Academy days (Book 2 of IA)

[20] Back to school

The replacement limbs took only about a week to be replaced, as if Dr. Cherrylove anticipated all this would happen...But then again, it's understandable that would have replacement parts ready in case it got damaged, in which my case it would be all day every day with not even exceptions on holidays.
I haven't seen Isa for the past week, nor did she came and visit again. And even though the rest of the gang showed up to visit me, I didn't dare to mention the Isa incident to them for fear of getting my head ripped off. Anyways, I was finally getting out of the hospital for good. After getting into my uniform and sorting through other minor stuff, I headed to ground floor, and the moment I step outside I was greeted by a familiar figure.

"Greetings Kard." Veritas said, her voice being like a gentle breeze glazing across the fields.

"Uh-uh, hey Veritas..." I said, forgetting how to speak Etolish for a second.

"How was your rest?" she looked to me with those soft grey eyes.

"Eh...It was ok. I wish I could get out sooner, but the doctors didn't let me.

"Ah, I actually came by to visit you 2 days ago. But you were asleep, and I didn't want to disturb your recovery..."

"Ah, it's ok. I am well now. Thanks for dropping by."

"It's nothing." She waved it away. "So...Are you hungry right now?"

"Now? Uh..." I wasn't feeling particularly hungry, but I could already guess her next line would be inviting me to lunch. And on any day or occasion, there would be no way I would reject such an offer from such a cute girl, so I gave my preprogramed reply:

"Sure, that would be nice."

"Um...I asked if you were hungry..." Veritas turned a little pink.

"Oh, I thought you were going to ask me, if you want to go eat together."

"Ahhhhhaaa!!! Yes I was going to ask that..." Veritas cheeks were now the color of a burning passion fruit. And I could feel the heat radiating off my own cheeks as well.

"Uh, sure. Where do you wanna go eat?" I said, trying my best to sound casual. Since it's only gonna be more awkward, if I act awkward too.

"Um...I actually made homemade elemental dish, if you don't mind you can invite your friends over to it." She said with a small smile and closed eyes.

"Ah, so it's back at the academy?"

"Indeed. I shall summon our ride at once." She blew a unique high pitched whistle, and out of the corner of the block, a black Mercedaz pulled up right next to us, and right after a man dressed in a black butler uniform stepped out the car and held open the door for us.

"Ladies first." I gestured, showing my manners.

"Very well, I shall take your courtesy." Veritas giggled and climbed in before me into the back seat.

Once we were both in the car, the butler closed the door and took his place right next to Veritas.
I scanned the inside of the car for a moment, and just like I expected it's got all the check marks of being a luxury car: top quality leather, mini fridge, golden rimmed door locks, sweet fragrance and fine rug.

"By the way, where is Wyndham? Isn't he always with you?" I raised a brow.

"Ah, I asked him to come, but he said he wasn't feeling well today."

"Huh...I see."

The 15 min drive was surprisingly quiet, with her not talking unless I spoke first. Once we arrived on the compound, the butler got off the car and held the door open for us.

"Emmm!!!" I got up and stretched like a mummy. Being in a bed for a week pretty much made me a mummy, and every time I stretched a muscle, it if like I was stretching against a bondage.

"So this is where thou art reside?" Veritas said in an elegant manner.

"Yep, though it appears no one is at home at the moment..."

"It seems you pieced yourself together fresh meat." A familiar voice from behind cut me off.

"Sir..." I snapped around, and sure enough it was same old Isa dressed in her usual tank top and camo pants. For a brief moment we met eyes, her eyes were the usual grey stern like the calm before the storm. But as soon as she turned towards Veritas, there was a flash, like lightning circling in the clouds, ready to strike at any given notice. But whatever storm Isa mustered in her eyes, she kept it contained, very contained.

"What business do you have here Miss vice president?" Isa said in a calm cold manner.

"Just fancying a picnic with my friend Kard here. And he also wanted to share this delightful time with his friends as well." Veritas said with a gentle voice, with a slight upper hand tone to it.

Isa eyed me and Veritas back and forth several times, with her frown deepening each time.

Silence.

Veritas kept up her smile, while the creases on Isa forehead were stacking dozen fold.

"I need to get back to training. You can go ahead if you want fresh meat." Isa said with a hush voice, then turned and left.

"Well looks like she's not coming..." I said, watching her go.

"Would you be so kind to ask if the others will come?" Veritas asked with closed eyes.

"YO KARD!" came Rumble's voice, and sure enough he appeared right around the corner after he finished his line. "I see you are out of the hospital! Oho? Isn't this the vice president? What wind brought you to our crib?"

"Ara ara, we were just talking about you. I was wondering if you would fancy a picnic with us this afternoon. It's homemade dish made by myself." Veritas turned and smiled.

"Ohohoho! All you have to say is free food and I am all in!" Rumble threw both of his hands into the air.

"Well, that just leaves Kuro, Vic and Biggy..." I said, though I wasn't too sure about counting Biggy as a person.

"Ah, let me just text both of them real quick." Rumble said, as he fished out his phone. "Ah, Vic said she's coming. Kuro hasn't responded, she's probably doing her afternoon meditation."

"That just leaves Biggy then, I am guessing he's probably in the freezer." I guessed.

"Yeah, let's go get him." Rumble said.

The 3 of us walked to the building compound, made our way through the corridors and finally reached the freezer. It was fairly small building after all. The freezer door is controlled by facial recognition, and the moment I stood in sight of the scanner, the door automatically slide open.

"Have another fish. Good boy." Kuro said with a silent breath, almost a whisper as she continued to caress the large pingu's back.

Silence.

...

Kuro face turned into a shade of cherry red with steam coming right off, and all we could do is stare.

She really does like cute things...But just too afraid to admit like the typical kuudere she is.

"Ahem..." I cleared my throat. "You wanna come with us for picnic?"
Kuro looked away but gave no reply.

"Well then, let me ask Biggy. We got lots of food, you wanna come?" I was pretty sure Pingu's can't understand human language, but at the word 'food', Biggy's entire world seem to light up.

"Gabu gabu!" Biggy leaped towards us, good thing we all drew a step back or else we all be squashed to death.

"Looks like that's a clear yes. So what do you say Kuro, you coming or not?" I asked again.

"I...I will." Kuro lowered her head, her face still red from blushing.

"Alright, let's go." I said.

Q: Do you ship Kard and Veritas? ; p