Of Things Never Said

#18: F.L.E.I.J.A

ASHFORD Academy

Erika looked at the school and saw cherry blossom scattered around. "It's this time of year", Erika took a photo of it. She saw a student with her canvass spread and her eyes concentrated. Shirley died a month ago but the wound is still fresh. Eleanor raised her head and saw Erika. She waved her hand. "Why are you back so early? Classes starts next week", Eleanor asked. "What? You don't want to see me. I'm here to see Gino by the way", Erika teased. "Whatever", Eleanor shrugged and gave the painting a finishing touch.

A expensive looking car stopped in front of the gate. Erika turned around and saw Nina with some bodyguards. Erika ran to hug the girl. "It's been a while, Nina. How are you doing?", Erika asked. Another person came out of the car. "Pleased to meet you, Sir Kanon", Erika gave a polite bow. "Are you Nina's friend? Raise your head. Nina requested that she'd come back here to school to meet you", Kanon explained, Prince Scheniezel's loyal servant and an earl of Britannia. Erika led the way and Eleanor followed after them. Nina turn around and looked at Eleanor, a tall beautiful lady.

They entered the school student council room and saw that it was empty. Nina sat at her favourite spot and reminisce the time she's been working on her project in that corner. She once failed to protect the school but this time around, she'll do her best. "Actually, I am creating a weapon", Nina opened. "Nina... that is...", Kanon.interrupted. "it's okay, it's not like they're spies of Zero", Nina assured. Eleanor's hand shook after hearing that name. "I'm creating a weapon that will put an end with this war", Nina informed. "You guys are really rocking it. Knight of Seven Suzaku, Knight of Three Gino, President as a newscaster, Kallen as Zero's personal guard, and you... Nina, you're shining as well", Erika felt sad for a while. Looking at the empty room, she can't help but to wish the time turns back.

"To what extent does your weapon go?", Eleanor was thinking of the chaos it will bring. Will her father get enough sleep again? "That, I still don't know. Unless it will be tried", Nina admitted. "How are you going to shoot it if you're still unaware of it's effect?", Eleanor meticulously questioned. "You're mouth is really something", Erika clicked her tongue. "I'll have Sir Kururugi to shoot the FLEIJA. He's a skilled pilot and can manage to escape", Nina answered.

Erika remembered what Gino said, they're still human and can die.

After a while, Eleanor left Erika and Nina together. "Nina, are you sure of living like this? Are you being fed well? You're getting thinner", Erika noticed. "I want to avenge Princess Euphemia that bad", Nina answered. "You're not putting Suzaku on pinch to get even, am I right?", Erika clarified. "Do you want me to put the burden on the Knight of Three instead?", Nina suddenly thought of. Erika shook her head. Not Gino. "How is he?", Erika asked. "Suzaku?", Nina sipped through her tea. "The Knight of Three", Erika answered.

Nina saw a similar look in Erika's eyes. One that shirley have whenever she looks at Lelouch. "He's doing fine. He's being bullied by the Knight of Ten but he can manage. Also he asked me a favor of bringing him some photos from here. We're a bit busy that's why they aren't allowed to leave", Nina informed. Erika prepared the photo albums and gave it to Nina.

Viceroy's Palace
Prison

"What a beautiful maiden we have here", Bradley, the Knight of ten circled around Kallen. "You're kept by Suzaku here, right? Is he doing something to you", Bradley seductively asked. Kallen ignored the guy. Bradley was pissed off and pulled her cheeks. "Hands off", Gino ordered.

Bradley turn around and saw his rival. He was younger and yet he's 7 ways far from his number. "You're going down to history Gino. Once this war ends, I'm.going to take my place", Bradley smirked and pass through the guy making him bumped with his shoulder. Gino looked around. "I was looking for Suzaku. Where did he go?", Gino sighed. Kallen saw photo albums from the Student Council.

"Is that from the...", Kallen stopped when she saw Gino's smirking face. Gino went closer to her and sat on the floor. "See, they're still keeping a picture of you", Gino showed Kallen's photo with the group. Gino laughed at some epic photos. This year, another face was added. It was Eleanor's. "Say, how is everybody?", Kallen shyly asked. "I guess they're so depressed right now. President already graduated. Suzaku barely enters school. Nina is with the science team. You are with Lelouch", Gino looked at her face's expression. "Why did you bring them here?", Kallen pouted.

"I just want to see someone smile. These days... I think all he's obsessed with is revenge", Gino answered. Kallen knew he was referring to Suzaku. She's as well startled that he can punch a girl's stomach. "Kallen? Why don't you just side with Britannia? Zero, that guy you are following, is he worth the sacrifice?", Gino questioned. "He threw away things in his life and made it through this far. A man of sacrifice, that's the man I want to follow", Kallen gave a serious look.

I won't mind sacrificing for you.

Gino clenched his fist. "Sacrifice? Am I really the immature here? That word... I still can't understand", Gino closed his eyes remembering a painful past.

Eleanor's Apartment

Eleanor went out to buy some groceries and saw new neighbors. She recognized the old woman and gave a bow. She dropped the paper bag and called Albert.

Albert: Don't worry, I'll be home tonight

Eleanor: Yeah, yeah.

Albert: I want to eat spaghetti

Eleanor: Copy.

Eleanor went to cook and forgot theyre out of pasta. She went out of the house to buy. She was startled to see a man in grey shirt and pants with sunglasses on. She walked passthrough the guy and ignored him. Gino grabbed on her hand. "I even sneaked out and you're just going to ignore me?", Gino whined. Eleanor grabbed her hand back and shot a death glare to Gino. "Then go and visit Erika", Eleanor ordered. "It'll be bad if I'm caught in the school", Gino explained. "Do you always walk around like this?", Gino looked at Eleanor head to toe. She's wearing a thin sand and a short. She forgot to dress up. She cleared her throat and crossed her arms to hide her chest. "There's nothing for you to hide. We just have the same chest", Gino sighed. Eleanor had veins popping on her head. "Make it fast. Why are you here?", Eleanor asked.

"Suzaku's been down lately. I've asked him dozen of times but he won't talk", Gino informed. Eleanor knew that it was because of the FLEIJA thing. "Why did you come to me?", Eleanor raised her brow. "You seems to be a know it all. Plus, Erika speaks so high about you", Gino clapped. "What do you want to know?", Eleanor tilted her head. "How can... someone be happy again?", Gino averted his eyes and felt discomfort with his question. Is it a question just for Suzaku or even for himself?

"I don't know. Are we done here? I still have to go somewhere", Eleanor shrugged the tried to walk away. "Anything...just give me any answer", Gino grabbed on her hand again. "Why don't you look for that answer yourself? No one can define happiness except the person himself", Eleanor tried to push the guy but Gino's far stronger. "Let go, you...", Eleanor tried to remove his grip. A woman came and slapped Gino's face. Eleanor was also startled. "It's okay, mam. We're just playing", Eleanor saw how it marked Gino's face.

"Are you seeing some kind of shadow in her?!", the woman shouted. "Mrs. Stein", Gino was shocked to see her.

Chapter end.