Tirade
By Twisted Eternal Wolvetta
Chapter 01: Perplex
A broken sigh released from Noriko as she sat perched upon the bath's edge. Hours previously, Kazumi had left her for Coach. After all these months fighting beside one another, Kazumi had simply… departed. Noriko felt worthless; like a cornered mouse surrounded by hordes of cats. Try as she might, nary a shred of hope remained. Gunbuster was Couch's. Kazumi was her co-pilot. Yet… Raising her hands to her face, she stared into her palms. Who truly is she without her? The Daughter of Defeat? Lieutenant Takaya? Noriko? She… Her arms fell to her bare thighs, shoulders slumping as she gazed into the water.
"Why do you even care?" Jung strode towards her naked, parking herself beside her. Twiddling her crucifix, the redhead watched with disinterest as the metal sheened. "Why is Amano so important? She abandoned us for Couch—some old guy." Jung's patience had been wearing thin tonight. She found it incredibly strange that Noriko cared so much.
Noriko lifted her head faintly, looking through messy tresses. "...Didn't you like him?"
Jung scoffed, but fell into thought. For her entire life, she had kept her feelings well guarded. Soviet Russia was no place for things such as individual thought. But… Noriko's incredibly different. She's a woman who's remarkably compassionate, sensitive and selfless. Jung was initially terrified of this; her polar opposite but someone who… "A woman is allowed to crush on a man then change her mind. Though, did you ever believe I actually did?"
"What do you mean?"
Noriko's completely oblivious, isn't she? Jung stared at her, gaze gradually scoping along her body. This caused Noriko to self-consciously cover her chest. Alas, for Jung seized her forearm, prising their bodies closer. "I faked that attraction to test the waters. Didn't you think it was strange that I waltzed in on you and Amano? You're lucky I'm even telling you this, you know?!"
"I… I, huh…" Noriko glanced down at Jung's lips. "Testing the waters for what?"
An intensity sparked between the two Top pilots. That was, until Jung tapped Noriko's cheek gently. Drawing back, she leaned backwards, hands supporting her body. "You're a dumbass, Noriko." She drawled, crossing a leg atop her other.
"I'll remain a dumbass if you refuse to explain yourself!" Noriko rebuked, blushing.
Is she starting to realise what she's implying? Bringing her arm nearest Noriko's back to her front, she inspected her nails casually. "Oh, feisty." She teased. "But in all seriousness…" Her shoulders laxed, leaning in closer to regard her. "...Those two aren't worth our trouble, right? Let me become your co-pil—"
"—B-but… Smith…" Noriko's head arched downwards again.
That guy again? Jung fell silent as Noriko's shoulders quaked. She merely took to eyeing her, a weary sigh releasing from her. "He would be so against you being upset!" Her voice heightened as she wrapped her arm around Noriko's middle. She drew Noriko's body against her side. "You're Gunbuster's pilot!"
"B—"
"—No buts. You've already achieved the impossible. How much training did you even have? Four, five months back on Earth? I'll admit it, I was totally amazed you even survived the first week in space."
"Yeah, I… Jung, thanks."
For the first time in a long while, Jung smiled.