Chapter 25 – Will

Miki

November 4, 2001

Addressed to the offices of UN Undersecretary General Tamase Genjousai, as written by Tamase Miki of UN Yokohama Base, Squad Leader of Training Squadron 207-B:

Dear Papa,

It's been a while since I've last written you, and I'm sorry for not having a proper excuse for my lack of letters. But that's because—I've been having so much fun here, Papa!

First things first, though.

(Don't get too carried away, Miki. This letter has to be screened before it reaches his hands, after all.)

In response to your last letter—yes, I've had my first kiss from the man I've been telling you about. (Hold fast, Miki! Papa totally misinterpreted my last letter when I shared the First Aid session I had with Takeru-san as my partner! The mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was part of the training, but Papa didn't get that! Ackh! It's too late to take back now, so I can only hope Papa never ends up finding out!) His name is Shirogane Takeru, by the way, so you don't have to keep referring to him as your future son-in-law. (Awah-wah-wah, I'd be in so much trouble if my friends find out about these letters...) And Papa, isn't it too soon to talk about grandchildren? (Forget trouble, they'd give me the death sentence!) You should really be careful of what you write in these letters, Papa... (and so should I).

And on the subject of my recent promotion to Squad Leader (*g–g–gulp*), there is nothing new to report on this front. Everyone under my command has been developing admirably thanks to your daughter's stark leadership. I hope this makes you proud, Papa! (There's no reneging this one... Papa colossally misread my last letter, huhuhu... I shouldn't have taken Yoroi-san's advice that day! Stupid, stupid Miki! I'll worry about the consequences when I get there. As long as it makes Papa happy...)

In fact, our progress has been noticed by the senior officers of our base that they have decided to move up the timeline of the Winter CCSE by almost a week! They had only briefed us this morning—that our exam has been rescheduled to begin on Sunday, November 11. (That didn't make Takeru-san happy, for some reason...) Mark that date on your calendar, Papa, because that's the date your Miki will leave as a flight cadet of the United Nations and later return as a full-fledged officer. (I sound so grown-up!) I have no doubt in my mind we will nail that exam this time!

(Hmm, what else should I let Papa know? No more Takeru-san or Squad Leader talk, I'd rather not dig that grave any deeper. So—)

Don't you worry about me, Papa. I've been having the time of my life.

How has work been treating you? I know you're fighting hard for my sake, and for Mama's sake, but please take care of yourself as well, okay? (I don't know what else I'd do if I lose you too, Papa...) If anyone gives you a difficult time, you let me know, and I'll give them a taste of the Tamase Miki Boomerang!

That made you smile, didn't it? That was just a joke, alright? A joke! (I have to make that crystal clear in case Papa takes it word for word again. I don't want anyone knocking on our doors in the middle of the night!)

Anyways—I'll have to end it right here. I have a nice streak of waking up on time, and I would like to keep that streak running!

As always, keep in touch, Papa. I'll try not to make you wait as long for my next letter. Sorry again for delaying this one.

Signed.

Your loving daughter,
Tamase Miki

Yuuko

Hmph.

Barging into my office when I haven't called for him, as if he hasn't caused me enough grief already.

The hell does he want now.

If it's about the 00 Unit, I have no control over what happens from this point onward.

I've done my part.
My research has reached its fruition.

I have given the Unit a working mind.

It's up to my sister to give it a body.

The wait is as excruciating for me as it must be for you.

(Shirogane)
Sunday—one week from today.
BETA forces from Sado Island will dock on the coast of Niigata by dawn.

Shirogane about-faced, making his way to the exit before I get the chance to say something in return.

The hubris.

He's growing bolder by the day.

(Yuuko)
And what would you have me do with that information.

A week from today.

Peculiar choice of timing—if I must say.
Too late to thwart completely, too soon to begin acting.

What are you scheming, Shirogane?

Without so much as looking me in the eye, he shoots back.

(Shirogane)
You've moved our evaluations to that day.
If one of us is scheming anything, it would be you, sensei.

'Do what you must; I've said what I came to say.'

At least he stopped in his tracks while saying so, though that did bring about the end of his surly visit.

And at least there is a silver lining to his damning forewarning.

I suppose—this is what you've been asking for, Onee-san...
I'll get you your bloody specimens.

The same ones... that bring about... Marimo's... demise...

But, I must.

I'm sorry Marimo.

For what I'm about to do.

I really did think of you as a friend...