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The sky of the Asticassia School of Technology was a true work of art. Despite being a false sky, the Benerit Group had spared no expense to make the day/night cycle simulation as realistic as possible. After all, maintaining the students' circadian rhythms was vital to their health.
If it were up to Miorine, they could paint the ceiling black and hang spotlights from it.
She had gotten up earlier than usual so as not to wake Suletta and was now walking aimlessly through the park. The girl had spent the night in Miorine's room, as she did from time to time since moving to Earthian House. Although she didn't want to admit it, the days she shared with Suletta had become the best of her week. The Mercurian girl used to update her on her new friends' activities, their projects and their day to day life. There was nothing, no matter how mundane, that did not fascinate Suletta. Her enthusiasm in telling her fiancée about it was such that her usual nervous stuttering disappeared, replaced by a torrent of words uttered at full speed.
Miorine could spend hours listening to Suletta's cheerful voice.
Except last night.
Last night, Miorine was in a foul mood. For the first time since Aerial's "trial" that led to the replay of the duel with Guel, Miorine had seen her father. This kind of meeting was usually a very unpleasant event in which Delling Rembran bombarded his daughter with reproaches, informed her of how disappointed he was with her behavior and reminded her of what he expected of her as heiress to the Benerit Group. On her part, Miorine would end up yelling at her father and berating him for his treatment of her. This time, it was different.
"I've been thinking a lot about what happened lately in Asticassia and have come to the conclusion that Suletta Mercury might be a good choice as your groom," Delling Rembran told her. "Perhaps what the Benerit Group needs is someone with the fearlessness and courage that pilot has shown."
Miorine almost had a heart attack.
"We will talk about this again soon. Next time, I want your groom to be present." With these words, her father dismissed her because he had an important meeting.
Someone else might have believed her father's words, but not her. She knew him too well not to realize it was one of his ploys. He would never allow Miorine to marry Suletta.
To marry Suletta.
The vision of the two of them together, happily sharing their lives, lasted only an instant, but it was as if they had pierced her soul with a million daggers of ice. She could feel the pain spread throughout her body with every heartbeat. A physical, palpable pain that was tearing her apart.
Miorine wanted to scream. Curse her father. Curse fate. Curse love, for allowing a red-haired Mercurian girl to destroy her armor, give her hope, and steal her heart.
She fell to her knees, put her hands to her face and began to cry her eyes out. She didn't care if anyone saw her. She could no longer bear the pain.
Suddenly, she felt the touch of a familiar hand on her shoulder.
"M-M-Miorine-san, are you all r-r-right?"
No, no, no, no, no, please, no. Not her.
"M-M-Miorine-san, what's w-w-w-wrong with y-y-y-you? Y-y-y-you're really w-w-w-worrying me!" Suletta tried to remain calm, but it was obvious she was a nervous wreck. "P-p-please let m-m-me help y-y-ou stand up."
Suletta's kindness and concern for her was more than Miorine could bear. Before the Mercurian girl could react, Miorine jumped to her feet and ran at full speed.
Suletta could hear Miorine crying as she ran out of sight.