Disclaimer: Nope still no money

Chapter 9

Yokohama's Base, PX

Shirogane Takeru

Takeru took his usual seat between Meiya and Ayamine. The first topic of the night was, unsurprisingly, Kasumi.

"Yashiro, that was most impressive you beat Tamase," Meiya said.

"Thank you."

"That was a Barrett M82 with an effective range of 1800m. Hitting a 2000 target is highly improbable even for well-trained soldier." The designated sniper, Tama, was looking at Kasumi with gleaming eyes and a notepad.

"Yeah, even Shirogane couldn't pull that off." Not very kind of you to point out Class Rep.

"Hey, I never claimed to be good at sniping in the first place." He finished up his meal.

"Well, it was understood you were after all your previous performances."

"What kind of logic is that?"

"Someone finally points put her logical fallacies."

"Ayamine, you're not even on topic."

Class Rep was looking at him strangely. "How did you get her to shut up?"

He shrugged. I can't follow her thoughts half the time.

"He beat me. He's now my master." Her answer was awful for his heart.

Meiya was thoroughly enjoying herself. "Ayamine, I think he already has his hands full with Kasumi."

"Doesn't matter. I will win."

"Weren't we talking about Kasumi's skills?" He had to deflect this topic if he were to get out of this dinner alive.

"Tamase is conducting a full interview outside." Meiya shot him down in a grand betrayal.

"Takeru-san... who's your real servant? Me or Yashiro?" Sitting next to her was proving to be a horrible choice. What's with her this time around?

"I plead the fifth! This is harassment!"

"Scream all you want, Takeru-sama, no one will save you." Her face was dangerously close to his.

He jumped off his seat. "I'm sorry, I have to go do something right now."

"Coward."

Meiya's laughter followed him out into the hallway. He didn't dislike this new change in the atmosphere.

~~~~Break~~~~

His troubled mind proved problematic as a fast-moving object slammed into him.

"Kya!"

Only this object was a person. "Whoa...careful there."

And this person has blue hair. "Ahhh, sorry. Are you okay?" Mikoto?

"Yeah, I'm fine. How about you?" Yep definitely Mikoto.

"I'm fine. Sorry I was in a rush. I just got released from the hospital, and my friends are waiting for me."

Takeru methodically went through his mental checklist. Wait wasn't she supposed to show up earlier in the day? But again, Kasumi's joining might have screw things up a bit. Seeing no significant hassles, he ignored the inconsistencies.

"Oh, sounds like you have great friends. Here I'll walk you the rest of the way."

"Eh, you don't need to."

"It's alright. Think of it as my apologies for running into you."

She was looking at him weird but ultimately ran along to the PX. Damn it, I have to go back there again.

He quickly matched her pace. "So what's your name?"

"Ah sorry, My name is Yoroi Mikoto."

"Mikoto. That's a good name."

"Uh...thank you. What's your name?"

He pointed towards the waving Tama, who just walked back in with Kasumi. "I think your friend is calling you."

"Oh, right. Thank you." She bolted off. Always full of energy.

Tama jumped at Mikoto the moment she got in range. Those two sure are close. "Hey, look who I ran into in the hallway."

"Takeru-san! This is Yoroi-san."

"Yes, we've been introduced." He sat down next to Kasumi. "Oh, I didn't tell you my name."

"Oh, but the hospital was so boring. I had nothing to do in there. I was so glad you guys came to visit me." And I just got ignored, Mikoto-styled. Or is it Yoroi-styled now?

Meiya patted him reassuringly on his shoulder. "It was our pleasure, Yoroi."

"Oh right, I heard there's a new guy who transferred into our squad. I'm so excited to meet him."

"Yes, that's me."

"Oh wait, everyone here already knew you."

"Yes, I'm the new guy."

"Eh?"

He wanted to cry. "Me. New. Your squad." I'm resorting to baby speak.

"Oh. You're the new guy?" Finally!

"Yes. I'm Shirogane Takeru."

"I'm Yoroi Mikoto. Nice to meet you."

"You've told me that 2 minutes ago."

"Hmm... You can call me Mikoto, and I'll call you Takeru."

"I was saying...Never mind, alright. Sounds good."

He'd forgotten how mentally exhausting it is to hold a conversation with her. The other girls were also not planning on helping seeing as they're trying to keep in their laughter.

Mikoto's attention has been shifted to Kasumi. I can't begin to imagine how this conversation would play out.

"Oh. You must be Kasumi-san. I'm Yoroi Mikoto nice to meet you." Wait, what?

"Hello, Yoroi-san."

He sent a questioning look at Meiya. "Why is she holding a perfectly normal conversation right now?"

"Beats me. Must be something about Kasumi."

"Kasumi-san, are those real bunny ears?"

"I don't know."

"They look really cool, though. Reminds me of that one time, my father gave me a dragon charm from Russia. He said it would bring me good luck if I lose it, so I buried it somewhere on base."

Takeru returned to his room 2 hours later than usual.

Yashiro Kasumi

"Bye-bye."

"Good night, Kasumi. See you in the morning." Takeru closed the door to his room.

Kasumi was walking back to her room in high spirits. Not that anyone would be able to tell from her stoic expression. She doesn't know whether her new excitement came from getting fresh air outside or hanging around everyone. Truthfully speaking, this was her first time ever seeing anyone on the squad except Takeru-chan. With her other memories, however, she was as close to everyone as could be. Or maybe it's something completely different. She didn't know whether her past self intended to send her emotions along with her memories back, but she did nonetheless. Takeru-chan... Her past self was, for lack of a better word, in love with him. She, however, hasn't got the faintest clue on what love is. Yet, both of them are one. The other's memory conflicted with hers when she first retrieved it, but now it was slowly merging in. Soon enough, there might not be two sets of memories or emotions within her, but just hers, this world or that. Maybe it's not such a bad thing. She'd embraced her new feelings earlier to get closer to everyone, and it worked. But does that mean she can accept all of them? Would she still be herself or just some delusions of what she could have been?

She shook her head to clear her mind. "I'll be okay with him."

"Did you say something, Yashiro?" The Professor's voice cut through the tranquility of the room.

"No."

"Alright, you had a tough day from what I've heard."

"I'm okay."

"Get a good rest. I don't want you to forget your real mission here."

"Okay."

"Good night, Yashiro."

"Bye-bye."

Her real mission...She didn't want to forget her real purpose. A mission shared across universes. A promise between herselves. I'll be with you, Takeru-chan.

Kouzuki Yuuko

Yuuko entered the lab to find her old friend sitting on the couch, holding a stack of documents. Always overworking.

"Marimo, I don't see you down here too often. Coffee?"

"No, thanks. I'm here to give you my report."

"Report?"

"You asked me how Yashiro did during training."

"Well, I was looking for a short answer, not a report."

"Very well. I can summarize the details."

"Please do. Gum?"

"No, thanks. As expected, her mental power is vastly superior to her physicals."

"Well, she's a lab assistant, not a brute. Tea?"

"No, thanks. As such, her physical combat is quite weak, even for a cadet."

"Is there even a mental combatant out on the front line?"

"Yes. She has a considerable advantage in terms of marksmanship, especially in sniping."

"Hmm... And you're saying it's her concentration?"

"Ability to concentrate and perform under pressure is the top quality for any sniper."

"Very well. Anything else?"

"She fit into the squad extremely well. The girls all cared greatly for her, while Shirogane is as protective of her as ever."

"I see. Well, thank you for that Marimo. You want some sake for the road?"

"No, thanks."

"Shame. Good night."

"Good night. And Yuuko, I don't think you need to worry about her safety." Marimo said halfway out the door without turning back.

"I know. He'd rather die before letting anything harm her." She made extra care to put in as much sarcasm as possible behind her voice.

"Cheesy as it may be, there are some merits to it." And she was off.

Yuuko slumped down in her chair. Only in the solidarity of her office can she admit she was relieved to find someone so protective of Yashiro. Her consciousness caught up with her thoughts, and she quickly laughed off the notion.

Ayamine Kei

She picked up the anonymous letter on her table. Untouched by security and unblemished by standard mail services, the sender was obviously someone with some power. Kei didn't need to think or look to know who this came from; he was the only one who would ever send a letter to her. She opened her locker and placed the letter on top of a stack of similar ones.

"Sagiri Naoya." Nope, still nothing.

She built herself a habit of whispering his name once every time she received a letter, just to see her own reaction to it. It has started out as loving and longing, but for the past few months, it's been resignation. This time there was even less emotion in her, even to the point of indifference. Have I changed? She didn't know, but she didn't find this new regression in her relationship with him unpleasant. In truth, she couldn't remember why she held on to him in the beginning. Maybe he was her last real connection to her father while he was still in the army, or perhaps he just happened to be there when she needed someone. Someone who's there, huh? Maybe that's what she needed to get rid of him for good. If she can get new friends to depend on, she can finally let go of him. But do I deserve that? She looked at the one letter she had opened last month. The content was cryptic, but the emotion was evident. He was dissatisfied with the country and wished to reform it at all costs. And she wasn't naive to not see the implications.

Men are so much trouble... The two most important men in her life thus far have been nothing but disappointment. Her father was a deserter while Naoya was too duty-bound. Well, maybe not all men. There was, of course, the enigma known as Takeru.

He was both smart and strong, to the point of defeating her in CQC and locking down her trump card. He was easily flustered, which made teasing him all the more fun. Yet, he was caring and mindful of the people around him, which was what made him so fascinating. She could be drawing connections between him and the young Naoya she used to know, but doing so seemed sacrilegious to Takeru. He was his own person. And comparing such a kind soul to someone who grew up to be Naoya was just wrong.

She was only half-joking in her tease earlier for him. He was a mystery, and she loved mysteries.

Shirogane Takeru

He felt a light shake.

"Ugh.. just five more minutes, Kasumi."

A stronger shake.

"I'll be on time for role-call, I promise."

No shake. I didn't expect her to give up so easily. Something dropped on his stomach, lurching his eyes open.

"Ahh! What was that for?!"

"Good morning, Takeru-chan."

"Morning, Kasumi. But that was uncalled for."

"Bye-bye."

"Now you're just ignoring me. Fine, see you later."

Takeru heaved a few ragged breaths before getting ready for the day. Though the violent wake-up call was far from necessary, it reminded him of his original world with Sumika. Man, that was so long ago. Slapping himself twice to fully wake up, he started his day off.

~~~~Break~~~~

Breakfast in the PX was as rowdy as ever. His seating position was switched without his consent, and now he found himself sandwiched between Kasumi and Ayamine, who both took delight in hanging off his arms.

"Ayamine, can you let go of my arm? I need to eat."

"Tell Yashiro to do it first."

"Well, unlike her, you have my dominant side."

"Your dominant side..." Class Rep almost choked.

"That is not what I meant, and you know it."

"Takeru-sama..."

"Ayamine, I'll make you some yakisoba later if you let me go now."

His right hand was immediately freed up. "Deal."

"Do we even have yakisoba today?" Class Rep said.

"I have my sources."

"You have a constant supply of yakisoba? Now I think I understand why Ayamine is so attached to you."

He decided against giving a response in fear of his life.

~~~~Break~~~~

He found out during morning classes Kasumi will be exempted from all non-training exercises since she'd taken a test and didn't missed a single question. Probably just look those up inside Yuuko'ss head.

He bolted out towards the kitchen as soon as they were dismissed.

"Kyouzuka-san, I need to ask you for a favor."

"Huh, Shirogane? What do you need?"

"Do you have any yakisoba left? And also a piece of bread."

"Yakisoba...I think I might have some left in the fridge. But why?"

"I need them for a little something. I'll help you carry supplies in tonight." He vaguely remembered there being food deliveries every other day here on base.

"...Alright. I don't know what you're doing but don't cause any troubles. I will be looking for you tonight."

"Thank you so much."

His friends usually take 10 minutes to get down to the PX, so right now, he still has 5 minutes to cook up a yakisoba pan. Through countless retries, he had found the optimal recipe for Ayamine's taste, and he was going to show it off.

He saw the rest of the squad walked in as soon as he exited the backroom. Hiding his creation behind his back, he sat down with them.

"Takeru-san, where were you earlier?" Tama said.

"Ah, I had a little something to do."

"Is that why you smell like food? I smell bread and salt." Mikoto sniffed his hand, suspiciously like a small dog.

He pulled back his hand. "Why on earth are you smelling my hand, Mikoto?"

"So you were doing something in the kitchen." Class Rep picked the most unfortunate moment to get them back on track.

"I smell yakisoba." Ayamine closed their distance within seconds.

"Wh...What?...How?"

"You can never hide yakisoba from me." She also had a dangerous gleam in her eyes.

"Okay, you're right." He pulled out the fabled food from behind. "Yakisoba pan."

"Thank you." It was gone from his hand. "..."

Meiya looked at Ayamine who had half the bread inside her mouth. "Ayamine, is there something wrong?"

Takeru grinned at the stunned-silent Ayamine. It worked.

She nodded, chewing down the entire thing, and looked back at him. "Takeru-sama, marry me." It worked too well.

He choked on his own food. "Wait, what?"

Class Rep and Miki weren't faring any better judging from their hysterical expressions. Meiya and Kasumi held their poker face, while Mikoto was oblivious to the actions before her.

"Takeru-sama, marry me."

"Yes, you said so the first time."

"Make me that every day."

"I can do that without having to marry you."

"It's a promise."

Takeru resumed his meal with a distraught mood. Not the first time showing off has cost me. Well, at least I can live with this.

A/N: I'm back again.

Kasumi received her first challenger for Takeru, and a formidable one at that.

I enjoyed writing these little interactions between everyone, even though writing Mikoto's lines required me to think like a Yoroi.

Caveknight32: Hey thanks for another review. Regarding Kasumi, spoilers :) Regarding interactions, yeah that's the part that made the Muv-Luv cast so memorable for everyone so I'm trying my best to replicate the realness of their characters, which will lead to chapters with little action like this one.