Keeping busy did nothing to stop Shiro from feeling empty.

His hand hovered with his black dry erase marker near the whiteboard in his classroom for what felt like forever. "Lieutenant Shirogane?"

Shiro turned towards the student who just came into the classroom. "Yes?"

"I didn't see..."

Hearing the student ask why Adam wasn't in his homeroom class when they walked by let Shiro's mind muddled, but his facial features fell as he attempted clearing his throat. A few of his female students walked into the classroom giggling among themselves while the student continued watching Shiro carefully. "Um, well..."

Shiro glanced back at the board where he'd still not written anything. "Isn't he in your unit?"

An influx of emotions made Shiro's throat catch in his throat as more students started filing into the room. His eyes drifted towards the ground. "Well, see..." He spoke in a low voice. "I didn't come back with my unit's flight. I took a commercial one."

"Oh." The student headed towards their desk as if the question answered their question. A pinging sound from the intercom went off and Iverson's voice echoed through the room. The television turned on and showed some of the senior cadets preparing to put the flags up.

"All cadets should be in their classrooms. Please stand while the color guard presents the colors." Shiro watched all his students stand at attention in their orange uniforms, but today he felt as if he were simply going through the motions. Any thoughts of finding solace in the everyday routine quickly fled, but he found himself taking a deep breath as he held back his emotions. After dismissing the color guard, Iverson said, "You may now be seated." The commander cleared his throat. "I'll start off today's announcements with some sad news."

Shiro's eyes closed as Iverson informed the cadets about the loss of Adam and the rest of his unit before asking for a moment of silence. Next, he informed the students they could seek counseling if they needed, but also mentioned they were still looking for answers regarding what happened. "Lieutenant..."

Shiro held up a finger indicating the questions could wait until Iverson was finished making the other announcements. Then the questions came, but he couldn't help but feel tired. His attempt at avoiding how he felt backfired, yet something told him getting the cadets into an actual routine like he wanted wouldn't be possible. After a few minutes, a knock came at the classroom door which in turn made a silence fall over the room. "Come in."

His eyes blinked slightly at seeing Matt Holt standing in the doorway with the garrison psychiatrist. Mentally he wondered if Veronica was pulling him from the class because she didn't agree with how he was choosing to handle his grief. "Cadet Holt. Professor."

Veronica looked him in the eye. "Cadet Holt came to my office and informed me Cadet Kagone was not in his classroom when he went to collect the attendance folder. If you'll come with me, I'll place Cadet Holt in charge of your class."

Shiro reached for his attendance folder and handed the item to Matt before following after Veronica. The door clicked behind him. "He isn't – Keith isn't with that cadet he got into a fight with yesterday?"

Veronica froze before turning to look at him. "Lance? Why would Keith be hanging out with my brother?"

His eyes closed. "So, my neighbor is your aunt?"

"Tia Penelope? Yes. She's our aunt, She's your neighbor?"

"She came over yesterday to apologize for what happened but made Lance come and apologize to Keith this morning. He rode in with us this morning."

"Why? Why would you do that?" Veronica shook her head in disbelief.

"I was hoping Keith and Lance might actually make friends."

"Takashi Shirogane."

"What?"

Veronica let out a deep breath, "Well, your heart is definitely in the right place." She started walking away. "Lance and Hunk weren't in class either. My brother is notorious for skipping class, but I wouldn't put it past him to try and manipulate Keith into joining him."

"Wait..." Shiro took a deep breath. "You mean to tell me..."

"By now they've likely been caught."

Shiro's eyes closed. "Seriously? Keith knows he's on thin ice with the principle right now."

They arrived at the principle's office and found Lance with the person Shiro assumed was Hunk. Shiro recognized Hunk as a rather shy young man who was known for being afraid of everything, yet Shiro had seen Hunk standing up for some of the younger cadets rather running away. He shook his head; on one side he wondered how Hunk could be drug into Lance's shenanigans, and on the other, there was no Keith.

"Lance. Where's Keith." Veronica stood in front of her brother with her arms crossing her chest.

"How should..." Lance glanced up at Shiro. A sigh escaped Lance's mouth. "Oh. I honestly don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"I just..." Lance glanced away. "I headed straight for class."

Hunk let out a coughing sound as he leaned into his fist. "... skipping class."

"Yeah. That."

Veronica turned towards Shiro. "At least he didn't drag Keith into any of his shenanigans."

"I guess, but where is he?"

"Shirogane."

Shiro and Veronica both stiffened when they heard the voice of their commanding officer. Shiro turned and looked at the man in his one good eye. "Commander Iverson."

"I was just coming to get you."

A deep sigh escaped Shiro's mouth. "What did Keith do this time?"

Iverson stared at Shiro but eventually motioned for both Shiro and Veronica to follow him. "I take it then both of you are aware of the fact Cadet Kagone wasn't in his homeroom class this morning."

"Yes, sir."

"I fetched Lieutenant Shirogane upon being informed by one of the senior cadets." Veronica glanced back at her brother. "Where is he?"

"Then neither of you are aware that Commander Sablan is interrogating him without Shirogane's consent or your presence."

"That's against protocol!"

Shiro found himself quickening his step and heading straight towards the rooms used for interrogation at the garrison. He opened the doors looking for Keith but didn't find him until he opened up the second door. Keith sat at the table but was obviously upset.

How dare you!" The sound of Shiro's voice made Keith look up in relief.

"That is not how you address an officer who outranks you, Lieutenant Shirogane."

"You are interrogating my younger brother behind my back!" Shiro watched the color drain from Sablan's face.

Veronica stepped forward and pushed up her glasses in irritation. "This interrogation is over Commander Sablan. You know full well the garrison forbids the interrogation of cadets without the presence of their legal guardian or an advocate such as me."

"Out! Go back to your own command!" Iverson pointed at the door.

Keith's eyes blinked in confusion. Shiro turned towards his brother. "Keith, what kind of questions did he ask you?"

"He wanted to know how I knew the plane would crash."

Shiro stared at Keith in confusion. "What?"

"Allura told me."

"Wait. As in your imaginary friend from when you were little?" Veronica frowned.

Iverson looked her in the eye with his one good eye. "If you could take Cadet Kogane to your office, I would appreciate it. Shirogane, come with me."

Shiro followed after, but not before letting Keith know he'd definitely come back for him. Iverson led Shiro towards the science division of the garrison, but towards the office of Commander Holt. Shiro found himself glancing around. "Commander Holt?"

"You know of him?"

"He's Matt Holt's father, but he and his wife have been kind to me and my siblings." Shiro felt the corner of his mouth twitch. "And he's also researching aliens. As such most of the other scientists don't take his research seriously."

Iverson opened the door to Holt's office. The man looked up. "Iverson?"

"There has been another incident involving Kogane. I need you to show the tapes to his older brother."

"Are you sure? Hiroshi's wishes on the matter were quite clear."

"Just do."

"Lock the door." Holt took a deep breath and reached under his desk. A clicking sound indicated a secret compartment released. He pulled out a disc containing data. "You'll want to come over to my computer to see this Shiro."

Shiro took a deep breath. Holt opened up a video, but he recognized a much younger Keith.

"What is this?"

"Just watch."

What Shiro saw was a test done by Holt. Holt shuffled a deck of cards and asked Keith whether the cards were black or red, but Keith through the videos became more accurate but soon started guessing the actual suit as well. "Keith was part of an experiment?"

"Sort of. Keith was the only one we did the tests with. We even tried new decks. The fact your brother could do this. It honestly worried your father."