After leaving Obsidian's office, Alysa said, "So, what's the plan, Liebe?"
Liebe said, "What plan?"
Licht said, "You know, the plan—how we win the World Championship?"
Liebe said, "And ummmmmmmmmm, I don't have one."
Licht whispered to Alysa, "He doesn't have a plan?"
Alysa whispered, "Yeah, I guess Abel's death really did mess him up on the inside."
Licht said, "Looks like it. The dude usually has a backup plan for a plan he hasn't even made yet."
Alysa said, "I know."
M said, "He isn't that different from before, is he?"
Licht said, "You kidding? Let me demonstrate. Hey, Liebe, what's in your schedule for tomorrow?"
Liebe said, "I don't know. Work, probably, or something like that."
Alysa whispered, "Oh god, he really has lost it."
Licht said, "I know. What do we do? The dude is basically broken inside."
Alysa said, "Don't look at me."
M said, "I have a plan to fix him."
Licht said, "Now that's the life. Do it."
Alysa said, "Shouldn't we hear her out first?"
Licht said, "Nah. If it works, don't fix it."
Alysa said, "Ok then."
Licht said, "M, do it."
M said, "Liebe, look here."
Liebe looked behind. M punched him in the gut and said, "Take that."
Liebe said, "What the hell was that? That actually hurt."
Licht said, "What? Liebe admitting he felt pain?"
Alysa said, "God, oh my god, holy god. What do we do? Should we tell the captain, or Gelda, or Eldrie? Or maybe a brisket from Nora might help?"
Licht said, "Calm down, Alysa. Just breathe. We can take care of this. We can handle this. Maybe if we punch him enough times, he'll go back to normal."
Alysa said, "No, it will just mess him up on the inside even more."
Licht said, "I know. What do we do?"
M said, "I can try punching harder."
Alysa said, "No."
Licht said, "Wait. He didn't go for his 8 AM morning training or do any paperwork today. Just today. Maybe it's not so bad, and he just woke up on the wrong side of the bed or something."
Alysa said, "Yeah."
Liebe said, "What are you guys talking about?"
Licht said, "Nothing, nothing. It's nothing at all."
Alysa said, "Absolutely. You know us, just goofing around since we don't have any work and all, etc., etc."
Liebe said, "Wait, you guys are goofing off? I mean, Licht is lazy, but since when have you been doing that, Alysa?"
Alysa said, "You know me, just that time of the month again. Hormones."
Liebe said, "Umm, do you guys want to tell me something, or is it personal?"
Licht said, "It's nothing."
Alysa said, "Yeah."
As Isurugi rushed over and said, "Fleet Admiral, here are your sleeping pills."
Licht said, "Liebe, what are the pills for?"
Liebe said, "I have been having issues sleeping lately, so, well, thought these might help a bit. And M, how are Hedin and Lumos doing?"
M said, "Fine and all. Finally able to heal a bit after what happened. They are doing just fine, I suppose, for now, anyways."
The next morning at 3 AM, as M appeared in their room, she poked Liebe in the shoulder. Liebe rolled around and said, "Alysa, please, let me sleep a bit longer. It's still too early."
M said, "I'm not Alysa."
As Liebe opened his eyes and screamed, "Intruder!"
Licht said, "What's, where, who, how?" As he saw M, he said, "Oh, it's the muscle brain. I'm going back to sleep."
Liebe said, "What are you doing this early?"
M said, "I wanted to ask you if you wanted to join me for an early morning training session."
Liebe said, "What time is it?"
M said, "3:05 AM. We are 5 minutes late."
Liebe said, "For the love of—I promise I will join you, but lemme sleep till at least 5."
M said, "Ok, then."
And they trained from 5 AM to 6:30 AM.
M said, "Nothing beats the early morning training. The fresh air feels great. I just feel—"
Liebe said, "So free."
M said, "Yeah. Feeling better now?"
Liebe said, "About what?"
M said, "Nothing."
Later that day, as Liebe and Isurugi entered the dorm, everyone was standing there, and they screamed, "Surprise!"
Liebe said, "Ummmmm, is something the matter?"
Licht said, "No, it's not. It's a surprise party."
Liebe said, "But why? It's not my birthday or any good news."
Alysa said, "Why would we need a reason to celebrate? Do we need to have fun once in a while? We even have chocolate mousse cake just for you."
Liebe said, "Ok, then."
As they all celebrated and sat down to eat, Alysa said, "Liebe, can we talk?"
Liebe said, "Is it the kind of talk where someone dies, or one where someone's heart gets broken?"
Alysa said, "Why are you assuming it's bad news?"
Licht said, "Umm, we really need to talk, and it's actually a bit important."
Liebe said, "Ok, then."
Alysa said, "Umm, for the past few days, Licht and I have been—"
Liebe said, "Wait, don't tell me. Are you two having an affair?"
Alysa said, "Oh god, no! We are as loyal as nuns."
Licht said, "No, dumbass. The thing is, we are worried about you. You seem different after Abel's death. Is everything ok?"
Liebe said, "Yeah, everything is A-ok. I'm great."
Alysa said, "You sure? I mean, with the pills and everything?"
Isurugi said, "Well, sir, the thing is, after what happened, the Fleet Admiral is in counseling. And the counselor suggested, if he is having problems coping, try to relax a bit. And the pills were because he stated he couldn't sleep well, and that also he needed to try going outside his schedule and all."
Alysa said, "Ohh, is that all? If that was all to it, why didn't you just tell us? We were worried, Liebe."
Liebe said, "Well, the thing is, since you guys are always so busy with work and patrol and studies, I thought it's best not to bother you with such details. I just didn't want to bother you."
Licht said, "Dumbass, we are your friends, aren't we? Plus, you know our schedules better than us. So, of course, we would be worried."
Isurugi said, "Sir, no matter how busy you are, you always remember to ask me if I had eaten or not, or if my tail is groomed or not. And if you weren't here, I wouldn't be able to stand like this. So please, don't push yourself."
Liebe said, "Sorry to make you worried. I thought, since the Knightly Festival is in a few days and all, I didn't want to burden you."
Licht said, "This year, things will be huge, but that doesn't mean we have forgotten, dumbass."
Liebe said, "Thanks. Don't go too overboard. We have to go to Mímisbrunnr Island on the weekends."
Alysa said, "I almost forgot about that. Since the last time we went was 2 years ago."
Licht said, "Oh yeahhh, I forgot. This year, you will be going into the inner chamber with the captain."
Liebe said, "Yeah, looks like it."