, before turning it off suddenly.

“You Venators…” Yarring muttered, lifting himself back up and wiping his mouth, as Julia looked him over.

“General?”

“What did it take for you to get here?” Yarring asked, turning around suddenly. “A tuition fee? A little interview?”

Julia suddenly felt her anxiety flare up as Yarring’s expression turned bitter.

“I spent my entire career getting to where I am.” Yarring continued, his back now to Julia. “Working my way up the ranks, shining every shoe I could find, busting my goddamn ass, until I finally got what I’d earned. Heh, I even turned down Cindy’s invitation…”

Julia didn’t know if she was part of the conversation anymore, until General Yarring turned back at her sharply.

“And you know what happened next?”

Julia decided to slowly shake her head.

“No one needed us anymore.” Yarring remarked. “Just like that, we became obsolete. An army without a purpose…how about you tell me, are we allowed to kill Wailing?”

Julia went to open her mouth but opted to shake her head instead.

“Exactly. We don’t touch them. That’s your department.” Yarring said, starting to wave his hand wildly. “We’re not equipped to handle Wailing skirmishes. Maybe if every Wailing looked like the Behemoth ones, sure, but you can’t send an entire battalion out to take care of a single Wailing. You can’t carpet bomb a small forest just because one might be in the area. We’re only built for overkill…”

Yarring laughed again. “And then, who gets to take down the Behemoth Wailing attacking the Venator academy? You…you get to reap that victory again. We couldn’t even prove ourselves in the one area we could handle.”

Julia assured herself that his rant was starting to die down, before he kicked his foot into the drinking fountain.

“And yet, we’re still around!” He yelled, flailing his arms. “Why?! I don’t get it! Who are we at war with?!”

Julia started to back up, as Yarring chuckled a little. “My father used to tell me stories about the war between the Western and Northern Wayside, but I never got to participate. I was off by a few decades. That…was the last true bout of the Daysend army.”

He opened his arms widely. “And I’ve inherited a dinosaur.”

Julia found her opening to leave him on his own, only for Yarring to quickly notice and intercept her exit, blocking her off before she could duck away.

“What’s the point of using a gun if you don’t have a target to shoot?” Yarring remarked, snickering to himself in frustration. “Why load a bullet if you know you’re not going to fire it? No one needs us anymore. They already have their army.”

He slowly pointed back at Julia. “And you’re doing a bang-up job.”

Julia couldn’t help but feel her heart beating rapidly in her chest, as Yarring stared her down, trying to see if he had anymore vitriol left, before letting out a final sigh.

“I don’t hate Venators.” He finally said. “But I hate what you keep taking from me.”

He left almost immediately after, carrying the same gravitas he usually did, leaving Julia to try and recover from his sudden rant.

“…Head of the Daysend army…” Julia repeated to herself, focusing on her breathing. “…guess we’re in overly cautious hands…”

———

“It’s heading back around here! Throw me, Wess!”

“Do I look like Harley to you?!”

“You could pull it off!”

Julia took a necessary second leaving back into the hall, meaning it was a moment before she could register her surroundings, and the fact that Wess and Sola were now running back toward her.

“Julia, it’s heading your way!”

“W-Wha?” Julia let out, right as the basketball bounced down the hallway to her.

Instinctively, she held out her hands to slow it with her Whil, before it bounced right past her, continuing its crusade through the academy. In a desperate attempt to catch it, she threw her hands back toward it to slow it again, right as it was about to turn the corner.

Luckily, she just managed to catch it, as she slowed it mid-air, finally letting out a breath. However, right as she was about to celebrate, she noticed it still moving and started to panic, before realising…

…it was moving up.

Julia blinked a few times to try and make it out, before realising the ball wasn’t slowly falling, or even staying perfectly still, but rather, it was floating back up, back the way it was bouncing.

It started to pick up speed, before reversing its trip back down the hall, right toward Julia again, as Julia kept her hands up, shaking happily.

“Julia, did you manage to…” Wess asked, before noticing the ball coming their way. “What on Daysend…”

The ball came back toward them, before Julia stopped it right as it hit the ground.

“…I…”

Julia pumped her fists in the air and started celebrating. “I reversed it!!! I didn’t know I could do that!!!”

“With your Whil?” Wess asked, before sweeping Julia up in a hug. “Dear, I’m so proud of you!”

“It just started moving backwards, and then I realised it was me!” Julia exclaimed, as Wess put her down. “I reversed its momentum!”

Julia kissed Wess happily, right as Sola pounced onto the ball, refusing to let it go.

“We got it!!! Mission accomplished!!!”

“There you guys are!” Brad let out, running down the hall with the rest of Team Beefcake. “We thought the ball had finally beaten you.”

“We don’t quit that easily!” Sola insisted, holding it tight to her chest. “Team Valiant burn bright and hard!”

“You managed to catch it!” Efrem exclaimed, hurrying over to Sola. “Excellently done!”

“You guys are real Beefcake material.” Thad insisted, giving Sola a thumbs up. “Way to go!”

“It was nothing.” Julia insisted, just as Wess scoffed beside her.

“That stupid basketball was twice as tough as most of the Wailing we’ve fought. I don’t take that lightly, dear.” Wess assured. “I’m training overtime to make up for this.”

“We won’t hold you up any longer then.” Brad assured, saluting to the team. “Thanks for a fun day!”

“Same here!” Sola assured, waving to them as they left, only for Donovan to come charging around the corner in a frenzy.

“Where’d it go?! I’ve got it this time, I’v-!“

Donovan stopped, before spinning around and spotting the ball in Brad’s hands, as they headed off down the hallway.

“…it’s over already?” Donovan let out, catching their breath. “That was the best…training regimen I’ve ever done. And it’s gone.”

“Biscuit!” Coatsworth called out, appearing behind Team Valiant, as he trailed behind Biscuit, still running after Team Beefcake and their ball. “This…campus is too big…for you to go wandering!”

“Bork bork!”

Donovan quickly eyed up Team Valiant, before heading after Biscuit.

“Don’t worry, Vice-Principal, I’ve got him!”

Just as the others cleared out, Julia’s excitement built up again, as she started celebrating again now that they were alone.

“Today was…totally wild. But good.” Julia let out, feeling herself getting a little faint. “Phew…I tell ya, there’s not many feelings better than this.”

———

Harley was left panting wildly, staring up at the ceiling in utter and profound shock.

Essex lay right beside her, panting just as much, before Harley turned to her with a stunned expression.

“This was your first time?!”

Essex nodded assuredly, as Harley held her hands to her face.

“How are you and Sola both so good at sex?!” Harley bemoaned, right as Essex’s face lit up.

“Y-You liked it?”

“Of course I did! That was incredible! I don’t think I’ve ever had sex that good before!”

In a bout of excitement, Essex jumped into a hug with Harley, careening herself into Harley’s neck.

“I am so glad…I was worried you would think I was lacking…”

“Essex, I’m lacking.” Harley assured, facing her properly. “I can’t compete. After that hand thing you did, I’m a changed woman.”

Essex got excited again. “I didn’t know if it would work, but I thought about it logistically, an-“

“It lets you do both.”

“Yes. Exactly.” Essex said, before finding herself chuckling a little, then chuckling a lot, then almost excessively so as she got caught up in her own enjoyment, starting to tear up from laughter.

Harley stared back at her endearingly.

“I never see you laugh like that…” Harley let out, right as a loud knock came from the dorm door.

“Harley? Essex? We just finished our thing. Do you need a bit more time?”

“Oh shit, they’re done already. Wha-!” Harley let out, before accidentally falling out of bed.

“Oh dear.” Essex let out, covering her mouth. “The sex has rendered you immobile…”

“I got my foot caught in the sheets.” Harley insisted, before getting up and remembering how naked she was. “Right, clothes…”

Her and Essex quickly got changed, as Julia eventually opened the door to find both of them standing by the study, looking fairly haggard and sweaty.

Julia awkwardly looked side to side, before pivoting to the kitchen, as Wess followed behind her, before rolling her eyes.

“Well, I can’t say this is a surprise.” Wess remarked. “I hope you enjoyed yourselves. And that you took care of her, Harley.”

“I should hope I would.” Harley assured, just as Wess smirked and went to join Julia, right as Sola came in last.

“Hey guys! How was the date?” She asked, before noticing how dishevelled they were. “…wow, that was quick.”

Essex hid her face in embarrassment, as Harley laughed uncomfortably. “Yeah…”

“We really need to get that text chain going.” Sola remarked, just as Julia jumped in the kitchen.

“Dammit, I got distracted by the basketball and forgot. Hold on.” Julia assured, just as Harley leaned into Sola.

“By the by…so good.” Harley whispered.

“Really?”

“I don’t know where she was keeping it, but damn, it was borderline heaven.”

“Did you get to touch her abs?”

“Only for a bit, but it’s like a freaking washboard down there.”

“Whoa! I wanna touch ‘em now!”

“You totally should. Just ease her into it first. She’s pretty gentle.”

“Okay.” Sola said, catching Essex laying by the couch, before turning to Harley again. “I love you.”

“Aww, I love you too.” Harley said, kissing her forehead, before jumping on the couch to join Essex. “So, one more round, hot stuff?”

“Uhh…” Essex let out, before shaking her head. “I am…still reeling.”

“Yeah, I have that effect on people.” Harley joked, before bumping Essex’s side. “You feeling a bit better about us?”

Essex needed a moment to think, before bumping Harley’s side as well.

“I’d feel better with…those sweet knockers…on me.”

Harley started laughing again, as Sola watched on the sidelines curiously.

“Knockers?”

———

“…nce again, Faller, the academy continues to function as usual. Congratulations on not destroying it.”

“The pleasures all mine. Have fun sitting on the sidelines while we handle the Wailing.”

Yarring let out a sneer, before patting Faller on the back with a good amount of force. “Don’t joke about that.”

“I wouldn’t worry. I heard the Senate’s having talks about restructuring the Daysend army into something more practical.” Faller noted, as he and Yarring walked to the academy entrance.

“Of course, just as I’m made in charge.” Yarring remarked, getting a laugh from Faller.

“Maybe you can make an appeal to them? Attack relief? Patrolling the north of the Eastern Wayside?”

“We both know Venators are better equipped for those.” Yarring assured, just as they arrived at the entrance. “No, we’ll find something we’re built for.”

“I’m sure you will. See you in however many years, Yarring. Hopefully next time, we can demonstrate the IF’s for you properly.” Faller said, waving him off.

Yarring waved back, before making his way down the academy walkway.

“Ideally, I’ll be busy dealing with Wailing by then.” Yarring remarked to himself, before staring up at the sky. “…General Yarring, Head of the Daysend army…”

He snickered a little, as he headed toward Detu City.

It was a decently kept industry, he thought.