Clearing up Loose Ends

I never expected to actually be a part of Zenith. No matter how much I hoped and wanted to be accepted, I didn't truly believe it would happen. Now that my dream had suddenly become reality, I was worried about Aiko. 

"I can't join. I have to take care of you, Aiko," I said, my voice heavy with concern. 

"Are you an idiot?" she screamed, throwing a pillow from her bed at me. 

"But Aiko, you don't cook, you don't do any chores. I have to help you. It's my duty as your older brother," I protested, catching the pillow awkwardly. 

"GAAHHH. Give me a break! I can cook for myself and do chores. I'm not stupid. You will be going to Zenith and that's final!" she retorted, her tone exasperated. She crossed her arms and glared at me, her determination shining through her frustration. 

I looked around her room, taking in the scattered books and notes, evidence of her hard work and independence. She had always been strong-willed, and in that moment, I realized she was more capable than I had given her credit for. All this time, I had seen her as my little sister, someone who needed to be protected. But before I knew it, she had grown and was walking down her own path, just as I was. 

"You're right. Sorry, Aiko. I will definitely be going to Zenith," 

"Damn right you are," she replied, a satisfied smirk on her face. 

"But I will be calling Dad and making sure you are looked after. I can't leave knowing you will be alone." Despite realizing she was grown and capable of being independent, I couldn't shake the feeling of responsibility. It didn't matter how much she grew or how independent she became; she would always be my little sister, and I would always protect her. 

"You're so annoying! It's fine. I can be alone. I am not a child anymore, Natsuya!" she protested, throwing her hands up in frustration. 

We continued bickering for a while, our voices rising and falling like waves in the ocean. Ultimately, we compromised to do exactly what I wanted. She practically gave up after noticing I wasn't going to back down about getting Dad or Mom to take my place in looking after her. 

Now the next step was calling Dad and somehow convincing him to look after Aiko. I wasn't sure if I could leave for Zenith if he refused. 

I called Dad, and as always, he answered on the first ring. 

"What is it, Natsuya?" he asked, his tone brisk and efficient. 

"Dad, I made it into Zenith." 

"Congratulations. Do you need more money for any equipment or to pay the school?" 

"Zenith is free, Dad. I don't have to pay, but that's not why I'm calling. Aiko is going to be all alone after I leave, and I can't have that." 

"I see. What do you propose we do?" 

"I want you or Mom to look after her like I do." 

"You know we can't do that." 

I knew it. I can't go to Zenith. Not if it means leaving Aiko behind. "Then I will sta—" 

"We can't do what you do, be there for her at all times. But from now on, we will visit at least once a week and make sure everything is fine. I can't promise our visits will be long, but we will ensure your sister is fine." 

I was speechless. "T-Thank you, Dad," I managed to get out. 

"By the way, has there been any news about returning to school?" As soon as that was settled, he switched topics to keep the conversation efficient. 

"Oh, yeah. I was meaning to tell you our high school is going to close for the rest of the year. Aiko already found a school she is willing to transfer to. She said she would send you the details later." That alone was proof that Aiko was more than capable of taking care of herself. 

"Great, then tell her to send me the info soon so we can enroll her. Too much time has been lost." 

"Okay, yeah. I'll let her know." 

"Good. Is that all then?" 

"Yes, that is all, Dad. Thanks again." 

"Goodbye." 

"By—" he hung up before I could finish. 

I stood there, phone in hand, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude. My path to Zenith was clear, and Aiko would be taken care of. 

After the conversation ended, I went to let Aiko know what Dad said. She seemed to be kind of happy about our parents visiting more often, although she tried to play it cool and stoic. But deep down, I knew she was ecstatic about seeing our parents more regularly. 

Now all I had to do was accept the offer to join Zenith and get everything ready to leave. While at Zenith, students live in dormitories. From what I read, contact with the outside world is restricted, so no phones are allowed. The website said we are essentially to spend all our time studying and training. But I bet that was only on the website to scare off weak-willed individuals. I've read online that schools and certain programs do that, whether they are for a Regalia academy or law school. They overexaggerate things to ensure only the most committed individuals join. 

• 

Soon, my last day of freedom arrived. By now, Aiko was already admitted into a new high school and had returned to her routine of splitting all her time between her social life and studying. Her habit of waking up late had resumed, but she was actively making an effort to fix it in an attempt to comfort me, assuring me she would be fine after I left. 

"Well, I'll be going," I told Aiko, giving her a heartfelt goodbye. 

"Don't you dare forget me, okay, Natsuya? Also make sure to kick butt at Zenith!" Aiko responded, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I would never dream of that, Aiko. And I'll definitely try, but no promises," I said, a soft smile forming on my lips. "Don't forget, if anything happens, you can always contact the institution, and I'll be out of there within an hour. Remember to set your alarm—set multiple alarms because you never wake up on time. I know I taught you how to cook, but make sure you clean everything properly. Chicken has many bad bacteria, so you want to make sure to wash everything properly before and after." 

"I GET IT!" she said with a small chuckle, replacing her former sentimental expression. "Now get going, Natsuya. You don't want to be late for your first day at the academy." 

"Bye, Aiko. I'll be back soon," I said, knowing that three years was not soon at all but wanting to comfort her by making the time seem shorter than it actually was. 

With those words, I left for Zenith. 

Upon arrival at the entrance to the institution, I was greeted by a security checkpoint that was more intense than anything I had ever experienced. A high, fortified gate stood before me, manned by armed guards who scrutinized everyone entering the premises. I approached the checkpoint. 

"Name and ID, please," the guard requested. 

"Natsuya Kiyotaka," I replied, handing over my identification card. 

The guard examined my ID closely, comparing the photo with my face. Then he passed it through a scanner that beeped and flashed green. 

"Step forward, please," he instructed. 

I walked into a small, enclosed booth where another guard stood. Inside the booth, a tired-looking man with bags under his eyes sat in a chair. He had short, jet-black hair and a weary expression, a testament to long hours. This was Kazuki Tanaka, known as the lie detector. His Regalia had the unique ability to compel anyone to answer his questions truthfully. 

Kazuki looked directly into my eyes and asked, "Are you Natsuya Kiyotaka, the person who is in the identification you provided?" 

Before I had time to think, my mouth opened on its own and replied, "I am." He had activated his Regalia to ensure I was really who I said I was. How many measures did Zenith take! 

I wondered if Kazuki performed this procedure every time someone entered Zenith or only during these crucial moments. He did look tired, so maybe they had him overworking himself. His Regalia was indeed unique. 

After that interaction, I was allowed to enter Zenith. 

Zenith was a massive enclosed institution with multiple facilities. It felt almost like a university, but entirely self-contained so no unauthorized person could enter. The campus was a blend of modern architecture and advanced security measures, with high walls and gates that hinted at the serious nature of the activities inside. The buildings were sleek, constructed with reinforced materials, and there were surveillance cameras and guards at every corner. This was a place where important governmental projects, research, and training were conducted. With the advent of Regalia, it had even opened to recruits of younger ages to create the deadliest weapons mankind had seen—all to serve and protect Azuria. 

I arrived at a large conference space where we were to meet. The room was spacious, with high ceilings and large windows that let in natural light. Two small rows of chairs were arranged neatly for our small cohort, all facing a podium at the front of the room. The walls were adorned with banners displaying the emblem of Zenith, and screens were set up to project information. 

As I entered, I saw my ten classmates already seated along with military officers standing orderly next to the podium, their uniforms pristine and their postures rigid. It appeared I was the last to arrive. As expected, I saw the hot-blooded Ryuji, who stood out with his confident stance and sharp green eyes. Takeshi was there too, cool and collected, his blue eyes scanning the room. And then there was Yukiko, the Tier 1 queen, with her commanding presence and light brown eyes that seemed to pierce through anyone who dared meet her gaze.