Akira stood and placed her hands on her hips, her weight shifted to one side.

"Don't you think it’s bothersome to have gym at the end of the day?" she debated aloud to herself.

"You don't think it’s better this way, Yuen san?" Alex argued. "Would you prefer to have it early and be tired in class?" he shrugged as he walked to the door allowing others to leave before him.

"I- I guess you're right, Captain." She answered skeptically.

"Maybe Tubby just doesn't want us to focus on how out of shape he is in gym!" Sal jeered in jest as he winked at Akira. She gasped and looked to Alex with unease.

"I am not out of shape, Tamsin!" he snapped as he scowled back. Syrus sighed.

"Smooth move!" he groaned as he walked by. "Just had to piss him off." Sal smirked as Syrus walked past. The rest of the class hastily left to avoid the wrath of the disciplinary committee's infamous captain.

"It would be wise to not get on my bad side." Alex growled. "I have the authority to make your life a living hell here in these halls." You could feel the anger radiating from the husky boy.

"Oh, I'm so scared!" Sal declared facetiously.

"Tamsin, stop!" Carmen ordered in a hushed tone. "You're going to be late." she briskly walked between the pair and out the door. No one else remained.

"Listen to her, Tamsin!" Alex's voice oozed with contempt. "Don't give me leverage!"

"If you keep abusing your position like that it's going to come back to haunt you." Sal's voice was serious for a change. He shot Alex a resentful look and left for the gym.

BZZT BZZT

After Sal was no longer visible Alex received a text. He huffed as he pulled out his phone. As he read his angry expression turned to one of distress.

He arrived at the gym as the bell tolled. The classes were gathered together as it was the first day and there were no activities planned. The coaches gave a brief overview of what the class would entail then gave out uniforms for the new students and replaced the ones who had lost or damaged theirs. There were a few minutes remaining in class. Away from the group sat Alex and on the other end of the bleachers was Syrus and Arlin. While the others socialized loudly, those 3 remained silent. Alex with a disheartened smile while Syrus intently watched Anya, Skai and Kid occasionally glancing over at the new girl. Next to her was Carmen. She looked back at Alex. He faked a serious expression for the duration of her gaze. Just as his expression returned, Kelly looked over at him, following Carmen's curiosity. He looked away quickly. Syrus, seeing this exchange, scowled. "Can she tell who he is?" Arlin sat next to him looking down at his hands. The bell dismissed them for the day.

"Finally!" Aren cheered. He got up and ran over to the club try-out schedule. Pulled out his phone, snapped a picture then waved to his friends. 

“Aye, send it here, dude!” Some of the other boys (Kazu Nakahara & Rin Kawakami) sitting around requested to have it sent to them and expressed appreciation.

 “Thanks, man!” Most of the class cleared out. Friends went their separate ways home and others lingered in the halls, chatting.

“My god, can you believe he said that?” Hana asked followed by a boisterous laugh.

“ARK is just too funny!” Minako nodded along with her.

“Ah,” Ami sighed. “I wish he would show his face again.”

“YES! He was so dreamy with those eyes!” Hana’s eyes sparkled amorously. Kelly stopped as she was passing Alex. He wore a tense expression on his face as he listened in on all the departing students' banter.

"You ok?" she said in a hushed voice to not draw any attention. He scoffed and gave a disapproving glare. She shrugged then turned away. As she walked through the doors she gave one last look. Syrus followed not long after, with Arlin lagging behind. As he passed Alex, he reached out and grabbed Arlin's arm. He stopped while Syrus continued on not paying any attention. Alex spoke once he was gone.

"Arlin." he released his grasp. "I have a proposition for you, friend." His eyes glowed.

"I'm listening." Arlin turned to Alex, his usually cheerful disposition was replaced with resentment.

Several minutes later, Alex waved as he finished his talk with Arlin.

"Think about it, ok?" he smiled slyly. After Arlin nodded then left to return home, Alex sighed loudly. He made his way off campus. He worked his way through a series of dark alley ways to the back door of an abandoned building a fair distance from the school.

"State your report." a dark sinister voice commanded. A dark figure stepped forward, obscured by shadows.

"Things are going according to plan." Alex paused to collect his thoughts. "I've found the perfect 'horse' for your collection, Master." A wide grin was visible on the dark figure's face.

"Excellent, I knew you wouldn't disappoint me." the figure leaned to one side and crossed his arms. "You better seal the deal on this, boy!" his tone changed. "I would hate having to 'let you go'." his voice was sharp, full of condescension.

"I aim to please." Alex lowered his head respectfully.

"You better make it happen!" The figure handed Alex a pouch. "My patience grows thin."

"I understand."

"Next we meet you better bring good news, or else!" He threatened as he turned and walked off. Alex emerged from behind the building cautiously, checking for any witnesses. The coast was clear. He quickly headed out of the alley and seamlessly melded into the crowd.

BZZT BZZT

His phone went off.

"Kaarlo...RIIIGHT!" Alex exclaimed. He remembered the upperclassmen he tutors. "That's still happening..." his voice trailed off, muffled by the bustle of the crowd. He traversed the streets until he reached a cozy looking house in an out of the way residential area. He hiked up the walkway and knocked at the door.

An older boy with honey blond hair (Ceres Kaarlo) answered the door. A single strand of his hair stuck out in front of his bangs which mostly obscured the left of his light brown eyes. He had his usual vacant expression. He faintly smiled to Alex.

"Your sister here?" Alex asked. Ceres nodded in response then gestured for him to come in. He disappeared down the hallway. Moments later he returned with a girl a little younger than him. She had long fluffy sandy blond hair and darker eyes behind a pair of light pink framed glasses (Shea Kaarlo).

"You're late!" she reprimanded. Her brother gave her a stern look. "What?" she snapped in her heavy British accent. Alex looked on in awe, his face turned a light pink. Shea stormed off down the hall. Ceres gave a modest smile when his eyes met Alex's, then quickly turned away. Past his hair his face became flushed.

"Th-thanks." Alex mumbled softly as he bowed his head then followed Shea down the hall. He entered the second to last door on the right which was ajar. Shea sat on the bed with notebooks and textbooks scattered in front of her. Alex exhaled loudly. "Let's get started!"

After Ceres regained his composure he walked into the kitchen and started to reach for a glass but stopped.

Alex began lecturing Shea about biology. There was a knock on the door.

"It's open!" Shea called out mildly annoyed. The door opened slowly. Ceres stood there fidgeting. He looked down at the floor.

"Uh...um." He started to stutter. "W-would you um...like a drink, M-Murasa san?" his voice was deep and soothing. Like his sister he had a fairly thick British accent. Alex's face turned red as he smiled nervously. Shea was clearly baffled by the scene as well.

"Oh no!" Alex choked in shock. "N-n-no thanks! You don't need to burden yourself with my company!" he turned down the offer bashfully.

"Oh..." Ceres sighed slightly disappointed.

"That all you interrupted us for?" She grumbled. He stepped back and looked up at her. "Then sod off!" He was displeased by his sister's attitude. He looked at Alex, who laughed awkwardly.

"S-sorry?" Ceres closed the door. Alex was able to hear him sigh dispiritedly from behind the door. He closed his eyes and put his hand to his mouth in remorse.

"What's he all over the shop about?" She groaned.

"Huh?"

"Excuse him, he's normally not like this, that twat!" she rolled her eyes.

"That's the first time he's ever spoken to me..." Alex confessed. “So why does it feel familiar?”

"He doesn't normally warm up to people that quickly." She seemed confused. "It's only been 4 months since you started tutoring me."

"Ye-yeah!" Alex scratched the back of his head, still rattled by it. "Never would have guessed he could have such an attractive voice..." He thought as he continued to lecture Shea.