*
"What do you know?" (Sariel)
Straight to the point, she waited for an opportune moment when Arin would be gone. For example, if she was to head to the rest room to relieve herself, thus presented a small gap of time for Sariel to secure information. She wasn't afraid, there wasn't much to be afraid of... Friends keeping secrets from each other was natural... At least that was what she thought to herself.
"Did... Did you have something you wanted to know?" (Lastia)
She wasn't feigning ignorance, it was completely plausible that they might be thinking about different topics. It was hard to tell with a single line of questioning...
"... " (Sariel)
She just looked at her incredulously. Without a word, a guy whose height towered over theirs reached her table. They were so absorbed in their own conversation that they didn't notice his approach. It was alright, since this was natural for people who weren't magical girls, they weren't transformed so their abilities should be dulled accordingly. In fact, they were actively suppressed so that they don't accidentally eavesdrop others, see their test answers, or smelled something they shouldn't.
Faramicia, his hair was short enough that he didn't have to take care of it as it wouldn't form bed hair. Then again, he likely showered in the morning as there was a light scent of shampoo. He was tall compared to them, but it was just because the average height of Lastia's group was particularly low.
His lean build led him to participate competitively in physical education, and he had a preference for arcade games. They didn't talk much, well, Lastia didn't talk much to most classmates. So it was a mystery why he was here now.
"... Here, I was handing out homework. The teacher had no time to give it out personally before rushing off. Excuse me, but is there a problem?" (Faramicia)
"... Oi, you're scaring them. Come on, people don't normally put on a poker face right? " (Hengji)
A shorter guy with unkempt hair appears behind his back. He had just walked over when he tapped Faramicia's shoulder to warn him. His voice was a lot more louder and had this enthusiastic energy to it that contrasted with Faramicia's dull intonation. Fortunately, it seemed they didn't overhear what they were talking about. Or perhaps they did, but they managed to give nothing away due to the ambiguous nature of their words.
"... No, it's fine. Thank you, Faramicia. Can I call you Fara?" (Lastia)
After all, his name is too long...
"F-fara?! N-no, I don't mind at all. Go ahead." (Faramicia)
He stammered before walking away, the stack in his hands gradually decreasing. His friend followed after him with a visible chuckle, teasing his new name. It seemed difficult for him to speak at the end, which led to Lastia having some guilt. Let's confirm it with Sariel...
"... Did I do something wrong...? " (Lastia)
"... I'm speechless. Nevermind about that, let's get back on topic. If it's related to our... Activities. I have to know if you guys are keeping secrets, I need to accurately gauge our strength. " (Sariel)
This time, she looked around as a precaution. Making sure no one was close enough to overhear them, she spoke in a soft but firm volume.
" In our most natural state, we are A ranks. Traces no longer pose a threat. You could say we're on the same level as The Remnant and The Sentinel now." (Lastia)
She also briefly scanned the classroom before speaking. Were they now so on edge just because of Faramicia? No... It's because of a faint possibility. If Arin transformed, she wouldn't need to be close to overhear this risky conversation. Though Lastia herself wouldn't be in trouble, perhaps she was just worried for Sariel.
"Though... A 1v1 would still be dangerous. We're still a little weaker than them individually. At least that's the current state." (Lastia)
A extremely precise report was found in her diary this morning. New information of an original module, not yet utilised by any other Lastia. A battle involving all 3 of them and Aster, the newly discovered name of The Remnant. There was some significance to this name, but it wasn't yet time to discover it. At this moment, there's still too little information for her knowledge to be useful. Did she give her name in recognition of Arin's strength? At the very least... Lastia didn't believe Arin would betray them and ally with Aster.
Arin had her own secrets,everyone did, even more so for women. Well, keeping this in her thoughts makes it moot when it's a line for flirting. Keeping things hidden from friends was perfectly natural. Everyone has something that's difficult to convey, or too sensitive to divulge. She'll trust Arin to see things through to the end.
"... Hey, isn't it strange that she kept her strength hidden? Would you really trust someone like that?" (Sariel)
"... It's hard for me to trust anyone with this curse always looming in the back.
I think it's easier to say I'm trying to trust her? I want to have faith in her. After all, she has been a friend of Lastia's for a long time. She knows me longer than I did... " (Lastia)
" I... I do too... " (Sariel)
She was at a clear lost of words, Sariel felt her gaze pulled to the ground as she pondered what she needed to say next. Did she wanted to salvage the conversation? Just what were these feelings in her heart? Like butterflies dancing around, like a restless shiver coursing through her ribcage like electricity. Almost like she wasn't able to settle down and regain her composure.
"... She isn't around. It's not too late to simply believe.
I know this sort of thing is drastically different for others, those who have experience being lied to, being betrayed... It's natural that they are reluctant.
I'm fully aware my approach is far more naive. Rather than actually trusting Arin, it's more like I desire to put some faith in what we currently have in the present. After all, Lastia only exists in the present. " (Lastia)
The person who gets betrayed will be a Lastia in the future, not the current her. That's why... Perhaps it was the epitomy of selfishness to leave all the scrutiny and doubt to her successor. To intentionally engage in her own naive delusion for hope in what they have is valuable. When the time comes for the truth to come out, maybe it'll be something easier to accept. Whether she was duped or not, she'll accept the outcome as a consequence of 'her own' choice.
Because there's more than one of her, a certain level of dissonance is present. Essentially blaming another 'Lastia' and not herself. Throwing the responsibility and accountability at another 'Lastia' and not herself...
"Regardless of the contents, I find the most worth in this peaceful and beautiful facade we have. Don't you think so too?" (Lastia)
"... You got that right! There's nothing bad with lazing around in this tranquility we fought for." (Sariel)
A smile finally blooms on the dark navy haired girl. Baring her teeth, even she was amused at her self.