03:00 AM. Unknown Location.
A man stood in the darkness. He stood proudly upon the open mountain overlooking the city before his eyes. His figure is firm, unfazed, and unshaken. His gaze never leaves the city as the night shrouded his display. Disobeying the cold breezy wind that strikes against him.
The city stood before him is such an amazement. Bright lights are cowering the night of that peaceful city. No sound of terror could be heard from afar — a sight of a utopian peace that exists in the city. Maybe a kind of city he's interested in.
Maybe a target.
He then heard a shuffling coming from behind him. Someone's footsteps are heard in the grass. But thou he doesn't need to turn his head around because it was his loyal fighter to his cause. Walking at him with his weapon at his side and stopped for a couple of inches away from the man. The man casually turns his head left a bit to talk to him.
"Is everything ready?"
"Yes, sir. Our base of operations is ready, and our men are waiting for orders."
"Have you found any interesting targets?"
"Only a few of them, sir. We'll keep looking for more."
The man only nodded. "Good, keep me updated."
"Yes, sir."
The fighter then hastily leaves. The man then proceeds to look back at the city, his hands clasped behind him in a leisure firm. Relaxed, strict, and willful. The man grins at the city.
"It's time to make the war I have lost."
"And then I will be looking for you. Captain Nishizumi."
Ooarai School Academy. Break time.
Aside from the fact that Murakami herself along with her group, are delinquent students of Johannesburg which are located deeper in the school ship, they're still a part of Ooarai. And, of course, she is permitted to walk around school grounds under Sodoko supervision if any of them behave inappropriately. Murakami is currently walking with her group to the canteen, hoping that they'll meet up with the student councils especially Momo. The only reason why they want to meet up with the student councils was that they wanted a good chat with them.
And also to find some entertainment for Murakami.
Rum and Cutlass split off from the group because they have a promise to meet up with Saori and Azusa Sawa. Something about helping them with tank management. Murakami, Flint and Ogin received their meals from the cafeteria counter, despite the servers' uneasiness on Murakami's presence. They then looked around the cafeteria and found that the student councils are already waiting for them at a table for six people. They greeted them and sat down along with their tray of foods.
Murakami could see that their friends are cheery as ever. She produces a grin to see Anzu's optimistic and laziest attitude like a spoiled child, which is her usual personality. She is glad to see Momo in her nicest mood, their good old friend that covered their backs from getting kicked out. And lastly, Yuzu Koyama, who a gentle smile at them with wide eyes.
It was a shame that Miho wouldn't make a trip to Ooarai for the moment. From what she has seen from the previous Exhibition Match, Miho's presence bolstered spirits in every student of Ooarai. Murakami wanted to talk to her. But after the event two days ago, Murakami felt uncomfortable to decide that she should talk with Miho.
"Ogin-san, good to see you joining us!" Anzu happily said with both thumbs up. "You're taking a break from Johannesburg?"
"Yes, for a while," Ogin then picks her chopsticks and picks her fried meat. "You don't know how 'interesting' would it be to live down there."
"Of course, she meant the opposite of 'interesting,'" Flint added, still sticking her microphone near the mouth for the rest of the conversation.
"You don't have to remind us about that," Momo replied with a smile, then sheepishly looked away. "Trying to find such good accommodations in Johannesburg is hard."
"Do you think so, Momo-chan?" Murakami asked with a grin. "Because we actually live in a small hotel down there."
Yuzu blinks before narrow her eyes at them. "Wait, there's a hotel in that – forgive me – foul place?"
Ogin shrugged along with her chopsticks. "You'll be surprised."
"The hotel is not really bad either," Flint added, agreed with Ogin. "Let's say, and it's like a three-star hotel but with a bit cheaper price."
"Well, that sounds better than having an apartment, doesn't it?" Anzu agreeably asked.
"Couldn't agree more," Yuzu agreed with a nod. "The rent for our apartment is a bit pricey lately."
"And I could bet that our accommodations are comfier than living in an apartment," Flint asked with a smug.
"That's comfy for you," Momo replied as she points at her. "We don't know if it's comfy for us."
"Maybe you should take a trip to Johannesburg one day," Ogin replied as she inhales her toy pipe.
"I would like to, but I'm not sure if it's safe to go there," Momo shows her doubt to them. "Not because that place is filthy or whatsoever. It's just not safe for me. I didn't mean to offend."
"Don't worry, Momo-chan," Murakami assured her as she points her thumb to behind her. "We got your back when you're down there."
Momo can only chuckle sheepishly as her eyes look away while scratching her head. "Erm, to be honest. I feel safer when Miho is around."
Everyone in her table immediately stops eating, albeit showing their surprise of her response.
"Wow," Flint replied with her eyebrows raised. "That came up real quick."
"That is rather odd to hear from you, Momo-chan," Yuzu curiously commented as she looks at her. "What makes you say that?"
"Miho is pretty quick to solve any problems, especially when it comes to conflict and fighting," Momo replied as her hand lifted on the table. "She may not as strong as Murakami-chan but… she is pretty decisive like any tank commander, but she's beyond that. Maybe that's why I felt much safer with her."
"Aside from the fact that she ever busted you down with a stick and nearly choked you to death?" Yuzu asked gently.
Of course, Momo didn't like that question. "Shut it, Yuzu-chan!"
"But honestly, Miho's brutal," Murakami commented, of course, that gave them a morbid look.
"Aren't you brutal yourself, Murakami-chan?" Anzu asked with a tilted head. She's pretty much surprised, given that Murakami is a part of 141.
"Look, I'm maybe the only strongest girl around here, well aside from Nekota and her team," Murakami explained to them. "But I'm not on the same level as Miho. I mean, I don't have any intention to put people in hospital."
"Didn't you do that to Flint before?" Yuzu asked curiously. "When you were playing volleyball with Duck Team."
The three sailors fell silent, and they only gave their blank stares at her before Murakami raised her both hands to them.
"That was different," Murakami then quickly remembered. "Wait – I didn't hit the ball! It just bounced off me and-"
"And the ball hit Flint, who was standing right next to you," Yuzu then chuckles to herself with her eyes closed. "Forgive me; I can't help but laugh at that time."
While Yuzu is actually a gentle girl in Ooarai, her friends are pretty much terrified of her. Not because of her appearance, it's because the way she mentioned any kind of event turned to be terrifying.
"Her speech is pretty terrifying."
Murakami clears her throat for the moment. "Let's talk something else aside from that."
"Oh, did you heard the broadcast this morning?" Momo asked them.
Yuzu was the one who heard that. "Are you talking about the bomb at Iwaki City, Ibaraki Prefecture?"
The rest who didn't hear the news is caught off-guard. The only person who was alarmed and shock instead of just surprised are only Murakami, Ogin and Anzu.
"What?!" Ogin asked as she was disbelieved of the news. "What did the news say?"
"There was a bomb exploded in the Iwatabuni office complex, an economic management department," Momo answered, concern was shown in her face. "It happened this morning during rush hour. Seven people died and 33 people were wounded. And surprisingly, the police identified the bomb residue as a military-grade explosive ordinance."
While Flint was upset by the news, she didn't notice how Murakami and the other friends reacted to that. Murakami looked so alarmed of the news, left her mouth open and gaze sharply at Momo. Ogin was pretty horrified as seen from her pale face and widened eyes. And Anzu is very depressed by the news. The part where the military-grade explosive ordinance is mentioned, the three girls are starting to hope it wasn't 141's explosives.
"Did they find out who bombed the office?" Ogin suddenly asked; she was a little anxious.
"Not yet, but…" Yuzu paused for a moment with her index finger in the air. "Since the attack happened in the economic complex, they suffered heavy funding loss for more than 12.000.000 yens. And since the bomber used military-grade explosives, the JSDF and USFJ have to get themselves into the investigation because this is a sign of threat to our country. Investigation about 141's involvement is still ongoing."
Everyone begins to feel agitation, Murakami couldn't help but shiver at the thought.
"It's already 15 years. I hope this attack doesn't escalate into a war."
"Don't be silly, Murakami-chan," Anzu assured her with all the optimism she has. "That won't happen."
"Maybe try to refrain from jumping into conclusion, Murakami-chan," Momo suggested to her.
"I'm sorry, Momo-chan," Murakami apologized with an open palm. "It made me felt unease to think about what happened in the news."
"Don't think too much about it," Anzu waved at her happily. "Be thankful that we're still alright."
"Cheers for that," Ogin agreed as she raised her drink along with Anzu.
Right after raising their drink, however, Flint immediately turns to Murakami. "Murakami."
"Hai?" said the girl responded as everyone listens.
"Do you mind if we both talk privately?"
The question took everyone off-guard, especially Murakami herself. "N-no, why?"
"I just want to ask on a few things," Flint then turns to Ogin. "We'll be back in a few moments, captain."
"Secret between girls, eh?" Ogin responded as she gestured at them. Permitting them to leave the premises. "Sure, go ahead."
"Okay, Murakami, follow me."
After they got off their seats, Murakami follows Flint out of the cafeteria. Eventually, Flint leads her to the nearest restroom. There a couple of Ooarai students inside so both of them waited for the students to leave. They eventually leave after washing their hands. Murakami then leans against the wall and a sink next to her and Flint stands in front of her.
"Flint, if this is about making an album of your song with my help," Murakami stated with annoyance. "I'm not in that."
Flint stares at her in perplexed before shaking her head. "I'm not here to talk about that."
Murakami, for the first time, surprised at her response. "Then what do you want to ask?"
Flint pauses for a moment as she pocketed her mic away, that's pretty rare to see from her. "Do you have any secret, Murakami?"
"Huh?" Murakami is rather surprised by her question. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, it's because I found something odd when I was in your room," Flint responded as her eyes looked over to Murakami's. "You see, I saw this one particular bag in your room, and it was a big one. And I saw something was coming out of the bag."
Murakami could recall that the time Flint went to her place was a day ago before the sudden cancelation of the tankery match. Due to Miho's committed kill.
"So I took a closer look into the bag while you were busy in the kitchen," Flint responded as her finger is on her chin. "And just found that you have a rifle inside."
Murakami immediately became alarmed. She remembered she just left the bag out because she was tidying up her room. Murakami finds a way to avoid compromise.
"Oh, that, heh, heh," Murakami sheepishly scratched her head. "It's just a toy gun."
"A toy gun?" Flint asked in disbelieve. "Doesn't look like it when I saw bullets in those magazines."
Shit.
Murakami isn't sure how to respond to that. Flint proceeds to ask. "Why did you never tell us that you have a gun?"
Murakami then slowly open her palms at her. "It's not like what you think."
"Are you planning to shoot up a school?" Flint suddenly asked, much to Murakami's shock.
"Wha- never!" Murakami retorted with a shook. "What kind of sick person do you think I am?"
"Then from where did you get a gun?" flint asked her suspiciously.
"I bought it."
"You bought it?!" Flint asked back in surprise. "That gun could cost more than 50000 yens; there's no way you could afford that."
"I was saving money."
"Are you sure about that, Murakami?" Flint asked as she crossed her arms. "You're the type who is careful about money, but you're not the kind of person who saves money."
There's the difference in both concepts so she has a point.
"Flint, you can't tell this to everyone," the last thing that Murakami would worry about is for herself to have an 'angry' talk with Miho.
"Everyone has the right to know," Flint paused, considering her choice of words. "I mean, at least you should've told everyone in our team about your possession of firearms. You do have a firearm permit, don't you?"
"I-"
"Nevermind," Flint waved at her to not think of her question. "Is there a reason why did you have firearms?"
"Just in case I have to use it to defend myself and our friends," Murakami responded; she is starting to get impatient but worried at the same time.
"What?" Flint deadpanned at her. "You could defend people just by brawling. Having a rifle to use a self-defense weapon is way too far."
"Oh, now you're telling me that I have pistol instead of a rifle?" Murakami annoyingly asked. "Because that is not 'way too far'?"
"Is there something wrong here?" a voice suddenly asked out of nowhere, prompts them to startle and looked at who just entered the restroom.
Much to Murakami's relief, it was Ogin.
"Oh uh, nothing's wrong," Murakami awkwardly replied with her arms crossed, while Flint stares in silence. "Why?"
"I was just looking for you and heard you both arguing from outside," Ogin stated to them as her hands are on her hips. "Something's up?"
"Oh nothing," Murakami waved at her. "We both were arguing about the album Flint-chan was planning to make-"
Flint quickly cuts her off. "Boss, she has a rifle in her room."
Ogin and Murakami both fell silent. Ogin was pretty shocked at the moment, she unconsciously drops her toy pipe from her mouth and her eyes were shadowed. Murakami looks irritated; she proceeds to rub her forehead while her other arm is still crossing her above her stomach. Murakami then sighs before looking back at her captain with a tired expression.
Ogin only stares back at Murakami with her morbid look. "You told her?"
"Īe," Murakami replied with a shook. "She… I found a rifle in my room. I forgot to store them away."
Flint widens her eyes after seeing how Ogin reacts differently to Murakami. "Wait, boss. You knew about this?"
Ogin and Murakami only gave a silent stare at her before realizing what they meant. "W-what? You never tell us about this?"
Ogin sighs as she crossed her arms. "It's complicated, Flint."
"We don't want to get compromised," Murakami added to Flint's confusion.
"Compromised? what are you talking about?!" Flint asked in retort. "Our team has to know about this. You're our leader. Why you never tell us about this?"
"Flint, look," Ogin told her calmly. "I want to ask you this."
Flint narrowed her eyes at her. "What is it?"
Ogin took a deep breath. Miho might be angry about this, but Ogin needs to make a decision right now.
"Would you believe both of us… if we tell you that we are 141?"
The result was this:
Flint's skin became pale as snow. Her eyes widen in shock with her lips locked tight. She immediately turned into stone upon hearing it. She blinks many times as her right hand, unconsciously raised her hand to her chest.
"Wait… you can't be serious…"
"I wish I could lie about that," Ogin regretfully replied. "But given that you found out about Murakami's gun… you can't tell everyone you know about this. Not yet."
"We don't want to go high profile about this, Flint," Murakami added with a shook. "If this goes out, I doubt everyone will react nicely to us."
Flint is speechless. Even when she wants to say something, her words didn't come out.
Ogin sighs. "Look, I know what you want to say, but you have to keep this between us, alright?"
Knowing Ogin and Murakami are her best friends, Flint could breathe out with a disappointed look but shows her concern. "Alright, I won't tell anyone."
Ogin and Murakami could breathe in relief for that. "Thank you, Flint-chan. Thank you," Murakami happily replied to her.
"Just remember I'm not telling everyone about this because you're my best friends," Flint reminded them as she took her microphone.
"We'll keep that in mind," Ogin then motions to Murakami by pointing her head. "Murakami, we need to go."
"Something urgent?" Murakami asked her.
"Remember the bomb that Momo told us about?" Ogin asked her. "We've been called in by Ghost."
"Wait, who's Ghost?" Flint asked curiously.
Murakami looks back at her. "Yurei."
The realization hits her fast than she should. "Wait, that 'Ghost'?"
"Hai, that Ghost," Ogin nodded at her before looking back at Murakami. "We gotta go now."
Murakami then looks back at Flint. "Flint-"
"I know," Flint replied with a nod. "You go ahead. I'll try to make up something when somebody asks where you have gone."
"Arigato, Flint," Murakami then looks back at Ogin and then nodded at her.
Both Ogin and Murakami immediately leave the restroom. Leaving Flint alone by herself in the restroom. Having the thought that Murakami and Ogin are both 141 makes her uncomfortable and worried. Flint felt a small tense before she crossed her arms and rubbed her arms. The tense she felt mostly was because they are called in because of the bomb that exploded this morning.
Flint wondered how the hell they both got roped into being the 141.
Bellwall Academy. 11:00 AM
"I never thought you want to visit our school."
"I'm curious about what your school looks like. So I think this visit won't hurt."
"I'm surprised you brought Darjeeling, Mika, and Anchovy here."
"She asked us to come along, Emi-san. Besides, we want to know how much changes your school had after your arrival."
"I could say it's better since I handled the tankery around."
"What of the Student Councils?"
"That's pretty much another story."
Emi is currently escorting her old friend, Miho, along with Darjeeling, Mika and Anchovy to the Bellwall School grounds. Emi's friends are guests of the Bellwall Academy. Emi already informed Chifuyu Doi and Neko Yamamori so that they aren't to be bothered by anyone, knowing how delinquents react to newcomers and guests coming to the school while they're glad to know that there is another thing that makes them uncomfortable, which is Miho Nishizumi herself.
Recalling what happened that time two days ago, back in the mall. The kill Miho committed had caused such controversy for the Nishizumi family and the Sensha-Do department itself. Of course, the mistake she meant wasn't the controversial part but the part where she didn't bring any weapon in case of self-defense. Miho won't make the same mistake again despite Anchovy's assurance that no danger will happen around this school. Not after what happened to Anchovy.
But, she agreed to Anchovy that Miho needs to calm down, and one day she doesn't have to bring any weapon around when not needed.
So for today, Miho, who is in her grey-brownish long-sleeve shirt and black jeans, brought two kinds of weapons. And get to know the fact that she wore a rather black tactical belt into the school, one that doesn't stand out. One, she has a tactical retractable baton in her holster on the right side of her belt. Two, she has a Browning Hi-Power Pistol holstered next to the baton holster with additional 3 Pistol magazines on the left side of her belt. The pistol and its ammo are stored inside a couple of small square bags that would fit the size of the pistol and the magazines to make herself non-threatening for personnel on the school grounds. Access to the pistol is easy only by opening the mag-lock on the bag along with the access to its magazines.
Access to the baton, however, is very easy only by pulling it out.
And yes, Miho mentioned to them that she'd bring self-defense weapons today.
Despite this, they reached inside the school grounds with no problem and tour around the Industrial Department of the school. And note the fact that the delinquents who are present on-site slowly back away from Emi's guests. Not because of their boss's order to not bother them, but rather out of fear to Miho's presence. Bellwall Academy saw what happened, and the news of Miho's actions spread like wildfire in this school.
Of course, she didn't mean to show any harm to them unless provoked.
The school grounds in that department are well refurbished, which is oddly enough for the Industrial Department, which is filled with lots of delinquents. Emi mentioned that this department was looked like a war-zone until Emi commenced a 'cleaning' action to the environment. Or it was rather 'an offensive renovation' as Miho put it, which was agreed by Anchovy. It's a fair environment despite a constant little fighting between the two factions, which ended in silence when they saw Miho with her group walked by.
After a little touring, they decided to head out to the office of the school through the Normal Department. Miho chuckled at the name of the department. She states that it sounds like they're trying to divide who is normal and who should be put in the asylum.
Anchovy ignored Miho's statement, but the rest can't help but gaze at her dark humor.
For Emi, she starts to think that letting her visit this school is not a good idea.
Overall, the students in the Normal Department are as nice as any students from any school. Miho had a soothing feeling to know that the whole building is colored in white, apart from the floor and other colorful furniture. Nevertheless, they reached the office that is located on the third floor of the school. Emi knocked on the door first before all of them entered the office.
They saw that Chifuyu, Neko, Hitomi, Kawashiba sisters, and three other girls that Miho didn't recognize are sitting in a circle of sofas with a round table in the middle. Emi and the guests greeted them with a formal bow as those at the sofas did the same. Then the guests and Emi sat down in one of the available empty sofas. The drinks are already prepared on the table, soft drinks and juices.
` As for the girls unknown to Miho. First, Takami is a tall girl with short brown hair and brown eyes. She wears the Bellwall Girl's Academy skirt, but completely replaces the upper half of the uniform with a grey shirt and a zebra-striped hoodie.
Second, Kita is a medium-sized girl with medium length reddish-orange hair tied up in a side tail and red eyes. She uses a red-leaf shaped hairpin to hold her hair in place. She wears the Bellwall Girl's Academy skirt and blazer but wears a pink hoodie under the beige blazer instead of the shirt.
Finally, Nagisa Shiratori is a short girl with short blonde hair; she has a pair of light brown eyes. She mostly wears Bellwall's uniform, which consists of a short-sleeved white T-shirt and lights brown pleated skirt with red bar; she wears a black vest over her uniform, a style she used to wear with her sister since childhood. She's a former student of West Kureijo Girls' Academy.
"Miho, I believe you haven't met some of my friends here," Emi began as she introduced to the specific three girls. "These are Nagisa Shiratori, Kita, and Takami. Girls, this is Miho Nishizumi."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, ladies," Miho replied as she shook hands with the girls.
"The pleasure is ours as well." – Takami
"Eh… It-it's good to meet you, Miho-san." – Nagisa
"Nice to meet you, Miho-san!" – Kita
"Such charming lads you have here, Emi," Miho commented with a smile. "And maybe even you are charming."
Emi blushed a little to hear such a compliment. "Wha-?"
"Miho-chan!" Anchovy pouted with little irritation to Miho.
"Calm down, I was just complimenting her," Miho responded calmly before looking back at the Bellwall girls. "I hope our visit didn't bother any of your activities."
"Don't worry, we're pretty happy that you decided to visit us," Chifuyu replied with a nod. "However, I hope our students out there didn't bother you."
"I'm… pretty sure that's not the case," Darjeeling stated in her doubt, hence because they noticed how the students reacted to Miho.
Hitomi sighed in defeat. "You got us. Everyone in this school is afraid of… Miho-san."
Miho expression turned cold almost immediately. "Is it because I hanged the bastard off the ceiling?"
Her sentence fills the entire room with dread. Anchovy was caught off-guard of her lover's response with the rest of them leans back from Miho in surprise and fear. Nagisa was noticeably shivering in fear. However, Miho took a deep breath as she realized her current expression. Before letting out her breath to calm down.
"Forgive me for my harsh words," Miho apologized. "I just became… impulsive."
Their tense eventually settles down after Miho apologized. "I guess we can't blame you about it after what happened to Anchovy-san," Neko stated in understood.
"It was an unfortunate event for Miho-san and Anchovy-san," Mika added as she clasps her hands. "But, we are thankful that everyone is still okay."
"I agree," Miho added with a nod. "I can't be more thankful than that."
Kita nodded as well to her, before eyeing on Miho's belt. "What's inside that?"
"What do you mean?" Anchovy asked her.
"The pouches on Miho's belt," Kita responded. "What's inside that?"
Miho wasn't sure it's a good idea to tell her, so she decided to stay quiet.
But Emi encouraged herself to answer her friend's question. "Her gun."
The Bellwall students were not informed of this, so they are shocked to hear that. "A-a gun!? Real gun!?" the Kawashiba sisters asked in horrified.
Miho can't help but sigh at that. "Yes, I have a gun in my pouch. For self-defense."
Everyone is silent as the girls awkwardly stared at her. "Look, I just don't want to repeat the same mistake I made back then. After what happened to Anchovy."
Neko crossed her arms before tilting her head. "We believe you."
The silence in the room is starting to get uncomfortable, Miho slowly stands up from the sofa. "I think I should leave."
"No, no, no!" Emi responded wildly as the entire room nearly prompted their hands at her to stay. "Don't leave, just sit-sit down."
Miho dumbfounded of everyone's response, before complying to sit back down. "Alright, if you say so."
"Okay… Miho," Nagisa encouraged herself to ask. "What do you think about our school so far?"
"Fairly nice to be honest," Miho replied as she drinks a soft drink. "As for the Industrial Department, I'm pretty happy to see that delinquents of both factions are more… controlled. Despite some little fighting, I saw. And the environment of that department is pretty appropriate."
"Glad to hear that," Takami gladly replied with a smile. "It's thanks to Emi-chan's effort on improving our school after dealing with rebuilding back our Sensha-do."
"It must have taken a lot of time to make that effort," Darjeeling assumed as she took an orange juice.
"We pretty much refer that problem to the delinquents," Kanako Kawashiba replied. "Instead of budget."
"At least we didn't lose a lot of money for that effort," Tsurugiko Kawashiba added with a smile.
"Well, that's because you're rich, obviously," Kita replied with a shrug and her legs crossed.
"Oh, are you jealous?" Kanako enviously asked. "Because we have a lot of money than yours."
Darjeeling hummed to that, which Miho noticed it. "Starting to hear Robin Hood idioms, Darjeeling?"
"Good to hear we have the same thought," Darjeeling replied in agreement, continued by Mika. "Sounds interesting."
"Oh, please," Anchovy narrowed her eyes at them. "I hope you don't have any plan for that."
"It's just thoughts, Anchovy-san," Darjeeling replied to her. "Nothing much."
"Where's Chihiro, by the way?" Miho asked curiously. "I was hoping she's here as well."
"She has a job as a model athlete," Hitomi replied with her head tilted. "So, she'll be busy today."
That took Miho off-guard. "Model athlete? Didn't see that coming. She's living a good life, doesn't she?"
"Yes, she does," Emi agreed with a nod. "Which makes me wonder about what kind of job you do for a living."
"She does volunteer jobs, Emi-san," Darjeeling replied. "As in 'Lady Of All Trade.'"
"A jumping-job kind?" Takami asked curiously. "Isn't that tiring?"
"Not if you know how to handle it," Miho replied as points at her.
"And I heard you hadn't studied in any school," Takami stated in wonder. "Why though?"
"I didn't have enough funds to get myself study in a school," Miho then tilts her head with a flat smile. "Or rather, I didn't want it. Rather learn from experience than just studying theories."
"An interesting insight," Emi replied with a nod and her finger on her chin. "But it's your loss. Since you don't get a certificate from the school."
"I think Miho handled that pretty well," Darjeeling replied with a shrug. "It won't be much of a concern for her."
"By the way, I heard you came from Germany, right?" Anchovy asked curiously.
"Yes, the west block of Germany."
During this year after WW2, Germany is divided into two regions. The West and East Germany, which are occupied by allies and Soviets. Miho understood how hard it is for the Germans during that time.
"It must be hard to live there," Mika commented in a tone of grief.
"It is, Mika-san," Emi replied with a sigh. "I can't even meet up with some of my relatives living in East Germany due to Soviet occupation."
"And their policy about trespassers," Miho added as she crossed her arms.
"That's correct," Emi sadly nodded again. "Those who tried to cross the border wall they either made it or get shot by the East Grenztruppen. Few of my relatives didn't make it."
Everyone frowned to that — especially Miho, who sees this kind of policy as a barbaric act.
"We're sorry to hear that," Anchovy apologized in grief.
"It's fine," Emi sniffed a little to reply. "I'm pretty much thankful that I lived in West Germany before moving to Japan."
Miho stares at her for a moment in wonder. "What about your mother, Emi?"
"She still lives in West Germany," Emi answered with a smile. "I asked her to move out with me, but she didn't want to. She said that I should try to make my own life without her."
"I see," Miho replied with a nod. "Maybe one day she'll move out here after the reunification of Germany."
It was something Miho shouldn't say, but a spoiler won't hurt.
"Huh, German reunification?" Kita asked her as Emi deadpanned at Miho. "It's going to take a long time for that, you know?"
"In 20 to 30 years or so, yes," Miho replied with a nod, though everyone glared at her for the estimation of the time.
"And how do you know that?" the Kawashiba sisters asked with their smug smile.
Miho smiled back at them. "Intuition."
"I like it," Darjeeling agreed.
"Are you sure it's no shorter than 20 years?" Mika softly asked as she wasn't believed to Miho.
"I'm sure," Miho replied as she leans her back against the sofa. "I'm not a prodigy, mind you."
"Of course, Miho-san," Neko replied with a bow. "We won't mind waiting for that."
Emi smiled with a huff before she frowned at Miho. Miho raised an eyebrow to her as they both stare each other. They were staring at each other for a while, as the others discussed another topic. Miho took a sip of her soft drink first before looking back at Emi.
Emi then asked her. "Do you ever felt…"
Miho leans her head back as everyone listens. "I ever felt-what?"
"Well," Emi paused for a moment. "You have done a lot of things for yourself, for the people around you, and your family."
"Yes, I've done a lot," Miho nodded affirmatively. "What were you wondering about?"
Emi ponders on her thoughts before asking her. "Do you ever felt guilty of yourself?"
Everyone is pretty perplexed about her question. Miho, who is catholic by religion, is pretty much surprised by the question. "Are you referring to the sins that one could make?"
Emi looked surprised by her counter-question. "I never heard you called that as sins. Given that your religion is Shinto."
Mika cuts in to answer her. "Her religion is Catholic, Emi-san."
Emi, who is a Christian, widens her eyes to her as the Bellwalls have taken off-guard. "Wait, she's a Catholic?"
"Woah, didn't see that coming," Hitomi commented, both of her fists raised in front of her.
Neko tilts her head suspiciously. "Since when did you become Catholic?"
Miho cracked her fingers with a deep breath. "Since I was living in London. But…"
Kanako then points her head at her. "But…?"
"I'm not really that religious."
She earned a smirk from Emi. "Looks like you're not the only one."
Miho smiled back at her. "What were you asking again?"
"Do you ever felt guilty of yourself?" Emi asked again, now with her left eye narrowed at her.
They could tell, Miho is already staring into a blank space. Anchovy, who had known who Miho truly is, shows her discomfort to her lover. Darjeeling and Mika gave their curious stares to Miho without turning their heads. The Bellwalls, it was odd for them to listen to what Miho has to say to that question.
Miho didn't say a word for a moment. She could think of one word.
"Mostly."
It was a solid confession.
"Mostly?"
"Yes, mostly."
"What do you mean by that?"
Miho tilts her head once. "Have to do something wrong for the right thing. A lot."
Anchovy frowned to her answer. "But not all of them you do was wrong."
"That's true," Miho agreed with her head turned to her. "But still, most of them are the wrong things I do for the right thing."
Miho then looks forward to Emi. "Sins are still sins, and we will have to pay them one day."
Emi admired her sense of remorse, something odd to hear from the former-shy Miho.
"What about that time…" Emi paused, knew that Miho wouldn't like it. "That time you killed the robber?"
…
…
…
Miho gave a cold face.
Emi stayed silent as everyone in the room can't help but stare at Miho in concern. Darjeeling, who sat next to Miho, holds her shoulder. Anchovy, who's beside her, puts a hand on her left thigh. Nagisa looks pretty frightened, seeing from how she is agitatedly correcting her uniform and rubbing her sweaty forehead.
"To be honest," Kita interrupted the silence. "It's an… achievement to be called as the Hangwoman. After what you did…"
Miho changed her expression, with a look of remorse. "How can I call that as an achievement?"
"Because you are the only girl around here who could kill someone that far," Neko answered, her right-hand rest on her hips. "And you killed a bad guy nonetheless."
"I ruined the match. Your match," Miho shook her head. "Just because of a single bloody bullet and a dead body that was hanging off the ceiling."
"But you saved everyone," Emi replied to her. "You saved me, Anchovy and our friends."
"I did, but I put you in harm's way when I attacked him," Miho responded coldly. "I have to thank God that it was me who got shot other than Anchovy. And I'm thankful that I heard a stray bullet hit the counter. A few more inches and it could kill someone."
Emi looked perplexed of what Miho said. "Wait, she heard the stray bullet? Shouldn't she be temporarily deaf when she attacked the robber?"
Emi quickly regained her composure and asked her. "But it's not your fault that you have to kill him."
"Really?" Miho asked her sarcastically. "Do you think he deserved to be hanged like that?"
Before Emi manages to reply, Miho continues. "Just an amateur robber, trying to get some easy money from a shop. Thinking he could just threaten and hurt people all he likes. But he didn't know what a single person could do to someone else. And I hanged him off at the end, seeing it as a… philosophy to represent what the will of a single person could do. Should he be dead? Yes, he should be dead. At least that's what I think."
Miho looks up to Emi's eyes. "But do you think he deserved to die like that?"
Everyone didn't respond to her question. They only proceed to stare at her.
"Do you think that it was an act justifiable death?"
Everyone stayed silent, but Emi answered her with a shook.
Miho leans back again, took a deep breath for a moment. "It's the result of my emotion that has been left unchecked for so long, that I didn't realize I had gone too far. Especially when I'm with the person I dear the most is hurt."
The Bellwalls, including Emi herself, has learned one of Miho's personality. Miho has temperament issues, but she is conscious of it. Along with the fact that she still has moral values on some specific points. Darjeeling, Anchovy and Mika pretty much agreed to what Miho said, which bitterly remind them of Darjeeling's tea party months ago.
"We'll keep that in mind to not make you upset," Takami seemed discomfort of Miho's words.
"Takami, I didn't mean to scare you about what I said," Miho responded with her arms crossed and a shrug. "But that's the truth."
"We know," Nagisa sheepishly replied. "But that still sounds bad."
"You don't have to worry about it," Mika assured them. "We see that as a problem no more."
"If you are sure about that," Chifuyu lands her chin on her open palm. "Sounds fine for us."
"I know," Anchovy agreed with a nod. "And thanks to Miho-chan, you might already have a couple of days of training."
"Of course, we did!" the Kawashiba sisters happily replied. "Gorilla woman did a good job training us!"
"Stop calling me that, Baka-shiwaba!" Emi impulsively retorted in annoyance. "Why the hell you keep calling me that?!"
Miho bowed her head a little with her eyes staring at her. "Maybe because of the way you treat them?"
"Yeah, I mean… No offense, Kawashibas," Anchovy opens her palm to them. "You look like you don't like treating spoiled girls."
"HEY!" the Kawashiba sisters retorted embarrassingly.
Miho only gave a poker face. "Remember, I'm still here."
"Oh, right," the Kawashiba sisters quickly changed their expression, before continued by Emi. "Yes, we're pretty much glad to have a couple of days of training to increase our luck battling against Blue Division High School."
"And the match is due tomorrow afternoon," Hitomi happily replied. "In Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture."
"Is that so?" Anchovy asked with a raised brow.
"Hai," Kita replied with a quick nod. "I hope there will be no more unfortunate events that would cause another cancelation of the match."
Miho raised her soft drink in the air. "Cheers."
Everyone then proceeds to raise their drinks. "Cheers."
They then drink and put their drinks back on the table. They really enjoyed this conversation so far, aside from the ill-part of the conversation. Miho really wants to spend more time here with Emi, to stay in everlasting bond with her old best friend. The Bellwalls are pretty pleased with Miho's presence, which subsides their fears of her being the Hangwoman for the moment.
Miho was about to continue this fine conversation.
(The Farmer's Frolic)
If it wasn't for the damn phone to ring a piece of Irish music.
Everyone jumped at the sudden music from her phone. Miho only sat there unfazed with a poker face. Miho then slowly pulls out her phone from the gun bag on her side. She then checks the phone, and alas, it was Vicek who is calling her. Miho wondered why he is calling her now.
"Who's that?" Takami asked.
"A friend of mine," Miho replied. "It's Vicek."
"That Vicek?" Darjeeling asked her.
"Yes, that Vicek," Miho quickly stood up. "Excuse me."
Miho then answers the phone while stood a bit far from the girls. "Olá?"
"Olá, capitão," Vicek greeted back. "Espero não estar interrompendo algo."
"Na verdade, eu estava no meio da conversa com meus amigos," Miho replied as she looks back to her friends, who are confused about what she's saying. "Você precisa de algo?"
"Você já ouviu falar sobre o atentado na cidade de Iwaki?," Vicek responded, which made Miho raised both of her eyebrows. "Complexo de escritórios de Iwatabuni?"
"Sim, por quê?" Miho nodded back. "Você descobriu quem bombardeou o complexo?"
"Acho que sim," Vicek replied, then a slight hum. "Mas precisamos de você aqui na base à noite."
"Eh?" that left Miho stunned for a moment, to which then she changed the language to Czech. "Je tu něco naléhavého?"
"Ano, nemůžu o tom mluvit po telefonu," Vicek replied, Miho knew it wasn't necessary to talk face to face because they're on a safe channel. "Potřebuji, abyste sem přišel večer."
"Vicek, co se to sakra děje?" Miho asked him; her concern was enough to let the girls knew something's wrong.
"Teď ti to nemůžu říct," Vicek quickly responds. "Ale musíte se večer vrátit na velitelství. Ah, nezapomeňte vzít Anchovy s sebou. Musí o tom vědět."
"Vicek-"
"Promiňte, kapitáne. Nejprve musím spustit nějaké pochůzky," Vicek quickly cuts her. "Uvidíme se!"
And like that, he immediately closed the call.
Miho could look back at her phone in disbelieve. Why was Vicek was in such a hurry? Why was he bothered to keep things mysterious? Miho turns her head to the girls, specifically straight to Anchovy. Miho could tell they are wondering about what's going on.
Miho quickly walked pass the girls as she says to her lover. "Anchovy, with me for a moment."
Anchovy was rather surprised by her request. Anchovy only awkwardly stood up with an apology to the girls before catching up with Miho. Anchovy followed her out of the room and into the hallway a bit far from that office. Once they are sure the hallways are empty, they stop there and look at each other immediately.
"Is there something going on?" Anchovy asked her, hoping that there's nothing that makes her afraid.
"He said it's urgent," Miho checks her surroundings again to make sure there was no one in the halls. "Have you heard about the bomb in Iwatabuni Office Complex?"
Anchovy heard the news since she occasionally turns on the TV in the morning. "Wait, he called you because of that?"
"Yes," Miho nodded. "It sounds like he got a lead. But he couldn't tell me through the phone."
"He wants to talk to you face to face?" Anchovy asked as her head leans forward.
"Yeah, he wants me to return to base in the evening," Miho replied as she pats her gun bag.
"I thought you know everything of what's happening today," Anchovy joked with a smile.
"No, not everything milady," Miho shook with a smile. "I mostly asked my men to know any news comes up for the past few days."
"Really?" Anchovy snickered with her arms, crossed.
"Yeah," Miho then shrugs. "But to have one of my men asked me to talk face to face… that's rare."
"I guess you should get going about that," Anchovy encouraged her.
"That's not all," Miho added with a shook, then points her open palm to her. "You need to come with me as well."
Anchovy widens her eyes. She is rather shocked by this.
"W-what!?" Anchovy didn't believe this. "Why should I tag along?"
"I have no idea," Miho shook her head again. "But from what I heard on how he said it, we might be dealing with a high-risk threat."
Anchovy doesn't have to ask about that; she knew what Miho meant by that. "Should I tell my mother as well?"
"Yes," Miho nodded but then pulled out her phone. "You know, let me do the calling. You should return to the office. Talk them down; I don't want the girls to get suspicious of us."
"I'll make sure, Miho-chan," Anchovy nodded with a concerned smile. "I'll tell them you'll be back shortly."
"Thanks, Emerald," Miho replied, which earned her lover's blushing smile.
"Miho-chan, you such a teaser!" Anchovy embarrassingly replied.
"Wha- I didn't-" Miho confused about her reply.
"Yeah, I guess I should leave you to it," Anchovy pushed her shoulder lightly with her fist, before heading back for the office.
Miho only gave a warm smile as she watched her lover heading back to the office. Anchovy is adorable for sure. But then Miho quickly snaps herself and gets back to her phone. She looks at her contacts to find Anchovy's mother's numbers before tapping onto it. She then immediately puts her phone on her ear. Miho really didn't like this at all.
And this is the first time she had to bring someone's mother into this mess.
Unbelievable.
On the way to Task Force 141 Headquarters, Kumamoto Prefecture. 7 hours later.
"How long until we get there?"
"Any minute now, Emerald."
"How big is this base?"
"Enough to outfit a small army."
"You must have great dedication to build that here."
"Too much, I guess."
"Do you know yet what we're dealing with?"
"Not yet, Mrs. Chiyomi. But I hope they got answers when we get there."
"Cap, we're reaching HQ soon."
"Copy that."
They are about 5 minutes away from reaching the base. Miho could tell, everyone in the Black Hawk is getting the willies of what is going on. When it comes to dealing with an unknown threat, everyone should know about this except those who don't know of 141. And in this case, families are also getting involved in this mess.
Yes, it so concerns until Miho had to call in a Black Hawk to pick Miho, Anchovy and her mother up.
Rinnai looks rather worried since Miho called her. The thing about dealing with a high-risk threat sounded scary for her and was glad that Miho told her. She doesn't know if it's a good idea to tag along to go to 141 bases, but it should worth the time. Besides, she wanted to protect her daughter from harm.
After the short trip, they reached the base. They could see the whole view of the base from the sky as the chopper began descending. From the looks of it, the base is on high alert.
All 141 operatives in the base looked like they are in a hurry. The soldiers are all running around the base, bringing weapons and equipment around. A few drivers, tankers, and pilots are prepping and inspecting the vehicles they have. And they noticed that there are people in the hangars are scattered around, getting all the intel they just received.
The Black Hawk lands near the command center with ease. By the time Miho and the passengers got out, they were soon greeted with Miho's mother and sister.
"Mother, what are you doing here?" Miho asked her.
"Ghost called me in," Shiho replied as the group quickly entered the command center. "He said that we would be facing a deadly threat that could harm this country and our family."
"And did he say anything about what kind of threat we're dealing with?" Miho asked her quickly.
"I'm afraid I can't tell you that until we reach the briefing room," Shiho quickly responded.
Miho sighed. "Not you too."
"We can talk about this at the briefing room," Maho replied to her. "It's not far now."
"And I can't believe you brought Chiyomi-sama with you," Shiho said as she looked at Rinnai.
"I have the right to know about what's going on," Rinnai excused to her. "You can't involve my daughter into this all you like."
"You have a point," Maho agreed to Miho.
Not even a moment's notice, they reached the doors to the briefing room. Once they enter, the first thing Miho and Anchovy noticed was the only lit lamp in the center of the room. Enough to illuminate the whole table and the people who are present though Miho is more surprised at who is present.
Aside from Kay, Murakami, Ogin, and Anzu are present, which obviously because of their ties with 141. And aside from the presence of Ghost, Chemo, Vicek, Royce, Chrome, and other notable 141 members. She is pretty shocked to see that the commander girls of Kuromorimine are here as well, including Erika and Akaboshi. They weren't supposed to be here.
"What the bloody hell are you doing here?" Miho gave out her greatest disbelieve to their presence.
"We're here to help, Miho!" Akaboshi replied eagerly. "You're going to need us!"
"Do you know what we're dealing with right now?" Miho asked them again with both open hands raised in front of her.
"Give them a break, Cap," Chemo interrupted her. "They're eager to help."
"Besides," a voice added, which they found out it was Mrs. Shimada's. "You're going to need all the help you can get."
Miho looks over a bit to see who's next to her. There are Ami, Yuko, Akashi, and surprisingly Sergeant Morley, whom she met back when they were protecting the ambassador.
"Hang on; you're the boss around here?" Morley asked in surprise. "Miho Nishizumi herself or… it was Banshee?"
"Yes, I am," Miho replied with a nod. "It's very surprising to meet you, Morley."
"Oh, I'm damned surprise, sis," Morley agreed with a thumbs up. "When Captain Chouno was starting to talk about you. I thought I just lost my shit!"
"No, you didn't, mate," Miho then sighs and changes the topic. "Alright, can someone mind tell me what the bloody hell is going on?"
Everyone in the room only stared back at her. Much to her disappointment, they didn't say a word, especially the girls. Rinnai and Anchovy awkwardly stood by her as they wait for an answer. But no one even tried to say a word to her.
"Come on, lads," Miho encouraged them. "I want to know what's going on."
"I thought you knew what was going on, old girl."
Everyone jumped at that voice. But it was an effing surprise for Miho. This voice… she recognized it. She looked over around the room and saw a figure emerged from the shadow. And she was glad to see him. In fact, there were three of them.
Three of her old friends are standing right in front of her.
"Price… Yuri… Nikolai…?"
The girls immediately widen their eyes in shock. The girls who got there first may know about the threat, but they didn't know about Miho's friends' arrival. Maho, Shiho, Anchovy, and Erika are pretty shocked that Miho's old friends are here. The others, Kay and the Ooarai girls are surprised that Miho recognized them. For Miho's men, Ami and the JGSDF officials, and Morley are pretty happy to see such a reunion as this.
Miho stifled a laugh to him. "It's good to see you, lads. Especially you, old man."
Price chuckled at her with his arms crossed. "You wouldn't know how hard it is for us to get here."
"Yeah, but…" Miho paused for a moment. "Why are you here?"
It was Yuri's turn to tell her, and he only stares at her. "You know for sure why we are here."
Miho looks confused at him, with her lover and the girls wondered about what Yuri meant. But when Miho realized what he meant, her expression changed. Her confusion slowly changed into a dreadful and wrathful look. It was something that made Anchovy, Shiho, Chiyo, and Maho restless. While the girls who are 141 are afraid of her temperament, Murakami as the muscular girl even afraid of a girl like Miho.
Miho's gaze turned into a cold glare. Only two words crossed her mind.
"He's here?"
The men's faces turn cold to hear that. But the girls, especially Rinnai, Shiho and Chiyo and except the JGSDF women, are confused about what she meant.
"Huh?" Anzu asked with a raised brow, then continued by Kay. "Who's he?"
Nikolai looked over to them with a glare. "Makarov."
The only people here who have heard that name are only Anchovy, Maho, Shiho, and Anzu. They widen their eyes to that.
"Wait," Shiho cuts in, her hand raised at Nikolai. "Who's Makarov?"
The three men and Miho straightened their back and stood firm in their place.
"A dangerous killer." – Price
"An International Threat." – Nikolai
"A terrorist." – Yuri
Everyone then glances at Miho. Who says her part.
"Our enemy."
The men's faces shadowed with anger. While the women's and the girls' faces are filled with fear and insecurity. Miho then stares forward at Price.
"He's coming for me. And for all of us."