Can I Come Home or Not?

'Perhaps the MAP Academy wasn't so bad,' Raza thought to himself.

For the entire first week of school, Raza had cooped himself up in his room. He spent his days studying, reading, and forging more prototypes. The only times he went outside were to buy groceries and train. People on campus started to refer to him as the Psudeo Student since he never spoke to anyone or attended class. Of course, this didn't bother Raza in the slightest.

He also received one thousand points for having a perfect score on the entrance exam and beating Alphonse in his sparring match. He didn't use any of his points yet. Raza didn't want to waste any points since he still didn't know a way to consistently gain points.

Whoosh!

"Raza! We're back!" Leora called as she entered his dorm.

"Excuse us," Drifa's stoic voice was also heard.

Raza sighed to himself. He told his two friends about the faulty locks on the doors and how they were easy to break into. He advised them to request new locks or barricade the door since he wanted them to be safe. He never would have guessed that Leora would use this information to barge into his room whenever she pleased. Drifa usually tagged along.

"You could at least knock," Raza said, not looking up at his latest production.

"Come on Raza, you say that every time I invite myself. Just admit that you like having me over," Leora poked at Raza's shoulder.

"I would be lying if I said that," He sighed.

"You're no fun," Leora pouted.

Drifa looked at the different models on the walls. She was fascinated by these things called guns, but she was hesitant to ask too much about them since she saw their destructive power up close. She wondered why Raza was so obsessed with them. Leora on the other hand had no issues touching and playing pretend with the models.

"What's this?" She asked.

"A grenade launcher," Raza answered.

"What's a grenade?"

"A type of projectile."

"Can you show me?"

"I haven't made one yet."

"How can you have a launcher for grenades if you never even made a grenade?" Leora asked.

"Just sit down and be quiet," Raza was getting annoyed.

"'Kay!" Leora sat down like an overgrown child.

He wanted to finish this prototype before he went home for the weekend. He was waiting until the afternoon to leave so that it would look like he attended classes. The last thing he wanted was to be banned from returning home on the weekends because his parents wanted him to be active on campus.

"Raza, when are you leaving to go home?" Drifa asked.

"In about an hour. I also want you to come with me since you are my friend. I believe that you should meet my parents," Raza told her.

"W-what! Meet your parents? I-isn't too soon for that?" Drifa had a slight blush on her face.

She tried to put on a shy girl act, and it would have been impressive if she still didn't have a stoic expression. Raza, however, still didn't look up from his prototype, so her attempt was in vain. Leora however thought she was cute.

'She's cheating!'

"Fine, I will come to meet your parents, but that means that you'll have to meet my parents as well," Drifa proposed.

"Naturally that would happen. After all, I will have to walk you back to your home. Or the academy depending on where you plan to stay the night," Raza finally looked up from his prototype.

"Oh! Did you finish?" Leora jumped up and looked over his shoulders.

"No, I am missing a few parts. Looks like I am returning home earlier than planned," Raza sighed.

He was disappointed that he would not be able to finish his project today, but it couldn't be helped. Raza already packed all of the things that he needed for the weekend in his inventory, so all he had to do was leave.

'Since Leora is technically my friend, I should invite her to. That way, my parents would think I am a good student,' Raza thought.

"Leora, do you wish to come over to my house as well?"

"Yup! I'll tag along!" She smiled, but she was thinking something else.

'Take that Drifa! Like hell, I would let you have Raza all to yourself.'

'Tsk! This was my chance to get closer to Raza and become his best friend,' Drifa thought inwardly.

Raza was oblivious to their thoughts. He walked to the door and opened it for them.

"If we leave now, we will be at my home before sundown. I'm sure my parents would want to get to know you, Drifa, while you're visiting," Raza informed them.

Both girls nodded their heads as they walked out of the dorm. They decided to walk back so that they could stop by a few stores. Raza bought some candy and sweets for his sisters and books for his brother.

Leora bought small accessories for Dove and Blythe since she knew what to expect from Raza's family. She didn't get anything for Raymond.

Drifa didn't know what to get for Raza's family since she never met them. As their walk progressed, she began to panic. She didn't want to be rude, but she didn't want to get a present that wouldn't be well received. It was a troublesome moment for Drifa. Raza noticed her panicked expression, so he spoke up.

"My sister likes candy. That would make a good first expression," Raza informed her.

"What about the rest of your family?" Drifa asked.

"Don't worry about it."

"A-alright," Drifa nodded.

After about an hour, they walked to the front porch of the Angovo property. Raza knocked on the door and waited for a response. After a moment, a familiar muscular man opened the door.

"Hm? Raza? And you brought guests," Alden looked at the two girls behind him.

"Hello, Father. This is my new friend, Drifa, and you already know Leora," Raza introduced them.

"Hello, Sir Alden!" Leora waved.

"Greetings, Sir Angovo. I'm Drifa Montgomery." Drifa bowed.

Alden was too absorbed in his own thoughts to register that they greeted him.

'Why is Raza hanging out with women? I hope he's not getting into trouble,' He inwardly sighed.

"Welcome, welcome. Please come in," Alden smiled and let them in.

Soon, Raza and his friends were standing in front of the entire family. Seeing that Raza only brought women home filled Vivian's mind with the same worries as her husband. Raymond didn't really care who Raza's friends were as long as he didn't have to study. Dove and Blythe were the only ones that spoke what was on their minds.

"Brother Raza, you're back," They hugged Raza. "Did you bring candy?" They looked at their big brother with hopeful eyes.

"I did," Raza handed them their gifts.

"Yayyy! Thank you, Brother Raza!" They exclaimed. 

The twins then looked at each other, nodded, and then split up. Dove ran to Drifa, and Blythe ran to Leora.

"Hello, Sister Leora. Did you bring a gift?" Blyth raised her hand.

"Yup! Here you go, Blythe!" Leora handed her candy.

"Thanks," Blythe didn't sound nearly as excited as she did when she received candy from Raza.

Leora tried to hug her, but Blythe already turned around and walked away. Leora only hugged the air and pouted. Dove turned to Drife.

"Miss, did you bring an offering?" Dove raised her hand.

'Is this some kind of ritual?' Drifa thought to herself.

"Y-yes, I brought a box of chocolate," Drifa gave her a gift.

"Miss, thank you," Dove took the candy and tried one. She then turned to the rest of the family. "I approve of her," She gave a thumbs up.

While Dove and Blythe were gathering their sweets, Raza gave his gift to Raymond and spoke with him a little. The two of them were able to catch up.

"I'm sorry for my daughters," Vivian gave a nervous chuckle. "Dove, Blythe, it's time for bed," She clapped her hands.

"Okay, Mom. Let's go, Blythe," Dove nodded.

"Mom, I understand. Dove, I agree, let's go," Blythe nodded back.

The twins ran upstairs. Once they could no longer hear them, Alden pulled some chairs for everyone. He sighed as he sat down.

"I'm sorry, Drifa, but can you reintroduce yourself to everyone?" Alden asked.

"Yes, of course."

Drifa stood up, grabbed the sides of her skirt, and bowed. Her form and elegance implied that she had done this hundreds of times.

"I am Drifa Montgomery, first daughter of Alfred Montgomery. It's a pleasure to meet everybody," She introduced herself.

This time, it clicked for Alden, while Vivian's and Raymond's eyes widened. They all had the same thought. 

'Raza brought back a Duke's daughter!'

"Mother, Father, as you can see I am made a friend, other than Leora, at the academy. I believe that means I can come home on the weekends," Raza said, kind of proud of himself.

'He completely missed the point. I wanted him to be a bit more social,' Vivian sighed to herself.

"How did you two meet?" Alden asked.

"Raza…"

"She was lost in the Shopping district since it was extremely crowded the day I went to the academy. I ran into her while I was looking for suitable gifts to bring back," Raza quickly explained.

His parents' brows narrowed when he said this. They both thought that Raza's explanation was perfectly logical, but the way he presented it was… concerning. It was like he prepared this answer in advance. Vivian laid her hand on Alden's arm as if to ask him to find out the truth later. Alden nodded his head in understanding.

Drifa on the otherhand was confused as to why Raza lied to his parents. Just decided to roll with it, but she wanted to ask why later.

"Very well. Since you're my son's friend, why don't we get to know each other a but then?" Alden smiled.