11/03 Update: Swearing uncensored.


Chapter 18: The Eye of the Storm

[?]

"That would be a very obvious way of dealing with her."

"You do not need to be so nervous, all that matters is getting rid of her. The aftermath will leave us with no opposition to start our plans." These people truly are insecure about everything, there's simply no way this plan can fail.

"Even so, if they somehow manage to overcome this... Kouzuki is a very sharp woman, she will know who this came from."

"Oh please, not even her could pinpoint with such accuracy the real culprits. We will have many opportunities to spark a conflict, the UN is already seen quite badly by the population so we just need to give them one little push."

"Hmm... It's not that I don't know that, but then their hatred will surely-"

"I have already pledged my support to your cause, have I not? Now I'm only asking you all to give me your support in my cause."

"No need to use those words. We know of the importance of the Empire for the years to come, just as promised we will be sending you three of them in a few days. However, what you're asking of us will need time to be prepared without alerting anyone. We will need a few days, at least."

"That's understandable, I will be waiting for the news. I suppose we should end the call here, we don't want to risk being detected."

"Yes, of course. Do let me remind you of our deal, if you do not fulfill your part-"

"I will. You do not have to worry about that, there would be no point in me betraying you."

"Alright. I'll call you when I get the deed arranged. That's all." He cut the connection and I'm again alone in this darkness.

Haha, to think they would fall for this. Now that I have the deal for the medicine secured I have no reason to fear anyone interfering with my plans. Even if they pass their test, it's not going to become an obstacle for me.

Now then, there's some things I have to check. I have three open fronts as of now. One I just dealt with, then there's the matter of the Parliament which should be already arranged. I should give him a call, just in case. Then, for last...

How many regiments do I have under my control? I might need to ask them for help, but I'm sure that my call just now was enough to not have to worry about hiring their services.

Even if everything looks to be perfectly perfect I can't help to feel anxious, any little oversight could prove fatal. I need to get rid of Kouzuki, improve the Empire's firepower, ascertain who my allies truly are, and dispose of anyone who is on the way. I'm sure the opportunity will arise for me to make my move.


November 18th. 1:23 PM. Second Day of the CCSE.
(Cliffside. Island.)
[Takeru]

BOOOOOOOOM!

"Look at that explosion! That went better than I expected!" It's the first time I improvise the fuse so this explosion feels more 'personal' than all the other times I might have seen that hangar get blown up.

"With such a diversion any hostiles in the area would be surely distraught with fear. Another fine work of our special member." Ugh, Meiya just won't stop calling me special. Seriously, she has more poison in her than a snake.

The way to the hill has been quite slow, we found another machinegun with a whole magazine of rubber bullets that we had to dodge. We also found some sonic mines near the base of the hill we had to avoid, and on the way to the top there's been quite some trip wires set up almost everywhere.

We slowly keep raising as the sun showers us with his heat. Honestly, it's nice to have the light but between the humidity and the heat I'm getting worn down faster than I thought I would. To make matters worse, I've had to disable a lot of the traps under the sunlight, I can't even rest for a little while under a shadow without spotting another wire in the way.

"Shirogane, that over there isn't a cable?" Meiya points to a rock nearby, a slim cable could be seen to it's side. Another trip wire?

I get close slowly to check, and on the way I notice something weird on the stone wall. There were three 'stones' that looked somehow out of place. Slightly tapping the cable I see that the 'rocks' move a bit. What is even this? I slowly cut the wire, and the three things get ripped off the wall as a stream of muck comes forth from where they were.

Sigh... Now the wall is covered in mud. I feel like it's better this way, let's just look for another way up.

"Let's go from that side instead." I point to another path to my left. If I remember correctly, that's the way me and Mikoto always used, just that this time we couldn't go with that thanks to the sonic mines that were on the base of the mountain.

Meiya sighs with a tired face as she wipes the sweat of her face. She must be exhausted, even with her superior stamina with how much time we have to spend under the sun's relentless warmth it's no surprise she's so exhausted.

We climb the wall and reach the place were I got bit by a snake. I double check my belt, it's tight and in place. Not falling this time thankfully. Now then, the trap should be... Huh? It's not under the usual leaves. Where is it?

Meiya climbs behind me and starts moving forward, and as she does I see the snake that once bit me. I'm taking you for dinner huhuhu! Slowly approaching the vines I quickly grab it behind it's neck and snap it.

"Shirogane, what are you doing?" Meiya was looking at me with confusion.

"Found a snake, got it for dinner." Disgust flooded her face. Maybe she also had to eat one of these in her previous CCSE?

"Do you even know how awful they smell?"

"I brought the curry powder with me, so it's alright."

"Right, you did say so. Then let's move- A-Aaaaahhh!" Meiya stepped forward only to end up hanging from the cliff's ceiling upside down. So that's where the trap was moved, I didn't even see the wire.

"Can you reach your feet?" She was trying to bend upwards to cut the wire with her knife but it wasn't going so well. She was grabbing her legs with one hand to not lose balance but still couldn't cut the wire.

"Uuuhh... Damn thing, get cut already!"

"Want some help?" She didn't look at me, but I know she's bothered by it.

"If I can't release myself from this, what kind of soldier would I be?"

"The same as everybody else? We're wasting time, you know?" Her grip slips and she falls back. Again she grabs her leg and slowly tries to get her hand in position to cut the wire.

"We... still have until... tomorrow to reach the hill." She was struggling quite hard and the wire started to swing slightly. Stubborn to the core in any and all parallel worlds, aren't you?

And so I waited for a minute. She finally cuts the wire and falls with a loud thud. That must have hurt a lot, she rubs her back while furrowing her brow.

"Wanna rest for a while?" Anger again in her eyes, really can we not fight for a day?!

"I am okay. There's no reason for us to stop for a small- augh!" As she gets up she makes a pained face. Always doing extreme things, why do you always push yourself so much?

"You sure about that? You said it yourself, we have more than enough time. What's the problem with resting for a while?"

"I'm not so weak to need rest after such a petty struggle. I'd like you to stop looking down on me."

"Mitsurugi look, I'm not looking down on you or treating you like a bother. If your back hurts we should rest for a little while, the traps will surely get more tricky as we continue to advance, we're around halfway to the top of this." She closes her eyes for awhile and then starts to walk quite fast. Ugh, why is she so stubborn?

We kept hiking to the top without crossing words. Why do I even try to be nice anymore? I can't help it when she reminds me of the Meiya I met in the other world and in my own, but then she has to throw her inner venom at me. I really am an idiot.

Eventually we made it past the mountain. Now, this part should be easy since we're going downhill but I'm sure this place is going to be littered with traps this time. We're not so far from the hill, so we can take a slower approach to reach it. We are still moving almost as fast as I did with Mikoto in the other loops despite all the traps. Oh, toad! Got you little fella, forgive the rude treatment but a boy needs to eat his daily portion of meat.

"Shirogane! What are you doing?!"

"Oh, shut up! Why do you only speak to me to scream?! Found a toad, that's all." I show her the toad and she grimaces.

"You... Y-You really plan to eat them?"

"Yeah, of course. Why would I be picking them up?"

"Uuh... Yes, of course."

"Why the long face Mitsurugi? Have you eaten some of these?" She jumps at my question as a thick drop of sweat tickles down her forehead.

"N-No, I haven't. We... had enough supplies last time. Yoroi found some... mushrooms for us." I would belive you, if it weren't for that disgusted face you're making. "Anyways, we are losing time. Leave the hunting for when we reach the hill, will you?"

"No need to get so angry. Let' go."

The way down was full of pitfalls and sinkholes. Luckily there were no more wires or guns. The rest of the way towards the hilltop was similar to the path to the target. It took us all the afternoon but we reached the top, we seem to be the first ones to arrive.

"We made it. Should we set up camp here?" Meiya says after taking a look at a small clearing between some trees. I think this is fine, the sun is already going down, we don't want to be wandering around in the dark with how many traps are here this time.

"Yeah, let's settle down here. Can you light the fire again?"

"Sure, are you going to take care of the traps?"

"And look for more toads!" She made yet another disgusted face as I left.

There's a lot of trip wires that lead into a pitfall here. That over there... Another machinegun? What were they... Wait, can I disable it? Let's get closer... If I can cut this wire here... Please don't shoot, please don't shoot, please don't shoot...

Is that it? Can I move it? I pick it up from where it was and move it around. It has a magazine in it and it's not that heavy compared to the guns we are always holding during practice. Hmm... I should leave it hidden here, if I go back with a gun Meiya might start another fight. 'Oh, why do you have a gun Shiroganeeee?! You truly American!' I can totally imagine her saying that. Oh, look at that! Another toad.

I return to our spot and Meiya was rubbing her back. So she did hurt herself.

"You okay?"

"Eh?! Oh, don't startle me like that. I'm fine, I told you to-"

"Want some toad?" I cut her before she goes back into defense mode. She makes another disgusted face.

"I'll pass. I still have my rations."

I get the little pot we have in our kits and with my knife I cut the toads and the snake. I pour a bit of water and put half my curry powder on it. Now I just have to wait a while until it gets done. I set up some sticks above the small fire and put the pot above them. Shortly after the smell of the curry powder reached my nose. This is going to be delicious, for being toads and snakes.

I caught Meiya looking at the fire and she immediately looked away, bet your tummy wants some of this. Some minutes passed and the food was done. I grab the plastic fork I have and start eating from the pot. It's better than the supplies we are given at least. Meiya was taking some glances at me as I ate.

"There's enough for two, do you want some?" It seems my offer caught her by surprise as she looked at me with wide eyes, but then she looked away again.

"No, thanks. I have my own food, and tomorrow we will meet up with Yoroi so there's no need for you to share."

Why do I try anymore? I finish my meal and lay on the dirt again looking at the stars. We're on schedule, it wouldn't surprise me if the rest showed up tonight as well. The stars are really beautiful, just looking at them is enough to calm me down. I always used to look at the sky before going to bed, when we talked by the window.

If someone told me that I was going to end up in this causal mess I wouldn't have believed any of it. I mean, why did I even came to this world? I have no connection to it. Unless... No, this isn't the same world as before. It's way too different. Then why? Why am I here? Is it because there's no Sumika in that world? So I can't will myself there anymore? But I time traveled back to October 22nd here, if I could do that then why didn't I end up in the other world at a point in time when there was still a Sumika there?

This is too complicated for me. Maybe it's because I choose to transfer myself willingly after my link got severed? Last time I went back I was still a conductor, and maybe a weak nucleus. This time I went not as a conductor, but as a stronger nucleus. I willed myself, I didn't get 'transferred' here by another force like in all the other loops. Just how I overwrote the Takeru of my world when I ran away, I overwrote this world's conductor when I arrived. Even my room was the one from 2003. Does this have to do with how the nucleus works then? Sensei said that it was drawn to the leaks when there was a strong enough connection. But what if there's more than one connection? I mean, from all the possible parallel worlds that I could have ended on, why this one?

Hmm... So the nucleus when it connects itself through a leak, instead of being the magnet it turns into the metal, being drawn by the strongest 'pull' or so I think. Then, I triggered a leak in this world by forcing myself into it with the microwave's help. But instead of appearing at the same point in time that I was in my world, I ended back on the 22nd. Because the 'awakening' of the conductor had more pull on the nucleus? That still doesn't answer why I came here in the first place. I'm going in circles right now, calm down Takeru.

The Why, the How, and the When. Why did I came here? How was I pulled to the past? And when was the connection to this world formed? First, I had no connection to this world so unless there's some quantum shenanigans in play there was no 'when'. My world and the other world were the ones that were linked, this one was not even on the equation. So, we go to the first question. Why? What lies in this world that made me come here? I've been rejected by everyone. Sensei tried to kill me, the whole base is against me for being a 'foreigner', the Shogunate wants my head on a silver plate. Only Kasumi has been always nice to me, probably because she can read my mind and see my emotions. So why the hell did I end up here?! Does it have anything to do with this world's me?

And that leads into the second question. How did I time travel? That only happens when the conductor dies and the loop is still in effect. I was not a conductor when I transferred, and I want to belive I didn't die during the transfer because I would... well, be dead right about now. So how did it happen? Was it because of the revisions Sensei did with her new theories? The higher power we used from the reactor? The fact that Sumika broke the loop after Ouka, blocking me from returning to that world? My emotions to save my squad? I was trying to sever the two worlds' connection, but what if I just got another world into this mess?!

Ugh, I'm going nowhere. I'll need to talk it out with Sensei when I get the chance. Sigh...

Why the hell am I even here? Surrounded by familiar but hostile faces, being pulled into this messed up Japan, blamed for being someone I'm not. I'm suddenly really happy that the me in the past loops was a nobody, imagine if I was part of the Guard like here. Tsukuyomi-san would have detained me on the spot.

That reminds me... Am I even sending data to the squad? I mean, I should be linked to the other two worlds right? Now that I'm a conductor again they should be receiving that data, and being a stronger nucleus would probably help too. Why are they so hostile then?

I look again at the stars. Just two or three days more. Once we get to pilot TSFs I'll do my best to put them to the real test. I failed to protect the three Valkyries on Niigata, so I won't fail on training you, unless all of you push me away.

Meiya still didn't put out the fire, she was still waiting for the rest to arrive. Was she staring at me? She quickly averted her gaze, but she was looking.

"Think the others will arrive tonight?" I say as I get close to the fire.

"I don't know."

"Sigh... Say Mitsurugi, how do you think things will go in the way to the evac point?" She seems to be surprised at me. Is it so rare for me to want to talk peacefully with you for a while?

"Huh? How... Why are you asking me that?" Why did she got so defensive?

"We saw quite a lot of traps today, surely there will be even more on the way to it. There's also the little paper."

"Right. Well, there will surely be more sonic mines on the way, maybe two or three tough obstacles. As for the paper, I have no idea what W could mean."

"Me neither. So you think the sonic mines are going to be the greatest obstacle?"

"Well, not exactly. There's someo... something that can go wrong too." She averts her gaze again.

"Mitsurugi, you're being weird. What are you so worried about?"

"I simply do not wish to fail. That's all there is to it. We should remain silent, if there were pursuers our voice could give away our position."

"I get it. You don't want to talk to the traitor. Don't worry, I'll stay on this side of the fire. Good night." She seemed worried for a second, but I turned my back to her and curled on the floor after putting my blanket over me.

Why do I even try? It's clear to anyone who looks, they don't want me here. Let's just hope I don't have another nightmare today. I close my eyes and slowly let sleep dull my senses.

...

The rays of the sun greet me as I open my eyes. Looking around I see that Meiya's still asleep and nobody else got here. I had a dream about the time me and Sumika went to the amusement park together. That was nuts, that roller coaster was really scary. And how could I forget when Meiya interrupted the play of those colored rangers? Sumika and a boy got called to the stage and she thought it was real! Hahaha, she was so dumb to not realize that was just a performance. She even went and slashed the screen in half with her sword, poor support guys had to pull all the stops to fix the thing for the next scene. Wait... How do I know that?

Stretching my arms as I raise, I notice that it's rather early. What did I even do last time to kill time? I think me and Mikoto just talked about the time she was in the hospital and I joined the squad. Now, however... I don't see myself talking with Meiya for more than half a minute. I'm going to die of boredom, or bust my brain thinking on why I got here like last night.

"Uuugh." Meiya stirred around on her leaf bed. She looks so cute right now, shame she's going to start frowning as soon as she sees me.

"Good morning, Mitsurugi." She seems startled as she looks at me with sleepy eyes. Her hair is a mess, now that she undid her ponytail it's all whirly down to her knees. I never asked her why she has it so long though.

"G-Good morning, Tak- Shirogane. You got up early this morning." Did she just... No, I must have imagined it.

"Thanks to my meal I slept really good. I'll go gather some leaves and mushrooms for breakfast, you stay watching over in case anyone arrives." She gives a faint nod as she yawns.

Now Takeru, time to put all the knowledge that Mikoto taught you to good use. This yellow mushrooms are poisonous, I gotta find the brown ones. And the bitter leaves too. After a little while I got back with some mushrooms and a few leaves. Meiya already did her ponytail and was eating her rations.

"So you even know about survival in the wild? Is there anything you don't know?"

"Yeah, a way to not make you angry at me." She frowns at me.

"That is your fault. You're the one who's always treating us lightly and keeping secrets from us."

"Look, I told you that was not my intention. Ever since that Sunday I refused to help you you've been acting weird." Oh, why do I do things again? She's angry and this time it's my fault.

"I should have never asked you! Of course I'll get angry, I asked for your help and you dismissed me without a second thought! Then, you completely surpassed the new trainings, refused to help us to go work on those simulators with Yashiro, and even then you still were not serious!"

"Okay, I get it. Sorry for bringing that up. Can we-" She doesn't seem to want to stop though.

"Why? Why are you here?! You're so much better, even Tsukuyomi took your side when we we're arguing about your sword. Who are you, Shirogane?"

"You just answered yourself. I'm Shirogane, a fellow Cadet. And I'm here doing the CCSE with the rest of you."

"Oho, do you think you're funny?!"

"No, that's not it." Please stop screaming like that. I'm just trying to not fight with you.

"Then what?! Why did you get transferred here? You even know how to disable traps quite nicely, you know a lot about survival methods too."

"I told you I just studied a lot, I wasn't always so good." Her hateful gaze returns to her face. Please stop. I don't want to see you like this.

"Really? Then, why are you here? Why did you get transferred? If you're so good, why haven't you passed a CCSE yet?"

"I just couldn't! My squad... I ended up alone, okay? And about the 1st Lt. of the Guard, I don't know either. Why did that Royal Guard took my side? I mean, you wanted to throw me in prison for our sword and she didn't even listen to you, she even scolded you and forced you to apologize." She seems even more annoyed now, I shouldn't have reminded her of that.

"Exactly. Who are you? Why do you have a sword? I refuse to belive you have permission to hold such an important katana."

"Again with this? I told you all I could, can we not fight in the middle of the test?"

"Dodging the question again?" She throws another accusing glare at me as she folds her arms.

"No, I just..."

"Then who gave you the sword?! Who are you supposed to be? Why are you here?!" I'm so done with her. I glare at her and she flinches back.

"Mitsurugi, why didn't you ask the Royal Guard about me if you were so curious?"

"I did. She refused to answer and scolded me." She places her arms on her waist as she bites her lower lip.

"I can only say that the person who gave me the sword was important to me. I don't think it had anything to do with the Empire."

"Lies! The sword was just like an original. It wasn't a replica, it was a perfect copy of my sword! Those kind of swords are only given to very important people within the Empire!"

"I don't know about that. I didn't knew there were others like it." I'm being honest right now, but her anger is not calming down at all.

"Shouldn't you know as a Japanese citizen how important katanas are? Or did you lose your memory?"

"I mean... I don't really know much about my life here in Japan to begin with." Not even lying this time.

"Do you think that I would belive such a lie?" I sigh audibly and tell her what I told Sakon, since it's what is in my report anyways. "You're telling me you do not have any memory about your life here?"

"Not exactly. I do remember our culture and traditions, how to write, parts of our history. But I don't really remember anything about my life here, not my family, friends, where I lived or studied. I woke up one day and was forced to enlist in the UN. Since I didn't have anywhere else to go I just settled for being a Cadet there to have a place to live in. This was two years ago."

"So... You have few recollections of our customs, traditions or festivities?"

"...I did read up on them, but I don't remember it in detail really. I mean, I don't even know if my parents are still alive." Meiya's eyes wandered to the sky, lost in thought.

"...So it's as if you weren't even Japanese."

"Huh?"

"No wonder you took after the Americans. After you forgot everything about your homeland, you replaced it with the knowledge the Americans gave you." I think I just made this worse. Goddammit Takeru!

"No... I mean, it's not like I forgot everything. I still eat with chopsticks, I didn't forget how to write in kanji or about our foods. It's just that I forgot about my life, and while I did kinda forget about our political matters and social rules that's because I... Well, manners and traditions are not my thing."

"Is that so?" If looks could dissect someone, I'll be wide open right now.

"Yeah, that's the truth. Can you please stop being so aggressive towards me? At least until the CCSE is over? I told you all I could, I'm not authorized to speak of my time in America." I try to sound as amicable as possible, and she just sighs as she drops her defensive look.

"...Fine. I will not pry anymore." Thank God she calmed down. "Well, I'll go look around."

"Huh? What if everybody returns?"

"I do not think that staying together will do much good for us. I'll go take care of some traps myself, since you did most of the work until now. I also want to look for some mushrooms. You have to stay here in case someone returns. Do not worry, I'll be back before you know it."

"But we need to move in elements, what happens if you get hurt or fall in a trap?" I'm seriously worried about her but I'm met with a bothered glare.

"Then you could take care of it, like you usually do with everything else." What does she think I am?

"I'm no doctor, Mitsurugi."

"I brought some bandages and alcohol with me. I'll be fine. Plus, if we stayed together we would only keep arguing with each other. Let's put some distance between us for now, I do not wish to make us more uncomfortable." She seems to be honest about it, as she gets up to leave she gives me a nod with a faint smile.

"Alright, but take care. Don't wander too far, just in case."

"Mmgh, I'm not a kid! I'm a soldier Shirogane. Are you implying I'm not reliable?!" And she snapped.

"No, I'm just worried about my squadmate. If you think you'll be fine, I'll trust in you." She seems to calm down a bit and without another word she goes into the jungle.

Really, what is your problem Meiya? Maybe bringing the Minari Kamui wasn't a good idea.

...

Ugh, how much time did pass already? It's quite some time past noon already! Where did she go?! And where is everyone else?!

Damn mosquitoes! DIE! Leave me alone already! This buzzing is so annoying! I'm so bored. I've been thinking in circles about how I came here, but I'm stuck. I don't even know for sure how the nucleus works, maybe it can distort time when it becomes too strong?

Where the hell are you Meiya? If I went to look for her she would get even more pissed. After today's fight I'm sure I should keep my mouth shut. Oh, I know! Let's go look for that machinegun I left in the grass yesterday.

Getting up I try to remember where I left it. It was between two trees that had yellow mushrooms on them. Now let's go, it was towards my left... Oh, there they are. Yep, this is the one. I bet Meiya will be shocked when she sees this. Or she'll snap at me yet again.

Returning to the spot where we set camp I see that some clouds are forming in the sky, it must be near two on the afternoon. This is weird, they should have arrived already with how much more stamina they have now. Maybe they got hurt? Or fell in a trap? Right, where is my radio? If anyone asks for help we'll be notified with it.

Huh? Not on the belt. Not on the inside of the kit. The map is gone too. Did... Did I lose them? Oh, F this. Nothing could get worse from this point on. And where the hell is Meiya?

...

Sigh... Where is everyone? Should I go look for them? I've been waiting for who knows how long. I ended up falling asleep for awhile. Looking at the sky I think it should be somewhere around four in the afternoon.

I stretch as I get up and look around. No sign of Meiya or anyone. I lean against a tree while checking my kit again. I lost the map and the radio, Meiya's gonna snap again. At least I got this rifle just in case we need it.

Well, if she doesn't come back in half an hour I'm gonna go look for her. Hopefully nothing bad happened and she's just busy dealing with some traps or keeping her distance a few meters away from here.

rustle

What was that? I heard some leaves moving. Did anyone arrive? I was kind of hiding behind the tree, so I took a peek behind it... but I didn't see what I expected to see.

Two soldiers in a gray uniform. One male, one female. Both carrying some sort of rifle. They were still some meters away from me. Okay, what the shit?! Who are this people?! Anti-UN troops, perhaps? Or... were they sent by the Shogunate? I feel again a pair of cold hands on my shoulders.

I grab the gun I got and ready my knife on my belt. I slowly move almost crouching to a blind spot behind the tree to avoid being detected. What do I do? If I run and everyone is still on their way here they'll get ambushed. But if they have real ammo... Sensei did authorize me to use any means necessary to defend myself in case of emergency. I don't know who you are but you're going down if you attack me. No, don't be naive and attack them before they attack you.

I take my position behind the tree where they can't see me. If I try to snipe them they might open fire, I need to stop them from doing that in case they have... No, let's assume they do have real ammo. So when they get close, I'll slash their faces with my knife and use my agility to knock their guns away.

It's only been a few seconds but it feels as if I was waiting here for an eternity. The footsteps get closer, I tighten my grip on my knife. And as one of them appeared in my view...

I pounce at the figure and slash at the face of the male soldier.

"Whoa! The-" He falls backwards to avoid my slash. I kick the gun from his hands quickly.

"Stay still or I'll-" I quickly assault the female soldier with a kick, sending her gun away.

Before I could continue to attack the female, the male soldier got up and grabbed me from behind. I elbow his stomach just in time to dodge a baton towards my face from the other.

I slash at her face as I move away from her. Of course, I didn't even hit her. She tries to hit me again but I dodge her strike and try to aim at her hand. She moves away and trips with a root.

"Desist from resisting! You have been found already!" The male one shouts as he got his gun again and pointed it at me. I was hiding behind a tree so I don't need to worry for now.

"Who would surrender to the enemy?!"

"Look kid, we have authorization to rough you up quite badly, so if you don't wanna get hurt come out of that tree!" So they are the enemy! I don't care who gave you that authorization, I'm not failing this test!

"You are the ones that are going to get hurt here!" I think that in their rush they didn't notice the gun I had, going by the faces they made when they saw me pointing it at them from behind the tree.

The female soldier that was getting close ducked as I opened fire on her. The male one took cover and also started shooting from behind a tree.

"Where did you got that weapon?! I heard nothing of this!" The female one hissed from the ground.

"Shut up, you bitch! I locked onto her again and she dashed to some bushes to avoid the bullets.

I don't have so many bullets, they might have spare magazines to use but I do not. Let's get the hell out of here. I fire one last round of bullets at them and start running. I take my compass out and check where the west is and change my direction, I have to take them with me in case the squad is getting closer! If I can also get closer to the river I can catch up with the rest after I deal with these two!

"Stop! We'll open fire if you do not!" A short while after that I heard the sound of wood being splintered by bullets.

I keep dashing through the traps, jumping from the trip wires, sidestepping away from the pitfalls. These guys are real soldiers, I can't lose them despite my current physical state. Damn this! Why is this happening?! Who are they?! Did the Shogunate sent them to get rid of me? Are they some sort of rebels that want to mess with the UN? Dammit, we don't have time for this shit. Everything was going alright, we may have all gotten together today.

I couldn't see a wire and I fall face first into the mud. Damn it! I get up and keep running, their footsteps are getting closer. The sky is getting darker, it's gonna start raining anytime. Wait one second... The rain?! Why is the sky like this? It always rained on the fourth and fifth day! Great, I needed more things to go against me! I was expecting to avoid the argument of the rope or the rifle if everyone got here today, but it seems this world has a hate boner for me.

I keep running and running, but I can't lose them. From time to time they take a shot at me or start screaming at me. A bullet hits the tree in front of me and I duck to my left. I trip again and hit my head against a tree. I get up hastily and resume my escape, as more shouts and bullets roar behind me.

Why is this happening to me? What did I do to deserve this?! I just... wanted to live in peace, to be able to save some of them. To keep fighting until the Earth was safe from the BETA, to protect my world from this madness. And yet this world is constantly trying to get me killed. Do I really want to fight to protect this bastards?! What have they done to deserve my help?!

Bullets hit both trees in front of me. I stop and hide behind a nearby one as the footsteps got closer along the shots. I take aim and shoot at them, they hide again behind the trees and I sprint away.

I jump over a trip wire and as I keep rushing through the vegetation I seem to have triggered some more machineguns. I pick up my pace to dodge the bullets, and throw myself to the ground when I see I won't be able to dodge them all.

"Captain! I found him!" The female had sighted me and locked her rifle onto me. She... was aiming at my face. I roll to a side as she opened fire, and grab my gun in a rush and return the aggression. I quickly stand up and resume my escape.

She just tried to harm me. They're not part of the UN, they could have killed me at that distance even with rubber bullets. More bullets hit the nearby trees as I keep rushing and jumping to avoid the wires that are spread all over the flora of the jungle. They're not stopping, they're still chasing me with all they have. They're out for my blood, otherwise why would they be chasing me so persistently?

I redirect myself towards the northwest, and have to stop to not fall in a pitfall. One of them spots me and opens fire, I duck and throw myself to a side unto some bushes.

"We have authorization to use lethal force! Get out in sight or we'll shoot at you until you're unconscious!" The male voice tried to sound composed, but I could feel the anger in him.

I answer with more rubber and he has to hide behind a tree. F you, damn soldiers! Who do you-

rustle

I move away from where I was as the baton hits my shoulder instead of my head.

"ARGH!" Damn her! She hit me with all her might. The pain however spreads the cold sensation over all of my body, as the hands are now gently stroking my cheeks.

"Don't think you'll get away with some scratches, you went too far boy!" She says as she prepares another strike.

"Come and get some!" I take out my knife and lunge at her. My speed takes her by surprise as she has trouble dodging my attacks.

I throw a kick at her and she stumbles backwards, I use the opening to give her a strong punch to the stomach.

"Stay still!" The male one was pointing his rifle at me. "Takeru Shirogane, sixth member of the Cadet Squad 207, desist on this futile actions. Surrender now or-"

"Or what?" I had grabbed the female to continue to punch her, but now I bend one of her arms behind her back as I put her in front of me. "C'mon! What's the problem? Shoot already, you bastard!" They think they can deceive me? Are they from the Shogunate? They said my name, they're here for me. Yuuhi, you and the whole Shogunate can rot in hell. I won't forget this!

"Grrr... You call yourself a soldier?! Hiding behind another? Fight me head on, or what? You scared kid?" He tries to taunt me while he laughs and flips me off.

"Shut up! You want me to hurt her some more?!" I bend her arm with more strength.

"A-Aaah! S-Stop that! It hurts!" Poor you, you almost sound sad. You two were seriously trying to kill me, why should I hold back?!

"Cadet Shirogane, stop right now! You're hurting a comrade!"

"You think I'm stupid?! You're not my allies! You were trying to kill me, why should I care?!" I use my free hand to point my knife to the throat of the woman, who starts shivering upon feeling the metal on her neck.

"Stop! We were sent by the UN as your pursuers! This is also part of the CCSE!" The man seemed to have lost his cool act.

"Who would belive such a lie?!" And anyways, almost everybody in the UN hates me. I wouldn't be surprised if you decided to 'take your liberties' when restraining me. 'Oh sir, he just tripped and fell on top of the bullets! That's why his eyes are gone! Totally not on purpose!' I can see that happening in this messed up world. That's assuming you're not a double agent of the Shogunate, of course.

"I... Alright, we will not chase you anymore." He lowers his gun to the ground, he's clearly lying though. What is he- Ouch!

The woman stepped hard on my feet as she used her free hand to elbow me in the stomach. Bitch, you're gonna pay for that! I quickly reacted and grabbed her from behind before she got away and, while firmly planting my feet on the ground, got her close to me to use her as a shield from the incoming bullets the male shot at me after quickly picking up his rifle. I feel no pain, she covered me perfectly.

"Zanama! Forgive me!" The man seemed heart-broken about this outcome.

"A-Aaaauugh..." She wailed as tears seem to start coming from her eyes. I strengthen my grip on her to restrict her movements.

"You bastard! Shirogane! Release her at once!"

"Why would I?! Go eat a dick, you cunt!" He popped a vein right now, this girl must be important for him.

"Damn you... I'll report this to your Instructor!"

"Say whatever you want, if you raise your gun at me you're my enemy. Even if you are from the UN." I press my knife against the throat of the woman again, this time placing my feet away from hers and strongly bending her arm.

"Aaauu... Pleeaase, I surrender. Don't hurt meeee." She was crying. How cute, she thinks I'll fall for this?

"If you don't wanna die, shut up. You're distracting!"

"B-But... It hurts. Please, I yield. I won't do- Augh!" I hit her on the head with my free hand. She's pissing me off.

"HEY! That was uncalled for! She's defenseless! She already surrendered, let her-" He stops talking as I press my knife against her cheeks. It seems she isn't bleeding out, so they must be using rubber bullets or she has a bulletproof vest.

"I'm going to ask you to do something for me. Use that gun you have to shoot yourself on the foot. Do that, and I'll release her. And take off your boots while you're at it."

"W-What?! Like hell I'll shoot myself, I'll never walk again! Even if they're rubber bullets these things still harm people!"

"Then... I guess you leave me no choice." I put the tip of my knife against her throat. If I want to get away I need both of them to stop chasing me. Even if the woman truly surrendered, the man still wants to come after me. So I have to make him go away or to not chase me.

"I don't think you'll harm her more, you have been trained by our same teachings. Drop the tough act and surrender already!" He was trying to sound tough as he got closer gun at the ready. Heh, are you sure you should get so close, buddy?

In a quick movement I throw the woman unto him. This catches him by surprise and he stumbles as he drops his gun to grab her. Sadly for them, he should have aimed his gun at me, like I'm doing now at them. The horror in his eyes is truly beautiful for some reason. He moves the woman behind him as I open fire, it's a shame I was almost out of bullets.

He drops to his knees while holding back a scream of pain. Dropping the now useless machinegun I move swiftly and kick him in the head, sending him into the mud. I keep kicking him all around his body. If he covers his stomach I aim at his head. If he covers his head, I aim at his shoulders. And so, I continue to kick him with all my strength.

"How does that feel, mister chaser?!" Every kick is fueled by all the hatred you people planted on me! How does it feel to be all alone while you get harmed left and right, huh?!

"Augh... Sto- Ough! We're not.. Argh! ...your ene- Aaagh!" Damn idiot, you think anyone would belive such a lie? You don't even have the badge of the UN on your unifo- AAARGHH!

The woman! She slashed at my left shoulder with a knife! AAAGH! It hurts! You fucking bitch! With all the pent up rage I've been holding I punch her in the face with my right hand. Despite the fact that I sent her flying against a tree, she gets up knife ready to attack.

"You're gonna die today!" I howl with all my hatred towards this world flowing out of me.

"You monster! You're not even human!" She hisses as she charges at me.

I sidestep and aim at her hand. It may be a knife, but I can still fight using the Mugen Kidou. I do more quick attacks and she can barely dodge me, she doesn't seem to be very good at CQC. I take a step back as a feint and using the opening I kick her hand, sending her knife flying.

"Aaahh... No... No, m-mercy! I... wasn't..." Her wailing gets smaller and smaller as I get closer pointing my knife at her. I'm so tired of this world. Why are this guys here? Who sent them? Doesn't matter because they're in the way, they have to die! As I was about to slash at her I'm tackled by the man. Stubborn bastard!

I plant my feet firmly and resist his struggles. He grabs the hand in which I have the knife to stop me from cutting him. Sadly for you I can also use my legs! I give him a knee to the stomach and his grip on me falters. I punch him with my left hand, making me grimace as the wound in my shoulder spreads pain through me. The cold hands start rubbing my chest as my anger starts to surge from beyond my consciousness.

He tries to get up, but I kick him again in the shoulder. Who the hell do you think I am?! I'm the man that came here to save your fucking lives! Is this how you're gonna repay me?! Screw all of you!

"S-Stop! Leave the Captain alone!" The woman grabs me from behind. I try to elbow her, but she doesn't let go. Then... I felt something cold on my head. The rain has started. That reminded me... that the rest didn't arrive... that Meiya didn't return...

I elbow her more strongly and she lets go. I turn around, grab her by the collar and shove her into a nearby tree.

"What happened to my squad?! What did you do to them?!"

"I...I don't know!"

"LIES! What did you do to them?! Answer me! You, the 'Captain', what did you do to my squad?!" The man was holding his stomach as he was hunched over the ground.

"We... didn't go after the rest. The other chasers are... going after them."

"How many?! How many are you?!"

"...Why would I tell you, American?!" I release the woman and kick him strongly again.

"Answer me! What are you going to do to them?!" I grab his neck quite strongly.

"Cap.. ture them. As we were ord... ered to do by the UN."

"LIES! Why would they send soldiers after us?! Why would they want to kill them?!"

"We... don't want... to harm you." He grabs the hand I was choking him with and tries to struggle.

"STOP MESSING WITH ME!" I start punching the man repeatedly with my left hand, which sends more pain into me which in turn makes me more angry.

"L-Leave the Captain alone!" The woman charged at me with her baton. I let go of the man and used both arms to block her. Damn, this hurts!

"You... I'm so done with you!" I put force into my feet and raise from the ground. She attacks me again and gets blocked again, sending more pain through my left shoulder to my body. However, I no longer feel any heat from my wound. It's like when I got out of my TSF when I found the Shogun, I feel frozen. Yet I'm completely enraged, I didn't knew I could feel this bloodlust.

As she went for another swing I grabbed the baton and then her right arm. Fear spread through her face as I got close to her. I'm not letting you get in my way anymore! I put pressure on my grip, twisting her arm outwards. Yes, show me your pain babe. Scream, suffer, wail, cry, and bleed for me. You did this to yourself, you awoke the wolf. And now you're gonna feed it.

"A-Aaaauuhg! S-Stooop! I yield! Forgive me, I surreeeeEEEEAAAAAHH-!" And with a loud enough sound to be heard through the rain, I broke her arm. She falls to the ground screaming in pain holding her broken limb. I didn't knew breaking a person could be... so satisfying.

"S-S-Shiroganeeee!" The men tried to charge at me but I just moved sideways and punched him in the face. I then give him a strong kick in the waist and sent him to drink some mud.

I wasted too much time already. I want answers, and I want them now. And you're going to comply of course, unless you want more pain in your system.

"Where is my squad? Tell me, or you both die right now!" I start choking him again with both hands as I raise his body from the ground.

"They... We thought... you were together... they went... towards the river..." The man says in a barely audible voice.

"What? They're at the river? Then why did you come towards the hill?"

"Because we had already... split up from the rest. We wanted to see... if you were at the hill... before they told us...while we were chasing you." He seems to be telling the truth, all his early aggressiveness is gone from his voice and his eyes look throughly defeated.

"Really? Maybe the girl can give me the truth." Fear spreads through his eyes as I glance over to the crying figure of the woman.

"No, leave her alone! It's the truth, the last report said they were going towards the river marching to the north-west!"

"Hmm... Did they now? How do I know you didn't capture them already?"

"Not as far as I know." Then a sound from his radio caught us both by surprise.

"Wasp 3 to Wasp 1. We found them, they're trying to cross the river with a rope. We will intercept them when our two targets get separated from the rest. We'll aim for Number 2 first. Wasp 3 Out."

"Looks like you weren't lying, Wasp 1."

"Are you going to leave us? Or do you want more Japanese blood on your filthy hands American?" Heh, I rather try to save those idiots than waste my energy on your worthless life.

"I'm going to leave. If you follow me I'll beat you up, bring you back here, kill the woman in front of you, and then I'll cut your throat wide open. Was I clear?" Pure hatred filled his eyes. I'm so used to this by now, I feel no more regrets by harming you people.

"Crystal. Don't think this will go unpunished. You're going to get kicked out of the army for this." I drop him violently to the mud.

"Hehehe! Do you even know who you're talking to? Kick me out if you want! See if I care! You need me more than I need you!" I leave the puzzled man and wailing woman behind, taking my knife, the woman's baton and the man's rifle with me. He is not following me, good for them.

After some time to make sure he didn't follow me, I take out my compass. We usually went to the northern part of the island to cross the river, but thanks to this chase I ended up in the southern part of the island going by the compass. Now, I don't know why the rest went to the river already. No, what if they got ambushed and they chose to run away? Maybe Meiya got captured already. Damn this, I'm going to find whoever ordered for this and give them a through beating when I get back on base.

I make haste towards the river. Thought I don't know what I'll find, I run again through the traps that are spread through the forest. I don't care if they're different, I can't lose my squad. Hate me all you want, but I need your help to save this damn world. I can't find a way to go back safely to my world if I can't defeat the BETA to bring some semblance of peace to the Empire first.

I've been running for awhile now. How far am I from the damn river? The rain lasted around two hours, it should let up any second now. What if they got captured already? No, it's alright. Belive in them, they've been training with all their heart. They wouldn't let this get in the way!

I stop and move to my right to avoid another pitfall and resume my running, I jump over a tripwire, a gun shot a bullet at me but since I'm running it missed entirely.

Damn it, I'm getting worn down. My breathing is rugged, my shoulder is killing me and my feet ache with burning pain. C'mon Takeru, you've been through worse things!

"Aaaahh!" A scream pierces the rain. It was Chizuru's voice.

I run towards where I thought the scream came from. I spot some figures at around thirty meters diagonally to my right. As I slowly get closer I see that there's five of those soldiers in a circle. What the hell are they... No, you gotta be kidding me!

Meiya and Chizuru were collapsed in the mud as they kicked them nonstop.

"How you like that?! You dared to bruise my face, you rich girl! I wonder if the Prime Minister knows how rude his daughter is?!"

"C'mon feisty girl! Where is all your bravery from before?!"

I know those two. They're the usual two that pestered us when the Takemikazuchi arrived. I don't recognize the other three. They kept kicking them, despite the fact that both Meiya and Chizuru were curled without resisting.

Shit, what do I do? I'm outnumbered badly, can I even take care of them? Wait, why were they at the river anyways? The message I heard made it seem as if they weren't being chased at all, could they... have left me alone?

A cold shiver runs through my spine, it felt strangely good. I'm getting them mixed up with the other girls. Yeah, they're... not my squad. I would be risking my neck for some ungrateful bitches who would only scream at me again. If I were to fight, I would have to kill some of the soldiers to not end up dead myself. If I did that they would surely react like that Captain. I know where the evac point is, I have the fuel with me, I don't really need them. I... Should I abandon them? I mean...

"P-Please... Sto-Ouhg!" Chizuru's screams snap me out of my stupor, as she keeps getting kicked over and over. Meiya is also being kicked but she isn't... Meiya isn't even moving. She... isn't reacting to the kicks, not even the ones to her head. As the thought of her being dead appears on my mind, a Gekishin comes into my sight as it explodes. A woman looks crying at me, her face tainted with blood and tears. No, stop this! Shut up! That's not... happening again...

Chizuru's screams as the Fort's acid dissolved her ring through my ears. Stop... I came back to prevent this! I came here to... to... No, they're not you! They're different people, they hate me, they're...

Did I want to save them... just because they loved me? Because I could bed them? Am I... that kind of person? Were my feelings only superficial for them? I only wanted them... for their bodies and their praises?

"Aaahh.. Please... Augh! Auuuh! Stop... I beg- Ough!" Chizuru's screams are getting faint. She... and Meiya might... die.

Then... Why are you looking?! Why am I doing nothing again?! Who cares if they're different?! Who cares if they hate me?! Meiya is Meiya, Chizuru is Chizuru. That won't change! Never! I didn't come here to see them die! I don't care if they hate me, because... They already died for me many times, they gave me their support when I needed it the most. Now it's my time to dirty my hands for them! You'll all pay for this! Nobody harms my squad and gets away with it! The cold returns stronger, I feel as if I had a blizzard in my lungs.

I aim the rifle towards them. You gray haired bastard... I sure hope you can live without one of your eyes! I shoot at his face, hitting his left eye. The man collapses screaming in pain, as the rest of the soldiers look at him in shock. They start looking everywhere, pointing their guns, shooting randomly at the forest. I aim at one of the other men, slowly locking onto him I shoot. Straight to his face, the man drops to a side as he clutches his head in pain.

Two of them start coming towards my position, shooting randomly to try to scout me. I'm in prone position behind some bushes, they still haven't seen me. Thanks to the rain they can't really hear well where the bullets come from since they weren't paying attention the first time. I aim again towards the face of the last man of the team, since he was closer it was easier to get a hit. The other one finally notices me and opens fire but I started firing on her as well. Shit! Out of bullets. The woman was close, so I grab the baton and rush at her. She didn't expect my speed, and as I moved to my left to avoid her gun I drop the baton with my full force into her head. She falls to her knees and just to be sure I hit her head one more time.

A bullet hits the tree that was nearby. I duck and take cover as another one hit the place where I was standing. I peek towards their position but the red haired woman that usually was along the gray haired bastard was nowhere to be seen. No wait, she's hiding behind that tree.

Chizuru was still conscious, as she squirmed on the ground. Meiya was still not moving. Don't think this is all I'll do to you bastards, the wolf is in the forest and it wants to eat some rabbits.

I move slowly trying to get a vantage point to finish the ones I knocked out. They're not dead, the others start to stand up despite the pain, except the one hit in the head with the baton. Fuck this, I'll be fast then!

I take out my knife and rush the man that was close, he was still trying to get up as he was holding his face, I had broken his nose and a lot of blood was coming out of it. Without hesitation I kick him in the face and as he hit the mud I thrusted my knife in his neck. With some force I remove it and blood is spilled around. I duck as the red head opened fire, I grab the dead's machinegun and return the fire from the ground. She stopped firing for a second so I use that window to move closer to her, as I see her peek from the tree I open fire again.

As I circled to their position, the second man I shot was trying to get up. He had a huge mark on one of his cheeks as he wailed in quiet sobs. I sick the gun onto him, he drops cold as a fountain of blood pours from his now destroyed face. I switch my target to the red head as she also opened fire on me. Neither hit the other.

The gray haired bastard seemed to have regained his composure. He crawled behind the woman slowly. I move to the other side of the tree I was behind and shoot at him, he yelps and hurries behind some bushes as the woman fires at me. I return some fire before going behind the tree again.

I wait some seconds before rushing to another tree to my right. Bullets fly behind me but I made it safely. Now, I have a clear angle towards you.

"I don't know what's your game, but if you don't come out now I'll shoot this two girls!" Damn bitch!

"Do that, and I'll put you to the worst death you can imagine!"

"Oh really? What makes you think I'm scared?!" She's losing her cool. I know for a fact they won't harm... Wait, how can I be sure they won't harm them? The Shogunate has many detractors in the UN, the Prime Minister is seen badly by almost all the population according to Sensei. They were beating them senseless when I saw them. Then... if that's the case... Why am I hesitating? An enemy of my squad is my enemy! If they're here to harm us, we have to eliminate them!

I peek towards their position. I couldn't see much before she opened fire again, but now I know where she is. The problem is the gray haired dude, if he also fires at me I'll be at a disadvantage. There's also the woman I knocked out in the bushes, if she regains consciousness I'll be three on one and I don't think I have that many bullets left on this thing. Alright, here goes nothing! I need to take down the red head first!

I aim at her as I move from behind the tree to another and open fire. She goes back behind the tree and I use that chance to my favor.

"Chizuru! Grab Meiya and get here!" She looked at me and I saw that she wasn't wearing her glasses. Those bastards! You blinded her?!

"Shirogane?! Is that you? W-What are you-"

"No time for that! Get closer to me and hide behind some trees already!" The woman opens fire towards me forcing me to hide again.

Chizuru still tries to grab Meiya's unconscious body despite not being able to see well, and once she has a hold on it she starts moving to my general position. As the woman tried to shoot at her, I opened fire again.

"Hurry up already, goddammit!" While shaking all over, Chizuru drags Meiya over a tree to my left. I open fire again towards the woman, and see that the gray haired bastard was moving from behind another tree. I open fire on him and he retreats.

"S-Shirogane... What... What are you doing?!" Chizuru sounded terrified, she had bruises all over and her face was a mess.

"Saving your heads, that's what!" I say as I take cover behind the tree again.

"You do know.. that these are UN soldiers, right?!"

"Doesn't matter! Anyone who raises their gun against you is my enemy!" I think I'm about to run out of bullets dammit, what do I do?!

"Y-You can't harm them! We'll fail the test! We... We should surrender and-"

"And let you two get kicked to death?! Meiya is unconscious for fucks sake! It doesn't matter where they're from, anyone who harms my squad is my enemy! We can't get away unless we dispose of them. I rather die than abandon any of you!"

"Dispose of... You can't be thinking about killing them, right?!"

"Killed two of them a few minutes ago, what's another stain for a tiger? And they were kicking you both quite strongly too. I'm sure they can't complain." I open fire again towards the man. Damn, I'm not going to last much more.

"Are you... serious?" Chizuru fumbled with her belt kit and took out another pair of glasses from it. She stared at me with a stone cold gaze.

"Yes, when I saw you two getting pummeled like that and that Meiya was unconscious and that they didn't stop hitting her... I lost it. Hate me if you want, but we are passing this exam together. These bastards won't get in the way! I'll protect you two even if that gets me expelled from the army." I stare into her eyes as they waver and she starts quivering.

"...You're not kidding? You killed... two soldiers?" She was in shock, hanging her head as her lips trembled.

"I don't have enough bullets. I'll rush and try to off them with the knife and the baton. Can you shoot at them and cover me?" Her eyes went wide at my suggestion.

"You want me... to shoot at our comrades?!"

"Comrades? You can call them that after what they did to you?!"

The woman opens fire again after a while, she must have changed her magazine. Chizuru was wavering, as she caressed one bruise on her left shoulder.

"So, what's it gonna be?! If you want to surrender, just say so. I don't want to fail this test, so I will either off those bastards or run away if you don't want my help. What are you going to do, Squad Leader?!" She trembles as she looks into my eyes, then after a short while she gives me a nod.

"Yes, give me the rifle. I'll cover you." I toss her the rifle and she makes a three with her hand. She counts to three and opens fire towards the woman. At the same time I rush from the tree towards her position. The men didn't see this coming and despite firing at me couldn't land a hit on me.

I swiftly circle behind the tree with the knife in my left hand and baton in the right, then I flow unto the now scared shitless red head with the rage of a waterfall. I kick her gun as she tried to fire and do a downwards slash towards her face, she stumbles backwards to get away from me. I hit her sides with the baton making her fall to the ground. As she tried to stand up and charge at me, to my surprise, Chizuru opened fire on her, two hits to her lower body. The woman fell to the ground wailing in pain. I use this chance to give her a strong kick in the head as she tried to get up, sending her unto a puddle of water and mud. I heard the rustle of leaves and hid behind the tree as the gray haired man opened fire on me.

"Y-Youuuuu! Damn you bastards! Ruri! Open your eyes!" The man sounded broken as he screamed at the woman, begging her for some sign of life. "Ruri! Ruri! Wake up, pleaseee!"

The woman squirmed in the ground trying to get up, but was met with waves of pain as she falls again unto the muck. The gray haired man rushes past me and crouches besides her.

"Ruri! Are you alright? Talk to me, Ruri!" A sad howl came out of his lungs as he gently moved the woman to look at her face. To think they got a bandage on his eye and he went and wasted his chance like this.

He's wide open, what a fool. I gather my strength and give the man a hit with the baton to the back of his neck. He drops to the side of the red head, but slowly he makes an effort to get back up. I kick his head and stomp on it. I'm not going to let you two walk this off. You're also going to-

"S-Shirogane!" Chizuru yells at me from the trees. "That's enough. They can't fight anymore. Please... Don't... D-Don't harm them." She was crying and shaking all over.

"After what they did to you? They could have killed you with one of those kicks to the head, you know? They might come after us again, we have to kill them while we can." I mean, I did let that 'Captain' guy get away. I know what I'm talking about here, he might come back with reinforcements.

"Even so, please... Let's go. I... know I'm no position to ask anything of you. But please... I'm begging you." She looked pleadingly at me as she quivered in place. She wasn't even trying to threaten me with the rifle, she was just standing there begging me to stop. I just noticed that it had stopped raining at some point.

"...Fine. You can tell me what the hell happened when we are in a safe location. Let's go." The things I do for you girls. I should kill them to avoid getting chased again. We don't have enough bullets to shake them off if they come back after us. I was really lucky to have found that machinegun yesterday.

I put my weapons in my belt, grab the gray's machinegun, and go towards them. I grab Meiya's left shoulder and Chizuru grabs her right. And slowly, we move towards the west. Hopefully the cliff would be lower somewhere on the island, we should be able to cross the river at some point. But for now, we have to put some distance between us. Who knows how many more of them are nearby? At least I saved them. I can still feel warmth from Meiya's body, she isn't dead. We just need to rest for a while, until we recover our energy to march again. We won't fail this. I'll guide you all to victory, even if you end up seeing me as a monster by the end of this. That's one of the few things worth protecting in this world, at least for my own sanity's sake.