The next day, as they were busy working, Licht was in Liebe's office. There was a knock.
Licht said, "I'll get it." As Licht opened the door, it was a girl.
Licht said, "Can I help you, miss?"
The girl said, "I'm Mia. Can I talk to the Fleet Admiral, if at all possible?"
Licht said, "Umm, he's a bit busy." As the girl teared up, she said, "Please, Admiral."
Licht said, "Okay." Licht then called out, "Liebe, you have a visitor."
Liebe said, "Okay."
As she came in, she saluted Liebe and said, "Fleet Admiral, can I please talk?" She was trembling.
Liebe said, "Of course. Please sit down."
As she was trembling a bit, it was obvious she had clearly been crying. Liebe said, "Licht, get her a glass of water."
Licht said, "Sure."
Liebe said, "Now, Mia, please state the issue. Take your time."
Mia said, "My rank is Recruit. I'm a commoner under Admiral Licht."
Liebe said, "Okay, then."
Mia said, "I'm in my second year, but currently, someone has been bullying me, and it's gotten harsh. He mocks me, and even if we are in combat exercises, it's just miserable."
Liebe said, "Why not tell someone so far?"
Mia said, "I tried, but everyone said since he is a direct relative of one of the admirals, it's all pointless. I tried to talk to Admiral Licht, but he is far too busy. So that's why it was hard for a commoner like me."
Licht bowed before her and said, "I apologize for not being able to see the problem. It is my failure as a superior."
Liebe said, "Now, go on. Who is he?"
Mia said, "He is Rear Admiral Eosian Bouduin. He has been harsh to everyone in class, especially to the commoners such as myself. Even if Mrs. Nior and Aile try to stop him, he doesn't listen. And everyone agrees with whatever he says because he is the younger brother of Admiral Mrs. Alyssa."
Liebe said, "Okay, then. Let me write down the issue. Is it okay if I see your combat scores, etc.?"
Mia said, "Of course, sir."
After seeing them, Liebe said, "Your theoretical and combat scores are exceptionally high. You should be at least a Rear Admiral. So why are you a Recruit?"
Mia said, "Whenever I try, everyone says it's pointless, and Eosian and others just laugh, stating it's impossible for someone like me."
Liebe said, "Licht, get the file ready. And listen, Mia. It's not impossible because you are a commoner. It's impossible because you are not trying. But it's your choice. Most people don't know this, but I'm a half-breed. I'm even lower than commoners."
Mia said, "But you, sir—"
Liebe said, "If you try, even you can reach it."
Licht said, "The file is ready."
Liebe said, "Mia, you may leave now. And Licht, call Alyssa."
Licht said, "Sure."
After Mia left, Licht said, "You sure about this? This is going to be hard on her, since Eosian is basically the only decent family she has left except her dad. Great dude, by the way. Amazing personality. Very cool, chill dude."
Liebe said, "You done sugar-coating?"
Licht said, "Yeah, I'm done."
Liebe said, "Yeah, I'm sure. She needs to do this because Mia is someone Alyssa once was. I'm sure she can understand Mia's pain more than anyone—someone whose dreams are laughed at."
Licht said, "Okay, then." As he called Alyssa.
As Alyssa came in, she said, "What happened?"
Liebe said, "Take a look at this file."
As Alyssa looked through the complaint, she said, "I see the issue. I apologize."
Liebe said, "It's okay. So what do you plan to do?"
Alyssa said, "Talk to Mia myself, apologize, and sadly, suspend Eosian."
Licht said, "If you have decided, why talk to Mia?"
Alyssa said, "To apologize personally. Because I know if you two are saying this, it's the truth, since you can tell between truth and lies. And I doubt you would have called me if it was a lie. I doubt I would be needed."
Liebe said, "Yes. Deal with it as you see fit."
Alyssa said, "Sure," as she took the file and left.
While she and Licht were walking, Licht said, "Alyssa."
Alyssa said, "Yeah?"
Licht said, "How is your day, month, year going?"
Alyssa said, "Good. Why? What happened?"
Licht said, "You know, just asking. How is the air right now? Any problems with the air density?"
Alyssa said, "Fine, I guess."
Licht said, "Great, great, great, great, great. You do know Liebe is a dumbass, right?"
Alyssa said, "I mean, yeah. We did grow up together, so of course I kinda knew that."
Licht said, "Great, great, great. I just wanted to say, whatever just happened, it's totally Liebe's fault. I told him it was too personal for you, and I would have definitely handled it myself. And even though M is a muscle-brain, I'm sure she could possibly have done it. And I'm sorry again that you have to do it and all."
Alyssa said, "No, Licht, I'm glad it was me. He is my brother; I should handle it. It's only fair."
Licht said, "Yeah, yeah, all that is great and all, but are you sure about this? Knowing how difficult Eosian is and all. Of course, Nior and Aile are great—perfect, even. The best people I know, so delightful."
Alyssa said, "Licht, I see what you are trying to do, and trust me, I know sugar-coating when I see it."
Licht said, "I just want to know: are you actually sure about this?"
Alyssa said, "I'm... Shouldn't you be the one to handle it if it was Rosa?"
Licht said, "Yeah, if it was her, then yeah. But my sister is far too lazy for that, you know."
Alyssa said, "Yeah, I know. I got it covered. Don't worry about it."
Licht said, "Why are you so insistent on this matter?"
Alyssa said, "Because this isn't just a complaint. This complaint is both the past and future for me. That's why. This girl, Mia—she is someone who is losing and turning into the person I was. And if I can actually do what is needed, then it means I was able to be free from the past. The past that only vanished because Liebe was there to break my chains. So I have to do this. It's my responsibility as an admiral, same as you guys."
Licht said, "I get it, but why are you forcing this on yourself? No one will blame you if you let me do it."
Alyssa said, "No, Licht. It wouldn't be right because I have a dream. A dream where there is a small room with a balcony, a view of the beach, blue carpets, a single bed, a small couch, a coffee table with a fruit basket, and a table with a single chair. A dream where the table is covered with unorganized pictures of Liebe and me, with a glass of red mojito, while all I'm doing is sitting in the chair and writing our to-do list for the day, as Liebe watches me from behind, with an engagement ring on my ring finger. As we spend each day just talking, waking up together, and going to sleep together. I'm fighting to make that dream a reality, just like how we are all fighting to make each of our dreams a reality."
Licht said, "Okay, then. I won't stop you. And good luck. Also, you know what? Give that dumbass Eosian a few kicks in the nuts for me."
Alyssa said, "I will."
Licht said, "And I don't know if you ever noticed, in your dream, I was probably in there somewhere, sleeping on the floor, probably. But I was definitely there, okay?"
Alyssa laughed and said, "Sure, maybe on a leash under the bed."
Licht said, "Now that's more like it. Make me proud. Also, I still think Liebe is a dumbass."
Alyssa said, "Same. But he is the dumbass I love more than anything."