Not alone

Aoi drags the other three without direction. He doesn't have a plan, he doesn't know where he is going or how should he explains to them. Should he tell them all about the 'first life'? Then, how should he explains why Arzen is different here?. Heck, he doesn't think that they will believe him even if he tells them from the start. He sighs for God knows how many times today... Still ignoring the other questioning gaze, he stops abruptly as his legs unconsciously brought them to Lexy's place which looks very different and empty. He opens the door with a creak. The inside is dirty and full of dust, a few broken things lay on its surface. He stared blankly for a moment. He forgot that Lexy is not existing in the world anymore. He died protecting Arzen a few years ago.

His heart aches terribly at the reminder. Before the reset, he only knew the name Alexander McCais from the story people told, about how brave and loyal he was, of how he sacrificed his own life to save Arzen's. But now he knows him, like really know him. He is their Lexy who always been there for them, who always helping them taking care of their Arzen. Yes, he did say 'taking care' because it was what Lexy actually did. And if everyone knows their Arzen, they too would agree about that. So, knowing that Lexy is not around anymore really really really hurt his heart.   

"What's going on here? Isn't this Arzen-san's room? How come it's so dirty? Wait, it is back to be Lexy-san room? Still, even so, I don't think Lexy-san will let his room be this dusty..."Midori mused.

"I don't think that is the case. Something weird is happening. Many... No. A lot of things are different. Arzen is weird. Kii-chan is different. The situation itself is bizarre. I don't know how to explain it but something is definitely not right." Arren says.

"I agree. But, Aoi knows what is going on right now and he will explain to us. Won't you, Aoi?" Akai turns and asked Aoi.

Listening to the other's speculation made Aoi's heart heavier. Suddenly he realizes that the knowledge he has might be wouldn't make everything better but worsen it. Doubt, creeping inside Aoi's heart. He asked about Arzen feeling and made Arzen confessed in front of Kii thinking that it would make everything better, make their life easier. To save them, he thought. What if his judgment wrong? What will he do if what he did makes Kii's life worse?

Aoi suddenly feels that it is hard to breathe. Images after images flashing in his mind. Lexy's patient smile, Arzen's and Kii's joyful laugh. His father awkward affection, heck even their mother tsundereness when it comes to Kii. Will he able to give it to Kii here?

Aoi doesn't know if this placement is temporary or permanent. He was still researching the magic after all. What if they couldn't go back to their timeline? Or is universe the right term? What if they stuck here forever? He wouldn't able to see Kii again. His Kii. Well, this one also his Kii but it's different. Aoi might deserve to lose the happiness that he has in the new timeline, er universe, or whatever is the right term to call it... But Aoi is not alone. Aoi doesn't want the other also lost their happiness. Aoi doesn't think...

"Aoi-Kun?" Aoi heard Arren's voice say in distant.

"Breath Aoi... Follow me... Here" His Nii-sama said, putting Aoi's hand on his heart. 

Aoi can feel Midori's hand rubbing his back in the circle. He blinks confusedly but he did follow Akai's heartbeat. He blinks again and meets Arren's worry gaze. Ah, he thought... I had a panic attack.

"I am sorry. I am fine" he tells them.

They don't seem to believe him, but that's okay. Besides, there will be many things that they won't believe after he explained what happened.

"I am sorry" he starts again. "It just that it finally come to me that many things will be different and this is not as good as I think. Before, i thought it is my chance to save them but it might be not. Who did I think I was? Thinking that i could change someone fate?" Aoi sighs and rakes his hand over his hair.

"Lexy-san is not here anymore... Kii is been alone too long... Arzen has been too used to fight... They grew up differently. Then here I was, so arrogantly thinking that I could change them. I want them to be happy, I want to save them, but... What can I do? What if instead of saving them, I made them perish faster? I..." he continues in a choked voice before Akai interrupt him.

"Aoi... We're here. You didn't just forget that we are here, did you? Whatever happened we will be here with you..."

"You don't understand, Nii-sama... You all don't understand..." he said.

"You are right. We don't understand. To be honest, what you just said doesn't make any sense to us..." Akai continues.

"But we would understand if you are just willing to explain what is going on right now" Arren adds with Midori nodding along at his statement.

"You wouldn't believe me..." Aoi sigh.

They look at each other and back to Aoi.

"Try us," they said.

And so he did.

 "So you're telling us that you had time traveled because our kingdom was destroyed and we all died. When you got back in time, Arzen was already different because the soul inside of him was different... And we are now in the timeline before you reset time because of the result of your research?" Arren ask him.

"You forgot to mention that it was Arzen that did the ritual and made himself erased in exchange of giving Kii a second chance of happiness" Akai adds.

"I killed Kii-chan," Midori said in a trembling voice.

"You did not" Aoi, Akai and Arren said simultaneously.

"I did too! I threw a bottle of poison and she drank it..." Midori trailed

"Nee-sama, I told you that not to make you feel guilty or bad. You all ask me to tell everything, so I did. I wanted you to understand the difference between our relationship so you all wouldn't be confused with their reaction. I was a bad brother too to Kii, we all bad to her here. I told you so you can help me to make this Kii as happy as our Kii... That is if you all believe my story... As bizarre as it is" Aoi explained.

"I admit it is hard to believe. Even after hearing it for seven times in a row. I half think that it is a prank, a joke, a conspiracy between you, kii-chan and Arzen... But remembering Arzen previous expression, his guarding eyes, his attitude, and the fact that I knew my little brother is bad at acting... I believe you, Aoi-kun" Arren said.

 "Thank you, Arren-nii," Aoi said in relief, at least one person believed him. 

Akai and Midori look at each other in silent communication. Then they also nod to Aoi. Aoi exhales in relief.

 "So, now is time for me to tell you what exactly are we going to do. I had plan but feel free to add yours as well. Our priority should be Arzen and Kii but the other also need to be taken care of... Arren-nii, will you really okay? This Arzen is completely different from the Arzen back home and he doesn't trust you at all... I am..." Aoi trailed as Arren hold his hand up to stop him.

"When we were young, I don't trust him at all. I thought he had some agenda when he was trying to get close to me, but he keeps bugged me until I gave up. He placed himself in my heart and gave me a little brother. It was really annoying but I won't trade it with anything else. I am grateful for his action at that time. So, if this Arzen doesn't trust me, I will make him trust me. If this Arzen doesn't think of me as a brother, I will make him. If this Arzen doesn't want to spend time with me, then... This time I will be the one who bugs him. Even if the soul is different, he is still Arzen, and Arzen is my brother. That is the thing that will never change" Arren smiles at them.

"I will... I will talk to Mother and slowly makes her realize that she is wrong. I don't think I will be able to successfully change her but at least I will try to make her stop bullying Kii-chan and about my father..." Midori looks at Akai for assistance.

"I will carefully give Father a hint or two or indirectly guide him to find a clue about that... You sure you're okay with it Midori?" Akai asks back.

"I am sure. I am The Eldest daughter of Wallace house, the little sister of Akai Fern Wallace and big sister of Aoi and Kii Fern Wallace. I only have one father... I am happy where I am right now" Midori smiles.

Aoi looks at them gratefully. "We have a lot of things that we need to prepare, for now, let's focus on the exam... So, in the previous two exams that I did, there are some things that didn't change..."

Aoi's voice starting to get back to its former determined tone. With his sibling beside him, he finally gets back his confidence. As he explained his plan to them, his heartbeats also back to normal and he didn't feel suffocated any longer. Aoi is not alone, with them beside him, he is sure that at least he will succeed in making Kii and Arzen get closer. Another thing can wait but their love is more important.

Why? 

No, it's not because Aoi is a romantic at heart. It is because Aoi knew this Arzen. This perfect prince's heart who deep down really possessive toward Kii. Aoi had witnessed just how far he could go for Kii and what he had become without Kii by his side. This time, Aoi wants him to be able to freely show his love to his beloved, to spend time with Kii, to experience just how much Kii could love him back. Aoi doesn't want him to be erased for the second time. Like his Arzen back home said... Everyone deserves to be happy.

They ended up skipping their class because of their discussion. When they got back they for called by their instructors to explained what happened. They end up telling them that they had some private family discussion and they need Arren help as a mediator. The instructors look like they don't believe them but they didn't confront them.

When Aoi got back to his class, the class was buzzed with gossip. The students, mostly female students are busy chattering about 'The Crown Prince-sama apologizing to the instructor for making his fiancee late for her class because they had an important discussion'. The students were divided into different opinion. Some of them believe that Arzen were scolding and trying to tell Kii to stop bullying Angela, some believe that Arzen finally had enough of Kii's attitude and planning to annul his engagement with Kii and there are also some who believe that it just an excuse, as they had been engaging since they were young and with Kii finally almost become a fifteen years old in a few days, Arzen can't hold himself anymore and finally asking Kii to warm his bed.

Aoi looks at Kii who is still sitting on her chair, reading a book. He is sure that she can hear them. People who don't know her would think that she doesn't care about the rumour, but for Aoi, her poker face doesn't work anymore. He can read her like a book and Aoi knew that the rumor effects her greatly. She must remember the name 'Angela fern Reyes'  from their previous talk and wondering who she was and why people keep interlined them both when Kii herself doesn't have any idea about this lady.

Aoi sighs and makes his way toward Kii. He sat facing her on the chair in front of her.

"So, he took you to your class I assume? I was worry that he will make you go alone" Aoi starts.

"Aoi-sama..."Kii said looking up at him. Aoi arched his brow. Kii ducked her head and softly answering that yes, His Highness Crown Prince-sama did and she is thankful.

Aoi thinks that he should make Kii starts calling Arzen by his name again. Hmm, what would she call him if she is allowed to call Arzen by name, he wonders. Will she call him 'Arzen-kun'?, 'Arzen-san'? or 'Arzen-sama'?, or maybe... 'Ace-Kun'?... Like back home? Aoi smiles at remembrance but Aoi doesn't think that Kii will call him that here.

"What are we supposed to do now? Don't you think the instructor is late?" Aoi asked instead. He is aware that everyone eyes in class are at them. Aoi never talks to Kii in class, so they must be a bit shocked right now.

"Hmmm... They said we have free time because they are busy preparing for the exams, so we should try to self-study" Kii answer with a tiny bit of unsureness in her voice. She must be nervous about the attention they suddenly got.

"Alright then, if it's self-study then we can do anywhere, can't we?" Aoi stands and looks at Kii.

"Umm... I guess so?" Kii asks back.

"Well, come on then Kii, let's study somewhere else!" Aoi continues, holding onto Kii's hand to make her stand as well.

"Eh? Aoi-sama...!!!" Kii exclaimed in surprise.

"Who is this 'Aoi-sama', Kii?" Aoi asked sternly.

"Ugh, I mean Aoi-nii" Kii answer nervously. Aoi beams at her. Let's go, let's go he said while continue dragging Kii outside.

"But... Aoi-nii..." Kii tried again, looking nervously at the glare she was receiving.

You don't want to study with me, Kii. Aoi asked to which Kii denied. Aoi beams one more time and humming cheerily with Kii's hand securely in his grasp. 

Aoi doesn't know where he would take her but this time he will not let Kii be alone... So, the place doesn't matter he guess as long as Kii is not alone.

Ah, he suddenly thinks of a place. A perfect place, he adds. He smirks to himself.

Aoi sure He wouldn't mind them studying there.

"Come on, Kii. I just find us a perfect place to study" Aoi told her.

Kii looks confusedly at him. He smiles brightly at her in exchange. As Aoi readied himself to knock on the door... Yes, a perfect place indeed, Aoi thinks.