Regardless of Giana’s results, it will have an impact on our relationship if I use this test. I could create another one but… that would be favoritism.

  That wouldn't be an issue normally, but I won't be doing anyone a favor at that particular instance.

  I might need Noelle's input. She's the only one who doesn't need to do this test and understands social interactions enough. She also knows Giana very well. It seems that Noelle has successfully infiltrated the big sister role…

  Talking to Noelle might be the best as I can't get out of this by myself.

  Now about Yv’s test. It needs an alteration. Her relationship with Greg has taken for the worst, so I can't have them take it together to facilitate a bond. I never considered what would happen if Greg would never get interested in Yv. It sounded so perfect. 3 chicks join so one for each but… reality is messy and crueler than fiction… We might have to find a guy for Yv and a chick for Greg… again. Maybe he is indeed not interested in chicks but… Azu's charm worked on him. Maybe he is into Azu. What a mess…

  This could cause the team to fracture…

  Did Raishin have a point in his behavior? ‘If I can't have a chick, you can't either’ as currently it looks as if our team would be better off as either everyone pairs up or nobody. I assumed that everyone would pair up, but that was naive.

  I rolled around in frustration. Maybe it's time that team Hourai gets a different leader, I clearly suck at this but… what are the alternatives?

  Giana? She tunnel visions on me too much. I might be doing the same but besides that… I think she might have issues in making hard decisions. The spirit stalker situation came to mind. The best solution was for them to get to safety and only one person to risk his life.

  Raishin? Bad idea.

  Greg? When half the team has issues with him?

  Noelle? My personal vote but… Greg has issues with her, and her temper might become an issue.

  Yv, i'm not sure of. Her timid nature is a factor. Playing it safe is good, but not always.

  As for me. I'm bad at reading social cues when it counts. Might take too many risks, which involves letting my teammates figure stuff out themselves instead of interfering.

  I'd rank suitability for leadership with Noelle at the top, Yv possibly second, me third, Giana fourth and the last two spots are difficult. Greg is a better leader than Raishin but does that matter if half the team has issues with him and might rather listen to someone else?

  And Raishin is quite competent when he gets serious.

  Nilah wasn't very helpful and had fallen asleep. That's fine, she always pulls through when I really need her.

  I stretched my hand to the ceiling. Is this why foxes prefer to move alone? I like my friends and the idols are great but… I felt a great comfort moving alone.

  Some company doesn't hurt of course…

  What would happen if I abandon my responsibilities and fled? Who would be able to catch me?

  I thought for a bit. The answer was quite abstract. Guilt would catch me. I can't evade things as abstract as ‘guilt’. I don't think that I'm arrogant, but my team is quite screwed if I leave. Or is that so? They will get into less shit and would probably do fine.

  Giana's gaze locked on to me.

  How does she do this? She can't read my mind, can she?

  I pretended to be asleep. With my hand still reaching for the ceiling… We might have to have a talk if she falls for this…

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  Her gaze dropped and she appeared moments later. “Can't sleep?”

  Silence.

  “Deca, I know that you're awake…”

  Impressive!

  “Dummy, nobody sleeps like that. I had a talk with Yv. She… considers giving up on Greg.” Giana sat down in my tails. “I didn't know what to say to her.”

  Understandable. I wouldn't know what to say, either.

  “The words Greg spoke… we did force ourselves into the team, didn't we…”

  And why is that an excuse for his behavior?

  “We might have invaded his space…I don't know.”

  That might be true, but Raishin and I are in the same situation. Whether you ‘invading’ our space is a good or bad thing is how we handle it. Many other things are more invasive than 3 hot chicks joining a party; this is a non-issue.

  “This is the first time you've called me a hot chick.”

  I think it all the time, though. Words aren't my forte, so I treat you like a hot chick. Sorry that I'm so confusing, but this is who I am.

  “No, that's fine, I understand, it's just nice to hear.” Giana slapped her cheeks. “But back to Yv! What do we do?”

  Has she asked for help?

  “No? But shouldn't we help?”

  This might be where we differ a lot and it might cause arguments. I assume competency unless proven otherwise. If she doesn't ask for my help, I will leave it to her and only butt in when necessary. If she asks me, I will help. It doesn't disprove competency, but certain things work better with aid. I don't know her feelings or the deeper issue, so I will do nothing and observe, unless you come up with a reason to help her.

  “Oh… that's different. I just want to help whenever I can. The only reason I can think of is that she's my friend and I want to help her…”

  I felt bad as Giana seemed unsure on if she should help Yv.

  Silly vixen. A wise 7t once told me; ‘and what does she think?’ just ask her if she needs help.

  “I wish you could keep that social competency on at all times. But thank you.”

  Ouch! So Noelle has also taught you the [Venomous Tongue] arts?

  “Haha, perhaps, sleep well Deca, and thank you for being so direct.”

  Giana got up and walked back to her room. Her hip sway was hypnotic. All thoughts of moving alone got obliterated by that hip sway. At worst, I would kidnap Giana.

  I recollected the thoughts I had before Giana’s visit.

  Yv’s test… She considers giving up on Greg, so he can't be used to stress her out. What does she like besides Greg?

  I don't know Yv at all, do I? My test for Giana will be quite effective because I know her well enough. I suppose I should put more effort into getting to know Yv so I can stress her out. Quite convenient as I need skills to represent the new team members.

  I got arrows to represent Elliana. Giana is mine, so I put skills in her instead. Somehow that sounds wrong…

  For Noelle… I can't use earth magic… well I can, but I'd rather not, as I know 0 earth skills and my earth affinity is trash tier. I would more likely hurt myself than my opponent if I attempted earth magic.

  My chances for wind magic are better, so I can do that for Yv, but it's going to be hard. It has to be a simple but flexible wind skill.

  Would [Boss Music] work for Noelle? She is a musician, so she could help my [Boss Music] to become even better!

  So just something to represent Yv. Wind magic will be challenging…