Springtime in Japan is chilly, though most locals would say that it's been getting warmer in recent years, but that has been a staple for most of the countries I've been to. Germany? Ah, summer's been getting warmer—but it was still cold for me. Hong Kong? Temperate climes, but the winds are colder than expected. Japan? More or less the same thing, except that the clothes are chic and fashionable—to me, at least.

The door chimes tinkled, and my response was automatic, "Welcome to Mooney Brews!"

A giggle made me turn, Yua looked comfortable in her warm clothing. "The café name is always cute."

"What can I do for you today?" I asked.

"Well, you could show me your gunpla but …"

Both of us stared at where Airi was, dutifully handing a complicated espresso mix to an older customer with a smile that hid a grimace.

"After my shift?"

"After your shift."

This shift is gonna feel like a long one.

GUNDAM BUILD FIGHTERS: LOST DREAMERS

I've only got three more hours of work left, the weather outside getting gloomier each passing hour until four.

Amazingly, Yua did wait. She bought two different frappes and a plain bagel during that time.

"You're free to go," Boss said, smiling smugly. "Have a fun date, yeah?"

"It's not a date!" To my displeasure, I said that in a raised voice.

"It's nothing like that, Kimura-san!" A flustered Yua chimed in.

Airi, if anything else, got even more smugger. "Sure~"

We couldn't get out of the café quick enough for my liking.

Unlike yesterday, the silence between Yua and I as we walked to Battler's Ground was a bit more awkward.

I decided to do something about it.

"I'm sorry about, Airi". I began, "we kinda have that sort of friendship."

She flashed me a sheepish grin. "I can understand that …"

The silence became uncomfortable again, but luckily we're already at the doors of Battler's Ground.

The cashier was different this time. The loud guy yesterday must be working in a different schedule on Tuesday.

Again, unlike yesterday, there are fewer people in the shop this time. It only took a couple of minutes for us to get a battle projector ready.

"This is your first time, right?" Yua asked as the computerized voice announced the dispersion of plavsky particles.

"… Not exactly."

"Huh?" She asked, "But that's what you said."

I scratched my head. "I've been in a Gunpla battle before, but I wasn't piloting."

"Oh! Just like Iori Sei did on the 7th Worlds!" She exclaimed, snapping her fingers.

"Yeah". Honestly, the battle I remembered was … embarrassing.

"Please set your GP base."

Yua looked like she wants to say something before the computer chimed in. I took the GP base we rented and my Gunpla.

I'm pretty sure I saw Yua blink when she saw what it was.

For a moment, I admired my gunpla under the light of the plavsky holograms. Blood red armor, a glossy but complex frame, and a single white triangle on its left shoulder. It looked like a Hyaku Shiki. Which makes sense as this was what Quattro Bajeena's mobile suit was going to pilot if it wasn't so expensive to produce. The mobile suit hunched, hidden green eyes flashing once.

"Eli Alonto, Delta II Gundam. Launching!"

I palmed the control orbs and the suit launched forwards, soaring in the sky of a humid desert. This time, I didn't know where the field is from.

I don't care though. I'm flying! I was reading manuals and other guides on the internet last night on how to pilot this gunpla and took those instructions to heart.

Yua sighed beside me. "And here I thought I'm teaching you the basics."

"Sorry, Yua." I replied.

"It's no problem." She said. "You wanna fly around first?"

"Of course!"

Having said so, I carefully increased the speed of the suit and it complied beautifully, rocketing forward. A small twist of my wrist and with a single click, the Delta II transformed into its waverider form. Minding the more sensitive controls now, I dived down from the clear skies towards the golden sands below. It still surprised me though, but its manageable.

I yank up in the last few seconds. The Delta II flipped up, cresting a dune and disturbing the sands with its powerful verniers.

Still need to try more things though. I tilt the transformed suit sideways into a lazy barrel roll as it ascended then I jerked the movement orb quickly and, for a moment, the verniers of the ascending suit goes out in the apex of its ascent. For a single, heartstopping moment, the Delta II was still, before flipping backwards and falling to the ground at an alarming velocity.

"What is he doing?!" An unfamiliar voice yelled, but my mind was tunneled to my vision, my hands still.

The dune I crested was getting closer and closer.

"Pull up!"

The dune was passed as I fell, I strain my widened eyes and moved my arms as quick as I can.

I pull up.

The Delta II followed my commands immediately. The waverider shifted to mobile suit mode, slamming to the ground feet first, kicking up a cloud of dust.

I was aiming for a three-point landing but this could work.

The dust settled. My Delta II was standing in the shadow of the tall dune in a near picture perfect pose of an idling mobile suit.

Yua started clapping and I was reminded that I had an audience.

Aside from her, the two boys from yesterday was there too, holding their gunplas, their mouths agape.

"That was some good flying, Eli." Yua praised, then she added teasingly, "Are you sure you're new to gunpla battle?"

"Yeah," I scratch my head. "Played a lot of Ace Combat though …"

"Ace Combat? Isn't that a flight simulator?" She asked.

"Not … really. It's not that realistic, but it taught me how to fly, yes."

"Sugoii~" Both kids muttered, but we both heard it.

Yua suddenly turned to them again, a glint in her eyes.

I don't think I like where this is going.

From the looks on their faces, I don't think both boys do either.

xXx

"Sugiyama Eiji, Duel Gundam Assault Shroud. Here I go!"

"Takeda Sougo, AGE-2 Normal. Let's go"

Apparently, Yua is a fan of the 'Trial by Fire' method of teaching.

When she explained to the boys that no, they're not fighting both her and I at the same time. They were confused.

When she told them that they were fighting me by my lonesome, they were far more accepting of the idea.

Brats.

"Eli Alonto, Delta II Gundam. Let's do this!"

I was catapulted into the skies above a sea that stretched across the arena. I turned to waverider form as soon as I spot two specks in the distance, burning hard towards the stratosphere. Unlike yesterday, both boys are far more bloodthirsty.

The Duel fanned its rifle as soon as it spots me and I immediately dance to evasive maneuvers, accelerating steadily but in erratic patterns. On the other hand, the AGE-2 transformed and started chasing me.

I'm not sure which one of our suits are faster and I'm even less sure if I wanted to test that. A beam streaked right above the suit and I swallow a curse. These kids aren't joking around.

I decided to gamble.

I accelerate as fast as I could, yanking the controls and making the Delta II loop around in a matter of seconds.

For a moment, I see the G-Strider before it passed right through me.

"What?!"

He didn't expect that …

Good.

I even out my acceleration and fire a couple of beam shots at the Duel.

Predictably, it raised its shield, but fires back in response.

That's fine, I was only keeping him on his toes. I ascend again, only to be met with the sight of a transformed AGE-2 aiming at me. I curse, yanking the controls violently, accelerating harder as I dodge the beam and transform.

In a matter of seconds, I was in front of him, beam saber ignited. The AGE-2's boosters roared and my swing misses. I transform and follow. I'm not going to let him go that easily!

Yellow alerts flash on my screen. Missiles. The Assault Shroud … I forgot it has missiles!

Instincts took over. I barrel roll at full speed, then I dip and dive before pulling up abruptly. Some of the missiles streak past me, but most of them slammed on the Delta II's back.

"Yes!" I hear Eiji exclaim.

I grit my teeth, unrelenting, firing at a still fleeing AGE-2. Most shots miss, but one clipped its wing.

There!

I rocket forwards as the AGE-2 shifted out of instinct. MS mode gives him more defensive options after all, but, for a few precious moments, he is defenseless.

I shift, binders alight and shield forward.

"AHH!"

With a clang, he and I collide in mid-air, but he's less prepared for it than I am. The AGE-II was jostled, unbalanced. I steady myself. I see the plastic of his torso crumpled from the impact. I add to the damage as I jabbed the rifle at it.

A click of my finger and the crumpled torso bloomed as the beam pierces right through. It explodes a few seconds later.

I … I win?

"Hyaaah!"

My eyes widen in alarm, but I could do nothing but stare as a glowing pink beam erupts out of my suit's chest.

"Battle ended."

… Guess not.