Alinea

"Did your class already decide where you're going?" Midori asked.

Next week, all graduating classes would have a four day trip before the final term exams began. There were a total of six classes, and there would be three locations to choose from. The purpose of the trip was for culture immersion, and most of the places chosen were of historical significance.

"Not yet. But sensei said we will vote for it tomorrow," Ara answered.

They were supposed to discuss the trip today, but their homeroom teacher had to suddenly leave the class because of an emergency.

"What? Then you can't vote for it anymore," Midori said matter-of-factly.

"Why not?"

"Because there can only be two classes in the same location. Everybody voted today so they probably already filled the slots. Your class can only get the leftover."

"Is that so?"

To Ara, it wasn't really important. If there's an interesting place she'd like to see, she would just go there some other time.

"Ah, too bad! I was hoping our classes can go together," Midori said woefully. "The places for the trip this time are all so cool."

"Which ones are they?"

Ara was still at the hospital when the places for the trip were announced so she had no idea where they would be.

"Kyoto, Hakone, and Shibuya," Midori answered, and Ara was dumbfounded.

HA?

Kyoto and Hakone were understandable. Kyoto was the former capital and one of the places with rich historical significance. Hakone on the other hand was located a hundred kilometers from Tokyo, and like Kyoto, it had a lot of historical sites. It had a view of Mt. Fuji, and several wonderful hot springs. Shibuya however…

"Why is Shibuya included?"

Shibuya was in Tokyo, and it's very near their school. Going there was just like going shopping several streets away.

Midori laughed at Ara's expression. "Don't look like that. It's actually the most popular place among the three – our class even had to fight another class for it."

EH?

"It's popular?"

HOW? WHY?

"What's in there?"Ara couldn't think of anything that would make it a good candidate for an educational tour.

"The Cedar Palace," Midori answered excitedly.

EH?

Ara was shocked. The Cedar Palace was one of the few remaining, but also the biggest old traditional Japanese mansions in Tokyo. It had a very rich history considering that it was built between the beginning of the Meiji period in 1868, and mid Showa period around 1955. Only a hundred and fifty plus years, but inside was a real treasure trove of historical value.

It was not a secret that the Cedar Palace boasted a huge collection of antiques, ranging from weapons to priceless pieces of art. Its huge outer building was also a popular place for formal traditional activities such as ikebana, kabuki, noh, and sado. Also, it had its own huge buildings for Japanese Martial arts such as Judo, Kyudo, kendo, and even the lost arts of ninjutsu.

However, what made it really popular were not those things, but its other name.

"Cedar Palace? Isn't that…"

Ara's voice trailed off, unable to say the rest.

"The Homura House!" Midori supplied as she shook Ara in her excitement. "Isn't that amazing?"

"Er… Yeah…"

Ara had a weird smile on her face.

She was very surprised with this development. After all, aside from the outer buildings where events were held, the rest of the Cedar Palace was closed to the public. Why? Because, it's the private residence of Japan's top family.

So how did it end up like this?

Ara already had an idea why, even though it might sound presumptuous, so she decided not to voice it out. It seemed someone learned about the pre-graduation trip and was being mischievous.

Too bad, though, because it seemed all two slots were already taken, and Ara's class would have to go to either Hakone or Kyoto which was good in her opinion.

Well, she'd just find out tomorrow, she told herself as she started to sketch.

"Ara-chan, what are your plans after graduation? Are you still taking up literature in college?" Midori asked as she watched Suzuki Ara draw on her sketchbook.

"My brother allowed me to switch into art major,"Ara answered happily.

Ichihara was surprised, and then, she was thrilled. "That's amazing Ara-chan! I can't believe your brother's supportive like that."

"Why not?" Ara asked back.

"Because with your family background, it's more practical to take up business related courses no?"

"Yes, that's the reasonable course. Honestly, I was surprised my brother agreed and even helped me with the school,"Ara confessed.

"That's why I'm happy for you!"

Since she started drawing, Midori became her fan.

"Which school will you be attending then?"

"T University,"Ara answered, and Midori's eyes widened in delight.

"Ara-chan we'll be schoolmates again!"

"Really?"

"Yes! Hiroaki too! He has a Judo scholarship at T University, that's why I chose to go there too. But you're going there as well so let's hang out when we have time!"

Ara laughed out loud as she agreed. She already knew that Midori would study Early Childhood Education because she wanted to be a pre-school teacher. But she hadn't asked her which university she would go to. Now that she found out, she was pleased that there would be chances for them to meet up. She liked Midori as a person and would be happy to keep being friends with her.

"Did you already check how to make a manga?" Ichihara then asked, and Ara nodded.

"I actually already started to draw some characters," she said as she opened her other sketchbook and showed Midori her work.

"Hey, you drew them again! Are they going to be your comic characters?"

Inside were pencil sketches of her friends back in Ritz again. Horgall, Midas, Rubic, Sven, and Lucius were drawn in detail, in different poses with character definitions written on the side.

Ara wanted to keep her memories of her with her warrior friends alive, and show how proud she was of them to this new world. It would be her tribute.

"Yeah. I'm planning to draw an adventure manga with these characters."

"Oh, there's another one," Midori said as she looked at the last character. "Woah…Ara-chan doesn't this character look like you?"

Ara grinned. Of course it did – it was her after all. "Really? It must be because I was the one who drew it," she answered innocently.

"Well, you have a point," Midori uttered thoughtfully. "Besides, people wouldn't know anyway unless they see you in person. Ara-chan you're soooooo pretty you don't look like a real human sometimes. You're like those characters from the 4D game, Fantasy Adventure."

Fantasy Adventure was a video game about demigods and warriors. It had a variety of really good looking characters like the popular Final Fantasy.

"What are you talking about?"Ara laughed, although she took a mental note to suppress her divine inheritance further. It was the one causing her to have a celestial glow about her.

"So what will your manga be about?"

"It will be about this girl and her warrior friends' adventures in the dungeons," Ara answered with an excitement. Her comic would be like a diary of her time in Ritz.

"Nice! When you've finished the draft and want to have an editor to look at it, tell me okay? I have an editor cousin who works at Supreme Fantasy. We can ask him to meet you to check your work."

Supreme Fantasy was one of the biggest manga publishing companies based in Tokyo.

"Really? That'll be great!"Ara was excited.

Although there was no need for her to work for a living, considering she owned shares from Suzuki Raiden Group, and would be marrying into the Homura House, it would still be nice if she could make a living out of her art.

"Yeah, so don't forget it, okay?" Midori looked as excited as she was. "By the way, what's the title of your manga?"

Ara put on a nostalgic smile as she stared at the page where all characters were drawn with the mischievous princess in the middle. "Alinea…"