Extra's Descent

"We're back."

"Hey~ Fuck off, Reinhard~"

"Huh!?"

"...."

While the girls entered the room, Rachel remained silent and approached Brandon, who was seated.

She was sober.

Her head was clear.

She knew what she was doing.

"Hey, uhm….."

"Hey."

Brandon raised his head, meeting Rachel's gaze. The moment he did, the room fell silent.

"Ah."

Rachel flinched momentarily, but composed herself. Things really were different. Even he looked different.

'Even his hair…..'

She had to accept it. Not as if she was fixated on him, but just the thought of how different things were, especially in regards to her overall family situation, took a toll on her mental health.

She tried not to think about it this whole time. But seeing Brandon brought memories of her father, and the entire calamity.

And….

The old days.

When things were still good.

She had to accept it.

Things were never going to be the same again.

After what felt like an eternity, the words she had wanted to say flowed out of her mouth.

"I'm sorry, Brandon.

She lowered her head.

Truth be told, she felt quite embarrassed in letting the others see this. But…. she wanted them to see this.

To let them know of her resolve.

Her resolve to accept how different the current circumstances were.

"Friends?"

"Hm?"

Rachel raised her head.

"Friends...?"

"Yes, do you still want to remain as friends?"

"...."

This was just like Brandon. He might have been stoic from what she remembered, even coming across as aloof, but….

"Yes, of course!'

It seemed like he didn't hate her.

The two shook hands at that, and Rachel took a seat shortly after.

Clap—! Clapping his hands, Raven went on to say,

"Now that we're all here. It's time for the main act."

"...."

"...."

"...."

And the room fell silent once again. Of course, except for Reinhard.

"Wooooh~"

Rachel looked to the side. Seeing the face Brandon was making, it seemed like he had caught on.

The moment Raven picked up the microphone, Rachel wanted to leave at that moment.

Raven's singing….

It was complicated.

Even Reinhard was way better than him. But she had to take points off Reinhard for his music taste.

However, Rachel leaned back and closed her eyes.

After everything that happened, the calamity, and the stress that her work put on her,, this was just what she needed.

No, this is what everyone needed.

To revel in the chaos that is Raven's singing.

Seeing everyone finally reunited, Rachel couldn't help but smile.

The group was complete.

Brandon was finally here.

At least, this remained the same.

'These guys….'

For Rachel, this is her family.

They made her feel at home.

It was then.

Raven opened his mouth.

Oh, no.

She suddenly regretted it.

"Never gonna give you up~"

.

.

At the end of it, everyone looked drained.

Everyone except Raven and Reinhard.

"Great as always, Raven!"

"Thanks, Rein."

The two high–fived at that.

Then, Raven offered the microphone to Brandon.

"Uh….?"

Brandon snapped out of a daze and accepted the microphone.

The night was still young.

They were teenagers, enjoying their youth.

"Eh, another foreign song?"

"You really like this 'Kim Hajin' guy, don't you?"

Brandon only shrugged in response.

"It was a coincidence."

***

Brandon returned home.

He felt quite tipsy.

Despite things going south in the middle, he could admit it.

He had fun.

Brandon entered the apartment.

It was quite dark. However, as he was about to enter his room, he noticed one of the room's doors was left open.

It was Amelia's room.

Was she up….?

At the moment, it was 3:21 AM.

If she were asleep, and had left the door open, Brandon planned on closing it for her.

But just as he was about to do so, there, he could see Amelia, sitting on the bed with the laptop on her lap.

"Amelia?"

"Oh, you're home?"

"Yep. But what are you doing….?"

"I'm working on the contract proposal for the blackmarket workers. The Imperial Army had come to a conclusion that the blackmarket was quite an asset for this country. It would be a waste to strip them off their jobs and send them back to prison."

Apparently, several officers were tasked with the job. After all, the higher–ups had too much in their hands at the moment.

She set her laptop aside, and looked at him.

"What are you standing there for? Come in."

At her words, Brandon stepped into the room and sat down on the bed next to her.

Amelia pursed her lips.

"How was it? Did you have fun…?"

"Yep. You should meet them, they're good people."

Then, Brandon leaned his head on her shoulders.

"I missed you."

"Hm? But we saw each other this morning though?"

"But not at the academy."

"Well, I wanted to give you some space to spend time with your friends."

Brandon wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"I want to spend some time with you too."

"I don't mind. What time is good for you? Send me your schedule so we can compa—Ah."

Cutting her off, Brandon pushed her down on the bed. On top of her, their gazes met.

Amelia seemed startled, wide eyed.

"Amelia Constantine."

".....Y-Yes?"

Amelia's face slightly reddened.

Brandon continued.

"I like you. You know that, right?"

"Ah? Uhm…. I had an idea…. But I wasn't sure…."

"Oh, really? Were my hints not obvious?"

"N-No…. I knew. Yes, I knew you liked me."

Amelia stammered.

Brandon asked.

"Can I ask how you feel?"

"M-Me? Ah…."

Amelia's eyes darted around.

Then, she swallowed and nodded her head slightly.

"Un…."

He could barely hear it. But….

It was cute.

Amelia was cute.

"Sorry, I couldn't hear you."

"Y-Yes…. I like you too. But…. since when did you start liking me?"

Of course she had to ask that.

Amelia was always this kind of girl.

When it was about her, she was always curious how others thought about her.

"10,263 lifetimes ago."

"....You're so unserious."

"I'm only being honest."

"Sigh."

Then, Brandon asked in return.

"What about you?"

"Uhm…. I'm not sure actually. Before I knew it, I grew conscious of you. To the point where I became conscious of what I wear."

So there was no definite answer.

He could accept that.

"You look good in anything."

"No, no. That's because I try to look my best everytime."

"You were waiting for me, weren't you?"

The signs were there. After all, why would she leave the door open for no reason?

"N-no…. Yes, I was. I wanted to see you too."

Amelia extended her hand forward and touched his cheek.

Brandon leaned close. Seeing Amelia this up–close, she was truly beautiful.

"Can I kiss you?"

"...."

Amelia closed her eyes and remained silent.

But shortly after, she let out a sound and nodded her head.

"Un."

Brandon leaned even closer. Much to the point where he could hear her subtle breathing.

Ba… Thump! Ba… Thump!

In fact, it felt as if he could hear the drumming of her heartbeat.

Ba… Thump!

And his heart too was racing at the moment.

This feeling….

It all made sense to him now why his heart raced for Amelia a year ago.

The moment he laid eyes on her, he could admit he felt somewhat of an attraction towards her.

After all, Amelia was undoubtedly attractive. That, and her work ethics, her personality, and her selflessness, and her motives.

While he was unsure of his feelings for Rachel a year ago, he was sure of his feelings for Amelia now.

Shortly after, his lips planted on hers.

All sorts of thoughts washed away at that. All he could think about was how important she was to him.

Unknowingly, he felt his tongue start snaking around. Amelia seemed to have the same thoughts as her mouth opened subtly, their tongues intertwining.

What started off as a soft kiss, had turned into a passionate one.

Amelia's hand slid up to his cheek, her fingers cool against the warmth of his skin, and she pulled him closer, wrapping her arm around his neck.

Their tongues continued to dance, moving in perfect synchrony, a slow sensual waltz.

Time seemed to be at a stand–still, silence permeating the room.

Shortly after, they pulled away from one another. He could feel the heat rising between them.

Tasting the lingering sweetness of her breath, Brandon looked at her with a smile on his face.

The words that flowed out of his mouth. The look on Amelia's face after saying these words deeply imprinted in his mind.

A memory he could never forget.

"I love you."