A Ceremony to Remember

At the beginning of every school year, Wendale Academy holds an entrance ceremony for students beginning the first years of their new advancements. First year of elementary school. First year of middle school. First year of highschool. For the incoming kindergarten class, a line of proud parents file in to watch their children officially enter the school.

Amidst the murmurs and conversations, Lucario, Billy, and Ryan search for their seats. As they walk past the parents of the students, they study who is around them. Presidents' proxies. Governors. Drug Lords. However, the study isn't one sided. Everyone around them is taking note of the infamous monster that still holds the school shaking in its grasps.

There is a silent agreement amongst those who gather at ceremonies the school holds. No one is to use their authority over anyone as long as they are on school grounds because they are all there for the same reason: to support their children. Nonetheless, that doesn't stop them from openly glaring at the beast who calmly takes his seat among them as if nothing is happening.

Everyone wonders which child could have possibly belonged to such a beast, but their thoughts stop once the headmaster begins his speech.

"Good morning, everyone, to the entrance ceremony for the incoming kindergarten class. As you all know, education is key to strength and power, so seeing as you have chosen this school to educate your children for their futures is an honor. Without any delay, let us welcome the kindergarten class of Wendale Academy!"

Immediately after his short speech, the headmaster gestures for the teachers to lead the students into the auditorium. As they have practiced for the past few days, the kids head to their seats and wait to be seated by the teachers.

"As per tradition, each and everyone incoming kindergarten student is given a Neelakurinji seed. These seeds and the flower it will produce will symbolize your journey in this school. The Neelakurinji flower only blooms once every twelve years meaning that this flower will bloom once you graduate from this school. It will represent the end of your student life and the start of your new life outside. As your row makes its way to the front, I will call each student's name in order to personally welcome you into the school and gift you your Neelakurinji seed."

One by one, the students eagerly line up. As the students are arranged alphabetically, it isn't long until Lucario's child is called.

"Lily Buenavista."

Instantly, the hushed whispers grow louder as they watch the little girl nervously walk across the stage to the podium where the headmaster is. Per decorum, Lucario, Billy, and Ryan cannot cheer for Lily until after all of the children have been called but that doesn't stop Billy and Ryan from excitedly waving at Lily in the hopes of getting her attention.

However, while Lucario is proudly watching his daughter quietly wave at the two men, he is observing everyone in the stands. Looking for heinous glares. Looking for interested gazes. Looking for anything and everything that might pose an obstacle to his daughter.

As the names are called, eventually the 135 students receive their gifts. Once the headmaster notices that the last student has taken his seat, he clears his throat to attract everyone's attention.

"To all of the guests who have gathered here to celebrate their children's enrollment, the teacher and faculty make this promise to you. The students' education takes priority, but their safety will always be at the forefront of every classroom rule. We assure you that your children are safe here, especially to those who must leave their children behind in the dormitories."

After a few more flowery words, the headmaster concludes the ceremony and dismisses the students so that they can rejoin their families.

"Congratulations on your enrollment, Young Lady!" roars the men of the Buenavista Family who await for the group outside of the school.

Showered with flowers, Lily is presented with small bouquets, a flower crown, and a flower necklace. Enjoying the spoils of the men's hard work, Lily bursts out laughing and she hugs her flower bouquet.

"Thank you, everyone!" Lily finally manages to say after the men stop showering her in flowers.

Lucario understands the men's excitement. An angel has blessed the Buenavista Family who is overrun with men. It seems like the obvious reaction for the guys to spoil the angelic princess for her presence and make life on the estate a lot more bearable. But he couldn't help but notice the looks of everyone around them.

"Lily!" shouts a familiar voice.

Turning to the sound of the voice, Lily's face lights up as she sees her first friend running up to her. "Ethan!"

"Congratulations on your enrollment," Ethan comments while he pulls a flower from his bouquet. Handing it to Lily, Ethan smiles widely. "I heard that we are in the same class, so we can be together more!"

Lily takes the flower from Ethan and does the same with a flower in her bouquet. "Congratulations to you too! I can't wait to start class together!"

As Ethan takes the flower from Lily, he becomes aware of the stares of all of the men that accompany Lily. Lily also takes notice of the stares, so she turns to glare back at the men. "Don't be mean to my friend!" Lily scolds as she points her finger to the men who are multiple times bigger than she is. "Okay?"

"Yes, Young Lady," the men begrudgingly answer as they shrink back from the sudden scolding.

"Seems like Lily is settling in comfortably as the next leader," Billy teases as he nudges Lucario's arm.

"Of course she is," Lucario answers with his nose in the air. Walking up to the pair, Lucario kneels once he is next to Lily. The soft gaze that he looks at Lily with turns serious as he averts his attention to Ethan. "You remember the promise you made to Lily and I last week, correct?"

"Yes sir," Ethan responds a bit more confident this time compared to last time. "I will make sure Lily is safe and having fun. That is what a man is supposed to do."

Ethan's comment causes Lucario to chuckle to himself. "A man? You're only seven, but I don't hate that mentality. I should thank your mother for raising such a gentleman. However…" Lucario's grin suddenly disappears which sends a chill down Ethan's back. "If you think of making a move on my daughter, you might find yourself in a difficult situation."

"Daddy! Don't be mean!" Lily shouts as she slaps her father's shoulder. "You're going to scare Ethan away. Are you okay with Lily hating you for scaring away my first friend?"

"It seems like your daughter has you right under her thumb, Mr. Buenavista," says a woman's voice.

The beast lifts his head to find out who is talking when Ethan begins walking over to the woman's side. "You must be Ethan's mother, Mrs. Turnip, I presume," Lucario concludes, standing back up from the ground. "I see you have researched about me a bit to know my name."

The woman chuckles lightly while setting a hand on her son's head. "I don't have to research your name when you are already well known to many powerful people, especially to those who attended this school with you. Everyone was curious as to which child could have been yours. My son has mentioned your daughter to me a couple of times, so you could say that I was a bit more curious than the others.Who would have thought that such an adorable little angel is your child?"

"I hope that the Chairwoman of National Security doesn't mind that the daughter of a CEO of a furniture business is friends with her son," Lucario comments with a mischievous grin.

"CEO of a furniture business," the woman scoffs with a grin just as mischievous. "Bold of you to use such a humble background to make yourself seem less of a threat. I know about you and your actual business. Nonetheless, I won't let our adult business affect our children's friendship since they seem to be comfortable with each other, so I hope that you won't as well. We'll just let fate take its turn once they get older and learn more about each other's place in this world."

Picking up his daughter, Lucario swipes the stranded hairs on her face before looking back at Ethan's mother. "That's a given, isn't it? Rules are rules for a reason no matter how unspoken."