So, it didn't take long for me to restart work on the fic once I'd gotten the comeback chapter out :D
I'll probably restart the Soul Eater and Noir ones as well. Anyway, enough of a foreword; onward!
Takashi walked around the gardens of the Takagi estate, whistling tunelessly. He made sure to remain close enough to the dojo so that he could be found, once Saeko was done talking to Souichiro. It struck him that this was the most relaxed their group would probably be in a very long time…They had the time to stop and catch a breath. For a time. And so, he reflected on all that had happened since the outbreak scarcely a week prior. He'd transformed so much from then; from the aimless teen wandering through life into a veteran of several battles and near-death experiences.
The first person he'd killed had been his once-friend, Hisashi. Since then, he'd slain many tens, possibly hundreds of Them. And everyone around him had transformed too. Saeko had channeled her inner violence to become a Goddess of Destruction, dealing death in her wake with the quick, precise strokes of her sword. Kohta Hirano, the gun-crazy otaku, had put all his previously useless theoretical knowledge to practical use, effectively becoming their quartermaster. Saya's genius and decision-making ability had come to the fore, as she proved herself more than capable of making the right decisions time and again, and handling the pressure of taking the risks, putting everyone around her in danger, but not so much that they would perish too. Alice and Zeke were changing too, insisting on helping however they could, getting involved in the bloodshed. Shizuka Marikawa, the ditzy blond nurse in normal life, became a crazy stunt-artist who'd probably give the greatest rally drivers a run for their money, whenever she got behind the wheel of her friend's Humvee. And that wasn't even taking into consideration her almost savant-like grasp of medicine and medical treatment.
Honestly, the only one who'd started acting…crazy, and who hadn't really stepped up to be counted, had been Rei. Takashi couldn't really blame her. Hisashi's death must have had a profound effect upon her. The fact that she had no idea if her parents were alive or dead probably exacerbated the situation. Rei had never been a particularly strong person. Selfish, arrogant, impatient, clingy…those were the words had been used to people in the past to describe her. Takashi considered her a good friend, but even he could see that she was a liability unless she didn't change. But, they had to make sure she was safe; they had to pick up the slack where she failed. Because he could never go against his own guiding principle- that no one got left behind.
The first time he'd heard it had been in an English language name, called Mass Effect…that particular phrase had always stayed with him. Whenever he played the online tournaments their team signed up for, that they inevitably won. They were the best team in Japan for a reason, and it was their teamwork. He wished he could have met 'Zan' and 'ST', the other two members of their unbeatable five member team.
They were supposed to have met a month later, in the first offline tournament held for the game in Japan, where e-sports was just taking off. If they'd won there, they would have had the chance to attend the World Championships. An opportunity to take on the best of the world. But, that had been snatched away.
In their current world, where preserving the surviving remnants of humanity was so very important, the principle held even more true. Takashi would never ever abandon anyone if he could help it.
He then turned his mind to Mrs. Yuriko. He didn't really know all that much about her past, except for the parts he'd learnt from Saya and his mother. The conversations with his mother hadn't been exactly frequent, what with most of them devolving into shouting matches that were mostly defused by his peace-loving father. Saya had a similar relationship with her mother, far as he could tell. Which meant that his experiences helped him play peacemaker quite effectively. There were parts of Yuriko's life even Saya didn't know about; and Takashi had a feeling that she would be extremely useful to their cause.
His musings were interrupted by someone calling his name. He shook himself out of his reverie and spotted Saeko walking up to him, still dressed in the kimono that made her look so extraordinarily beautiful. There was a change, however. It hit Takashi just as he reached her. She had two swords, one at each side. She embraced and kissed him deeply. He responded as well as he could.
Saeko broke away and smiled brightly at Takashi.
"I got the pair to the sword", she said. "Takagi-sama had it in his dojo. He lent it to me for this journey."
Takashi's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Well, that seems almost…providential", he commented, his face breaking into a grin.
He whistled. "Now, we'll really see Saeko Busujima unleashed."
Saeko's face fell slightly. "Yeah, there's nothing holding me back now, is there?", she commented, sounding almost sad.
Takashi sensed that Saeko was dredging up unhappy memories and hugged her tightly.
"It's what you do that defines you, Saeko-chan. The fact that you become the goddess of death herself to help your friends is not a bad thing…it actually shows how noble your character is-that you push yourself so hard to protect those you care about. There is no person in the world who has the right to judge you for it."
Saeko relaxed into the embrace, and nodded into his shoulder. "Thanks, Takashi", she whispered. Takashi released her, smiling. Saeko saw only care and admiration behind the smile, and that gave her the strength to smile back.
"Takagi-sama requested me to find you and let you know to meet him at the dojo at your convenience."
"Oh, that's good, I'll go now."
Takashi made his way towards the dojo, Saeko walking by his side.
At the entrance, she said, "I will find my way back to our room. Sir Takagi is in the study. Good luck, Takashi-kun."
Takashi smiled and nodded at her before entering the hall of the Takagi dojo. He had been in there multiple times, and he purposefully made his way to the left end of the hall, where the door to the study lay. He rapped on the door, entering as soon as he heard a muffled 'Come in!' from the other end.
Souichiro Takagi sat behind the desk. He seemed to be pulling something out of the drawer. He produced a bottle of something and two cups.
He looked up to see Takashi, and smiled at him. He motioned to the seat opposite his, saying, "Thank you for coming, Takashi. Please, take a seat."
He opened the lid on the bottle, and poured measures of a clear liquid into both cups. Takashi took his seat and looked at Souichiro intently.
Souichiro gazed back, then seemed to remember something, and he looked at Takashi, saying, "I suppose you have drunk sake before, Takashi?"
Takashi nodded affirmatively, though it wasn't strictly legal for him to be drinking.
"Good, then I don't need to feel guilty about offering you sake. Here you go."
Takashi accepted, commenting, "Technically, I'm underage, but I do enjoy sake".
Souichiro laughed. "I'll be sure to keep your secret under wraps", he said, winking good-naturedly.
Takashi smiled back and accepted the cup. The two men clinked their glasses together together, before drinking it down. The teenager felt the alcohol burn his throat and soon, a warmth form in the pit of his stomach.
"Care for a refill?', asked Souichiro.
Takashi nodded saying, "Yes, please. Thank you, sir."
Souichiro laughed and refilled his glass, saying, "Of course, I'd be a very poor host if I didn't offer my guests a drink."
Once the cup had been refilled, Souichiro said, "Now, Takashi, do you know why I wished to meet with you?"
Takashi thought for a moment and replied, "I confess that I am not entirely sure, sir. However, I believe your wife and daughter are part of the reason?"
Souichiro nodded. "Yes, they are part of the reason, of course. My family is very important to me, but I do believe that going with your group will afford them a very good chance of surviving this…I don't know what I should call it…"
"If I may, sir, we call it the apocalypse amongst ourselves", said Takashi, smiling wryly.
"Apocalypse? Yes, that sounds a good, if rather fatalistic way to put it."
He went silent for a moment, before his face took on a more serious look. "Apocalypse, then. I think that being with you and your motley crew of survivors will probably give them a better chance at surviving this apocalypse than what I could offer them. So, I am happy that Yuriko took the step to be with Saya. Saya and you have been together ever since you were literally babies, and I couldn't expect her to prefer the company of a strict, absentee father to you, her chosen partner."
Takashi's eyebrows went up in surprise. "Sir, what do you mean by, 'her chosen partner'?"
Souichiro looked surprised. "Well, aren't you two partners in everything? I mean, my daughter is practically your other half. Nine times out of ten, you could be found where she is."
Takashi blushed slightly. "Err, umm…it's not…I mean…its…", he blabbered, desperately trying to will coherent, clearly formed words.
Souichiro put up a hand. "None of us mind at all, Takashi-kun. Quite frankly, I would go so far as saying I'm happy with her choice."
"Thank you, sir.", Takashi managed.
Then, he thought of something. "But, wait…we aren't exactly partners…I mean, not that I'm against it…and I'm sure she won't be either…wait…"
He saw Souichiro smiling indulgently, and said, "Saeko was here before me, and Saya would've talked to you for sure. All that's left for me to ask is, exactly how much do you know, sir?"
Souichiro laughed heartily. "A great deal. It takes a brave young man to accept the feelings of two teenage girls simultaneously. I do not envy you, Takashi. I know that you would not have taken these steps lightly, and I do commend your confidence. The fact that Miss. Busujima has also decided to rely on you, in addition to my daughter tells me a lot. You have grown into a fine, dependable young man. Your leadership has come to the fore in this dark time, and your group now looks to you to guide them."
Takashi looked at the cup in silence. "I don't feel like I've grown at all, actually. Everything I've done, its been instinct…I haven't done anything special, just followed my gut and hope nothing went wrong. I don't know what everyone expects from me…I'm no great fighter, I'm not all that intelligent or knowledgeable. I just try to help out where I can."
Souichiro steeped the fingers of his hands together, and considered Takashi. "Your group needed someone like you, and you stepped up. Different groups have a different dynamic. What your group needed to lead them onwards, was you. And I have sensed before that you've always had the ability to lead, if not the inclination."
Takashi shook his head. "Everyone keeps saying that, but honestly, I don't know. But, I promised myself that I'd be whatever I was needed to be, and if I need to be this, then I will do it the best I can. For my friends…and for Saya and Saeko."
Souichiro commented, "This is generally what any good leader believes, more or less. You adapt to your group, and not the other way around. I entrust Yuriko and Saya to your able leadership. I would like to request that you keep them safe."
Takashi nodded solemnly. "With my life."
Souichiro shook his head. "No, not with your life. I do not think your group would survive long without any one of its components. You need to keep yourself alive as much as my daughter and wife."
Takashi considered this in silence. "I believe people are stronger and more resilient than that, sir. I do see your point, but I cannot hesitate, or doubt what my instincts tell me; they've worked thus far, and I think they are good."
"Well said", said Souichiro.
He looked at Takashi appraisingly. "You have grown well."
Takashi scratched his head. "Grown, maybe. Well, I'm not so sure, sir. But, I'll do what I need to."
"So, if you don't mind me asking, what do you plan to do now? Your friends and you?"
"We plan to stick together. I need to try to make contact with mum and Rei wants to find her parents. We'll use the Humvee we came in – Shizuka drives that thing like a pro, and I'm hoping Yuriko-san will be able to help out with that too."
Souichiro nodded. "Driving is one of Yuriko's many talents. No worries there. You'll need fuel for your vehicle as well?"
Takashi nodded and said, "Yes, but I believe Saya already settled that with your mechanic. We should have more than enough."
Souichiro smiled. "It is gratifying to see my daughter able to foresee all these things and plan out ways to avoid trouble. You are a good influence."
Takashi blushed slightly. "I hardly think its down to me, sir. She is a genius, and she's using her brilliance in a practical sense, forced by the situation we've been thrown into. All of us have found strengths we'd never believed we possessed."
Souichiro looked thoughtful. "Yes, yes…I will have to agree. You influence each other to amplify your strengths and cover up your weaknesses. At the core of it, is friendship, and care for your loved ones, your extended family. The bonds that tie you all together are strong."
Takashi shrugged. "We've been through hell and had each other's backs. We'll go through more hell, and keep doing that. It's just what we do."
"The camaraderie in your group is…enviable", said Souichiro. "Anyway, enough of the digression; what's your next step?"
Takashi thought for a minute. "Ah yes, we will make our way to the Taiei shopping center first. Both my parents and Rei's live around that area."
"Why specifically the shopping center?"
Takashi shrugged his shoulders. "So we can refill our supplies. Also, just before the HANE hit, we were talking to Shizuka-sensei's friend, Rika. She owned the apartment we stayed at, and the Humvee…and all the armaments too. She's apparently a pretty big shot in the Jieitai."
Souichiro held up a hand to stop Takashi. He appeared to consider this information in silence for a moment, thoughtful expression on his face. "By any chance, is her full name Rika Minami?"
Takashi crinkled his eyebrows to remember. "Yes…yes, I believe it is."
Souichiro's eyes lit up in recognition. "Rika Minami, the best markswoman in the Jieitai by far…she came in second only to the legendary Shinji Moritaka. In a short time, she rose the ranks to become one of the army's most trusted agents, and could've actually progressed even further, had it not been for her lack of respect for the hierarchy…A real talent: heretical, brilliant and magnetic. I admired her…I do wonder though, you say she's the nurse's friend. Hmm…", he said, then shook his head. "Okay, so you're going to this complex and looking for your parents and the nurse's friend. What then?"
"We haven't thought about what we'll do beyond that, sir. We'll cross that bridge when we reach it, depending on our condition, what each member in the group wants…there are many things to consider."
Souichiro nodded. He gave Takashi a hard look. "So far, everyone seems to agree on what to do. You have a consensus in your group. But down the line, there will be differing opinions. Arguments…Are you willing to abandon your friends if they don't agree to one course of action? Will you let your group fragment? Break apart so that each individual can follow his chosen path?"
Takashi thought for a moment. "I will follow what I believe is the best path, if people follow me, I will not turn them away. If people do not agree, they are free to do what they choose."
"And what if the one against you is a friend who needs your help on their journey, on whatever quest they are embarking on? Take any one in your current group. The rest of the group will follow what you do. But, you know that it's probably not the best course. Would you still abandon them?"
Takashi thought for a while. At length, he said, "I…do not know. That sort of situation has not arisen yet…but probably not…I will not abandon my friends, because nobody gets left behind."
Souichiro closed his eyes and nodded his head. "I thought so…you will have tough decisions to make ahead, Takashi…I honestly cannot say if you will always make the right ones, but I wish you luck. And hope that your missteps are not costly."
He smiled wryly.
Takashi replied, "Thank you sir…I hope so too. All I honestly want is to live in a world free of all this bullshit…so we can live in peace with the people we care about, instead of having to literally fight every day to survive like in the prehistoric times."
Souichiro laughed heartily. "So, when do you plan to leave?"
"As soon as Rei is able to move freely. Shizuka-sensei estimates that she'll be fine in a day or two. We'll leave the next day after making our preparations."
Souichiro nodded. "Okay, that's honestly all I had to ask…You are all undertaking easily the most dangerous journey in your lives. Make no mistake about it, this is the apocalypse; the world we live in is basically hell…My advice to you is this: continue what you have been doing. You have the confidence and belief in yourself and your friends…never ever lose that trust in each other. As the leader, the guiding figure, it is your job to keep morale up, as much as it is your duty not to screw up. Keep your loved ones close, and never give up fighting while you are still alive. Never lose that will to live. If you're alive, there is always hope; as long as you breathe, you cannot give up. Nobody deserves a zombified mindless existence. Putting them down is a mercy. It goes without saying that you should never compromise your morals or humanity, however hard it may prove. Because if you do compromise them, you're worse than the plague you seek to erase…I hope we meet in this world again, but if we don't, it has been a pleasure to watch my best friend's son grow into such a fine young man. And a relief to know that he will be watching over my only daughter."
Takashi smiled at Souichiro. "Thank you sir, for your encouragement, and your advice. And we will meet again. I will make sure of it!"
"Make use of whatever you need from the estate. You need to be as prepared as possible for what lies ahead…Now, may I refill your drink?"
Takashi noticed that his cup was empty.
He nodded and replied, "Please." Souichiro obliged. Both men raised their cups, hollering, "Kampai!", before drinking it down.
After a while, Takashi arose, "Well, sir, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. Should you require anything of me, I'll be in the room Saya put us up in."
Souichiro nodded, and replied, "Well, thank you for meeting with me, Takashi-kun. Good luck!", before offering his hand. Takashi shook it firmly, and made his way out of the dojo, and to his room.
Footnote: These were the most boring chapters I had to write so far, and they had no real point. They were like appendages that would've been too obvious if not present, and too boring to put in. Anyway, hope they didn't meander too much.
