December week one is the week of my development project final week. I was practically done with my project but had to do one single thing.

  Test it how it works.

  I’ve been in the office with my development project professor Mr. Karin and my class professor Mrs. Doris.

  The initial goal was to get approval to test my devices withing Akasia University grounds but my request was rejected.

  “Tell me how this makes any sense?” I read my rejection letter of my request to test it. “I need this to pass my big project that I’ve been working on for over ten weeks now…something that is essential for my degree! And you are not allowing me to proceed because of what?” I did not understand why Akasia University was being this strict.

  “I do feel concerned why the University doesn’t trust its own students.” Athena was right next to me, helping my appeal to change their decision.

  I could see Mr. Karin’s complex expression.

  He opened his mouth to speak but my class professor spoke instead.

  “Your file does not have clearance to access the database of the Universities security systems. That’s why you are denied this. It’s not because we don’t trust the students but because you students are protected securely and we can’t allow this.” Mrs. Doris explained the rejection letter I held in my hand.

  I narrowed my eyes.

  Before I could say my reply, Athena spoke up, putting her hand on my shoulder.

  “It’s okay…we understand! We will figure out something else.” She said, trying to pull me away and give up but I was not ready to leave.

  “Mr. Karin…what should I do?” I asked.

  Curious what he would suggest as my project professor.

  “I probably had two choices that I would consider.” He looked at me.

  “First one…leave the project as is and focus on presentation.”

  I could see in his eyes he was just saying this option for me to calm me that this might be just enough. I could see in his eyes he did not believe this…testing the project is a very important part to showcase a skill that works in real life and not in theory only. An intent is not enough to impress any judge.

  I shook my head.

  “That is out of the question…the project is unfinished if it's untested.” I replied with my thoughts.

  “The next option, I would look elsewhere…it’s a long shot but I would try that.” Mr. Karin said. “But searching for it might lose precious time to polish your presentation…” He added.

  I looked at him thinking.

  Athena’s hand was still on my shoulder. She gradually was trying to pull me away.

  “Let’s go Rory! We are gonna finish it and it will be good. We promise!” Athena said to the professors on my behalf and pushed me to follow her.

  Initially, I did but not because I was giving up. Athena could see the complex faces I was making, that slowly I was losing my patience. She wanted me to go away to not make a mistake of saying something I may regret.

  “You have been on edge Rory. I want to ask…are you doing okay?” She asked me about the minute we were out of the office.

  Time was pressuring me from every side. There was no time to rest, no time to argue or validate any feelings.

  “I am fine…I just need to finish this project!” I said with a clear goal in my mind.

  Athena stared at me. Now mirroring my complex expression. Worried of my obsessive dedication and ignoring her concerns.

  “Did something happen after the festival? Has Itsuki done something?” Athena asked me again.

  “Athena…” I looked at my friend’s concerned face. “I don’t have time for this!” I said.

  “Okay…I think I can help you to solve our issue.” She clapped her hands together, smiling at me.

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  “Tell me!” I was eager to hear her out.

  “Can we set up your cameras in my mom’s shop instead?” She brightly suggested her idea.

  “That would actually be a lifesaver! Do you think it would be okay?” I asked Athena, giving a glimpse of hope on my expression.

  Athena nodded, happily being able to help me.

  The rejection paper is still in my hand. I pulled to look at it and curved into a ball and dropped it in the nearest bin.

  “No time to lose! Let’s go!” I was happy to move on and started to walk towards our development project where I had taken the project over. I pulled out my phone and dialed a number.

  Ring, ring and another person picked it up.

  “What’s up so soon?” Itsuki’s voice spoke from the speaker.

  “Can you bring the car around to the University?” I asked him without saying hello or asking if he was free.

  “Am I your personal chauffeur or something?” Itsuki seemed entertained by my nonchalant tone.

  “That’s at least something you can do…helps yourself doesn’t it?” I pointed out that his job was me anyways…so it was in his interest.

  “Be there in a few.” Itsuki replied and then dropped the phone.

  “Wow! He is very much in your case.” Athena said, walking next to me.

  She obviously heard our short exchange.

  “Might as well use the opportunity.” I shrugged my shoulders as I put my phone in the pocket.

  Athena seemed to laugh at my expression.

  We walked over the development project class.

  Mr. Karin was not here, some other students were working on their projects.

  Class was still in session, everyone had different schedules so even if I go right now it won’t really impact my absence as I did not have a set of hours set to sit here. I did update my log that I am leaving to test my project outside University walls and will be back once that is done.

  Packed my project neatly and with help of my friend Athena we left the room.

  “You think it is okay to leave like that?” Athena asked me, looking back.

  “Mr. Karin will know we left to find a place to test it…it's fine.” I replied.

  Itsuki then texted me that he had arrived. We left Akasia University and moved on.

  “Leaving in the middle day with packed things?” Itsuki raised an eyebrow seeing us.

  “We are off to test my development project.” I replied.

  This made Itsuki take a double take.

  “You made this?” Itsuki asked me with interest.

  He came over and took the material from Athena’s hands, to help out to put inside the back of the car.

  “A camera…and what are those?” He pointed to the little design that was hiding the brain of the camera.

  I eventually tweaked it and made it in a way that they connect it without an actual cable connection but through a network instead. To charge them, I put solar panels and an attached power bank system. You could also plug straight in the electric socket as well.

  I just preferred to have options.

  I put down the rest of the cameras next to where Itsuki put them and then moved to hit his hand.

  “Don’t touch that!” I exclaimed.

  Itsuki looked at me, his face smiling brightly.

  “I love it! What is the camera's purpose?” He asked me.

  “Read human emotion!” Athena replied in my place, proud of the idea.

  Itsuki looked at Athena, then at me impressed.

  “Oh? You cover your tracks…” He pointed to me as if this idea of a project was somehow connected to whatever was happening around me.

  “It’s a coincidence…one I don’t mind.” I replied without explaining any more.

  We all moved towards the car.

  “I sit in the front and you two at the back.” Itsuki gave us instructions for some reason.

  “Okay!” Athena did not mind his request and followed to get in the backseat.

  I eyed Itsuki slowly, noticing that Em girl was sitting in the driver's seat.

  I got in the car myself.

  Itsuki got in last.

  “Where are we going?” Itsuki asked when we all sat there.

  “Who’s the girl?” Athena now only noticed that someone sat in the driver seat.

  “It’s my partner Em.” Itsuki replied.

  “We are going to Athena’s mom’s bakery shop.” I replied to the question.

  “Oh…yeah, it's on Heels Street, very close to the hotel, the tall one.” Athena mentioned the location.

  Em hearing where we are going turned the car engine on and started driving.

  “We are staying at that hotel!” Itsuki replied.

  “Oh? Are you two?” Athena questioned, her voice curious. “Why haven't we seen Em with you before?” She asked Itsuki.

  “She is too fragile to go everywhere with me. And has her own job to do.” Itsuki replied.

  Athena’s eyes landed at Em. Her expression changed to a surprise. Noticing the girl's odd decoration on her face. The metal shining under where her chin was, covered with a purple girly face mask.

  “She can’t speak?” Athena questioned.

  “No.” Itsuki replied, not elaborating.

  Athena stared at her. Something changed in her expression. Her eyes downcast, looking back at her hands. Then towards the Em girl.

  “If I can ask what happened to her to end up like that?” Athena was not ashamed to be this curious. But her tone when she asked was like she was feeling genuinely about it. As if she was looking at someone she recognised but not really. Heartfelt ping that her question echoed.

  Itsuki then looked at Em, who was silently driving to the destination. Her eyes are big watching the roads. The eyes that seemed like an innocent young girl.

  “I can’t tell you that.” Itsuki slowly replied. “Not to be obvious…she is driving and still can hear it.” He stated the obvious. Shutting down Athena’s questions.

  Athena nodded, not saying anything else.

  I silently observed them, not really interested in this right now. My single thought is right now. Catch up with the time! Finish the project and move on to finishing the studies as Nobu Ichigo challenged me to.

  He caught me off guard last night. Like a wake up call telling me that I still need to grow up. Not to wait for my dad Sano to fix anything for me anymore.

  The silent wish for the time to solve and give me what I want. The naivety of my own mind. I have to carve my way into it. The only way I know how is to do what I need to. Finish my studies and, if the offer still stands then become number two. And that starts with this project.

  One after another I will tackle it all! I will uncover every last bit of mystery the city of Akasia is throwing at me and then, throw this hopeless feeling back in their faces. Every last bit of their deeds will not go unresolved. This is my fuel for my dedication!