Arriving at the hospital, both proceed to walk into the main entrance of the building. Ethan looks over the moderately full lounge where patients were waiting to be called. As he heads in the direction of the lounge, he hears Octavia call for him.

“Ethan, this way. You don’t have to wait.” He raises his brow in confusion but accepts her request to follow her. As they approach the front desk, Ethan notices the desk clerk wave them over.

“Ah, Ms. Harmonia. You are here for another examination, yes? Go down the hallway and make a left. There, go to the first door on your right and the doctors will be waiting for you in the room.” After informing them, the clerk went back to his station.

Octavia thanks them, then motions Ethan to follow her to the hallway. Ethan remains quiet as they walked. His nerves were on edge now.

‘What did they mean by ‘another’ examination? Is this regular thing that she does?!’ His thoughts how haywire as he’s preparing for someone to jump him. Octavia notices him lagging and calls out to him.

“Ethan, you ok?” She asked. Ethan shook his head out of his thoughts and replies.

“I-I’m fine, it’s just that I overheard that clerk saying that…uh…you have done this before?” He asked. She hummed, understanding why he was worried then answers him.

“To ease your worries, yes. This isn’t the first time I’ve brought someone here to be examined. And no, we do not do anything that’s against the law. All that we are going to do is create an updated copy of your health.” Octavia said, her voice with honesty.

Hearing that calmed Ethan’s nerve quite a lot. His shoulders finally lax and he wipes the sweat that has accumulated on his hands.

They then reach the specified room that the doctors are waiting in. Raising her hand, Octavia knocks twice on the door and announces herself.

“Doctors, it’s me, Octavia. I have brought the recruit over.” She then waits for a reply on the other side of the door.

“Coming.” Says a male voice. The door then opens revealing a …enormous man whose head reaches the doorframe. He had light-brown skin that contrasted with his light green eyes, which were covered by his brown-curly hair. Ethan slightly steps back and has seconds thoughts about Octavia’s explanation that he won’t be hurt until he hears another voice behind the giant.

“F-faust! Be careful, you almost hit your head on the doorframe.” The voice sounded feminine, meaning it was a girl. The man, whose name is Faust, steps to the side, revealing an average sized girl. Her face, which was covered by her blonde hair, is filled with both irritation and worry as she stares at him. Faust only smiles in response.

“Heh, s’rry Lita.”He gives a half-hearted apology and shrugs his shoulder before leaning against the wall. The girl, Lita, lets out a frustrated sigh, before replying.

“Why do you persist on being such an annoyance in my life?!” She scolds him.

During their bickering, Octavia and Ethan stepped into the examination room. It was large enough to fit at least three more people inside. A stool sat near the far corner next to several tools on a shelf. Right beside that was a door leading into another room.

Octavia then clears her throat, catching the attention of the two bickering doctors. Lita stares at Octavia then shifts her gaze to Ethan. Now aware that they have overheard their pity argument, her face turns flushed red. She then turns away and tugs on Faust’s white coat sleeve. Fause chuckles as he straightens up and speaks.

“S’rry for the commotion, Tavi. Just giving Ms. T over here ‘er daily dose of ‘embarrassment.’” Faust has a slight gruff to it as if he isn’t making much of an effort to speak properly. Lita, who is now furious, punches his back and whispers, ‘don’t use that nickname here!’ though it doesn’t seem the giant of a man had noticed.

Octavia hums playfully while Ethan tries to hold back his laughter. It seemed she wasn’t bothered by their childish before as if she’s used to it. She then looks around the room before speaking.

“Huh, where is Ms. Briggs?” She questions, not noticing Ethan suddenly freeze. Both Lita and Faust don’t notice as well, as they point to the other door in the room. Said door then opens, revealing another woman, who’s focused on the clipboard in her hands and is muttering to herself.

‘Hm? Why does this name sound familiar…?’ Not noticing her surroundings, she almost bumps into Octavia. She steps back and scrambles to apologize.

“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry Octavia! I was too focused on the recruit file that I…didn’t see…you…” Her sentence trails off as she finally notices Ethan’s presence in the far corner of the room.

“C-charlotte?! W-what are you doing here?” He clamors out. He too was taken back by this sudden reunion. Here, out of all places, what were the chances that he would see an old friend. Ever since he had left to train in the military, he had lost touch with everyone he knew. And ever since he returned home, he wanted nothing more than to start fresh. His plan, however, had just fallen apart. He had no words to say, nor did Charlotte, as they both just continue to stare at each other.

“So…you to know each other?” Octavia’s voice snapped them out of their shock as they turned to face her and the fellow doctors who were also shaken by their sudden outburst.

“Uh, w-well, you see Octavia…”

“Y-yes, ma’am, we use to…”

Both spoke simultaneously, trying to give an explanation. Lita and Faust were trying to hold back their laughter while Octavia remained emotionless. As she was about to speak her wristband started to flash red. Her demeanor then changed from calm and collected to slightly frazzled.

“Ok! Why don’t we just continue this reunion another time. It seems that I need to take care of certain things.” She announced very forcefully. She then turns around abruptly to face Lita and Faust, who also share the same look of anxiousness.

“You two are coming with me while Ms. Briggs does the examination on her own.” Both nod and proceed to rush to the door and exit the room.

Octavia again turns around to face Charlotte and Ethan.

“I’m sorry Ethan for this sudden commotion, but you might want to ask Charlotte to drop you off at your flat.” She bowed her head down in sadness before rushing out to join the previous two who had left.

The room was now silent, neither Charlotte or Ethan knew what to say each other.

It was then broken when Charlotte spoke softly.

“It’s very good to see you again, Ethan…” She gave a polite smile to him.

Ethan lets out a tired sigh and gives a smile in return.

“…yeah, you to Lotta…”