The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

SEEING the car, Reas had only realized then that his brother was actually driving a car.  He should have thought of that first when he saw Astrid sitting on the driver's seat.  But he was side-tracked by Astrid's request of meeting up with the general. 

But now that he knew that his brother was driving an unknown car with an unknown passenger, who might or might not be unconscious, he realized that this situation might probably be a bit more serious than he thought it was.

Just as he had that realization, the car finally landed.  The driver's seat opened and Astrid walked down.

Wulfric, who had been anticipating the landing of the car, focused all his gaze on the figure that walked out.  That slim frame, that soft black hair, and those uniquely shaped dark eyes – every feature just drew him to the other.  Like a moth to a flame.  Aster simply just had that effect on him.

Of course, it's not just because of his beautiful face.  No, it wasn't because of something so superficial.  Maybe it was because of Aster's character, the way he handled himself in every situation.  Or maybe it was simply because of his strength, courage, and spunk. 

Wulfric really didn't know the answer.  He only knew one thing right now.  That he couldn't take his eyes off of Aster.  He wanted to stare at him for a long time and engraved his image in his heart.

Slade, who felt very surprised after seeing the teenager walked out of the car, was even more surprised after seeing the captain's expression.  It's like looking at someone staring at his most favorite thing in the universe.  Or in this situation, a person. 

But that's not the point.  The point was, the captain had never had this expression before.  Especially not towards a person.  With just that one look, Slade could tell that the teenager was not just an ordinary existence to the captain.  He even had a feeling that he was probably very special.

It made him stare at the teenager again more closely.  Yes, he must admit that the other was far from ordinary.  At least in the looks department, that is.  It was not everyday that one could see a person with both black hair and black eyes. 

There's this kind of exoticism in him.  Especially with the shape of his eyes.  The way it tilted upwards at the end, it's almost like giving someone that hither-on look.  Which was probably enough to seduce most people.

But the captain was not just most people.  So, there should definitely be something more to this teenager aside from his face.

Reas, on the other hand, quickly rushed towards his brother.  He looked him up and down, making sure that there was no injury on him.  He was only able to let out a sigh of relief once he found that the other was fine.

He wanted to ask what was this 'situation' that needed Astrid to go here just so he could ask for some kind of help from the general.  But before he could do so, someone suddenly spoke beside him and spoke first.

"Aster, did you encounter any problems entering the academy?" Wulfric asked.

Astrid turned to Wulfric and was a bit surprised.  Because the other was wearing his military uniform.  He hadn't noticed it from the call earlier.  But now that he'd seen it, he was pleasantly surprised. 

Most military uniforms of the Empire were black.  But the Fenris Squad had their own designated color.  Which was white, representing the 'White Wolf of Aluna'. 

Wulfric was wearing his in a rather informal way.  Some of the buttons were undone, showing a bit of his clavicle and upper chest.  His white hair was in a mess.  Like the kind of mess where the hair was properly combed and then ruffled.  If Astrid were to make a bet, he would guess that Wulfric messed up his own hair.  Probably hated that it was combed properly.  Just like how he hated wearing his uniform properly.  That was, well, so Wulfric-like.

"No, I entered the place very smoothly," he said with a smile.  "Thank you."

"Well, I did tell them not to hinder the incoming guest," an unfamiliar voice suddenly said in a rather playful way.  "Hi, I'm Slade Elmer, a captain from Fenris Squad."

Astrid turned to the tall man who walked beside Wulfric.  He had red hair and a very discernable muscular body.  He smiled at the other.  "Then, I should probably also thank you."

Slade was a bit disarmed by that smile.  It's a good thing that he was never really that much of a face-con or else, he might have been greatly affected by that smile.  "You're Aster, correct?"

"Don't call him that," Wulfric and Reas almost said at the same time.

The two glanced at each other, clearly surprised that they were talking of the same thing.  It was Wulfric who took his gaze back and turned to Slade.

"Don't call him that," he repeated, a bit more annoyed.

Slade raised both his hands as if in surrender.  "Okay," he said, more amused rather than curious by the two's reaction.

"I'm Astrid Townsend, Andreas' brother," Astrid said before any of the three argued about his nickname again.  Which was rather cute in his opinion, by the way.  "It's nice to meet you, Captain Elmer."

"You too," Slade said.

Although he was already expecting that this teenager was the 'brother' that Reas had mentioned earlier, it was still quite surprising.  After all, the two didn't look anything like each other.

"Aster, just what kind of situation are you in right now?" Reas said, finally asking the question he had been meaning to ask since earlier.

"Ahm, I think it's better if I showed you first," Astrid said with a bit of an awkward smile.  Then, he walked to the back of the car and opened the trunk, showing two unconscious men.  "It's this kind of 'situation'."

And the first thing that came out of Reas mouth was, "You didn't kill them, right?"