The rest of the week I spent studying and polishing my development project at home.

  Athena was sending me notes that she got from my professors on the week's material that I missed.

  I was grateful for her initiative to help me out. She was truly acting like a good friend which left me conflicted of me turning her down when she asked my help.

  Each day Itsuki invited me out and we spent many lunches together now. He even intercepted himself hanging out with my mom. Always there, next to me like a shadow.

  I knew that his job was me. I suspected it was supervision and looking out if I didn't break the rules.

  At first I was conflicted but the nature and reasons that came from the pressure of The Big Three.

  Reigen and I ended that meeting on a note for me to simply do what I am here for. Even if that ended up as a plot they think with my father sending me here for some kind of conspiracy against them. So be it. They have stopped poking the bear and decided to co-exist. For better or for worse.

  “Omg!! Rory!” The minute I stepped into the university halls two pairs of feet ran in my direction.

  Athena was the one that leaped and put her arms around me.

  “I am so glad to see you back and well!” She happily welcomed me.

  “Good Morning Athena!” I did not hug her back but awkwardly stood there.

  “You are back!” Rio happily smiled, sharing Athena’s excited expression.

  “I am.” I nodded once Athena let me go.

  “Thank you for looking after me with my study materials. You truly are a friend!” I thanked Athena.

  She only waved her hand as if it's nothing.

  “Anything for a friend!” She looked glad.

  Rio and Athena greeted me warmly but I couldn’t help but notice a difference in the air.

  Other students gave subtle looks, some quiet whispers and side eyes when walking past me. When I faced someone's direction they immediately turned their heads away, dispersing and pretending I wasn’t there.

  The break up was public and everyone looked to be still talking about it.

  I punched the son of the town's major family member. So called The Big Three, older brother had to move me away as I supposedly went berserk. That apparently took bravery landing me in a spot of outcast even more than ever.

  As if social norms worried me.

  “You’ve got yourself a reputation!” Rio smirked looking around the looks people were giving me, acknowledging the tension.

  “I see that.” I answered without looking in his direction.

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  “I wish we were in the same classes. Sadly we are not.” He expressed disappointment as he spoke to me.

  “Why?” I asked him.

  Though my question did sound like more of an insult.

  Athena awkwardly looked between the two of us.

  “You’re fun. I wished Athena would have introduced us sooner.” He wore a careless expression. Looking happy to be where he was.

  “If you’re here to try to help Athena to convince me to help. I am standing by my decision." I said, giving a silent apologetic look in Athena’s way.

  Athena nervously nodded but did not say anything.

  “Oh? No.” Rio denied.

  And continued. “I was truthful when I said I care about you. You're my friend.” He announced it to me. “Like it or not I am here for you Rory.” Rio smiled at me with this innocent and confident look.

  “Is that so?” I turned my head in his direction.

  His eyes were determined which only told me he was certain of the words said. Smiling brightly at me and nodding.

  “So…what are you really searching for here?” He asked me curiously looking into my eyes. It seemed like he was trying to ask me something else. As if he guessed that I was up to something.

  “Right now I am looking for my first class.” I shrugged my shoulders ignoring his evasive question.

  “Ohh…you weren’t here! Today we only have an hour with our home teachers. The rest of the day is free.” Athena happily announced.

  I nodded already aware.

  “I know. I received the email.” I replied to Athena.

  “Wanna hang out after? We are all going to the Treasury Tower for the Passing the Keys event!”

  Passing the Keys event refers to the public moment for Ichigo’s passing the role of the Akasia’s head over the next person. It’s happening today, following other festivities.

  “Ohh? What time was that?” I asked.

  “Four thirty in the afternoon!” Rio answered excitedly. “You should be coming with us!”

  “My mom actually wants to go with me…” I said slowly.

  “That’s amazing!” Athena clapped. “You both still can be with us!” She looked happy about this.

  “Itsuki might also be with me…” I mentioned him.

  Surprisingly Itsuki has not bothered me yet today but I suspected that he might be around me then. It felt very odd to me with him around this much but there’s nothing I can do about that right now. Itsuki’s presence largely is a mystery I want to uncover. That’s why I am not pushing him away.

  “More than merrier!” Rio expressed his excitement.

  “Okay. Let's meet all later.” I accepted with no reason to decline their offer.

  Athena happily clapped her hands and Rio nodded.

  “Sweet!” Athena said.

  It was getting late, so after this exchange we went in the directions to our first and last class for the day.

  Though, as I was walking away a hand was put around me.

  “Sorry!” It was Rio.

  He pretended to leave and noticing Athena out of sight he intercepted me.

  Seeing my eyes at him he removed his hand off me but kept walking with me.

  “What is it?” I questioned him about his intentions.

  “So…Rory!” Rio looked at me smiling.

  “I want to invite you for a date.”

  I stopped short of hearing these words. The hallway now was almost empty. Only the last couple students running through it are too busy to focus on not being late. Not noticing our presence.

  “I am not looking to date right now.” I shut him down.

  I could see in his eyes that he wasn’t serious about his question and his laughter confirmed it.

  “Okay…that’s fine. I still want to have some time with you sometime soon.” He invited me freely. So casually as if I was his long life friend.

  His confidence did intrigue me and reminded me little of Yukari but I could tell Rio was different. More friendly and open, similarly to Athena.

  “To give you a pretext I have something that you might be interested in.” Rio confidently said.

  “What would that be?” I asked.

  He didn’t answer me but slid me another paper.

  “Open carefully.” He didn’t say this but his lips moved.

  My hand slowly took his paper. Our hands briefly touched.

  It was small letters but it said a name. A name that is so familiar to me. Sano Aisaki. The letters were small but I could tell that he was aware of something that I was searching for.

  My eyes instantly opened wide. I looked up at Rio. Staring into his eyes. My curiosity and anticipation grew.

  “I will meet you.” I answered and pulled out my phone, handing it over to Rio.

  “No more notes or letters like this.” I said to him and opened the page where you can enter a phone number.

  Rio nodded and reached for my phone and typed in his phone number.