At the pool, during the party organized by Amalhe, the twenty-eight Alepou siblings could be seen sharing time in small groups, some in the water and others around it. They all exuded a sense of calm and relaxation as they enjoyed their family time.
In one of the more secluded areas of the pool sat the first group of Alepou siblings. Under an umbrella, around a small wooden table, three sisters chatted quietly.
The first was Olivia, who wore a purple one-piece swimsuit paired with denim shorts. She calmly sipped a glass of ginger lemon juice while listening to her sisters.
To her left stood a girl of about 5'8" with Swedish features: blonde hair, sapphire-red eyes, and pale skin dotted with small freckles. Her outfit was simple: a dark orange sweater covering her knee-length black swimsuit. She calmly sipped chamomile tea and snacked on a handful of peanuts with raisins.
To Olivia's right stood another girl, also about 5'8", with olive skin, golden eyes, and brown hair. Her features had a Spanish air about them, and her expression betrayed a certain weariness. She wore a plaid shirt and knee-length jeans. She held a mug of extra-black coffee, which she sipped from time to time as she serenely observed her surroundings.
– So that's what happened at the meeting with UA – Olivia said, finishing her recounting of the previous day's events – What do you think of the preparations they made?
– It's nothing complicated to manage – the Swedish-looking girl replied with a calm smile as she watched Olivia.– Just a slightly larger class and some mechanisms to encourage interaction with our new classmates.
– The only thing that seems strange to me is the tutoring system – she added calmly – I'm not too keen on the idea of training people our age or even older. I feel like many won't respect our time, and this whole thing about us becoming their tutors or support staff could create dynamics that are too intrusive for my liking.
– Yes, I figured you'd say something like that, Eva – Olivia commented with a small smile, while her sister simply smiled discreetly – And you, Paula, what do you think?
– Nothing that interests me, to be honest – Paula replied wearily, taking a long sip of her coffee – UA already takes up enough of my study time. I don't intend to add to my problems by teaching others. No, thanks, lazy teachers.
– Well, even if we don't like it, it's something we'll have to do sooner or later – Olivia said, as Paula frowned at the idea and Eva shrugged uncomfortably – You know it's not just a random arrangement, but a test for the whole family.
– I understand that perfectly, Olivia. We're not that clueless – Eva replied, gently rubbing her head with a hint of annoyance – But even knowing it's a test, I still value my personal space more than some absurd evaluation imposed by a director with delusions of grandeur.
– And I don't intend to waste any more time on that – Paula added, resting her head in her hand with obvious weariness – You know I couldn't care less what other people think of me, especially if it all boils down to egos.
– They could at least do it once – Olivia said, letting out a calm sigh –It could be a useful tool for the plans we have at UA.
– Fine, I'll try it just once – Paula conceded, crossing her arms – But if I don't like it, I'm not doing it again. I'll only do it because Lefki is involved.
– If you're going to insist, at least make sure we're assigned minimally acceptable students – Eva interjected, popping a handful of peanuts into her mouth with a relaxed expression – It's the least you could do to spare me further unnecessary suffering.
– I'd already planned to find a suitable student for each sibling – Olivia replied with a slight smile – You know that, even if the element is necessary, I won't leave everything up to chance when my family is involved.
Both sisters looked at her with a mixture of relief, letting the tension dissipate.
– So, leaving UA aside, what have you been up to lately? – Olivia asked, settling into her seat
– I've been studying that ancient Mesopotamian script I ordered last week – Paula replied, rubbing her neck wearily – It turned out to be much more complex than I imagined, but intellectually stimulating.
– For my part, I haven't found anything that really interests me lately – Eva commented, gently sipping her tea – I've only read a few moderately entertaining books and watched the series you recommended. What about you?
– I've been practicing some new pieces on the violin – Olivia said, leaning her arms on the table enthusiastically – They're compositions from the Classical period; I wanted to play something different from what I've been playing lately.
– Sounds interesting – Eva replied with a calm smile, while Paula rolled her eyes, clearly bored by the topic.
As the three sisters' conversation drifted to more casual topics, a few feet away, at a small bar near the pool, another group sat in a slightly more relaxed and tranquil atmosphere.
Behind the bar, Camie wore a light summer dress adorned with flowers, serving and arranging food with her usual helpful energy. Beside her, another young woman calmly prepared several plates of fresh fruit.
The girl, about 5'10", had cream-colored skin, golden eyes, and pale blonde hair pulled back in a neat bun. Her Belgian features lent her a natural elegance, accentuated by her simple attire: a short-sleeved white shirt, black yoga pants, and gray sneakers.
– Don't you think you're putting in a little more effort? – Camie asked, somewhat impressed by the level of detail in the dishes the young woman was preparing – Miss Jade, they're just fruit snacks; there's no need to shape them like little dogs.
– Well, cooking is my greatest passion, Camie, I can't help it – Jade replied enthusiastically as she delicately assembled a small dog's head made of fruit pieces – Besides, if it's for my brothers, I have to put in twice the effort.
– If you prefer it that way – Camie said with a resigned smile, gently shaking her head. She took the finished dish and handed it to a boy sitting at the counter, silently reading a thick anatomy book – Here, Felipe, enjoy.
The boy, about five feet tall, had pale skin, silver eyes, and snow-white hair, with Argentinian features that gave him an air of childlike purity. He wore a long-sleeved white shirt and blue shorts, projecting a serenity uncommon for his age.
– Thanks, Camie – Felipe said softly, without looking up from his book.
At the same bar sat Quang, dressed in a black dress shirt, gray tailored trousers, and black semi-formal shoes. He was calmly sipping a San Francisco cocktail while chatting with one of his sisters.
Beside him stood a young woman, about 5'6", with Welsh features, vibrant red hair, stone-gray eyes, and skin as white as milk. Her figure was curvaceous, and her bearing conveyed a mixture of nobility and determination. She wore a white tank top, a black motorcycle jacket, military trousers, and brown boots, along with a necklace featuring a World War II soldier's dog tag.
– How do you feel about UA? – Quang asked calmly, taking a sip of his drink as he looked at his sister – I'd like to hear your opinion on this, Efa.
– Honestly, it's a neutral point for me – Efa replied, opening a can of Red Bull – It'll be a space where I can use my Quirk more freely and put my wildest ideas into practice, but when I don't have those two things, I feel like I'm going to be incredibly bored.
– Well, at least you're not against it – Quang said, relieved that his most passionate sister hadn't outright rejected the idea of attending – I spoke with the mechanical department recently. They mentioned that you asked to work on improving the weaponry of military vehicles."
– Ever since we bought the military vehicle division, I can't get certain ideas out of my head – Efa admitted, casually crossing her legs – I suppose if you mention it, it's because you want to know if I can work on it or not.
– Under normal circumstances, I'd give you the green light without hesitation – Quang said calmly. – But with the UA situation, you'll have to postpone that project for a while – Efa sighed, clearly dissatisfied, though without protesting.
– Don't worry, it won't be for long – Quang added – When we have a break after starting at UA, you can dedicate some time to it.
– It's not what I'd prefer, but I understand that starting at UA is a commitment for everyone – Efa replied calmly – I'll use that free time I have to work on my new projects with all my passion.