It was morning at the Derfflinger. Rean had a private talk with Kurt at the third car.

"Have you read the papers?" Rean asked.

"Yes," Kurt said with tired eyes.

Rean unrolled the newspaper.

"Monster Eaters Saves the Imperial Family," he read.

"Sir, I already read it," Kurt said.

The picture featured is Kurt flinging himself against a horde of Archaisms. The next picture has Kurt, Freddy, Jessica and Sydney taking on the Zephyranthes.

The article is less of a hit piece and more of a story for once. It details the epic battle in which the Vander man fulfilling his supposed duty of protecting Prince Olivert and Princess Alfin. It also speculates that Kurt is actually under the tutelage of the Hero of the Empire, the Ashen Chevalier. At the last bit, the paper admonishes Chancellor Osborne for removing the Vander Family from their honored roles in the Empire.

Rean chuckled.

"These journalists are going to get locked up in a week," he said. "Chancellor Osborne isn't one to be slandered so easily." He looked at Kurt. "Aren't you happy? They're putting a good word for you."

Kurt smiled. "The only papers I'm interested are the letters I'm about to receive from brother and father."

Rean patted his hand. "They would be proud of you."

The two fell silent. Rean folded the newspaper and stood.

"I'm putting my trust on you, Mr. Vander," Rean said with a smile. "If someone can pull Juna from the abyss, it's you."

"I'll try my best, Instructor." Kurt strained himself to smile.

"Me and the old Class are going to hunt down that Aion. Campanella and McBurn are going to be there." He closed his eyes. "I want to ask all of you to stay back. I've fought McBurn twice. I'm serious when I say he can kill all of you.

"But that's not going to stop you guys, isn't it?"

The two fell silent.

"I'll see you later," Rean said before exiting the train.

Kurt kept still on the chair, staring at nothing. He sighed and went to the counter. Sandy smiled and gave him a plate of pancakes. It had a heavenly smell.

"I hope Juna would get her appetite when she smells this," Sandy said with a sad smile.

Kurt accepted the plate and went to the 4th Car. Jessica and Louise are there by a door. Kurt walked up to Jessica.

"Are you sure you two don't want to feed her instead of me?"

Jessica smiled and shook her head.

"I know how to handle myself against Juna," she said. "In normal circumstances. This is the first time I saw her like this. I'm out of my element."

"If Juna calls for us," Louise said, "we'll rush in."

Kurt went through the door and shut it quickly. The curtains were closed. It was dark. Altina did not have to look up to see it was Kurt. She was sitting on the bed with her hand on Juna's shoulder.

Juna was laying on her bed, turning away from them. Kurt could tell that Juna is not hiding the fact that she is awake. The boy sat down on the bed opposite of Juna's. He placed the hot plate of pancakes on his lap. The aroma went up his nose.

Kurt did not have breakfast. He did not have the appetite for it.

"Juna?" he called softly.

She was silent.

"Juna, I got something for you," he said.

She was still silent.

"I'm not hungry," she finally said in a small voice.

Kurt stopped himself. Even though he wanted to comfort Juna so badly, he knew this process takes time.

"It's pancakes, if you can't smell it," he slowly said.

Juna did not react.

"What did they do to deserve this?" she asked.

"The SSS?" Altina asked.

Juna nodded.

"I don't know," Altina said. "They were in the wrong place in the wrong time. Governor Rufus knows the SSS will be trouble in the future, which is why they've been placed under house arrest at Mishelam."

"On what crime?"

Altina shrugged. "For existing, I guess."

Juna kept silent.

"Juna," Altina said.

"We owe them our lives," Juna said. She sniffed. "We would've been dead if it were not for them. They saved the city. They saved Crossbell. And this is what they get?"

Kurt put away the plate. Before Kurt get to speak, Altina stood up and picked up a duffel bag. She gave it to Kurt.

"It's your clothes," she whispered. "It's morning now. I think you need to go get a shower."

"Oh, I already had one," Kurt whispered back. "You really shouldn't have picked my clothes."

Altina sighed.

"Then I'll leave you here," she said. "I need to take a shower myself."

"Alright."

Altina grabbed her duffel bag.

"Kurt, I'm leaving everything to you," she whispered. "You're the only one who could help Juna."

Kurt smiled.

"I don't know where to start."

"Do what you always do."

With that, Altina left the room. Kurt sighed and unzipped his duffel bag. He brought out a pair of wooden swords. They were so small that only chipmunks could wield it. One was white and one was black. Kurt held it with both hands and closed his eyes.

"Aidios," he prayed. "Please help Juna…"

After a minute, he ended his prayer. He opened his eyes. Juna was looking at him. Her jaw was on the floor. She was pointing at the swords.

"Wh-Wh-Wh-Where did you get those?" she stammered.

"Huh?" Kurt said. He looked at the small swords. "You mean these?"

Juna did not saying anything. She was shocked beyond belief.

"I got it from the forest outside Leeves," he explained.

"What?" Juna said. All her color was drained. "Nooooooooooooo!"

Everyone in and outside the train could hear her scream.

"Whoah! Juna! Calm down!" Kurt said, raising his hands.

"You saw me!" she screamed. She was sitting up with tears on her eyes, pointing at him. "You saw me, didn't you?"

"Saw you where?"

Juna turned around.

"I knew it!" she cried. "It's all over! Aidios, please kill me right now! I can't live under Your sky anymore!"

"Juna, I can't understand a single word you're saying," Kurt said, coming to her bed. "I found these swords in a forest. Why are you so upset?"

She was repeating 'This is so embarrassing. This is so embarrassing,' in her head before she could register Kurt's question.

"Why I'm upset?" Juna said, turning her tear stained face to him. "Because you saw me! You probably heard what I said!"

"Juna, I don't know what you're saying! I never saw you in that forest."

"You're lying!"

"Am I the kind of man who would lie to you?"

"You're an Erebonian! Of course you assholes lie! You come here saying you're here to protect us from Calvard even though they haven't anything to us!"

"Juna, let's leave the politics and go straight into reality. I went into the forest and I stumbled on a pile of ash. That's where I found these swords. I thought… it might a sign from Aidios."

Juna sniffed.

"What?"

"That's… where I fought Ash. And lost."

Juna blinked. "Huh?"

"Our duel led us into a glade in the middle of the forest. When I was defeated, that's where I found these swords. It was covered in ash. It must be some sort of sign from Aidios. Ever since I found these, I've been praying to it since these wooden swords are connected to Aidios."

Juna cocked her head. "Huh?"

"Not one word, Juna. Aidios Herself is watching over me. These swords are what drives me on to train harder. I would've been lost without them."

"So…" Juna said. "You didn't saw me?"

"Juna, were you there at the duel?"

She shook her head.

"Then we couldn't have possibly seen each other," Kurt said.

Her lip turned up. She giggled… and then laughed. She turned around, clasping her hands.

"Aidios! Thank-You-Thank-You-Thank-You! You just saved me from the most embarrassing moment in my entire life! Now I can live again!"

"Juna, what are you talking about?"

Juna turned around and coughed. She opened her palm to him. She smiled.

"Now that that's over," she said. "Can I have those swords? Please?"

"What? Why?"

"They're loose threads."

"Juna, I'm not going to give these swords to you. These are gifts from Aidios Herself."

"No, they're my—Just give me those swords!" She reached out to take it.

Kurt stepped back.

"No, and that's final," he said.

"Gimme!"

Juna reached out further. The two fell on the floor.

"Ow," Juna said.

She was on top of Kurt. Normally. Not like the position they found themselves the first time the two met.

And then her cheeks flared. She was on top of him. She looked down and saw his fuchsia eyes. Her body pressed against his. Their faces were reges apart. Ten seconds went by.

"Juna," Kurt said. She was staring at his eyes.

"Yes?" Juna whispered.

"Did you sprain your ankle again?"

Juna sighed and stood up. She helped Kurt stand up too. She then crawled back to her bed, sitting up. Her face was against the wall.

"Fine," Juna said. "You can have them. It's not like those swords are going to stab me in the back in the near future."

"Juna, how are these swords embarrassing to you?" Kurt asked.

"Just because!" she yelled and fell silent. She slumped.

Kurt waited for her to elaborate until he realized she will not. Kurt sighed and looked at the small wooden swords.

Aidios, he thought. Is this Your answer?

Kurt tapped Juna's shoulder.

"Juna," he said, smiling. "Look at me Juna."

She hesitated and then turned her head. Kurt was sitting on the edge of her bed. He brought the two wooden swords in front of her face. Kurt nodded.

"If you wanted them so much—"

"I can have them?" Juna almost screamed. Her eyes sparkled.

"No, but you can have one. Pick a color. White or black?"

"Kurt, you…" She clenched her fists.

Those two swords were supposed to be attachments to the Mishy plush Juna created. It was a gift to Kurt, a token of her affection to him. She burned it, vowing to never purse Kurt ever again. She could not possibly have imagined, in her life, that this is how she will get her belongings back.

She sighed and unclenched her fist.

"White," she said. "I mean, black!"

Kurt gave her black sword.

"When you look at this, I want you to think about me," he joked.

"That's supposed to be my line!" Juna screamed.

"What?"

Juna slumped again. "Never mind." She brought the sword to her nose and sniffed. "My scent…"

No, she thought. Kurt's scent.

Blood rushed up to her head. She smiled strangely.

"Your scent?" Kurt asked. Juna froze. "Well, you didn't take a shower since last night."

He found a red sock traversing towards his eyes. It was like a speeding bullet. Everyone outside the train heard the crash. The 4th Car moved a little.

"Kurt, be considerate, will you?" Juna screamed. "One day you're like prince charming and the next day you're like Ash."

"Vat vas that?" Kurt mumbled from the bed opposite to Juna.

"Nothing!"

She huffed and turned around. She played with the little black sword.

A minute later, Kurt composed himself. He walked up to Juna.

"Feeling okay?" he asked.

"Maybe," she replied.

Kurt sighed and smiled.

"And how am I to be of service?"

Juna looked back and blushed.

"You'll do anything to make me feel better, right?" she asked.

"Of course."

She turned away and patted the edge of her bed. Kurt sat down next to her. He waited. She turned her head, and looked at him with hesitant eyes. She scooched closer. Kurt was nervous on what she was about to do.

She turned to him and envelop her arms around the man. Kurt stopped himself from gasping. He would genuinely do anything to make Juna happy, but he did not expect this.

"Kurt?" Juna called. Her face snuggled on his chest.

"Yes?"

"Stay with me."

"What?"

Before he could react, Juna pulled Kurt down with him. He yelped. The two were laying down on Juna's bed. Juna could not help herself. First she found out that Kurt got the swords Juna made for her plushy, how he prayed to it and cherished it, how he gifted it to her and finally…

When you look at this, I want you to think about me.

Juna giggled.

This is so unfair, she thought. Aidios, what are Your plans with me and him? What happens to my vow now? No… Just this once, let me indulge myself. Even if anything between is doomed in the end, I don't care anymore. Just this once. I just want my small slice of heaven. I just want him close to me.

"J-Juna?" Kurt called.

"Shush," she said. "You said you'll do anything, right?"

"I-I did. But—"

"Then do nothing. And just stay with me."

She snuggled close to his chest, hugging him tightly. Kurt had met many girls in his life. Kurt can admit that Juna is exceptionally attractive. She was so warm to the touch. He could feel his cheeks heating. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly.

Juna squirmed and giggled. She hugged even tighter.

"Kurt…" she whispered.

"Yes?"

She did not answer back.

An hour later, Kurt and Juna exited the room. Musse, Ash, Altina, Jessica and Louise were there.

"Were you all standing there the whole time?" Kurt asked.

"You'll do anything to make me feel better, right?" Jessica said with a sly smile.

Juna turned so red, lobsters felt envy.

"You heard all of that?" Juna screamed.

"We weren't the ones eavesdropping!" Louise hurriedly say. "Those three had their ears pressed against the door the whole time."

She pointed at Altina, Musse and Ash.

"Damn, pretty face," Ash said, grinning. "I never thought you had it in you. When Altina told me you're going to 'make Juna feel better', you—"

"Hold on, Ash," Kurt said. "Nothing happened to us back there."

"This is going to cause an international incident," Altina pointed. "Although, I predict the positives would outweigh the negatives."

"Ah yes," Musse said, hugging herself. "Two lovers, one a disgraced noble and the other a warrior without a country. How divine!"

"Nothing happened!" Juna shouted.

"Yeah, nothing happened," Ash said, cleaning his ear with his finger. "We heard jack for like a whole hour. What, you two held hands and stare at each other the whole time? Now that's some next level boring."

"I don't think that's any of your business!" Juna said, stomping.

"Good to have you back, Juna," Louise said. She closed in and hugged her.

"Knock it off, Louise," Juna said. "Are you guys forgetting something?"

"Like what?" Ash asked.

"Like stopping Ouroboros," Kurt said. "Instructor Rean needs our help."

"Are you sure you're okay with this?" Altina asked Juna.

Juna freed herself from Louise and nodded.

"Don't worry, Allie. I probably can't help the SSS get out of Mishelam, but I'm sure as Gehena that I'm going to make sure they have a home to return to. So, let's go kick's McBurn's ass!"

"I'm dreading on what you two are up to," Kurt said to Ash and Musse. "You're not going to—"

"Oh yes, you're going to need us," Musse said. "I know where my Instructor is."

Kurt sighed.

"Of course you do." Kurt looked at Ash. "And what's your excuse?"

Ash cracked his knuckles.

"I got a bone to pick with Campanella."

"All right!" Juna said. "If we're going to go, we have to go now!"

"Wait, Juna," Jessica said. "Tita would like to have a word with you."

"Huh?"

And that is how Juna learned to fly. Someone had the insane idea to put jet engines on the Panzer Soldat. Juna was screaming the whole time she is on the air. She crashed atop the Stargazer Tower, breaking the barrier Campanella created so that Rean could not call Valimar.

"Heed my call," Rean said. He raised his arm. "Valimar! The Ashen Knight!"

"Suck on this!" Ashe shouted. His scythe head smacking McBurn on the face.

McBurn quickly recovered and looked at the new comers. Kurt stepped forward, both swords on hand. He swung it around, getting the feel of the weight.

"McBurn!" Kurt called. He called forth his Blade Dance. "This is for Sharon!"

Kurt, Ash, Altina and Musse charged against McBurn and Campanella while Juna and Rean clashed with the Aion.

Back at school, Kurt, Altina and Juna were heading towards their homeroom class. Kurt and Altina had bandages around their bodies. The fight with McBurn was something out of this world. Even when they came on top, Kurt did not feel like it was a victory.

Welcome to my list of people that I need to beat, he thought.

Juna was unscathed since she is the only one in the Panzer Soldat. She smiled at Kurt.

Juna was conflicted. Her desire to be with Kurt, which she believed she fully buried, came back with a vengeance. Time will tell if she would heed her feelings or bury them again. So far, she leans on wanting to follow it. The small black sword was on her desk back at the dorm. She prays to it too.

Altina sighed in relief. She knew about Juna's Mishy plush, how she burned it, how Kurt managed to find the swords attached to it and how he cherished these divine treasures. That is why she brought his duffle bag. Her plan to get Kurt to make up to Juna worked. Whatever happens next is on Aidios' hands.

"Oh, Kurt," Altina said. "I heard you have been receiving butter cookies from Sharon."

"Wh-Wh-What?" Juna screamed. Her fantasy was shattered. It was replaced with pure, distilled rage.

"Yes, it was nice of her," Kurt said, smiling. "I told her she does not have to."

"K-Kurt," Juna said. "Just remember that she's part of Ouroboros. Who knows? The next cookie might be poisonous."

"Nonsense, Juna. Sharon has proven herself to be an honorable woman. I mean, I've eaten them all myself and I don't feel anything."

"You what?" Juna screamed.

"Sorry, Juna. If Sharon sends any more cookies, I'll make sure to share some with you."

"That's not the point!"

Stupid bodacious Erebonian women! she seethed. Stop stealing Kurt from me!

"I'll make sure to share some with you too, Altina," Kurt said.

"Thank you," Altina replied.

Altina knew that Juna needed some competition in order to spur her on.

As they were about to approach their classroom, Kurt saw that the door was a little open. Kurt opened the door.

"Instru—"

An eraser fell on his head. A cloud of chalk powder exploded. The upper half of his body was white. Kurt's eyes drifted to the snickering Ash and Musse who were sitting on their chairs. They have bandages all over their bodies too.

"It was his idea," Musse said, pointing at Ash.

"'Sup!" Ash said, waving his hand.

"Ash Carbide," Kurt growled, wiping his face with a handkerchief. "Why are you in our classroom?"

"Because I can," Ash said, letting his feet rest on the table. Kurt's table.

"Seriously, Ash," Juna said, entering the room. Her nose was white with chalk. "You guys are going to be late for homeroom. Now make like a tree, and buzz off."

"Relax, Juna," Musse said. "I think we're on time."

"Oh, hey guys," Rean said from behind them. "Met your new classmates yet?"

"What?" Kurt and Juna said at the same time.

Altina was surprised too, but she kept mum. She wants to be seen the only sane person in Class VII.

"Sir, you can't do this!" Kurt said. "I can't stand to be with the same room as with that barbarian!"

"Hey," Ash said. "I'm starting to get ticked off. Cut it with the 'barbarian' shtick."

"It's not my decision," Rean said, slumping. "It's Principal Le Guin's."

"But this is going to lower Class VII's standards!" Juna argued. "One is an unredeemable delinquent and the other is a pervert!"

"Is she talking about me?" Musse asked.

"That's the thing," Rean said. "They're here because they're being punished." He looked at Musse. "N-Not that I think you're getting punished because of being a pervert!"

"I love you too, Instructor Rean!" Musse gushed.

"Hey, what about me?" Ash asked.

"Instructor Rean," Kurt said. "I refuse!"

"What's the matter, Juna's boytoy?" Ash asked.

"Wh-WHAT!" Juna screamed.

"You're just afraid that me being here makes you less of a man," Ash continued.

Kurt drew his swords and called forth his Blade Dance.

"I've had it with you!" Kurt shouted. He charged.

"Class…" Rean said as the classroom turned into a battlefield. "Class, please."

Juna was red steaming blubbering mess on the floor. Musse was cheering for the chaos. Altina was on a corner, praying.

"Aidios," she prayed. "Please be gentle on us."