Shirogane Takeru
November 30
Hanger
"Sumika, watch your steps here." I helped Sumika with descending her TSF.
Her body was still a little weak from the incident that took place earlier. I guided Sumika to Yuuko-sensei's lab, sensei speedily led her into a medical room to test if the breakdown could have caused any long lasting effects on the 00 unit's performance.
Kouzuki Yuuko's office
"How is she, sensei?"
"Hm… let's see here. The 00 unit's mentally destabilized reaction was due to her emulation of Kagami Sumika's past experience. A certain event in the real Kagami's past triggered the 00 unit's reaction that she displayed today when she saw whatever that was contained in Kagami's memory.
Some highly technical words were used by Yuuko-sensei which almost confused me to no end.
"I know that. I'm asking you if Sumika will be fine from now on." I wasn't interested in the reason that caused Sumika's relapse, I sought to know her condition from here on out.
"I can't stop her mental disruptions, Shirogane. That is your job. However, there was no long lasting damage that could be perceived during her testing, so I will conclude by saying that being traumatized won't affect her capabilities."
"You say it like she is some kind of a tool, sensei. Is that how you should treat the hope of mankind?" I was dissatisfied by Yuuko-sensei attitude towards Sumika. It was an unreasonable tantrum on my part.
"Again, taking care of the 00 unit as a person is your job, Shirogane. I see her as an instrument for saving this world." Sensei's counterargument was just as I expected. It was no fault of sensei that she didn't view Sumika as a living person, Sumika died long ago, after all.
"Professor Kouzuki, excuse me."
The doors swung open to reveal Captain Isumi who just interrupted our conversation, a deed she rarely participates in. We saluted each other as military protocol demanded. Surprisingly, she didn't salute Yuuko-sensei.
"Captain Isumi, what brought you here today?" Yuuko-sensei didn't forget to paste on her usual smirk.
"Professor Kouzuki, did you read my report for today's operation?"
"Yes, a job well done, by the way. Must be boring having to drive through five hours of BETA stab only to face off against half a Battalion. Although it's a good thing they let your team go without a big fight. Kind of an anticlimactic ending if you ask me." Yuuko-sensei casually answered, knowing Isumi's main point wasn't that.
"Professor, I'm not here for that. 2nd Lt. Kagami displayed some very unique abilities today and I wish to consult you about her. And if she will partake in future operations." The concern from Isumi was very direct, rightfully so. Thanks to Sumika's episode today.
"Captain, you do not need to know most matters with 2nd Lt. Kagami. She is related to Alternative IV and the most important contributor of said project. I'll not assign her on any mission together with A-01 if 1st Lt. Shirogane here doesn't join himself." Yuuko-sensei reassured the safety of Isumi's subordinates
"But Professor! What she did down there today was clearly abnormal! She hacked our TSF and forced the hypnotic program to pla—"
"Enough, Captain. It's not like you to ask for classified information after being denied them." Yuuko-sensei was getting annoyed by Capt. Isumi's stubbornness.
"Yuuko-sensei, I don't see what's wrong with telling Capt. Isumi the truth. Isn't the A-01 Task force formed for the purpose of carrying out Alternative IV?" Letting Isumi know a little about the 00 unit wouldn't hurt the project in the long run.
"Ahah… you just want to brag about your super powered girlfriend, Shirogane? Fine, fine. I will give you some intel on her." Sensei rather easily accepted my request, it made no sense as to why she disagreed the first time.
"Kagami is my key to the completion of Alternative IV. I can't give you anymore details about the project itself, for now. But Kagami is esper with the abilities to perceive the thoughts of other, project images and ideas to others and can hack any computer system that she wishes. You happy now, Captain?"
"Huh? Eh…? Alright then." Capt. Isumi was shocked by how Yuuko-sensei dished out classified secrets like how she would throw away yesterday's leftover lunch.
"Just leave, Captain. I have nothing else to tell you."
"Ah… yes, Ma'am." My first time seeing the Captain lose her cool was a long time ago, it felt refreshing to witness it again as Isumi hastily left the office.
"Yuuko-sensei… you okay? If you are stuck on a formula or something, just ask me and I will help you."
"Just get out, Shirogane. The 00 unit is probably awake right now so you can go visit her. I got my own problems to solve here." Sensei was trying to boot me from her office. I wasn't going to stay and find out the reason behind her frustration.
Yokohama Base, Kagami's room
"Yo, Kasumi." I patted Kasumi's head, which of whom was tending to Sumika.
"Hello, Takeru-san."
"Ah, Takeru-chan! Awawa… wait! Don't come any closer!" I ignored her plea and sat down on her bed instead of backing off. Her face flushed bright red like a Christmas tree… that only has one color of decorations.
"What are you panicking about? It's just a bed, I didn't sit on anything." It was quite clear the motivation of her fluster, but teasing Sumika wouldn't hurt anyone.
"Takeru-chan! I'm not wearing anything under this sheet!" Hehe, the idiot gave it away so effortlessly.
"Then this shall be the perfect time!" I reached down and groped her breast. The sensation that I felt with my fingers will never get old. Some of the UN markings covering her body were exposed when her sheet flapped around, fortunately that didn't matter anymore for me.
"Ahh… Takeru-chan…" Her face blushed even redder due to my skillful hand movement.
"Sumika, be patient. I have yet to finish your body inspection." I proceeded to rub all over her figure while Kasumi just silently watched, creepily.
"Aaaa, Kasumi-chan… help…"
"Takeru-san, stop. Takeru-san is a pervert." I disregarded Kasumi's deadpan accusation and resumed playing with Sumika. She was only pretending to dislike my fiddling.
"Mnnn… Takeru-chan… don't… stop…" I ceased my hand movement the second Sumika started to enjoy it.
"Alright, your inspection is finished. I will be on my way."
"Eh? But I'm still—" I wrapped things up and was prepared to leave her hanging. However, Sumika took hold of my sleeve before I could exit.
"Takeru-chan… do you… do you want to spend the night…?"
"What if I say no?" I had no plan to stay up late for tonight.
"Awwwa… are you going to leave me…? I… I want you to stay here…!" As a man, I couldn't refuse a cute, embarrassed girl's invitation. I also didn't want to crush Sumika's self-esteem, if she had any.
"Nah, got nothing to do tomorrow, I'll stay with you. Kasumi, what about you?" I didn't want to just leave Kasumi behind. Sumika looked over and asked the same question with her eyes.
"I'll join you two as well." Kasumi increased the difficulty from a 2p to a 3p. Good thing I also had many practice with the amplified number too.
"Alright, let me go back and get my clothes for tomorrow."
December 01, 2001
Kagami's room
The earliest morning arrived for me since I arrived here. I knew that there wouldn't be anyone rattling me this time. Quickly removing two arms that linked together and locked my chest down. I pulled my uniform from the side of the bed.
"…Muumm… Takeru-chan? Where are you…?" Sumika rubbed her eyelids, turned upwards to face me. I kneeled by her head and pecked her smooth cheek.
"Good morning, Sumika." She received a rare, gentle smile.
"Morning, Takeru-chan." Sumika expressed her own joy by reaching out and kissing my forehead.
"Come on now, get up and let's go." I urged Sumika to prepare herself for today's activities.
"Takeru-chan, can I ask you something?"
"Huh? Yeah, sure." It suddenly felt very difficult to breath in our room. It didn't take a genius to figure out Sumika's topic.
"Do you… do you think it's my fault? What happened there, I didn't want it… but I just couldn't stop myself…!"
There was no confidence I got the answer that Sumika will be content with. We never talked about what had happened to her before I came to this world. It wasn't a time worth remembering.
"Sumika, do you love me?" I threw question from out of left field.
"Aah…! Takeru-chan… I do. I do love you." Sumika answered honestly despite being ruffled at first.
"Will you always be loyal to me, from now on?" There was no hidden meaning behind those questions. I also required my own answer.
"Yes, I will."
"And through all these times, you only had your eyes for me?"
"Of course! Takeru-chan is the only one I will ever love!" She got defensive when I suggested the presence of another person. Sumika was truly faithful to me and me alone.
"Ahaa, this makes things kind of awkward… I will tell you the truth, Sumika. I love you with all my heart. But I can't love only you. I have feelings for the others in our squad too. They were all with me during the hard times and the difficult past, just as you had. I'm not strong enough to keep myself only for you."
I confessed my feelings for the other girls. It would be pointless anyway for me to hide it.
"Takeru-chan… but do you love me?" There was no anger in her voice when I plead guilty.
"I will love you forever, Sumika. Even if you can't accept me for who I become. I will still love you without fail. That, is the only thing that I can promise you." It was natural for Sumika to reject me. I thought about the consequence of my actions for a long time, but I believed that Sumika should be granted the right to know.
"If you love me, then I don't care about the others… I can't blame you for anything. It's all my fault from the beginning, anyhow." Sumika took my head and held it to her heart. I could hear her heartbeats, the evidence of life in the chest of my loved one.
"You are really strong, Sumika. Stronger than I will ever be. Are you sure you can tolerate me for not be faithful to you?" There was be no choice for her to regret this after.
"I understand that Takeru-chan will need more people to support him. After all, he will be the one to save humanity, right? I don't mind sharing Takeru-chan with others who I know care and love him just as much."
"Besides, everything… you suffered so much because my own jealously. If only I wasn't this selfish… Takeru-chan wouldn't need to be in so much pain…"
"Sumika… thank you. But there is one thing I need to correct you on. You are the reason I was given this chance, this opportunity to save everything. Know that you did nothing wrong."
I hugged her back, the moments that I had engraved in my memories resurfaced. My entire life was dedicated for the sole purpose of rescuing these girls that used theirs to protect me.
"Takeru-chan… Takeru-chan!" Sumika's tears floated down her lovely face. My name was called over and over again, as her arms wrapped around me.
The time in the old world, when I was forced to pick between Meiya and Sumika under the tree. That painful decision was only intensified when I saw the end of another path.
But then I got swallowed by this world's chaos and couldn't be of any assistance to my squad. I was weak back then, I am still weak even now. But this time, this time with the help of all my friends, I will not fail to protect anyone again.
—
"Oh yeah, one more thing. Come with me to my room."
"Huh? Okay!" I got off the floor and waited outside for her to put on her clothes before we both departed for my compartment.
"You sure Kasumi-chan will be fine? We just left her there."
"Yup, this will only take a minute. Besides, Kasumi is a big girl now. She was even more active than you were last night." I irritated Sumika by bringing up our lively times yesterday.
A little red could be observed on her face. Still, just the having the knowledge that she also has the same knowledge was enough for me to stop the trolling, for a little while.
"Here, this is my gift to you, for winning the mock battle." I searched the inside of my drawer and carefully pulled out the reward that I arranged.
"Aww… Takeru-chan… this is so cute!" It really wasn't as pretty as Sumika was exaggerating it to be.
The item in question was a hairband with a giant rabbit toy attached on top. I find it ridiculous how big this bunny was, the thing was around the size of my fist. Very impressive that the architect of this accessory could even get it to stick.
"Put it on, Sumika. I want to see exactly how dumb it would make you look."
"Mou, Takeru-chan! But thank you for getting me this." Sumika equipped the rabbit hairband quickly to display its cuteness. It looked absurd, like some alien bunny creature was using her hair as a nest. She was very fond of the item so I kept my mouth shut.
—
Shake, shake. Shake, shake. Kasumi was hard-set on waking me up every day, even if I was already awake.
"Kasumi, I understand your desire to wake me every morning. But I need you to comprehend the fact that when I'm already awake, you can't wake me up." The shaking stopped and Kasumi's shadow went to sit in a corner like I was punishing her.
"Did you see the rabbit on Sumika's head?"
"Yes." There was no choice but to divert the subject.
"What did you think of it?"
"It's cute." Even Kasumi gave her approval of the add-on. I couldn't disagree with the majority. But I did have a different rabbit prepared for Kasumi as well.
"Here, Kasumi. Look at this." I held a giant rabbit toy in my arms that I pulled from my closet.
The bunny was only about five centimeter shorter than Kasumi herself. It had grey fur and white polka dots covering it from head to toe. Just like Kasumi's Usa-san, this toy also had strange razor-like teeth on its over-sized head. I placed an eye-patch over its left eye for added fashion while also donning it in a set of handmade suit that I crafted days ago.
"Is this for me?" Her expression lit up with passion and reached out to receive it. The methods she attempted to carry it was hilarious, she ended up having to give it a piggy back ride due to the size of my present.
"Do you like this, Kasumi?"
"Yes. Thank you, Takeru-san." Her gratitude was all I sought in return.
PX
"Aha, Takeru-chan! Welcome back!" After carefully laying her rabbit into her room with my help. I came to the café with Kasumi to retrieving our daily meal.
"Takeru, you and your escorts did not attend training yesterday. Furthermore, you did not return to your room as well. Is this something that we can ask about?" By some means, Meiya brought up three sensitive topics in merely two sentences.
"Meiya, no! None of those things can be discussed. And who said that these two are my escorts?" Sumika blushed pink red yet again. Kasumi was perhaps also somewhat embarrassed. Possibly?
"Takeru, calm down. Mitsurugi only asked you a question. No need for your overreaction." Class rep was calling me out for retorting.
"That's what the Professor called Kasumi-san and Sumika-san yesterday. She said that both of them are your escorts, or guards." Tama naively answered my question, not realizing the meanings behind those words.
"Who else other than Yuuko-sensei… well no matter, what is going on here then?" I forwarded the topic away before somebody picks up anything funny.
"We were just talking about Sumika-san's new hairband! It's so cute, Takeru has a great eye for these sorts of things!"
"Indeed, it's a very nice addition to Sumika's looks." Some facts I noticed while I was away, everyone started to call Sumika by her forename as well. It was a good change, working to bring the squad closer together.
"That reminded me, I prepared gifts for all of you here. Think of it as a reward for your performances during the mock battle." Everyone showed a tremendous interest for what I had in store.
"Takeru… so considerate."
"Takeru-san is so nice these days!" Ayamine and Tama both cheered for gifts.
—
"Alright then, Christmas is coming early this year for all of you. First is Tama." I reached for my duffel bag that I fetched from my room. It contained all the stuff that Yuuko-sensei delivered to me some days ago.
"First up is Tama. I know that you are inspired to join the cat family one day, so I got this for you. Look! It's a cat bell and cat tail combo!"
"Ahaha… Takeru-san… Thank you…?" Tama was not yet ready to receive such gifts of high quality. But my generosity knows no bounds.
"But wait… there's more! I also got you this book on flower keeping! This book here is very detailed on the best way to grow and care for plants and flowers. Hopefully it will be to your assistance." The smile on Tama's face wasn't a fake, forced one like earlier. She was genuinely pleased with my present.
"Awwwwa, Thank you Takeru-san! Did you know I had a Saintpaulia in my room?"
"Yes I did. That's purpose behind that book." The outburst of joy only deepened for our cat girl.
"I promise to take good care of this book and my flowers!"
"That's nice, Tama. Don't forget to wear the tails and ears as well, alright?" I reminded her to equip the gears she always wore in the old world.
"Next is Mikoto. Did your dad visit you recently?" I wished to know if Yoroi Sakon actually cared for his daughter.
"Ehh? How did you know? He just visited me two days ago, he brought me a lot of random things from his travels too!" I was grateful that Yoroi didn't leave the base without a word. The man still held his dignity as a father.
"Just a guess. But more importantly. Here, Mikoto. A Swiss Army knife that was manufactured by specialities in America. This is dedicated for soldiers, go ahead and play around with it." I tossed Mikoto the multi-tool which she caught without an issue.
"Wow, Takeru! I always wanted a pocket knife like this! Thank you! How did you know that I wanted one?" It was complete luck that Mikoto was happy with my gift.
"How would I know? Just a fluke. Anyway, next is Ayamine… here… yakisoba tickets. You hand me back one ticket and I provide you with a meal worth of Yakisoba, at any time."
I passed her some tickets for her favourite food. Yuuko-sensei actually put in an order for Yakisoba to always be in stock. Kyozuka-oba-chan deserves a raise for all the extra hours that she has to serve.
"Takeru, isn't this a little cheap for a gift? I mean, I know Ayamine likes Yakisoba and all. But thi—" Class rep's sentence was interpreted when Ayamine very literally pushed my down.
"Takeru… I love you." Her confession was followed by a kiss that I didn't stop her from conveying.
"I'm satisfied to hear that. You want to get up now?" Ayamine released me and I was greeted with murderous intents from all females in my immediate vicinity. With the exception of the one who caused their frustration.
"Takeru… you truly are an indecent man."
"Mou, Takeru-chan! How could you do that?!"
"Takeru, you have no shame, don't you?"
"Takeru-san, pervert."
"T-Takeru-san! That was really inappropriate!"
"Guys… didn't Ayamine start that?" I heard Mikoto's voice that was different from the mainstream belief. Lucklessly her voice was drowned out by the public, a truly frightening world we lived in.
"That was fun, all of you just calm down. Moving on is Class rep. I need your glasses, don't worry, it won't turn into a joke this time."
"You promise, Takeru? Just don't break these, alright?" she unenthusiastically handed them over. I simply took a rough estimate of the degrees her lenses provided before taking out a different pair of glasses.
"Try these on, Class rep. I'm confident that they will feel better." Class rep hesitantly donned the new glasses.
They had a square frame with the empty rim on the bottom and transparent temple by the side. Chizuru had a refreshing look to her once she put on the frames. I wasn't the only one with that opinion as everyone else nodded in agreement.
She looked more like a modern lady instead of looking like a circuit clown with two giant circles in place of a red nose.
"This… this is amazing, Takeru. I never dreamed it would be this clear! Thank you for giving me these…"
The glasses were specifically ordered from an American company that designed combat frames. It was bloody expensive too, good thing I swam in money these days thanks to the military fund. Yuuko-sensei and her infinite backing were the best a man could dream for.
"Just take good care of those. Another thing, I'll be in possession of your old pair, okay? I need them for something else."
"Huh? Sure, but… what do you need them for?" I had already put away Class rep's old glasses when she questioned my intentions.
"Don't worry about it, I need them for something important." Class rep shrugged her shoulders and went back to viewing things in high definition.
"And finally is Meiya… you know what. I will personally deliver yours, right now isn't the best time." Meiya concealed her discontent with having to wait for her gift without issue. Her strong personality doesn't allow any complaints to be voiced.
"If you find that to be the best course of action, Takeru. Then I can't stop you."
—
We sat around and chitchatted for an unknown period of time under lunch was ready to be served.
"Takeru-chan! Open wide!"
"Here you go." Both of my guards attempted to feed me at the same time, followed up by one chop each to their noggins.
"Agaaaa."
"Owieee!"
"Are you two serious? How am I supposed to eat from two different chopsticks at once? Is my mouth made of rubber or something? Are the two of you just going to pull open my jaw?" I criticized their lack of logic.
"Wait… wait! Is this normal?" Class rep was the first to take note of the abnormality taking place in front of her.
"…I apologize for interrupting your oh-so-enjoyable meal… but I would like to know why they are doing that."
"Kasumi-san and Sumika-san are both feeding Takeru-san… at the same time!"
"Why's this happening? Why are they feeding you?"
"This is… complicated." The rest of the squad all hopped aboard the confusion train and demanded reasons at the same time. As always, the anger was solely focused on me and me alone.
"Stop targeting me! Ask the people producing the act, not the one accepting it!" I didn't want to be on the receiving end of their wrath for the seven thousandth time.
"Sumika! Why are you feeding him?! Kasumi too!" Inquiry about the reason to my feeding was started by Class rep.
"Huh? Takeru-chan would need to eat too, right?"
"Takeru-san should eat lunch." My two friends didn't discover anything wrong with their cause.
"But why are you two the ones feeding him! Takeru is mature enough to eat without assistance from others!" A certain samurai was becoming more and more annoyed.
"Takeru-chan, do you mind?"
"Is it okay?" Sumika and Kasumi diverted their attention to me, seeking my consent.
"Yeah, sure. Just feed me one at a time and we won't have any problems." I was past the phase where I get uncomfortable with being fed openly. It's not like the other girls can do anything about this.
"Yaay! Open up, Takeru-chan!" I cooperated and ate a piece of fish. It tasted nothing special.
"Here, Takeru-san." Another piece of seafood was carried to my mouth.
"Takeru-san! Getting fed isn't good for you! You'll… you'll get too lazy and die!" Tama was worried for my life, but I couldn't give her many points for the subject of her concern.
"Takeru-chan is fine! If you want to, everyone can feed him as well!"
"It's okay." Sumika suggested a very terrible idea and Kasumi seconded it.
"Very… very well then! Here, Takeru! You shall eat this as well!"
"I'm not feeding you because I want to or anything like that okay? It's just that you should eat some vegetables too!"
"Takeru-san, say a-aah."
"Takeru, eat this too!"
"Here you go…" I ended up being stuffed with ration twice my normal meal size. Luckily, I didn't eat anything for breakfast before lunch, or gaining a few grams would be inevitable.
Hanger
"Class rep, pass the torque wrench." A torque wrench was then sent flying to my forehead. But my superhuman reaction speed let me snag it before a concussion was created.
"Ah, sorry Takeru. My hand slipped. Good job catching the wrench though." I made a mental note to slip my hands somewhere inside Class rep's clothes sometime soon.
"Takeru… shall I get you a socket wrench?" Meiya then flung the said wrench toward my face. Fortunately, I also caught that with my other hand.
"Do you need… a ratchet?" The ratchet fired by Ayamine was stopped before it made contact with a very important body part.
"What about a screwdriver? Or pliers?" Those two items were intercepted along with the rest of the potential lethal weapons.
"Mikoto! That's cheating! One tool per person, like we silently agreed!" I tossed the pliers to Tama and she caught it by surprise, the reaction speed she displayed was very wonderful.
"I don't even want to know why all of you are so angry at me… didn't you all got to feed me? Shouldn't everyone be happy?" The team blushed in unison.
"That… that is not the problem!" Meiya's counterargument was met with agreement from the others.
"I don't… I can't even… ahha. Whatever."
"Takeru-chan, catch!" Sumika also chucked a hammer my way. I stopped my instinct of pitching it right back seizing it. Her round, dumb face was just too tempting of a target.
"Alright, alright. Gather around and throw those one at a time, okay? I show you all something cool." Our maintenance training concluded with me juggling seven different repair tools at once. That was followed by dinner when everybody tried to force food down my throat at the same time yet again.
Yokohama Base post office
"Hello sir, how may I help you?" A civilian worker greeted me by the post office.
"Hi, I would like to deliver this document to a William Parker alongside this package." I showed her a classified order record that stated my real rank and delivery information. William Parker was just a name used to inform the classified nature of the case.
"I see… I understand sir. The package will be transported on date. That will be two thousand Yen." I paid the price willingly. It was super cheap, considering the location that I wanted to send it to.
"Transaction confirmed. Thank you and have a good day."
"Alright, thanks." I left after my business was done. The package would be send without any problems, even if the content gets discovered it still shouldn't cause any difficulties.
Mitsurugi's room
"Meiya, I'm here for your night visit."
"Takeru, do not say something that others could misunderstand so easily." Meiya greeted me when I entered without knocking.
"I feel that I missed a great opportunity here, somewhere." She just came out of the shower as her hair was still moist with droplets of water. But Meiya was fully clothed in her wear, so I didn't get any enjoyable view.
"You have missed no such thing, Takeru. To what purpose caused you to pay me this visit?"
"Now that's just mean, I'm here to grant you your present." I offered her a wrapped stick. She took it and a confused demeanor made itself apparent on her aspect.
"Takeru… I assume you want me to open this?"
"You speculated correctly, Meiya. I'm positive that you will like this." The wrapping was undone and an elegant short sword was exposed.
"Takeru… is this a… wakizashi? How can I accept such a grand gift?" Meiya took the sword as uttermost discretion and carefully examined the scabbard and the handle without unsheathing the weapon itself.
"This is quite beautiful, if I do say so myself. Regrettably, in this current age. It's very difficult to find any relic with a better quality."
The wakizashi had a very comparable design to Meiya's own katana. With the same diamond patterned handle and a dark purple sheath. The only difference being a bright red line shaded at a forty-five degree angle spiralling up the scabbard.
"Takeru, I cannot receive this. Such a beautiful weapon is better suited for your usage." Meiya pushed the sword in my direction. I stalled her from returning it to its previous owner.
"Meiya, you may not know this but, I also have a katana with me. The other pair of this wakizashi. But I'm much more familiar with firearms and combat knives compared to swords. To me, they're just a pain in the ass to wield in battle. I believe that you can use this more effective than me."
"Still, Takeru…"
"Are you saying you will reject my goodwill, Meiya? I went through a lot of work to find this for you. If you honestly won't accept this, then it would just collect dust on the bottom of my shelf."
That was a big fat lie, I only ordered from Yuuko-sensei, the design and everything. Sensei took care of the finding for me.
"Takeru… if that is the case. I shall take this with the highest honour." Meiya bowed her head, a gesture of respect that was very uncomfortable for me.
"One other thing. Go get your Katana. I want to show you something."
"Very well, Takeru." Meiya appeared with her sword in hand.
"Here… fasten this on your waist and put your swords there." What I had her wear was a belt strap designed for her Katana. It was had a side slot for the short sword I gifted her as well.
"Takeru, are you sure dressing me this elegantly brings you joy?" Meiya stood like the proud samurai that she was. Her katana buckled to her left and the wakizashi pinned to her right. The last time Meiya looked this stylish was so long ago.
"Those straps also works with your fortified suit, I tested their durability and everything. The swords won't even bother you while piloting. You are good to go, Meiya." I patted her shoulder with an affirmed gaze.
"Takeru, why did you spend so much time and energy just for my sake?"
"It's because you are just so precious to me… your happiness is my happiness, after all." Meiya's cheeks illuminated a bright red and she turned her head to avoid meeting my sight.
"How could you say such embarrassing lines so easily! Takeru, you really are a man without any insecurity…"
"Hahaha. Isn't it lucky that you get such a person in your squad?"
"Are you not an arrogant one." She took her new blade and placed it in her drawer with care.
"Meiya, that sword is for you to wield. The edge is for your enemies who dare to bring you harm. Promise me that only the blunt end will ever face you. As long as you carry that sword, you will not forfeit your own life without concern for it." A wakizashi was often used to commit seppuku. I didn't give this to Meiya with that intention in mind.
"Why bring this up now?" It was unnecessary for me to discuss such a point, but I had to confirm my belief.
"It's… it's just that I know you're the type to sacrifice yourself without much consideration." I wouldn't forgive myself if Meiya someday traded her life for my own.
"Takeru, there will be times when my life must be used for a greater purpose." Meiya was brave. She would never hesitate to expense herself for others.
"That time will never come, I will be the one to stop it in its tracks. I place your safety above my own, I only ask that you do the same for the life that you deserve."
"But, Takeru… I have my own duty to fulfill. I cannot turn my back on the destiny that I carried through this life." As the Shogun's sister, the Shogun's shadow. Meiya couldn't allow herself to be free. So I will be the one to save her instead.
"I will share that duty with you. Whatever is your burden will be my burden. So if there is a time when you don't have a reason to continue, live for me."
"…Takeru… I… but why? Why do you see me like this? What makes me different from any other?"
"Meiya, I… you are the most important person in my existence, an existence that should had been ended long ago. I just can't endure the thought of you getting hurt, under any circumstances. I need you, Meiya. You are too special." My feeling for Meiya was a handful of things that were still true about me. But that was enough to push me to where I am today.
"But… this life is that of a mere shadow… it has no value… nor future. My duty is that which is bestowed upon me at the moment of my birth. And fulfilling it is my only goal. I have no merit, Takeru…" It felt as if Meiya stabbed my own heart with her words directed at her existence.
"That's not true! The worth of an object cannot just be stated for it to be the truth. Everyone has different opinions of the artefacts that'll vary depending on their interpretation. And to me, this shadow in front of my eyes is more invaluable than any riches this world can provide!" I can't afford to lose Meiya, she meant everything to me.
"Like I said to you, Mitsurugi Meiya. If you ever find your own existence to be meaningless. Please remember that I, a man whose life is dedicated to this world, a man that will save this earth from its disastrous end, see you as more precious than any prosperity. If your time ever ends… then I have no means to go on."
Her pupils held back her droplets as her façade was that of pure wonder and joy mixed in with confusion and a little fear.
"Ahhh… Takeru… no one has ever shown me this much hospitality before. I do not… know the correct way to respond…"
"Then just tell me your true feelings, Meiya. I don't wish to disregard your thoughts." Meiya's tears that she used to only cry for this country were soaking her eyes. She sat still for minutes, unable to speak anything more than mumbled sounds. Finally, when she lifted her head again. It was strength and resolve that remained in her sockets.
"I shall swear to you here, Takeru. I will defend this life, as this life belongs to you. If you place such emphasis upon my existence, I shall treat it with the same gravity. If I my existence can be the support for your will. Then please, treat this life as you see fit."
I took Meiya by her waist and embraced her with all the passion someone like me could muster. She accepted me as if it was the only natural thing to do.
—
"Alright, my business here is done. Let's keep this thing between us for now. I'll be taking my leave then." I was too unstable to stay any longer. The reminiscences of my history threatened to overwhelm my brain.
"I also believe for that to be the best. I cannot express my passion with mere words, Takeru." Her face was still tainted with red, her joyful expression showed a smile with honestly.
"That's fine, I understand your feelings." I maneuvered around her furniture for my departure.
"…I think I will name this wakizashi Yamato, Yamato Takeru." Meiya's terrible naming sense prompted a chuckle from me before I vanished from her view.
Shirogane's room
'Ahhaa… what have I done…?' I reviewed my work after returning to my room.
My confession was on the spur of the moment. It was just that instant, when she denied her reason to live, at the same time denying my own. I couldn't hold myself back from correcting such twisted ideal. I also didn't tell her anything about me and Sumika.
'…There is going to be a lot of injuries happening to me…' at least those problems will be for the future Shirogane to deal with.
December 02, 2001
Shirogane's room
"Muuum, Muuuum!" Today I woke up almost getting suffocated by a rabbit. Change was definitely not welcomed here.
—
"Kasumi, shaking would be fine from now on." I stared at the massive rabbit that I gave her the day before.
"This is big Usa-san. He is a friend of Usa-san." Most original name ever. I was so proud of Kasumi for thinking of that.
"Yeah…? That's nice. Where is Sumika?" I distracted her when I couldn't say anything else about her naming sense.
"Sumika-san is still sleeping."
"Welp, let's get going then."
Kagami's room
"Muuum, muuuuuum!" Sumika greeted the morning by almost getting smothered by a giant rabbit as well. We shared some small talk while she changed into her uniform.
"Ah, Takeru-chan. There's something I need to ask you." My name was called when I was about to exit her room.
"Yeah?" Sumika surveyed the hallway to check for any suspicious person like in the movies. She shut the door after seeing that no one was eavesdropping, also that she looked like a total moron.
"Takeru-chan, have you seen anyone acting weird these days?"
"Excluding you? Nope, not one person." Sumika shot me a look like she was trying to communicate with a monkey, which should be easy for her due to the two of them being the same species.
"Mou… Takeru-chan… anyway, it's just that from time to time, I detect the presence of someone else that isn't supposed to be here. I don't even know if they're a person or something else." The absolute baloney she spewed reminded me of a possible detail.
"So an invader, or a spy? You sure it's just not Mikoto's dad?" Yoroi was the most suspicious person around, but I doubted he would be the felon.
"No, it's something different. Like someone is trying to hurt our base, I just don't know who or what."
"Alright, Sumika. I might actually have an idea of what you're talking about. I'll tell sensei about this." The little information that Sumika provided could lead to a big catch, I needed to get the timing just right to reel in a big fish.
Kouzuki Yuuko' office
"You know why I'm here, sensei?"
"This about the natural disaster by Mt. Tengen?" Why did I even bother to tell her the future that she clearly already knows?
"Yep, then you can tell what'll happen, right?"
"Both UN and the Imperial don't have the reserves to help them, so some cadets are the most likely possibility." Yuuko-sensei's genius knows no bounds. I felt like a dumbass for trying to remind her of the volcano.
"We just need to get those residents to safety, even if it's by force. No one here got the time to deal with them, unfortunately. The coup is going to become a reality no matter what we try to change now."
During my very first time in this world. I was held in the detention barracks for eight days while the coup was being fought outside.
"Indeed unfortunate. We really don't have much choice here, huh."
"Nope, this is also a sacrifice that I'm willing to take. For a better future." I couldn't help that old lady, again. I don't know how glad she would be if we saved her village like the first time. But I just can't afford the time and energy to help stop a volcanic eruption.
"I will see to it accordingly."
"Thanks, sensei. And one more thing, I need you to ask the mechanics for some adjustments."
I passed sensei a PDA naturally, she took the device and I placed my hand into hers to drop a piece of note under the cover of the tablet. The instructions written on paper had nothing to do with the engineers. The fake topic worked only as a good cover.
"Alright, Shirogane. I'll get them to move on it." The PDA had nothing of importance. It was some random TSF request that got delayed a few days back.
"Then I'll wait for the results." I waved my hand after being dismissed.
PX
"Heyyy! Shiroganeee!" This woman just wouldn't shut up no matter what transpires.
"I'm not your grandparents, Hayase. I can hear you and see you just fine."
"Haha, don't worry, Shirogane. I just made sure that you aren't blind of deaf." My arm moved in to chop her head but she blocked it with ease.
"Shirogane! Is this the proper way to treat a lady?" Her question almost caused me to do a backflip due to its comedic values.
"Wahaha… hahaha… no. No, I wouldn't treat a lady like that." Her attack was the one that got intercepted this time.
"God. Damn. It, Shirogane! At least respect me as your elder. I'm gonna beat the shit out of you the next time we fight." Hayase remarked a very realistic threat if I wasn't careful about watching my back.
"Yeah, yeah sure." I only brushed her off, knowing I will never let my guard down.
"What are you doing here?"
"Just skipping class."
"Bad boy, Shirogane! Isn't learning the priority of a Cadet?"
"Shut up and go back to your paperwork, First Lieutenant." We traded comments as the time flowed on without distress.
—
"Shirogane, serious talk here. About your friend Kagami… can I ask this?" The topic was suddenly moved to a solemn one by Hayase.
"I thought this will come up sooner or later. Ask first, I will tell you what I can."
"Is she special?" Never a one to camouflage her statement.
"…Yeah, she is related to Alternative IV." I knew giving anything else away could jeopardize the project, even if it is to Hayase.
"I see, then I won't ask about the hypnosis and stuff. Another one then, why did she react like that when she saw… you know, the brains?" Hayase was very direct with her inquisition, just as one would except from this girl.
"She, humm… let me say it this way. Have we ever rescued a survivor from the BETA?" It was difficult no matter how I try to break it to her.
"No, right…? Unless… you can't mean…" She was smart enough to pick up on my hint.
"Your guess is most likely correct. Kagami is a very special person."
"…Is that so… she must also have a tragic past. I understand, Shirogane. I won't ask anything else."
"Thank you, Hayase. Anyway, have you seen Sumika recently? Notice anything different?"
"Yeah, I did. What's up with that crazily cute hairband of hers?" We continued to waste time during the afternoon, talking about random trivial subjects.
December 03, 2001
PX
"There you are, Shiroganeeee!" Marimo-chan's shout echoed within the vacant PX.
"Whatttt issss itttt, Marimo-channnnn?" I dragged out my voice on purpose to compete with hers.
"SHIROGANEEE! Why can't you fix that habit!"
"Marimo-chan, please. I live as a free man and will die as a free man. You can't tell me what to do." I promised myself long ago that Marimo-chan will always be Marimo-chan, it doesn't matter what the circumstances are. I will always dub her Marimo-chan as long as we're alone.
"Ahhaa… dealing with you is taking a lot of my vigour every day. Why can't you just stop acting like such a child?"
"Hahaha, can't stop won't stop. Besides, with wrong with relaxing a bit? We aren't on the frontlines right now, being soldiers doesn't mean that we have to be strict a hundred percent of the time. That will just wear us down eventually. If we can't enjoy the pleasantries in our daily life, how can we be truly serious on the battlefield?"
A lecture for Marimo-chan about the importance of enjoying the short periods of time when we can relax and unwind to better prepare for the next fight.
"For someone who skipped ninety percent of his lessons. You sure can talk at least, Shirogane." The truth was here all along.
"Now you're getting it, Marimo-chan."
"Haa… can you please, attend a training session at minimum? First Lieutenant, no cadet skips this amount of trainings." Marimo-chan got my skipping ass with a critical fact.
"But… it's so boring…" I tried desperately one last time to get away.
"We have simulated mock combat training this afternoon. Why don't you be present for that? As the squad leader, you can assign the teams."
"Alright, I should probably join them for a mock battle." I made up my mind and joined Marimo-chan back to the simulation chamber.
The teams ended up being me and Kasumi against the rest. I destroyed the others without playing with my food this time.
Kouzuki Yuuko's office
"Hey, sensei. Are all of the preparations finalized?" I popped into Yuuko-sensei's office uninvited.
"Yeah, I'm busy right now, so don't bother me. All of your stuff is already set up. Just don't compromise our project with your little side activity." Sensei harshly confirmed my request and ordered to kicked me out without another word. I was getting anxious about what she was working on all these days.
"Yuuko-sensei, what are you working on, exactly?"
"It's nothing you need to know." Sensei brushed off my question.
"That's bullshit! The last time you said that I lost the most important person in my life!" I knocked the mellow mood around the room out of existence in an instant.
"…Look, sensei. I understand that you have your own problems to deal with. But I cannot allow you to be working on something without my knowledge."
"You sure you can talk to the Vice-Commander of this base like that, First Lieutenant? You think just because you're from the unknown future that makes it my duty to reveal everything to you?"
Yuuko-sensei wasn't the type to be pushed around without retaliating, and retaliate she did. But I also wasn't someone who folds under pressure.
"I must know everything going on here. I will not take the chance that could lead to some catastrophic mistake happening. I… I just need to know this, under any circumstances. Please, Yuuko-sensei. I can't afford to lose again…"
Yuuko-sensei stood up from her seat. Our staring contest of resolve ended in my victory when she finally handed me some pages.
"…I'm trying to find a way to reverse the reactor operation using the 00 Unit. It's honestly difficult to explain. But, basically if we can prevent leaking our information and instead have the 00 Unit withdraw BETA knowledge from the reactor, that'll be another great achievement for Alternative IV."
The papers had many difficult equations written over, some that even I didn't recognize.
"Did you ask Sumika, if she has any ideas?"
"I did, but she told me nothing about this subject. You happy now, Shirogane? I'm not trying to secretly screw you over, so just calm down."
There were times when it was problematic for me to trust sensei. But I knew that she also fought for humanity's victory.
"…Sorry, Yuuko-sensei. I'll just take my leave then."
"Wait. Now that I told you this, I want something in return." I was being blackmailed, to a certain extent.
"What do you want, sensei?"
"…Tell me, about your past. When did you first start looping?" The beginning was a tough time for me to recall. But I decided it's time to tell Yuuko-sensei the whole story after some inner-debate.
"Let's see… my first time was when Alternative V got the green light and everyone got fucked hard. I believe that I joined the Imperials and served under this one prick that NTRed me to the extreme, which by no means was pleasant. I did crash his arranged wedding back in the old world, so I guess we're even, maybe?"
"Anyway, it was a terrible time for all while I was going full on chuunibyou. But I got to pilot a Takemikazuchi 00C and stuff so it was all good. I met a bunch of people who I can't remember now… most of that time I couldn't remember. I died sometime after and was sent back to October 22 again."
I made myself comfortable on the sofa to continue the tale. The old serious atmosphere was blown away by a casual one. My order was to always laugh at my past mistakes and I planned on carrying that out no matter the time.
"On my second time through this world. I changed a bunch of stuff to build a better chance for humanity's success. But all went downhill when Marimo-chan was seen eating with another man… well, actually, nobody made it to see the end." My headache returned with vengeance to attack my mental capacity.
"So everyone died?"
"Yeah… something like that. We attacked Kashgar. Kasumi and I were the only ones… my time was over, but I…"
Shirogane Takeru
Alternative, January 02, 2002
Path by the cherry blossoms
"—looks like you haven't disappeared yet."
"Sensei…?" I got interrupted from by Yuuko-sensei when I was recalling back to my comrades… who all taught me so much with their lives.
"Yashiro told me you were out here… done saying goodbye?" Am I finished with my farewells?
"Yes, I'm done."
"Okay. So you have nothing left to do in this world." Am I seriously satisfied with this ending?
"…I guess… not… well… I'd be lying if I said there was nothing…"
"…I guess, not getting to make you cry. I promised the other world's Yuuko-sensei I'd do that…" Another promise I couldn't fulfill.
"Huhuhu… such a shame."
"It really is."
"Well, anyway… welcome home. You did great out there." 'I did great'? What did I do that deserves such praise?
"…Where'd that come from…?"
"I haven't seen you since you got back, right? Sorry I was so busy."
"What're you talking about, sensei? You've never come and talked to me right after I came back from an operation." Is this going to be the last time Yuuko-sensei greets me on my homecoming?
"Oh… really? Never?"
"Never." Could this mean sensei feels something about me leaving…? Nah, she wouldn't do that, would she?
"I read your report. Sorry to ask so much… after all that happened."
"No, it's fine… I wanted to do everything I could for this world before I left… especially since I don't know when I'll disappear." If I leave, is everything just going to end?
"True… Then we'd better hurry."
"Hurry…? With what?"
"—here you go." Yuuko-sensei pulled out the same handgun and mentioned for me to take it.
"…Eh…?" It was the same gun, a HK USP 9 semi-automatic pistol. The identical weapon Yuuko-sensei offered me last time.
"You're not a Causality Conductor anymore. Even if you kill me, nothing will happen to me in the other world. I'm sure that was one of the reasons you didn't back then." Sensei is right, but what'll killing her here accomplish?
"And since Kagami doesn't exist during this transfer, you really will cease to exist in this world. This time, not one person in this world will ever remember you existed." If I leave, will my name, my history, everything just disappear?
"So you won't have to worry about anyone wondering where you went and criticizing you for it." What about me? Where will I go? Will I criticize myself?
"…Or would you like me to answer some questions first? You must have countless things… you want to ask or tell me." Do I have questions? Do I have any message for Yuuko-sensei?
"…I told you to save whining and complaining until the end, right? —this is the end." Is this it? Can I just abandon everything and go back, to my old world?
"I think I will hold on to this." I took the pistol into my palms.
"So what are you going to do then?"
"Sensei, this world still needs you. Besides, you're going to keep fighting and suffering for humanity… right?"
"I see… so we're even…? If you're okay with that, it's easy enough for me. Fortunately I'm not weak enough to 'suffer' from so little."
"Hahaha… you're right." Yuuko-sensei is strong. She might be strict and calculating when it comes to completing her objectives… but that's not her real personality… she did so much for everyone as a person, a person that cares deeply about others.
Sensei accepted head-on the responsibilities of showing people the way… and she never ran away from dirtying her own hands. She locked all those things inside… never complaining to anyone.
"Am I… am I that strong as well? Can I bear all the responsibility of what happened?"
"Are you doubting yourself, Shirogane?"
"No… I won't worry about the past anymore." If I think about the history hard enough, will any of it change? Do I want to change it?
"Okay then… how about something more future-oriented?"
"Future… oriented…?"
—
We talked and talked. The old world, my old world will not be affected by anything that occurred here. I probably will just get send back to October 22nd. Marimo-chan, Sumika and everyone else will be fine. The world that I'm going to possibly will be heavily influenced by Sumika's feelings.
Sensei said that would be a good world for me, will it be a good world for me?
"This world, the one those guys gave their lives to protect… what will happen to it now? With the rest of the BETA war and all…"
"So you were…. wondering about that."
"Sorry… after all this I feel like I'm actually from this world… not that it really matters of course." My origin, where is it that I belong?
"I'm thinking… we shouldn't have anything to worry about for a while. What you guys left for us… that theory, the equations… the XM3… Recordings of the Primary Objective readings you brought back for us… all of that should keep humanity safe for at least thirty years."
"…Thirty years…" Yuuko-sensei explained that we still have a very long way to go. All the BETAs in the universe, human's own infightings. There was hope for us, but even with all this I attained, am I content?
"Sensei… everything I've done… everything we gained in exchange for their lives… do they have meaning?" Yuuko-sensei and Kasumi paused a little, I don't know how prepared I am right now. Is my old world the place I need to be?
"Of course they do. There's no question… that you saved this world."
"So I saved this world… Sensei… if I go back, who will I become?" This is my final question. I do need an answer, after all.
"You're still you, Shirogane Takeru. There's not going to be anyone else taking your spot."
"But… will I still be me…? This me?" Another pause. Is even sensei unsure about this?
"…I think, you won't remember what happened here… perhaps. Now that Kagami is gone… there is nothing tying you to this world. Your existence will disappear, maybe along with your memoires." Then my fate is already sealed.
"I… I don't want to die."
"What're you talking about? You will still be alive in your world." That is different though.
"But this 'me' here will die. What am I without my memoires? All this time that I spend here, they'll all be gone. I'm going to die here and another me, a normal 'me' will take over."
"That… may be the case. However, it's not certain. You could still retain your memoires with you. The Causality information could still flow through if it goes with you." But that doesn't help.
"Then it'll be even worse. I have to face them, face everyone that I left behind and those that died. I don't want that, that's worse than dying."
"Shirogane… I don't think you have a choice here… I'm sorry."
"I can't… I can't take this. And I thought I was ready…" I raised the firearm that is covered with my sweat, and pointed the barrel at Yuuko-sensei.
"…So you do want to shoot me, then? If you can aim for the head, that'll be great. I don't want others to get their hands on my brain." Yuuko-sensei only made an insensitive joke about my action.
"Shirogane-san! You can't!" Kasumi tried her hardest to object even with her tiny voice.
"I… what can I do? I don't know." I trained the iron sight onto Kasumi next.
"Hey, Shirogane! What do you think you're doing?!" Yuuko-sensei was less than pleased by my sign of aggression.
"This is the only way, isn't?" The final target, the only one that I wanted to shoot, was myself.
"But I promised! I thought I won't regret this!" My hand shook hard. I still don't have enough resolve.
"Shirogane, what do you really want?"
"I-I don't want this! I'm still scared! I don't want this to end just yet!" I undid the safety on the weapon. The muzzle was pointed toward my own head at last.
"But you're not the Causality Conductor anymore! You know this just as I do. Killing yourself here won't achieve anything!"
"Even so… this is my life, right? I have not yet given everything for this world. My friends went before me, it's my time now." Even if there is no hope, even if only an endless hell awaits me. I still want to hold onto a dream.
"I gambled away everything and won. But that's not enough for me. I still have my own future to trade for."
"You already saved this planet. There is no need for you to take such a risk and do it again." I did save this world, it was only this world. Not my friends that used to exist here.
"It's not enough! I want… I want everything! I can't go back when there is still a slimmer of doubt within me. Even if I just die here, I still want to try."
"That's really stupid, Shirogane! You're going to waste your life on a chance to redo everything?" Yuuko-sensei is right. This is the most foolish act I will perform.
"But even so… I just can't live with this. I'm regretting my decisions. My resolution is wavering again…"
"If you do somehow go back, what do you think will happen to this world? Your success here will become meaningless. No one would have wished for you to die right now. That's why they all used their lives to save yours!" Am I willing to abandon this?
"Then… I'll betray this world. I'll deny everyone's hope, their dreams of tomorrow. I'll throw away their tears for another chance of making everything better, even if it's only my own wish." This is the first time I've been honest to my feelings.
"That's extremely selfish of you. I'm sure no one that sacrificed their lives would want you to end you own like this. And even if you go back again, you're disregarding what they forfeited for this future."
"So what…? I gave up everything to save this world. Then I'll destroy it if I have to. I'll betray everyone, everything they gave up for this earth. But I'll carry that responsibility with me until I can save everything!" I found my resolve to turn my back on my precious team's dream in favour of my own.
"Are you that determined? There might not be any hope if you go again. And even that is a big gamble in itself."
"I am. Shirogane Takeru will dedicate his entire life to saving everything, saving everyone. That is my resolve. I will carry the burden of all those that I denied, all those that died, all those that I betrayed for my future. A tomorrow that I will craft with my two hands."
At that moment, strange lights flashed around me, signalling my time limit, also my harden heart that will not waver for this cause.
"Can I trust you on those words, Shirogane Takeru? This will be many times, maybe thousand times more difficult than what you accomplished until now. You could just die on this very spot. And even if you make it, only a path of hardship and struggle will present itself. And the end of that road could only have despair and failure in stock."
"Even so. Compared to my own demise, my own mistakes here. That path could still lead to hope. People's lives are so exquisite, but that's why I trade my own for this wager." The likelihood of my success was so bleak, but that won't change my mind anymore.
"Shirogane-san… you, right now, could maybe do it." Kasumi encouraged my baseless belief.
"Do you think so, Kasumi?"
"…You still carry a lot of Causality information. If your willpower is that strong. Maybe there's a chance." And no matter how slight that chance is, I'll still take the risk.
"When Sumika-san left, you already had your doubts, right? Then maybe that will be the power for you."
"If you really are going, then you should hurry. You're starting to disappear." As sensei remarked that, my legs that carried me this far lost their sensation.
"Yeah… I have to hurry. Thank you for everything, Yuuko-sensei. I will repay this generosity in full. When I start again."
I checked the pistol one final time. It held fifteen rounds within the magazine. I pointed the gun towards the direction of our old town and fired, eleven slugs cut through the air without any target. One for each of the person that was lost, they died because my incompetence, because my weakness. So it's only fair for me to devote this life they saved to protecting them all.
"Sumika, Meiya, Tama, Class rep, Mikoto, Ayamine, Marimo-chan, Captain Isumi, 1st Lt. Hayase, 1st Lt. Suzumiya, Kashiwagi… And now for me…" The hot barrel was kept a little distance away from my temple. My fingers were stuck to the trigger, ready to end my life at a moment's notice.
"So you really are that determined to do this?"
"I am. You said that time is the cruellest kindness, but I will not permit any suffering to take place at all." The quote I recited no longer holds any meaning to me.
"Then I'll ask you again… You're going to save humanity, right?"
"Yes."
"And you want to do it with your own strength, right?"
"Yes."
"But you know what you seek is an impossible reality, and even with infinite retries you might not reach it, right?"
"Even so. I will not give up anything anymore." Seeing our conversation has come to an end. I aimed at myself carefully as the light increased in brightness.
"Maybe the resolve to sacrifice nothing… is stronger than the resolve to sacrifice everything…goodbye, bratty saviour. Even though you sound pretty mature right about now." It was this time that I deserved Yuuko-sensei's compliment.
"Kasumi, I promise you I'll take you to see the oceans one day. Just wait for me, okay?"
"…Okay… I think… even if this is Sumika-san's feelings. I still would like to believe that… I did love you too…"
"…Is that so… Thank you… Kasumi… and I'm sorry"
"It's okay, Shirogane-san… see you later…"
"…Yeah… see you later…" With only one casing of a bullet, everything ended.
—
It was the same ceiling. It always will be the same ceiling.
"…So I'm really back here again…" I slowly raised out of my old bed. The surroundings were so familiar, but everything else was so different.
"I'm back… I'm back…! I'M BACK AGAIN!" And this time, nothing will be lost. I will protect everyone that cared for me all these times.
See next chapter for Author's notes.
