Operation Ouka* Plan that led to the seizure of Original Hive on January 1st, 2002

Chapter 7: When Even Tears Don't Fall.

"One thing you can't hide - is when you're crippled inside."
John Lennon

(Shopping Street)(Afternoon)(October 24, 2001)(Takeru PoV)

I,Shirogane Takeru,was standing in the middle of the shopping street,after Tsukuyomi-san gave me the tickets for the amusement park.

The day was coming to an end,the first stars were appearing in the sky and I was just standing there looking at the tickets in my hand. The street and the stalls around me were becoming lively,with all the people coming from their work and the students gathering after their club activities.

Not even five minutes had passed since Tsukuyomi-san left and I was still thinking about the implications of her behaviour.

From our previous conversation,I was sure that she had spoken with Maya-san,and for that reason she came to know that something was different about me...

...But then,why she wasn't angry at me like Maya-san...

...I hurt Meiya and Yuuhi...and for all she knew maybe i'm a threat to them...

...Then why,she acted like she always does...appearing in front of me with that ridiculous disguise...just to give me the tickets...encouraging me to date Meiya...

And then I finally got it...

...She was totally different from her cousin,who took an hostile attitude towards me the moment she noticed that I was different...

...Although probably she still harbors some doubts,she wanted to believe in me,and at the same time,she wanted to give Meiya a chance to stay with me...

(Flash)

[Tsukuyomi]"Takeru-sama...when Meiya-sama was spending time with you...the face she showed you...I loved it."

[Tsukuyomi]"...Takeru-sama...for the very first time, I disobeyed Meiya-sama's orders."

[Takeru]"...eh!?"

[Tsukuyomi]"Coming here was my own personal decision. Accompanying you as I am now...is nothing more than my own selfishness."

(Flash End)

Right...she did the same thing a long time ago...when she warned me that Meiya was about to get married...probably even now she's acting just for Meiya's sake...

I lived for all these years and I still didn't understand such a simple thing...

And while thinking at how much of an idiot I was,I found myself running to the arcade with a self-ridicule smile on my face.

Once arrived in front of the arcade,I looked around and immediately found what I was looking for. That was a game called "Kappagi Crane". It was a game in which you use a claw to grab stuffed animals.

Back when I still was a simple high school student,i won one of these animals and I gave it to Meiya as a gift for her birthday.

I still remember her delighted face as I gave her my gift.

At that time,I didn't understand the value of my present,but she has always lived for the sole purpose of becoming Mitsurugi's heir,and even though my gift was cheap,for her had a deeper meaning,as was a present received from the boy with whom she had exchanged the promise.

So I searched into my pocket and after I found a coin I inserted it into the machine. The tune that marked the beginning of the game played and then I was finally able to move the claw.

I looked among the stuffed animals,to decide which one to pick,and then my eyes went on a particular teddy bear. Its features were simple,and all around was cute so I decided to pick it.

I moved the claw above the teddy bear and then I pushed the button to make the claw go down. Luckily it grasped the bear I wanted and even when it went up,the bear was still strongly in the claw's grip.

Then slowly I moved the claw to the hole where to put the prize,and next I dropped it inside. Finally I heard a slightly thud,and that signaled that I had won the stuffed animal,so I opened the hatch and inside I found the long-awaited prize.

I took it and then I watched it closely,to make sure it hadn't major defects. On the outside it was perfect,so I breathed in relief and I turned around to finally go home,but then my eyes met with one girl who was about to enter inside the arcade.

She was wearing Hakuryou's girls uniform,and she had cyan hair and brown eyes. Her appearance and her flat chest made her look very androgynous,but even so,those were the features of a girl I once loved.

She recognized me immediately and came near me trotting.

And with a big smile on her face she said cheerfully [Mikoto]"Takeru...it's been so long! …..Have you grown again!? It feels like we haven't seen each other for years!..."

I hurriedly hid the teddy bear behind my back and then I immediately answered to her [Takeru]"You said the same thing the other day..."

At my remark she tilted her head to the side and then while observing me she said with a perplexed tone [Mikoto]"Eh? Did I? But look, you feel different somehow...Did you get stranded or sent adrift somewhere?"

As usual she was right on the mark,but as always I didn't know if she was serious of if it was her 'sixth sense' speaking on her behalf.

So I decided to joke about it and then with a bemused smile I told her [Takeru]"Yeah I did. In fact I got sent to a world where the aliens..."

But she didn't listen to me and instead she hesitated before speaking again, as if weighing words.

So I interrupted my phrase halfway and then I watched her. She looked down as soon as our eyes met, and in her eyes a glint of sadness appeared,like she already knew something was off.

Then with a somber tone she asked me [Mikoto]"Where were you?... At first... I wondered if my dad took you away somewhere instead of me... "

Her words resounded in my heart,like when I talked to Class Rep,but I didn't want to worry them no more by showing my weakness,so I kept smirking and with a joking tone I said [Takeru]"Yeah... for a second I thought I would spend all winter on a tuna boat...you know that your father is very pushy?"

Her head flinched back slightly and then with an uncertain tone she asked [Mikoto]"Eh...you met with dad?"

...Her father,Yoroi Sakon...i didn't know him in this world,but I did knew him in the other world,as he worked for the Imperial Ministry of Intelligence as a spy...

So I smiled wryly at her question and then,while scratching the back of my head,with an hesitant tone I said [Takeru]"Once or twice..."

And then she seemed to consent at my words and her mood changed completely [Mikoto]"Takeru! I've been waiting for us to go play Valgernon! We haven't done that in a while!"

But she didn't give me time to answer,because as soon as she ended up speaking she grabbed my hand and started pulling me inside the arcade.

However I didn't budge,and when she realized that her attempt at moving me was futile,she released my hand and then asked me [Mikoto]"Anyway,why are you here?"

Took by surprise by her sudden change of subject,i told her a little lie [Takeru]"I w-was just passing here..."

She didn't buy my lie and again she looked at me from tip to toe with a distrustful look on her face [Mikoto]"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..."

Faced with her suspicious gaze I took half step back and I tried to hid the stuffed animal as best as I could behind my back [Takeru]"Wh-what? Is me being here a problem?"

But then I hit the 'Kappagi Crane' with my back,and from the surprise the teddy bear slipped from my hand and fell to the ground.

I tried to pick it up before Mikoto could see it,but she was faster and took it before me.

She picked it up,looked at it for a couple of seconds and then she pouted her lips and stared at me angrily [Mikoto]"Takeru, you don't understand anything."

I stared at her,incredulously,and then I asked with a befuddled tone [Takeru]"What're you talking about?"

She kept staring at me,and with a sullen look on her face she continued [Mikoto]"You don't know...anything about me."

I didn't expect that reaction from her and I felt a little taken aback so with a vexed tone I asked her [Takeru]"And how's that supposed to help me learn? Explain it already."

And then she averted her gaze while puffing her cheeks like an hamster [Mikoto]"Hmph...I don't really care."

So I put my hands on her shoulders and I forced her to look at me [Takeru]"Yes,you do."

But she kept avoiding my gaze and then she changed the subject by asking me again [Mikoto]"So what're you doing here, Takeru?"

I ran my hand through my hair,I tapped my index finger against my lips and then I told her [Takeru]"Didn't I tell you?"

She shook her head once and then she remarked curtly [Mikoto]"I didn't hear you say that."

But I remembered clearly about telling her just a minute ago so I told her [Takeru]"I just said it a second ago!"

Then she started fiddling with a button of her uniform while looking down [Mikoto]"Did you really?"

At that point I shrugged my shoulders in an exaggerated way and then with an amazed tone I said [Takeru]"I did. That's why I always say you never listen..."

That was her major flaw...in every world,she never listens...in the other world she was trying to get over her fault after Capt. Isumi's death...but then Operation Cherry Blossom happened...

And while I was thinking,once again she sulked and pouted her lips. And then she murmured [Mikoto]"...I am listening."

What? Mikoto was listening to me?

I thought I had an auditory hallucination so I told her [Takeru]"Then..."

And while fixing her gaze upon me with a vehement tone she said clearly [Mikoto]"I'm always listening to what you say, Takeru."

I cocked my head to one side while raising my eyebrows and with a dubious tone I asked her [Takeru]"...Really?"

With a determined look,and a confident tone,she asked me [Mikoto]"...want me to prove it?"

[Takeru]"How?"

And then,as if she wanted to take a few more seconds to think,she swallowed in an obvious way,and finally she dropped the bombshell [Mikoto]"...Are you leaving?"

[Takeru]"!?" My mouth almost fell open from the shock,but then In a second I recomposed myself and I waited for her to continue.

She adjusted her uniform and then with a wavering voice she explained [Mikoto]"...this morning,i was walking through the school's hallway and I heard you talking with Kasumi-san."

I didn't say a word,but in the meantime my muscles tensed and my posture became rigid [Takeru]"..."

And then her lip moved rapidly,and for a while no sound came out of her mouth,like she was trying to find the right thing to say.

After that she took a couple of deep breaths,she shot a glance at me,and then with a shaky voice she said [Mikoto]"E-even I'm...bothered by that."

[Takeru]"..."

Since I still didn't speak,she mustered all her courage to her eyes,and she asked me while looking me directly in the eyes [Mikoto]"...why didn't you speak with us?"

For a few more seconds I still didn't said anything and I just looked in her pure eyes,but then I couldn't face her gaze anymore so I looked down and I said with an uncertain tone [Takeru]"...i-it's complicated..."

But she didn't give up and tried to maintain eye contact with me while saying [Mikoto]"Are you stuttering because you feel guilty? Can you not look me in the eye because...?"

NO! …..It's... just... that...

...If I reveal everything now...you're gonna suffer until i'm gone...but if I tell you all on Saturday...the pain will disappear almost immediately along with your memories of me...

So I replied vehemently,almost screaming [Takeru]"No,that's not it!"

And then she flinched back slightly before looking down with a dejected look on her face [Mikoto]"...it's okay. Don't force yourself, I'm not..."

After that I looked at her and I noticed that she was slightly trembling so I pointed that out [Takeru]"Who's the one forcing themselves? Your legs are shaking."

But she denied it and put her hands on her knees trying to stop the trembling [Mikoto]"N-no they're not...this is..."

And then I stood there motionless,looking at her crossing her arms and holding onto her shoulders,while fighting the urge to hug her [Takeru]"..."

While still trembling slightly she said with a reproaching tone [Mikoto]"...this is...your fault, Takeru."

That was the second time I heard that phrase today...

So I closed my eyes and after a deep pained breath I muttered [Takeru]"...i know..." and then I reopened my eyes but in that moment I found out that Mikoto was looking at me with a watery gaze.

[Mikoto]"...uuuu."

So,similarly to how I did it with Class Rep I smiled and then I said [Takeru]"Aaaah, I got it. It's my fault,so stop looking so sad."

But she kept fidgeting and,in addition,she started looking at me with puppy-dog eyes [Mikoto]"...uuu."

So I tried to make her stop and I told her [Takeru]"Seriously,stop fidgeting like that...it's making me feel uncomfortable too."

After hearing my words she slightly widened her eyes,and then she leaned in while raising her eyebrows and offering a questioning gaze [Mikoto]"Why?"

No...i couldn't say that I was getting uncomfortable because this way she looked cute...

So I stood there silent while feeling my face getting slightly hot [Takeru]"..."

But she didn't give up and kept asking [Mikoto]"Why? Do I still look like a boy to you?"

And while stuttering I said [Takeru]"...n-no, n-not t-that." then i whispered with a much lower voice [Takeru]"...it's the opposite..."

At that point she narrowed her eyes and with an high-pitched voice she asked [Mikoto]"Then why?"

So I yelled [Takeru]"Obviously because I'm seeing you as a woman!"

And then her mouth fell open,her eyes widened,and she stared at me,incredulous [Mikoto]"..."

[Takeru]"Because you're a woman, Mikoto. Can you figure it out from that?"

Then she smiled with her whole face while looking at me with a beaming expression and glowing cheeks [Mikoto]"...so you do see me as a girl."

I couldn't deny it anymore so with an embarrassed tone I said [Takeru]"Well...yeah... I do."

As soon as I finished speaking her hands went to her chest,and while blushing she said [Mikoto]"I don't really...well, I'm not girly at all."

I looked her closely and then I teased her to conceal my embarrassment [Takeru]"Well, that's true, the way you behave, you could easily pass for a guy."

Her smile turned upside down into a frown [Mikoto]"...uu..."

However,I added while smiling kindly [Takeru]"No, not any more."

After spending 3 years as lovers I couldn't look at her as I used to...especially because during Alternative V she got pregnant and probably conceived my daughter on the spaceship...

She was no longer my pal Mikoto...

Instead...whenever I looked at her...i saw my old lover...

In the meantime she inhaled deeply through the nose,exhaled through the mouth and then she nodded to herself.

And while blushing furiosly she affirmed [Mikoto]"There's a way to find out for sure."

For a split second my breathing suspended [Takeru]"Eh?"

And then she moved into my personal space and next she caressed my cheek with her right hand [Mikoto]"..."

I took a step back and then I laughed falsely,pretending to laugh it off,but she just looked at me while expecting me to say something.

So,seeing that she was completely serious,while stuttering I said [Takeru]"...h-hey, y-you d-don't mean..."

Once again she leaned forward to get closer,and with an embarrassed tone of voice said [Mikoto]"...we're probably thinking the same thing."

And I looked her incredulously while trying to change the topic in any way possible [Takeru]"B-but...i mean...you know..."

However she interrupted me by saying [Mikoto]"You don't want me?" And after she asked the question,she broke eye contact with me and her shoulder slumped.

After seeing her acting so feminine I found myself struggling to find the right words. So I took a deep breath,reorganized my thoughts and then I softly shook my head while saying [Takeru]"...it's not that..."

She exhaled while her eyes looked up,and after she licked her lip with cautious hope,she asked [Mikoto]"Can't you?"

Please don't ignore me during something this important...for you it's your first kiss!

And then she came nearer,and now we were so close that I could feel her breath hitting my face.

While looking at my lips she gently bit hers and then she repeated [Mikoto]"Can't you?"

I couldn't resist looking into her puppy dog eyes anymore,so I averted my gaze,intensely concentrating on the teddy bear still in her left hand,to avoid looking her directly in the eyes.

But she said immediately [Mikoto]"...My face it's not there."

[Takeru]"B-but..." I tried to interject but once again she stopped me,by repeating,with a stiff posture and an air of readiness [Mikoto]"Can't you?...you can find out."

And then a pained expression appeared on my face and with a melancholy voice I called her name [Takeru]"...Mikoto."

...Mikoto...

...It would be so easy to answer to her and the other girls feelings...

...But I couldn't afford to just hold her close and kiss her. Getting caught in my emotions here would only lead to hesitation on Saturday...

After she saw my expression,she too looked at me with long, pained look and then she broke eye contact. After a few more seconds of unnatural silence she said with a hesitant tone [Mikoto]"If you don't...I'm gonna be uneasy...almost if...you'd go poof if I looked away for a moment."

Then as if to give more strength to her assertion she dropped the teddy bear and grabbed the sleeves of my school uniform.

But I still didn't say a word while pressing my lips into a slight grimace [Takeru]"..."

...Of course...I don't want to leave you...

She didn't get discouraged and she just kept on [Mikoto]"That's just my personality...since I don't think you realize I'm serious, Takeru." And the more she talked,the more the strength which held me increased.

With a quiet voice that lacked enthusiasm I answered [Takeru]"It's not that...I can tell when you're being serious."

And then she looked me with feverish, over-bright eyes while saying with a steady voice [Mikoto]"Then give me an answer."

I...can't...

[Takeru]"..."

[Mikoto]"If you don't do it now, you never will..."

I...can't...even though I want to...

[Takeru]"..."

And then she bit her lip and looked at me with a watery gaze [Mikoto]"If we go back to our usual selves, we'll just do stupid things again..."

...Meanwhile,I could feel my resolve crumbling as she kept talking...

[Takeru]"..."

...Mikoto was alive and healthy in front of me...

...That fact alone was enough to make my resolve waver...

Once again she looked me with her puppy-dog eyes and she repeated while offering me a smile that faded quickly [Mikoto]"Can't you?"

[Takeru]"..."

And then after another quick, false smile she repeated [Mikoto]"Am I no good?...or do you not want to...after all?"

...She was forcing herself...i could see that from the unnatural movements and smiles she was making...

[Takeru]"Mikoto..." I called her name and she closed her eyes in expectation.

Her cheeks flushed,her ears turned red and she leaned even closer. In that moment our bodies touched and she slightly flinched away from the embarrassment [Mikoto]"...hau..."

(Flash)

I've been hiding it for a long time, but I love you, Takeru.

As a girl of course.

Sorry for telling you in such an unfair way.

But please forgive me for loving you, Takeru.

This might sound weird right after that, but make Sumika-san happy.

You finally got to see her again, so you'd better do it.

Goodbye.

December 31st, 2001

Yoroi Mikoto

(Flash End)

Then the walls shielding my heart crumbled and I pulled her close,leaned over and tilted her face up to mine with a hand under her chin and finally I kissed her. I gently kissed her top lip and then her bottom lip, then I placed both my lips on both of hers.

It was magic, the way her lips connected with mine.

In that moment I felt the world disappear around me.

Nothing else mattered.

No one else existed.

It was just the two of us alone in the universe.

I had kissed her.

Her first kiss in this world.

Such a long time had passed since last time we kissed each other.

I hardly believed it.

Just for a second I wondered if it had only been a dream.

Almost like our separation during Alternative V and her death on Operation Ouka* were just illusions of my mind.

It was right, and somehow, among all of the dizziness and her clinging to me like a life line, something inside me changed, never to be reversed.

I knew that I was going to regret this...on Saturday...but I could dwell upon that feeling later...because, for now, I was content to feel her breath come and go with mine.

And then,after what I felt like an eternity,i stopped and I separated from her. Our breath escaped from between our lips, tickling my ears, and making her back twitch.

Still with her eyes closed she exhaled her breath [Mikoto]"...haa..." and with her fingers she touched her parted lips.

Then after she took another large, deep, savoring breath,she called my name with a silly love-struck tone,while looking at me with wide glowing eyes and a smile that couldn't be contained [Mikoto]"Takeru."

And then she leaned against me,resting her head on my chest.

Still a little dazed from our kiss and all the memories awakened by it,I put my hand on her head,and after I began to caress her,i said [Takeru]"Wh-what?"

She looked up meeting my gaze and,after she giggled,she said with a cheerful tone [Mikoto]"...I just wanted to call your name."

I chuckled and then with a wide grin on my face I told her [Takeru]"Pfft...I'm gonna hug you."

At my affermation she laughed in a silly way and with a sweet voice she said [Mikoto]"...go ahead."

...If you talk with such a sweet voice...I'm gonna lose it...

And then she thrust-out her flat chest while adding with a flirtatious tone [Mikoto]"...do it anytime you want,Takeru."

[Takeru]"Idiot."

She squinted her eyes,and inside them lit a twinkle of mischief [Mikoto]"I wouldn't mind being an idiot for you."

Then I offered her a bemused smile and I said with a joking tone [Takeru]"You already were."

[Mikoto]"Ah,that's just mean! You lo..."

And then before she could finish talking I wrapped my arms tightly around her.

With a teasing voice she asked [Mikoto]"Hiding your embarrassment?"

And,while feeling her warmth and her scent,my mind drifted off again to a similar scene happened in my past.

(Flash)

[Takeru]"Behave yourself on that spaceship."

[Mikoto]"I'll try."

[Takeru]"Okay, also make sure no one thinks you're a guy by accident."

[Mikoto]"Eh?"

[Takeru]"It's eerily possible, you know."

[Mikoto]"Because I look so much like that guy you used to know?"

[Takeru]"Yeah, that."

[Mikoto]"It's okay! It's okay! My breasts have gotten a little bigger, look!"

[Takeru]"Don't get so hung up on your chest! Besides, those are still hard to see."

[Mikoto]"It's all because you touched them, Takeru!"

[Takeru]"Be thankful."

[Mikoto]"You can tell I'm a girl if you just touch them!"

[Takeru]"You've gotta be kidding...are you gonna make people touch you if they think you're a guy?"

[Mikoto]"Ah, you're right!"

[Takeru]"...iiidiot."

[Mikoto]"Ahahahahaha...!"

[Takeru]"Well, I'm not worried about that anyway."

[Mikoto]"...eh!?"

[Takeru]"You've always been really flexible..."

[Mikoto]"...yeah, I'm strong when I want to be."

[Takeru]"Yep...you're always optimistic, and have so much fun living...keep it that way."

[Mikoto]"You too Takeru. Don't forget that happiness and joy can come out of even the most hopeless situation..."

[Takeru]"Got it."

[Mikoto]"Yeah, that's what make you Takeru!"

(Flash End)

...That was...

...during Alternative V...

...Our separation before she boarded the spaceship...

And without knowing I increased the strength of my hug. Because of that she squirmed in my arms and protested [Mikoto]"Aha! Takeru,that's too strong...You're suffocating me!"

...I don't want to lose you again...

Then I decreased the strength in my arms and,at the same time,I moved my hand on the back of her head and pushed her against my chest [Takeru]"..." And while doing that,i couldn't stop my hand from trembling.

...The pain of losing someone becomes stronger the more people are connected to each other...I should've know that...but still...

I couldn't help but answer to Mikoto's feelings...

...Because...

...Because...

Because I'm weak...and when i'm alone...I'm helplessly cold.

Mikoto noticed that and while caressing my back she said with a kind voice [Mikoto]"...would it be unfair...to tell you to cheer up?...Takeru, don't think too hard about it."

[Takeru]"...eh?"

And then with a soothing tone she whispered in my ear [Mikoto]"No matter how much you think about this...there is no easy answer...You can talk to me about it..."

I wish I could...Mikoto...

[Takeru]"..."

[Mikoto]"Talking might make you feel better...okay?"

Then after a heavy sigh I asked her with a voice that lacked any power [Takeru]"Hey,Mikoto...can I ask you something?"

[Mikoto]"Hm?...Sure,what?"

And with a weak voice I asked her [Takeru]"Have you...ever been to a country that was having...a war?"

A couple seconds after I blurted out the question,i noticed my mistake...

...The sweet mood around us and her comforting me made me almost reveal everything...

Then Mikoto from the surprise separated from me,took a few steps back and with a bewildered tone said [Mikoto]"Eh? What's with you all of a sudden?"

But I didn't try to reason or explain. And,after I picked up the stuffed animal she dropped earlier before the kiss, I ran away from her while saying [Takeru]"...Never mind. It's nothing! Sorry,Mikoto i'm going home for today already!"

Then I ran away from her. But before turning around the corner I stopped and then I yelled [Takeru]"One last thing! Saturday come to the physics prep room in the school! …...Bye!"

[Mikoto]"Ah...Takeru,Wait!?"

(Shirogane's House)(Evening)(October 24, 2001)(Takeru PoV)

I ran desperately away from Mikoto.

I ran...ran...ran...ran...trying to leave her and my weakness behind.

...Why I can't shake away the feeling that I don't belong here anymore?

...Why I can't rejoice about the fact that they are alive?

...Why I can't stay with the girls without remembering their deaths or our separation?

And then,while I kept asking myself those questions,I finally arrived in front of my house. So I hurriedly got inside,slammed the door behind me and with my back against it,I regained my breath. [Takeru]"Haa...haa...haa..."

Then the answer to my questions came in a unexpected way...

(Flash)

[Meiya]"Life is not always better than death. It is not that simple. Living and being made to survive are very different things."

[Takeru]"I understand what you're saying,but..."

[Meiya]"Takeru, I want you to think about this...imagine if what matters most to you was taken away against your will."

(Flash End)

...Right...It's as Meiya said once...

...That day when I lost everyone...

...When I was forced to go back here,to my peaceful world...

...When I've been cut off from that world against my will...

...Since that day I wasn't living anymore...

...I was being made to survive...

...That's why I wanted to go back and fight...

...That's why I felt so out of place here...

...That's why I felt so sad whenever I saw the girls...

...Because every time I saw them...

IT MADE ME REMEMBER HOW I WASN'T ABLE TO SAVE NOT EVEN ONE OF THEM!

And from that realization,suddenly I felt a weakness in my legs and while trembling I dropped to my knees. And the feelings I was so desperately trying to suppress exploded inside me.

[Takeru]"Gu...uuuu...uu!"

The sadness and the pain I was feeling were so strong that even tears didn't fall.

So I pulled my knees up to the chest, circling the knees with the arms to stop my body from shaking.

[Takeru]"Gu...uuuuuuuuuuuu...uuuuuuu..."

And since I was unable to cry,the only thing I could do to ease the pain was moaning while twisting my body.

[Takeru]"U...uaaaa...aaaaaa...aaaa..."

And when I felt that my heart was about to burst,1st Lt. Munakata,Meiya and Marimo-chan's words revived in my mind.

(Flash)

[Meiya]"CEASE YOUR WHINING!"

[Takeru]"What...did...you...!?"

[Meiya]"You freely chose to be here and do what it takes to fight."

(Flash End)

And for a moment the pain and the trembling stopped [Takeru]"!"

...I could have forgotten about everything and just live happily and oblivious.

...But I chose not to on my own free will.

(Flash)

[1st Lt. Munakata]"I understand why you're uneasy. However,humans never stop growing and they never become perfect."

[1st Lt. Munakata]"So what you think you're repeating right now is going to happen several more times in the future."

[Takeru]"..."

[1st Lt. Munakata]"But once you've established your identity, you're sure to keep growing no matter how many times you repeat the same thing, and move to an even higher level."

[Takeru]"..."

[1st Lt. Munakata]"But you've established your identity. So be like 1st Lt. Hayase,pushing down your emotions and worrying about them on the inside as much as you want."

[1st Lt. Munakata]"Those worries will guide you to something even greater. Just keep heading up."

[Takeru]"But,what do I do...if I feel like i'm heading down the wrong path?"

[1st Lt. Munakata]"At those times, what you need is someone else who understands you."

[Takeru]"So,parents,comrades...friends?"

[1st Lt. Munakata]"It doesn't matter as long as they understand you. The length and depth of a relationship have nothing to do with age or gender."

[Takeru]"..."

[1st Lt. Munakata]"If they'll listen to your complaints, give you honest advice,and hit you without hesitation when you mess up, it doesn't matter who they are."

(Flash End)

Meiya...

...She has always fulfilled that role for me...

(Flash)

[Meiya]"But...even those with unparalleled natural talent like yours may fail. And such failures can be forgiven."

[Takeru]"..."

[Meiya]"The value of successes and failures changes greatly depending on when they are judged. You need only to connect your failures to greater successes later on."

(Flash)

[Marimo]"But...everyone makes mistakes."

[Takeru]"BUT!"

[Marimo]"Besides, no one knows when they're going to make a mistake in advance."

[Takeru]"..."

[Marimo]"I think it's better to keep pushing on in spite of one's mistakes rather than do nothing out of a fear of failure."

[Takeru]"But, it's my fault that..."

[Marimo]"Shirogane-kun, you wanted to do something, right?"

[Takeru]"...yes."

[Marimo]"You've been working hard in order to do it, right?"

[Takeru]"...yes."

[Marimo]"Then no one can blame you for it, Shirogane-kun."

[Takeru]"But...I...it's my fault that..."

[Marimo]"Shirogane-kun, you're blaming yourself for it more than anyone else...aren't you?"

[Takeru]"..."

[Marimo]"Maybe you should start by forgiving yourself? And if you can't do that, then talk to someone about it. It doesn't have to be me."

[Takeru]"Sensei...I...I'm..."

[Marimo]"Okay? First, forgive yourself. Why not try it?"

(Flash End)

Then,as I remembered 1st Lt. Munakata,Meiya and Marimo-chan's words, i felt a wave of heat running through me,and while I looked at my empty palms,my concealed weakness started to overflow from my eyes in form of tears.

Finally tears coursed down,washing away all the sadness for my imminent departure and the remaining regret for the girls death,while leaving wet trails as they ran down my face.

(Flash)

[Marimo]"Even just crying when you need to cry should've helped a lot."

[Marimo]"...what's most important is...being able to move on now that you've cried...And being able to stand back up after being so sad is a wonderful thing."

(Flash End)

...1st Lt. Munakata,Meiya,Marimo-chan...It's just as you said...

...There's no point in blaming myself...

...Since I have one more chance to make things right,I can't mope down forever...

...I have to enjoy my last days here...

...That's the first step I have to take...

...Everything will start from that...

(Flash)

[Kasumi]"Shirogane-san you were trying to prioritize the mission and not thinking about anything else. But the truth was,you wanted to save everyone on top of completing the mission."

[Kasumi]"Everyone noticed that...but they were able to fight that hard because you're that kind of person"

(Flash End)

...The stopped time will begin to move once again...

(Flash)

Thanks to you being so noisy, I've grown a lot as a person.

You were definitely an incredible Eishi, Shirogane, but I thought your mind was lacking.

But no matter what happened to you, you always faced it without getting discouraged. Seeing you like that started to make me feel ashamed of myself.

Goodbye.

December 31st, 2001

Ayamine Kei

(Flash End)

...And whatever reality I have to witness...

(Flash)

But I still wanted to tell you how thankful I was.

It's been a little over two months since I met you.

But you've taught me so many things I can't sum them up all at once.

You did everything better than average and had an excellent mind. I couldn't help but trust you.

Goodbye.

December 31st, 2001

Sakaki Chizuru

(Flash End)

...I have to live strongly...

(Flash)

Takeru-san, thank you so much.

I learned a lot from you, Takeru-san.

So I'm very grateful to you. And I respect you a lot.

You have to make your dreams happen yourself, no matter how painful and discouraging it gets.

Nothing can be accomplished by running away from pain, or without causing someone else pain.

Goodbye.

December 31st, 2001

Tamase Miki

(Flash End)

...If I want to save them I have to...

(Flash)

You're an amazing person who can do anything.

But I don't think you're as omnipotent as everyone says you are.

You've been worrying your head off about problems of your own, and you must have gone through a lot of painful things.

And yet everyone still expects so much of you. I think it's extraordinary that you keep rising to meet those expectations.

And I think that's what's most amazing.

Seeing you try so hard, Takeru, supported me and spurred me onward.

I was able to overcome all the sad and painful things that happened because you were there, Takeru.

Thank you so much. I really respect that part of you, Takeru.

I'm sure everyone else in the unit felt the same way.

Goodbye.

December 31st, 2001

Yoroi Mikoto

(Flash End)

...I should've know the trial that awaits me ahead...

(Flash)

[Meiya]"What are you saying? …...you are the center of our group..."

[Meiya]"If you waver, we all become more uneasy. You are very important at times like these..."

[Meiya]"I do not care how you choose to value yourself, but the fact remains that everything you have accomplished thus far has made everyone see you that way."

[Meiya]"You have gained that position as a direct result. You have a duty and responsibility to fulfill that trust."

(Flash End)

...That's why i've come this far...

(Flash)

[Sumika]"I was there...for a long time...all alone..."

[Sumika]"The BETA captured me...and turned me into this..."

[Sumika]"Turning into this...is sad and painful...isn't it?"

[Sumika]"But...I was different..."

[Sumika]"Tons of people were captured with me...and they were all scared...wondering when they's be killed,what'd happen next..."

[Sumika]"They kept getting taken away,one by one...I was scared to death too..."

[Sumika]"But...Takeru-chan was with me...so I was okay..."

[Sumika]"But Takeru-chan still...told me it was alright, and that he'd protect me."

[Sumika]"That made me feel...so much better..."

[Sumika]"But...our group of a hundred people...finally became just us..."

[Sumika]"When they came to take me away...Takeru-chan...Takeru-chan,he..."

[Sumika]"He tried to protect me...and they..."

[Sumika]"Tore him into pieces...and ate him..."

(Flash End)

...And in the end,I have to leave with a smile...

And finally the stream of emotions and flashback stopped.

...Not being able to cry when you need to...hurts.

...But thanks to that, I felt much calmer now...Like I threw up all the poison...and finally I have forgiven myself...

...Now I'm starting to feel like I can take a real step forward even with all that weight upon my shoulders...

...Right now,I am able to stand back up on my own.

And then i felt calm and at ease. I could breath easily,my muscles were relaxed,and even my chest,that before i felt was about to burst,was extremely light.

So after i stood up,i wiped my tears and i went to the bathroom to wash my face. As soon as i entered in the bathroom,i looked into the mirror to see how was my appearance,and as soon as i gazed into it,i noticed that now there was a gleam in my eyes. An inner light shone inside them,proof of my new resolve.

So after a quick smile,I cleaned my face and i went to my room. As I climbed the stairs,i wondered about my next move.

...First thing i had to do,was to apologize to Meiya as i treated her pretty harshly...

...And the next thing i had to do was...

...Stop avoiding Sumika and finally confront her...

...Even though i asked Kasumi to take care of her,i'm still worried about her...

And then I suddenly interrupted my train of thought,because i had forgotten an important thing [Takeru]"Ah...the stuffed animal!" So i went hurriedly downstairs to recover it and finally i went back to my room.

But as soon as i sat on my bed,i heard a knock from the door that lead to the Mitsurugi's residence near my house. And following that a voice came out from the opposite side of the door.

[Meiya]"Takeru...may I...come in?"


Author note:

Ciao a tutti! First as always thank you for reading/reviewing/following my story!

Especially thank you to Yaaarrr and Zehel2010 for your reviews about me taking so long with the prologue,as I was a little unsure about it,but it's as you said. I could have gone through the easy way and just make Takeru go back to the BETA world. It wasn't easy thinking about different interactions and scenarios between Takeru and the girls...however all will contribute in making Takeru's leaving emotional and poignant.

Now talking about the chapter...Sorry again for the mood whiplash...but Takeru was pretty fragile in that moment...Cut some slack to the poor guy as he possess all the pain,suffering of all the loops + death of the Valkyries + leaving his world forever = he can't be happy-go-lucky...

As I said before this arc is for Takeru's growth...In this chapter he finally coped with the Valkyries death and his leaving...and the last chapter of this arc will be Takeru's final push as he will reveal everything to the girls and he will face their reaction ...after that shock nothing will faze him anymore and he won't hesitate no more...he'll do whatever it takes to save the girls he love.

Many people won't like it because it will be extremely sad and another tragedy on Takeru's shoulders but any other way would be too convenient,as when Takeru travels between worlds the only reason they don't forget him is because of Kasumi and since Final EXTRA Kasumi doesn't have her powers she can't keep her "observation".

So I had to make his leaving as heart rending as possible...

Anyway,finally almost all the girls have been warned! The final 2 peaceful days will see Meiya protagonist in the first day and Sumika on the second day...and then lastly Saturday. I think that in the next chapter i'll include the last 2 days and then i'll release a chapter just for Takeru's leaving.

This month i've been slow with the release as I got sick right when I had some free time...luckily PaulXion-sensei and Huuduc-sensei released their chapter,so I had something to read.

To Kung fu King - I'll answer here since you don't have an account. Thank you for your compliment about my previous chapter. You're right about Takeru,he's changed as he now knows that he had relationships with the girls,and he once again has feelings for all of them. In Alternative he had sporadic flash about his past relationships but right now he possess all the memories/feelings concerning them. Last,it won't be long before seeing some action...i think 2 chapter after he goes back to BETA world...i'll stop here as I don't want to spoil too much.

See ya on the next chapter! Bye!