The Next Day…
Nao (groaning):Huhhhhhh… oh… I think I had too much last night…
(rubs her head)
"I can't believe how much they spent on that party… I'm never doing a drinking competition again with Sis L… hurrrrrrrrrrrh…"
Nao (inner thoughts):I honestly can't believe the journey I've been through…
I thought I would never find happiness again…
But everything changed when I met Enilia…
She was the first to light hope in my heart…
(soft smile)
Please rest well, big sis… don't worry about me.
I'm in safe hands now.
I found a new family.
You were right to entrust me to them…
I feel alive again…
And I know… there's more peace ahead…
Rest well… Big Enilia…
Ding Dong
Nao: Huh… who's there…?
(looks around)
Everyone's still sleeping…
She walks slowly to the door.
Opens it—
Nao (sleepy):Um… do you mind coming back later, everyone is still—
She stops.
Frozen.
Her expression changes instantly.
Her heart—
Races.
Nao (thought): Who… is this guy…?
Why is my heart beating like this…?
What is this feeling…?
He's so handsome… I can't speak…
What should I say no no no no no
Standing before her
Dranexx.
Dranexx (smiles): Hey… hello there. You must be the new girl here, right?
Nao
Speechless.
Dranexx: Huh… hello? You good?
Lisa (walking in):What's going on Nao—who's there…?
(stops)
…Wait—Drane?!
She runs—
Jumps on him.
Lisa (joyful): I can't believe this is really you!!
Dranexx (surprised): Hey—Lisa… you're acting like you haven't seen me in years…
Lisa: Well you were gone for so long… we thought you didn't want anything to do with us anymore…
Dranexx pauses.
This wasn't the reaction he expected.
No anger.
No resentment.
Just happiness.
Soral walks out.
Soral (faint smile):So… you finally decided to show up, enh?
Nao (confused):Umm… do you guys know him…?
Lisa (joyful):Of course! He's the one we were talking about yesterday!
Nao: Oh… um… nice to meet you, sir…
(she avoids eye contact)
Scorpy walks in
Sees him.
Scorpy: Look who's back… welcome back, man. It's been a while.
Dranexx: Likewise, mah bro.
Soral glances at him.
Dranexx lowers his voice—
Dranexx: Umm… I'm sorry for every
Before he finishes—
Soral hugs him tightly.
Soral (soft): Don't ever leave us like that again… do you know how worried I was?
Dranexx: Sorry… I won't let that happen again. I'm here now.
Lisa (pouting): Huh?! No fair! I missed him too! Don't just hug him like that, Lady Soral!
Soral: "Shut up, Lisa. Don't ruin my touching reunion."
Lisa: "Seriously?! I'm having a reunion too!"
They start arguing.
Scorpy (laughs): Oh come on… come in, man. Last night was a blast—we had a party for Nao.
Dranexx: Oh… I see.
(looks at Nao)
"Nao, right? I'm Dranexx Waltarnabi… but you can call me Dranexx… or Drane."
Soral & Lisa (together): "No way!! Only we are allowed to call you that!"
Dranexx (turns): I permit her.
"…Got a problem with that?"
Both:"…No sir."
Nao (blushing): "Umm… no no… I can't…"
Dranexx: "I told you to call me Drane. Relax… don't listen to them."
Akube walks in, half asleep.
Akube: "Heh… what's up my man… how you doing… Korai?"
Everyone: "KORAI?!!!"
Akube: "…Oops. I'm dead, aren't I?"
Dranexx (serious): "Oh you're definitely dead, Lenshi."
Akube: "Come on man it slipped!"
Dranexx: "…What should I even do with you…"
Lisa: "Korai is your name?!"
Dranexx: "Yeah… but don't call me that. Got it?"
Everyone: "Sure."
Soral (smiling): "Korai… my sweet boy."
Dranexx: "…I knew you wouldn't listen."
Suddenly—
Reika, Meji, and Shina walk in.
Reika (laughs): "Seriously? Arguing this early morning?"
Cap Meji: "You've got interesting friends, Reika… kuhahahahaha!"
They laugh
But Dranexx's expression changes.
Dranexx (glares): "Huh… who are these runts…?"
(pauses)
"Oh… Reika, is that you?"
Reika (shocked): "Dranexx… it's an honor to see you again!"
Dranexx: "Likewise."
(looks at Meji)
"…who's this?"
Tension builds.
Soral (telepathy): "Since when did he become this… bold?"
Lisa (telepathy): "I don't know… but it's kinda hot…"
Soral: "Watch it."
Lisa: "Oh come on…"
Soral (out loud): "So… have you heard of Jarreck?"
Dranexx: "Yeah… I've been watching you all from my No Realm."
Akube: "Seriously?!"
Lisa: "Then why did you let him escape?!"
Soral: "I had hope he would be taken out eventually."
Akube: "But how did you know he'd be erased… and who did it?"
Scorpy: "Yeah… who?"
Everyone Turns to Dranexx.
Dranexx (sighs): "…So now you want me to say it?"
"…I don't know."
Soral (cold smile): "Oh… I'm sure you do, enh… baby?"
Dranexx (smirks):"I said I don't know… got a problem with that?"
The air
Tightens.
Soral (smiling dangerously): "So… you've grown an ego now… talking back to me like that?"
Silence.
Everyone
Terrified.
Akube (whispering): "Oh boy… you messed up…"
Lisa (sweating): "Can't you just be cool for once without pissing her off?!"
Scorpy: "…Yeah I'm out."
To be continued