Update: Most grammar errors fixed.


Chapter 28: Bound to Collide

November 25th. 7:03 AM.
(Hallway)
[Takeru]

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Yes, don't you want to go and take a look at them?"

"Well, yes. But I have no authorization to-"

"Cadet Shirogane, we're just taking a visit to the mechanic crew of the hangar to check on my TSF's maintenance. Right?"

"Yes, I guess."

I didn't expect Takamura to be so carefree. As soon as we finished breakfast she asked me if I wanted to go take a look at the Fubukis that were arriving. I don't know if she is being considerate or if she has an ulterior motive for it.

Well, in any case, it'll be nice seeing the Fubukis again. I wonder if I could convince Sensei to actually use them in combat, last loop they actually proved useful and I guess they're easier to produce than the Shiranui.

We reach the hangar, and as we enter we see two Fubukis being docked in. Man, I might have better TSFs at my disposal now but the Fubuki will always have a special place in my heart. Let's hope I don't reduce this one to scrap this time around.

"Oh, so it was you. Good morning, Shirogane. And 1st Lt. Takamura." Meiya approached us as we walked near the iron fence. Her smile turned into a tight line as she saluted Takamura.

"Morning, Meiya. So you came to see them too, huh?" She smiles slightly as she takes a look at the Fubukis.

"Yes, I honestly couldn't sit still despite being Sunday. But didn't you say that you had a mission?"

"Yes, we are here to check something with the mechanic crew." Takamura smiles faintly at her, but Meiya tenses up and averts her gaze with a dry 'I see' barely escaping her lips. Does she not like Takamura for some reason?

"Hey, Takeru!" Mikoto and the rest come towards us.

"Morning guys."

"Morning, Shirogane. Ah, salute!" They all salute Takamura, who returns the gesture.

"Good morning, squad. Shirogane, let's go pick up those papers."

"Sure. Don't stare too much at the Fubukis guys, see you around."

I know, I can't be seen slacking off. I wave at them as I follow Takamura to the floor. Why do I feel like there's a thousand drills on my back?

I let Takamura do the talking as I grab the folders with her Takemikazuchi's data. As she kept discussing things with the mechanics, I took a peek from below at the Fubukis. They're really something else, I don't know why people look down on them so much. If we could upgrade them, they would be even better than that Kagerou I piloted while being much cheaper than the Shiranui, according to the notes I read yesterday night. Then, we could put the extra money to something more powerful, like mass producing the Type-00C or restart the Second's development.

I'll have to make a mental note of that for when I go speak with Sensei today. In any case, tomorrow I will have to start doing the work with my squad, so you five better get ready to... Wait a second... One, two, three...

There's only five Fubukis lined up on the hangar. Why is that? Did Sensei plan on giving me a different training unit?

I hear the sound of the stairs and see Mikoto running towards the left corner of the hangar, where the purple Takemikazuchi was just unveiled. The rest soon followed, looking at it in awe. Except Meiya, who I think is furrowing her brow.

"Oh? What is..." Takamura stared open eyed at the purple TSF, frozen in place.

Man, it looks so... empty. Now that it doesn't have it's machineguns docked forming the long skirt like in Valgern-On it looks so ungraceful. Also, I know it doesn't exist here, but still, it just looks weird without the TR on it's back. You just cannot lack that ridiculously looking and unnecessarily bulky rifle. I'm gonna mod my Type-00C and show the world the greatness of Valgern-On's Takemikazuchi. Well, this time let's make sure you stay in one piece purple buddy. Wait, didn't something bad happened around this-

"How dare you touch it, you insolent commoner!" Ah, there it is.

Tsukuyomi-san teleported out of nowhere and slapped... As far as I can recall, she always used to slap Tama's hands away from the thing, but this time she directly slapped Mikoto in the face. Mikoto flinched back as Tsukuyomi-san slowly closed the distance.

"What reason have you to touch this TSF? Do you not recognize the meaning behind it's color?!"

"Tsukuyomi!... 1st Lt., what is the meaning of this?!" And now Meiya snapped.

They start arguing as they always did in our past loops, except Meiya looks angrier. I can clearly hear her shouts from here, and she's never sounded so... angry? Livid? Bothered? I dunno why, but she really doesn't like that Purple-kun got brought here one bit.

"Shirogane, follow me." Takamura signals me to come along her as she walked towards Tsukuyomi-san.

We approach the group, Chizuru was taking a teary eyed Mikoto away from the Guards. Tama was trying to calm Mikoto, who kept shivering despite the other two's attempts. Meiya was facing a furrowed Tsukuyomi, that was still trying to reason with her.

"Hey Mikoto, you okay?"

"Y-Yeah, I just... It looked so cool I couldn't help myself." She rubs her cheek as a few tears drop down her eyes.

"Let's go get breakfast, Yoroi." Chizuru and the rest leave. Kei took one look at Meiya as she kept arguing with Tsukuyomi, and then also went into the hallway.

"Even if they are your partners, we cannot allow commoners to touch this Takemikazuchi. Surely you know who sent this to you, please understand our actions." Yes, the usual stuff. Tsukuyomi-san is again begging Meiya to take the TSF as her own, and our blue samurai looks insulted to no end.

"Cease your prattling! I... I am a mere Cadet, I have not even finished my training in the way of the sword, much less being appointed as the successor of the Mitsurugi House, there is no reason for me to receive such a privilege. Take this Takemikazuchi back to it's rightful owner at once!"

"I cannot do that. Her orders were clear on this matter, in case you ever need it, this Takemikazuchi will remain here at the ready for you. Please, do not reject her aid. She merely wishes you the best, you must know how much you mean for her."

"Silence! What would everyone think of this?! This is a clear violation to the honor code, I have not the right to pilot it. This is-"

"Cadet Mitsurugi, if I may?" Takamura speaks at her, causing Meiya's complexion to change. Her enraged face relaxed a bit, as she looked away. "1st Lt. Tsukuyomi has been ordered to deliver this machine, if I didn't misunderstand anything from your words. If she cannot go against her orders, would it be too much for you to accept this gift open handed?" I didn't expect... No, of course she knows who Meiya is, she's also a pawn of Yuuhi. She must have been informed of Meiya's true identity.

Tsukuyomi-san gives Takamura a court bow, that she returns in kind, and takes a brief glance at me. For some reason I feel a knot on my stomach. It... hurts to see her.

"Meiya-sama, we cannot simply return this. So please, do not reject the helping hand she's giving you." Meiya tensed up her eyes as she closed them. As she opened her eyes, she took a glance at me. I gave her a nod, she grimaced and sighed audibly.

"Do as you please then."

"Thanks for your understanding. Well then." She gives Meiya a deep bow along the Three Idiots, and gives Takamura a small bow. As she passed me, she stared at me. Her eyes were clouded, there was not hatred or suspicion on them, but the the way they twitched, the slight trembling of her lips, and the fact that she couldn't hold my gaze made her confusion obvious. The other three still looked at me with the usual scowl.

"Shirogane, let's go back to the office."

"Yes, let's... Wait, what's that?" I stop in my tracks as I see a sight to behold on the right end of the hangar. Hohoho, so you're already here, eh?

"W-W-What is the meaning of this?!" Meiya's yell by my side was soon replicated all throughout the hangar.

Ten Type-00C, standing proudly side by side, were being docked into the hangar. That was fast, maybe the delivery of Meiya's Takemikazuchi helped speed the delivery of this units. Us three made our way towards them, as well as many others.

"Alright! You've seen them already, keep your distance!" That shout...

"Did you not listen?! Until the XO comes to sign the papers, you cannot lay a finger on this things! So can you all be good boys and get out of our sights?"

Mion and Shion were in their red dress along many black robbed Royal Guards making a human wall between the Takemikazuchis and the curious onlookers. Tsukuyomi-san and the other three were also helping out with the task.

"I cannot belive my eyes..." Takamura was staring at them, clearly shaking a little. We made our way back to the upper section of the hangar, looking at them from here is kinda surreal. Having this many Type-00 on the base so soon is a stroke of best luck.

"Ten Takemikazuchi, what are they doing here? Those two..." Meiya gazed at the guards, clearly staring at the pickles that were arguing with a mechanic.

"So Mion and Shion are delivering this ones here?" Urk, I should have stayed quiet.

"Shirogane, why don't you go greet them? Since you still call them by their names." Meiya, stop with that creepy smile.

"It is truly a surprise, what could have made this happen?" Takamura, who ignored Meiya's complaining, stroked her hair as she gazed at the ten gray titans.

"Make way! Who do you think you are?!" W-What was... That voice...

The sudden shout gave me a slight pain on the back of my head. A man in the red dress of the Guard drove must onlookers away with his voice. The man has a ridiculous haircut. Two 'horns' in his sides and a pointy strain on top. Very tall, he could prolly hug a bear and get out of it unscathed with his muscles.

"M-Master?!" Meiya's face was surrounded by lightning as her eyes turned into fried eggs. She said Master... Is he her teacher or something? She approached the man, and he drew a giant smile upon seeing her.

"Oh, Meiya-sama! It is good to be graced by your presence!" He gives her a small bow.

"M-Master, what are you doing here?"

"Well, I came to deliver this machines, and was assigned here with a small unit to give you your final test in the Mugen Kidou." So he is her teacher... which means, he's an important person within the Empire.

"I can't belive he of all people would be sent as a mere deliverer." Takamura stroked her hair as she gazed at the giant that was talking, or rather shouting, with Meiya.

"1st Lt., do you know that man?" She froze and looked at me with an inquisitive glare.

"You do not know of General Daizaburou?" Daiza...

"The name sounds familiar for some reason, but I don't know who he is. I suppose he's one of the Royal Guard's most important men, right?" Her eyes open even more. She then sighs and shakes her head.

"He's not one of, he's THE most important one. He's the General of all the regular Guards who are not in service of a Regent House. He's Koubuin-sama's most trusted soldier, one of the best pilots in the Empire. Great General Daizaburou is the commander of the 15th Royal Guard Battalion that serves under the express orders of Her Highness, the fabled leader of the Wolf Battalion." The Wolfs? I never heard of them last time. If we had such a powerful unit, why didn't they sent it to Sadogashima? Were they killed during the coup?

"I see. I don't really know much about the Empire's or the Guard's units. But you're right, let's go back to-"

"Oho! If it isn't Takamura-dono!" Or not.

"G-General Daizaburou, it is an honor to meet you!" Standing upright and tense as a cable, she salutes this Daizaburou. I never thought I would see Takamura nervous around someone. Well, he is a General, so showing this much respect is the obvious thing to do.

"No, no, do not be so stiff! It is good to see you're fine, grasshopper! Last time I saw you, those eyes of yours were mired by awful eye bags, clouded beyond recognition. Even if it's on the UN, I am glad you can continue your endeavors!" He's louder than Zoe-san, for the love of God. Why does he have to shout?

"Master, please, could you speak more softly? This isn't the Palace." Seeing Meiya being so apprehensive is weird. She's not like this with Tsukuyomi-san, but I suppose this guy is a total different beast compared to her. He is Yuuhi's most trusted General after all. Wait... I think I'm in danger, now that I think about it.

"I vastly prefer to yell, Meiya-sama! But in any case! Best of luck in your work, Takamura-dono." He smiles widely at her. He doesn't look like a bad guy though, despite being kinda scary with that haircut and his stoic face.

"Thank you very much for your kind words, General." Takamura bows deeply to him. Then, as he finished his talk with her, he apparently noticed I was here. I should have ran away when I had the chance.

"Who would this grasshopper be?" He stopped shouting.

"Cadet Takeru Shirogane, sir." His face distorts itself, I can see why he's the leader of the Wolves. He looks like a wolf right now, ready to charge at his prey.

"So you're Shirogane, eh?" He frowns his brows, tensing his lips and cheeks. He looks like one of the Four Heavenly Kings statues that were in my world's temples, I suppose you came here to harm me under Yuuhi's orders. Well, F my peaceful time.

"Yes, sir."

You could poke the air right now thanks to the tension here. I could see Mion and Shion getting closer, both bearing severe expressions.

"Um, Master? This man is one of my squadmates on Squad 207. He's done me many a great favors." Thank you Meiya, he gazes at her and relaxes his posture, dropping the tension in his body. This guy's stare is intense for sure. He's the real deal, a true war vet.

"Is that so! Well, I sure hope you continue to support her from now on, Shirogane." Stop shouting dammit! And I despise that hateful glare. Ugh, these fucking... No, bad Takeru. Don't snap.

"Daizaburou-sama, the attendants have arrived. We are to proceed to the designated briefing room." Mion spoke in a business tone similar to Tsukuyomi-san's. Looking at her and Shion is making my stomach hurt again. Ugh, is this because of the memories I saw yesterday?

"Finally. To make us wait so much... Well, Meiya-sama, I will be awaiting the day when we can have our final duel. Until then, stay safe." He salutes her, she responds in kind. And then goes with the pickles towards a group of people, that were being apparently led by Piatiff.

Ugh, my head hurts a bit. Daizaburou... I feel he knew you. Your hostility right now wasn't because I'm an unknown face near Meiya, you reacted especially bad to my name. If Yuuhi sent him here, he and the pickles are here to kill me. Heh, she sent her right hand to make sure no mistakes were made, it's hard to see the current you as the same as that cute little thing I saw yesterday.

"Cadet Shirogane, are you alright?" Takamura and Meiya were looking at me.

"Yeah, just a bit surprised. Didn't think a General would waste his breath on me."

"Please do not take offense Shirogane, he was merely being cautios. I'm sure you know why." I nodded at her. Meiya still looked kinda down as she gazed at them leave.

"Well, 1st Lt. Takamura, let's go to the office, we lost plenty of time already." She arranged her hair again and gave a nod.

"True. Let us go. Until later, Cadet Mitsurugi."

"Ah, yes, until later."

"Later, Meiya." I wave at her as we go into the hallway, she waves back with a faint smile, and then turns around and seems to remain gazing at the purple Takemikazuchi.

We kept walking towards the elevator, the hallways were bustling with rumors as we walked. This surely made things lively here, if there are any spies this will force them to move for sure. But it will also make things difficult for me. Under the guise of delivering these Type-00C and coming here to finish this training Meiya was talking about, they're probably here to kill me too. And it's not like I can attack that guy without getting into a lot of trouble. First, I don't know if I could win in a fist fight with him, due to his build. Second, if I harm him, our relations with the Empire will be done for. There is no way I can harm or kill a General and get away with it, Yuuhi you're not playing around you purple devil.

"Cadet Shirogane, are you truly fine? You seem really tense." Takamura stared into my eyes while we were on the elevator. I was being too obvious, huh.

"Well, it seems the General does not like me much. I just hope they don't try to spark a fight with me."

"The XO mentioned to me that you didn't like the Royal Guard much, can... can you tell me why?" She must be nervous because she... Oh, right. You're also a member of the Guard. And if the General, who is Yuuhi's right hand, ordered you to cooperate... "Cadet Shirogane?"

"Oh... Ah, well, since I was... Ahem, since I'm seen as a foreigner here, the Guard has not been very kind to me. I don't really hate them, but it seems they don't want me around." I scratch my head slowly, I have to remain calm.

I can't show her that I'm suspicious of her, if she is indeed working for Yuuhi she might be plotting or be a part of it when the time comes. Yuuhi might have left her in the dark to avoid any leaks, but all she needs is a word, an order from the General to turn against me. I wonder if Sensei knows of this... I mean, I did talk already... Nah, she wouldn't... Alright, stop it. No more depressing thoughts, I have the S5 pass right here, the Kagerou is waiting for me down in Hanger 90 in the worst case. It's too early to start panicking, Takeru.

"Ahem, allow me to tell you that he was merely doing his duty. I'm sure he does not hold any ill will towards you. And I highly doubt someone as honorable as General Daizaburou would soil his name by antagonizing a mere Cadet."

"Yes, you're right."

"In any case, let us focus on our project."

The rest of the day went by uneventfully, with me delivering folders around again and giving some advice to Takamura when she got stuck on some documentation. The planning stage seems to be going on without much problems anymore.


(Same day. 9:26 PM.)
(Takeru's Office)

"So enhancing the Fubuki is out of the question..." To upgrade the Fubuki or the Shiranui we would have to overhaul it's frame, since everything is built into it. We can't change it's radars, sensors, engine, or anything really. Only the Jump units, and that's not very much of an upgrade.

I did find some interesting bits of data though. I honestly didn't know Africa and South America had so many factories. There are many models I didn't knew about here. South America has like a lot of unique TSFs, but why is that? Sensei said they don't get deployed very much so why would they have exclusive access to this models? They also seem to be one of the most involved in test runs. That's not all though, the South Americans seem to have had a hand in the Tornado ADV's development, since they also have many of them according to the UN's databases. However, they also have some Soviet and Sweden TSFs. Who are these people? Why do they have so many models under their care?

The Africans have a lot of unique models too. A special Gekishin, which is dust-proof, the Super Tomcat which seems to be a good carrier TSF even by today's standards despite being expensive, the Mirage 2000-5F Vi which still works as a support unit along the coast near the Iberian Peninsula thanks to it's mixed role capabilities, similar to the A-4AR. Then we have the Europeans exclusive units that work alongside the African ones in protecting the Mediterranean Sea from the BETA, the Rafale and the Typhoon.

There is something strange in the records though. There's this Low Performance TSF, the F-35, which has been announced to be entering production by now, as it should have participated in the Blue Flag. However, it seems it's test run was reprogrammed for some reason. There isn't much data available about it with the clearance Sensei gave me so that's that. But it's still weird, what can be causing so much trouble in the making of a 'cheap' TSF? Did they make it too strong in their first production run?

Sadly, there's no info about the South Americans' nuclear fortresses. I was kinda hoping I could at least see an image of them, but there's nothing here. And there's also next to no data about the latest Soviet TSFs. The most recent one we have data for is the Spirt-Voz, and that one does not look to be a good model. Obviously, there's no data about the XG either.

Thanks to having read up on many different TSFs and weapons I think I can start writing those reports about the weapons and stuff I wanna make. But that will have to wait until tomorrow.

I save all the docs and turn off the PC. Kasumi came by earlier to tell me to go to Sumika's room for today's memory recovery session, but I was in the middle of some interesting specs. I close my office and go my way to Kasumi's side.

This long black hallway always gives me the creeps, it's like it was made to tell you that you were trespassing into forbidden ground. If this were a game, a boss would be waiting for me on the other side of the door. However, what awaits me is a small bunny girl playing Cat's Cradle by herself.

"Hey Kasumi, sorry to keep you waiting." She moves her ears to acknowledge me and slowly turns around, pouting. She had some string in her hands and was trying to form something with it.

"...I can't make a Dancing Butterfly."

"You're still hung up on that?" It has been a while since I showed it to her though.

"Yes."

"Ahaha, you'll just have to keep practicing. So, how did Sumika react to the memories?" She stands up slowly and comes closer.

"She reacted well to the first, I think she was overjoyed to see it. But she reacted very badly towards the second. She went into shock again. I don't know why, I could only feel the overflow of the emotion, I couldn't even get her to listen to me." Slowly her eyes dart to the floor, her palms shift around as if she were gripping something.

"Well, let's go one step at a time. Let's assume the memories with the Royal Guard are bad for her from now on. So, do we do the same as yesterday?"

"Yes, sit down please. Do you wish to see any kind of memory in particular?"

"Wait, I can choose now?" I sat down on the floor and Kasumi again sit behind me, placing her head on my shoulder.

"If you focus on certain thoughts, it will be easier for me to bring out the memories. Also, we will probably see more of it."

"Alright, I want to see something about his life as a commissioned Royal Guard today. This General came to the base, and I have the feeling he'll try to attack me, so let's see if I can get any useful info that might stall him, even for just a bit. I'll try to focus on the feeling of some grand, important mission. Would that work?"

"Yes, now close your eyes. Let's focus."

I close my eyes and remain like that for a while as I start thinking about my meeting with Yuuhi during last loop and some of my deployments against the BETA. Slowly, painfully so, a light appears on my vision. But it's different than yesterday's. It's as if I were gazing at a fire. Dark yellow and orange distorted wings cover my whole field of vision, then a darkened figure appears within the flames. It's getting closer and closer. I still can't hear anything. What is that thing?

I feel as if a jolt of electricity spread throughout my head, then I'm enveloped in a feeling similar to that of being on a hot spring, relaxing onto the warm water. The figure comes out of the fire, my vision becomes more focused. A towering Fort-Class marched through the remains of a city. And it's getting closer to... No, I'm getting closer to it.

"1st Lt.! Return to your position!" A voice rings right on my ears. He's on a TSF during a mission, inside a cockpit. The voice is one I don't recognize as well.

"Don't we need to stall for the rest of the vanguard to arrive?" He moves his head slightly to his left, as he slashes a Tank that tried to jump onto him.

"Yes, but charging at the Laser-Class like this is suicide!"

"Marching against this numbers is suicide anyways, so get ready to boost at my signal." You tell 'em, boy. It's like hearing my old cocky self from school, but with an actual serious intent behind his cheery tone.

"All Swordbreakers, ready for the command sir!" Another voice I don't recognize speaks to me.

"Well, get ready to blast those guns! Three, two, one... Forward!" Unlike last time, I feel the rush in me as we charge at the BETA. This tense, warm and exciting feeling... The rush of battle, just like Hayase said once. It takes hold of you, and before you know it your heart swells within and everything else kind of fades away. Only what's in front of you exist.

My TSF and another four march towards the Fort, gunning at all the Tanks that are on the way. A Grappler got too close and he... Wait, what was that? He slashed at the Grappler just by moving the TSF's hand, did he use some Blade Sheathe on it's forearms to attack? He does a side step and takes a kick, sending some Tanks to the clouds and gunning at all the other ones that were close. He takes a look behind him and I see four Zuikakus, two gray and two white, as they spray their muffins upon the BETA. The radar's red dots disappear in an instant, only to be replaced by more red dots.

"Oi, Amanohara! Send the canister shells to the herd to our right." Oh, nice decision. If those Destroyers get too close this will turn into a slaughter. Wait... Why do I feel like-

"Roger!" I feel like I've heard that voice somewhere...

"Fukuha! On me! We're marching onto the Grapplers!"

"Roger that!"

A gray Zuikaku rushes forward along me as the herd to the right gets bombarded by the canisters. This world's me and this Fukuha decimate the Tanks with their guns as they march forward. He sends his TSF into full boost and starts hovering on the ground, he sends one hand backwards shooting at some Grapplers. With his other hand he took aim at the Fort and started shooting at it with his 120mm ammo. Yeah, take that! Wait! The sting is gonna-

He back-boosted away from the sting. His reflexes are really good. Fukuha dashes forward and slashes the sting off with his sword. Yeah, way to go! This is almost like looking at a video of a battle!

"1st Lt., I ran out of canisters! That's all I can do for now." The female voice I have trouble recognizing speaks through the comms.

"Don't worry, keep covering our rear with Matsudaira and Onda. Me and Fukuha will take care of that Fort! Let's go!"

"Roger!" The other three voices roared as they sprung to action.

Looking at the radar, there were many blue units advancing to our position. So they're literally the first vanguard in whatever this mission is.

Fukuha's Zuikaku was to my left, he boosts ahead and slashes a Grappler. Another tried to jump onto him, but we shot it down with a 120mm to it's body. As we rush forward, our maneuvering turns weird. His TSF starts kicking at the BETA, he starts side dashing at irregular intervals along the stream of Tanks, he put both guns on his shoulders somehow and they were still shooting at the BETA to his sides according to what the radar is showing, how is he doing that? Fukuha was also gunning at the BETA in front of us, he back-boosts as he jumps, sending two shots at the Fort's head. I suppose that since they're close to the Laser-Class they can't jump so high, hence the need to stay close to the ground.

He starts dashing forward, drawing his sword and slashing at the BETA. He jumps and spins as he boosts, tearing through two Grapplers's heads. He leans to his left and after boosting again, he starts hovering as he rains more bullets towards the BETA that were getting closer to Fukuha. The Zuikaku then back-boosts and rejoins us, shooting at the BETA that were behind us.

"That okay for you, 1st Lt.?" He says in a jokingly tone.

"Yeah, we go onto the Fort! Take your sword out, we're ripping it from below."

"Yeah, because swording everything is the way to go." He replies in a deadpan tone. What the hell is wrong with this guy?! Isn't he a Royal Guard?

"Hahaha! Don't say that in the common channel or 1st Lt. Tsukuyomi is gonna kill us."

"Which of them?" They keep talking as they get close to the Fort. Is he a friend of his?

"Both probably." He says rather happily. Both share a laugh.

"Hehehe, you're right. Getting closer, careful with the Tanks to the sides."

"I know. Now let's tear this bitch down! Swordbreakers!"

"Swordbreakers!" Both shout at the same time as they Boost Jump under the Fort, sword at the ready. And like me and Hayase did during Niigata, they tear the Fort from below, splashing blood and flesh onto their TSFs.

"Squad Leader! Please refrain from using our squad's name during this mission!" The other male voice complains at him.

"Matsudaira, even if we're part of a bigger force today, we have no reason to change our methodologies, especially when they're the most effective solution to our situation. There is no need to restrain ourselves, have some pride." Another female voice that wasn't Amanohara spoke in a cold tone.

"You tell him, Onda! Regardless of our standing here and the nature of this mission, our way of doing things won't change. Isn't that what makes us who we are?!" He yells at the top of his lungs, and for the first time I can actually feel it. Not just looking and hearing. I feel his breathing get faster, the beating of his heart, and this blazing sensation on my gut. It's as if I was recalling a vivid memory of my own.

"You heard the leader! We're tearing this monsters, we're the Shogun's might! The Swordbreakers!" Fukuha also yells, I feel a grin on my face form.

Both of our TSFs keep boosting and slashing at the Fort's joints. Seeing it's damage, I take a step back and spray uranium into the Fort. Fukuha does the same to the other side. As the Fort starts to tumble down we dash away from it. Matsudaira finishes off the Fort with some 120mm at it's head as it falls to the ground, showering both of our TSFs with it's brains and blood.

"Sir, our rear has been secured."

"Good job, Amanohara." The other four Zuikakus form a circle around me, shooting at the stray Tanks that were still around.

"1st Lt. Shirogane, respond immediately." Oh, Maya-san is calling us.

"Oh, Maya-nee! We cleared our zone alre-"

"1st Lt. Shirogane, you have to address me appropriately as per the protocol states." Yup, she got angry. I feel him laugh internally with me. Maya-san does sound slightly worried.

"Sorry about that, 1st Lieutenant. We have cleared our zone, we will advance onto the Laser-Class right now."

"Desist from that course of action, my Flight will meet up with yours in around four minutes along Takatsukasa-sama's Flight. Hold the line until we-"

"Negative. That's too much time, we're better off doing a Laser Hunt and then pulling back towards you than sitting still here." He's right, even now the other three are shooting missiles at the Tanks and occasional Grappler, no way in hell they'll last four minutes alone.

"Then rejoin us now, charging in with just the five of you is too-"

"Negative, we're already close by. And if we let the Laser-Class advance any more our rear will get blasted off, and the HM cloud will dissipate soon anyways. The Swordbreakers will perform a Laser Hunt and then rejoin your flight in a short while." I've never heard of what a Laser Hunt is, I might go and do some research on this.

"1st Lt. Shirogane! You're the leader of Squad G during this mission, you're not an independent Squad!" I can now clearly feel the tension in her voice. I never thought the cold Maya-san could be so openly worried.

"Sorry, Maya-nee. The interference is kiiiinda making it hard to maintain communication." Pfft! You're a jokester just like me. This is just like what me and Meiya did during the Mt. Tengen incident.

"Takeru! Don't you dare to-"

"Later!" Did he just close the call on Maya-san's face? Boy, you have some steel balls. "Aight, listen up! Take a second to fix the Laser-Class position on your radar, and then we're marching right into them. Switch your magazines if you must, we will have to kill around a thousand Tanks to get to those white little bastards."

"Um, 1st Lt Shirogane? Is this not insubordination?" Amanohara asks with clear tension on her voice.

"It's not treason so long as we produce results, right Leader?" Fukuha says, with clear venom in his voice.

"Exactly. Let's go and kill those Lasers, you'll see that we'll get a scolding at most. Now, we'll do a NOE flight until we reach them, just do it as we have always done even if we're only five this time. Crush their fangs, Swordbreakers!"

"Swordbreakers!" All four of them shout in unison as we boost while flying almost near the ground.

As they were getting closer to a herd, everything starts losing color.

"Kasumi, are you alright?"

"I'll... try to... Just give me a second..." She sounds terribly exhausted. But as I was thinking on stopping her, color returned to the images and they started moving again.

They open fire onto the wall of Tanks. Since they can't move up or they'll get shot by the Lasers they have no choice but to pierce through the Tanks. See? If we had that ammo I wanted to make this thing would be a piece of cake.

"1st Lt., I'll dive into the herd and drop an S-11."

"Roger that. Careful with it, Onda. Matsudaira, lock onto her and cover her."

"Roger!"

A white Zuikaku rushes into the herd as we give it cover. There's many Tanks trying to climb onto it, we're keeping a clear line between her and them, but we're getting low on ammo and fuel.

"S-11 dropped! Let's retreat!"

"All units, fall back."

The four other units back-boost dash away from the herd alongside us, and a few seconds after that a giant explosion blinds my sight. Wow, half of the Tanks in the front got decimated. Well, S-11s are mighty powerful.

"All right, this is our chance! Rush in and get to those bastards!"

We rush into the herd of Tanks shooting, slashing and kicking at them. A hundred Laser-Class were in the middle of the Tank herd, according to the radar.

Some Destroyers were charging at us from my left, I boosted to their side and shot the ones in front causing all of them to crash into one another. Matsudaira got his second gun ready and sprayed uranium into the lot, pouring their filling into the ground. To my right, Fukuha was slashing at more Tanks while Amanohara sniped some Grapplers that were getting too close. I feel his fists tighten, he takes a look at his radar. He's going to rush them, ain't he?

He takes the lead as he rushed into the herd of Tanks with a kick, sending more to the sky as he slashed and showered bullets at the unending sea of crimsoness in front of us. Boosting alongside him, the Zuikakus raid the Tanks as well. Our frames get filthier and filthier as we keep advancing, our blades are soiled with BETA blood from top to bottom as our slashes cut through dozens of them at a time, littering our path with dismembered limbs and torn pieces of flesh. He stops suddenly, bringing both of his guns out. Matsudaira and Onda follow suit, and together they blast the herd with 120mm ballistic shells, creating a red rain across the battlefield. Fukuha and Amanohara were covering our flanks, at this point no one could say that their Zuikakus weren't supposed to be painted in red.

"C'mon! One last push!" He roars as he docks his guns, and draws his sword.

Piercing through the jumping Tanks at top speed, I feel an enveloping sensation. A mixture of an electric jolt through my hands, a bucket of cold water in my head and a burning inferno in my chest. His... My... Our body tightens, our vision grows narrow. Only the BETA exist right now, nothing else. The sheer shift into full focus brings forth an unexpected rush into me, and despite our breathing being steady, I feel our heart beating faster and faster. This moment, for this brief instant, I can completely understand his feelings. I went through this too, during Operation Iceberg. So I know how it feels... To shift into killing mode, to become a blade. Reveling in this old but intense feeling of both hatred and hope, I lose myself in the battle ahead along him.

"Squad, what are we?!"

"The people's blade!" Matsudaira shouts as he drives his sword into a Tank, back-boosts and then does a wide slash, killing four Tanks in the swing.

"The wolves that keep watch over them." Onda says calmly but fiercely as she hovers while slashing at the Tanks with daggers on each hand, only to later swiftly take out her rifle and shower two Grapplers that were charging at her.

"The sword that smites evil from it's roots!" Amanohara shoots her two guns at the charging Tanks, clearing a path for me and Fukuha.

"Made of a steel that's harder than truth!" Fukuha dashes along me with one gun on it's pylon shooting forward and his sword at the ready. He kicks some Tanks and slashes at them, doing side steps while we keep boosting.

"Crush their fangs!" We say as we swing our sword and boosts onwards. I feel the fire coming out of his throat as he leans forward, boosting into the herd, tearing through it with it's blades and sheer speed.

"Swordbreakers!" All five, or six counting me, shout in unison just as the Laser-Class appear on our monitor.

The five TSFs go into full boost gunning at the Tanks, creating a red carpet that's ready to guide us to our targets. Me and Fukuha shoot two consecutive 120mm at the herd and dash forward slashing at the Tanks to maintain the path we just made. The other three soon follow suit behind us, shooting at the sides and dashing forward. A sound beeps inside the cockpit, alerting us that we were near the Lasers.

I feel a wide, wicked grin appear on our face. Full boosting ahead, the end of the sea became visible, and beyond it were our targets. All of us readied one rifle and after kicking the ground we went again into full boost towards them. The Laser-Class got choked with the uranium muffins as we kept marching forward at top speed without giving them a chance to look at us and shoot, their small bodies were crushed easily. However, there are too many of them.

"Everyone, sick your 120mm at them!" As we move in zig zags in the air to avoid the ones that shoot at us, we send what little ammo we have onto them. Onda and Fukuha moved to a side and charged at the herd of Lasers from a blank point, killing dozens of them in a fell swoop. Less than ten remaining, eight, seven, six-

BOOM!

Amanohara's Zuikaku got both arms destroyed. It fell to the ground with a deafening roar, the Lasers were ready to scorch her. We're too far away, dammit!

"Amanohara!" We rush forward and we throw our sword at the herd as we take aim with the rifle.

Maybe it's because of the rush, but I just noticed his TSF's arm is painted in red as he threw the blade, and not because of the BETA's blood. The sword crushes two Lasers and we manage to strike down the remaining ones along Fukuha. Matsudaira and Onda are clearing the Tanks on our flanks, while Fukuha moves to cover our rear.

"Amanohara, answer me. How are you?"

"F-Fine, sir. I've sustained no injuries, but some of my sensors are out of order. I can still move, do not worry." Sigh, she's alright.

"Glad to see you're fine. Lock onto our IFF and follow us. Alright, team. Out of here!"

"Roger!"

We start back dashing away from the sea of Tanks, when we receive a warning signal. Some blue units were trapped between two BETA formations.

"What's this? A rescue signal from the UN?!" Fukuha informed us as he sent the data to our vision.

"Squad Leader, what shall we do?" Amanohara asked nervously.

They're low on ammo, kinda low on fuel, and are close to be surrounded by BETA. However, there are just a few TSF holding back an insane amount of BETA, to allow many others to escape the carnage. Two got killed right now, if they don't help those that remain they're gonna die for sure. I feel his throat tightening as he watches the radar.

"Swordbreakers, make haste! We rush in, get them out and regroup with the rest! Amanohara, you retreat back to 1st Lt. Tsukuyomi, you're in no condition to fight. I assume you still have the coordinates of the rendezvous point?"

"Yes, sir. I'll go report to her, forgive me for leaving early."

"Dinner's on you today." Onda said to her with a playful tone.

"Oh, in that case let's have a feast tonight!" Fukuha loudly declares.

"Eh? W-Wait, Squad Leader, surely this isn't the time for this, right?" Ahaha, she sounds so nervous it's hilarious.

"Yes, indeed. We'll discuss the banquet after we make it back home. The pickles will be very pissed that we left them behind, so it's up to you to put them in a good mood." He says in a similar tone to my old joking one, and the rest starts to laugh. So Mion and Shion aren't here, and were a part of his squad? That's a very nice bit of info.

"Auuhhh... 2nd Lt. Amanohara, retreating back. Godspeed, everyone!" Her Zuikaku boosts away.

"Well, now that we took care of that... Swordbreakers! Let's go lend a hand to the UN. Forward!"

"Roger!"

The TSFs fly towards the blue dots on the map, but slowly everything loses color. The shapes get distorted into that gray abstract thing. She must be exerting herself, this was more than enough for today.

"Kasumi, it's fine. Don't push yourself, take me back."

"B-But..."

"C'mon, you've done enough today. This is much more than what we saw yesterday, don't exert yourself."

"Uuh... Fine."

I feel my body being detached from somewhere, a very familiar place. Feeling as if I was going back to the surface of a pool after taking a dive, I slowly regain my own senses and open my eyes. Even the low light in the room looks terribly bright right now to me.

"How are you feeling, Takeru-san?"

"Hmm? Kasumi?" Why is she looking at me from above? Where...

I was resting my head on her lap. I slowly raise, I feel even more stiff than yesterday. I blink a few times and finally feel like I'm back.

"You took quite a lot of time to come back." She rubs the top of my head slowly in a circular motion.

"What? What hour is it?"

"A bit past midnight." She says as she takes out a clock from one of her pockets.

"Damn, didn't think I would get so exhausted. Ughh... But it was totally worth it. How are you feeling Kasumi?"

"I'm fine. I drank something and ate some fruits and got better." She smiles as she gets up.

"Ugh... This was completely different than last time though. I could actually somehow feel the same as him, and we saw so much more today."

"Yes, now that I know what to do it will get easier. It is still very tiring." She drop her shoulders as her eyes half close looking downwards.

"Wanna take tomorrow off? I'd be bad if you collapsed because we were trying to rush this."

"B-But... We have to make you regain those memories as soon as possible." She protested firmly, moving her bunny ears up and down a few times.

"Kasumi, there's no way we can regain years of memories in a few days without that harming us somehow. Let's take it easy. That, and I can only handle so much badassery at a time." Some of his movements were actually good, his sidesteps are more coordinated than mine, his slashes follow a similar but more concise pattern. I'll try them out during tomorrow's practice.

"If you say so. How do you feel? Want something to eat?" She hands me some chocolate which I accept.

We talked for a while on how the memory projection felt. After that I returned to my cell.

This time was like nothing before, I could feel his laughter, his nervousness, the smile on his face, his fire as he motivated his men. I still can't remember who Amanohara was, but I feel like I do know her.

He was someone important to be in charge of a Squad during such a mission. Though I have no idea what the mission was about or where it happened. They obviously never said anything about it, so I'll have to wait until after tomorrow to see if I can get some answers. Oh well, let's sleep.


(November 27th. 11:34 AM.)
(Sim Room)

"Sei!" I dash forward and slash at the enemy. One less, two remaining.

"Shirogane-san, you're leaving my range!"

"Sorry, Tama. I'll pull back now, cover me." I back-boost towards Tama's position. The next one should come right... Ah, there it is. Tama took down the TSF that was coming at me.

I hear Meiya charge to my left, shooting at the last one, then the message of BETA alert appears on my view and I quickly shoot at the silhouette of the Heavy Laser-Class. A message appears on my view, informing us that we cleared the exercise.

"Good job, you three. You've completed Level C-5, return to your starting point and we'll finish this session." The Instructor informs us.

"Understood!"

It took me a while to get a hold of how to do my stunts in the old OS again, but I've been doing fine I think. Thanks to my knowledge of the exercises, I can guide the girls towards victory without looking like I'm cruising through this thing at the time, and I can leave the rough spots to them, forcing them to improve. I will say, we already cleared Level D in our first attempt yesterday, this is better than last time. Today we did some drills for the Feedback Protector during early morning, and then took on Level C's courses after that.

We get out of our pods just as the other three were also going out.

"I told you to cover Yoroi!" Chizuru chased after Ayamine, who let out a heavy sigh, slowly turning towards her while taking a hand to her chin.

"The balls were coming from our right, I was in a better position to strike both of them, so you should have covered my advance." Despite having her usual calm face, it was obvious she wasn't in a good mood. This is just like when we had to work together during my first loop.

"No, you should have sticked to the plan. Enemies won't stay put in the middle of battle, charging alone just because you thought it was a good idea will only bring us down!" Chizuru berated her while making circles in the air, stomping one foot on the floor.

"We wouldn't have lost if you had covered her, you failed." Kei shrugs as she looks away and tries to go her way, only for Chizuru to step in front of her.

"What was that?! You're the one that-"

"Chizuru-san, Kei-san, please stop fighting! I was the one that couldn't dodge both bombs, so I'm the one who caused us to lose."

"Yoroi, stay quiet. That wouldn't have happened if Ayamine hadn't gone rogue."

"Your addiction to rules and the 'proper way' to do things is gonna get us killed in real life."

"And your tendency to do whatever you want is gonna get many people killed. You're a soldier, you have to follow your leader's orders! How are we supposed to work together if you don't?"

"Not if those orders will get me killed pointlessly. I train to save lives, not to die to stroke your boner for regulations." Chizuru's eyes blaze up and she was almost about to strike Kei as the Instructor spoke up.

"Squad, line up!" We all quickly form a line by the side of the sim pods. She's staring at Chizuru and Kei smirking from ear to ear.

"We've all finished the drill Instructor." Chizuru does the usual talk, but her hands are still shaking.

"Good job, squad. Sakaki, Ayamine, Yoroi, while you barely completed it, it is amazing you completed Training Level C-5 in only your second day. Mitsurugi, Tamase, Shirogane, your teamwork was marvelous, you completely dominated the course. I said it yesterday but you're all breaking the records of all previous squads I trained, so keep it up." They all smile, even Kei and Chizuru. Finally seeing their training bear fruit is one very important step to forge them into the Eishis we need them to be. "However... Shirogane, I have a few questions for you." Now what did I do?

"Yes, what is it?" I take a step forward.

"What exactly were you doing?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about your moves. I've never seen someone move in such patterns, it's reckless to be honest. Could you explain to me what were you trying to achieve?"

Right, not only I was still relearning how to move with the old OS, but I also have been trying some of his movements this days. The sidesteps are really useful since I can't cancel, so I have to stay grounded for the most part. Oh well, let's explain to her all the concepts of Valgern-On.

One long explanation later...

"...This sounds terribly complicated. Where did you learn of this?"

"Nowhere, I just thought it was a good idea." Can't say a thing about the consoles now.

"Hmm... It does seem like you're onto something here. Just don't go doing crazy stuff, understood?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Then, since we still have some time let's proceed towards Level C-4, this time you'll fight against seven AI controlled TSFs, so be careful. Same teams and pods as before, move along!"

"Roger!"

We get back into the sim pods and after properly bolting myself to the seat, I press the button and the visage comes to my sight. Another generic ruined city... Can't we get anything different? Like some giant dome, a battle on the shore or a forest or the mountains?

"Shirogane, Tamase, report your status." Meiya's face appeared on my view.

"05 Tamase, all green."

"06 Shirogane, todo verde."

"Todo? Veru... Shirogane, speak in Japanese please." Meiya, you need to start broadening your vocabulary.

"It means all green."

"Then just say so instead. So, how should we operate for this mission?"

If I recall correctly, there's five of them in the middle of the city waiting to ambush us. When two of them came scouting near us, I remember that I started chasing after them and Tama had to save me from all the other ones.

"06, I'll go scouting near our position. 02, can you remain close by in case I spot the enemy?"

"Hmm... What about 05?"

"Tama can remain farther behind us since she's got the range to back us up, and if someone goes after her, you would still be close enough to cover her until I rejoin you." I belive it's a good excuse, today I want to make Tama get as much experience as I can.

"I have no objections. 05, what do you think?"

"I also agree with 06's plan."

"Alright. 06, taking off." I boost jump landing myself near the city. Meiya was slowly coming towards my position.

I dash with caution into the city, checking my radar as I go. I take a turn to my left, still nothing. I do wonder if we're gonna fight against the AI that fought against me in the Gekishin, that was nuts. It would be awesome if the rest could-

A bleep in my radar snaps me out of dreamland, there they are. They start moving towards me, spraying their ammo upon me.

"06, found two! Currently engaging them."

"02, roger that. I'll go cover you. Move towards these coordinates." A cross appears on my radar, an open park to the west of my position. I see, to allow Tama to snipe them.

I back-boost dash while shooting at them. Doing some jumps and trying to do some cancels, I manage to avoid most shots while also doing some damage to their hands. As one got a bit too close, fire opened from my right. Meiya had joined and we retreated to the park while keeping the two of them from shooting at us. The thing is, the park is near the center of the city, and if I'm not wrong the other five TSFs are prolly near the park waiting for us. We dash towards the park while I keep a close eye on the radar and our surroundings, and as we reach it the other five TSFs appear and start shooting at us.

"Damn, we got ambushed! 06, fall back!" Meiya starts retreating, but I take a forward dash and slash at one of our first chasers that got too close, knocking it out.

"No, we can take them! 05, can you snipe them from your position?"

"Eh?! I... I think."

"Then go for it, we can hold out for a while. They will get exposed as they try to get a clear shot at us."

"06, I am the leader of- Ugh!" She had to crouch and retreat behind a building as she was targeted by the TSFs.

"Let Tama try to nullify them, if we can break through their ambush they're done for." I boost jump and take cover behind a building to Meiya's right. Then, one of the ambushers gets taken down. Atta girl, Tama.

"06, let's focus our fire on the ones to the right. 05, aim at the ones to our left."

"Roger!"

I shoot a 120mm at the one that was chasing us while Meiya distracts him, taking it down. Tama took down another one to our left. Meiya boost jumped towards the two on our right, guns blazing. I cover her as she gets close, and once she lands she dashes at both of them. Drawing her sword in a flash, she took down one with an upward slash, and followed it with a dash and a downwards slash aimed at the second one. The second one, however, back-dashed out of her range behind a building. Meiya tried to follow, but ended up smacking herself onto the building, and the TSF quickly aimed and shot at her at point blank before I could lock onto it. I finish it off from afar, as Tama also snipes the other one to our left. The usual message appears on my view.

"Good job, squad. Return to your initial positions." The Instructor directs us as we finish.

"Tama, good job with those shots." She appears in my view with a small cat-like smile.

"Oh, it was nothing. You and Mitsurugi-san endured their fire despite being so close."

"Nah, if it weren't for your marksmanship we would have lost this round. Don't go all modest on us, you can be proud of this result." She jiggles silently as she smiles at me. Meiya hasn't chimed in and she's not in view either.

"Hey, Meiya. Good job covering me."

...No answer. She must be very upset.

After the simulation ends, I exit the pod. Tama was already outside nervously playing with the end of her hair. Meiya was giving me her back, so I can't tell what kind of face she's making.

"Hey Meiya, what's up? Are you upset?"

"I am not." She faces me, folding her arms and pursing her lips. Yeah, no. You're super upset.

"Thanks for covering me, and sorry for not being able to do the same for you at the end." I did hold back, to let her take all the glory. But that seems to have backfired.

"Do not apologize, I was the one who overestimated my own speed. If this had been a real fight, I would have died."

"D-Don't be so hard on yourself, Mitsurugi-san. I was able to land all of my shots because you two did a wonderful work holding out against so many of them." Tama beams at her, but Meiya looks away as she sighs looking downwards, tilting her head to a side.

"Meiya, you can always improve. We're making superb progress, so don't get all negative on us. You did very well." I give her a pat on the shoulder, causing her to blush a little.

"I... Thanks, Shirogane. Forgive me for being down, I just expected more of myself."

"Does this has anything to do with the buff man that came on Sunday?"

"Buff man?" A question mark sprouted atop Tama's head.

"Oh... Yes, it does have to do with that. I merely wish to complete the basic training as best as I can. I have a hard test to overcome, so I might have been too reckless today. Forgive me." She bows to us, shame flooding her face.

"No, Mitsurugi-san, you still did very well! Let's keep improving together, yes?" We're lucky to have such a sweetheart in the group.

"Thank you, Tamase. Truly. Even so... You never cease to amaze me Shirogane." She folds her arms again as she stares at me, sparkly eyed.

"Yeah, you immediately took charge of the situation, you kept your pursuers at bay, you even managed to hold out in the park, we wouldn't have been able to clear this level without you, Shirogane-san."

"Tama, don't be like that. You could have done a good enough run without me." Because you did in all previous loops and you're better in this one.

"Nonsense. You keep surpassing all the expectations I place on you, I cannot belive we actually managed to hold them off together, only you would try such a reckless course of action."

"Says the one who jumped ready to sword her way through a building to destroy her enemies." I smile at her, causing Tama to laugh. Meiya blushes as her eyes turn into fried eggs.

"T-That was... I was just trying to do my part."

"Mitsurugi-san, I think you were trying to copy Shirogane-san's style. You still did very well, considering how weird his moves are." Tama jiggles again making Meiya's face go crimson.

"T-Tamase! I am not being influenced by him! He's just..." She closes her eyes and breathes deeply. "Just look at his performance, he's still keeping up with us despite not coming to train during the evening, he's still as amazing as he was during basic training."

"Hey, I'm just doing my best. Stop putting me atop an altar."

"If you're there, it's because you yourself keep going higher than what we can expect. Your movements during this last exercise were also marvelous, I couldn't keep up with you as we retreated. You're still as perfect as you always were." She sighs as she drops her shoulders.

"Don't start with that again. I'm doing my best to support you guys." Not lying, I am making an effort to let you make the most out of our trainings while I get used to the old OS again.

"Shirogane-san, that's why Mitsurugi-san is praising you so much. You're always driving us forward, making us do things we didn't think we could do. We're flying through Level C thanks to you. When you told me to snipe those TSFs I was kinda nervous, but I believed you'll pull through and knew I had to respond with my best effort. Thankfully I didn't screw up this time, they were just little dots on the horizon... Haaauuu..." She starts shaking left to right as her eyes became whirlwinds.

"Don't worry Tama, you did great. And I'm glad I'm helping out, so let's just keep doing our best." She stops shaking and gives me a nod as her eyes return to normal.

"Ahem!" Meiya coughed loudly, startling me a bit. "Just as Tamase said, it's because I know you're with us that I ended up doing such a risky maneuver."

"So you're saying it's my fault?" Is she still angry at me for some reason? But instead of that, she crosses her arms and smiles at me.

"On the contrary, it's thanks to you that I have the confidence to do things like that. I know you're behind me covering me, so I can do those dangerous moves because I know you'll be there."

"Exactly! Since you're here we can rely on your quick decisions and moves to aid us, Shirogane-san."

"Well, glad to see you're comfortable with my style."

"It is not your style, but you yourself what gives us reassurance." Meiya said confidently as she strokes her hair. "Since I know how fast you are, I know you'll be there for us when we need you the most." Her eyes sparkle at me, but then for some reason she blushes again and looks away.

Why is she getting so flustered? I understand getting embarrassed a bit, but her face is completely red. Really, this isn't something to get so worked up about, it's not like I'm asking her out or saying anything that might trigger some memories of our times as a couple to leak into her.

"I mean, I'm not that good really. I still can improve a lot with enough time and training." Let's start building up the excuse for my soon to come jump in skill once I change back to the XM3.

"Of course, that's obvious. But it is still a great relief to be able to fight by your side. Unlike our basic training that made me feel as if we were rivals and made me resent your abilities, I am now glad I have such a talented partner by my side, it truly is comforting knowing you're always there to cover me." Meiya beamed at me, this time without getting embarrassed.

"Yeah, it is a great help to have you around. Compared to the other three, we're fighting together very well." Tama looks at the first three pods as she brings the tips of her fingers together. The pods were still closed and looked like they weren't opening any time soon.

"We can only hope Sakaki and Ayamine don't go doing anything crazy." Really, those two will be another problem.

"Regardless, I'll be relying on you for the remaining training courses Shirogane. Let's clear all the records they have!" Meiya folds her arms and looks upwards with a smirk. Tama does a little jump smiling at us.

"Yeah, let's go for it." If they have a clear, hard goal they will become even better than before, maybe more than what I expected.

The pods open, and Kei and Chizuru get out looking completely exhausted. Mikoto gets out sighing.

"Good job, squad. Let's review your results." The Instructor came towards us bearing a severe expression. "First, Mitsurugi's team, you broke another record. You got the fastest clear time of this exercise. Well done, you're on the right track."

She smiles at us, I can see the girls' eyes light up proudly as a small smile appears on their faces. However, her smile turns into a tight line as her eyes flare up, and a small shadow appears above them.

"On the other hand, Sakaki's team failed the exercise. Ayamine, I know you don't get along with Sakaki but if you keep acting on your own without even telling your squadmates what you want to do, you'll keep bringing them down, even when your idea is the better one. Sakaki, you also should refrain from screaming at her all the time. Being the Squad Leader doesn't give you the right to always harass her. Yoroi, you're the only one actually doing something for the team, but you also tend to get distracted and not follow Sakaki's orders as she asks you to. Start paying more attention to your surroundings and try to understand what Sakaki asks of you. We'll end today's morning session here. We'll follow up with more simulations in two hours. Be here at the ready by then, and don't forget to go do your laps before going for your lunch. Dismissed!"

"Salute!" The Instructor leaves and Chizuru sighs audibly.

"Sakaki, Ayamine, what gave you so much trouble?"

"Mitsurugi, the question here is how did you break the record." Chizuru crosses her arms as her expression gets mired by dark clouds.

"It was all thanks to Tama." I pat the little girl's shoulder causing her to jump.

"Eh?" Her eyes start widening.

"Miki-san, you're amazing! So, you were the star player?"

"Eh? N-No! I mean, I did play a key role, but I wasn't-"

"Nonsense. Tamase performed admirably in the last simulation." Meiya also went and patted Tama's shoulder, making the little one blush and look down.

"I see... With Tamase supporting you it's obvious you could fight more efficiently. Sadly, I couldn't do the same for my team." She sighs again as she takes her glasses off and rubs her eyes.

"W-We just got scattered, that's all!" Mikoto tried to cheer her up but only caused her to flare up again.

"No, that's not it at all. Ayamine didn't do as I asked her and did her own thing again, she ended up being taken out, and as we tried to get to her we got surrounded. All that chasing around was pointless."

"Only because your plan of sticking together and advance slowly would have gotten all of us surrounded anyways." Kei, why do you always have to antagonize her so much?

"You don't know that. My plan was the safer for all of us to gather info and then proceed with an offensive approach." She started doing circles on the air again as the patience was leaving her tone.

"You're just a coward, there was nothing to gain from sitting around waiting for the enemy to bombard us. Given the urban layout, using a hit and run approach would have given us the same intel of their placement while taking care of some of them. My plan was better." Kei seemed to have taken offense at Chizuru's tone. It's just been two days, for God's sake.

"And how did that turn out in the end?" Chizuru shrugs as she looks slightly to her left.

"You just don't want to admit your plans are worse, that's why you don't accept my ideas." Chizuru's eyes snap wide open, but before she opens her mouth I raise my voice as I take one step forward towards them.

"Alright, you two. That's enough. Unless you want the Instructor to be all over you with a lecture again, stop it. Or discuss it without sending knives at each other." They click their tongues and look away, moving towards the changing rooms.

"Haaauuu... W-What should we do with them?" Tama was holding her breath, as if a knot was formed in her throat.

"I tell you, they didn't listen to a thing I said. And I'm the one who usually has trouble keeping up with conversations." Mikoto groans as she joins her hands. Her lips purse tightly but then she lets out a huge sigh.

"I guess you'll have to keep an eye on them. Meiya, can you make sure they don't fight again?"

"Yes, leave it to me. Tamase, Yoroi, let us go after them. Who knows what they'll do if they start running together without anyone watching. Shirogane, see you later."

"Yeah, later." The girls leave after the other two.

This is one setback I was not expecting. Why does Ayamine do this? She wasn't that much of a prick in our past loops, she was clearly challenging Chizuru's authority and methods. I know she has a problem with authority due to her Dad causing casualties to the UN or something like that, but maybe things are worse for her this time around too? I wonder if I'll be able to bridge the gap between them this time...

Well, I can't really stand around doing nothing. I gotta go see what Takamura needs of me today before lunch is over.


A/N: I'm not sure if I'm taking things too fast or too slow. On one hand I feel like the pacing of this chapter is rushed, with too many things happening in it. On the other, I wanted to show a bit of Takeru's training with the squad. Frankly, the memory segment became larger than how I originally planned it to be. I always end up with battle segments going on for longer than I thought. Anyways, I'd like to hear your thoughts on the overall structure and feel of this chapter.

Thanks for reading.

Zuoriel