XXXVIII
Song
"You better return that disc to Sakaki." Soma said.
I stopped writing on my hand. For a second I wondered what he was talking about…and then I remembered the disc that the doctor had dropped, the one that had revealed Soma's past to me.
"Keep writing." Soma growled, and I dutifully returned to my task.
Although I honestly wondered what the point of writing 'trust' in black permanent marker all over my hand was supposed to accomplish. My left hand was almost completely covered in the black ink.
Trust…what the hell was that supposed to mean?! He hadn't even explained it to me!
I finally finished the word, nearly sighing at the way everyone would notice me hand. How would I hide it?
"That should be enough for today." Soma said. He tossed me a pair of black gloves, thank god. "Go and see old man Sakaki now, and whatever you do, don't tell him you saw the tape. He'll already know, anyway."
I frowned as he retreated, leaving me in relative peace. Slipping on my new gloves, I rifled through my drawers until I found the disc. It was still early in the day, but surely Doctor Sakaki couldn't be too busy.
X
"I'm so sorry. So you picked this up for me? I owe you one."
As I had thought, Doctor Sakaki wasn't busy at all. When I'd entered, he'd simply been standing and checking out some of the equipment behind his desk.
I realized that it had been a while since I'd been here. The room hadn't changed much. There was still a dizzying amount of computer screens, all showing different information, gathered around a plush red chair. Two couches rested in corners of the room, tables stacked with books placed in front of them. The large screen he'd used to give us our lectures was nowhere to be seen.
"Needless to say, you didn't watch it, did you?" Sakaki continued. "It's nothing, really. Just memories from my youth."
I shook my head, returning his sort-of-lie with one of my own.
"Oh wait, I'm glad you're here. The things is, I have a favour to ask of you. I'd like you to obtain the core of a certain Aragami. The director asked me to assign you this task while he's away."
The Director's away? Oh right. Soma had mentioned that he'd flown off to Europe. I suppose that that meant that it was Sakaki's duty to watch over the Branch while he was gone. Wait…did this mean that this was supposed to be a special mission? I was nervous, to say the least.
I was so embroiled in my thoughts that I didn't see the Doctor until he was standing right in front of me, too close for comfort.
"No one needs to know about this," He warned, making me shudder, "especially not the director or your advisor."
I was about to agree when he leaned forward suddenly, making me have to nearly bend backwards to avoid his head smashing into mine.
"You see, I've already asked Soma for the same favour… And I'd really like the two of you to take care of this somehow."
Don't fall oh god he's so close don't fall why's he all in my face?!
My back ached from the strain of keeping my balance in such a delicate position and my thoughts raced.
He drew back and I nearly breathed a sigh of relief, relaxing back into my normal position.
"If I recall, you've just been promoted to Leader, haven't you? Congratulations." Sakaki said with that omnipresent smile of his. Then he switched the subject as suddenly as his congratulations had come. "I'm curious… Have you ever heard of the Managarm Project?"
Oh god. How was I supposed to answer that? Soma had said that Sakaki would know for sure that we'd watched the video. So there was no point in lying…right? I nodded.
He turned away, which would have seemed an expression of sadness if his face didn't lose that smile. "I have to tell you, there was nothing elegant about that experiment… I even lost a dear friend…" He turned back to me, his voice serious. "And Soma, who was left behind, may be shouldering that negative legacy all on his own… And I myself…I am one of those whose actions warranted Soma's hatred."
And then he was back to leaning forward, forcing me to bend backwards again. Did he have any idea how nerve wracking this was?!
"I'd like if you could somehow befriend him… Please."
At that I smiled, despite the horrible position I was in. I was already trying my best at that. Besides, Doctor Sakaki's words just made me even more determined to help Soma.
"Ah, then let's jump right in." Sakaki retreated to his chair, tapping some things into his computer. "Let me tell you about the mission… I need help getting rid of a Vajra and Borg Camlann in the Old City. I have a research team there, but there's been no progress because of the Aragami. I'm counting on you! Oh, and take a Freeze weapon!"
I nodded. I had a Freeze Long Sword that would do just perfectly. It had been a while since I'd last used my Ice Katana.
"Right, I'm counting on you." Sakaki waved me away. "Now go find Soma and tell him you're ready to start the mission. I expect the both of you home by supper time!"
X
Oh sure, just go find Soma. I'm sure it would be easy.
I growled in frustration for the fifth time in the last 30 minutes. I couldn't find him anywhere! I'd checked in his room, but no one had answered the door. He wasn't in the lobby, or the mess hall. I'd asked everyone in my unit but they hadn't seen him either.
Damn it, where is he?! Did he go on the mission all on his own?
What was I supposed to say to Doc Sakaki? Oh sorry, I can't go the mission because Soma's disappeared into thin air and I can't find him? I'm sure that would go over well with that crazy, personal space- invading doctor.
I checked the lobby again and ran into Kota.
-Have you seen him?- I asked him right away.
Kota grinned. "Still looking for him?"
I nodded sadly.
"Well maybe he doesn't want to be found." He pointed out.
I frowned at him. He went and sat down on the couch, which was empty, quite surprising for the usually bustling lobby.
-I need to find him.-
Kota raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? Are you that desperate?"
I frowned at him, unsure of what he meant. I was about to tell him that we were doing a mission together, but I stopped myself. Doc Sakaki had told me not to tell anyone. Darn it. How was I supposed to tell Kota how urgent finding Soma was?
"I mean, for the last few days we haven't hung out at all! I don't even know where you disappear off to! When I knock on your door there's no answer, and then you're not in the mess hall or the lobby." Kota made a pouty face. "Are you spending all your time with Soma?"
Well, that was technically true, but I wasn't about to admit it. -Sorry. I've just been really tired.-
Now it was Kota's turn to frown. "Are you doing solo missions again?"
I shook my head vigorously. Nope, I'd learned my lesson this time. No more soloing until exhaustion, unless my next "secret mission" ends up leaving me alone.
"Okay, good. I don't want to ever see you do that again." His parental scolding ended abruptly, the pouty face returning. "But Sooooooong! We need to hang out more!"
I smiled. Yeah, hanging out with Kota would be nice. With Soma I always had to be on guard, but Kota was so ridiculously nice. Sure, he made little jabs once and a while, but to be honest most of them flew over my head…and he made them as jokes, not to be really mean.
"But you'll have a hard time catching up to me and Alisa in Bugarally episodes!"
-Catch up?-
"Yeah! You see, Alisa and I—" He suddenly stopped, his face growing red. "Um, er…"
What was this all about? I gave him a questioning look.
"We're kinda, er…" Kota flinched, then sighed. "Um, never mind! Maybe I tell you later!"
His sudden silence worried me until I felt Soma looming over me. I looked up and behind to see his angry face.
"I've been looking all over for you." He growled.
I frowned. -I was too.-
He seemed surprised, but then sighed. "Whatever. Are you ready to go?"
Kota pouted as I stood and signed goodbye to him. He still said it back, at least.
"Oh yeah, nice gloves!" Kota yelled just as I entered the elevator.
Phew, sorry for the later chapter! I've been busy with school and such. ^^ (and League but shoosh don't tell anyone)
Anyway...not much to say here. Thank you all for reading and for your continued support! See ya next time! :D