Third person

~

The seniors began to coordinate everyone but Kira asked to have a minute with her friends.

"That was so awesome, Kira. I didn't think you could but that jump was amazing." Moriko gushed.

"I was impressed," Troy said simply.

"Thanks, Having you guys here really boosted my confidence." She grinned, "I made it in though, I feel really great."

"We have to celebrate!" Kuro chirped in, "Let's go over to your place."

"Yeah, you'll treat us."

Kira paled, "It's really late guys, plus you've all got to get home before curfew."

"We'll survive," Jade chimed in, "I want to see what your place looks like."

"Why are you supporting this?!" The brunette shrieked, and Jade merely smiled.

Troy huffed, "Anything that gets my bag and homework back."

Kira, seeing no way out, dropped the topic. "Since you all insist. Just wait a bit so I finish up cleaning with everyone."

"Let's help," Kuro suggested and as usual, Moriko was quick to follow up.

Kira watched as they approached Kaito and asked how they could be of help.

"The more the merrier." He said before leading them to get some floor cleaners.

The clean-up was quick since there were a good number of them on deck. Kira changed out of her sweaty clothes and took a quick shower before running out of the changing rooms to meet up with her friends.

"Your hair's wet." Troy pointed out, eyes sharp with irritation.

"Didn't want to keep you guys waiting. It's getting later by the minute." She was more worried about Jade and Momo. Walking home in the dark wouldn't be a good thing with how Yokai could be crawling around any moment.

"Kira Vermillion."

They all stopped, turning to face where the call had come from. It was Kaito.

"I wanted to say well done."

"Oh...ah, thanks I guess." Why was this gorgeous man talking to her? She wasn't nervous, just a bit self-aware but definitely not nervous.

"You're really good and that striking hand, what kind of workouts do you do so we can probably incorporate it into training." He added excitedly.

Saying she had to block against Troy's inhuman strength every day would definitely not be the right thing to do.

"I...I...lift weights." She gestured wild lifting motions, "The heavier the better they say...and handstands, lots of handstands."

"Ah, good to know. Keep up the good work."

"Yup. Oh, I wanted to ask, how'd you get to be the manager of the girls' team."

He chuckled, a warm bubbly sound, "I am the student body president, besides, I love being surrounded by so many talented women."

Kira didn't know why that made her blush more, "Good to know. I'll be going now, them- they! I mean my friends are waiting." She spun on her heals and ran off

The group took a subway train to Kira's place. On the way up Kuro and Moriko bounced so much, Kira was afraid that the elevator cords would snap and drop them several feet down.

"Kiddo! Congratulations!" Ares yelled as she walked in.

"Ares-"

"Unless you didn't get in, that'll be bad but we've got ice cream."

"Ares stop tal-"

He pulled her into a hug, "I'm so sorry sweetheart."

"Ares!" She pulled away, cheeks red, and pointed to the door.

He beamed, "Your friends! Finally!" He ran over to shake hands with everyone.

"I want to show them around, they're staying for dinner so order something nice," Kira said as everyone toed off their shoes.

"This place is so big." Moriko grinned.

"Thank you and Kira, I could just make something." Ares beamed.

She shook her head, "I'm not sending anyone home with food poisoning."

"My cooking isn't that bad," Ares said, this time his smile at her was strained and warning.

"I'll join Mr. Vermillion in the kitchen," Troy said simply.

"You don't have to-"

"I insist," Troy said firmly to shut her up.

"Kira, tour," Kuro said looking around.

"Yeah, this place is really classy," Jade said, her bored expression being replaced with a little bit of interest.

"Well, Ares' company does own the building." She gestured for them to follow.

"What does he do?" Momo asked.

"Vermillion Co. is pretty much a family business with hands in anything they can grab, furniture, tech, politics, and medicine. Ares is CEO of the real estate division here in Japan."

"That's...a lot," Jade said.

Once she had shown them around the house, she took them back down the elevator to show the rest of the building. By the time they got back, Ares was sitting dejectedly on the couch and Troy was setting the table.

"He politely asked me to leave it all to him so I don't hurt myself." The man sighed when Kira asked, "Surprisingly, I'm not as offended as I should be."

Kira rubbed his shoulder comfortingly. Troy had that effect on people. Even Kat had come out to stare at him.

In no time at all, they were all sitting at the dining table, passing conversation like this wasn't everyone's first time meeting.

Moriko, Kuro, and Ares were the most chatty. Kira watched from her seat, fighting back a smile.

How she wished every night could be this calm.

Unfortunately, her after-dark training session lurked around the corner. A stern reminder that she had to keep working harder, lest she lose everyone sitting here to some cruel fate.

"Is it okay?"

She glanced up at Troy who had noticed her stop eating.

"Yeah, it's really nice," she said quickly, he narrowed his eyes to study her, and she knew she had to deflect quickly, "Definitely on the level of an experienced housewife." She said loudly.

Jade's amused choking noise made everyone start laughing.

The blond in question cast her an irritated look before returning to his food.

Kira smiled, she'd keep saying everything was fine. No matter how difficult the journey got, or how big of a lie it would be. She just had to and she had to believe in it because, one day, no matter how far, it'll eventually be the truth.

Everything would be okay, and she'd work hard to make sure of it.