Riddle in the Mist

Chapter 8 "Light appeared"

"Now miss, you are my buddy for this semester. Mind saying something? Like your name?" said Sora.

Iris still ignored Sora, focusing on the professor's discussion. She didn't like the idea of a buddy system but she doesn't have any choice but to follow it.

After 4 hours of Sociology class with applied science discussion the class for this day has finally ended.

"I want an essay about the topic that we discussed. Be sure to email it on my account." said the professor before he left the room.

Each of the students started to leave the room.

"Miss, if you don't want to say something both our grades will suffer because of your behavior." said Sora. Iris stared at him. "If you will please tell me your name, as simple as that." he added.

"My name Is Iris" said Iris who immediately left.

"Wait her name was Iris.." Sora was thinking of something, that name was so familiar. "Don't tell me she is Iris Eirlenhive from the Eirlenhive family!?" Sora rushed towards the door. He wanted to catch up to the girl who became his buddy.

The two finally met at the school ground near the school cafeteria.

"Wait, miss." shouted Sora but Iris never turned to look at him "Wait Iris!" he shouted.

Iris turned to look at the person who shouted her name and saw Sora who was breathing fast, clearly tired of running. "What do you want from me?" said Iris.

"You're the total opposite of the girl he told me. It's not really you, are you?" said Sora who scanning Iris' appearance.

"You're so rude." said Iris who was about to leave.

"Wait!" exclaimed Sora, stopping Iris. "I'm sure Michael will not be happy if you act like that. You should go back to your old self the one he told me, the girl who has a warm smile." said Sora.

"You.." she pause a moment. "You know Michael?" asked Iris.

"Yes. Michael helped me a lot. Especially when he visits my sister at our mansion and also he help me solve the riddles in the game that I played. He is your brother, right Iris Eirlenhive?" said Sora.

"Your Mirai's little brother!?" said Iris who was shock, blaming herself because of her carelessness "Forgive my rudeness young master of Sumeragi. I'm Iris Eirlenhive from the Eirlenhive family" she said as she bowed down.

"You don't need to be formal." said Sora, he grabbed Iris' hand, walking towards the cafeteria "Let's go! I'll treat you something to celebrate our first meeting" he added.

"But." said Iris who wanted to stop him but can't refuse for Sora already grabbed her hand. (I'm sure that she wanted to shout right now because of embarrassment.)

The two of them went at the school's cafeteria. Iris waited at their table while Sora ordered something for them to eat. After a few minutes, Sora came back with some food. He gave some sandwich to Iris and a milk tea for a drink.

"I never thought that you will be one of my classmate this semester." said Sora who opened his sandwich as he talked. (He's a bit picky when it comes to sandwiches)

"I only meet Aoi and Mirai but I know they have another sibling too. Why didn't you go with them when they visit me at our mansion?" asked Iris who took a sip on her milk tea.

"My parents sent me back to Japan to train my swordsmanship. I think they wanted to preserve our family spirit as Japanese. I only arrived here last month." explained Sora.

"I see." Iris paused for a moment. She remembered what her mother said to her again. So she decided to open up with other people. "I'm glad to meet you Sora. You're the first friend that I have when I started going to school." she said and smiled at him.

When Sora saw Iris smile he felt a warm feeling that he only felt when it was spring time when he was still in Japan; the warmth of the sun when you are under the tree while taking a nap in the afternoon.

"Is there something wrong?" asked Iris who was curious about Sora's attitude.

"Eer... Sorry I was thinking that you really resemble your brother." said Sora as a cover up for his sudden daydreaming. "You said that I was the first person who became your friend when you went to school. Why?" he asked.

"It's a long story but it has something to do with the death of my brother. My mother opened my eyes to accept the reality and continue to live. Well it's still hard for me to accept it. Little by little I must do it for the sake of my parents and for my future." said Iris while touching the cup of tea on the table.

Sora stood up and patted Iris head. "You are not the only one who is in pain about Michael's death. My nee-chan is still suffering too but she is doing her best to live on." he said.

At that moment, after hearing what Sora said, Michael's image suddenly flashed on Iris' memory. Then she realized that maybe it is the right time for her to leave Michael's shadows and see the light.

"Thank you Sora." said Iris, smiling at him like she used to be in the past.

Iris driver appeared to fetch her.

"Lady Iris I've come to fetch you", said Renie.

"Thanks Renie." said Iris. She fixed her things and checked her bag to make sure that she didn't leave something. "Sora do you want you can come with me? I will go to the Sumeragi Mansion today to visit Mirai" she said.

"Err.. Iris" said Sora who was shocked about what Iris have said.

"I will be glad if you do" she added.

"Alright, Alright I got no other choice but to do it." replied Sora and then he smiled at her.

"Renie let's go. Sora will come with us at the Sumeragi Mansion." said Iris.

"As you wish Lady Iris" said Renie and they head back to the Eirlenhive Limousine.

The limousine left the university and headed to the Sumeragi Mansion.