Chapter 385 - Preparations

"Ara, you're finally here!"

Alinea smiled hearing the name. In the past few days, people in her family had switched to calling her Alinea, but legally, she's still Homura Ara. Since she decided to use her name in Ged, her husband also gave her time to think about whether she wanted to use that name legally. But now that she saw her schoolmates again, she thought she would keep her Japanese name while on Earth, the Homura House needn't change the people's memories for her. After all, they had done more than enough memory manipulation in the last few days.

"Suzuki, you're late!"

Alinea grinned at the club members as she entered the room. She carried two bags with boxes of sweets from Kuuya and placed them on the table. She then placed her hands together and asked for forgiveness.

"Sorry. I had to do something important suddenly," she apologized with a sheepish smile.

Because she had delivered sweets that were rarely enjoyed by normal students, since Kuuya's products were very expensive, she was forgiven almost immediately. They didn't stand on ceremony and opened the box for everyone to enjoy the delicacies.

Alinea just spent a month in the art club, but she still felt like she'd been with them awhile. Even before she was a member – that time when Midori first brought her there, everybody welcomed her. Unlike her classmates, the people in the club never had a prejudice about her since Midori told them that it wasn't her who was bullying her but Koharu.

"Where is Midori?"Alinea asked before stuffing a sweet on her mouth.

"She and Sonoda went to get drinks. They'll arrive soon," one member answered, and sure enough, Midori came carrying bags of different beverages.

"Ali – raaaa," Midori called out using her preferred name at first but changed to her legal one making it sound weird.

Nonetheless, Alinea laughed as she welcomed her hug.

"Is there something wrong at home? You're never late usually," Midori asked in a whisper and Ali smiled as she shook her head.

"I just had a talk with my dad," she said and needless to say, Midori felt at ease immediately.

"What are you going to do after this?" Midori asked.

Today the students who had clubs just came there to say goodbye to their juniors and thank their club's adviser. It wouldn't take too long and would be finished just before noon. Alinea wanted to hang out with her friends, but she had more important things to do.

Time was ticking and she still hadn't mastered variation and some physical skills. She had to use all her free time to train.

"I need to prepare for my quest. I asked Ivan to teach me more sword-fighting skills later,"Alinea whispered to Midori whose eyes widened in awe.

"Oh! Can we watch it? I mean we will just be on the side and not disturb you," Midori implored as she looked at her with expectant eyes.

Alinea wanted to say no because it was dangerous, but remembered that her father would be staying at the Cedar Palace to watch her practice today as well. If he's there, he could simply create a seal that would lock her and Ivan inside while they fought. This would protect the place and the people from their attacks.

"Please, please? Hiroaki wants to see you fight as well," Midori continued and Alinea finally acquiesced.

The club gathering ended in an hour's time. Ali and Midori thanked and said goodbye to their members and adviser before going to the home economics room to get Rin and Miharu. They too attended their club's gathering. Afterwards, all four girls went to the judo club to fetch Sonoda.

"We've come to disturb you today,"Rin announced as soon as they arrived at the residential common room where the others were also gathered.

It looked like the men had a meeting just earlier so everyone was there. Alinea looked at each and every man in the room. Her stare lingered longer on her uncle and saw that they didn't seem to be hiding anything from her so she gave them a knowing look. Gin raised a brow in her direction.

"You brat, what were you thinking, huh?"

Ali laughed, feeling cheeky. If they talked about something that they needed to hide from her, it would be her uncle who would give them away. Stribog had no resistance towards her and her father. Even without saying a word he'd spill the beans if it was something not as important as the King of Heaven's will. If it was the latter like the matter with her mother, it would take time for Gin to confess.

"Nothing, uncle. I just think you're especially handsome today," Alinea grinned, and Gin cheered up as expected.

After their meal, they played cards while Gin and Ryuu left for the company. Ivan and Perun, on the other hand, went to the courtyard to set up the area for practice. Ivan measured the size of the space they needed, and when he was finished, Perun erected a barrier that would prevent divine power to come out. The barrier was as strong as the one he made to seal the Black God within so there was no need for Ivan and Alinea to hold back in their practice.

"Ah, they really look good together," Rin commented dreamily as she watched both Ivan and Perun working.

"Rin, behave," Miharu scolded her, making Rin pout and the others laugh.

But Rin's sulking didn't last long as Ivan turned to her with a beaming smile and a wave. Rin waved back as she let out a sigh before turning to the stoic looking Perun.

"Aish, Ali, I really wish to see your papa smile before I die," she suddenly said.

"Really?" Alinea laughingly asked before she called out to her father.

Perun turned to her and she waved and smiled at him. Of course, the King of Heaven smiled back at his beloved child.

"Oh. My. God. I can die now. Now, if only those two would smile at each other," Rin squealed as she sent smiles towards Perun as well.

Unbeknownst to Rin, when Ivan saw her smiling at Perun, the Emperor of Kres suddenly looked depressed making Alinea who knew what's going on laughe.

The poor guy thought Rin liked her father.  If only he knew.