Chapter 2: Starting Point
(Shirogane Residence) (Takeru's POV)
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….hmm…..I wonder where those two went, I've been looking around the house but still there are no signs of them, not to mention the entire place seems awfully quite even outside…..what's this?
A wooden rabbit?.
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Isn't this Sumika's ?
…..but as I remember she had a stuffed one….hmm….Ah!
(Flash)
"Sumika….here… I made this Santa Rabbit for you…I know it's handmade and all but that's the only thing I can get my hands on for now."
(Flash)
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"…I….I Remember…."
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With Tears once again flowing from his eyes the young boy suddenly remembered everything he just went through as if the Rabbit just unlocked not only his memories, but also all his past deep emotions.
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Dammit! how the hell did I forget all of those things?
I promised them I wouldn't forget no matter what…and yet in the end I did…..dammit!
(Flash)
Huh?...these are...
(Flash)
Yuuko sensei's ...100 page equation? ...but how?
wait...what am I even doing here?
….hmm?, ...wait the last thing I remember was being shot in the heart by someone….but then what happened after that?, If I really did die then did I go back in time again?...but if memory serves right I think Kasumi said something about me not being a Casualty conductor anymore…so…..does that mean that I'm finally home?
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Well….only one way to find out ….I guess I better look out the window and have a look at Sumika's house, and If I find that TSF still hanging around there then its obvio-
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But before the boy can even finish his thoughts as he looks out the window he could already see the giant figure where it was before.
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"…Dammit!...I knew it was too good to be true...!"
...but wait? Isn't this what I wanted? to continue on fighting the BETA?
Hmmm...to continue on fighting or to go back home?
Hmm...tough choice...
...If I were still as naive as I used to be I'd pick the later...too bad dow cause I'm not...well, it's not like I'm complaining.
Now that its turned out like this I might as well take this opportunity and re change the future once again, and hopefully I just wish this won't turn up as another tragedy in the making...hmmm...wait why does it feel like I'm accepting all of this too easily?
Hmmm...something is definitely strange...but what?
Soo far I don't feel any different... yet why does it feel like I'm forgetting something?
Actually, why does it feel like...
I'm trying to convince myself that's something's wrong?
Why does this doubt feel unnatural...?
...well, whatever it is I sure do know that I won't get anywhere else if I just stay here, ...for now I should probably pack up everything that I'm gonna need for my second run, ...or was it third run?
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Packing only my school uniforms along with my brown jacket that I usually use during my off days, some food rations , some electronic equipment like the Game Guy, some cartridges for it to work and the wooden rabbit, I took only those things and put it into my bag then I took one last look at this place before moving near to the door.
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(Sigh) Here we go again, I don't know how many times I've done this already but for this place to actually still remain intact even after all these years, I guess whatever is maintaining this house must have put a lot of effort in it for it to fully replicate it to the brim, well its not like it matters to me dow cause after all a few more minutes and this will all disappear again.
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"...well...I'm off"
I said to the empty house before leaving, I don't know when I would be able to return ...but I do know this...one day I shall and will definitely go back to this place, and when that time comes...surely I would have already saved this world, so until then...I wish for this house to remain the same...
"See you..."
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After everything is said and done I quietly left the house knowing full well that after I leave, it will most probably turn back into ruins once again, I know that its sad and all to see my own house crumble before me so I'll just leave without looking back.
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...Hiiragi street is mostly in ruins.
The station and shopping district are obliterated too...
Even the bridge collapsed, just as I remember it...(sigh)...for some odd reason I suddenly felt a little unmotivated...
"NO...!"
Keep your back straight Shirogane!, focus!...now that I have finally went back in time for god knows how many times already, I must first make sure Alternative Five doesn't happen...and for that to succeed I must make sure Alternative Four works.
Because after all...that's what I can do here...and that's what I have to do...
Now then I better go to Yokohama Base fast...
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As I walk up the road leading to my school I suddenly felt like some of my old memories are slowly starting to return.
...hmmmm...even so looking at this view again now kinda felt nostalgic all of the sudden...
The cherry blossom trees at the Eishi School gates.
A place where many soldiers sleep.
Men who lost their lives to retake the mainland.
"..."
Ironically dow I think this world's original Takeru also fits the bill as well since he did fought the BETA with his bare hands as well, heheheee as expected from me...
(-!)
I'm here already?
"...hahaa"
Last time I laughed so hard at that radar, I hurt myself...
The UN 11th Pacific Army's Yokohama Base...to call this my second home in this world wouldn't be an understatement, since I practically lived here far more longer than in my real house already...
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[Soldier 1] "What're you doing here?"
(-!)
"Hmm...?"
Ah, ...there they are...almost forgot about them...
[Soldier 2] "Been taking a walk? You're a weird guy. It's nothing but rubble out there."
[Soldier 1] "Heading back to your squadron now? Show us your ID and permit."
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I know, but sorry because I still don't have any of those two now...hmm...now then, how did I answer them again back then?...ah.
"Good work, men"
[Soldier 1] "...huh? What are you talking about?
Come on, show us your permit and we'll let you pass, Quit joking around"
Hahahaaaa...It was worth a shot, ...now then I wonder if I can actually get pass these guys without them pointing their guns at me again...Hmmm...Ah!, that's right!...for now I think I'll act as politely as I can be...all dow it's not really my style and all...
"Hehehee, sorry about that but you see I'm currently here for some very important business, anyways can you please call Professor Kouzuki Yuuko?" (-!) The two guards suddenly flinched at the mention of her name. "Tell her that it's about the XG-70 deal.."
One of the guards clicked his radio while his partner kept his eyes on me.
Well at the very least, I actually didn't provoke them that much this time, cause now there not pointing their guns on me like some criminal, well it's not like it bothers me or anything since I actually had bigger ones pointed at me back in my past loops.
"Hey" he called me. "The professor asked for your name"
Oh...she took my bait...now then.
"Its Shirogane Takeru, tell her that I'm one of Alternative Four's supporters" that should clear my name.
After a while, the soldiers lowered their guard
"We've been told to escort you to the professor's office. Come with us but put your hands where I can see them"
"Very well then"
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(Monday, October 22nd, 2001) (Yuuko's Office)
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...Yuuko sensei's office.
...it feels...I guess familiar is the right word...a lot of things happened here...
...yes...a lot of unspeakable things...
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Upon entering I see Yuuko Sensei sitting on her comfy chair just as always. And also just like always her office was a big mess. all dow honestly speaking I doubt it was ever clean to begin with.
"Professor, we brought him as you ordered" the guard stated upon entering.
"Thank you. You can leave us now" after they saluted, they immediately left the room just as she ordered.
After the guards had left I decided to sit down in one of Yuuko's chair while I put my bag down beside me. Yuuko inspected my face as if trying to see if I really am the genuine thing, But that wasn't going to work anymore. I've known the professor for a very long time, so long that saying that I've actually known her longer than herself wouldn't actually be an understatement.
"Now then Mr. Shirogane Takeru, Who are you and what do you want? (Hmm?...what do you mean?) You asked me by name and mentioned a top secret project that only a few high level commanding officer would know off"
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"Relax sensei, I'm not your enemy here so why don't you put that gun away before someone gets hurt" (-!) I saw her lab coat shuffle a bit with its buttons done, sorry but that trick won't work on me since you rarely do your lab coat even in the past, jeez you really should act more presentable once in a while,...wait what am I saying, this is Yuuko I'm talking about...well it's not like I'm not in the same boat as well when it comes to personal high-gene and what knots but at the very least I'm still proud to say that my room back in my original world was still way more cleaner than this one.
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"Anyhow, I'm not here to hurt you professor, infact I'm here to help you so please do not feel alarmed (I'll be the judge of that) ...as you wish but I highly doubt you would believe the things which I'm about to say (Hmmm...Enlighten me) " I sighed at her comeback as she tries to challenge me in a game of words, She hasn't changed a bit. This woman is still as cunning as ever, sadly dow I know all of your tricks already.
"Well first of all I'm not from this world..(Ho?, well that certainly is a new one...)...(Sigh) I can't blame you for not believing me, but if you pull off a file of this city's old inhabitants you will see that the Original Shirogane Takeru of this world has already long died, that coupled up with your Quantum Casualty Theory and pretty much I already have my full blown explanation as to where I came from (hoo...not a bad story you got there, using one of my past theories like that...but ...you're not exactly the first one to have known about it, so anyone who had done there research could easily come up with such a thing, all dow I'm impressed that you actually used it...I'll commend you for that)...Hmmp...Indeed you may have a point, but I'm not exactly finish yet sensei (hmmm...?, you know I have been wondering up to now but why are you calling me sensei?)...well ...pretty much that's because the you in my original world was one of my teachers, in fact even Marimo chan was also my teacher as well, Ironically dow you both still ended up as such even in my past loops as well...(past loop?...what are you talking about?) ...well long story short after I came into this world and got taken in by you I pretty much became an Eishi in the past, after that for every time I die, I pretty much end up being sent to the past which is exactly October 22, 2001...".
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With my clear explanation as it is, it seems Yuuko's expression has finally change to a serious one, either she's really buying it or not only she can tell, either way I'm not exactly lying here since everything that I'm telling her is true.
"So...your claiming that not only are you from another world...but also a time traveler? ...(...yes...)...Hmm…...interesting...your story really is interesting...but as long as you have no proof then how do you expect me to belie-" but before Yuuko can even finish her sentence I quickly stood up from my chair which quickly alarmed her.
"Yes...as you said I may have no physical proof as to what I am saying, but if you have Yashiro Kasumi from the other room read my mind...(-!)" For a a second Yuuko's face was surprised but then quickly returned to normal as to hide her emotion "...then I can guarantee you that everything which I have said about my origins is 100% true...(...very well...)"
Ohhh...shes taking the bait, once I see Kasumi I'll have her read my mind and directly connect to hers in the process, I should be able to convince her to join my side after she sees about my latest loop.
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Yuuko started typing something in her computer, and within a few minutes Yashiro Kasumi immediately arrived in the room.
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"Yo!" I said with a smile on my face.
The girl didn't respond, instead she simply passed by me like I wasn't there and then went to the professor.
"Huh?..." I haven't even got the chance to properly talk to her yet, what's up with her reaction?
And then Kasumi suddenly started whispering something to Yuuko.
"Hmmm...I see...so his really saying the truth..." Yuuko said with a creepy smile on her face.
Ok...what the hell just happened?...did Kasumi already read my mind while she was still in Sumika's room?
...but if that's the case will she take my side?
"Shirogane Takeru was it...if that's what your current existence really is...I don't know either I can fully trust you yet or not...but I have the proof I need to at least believe in your story...now then...what else do you know?"
"Huh?"...strange...didn't Kasumi tell her everything?
"Ummm...didn't Kasumi tell you anything else sensei? (...as much as I hate to admit...I'm not really fully in control of her right now) ...eh!...what do you mean? (...well...let's just say that someone took control of her half a year ago, so pretty much 70% of her loyalty is currently on that person)...wait...took control?...don't tell me...Kasumi!" I suddenly raised my voiced without noticing which quickly alarmed the girl.
"Is Sumika the one who took control of you?..." I asked with a serious tone, but sadly I got no reply whatsoever and silently without making a sound she just simply left the room.
"Wait!, Kasumi...!"
"Sumika?" Yuuko asked with a puzzled look on her face.
"Kagami Sumika, shes my childhood friend in both my original world and apparently this world as well, anyways in case you're wondering shes the floating brain next door" I answered her question honestly which in turn gave her a creepy grin.
Why do I get the feeling that I just gave her some really important information?
"So...her name is Kagami Sumika...interesting...and all this time I was under the impression that it was a male" Yuuko said with a smile.
Huh?...what gave her that idea?
"Anyways, now that I have proven my identity to be true, I believe other information is a must for you correct?" I said in a businessman tone.
"Yes... seeing as Yashiro isn't really talkative right now I would like you to tell me what else you got hidden in that head of yours"
"Very well, once again I shall tell you things which only a handful of people would know, either you believe them or not is up to you" Yuuko nodded in confirmation (First of all I know almost every single detail about all the Alternative Plans in existence, counting up from Alternative 1 up to Alternative 5...next would be..hmmm...let's see...I also know that you need to get 15 billion semiconducting parallel computing circuits to function and fit at the palm of your hands, then you're going to use that technology to give life to the 00 Unit which in turn power up the XG-70 which first target would be non-other than the Sadogashima Hive, unfortunately dow you are destined to fail without my help and thus it will lead to Alternative 4 being scrapped on December 24. The reason...well it was simple...it didn't produce anything of importance to the Supporters-"
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"Stop..." She ordered me which I somehow predicted considering how tense her face suddenly became.
"All of this information...and Yashiro's confirmation...Shirogane...either you're a Devil in disguise or a Messiah...for you to know all of this things...exactly what are you?" Yuuko said with a stern look.
"Seeing as how serious I got you to look at me, it seems like your finally starting to believe my story...(I don't know why but something's telling me that your both a Dangerous and needed existence in this world)"
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Yuuko stared at me for almost over five minutes with a serious look on her face.
"Oi Oi!, please don't look at me like you're gonna eat me or anything sensei..." I said with an annoying smile on my face that might just make her angry.
"Sensei...mind lending me a piece of paper and a pen? (Huh?) I just need to show you something" Yuuko was a little puzzled as to what I'm about to show her but none the less she kept her left hand in her lab coat to keep her gun hidden.
"Here is your pen and paper" she let them down the table which I quickly took to use.
"Now then...let's see" I closed my eyes while trying to remember the equations which I have just received this morning, either someone sent it to me or it was already long inside my head, I do not know...but with these I should be put on equal footing against Yuuko sensei.
"There!" I said with a cheerful voice while passing the paper to Yuuko.
(-!) "This is!..." Yuuko's eyes suddenly widen as her facial expression changes to a serious one mixed with anger.
"This equation...most of this symbols are things that only I should know about...you couldn't possibly ...(-!)...write more of this...now!" Yuuko said in a loud voice as if she was threatening me.
"Sorry Doc. but that's all you will be getting from me as long as you don't accept my contract ( what contract?) The contract to be my lover..." I said casually with a smile, sadly dow she didn't took my joke very well.
"I have no time for your silly games, what I need is the continuation of this equation!" Oh shes really angry now, guess that's Takeru one, Yuuko sensei zero.
"Sensei...(!?)...during my past loop you made me realize just how powerless I was, like hell you even predicted almost everything I did and was about too in the near future...and thus this is how you were able to freely manipulate me...but in the end that didn't go very well on my part...so now I'm gonna take every possibilities I have in this loop, I will no longer be just your pawn on the table..."
I looked at her with both my eyes filled with determination.
"Yuuko sensei... what I wish for is to be your equal!" Yukko was a little fazzed by quickly returned to her cool look.
"I see...so in other words you want me to share both my authority and power...correct?" she asked with a smile on her face as if she wants me to say yes.
"No...all I want is to be your equal...all dow I won't throw away the fact that I get to abuse your power...right now all I'm aiming for is to be heard"
"Heard?...by who?" she asked with intrigue.
"By the world...(...Huh?) Yuuko sensei...let me aks you this... if a Private asked the soldiers to live and a General ordered them to die, who do you think they'll follow?".
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"Hoo...so in other words...you want to gain your own power through me..."
"...yes..."
"Those are dangerous ambitions you have there...think you can keep up?"
"As dangerous as it may be...I'll fight it...no matter what this world throws at me...I'll keep on fighting until I see a future which I can finally call a bright one...I will not cross the finish line alone this time..."
Yuuko's expression suddenly changed into a lighter one which she then followed up with a smile.
"Hoo...I don't know what kinds of hell the other me had put you through...but I see that your determination is none the less genuine at that...very well...I accept your contract..." she said with a somehow beautiful smile on her face...
(Flash)
What the!?
This memories...these are the ones when both of us where having...AHH!...No!, No!, No!...Go away boner! I don't require your services right now!
"Hmmm..?, ...what's wrong?"
"Nothing...I just remembered something"
"Hoo...?, ...very well...so...what's your conditions for the equation?"
"...well...first of all there are over 100 pages of them to be exact including the one I just showed you, so pretty much I'll give you 9 more for today if you could grant my wish."
I explained to her what she did for me in my past loop and also the privileges that she gave me.
"I see...so the other version of me did all those things for you huh...how generous of me..." She replied back in a jokingly manner.
"Yes...for now I'll have you work for my transferring here first, we will talk about the others later on once I finish making the other 9 pages, so for now how about giving me a room in the barracks to sleep in?"
"Very well...I'll have you transferred in squad 207 immediately today so for now use this guest ID, you will start off tomorrow, so I expect those 9 pages tonight".
"Understood".
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(Yokohama base barracks) (Takeru's POV)
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(Sigh)
That was a relief...for a minute there I almost lost my cool...thank god I know Yuuko sensei better now than I used too.
Now then, it's almost afternoon so I guess I better-
(Augh!)
What?...did someone bump against me just now?
ah!
"Ouch!...sorry for bumping into you but I-...Ahh!" The moment the girl looked at the person she bump into tears suddenly started pouring down her eyes.
"Ta...Take...Takeru!" and with all her strength she immediately embraced the boy before he could even react.
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"Ehh...?"
What the hell!?, its Meiya!...but...she knows who I am!?
"Takeruu!...I wanted to see you again!" She cried while saying those words which I know that the past me who once had a relationship with her would definitely want to say as well.
"Takeru...you do still remember me...right?"
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"What the hell is going on here!?"
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