Chapter 4: Friends and Rivals (MB Part 1)

"ATTENTION!" MG-sensei loudly ordered. The entire class snapped to attention in anticipation. Today's the day, the mock battle.

"Alright then, today's mock battle will be a capture the flag/elimination type. Combat is held in three locations per battle. Zone A will cover a 300m x 300m zone between the refinery and the workers dorms. Zone B will be the interior and the area between dorm blocks B and C. Lastly; Zone C will be the interior of the warehouse. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Ma'am" was our collective response.

"Ok, you may prep up with your partners and report back by 1000. Is that clear?"

"Yes Ma'am" Finally, I was starting to get fidgety from standing still. I grabbed Eru by the shoulder and dragged her over to where the others were standing by the announcement board.

"Hey Yu-chan, Eru-chan," Nimi greeted us as we approached. Yonjusan stood close-by; rubbing sleep from her eyes while Kei was looking at the board. I quietly slid up to her before putting her in a playful headlock.

"So, what's the line-up eh?" I playfully asked. She giggled nervously before answering, "It seems like the first match is between Nimi-san and Yonjusan's team and Negev and hmm… hang on, Niiyonkyu?"

"Yonkyu-sama would be much better, Russian," a voice spoke from behind. I slowly felt slightly irritated when I turned around and found myself face-to-face with HER. She was M249 SAW, otherwise known as Yonkyu to most, along with her partner IMI Negev. While Negev is a generally nice if slightly childish, Yonkyu can be well… a total Bā pó, pardon the Chinese.

"Ah, nice to see that I'll be fighting family for the first round. Good luck Onee-chan," she jeered before strutting away. I didn't realize how mad I was until Kei started smacking my arm.

"Y-Y-Yu-san, c-c-can't breath," she gasped. I quickly released my hold.

"Oh sorry Kei. That girl always winds me up somehow," I explained, clenching my fists.

"You're not the only one there Yu," Yonjusan hissed as she angrily slapped down on the cover of her magazine port and pulling the slide.

"Say Nimi-san, if I may, why did Yonkyu-san say that she'll be fighting family? I get her relationship with Yonjusan but what's her relation with you?" Kei asked.

"Well… I guess you can say that Yonkyu-san is actually like a little sister since she's based off my design and I did know her since her childhood," Nimi explained. Kei starting thinking about it while I just started preparing for the mock battle. I was just inspecting my magazine well when Eru nudged my arm.

"Wait a minute Yu-san, are you… going commando?" she quickly whispered. I checked my weapon and confirmed that I had indeed taken my stock off.

"Yup, helps with target acquisition in urban combat. What's wrong? I'm wearing the safety shorts," I answered, lifting up my skirt to show her the pair of compression shorts that I wore. She simply looked at me with a weird mix of amusement, exasperation and embarrassment before checking the alignment of her SUSAT scope. I snickered and went about zeroing in my iron sights at the practice range set up for us. Just as I was almost done, Kei approached me.

"What's up?" I greeted her.

"Its nothing… I just want to wish you good luck for your match later before I go for my match…"

"Oh, thanks. Who are ya fighting anyway?"

"Uh… HK23 and MG4… Are they tough?" Well crap. Those two work well together. Doesn't help that both come from the powerful HK family of weapons. I thought hard before I figured a plan.

"You're going solo right? So I guess the only strategy I can think off is to hunker down."

"Uh… Pardon?" Crap, she has no idea what 'hunker down' means.

"Fortify your position. Keep the flag close and make them come to you. Seeing as how both of them are rather mobile, I guess the only think I guess can help is for you manage your rate of fire, ammo consumption and position."

"I see. Thanks Yu-san. That really hel-" she managed to say before the horn signaling the first round sounded.

"Ah! I-I should be going! Bye Yu-san and thanks!" I was about to reply when she raced off.

"GOOD LUCK!" I shouted but she kept on going. I started feeling a little worried about her.

"There you are Yu-san. We should be heading to the viewing area," Eru called out.

"Coming Eru!" I replied. Well, guess I'll just have to see how she fares then.

So, so, so sorry for the uber late update. . Guess this marks the end of the hiatus then.