"Hm~ Hmm~"
Amelia joyfully hummed after taking a sip of her boba tea. The one Brandon had just paid for.
"Let me have a sip."
From the straw that Amelia just used, Brandon leaned in and took a sip.
"It's good."
"Right?"
"...."
"...."
The others who looked at them, petrified by the sight.
"...?"
As soon as Brandon finished, he looked at them curiously.
"What?"
Even the other couple, Artoria and Ray, seemed rather perplexed.
Though why were they even reacting like that?
'It's not like I kissed Amelia right in front of them.'
But despite the curious eyes, Amelia didn't seem to notice them and happily continued sipping on her drink.
Brandon dismissively shook his head.
It was just a drink.
No need for such a reaction.
Changing the topic, Belle cleared her throat.
"Kuhum. Anyways, regarding the training camp, I have some information about it. We'll be asked to form a group of six and tackle the tasks together. Though I'm unsure what the tasks exactly are, since we have the right amount of people here, why don't we all form a group?"
"Sounds like a plan, General."
Ray immediately accepted her proposal, along with Artoria.
Then, Belle looked at the others.
"What about you guys?"
"Sure."
"Okay."
"Alright."
The remaining three had no complaints as well.
That being said, their food was served and the group enjoyed their lunch break.
As soon as they finished, a sudden headache surged in Brandon's head.
"Haaa....."
It was getting harder to breathe as he clutched his chest, trying not to alert them of his sudden predicament.
For that reason, he stood up. They all looked at him, and Amelia asked.
"Where are you going?"
"Bathroom."
Brandon did his best not to stumble as he headed for the bathroom, taking deep heavy breaths.
"Haaa.... H-haaa..."
As soon as he entered the bathroom, he immediately retrieved a small bottle from his pocket.
Opening the bottle, he peered one of his hands through and grabbed what was inside.
It was a pill.
It had been happening for quite awhile.
Ever since he had seen the memories of Raven Blackheart....
Their sufferings.
Their agony.
Their deaths.
....He would occasionally get panic attacks.
"Haaa... Haaa...."
He had tried his best to forget the memories. Specifically, about their deaths.
He had never asked to see the memories in the first place.
If he could, he wanted to forget them.
However, he couldn't.
His heart was beating. Quite healthily as well.
However, he would soon find out the cause of his predicament.
That being said, magic power embellished from Brandon's ring.
WHIII—
A portal materialized soon after, and several men emerged. They moved the hospital bed, as well as the machines attached to Rafael.
Then, they re–entered the portal along with the comatosed patient.
Brandon too had entered the portal along with them.
WHIII—
*
"How are his vitals?"
"They're.... Stable. Just like before. I still don't see anything wrong with him."
Brandon asked Zed.
After all, Zed was well versed in the intricacies of the medical field.
"That's really odd."
Brandon rubbed his chin.
He had wished for Rafael Asami to wake up first before telling Rachel. In the off–chance that Rafael Asami was permanently comatosed, then....
There would be no other choice.
Regardless, he wanted to wait it out for a bit. Just so he wouldn't instill a false sense of hope in Rachel.
"Do keep finding. You owe her a favor too, right?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
After all, if it weren't for Rachel, Zed wouldn't have the funds to continue in his own operations, back when he was still a blackmarket head.
Of course, it was a mutual partnership.
The two would help each other out in a time of financial crisis. Additionally, Zed served as some sort of mentor to Rachel when she had just started her business ventures.
"Thanks. Contact me if you need anything. Though I'll be gone for two months, if it's that important, I'll quickly come here."
"Where are you going?"
"Training camp."
***
The next day.
Since they had to prepare for the two month long training camp, Brandon and Amelia decided to go to the newly reconstructed Victoria Supermall.
However, there was a third party.
A little girl who insisted for them to take her with them.
How could they refuse such a cute little girl?
It was none other than Aurelia. Currently, she adorned a beautiful white dress and a black beret top to it off.
She was really cute.
"Look, Aurelia, it's so pretty."
They stopped by one of the clothing department windows. Amelia crouched down and pointed at one of the clothes, specifically catered to children.
"Wow~"
Aurelia's eyes glimmered as she stared at the clothes.
"Do you want Mama to buy you new clothes?"
Aurelia turned towards Amelia, her mouth opened slightly and her eyes sparkled out of joy.
"Un!"
Aurelia bobbed her head twice, and that was the deciding factor. The two entered the clothing department as if they had forgotten Brandon was there.
"...."
Eh.
Brandon shrugged his shoulders and entered the clothing department.
"Want to try this, Aurelia?"
"Un!"
"Hehe~ Look, Mama's got the same outfit~!"
Brandon sat down on one of the rounded couches, watching the two girls pick out clothes.
While it wasn't the first intention on why they wanted to go to the mall, it didn't matter.
Seeing the smiles on both of their faces, delighted by their bonding, Brandon couldn't help but smile.
If only....
"If only things could stay like this forever...."