A week and a half later, Aoto paced in CherryWood Academy's student lounge, anxiously checking his watch. He had planned everything down to the minute, ensuring CherryWood students would be there on time to greet his younger siblings, Riku and Saya, at the spaceport. However, a sudden message popped up in the group chat from one of the CherryWood students who'd arrived early:

"Aoto! Saints Queen's Academy students are already here and chatting up your siblings!"

Aoto's heart dropped. He knew the relentless reputation of Saint Queen's Academy all too well, and he wasn't about to let them sway Riku and Saya over to their side. Immediately, he bolted out of the lounge, rallying the other CherryWood students with him, many of whom were already gearing up for this crucial welcome mission.

The scene at the spaceport was tense. Riku and Saya stood near the entrance, visibly intrigued by the Saint Queen's students' polished appearance and persuasive pitch. Their eyes darted around, searching for the familiar face of their older brother.

Just then, Aoto and the CherryWood crew arrived, charging in like reinforcements. Matie, Kay, and Rika led the way, their intense glares enough to send a message to Saint Queen's students that their time was up. Izara and Kaira flanked Aoto, creating a wall of Warrior and Hybrid-class solidarity.

Aoto made a beeline for his siblings, putting a hand on each of their shoulders. "There you two are! Hope the trip was smooth. Ready for CherryWood?"

Riku looked between Aoto and the Saint Queen's representatives, his eyes wide. "I dunno, Onii-chan. These guys said their academy's even better. They've got all this fancy equipment and stuff..."

Saya nodded, though she was eyeing the CherryWood students with curiosity. "Yeah, they seemed really... polished."

Matie stepped forward, her tone direct and protective. "Polished? They're just shiny on the outside, kiddo. CherryWood's got heart. And we take care of each other."

Kay nodded, throwing a fierce look at the Saint Queen's group. "Besides, you'll actually learn to survive with us. Not to be snobs."

The Saint Queen's lead student, attempting to maintain their composure, sneered a bit. "Surviving isn't everything, you know. Success requires refinement, culture, and discipline. Qualities we excel at."

Aoto stepped in, folding his arms. "Funny, I thought success required integrity, which CherryWood has. You'll find out soon enough that we're a family here—and we're not about fake promises and empty prestige."

The tension hung in the air for a long moment until, finally, Riku and Saya exchanged glances. Riku grinned, throwing his arm around Aoto. "Alright, alright, CherryWood it is! Sounds way more fun anyway!"

Saya nodded, smiling as she leaned closer to her older brother. "Yeah, let's do this, Onii-chan."

The CherryWood students cheered, celebrating the small victory as they watched the Saint Queen's representatives retreat, their glares promising that this rivalry was far from over. Aoto gave a deep, relieved sigh, knowing his siblings were safe with him at CherryWood—where they truly belonged.

Aoto strolled through the middle school section of CherryWood Academy, flanked by his younger siblings, Riku and Saya, who were eagerly taking in the campus scenery. He pointed out various buildings, practice fields, and areas where students usually gathered, all while explaining the unique setup CherryWood had during summer vacation.

"Right now, all the schools on Comoros are on summer break," Aoto explained. "So CherryWood is acting as a hangout spot. Students and staff come here just to relax, practice some skills, and just chill. Classes won't start until the semester kicks back up."

Saya's eyes sparkled as she looked around. "So we basically have free roam of the campus?"

"Pretty much," Aoto chuckled, ruffling her hair. "This place has a ton of activities during break—there are clubs, events, and all sorts of stuff to do. We're allowed to come and go as we like."

Riku, clearly impressed, pointed at a group of Warrior Class students sparring on a nearby field. "So those guys aren't doing some official training right now? They're just... sparring for fun?"

"Yup," Aoto nodded, amused by his little brother's awe. "The Warrior Class students love getting extra practice, even when it's just for fun. And they're always open to new people joining them to learn a few moves."

Riku's face lit up at the idea. "Do you think they'd let me try?"

"Of course," Aoto assured him. "You'll just want to avoid Rika, Matie, and the other Warrior girls—they don't hold back. Trust me."

Saya giggled, looking at the campus with new excitement. "And what about the arts? Do they have things like music or painting?"

Aoto led them down another path toward the Major Arts Hallway. "You're gonna love this spot, Saya. They have everything from music and painting to literature and theater. You can practice or join any activity you're interested in here."

The three of them continued walking, with Aoto showing them around, pointing out places like the pool, library, and even the indoor and outdoor tracks. Everywhere they went, CherryWood students waved or called out to Aoto, a few even coming up to introduce themselves to his siblings.

Riku turned to Aoto with a huge grin. "You're like a celebrity here, Onii-chan."

Aoto scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. "Let's just say I've made some... strong impressions."

Saya looked at him, raising an eyebrow playfully. "By strong impressions, do you mean making friends, or is there more to it?"

Aoto stifled a laugh. "Let's just say you'll probably hear some stories... and some might involve Matie, Rika, and the others."

Riku and Saya exchanged knowing glances, giggling. Aoto rolled his eyes but smiled, happy to be sharing this world with them.

Riku wandered into the cafeteria in the middle school section, his eyes wide as he took in the bustling scene. CherryWood's cafeteria was unlike anything he'd seen before—there were food stalls with different cuisines, fresh juice bars, and tables filled with snacks from all over Comoros. He was so caught up in the variety that he didn't notice the person in front of him until he accidentally bumped into her.

The girl turned around, green eyes locking onto him with surprise. She was an Average Class student, a bit shorter than Riku, with a stack of books and a tray in her hands.

"Oh! I'm sorry," Riku said quickly, his cheeks turning red. "I didn't see you there."

The girl blinked, then smiled softly. "No harm done." She adjusted her books with a graceful movement and looked at him curiously. "You're new here, aren't you?"

Riku nodded, still a little flustered. "Yeah, I just transferred. I'm Riku Kenzo."

"Riku, huh? I'm Lila." She extended a hand, balancing her tray and books with surprising skill. "Welcome to CherryWood."

Riku shook her hand, noting the warmth in her green eyes. He felt an unusual nervousness, realizing this was the first time he'd introduced himself to anyone outside of his brother's friends.

Lila tilted her head, observing him with curiosity. "Are you a... Earth Human too, like your brother?"

Riku was a bit surprised she knew about Aoto. "Yeah, I am. You know Aoto?"

Lila smiled, looking amused. "Who doesn't? He's quite the legend around here."

Riku chuckled, thinking of all the stories he'd already heard. "Yeah, that's Aoto for you. Always making an impression."

Lila laughed along, then gestured to the food stalls. "Do you want some help finding something? The options can be overwhelming if you're not used to it."

Riku nodded, grateful for her offer. "That would be great, actually."

As they walked through the cafeteria together, Lila pointed out her favorite foods, sharing little stories about the unique dishes CherryWood offered. Riku found himself relaxing around her, enjoying her company and her easygoing humor.

At one point, she stopped and picked up a snack from a nearby stall, holding it out to him. "Try this—it's a middle school favorite around here."

Riku took a bite, grinning as he tasted the unexpected mix of sweet and savory flavors. "Whoa, this is amazing! Thanks, Lila."

"No problem," she replied, smiling. "You'll get used to the food and everything else here in no time. And if you ever need a guide, you know where to find me."

Riku's cheeks warmed again, but he smiled back. "I'll definitely keep that in mind."

Riku looked across the cafeteria and spotted his younger sister, Saya, who was surrounded by a group of boys from various classes—Average, Softy, Islandar, Giant, Nighter, and even Warrior Class. Each of them was trying to win her attention with their own unique charm, and Saya stood at the center, looking both amused and slightly overwhelmed.

One Average Class boy, a bit on the shorter side with spiky hair, was confidently talking about his high score on a popular arcade game. Next to him, a Softy Class boy nervously handed Saya a small, intricately folded paper flower, blushing as he glanced up at her. An Islandar Class boy with a laid-back demeanor was flexing his shoulders subtly, flashing a confident smile her way.

A taller Giant Class boy tried to impress her by talking about his strength training, flexing his arm for effect, while a Nighter Class boy just stood back, watching Saya with a mysterious smile, as if he knew something the others didn't. The Warrior Class boy, a bit rough around the edges, was boasting about his latest victory in a sparring match, showing off a small scar he claimed he got from "the toughest fight of his life."

Riku chuckled to himself, amused by the scene. Saya, with her polite smile and natural grace, was handling it well, but he could tell that she was getting a little flustered by all the attention.

Riku decided to step in, weaving his way through the boys and tapping Saya on the shoulder. "Hey, Saya," he said, trying not to grin too much at the scene. "Mind if I steal you for a second?"

Saya looked relieved and quickly grabbed onto Riku's arm. "Sure, Riku! I was just... uh, catching up with some new friends."

The boys looked slightly deflated, but they nodded politely, some trying to play off their disappointment. The Warrior Class boy gave Riku a challenging look, though, crossing his arms as he sized him up.

"You're her brother, huh?" the Warrior Class boy said, still trying to keep his cool.

"Yup," Riku replied smoothly, meeting his gaze. "And as her big brother, I'm just here to make sure she doesn't get too overwhelmed, you know?"

The boys nodded, some looking a bit sheepish, and slowly dispersed, leaving Riku and Saya alone. Once they were out of earshot, Saya sighed in relief, giving Riku a grateful look.

"Thanks for saving me, Riku," she whispered. "They were... nice, but that was a lot."

Riku laughed softly. "No problem, Saya. I can see you're popular already."

Saya blushed, nudging him playfully. "Well, I guess it runs in the family."

They shared a laugh as they made their way out of the cafeteria, each of them feeling a bit more at ease navigating the new school with each other's company.

As Riku and Saya made their way toward the hallway, the atmosphere suddenly shifted. The cafeteria doors opened with a quiet creak, and in walked the leader of the middle school Warrior Class—a fierce Softy/Warrior hybrid girl with piercing blue eyes and a commanding presence. She was shorter than some of the Average Class boys, but her aura was unmistakable. Her squishy face somehow added an air of both cuteness and intimidation, making everyone around straighten up.

The girl looked around, her gaze scanning the cafeteria before it landed on Riku and Saya. Her eyes sharpened with interest, and a slight smirk played on her lips as she began striding toward them, her underlings falling in line behind her. Word had already spread through the Warrior Class ranks about the "Earth Human twins," and she was curious to see if they were as intriguing as the rumors suggested.

Saya noticed the girl approaching first, and she gently nudged Riku. "Uh, Riku, I think we're about to have company... important company."

Riku turned, raising an eyebrow as he took in the girl's confident stride and determined expression. He recognized the Warrior Class energy immediately—powerful, assertive, and not to be underestimated. The girl finally stopped just a few feet away from them, her hands on her hips as she gave the twins an appraising look.

"So, you're the new Earthlings everyone's been whispering about, huh?" she said, her tone challenging but not unfriendly. "I'm Niko, leader of the Warrior Class in the middle school. And these"—she gestured to the group of Warrior boys and girls watching her with admiration—"are my people."

Saya, ever polite, smiled and nodded. "Nice to meet you, Niko. I'm Saya, and this is my brother, Riku. We're, uh, still figuring things out around here."

Riku offered a friendly nod. "Yeah, new faces in a new place and all that. Nice to meet you, Niko."

Niko studied them for a moment, her squishy face almost endearing despite her fierce expression. "I've heard a lot about you two. Earthlings who don't have warrior blood but still make waves wherever they go... I'm curious. Do you two have any skills? Strength? Agility? Strategy?"

Riku chuckled, sensing the hint of competition in her tone. "I'd like to think we're decent in strategy. As for strength... well, I'm no Warrior Class, but I can handle myself."

Saya added with a grin, "And I'm pretty good at navigating challenges. Let's just say Earthlings have their own way of getting by."

Niko's smirk widened, her interest piqued. "Good. I respect that. You both better be ready, though. CherryWood's Warrior Class has standards, and we don't just let anyone make waves without showing what they're made of."

With that, she gave them a small nod of approval and turned back to her underlings, who followed her out with looks of awe and admiration directed at Riku and Saya. As the Warrior Class students exited, the twins exchanged a look, a silent agreement that their new life at CherryWood Academy was bound to be full of surprises and challenges—especially with characters like Niko around.