Replies for Reviews
Tsun – I don't know if Saten and Uiharu can make an appearance and I don't want to promise that, if anything.
Guest00 – Yeah, thanks for that omake.
Whwsms – Wise words, author-san. You have the wisest words. And thanks for the review. Yeah, I'll keep that in mind.
Anon Guest – Thanks!
Bukkake – Thanks for the review!
21 – In due time, reviewer-san.
Mr. X – 1) Ok 2) Sorry for the mistake. Just a human, after all with English not being a first language. 3) I don't know. Maybe in the future chapters, I guess (?)
Fencer29 – Yeah, Takato would have been in his undershirt but it can work either way. Thanks for the review.
Sleipnir – Multiple arcs? I don't know yet.
In the skies of the Iraqi air space, two Mitsubishi F-2 "Viper Zero" fighter planes from the Japan Air Self Defense Force's 8th Air Wing of the Western Air Defense Force that was based in Kasuga City, Fukuoka Prefecture are seen zooming while making a low level flight between two rocky valleys.
"Present altitude is 11,000 feet…" Lieutenant Kitamura Chiaki blared to though the other pilot through his small speaking device, "Ten minutes into the border…speed is 280 knots…turn left now…"
The two Viper Zeroes then swerved to the left as the noise coming from the turning of the two planes quickly pierced into the air like a knife cutting through a butter. As the two planes were on their way into their base, which is under US-supervised zone in the border near Jordan, Lieutenant Ishikawa Seijuro, who is piloting the other plane, huffed a sigh as he peek in another rocky mountain just below them.
A derivative from the General Dynamics F-16's Agile Falcon plane, the F-2 multirole fighter was both manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Lockheed Martin for the JASDF, with a 60/40 split in manufacturing between Japan and the United States. Interestingly, the first active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar on a combat aircraft was the J/APG-1 introduced on the Mitsubishi F-2 in 1995 while the nickname "Viper Zero" was a reference to the F-16's semi-official nickname of "Viper" and the Mitsubishi A6M Zero.
"We've been doing this since we've been deployed here by the JASDF's high command," Ishikawa complained as he grips the sidestick controller, "I wish we can dive into action immediately…"
"Be careful for what you wish for, idiot," Kitamura chided him, "Besides, this is part of Japan's effort to involve itself in international matters, whether we like it or not. Just think this as a way to support the ground forces that are in Israel today. In fact, one of the SFG units that is deployed there is none other than our batchmate…"
Ever since Japan had amended its constitution in face of international pressure not to do so, it has been actively converting the whole SDF from a purely defensive-minded force of technically civilian personnel to a full-fledged armed force capable of projecting power beyond its shores. Evidence of this is the fact that Japan had restarted full-swing production of both the F-2 and its more powerful plane in its arsenal, the Mitsubishi F-15J fighter jet—a derivative of the Boeing F-15C plane.
Sending them beyond Japan's borders justifies the restart of production by Japan's fighter het manufacturer.
"Ah…why didn't they send the Eagles then?" Ishikawa asked, referring to the other plane they have on the JASDF's arsenal, "Wouldn't it be more logical then to send the F-15 since it had those drop tanks and CFTs? They can go further than these Vipers that we are piloting?"
"Probably because they're the frontline of Japan's air self-defense," Kitamura replied, "In fact, let's be happy that Japan decided to use these planes for our reconnaissance mission here in Iraq. Using the older F-4 Phantoms is a much worse case. They're slated to be retired in…two or five years, I think…"
The silence between then then prevailed as they were nearing their forward base while the only noise coming from the sonic boom from the fighter planes. But as they were just thousands of feet away from the runway, Ishikawa began to speak again.
"So…why have you chosen to be in the JASDF?" Ishikawa asked in genuine curiosity, "When we're in the NDA, you've wanted to be in the SFG…you know…just like him and the other two…"
"So you don't know, huh? Well, it's just like you to either forget or simply be ignorant," Kitamura mocked the other pilot, "I was supposed to be slated to join the advanced training course for the SFG until you made the mistake of pushing me down in the hill in one of our obstacle course classes back then, automatically dropping me out of the SFG course because of my injury. And you haven't even apologized to me!"
"Oh…sorry…" Ishikawa sheepishly apologized as he sweatdropped in his HOTAS helmet, "There. I apologized!"
"Hmmm…" Kitamura chuckled as he grips the literal joystick between his legs, "But it's not like I regret being here in the JASDF. In fact, I was glad the NDA assessment panel decided to assign me in our branch at the last minute. Through that, I was able to experience what it's like to fly a plane."
"Ah, me too…" Ishikawa smiled as he was able to finally sight the base through his sharp eyes, "Well, it looks like Commander Izuki won't kill us for being late, huh?"
"We got on time, Ishikawa…" Kitamura replied as slowly, their planes made touchdown in the runway and in a few minutes, they taxied the two F-2s into the hangar where it would be maintained and rearmed. As the two were stretching their legs while they watch the maintenance crew detach the AAM-3, AAM-4, the AIM-9 and the JDAM from the wings, Kitamura looked up into the sky and inhaled.
"About what I said about being happy here in the ASDF, I think it's not because we are safe to be here," The taller man stretched his arms, "It's because we're simply doing our part as the ones who are doing the dirty job in the air in as much as our counterparts in the JGSDF are doing their part fighting the battles in the ground."
"Hmmm…then how about Tokiwa-san and his crew from the navy?" Ishikawa asked, "Aren't they going to be deployed in the straits?"
"Doubt it but I hope it doesn't happen," Kitamura replied, "It's a different situation there…"
"Well…if only I can go to Israel and say "Goodluck!" to the JSDF and the SFG stationed there, I'd be glad to do so…"
Kitamura looked at Ishikawa with a blank and skeptical look, "You're only saying that because you're still hopelessly in love with Kawasaki…"
Ishikawa had a flustered face as he nearly staggered back in shock, "I-Idiot…you don't have to wound me with such terrible past…"
"Just give it up. You know Kawasaki-san had set her sights on him…"
"Him?"
"You don't know again? You're hopeless…" Kitamura sighed, "I'm talking about Kamijou, our batchmate. Well, it can't be helped. He's the ace of our class and, according to Kurata and the Flipino guy in our class, a total heartthrob. Remember our plebe days when men and women had to be separated in certain classes? It was said that he indirectly triggered it."
The tall man then removed his flak jacket designed for fighter pilots.
"But even so…his skill…" He whispered, partially to himself, "I don't think I can find someone here who can match up his sharpshooting touch. Perhaps, only the legendary veteran Kikuchi-sama or Yasuhara-san from the older batches can stand to him on equal grounds."
"Achoo!"
"What the hell, Kamijou?! Cover your nose! Your snot might land on my nursing uniform!"
"Seriously, Fukiyose….you don't have to be so mean…maybe someone was just talking about me somewhere…"
Kamijou Touma and Fukiyose Seiri were both walking side-by-side as the latter requested (or forced might be the correct term) the former to at least accompany her to the operating room, where the medical staff of Academy City would be conducting their surgeries and other health-related operations. As the sound of the backhoes can be heard in the background and other construction workers are beginning to polish those buildings that have been finished already, the boy can already envision that the whole refugee-coalition base would be in a hexagram pattern with the pointed sides constructed to look like an arrow spearhead.
"I can imagine that the whole base would look like the Star of David if one is to look from the sky," Kamijou spoke to Fukiyose, "Too Jewish if you ask me…"
"How do you even know it would be like that?" The Iron Wall Girl huffed skeptically, "Are you their engineer?"
"You don't need to be completely immersed in architectural or engineering classes to know it," The young man replied, "The shadows…the sun…plus the distance that we calculate when we fire mortar rounds or 155mm shells back in the National Defense Academy…we were taught to apply those concepts when modern gadgets don't work in extreme circumstances."
"Maybe I should stop trying to prove you wrong…" Fukiyose muttered to herself, feeling quite bad for trying to make him look bad.
"No you don't have too…" Kamijou smiled, making the Forehead Deluxe once again go wild in her imagination as her brain turns into slop, "I actually like it when you can come and talk to me, especially when you are in trouble…"
Fukiyose secretly blushed like a rose at Kamijou's sentence and his untactful way of saying it. As they both neared the operating room, which is part of a large three-story building built specifically for medical missions, Fukiyose sent a glare towards the large window that is exposing Tsuchimikado and Aogami, who were both cheering for Himegami without actually helping her extract what looked like mortar shrapnel from the feet of the Syrian man, who was moaning loudly in pain. She then realized that had Kamijou actually stuck with both his two friends, maybe he wouldn't grow up and mature like he was today. She'd deduced from the beginning that the boy she used to hate so much from their high school days would be taking a much different course but she completely didn't expect him to enter the military academy as his path to his present career. If anything, she expected him to take courses such as physical education or culinary arts although if one is to ask, the latter is actually one of the young man's "courses" in exchange for joining the Special Forces Group.
It pissed Fukiyose off that she wasn't able to even maintain cordial communications with the spiky haired man during their four years in college and in the military academy.
"Fukiyose?"
"W-What?" The young woman was taken aback from her fantasies.
"I noticed that you were talking with your superiors back in Academy City with slight worrisome features in your face," Kamijou told her, "I wish you smile like that often and not frown like a while ago. You're more…uh…what's the word…cute?"
It was taking all of her willpower not to lose steam in her reddening face as the Forehead Deluxe nearly slammed the face of the young man with her bare hands, "I-Idiot! Don't say that aloud! It's just about Misaka-san and her companion…"
Kamijou raised his eyebrows at hearing the name of the Railgun.
"Since she's here and because she was given only a warning for what happened in your camp," Fukiyose began to explain their situation, "The two of them would be our responsibility for now until our mission ends."
"Hah?" He can't believe what he is hearing, "Well, I supposed it shouldn't be bad except would it be fine for you all? I mean, you all had your hands full on your own responsibilities with Doctor Himuro and now, you're tasked to…"
"We'll be fine," The young woman replied, sliding back her hair as she puts in her hair pins, exposing her signature forehead, "We're used to it. Just one question though: Do all SFG guys really don't wear uniform like the regular JSDF peacekeeping unit stationed here?" She raised her eyes at the Qatar Foundation jersey that Kamijou wore along with his usual camouflage pants, combat boots, web gear and his signature M4 carbine that is rested in his stack of magazines.
"We got some plenty of leeway and since we're only needed in extreme cases like what happened to you, we didn't need to wear our top uniforms all the time although we have alternate scheduling about our dress code," Kamijou explains, not wanting to put his SFG unit in bad light, "By the way, we're here. Do you want me to go inside as well to accompany you?"
"There's no need. I'll have some duties to do as well so Aisa can take her rest," Fukiyose softly smiled, "And I need to discipline both Tsuchimikado and Aogami as well…"
"Uh…please don't kill them. They're still our former classmates…"
"I know. Hey, take care," Fukiyose's hair waved freely in the gust of the wind as she enters the entrance, "If you're free later, eat with me and Aisa. You can even ring those friends of yours from the SFG."
"Yeah. I'll think about it," Kamijou chuckled as she watched her silhouette disappear.
As the young man stood there like some kind of an idiot, the image of Fukiyose Seiri that was presented before his eyes somehow reminded him back of their high school memories, like it just all happened yesterday. Now that I think of it, she largely changed a lot. Was it her physical attributes? Well, back in high school, she was already pretty for our teenage selves even is she lack that sex appeal but it seemed that she aged rather well and the same goes for Himegami. Was it the because it was already four years since she last punched me in the face and now, she mellowed pretty fast? Although I doubt that, since she said she needed to discipline both Tsuchimikado and Aogami…
"Oh my, it seems high school lovers really do last pretty well…"
Kamijou almost had a heart attack as soon as he heard that pretty sickly sweet voice. He turned around and was aghast to find out who the person is.
It was Kawasaki Satsuki.
"Ka-Kawasaki-san, wh-what are you talking about?!" Kamijou stammered as he vehemently denied it, much to Kawasaki's amusement, "We don't share that kind of relationship! We're just former classmates who got stuck in the same section for three years. I—"
"Okay. Okay, no need to be defensive about your high school sweetheart, baby boy," Kawasaki said, much to the chagrin of her SFG commander, "I'm just here to tell you that Kikuchi-sama would be coming here."
This piece of news particularly surprised Kamijou, who lend all his ears to the slender Kawasaki.
"Since this kind of community of both refugees and the coalition of JSDF and Academy City's Anti-Skill is eventually shaping up faster than we expect, a group of delegates would come here to see the progress and Kikuchi-sama is confirmed to be one of them," Kawasaki's hair freely flowed in the blow of the wind, giving Kamijou the vibes similar to the one he experienced with Fukiyose earlier, "Wouldn't this be a perfect time to reunite with your mentor?"
"Yeah, I would love that," Kamijou smiled as he looks at the sights of his carbine, "In fact, he taught me everything I needed to survive this harsh Army life. Maybe I can look forward to meeting him."
"Everyone of us feels that way towards Kikuchi-sama," Kawasaki smiled and they both laughed cutely, "By the way, since the SFG operators had nothing to do for now since we have yet to plan on how to infiltrate the base of the arms smuggler somewhere in the West Bank and the peacekeeping duties is strictly the job of the regular JSDF units, the others are now playing chess and Kurata is playing the guitar with some of the Filipinos who stayed back."
"I see. So basically, it would be calm before storm," Kamijou replied, "Not that it's bad. We all need some rest at some point."
"And another thing," Kawasaki brought up another topic, "About that one-man attack by—what's her name…Misaka-san? I think she wanted to speak to you on something that I don't know. She asked me if you can meet her in the mess hall of the inn where the medical staff of Academy City is staying. I think it's something very important."
"I…I see…then I'll take this as the cue to leave, Kawasaki-san," Kamijou said as he began to move, "See you later, Kawasaki-san and please, don't get stressed out. You actually look good with your natural beauty."
"Don't fool me, baby boy. I've been a victim of that, many times…" Kawasaki nevertheless winked at him as they both parted ways. Kamijou then walked away as he found himelf retracing his steps to where the inn was located.
Ten minutes later, he found himself standing at the mess hall where he agreed to meet with the Railgun. It wasn't long when he entered the long hallway before he immediately spotted Misaka sitting in the table alone while sipping what looked like a vanilla milkshake. While not knowing what she wanted to talk about, he knew from the start that this wouldn't be a good topic so he had already prepared himself.
"Misaka-san…"
"Oi, you…"
Misaka motioned him to sit in one of the empty chairs. Nodding, Kamijou walked over and sat beside her, waiting for her to speak.
"Really?" The Railgun sighed as she puts down her drink, "You come here and you won't say anything to me at all?"
"Uhm…you called me here, Misaka so I think you should be the first to speak…" Kamijou didn't know it this was just some kind of a stupid prank and if it is, he might as well take his leave, "I had a lot of things to do as of the moment. Be quick or I'll leave if you don't have anything to say." Misaka regarded him as if he'd spoken another language, eyes bulging as her mouth parted.
"Why? You—you didn't have to choose a career like this!" Misaka roared as she slaps the table hard, Kamijou shrinking back at the raised volume. "Why wouldn't I be here when I know you're in danger?! Mom and dad wanted me to stay home so that I can have a peaceful and bright future but you…how could I not leave to be here?! I cannot let someone close to me just go and die off in a land faraway from where we have both grown and had enjoyed our high school lives!"
Kamijou can only blink in surprise as her outburst before he let out a sigh and said, "Misaka-san…you're overreacting a bit, no?
"I'm serious…" Misaka's whisper gradually becomes stronger as her fists clench in a mixed feeling of anger, sadness, and desperation, "I wanted to bring you back home, away from this war zone. Come home with me and just be a nurse like your classmates or just a cook in some fancy restaurants in Academy City. I—"
"Misaka…stop…"
"What?" The Railgun was taken aback as Kamijou raised his right hand as a sign for her to keep quiet. There was a deafening silence between the two as the young man can't help but fiddle with his M4 carbine that was resting silently in his stacks of magazines, as if serving as a witness and as an immovable judge between the girl's desperate pleas and the man's iron will. Misaka, why are you doing this? You're hurting yourself even more in the process.
"Misaka-san…" Kamijou looked at her with a soft smile and warmth in his eyes, clearly taking the Railgun by surprise, "I appreciate your worry about me but…I think that's impossible. If you wanted to take me back home, you gotta electrocute me so hard that I won't be even able to use my legs for the rest of my life."
"Wha-What are you saying? Are you saying that you're just fine that you will die here?" Misaka challenged him.
"That's not what I'm aiming for," Kamijou replied, "What I'm saying is that we have all chosen different careers according to what we prefer and it's not like I don't know the risks of being in the JSDF and I'll admit, it was tough and terrible but as time passed, I learned to love my job." He then closed his eyes and thought for the next thing to say, "I think it's time for both of us to accept reality…"
There was another dead silence again as Misaka bowed down her head, not wanting to show her misty eyes.
"You…" She muttered, "Did you already forget that we used to join the protest against the JSDF? What about our times in high school? I wanted those to be back? You're even against violence when we were in high school…"
Kamijou blinked his eye as he finally realized what Misaka wanted to talk about. Everyone is a slave to their younger selves. No matter how much you wish to move on and start a new life, the events of the past will drag down on you like the light of the stars as soon as you glance up. The spiky haired man remembered a quote from rom-com anime that he had watched together with Kurata back in their NDA days. Unable to laugh, cry or banish your past, you carry it ceaselessly in a corner of your heart, waiting for it to resurrect at an inopportune moment. Hnnn, unfortunately for me, Misaka would have a tough time understanding what I meant but…
"Misaka…why…" Suddenly, Kamijou removed his rifle and laid it down on the table, "What are you trying to accomplish? What, you think you're doing me a favor by bringing me back to Academy City, to where I'm nothing but a Level 0?" Misaka's eyes were shuttering in their sockets, tears streaming down without her control. Kamijou's grip on his laid down rifle was tight and burning.
"I…I just want us to reverse everything back in the past…where we always ran against each other and have fun even if I zap you always…I…I…" Misaka's voice is cracking.
"I see…but then again, I don't think I'm in the wrong by choosing this path," Kamijou's voice became softer but his gaze was like that of a soldier ready to kill his enemies, "Do you think that zapping me or forcing me to come back to Academy City is going to bring everything back to how it was like? I'm sorry but that's not how it works, M-i-s-a-k-a…" Kamijou said in a somewhat somber mood as he looked away from the brunette, "We all grow up. We all even grew distant as time passes. It's a part of life and even you had no choice but to just deal with it," There was clattering going on outside the mess hall, voices sounding but the two ignored it. "What, you want us to go back to being what it's like in Academy City? Where you freely shock almost to the point of death?"
Kamijou's hand moved from the rifle to grip tightly at Misaka's left hand and he gave a winded wheeze. "Well, I'm sorry to tell you but it doesn't work like that. No matter how much you want it to happen, no matter how much you try, it isn't going back to those days, Misaka. You going here and zapping our Filipino counterparts' equipment isn't going to suddenly change my entire attitude about the JSDF." He then gave off what looked like a hurt emotion, "Who are you kidding with that naive mindset? It's just impossible, Misaka…"
In their deep conversation, Kamijou didn't notice Fujima Nobunaga was already there, looking like he wanted to convey a message to their team leader but he opted to just wait there as he noticed the atmosphere was too tense that it was choking him.
"Me somewhat changing had nothing to do with you, Misaka," Kamijou confessed, "I changed because I—I realized a lot of things when I was outside Academy City already, when I have to learn how to survive in an alien environment in the NDA. And I can tell you, it was my finest hour…"
"What?" It was only then that Misaka was able to open her mouth, "What do you—"
She wasn't able to finish her words as Kamijou suddenly stood up and patted her head.
"But even so, it's not like I forgotten you or those who mattered to me back in Academy City, like Tsuchimikado, Aogami, Fukiyose, Himegami, Dr. Heaven Canceller, etcetera, etcetera. It's just that I have a bigger responsibility today," Kamijou playfully scrubbed his hands in her head, "And that is to be able to safeguard Japan's security—that includes all of you. Because of that, I'm happy that I'm here in the JSDF."
To Misaka's shock, Kamijou stood down and hugged her tightly as he continued to pat her head with his right hand.
"I just regret that I joined the protests years back when in fact, we're all being brainwashed that the JSDF is a bad organization," Kamijou huffed, "But those are things that I cannot take back anymore. Whether I laugh, sulk or cry about it, the world would just keep spinning on. On hindsight, it means that we can always start one new thing after the past had ended, just like how we can make new memories after our years had gone by."
Misaka can only stare back at him with her mouth gaping in shock and surprise.
"Well, Misaka…" It was at this point that Kamijou had detached himself from the Railgun as he picks up his gun, "I need to go now. Fujima over there seemed to have something to talk to me about something. By the way, don't give your Fukiyose-senpai headache. I heard that from now on, you're her responsibility as both of you took nursing courses. Well, I gotta go…see you…"
"Wait!" Misaka suddenly took hold on his wrists, taking the young man by surprise, "If that's the case, then I won't stop you anymore. But…" She inhaled and exhaled, "Let me help you in your missions! I wanted to make sure you'll be getting out of it alive!"
Kamijou blinked and then suddenly, he chuckled a bit, "Oi, Fujima!" He called out to his fellow SFG operator, "Come here quick, someone needs karate chop in the head."
"What?! I—" Misaka wasn't able to finished her words as Fujima, swift as the wind, came and immediately chopped her scalp, "What was that for, you idiot?!"
"Shut up, brat!" Fujima shouted to her, "If Kamijou needs your help, then there's no point in us being here in the first place. We will be fine on our own and the same thing goes for him."
"Besides…" He gave him one last pat in the head, "You can help better by aiding the nurses of Academy City here. You took nursing, right? Then you'd be better off applying what you learned in their medical missions. Well, your scrubbing uniform is already dirty. Replace them." Kamijou then took this cure to leave with Fujima as he waved his hands, leaving a shocked and confused Misaka looking at her nursing uniform.
Some moments later, she was heard screaming in anger at the mere thought that the young man was insulted her own appearance.
"Kami-sama, you look like a pedophile," Fujima shrugged as they were heading back to their own garrison, "I thought you have confessed your feelings for her…"
"Idiot. First, Kawasaki-san is shipping me with Fukiyose and now, you're shipping me with Misaka? You're awful," Kamijou didn't know whether he should be annoyed or sorry for himself in getting himself in such situation.
"Oh, but I though Kawasaki-san is in love with you?"
Can you just shut up now? You're not helping. Kamijou sorrowfully pleaded in his mind as he decided to avert the topic, "By the way, what are you doing back there? You're supposed to be with Tsuchiya and Furuta, right?"
"Something just came up with me so I needed to see you," Fujima's expression turned serious, "We've been talking about how we can infiltrate that English guy's arms den in the West Bank and thinking about it, we needed outside assets. Someone who is either an outsider from us or hire a sleeper agent for us…"
"But we have Kawasaki-san…" Kamijou argued, "Why do we need to—"
"When push comes to shove, not even a trained fighter like her can take on multiple enemies in a tight space at the same time," Fujima replied, "If she's captured, there's no mistake that they'll kill or even torture her for a long period of time." He then grips his pistol as he looks up in the sky, "Guess we needed the direct involvement of the Israelis this time, huh? They're the ones who know more about doing the dirty stuff than us and I had to admit, it guarantees me at least some form of security."
Kamijou blinked at him before he replied, "Yeah. I think you're right. What we're about to enter is a bit dangerous but then…" He then threw up his arms, "I just wanted to finish all of this stuff and I want to go home and eat and sleep and play my gaming console all day."
"Same here, my friend. Same here…" Fujima gave a chortle as they were on their way on the camp.
Unknown to them all, someone had heard their conversation as they were walking out of the place of the Academy City and returned to where they came from.
Assets for war, huh? Keeping mostly to herself as she had just finished her own duties in their clinic, Himegami Aisa can only watch her former classmate walking and chatting loudly with Fujima, who didn't also notice her weak appearance despite having sharp senses. So they needed help in entering a place that is filled with terrorists?
Suddenly, she heard Tsuchimikado's voice calling out to her, "Hey, Hime-yan, Fukiyose-sama had just finished with her job of removing white phosphorus remains in the poor bastard's legs. Wanna eat lunch with us? I'm already hungry."
"But you didn't even do anything for the day," Himegami merely pouted as she walks with the blonde and Aogami, who is busy reading a pornographic magazine, "By the way, did Seiri happened to beat you up again? Your bruise in your face is very nauseating…"
"So Misaka-san, have you gotten through him already?"
"Shut up…"
"I see…then that means you just failed big time! Hahahaha!"
"I said just shut up!"
"Neh, why is Short Hair being irritated so early when we're just about to have our dinner…"
"You two, Silver Sister, shut up!"
Misaka Mikoto has been grumpy as she, Index, and Shokuhou are all sitting in their table while they were waiting for their own Yakiniku set to be cooked properly.
It was already night time and everyone was busy making dinner. The two Level Five Espers were busy putting in all the meat in the grill as Index just sat there and was waiting for them to finish cooking it. It was better this way as the nun might end up only burning the cured meat if she was the one assigned to grill it.
As Fukiyose and Himegami also sat down on their table while Tsuchimikado, for once, volunteered to cook their meat, the latter suddenly nudged at the former, who was busy combing her hair to make herself more presentable.
"Neh, Seiri, I heard Kamijou-kun and Fujima-kun talking about something," The Miko girl whispered as Aogami was playfully putting soy sauce into the grill, "I think it would be long before they would again strike—but this time, I believe that they would go in the West Bank."
The Forehead Deluxe can only raise her eyebrows in surprise.
"What? How do you know?" She asked in a suspicious tone.
"I heard it…"
"You shouldn't be eavesdropping on matters that aren't handled by us…"
"I know but…"
"We'll join in…"
Both Fukiyose and Himegami stopped their conversation as Yomikawa suddenly entered the scene as it seemed that she and Tessou had a particularly exhausting day in patrolling their whole community there. It didn't help that her younger subordinate had a few run-ins with several male refugees who seemed to be drunk and if it wasn't for Yomikawa beating them up to the pulp, only Kami-sama knows what could have happened to Tessou.
But then, that wasn't the only thing that happened at their night in the inn.
"My, my, Yomikawa-sensei! It's been a long time since we've last seen each other! How is your day!"
The moment they heard those sickly-sweet voice, Fukiyose nearly choked in her juice as Himegami merely blinked.
Tsuchimikado and Aogami can only stare in shock at the newcomer.
Shokuhou can only glare angrily as Misaka and Index showed indifference, although the former looked to be a bit surprised at her appearance.
"Oh…it seemed you have arrived…Kumokawa…" Yomikawa can only utter as she took note of the very formal business attire of the young woman, who arrived in Tatiana pumps, red pencil skirt, and long-sleeved polo shirt, "And seriously, what's with that outfit? It seemed like you're in a business summit or whatsoever…"
"Seriously, Yomikawa-sensei, we have just arrived and the others decided to go straight to the hotel not far from this community that is starting to grow," Kumokawa smiled rather devilishly and then her face turned a bit grumpy, "While I opted to go straight here, I had to drag an extra baggage around…" She then stepped aside and an old man in a bright yukata and a flat cap. The old man then took a further step with his cane.
"Good evening to you all, this young lady is very nice to accompany me here," The old man smiled as he bows to Yomikawa, "I'm Kikuchi Kouji and we're from the delegation that was sent here."
"It seems like he was also selected to go here as he had a status of a World War 2 veteran," Kumokawa sighed, not knowing why the old man had to go here with his advanced age clearly showing up, "But really, you don't have to go here with me, Kikuchi-san. I—"
"No, it's fine," Kikuchi waved off as he then went to a nearby table that was empty, "I'm still strong enough and besides, I want to see how my protégé and the other JSDF boys are doing here. It's been some months since I last saw them."
That's supposed to be the table of Kamijou-kun and his fellow SFG operators. Himegami cringed at the old man.
"Ignoring him, you've been all working hard, huh?" She then turned her gaze towards Fukiyose, who seemed to not like her presence at all, "Oh my, Fukiyose-chan looks safe at all," She sounded sarcastic at her remark, "So I take it that the SFG did manage to rescue her safely as well as the other. Hmm…I just heard a very ridiculous rumor about the SFG of the JSDF. If anything, I'd like to meet their leader."
There was an immediate silence following that sentence.
Tsuchimikado and Aogami sounded like they didn't know how to answer their former senpai's question as they pretended they didn't hear and simply continued cooking the Yakiniku set in their table. Fukiyose clammed up, having no intention to give what Kumokawa wants while Himegami simply was silent as she did not care about her arrival.
"Oh ho…no answer?" She chuckled and then averted her eyes towards the table where Shokuhou and her two companions were sitting. "Do you know anything?"
"Wh-What do you mean, Kumokawa?!" The Mental Out growled as she doesn't intend to let the Beauty Senpai do what she wants.
But the tense atmosphere is just making it unbearable to the point that even Misaka was now forced to speak, "Well…about that rumor…I take it that you heard it back home…well…actually…the SFG…uh…"
"Well, what?" Kumokawa began to be irritated as she sat beside Fukiyose and crossed her arms in annoyance, "What is it all about?"
"Well…the SFG's commander is…"
Suddenly, she wasn't able to complete her sentence as a group of voices that isn't a part of their group was heard.
"Oi, Kamijou, why the hell do you have that weird doll again?"
"I told you before; it's for luck…"
"Shall we have beer or just water?"
"Anything is fine for me…"
"I'm hungry now. Let's all hurry up…"
"It seems my students are here, hohoho…" Kikuchi's Santa Claus-like laughter broke the heavy atmosphere and cut off Misaka as he points to a certain direction, "Kamijou-san…over here…"
Suddenly, a group of young men in camouflage pants, green t-shirt, and their usual web gear with their usual M4 carbines, entered the mess hall, everyone in lively spirits.
Kamijou-san?! Kumokawa's eyes grew wide as she snapped her head towards the direction where Kikuchi is facing. Surely enough, the sight that greeted her was more than enough to shock her. So the rumors aren't only true! It was none other than him!
"O-Oi, guys! It's Kikuchi-sama!" From the entrance, Kamijou Touma was more than happy to see his mentor visit them in their assigned destination and quickly, every one of the SFG operators ran ahead and formed in line before they all bowed in respect to the veteran, "Good evenin, Kikuchi-sama! We're glad that you came here in good health!"
"Ah, hahahaha! I'm fine that you are also safe, sons," Kikuchi waved it off as quietly, every one of the SFG operators began to seat in the large, trapezoid table with the old man, "I heard that you got your baptism of fire here. Good to see that you have completed your objectives."
"Thanks for the compliment, sensei…" Kamijou spoke on behalf of his fellow SFG members.
What? That old gasbag is that idiot's master? Misaka peered curiously from her shoulder as he watched the old man and the younger men share stories.
"Ah, I was here thanks to her," Kikuchi motioned to the table where Fukiyose and company are present, "I think you should thank her as well…"
"Oh…" Kamijou then sharply turned his head but the moment he had done so, his eyes locked with golden-brown eyes and the moment he had done so, he nearly fell off the chair if it wasn't for Kurata, who managed to break his fall.
"Oi, what's wrong?" Kurata asked out of concern.
Hey human! You're squishing me. Othinus, who was brought along by the young man after Stiyl had temporarily left the camp to conduct his own recon mission, grumbled as she barely managed to get out of being completely crushed.
"Ku-Kumokawa-senpai?!" The spiky haired individual can only utter in complete shock.
"Oh…so that's why none of you wanted to answer me properly, especially you Fukiyose…" She then gave of a Cheshire-like grin, which only scared Tanaka out, "It's been so long so how are you now, my cute little kouhai?"