WITHOUT signaling him, Hussey dragged him to go to the dining room.
“Hey! Oh, Lazzini and Zowen are here too! Great!” Hussey gave Alazne a quick kiss on the cheek that made the latter cluck his tongue and also one for Fionntan which got used to her tactics because Eiassey is also like her.
Next, she gave Lazzini and Zowen a half hug since she’s still holding Aeschylus’ hand.
“Everyone! This is the love of my life—Aeschlus Nase.” Then she pointed her twin who was busy eating beside Fionntan. “You already knew my twin, Eiassey. Then Alazne, that guy loves non-fiction books and also not interactive while Fionntan, you might have a hard time communicating with him since he’s a selective mute but rest assured! He’s very nice and he can use sign language or just type on his phone if you guys will talk.”
The lassie gestured Lazzini and Zowen. “Lazzini and Zowen, they are Alazne’s best friends and batch mates in SJ. You’ll be so close with these two! Especially Lazzini since he has the same interests as you!”
Aeschylus gave all of them a sheepish smile. “N-Nice meeting all of you.”
“Same to you, take care of her. She’s quite a handful,” Alazne greeted.
“Hey! You don’t have to say that! Don’t listen to him, Sky!” She placed her hand on his thigh after they joined in the dining table.
“It’s true though,” Eiassey chimed in that made her look at her twin with a scowl.
“Hussey is right! Her boyfriend is indeed so adorable!” Zowen commented.
Lazzini elbowed her side. “You don’t have to say that in front of the girlfriend, stupid.”
“Whatever.” Zowen rolled her eyes as she started eating.
A thin line formed on her lips. “I know that already, Zowen. But just keep in mind he’s mine.”
Zowen stuck her tongue at her. “Girl, I have a boyfriend. I’m just saying what you said to me.”
Hussey just friskily shook her head.
The table was filled of noises which are coming from Hussey, Eiassey, Astennu, Lazzini, and Zowen.
Most of the topic are either nonsense or about their works in the SJ.
After some time, they finally finished eating.
Aeschylus was very grateful that he met so many amazing people that day.
The young man never imagined how lively and fun their family was. At home, he never experienced that type of hype inside of their house.
Sure, he’s satisfied with just his mother being around but his mother cannot give her full attention to him as she has a really busy work that it somehow stole her time for her son.
It’s not that he holds some grudges. It just saddened him that he never had a really good childhood until his teenage life, he never had a sibling and his father wasn’t around ever since he was a baby.
“About you training in SJ, are you willing to train with the first years? You’ll be with Fionntan mostly, my twins and Alazne will be also there to look out for you. Does that sound good to you?” asked Astennu.
Aeschylus snapped out of his reverie after hearing Astennu’s voice. “Mom already knew about this?” He gaped at his girlfriend’s father.
Astennu, Hussey, and him are in the living room to talk about him joining for some time in SJ— without joining the combatants of course, just for training.
The father nodded at him. “Your mother knew very well about this covert administration,” he revealed.
Hussey and Aeschylus shared glances to each other.
Aeschylus looked up to Astennu when he spoke again.
“Your mother was hesitating at first as she’s worried if something might happen to you but I thoroughly explained to her that you’re just joining our training so you’ll know how to fight, that’s what Hussey said and your consent was present, right?”
The young man nodded his head. “I would want to join…” He turned his eyes at Hussey who completely disapproved without hesitation.
“I think the two of you should talk first, kids.” Astennu stood up to give the young couple privacy as he sensed that Hussey was ready to explain how dangerous to work in SJ.
“No! You will not risk your life for SJ. Like what we talked before, I just want you to learn how to defend yourself so I’ll know that you’ll be okay without me,” she exclaimed.
If earlier she was leaning onto him, now she gave them a distance because she was upset that he considered joining the cadets.
“What?” he asked in disbelief. “But why are you one of them? Aren’t you also risking your life for them?”
She snapped back at him. “That’s because I’ve been there since I’m young! I’m confident with my own ability.”
A pain flickered his eyes, she was raising her voice at him and she never talked to him like that.
“Then are you saying that I’m not deserving? That I’m weak?”
Hussey stared at him for seconds, she tried to calm her nerves by inhaling and exhaling deep breaths. “No, it’s not like that. If something happened to you I would never forgive myself. I dragged you here, I’m responsible for what will happen to you if you work there,” every words she stated was firm, to at least make him stop for what he’s suggesting for joining in SJ. “Your mother will never approve if you join.”
Aeschylus unbelievably looked deep into her eyes.
“And you didn’t think what will I feel while you risk your life in the line? If I’m with you I won’t be having intrusive thoughts, I’ll be able to know what’s happening to you and I could help and work with you. Don’t keep me in the dark, baby. Please,” he begged.
Since in the school, he had been thinking to join.
He heard so much about this administration and the triumvirs that’s also like a body of three, the top three common cases that was coming from them.
A twinge shot in his chest as he learned more, in the world that’s field of pure and impure, goodness and evilness— he couldn’t accept the fact that the cruelty that he often heard or saw are just the surface.
Heck, it’s more than that.
The monstrous side of the humans are just hidden somewhere.
How could he make difference in this world? How could the home of earthlings be a better place? How can he possibly provide safe space for the next generation?
When the individuals are also the reason why people suffer?
Because of the things he learned— something inside him ignited.
He wanted to be useful at least once for this one.
Aeschylus fixated his orbs on her with utmost intensity that he can uphold. He cupped both of her hands.
His eyes were overflowing with determination.
From that moment, Hussey knew what he wanted. Is this the right path?
“I want to join, Hussey.”