#preverse

With packets of paper in arm, Shiro was making his way back to his quarters when he took notice of Keith lingering in the hallway.  Considering how it was passed curfew for all cadets, interest piqued him.  He decided to call the boy out from the few yards remaining between them.

The mess hall was somewhat populated between new and familiar faces.  However, Shiro’s attention were divided between Matt, who was sitting in front of him, and their mutual friends sitting beside them.  Shuffling around the broccoli on his plate, Shiro finally decided to stab one and bring it into his mouth.  However, between the idle chatter of their mutual friends, Shiro’s eyes locked onto Matt as he swallowed the chewed broccoli in his mouth.

“So,” he attempted to causally bring up, “there’s rumors that an actual expedition into outer space is being assembled.  Nothing solid yet, but there’s definitely been talk.”

Not a single part of the sun shown, hidden underneath the horizon, but colors of indigo and orange still left the faintest of glow.  The buzzing of wildlife and birds were ever present, and as warm winds tussled the long blades of grasses and weeds, Shiro stood in the gravel off the side of the road. His large hands tightened around the straps of his heavily packed rucksack.  He’d arrived early in anticipation of someone accompanying him.  However, it was with great risk that Shiro invited his junior to take an expedition with him into the woods.  Prior to this moment, the boy had shown a lack of interest despite his positive answer.  Shiro was always partially unsure when it came to him.

Furrowing a brow, he closed his eyes and said to himself, “Why am I worrying so much about this?  He’ll come...I think.”

Getting out of his vehicle, Shiro looked at a small piece of paper to make sure he was at the correct address.  The Holt estate was an average sized, two floor house on top a hill.  A large tree accompanied it in the fenced backyard.  The neighborhood was relatively quiet, save for the birds.  Their front door appeared to be ajar, probably left that way to welcome him in.  Stuffing the piece of paper in his back pocket, Shiro began walking up the set of stairs built into the hill.  As he neared the front door, he caught a glimpse of the Holt family interacting from their bay window.  For a family of four, the chaos of a family unit was ever present and earned a small chuckle from him.  Upon reaching the porch, Shiro pushed open the screen door and held it in place as he knocked on the door frame.

"Hello!  Takashi Shirogane reporting in!"

Immediately, Gunther began to bark when Shiro announced his entrance.  Colleen nearly squealed with excitement, immediately looking over to Katie as she set down a stack of plates on their dining table.