Unclassified; Zero and Still Standing

Inside the bus was quiet. Only the rhythmic sound of the smooth engine could be heard.

The rain was still thundering outside. Rain slashed violently against the windows.

Class 11-D, formerly Squad 11-D, occupied the seats.

Although completely drenched, they all had relieved looks on their faces. Most were already drifting off to sleep.

The chairs served as more comforting beds than the cement they had been forced to sleep in.

Yesu sat at the back of the bus by the window.

The world outside was as grey as it had been since the day began.

She glanced at the empty seat next to hers for a minute, then returned her attention to the window.

Miss Heaven came into the back compartment.

The students didn’t bother looking tense.

As far as they were concerned, they had been through enough to care about whatever happened next.

Miss Heaven’s eyes scanned the compartment.

"The Scales." She said.

Soraya stood from her seat, walked over to her and relinquished the pouch.

They held each other’s gaze evenly.

Soraya’s eyes narrowed.

Miss Heaven gave the best intrigued expression she could manage.

She felt the light weight of the Scale pouch in her palm, gave a small snort and headed back to the front.

Soraya returned to her seat and retired with an exhausted sigh.

Isaiah was in the seat next to hers. He had been watching her brief interaction with their homeroom instructor.

Immediately she sat down, he snapped his head to the window.

Soraya pretended like she hadn’t noticed.

She looked around at her classmates, taking into account the fact that they all seemed satisfied.

At least for now.

"We made the right decision." Isaiah said suddenly.

Soraya faced him. "I hope so."

Isaiah gave her small reassuring smile. "You’ll see."

Just then, Mr Ryco walked into the compartment.

"Hello, everyone."

Although his voice was calm, many dozing students instantly woke up.

"I want to formally congratulate you." He had dropped the supervisor act and was now back on teacher mode. "It is evident that these past few days haven’t been easy."

Someone snorted from behind. "No kidding."

Mr Ryco’s eyes found the speaker almost immediately.

"Nevertheless, I trust that despite all adversities, many of you have acquired something even greater. Skills and experiences that will last you a lifetime."

A few nonchalant sighs followed. Skills and experiences. Who gave a damn about that?

"Being forced to push past your limits, some of you may have improved in Ranks."

At the mention of that, many students perked up. Now, this was worth something.

Mr Ryco seemed a bit pleased at the expected reaction.

"As usual, Rankings will be cross-checked and updated, along with Trial point aggregates when lessons resume next week."

Groans and mummers sounded through the bus.

After enduring such a terrible week, they only got a two day break?

Mr Ryco looked even more tired than when he had dropped by at their Base two days ago. The bags under his eyes were heavy.

"Don’t worry, all arrangements for your journeys home have already been made. You shall depart immediately we arrive at Echelon."

That seemed to calm them down a little.

Mr Ryco glanced around one last time. "Well done everyone. You did good." He turned to leave the compartment.

"Where’s Finch?"

He paused and turned back.

Yesuin Kaelitha was staring at him. Her clear grey eyes looked straight into his, unblinking. With no inhibitions whatsoever.

Mr Ryco managed a smile.

"He’s currently at a hospital in Central City." He replied gently.

Then he addressed everyone.

"If you want to, you can all pay a visit together as a class."

Many heads nodded in reply.

"Yeah sure."

"Let’s see how that lazy ass’s holding up."

"Can’t believe he actually fought a senior and survived."

Someone laughed. Others soon followed. Not long after, discussions started flowing naturally.

Yesu kept staring at Mr Ryco till he left.

***

Echelon Academy’s parking lot was busier than ever.

Long buses kept piling in, bringing students back from the Trials.

Many sleek cars were already waiting. To pick up respective owners back home.

The academy had provided special return buses for students who didn’t have anyone to pick them up.

The weather was still depressingly grey when 11-D’s bus drove through the massive gates but the rain here was only drizzling.

And it was already getting late.

The students eagerly trooped out of the vehicle into the lot.

The whole place was rowdy. Friends and family reuniting.

Yesu came down from the bus with her backpack slung over her shoulder.

She looked around. No particularly familiar faces.

Zoom.

A blur sped into her presence.

The force shifted her a step backwards. Her hair flew into her face from the sudden breeze.

She pushed it back.

Ava stood before her, wide eyed. With both hands behind her back.

Smiling.

Yesu felt an unfamiliar warmth spread in her chest.

A small smile appeared on her face.

In the next second, Ava threw herself on her in a tight hug.

"Yesu!"

"Hey, Ava."

Yesu stood stiff but smiling nonetheless.

"I’ve missed you." Ava said heartily.

Yesu didn’t know what to say. No one had ever said that to her before, not that she could recall.

Ava let go, reached into her pocket and produced their colourful matching bracelets.

In a blink of an eye she had already slid Yesu’s bracelet on her and put on hers as well.

"Thank goodness I thought of keeping them aside during Trials, we might’ve lost them." Ava said proudly. "But then again, even if we did I could just get another thread imported."

Yesu stared at her bracelet. She had almost forgotten what the colourful beads that spelt out her name looked like, almost forgotten the good feel of the silk thread.

Imported silk thread.

She looked at Ava. "You’ve gotten faster."

Ava giggled.

"I know. But I’m not going to tell my mum yet. I’m waiting for the update next week. It’ll be a surprise."

A tall elegant man in a suit walked over to them.

"Miss Moore." He said to Ava.

Ava perked up. "This is my cue. See you on Monday."

"Sure."

Ava waved. "Bye."

Yesu watched her walk away with the man, who she presumed was the butler.

The drizzle was getting heavier.

All around, students had started departing.

Yesu decided not to take one of the Academy’s special buses. She would ride her bicycle back to Arrow’s instead.

She began walking towards the gate, to the building that served as security.

The security handled all student bicycle storage throughout the week.

Just as she was about to reach the entrance of the building—

Beep.

Yesu turned.

A posh black vehicle had stopped a few meters behind her. Lights on. Wipers wiping away rain drops from the windshield.

A smile crept on Yesu’s face.

She walked over to the passengers side. The door opened before she got to it.

She slid in and closed the door shut.

"Good evening, Arrow." She greeted with a grin.

Arrow looked over his spectacles, studying her. He seemed to be searching for something.

It didn’t take more than a moment.

Then he faced forward and drove them away from Echelon Academy.

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