"We live as we die, and die as we live." - Edward Counsel, MAXIMS

"I give up..."

Yuri who was sitting beside the window removed her stare from the window and focused on the friend who was sitting in front, "anything wrong Erin?"

The girl Yuri called Erin removed the glasses from her face and cleaned it before she addressed Yuri's question, "it's nothing... I just can't finish the essay we are supposed to pass."

"The essay that Miss Miho wanted us to write. But that's easy..."

"That's the problem... is Big brother around?"

Yuri shrugged and continued staring outside the window making Erin sigh, "You asked the wrong girl."

Erin looked up and was greeted by a girl wearing pigtails and large glasses, "oh hey Karen... do you happen to know if big brother... I mean where Drake is?"

The girl looked offended and Erin smiled weakly, "of course I do! He's at the rooftop; well he's always there during these hours anyway."

"Thank you! I'll be sure to ask you of his whereabouts next time."

Karen smiled and walked back to her seat fully satisfied with what she did, "she's scary..."

Erin chuckled and continued scribbling notes, "a bit but she's also nice... in a weird way."

Yuri smiled, "She's the president of Drake Law's fan club... define weird."

"Hey guys..."

Erin closed her notebook and greeted the newcomer, "hullo Ran... what brings the student council Secretary to our class?"

Yuri smirked, "probably a message from Drake... wife duties..."

Rainier blushed a bit and tried to hit Yuri who easily evaded while chuckling, "Drake wants to meet us at the rooftop. He said there was something he would be telling us."

"But don't we have class?"

"Oh was your class not informed? It was self-study period since an hour ago. The teachers decided to have a meeting before winter break."

Erin pointed at the class rep with her lips, "I think Jeremy is too busy to deal with stuff like informing us of the study break."

Rainier and Yuri followed Erin's line of sight and both sighed seeing the class rep surrounded by girls from different classes. Jeremy felt the stare and sent a wink which had the girls make the same disgusted face.

"Eww."

"Aw come on guys... Jeremy is pretty good looking. I heard he was offered to join Johnny's Entertainment but he declined. Plus he almost reached Yuri's scores overall."

"That's because I don't take competition seriously... but if you keep comparing me to that freak, I'll be serious next time. Anyway let's go. "

"To big brother?"

Yuri nodded and stood before taking her bags, Erin and Rainier (who already has his bags with him) followed suit...

"Erin! Are you going to meet with Drake?"

"Sir Rainier!!! Can you sign these please? I forgot to have your signature fixed and President wants them today."

Yuri leaned on the doorframe as Rainier discussed with the clumsy first year and Erin politely declining Karen's request to get a lock of Drake's hair for her collection.

"Hey..."

"What do you want?"

Jeremy leaned on the other side of the door frame, "I almost caught up with you."

"And?"

The class representative smirked and patted Yuri's head, "I just want to tell you that after winter break... I'll be taking over your spot."

Yuri sighed and pushed the guy from the doorframe as she saw Erin and Rainier finish with the disruptions, "goodluck a-hole.. do your best"

"What did he want with you?"

Yuri shrugged, "nothing important... you know how that guy is."

The three walked towards the rooftop in silence complete contrast to the bustling corridors filled with students enjoying their last day in school.

"Big Brother? You here?"

A hand shot out of the corner and Drake's brown hair followed, "Here! What took you guys so long? I'm hungry!"

Rainier threw melon bread at the older one and snorted, "You should have asked your minions or your fans club to bring you food."

"Aw... is my wife jealous? Don't worry dear... I haven't replaced you."

"As if I wish to even be your wife! Shut up!"

Drake chuckled and opened the melon bread Rainier bought for him. Erin took a seat beside the now eating third year while Yuri and Rainier opted to sit across them.

"So what is the meeting agenda for today?"

Drake temporarily closed the melon bread and sat a little straighter, "you guys have anywhere to go this winter break?"

"My sister and I will probably be visiting our parents this break... oh and of course finish the homework."

Erin chuckled and patted Rainier's back, "as expected of you Mr. Secretary. I'll be staying at home this break... we don't have any immediate plans... Yuu?"

Yuri answered, "Sleep..."

Drake laughed, "ah the answers as I expected... I'm taking you three with me and because of your boring plans, I don't accept no as an answer."

"But the homework..."

Drake mumbled, "idiot straight A..."

Rainier huffed and massaged his forehead, "fine. I can do it while we stay wherever you are taking us."

"Ah right... where will you be taking us?"

The third year grinned, "To my great grandfather's house. I need to check on my inheritance."

"Great grandfather? Inheritance?"

Drake nodded and waved a letter that was previously hidden on the breast pocket of his uniform. "This came a week ago... it said I inherited a house from a great grandfather who I don't know about plus the contact details of the lawyer who has the will. I called him yesterday and it seemed genuine enough so we shall go and investigate."

"Is it safe Drake? I mean, you just got the letter and you don't even know if that person is really related to you or not."

Drake scoffed and raised his voice slightly, "of course I checked that already Rainier! I'm not stupid! I called mother over the phone and she said it was a relative in dad's side but a bit distant. She was the one who suggested I see the house if I want it or not."

Erin whispered, "um... Yuki... the sky seems brighter today no?"

Yuri chuckled, "yeah..."

"I wasn't implying you were stupid Drake, I was just saying you have to double-check stuff for validity. Especially if you want to go there personally... what if that's a trap?"

"A trap? Why would you set a trap for a third year student? Does that even make any sense?"

Rainier sighed, "Enough... I wasn't picking a fight. I just wanted you to be careful. It won't do well if you just go with your impulses."

"And I was saying that I am not just going with my impulses..."

Yuri sighed and raised her hand, "Quit it. You each have given your sides... don't make a simple discussion last long."

Drake finished his melon bread and Rainier checked his bag for anything he might have forgotten. Erin and Yuri shared a knowing shake of their head.

"Let's go home..."

The three nodded and got ready to go home, there won't be any classes left for that day so they can go. As soon as the four students walk at the school corridors, other students would part... some in fear, some in awe, some in respect and some just following the norm.

"They are a weird bunch... I can't understand how a popular guy, member of student council and those average girls get together..."

"I know right? Master Drake doesn't allow anyone except the other three to get close to him..."

"Sir Rainier must be making sure the other three does not go out of line..."

"Who are the girls with Master Drake and Sir Rainier?"

"That's Miss Erin and Miss Yuri... you need to be wary of them... cause they are under Master Drake's protection and he's scary"

"Really?"

"Yeah I heard he was able to knock 10 guys down all by himself."

Yuri lightly nudged Rainier's shoulder and smiled, "looks like we have unnecessary issues again..."

Erin chuckled, "everything's because of big brother..."

Drake grinned, "Hey... be thankful you guys get to have some of my fame rain on you."

Rainier tsked and the rest laughed... at the school gate, the four friends each went on their way after confirming the time and place where they would meet for their winter break adventure.

note: all images here do not belong to me (taken from google images). credits to the owners