Disclaimers: I don't own Muv-Luv or Age. Never have, never will. No money is made.
Edited: 6/5/19 for formatting
Chapter 5
Shirogane Takeru
After nearly thirty minutes of both pain from Yuuko-sensei's teasing and peace from the sleeping Kasumi beside him, Takeru has decided to bring the conversation back on track.
"So what will you do ?"
"Well, I don't suppose you could tell me everything you know and be out of my hair, can't you?" Yuuko looked at him with the most innocent expression possible which, coming from her, was more threatening than anything.
"It is not an option, for both your sake and mine."
"Your sake, I can guess. But how would you withholding future knowledge beneficial for me?"
"Knowing the future and trying to change it haphazardly will only lead to greater complications, even as bad as making our forewarning useless." He had seen first hand how trying to change things too drastically can be disastrous.
"Hmm, your arguments have merits. So I have no choice but to keep you around." She's made up her mind about the matter.
"Thank you for your understanding, Yuuko-sensei." Takeru figured a little more reverence to his most trusted ally wouldn't hurt.
"So am I correct to assume you have a few preferences as to how you want things done? What rank do you want?" The Professor already pulled up her computer and typed.
"I want to be placed into Squad 207-B." This was his most pressing demand.
"The cadet squad?" Yuuko stopped typing and looked at him. "You have those skills, and yet you want to join a cadet squad?"
"Yes. Me joining that squad is crucial to everything else that will happen." Takeru understood the confusion but abandoning his friends was never an option.
"So instead of going out there right now to change the tide of the war, you want to sit here being a cadet?... Makes me wonder whether or not you really want to destroy the BETA." A hit at his goal. Low blow, but he had heard this argument once to many times already.
"I said I wanted to join a cadet squad. I never said I would be a cadet."
"Ah, so undercover officer. Still, Captain Isumi looked like she would have killed to have you in her squad."
"I know. And in time, I will join her squad. Squad 207 always get assigned to the Valkyries after all. Your own personal team, one could say."
"..." Yuuko looked like she wanted to say something more, but decided otherwise. "Very well. I can get you up to a First Lieutenant. Your rank will be a secret unless you choose to inform someone otherwise."
"That will be great, Professor."
"What about your background?"
"Born in Japan. Drafted by America and transferred into the UN Army as an intelligence officer. Recently returned back to front line duty at Yokohama Base. Those are the main points; you can flesh out the rest however you like."
"Any reasons for those specifics?"
"I'm a Japanese citizen. Being an American soldier is a good excuse for my skills, and also my lack of cultural knowledge. As a former intelligence officer, I can explain myself if I let loose something confidential, though I don't plan on doing so. And front line duty at Yokohama Base explains why I'm here and why I will be out fighting soon." Takeru explained without a pause. Out of the thousands of backgrounds, he'd found this one to be the most encompassing of his situation.
"You've put some thoughts into this, Shirogane-kun." Yuuko was almost impressed with his reasoning. Almost. "Alright, that's all for today. You've been enlisted into Squad 207-B, but your real rank is a First Lieutenant. Your background story is you were born here, your parents moved abroad, you were enlisted into the American Army before transferring into the UN Army's Intelligence Department, and now, due to a shortage of soldier on the field, you're returning back to Yokohama as an Eishi."
"Perfect, Yuuko-sensei. Thank you very much." Takeru bowed one last time and started to walk out of the lab. "I'll see you later."
"Shirogane-kun. I've given you clearance for all levels up to this lab. And call me Yuuko, I don't have any student here."
"Thank you very much...Yuuko."
Takeru was a bit surprised by this new development. She'd never allowed him to drop the honorifics before, even deriving some form of pride in being his 'teacher.' He doubted this was her sign of trust in him, but if it means she believed him somewhat then who's he to question it. He glanced about the empty hallway; he could go to meet his 'new' squad, but that could be postponed for later. With that in mind, he walked towards the brain room where he knew his two most trusted accomplices in this whole ordeal would be.
Swiping his newly-acquired key card over the lock, he stepped once again into the ominous, blue-tinted hallway, and at the end of it, Sumika. Sitting on the cold hard metal floor beside the blue glass case, Takeru spoke aloud in his mind, Hey Sumika, I'm back again thanks to you. Don't worry, I'll get you out of there soon. This time I will, no, have to save them all. I don't think I can live with myself if I don't. A few bubbles rose from the liquid inside, and Takeru wondered if Sumika still has her ESP abilities in this form. He should get around to asking her this time.
Despite however many different worlds and multiverses he's been on, Sumika was always the same, loud, obnoxious, violent, and kind. Even back in his original world without the BETA, she's still the same as all her versions in BETA-infested universes. A constant in a chaotic system, though if he takes into account her role in making him a Causality Conductor, she's more like his anchor in this sea of madness. A gentle tug at his sleeve pulled him back to the land of reality. Kasumi was standing there with slightly misty eyes, though from waking or crying, he never did find out.
"She said welcome back Takeru-chan, and to visit her from time to time down here as it does get lonely." So Sumika can communicate from inside there with another psychic. Not that Takeru was planning on keeping her in there, but good to know still.
"Tell her I will visit her as often as I could. And you too Kasumi." Kasumi squeezed her eyes for a moment before nodding. His message has been sent and received.
"I'm glad you came back Takeru-chan." Kasumi took her place in his lap
"I promised you I would change the world and save everyone." Bringing his arms around the small girl, he leaned back onto the brain jar, feeling, for the first time since he came back, truly happy.
"I'm sorry I look into your mind earlier. The Professor made me do it to clear your name." It was a small, inconsequential problem, but she was almost at tears from it. I honestly never deserved someone like her.
"I don't mind, Kasumi. You saved my hide back there. She will have tossed me to the dogs if you haven't come." It was borderline senseless encouragement, but when talking about Yuuko, it was scarily possible.
A few seconds of silence passed before Kasumi asked, "How much can I know, Takeru-chan?
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"When I read your memory earlier, my memory signature was in there as well. So I was afraid there were things I wasn't supposed to see."
"Kasumi, I don't mind you reading my mind. I trust you more than I trust myself. But there are also a few things I want to protect you from."
"You can imagine putting those memories into a room and close the door. If I ever see a door, I won't look into it." Kasumi explained factually as if it was something he should know, and in truth, he probably should have considering how much time he spent around her.
"Okay, I'll do it later. Thank you, Kasumi." He supported her back with his hands and stood. "I have to be going. I'll come to visit you later tonight."
A nod from Kasumi and he was off.
Jinguuji Marimo
Marimo was still in a state of shock as she made her way back onto the training field. She'd witnessed a single boy, no older than 18, cleared one of the hardest course available on base and breaking the record by more than an hour. If someone were to ask her right there if she believed in gods, she would have nodded without hesitation because of him.
Her dazed mind was not given a chance to rest as Yuuko's informed her he will be joining Squad 207-B, HER squad. She, of course, asked the pressing question of why such a pilot is put into a cadet group, only to be shut down with a simple "Classified" from her friend. Guess I'll have to find out myself. She cast her eyes over the squad, hard at work. This group has so much potential individually, but their failed CCSE made evident their glaring weakness. Their individual skills are so great teamwork is near impossible. Maybe adding a new member so close to the next evaluation would force them to help him catch up. Though with that boy's abilities, she doubted it will be them helping him rather than the other way around. But if that's a risk she must take for this squad to improve then she will take it.
"Cadet Sakaki! Get everyone over here." Less than a minute later and they've all lined up in front of her.
"Ma'am! Everyone is present." Sakaki was disciplined as ever. If only she could be a little more flexible.
"At ease. There will be a new member to your squad as of today." Dancing around a topic was never her style.
"Ma'am, permission to ask." It was Mitsurugi who spoke up, breaking the shocked silence.
"Go ahead, Cadet Mitsurugi."
"Why is there a new transfer this close to our next CCSE?" A valid question, if only Marimo knew the answer.
"This is a decision by Professor Kouzuki. I do not know the specifics but rest assured, he will not be dragging you down." In fact, it's the other way around.
"So he has had previous training?" Sakaki was also interested in how this could affect their performance, as expected of her.
"...It's a guy..." Ayamine seemed to have her priorities set differently.
"Yes, it is a male cadet, and his training has been sufficient for our programs. I've seen to it myself." Her response has satisfied the crowd, or at least their attention was on something behind her. He's here.
When she turned around, she instantly noted something has changed about him in the past 2 hours. When she met him for the first time in the simulation room, he was invincible to her, even before his performance. He was collected and confident to the point of self-centered. The boy standing before her was nothing like him. He was still Shirogane Takeru, but he's no longer a god. He strolled across the empty field, head hung low, and eyes downcasted. His pace was still deliberate, but his whole upper body was shaking, and his legs looked like they could give in any seconds. He's scared...But of what Marimo didn't know. He stopped ten paces from the group and looked up. A pained smile on his face, he stood straight and saluted:
"Mari...Sergeant Jinguuji! Cadet Shirogane Takeru reporting in. I will be under your care from now on." Marimo did not miss the slip-up. Has he met me before today?
"At ease." That thought will have to be pondered on later, as there's an enraptured group behind her awaiting their turn. "This will be your new squad, Shirogane. Everyone introduce yourself."
"I'm Sakaki Chizuru, leader of squad 207-B. Nice to meet you, Shirogane."
"Likewise, Cla...Sakaki" Another slip?
"I'm Meiya, Meiya Mitsurugi. Glad to make your acquaintance, Shirogane."
"The feeling's mutual, Mitsurugi."
"Kei Ayamine. I hope you're good."
"I'll try to live up to your expectations, Ayamine."
"I'm Miki Tamase. I'm happy you're joining our squad."
"Me too, Tama...se. Me too."
And that was the end of a problem-free introduction, but it was too formal for Marimo's liking. She'd seen how this kid can carry himself and yet here he was, a fair distance away from them, mincing words for an introduction. Something about these girls was making him...anxious, and she was going to fix it. A little training will get them back on track.
"Alright, today was supposed to be a day off, but there's still sunlight left. Shirogane, do you want to join them for training?"
"...Yes, ma'am." He started to walk towards the field.
Marimo let the girls exchange questioning looks for all of 2 seconds before ordering them off to run. This day is never going to end.
Shirogane Takeru
He was kicking himself mentally for such dismal first impression, for them anyway. He'd had nearly 10 minutes to prepare himself, but the moment he saw all of them standing together, all his defense crumbled. There will be time to lament that later. Marimo-chan threw him a lifeline when she suggested training. That should take my mind off of things for now. As he put on his new uniform, he was faced with a choice, to show his real strength and hope they'll work together to follow him, or to suppress himself, so they have no choice but to help him along. He's tried both with varying degrees of success. Marimo-chan will be suspicious if I'm too bad, though...Well, guess I'll use my military background to explain any questions.
With his mindset and his emotions checked, Takeru walked back onto the training field as a soldier again. Eyes were on him, curious how the new guy measure up, huh. Running 10 laps was their first order, and by the time he finished, the girls were only on their fourth lap. And I wasn't even rushing. A few thousand years and even I can become an athlete. Deciding that standing around wouldn't do him nor them any good, he kept jogging along with them. Meiya quickly fell into step beside him, slightly out of breath.
"How did you run so fast?"
"I trained a lot before." It wasn't a lie, he'd spent more than a thousand year training, but it felt as if he was still deceiving his friend.
"You must have had a good instructor."
"Yeah...She was the best." His word choice and forlorn expression did not escape the purple-hair girl as she promptly put her hand on his back gently.
"I'm sorry for bringing it up."
"...No, it's fine; you couldn't have known." He shook his head to clear the surfacing memories before smiling as best as he could at Meiya. "Let's get back to running, yeah? Tama's almost caught up." And he took off. That was pathetic of me.
His light jog made him an easy target as Class Rep was the next to begin her questioning.
"You have good speed and endurance Shirogane."
"Thank you, I've been trained before."
"How old are you?" She has opted for a different train of thoughts.
"I'm turning 18 in a few weeks." Another lie to his friends; he winced slightly at the mental pain.
"How long have you been training?"
"You could say all my life." He seeks some solace in that it was a half-truth. "Better get back to running, they're catching up." And he took off. Still pathetic, Takeru. Still pathetic.
The prospect of being 'interviewed' by Tama or, god helped him, Ayamine proved too scary for Takeru as he returned to where Marimo-chan was standing. She glanced briefly at him before returning her eyes back on the girls. She really cares about her students, no matter who she is.
"You're not bad at endurance, Shirogane. Done this before?" Her words were slightly biting, but her tone showed the compassion he missed so much.
"Yes, Marimo-chan." He realized his blunder a second too late as she'd turned sharply to face him. "I'm sorry, Sergeant Jinguuji." To his relief, she looked more concerned than angry.
"Not the first time you've tried to call me that." So she's caught on. "Have I met you before?"
"No, ma'am! My previous instructor was much like you, so I mistakenly made a connection." Not a complete lie but still off enough for him to feel guilty about tricking her.
"My condolences Shirogane. I'm sure she was a great instructor to have trained you as you are today."
"I owe her everything, ma'am."
"Don't kick yourself too much. I know trauma is hard to bear at such a young age, but she would've wanted you to keep on with life." You're quoting yourself Marimo-chan.
"I'll try my best, ma'am. Thank you." He tried walking towards the out-of-breath girls on the sideline, but a hand caught his shoulder.
"And... don't be too formal like just now. It doesn't suit you." Her voice was soothing to his mind. He silently nodded to her, not trusting his words, and walked off.
The next few hours of practice passed by without accident, much to his relief. This loop was changing too fast compared to previous ones. Aware that this is his last chance has put him on edge about keeping choices consistent. His newfound assertiveness was a big gamble. But if he's to save his friends in one go, he'll have to change more than one choice. I'm in too deep now. Passiveness is no longer an option, and so the world will have to deal with him taking what he wants. The ends will have to justify the means this time around.
A/N: I'm back again. Summer break is gonna have me publishing at a somewhat more consistent basis, but don't set your hopes too high.
bluefish1945: Thank you for your review(s). I played around with the spacing this chapter so let me know if it works.
Caveknight32: A lot of my inspirations came from One Last Time into the Loop but I'm going to throw in some of my spice in. This idea has been done a lot in this fandom after all. I'll play around with the harem idea, but you're right, it's too hard to choose one girl over another.
hartman762: Spacing is being worked on. I'll edit the previous chapters once I hit writer's block for future chapters.