Update: Some grammar horrors fixed.


Chapter 24: Conflicted

(Ruined Settlement. Honshu.)
[Musoo]

Toppled buildings as far as the eye could see. What was once a chirping city is now nothing more than a desolate graveyard. And as stupid as it may sound, this graveyard is all they have left.

The small group of people refuse to give an inch, they don't want to leave their city. 1st Lt. Ichimonji is trying to reason with them, because if they rebel we will have to detain them. We, who act on the Shogun's orders, have the power to order these civilians to move out and come with us to a safer location. By force if necessary.

I don't like this, at all. I don't know why 1st Lt. Tsukuyomi inducted me into the Guard. I mean, I don't dislike the uniform or the training I got to ride a TSF, but all this nonsense about status and power? I don't mix with this.

It doesn't help that most people here are so prideful. Look at 1st Lt. Ichimonji, for example. Instead of approaching them more calmly, trying to actually talk with them, he's just screaming at them.

"...of the Shogun, this area is no longer safe. The Shogunate has taken hold of the ownership of this lands, you as vassals of the Empire should know what this means. You are currently illegally living in the Shogun's lands, shame on you! Desist in your futile struggles and let us guide you to a shelter."

Yeah, keep shouting at them. Sigh... The things I do for money... Thanks to this whole situation my dream of having my own house is getting farther and farther away by the second.

"This are our lands! We're not the Shogun's slaves! The Emperor is our leader!" A young man screams at the 1st Lt., making the other people rise up.

"Yeah! You young'uns think that us peasants are nuthing' but a bunch a' ignorants? We are the Holy Emperor's vassals, not the Shogun's ones!" An old lady says quite annoyed while waving a wooden stick at Ichimonji-san.

"What she said! You samurai always do whatever you want! Why haven't we heard no words from His Excellency?! Huh?!" A younger woman, probably near my age, shouts while pointing at us.

I don't know much about it, but I haven't heard the Emperor talk once. Not even once. What is he doing in the Holy Palace anyways?

"We, members of the Royal Guard, follow the orders of the Shogun. The Emperor speaks only to the Shogun, to avoid his words be twisted by some traitorous vermin. If you call yourselves loyal to His Excellency, you shall comply to our orders! Or else, you shall be branded as traitors to the Empire!" 1st Lt., I think that's not a good idea.

The peasants start kicking up a fuss, calling us names and raising their shovels at us. Ichimonji-san made a gesture with his hand, and another of our group shot once at a place near their position. The impact from a 36mm shell on the ground silenced all their vigor. Is this how the Royal Guard operates? Ruling by force? Were is the honor in this?

"Next time, we will aim at you. This is your last chance, lower your hands and come with us, or else..." The Zuikaku points straight at the group of people, who start retreating into the small building they were living in.

This is wrong, this isn't what we should be doing. Harming our fellows? Isn't there a different way of doing things?

"1st Lt., asking for permission to speak."

"Permission granted, what is it?"

"I belive that continuing with this course of action will only bring us more problems." His face that appeared on my vision through the Data Link looked quite different than his usual calm face.

Tilting his head slightly backwards, as if to imply he's looking down on me, half closed eyes with a fire in them staring right at me. We never got along well, me speaking against his actions will only make our relation worsen. But I'll be damned if I do nothing to avoid this mess.

"What do you suggest then, 2nd Lt.?"

"I do not know. But I beg you to listen, if we keep intimidating all the people that still live in this region, they will only grow to resent us, and by extension the Shogun. It is not hard to imagine them eventually growing to despise us, and the Shogun, if the situation does not get better. I know it's a futile gesture, but I belive we should keep trying to talk peacefully with them. We of the Royal Guard should be the ones to uphold our honor code more than anyone, what example are we leaving with this brutal way of doing things?"

"So you're just wasting my time... What did I expect from a peasant?" His face twists as if he were smelling rotten food.

"1st Lt., my origins have nothing to do with my words. If us as a group start giving people the wrong impre-"

"And who are you to decide that? We were ordered to evacuate the people, this group here is rebelling against us. They're insulting the Shogun, raising their weapons at us! Who would belive the words of a bunch of traitors?" More people than you think, you self-righteous bastard.

"Even so, this is abuse of power against a defe-"

"No, it's subduing an enemy of Japan. We must remove this pests from their roots, these kind of people that raise their swords at us when things go bad are the worst kind. They only care about their well-being, as soon as things go badly for them they stop cooperating, we have already lost enough time with them. More than what they're worth. But at least this served to know what side you stand on, 2nd Lieutenant."

"I do not know what you speak of. I only wish to finish our duties without harming our fellows."

"I... I think so too, 1st Lt. Ichimonji. I don't think threatening them like this is the right way to do this." Another of my partners joined in the conversation, another one that was inducted.

"Hmph, what can I expect from a bunch of peasants? Your education is severely lacking, we are the authorities, we are the Shogun's sword. Acting against us is the same as acting against the Shogun's life. We will execute this people for betraying their soil, those of you who do not comply will also be treated as traitors!"

Two others of my group jumped in the conversation, clearly dissatisfied with the words the 1st Lt. spoke. However, he retained his cold demeanor not even flinching at all the sudden questions.

Him, a member of the Royal Guard Special Security forces, wearing his red attire against us, a bunch of inducted people with not a hair of nobility in us, in our black uniforms. Rank is not as important as status, even if we eventually outranked him, due to his standing he could still boss us around. Giving people power by birthright is clearly wrong, if this is how they use it.

"SILENCE!" Ichimonji screamed as the discussion heated up. "These people have refused the aid we offered them, they tried to bite the hand that gave them food, we have a duty to uphold. I expect you all to honor it."

The people were clearly shivering, unsure of what to do. They could hear him talking, but not what we were saying. They must be terrified right now. There is no talking with him, what is his problem?!

He addresses the people once more, and one of the old man in the group got closer to him. He's trying to reason with him apparently. But in a swift motion, the rest of the people rushed at the 1st Lt. with shovels in the air. The 1st Lt. ran to his left as he gestured towards us, as one of our white TSFs moved from our position to protect him.

BOOOM!

A Zuikaku painted in white shot at their hideout once all of them had taken some distance. The last building in the city that was still standing fell in a cloud of dust, nothing but a pile of rocks remain. The people stand in shock, no longer chasing after Ichimonji.

The people cry, fall to their knees. One man tried to punch Ichimonji, but he dodged it and returned the punch. Without even looking at the man, he briskly moved towards his TSF and rode it once more. Then, without a hint of hesitation in his movement... He shot at the people. In a split second all the people... all of them were... this isn't... I didn't join the Guard for this.

"1st Lt. that wasn't necessary! They had already surrendered!" One of members yelled through the common channel.

"And what do you suggest we do then? They acted against my life, they were subversive elements that had to be removed from our Empire." Eyes closed, he maintains his usual tone despite what he just did.

"Sir, even if they were being aggressive, outright killing them is against the honor code we all got trained in when we were inducted. Imprisoning them would have been enough, if we had approached them with a different attitude then-" I'm cut short as the red and white TSFs in our group surround the three gray Zuikakus we, the commoners, were piloting.

"You sound displeased for some reason 2nd Lt., I wonder why that is? You wouldn't be on their side, wouldn't you?" They aim their swords at us, they have all the intention of bringing us down. So... This is how you truly are.

"M-My apologies, sir."

"Apology accepted. I expect you three commoners can start to perform your duties as it's expected from you. Understood?!"

"Yes, sir." We all reply with a low, dejected tone. I can't help to grip the controls tightly, this is wrong on so many levels.

"Well then, Flare 1 to all units, we leave this area to the rest of the Rescue Corps. We move to the next settlement, I hope you all to be on your best behavior."

"Roger."

"Flare 6, do you copy?" The 1st Lt. opened a private channel with my unit as we took off.

"Flare 6 here, loud and clear sir." Sigh... Why do I do things? I need to learn to shut up.

"What exactly were you trying to do, challenging my authority?"

"As I said before, I just wanted to avoid unnecessary problems for us. I meant no disrespect sir." As much as I dislike it, he's the one in charge.

"You almost sent our unit into chaos. I know you must have heard this a thousand times already, but to be inducted into the Royal Guard is one of the greatest honors one could receive. It means someone trusted in you so much that they decided to bet their honor and credibility on you. And like it or not, you have a duty and an obligation to ensure that trust is not misplaced."

"I know that, sir. However, there is a big difference between being loyal and being blind. I do not belive treating our people so harshly is fair for them. They've lost everything, their grief is a great one. I think we could allow ourselves to be more-"

"You need no thoughts, you're a blade. You do not waver, you obey your holder until the day you break. I was like that once too, you know."

"Like that? What do you mean?"

"I was once inducted into the Royal Guard, I am no noble. I merely wished to honor the name my Father had bestowed me, so I broke my back in the IJA. I was one of the few survivors of the campaign on mainland Asia a few years back. Someone saw my skills and thought they could be useful for the Shogunate, and so I was inducted. I also had to deal with this new way of doing things, but I belive this is the most appropriate way now. Dissidents must be silenced, order is above everything, in the battlefield and in politics. If our Nation's power is being defied by a bunch of peasants, what will happen when things get even worse than how they are now?"

I'm not so dumb to not understand his words, but even so this is going too far. One thing is arguing with them, another is pointing at them with an Assault Rifle. They had no way to actually harm us, and they reacted like that because you got violent first. Maintaining order with an iron fist is never the correct way to do things in the long run.

"However, will this kind of treatment not force the people to act against us eventually?"

"Who will?"

"Huh?"

"Who will act against us? We are their lifeline, if they're so foolish to not see that they're not worth the sacrifices that have been made to keep their hides safe. Or perhaps are you talking about yourself?" Again with that look, looking down on me.

"I would never act against the Empire, but to keep pushing the people like this... I frankly do not like it. I belive sincerity to be a virtue, so forgive me for speaking my mind all the time. But I don't belive this is what the Shogun wants."

"Nobody wants this. Not this war, not this ruins, not any of the things happening right now. But we are blessed, because we still have our land even if it's in ruins. I understand it can be hard to accept, but know that so long as you're a part of the Guard everybody is expecting great things from you. You can feel however you wish on the inside, but never forget the effect your words can have on those around you. Don't let your emotions control your actions. This is the way of the Royal Guard, and only a few elites are chosen to perform this duty. Do not forget that."

"So.. You're telling me I have to swallow my feelings and watch as we murder our fellows in cold blood?"

"They're no longer our fellows if they force us to draw our blades. However, I will overlook your offense today. Everybody makes mistakes, just make sure there is no next time. The other officers are not as kind as I am. And if you still have doubts, remember the attack we suffered just a few days ago. Remember the pain Koubuin-sama is going through because of your weakness. That is all."

The channel is closed. He always speaks his mind and before waiting for a replay he goes away. Is this how it is then? This is what being a Royal Guard means?

Cold assassins, that's what we are. All to keep absolute order, to keep the people in check, to show that the nobles are the ones at the top. We... We are no different than dogs. Is this what the Shogun wants? Is this how we always did things?

The next settlement comes into view. I can only pray that these people agree to our terms peacefully.


November 22nd. 6:39 AM.
(Command Post. Girls' Room)
[Chizuru]

I slowly open my eyes, sunlight is coming into our room from the window. It's so rare, how long has it been since I could enjoy the sunlight as I woke up? Sleeping in the top bunk is really nice. I stretch slowly within the sheets. My untied hair is all messy, my back is still stiff from all the things we had to go through.

As I raise from my bunk I see Mitsurugi sitting near the window, looking at the ocean as she stroked her hair that was not done in the usual ponytail yet. I get out of bed and approach her.

"Good morning, Mitsurugi."

"Uwa! S-Sakaki... Do not surprise me like that." Her face was red as a tomato, her downcast eyes seemed unfocused.

"Sorry, I wasn't trying to scare you. Are you okay? You don't look so good."

"I am fine. No need to worry." She brushes her hair to a side, since she always has it on a ponytail she must not be used to having it so close to her face.

"Are you sure? Your face is red and your eyes seem weird, after how much we had to climb yesterday it wouldn't be weird that-"

"Sakaki, I am fine. Please do not worry, I was just... lost in thought." She returns her gaze to the sea. It really looks beautiful.

"It's a really nice sight, right?"

"Indeed. It would be nice if one day all the people of the Empire could enjoy such a beautiful sunrise like this."

"Yes. With some luck we can make it to that day and enjoy a peaceful life too." Like how it was before the BETA, before all of our budget was reallocated to the army. When... I still had you by my side, Mom.

"Peaceful..." Mitsurugi repeated the word a few times as she rested her chin on both palms as she continued to look at the ocean.

I grab my fatigues and start changing. Hopefully we can talk things out with the girls before going for breakfast, I only hope they're willing to listen. I know I don't deserve their trust but...

"Yaaaawn... Uuugh... Huh? Chizuru-san?!" Yoroi woke up, and since I was standing next to her bed she was looking at me with... Why are her eyes two big, white circles? And what's the deal with those question marks on her head? Am I... hallucinating?

"Good morning Yoroi, we made it back yesterday at night."

"Oh, so that's what that was. That's a relief, I thought you wouldn't... Eh? W-Who are you?" Yoroi's eyes returned to those white circles as she gazed at Mitsurugi. She rubbed them for a while and looked at her again, mouth hanging open.

"Hm? Oh, forgive me. I was lost in thought again. Good morning Yoroi." She smiled at him, but that only increased the amount of those weird question marks on her head.

"I'm asking you who you are! What is the deal with this woman Chizuru-san?" Huh? Does she not recognize her? Is she still half asleep?

"That's Mitsurugi, Yoroi. She just doesn't have her ponytail done yet."

"Yoroi... You do not recognize me?" She moves on the chair and faces Yoroi, moving her hair behind her back and fixing her forehead to her usual style.

"M-M-Meiya-san?! But... You look completely different!" All the question marks turned into exclamation signs in unison. Have I been drugged?

"Yes, it is me. Do I look so different without my hair tied?"

"Yeah, you look... more normal I guess? Your face also looks more relaxed than usual."

"I see. More relaxed, huh?"

"So... You three passed the test?" Yoroi looked at us intensely.

"Yes, it was a hard ordeal but we managed to arrive just in time." I say as I fix my glasses, all the weird marks are gone. Maybe I was just half asleep?

"And what about Takeru?" Her tone shifted as she narrowed her eyes.

"He also passed the test, of course. He's in a different room, to our left."

"Huh. And you didn't try anything funny when you were with him?" Of course she will doubt us, I will have to earn her trust one more time.

"O-Of course we didn't do no such thing!" Mitsurugi's shout startled me. What is wrong with her today?

"Well, if you say so. Did you know? The food here is delicious! I hope we can eat some more before leaving!"

"So quick to change moods as always. Did you three have any troubles during the last part of the test?"

"Man, lemme tell you about the sushi here, it's just the best! Those octopus rolls were like nothing I've ever eaten!" She completely ignored me. Ugh, she never changes.

"Yoroi, please listen to us. We wish to know if-" Mitsurugi also got ignored.

"But the orange juice is totally the highlight here, it's so refreshing! I wish we could have real food back on the base too." Her shoulders drop as she sighs.

"We also ate a bit when we arrived, so did you all have any-" Ignored again, Yoroi listen for once!

"I'm gonna miss the food, really. So anyways, the Instructor gave us a ninety. Can you belive it?!"

"Huh? You all got... Of course, you arrived much more earlier than us."

"Tis only natural that you would get such a score. Congratulations, Yoroi. Me and Sakaki scored a seventy." Mitsurugi gives a nod, but then looks down as she rests one hand on the back of her head. Right, we really didn't deserve to score more than him at all.

"Oh, not a bad score! And Takeru?"

"Shirogane scored a sixty five. He took the blame for many mistakes we made, I belive it was quite unfair." Mitsurugi says as she folds her arms.

"Eh?! He almost failed it! Why? Hey, why was he blamed?!" I raise my hand at her to calm her down before speaking.

"Do not raise your voice, the Instructor just did what she wanted as usual. Mitsurugi did try to speak up but she didn't listen. The important part is that we all passed." At some point I had started to make circles in the air with one finger, when did I get this weird habit?

"Hmmm... And what about now?"

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"About Takeru. Are you going to threaten us again to leave him alone?" I can't blame her. I deserve that evil stare.

"Yoroi, do not look at Sakaki like that. We had a talk with Shirogane and cleared many misunderstandings we had about him. We no longer wish him to be away from the squad. All the contrary, we want him to stay by our side."

"Huh, really now? So, no more hostility? Can we start, you know, being friendly with him? No more paranoia, no more leaving him out of everything? You're not lying again right?" Mitsurugi sighs as she looks down again.

"Yoroi, as your Squad Leader, it was my fault that things got like this, so don't look at Mitsurugi like that. I know I must regain your trust, but belive in this. I won't exclude Shirogane anymore, not because of his skills but because I saw that he is not who I thought he was." Or more like I got my head out of the ground and started to see him and not the whole mess of prejudices that was inside of me.

I knew from the first day that he got someone killed, that he was just like me. But I forgot about... No, I ignored that. I justified myself saying that he was just a foreigner, that he got involved in that terrorist attack, that the one who died was also a dirty foreigner, that he was going to abandon us like those Americans abandoned Kyoto and all it's people. Yet, I was the once who acted like the Americans. I acted like a piece of shit, and I deserve all the hate they throw at me. Because Shirogane didn't, he had the mental strength to not snap at me. I do not deserve his kindness. I may not be made to lead, I'm sure Mitsurugi would make a better leader than me, Ayamine might have been right all along. And yet, he didn't say anything harsh. He kept treating me with respect, he didn't abandon me when I got trapped in that net. Shirogane-kun is too kind for his own good, to forgive me without even screaming at me or punching me once.

...Wait, Shirogane-kun? When did I... Why am I calling him... Huh, I feel like I'm forgetting something here. Did we... No, I never called him like that. Ugh, maybe the food here is making me feel bad. First those weird signs above Yoroi, now I'm calling Shirogane in a different way all of a sudden. Well, I am exhausted. I'll go back to normal once we're back at the base I'm sure.

"Yoroi, Sakaki speaks the truth. We do not wish to keep splitting the squad apart. I also must regain your trust, please spare me a chance to mend my offense." She gets off the chair she was in and knelled in front of Yoroi, making all the exclamation marks return.

"M-Meiya-san, please don't! You don't have to do that, I mean I'm just... You're... Someone like you shouldn't..."

"I am nothing more than your squadmate. And I made you go through a very harsh moment. It was my weakness that caused all this, if you must hate someone let me shoulder all of it. Please Yoroi, forgive me."

Mitsurugi's righteousness and sense of honor are met with a shivering Yoroi, whose eyes are back to be white dots as she fumbles her arms in the air.

"Don't say that! I am angry, yes I am. But you don't have to be like that, just... You promise you won't do that anymore? You won't assume things without speaking with him first? Chizuru-san, you promise too?"

"Of course, as a leader I will use this failure to learn from it. I won't make the same mistake twice."

"I also bow to never judge Ta- Ahem, Shirogane again." Did Mitsurugi just stutter when she tried to say Shirogane's name? Her face got red all of a sudden. What is wrong with her?

"If you say so, I'll forgive you. But if you do it again I will never-"

"Grooooaaaannn... Screeeeeech..."

An otherworldly sound startled us, as Ayamine raised from the top bunk she was in. Eyes still closed she opened her mouth wide, letting out another of those howls. Her hair was a mess, it looked like one of those hedgehogs I've seen on some books.

"Kei-san, good morning!"

"...Bad morning." She swayed from side to side as she slowly opened her eyes. Or one actually, her left eye is swollen and she can't open it well. "...Oh, you're here?" She gazed at me, twisting her lips downwards. I won't react to it, no I won't. I have to start acting like a leader should, no more of that childish attitude.

"Good morning Ayamine, we arrived yesterday. We managed to pass the CCSE as well."

"...Oh goddammit." W-What?! What did I do this time?!

"Ayamine, what do you mean by that?"

"What do I mean by... YAAAAWN."

"Cover your mouth when you yawn like that. It's rude."

"Shut it, you're too loud." The nerve! Why do you have to be like this?!

"And what did you mean? Are you dissatisfied that we passed the test?"

"...Kinda." She gives me side glance as she gets out of bed.

"Sakaki, do not start a fight please. We do not need another scolding." Mitsurugi spoke in a soft voice as she was in the middle of doing her ponytail.

"I know, Mitsurugi. I know that I shouldn't. It's just..."

"You okay, Mitsurugi?"

"Hm? Yes, thanks for asking Ayamine. We all made it in one piece. We all got beaten up by the soldiers we had to face, but we are fine. How are you? That eye of yours... Are you alright?"

"I'm good. And Special-kun?"

"He passed as well. Let me tell you that I had the wrong idea about him, he is not our enemy. I assumed a lot of things about him, and I was wrong about all of them. So please don't treat him coldly anymore, he is the reason we made it here. He protected us when we needed him the most."

"Eh? Special-kun protected you? But... What about the sword?" Ayamine always listens to Mitsurugi with quite some attention, but when I speak she reverts to her usual self so I'll remain quiet for now and let Mitsurugi do the explaining.

She tells them about how the soldiers chased us, about how Shirogane saved us, about how he had to kill them to stop them from harming her when she was unconscious, how he kept helping us after that and how he didn't abandon us during the second chase when he had the chance.

"All he did, he did it with us in his mind. He took care of most traps himself, he even helped me many times as we were climbing, he lent me his strength so that I wouldn't fall when I thought I could no longer move. So please, I'm not telling you to change your mind overnight but could you give him another chance?"

"...If you say so." She closes her eyes as she strokes her chin.

"I'm so glad you agreed Kei-san! Miki-san will be very happy to hear this news!" Yoroi beamed at her, as she finished changing into her fatigues.

"Oh right, shouldn't we wake up Tamase?"

"You're right Mitsurugi. Tamase... Tamase wake up." I got to the side of her bed and spoke to her, shaking her shoulder slowly.

"Hmmm... Uuughh... Yaaawn... W-Whu.. Huh?" Her half asleep eyes looked around, her hair was more of a mess than Ayamine's.

"Miki-san good morning!" Yoroi also came to her side and greeted her with a charming smile.

"Yaaaawn... Uwawha... Morning... Snore... Snore... Zzz..."

"Is she... still asleep?" Mitsurugi stared at her as she tilted her head and a question mark appeared too. Tamase looked to be awake, but was still in the bed and her upper body was swaying back and forth slowly with her eyes half open.

"Tamase, are you awake?" I grab and move her shoulder which makes her twitch.

"Huh? Eh?... What... Sakaki-san?"

"Yes, that's me. Good morning, are you finally awake?"

"Huh? Yeah, I'm... Eh? Eh? Sakaki-san?! When did you- Mitsurugi-san too?!" Her eyes became white dots too as she jumped in place as she saw us.

"Good morning Tamase. We arrived yesterday night, we managed to pass the CCSE too."

"Oh, is that so? And... Um... Are you all alright?"

"Yes, Mitsurugi was the one that took the biggest beating out of us. Shirogane also had to deal with one very fierce fight." Except for the fact that it ended in him getting caressed by that woman. Why does that upset me so much?

"So you did nothing." Ugh, Ayamine smirks at me as she fixes her hair.

"Ayamine, what was that?"

"You two, stop it. Don't ruin our day of victory. Tamase, we owe you an apology." Mitsurugi bows to her and I follow suit.

"Eh? Eh? What's this..."

"It was my weakness that made us do what we did, I am to blame for what we did to you. We treated you horribly, we said some quite hurtful things to you, and forced you to do something you did not want to do. I do not ask you to forgive me now, but please give me a chance to mend my mistakes."

"I also ask you the same. I know I destroyed the trust you had in me, but please give me another chance to prove you that I am worthy of being your leader. Forgive me, Tamase."

"EH?! Awhawhawha... No, I mean, yes, no wait... I mean, don't bow like that! I didn't... I didn't speak up either, so I'm to blame too. So... Um... Can you tell me what happened? I mean, why are you apologizing?"

This time I tell Tamase what happened. She jumped as some lightning appeared behind her as I told her that Shirogane killed some soldiers, and even more when I told her how we were chased. There must be something in the water here or I'm going crazy.

"It was all thanks to him, really. Without his help we would have failed the test, but we also would have gotten harmed quite gravely." Mitsurugi nods at my words.

"So you're no longer suspicious of him? And what about him? Does he... resent us?" Ayamine, who was gazing at the ocean, turned to look at us as she heard Tamase's question. Yoroi also had her eyes light up in interest.

"He did say he didn't want to be alone but... If charges are pressed against him we have no proof to prove his innocence. He will surely be blamed for killing those two soldiers, despite doing so to protect us." I should do something as his Squad Leader, but what can I do? Can I convince them to come with me to speak with the Instructor? I mean, I don't know what they think of him now that he killed two soldiers. What if-

"What's up with that shit?!" Ayamine talked suddenly making me jump a little. Her frown was growing by the second.

"What Sakaki meant was that we have no proof to prove we were in danger. The Instructor didn't belive me when I said I was knocked out unconscious, and my words are just that. Empty words without backbone. So even if he is willing to let this offense slide, he... he might be kicked out of the army. Or executed." Mitsurugi closed her eyes as she held her elbows tightly.

"Eh? But... But that's not fair! He... He saved you, and yet he's gonna..." Yoroi trembled as she grabbed her sides quite strongly.

"Of course it's not fair, but it is what it is. We have no proof, so there's nothing we can do."

"Hmph, of course you'll say that."

"Ayamine, what do you mean?" I do not like her tone or that side glance she's giving me.

"What else would you say? You used him to get the result you wanted and now you're putting the blame on him to save yourself. Wasn't it your fault that happened? Why didn't you help Mitsurugi fight? What were you doing when she was getting beaten up?"

"Ayamine, stop. Sakaki was-"

"I was also getting beaten up, didn't you hear us?"

"And where's the proof? You said she got knocked badly while you were just restrained, isn't that weird?" She raises one hand with her palm facing the upwards before resting it on her chin.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"She was unconscious, how do we know you weren't cooperating with the soldiers? Where's your proof?" Her eyes sharpen as she takes a step towards me.

"Ayamine, that's rude. Sakaki was also-"

"I was there, I know they don't prove anything but I still have all the bruises I got. Or perhaps you would like to see the cut I got on my right leg when I did try to fight back? Or maybe you could ask Shirogane, since he was the one who saved us? C'mon speak up, what is it now?!"

"...You got a cut on your leg?" Ugh, I'm so done with her! I raise my pants a bit and show her the large cut I got, almost up to the knee.

"Sakaki, when did you... No, why did you say nothing?!" Mitsurugi was outraged.

"I did treat it, but we didn't have enough bandages, if I used them on my leg we wouldn't have been able to patch you up. Shirogane got an even deeper cut on his shoulder so I used most of my bandages on him."

"Huh? Special-kun... on his shoulder..." Ayamine repeated my words with her eyes closed.

"Sakaki, we must go get this treated at once!"

"Mitsurugi, calm down. I already got treated yesterday when we arrived here, after eating. Don't worry, I'm fine now. So, is this proof enough for you Ayamine?" I know it's not, I know you were right. I'm a failure as a leader. Dad was right, I'm too emotional to be a soldier. No matter how much I try to hide under a shell, I'm just... I'll never...

"...Sorry."

"Eh?"

"Sorry. I take it back." Ayamine gave me a very small bow, eyes down looking to a side.

...

Did she just apologize? To me? After I screamed at her? That's it, I'm on drugs and this is a dream. No way in hell she would apologize to me.

"Ahem... Then, did that explain all we went through?" Mitsurugi asks them, they all nod.

"So... Ayamine, what happened to you eye?" She pouts and looks away. Hey, I'm just worried you know? We may not get along but you're still my squadmate.

"...I took a hard one to the face." Huh?

"Yeah, that was hard to watch. I never thought you would drop to your knees so easily." Yoroi nodded at her words. Tamase shivered while giving Ayamine a sad look.

"Um... You three, what does that mean?" Mitsurugi asked as a light blush appeared on her face.

"What I said. They could have aimed at my chest, but no they had to aim at my eye. It was so hard though, also it didn't help that the thing was thick as fuck." Hard and thick... No, I must be misunderstanding something here.

"Luckily Miki-san returned the favor later. She totally dominated that woman! She went so hard on her face she just laid there crying. Really, it made me feel so bad." Dominated? Hard on the face?!

"Awhawhawha! Y-Yoroi-san! You're no one to talk after what you did to that man, you left him limp on the floor." Mitsurugi got tilted, as Shirogane would say, as smoke came out of her ears.

"What? I mean, you guys... Can you explain to me exactly what did you do?" I mean, it can't be what I'm imagining. R-Right?

"Chizuru-san don't let Miki-san deceive you! When he was doing us from behind she was the one who endured the most, she's a real wild one despite her cute looks. And then she left him on his knees. Really, you did him in so hard his hand didn't stop bleeding!"

"Yoroi-san stop it! You're making me feel bad!" She covers her face with her sheet.

"...T-Tamase, what are you?" Mitsurugi asked her, as her face reddened more and more.

"It wasn't so bad, I mean yeah, I roughed him up quite badly but they had it coming to them. That woman that got on top of Yoroi-san didn't want to let go, so Ayamine-san had to step in and take both of them at the same time."

"Both of them?! Wait, are you serious?!" My glasses almost fall. This has to be a joke. There's no way this is...

"Those two bitches were too rowdy for my taste. But I also got the man on his knees, so I'm satisfied." She gave us a thumbs up. What... What did these three do?!

"So... Exactly what happened?" Mitsurugi tried regaining some composure as she stroked her ponytail.

"Hmm? Didn't we just tell you? The man was the one who started it, though. He was gunning for Miki-san from the start." Tamase's shoulders drop as her hands hold her sheets.

"I mean... It was my fault that you all had to take them on. Ayamine-san got on top of the man so fast, that when I had to do it I just got nervous... Then Ayamine-san had to take both women by herself."

"Okay, I think I'm not understanding something here..."

"Chizuru-san, what is there to confuse? Well, then I went to take care of the man and we started grabbing each other quite hard. He was so buff, I could barely hold onto him as he tried to topple me. Up and down, left and right. He rocked me so hard I could barely breathe! Honestly, what does he eat to have so much energy? I could feel my legs turning to jelly as he-"

"T-That's enough! I... I do not wish to known anymore!" Mitsurugi yelled as more smoke came out of her ears, and her eyes became two whirlwinds.

"Yoroi, is that what happened?"

"Hm? Yeah? Then Miki-san did him from behind while being on the ground. Really, that was so satisfying to see as she got him twice. His knees buckled and then I got in front of him and gave him a hard one on his face."

"Uuuhhh... I really wasn't trying to be so hard on him."

"Tamase, how did you... I mean..." I can't even find the bravery to ask. I feel my face on fire just imagining what they're saying they did.

"How? I was on the floor and went on him from behind twice while Yoroi-san was taking care of his front. It made me feel real bad you know, Yoroi-san was getting pounded so badly." After hearing that Mitsurugi collapsed onto the chair as steam came out of her head.

"M-Meiya-san?! Are you alright?!"

"Mitsurugi?! Are you alright?!" I mean, I can also feel the heat on my face. Just trying to imagine what these three are saying is... Ugh, no don't! H-How can they say such things with a straight face?!

"Uuugh... Y-Yes... I think..." She slowly gets up as she rubs her head, from which steam still came out.

"Yoroi, what the hell did you do?! I mean, did you really... do that?"

"Hm? Yeah. Is it so weird to imagine me hitting someone on the head with a rock, Chizuru-san?"

"Of course it's not bu- ...Wait, a rock?"

"Yeah, Miki-san shot the rifle and blew his knee protection from behind and that pain made him release his grip on me, and I used the chance to knock him out. Kei-san was fighting with the other two women at the same time, and they hit her in the face with a baton and then... Y-You two, why do you look so angry?"

"Yoroi... Is this the true?" Mitsurugi looked at her, arms folded and tilting her head backwards. She looked so imposing, the air itself might have teared up.

"Eh? That's what we were talking about. R-Right, Miki-san?"

"Y-Yeah, that fight was really brutal for us. Ayamine-san got really hurt, and it was so scary, I thought we were gonna get so hurt." Tamase hugs her sides as she quivers.

"Damn soldiers." Ayamine threw a punch to the air while pouting.

"It seems... We misunderstood their words, Mitsurugi."

"Yes, so it seems."

"Hm? What did you two think we were talking about?" Yoroi asked us as she tilted her head.

"Eh?! Ah, n-nothing. Just a... little misunderstanding. Right Mitsurugi?" I wink at her.

"Y-Yes. Nothing weird, just a tiny error on our part." Her face returned to her usual color, I also feel the blush disappear. Sigh... These three...

"So, how was your fight with the soldiers?" Tamase asks us as she also gets out of bed, looking for her uniform.

"It was truly hard. Sakaki was helping me and even then we took quite some time to defeat our opponent. Despite her support, we had to rely on underhanded tactics to defeat her." All of them go 'Whoa' at her words.

"Even with you two fighting together... What about Takeru?" I fix my hair into my usual ponytails as I answer her.

"He dealt with his fight quite nicely if I say so myself. I did saw him get kicked to the ground once, but he seemed to have regained the upper hand at some point."

"Oohh... That's our Shirogane-san for sure." Tamase smiles as she changes into her fatigues.

"Stubborn bastard, that he is." Ayamine are you insulting him or complimenting him?

"Anyways, Shirogane got the worst beating in that fight. And yet he finished before us." Really I will have to ask him to help me more in my combat training. We might start our piloting tests, but after taking such a beating I've seen that I need to polish my CQC skill in case it ever becomes necessary.

"Hm? Sakaki, how do you know that? Did he not approach us as soon as we finished restraining our opponent? Did he not beat his opponent at the same time as us?"

"Huh? No, just a while before that I got thrown to the ground remember? And then I saw him restraining the other one. She surrendered apparently. Though I still don't know why she had to go and caress him like that, even if she suspected him of having a mask."

Suddenly, I felt a chill down my spine. All the rest were looking at me with wide eyes and exclamation marks on their heads. For some reason I feel that I'm in grave danger.

"Chizuru-san... When you say 'caressing', what do you mean exactly?" Yoroi stared at me with chainsaws instead of eyes.

"Huh? I mean, she was touching his face, his neck and his chest I think? I asked him about it as we were looking for some food and he said she thought he had a mask on." That's what he told me and he seemed to be telling the truth.

"She... touched Takeru... Wait, are you serious?!" Yoroi's eyes became white dots again as she started swaying left to right.

"Yes? I mean, that's what happened."

"Sakaki... Why have I not heard of this until now, I wonder?" Holding her elbows with her palms, eyes wide open with purple fire coming out of them, tilting her head to a side with a small smile. I forgot how scary Mitsurugi can be. I feel my knees shaking under her stare.

"I.. Err... I didn't think to... mention it? It was just a little detail, nothing more."

"A little detail? Since when caressing someone is a little detail? How long was she doing this?"

"Huh? I don't know, I just took a peek at him because he was in my view. I got back to help you as you asked for my help. Remember, when I threw the first mudball?"

"But... you threw five of them... And during all that time, you're telling me she was... with him... Mmmgh!" She closes her eyes and frowns. Biting her lips, clawing at her elbows, she kept groaning. W-Why is she so mad?!

"Sakaki-san, was Shirogane-san... bothered by it?" Tamase, not now!

"I... guess? When I asked him he did seem troubled by it, as if he didn't knew what they were thinking. But well... He didn't stop her, that's for sure." That also makes me mad, though I still don't know why.

"He did not stop it?!" Mitsurugi was folding her arms again, looking quite livid as the fire kept coming out of her eyes.

"Well, Takeru does look good. I mean, if you were under the rain for so long, his shirt must have got sticked to his body and... I was by his side on our way here and let me tell you, does that boy not have some nice abs! His arms have this nice, tight shape to them. But his hands can be really soft too, going from when we trained together. I'm sure he would make a fine survivalist with some.. Meiya-san?!" Fire was again coming out of Mitsurugi's ears. I can also feel the steam coming out of me, my glasses are all blurred by it.

"C-Can you not speak of such... indecent things Yoroi?!" She howled at her, while trying to regain some composure by stroking her forehead.

"B-But Shirogane-san is in good shape, that's for sure. Maybe they suspected him of being some spy?" Tamase said quickly, to avoid Mitsurugi from getting angrier and Yoroi from continuing to speak about how much she's in awe of Shirogane.

"He said the same when I asked him. Those two girls are really weird that's for sure." I can't stand them. Maybe because they were playing with us?

"Special-kun is suspicious. But what you said is even more, you think he was her ex or something?"

"I mean we really don't know much about him. We should just ask him about it, but yesterday he was really tired. Maybe we should just let this be?" I need to think of his mental health. He was under a great deal of stress and he will have to face a trial now, I must give him a little rest for today.

"Yeah, let's give Takeru a rest for today. We gotta go talk with the Instructor to stop him from being kicked out!" Yoroi proposed with glee. I'm so glad to see you all still think of him as your partner.

"Shirogane-san was always trying to help us, so we have to make it clear that he didn't do anything wrong. Those soldiers did treat us really badly too, so we should talk too!"

"True that. Those three were really weird, and they hurt us badly." Even Ayamine?!

"Good to know we all agree on this, right Mitsurugi? ...Mitsurugi?" Her eyes were closed as she was clawing at her elbows again.

"...Her ex? What does that... "

"Meiya-san?"

"EH?! W-What is it?"

"Mitsurugi, are you alright? You've been lost in thought a lot since you woke up." She brushes her hair off her face and straightens her posture on the chair, crossing her legs.

"Yes, I was just... debating with myself."

"Well, we should all go have a talk with the Instructor. It might be useless, but we gotta try. Wanna go now or after breakfast?"

"I-I say we go now!" Tamase said as she finished tying her hair.

"Same." Ayamine gave a nod as she put on her boots.

"Me too. The sooner the better." Yoroi said as she also finished putting on her boots.

"Alright, let me put on my boots too and we can be on our way."


November 22nd. 6:03 AM.
(Near the Shore)
[Takeru]

And here's another one. With this I have the two seashells I wanted to give them, one for Kasumi and one for Sumika.

I couldn't sleep at all. Worst part is, I know I had a nightmare but I can't remember it. It's a horrible feeling because I feel really bad but I don't remember what the dream was about.

"Is that all Shirogane?"

"Yes. Please give these two to Kasumi when you get back to the base. And thanks for everything you've done for me, Instructor." I salute her and she returns the gesture.

"Do not mention it. Forgive me for giving you the news on such a short notice, I got the orders as soon as I woke up. Well, you're ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be. Let's go." We make our way to the helicopter that had just arrived.

I'll be going back to the base alone to be interrogated, and probably punished, for the murders I committed. I may end up getting kicked out of the army, Sensei might not be able to cover me this time. All I give her is trouble, no matter what I do. Why do I always screw things up? No, I can't have one loop in peace without some horrible accident sending everything to hell.

Takamura must be on the base already, so Tsukuyomi-san will start being hostile to me if I make it out from this. Those two Tsukuyomis must have surely reported my killing spree to Maya-san, or worse, to the Shogun so I can kiss my safety goodbye. Just when I started getting along with the girls. Universal middle fingering at it's best, this is one big mess. Well, what did I expect? You can't spell wreckage without AGE.

I had a brief talk with Sensei, apparently she got a call yesterday from someone important, she didn't mention who, that requested her to take me off the army. Considering my encounter with the Tsukuyomis I bet that someone was Yuuhi. That purple bitch, I'm sure she's threatening Sensei. Do as I say or I'll stop supporting Alt. IV or something along those lines.

But I got into this mess and I'll deal with it alone. Worst case I kill myself and see if I get another chance. If I don't, at least I'll stop creating negative causal data.

All because I got caught by those two... Fucking Royal Guards, not only you ruined this world's Takeru's life, you also want mine as well. This is a clear case of Takerucide, not that anyone cares about it here. As soon as the Shogun brands me as a traitor the girls will again start treating me like shit. Or worse. Even if I live, what can I do in this situation? I can't save this world alone. I'm no hero.

It's all Yuuhi's fault. She's the head of the Empire, she's the head of the Royal Guard and going by the words of the Tsukuyomis she's the one that wants me dead. I know that this world's me wasn't a bad guy, his feelings are similar to mine. He just wanted to live in peace, but you all didn't let him. He also was branded a traitor before dying. That was two years ago, just when Yuuhi became the Shogun. She's clearly the biggest enemy I have in this world no matter how many times I loop. As soon as she learns about me she'll come for my head.

If only I hadn't met those damn overgrown pickles... Pickles? Who am I talking about? The Tsukuyomis? I mean, if they let their hair loose... Since it's green one could call them pickles.

"Pfft!" Ahahaha... Is this one of his memories? So he also had a weird taste for lame jokes, just like me. The Pickle Cousins, huh? That sounds so fitting for some reason.

The door to the helicopter opens, two MP come down from it and restrain my hands. I do not resist, I don't want to make more enemies. I'm here to help, even if I'm spit on the face. My world is on the line here, I can take this. I have to endure this. Now that Sensei can't help me I'll have to deal with this things alone.

I'm not going down yet, not before seeing the results the second theory can bring about. I don't care what is coming after me, be it the UN or the Shogunate, I'll cleave through you. I have my world and his world to protect, as the sword that smites evil. Because he was alone, just like me. And nobody heard his screams for help.

I'll do all I can. Even if I'm met with another disaster. I ride the copter, the Instructor gives me one last salute before the door is closed. The chopper takes off.

I close my eyes. There is nothing to be done now. No hard feelings, no regrets. All I can do is stop being so negative, to cut my losses as best as I can. I never thought that marching to a sure death would feel so hollow, so meaningless.

Just when we had got to understand each other... Just when I thought I could have just a few days in peace... I want to rest. I want my peace back. But how can I do that when this world is set on screwing me up? What can I even do from now on?