June 24, XX17; 7:00 P.M.

After a day of training, I showered myself in the bathroom to release all the pent up heat in me. I closed my eyes and emptied my mind and felt the water flowing down my body.

A message notification disturbed ended my meditation.

Sender: Alcor

Hi! I just got a free dinner for two in a restaurant at town. Father is busy, and I don’t know may other people. Do you mind joining me?

Canary POV

After taking our baths, I was sitting on Hawk’s lap as he fixed my hair, which had grown longer since I came to Reality. Since Hawk had sisters, he was used to fixing girls’ hair.

In Reality, an option in the menu let you choose whether or not you wanted your hair to grow or wanted to have it cut.

Dove approached Hawk and asked, “Alcor wants to treat me for dinner, do you mind if I go?”

While his face didn’t change, I felt Hawk’s heart skip a beat and his body stiffen when Dove asked. Despite this, he immediately replied in the cold tone he didn’t commonly use with us, “I don’t mind. Do what you want.”

Dove left without expression on her face as well. After she exited the house, Hawk sighed with his eyes of sadness.

I said to Hawk, “Why did you permit her to go?”

“…” Hawk did not reply.

“From what you and Dove had said about Alcor, it’s obvious that he’s trying to court Dove.”

“And?”

Hearing Hawk’s reaction, I lost my temper and raised my voice, “You like Dove don’t you! Why are you letting another guy court him!?”

“I am not in a romantic relationship with Dove. I have no right to stop her from doing what she wants.” replied Hawk. Despite his words, his eyes brimmed with sadness and jealousy.

“You’re the Leader of ARF! Dove will listen to what you say!”

“ARF differs from other Parties that you are free to do whatever you want when it comes to personal manners. If I stopped her from going, then I would be breaking that.”

“Idiot!” I shouted as I stood.

As I walked towards the second floor, I heard a murmur, “I’m an idiot. I know that better than anyone else…”

Dove POV

10:00 P.M.

After finishing the luxurious and normally expensive dinner with Alcor, I thanked him for the meal and prepared to leave.

“I’ll walk you back.” offered Alcor.

Normally, I would immediately refuse the offer; however, just this time, I accepted it to further my own ends.

We continued our conversation on our way back. Compared to Hawk, Alcor was way more open with his thoughts. He did not hesitate tell others about himself: not only his strengths but also his weaknesses. While I had other reasons for meeting him tonight, I could not say I didn’t enjoy his company.

After returning to the house, I bid farewell to Alcor and closed the door. Hawk was there writing on a notebook.

“I’m back.” I said.

“Yes. Welcome back.” Hawk replied coldly without looking at me.

I sat beside him and said, “The restaurant was surprisingly expensive, but it was really delicious.”

“Is that so? I hope you enjoyed.” said Hawk in the same cold, indifferent tone.

“Alcor said he’d treat me again tomorrow. Is that alright with you?”

“As long as it does not bother in our fighting, do what you want.”

June 24, XX17

After fighting bunch of monsters in the World Map to train, we all returned to our house without speaking a single word to one another.

Canary POV

Today was the worst day I’d had in Reality since joining ARF. While our teamwork remained as good as it usually was, we barely talked to one another since yesterday. Hawk spoke coldly and indifferently and was in a bad mood. Dove was in a bad mood I’d never imagined I saw her in. Her mood scared me so much that I feared speaking to her. After what happened last night, I was hesitant to talk to Hawk.

Tonight, only Hawk, Sylvie, and I ate dinner together. None of us spoke a single word to one another. Were we going to fall apart?

Liza POV

“Are you sure about this, lying to Hawk?” asked Liza while eating dinner with Dove in Liza’s house.

Dove was annoyed. She ate noisily and her movements of the utensils were rough. She replied, “I don’t want to do it, but it’s the only choice I have. I’ll apologize when everything is done.”

“And what of Alcor?”

“I’ll apologize to him as well.”

“Hawk will definitely forgive you, but Alcor…”

“While I don’t want Alcor to hate me, it’s something I’m willing to accept.”

I see. Dove could also be like this as well. She was willing to manipulate people’s emotions, including the person she cares for the most in Reality, to further her own ends. As her friend, I was glad she was born a good person. Otherwise just what kind of schemes could she have done by now.

10:00 P.M.

“I’m back.” I said at the same time as yesterday.

“Alcor didn’t walk you back?” asked Hawk indifferently.

“He did. He just didn’t wait for me to enter.”

Canary POV

June 25, XX17

Dove POV

Alcor brought me to the park of Naut City. Since it was late at night, the park was empty. Only the sound of the bugs filled the location. Alcor signaled me to sit on a bench and I complied.

Alcor took a few steps away from me and said, “Although it’s only been a few days, I’ve realized that I really enjoy being with you. Did you enjoy being with me as well?”

“Yes.”

“I’m glad. While you did seem to truly enjoy when you’re with me, I sometimes felt that you have ulterior motives for meeting me.”

“…”

Alcor clenched his fist and said, “Dove, I like you. I want to know you more. I want to be with you more. So if you would permit it, I would like to officially begin courting you.”

I already expected this to happen. My reply was set in stone already. I braced myself and replied, “I’m sorry. I’m not really thinking about romantic things currently, so I’ll have to refuse you.”

“Will nothing I say convince you otherwise?”

“No.”

“I see.” from the darkness, I made out a single tear drop to the ground from Alcor’s eyes. He looked away from me not wanting to let me see his depressed face.

“I will still remain friends with you.”

“I know. In the future once you’re ready, can I court you?”

“No.”

Surprise showed in Alcor’s face to my straightforward answer. He probably didn’t expect such a clear-cut reaction. Even so, I must do this for Hawk’s sake.