Time went out, and without Aoi noticing, the day of the exam finally came. Is there anything different from the other life? timeline? (Aoi still can't decide how to call it. Their group members are still the same: Aoi, Arzen, Kii, Akai, Angela, Rhuifen, and his two subordinates, Jupiter and Venus. The only difference is the situation. For example, this Kii isn't used to seeing monsters, and this Kii doesn't have experience fighting monsters either. So she was kind of struggling with them now. It's a bit weird at first. Aoi is already used to a Kii who is stronger than himself, so it's kind of awkward to see her back at being weaker with a need to be protected. Aoi is, of course, already planned to protect her whether she needs it or not, but it seems that Aoi's protection isn't needed to begin with. Arzen is already there to protect her.
Aoi is glad that Arzen listened to what Aoi said about thinking of Kii first before he starts to help other people. Really, Aoi is glad, happy, and satisfied. There is nothing that Aoi wants to complain about, but honestly, it's not a complaint, okay? Aoi just wants to know. What are they doing, really?
Okay, so this is what happened. They were doing their quest splendidly, even Kii, who never met monsters, was doing her quest okay-ish-ly with Arzen's and Aoi's guide. She was finishing her own monster when out of nowhere a spell came barreling down to her direction, Arzen immediately went to cover Kii with his own body at the same time as Rhuifen, who was about to do the same and Angela, who was freaked out when she noticed that her accidental spell might hurt her precious His Highness Arzen-sama, then they were followed by Jupiter and Venus who were trying to protect Rhuifen, and the result? Of course, all of them falling into each other like a bunch of messed-up books that drop off their cupboard. Poor Kii was being squeezed by them at the bottom. The spell went down with a boom several inches above their heads.
Honestly, what are they doing? Aoi thinks to himself in bafflement.
Aoi and Akai blinked at them and each other for several seconds before they immediately went to rescue Kii from being suffocated.
"Are you guys an idiot?" Aoi grumbled as he pulled Jupiter and Venus from the pile. As he saw Akai do the same to Rhuifen, he went to Kii and Arzen in a hurry.
"Are you hurt, Kii?" He asked Kii as he looked over her here and there to check for injury.
"I'm okay, thank you," Kii answered breathlessly.
"You are all idiots," Aoi continued, "What the hell are you doing, really? What if you injured Kii, huh?" and before anyone could answer him, "No! Don't answer that. You will only say something equally idiotic!" he said again without giving a room for argument.
"His Highness, please forgive me. It was my fault. I was careless, and because of my clumsiness, I almost hurt His Highness," Angela said tearfully as soon as Aoi finished speaking.
"It's not me you should apologize to," Arzen simply said without even looking at Angela, as he is too busy fussing at Kii with Aoi.
Aoi almost snorts at that, but he isn't because he has an image to maintain here. Aoi saw Akai look at them exasperatedly. After he was sure Kii was alright, he went to see about Rhuifen's condition. They are friends after all, Aoi remembered. Aoi has been keeping his distance from Rhuifen to avoid some kind of misunderstanding happening here (in this life/timeline/whatever) as well.
He saw Angela look crestfallen at the corner of his eye, and he couldn't help but feel satisfied. This time, they managed to avoid the doomed cave, so no more falling, luckily for them. Without support from Akai, who pointedly ignored her, Aoi, who said honestly that he hated the dark place, and Arzen, who was still in a bad mood because of the accidental spell, Angela didn't dare to push her desire to check out the cave either. They went back to The Academy in peace, or so Aoi hopes.
A few days later, a few hours before Arzen's birthday party, a rumor about Kii harassing Angela because she was jealous of the attention Arzen gave Angela was heard.
Midori went wild because of it. She went out of her way to make Kii the most beautiful girl at the party. From her hair to her shoes, nothing was left unattended. The result was fabulous, but it made Aoi worry for some reason. Not because something is missing on Kii, no, of course not. It was the opposite, actually. Kii is so perfect that Aoi was worried that Arzen wouldn't be able to hold back when he sees her. Then again, this Arzen is different, so he might not have the same reaction as the Arzen back home, and besides, it would be good even if he isn't able to hold back, wouldn't it? Aoi asked himself and sighed.
"What are you thinking about?" Arren's voice suddenly broke Aoi's musing.
"It's nothing, just thinking about them. Where are Nii-Sama and Nee-sama?" Aoi answered.
"There," Arren answered back shortly, pointing at the dance floor where both of Aoi's siblings are dancing.
"Are you worried because Arzen isn't the one who takes Kii to the party? You knew he wanted to, and he didn't, because he had to go back to the castle for some reason. It's definitely not because he will go with Angela." Arren said.
"I know, but the other didn't. They keep fueling the rumors, and now Angela thinks that she has a chance to win Arzen. She has been looking for a way to talk to Arzen since she arrived here, and Kii has been out for a while. Kii isn't even here for the congratulatory birthday speech for Arzen." Aoi sighs again, pointing at Arzen for a moment, and looking back outside the window, where he can see Kii standing by the beautiful lake in the garden.
"Arzen is going to be disappointed, but he will understand because he is also aware of the rumors; he will know that Kii will want some quiet place to chill down. He doesn't really care about birthdays anyway. He might not be the same person as our Arzen, but something is not that different either." Arren said with a smile. Aoi smiles back because he knows how right that statement is.
"And speak of the devil... " Arren trailed.
"And he may appear," Aoi continued for him.
"Good evening, Esteemed Brother, good evening Aoi-kun, I hope you're enjoying the party." Arzen started with a nod to each of them.
"Good evening, His Highness. We have an excellent time, thank you. If I am allowed to guess, His Highness here is not only to greet us but also to inquire about Kii's whereabouts, am I correct?" Aoi greeted back with enough balance between a tease and politeness. Meanwhile, Arren just nods back to him with a smile.
"That's not really what I mean, but... I'm slightly worried... the rumors are... hem... what I mean to say is that I would be grateful if you could inform me about where Kii is right now, yes. Thank you." Arzen said after a few moments of slipping into his usual cold self.
Aoi looks at him with an amused gaze. For this Arzen, this is the first time Aoi witnessed his flustered self. With all his might, he refrain his teasing that almost came out of his mouth. Standing between them and witnessing all of it is Arren, who finally decided to break the awkward moment right there, right now.
"Kii-chan is out to take some fresh air." He told Arzen while pointing at the window where they could see Kii.
"Yeah, she was not feeling well. She only came because it is your birthday ball after all, Your Highness. That's why I hope you would find in your heart to forgive her for missing some of the event at this party. I would love to take her back to her chamber to rest, but she insisted that she needed to congratulate you first before she went back, so we let her take a break outside while waiting for you to be free. I hope you didn't mind. We are sorry for our rudeness in making decisions without your consent." Aoi followed Arren's explanation with a bow to Arzen.
"No, there is nothing that needs to be forgiven. More importantly, Kii was sick?" Arzen dismisses Aoi's apology with a wave of his hand and inquires about Kii instead.
"Yes, she was feeling under the weather and a little bit stressed this past few days... If His Highness doesn't mind, I would like to ask for his highness permission to send her back to her chamber after she has had a chance to meet His Highness." Aoi continued.
"No, there is no need for that. I would like to meet her now, and I would send her back myself. She is my fiancée after all, it's my duty to take care of her." Arzen answered without giving them a room to complain.
"I would be grateful for it, His Highness. I you would excuse me, I will go and take Kii back to meet you right away..." Aoi started again, but this time Arzen cut him with another no need because apparently he is going to see Kii where she is right now and will send her back right after, thank you very much for your concern, Aoi-kun. With a bow and nods to both of them, he swiftly and silently removed himself from the party.
Watching him go, Arren, who was aware of Aoi's plan, turned to Aoi and asked if he was sure about this. Still watching the spot where Arzen previously was, Aoi was only able to sigh and said truthfully that no, he isn't sure. Please don't ask him back because he is worried that he is going to regret his decision and take Kii back instead.
Akai and Midori return as both of the men turn to watch Arzen approaching Kii and startling her. Kii, who has been standing at the side of the lake, enjoying the beautiful moon that was reflected in the water, whipped her head so fast and lose her balance. Arzen went to straighten her, but was a second too late. The four of them watch with a perplexed face as both Arzen and Kii toppled off the lake with a splash. They blinked at each other for a moment before Kii sneezed right into Arzen's face. The hell broke loose after that, Kii seems to flusteredly apologize while Arzen immediately went and swiftly lifted Kii, literally, off her feet, promptly princess carrying her to her chamber, perhaps.
The four people whom watching them were not better. Midori was opening and closing her mouth to say something without success. Akai looked at Aoi and Arren with his questioning gaze, while Arren was only able to mutter a small "oh dear" while watching their silhouettes go farther.
"What are they doing, really?" Aoi asked rhetorically.
A few days after that, the relationship between Kii and Arzen changed. They spend more time together without Aoi and the others' help. Sometimes Aoi would also see Arzen treat Kii intimately. Like holding her hand, or giving her a shoulder hug, or taking her hand on his arm. Something like that. Then Kii would turn red, which in turn would make Arzen smile at her fondly.
Once again, it's not that Aoi is complaining; Aoi is just curious and wondering. Honestly, what are they doing, really?