Disclaimer: It's obvious I don't have Tales of Xillia, because it is the properties of Bandai Namco. All I have is the OC in here (and there are like, many of them)~

Hello everyone, Izumi here! Sorry for being missing for so long~ Not that anyone actually miss me or something. Anyway, I am busy with college (as much as I DREAD it) so I didn't have too much time to just sit down and mash the keyboard until I am out of life force. I'm doing fine though and this series isn't dead! ... But oh well you can't read what is it in my draft so couldn't be helped. But for your information, it already reached 30 or something with the average word count like this. Anyway that's it from me, I am out from here~ Oh and while the draft chapter naming for this is 'Relationship Flag Here and There' the actual sub-title is 'Spending Time in Hamil' ENJOY~

"What a young mercenary you two are. Isn't it dangerous for the two of you to fight the Scorpactus alone?" the village chief mentioned as he counted the reward money that would be given for anyone who got rid of the monster that had stopped the merchant in Aladhi Trail before the Queen's force from Kanbalar arrived.

"Saying we are mercenary or used to hunt monster aren't particularly right as we are just passerby that was attacked by the monster. And it's not like we are the only one who fought it as well since there are four of us," Kevin replied with a friendly tone as he examined the facial expression of the village chief who wondered how a group of youngsters could fight a monster that strong.

"All is well that ends well… isn't it? We just did what was right for us. That dancing scorpion is in our way so all we can do is exterminate it. It was as simple as that," Stella added as she smiled at the village chief. She still had some remaining grudge though since she got injured thanks to the said 'dancing scorpion'.

Kevin mentally facepalmed at Stella's choice of words and nickname although he found it funny as well. For the sake of maintaining his flat expression, he elbowed Stella who glared at him in response as she didn't know for what reason Kevin did that.

The Village Chief of Hamil merely laughed at how the two youngsters in front of him were acting. Saying that the two of them were easy-going and didn't have the word 'danger' in their dictionary sounded almost right. When he finished counting the reward money, he gave them to Kevin as he said, "Here you go. I hope this will help you on your travel."

Kevin took the money and counted them with such a speed that Stella merely looked with dumb-look on her face. It's not that she never saw the amount of money Kevin had, but Kevin counting speed made her thought that, 'Kevy really is a merchant-in-training…'

Kevin smiled when he finished counting the money. He turned to look at the Village Chief and then said, "Yes, this is the right amount indeed. Thank you very much for your kindness Sir. Let's go Stella."

Stella blinked and simply nodded, somehow managed to fool the Village Chief that up until just now that she was watching Kevin's hand. She smiled warmly to the Village Chief as they exited his house and said, "Thank you for having us Sir."

"With this we have nothing to worry about until we reach Nia Khera," Kevin commented as he kept the money they just got in safe place. After they finished reporting the job barely done to the Village Chief, he and Stella decided to take a rest in one of local café of Hamil.

"Do you think we can take some side-trip to somewhere else beyond Nia Khera, Kevy? I kind of want to see Xian Du and Kanbalar," Stella asked as she took a sip of her Porange Juice.

Kevin thought about it and wondered why Stella and Altair wanted to go to Nia Khera at first place. He knew his childhood friends well and knew for sure that Alicia was kept in dark about what the twin wanted to do in the secluded village that is often be called as the Sanctum of Maxwell due to its strong affiliation with the said Lord of Spirit. As far as his knowledge goes, he didn't think that the village was worth seeing for anything but tourism. Add the fact that the two only have two months to go from Fennmont to Nia Khera and back, there were too much gap between their school break and their trip considering it was the first day of break in Talim when he found them, if he wasn't wrong at the school calendar.

'Why Uncle Jude didn't go with them? Around this time, Uncle should have been on his way to Leronde anyway…' Kevin thought as he studied Stella's face for the whole time.

"K-Kevy… w-why are you glaring at me that much?" Stella asked as she looked away from Kevin watchful gaze. She knew that sooner or later Kevin would start asking question about the reason she and Altair wanted to go to Nia Khera since that was just how he is. She knew that, knowing Kevin, she would need to give him some good true explanation.

"I'm not glaring Stelly. I think you had something in your heart that knew what I want isn't it? Well, since Al isn't here anyway can I ask you what is it? From the way you talk lately, it looked like Nia Khera isn't your actual destination…" Kevin commented with matter-of-fact tone that sounded like he was interrogating a suspect. His nature as a journalist went into light as his eyes looked at Stella like a predator watching its prey.

Stella looked at Kevin while mentally gulping. Kevin is usually easy-going and easy to talk to, but sometime he could be scarier than Altair. Still, nothing beat Altair scariness when he was scolding Stella to do some actual studying though. She dubbed this Kevin as 'Information Predator' and knew that he didn't know what it meant to give up when he was like that.

"I knew it… there is nothing escape your eyes Kevy…" Stella gave up with her hands lifted slightly, as if asking for a break. She couldn't handle the gaze of Kevin that much when it switch from his friendly to his serious one in a moment notice not to mention she had foresaw this result when Altair also let him join them.

"Well, Stelly you are just slightly too easy to read. Anyway, which one is the real destination? Was it Xian Du? Or maybe Kanbalar?" Kevin asked seriously although his gaze had softened quite a lot. He knew that Stella is uncomfortable when he talked business.

"It is Kanbalar. We were told that we needed to meet someone in Nia Khera as well. I can't really tell you the detail but, I can tell you that we are doing delivery in Aunt's order," Stella explained briefly although she tried to keep the detail somewhat hidden since she didn't know who might hear what she said. She did have the order to make sure that there weren't any information leak despite the peaceful time after all.

Kevin took a sip of his drink as he pondered about what little information that Stella told him. He knew that it was something top secret from the sound of it and the only 'Aunt' of Stella that could make the twin go on journey was Aunt Elize and Aunt Elize knew that the twin could do it. But something still bugs him, especially about certain third member of their small group, Alicia. Objectively speaking, despite having Nancy, Alicia is very weak and unfit for this 'delivery' compared to the twin.

"How about Alicia?" Kevin asked with a somewhat casual tone as he looked at the scenery of Hamil. He knew that he would follow his childhood friends as another pair of watchful eyes since he knew that, most likely, there would be some groups that would target whatever it is that Stella delivered. The thing that they delivered sounded very pricey after all.

"We don't know either. Aunt just said to bring her along as well," Stella commented as she shook her head slightly, signaling that even she didn't know the answer.

Kevin only hummed thoughtfully. He had few thought about it now that he knew that Stella and Altair are on important discrete delivery order. It is Aunt Elize, one of the Headmaster of Talim, who ordered them after all so it is bound to have some unknown pursuer.

'So it is keep your friend close and keep your foes closer… huh…' Kevin thought as his thought went to certain sky-head who looked completely harmless. The girl even had a Medical Spyrite on tow, meaning the girl is very sick before she had it as she had told them about her paralysis.

To begin with, Spirit, or any form of Mana, had no ability to tell lie. Stella told him before when he asked the girl why she believe in what the Spirit told her so much. Nancy's existence meant that at least at the very core of it, Alicia isn't as bad as he imagined so he could believe her at that basis.

"Kevy?" Stella called when she saw Kevin turned into his scary-mode once again. She knew that Kevin often deal with this kind of thing, his father isn't a CEO for nothing after all. But, she couldn't get used to it no matter what.

Kevin let out a breath and switched his mood in almost an instant as he said, "Well, this is Auntie we are talking, we could think about it as we go. I won't ask anything else Stelly but thank you for believing me to keep this secret."

"Well, I know sooner or later you will know anyway and I believe in you Kevy. Oh yeah, since we are around Hamil, show me a lot of places okay? I want to try the plantation next!" Stella replied with slightly soft tone before she switched into her energetic tone as she was very fond of travelling, despite not doing it that much.

"Yes, yes, I'm on your disposal for the whole day Stelly. Let's just finish our drink so we could start our tour. Hey, what should we get for Al and Alicia? I have a gist of what we should bring to Al, but I don't really know Alicia," Kevin replied as he directed the topic somewhere else to calm Stella's powerful spirit.

"For Alice huh…" Stella pondered abruptly, her enthusiasm calmed down in instant that it was scary. She looked like she was in deep thought as well.

"You didn't have something in mind either?" Kevin asked as he tilted his head to the side almost innocently. At least he could get the gist that Stella was as ignorant as always to start with. He had conflicted feeling about it as Stella could make a very cute face when she didn't know anything but at the same time, she didn't have a goddamn clue about the most obvious things that happened right in front of her face in a lot of time, his obvious crush for her for example.

Stella merely pouted and looked to the side almost in annoyed manner when she said, "Of course I have something in mind! I-it's just that I wondered why even Kevy didn't know what to give to a girl! You are good with them aren't you? Girls…"

Kevin resisted the urge to let out a laugh when he saw that Stella looked like she was in denial about the whole present thing. Inevitable lose is one thing but Stella really hate to lose as usual; he thought when Stella finished her drink hastily. He did believe that Stella did know what to give to the girl anyway since Stella is always honest to those she held dear for her. He merely admitted the girl pouting face was cute as he resumed his eating as well, today promises to be a good day.

Stella POV

Geez, that Kevy really loves to make fun of me! Does he think that my frowning face is that good? I don't really get him sometimes.

"Stelly, let me show you something," Kevy said with a small soothing smile on his face as he stood from his seat.

I eye him with such emotion that anyone can call as suspiciousness. I know this boy longer than I can remember and know it by heart that out of us he is the most mischievous. Maybe it is due to the fact he is a year younger than Al and I so he can prank on us and escapes with only a scolding or two from any of us. Although if it is Odie-nee, he will get a good zap, I guess.

Kevy grinned from ear to ear before he (literally) pulled me from my seat and took me outside, paying our food at the same time since we passed the counter. I was about to get mad since my right wrists that he pulled was beginning to hurt, but as if he had read my mind, he let go a little bit and as I paused from the lack of anything to hold on, he linked our palms and pulling me again to run.

My heart stirs when the warmth of his hand transfers to mine. Kevy have a surprisingly big and strong hand. I can feel the calluses on his hand as well, informing me that he has been working hard lately. I know Kevy dream of continuing his father footsteps and become a merchant as well, so he can read people easily and pick enemy as easily as breathing as well due to the nature of his business.

I feel the heat of my face rise as I hear the sound of our footsteps and my own heart that beats loudly. Kevy always make me nervous when he gets serious and even more straightforward to what he want from me. But, I know that somewhere in the bottom of my mind, I don't really hate it when he is being straightforward.

'Tehehe, when he was like that, he reminds me of Al even for just a little…' I thought as I paired Kevy's straightforwardness with Al's overall bluntness. If I see it like this, they really are similar that I found myself smiling at the very thought of it.

I'm feeling glad that Kevy can't hear what I am thinking about his personality and comparing it with Altair as well. He is bound to ask me about it if he ever heard about it. I find it somewhat cute but, at the same time, annoying since Kevy never knew when to stop. After some running through the village, Kevy finally stopped as he said, "Yep, we are here now."

"What is…-" I found myself stopped in the middle of my sentence when I saw what lie in front of me.

To simplify it a lot, a very big orchard is stretched in front of me from where I stand until down the hill. From the look of it, soon the harvest season will approach as the fruit looked like it is about ready to get ripe from the trees.

"Kevy, look at all these trees! I rarely see these much in Elympios!" I shout as I (seriously) trying to not jump from the fence and run around the plantation. But my patience is growing thin…

"Elympios look much better than how it was in 'our' time, my parents said… well, we should be grateful- wait, Stelly!" Kevy half-explained on me but I quickly dismiss it and jumped from my place to the other side of the fence, quickly spinning around the lush fruits tree that I never seen before during my stay in Leronde, Sharilton, and Fennmont. Who made the decision to not make a plantation around those places? Oh yeah, the climate did.

I merely laughed when I heard Kevy followed my example and jumped from the other side of the fence as well as I run from one tree to another. This is so much fun!

Maybe I was having too much fun as I run along and so I didn't really watch my step when I accidentally tripped. Usually it is nothing much since I'm very confident with my ability, but this one catch me by complete surprise so I lost my balance very quick and I know that I will fall.

I close my eyes to brace for the impact except… I never feel it.

"Geez, Stelly you should take more look at where you step. Seriously," I hear Kevy complaining as I realized that something is pulling my wrist.

A little bit reluctantly, I opened my eyes and see Kevy is holding my wrist tightly to prevent me from falling. I merely stare at him when Kevy pulled me until I get into firm stance. I'm honestly surprised about it since it has been so long since the last time Kevy actually hold my hand so the sensation was slightly weird. I wonder since when we stopped holding hands like when we are still children…

"Stelly, hey, Stelly, did you hear me?" Kevy asked as he waved his hand in front of me.

I am snapped back to reality and I noticed that Kevy had let go of my hand. I laughed nervously and replied with, "Sorry, I was thinking just now. Kevy when is the last time you hold my hand like this?"

Kevy look like he is panicking and quickly asked, "W-what bring that question up?!"

I tilted my head to the side since I didn't really understand why Kevin acted like that. To make my point, I grab his hands with both of my hands and then ask again, "Like I said… when is the last time we hold hands? In the past, we hold hand quite often so I was wondering since when we stopped… Anyway, your hands are so big… are you really younger than me?"

"You know Stelly… sometimes you are obliviously dense aren't you?" Kevy responded as he slapped his forehead in exasperated manner as if saying that wasn't what I was supposed to think about right now.

"That's rude coming from you Kevy… After all, we are friend for so long! We grew up basically together up until the point Altair and I started living with Dad!" I shouted to Kevy who looked like he was mocking me with that remark. I pouted at his reaction and quickly turned my head away from him.

"Yeah, but I followed you two to Elympios not long after that. Leronde is too quiet for me without you around Stelly!" Kevy replied as he crossed his hands at the back of his head while giving me his boyish smile at the same time.

I feel my face flushed a little bit when I hear it. I don't really think that Kevy is saying that as an insult but rather his honest opinion at how important we are to him. I take a few steps back as I linked my index finger together at the back of my hip and bend my body forward a little bit.

Kevy looked a little bit nervous when I continue staring at him in my position without saying anything else. It has been a while since we get to relax together like this without having to mind other people eyes and I find this time to be very relaxing. After all, if I were to spend time with Kevy like this with Al, I'm sure they would fight in 5 seconds without reason.

Now that I could observe him, Kevy sure has become taller than last year. I remember that last year his eyes lined up with me but now he had went an inch taller than me. When we fight against the dancing scorpion, I see that he used few Artes that I hadn't known before. And is it just me or his muscle developed in the nice part as well?

"Hey Kevy, you are a year younger than me right?" I asked finally after making Kevy looked so uncomfortable. Hah, it's payback you rascal!

"Y-yeah… what bring that question again?" Kevy replied before throwing another question back to me as he acted strangely. Well, I know that when I stare it make people uncomfortable, but Kevy is a close friend and he knew me enough that I'm just purely curious yet why different reaction now?

"Nothing. I guess Kevy is Kevy after all," I responded while trying to divert my inner thought from Kevy. His change of reaction is funny after all and I don't think there is anything wrong with it. After all, we are childhood friends…

Kevy quickly protested and was about to mess up my hair. I simply laughed as I dodged him at the same time. We spent our time doing tag like this until we are tired. It really is fun when I spent my time with Kevy together like this, just like when I would drag him around to play with me. We are childhood friend but… but… I feel like something changed and I don't know whether I like it or not.

Skit: Childish

Stella: Hey, Kevy did you still collect bug like before?

Kevin: Wha- what's with the question?!

Stella: So you still did. You are still as childish as before…

Kevin: D-don't mock me! Stelly as well, you are still reading those fairytale books with rainbow and unicorns aren't you?!

Stella: T-there isn't rainbow and unicorn there! I-it is just your usual storybook for kids!

Kevin: See? You are childish as well!

*Kevin and Stella glare at each other*

Kevin: …

Stella: …

Kevin & Stella: Pfft- hahahaha!

Kevin: *laughing* I guess we are both childish aren't we?

Stella: *laughing* Yeah, I guess we are. Since we are both childish, don't grow up before me okay, Kevy?

Kevin: Right back at you, Stelly~

Skit: Homeland

Stella: Hamil sure is beautiful isn't it…?

Kevin: Well, it isn't a Culture Reservation spot for nothing after all…

Stella: Yeah, coming to this place made me understand why Aunt Elize is so kind…

Kevin: This is her homeland after all…

Stella: … Hey, Kevy.

Kevin: What is it?

Stella: Where do you think my homeland is? Is it in Elympios or in Rieze Maxia?

Kevin: Why the sudden question?

Stella: No, it just a passing thought. You know after all I was adopted by Dad, aren't I?

Kevin: …

Stella: So it meant I might come from somewhere else aren't I?

Kevin: …

Stella: Kevy?

Kevin: *bonked Stella's head lightly* Stupid, who care about that? Your homeland is where you can always go home to, isn't it?

Stella: *baffled* …

Kevin: Get a grip Stelly. I'm sure you'll find your parents and make them explain the whole stuff about leaving you behind. I'm sure Uncle Jude's place is always open for you as well.

Stella: Yeah… *smile*

Stella: *smiling* Yeah, you are right. Thank you, Kevy.

Kevin: *mumbling* That kind of smile fits you better Stelly...