Another sun-soaked season fades away.

The children of the mafia are special, faces to be singled out in a multitude

of people. What else would they be? With everything handed to them on a silver platter, it's impossible not to get what they want.

Impossible for all, except one.

Mira stood on her balcony, fiddling with her camera. It was a beautiful day, but she didn't feel like leaving the premises of her room. And besides, she had a lovely birds' eye view of the Academy's courtyard beneath her. Below, people were walking on the cobblestone paths form one point to another. She called this "people-watching"; according to Dino, however, she just had nothing better to do. Her reason involved both; sure, it was often amusing but there were just those days when nothing happens at all.

Fortunately, this was not one of them.

From 15 feet up, she could hear the distinct clash of swords from the western part of the courtyard. Out of curiosity, she aimed her camera at that certain direction and zoomed in on the source of the sound—a group surrounding a white-haired guy.

Squalo.

She only knew him by name and face, but she'd never had the privilege of talking to him. Meanwhile, his opponents came at him in all directions, only to be defeated by the swordsman. Everyone talked about how he was gonna be a legend someday, and here she was actually getting him on video. Finally, the skirmish ended, and Squalo ended up as the overall victor. With camera still at hand, Mira twirled around and went back to watching him saunter off the area. Superbi Squalo.

"Having fun there, Mira?"

She whirled around, only to find Dino standing before her. "You know, you really should develop a habit of locking your door", he said, standing next to her.

"What for? No one in the right mind would dare break in here".

"Why bother breaking in when they could just waltz in here?" he chuckled. Nodding towards the camera, he asked, "So who are you stalking now?"

"Stalking?" Mira shook her head. "No, it's more like observing. Here".

She replayed the latest footage, and he watched it with silent intent. Once it had ended, Mira turned it off and went back in with Dino behind her. "So what do you think?" she asked, setting the camera on the bedside table.

"I think you need to get a new hobby", he replied. "Either that, of some friends".

She giggled, and plopped herself onto her bed opposite to her laptop. "I've already got you", she replied, rattling on her keyboard. "And who knows? Maybe Squalo, if I ever talk to him, that is.".

"So what is this, a new obsession of yours?"

"I barely even know him!"

"Well, you might actually get to talk to him if you come to the party tonight".

Immediately, the rattling stopped. "What party?" she asked, closing her laptop.

He shrugged. "All I know is that you better be ready when I come up here at around 7", he said, heading for the door. "So are you coming?"

"Definitely".

Dino found himself walking back to Mira's room just five minutes before seven. "Mira, you done yet?" he said, poking his head into the room.

"Yeah, just a minute!" she yelled from the bathroom. "Just sit there and make yourself comfortable!"

He shook his head in amusement and went in. A minute ago, the place was a picture of cleanliness; now it looked like someone had actually broken in. CDs and other random items were strewn on the floor along with half her comforter dangling off the bed. She must have taken a nap then, he thought. He, of all people, should know; the last time she spent the night at his house, he found her sleeping on the floor. Apparently, she had a "dream" that time. That was when they were 12. Guess some things just never change.

"Okay, now I am DONE! Finally!"

She came out of the bathroom clad in a red cocktail dress. Dino did a double take before he actually realized that it was her. "You clean up nice".

"Why, thank you!" she grinned. "So do you; now let's go—I don't think we'd want to be late".

"Right".

Not a few seconds after they arrived, and they were already being swamped by people they both knew and didn't. It seemed as if everyone was curious about the "new girl" and if she was dating the soon-to-be Cavallone boss. Countless items Mira had to explain herself, and her patience was wearing thin; thank goodness Dino was there to drag her away from the heavily populated areas. "You really should get out more often", he said, as they both sat on a bench out on the courtyard.

"I still prefer my room over any place in the whole world", she replied. "I doubt tonight will change that".

He chuckled. "No, I guess not".

They talked for what seemed like ages until Dino managed to get a glimpse of Mira's favorite swordsman. "Still want to talk to him?"

Mira nodded. "You'll stay with me, won't you?"

"Of course", he said, offering her his arm as they both headed back in.

"Squalo, there's someone I'd like you to meet".

He looked up from his drink and raised his eyebrow in a perfect arch at the pair in front of him. Nodding towards the girl, he asked, "Who's this?"

"My name's Mira", she said, smiling at him. "Pleased to meet you".

He nodded, but skepticism never left his eyes as he appraised her. She was the picture of frailty, but something about her seemed to belie that; he wasn't sure if it was those blue eyes, or the face framed by silver hair—there was just something that he couldn't put his finger on. Oh well—this should be interesting. "Are you new here or something?" he asked.

She shook her head. "I just barely go out", she replied. "So do you usually spar with other people in the morning?"

"What made you ask me that?"

"Oh, nothing really; it's just that I caught you on video from your match this morning".

"Che", he said, waving a hand in dismissal. "That wasn't much of a match; they were weak anyway".

"Ah, I see".

They fell silent for a while when Mira said, "So you wouldn't mind telling me where you're going to be fighting next? I mean, it makes it so much easier for me to film it when I'm actually there, and it's going to give me a good view, too".

"You filmed the last one?"

She nodded. "Why, what's wrong?"

"Nothing; so how was it?"

Mira smiled; she was glad that he was taking interest in what she had done. "It came out great; I shot it from my balcony, but I think it would have been better if I was actually down there. So will you tell me next time?"

"Sure, why not".

She's definitely something else.

-TBC