(A/N This will be the last time I will write in 3rd person POV and next chapter will enter the canon story of the game. Please enjoy the next chapter.)
Few days passed after the meeting inside the clubroom.
And during those time, Aria obtained few traits and talents that she can benefit from.
Threatening is a weird kind of trait that makes others with weaker will than her cower in fear.
There is also Clairvoyant which makes her see things in the future albeit randomly with no set timeframe.
Fortunately, she also received a good skill named Overclock that allows her to transcend her limits making her mind's processing speed double along with the controls of her own body for 10 minutes. The only drawback is that she will be rendered unconscious for an hour after use and can only be used 3 times daily.
Then there are fewer notable traits and talent that she regrets taking after Aria found out the meaning of those.
Mainly those are Seductive which in her defense, the only 'tame' looking choice at that time when her simulation is about becoming a female mafia boss with tons of body count for causing mass murder only to die from getting poisoned by her secretary.
Attractive which made her more noticeable by opposite gender which at first she thought by attractive means easy to gather energy as she read a science book for dummies before that objects like magnet are 'attractive' to metal.
While she had mixed feelings to Manipulative. Although all in all, it was a good talent that made her more calculating on her plan making, unfortunately, that talent sides more on the adult field. Granted that she obtained that talent on her simulation as a daughter of a courtesan.
Then the last one is the bad news.
It's not even a talent or trait.
Not even a skill.
It was a defect from her system.
Around yesterday when she finished her simulation, Aria received a piercing headache that never stopped for an hour.
She can only grit her teeth as she jog with Shiroko.
Luckily her talent Poker face helped hiding her pain.
After finding out that the club or the Abydos itself missed the opportunity to clear their debt by turning her over to Kaiser, Aria started hiding any mis comfort she felt.
Feeling the need to not make any of them worry about her as from Aria's eyes, she is a weight they are carrying immensely.
"Aria... You look bothered."
Shiroko asked after drinking from her sports drink while Aria is meditating but the frown on her forehead fails her to hide her discomfort perfectly every time the throbbing pain reminds her again.
"Mm... Condition fine."
Aria only gave her usual reply which is perfectly normal now that every member of the club now remember 'Nn' with Shiroko while 'Mm' for Aria.
Along with the 'few word' replies the two always give makes them appear closer than the others.
"Nn..."
Shiroko simply nod along before passing Aria her sports drink.
Unbeknownst to others, Shiroko and Aria managed to get close to each other to the point that they are even sharing things.
From drinks to towels.
At one cold night, while the two are watching the stars above along with the absurdly large halo looking lines along the skies of Kivotos, Shiroko sitting beside Aria even shared her scarf since the night air is cold while they are drinking hot chocolate made by Aria.
"I have a work. Join?"
Shiroko asked looking the same but a noticeable smug feeling in her face only those close to her understands.
Aria simply nodded at her before drinking at the drink passed by Shiroko before they stood and head to the shower room.
True to her words, Shiroko now with Aria in tow are currently watching above a certain building.
Using her drone, Shiroko observes the moving target.
It was a black SUV followed by 2 VANS behind.
Both are with logo they both know from.
"Kaiser..."
Aria murmurs as she draws her tactical pistols from her holster tied slightly above her knees.
"Same as before. You go front I support."
Shiroko asked her while adjusting the grip of her own gun.
Her assault rifle resembling the color blue and with black suppressor and vertical grip looking in perfect conditions.
"Mm... Got it."
After giving Shiroko a thumbs up, Aria leapt in the rooftop down to a lower building and continue until she is back down the road.
Then without hesitation, aiming her right arm and pulling the trigger instantly popping the left wheel of the SUV causing the said vehicle to drift and turn around before slamming on the near light post.
The VANS also stopped beside the SUV before armed men wearing soldier suits came out.
Aria didn't wait for them to finally form any defensive formation as she shot one on the head.
Without even confirming if the target is down or not, she dashed forward causing them to panic and aim recklessly before starting to shower her with bullets.
Aria's trajectory calculations work like a charm as always allowing her to dodge in a different direction before even the shots are fired.
Then without losing the tempo, she kicked the near trash bin to the man at the front before kicking him and using her left arm, hit his head with the grip.
The one beside him managed to aim straight at Aria but he only received a hit on his chest as Shiroko made a shot.
Not looking at the man shot by Shiroko, Aria hid at the van and circle the vehicle before appearing at the man making a call using a communication device of sorts crouching behind the now tilted SUV.
Aria shot his device before shooting him in the head and leapt at the top of the van.
She then spun around and delivered a kick on the soldier aiming at Shiroko at the roof top.
Then with a clean shot, Shiroko planted a bullet on his shoulder before aiming her gun at the driver trying to crawl out the SUV.
Seeing it was wearing a tracksuit; she didn't shoot thinking the driver is just a civilian.
Finally, only one soldier holding a rifle aimed at Aria remained.
Aria stood looking at him before she shakes her hand and ready herself before suddenly dashing forward.
The guy watching her started shooting.
Aria sidesteps multiple times as the guy keep on following her movements.
Suddenly, his gun shatters as Shiroko's fire hit the gun directly then Aria, without hesitation, appeared in front of him and toss her right gun in the air before griping his collar and did a judo throw making him spurt out blood.
The last image he saw was the feet of Aria about to hit his face after she did an axe kick then he blacked out.
Aria looked around and saw all the unconscious soldiers now laying on the ground.
Once she saw everyone are not moving, Aria finally relaxed and return her guns at the holster.
After scouting the place using her drone, Shiroko leapt down as well and joined Aria now kneeling on the floor while reading the scattered documents.
"Anything?"
Shiroko asked while peeking behind her by the shoulder.
"Mm... Just company records and logs."
Aria tossed the stack on the ground before crawling towards the flipped SUV that remained sideways.
Her eyes widened as she saw the bag of cash inside.
Just when her hands are about to reach it, she remembered Hoshino's words before when she is talking to her as they lay on the mattress placed in the gym.
"We will pay the debt without dirtying our hands."
This made Aria shake her head before going away at the SUV and stood.
"Nothing here as well."
Shiroko sighed before approaching Aria as she stretched her hands.
"Let's return."
Aria murmured a little annoyed followed by Shiroko putting the guns and bullets she 'borrowed' from the sleeping guys.
After all, nobody is dead. They only aim at the head of those wearing headgears believing those can withstand their shots.
The rest are bleeding but not life threatening except to the one who got shot at a bad angle in the chest which they stopped the bleeding at least before leaving.
The two sneaked in back to school heading straight to the showers before going back to the clubroom to fetch their stuff at the lockers.
However, what they saw inside is not an empty clubroom but a girl with pink hair settled at one of the chairs while hugging a dolphin plushie.
"Hoshino..."
Aria spoke first as Shiroko also looked surprised.
"So? Did you two succeed?"
The two looked at each other before they shook their head.
Hoshino sighed before gently pushing her plushie at the center of the table before approaching them.
Aria and Shiroko tensed fearing what Hoshino might do but only got surprised when Hoshino simply pat their shoulders.
"Haaa... This old man is worried you both know?"
Aria felt something inside her as she looks at Hoshino sighing in relief.
Her hands found itself gripping her skirt as heavy feeling came flooding.
The same can be said to Shiroko who looks a little uncomfortable but not moving away.
"Ja... I won't tell you both to stop but always remember to not do something you both will regret. Listen to this old man okay?"
Hoshino said before grabbing her plushie and left the clubroom leaving Aria and Shiroko standing still for good few minutes and silently leave the room as well.
The next day, Ayane sighs inside the clubroom while looking at the other members.
Serika awkwardly avoids her stare, Shiroko busy with cleaning her gun, Hoshino sleeping at Nonomi's lap and Aria, the only one looking at Ayane straight in the eye.
"Seriously? Please tell me this is not real..."
Ayane about to cry while looking at them.
"I... I thought it was real..."
Serika murmured as she looked down the table.
"THERE IS NO WAY BUYING CHARMS FROM UNKNOWN PEOPLE CAN GIVE YOU MONEY!!!"
She raised her voice making Serika appear smaller than before.
"Now, now, Ayane chan. Serika chan is sorry already. Please cut her some slack."
Ayane looked like she is about to snap when her gaze drifted towards Hoshino.
"Don't get me started at you Hoshino senpai. What do you mean by buying 6 tickets to the aquarium? You know how much we need to pay this month right?"
Hoshino shivered hearing Ayane before she tried giving a reply.
"Ayane chan? Ahehe... That was.. you know? You all need to rest sometimes."
She answered but avoided Ayane's piercing gaze.
"As for you Shiroko... Stop attacking random vehicles!"
Shiroko gulped hearing Ayane's voice.
Although they are hiding it, Ayane somehow found out what she and Aria is doing.
Ayane even thought it was all Shiroko's idea and Aria simply following along.
"Sorry..."
She looked surprised when she heard Aria apologized.
Wanting to stop her but conflicted from letting her do it again, she simply sighed.
"The deadline is close and we haven't prepared enough payment..."
Looking at the window, a thought entered her mind.
"What if we asked the general student council for help..."
"Uheee... you know that's impossible Ayane chan..."
Hoshino rosed from laying down and faced her.
"But I heard there is a new group created in helping students from different school. I hear it was called Schale."
"Schale..."
Hoshino repeated the name while thinking.
"I will try to send an email. Hope we hear a reasonable response."
The clubroom remained silent as they all have mixed emotions.