Early morning arrived quietly in Kivotos, the kind of dawn that slipped through the curtains before the city fully woke.
As I stirred beneath my blankets, my silver hair spilling across the pillow.
My halo flickered just as my consciousness returned after a good night's rest.
Yawning before I sat up, blue pajamas wrinkling around my body.
The fabric was gentle and loose, decorated with small whale patterns drifting across the cloth.
Hoshino had given them to me with a lazy smile and a half joking comment about mornings being easier when you wore something comfortable.
I thought of that now and felt a faint warmth in my chest as I stretched.
The floor was cold under my feet as I made my way to the shower room, the quiet broken only by the sound of running water.
Steam soon filled the space, fogging the mirror as I stepped into the bath. My body eased itself into the tub, shoulders relaxing as the warmth wrapped around me.
The early morning tension faded away, leaving only the calm rhythm of my breathing and the gentle glow of my halo reflected on the water's surface.
Closing my eyes for a moment, letting the thoughts drift. Debt. Missions. Another day that would probably turn unpredictable by noon.
When I finally stood and rinsed off, the chill of the air reminded me that time did not wait, even in peaceful moments like this.
"Cold..."
Murmuring about the feeling in my damp naked skin as the few droplets of water trickle down the curves of my body.
Back in my room, I dressed with practiced ease. The familiar uniform settled neatly into place, crisp and orderly.
The skirt, the tie, the jacket. I fastened each part as if putting on a role I had long since mastered.
My bag bought from my very first salary from part time work with Serika rested against my side.
I took one last glance at the room, at the folded whale pajamas on the bed, then stepped outside into the morning light.
Outside, I saw Shiroko waiting for me already.
Her familiar bike placed by the pole as she play around with her phone.
Moving down the stairs, I pulled my bike as well, similar kind but different color, mine is black and blue compared to her of white and blue.
"Morning."
Shiroko looked at me before closing her phone and greeted.
"Mm... Morning..."
I replied still a little sleepy.
Nights might be a little tiring but even more so the mornings.
I never told them but even now, my head are aching so bad which usually ends after an hour or so.
Also I noticed that the duration of my headaches increases the more talent, trait or skills I gained from the simulation.
Luckily, the trait Fearless helps me ignore the pain along with the Poker face letting me hide from them.
Once we are settled on our bike, we started cycling onwards.
Of course not directly to Abydos. Today we plan to ride along DU then back before heading to the school.
It's still 6:30 a peak time for this which I also grown to love as the feeling of cold air come rushing on my face along with the speed of our travel together.
"Let's go."
I gave her a nod after I finished my preparation. I opened the map app on my phone and place it on the little phone socket we added on my bike beside the spot where the sports drink are.
Of course I forgot my sports drink but before I get to react, I notice a bottle infront of me.
"Shiroko?"
Asking at her outstretched hand with a bottle of drink. Noticing she didn't say anything else, it made me smile before I took the bottle and gave her thanks for which she simply nodded.
Then we started cycling.
At first we are at slow run for warming up then it continue until halfway to D.U. as we finally burst out cycling in the speed we are comfortable of.
As expected, the view as we cycle early morning, the feeling of the air as if greeting us, the heat on my body as I feel the sweat slowly forming on my forehead is such a great feeling.
Once we reached D.U, we turned around and ride back then changed our route towards Abydos this time.
The time is around 9 now when we are almost at Abydos when we noticed something weird at the road.
Seeing Shiroko slowed down, I also followed before we stopped at the figure of a man face planted on the road.
He is wearing a suit of sorts. Or maybe a uniform since I am still not sure about the difference of the clothes making Ayane and Nonomi shake her head when they are dressing me up last time.
"Who?"
Asking Shiroko who also stares at him before he switched the stand of her bike and let it stay there before approaching him.
I also did the same and followed behind her.
Now crouching Infront of the man, Shiroko started asking.
"Are you okay?"
The man groans at her words making me react a little then hide behind Shiroko.
"What? I can't hear you."
Shiroko asks again after his grumble continues.
Then he turned around and looked at us.
His face slightly drained a clear sign of heat stroke and maybe a little dried.
"Wa...water..."
"Ah."
"Ah."
We both reacted when we finally understand his words.
Shiroko gave her sports drink to him which he drank with gusto making Shiroko sigh.
"I'll share mine with you."
I whispered at her as I noticed her looking at her drink. Guessing she might be a little thristy now since she always starts drinking only when we are halfway towards Abydos.
Thanks to my Survivalist trait, all my needs tend to be low or at most reduced. I can even survive without eating for days and no water for two weeks.
After the man finally gained some energy, we did some double cycling. Although he told us no sharing of bike, in the end we compromised with me riding with Shiroko on her bike and him using mine as we ride to the school.
We did a short stop when we are few minutes away from school for a drink which I did shared mine with Shiroko and the remaining to the man.
Then finally reached the school at around 10.
Once there, we lead him to the clubroom where everyone are already present.
"Shiroko... Don't tell me..."
Ayane looked at us with fear in her eyes as she shakes her head.
"Hold on everyone, don't panic! Let's discuss instead how to handle this!"
Serika on the other hand trying to convince everyone to think of a way to solve the issue.
Apparently they thought Shiroko kidnapped him and even dragged me in the work.
"Nya... Everyone let's all calm down..."
Hoshino said while smiling and looking as lazy as always.
Nonomi simply giggling at the corner as she watch everything unfold.
"Excuse me everyone. Sorry for the trouble. I am a teacher from Schale."
The man we brought here claims making us all look at him.
"Eh? Sensei from Schale, meaning you are from the general student council?!?"
Ayane asked in particularly loud voice maybe because she is surprised.
"Yes, that's right."
The man who told us that he is a teacher nodded.
At the corner of my eyes, I noticed Hoshino's demeanor changed slightly as she opened her eyes and stare at him for a second before going back to normal.
"Sensei..."
I heared Shiroko mumble a little beside me as her gaze remained glued at him.
'So this is a teacher...'
A question ran in my head as I started comparing him to the teachers feom my simulation.
'Dirty appearance, smiling face, looks like an idiot... He looked different from the scary and serious teachers in my dreams...'
Looking at his weird smiling face made me feel things I don't feel bad.
"Ah, before I forgot, let me hand this over."
Sensei hands a stack of paper which is received by Ayane.
Her eyes widen as she read through the papers.
"This... This is... Are you sure about this?"
She asked Sensei as if she can't believe what is written there.
"That's right. Please take care of me."
Hearing his reply made Ayane smile widely.
"Finally! Now we can resupply and receive help with out issue."
She exclaims as Serika smiled as well.
"So the backup finally arrives?"
Ayane nodded at her as they all look back at the paper with a smile on their face.
Hoshino simply smiled while looking at the happy faces of Ayane and Serika the same with Nonomi.
Then I noticed Shiroko poking at Sensei's sides.
"I will now show you around."
She said before pulling him out the room where I think they started looking around the school grounds.
I remained settled at my sit watching them as my lips slowly turned to smile as well until my Danger sense noticed something.
I stood normally acting normal and grab my holster I placed at the table near my bag and put them on my thighs before heading out.
Once I closed the door on our clubroom, I broke out in a great speed running out and to where the danger I sensed.
I took out both my guns as I turn into the corner and notice them starting to assemble.
They had numbers and they knew how to use them.
The first exchange told me that much immediately. Their fire was tighter than I expected, not reckless but layered, overlapping lanes that forced us back a step at a time.
"Tch"
I clicked my tongue softly as I ducked behind cover, checking my magazines by feel alone.
"This much..."
Sighing from my low ammunition, I remained covered.
I hated that hesitation. The moment where every trigger pull had to be weighed against the chance of missing. My danger sense kept flaring as if telling me that if I wasted bullets now, I would regret it later.
They pushed onward.
"ABYDOS STUDENTS! WE THE KATAKATA HELMET GANG ARE HERE TO OVERTHROW YOU ALL AND TAKE THIS SCHOOL FOR OURS!"
The one wearing red shouted with a megaphone announcing their purpose before she gave another order to move forward.
Helmeted girls advanced in pairs, halos glowing steady above them, weapons raised with surprising discipline.
One round clipped the wall near my shoulder and I leaned back just in time, feeling the heat pass where my head had been. My mind traced the shot backward, adjusted, stored the pattern.
I slipped forward when they expected me to retreat, dropped low, fired twice, and rolled aside as return fire tore through the space I had occupied.
I continue chipping at their numbers one by one while running around utilizing my speed.
Then I noticed Shiroko finally joined me.
Shiroko's rifle barked beside me, her breathing calm but tighter than usual.
Even she was conserving ammo.
Everyone finally arrived.
Hoshino's shield rang under sustained fire.
Ayane's drone buzzed anxiously overhead, watching everything from the top view to analyze the current state.
Serika clicked her magazine into place and swore under her breath.
Nonomi had stopped firing altogether, waiting.
They were winning ground.
My danger sense pulsed again and this time it carried something bitter.
They slowly inflict more confusion and panic while throwing grenades left and right making us more pressured.
I can't even move forward anymore as heavy concentration are now aimed at my position while keeping the others in check by bombardments.
Only Hoshino can take hits after all.
The thought settled cold in my chest. They wanted us gone. Our school cleared out so they could move in, claim it like everything else they touched.
'I won't let them destroy the one who took me in...'
I swore to myself as my hold on the guns hardens.
Another helmet peeked out. I predicted the arc before the muzzle flashed, leaned in, and fired. She dropped back with a startled crythen civer her face in shame. Even then, they did not break. The others advanced again, forcing us to give ground inch by inch.
Then Sensei spoke.
"Why do you all want to protect this school?"
We all looked at them ignoring at the shouting voices behind.
Everyone wanted to say something but I spoke first.
"Because they took me in. I will do everything to keep this."
Shiroko looked at me, eyes filled with mixed emotions. The same with the others.
"Very well. Let's do this everyone!"
His voice cut through the noise like a steady hand on my shoulder. The tablet on his hand glowed as he mapped the field faster than my danger sense ever could.
"Aria, forward! Shiroko and Serika, cover fire. Hoshino forward as well in the other side. Nonomi you cover for Hoshino. Ayane, watch and provide support when needed.
Everything shifted.
We stopped reacting and started moving with purpose.
I moved when Sensei told me to move.
Everyone followed as well with smile on their face as slowly, the battle's momentum changed to our favor.
I slipped into gaps he created, close enough that hesitation vanished. At this range, I did not miss. A cracked helmet here. A disarmed grip there. One girl froze when her visor shattered, panic overriding training, and the line collapsed around her.
I never fear heading forward as I have complete faith in my trajectory reading, bullet paths in my eyes and to my friends who got my back.
Even Hoshino marched forward taking all hits with her shield dividing their attention away from me making my work easier.
Their push faltered.
Then it broke.
The katakata helmet gang fell back, no longer advancing, helping each other retreat as their formation unraveled. Weapons were abandoned. Halos bobbed unevenly as they fled, fear replacing the pressure they had wielded moments before.
Silence returned again as the only sound I can hear is the sound of my breath and the beating of my heart.
I lowered my pistols, magazines nearly empty, hands steady despite it all, we all had a wide smile on our face.
"We did it..."
The first one to speak is Serika who can't believe what just happened.
Then followed by Ayane wiping a shed of tear in her eyes.
I looked toward Sensei, then at my friends, and felt a quiet certainty settle in my chest.
This school was ours. And anyone who wanted it would have to do better than that.
After all, I won't let them.