The neighbors were helping with throwing every water supply they had at the burning house whilst Arina was quicker than the rescuers. The reason? Her heartbeat raced when she saw Seo, still trapped inside although mobile, cracked open every window in the house to let the smoke out. Ironically, he now singlehanded turned it into a serious burndown.

"SEO YOU DUMB-DUMB!" shrieked Arina, clamping both hands on her head. "The increased oxygen will FUEL the fire!!"

Without a moment of reflection and the 'heroin' instinct that she often romanticized about kicked in as she barged ahead unreluctantly.

This had been the second time she dealt with this kind of situation. Seo's parents had made it out and mourned for their son, desperately warned Arina yet she did not listen. The firefighters merely disembarked from the truck right after she entered the building to do anything but prevent the girl.

With the amount of smoke he inhaled, Seo felt like passing out from the lack of oxygen. With his blurry vision, as if in a hallucination, through the fire, he saw a girl fleeing past him in the hallway and slamming shut every door and window she came across.

One cough, two, three, four, with a step turned back as though determined to search for him, the girl collapsed out of inhaling too much smoke. Seo wobbled, and so was he, collapsed. That was how serious the burndown was. There were some people standing outside that did nothing but got their phones out to record the catastrophe. Before Seo's parents took the risk and entered the building to get the kids, the firefighters got in there before them.

Kids A and C wept over the entire course of the rescue. Never mind that big bad Seo Tomoya; will their big sis Arina make it out alive?

Araki Teppei was staying up late to follow the live news of the Iran Prime Minister when he suddenly got updated on a much more alarming situation! His friends -- Seo and Arina -- were in trouble!

Overwhelmed with panic, he immediately called his other friends and informed them that it was likely that they might never see those two again regarding how serious the fire was.

Since it was past midnight, some picked up the phone and some didn't. Asano, who was filling up his President's duty, got the news and freaked the hell out. He picked a random trench coat from his closet and sloppily put it on, which in the process woke his mom up (A/n: usually at this time the chairman was doing something suspicious idk his plan for world domination perhaps?), immediately called the driver and demanded he drives him to the location urgently!

Even at the highest speed the driver could go, Asano still felt as though his heart would jump right out of his chest at any time. He fidgeted impatiently. Each tick of the clock was like an hour.

Thankfully! Asano almost dropped to his knees out of gratitude when both Arina and Seo were rescued upon his arrival, despite still blacked out. Why did firefighters be looking like saints now?

Teppei and Koyama (A/n: I mean, this guy sure looks like needed sleep) also arrived at the scene in case their friends will die before they get to see them again.

"O-o-oh," Teppei uttered whilst bursting into tears, rushing to his two dear friends. Koyama, on the other hand, went, 'Nishishishi'. Some may think that was offensive, though he was genuinely happy that they were both rescued.

Asano sat the unconscious Arina up and pulled her into a tight hug as though she was his whole world, regardless of outsiders' view.

"You don't care about Seo? How cruel..." sweatdropped Teppei.

No need to worry, because Seo's parents were kneeling beside him, checking his heartbeat to make sure and such. They caressed his forehead and placed there a kiss.

"Big sis Arina! Big sis Arina!!" the neighbor kids cried and made their way to her.

"She's safe now," Asano gently laid Arina down as he confirmed. The kids sighed in relief.

'This is the perfect pretext to do it!' thought Asano, a corner of lips twisted. He got down to Arina, intending to perform CPR when the kids straightened up in realization, began suspecting things.

"Looks like big bro Asano is in love with big sis!!" they exclaimed. Asano popped a vein. 'Falling in love'..what a stupid word for his reputation. The brightest student in the entire Japan doesn't have time to fall in love!

Nevertheless, Asano explained the cause of Arina's blackout and that he will have to perform something called CPR on her. Kid A and C went, 'Oooh!' and volunteered to do the job for him.

"Easy. Not a big deal -- I could do it!"

"It is NOT easy by any chance! Don't be so impulsive!" snapped Asano. "Now be quiet and learn it from me!"

But just as when he pinched Arina's nose, that girl immediately shot her eyes open and sat up in an alarm, causing Asano to back by a little.

"Oh...oh, it is you, Asano-kun?" she let out a long breath. Her eyes blinked around in an attempt of recalling things and was extremely relieved when she spotted Seo lying next to her. "Ooh, we are saved? I am saved! Did you perhaps save me, Asano-kun? If you do I would be very grateful."

Asano didn't answer straight away. Instead, he was thinking how nice it would be if he had been able to save her himself. Kid A and C answered before he could even open his mouth to speak.

"Big bro Asano for sure didn't save you, big sis!"

"Yeah, all he did was mourn."

"Like a loser."

Asano almost lost his cool and beat the kids up. Arina, however, laughed out loud.

"Is that so? My, how lovely is Asano-kun!" Her eyes gleamed dreamily, clasping her hands together. Of course she knew he didn't judging from his clean appearance.

Asano flushed at her unexpected comment. Though he immediately hid his face away.

For the most unexpected moment, a car parked nearby just when Seo regained consciousness, the person to step out -- someone that had the Big Four plus Arina widened their eyes -- the philanderer Sakakibara Ren. What was he here for?

"I know I'm not your favorite person right now, Asano-kun," Ren proceeded to speak, "but I needed to see my friends, to check if they're okay."

"Hey, is that the guy who got kicked out of your band, Arina?" one of her neighbors asked.

Arina gasped in astonishment, ignoring Asano's desire, she set foot toward Ren and pulled him into a friendly hug.

"Ooh, Ren, how have you been? Were you perhaps taken hostage? Why didn't you come to--"

Asano snatched her arm and yanked her by his side. There he fumingly lectured her about potential assaults Ren might going to do to her. Arina gave him an unfathomable look. How could he say that to Ren?!

"Don't worry, Asano-kun, I have no intention of those things. Now that I see Arina and Seo are both okay, it's a huge relief," smiled Ren. 'But why are you up so late?' as Arina asked which Ren awkwardly brushed the topic off (let's pretend this kid ain't 14 alright?)

Asano winced at Ren. He still couldn't forgive him for stealing his first kiss. And if Asano still hadn't approved Ren, then the rest of the Big Four were as well. Just like Asano, they didn't even make eye contact with Ren as if his existence was too barbaric for this world -- illegal! Seo too, regardless of Ren's genuine concern for him.

The firefighters were putting out the fire in the background while Mr. and Mrs. Tomoya had their discussion.

"To build a new home will take some time, during that period I guess we can stay over at someone's house for a while."

"But I'm afraid the issue with commuting will be a big problem since our relatives live too far."

"It's quite uncomfortable bothering outsiders, don't you think?"

"Reiko, we have no choice."

Seo's parents' gazes drifting toward Arina had come into her line of sight. She knew what they were expecting of her and so was Seo when the discussion between his parents was in his earshot.

"Tsk! This is reluctant! Get it? Nobody wants to live with a messy person like you -- you would drive me crazy in like a week!" Seo clicked his tongue and shook his head.

"No no no no no! Please, Mr. and Mrs. Tomoya, I beg for your understanding but I couldn't afford to have you all live with me!" exclaimed Arina. Asano, who was standing beside her, blinked in surprise.

"We-Well, we understand..." Mr. Tomoya forced a laugh. Seo, meanwhile, had his facial features formed a shape of an O. Was this the obliging Arina he had always known?

"How about we ask Mr. Araki's son? He seems close to our Seo."

Seo had expected something of Teppei too. However...

"Um...I don't think my parents would allow it," Teppei awkwardly scratched his nape. To be honest, his parents dislike Seo for his lack of respect toward adults and also accused Mr. and Mrs. Tomoyo of their poor parenting and looked down on them. As a result, lending a hand, in this case, would be quite impossible.

"Wh-What!? How about you Koyama?" Seo asked in desperation. To his great chagrin, Koyama lifted his glasses and said:

"Nishishishi, good luck going homeless."

Had he always disliked him? Seo didn't know. It was for sure that nobody wanted to stay under the same roof with chairman Asano even for a tad bit of time so they passed Asano and went on with their neighbors, reaching out for help.

"Eww! Momma! This Big Bad big bro used to steal my candies!" reported kid A to his parent. Kid C joined in and charged Seo with kidnapping his ultimate waifu (Myne from Shieldhero) and brutally chopped her head with a butcher knife.

Seo had a rotten reputation everywhere he went, thus also affecting his parents'. And to prove it, right here and right now, their neighbors were declining their request for help without contemplation. Seo staggered; he felt betrayed by the whole world!

At this moment where the only person in the world who still sided with him was surprisingly, the person he turned his back against -- Sakakibara Ren. He stepped in and offered the Tomoya family a stay amid everyone's rejection.

"Here I come for you, Seo. We could invite girls over to my place after school and I guarantee it will be a very quality time for both of us," Ren flipped his hair. Seo didn't even respond yet when his parents already rushed to thank Ren in extreme gratitude.

And so it was settled. Asano angrily forced Seo to dismiss the idea of involving with Ren and his promiscuous lifestyle but how else could he do!? His parents were the ones to make the decision, not him!

Arina had been watching Seo's family struggle for receiving help with an aching heart. It was suspicious that the house burnt down at night when everyone was asleep. And as the KBG had been haunting her more recently, she just had to connect the dots and linked it to them. What do they mean when they said they wanted to put her in control? Was she a more significant pawn than she believed herself to be? But for now, if they really did it -- to put the house on fire to threaten her close one's life, using it as a method to manipulate her, then it was wiser to not have Seo appear to be closer to her than before.

Nevertheless, avoiding her close ones was quite the challenge! Arina didn't want to break anyone's heart by distancing from them without an explanation.

The fire was entirely put out, and debris emerged from what used to be a home of a happy family. Ironically, snow only began to fall from this moment on. Arina let out a frosty breath, a resolution came to her mind. Asano placed her priority above his as he took off his trench coat and draped it on her.

"No, thank you, Asano-kun, I'm going home now," Arina smiled wanly. "Goodnight."

Everything was weighing down this young girl's shoulders. She had kept her mind lucid and thought it over. They will do it nevertheless, even if she will show no sign of caring for her loved ones. Because they will acknowledge that she figured it out. The only thing she can do now, Arina drew her breath, was to call her father and talk it over.

"Yes, my dear Father, I will do whatever you tell me to, so please leave them alone, alright?"

["My underlings will still gonna watch you, understood?"]

"I'm very much aware, Father. I don't mind either! it feels less lonely this way indeed. I've always wanted to come home and tell you stories at school and how I've been so I reckon having them constantly reporting my activities to you is almost as if you are here with me instead -- how very lovely."

["Oh, my little dove, I thought the same way. And for now, just remain where you are, okay? It's the only order I have for you, that's all."]

Arina soon ended the call and slid to the ground. In her imagination, she had always been a great heroin who saved the day, but the reality? Not so much, and that made her sob in the depth of despair.

"I'm so weak and useless," she wiped her uncontrollable tears, hugging her knees whilst hopelessly burying her face in her thighs. Snowflakes stacked and covered the windows, bringing a series of darkness into the room.

Not until the next morning did the snow melt and sunray once again beamed through the windows of her room, and so was Arina. She was again, as bright as sunshine as though nothing in the world could drag her down. That was the best about her -- she never wallow in the depth of despair for too long.

Crying isn't weak. We are allowed to cry, but what comes after is what is important. We either have a choice to stand up or continue to grieve. And that morning Arina splashed cold water onto her face and lectured her reflection in fiery determination.

"You AREN'T weak! You AREN'T useless, princess Adeliya!! You, Miss, disappointed me beyond measure!! It's been my experience that the strongest person in the world is one who always put on the most genuine smile despite whatever adversity might come at them. Because they won't ever know how to give up! And perseverance will train them to be far from 'useless'! Say it to me that you are one, Adeliya gir-- no, WOMAN! -- I am strong and capable! -- Alright, today you will pay a visit to the deceases you failed to protect and announce you're going to wreak vengeance! And then you will get those KGB agents out of their disguise and manipulate them to side with you, by then you will be able to absorb the hidden information, understood? -- Roger, myself!!"

But oh boy planning was easy yet the actual implementation was difficult. It was hard to believe but except for days when she was away, Arina had always been visiting the victims of the 'Tragic Fate of the Outcasts' at least once a week. They were days she only came with some flowers, asking how they'd been and prayed and left out of her busy schedule. But if she wasn't busy, she would sit and confide to them her stories and feelings -- both non-fiction and fiction.

"Should a princess fight? I imagined a good deal lately and it is quite a difficult situation. I love my kingdom dearly, and as a ruler -- isn't it odd to be called a princess rather than a queen? But I like it better that way, princess sounds ever so much lovelier and fitter to be married to prince Boris *dreamy sigh* anyway -- I would do everything in my power to protect my people, but then I reckon soldiers from other kingdoms are probably only following whatever was told by their monarch, if they don't it will be treason -- oh, poor souls," Arina picked a wildflower beside her while laying next to the graves afterschool, examining its beauty under the sunset sky.

"And even if I defeated them in the war, they will only come back at me with more aggression -- that's the never-ending cycle of fighting. I guess it is just how living beings are biologically wired -- to fight for survival and pride. Oh dear, only if there is a way -- oh, there IS a way! In my opinion it's totally possible for the world to shift from physical fights to mind fights and if I have to choose between the two mind fights are so much better because AT LEAST it inflicts only one when the other is just both getting hurt physically and mentally. So in conclusion! A princess in the modern world-- why the modern world you ask, Maeda-chan? -- it is because the modern world is ever more sympathetic than the ancient world given the internet gave us the access to be unified as a whole, to better connect with each other (A/n: but really it weakens us somehow whoever said 2020 is the worst year in history you're a dumbass) -- so a princess in this time would be able to establish policies to secure peace without fighting -- it is such a brilliant decision! Without any fighting I wouldn't fear that my silky dress would be ruined -- it's always better to love each other than fighting in loops -- only physically I mean, because the world wouldn't function properly without mind fights, without trading and stuff. What are your thoughts, Sakura-chan?"

Sakura remained quiet as always, and Arina smiled at her.

"I suppose you agree with me, Sakura-chan -- oh, look! Miyake-chan and Usagi-chan also agree! How very wonderful that you all do."

The Normadian Shepherd she felt sorry for killing was also given a well-deserved grave (she built it with sticks, leaves, flowers, and a hand-drawn portrait of the dog). Arina kneeled in front of the grave and began sobbing.

"My sin is indeed unforgivable," she mourned, "It WILL be for a while, not until I wreak vengeance on those who commanded you, I will be free of my sin. O-o-oh, my good boy, rest in peace, I'm so extremely sorry. One day, I will fly up there, up - up - up in the sky, riding in the wind, asking the birds for the direction to heaven, and then, we will be seeing each other once more and it will be pretty much different this time."

Arina kissed the very portrait she drew (more than once) and proceeded with her plan for the day. How to spot a KGB agent? Well, it depended on her intuition then. Arina sauntered down the streets and dragged her cautious eyes around.

Kunugigaoka streets had always been lively. News appeared on the big screens everywhere, today it blasted with the Iran Prime Minister will going to be put under house arrest until his death for nationalizing the British-owned Anglo-Iranian old company. Adults walking home from work; youngsters hanging out after school; children traveling in groups for safety; there and then there were old ladies chatting with the grocery store owners before leaving as if they were long-life friends. And all of them weren't too unfamiliar with Arina's presence.

The national people person she was, one arm to wave hello wasn't enough, so she used up two.

"Hi, auntie Tsujitani! Hello there, uncle Atsu! Oh my, and you, my girl, I think we have taken a photo with each other a week ago, remember?" winked Arina at a schoolgirl on the street as she squealed in delight.

So far there hadn't been anyone whom she didn't know or suspect. Arina sighed and placed a hand on her forehead in a sense of hopelessness. They could be impersonating someone she knew too, but based on their mannerisms Arina just had to believe they were the real ones.

Childish girl she relapsed into reveries again! Most hilariously she already imagined herself to be the new savior of the world even though she was still zero steps into her plans. Perhaps she was overly confident, who knew?

'Oh mother fathers!' Arina immediately snapped out of her reveries when she spotted a random working man stopping by a takoyaki counter, the ring on his thumb glinted when he received the take-out box.

'On the cold afternoon of January 17, Arina Avenira, ex-member of ONE had gone insane after all the traumas she had gone through lately' was what the news reporters wrote. 'She physically attacked Mr. Hiroshi Kenzo when he was stopping by to buy some Takoyaki on the way home. Mr. Hiroshi was reported to have remarkably fifty scratch marks on his face. When asked, Ms. Avenira said, "B-B-But he wears a ring on his THUMB!" and accused him of being an imposter. Nobody understands her true motive. Regardless of Mr. Hiroshi's forgiveness, Ms. Avenira was taken into custody for her act of violence. However, at 5:30 p.m. her 'bosom friend' Asano Gakushuu happened to show up and convinced the authority to release her, to this day we still don't know the truth behind their suspicious relationship.'

"Are you out of your mind!?!"

Asano raised his voice at Arina as she wept.

"No-o-o-- it was so close-e-e--"

"I told you to wait for me until my student council meeting is over haven't I?!" rebuked Asano, and letting out a sigh, he crossed his arms. "I mustn't lose control over you, otherwise--"

"Control!" gasped Arina. "Oh, Asano-kun, it isn't a bit lovely to control YOUR bosom friend!"

"For you it MUST be!" he retorted, yanking her arm forward to his black limousine. "Now get in the car and don't wind up in any trouble on the way home."

Asano was surprised when Arina sent the force back at him and pulled her arm back.

"I. can. not. succeed if not facing troubles!" she declared with fiery ambition. "And mind you, Asano-kun, controlling your personal relationships can be a very - very uncertain thing and you're very lucky to have me who is undeniably philosophical and understanding that you might start to adore me later for it."

Bosom friends often showed signs of imitating each other subconsciously and obviously it was Arina that had taken on Asano's and no doubt that he saw it himself too, lowkey wishing that she never did.

Arina's rebellious side was a sight for his love-hate intricacy. He did love that she was acting challenging (but not too much or it will rebound), though sometimes her submissiveness melt his heart whenever she was done with her rebellious phase. But for now he would rather prefer her to be submissive than anything, why? Because it seemed like Arina had an odd belief in her, that her body of a mere mortal would survive no matter what -- not even being roasted alive by a dragon could kill her (in Arina's mind). She was peculiar, because it seemed like she can't experience pain, as if she was immune to it. Whenever she lived her life on her principle -- thrill, it was -- Asano always had to jump in and saved her at the end of the day. Funnily, she once said:

"You, my dear, are my thrill-seeking companion! It seems to me you enjoy it a lot! I will surely take you out to more aspects of thrills and you will be loving it!"

William Atkinson did not lie when he discovered the law of attraction, because Arina had a full grasp of it. 'I surely am an lucky girl disguised as a unlucky girl and the other way around' -- Arina Avenira. She loved thrills, and she needn't seek it because they came naturally to her, and Asano did not like that. Only if she would stay still as he commanded, then she will be free of thrills, or dangers in Asano's definition.

Perhaps Kame -- that freak Seo brought over last time -- might be telling the truth? That Arina would suffer a horrible death if she continued to be like this? That freaked the hell out of Asano as he breathed heavily. Seeing all those recent accidents was enough for him to want to control her at all costs, but oh precious heart she didn't listen and ran off to the graves, then to the city streets and scratched a random man's face and was taken into custody. Just why? Perhaps she was not sane all this time?

You know Asano's love had ascended to another level when he insisted on keeping her safe at all costs, even if it will cost him his image in her eyes -- he abused the unbalanced power level between him and Arina to drag her back to his car, basically lifted her off the ground with ease and draped her on his left shoulder. His tight arm gripped around her abdomen despite Arina yelping how much it hurts!

Here came Arina's third energy attack she named along with Taro (Blade) -- The Aftermath Rainbow of Rainy Season -- unfortunately Asano was immune to it and could be leaving her to cry for weeks as she wished. But hey! She wasn't faking it! It wasn't her fault that she was using it unintentionally. It was rather difficult for Arina that the world would soon be doomed and she was trying to save it and her loved ones by implementing her plan but got stopped by everyone she came across and the rush of feeling helpless was back at her throat. Meanwhile, Asano merely thought she was using her tears against him so he plainly ignored her, simply drove her back home and started his special tutoring hours to aim her at a higher score next exam and called it a day.

Never in Arina's dream that she would miss Seo this much as she soon realized how much of a stress reliever he was. How had he been over at Ren's house? Had they made up yet?

The truth was, not so much, because Seo respected his leader too much that he refused by any chance to go against his will. Despite his girlfriend's -- Tsuchiya Kaho -- lack of commitment and whiny attitude, he still dated her up until this day. Though it was undeniable that those two really suited each other because Seo wasn't any better than her. He was willing to cheat on her with the girls Ren invited over to his mansion and maybe for Seo that was the only fun aspect of life after his house was burned down. Nevertheless, he still treated Ren poorly as though he was of lower status than him but whenever he did, the girls didn't like it, so gritting his teeth in bitterness and grief, he had to pretend to have forgiven Ren.

"So tell me, Seo, who is your favorite lady~?" asked Ren whilst the girls were flocking around him. He was throwing a pool party tonight with his massive harem as it was a part of his week schedule.

"Oh please! Every chick here isn't at the same level as the supreme gentleman like me," scoffed Seo. The girls were provoked and gathered up to hit him.

"Now - now, ladies, calm down. Seo! Don't break these ladies' hearts," warned Ren as he instantly received plenty of compliments from the girls.

"Ren-kun is the REAL supreme gentleman!"

"Why can't all guys in the world be like Ren-kun?"

"Tomoya-kun, I think you should learn from Ren-kun how to treat girls properly."

The more Seo gritted his teeth to endure his hatred toward Ren, the more he failed at it and the girls hated him more as a result. And what a coincidence that Morikawa Mika and Tanaka Sekai were also present to snicker and scoff at him.

"These chicks are everywhere!?!" ejaculated Seo when he saw the two.

"We are invited here on occasion, isn't it, Sakakibara-kun?" Tanaka winked at Ren. Morikawa went over and whispered something in Ren's ear.

"Again? But haven't I told you I'm not around her lately anymore?" he answered wide-eyed.

"What is it?" Seo raised an eyebrow.

"Why do you need to know?" Morikawa crossed her arms, giving him a scornful look.

If there was a battle to pick out the b*itchiest person, who would win? Morikawa, Tanaka, Seo, or his girlfriend? Despite sharing the same characteristic, Seo couldn't bring himself to like these two. When realizing that Ren had no sort of use anymore, Morikawa and Tanaka began to ignore him. Not until he got bored with all the girls in the scene and complained that they popped an idea inside their heads which were full of malicious tendencies.

"Anyone here knows Shirayuki Sae's number?" Ren desperately asked, sighing. The girls upon listening to what he said, stopped, blinked in disbelief, and began exchanging glances.

"Ren-kun, you are interested in that nerd?" one looked directly into Ren's eyes whilst speaking up.

"Who is she by the way?"

"She's from our school."

"Ooh, is she the one to score the highest in the Kunugigaoka Talent Show?"

"Ren-kun, I don't think she is a match for you," one of them whined, and quickly, every other joined her.

"That's right! She slapped you across the face the last time, remember?"

"Seriously!?"

"How could she!?!"

Very rapidly, the scene escalated into total chaos. Seo was getting the drink on the other side of the pool and by his eagerness for another drama, he ran to their spot to inquire whatever was going on. Ren felt like wanting to undo what he just blurted out of desperation. Fortunately, after the evil sneer of revelation from Morikawa and Tanaka, they discussed with each other in secret on their plan and stepped into the scene to resolve the drama.

"We will get her number for you and set you two on a date by the end of this week, deal?" Morikawa said on behalf of her and Tanaka.

That 3-A senpai was such a useless human being. But Ren, on the other hand, would be a mile more effective than him. And now that they had a grasp of his weakness, he will be their puppet for now. Little did anyone know, these two b*tches were pushing this to a whole other level, they were going to strip Arina Avenira of her reputation and force a huge scandal on her.

Seo noticed Morikawa and Tanaka's expressions turned dark and as they laughed in a touch of evilness upon being out of Ren's earshot whilst he couldn't help but felt cynical.