Akira grimaced as the morning light shone through the window in her room, rousing her from her sleep. She rubbed her eyes and stretched after sitting up. Still drowsy, she looked around the small apartment, no one.

"Mn...father's gone already?" Akira grumbled and grabbed a quick snack before dressing for school. This was quite common since her mother disappeared 6 years back. Before heading out for school, Akira grabbed a chain and shoved it into her backpack. At the campus she met up with the disciplinary committee. It was nearing the end of the second week of school. Alex stood in front, reviewing the code of conduct. Various members reported misconduct they observed and handed in the required paperwork.

"You are all dismissed." Alex waved them off as he read over the reports. They stood, saluted and left. Akira stayed behind.

"Captain." she straightened her posture before Alex.

"Yes, Yuen san?" Alex looked up casually from the handful of papers.

"How are things progressing on 'that' front?" she asked in a suggestive tone and put a finger to her lips. A coy smile crawled across Alex's face.

"We have new...orders." his eyes glistened with a devilish light as he spoke. "This time everyone's invited." he let out a breathy laugh. She gave a sly smile and nodded then left the room. Alex returned to the papers when suddenly something made him jump. He fumbled around and pulled out his phone. A name on the screen 'Kaarlo Ceres'. A sweet smile played at his lips as he read the message. He saw his reflection on the blank screen and bit his lip on embarrassment, his face red as he typed his reply.

Akira sat in class. Moments before class was set to start, Alex walked in the door slightly flustered.

"C-Captain?" Akira called out in awe. Alex lowered his head causing his hair to obscure his face. "What's wrong?" various murmurs followed her inquiry.

"N-nothing, it’s not important." he answered sheepishly. "What's gotten into me lately?" Arlin perked up as Alex took his seat. Alex looked to his phone slightly panicked, then let out a sigh when he saw who messaged him, Arlin. ["So, everything is good to go?"] Before Alex could answer, Kimura sensei entered the room. Akira watched Alex, feeling troubled by his unusual mood. Alex continued to check his phone throughout class, despite it being against the rules. The rest of the students were too shocked and scared to do anything about it and the teachers never noticed. Once lunch came he let out another long sigh. Akira still feeling distressed by the unusual atmosphere of the day, followed Alex on their way to the dining hall.

"Captain!" she called out to him as she grabbed his shoulder. He turned to face her with a look of bewilderment on his face. Akira looked into his eyes. "Are you up to it?" Alex's eyes widened then he shook his head and regained his confident attitude momentarily.

"Y-yeah..." his eyes trailed off like his mind, occupied by something else. "Let's do this!" Arlin skipped up to the pair followed by a less than enthusiastic Zeka.

"That's all?" Akira scanned over the two newcomers.

"Lazy fu-" Alex started to hiss under his breath. "Whatever, we're more than enough." Arlin grinned and locked arms with Akira and Alex. She scowled at him and shook him off. Zeka rolled her eyes.

"Why him?" she pointed to Arlin and glowered at Alex. Arlin puffed out his cheeks and huffed.

"Enough!" Alex growled. "Don't question me, Arata!" she let out an exaggerated sigh and followed as the group approached Kid.

"Hey Murasa san!" Kid waved. Skai whipped around to see Alex, with Arlin hanging on his arm, and glared at them. Anya choked on her food.

"Hi Sharpe san." Alex gave a surprisingly warm smile. Kid smiled back as Skai and Anya eyed each other. "Arlin here wanted to apologize for the misunderstanding last week." Alex pointed to Arlin, who let go and bowed. Kid looked over to Skai, who faked a grin back and adjusted his glasses. He looked back to Arlin.

"Thanks!" Kid beamed. Alex eyed him dubiously. "Is this guy seriously that gullible?"

"Well, now that we've settled that, we'll see you in class." Alex bowed his head and walked off with the others following behind.

"I can't believe he bought that!" Zeka scoffed. Akira let out a sharp laugh.

"You should have more faith in Captain Murasa!" she shrugged. "He's the one who's made all this happen after all." she gave Zeka a devious look. Zeka rolled her eyes in response. From a different table Sai, Tori and Syrus watched the four suspectingly. Akira, Arlin and Zeka discussed ways to catch Kid while Alex was distracted and continued to focus on his phone.

"How's that Alex?" Arlin turned and asked.

"Uh, what?" Alex looked around in a daze. Arlin peered down to Alex's phone but Alex shoved it into his pocket before his eyes could focus on the text displayed. Akira sighed.

"What's his damage?" Zeka leaned over to Akira. "Has he been like this all day?" Akira shrugged in response.

"The plan, what do you think we should do Captain?" Akira asked again. Alex perked up, having paid attention this time.

"Considering Arlin's gotten better results than the rest, in such a short time, he should lead it." Alex said nonchalantly then started on his lunch.

"Eh! Me?" Arlin stared back in shock. Zeka scowled at Alex once more.

"What?" Alex snapped. "He's the only one of you to actually get close to him" he pointed toward Kid. "Although it was also his fault we lost him." Alex sighed and continued talking. "He's acquainted with their 'leader' and he's the only other one with combat experience, aside from me." he leered at Zeka. Akira lowered her head.

"Understood, Captain!" she affirmed. "I'll prove my worth."

"Eh, whatever." Zeka scoffed and left for her class. Arlin hugged Alex.

"I'm glad you believe in me so much!" Arlin squeezed tight.

"Oi! Stop that." Alex pushed him off nervously, his face flushed red. Arlin looked at him curiously then backed off. They left for class along with the rest of the students. Alex pulled out his phone again and smiled. Class went on as usual. At gym Alex continued to act distant. The Kouki twins followed him around. Akira went to confront them but Arlin stopped her.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." he stood firm in front of her.

"So we should just let them get in the Captain's way?" she groaned.

"Is it worth jeopardizing everything we've worked towards?" Arlin grabbed the collar of Akira's uniform and pulled her in, his eyes filled with an uncharacteristic fire. Akira backed off in shock. When the two of them looked back at the twins, Syrus had gone over to them and appeared to be scolding them. Arlin gave a low growl and stormed off. Arlin's mood only soured more as gym went on. Between the absent Alex and enraged Arlin, Akira couldn't settle down. Things were finally looking up then the key players cracked. Arlin clung to Alex as everyone returned to the locker rooms. Unlike before, Alex just let him do it. When Akira left the locker room, she saw Zeka arguing with Kaz and Ed.

"I can't believe you two!" Zeka chastised them. Ed gave no response.

"It's not like we're getting shit, why should we endanger ourselves for nothing?" Kaz barked back.

"Geez, it's always money with you Yuli!" Zeka scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"Nothing wrong with that." Ed said coldly. Zeka growled. Alex, with Arlin in tow, walked out. The three stopped bickering and looked over.

"What's his deal?" Kaz pointed to Alex with his thumb.

"We have no idea..." Akira sighed.

"How do you expect it to work out if he's all...that?" Ed sneered. Alex raised his eyes up from the floor.

"It's not today, idiot." he hissed. Aren watched their exchange from the locker room door, with Tori and Sal at his side.

"Today, huh?" Aren smirked.

"Are you sure you heard them right?" Sal asked cautiously. Aren glared back. "Okay?" Sal put his hands up and walked out the door. Aren grabbed Tori by the arm and started toward the gym's exit. Syrus sighed and chased after them. Zeka gave up trying to change Kaz and Ed's minds on joining the operation and left to go home.