Chapter 12: Gary Spirit Yearning

September 11, 2017

Fujinomiya Ghetto

"Over there! He's running over there!"

Shit shit shit!

"Stop! In His Majesty's name stop!"

Can't keep going on much longer. Will lose it all eventually. Gotta lose them. Gotta lose them.

A crack past my head. I could just feel it! I saw the wood splinter ahead of me! COME ON!

Several more rounds whizzed past me. Getting closer and closer. I-I can't breath! I gotta keep going, gotta keep going. Please. C'mon!

The ground before me was moist. Wet. Why? We can't be…No…no, no, no. Not here. Anywhere but here! i saw it. My damnation right ahead of me. A round ricochet off the stone near me. Perhaps it will be my saviour.

"Stop! Hands where I can see them!"

I turned around. Britannian Military Personal. All aimed their assault rifles on me. Stepping past two squad mates was Gwen, followed by John. I forced myself to my feet, my chest heaved and stepped back, stopping. I was on the edge, the rushing of water going down the 25 metre drop. I closed my eyes and rose my hands halfway, opening them again to see these fellas tense up again, flipping their goggles up, many pairs of eyes on me.

"Surrender yourself!" John ordered, aiming a decorated handgun at my chest. Soldiers were demanding I raise my hand, some taking warning shots, the rounds whizzing past my head.

"Don't do this!" Gwen shouted, her eyes were fearful, almost pleading with me to not do it.

John snarled, "You have betrayed Our Emperor! Our Honour! Our People! No one may escape the penalty!"

I chuckled mirthlessly. "You forget Johnny, I was burnt already." before leaning back. There it was. The rush that tingled my skin, that puts my hairs on edge. I was lifeless, ignoring the shouts from above. I was free.


September 3, 2017

Last night, Britannian Military and Constabulary forces launched a raid against the remnants of the Japanese Liberation Front at Port Yokosuka. However, these efforts were impeded by the Black Knights. Britannian casualties were listed at thirteen military deaths and twenty constabulary deaths. We will continue to-

A few hours ago, the Colonial Constabulary, alongside elements of Britannian Military Intelligence, launched a raid against a Hotel in the Tanegashima settlement. They captured Lieutenant-Colonel Kyoshiro Tohdoh and have imprisoned him in an undisclosed location-

-ncess Cornelia has only this to say about last nights raid. "As of last night, I can safely declare that the Japanese Liberation Front had been effectively defeated. Their armies are shattered and their leadership…destroyed."

-sources say that the Black Knights vowed to continue fighting against the 'Britannian Occupiers' with the strength of a whirlwind…Captain Woods of Military Intelligence had only this to say.

"Your mother is a (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep)-ing (Bleep) yellow bellied (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) sakuradite (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) diseased (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) hippopotamus (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) Old fossil (Bleep) (Bleep)-ing Prince Schniezel (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) with a bucket of (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) in a castle far away where no one can hear you (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) soup (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) with a bucket of (Bleep) (Bleep) Emperor Charles (Bleep) (Bleep) with a stick of dynamite (Bleep) magical (Bleep) (Bleep) (Bleep) Alakazam."

cut to commercialscut to commercials RIGHT NOW!


September 5, 2017

Admittedly, I'm beginning to get really tired of the Black Knight's shit. This morning, the Black Knights launched an assault on all of the Sakai Constabulary, leading to the deaths of twenty of their constables and the theft of several armouries. Just yesterday they decided to celebrate being the last resistance group standing by launching an assault against the Kyoto prefecture and capturing the 'secret' arms shipment. To summarize, the Black Knights 'requisitioned' themselves assault rifles and some fancy new Sutherlands for their army. Great. Now I have Cornelia barking up my ass to do something; the student body's demanding I do something; people on the street are demanding I do something…need I go on?

So here I am, in Ashford Academy with a whole bunch of my laptops viewing surveillance footage from the satellites. Now, a part of me wants to get some help with this but Gwen was recalled, John is training, and Suzaku is being Suzaku. Just about nobody around to help…wait…why am I even doing this? Fuck this! Fuck the Government! Fuck Cornelia! I packed it all up and made my way into the ghetto. Bound to get much more excitement there. Though, I really should dress up as something else, people are getting too used to the usual disguise.


Back out on the road again, feeling the air breeze past my skin again. This freedom was just what I need. A break from this insanity. A chance to reflect on what happened. Things have changed and a lot of it from me. Look at it! I'm here, helping the nation I loathe and for what? To help the people? Yeah, that's my excuse. Is it actually, truly, what I believe in? Do I still care anymore? Did I push too far? Did I abuse my newfound power? Shit…this is insane. I've been so busy with this internet terrorist thing that I lost my freedom yet this is the life I choose anyway. Why?

I parked the bike near the bar and entered, the place only partially full. Just how I like it. Same bartender too. I ordered a few and got to relaxing, letting some music play. The soothing melody was just what I needed. Soon enough, I got patrons filing in and enjoying themselves. Hell, some were even celebrating that I was here. I happen to remember them too. They were part of the Great Beer Rebellion of '17. Hah! Suck it John!

Then came in the Black Knights. Ohgi, Tamaki, I remember. The others I'm not sure at all. odd, why's Tamaki's uniform on? I mean, nice try hiding it but I can see the tips coming out the bottom of your jacket. I gave them a polite nod, a glass of beer raised. I turned away and continued to drink in silence.

"Oi oi. It's you! Hey buddy, how you doing?" Tamaki said, leaning up beside me.

I shook my head, fighting, badly, to remove that smile on my face. C'mon man! Discipline!

"I'm…just trying to drink good buddy, old pal." I said, trying to be nonchalant. C'mon, stop lying to yourself David. Misery loves company!

"How about you drink with us! I gotta introduce you to the others!"

I sighed and stood up. "C'mon then. Why not?"

He locked my head in a head lock and happily dragged me to the table before us. I was tapping on his arm furiously, seeing Ohgi's bashful look. Tamaki said something, probably introducing me. He finally released me and motioned, "This is my good pal!"

"Hello fellas. How are you guys feeling tonight?"

Got a chorus of suspicious, but honest responses. Most of them following along the lines of 'we're okay.' Pfft. A bit more enthusiasm now guys, God you are all boring. I sneakily hid the Black Knight uniform up and hidden behind Tamaki's jacket…the attempt failed but I tried. I bit my lip and ignored it. I managed to sneak away from Tamaki, enjoying his saké and sat beside Ohgi.

I asked, "Say, Is he…always like that?"

The man winced. "Y-yeah. He can be a little…too cheerful at times."

"That's a way to put it. Sufficed to say, I was worried I'd drop unconscious if he held on to me any longer."

Ohgi almost choked on his drink. Careful, careful my good man. He coughed in laughter but his smile slowly dropped. "Tell me Captain Woods, why haven't you come and arrested us yet." He said, a slight hint of fear in his voice.

I rubbed the back of my neck. Mood killer. How to answer him?

"Main reason is because I never cared to."

He blinked in surprise. "What?" he almost shouted, surprised.

I nodded, confirming, "Yep. I never cared to go in and arrest you. Admittedly, I had no reason to arrest you besides your time-to-time acts of violence and I had other people to arrest."

Ohgi whispered, "Are the Black Knights not a threat to you?"

"You guys are a threat," I said, looking blankly out the small window, "But there are others out there. Men and women that wield influence as their weapons of choice. Men and women that hide behind proxy soldiers and would use any means necessary to get what they want. They are willing to harm so many people, hurt so many lives and for what? The freedom of Japan? Please…it's shortsighted."

The Black Knight commander? Yeah commander, asked, "What do you mean?"

"Fuck it. Never mind about it. Just know that I don't agree with Zero's plan and that I mean every word I said to him on TV." I said, trying to sip another drip but I somehow can't find myself to bring one.

He blushed. Hah! I knew that'll get stuck in someone's head! I shook my head. Christ, he's such a killjoy. I stood up and began walking out. "Wait!"

I turned around and saw Ohgi reach into his jacket. I rolled my eyes and stated, "Listen to me. I don't care what you do as long as you don't try to fuck with people…actually never mind…You fucked with my sleep schedule now I'm going to fuck yours. Good bye."

I walked out the door. The music stopped and silence emanated the establishment, only for it to be replaced with something traditional. I ignored it all, opting to walk through the city for a little while longer before returning home. It's the lack of silence that I'm enjoying. The children at night are running around in the paved streets, visiting properly made food stands. An urban revival, a cultural revival. It was beautiful.


Gwen's Apartment

"Hey Gwen. I'm home!"

"David! Welcome back!" she cheered from behind the counter, making a mash up of some of our favourites. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and cola, keep feeding me like that, I'll get fat for sure!

I leaned next to her cheek and kissed, eliciting a giggle from Gwen. "How was work today?" I asked while I got the plates and set the table.

"Busy. We've been under a lot of pressure lately because Zero hasn't been making any moves as of late. A lot of people are on edge and ready to point fingers at just about everyone." she admitted, dropping her shoulder and showing her exhausted face she thought so hard to keep up.

I added, "It doesn't help that Cornelia's been ramming orders down my throat. She really wants me to hunt Zero down and give her his location."

She chuckled, stating, "I figured you'd be tired because of her. What have you got so far?"

"Nothing so far I'm afraid," I admitted, helping to set the table, "Overhead surveillance has its limitations and I'm just one man. I've been thinking of sending the Special Activities Division out to the ghettos and set up some outposts, keep an ear out, patrol the streets…y'know, the usual peacekeeping role."

"Do it. If that'll help stop this tension, we gotta do it." Gwen insisted, plating the food.

I said, "I'm just worried for my boys is all. It'll be a dangerous crowd for sure…I'll have to modify their uniforms."

"What are you thinking?"

"I was thinking or dressing my men in light blue helmets and body armour. Same goes for the vehicles." I said, can't help but think back to that iconic blue on white background.

Gwen looked worried, terrified by that aspect. I can't say I blame her, even the idea of peacekeepers had some pushback from its critics. I see no other way though. The ghettos are largely ignored and they have no police presence there. This should rectify this and put less pressure on the police. Give them some breathing room from any political fallout. That commissioner better owe me for this!

"Are you sure? Won't you be going in like that too?"

I nodded. "I am and I will. We will have to be on the front lines for now and provide the people in the ghettos some sense of security." I said, digging into my meal.

She rose an eyebrow, asking, "Do you have any police experience before?"

"Nope! How hard could it be? I believe in my men, and they believe in what we are doing."

"I thought you didn't care what the Black Knights do, just as long as they don't do anything against the people?"

I replied, "I don't…but they pissed me off for the last time, now I'm going to make sure they don't sleep as well."

She snorted and we returned to our meals. Yes, this is nice.

…Sirens blared, ripping our heads away from our food. Holy shit that's a lot of smoke.


This was a train station.

Approximately twenty minutes ago, an armoured train ran through here. The minute it stopped, the load was detonated and ripped through the platform. It was a massacre. So much pain, so much sorrow. I could just feel the eyes glaring on me now. The weight of the entire Empire on my shoulders. I could only stand there and gaze at this destruction before me.

"How could this happen?" Gwen asked, horrified at the devastation.

I admitted, "I don't know...but it looks like I have to move up my time table."

I sent the written orders to the SAD, get them moving to all the ghettos and wearing their new uniforms.

"Captain Woods. A word."

Cornelia. Not now.

"Yeah Cornelia? What do you want?"

Her eyes narrowed, but kept her professional tone, "I demand to know your progress in the search for Zero."

I replied, "I got nothing for you right now. Airborne surveillance had proven useless."

"What are you doing about it?"

I showed her my phone, the new orders being sent out. "I scrambled my elements into all ghettos. From there, they will be setting up outposts and be conducting patrols in regular intervals with replacements rotating in."

The princess frowned. "How? There are many ghettos throughout Area Eleven. How is one division capable of patrolling all the ghettos?"

I coughed, whispering, "I…don't have one division under my command. I got myself ten."

"Since when?!" she snarled quietly.

To be honest, I never anticipated that the other Honourary Britannian Foreign Legions will voluntarily fall under my command, let alone take orders from me. I had to ask Masaki about this. He told me that some of the men were spreading the news of a Britannian commander willingly using the Foreign Legion as proper front line troops, not as cannon fodder. This generous commander known simply as Frank Woods had revamped the training regime; supplied them with factory-fresh equipment; given them firearms; and requisitioned factory fresh armoured vehicles. Sufficed to say, I had to order a lot more stuff,

I answered, rubbing the back of my neck, "Like..two days ago…maybe?"

"Maybe?" she shouted, astonished at either the numbers or my forgetfulness. Maybe both.

I shrugged. "Listen, I have the boys in the ghettos right now and they should be setting up and going out on patrol. I will be going out to the ghettos and seeing how they're doing."

Cornelia sighed, examining the rubble as well. "Find me Zero, Captain. Bring him to me alive. He will pay for what he has done." she ordered quietly, the crying still not over yet.

"We don't know if this is Zero who done this. This isn't exactly his style. Bombing a train station filled with innocent people? There's no propaganda in seeing regular folk bombed. I think it's someone else who done it."

"Who?"

I admitted, "I don't know yet. Could be our mysterious hacker."

She shook her head, pointing out, "Impossible. That would imply we have a traitor within our forces."

I scratched my head, grumbling, "How about we divide the tasks. You root out the traitor, I patrol the Ghettos."

Cornelia nodded, a determined look in her eyes. "We are in agreement Captain."


September 7, 2017

Ashford Academy

People were uneasy with our presence, suspicions running wild. I can't blame them. They lived in a time of statutory neglect and all-of-a-sudden, the Colonial Government gives a shit about them. They're worried we'll pick up some random, poor SOB and arrest them for no reason. Winning hearts-and-minds is definitely going to be a pain in the ass. We had some Yakuza assholes come in and act all high and mighty, tried to bribe some of my boys. Fortunately for me, any attempt to bribe my men were quickly shot down. Those men were on a one-way ticket to the settlement holding cells, awaiting prison.

It felt good for a while but even I know we can't get that lucky. I admit that I was too hasty in my deployment. The remaining gangs had gone underground. My fault entirely and the consequences will be the same. A urban guerrilla war with car bombs and ambushes. I will have to start hiring civilians, especially those with police and detective backgrounds. I'm the foreign power sending troops into hotspots and they are the local populace. As I always know, native troops are always better than foreign troops in the long term.

My one disappointment is that the Black Knights have also gone under. They don't seem to be appearing, night or day. Makes me downright concerned, would have liked to talk with them. See how they like it. Unfortunately for me, I've been called back to school to service detention and I have no blackmail on her. So I came in and stuck in a room doing some homework. Bet the teachers on the other side of that door are sweating like pigs, feeling sorry for me. This new teach in front of me is a god damn demon!

Another pile of papers were dropped on me. Oh my God why?!"


It took a while but I cleared things up. Turns out somebody misplaced my papers and I don't have to do any more work. That demon teach apologized for the confusion and we parted ways. Funny, when I asked my other teachers about this, they said they forgotten it. Even the ones I done just yesterday! Almost as if their memories were erased…wait a minute…memories erased…

Oh Lelouch~ I'm coming to get you!

I grabbed a little something from the gardener's shed and stormed into the Student Council Penthouse, breaking into the meeting room surprising all of the members.

Milly broke out first, "Hey David! That was fast! How did you get out of detention this time?"

"Oh, it was fine. Listen, can I borrow Lelouch for a second?" I asked, looking at Lelouch's fearful eyes. Especially when I showed them the noose. Oh yes, payback's a bitch.

"Whoa! David! Calm down!" Suzaku shouted, getting in front of Lelouch.

I growled, "Fuck that! He tried to make me do his homework and I'll be damned to do shit for him!"

I loosened the noose, turning it into a lasso. "Alright Lelouch. It's time to understand the meaning of sacrifice."

Gwen broke in. "David. Calm down. Lelouch probably did this as a joke. Right, Lelouch?" she said, looking at Lelouch pleadingly.

Pfft. Nothing's a joke for him. He's dead!

Lelouch stuttered, "Y-Yeah. It was just a prank."

Just a prank..Just a prank bro? It that it?!

"Fuck that!"

I tossed the lasso aside and pulled a revolver on him. Yeah, you better be scared. Now, if the others were to back away…

John in between us. "You are acting disgraceful Captain Manson. He is unarmed and you wish to kill an unarmed civilian. Surrender your weapon and apologize." he stated, acting like the pompous bastard he is.

I snorted. "Is that so different to massacring innocents? Shinjuku, Saitama, Narita if I haven't been there. You don't get to tell me what's disgraceful or what isn't! You don't have the right! Now step aside. I'm murdering the princess."

Shirley shouted, "Don't kill Lelouch David! We all made poor choices in our lives, why not let him go?"

Milly added, "Yeah, you are really~ overreacting David. C'mon, let him go, don't you have a line you never cross."

…fine. Maybe I'm overreacting a little bit. I lowered the sidearm and holstered it. I snarled at Lelouch, "You try pulling that shit again, I'll beat your ass."

I left the Student Council meeting. What a mess…I lost control and almost killed the princess. Actually, I wouldn't have mind, smug SOB had it coming but what happens next? I kill Lelouch, Nunnally's all alone and I'm in prison. No one wins. What right did I have in taking away Nunnally's primary caretaker?

What right did he have to do this to me? I had committed no act against him or his family yet he seemed keen to continue his unprovoked and dastardly attacks on me. Perhaps it's time to just beat him senseless, make sure he understands to leave me the fuck out of his schemes.

On another matter entirely, my 'job' asked me to do something I have some reluctance in doing. On one hand, I have no problem with the Black Knights themselves. They seem like a vigilante army that would eventually disband when things are permanently looking-up. On the other hand, Zero has not denounced the terrorist act against the innocents he protects. As far as I know, he was the one who pulled the trigger. In order to find out, I have to call for their arrest and interrogate them. Despite my feelings, I was making my way to Kallen's mansion. I have to inform her mother and gain her blessing.

I pray she does.


Kallen's Mansion

I opened the door, ready to say what needs to be said.

"Welcome back Kallen." said Kallen's mother.

I replied warmly, "Thanks mom. How are you?"

"Manson-san!" she said, surprised.

I nodded, smiling at her. Mom came towards me and enveloped me in a hug, in which I reciprocated. We held like that for what felt like hours before we stepped back. "Would you like to eat something?" she asked, gesturing for the kitchen.

I shook my head. "Unfortunately, I do have some bad news."

"You are going to go after Ohgi and the rest, aren't you." she stated, saddened. Wow, she read my mind. Shit, there goes breaking the news easily…

I confirmed, though jokingly, "I am. I know this isn't ideal but I am getting really tired with Zero's antics."

She asked, "Is Zero that bad? He had done some good."

"More like made me lose my sleep." I muttered, though not silent enough since she heard it and is giggling quietly. I reiterated, "Call it a difference in opinion. I think what Zero's doing is too unstable. Too short-term. Get the easiest results and what not. I aim to get lasting results. A long-term strategy that will get the same, but lasting, results." That and also investigating the train station bombing but mother does not need to know that bit of classified information. I have no leads yet too so telling her would have no point.

She asked, "What if you had Zero? Will you let the others go?"

"Probably. Cut off the head of the snake and whatnot."

Mother nodded, somewhat more relieved before embracing me, whispering quiet thank yous. I reciprocated the hug and we stayed like that for a while until we released our grasp.

"Mom, I'm home-David?" Kallen said, opening the door and finding me.

I waved at my redheaded friend. "Hey Kallen."

She wondered, "W-What are you doing here?"

"Delivering some bad news to your mother I'm afraid." I said, attempting to push past her…but failing. She's showing off her strength again and quite frankly…she's really strong.

"What bad news?" she demanded, holding a pocket purse.

I sighed, "I was just telling her that I'm going to be trying to arrest Ohgi, Tamaki, Minami, and the other Black Knights. Failing that, I'm planning to arrest Zero instead."

Kallen closed the door slowly, her hair blocking out her eyes but I can tell she's still glaring at me. Then revealed a hidden knife in her purse and charged at me! I blitz the hell away from her, up the stairs, and down the hall. All the while Kallen's mom is shouting at us to stop. I just ran into the room and shut the door. Unfortunately, a knife pierced right beside me. Jeez, it's like a horror movie!

I shouted, "Kallen, calm down!"

"No!"

"C'mon girl! What'd I do to you?! I mean, I figured you're part of the Black Knights or its supporter or something but I don't think it warrants this kind of response!"

"Yes it does!"

"How?!"

She opened the door, snarling, "I won't allow you to arrest my friends! This means too much to me!"

I rose my hands and leaned against the wall. I pleaded to her sense of reason, "Alright, you stab me, what happens next? You'll be wanted; you're family'll be wanted; everyone you are in close association with will be under suspicion. You're going to kill yourself if you do this! Please, think this through!"

She retorted, "If I let you go, you will just go and try to hunt us down anyways! You already occupy the ghettos with your troops all over Japan; you know some of the high ranking members of the Black Knights; and you know where I live. I can't let you ruin all that Zero has accomplished and I can't allow you to hold my mother hostage!"

"I'm not holding anyone hostage!" I said, somewhat insulted that she'd think I'm taking away someone's free-will, let alone moth-ahem-Kallen's mother.

Kallen snarled, "Yes you are! Why else would you be here?"

She started to breath heavily, either calming herself down or holding back tears. She said, "You have done a lot for my people David. The government-funded public works program, cleaning up the Colonial Government, helping me and my mother. So I'm begging you. Please. Surrender now or I will end your life."

I slowly pulled my revolver out, fingers pinching the grip, and dropped it. I kicked it towards her and rose both my hands on my head. "Alright Kallen. You win. C'mon then. What do you want with me?"

My redheaded 'friend' let out a sigh of relief, barely hearing her whisper, "Thank you. Thank you so much David…I'm sorry."

I looked down and saw her fist…then darkness…


Unknown location, Somewhere in the Ghetto

Assume September 7, 2017

I hate this. I really hate my life right now.

I was thrown into a makeshift cell and forced to listen to the Black Knights celebrate. They were probably eating something nice right now while I'm starving! It's not fair. Getting captured and interrogated for information is something I expect in this line of work, I'm just surprised it took me this long to get caught…and by someone I liked. Why? What's her stake in this? I mean, she has a mother that's in servitude, a whole lot of her people getting killed, a very unsympathetic populace, AAAAAAAAAAAA…

….AAAAAAAAAnd I'm a dumbass. Of course she would join a resistance group to get some bloody revenge. Retribution for those lost and a chance to win freedom. Who wouldn't take the chance? Christ, I'm a dumbass.

…What am I going to do now?

I could spill everything I know, but I have no guarantee that Gwen would be safe. I could clam up, but they'll start getting physical. One way, I become a traitor and be on the run forever. The other way, I become a martyr in the end. Third option is to escape. Live free or die hard, Yippekiyay motherfucker. Ha, I love that movie!

The door opened and Kallen entered with an aluminum tray. Two trays actually. She gave me a soft smile and said, "I figured you'd be hungry so I got you something."

I blinked, surprised but took a tray and sat it at the table. She sat her's down in front of me. "Itadakimasu!"

I replied, half-heartedly, "Itadakimasu."

"What's wrong." she asked, stopping herself from eating her first bite.

I shook my head. "Sorry, sorry. Didn't mean to spoil the mood. I'm just moody. C'mon, let's eat." I said, digging in…I mean wolfing the food in with Kallen bashing me on my poor manners. Well I'm sorry! I'm hungry! She seemed to give up and dug in herself, slowing her pace. I matched her speed and we were eating calmly.

Then she broke the silence. "Thank you David."

I rose an eyebrow. "Thank me? For what? Surrendering?" I queried, stopping myself from eating another bite…just…one…more…and that's it…that's it…

She hid her giggling. Kallen explained, "I know that if I did that with Gwen, John, or Suzaku, they would have fought back…and I would be forced to kill them. I'm glad you aren't like all the other Britannians."

I sighed. Is that really why? I mean, thank you for surrendering? Ouch. I waved her off, replying, "I'm not that special. I just care for my life is all, like everyone else."

Kallen insisted, "You are different! You…are actually doing things to improve the lives of my people. I do mean what I said to you before you surrendered. No other Britannians would ever think like you do and you really do care."

…Not what I had in mind but I'll accept it either way.

"I appreciate the compliment Kallen." I said, returning to my meal. We stayed like that for a while now, eating in silence but she just kept looking at me. Why? Why are you looking at me that you're expecting what I'm going to say next? I mean, I do have a few questions myself but food comes first.

"What?" I asked her, having had enough of her silence.

Kallen jumped a bit but her frown deepened. "I know exactly what you're thinking so just say it." she snarled, folding her arms under her breasts. Which are very nice assets too…almost as large as Gwen's pair. How the hell did she figure out I was staring at them? I mean, I thought I was being discreet too…did Gwen tell her?

Ah hell, might as well say it. "Okay fine, you got me. Kallen. I really like your tits. You have a very nice pair but Gwen's are better. Sorry." I said, closing my eyes for that coming slap.

Never came though. When I opened my eyes again, her face lit up like a flare. Christ almighty, she must really be sick if THAT'S her response to my compliment. Usually, I would have been attacked by now by a very irate girl. Now that reminds me during the glory days with Gwen. A part of the reason why we got detention that one time. It was all worth it though. Kallen on the other hand was in shock. A open palm came right for me and my head jerked to the side. Ah, there it was!

"Fucking pervert!" she grumbled, a little bit of her shock dripping from her voice. That's the usual response. Makes me wonder why it took her so long to make that conclusion though.

I shrugged. "Yeah, I know. If it makes you feel any better, Gwen agrees with me."

Her jaw dropped. "W-What the fuck?!"

I nodded, insisting, "It's true, though we found Milly's to be the best pair."

She palmed her face, bemoaning, "How did we even get ourselves into this conversation."

I replied, "You're the one who knew that information. I'm surprised you weren't prepared for someone to say it out loud."

She stopped saying anything for a time, clutching her head and leaning on the table. Then Kallen started chuckling, which slowly turned to full blown laugher. I looked at her, silently asking her if she's okay. She explained herself, "Sorry, sorry. I honestly thought you would be telling me to leave the Black Knights for my own good."

…I started laughing. I can't breathe. I can't fucking breath, oh my God! Oh my god! It I wasn't laughing right now, I would be scolding her for ever thinking I could be that dull! Hell, she should know me better than that! Honestly, why would I ever say something as cliche as that?

I shook my head. "Sorry to disappoint you Kallen but I'm not going to tell you that. Hell, I'm a little bit upset that you'd even suggest I would say something like that." I said, seeing her now bashful look on her face.

"S-Sorry David. I…honestly thought you would be the type to dissuade people from joining." she admitted.

I rubbed the back of my head. "Yeah, that's partly my fault too. We never really spend a whole lot of time together anyhow so you wouldn't really know." I said, taking another bite, commenting, "Free will. It's something that people don't realize they have until it's taken away from them. I don't want to be the guy that will impede on your free will to choose. Sure, I can tell you what I think about Zero, show you my side of the story but at the end of the day, it's all on you."

Kallen asked, "What do you think about Zero?"

I answered, "He's a cunt."

"Excuse me?"

"Let me explain." I said, "I honestly think Zero's actions are going to get a whole lot of people killed for a short term idea."

"What do you mean?" she asked, more curious than angry. How unexpected but okay.

I began, "I understand why you rebel. I understand why all these people rebel. I get it, I thought about it too, but Zero's plan is too short term for my liking. Your revolution will become a rebellion and the whole lot of innocent people will suffer for actions outside their control."

"Oh? What do you mean?" she asked, pressing me for answers.

I explained, "Suppose you win the war. Japan gets itself free…but how long until Britannia starts throwing it's weight around? No nation can't handle that kind of pressure. Japan gets reinvaded and that'll set the people back way too far. Suppose you lose the war. Everything we built up, will be destroyed. A waste of time and lives. Suppose it turns into a quagmire, a stalemate. People will begin to lose hope and may willingly surrender to either one of the three powers. Either way, the plan is way short sighted and detrimental to the lives of the people.."

Kallen asked, "So what's your idea?"

I stood up and pressed an ear on the door. I opened it and looked on either side the returned to my room and whispered, "Can you keep a secret? Even if Zero asked you?"

Kallen hesitated a moment but nodded firmly. I held out a hand, pinkie and index finger out. I insisted, "Pinkie swear?"

She deadpanned, "We're not kids."

I retorted, "I'll beat you with a brick."

Kallen sighed and we made the pact…we even did the song. She did the Japanese version. I picked the Russian one. I swear, I never saw anyone's face flush as fast as she did. Ha! Make peace, make peace, make peace, and don't fight anymore, and if you fight, I'll fight, I'll bite, and biting is not enough, I'll beat you with a brick…we cannot beat with a brick, we are friends now!Love saying that.

I whispered and I got the reaction I wanted. Kallen's eyes were wide, surprised. Don't blame her though, Gwen had the same reaction. My redheaded friend asked, "But what if they shoot?"

I deadpanned, "Then they signed their own death-warrants. If innocent blood is shed because of my idea, I destroy Britannia in its entirety. Mutually Assured Destruction."

Kallen let out a long 'oh'. Yeah, now she gets it. I commented, "Either go all in, or go home. That's why I think Zero's plan is too short-term. He isn't going all in. Fuck all the other Areas…now that I said it out loud, Zero's an asshole."

"Zero's one man though. He can't be everywhere at once."

I rose an eyebrow. "Fucking seriously Kallen? Think. He doesn't have to be everywhere at once. He could have funded rebellions from underneath. He could have built a web influence. He could have become the boogeyman of Britannia. The idiot squandered his chance with his god damn theatrics and direct approach. Hell, I bet when he first appeared, it was spark of the moment."

Kallen leaned back, didn't say a thing though. She just kinda thought about what I said. Whoa. This doesn't normally happen. I…feel really proud of myself, I actually got through to somebody. Damn, I wish I could tell Gwen.

My redheaded friend stood up. "Thanks…David. For understanding. You really are a great man."

I snickered. "Don't worry about it." I said offhandedly, "Now then…time to piss off your colleagues."

"For giggles?"

"For shits and giggles, not just giggles. There is a difference."