Breaking Masquerade of Heroes

Chapter 19 ~ What A Designer

"Oh boy... this outfit sure is taking a long time..." Tsumugi muttered as she continued sewing the parts of the dress together. Rowan was watching over her carefully trying to see how she would sew things. They were so interested in everything Tsumugi did, but to see it live was another experience.

Rowan laughed, "You're such a fantastic designer Mrs. Shirogane. You should really try doing more outfits rather than cosplays."

"That's very thoughtful of you Rowan but I would... rather work on my cosplays as they're my passion! Everyone on the team loves their designs, even my rival Shuichi!" Tsumugi giggled. Rowan also giggled alongside her as she continued sewing the dress. She was happily sewing as Rowan analyzed the way she sewed things.

Rowan asked, "Are you used to designing clothes?"

"Designing clothes is a bit tricky as I need to be unique rather than just have a reference," Tsumugi explained. Rowan nodded as Tsumugi kept on sewing the piece together. Going back and forth between the design and the reference sheet. She released a long sigh as she looked down at herself.

Rowan questioned, "Is something troubling you?"

"No... It's just that... ugh nevermind," Tsumugi replied. She continued working on the dress but Rowan just knew there was something bothering her. They tapped her on the shoulder and then pulled her aside. They went to the cafe room together and sat down to just take a break from all the sewing.

Rowan sighed, "You seem rather troubled so I suggested we take a break from what is going on. You can keep at ease here." Tsumugi nodded as she drank some of the coffee Rowan had made. Tsumugi stared at the coffee but she still felt troubled. She looked at Rowan and was about to open her mouth but stopped. Rowan kept drinking their coffee as Tsumugi tapped her fingers with the glass. "Mrs. Shirogane, are you sure you're okay?"

"No..." She blurted out as she looked down at herself shamefully. Rowan raised an eyebrow as she cleared her skirt. "Byleth attempted suicide a few days ago and I've been worried ever since then. Byleth is a good person and Chrom has been blaming himself for the reason why Byleth remotely tried..."

"W-What?! Mr. Eisner attempted?!"

"Yes... it was a failure luckily but it is still terrifying to know he even tried. There was only one other person who tried but that was years ago. Plus none of the members were there to see it anyways. This just... feels different," Tsumugi murmured.

Rowan replied, "Oh my goodness. Please send my condolences to him!" Tsumugi nodded as Rowan got up and left the room really quickly. Tsumugi watched them leave before they came back with some flowers. "Here dear, can you bring them to Byleth?"

"A-Are you sure...? Byleth doesn't like you that much-"

"I am aware, but this is perfectly okay. I just want to know if he's okay..." Rowan explained. Tsumugi nodded as she and Rowan shared a goodbye with each other. She left as she started walking toward the hospital to see how Byleth was doing. There was a chance there were team members there as well. She got to the hospital and checked in. Afterward, she made her way toward the room Byleth was in. When she came in, Byleth was awake. Marianne and Shez were there.

"Hello Tsumugi, are those flowers for Byleth?" Marianne asked. Tsumugi nodded as she handed them to Marianne.

Tsumugi explained, "They were from Rowan actually, they felt bad about what happened and so they wanted to give flowers to Byleth."

"Rowan...?" Byleth muttered. Tsumugi nodded as Byleth looked over at the flowers that were placed with all the other gifts. Byleth looked down at himself as everyone else just stared at each other. Unsure how anyone should be feeling. Byleth was okay but what was going through his head at the time? Nobody really said anything. "Hey can we not make this awkward?"

"I'm trying to think of something to say," Everyone else said. But soon they all giggled. Byleth laughed with them too, it was sudden but a welcomed mood changer. They were all feeling better now that Byleth was awake and fine but it was going to take a bit longer before anything else could truly happen. Back at the town, Shuichi, Neuvillette and Tails were making their way to the police station. Surge was supposed to be there, waiting for her answer from the three. They entered and Navia was having a normal conversation with Surge.

"Oh! Welcome Shuichi Saihara, Neuvillette and Tails! I hope you're all doing well this evening," Navia greeted. They nodded as Surge looked at them all. She raised an eyebrow, seeming almost confused about why they were here.

Surge asked, "Wait... you're even more team members?! Wow I'm so-"

"Ma'am you're not going to be allowed to live here," Shuichi ordered. Surge's eyes widened in shock as Shuichi kept his arms crossed.

Surge asked, "What the hell do you mean I'm NOT ALLOWED?!"

"You have been discovered to be doing some troubling things behind the scenes. This could pose a danger to the town and therefore we have concluded you will not be living here," Neuvillette explained. Tails and Shuichi nodded as Surge looked at them, unsure of how to react.

Surge argued, "You don't know what I've been doing! Come on! You're smarter than this... ri-right!? You're all smart people to know I would NEVER do such a thing-"

"Can... we not do this? We found evidence of some pretty sketchy things. Not to mention that you look like Magnus," Tails explained.

Surge yelled, "That's JUST PURE COINCIDENCE!"

"Not all magicians dress like Magnus, in fact the normal one wouldn't. You dress specifically to replicate Magnus..." Shuichi continued. Surge stared at them both and was about to get pissed off but she kept her cool. She smiled at them both and then just left the police station. "She very obviously wanted to get pissed off at us..."

Navia muttered, "I really hope this doesn't become a massive issue in the future. That would be horrible..."

"I have... a really bad feeling about this..." Tails muttered.

Nevuillette asked, "Why's that?"

"Surge seemed like she had something on her mind. What... is she planning is something that I'm not sure of. But there is definitely something she is trying to do..." Tails muttered. He kept his hands to himself as Neuvillette and Shuichi looked at one another. Navia took a deep breath and looked over at the three.

"If she does come back and plans for ANYTHING To happen, I'll let you guys know. I promise," Navia said. The three nodded, as Navia looked out the window. Pitch dark, it wasn't like that when they arrived. "Ugh, I hate the winter weather sometimes. It's not even that late and the sun is already gone."

"That's how it is..." Neuvillette sighed. Navia nodded as she looked down at herself. Shuichi walked outside and went to watch the stars. Tails watched him leave as Neuvillette and Navia began chatting with one another. Tails walked outside and just saw Shuichi staring at the stars.

Tails asked, "Hey... is there something wrong?"

"Hm? Oh no, I was just... thinking about things..." Shuichi responded. Tails stared at him and just questioned about what he was doing. Shuichi kept watching the stars, with a look of bittersweetness on his face. Tails wondered about what he was doing but overall... Tails looked at him, realizing what he was smiling for.

Tails sighed, "Are you..."

"Me...? Oh, I was just..." Shuichi started before he suddenly stopped himself. He had no idea how to feel, he continued watching the stars. Tails stood by his side as Shuichi reached out his hand. "I wonder how she feels..."

"She's probably very proud of you," Tails said with a smile. Shuichi stared at him and nodded, taking a deep breath. He walked over to a bench to continue staring at the stars. Tails kept watching him and went back inside to check on everything. However, Navia and Neuvillette seemed to be having a good time chatting with one another. Tails looked at both areas, Shuici stargazing and Neuvillette talking.

Tails thought, "Well, despite all of this; at least everything seems to be going well for everyone. There's always hardships in the work of a hero but things are going to get better. I know it will!" Tails kept a bright smile on his face as he started making his way home. He was going to check on Byleth tomorrow to make sure his recovery was going smoothly. Things were looking bright, things were filled with energy.