"Keep her alive!" Kazanari Genjuro yelled.
The staff rushed about the operation room, attending to the girl collapsing onto the operation room's floor. Blood spewed incessantly from her mouth and pooled around her.
A deafening alarm. Frantic shouts. The glass pane separating them did little to suppress the noise.
Kazanari Tsubasa, also watching through the glass from the observation deck, could barely keep her eyes on the girl as she continued to cough off more and more blood.
A bright light flashed from the girl, and a deafening boom shook the room, blasting away several technicians around her.
In the wake of the explosion was only a still silence. Tsubasa could no longer see the girl, collapsed as she was below the view of the glass. She contemplated stepping forward to get a better vantage.
A bloodied hand flew up and slapped the glass right in front of her. Tsubasa jumped back with a gasp behind her uncle.
The girl slowly rose up from the floor. She was now clad in a black, white, and orange armor.
"This is the power I can fight with," she said, her voice raspy. "My Symphogear!"
Blood no longer ran from her mouth but was smeared across her upper torso and the fringes of her orange hair. It was an appalling sight, but Tsubasa stared at the girl in front of her in awe. After subjecting herself to months of excruciating training and experimentation, she finally attained the power she seeked. This was the culmination of the girl's self-inflicted torture.
A long haired brunette rushed from her monitor to the window.
"We need some more men in here!" She said into the intercom. "Stay still, Kanade, we need to check your vitals."
"I'm fine, Ryoko-san!" She held up a clenched fist to her face. "I feel great! I—"
Her power fled as suddenly as it came. Her armor disintegrated in a flash of light, taking with it her strength. Her eyes rolled back into her head, and she fell to the floor.
"Kanade!"
"Stay here, Tsubasa," Genjuro said. He and Ryoko hurried to the door connecting the two rooms.
Steeling herself with a deep breath, Tsubasa approached the glass pane once more. She expected the floor to be bathed with even more blood, but with the amount that she had just lost, perhaps it wasn't possible.
Genjuro and Ryoko rushed into the operation room. As they picked up Kanade's prone body, Tsubasa noticed that the girl's hand was still clenched in a tight, determined fist.
The automatic door hissed shut behind her as Tsubasa stepped nervously into the room. It was a medical ward, tucked away in the corner of the hospital wing of Division 2's underground headquarters. She gave a curt bow towards its inhabitant, lying down on the only bed in the room.
"S-sorry to intrude," she said, her voice almost a whisper.
Amou Kanade's eyes fluttered open, and she turned her head to see who had entered.
"You're the other Gear user aren't you?"
Upon the sight of her visitor, Kanade began pushing herself up into a seated position.
"Yes…"
Tsubasa approached her, taking slow, unsure steps. She sat down at an empty stool beside the bed.
Tsubasa watched as Kanade struggled to support herself on her elbows.
"Perhaps... perhaps I may–"
"No, I can do it myself!"
Kanade groaned under the weight of her own body. It was infuriating. How could she fight when it strained her so much just to sit up?
Her anger was just what she needed. With a grunt, she heaved herself up, and then allowed her back to fall back on the padded bedpost.
"That's... good progress." Tsubasa said, trying to give an encouraging smile.
"Not good enough." Kanade panted. A bead of sweat trailed down her jawline. "So, what are you doing here?"
"Well, since you are able to summon your Gear now, we will be fighting soon together. The commander said that we should… spend some more time together."
"Ah, if we get along, we'll have better coordination on the battlefield - that sort of thing, huh?"
"I… suppose."
Kanade looked over the girl next to her. Her long, blue hair fell over face, partly concealing her downcast eyes. She sat straight in the stool, hands folded in her lap.
Everything about her was rigid and formal, and to Kanade's knowledge, the most rigid structures were the easiest to topple. Though her voice was friendly, her tense posture betrayed her desire to be here. But that was fine with her. Kanade didn't want anyone to be around her now - not when she was so weak.
Unable to meet Kanade's lingering gaze, Tsubasa stared down at her hands. It was hard to look at the person in front of her. The screams of rage and anger, the painful experiments she willingly took part in - it made her a frightening being.
"What's your name?" Kanade asked.
"My name?"
Tsubasa allowed her own eyes to rise carefully, cautiously, from her hands to the bed, to her torso - up her chest, her neck, her chin... and finally, Kanade's piercing red eyes.
"Kazanari Tsubasa."
Tsubasa felt her heart racing against her chest. She saw an intensity in those eyes she had never seen before. It was a burning flame of anger and resentment as hot as the red of her irises. But behind it all, she saw a great sadness.
Kanade looked away. She leaned her head against the bedpost and sighed.
"Amou Kanade, but Kanade is fine."
"Nice to meet you… Kanade."
"Nice to meet you too."
So the commander wants me to befriend this girl?
Tsubasa seemed nice enough if not a little too shy. But how could she? Ever since she was taken into custody, she had wondered - if this girl had her Symphogear, why wasn't she there when the Noise swarmed? With her power, why wasn't she sent in to fight them off? Why didn't she save her family?
"How long are you staying here? You can leave if you want."
"Eh? No, I – well..." Tsubasa was at a loss for an excuse.
Her eyes fell to the floor again, and she felt her cheeks burn. She didn't want to be there, but she couldn't leave now with Kanade's blunt dismissal. With their mutual disdain for the situation in the air, they could only endure it to the end.
And endure they did. Time passed by slowly in silence, the two girls unable to look at each other.
A nurse entered the room and announce the end of the visiting hours.
Glad for the chance to leave, Tsubasa hurriedly stood, bowed, and followed the nurse to the door.
"You look too soft to be a warrior." Kanade said as Tsubasa left.
Tsubasa barely had time to look back before the door shut before her, closing her off from her new partner.
Genjuro had little free time as the commander of Division 2. He was required to be standby at all times, even on the weekends when he returned to his traditional house secluded in the mountains. But with the ever looming threat of the Noise, his workplace at the headquarters had become his second home.
It was Friday, and Genjuro sat at his desk in his office, waiting through the last of minutes of his shift before he had to sojourn for the weekend. A stack of completed paperwork lay next to him, and his computer monitor displayed the latest reports from various departments. Most troubling to him were those from the psychoanalysts...
It was then that his niece entered, preceded briefly by a knock at the door.
"Please excuse me," she said, approaching his desk.
"Tsubasa. Something wrong?"
"It's... it's about Amou Kanade-san."
"Kanade? How is she?"
Even after summoning her Gear, her body's rejection of the relic was worse than ever. It took a whole month for her to recover enough from the backlash. But with the new data, the completed formula is on its way to production, and as soon as he heard she could receive visitors, Genjuro decided to have Tsubasa visit her regularly.
He would do it himself, but with his busy schedule it was simply infeasible. Although, he knew relying on his niece would do the two of them some good.
"It has been a couple of weeks, but… we don't really get along."
"What do you mean?"
"When I visit her, we don't talk. We just sit there."
Genjuro let out a deep sigh. "I see."
He turned off the computer, stood up from his desk, and headed towards the door.
"Come on, Tsubasa."
The two headed out into the corridors of the headquarters. Around them, staff members were leaving for their homes, save the overnight crew, and the facilities were being put into low-power mode one by one, gradually darkening the lighting around them.
"I'm sorry, commander," Tsubasa said. "I believe I have failed this task."
Tsubasa could recognize when she lacked a certain skill. Though she knew it intuitively before, she had now experienced first-hand her ineptitude in the social sphere. But she was resigned to it. As a tool of the Kazanari family, it was just something she had to deal with.
"Don't see this as a task, Tsubasa," Genjuro said. "Do you why I'm having you do this?"
"I thought it was to build our teamwork, so we could perform better."
"There is that, but..."
They reached the elevators. They didn't have to wait, and soon they were rocketing upwards to the surface. Under low-power, the normally multicolored panels of the vast elevator shaft sped past in hues of dark blue and purple, casting wild shadows across the interior of the elevator chamber.
"Tsubasa, this is somewhat confidential, but I'll let you in a little," Genjuro said. "In short, the psychologists from the mental health sub-division aren't happy with Kanade's results... and neither are they with yours."
"Mine? What's the matter?"
"Unfortunately that's all I can say, or risk ruining the integrity of their analysis. But I'm not going to lie either, that I don't have my own personal reasons for having you do this. It'll help both you kids."
"Help us… in what way?"
"Kanade lost her family in the worst way, and now she believes she's lost everything. She needs someone right now. She needs someone by her side."
"Why me?"
"You're about the same age as her. You're the most suited for her of anyone here."
"Then… what about me? You said it'll help both of us."
"How should I say this…" Genjuro sighed again, and he placed a hand on his niece's head. "Tsubasa, you haven't had the chance yet to live your own life."
"I'm not sure I understand?"
"You don't have to right now, though someday you will - hopefully someday soon. Just know that as an adult, I'm looking out for you, alright?"
Tsubasa nodded slowly. "Alright... then I'll keep doing my best, commander."
"Good." He removed his hand.
I wish she would just call me uncle for once. He thought. Poor child.
"Amou-san… scares me a little."
Genjuro grunted in agreement. "I guess she can be, right now."
But Genjuro knew that at the moment, Kanade was only like an animal, lashing out in violence when provoked - and provoked she was. The Noise attack during her family's vacation had to be one of the most brutal yet. Tsubasa wasn't the only one that was scared.
"You just need something to break the ice."
At those words, light flooded the chamber, and the elevator broke through to the surface. The underground headquarters was located under the prestigious Lydian Music Academy. There were many entrances, and this elevator was located on the very edges of the campus grounds. Though the campus was normally sparse of high school students at the headquarters' closing hours, it nevertheless allowed for an inconspicuous exit.
Genjuro and Tsubasa stepped out, and found themselves standing inside an old storage shed filled with sports paraphernalia. A window revealed a courtyard outside, situated between the dorms and the main classroom buildings. Nearby was a long pavilion for bike racks, as well as a small parking area for cars.
"You plan to attend here, don't you, Tsubasa?"
"Yes, if not I would have to continue my private studies at home."
They left through a back entrance, and headed towards the back of the parking lot. From there, Genjuro would drive Tsubasa home first, and then head back himself.
It had become routine for them on the end of the weekdays. Her uncle's home wasn't far away from the school, as by necessity of his work, but he always took the time to drive Tsubasa the longer distance to her house.
"You think Yatsuhiro will allow you?" He asked while opening the car door for his niece.
"Father... has only allowed me yet to be tutored at home." Tsubasa climbed into the car and shut the door. "But this is a private school, so there might be a possibility."
Genjuro quickly followed her in. "Well, you have three years. I wouldn't worry about it."
They soon left the school grounds, and Tsubasa peered out the window at her desired high school. Singing had been her hobby since she could remember, and she pictured the music filled halls of Lydian resonating brightly in their song.
The academy receded from her sight. The greenery that grew around the school grew thicker, and eventually flanked them on both sides of the road in thick, dense lines.
"The only thing I am worried about," she said, unusually softly. "Is whether... with my classmates, whether I will–"
"You'll be fine, Tsubasa."
The sun was still high above the horizon.
This will be good for her. He thought. You'll be fine.
"What are those?" Kanade asked.
"They are from the commander and Ryoko-san."
Tsubasa placed a vase of flowers on a nightstand beside Kanade's desk. The flowers in full bloom, and spouted encouragements of healing in the vivacity of their colors.
Tsubasa found her stool. She purposely moved hers stool closer to the bed this time, and closer to the head of the bed too. The proximity was enough to set her heart racing, but she sat down in determination.
Break the ice, Tsubasa. She thought to herself. She needs someone by her.
"H-how have you been?" Tsubasa began nervously.
Kanade gave a questioning look. She had gotten accustomed to sitting in silence with the girl. Kanade wasn't a quiet person by nature, but what was of any importance to talk about? All she did was lie on the bed all day - often in pain. The only thing pulling her through was the thought of her family's petrified faces as they turned to dust and crumbled away.
But this time seemed to be different. The girl seemed unusually talkative, and she was sitting unusually close to her side.
"I'm sore as ever. But at least I can sit up now without any problems."
"That's good."
Kanade closed her eyes and leaned back her head. It was still nowhere near the state she wanted. But at least the scientists have figured out the correct formula. Thinking about donning her Gear again really riled her up.
"The weather has been getting cooler... has it not?"
Geez, she's still talking? Kanade thought. And about the weather?
"Well I wouldn't know. I'm cooped up here all day."
"Oh, right. I'm sorry, I–"
"Don't worry about it," Kanade said with a wave of her hand. "You don't have to be so uptight around me."
They've fallen into silence again. She was used to it, but with the brief conversation after days of silence, she couldn't help opening an eye and taking a peep at the unusually talkative girl next to her. Kanade saw that she was looking down at her hands again, but she also saw was a face of harsh determination.
She's really trying, isn't she?
"My father tells me that how you behave reflects how you feel about yourself," Tsubasa said.
Kanade opened her eyes again and sat forward towards her. "You saying I don't care about myself?"
Tsubasa jumped in her seat. "No! That's not it. I was only… explaining myself."
She caught herself staring into those orange eyes again. This time, they were questioning stares, searching, probing her inner intentions.
Have I made things even worse between us?
Kanade sighed and leaned back.
"Well you're right. I don't. All those experiments, all that pain. I've thrown myself away because there's nothing left for me. Avenging my family's death is all I have. That's all there is for me."
Tsubasa shifted nervously in her seat. "You… should not say that about yourself."
"Yeah? And what do you fight for?" Kanade turned herself on the bed away from Tsubasa. "What reason do you have to throw yourself into the pits of hell?"
Tsubasa was at a lost for words. She had never thought about those things before.
What I fight for...
She had been training for so long - since she was a toddler - she must have been able to conjure up some reason. She searched her mind for an answer, but found herself only grasping at vague wisps of purpose.
Tsubasa thought of all those hours spent in the training room of her house. The wooden mat floors, the her own shouts with every swing of her sword, and the sound of her father's voice constantly prodding her along.
"You can do better than that. You're a Kazanari."
"More, Tsubasa! You're slowing!"
That voice was always pushing her - to uphold the family name, to represent the family - and that was what she did. She trained under that mantra for years, and it became her purpose. But she knew deep down, that though she was pushed forward by her duty, she herself did not take a single step.
What indeed...?
A nurse entered the room. "Visiting hours are closing, ma'am."
Tsubasa rose from her stool, and was just about to turn and leave before Kanade spoke.
"Hey uh… sorry about my behavior lately," she mumbled. "I guess I haven't been the most friendly person. "
Tsubasa looked back to Kanade. Her gaze was still away from her, staring at the blank wall across the room. Her expression was unreadable.
"Ma'am?" The nurse called again.
"I'm sorry. I'll be leaving now."
Tsubasa turned towards the exit and headed towards the door. She bowed once more before stepping out.
"Try to get out more, okay?" Kanade said, and the door hissed shut.
Tsubasa stared blankly at the closed metal door in front of her. She wondered about Kanade's apology. Did she do it? Are things between them changing? It was hard to tell.
"Ma'am, this way please," the nurse said.
"I'm sorry. Right away."
But Tsubasa knew that this will take time. She didn't expect to form a deep friendship in just one visit - especially not with her inexperience. It was shaky beginning, but it was a beginning nonetheless.
"Just a few more steps, Amou-san. You can do it."
Kanade's legs wobbled and strained under the weight of body, threatening to give out under her at any minute. The only thing keeping her from collapsing to the floor was the vice grip her hands had on the support rails flanking either side of her.
"Just a few more steps!" Her nurse cheered, standing on the other end of the walking rails.
Kanade swore under her breath, and forced another step. Her legs felt like wet noodles, and shook beneath her. Her arms were burning, and the sweat that coated her skin loosened her grip on the rails with every passing second. Her arms couldn't support her any longer.
"Ugh!" she cried out. Her legs buckled and she fell to the floor.
Her nurse rushed to her side. "Are you alright?"
"Fine," she panted, sitting up. "I'm fine."
"It's okay. You're getting better everyday."
Kanade wasn't sure herself. To abate the muscular atrophy her physical therapy had begun as soon as her condition was stable enough to allow it. She knew its necessity, but it only reminded her of just how weak she was at the moment.
"You're not going to improve any other way," her nurse said, seemingly reading her thoughts. "And after this, I'm sure you'll be even stronger than you were before!"
"I know." Kanade looked away from her. "But I still don't like it."
Kanade's gaze then fell on the window across the room, and especially on the blue-haired girl watching her furtively through the glass.
"Hey!" Kanade shouted, and Tsubasa jumped.
"Ah, Kazanari-san has been here a while." Her nurse stood up, and offered a hand to help Kanade up. "Technically it's your usual visiting time. Would you like me to let her in?"
Kanade let the nurse guide her to a set of plush chairs in the corner of the room, all the while keeping her gaze upon the other girl behind the glass.
Outside the room, Tsubasa shifted nervously under Kanade's fiery stare. At being discovered, she found herself looking anywhere but inside, especially with those eyes staring back at her.
Finally, the door opened, and the nurse beckoned her in.
"I'll let you two chat alone," she said as Tsubasa stepped in. The nurse exited the room and closed the door behind her.
Tsubasa could only look down at her own feet. "Sorry… for the intrusion."
"Yeah, were you watching me?" Kanade asked.
"I'm sorry, I did not know that-"
"Ah, whatever." Kanade said, waving her hand. "Just sit down."
Tsubasa bowed deeply as a final apology, and crossed the room towards Kanade. Passing the various equipment in the room, she shuffled up to the second chair next to Kanade and gingerly took her seat.
The proximity of their chairs towards each other was greater than any time before. So close that their knees were mere centimeters from touching. Even worse - Tsubasa thought - they were arranged face-to-face.
Kanade crossed her arms and sighed. "Normally I would be back in my room by now, but I guess I lost track of time."
"No, I am a bit early this time…" Tsubasa said.
Tsubasa saw Kanade raised a hand, and slowly clenched it into a fist.
"I-I really am sorry for watching you-"
"Hey, calm down." Kanade said, noticing her flinch. "My nurse just told me to practice tightening my muscles, is all."
"Oh…" Tsubasa watched as Kanade opened her hand and flexed her fingers, then switch to her other hand to repeat the process.
"I just don't like being seen so weak." Kanade said under her breath.
Not when she could barely support herself on her own two legs like a floundering infant. Not when she was supposed to be ripping apart the monsters that killed her family with her Symphogear, instead of having to be helped just to walk to the bathroom.
"I don't think you're weak," Tsubasa said, barely a whisper.
"Huh? What was that?"
"I don't think you're weak," Tsubasa said, louder this time. "When I was watching you… you looked like you were working really hard."
Kanade blinked in surprise.
"Uh… thanks."
"And I thought," Tsubasa continued, her voice dying down even further than before. "Maybe someday I can be strong too."
As quiet as she was, Kanade heard her words loud and clear, and few things have made her as speechless as hearing those words from Tsubasa. All this time, she had thought she was being put down. She thought she was humiliating herself in front of one who didn't even consider her own a comparison.
"You said to me, I look too weak to be a warrior," Tsubasa continued. She didn't know why she was saying all this to her. They didn't even like each other, and yet she was pouring out her feelings.
"Oh… yeah. Well, I uh…"
"I think so too. I try my best everyday but it never seems to be good enough. I worry that I'm not ready for this."
A long silence fell between them, as weighty as what had been said. They sat quietly, pondering over each other's words.
"Uh… just wondering," Kanade spoke eventually. "How old are you?"
Tsubasa was taken back at the question. "I'm… I turned twelve years old recently."
That's even younger than me! That's insane!
"And… and they make you fight the Noise all by yourself?"
"Actually... I have not fought yet."
Kanade almost threw herself out of her chair. "You haven't?!"
"I have not yet been granted permission. There are various reasons - my age… and also because they do not wish to lose their only Gear user."
"Hm, but now that they have me…"
"It will be soon, I imagine."
Kanade nodded in agreement. Probably as soon as she was out of the hospital.
But this explained why. It explained why the division seemed so passive in the face of the global threat. Kanade had hated it - how they refused to take their only salvation even while it was already in their hands.
"I guess I can't blame you…" Kanade said quietly under her breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing." Kanade shook her head. "So, you scared?"
Tsubasa nodded slowly.
Kanade gave a confident grin. "Well then, let's both work hard together."
"Yes…" Tsubasa said, eyes wide.
'Together'… Is that progress?
"Wow, twelve…" Kanade sprawled back on her chair. "So you're in, like, the seventh grade?"
Tsubasa had to think for a moment. "Yes... although, I'm tutored at home, so I'm not completely sure."
"Tutored? Are you like one of those wealthy people?"
"Uh… I suppose...?" Tsubasa knew that most kids her age went to public school, but she never associated her family status with her private schooling at home. It was just the way things were.
"Huh, I never would've guessed. You don't look like one."
"Oh…" Tsubasa didn't know how to respond. Was that meant to be a compliment?
"Don't worry, it's a good thing. It means you don't act all snooty and stuff."
"Thank you…" Tsubasa tried to returned the compliment. "You're also very… um..."
She searched for some good quality to use, but nothing came to mind. It wasn't that Kanade was such a terrible person. Tsubasa just didn't know enough about her to say anything. But she had to say something! She felt panic rise up in her chest, and under Kanade's expectant stare Tsubasa felt her cheeks grew hotter with every second of silence.
Eventually Kanade burst out laughing. "I'm really that bad, huh?"
"N-no, I just…" she stammered. Tsubasa stared at her feet, trying in vain to hide her red cheeks. "I do not know you very well."
Kanade smiled inwardly at just how awkward this girl was.
"Well, I guess that explains why you don't seem to get out much."
"I'm very busy. I don't have much time for myself."
Kanade wondered what she had to do everyday that kept her so busy, but before she could ask the door opened and the nurse stepped back into the room.
"I'm back," the nurse said with a smile. She turned to Tsubasa. "Unfortunately, ma'am, visiting hours are closing soon."
Tsubasa rose from her chair. "I'm sorry, I'll be leaving then."
"Also, I'm sorry to say that we'll have to block off a bit of this time for Amou-san's physical therapy," she said as they walked to the door. "Would you mind pushing back your visiting times just a little?"
Tsubasa nodded. "Sure, I can do that."
"See you later," Kanade said.
"Right," Tsubasa said with a bow. "Until next time."
Through the glass window, Kanade watched Tsubasa's form walk quickly by and disappear from view. Then she was gone, as suddenly as she arrived.
Pushing back the visits, huh?
They barely knew each other, but somehow, it left a twinge of disappointment in her.
The asphalt and brick walls echoed with her footsteps and labored breathing as she ran through the dark alleyway.
"Kanade!" she heard ahead of her. "Help me!"
She then heard another set of footsteps behind her. She was being chased. The clap of footsteps multiplied, growing louder and louder until it was a rolling thunder trampling after her.
"I'm coming!" she yelled back. Her throat ached, and her legs wobbled feebly beneath her as she ran.
A clap of thunder. She whipped her head back to face her pursuers. Lightning seared across the sky and the alley flashed with light. Her view burst with a kaleidoscope of colors. They scurried across her vision in a dizzying dance and became vague, bulbous shapes before her.
She could see them. It was the Noise, and amid the bright technicolor mass was two figures huddled close together.
"Mom! Dad!" she yelled. She spun on her foot and turned around.
"No! Save your sister!"
"But-"
"Go!"
"AAAH!" she cried out, and spun around again.
She heard a piercing scream behind her, followed by the shrill screech of the Noise.
Another flash of lightning, and ahead of her burst again into a flurry of color. The Noise swarmed, encircling the silhouette of a young girl in a whirlpool of color. A desperate cry rang out from its midst.
"Help me! Please!"
"I'm coming!" She thrusted out a hand.
As if sprung by her action, the circle of Noise released a single, high shriek, and pounced on its center.
"NO!"
"KANADE!"
Kanade's eyes snapped open, and she let out a large gasp. Her chest heaved, and sweat coated her body.
She was fully awake now, despite how late in the night it was - at least, she assumed it was night. There were no windows underground, so she could only judge by the dimmed lights during the headquarters' off-hours.
It was dark and quiet, save the sound of her heavy breathing. The room was cold, but her body felt like nothing but wildfire inside. Staring up at the ceiling, Kanade let her breathing die down, along with her thoughts.
But her thoughts wouldn't. Lying awake, endlessly haunted by her own memories was the norm now. There was too much for her to think about. The echoes of her family's cries in her mind pierced through the dead of night in both her waking and sleep.
Not even tears could lull her, for they had dried up long since the incident. They had been quickly replaced by anger and a burning desire for vengeance.
Why didn't anyone saved them?
It was a question she asked numerous times before, before she knew that someone could - the Second Division. Now she knew why they didn't.
Her physical therapy had started several days ago, and she found herself getting up in the middle of the night to practice. Her progress would never be fast enough to her liking otherwise. This night, her anger soared once more. She threw off her covers, pushed herself up, and swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
Her legs were the weakest, and they needed the most work to recover. Taking a breath, Kanade shoved with her arms off the edge of her bed, propelling her body forward. She threw her leg out to catch herself, but her unused muscles spasmed under her forward weight. Her legs gave out under her, and she crumpled to the floor.
"Dammit!" She pounded the floor with a fist.
Then began a grueling crawl back to her bed, which was at least fortunately low enough that she could just barely manage to pull herself back up.
By the end of it, Kanade lay down over her covers, out of breath. Her skin stuck to the front of her shirt. A night attendant entered the room, and Kanade was glad she had made it back on her bed, though she knew her sweat-drenched body was not a seemly sight.
"Everything alright, Amou-san?" she said, crossing the room.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
Kanade noticed her eyebrow rise, and she knew the nurse was questioning how worn out she looked.
"Are you sure? Are you not sleeping well? We can get you some sleep aids."
"No, I'm fine," Kanade said, trying not to let her heavy breathing be too conspicuous. "I just… had a bad dream."
"Okay then, but remember, just push that button if you ever need anything."
Kanade's eyes flitted to a red knob on the side of her bed frame. When she looked back up, the attendant was already exiting the doors of her room.
Being so close to avenging her family and yet being so weak, it infuriated her. Kanade refused to ever press that button. That would be asking for help, and that would mean accepting her weakness. She didn't need anyone to help her - she didn't want it. How could she say she had avenged them if she didn't do it by herself?
Kanade thought of Tsubasa. How could someone like her be ready for combat? From what she could tell, Tsubasa had lived a sheltered life. She was fragile, unfit for the battlefield. She didn't have her loved ones die in front of her. How could she ever face the war against her? She didn't want to work with Tsubasa. She had to fight alone.
"I have not yet been granted permission…" she remembered Tsubasa saying.
Who the hell cares...
Kanade imagined herself being donning her Gear, poised and ready to fight. She would leap onto the battlefield at the instance the alarm sounded. It didn't matter if she didn't have permission. The Noise were slaughtering masses as they spoke. Does anyone ever need permission to do the right thing?
Who was Tsubasa, who could turn away from fighting off the monsters laying waste to humanity just because someone older said "no"? No one could just be that way, except out of strict regimen.
Still, there was something about Tsubasa that intrigued her - or bothered her. She didn't know which.
Her sweat had become chilly against the already freezing temperature of the hospital room. Kanade pulled the covers over herself and closed her eyes. She knew she would be greeted with nothing but the dark nightmares of her damaged psyche, but she willed herself to sleep.
She was willingly throwing herself into hell anyway.
"Oi! Tsubasa! Look at this!" Kanade shouted as soon as Tsubasa stepped into the room.
"She's doing really well," the nurse explained.
Tsubasa turned her gaze to Kanade, who was standing at the end of the walking rails. Her hands hovered cautiously over the side rails, but other than that she was standing firmly on her two feet. Kanade beamed back at her with a proud and excited grin.
"Watch me," she said.
Kanade then locked her eyes onto her own feet, as if willing them to move. Carefully, she stepped one foot forward. Her muscles twitched as they readjusted her balance, making sure she was rooted properly. Then she stepped the other foot forward. Then again. Soon she was ambling down the rails at an unhurried pace, her hands never touching the rails.
"Wow, that's really great," Tsubasa said as Kanade reached the end of the rails.
"Yes," the nurse said. "It takes a moment for her to get started, but once she does, she's just fine."
Kanade turned back towards Tsubasa with a grin. "Now watch me walk to you!"
"Eh?" Tsubasa jumped.
"Are you sure, Amou-san? There aren't rails around–"
"I'll be fine! Did you see me touch those at all just now?"
Kanade faced Tsubasa and placed a foot forward carefully.
"Ah," Kanade shook a little, and she waved her arms out to steady herself.
"Amou-san…"
"I got this!"
Kanade didn't look down this time. She was wary of the empty space around her, and without the rails her only guide was the destination ahead. Her eyes were locked onto Tsubasa with fierce determination. She took another step forward.
To Tsubasa, Kanade's fiery gaze of concentration seemed to sear its heat onto her cheeks. She involuntarily stepped back once.
"Hey! Don't move away, you're making it harder!"
"S-sorry!"
Kanade took a deep breath. Another step - she kept her eyes on the girl before her.
Kanade didn't know why she was bothering to work so hard trying to walk to her. She just wanted to prove to her that she was becoming stronger - that she couldn't be called weak in any way. So she took another step - her eyes continuously trained on the girl in front of her.
Under her stern gaze, Tsubasa felt her cheeks grew ever hotter the closer Kanade approached. Before long, they were face-to-face, separated by only a mere foot, and Kanade paused.
Tsubasa could hear Kanade's heavy breathing. Her fingers fiddled nervously together as she tried to avoid looking directly into Kanade's eyes.
Kanade closed the distance with one final step and threw her arms arms around Tsubasa's neck. "Gotcha!"
"Ah!" Tsubasa's voice hitched in her throat, and she recoiled at the touch.
But under Kanade's additional weight it only threw off her balance. The two stumbled backwards, huddled together, before finally regaining their footing.
"Whoa!" Kanade said. "That was close."
"S-sorry. You surprised me."
"Good! Now take me back to my seat, I'm exhausted."
"Oh… sure."
Tsubasa wasn't sure how much of her own weight Kanade was leaning on her, but she teetered under the extra weight, not mention the great flush on her cheeks and how weak her legs were at Kanade's sheer proximity and contact as they huddled together and shuffled back to the seats.
"Well, great job, Amou-san,"the nurse said as the two hobbled over to the two chairs. "I am quite thoroughly impressed."
Tsubasa lowered herself and allowed Kanade to sink into the plush chairs. Quite tired herself, she then allowed herself to sit down across in the second chair.
"Write that down in your books," Kanade said. "Tell them I'll be fully recovered in no time!"
"Of course, of course," the nurse said, scribbling some notes down on her notepad. "Now then, I'll leave you two alone. Call me if you need anything."
The nurse exited the room, and as soon as the door clicked behind her, Kanade sat up in her chair.
"Come on, Tsubasa, help me practice some more!"
"Eh?" Tsubasa looked around nervously. "Shouldn't… shouldn't the nurse be with you?"
"It'll be fine! I've done it before! C'mon!"
"I… I do not think we should."
"Ugh," Kanade leaned back in her chair. "Don't be so stiff all the time."
"Rules are rules though," Tsubasa replied. "You have to follow them."
Kanade cringed. "It's that kind of thinking that I don't like about you."
"I'm… sorry?"
"How can you just say things like that? Always listening to orders - have you ever done something on your own before?"
Kanade had started off quiet, but the more she spoke the more she felt a stirring anger within her rise up, and her voice grew louder and louder.
"What if you know an order is wrong? The higher-ups are humans too and they make mistakes!"
Kanade was almost shouting now. She pushed herself forward in her seat, causing Tsubasa to flinch shrink back.
"Sometimes it's better to disobey orders! Sometimes it's the right thing to do!"
"Kanade-san… what–"
"You have your Symphogear!" she yelled. "Why didn't you save my family?!"
The room seemed unnaturally quiet after her shout. Tsubasa saw confusion flash across Kanade's face, as if she didn't know herself why she had said those words.
Kanade leaned back in her seat, and stared dejectedly at the floor. The feelings that she had been keeping in have burst out, and now she could only wonder at how their relationship would develop from now on.
Tsubasa looked down at her hands. What Kanade said had the ring of truth. Where was she when they had first taken hold of Kanade? She remembered the screeching alarms in the headquarters and the all the staff on the bridge running to-and-fro, shouting orders.
"Stay put, Tsubasa!"
"Don't worry about it, Tsubasa, we'll take care of this!"
Tsubasa swallowed. "I... wanted to fight..."
She did. Even though she was scared, even though she doubted that all her training was be enough, she wanted to go.
Kanade snapped her head up. "You did?"
Tsubasa nodded in response.
"Then… why didn't…?"
"Like I said before, I don't have permission to use my Symphogear yet."
It was the role she had been training for since childhood, but in every instance she was denied.
"I am only a tool of the Kazanari family, made to do their bidding," Tsubasa said. "Whatever they say goes, and I have no say in it."
"A tool?"
"My family is traditional and holds a long lineage dating back generations. My father told me himself - I am merely a insignificant member born to carry on the lineage. And ever since the Noise appeared years, I've been trained to fight them."
"Everything has always been decided for me, and I have no choice in the matter." Tsubasa dipped her head, bowing apologetically. "I'm sorry."
Kanade rested her head on her hand. "That's… that's messed up - how your family is."
"It's... just the way things are."
"Well I don't like it."
And here I thought you were only a sheltered, rich girl. Kanade thought, rubbing her forehead. How can you live with it like it doesn't even matter?
"Kanade-san… I know apologies cannot undo what has occurred."
Kanade raised an eyebrow in question. Tsubasa's breath was shaky, and her head was still bowed forward.
"But if you would, I will support you on the battlefield and help you avenge your parents."
"What… are you saying?" Kanade asked, her voice low.
"We're supposed to be working together. In doing so, I hope I can make up for my mistake - for not saving your parents - and I hope I can receive your forgiveness."
Kanade stiffened.
So… is this her apology?
She could see now. It wasn't just her that was suffering. Here was someone who knew that she possessed the power to save those around her, but simply wasn't permitted to wield it. Hearing Tsubasa's apology, Kanade knew at least that she understood her pain.
Kanade took a deep breath and let out a long sigh before answering.
"I don't think anything can make up for my parent's death."
Tsubasa's head snapped up. "Then I-"
"But here I'm trying anyway, aren't I? And if you're here too... I'm glad I don't have to do it alone."
Tsubasa stared in confusion. "What…?"
"I forgive you," Kanade said.
At least, I want to now.
Tsubasa was speechless in shock. She stared wide-eyed at the girl before her, who only looked back with her own soft eyes as the seconds ticked by.
"I'm... sorry for my outburst." Kanade said eventually, her voice low.
Tsubasa shook her head. "But you have nothing to apologize for."
"No, I've already told myself before. I'm not going to blame you. If there's anyone I hate right now it's the administration. I apologize too."
Tsubasa couldn't help but give a small smile. "It's alright. Think nothing of it."
"Why don't we start over?" Kanade said, returning the smile.
Tsubasa nodded. "I would be glad to."
"Great! Well then… I'm Amou Kanade. It's nice to meet you."
"Kazanari Tsubasa. It's nice to meet you too."
Tsubasa felt a tiny, genuine cheer at those words. It was nothing like their first meeting. This time, it was truly a pleasure to meet each other.
She inwardly heaved a sigh of relief. Somehow this conversation that could have ended disastrously had allowed them to speak honestly. Could she say that they have reconciled? At the very least, one more wall has been broken down, and she was satisfied with that.
Tsubasa's gaze drifted towards the wall, and then she noticed the clock hanging on display.
"Oh, it's about time for me to leave," Tsubasa stood. "Shall I call in the nurse on my way out?"
"It's up to you," Kanade said, waving her hand.
Tsubasa headed towards the door. The metal fixture slid open for her. She turned at the threshold and bowed once more.
"Until next time."
"Yup. See ya," Kanade said. "Again, sorry about the things I said. I guess I needed to let off some steam. Who knows, maybe I can start moving on from it now."
Then she looked at Tsubasa and gave a small grin. "Let's go beat those bastard Noise up."
At Kanade's unashamed explicative she felt a small grin pull at the corners of her lips as well. "Yes… let's do it."
Her sword whipped out in a wide arc. Its glint traced a silver line in the air, cleaving the bamboo rod in front of her in two.
The upper half of the bamboo fell to the straw mats on the floor with a thud. Tsubasa sheathed her sword and released breath. She returned to a kneeling position and observed her cut.
It was uneven - dipping downwards and then angling away.
"Remember to breath while you cut, Tsubasa.," Kazanari Yatsuhiro said from the sides.
"Yes, Father."
"You're cuts are bad today. Is something wrong?"
"I…" Tsubasa hesitated. "It's nothing."
Her father stood up. "Practice thirty more cuts, standing."
"Yes, Father," Tsubasa bowed as he left the room.
Tsubasa then rose, and went to replace the bamboo on the pole.
She knew what was wrong. What had been distracting her was a particular orange-haired girl. She was all Tsubasa could think about these days.
Tsubasa took another hollowed bamboo stalk from a pile next to the pole. She slid the stalk down the pole, and stepped back. At an appropriate distance from her target, Tsubasa drew her sword and assumed her stance.
Thirty more cuts. Tsubasa thought. At least fifteen more stalks - about ten more minutes.
SWISH
Her cut came down swift and true, severing the upper stalk from its source with barely a sound. The severed pieced thudded to the floor. Tsubasa took a moment to observe the quality of her cut before continuing.
SWISH
Another cut, refined as the last. She set into a rhythm - cut, cut, replace.
SWISH
After her training, it was to her afternoon lessons, which would take up the rest of the day before dinner. This day she was free, but she was also required at the headquarters twice a week and the weekends.
SWISH
Train, lessons, work, repeat. It was the same rigid schedule day after day. There were no breaks. Like the continuous swing of her blade it has become so routine to her that she had grown numb to it.
But recently, something had managed to slip past the numbness, like drops of water through a crack, and she knew that something was the girl in the hospital ward that had been consuming so much of her thoughts. It was strange - she felt a disorienting mixture of contentment and unrest.
Kanade's words rang in her head.
"It's that kind of thinking that I don't like about you."
"Try to get out more, okay?"
"What do you fight for?"
It had been ages since Tsubasa had thought about it. She told herself that it was her duty to her family. But somehow, that no longer seemed to be enough.
Tsubasa became aware of her training room, dimly lit and alone save for herself. She thought of her house - being surrounded by servants and attendants who knew her only by name. She grimaced, and her grip clenched hard on the sword handle.
Since when did she forget how empty everything was?
The more time she spent around Kanade, the more her thoughts unsettled her. She could sense that there was something missing from her.
But still, she couldn't bring herself to hate Kanade. She could feel something being born within that room, within those hours together, especially after one of her most recent visits in which they reconciled to each other. There was something about Kanade that kept pulling her back to that hospital room.
Tsubasa remembered the harsh glare of determination on Kanade's face as she willed her legs to move. She remembered the burning passion she saw behind those amber eyes. Yes, she would go back, and find that same will that Kanade had.
Tsubasa shook her head. She had been standing still for too long, lost in her thoughts. She picked up another stalk and resumed cutting.
"Tell me more about your family," Kanade said.
They were back in the hospital room, and Tsubasa had barely just arrived. Kanade sat in her bed with her legs dangling off the edge. Tsubasa pulled a stool towards the bed and sat down.
"My family?"
"Yeah, those ones that call you a tool."
Tsubasa gaze dropped to the ground.
"It's a big family with a long history. I have have many distant relatives, but I don't know any of them very well - only by name. They live elsewhere in the country. At home though, besides the servants it's just Father and I. I am an only child."
Tsubasa paused and briefly looked up at Kanade, but her face gave no indication of making a comment. Tsubasa cleared her throat.
"My father has been training me in swordsmanship since I was a child, and other disciplines too. He works in the government, although I'm not exactly sure what he does. He is closely involved with the Division though, so I imagine it's something related to relics.
"Then there is the commander, my uncle. He doesn't live with us, but he visits every so often, even though I see him plenty here. He used to take care of me a lot though when I was younger. I really appreciate it."
Again, Tsubasa paused and allowed Kanade to reply, but she received none. Kanade was looking back passively, prodding her to continue, but she wasn't sure what else to talk about.
"What... about Kanade-san's family?" she asked.
The corner of Kanade's eye twitched, and Tsubasa immediately regretted asking.
"I'm sorry! I shouldn't have-"
"It's fine." Kanade closed her eyes, and swung her legs back on the bed. "I don't want pity."
Several minutes passed as Kanade sat in her bed - eyes closed, legs crossed, and arms folded over her chest - before she finally opened her eyes and answered.
"My family's just me, my sister, and my parents. My sister was in elementary school. She always got good grades. She'd always share something she got - candy, a toy, whatever - without a second thought. My mom and dad were also researchers in relic technology. They were busy, and we traveled a lot because of their job, but they always had time for me and my sister.
"They… they decided to bring us to their work for the day. We were down in the mines, and then..."
Tsubasa gulped. Her throat felt dry. "And then…"
"Yeah… they came out of nowhere. One moment everything was calm. Then I heard a scream somewhere… and then everything went to hell."
Kanade felt her hands clench into fists.
"Sometimes I wonder why I'm still alive, when they aren't."
Tsubasa was speechless once again. What could she say? What had happened the Kanade's family was terrible. Nothing could make up for it, much less any apologies she could offer.
"I'm… I'm sure there are others in your family that are glad you're alive."
Kanade scoffed. "Nah, our family isn't big. It was just us as far as I know."
"W-well, I am glad you're alive." At her own words Tsubasa felt a large blush rise.
Kanade leaned back in surprise. "Seriously? You always seem like it's painful just stepping through the door."
"No," Tsubasa said quickly, shaking her head. "I mean… I know Kanade-san now and..."
Tsubasa saw a confused expression on Kanade's face, and her voice died lower with every word.
"Well… I just thought I wouldn't want you to die. I wouldn't want anyone to die, so..." Tsubasa's voice died mid-sentence.
"You're speaking as if we're great friends all of a sudden."
They fell into a long silence. Tsubasa stared at the ground, reeling in her own embarrassment. She didn't even know what she meant herself in those words, except that she knew that it would not be better if Kanade were dead.
"But you know," Kanade said after a while. "I think we might be able to be friends… eventually."
Tsubasa's raised her head in surprise. "Really?"
"Well, it's a long shot."
The saddened look on Tsubasa's face almost made Kanade laugh a little. On a whim, she reached over flicked Tsubasa's forehead.
"W-what was that?" Tsubasa said, covering her forehead with her hands.
"It might be a long shot," Kanade said. "But I definitely wouldn't mind trying."
Tsubasa gasped, and her eyes widened in surprise. "Do you mean…?"
"When I first saw you I didn't like you at all. I focused all my anger on you almost blamed you for everything that's happened."
Kanade sat up again and swung her legs over the edge of her bed.
"That was pretty mean of me. But even still, you stuck around, and sat with me in this room. Even when I let out all my anger on you, you still came. I don't know how you still found it in yourself to keep coming, but I guess you broke past this hard-headed me."
Kanade grinned, and held out a hand. "What do you say, want to give it a try?"
Words couldn't describe how happy Tsubasa felt. She leaned forward in her seat, and gingerly took Kanade's hand. "Yes, please!"
I think I did it! Tsubasa thought. I've made a...
An alarm blared through the room. A harsh, pulsing red light filled the room.
"The heck is that?!" Kanade shouted, covering her ears.
Tsubasa sprung to her feet, nearly knocking over her stool. "It's the Noise!"
"The Noise?"
"That's the emergency alarm. They've appeared."
Kanade's eyes widened as realization dawned on her. She leapt from the bed and ran out the door. She sprinted down the corridors, pushing through a rush of staff also heading toward their respective positions. The corridors were bathed in red light as well, and the alarm only echoed louder off the sleek walls around her.
"Kanade-san!" she heard Tsubasa call out behind her faintly, along with the quick patter of her footsteps. "You shouldn't be running around like that!"
Kanade ignored her.
The crowd in hallways thinned out quickly as the people reached positions. But Kanade had still yet to reach hers. Her breath was becoming more labored. Her legs were on fire, and they felt like they were about to give out at any moment. But the blare of the alarm and the fire in her own heart spurred her on.
Finally, she saw her destination ahead of her - a wide, automatic door that marked the bridge of the headquarters.
Kanade gritted her teeth, and with a final push of strength, she flew across the few meters distance and short through the door right as it slid open.
"Commander!" Kanade yelled as she skid to a stop, drawing the heads of the entire bridge staff. "Send me out there, please!"
"Kanade!" Genjuro said. "You shouldn't be here."
"Let me fight!" Kanade burst into a coughing fit, as her lungs struggled to catch up with her.
"But in your condition…"
"No! With my power I-"
Tsubasa then burst into the room behind her.
"Kanade-san, you can't," she said between pants. "You haven't been officially released from the ward yet."
"I don't care!" she yelled, whipping around. "I've been waiting for this chance for months! Where are they?"
She spun around again to look at the large display projected in front of them. A grid of the city spread out before her, peppered by swaths of red dots.
"I'm sorry," Genjuro said. "But without proper authorization, we just can't allow you to fight yet."
"Are rules all you care about?" Kanade yelled, watching the red dots on the screen multiply and spread out. There were so many of them - so many just waiting to be crushed by her hands. Yet they wouldn't even let her thrust out her arm.
The officers on the bridge fell silent at the tense confrontation before them. They stared expectantly at Genjuro, waiting for his decision, and the continuous drone of the alarm only reminded them of how dire the situation is.
"Kanade… " Genjuro replied quietly, his hands gripping tightly into fists. "The evacuation and rescue teams are doing the best they can."
"But that's not the best we can do." Kanade said under her breath. She headed towards the door. "I'm going - whether you try to stop me or not!"
"Kanade!" Tsubasa called out after her, and Kanade whipped around to face her.
"You said you'd help me, remember? If you plan on keeping your word…"
And with that in the air, Kanade turned back around and stormed out of the room.
Genjuro let out a loud sigh. "Tomosato! Prepare her transport."
A dark haired woman sitting at a control desk, the only one still concentrating on the monitors, spun around in her seat. "You're letting her go?"
"I'm placing my faith in her. She needs her chance."
"Armored transport is ready and awaiting orders!" said Fujitaka, a male staff the immediate left of Tomosato.
"Move out as soon as Kanade is aboard!" Genjuro then turned to Tsubasa. "Tsubasa, what are you going to do?"
"I…" Tsubasa's eyes darted to the large screen, which displayed a footage of Kanade jumping onto the loading bay of a large Division vehicle.
"If we're doing this, we might as well go all out," Genjuro said.
Tsubasa continued to stare at the screen. Kanade's vehicle had left the headquarters, and on the city grid the blinking blue dot that signaled their location edge ever closer to the sea of red. In the live footage, Kanade was seated, criss-crossing safety belts strapped across her upper body, and she clutched at the pendant hanging from her neck.
That look again… Tsubasa thought. Determined… without fear…
She looked down at her feet, seemingly glued to the floor of the bridge and unwilling to move.
How...?
Tsubasa shook her head. Clenching her fists she yelled, "Commander, send me out too!"
Genjuro nodded. "Prepare another transport!"
The vehicle rushed through the streets of the city, swinging wildly with every turn. Inside the vehicle, Kanade gritted her teeth and and clenched tightly to the armrests, thankful for the many straps keeping her down as the force of each turn threw her side to side.
A voice spoke through an intercom speaker. "Amou-san, we're approaching the site."
"Roger!" she yelled back.
"Alright, the final checks are done," a doctor next to her said. "I'm going to administer the LiNKER now."
He was had with even more straps around him, along with several others that passed down a filled syringe mounted on a silver, gun-shaped device.
"LiNKER?" Kanade said. "Is that what you're calling it now?"
"Remember, you only have a limited amount of time," he said, ignoring her comment, and pressed the tip to Kanade's arm
Kanade closed her eyes, recalling the burning sensation that coursed through her body the many times the drug was tested on her. She sucked in a breath, and braced herself for the pain.
"Okay, done."
Kanade opened her eyes. "That's it?"
"It's still not perfect, be we've at least removed the pain factor. Can't say anything about the after-effects though."
"Well, I don't feel any diff-"
Suddenly her body throbbed, and her words caught in her throat. Her vision rapidly blurred and refocused again and again, and the rumble of vehicle and the voices of the staff distorted and warbled, as if she were submerged underwater. She could barely make out the voices of the doctors calling her name.
Then, beyond the muted clamor around her, she faintly heard - or more accurately felt - the rolling tones of an indiscernible sound. It was just in the distance, barely audible, calling out to her.
"Hey, come on! What's wrong? Tell me!" the doctor shouted, shaking her by the shoulders.
The intercom announced again. "We have visual! It's the Noise!"
A panel opened in the wall, and a displayed flashed a video of the exterior. Noise covered the streets as far as they could see, their colors muting and flickering as they phased through the different dimensions.
The doctor shook her again. "Amou-san, we need you now!"
Then, everything became clear. Kanade's vision came back in sharp detail, the commotion around her grew sharp and distinct, and that mysterious noise - she could hear it now. It was the bright, thrumming toll of her pendant responding to her.
"Approaching the drop site!"
Her straps automatically released. Kanade could feel her spirits lifting, along with an uncontrollable desire to shout rising from deep within her.
"Bay doors opening..."
Kanade sprung up from her seat and flew towards the exit.
"Now!"
The doors burst open, and Kanade leaped out into the air.
"Croitzall ronzell Gungnir zizzl!"
The words burst out of her. Her voice was vibrant and powerful. She had never felt lighter. High in the air, the wind blowing in her face, she looked down and saw the multitudes of the bulbous monsters spread out below her.
There they are...
Then her pendant flashed. Within its brilliant light her armor materialized around her. A wave of energy burst outwards from her, and the Noise in her vicinity brightened to their full colors.
She landed on her feet. The pavement cracked beneath her. She held up a fist and looked at her gauntlets.
"This is what I'm talking about!"
"Kanade!" Genjuro's voice spoke from headphones mounted on her head. The speaker's quality was better than she had ever heard, almost as if he were standing right by her. "Do you read me, Kanade?"
"Loud and clear, commander!"
It even comes with a com system, she thought. How convenient.
"Your backup is on the way. Don't push yourself."
She scoffed. "I'll do my best."
The Noise had already taken notice of her, and had begun to advanced. The mass in front of her moved forward in a surge. But Kanade was hardly afraid. In fact, her blood was boiling. A rhythmic melody began playing from her headphones. Once again she felt an urge rising from within her.
Kanade dashed straight towards them.
"Were they an illusion? A dream? The gentle days..."
One of the Noise leaped at her. She threw a fist forward, and it burst apart upon contact.
"In which I was wrapped up by gentle hands and fell asleep have now completely vanished..."
It was like hitting pillows. Each Noise that leaped out at her she punched, kicked, elbowed, and pummeled into pieces, and with every syllable of her song she could feel her power increasing, and she herself grew fiercer. This was what she had been waiting for all this time.
"Fall back, Kanade! You're pushing too deep!" Genjuro warned. "If you're overwhelmed we won't be able to reach you!"
"I won't be!" Kanade said, kicking another out of her way.
"Don't be reckless!"
But Kanade no longer heard him. She was too busy exacting out her revenge. She continued to kick, hit, knee, punch. She threw everything into each blow. She was letting out all her anger.
"Come at me, you bastards!"
They were barely even a challenge. They all broke apart against her fists.
But there were just too many. They just kept on coming - wave after wave, faster and faster. Her breathing grew labored her punches more and more erratic.
Dammit! I have to do more!
The Noise were overpowering her by sheer numbers. Kanade's hits became desperate as she tried to fend off every one that leaped at her. Then she felt a huge force slam into her from the side, sending her flying. She slammed into the stone wall of a building and collapsed in a heap.
"Kanade! Are you alright?" Genjuro said.
"Fine," Kanade grunted, pushed herself up.
"You have to fall back!"
"Never!" Kanade broke into a cough at the strain of yelling. "I don't care if I die here."
"Kanade-san, it's Tsubasa! I'm on my way!"
"Imyuteus Ame no Habakiri tron!"
In the distance she heard a voice ring out, loud and clear, accompanied by another melody. Kanade looked up from her crouched position at the crowd of Noise in front of her.
A flash of blue burst out from the crowd. It sped towards her, flinging dismembered pieces of the monsters in its wake. When it reached her it spun around a wide arc, cutting apart the Noise around her and clearing the room.
Tsubasa skidded to a stop in front of her and quickly assumed a stance, shielding her from the Noise. She was clad in a blue, black, and white armor and wielded a thin sword.
"I'm sorry I took so long," Tsubasa said.
"Glad you could make it," Kanade said, breathing heavily. "Do I get a weapon like that?"
"It's your Armed Gear. You have to summon it."
"How?"
But before Tsubasa could answer, the Noise began to advance once again. Three leaped out at her. Tsubasa rushed forward and cut them in half with a slash.
Tsubasa flipped onto her hands, two blades released from the armor over her legs, and she spun in a deadly whirlwind, tearing across the mass of Noise.
A building exploded nearby, and another Noise burst out of the rubble. It was almost as large as the building it destroyed, and its roar shook the earth.
Before she could land back on her feet, the Noise swung out its arm, hitting Tsubasa and sending her flying. She slammed into another building, and the walls caved in upon impact in a cloud of smoke and rubble.
"TSUBASA!"
She was flung completely to the other side, where the Division couldn't reach her, and the smaller Noise were already advancing towards her while she was still down.
I have to do something!
Kanade screamed in rage. She put her arms together, and the gauntlets at her wrists attached to each other and released themselves. With a loud whirring, machinery shifted and morphed into a tall spear.
It was as if the knowledge had just implanted itself in her mind. Kanade grabbed its shaft and swung hard. The blade of the spear spun like a drill, and a tornado burst out. It tore through the smaller Noise in front of her and slammed into the giant beast. The tornado lifted it into the air before it erupted with a thundering clap.
The smoke eventually cleared. Kanade looked around at the carnage, and saw that there were no more Noise around her. She raised her spear to her eyes.
Is this… my Armed Gear?
Then a Division vehicle rushed past her, blaring an alarm that sounded suspiciously like an ambulance. Then Kanade remembered.
"Tsubasa!" Kanade took off after the vehicle.
By the time she reached the building where Tsubasa had landed, the medics were already about to load her body in on a stretcher.
"Tsubasa! Tsubasa, are you alright?" Kanade said, rushing to her side.
"Ma'am, please step back," a doctor said, stepping in front of her. "We need to get her to the ICU immediately."
"But-"
"Don't worry, she's in good hands." The doctor was about to head back to the vehicle, when he turned again towards Kanade. "Actually, you should get checked too. You can hop in the back with your friend if you want."
Relieved, Kanade nodded and stepped in with the rest of them. Soon they were moving fast back to the Division's headquarters, and Kanade watched Tsubasa's beeping heart monitor the entire way.
As soon as the door opened, Kanade rushed into the hospital room. Tsubasa was sitting up in the bed, and Kanade ran and practically threw herself at her side.
"Oi! I came as soon as I heard you were fine!"
"Y-yes, I'm alright," Tsubasa said, leaning shyly away from the Kanade's face that had gotten far too close for comfort. "They said I just need some rest."
"Thank goodness," Kanade sighed, and sat down on the edge of the bed.
"The Symphogear system is a wonder, isn't it?" Sakurai Ryoko said, sauntering up to them. She was accompanied by Genjuro, holding a vase full of flowers. "Thanks to its defenses, all injuries aren't as bad as they first appear."
"Glad to hear you're alright, Tsubasa," Genjuro said.
"Thank you," Tsubasa said. "Sorry for troubling you all."
"Not at all." Genjuro placed the vase on the nightstand beside the bed.
Tsubasa looked curiously at the flowers. "Commander, what is this?"
"Wishing you well, of course," he said, placing a hand on her head, and another on Kanade's. "Also, a quick congratulations to both of you - for fighting off the Noise for the first time with your Symphogear."
"Commander..."
Kanade gave a confident grin. "No sweat."
"I have a lot of cleanup work to do, so we'll throw a proper party later. I'm proud of you kids."
He removed his hands, and turned towards the exit. Meanwhile, Ryoko leaned down face-to-face with Tsubasa.
"Heads up! I'll be giving you a thorough inspection tomorrow, okay?" and with a wink, she strolled out of the room.
Now left alone, they sat in silence. Tsubasa stared at Kanade, who was swishing her legs that were dangling off the bed. She had a pensive look on her face.
"What's wrong?" Tsubasa asked. "You don't have to stay to watch me."
Kanade took a short sidelong glance at Tsubasa before looking away.
"I was wondering" she said. "Why did you save me?"
Tsubasa was silent. She thought back to the battle, when she saw Kanade isolated, surrounded by a mass of Noise and her power failing. Thinking back, there was only one thought on her mind.
"That's because… we were just becoming friends."
"…I see." She remembered the conversation they had just moments before the Noise appeared.
Tsubasa fiddled with her fingers. "You know… I don't think I have ever had a real friend before."
"What? You serious?" Kanade looked at her incredulously.
"Yes. Maybe it's why I tried so hard to be with you. I wanted to see if I could do it - make a friend."
Kanade chuckled shook her head.
"Well, sorry your first friend has to be someone like me. You know, besides my sister, I didn't have much friends either with my parents moving around for their job and all."
"I see… I'm sorry."
"Stop saying that," Kanade lightly nudged her on the shoulder. "It's alright. I'm stuck with you now."
Another moment of silence.
"Why don't we start with names then?" Kanade said. "I did say just 'Kanade' is fine, didn't I?"
Tsubasa blinked in surprise. "Yes, but… I thought I have been doing that."
"Drop the '-san' is what I meant."
"Oh, I see. I'm sorry… Kanade."
Tsubasa imagined all the reprimands her etiquette instructor would give should he find out.
"So is 'Tsubasa' alright with you?"
Tsubasa nodded earnestly. "Please."
This is alright though, isn't it? We're becoming friends after all.
Another moment of silence passed.
Tsubasa looked around the spacious room, and thought about being stuck in this same space for more than month. There wasn't even a window to look out of, or for the sunlight to shine through in the mornings.
She looked back at Kanade, who was staring off into space again. Her legs swung lazily in the air.
"Really, it's late," Tsubasa said. "You don't have trouble yourself staying here."
"After all those hours you spent with me?" Kanade stretched widely. "I don't have anywhere to go anyway."
"Do you not have a home?"
"Well, I'm a minor - can't be living by myself. Right now they're keeping me here for their never-ending testing and experiments."
Kanade decided to change the subject. "So how was your first time fighting Noise? You looked good out there."
Terrifying - Tsubasa thought - more than anything she had ever experienced, with all those Noise surrounding them on all sides. But each time something leaped out at her, she was able to respond - a dodge, a block, a parry, slash and move - as if she had already fought the battle before - and she had, in her father's dojo. All her training really had been enough, and for that she was relieved.
"It was scary... but I think I can fight them."
"Yeah? That's good at least."
"What did you think?"
"I found out I'm a better singer than I thought I was," Kanade said with a small laugh.
"How are you so relaxed about it?"
"It's just how I deal with it."
Tsubasa shivered. She felt as if an invisible chill had come over her, and she crossed her arms together over body.
"Even though I know I can fight them now, I keep thinking - how could I keep on doing this? Back then, the Noise seemed never ending, and I thought, what if this duty of ours is never ending?"
"We'll do it," Kanade answered.
"You say that so easily…"
"It's because we have to. We'll do it together," Kanade grinned, and held out a fist. "If the two of us can become friends, just think about all that we can do."
Tsubasa stared at Kanade's hand, stretched out towards her in a fist.
Strange… Tsubasa thought. This atmosphere… it isn't at all like when I first met her.
Tsubasa didn't know what it was about that moment, staring at Kanade's outstretched fist - perhaps they were both just exhausted after their battle and the fatigue was showing its toll on them both - but right then, she felt a wave of warmth sweep over her, thawing the chill of her worry.
Kanade's expression was growing more and more peeved as Tsubasa continued to leave her hanging.
"Ahem."
"S-sorry!" Tsubasa made a fist herself, and gingerly bumped Kanade's.
Kanade's expression breaking back into a grin. "Alright!"
This warmth…
Those words. That smile. That steady fist. The hard look of determination on her face back in therapy room as she tried with all her strength to take a single step. Tsubasa could only think that if Kanade was capable of such a radiance, then she only wanted to see more of it.
"Whoa, are you crying?"
"Eh?!" Tsubasa wiped her eyes, and found droplets of tears pooling at the corners of her eyes.
Kanade burst out in laughter. "You little crybaby! Like me that much, huh?"
Tsubasa's cheeks flared up in a large blush. "That was…"
Kanade only laughed louder at Tsubasa's embarrassment. She threw her head back and her body shook with mirth. Her laughter rang out and filled the empty room.
Tsubasa steamed in her embarrassment. But still, Kanade looked so happy. Her smile had never looked bigger. Tsubasa felt the pull of a small smile on the corners of her lips as well.
Yes… Tsubasa thought. This is it. I want to stay in this warmth.
Suddenly she felt a yawn pushing its way up from her chest, and she did her best to stifle it. She realized just how tired she was.
"Did you really mean it?" Tsubasa murmured, the lull of sleep pulling fast at her consciousness.
"Mean what?" Kanade said, her laughter dying down to small chuckles.
"The two of us… being friends... we could do anything?"
Her words were mere whispers as she fell steadily into slumber. She wondered how Kanade could even hear her. She could barely keep her eyes open now. Her bed suddenly leaned back by itself from her sitting position, but then she realized it was Kanade. She had also noticed how tired she was.
Before her fatigue fully overtook her, she saw Kanade lean forward and drape her blanket over her.
"Of course," Kanade whispered.
And that was all Tsubasa needed before she fell asleep.