Days later...
"You know, that sure took a lot of guts. Giving King Lear a happy ending," Jason said.
He was commenting on their recently concluded theater performance. With Sumire's return, the play went on smoothly. To commemorate her return, Kanna suggested the happy ending instead of the original tragic version.
"Hey, it was ok right?" Kanna said.
It was an understatement. The play, riddled by the absence of Yoneda and then the problem of funding (which was still unsolved) proved to be wildly successful.
"Ok? You guys were great! The crowd went nuts," Jason exclaimed, recalling how the audience stood up and clapped long after the final curtain had fallen.
The Hanagumi were still backstage, basking in the memory as they chat excitedly among themselves.
"Everyone, thank you for your hard work. With the money from this show, we can still run the Teikoku Kagekidan," Ogami said formally with a bow.
"Ogami-san, thank you too. It was your directions that helped to guide us," Sakura answered with a beaming smile.
"But it was still all of your great acting... everyone's co-operation that made this play a success," Ogami replied modestly.
"Of course it's a success. I was the top star in it after all," Sumire said casually.
"Oi, don't just steal the credit for yourself!" Kanna said.
"As if I need to steal anything!" Sumire fired back.
As they descended to yet another argument, Ogami sighed.
"Will they ever stop arguing?" he murmured.
"Deep down, I think they prefer it this way," Jason said with a grin.
Ogami smiled, nodding with agreement.
---
"Excellent," Jason sighed as he lay on the soft grass, basking in the sunlight of a glorious morning. Birds chirped as they flew high above him, a gentle breeze helping to offset the sun's building heat.
"Mornin' partner. Care for a short training?" Kanna called as she jogged towards him.
"No thanks! I'm just going to enjoy this beautiful morning," Jason said, sitting up to address the towering woman.
"Lazy bum," Kanna chided.
"Sad but true," Jason replied without the least of shame.
Kanna stopped her pacing and raised an eyebrow. "I know what your problem is," she said with mischief, "I bet you're missin' somebody."
"Aw, cut it out," Jason whined and turned away in annoyance.
"Oh, I'm wrong?" Kanna said with exaggerated disbelief. "Ah, so maybe Yuri and Tsubaki are right, you really do like Saki."
"What!? Hell no!" Jason yelled indignantly.
"Oh I don't know..."
"Oh come on! What brought –that- idea?!" Jason demanded.
Kanna shrugged. "Nah, I'm just kiddin'. But I can tell she likes you a lot."
"You need glasses," Jason scoffed dismissively, "because even the blind can see that she likes Ogami. I think she's trying to get his attention by making him jealous."
"Ya know, you could be right," Kanna said thoughtfully.
Jason frowned. "What do you think of her, actually?"
Kanna sat down beside him on the grass. "I dunno. She's ok."
"Ok? That woman gives me the creeps," Jason snorted. He didn't mention that Ogami had expressed the same to him in personal conversations.
"Ya really should treat her nicer. She's not so bad."
"Sometimes I can't tell if she's just fooling around or really gunning for Ogami," Jason complained.
"In a way, I guess her honesty is somethin' to admire," Kanna said a little ruefully.
"What? What do you mean?" Jason asked, amazed.
"Well, look at me."
Jason took a glance up and down at her with the frankness of a friend.
"What?" he asked a moment later, not seeing her point.
She flexed a bicep, the muscle underneath her red shirt bulged.
"I know it's a bit weird, but I'm still Luthien-born. And you know how things are in Luthien," she said.
"Ah," Jason mouthed in belated understanding. Despite being in the 24th century, Jason knew that the acceptable lifestyle in Luthien and specifically, Teito; was considered 'old-fashioned', trapped somewhere in the 1920s, the post-Meiji era of Japan.
"So you see my problem," Kanna sighed, bowing her head, "and my height doesn't help either."
Jason took a deep breath. Kanna was telling him a deeply personal problem. The red-haired woman was immensely strong and powerful, having a lifetime of karate training. Her height towered over the average Japanese man. She wouldn't be considered strange on any other planet, or even in the Ashio continent of Luthien.
But in the 1920s-esque life of the Imperial City, Kanna's full height and powerfully built body stood out like a sore thumb. Jason never considered the pain she might have felt whenever she was mistaken as a man while walking downtown in her casual clothes.
"Ya know, I remember what you said to me before we launched in the Shogei-Maru for the first time[i]. You and the Taicho are the only guys that tell me I'm a still a girl."
Jason shrugged. "I just tell it as I see it, that's all."
"Sometimes I wonder if there's anybody out there for me," Kanna said, looking up at the drifting clouds.
"I can't answer that Kanna, but I'm sure there is," Jason said kindly.
She blushed. "Ya know... if you hadn't... well..."
Jason smiled, a little amazed at her frankness. "Don't worry, a wonderful girl like you will find true happiness," he said, meaning every word of it.
"Ya sure about that?" she asked wryly.
"Of course I am. Have I ever lied to you?"
"Well, there was that one time..." Kanna began to laugh.
"Oh, you know what I mean," Jason said exasperatedly before joining in.
---
Leaving Kanna alone for her morning ritual of exercise and training, Jason wandered around the theater. He went to the office to look for work, to his surprise Kasumi and Yuri didn't have anything for him.
"That's rare," he remarked.
"Don't you like a day off?" Yuri demanded.
"No, I mean, it's strange. I mean, isn't there anything for me to do? Nothing at all?" Jason insisted.
"Well, you can think up ways to help raise more money," Kasumi suggested.
"Uh-huh," Jason grunted. "You mean there's no paperwork, nothing falling apart in the theater?"
"Not today, Jason. Ogami-kun has already helped us with the paperwork earlier. To tell the truth, I'm getting bored myself," Yuri revealed.
"Well, there –are- things to repair, but we just can't afford the materials. We're barely staying afloat as it is," Kasumi revealed.
"Poor Tsubaki-chan, we don't even have enough for bromide production," Yuri sighed. Kasumi nodded sadly as well.
"Gah. I'll try to think of something," Jason said as he left.
With his head full of troubling thoughts, Jason headed back to the courtyard again. Kanna had already completed her regimen and was nowhere to be found, so he took a seat the garden bench to think.
He was so wrapped up with his thoughts that he didn't notice the new vice-commander approaching.
"Ah ah, what's with that serious face?"
"Huh? Oh, Kaede-san. Nice day huh?"
Kaede was dressed casually like a modern young woman, unlike the more traditionally-minded Ayame. She sat down on the bench and laughed lightly.
"Please, just call me Kaede. Hearing –you- giving me an honorific makes me feel really old."
Jason grinned. "Your sister didn't mind it."
"I'm younger than my sister," the woman pointed out.
He laughed. Then the Japanese woman turned serious.
"You haven't answered my question."
Jason frowned and leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "It's about the money situation. I'm not sure how long the theater... no, I mean the Hanagumi can last like this."
Kaede nodded grimly. "Yes, it's a serious situation. Ogami-kun talked about it with me yesterday. Even Tanaka-san and a couple of the theater staff have expressed concern about their next salaries."
Seeing that she did not say anything further, Jason knew that she and Ogami were unable to solve the problem as well.
"Why did you think the military suddenly cut off our funding?" Jason asked instead.
Kaede shook her head. "It's all speculation, but I think the new Minister of the Army don't like the idea of non-soldiers in the army."
Jason bit his lip. "So, it's Keigo again eh?"
"I'm afraid so," Kaede confirmed. She knew what had happened during Ogami and Sakura's encounter with the young and arrogant minister.
"Don't we have any other sources of income?" Jason asked.
"No. One of the main attractiveness that the theater was built as a cover in the first place was because it can be used to generate income for the Hanagumi. But to finance the entire Teikoku Kagekidan, that's impossible. We still have to depend on an army stipend," Kaede explained.
Jason mentally cringed when he thought of the upkeep of the the Shogei-Maru, the Gouraigo, the Tsukigumi, the various support teams... not to mention the supporting actors and musicians for theatrical performances... the total cost was formidable.
"Then we should try cutting costs. How about releasing Saki? With Yoneda absent, she's basically a spare wheel..."
She laughed. "You really don't like her do you?"
"Well, that's not what I meant..."
"You should really try to get to know her," Kaede advised.
Jason rolled his eyes. "What, is there a conspiracy going on? Huh? Is it Saki Appreciation Day? Sheesh. I'm just saying that we should cut whatever we don't need."
"No Jason, that won't solve anything," Kaede shook her head.
"Yeah, you're right," Jason sighed.
"Yes, what we need is a steady source of income," she said.
"We need a miracle," Jason muttered.
---
Countless fruitless thinking later, Jason heard a hubbub from the salon. Thinking that an argument was going on, he rushed there.
He found the entire Hanagumi fussing over the cute white dog Ogami and Sakura had brought home.
"Where have you been?" Ogami asked.
"Destination nowhere," Jason replied dryly. "What's the commotion?"
"Ah, we're trying to get a name for the dog," Ogami sheepishly said. "Just trying to distract them from the financial problems," he whispered.
"Oh. So, what's his name?"
"That's what I trying to decide on," Ogami replied, scratching his head.
"You?"
"Well, they want me to decide from their suggestions," Ogami explained.
Jason chuckled. "Ooh, the Judgment of Paris[ii]. Better you than me, pal."
"Thanks a lot," the spiky-haired man grumbled.
"No problem," Jason replied flippantly.
"What about you, Jason-san? Why don't you help Ogami-san to decide the name?" Sakura asked.
Jason grimaced. He was not going to be involved in anyway if possible. Hell hath no fury like women scorned, as the saying goes.
He then did a double-take at the Hanagumi girls.
"Hmm, you guys look good," he complimented to deflect Sakura. The girls were all dressed in their summer fashion.
"Hey Jason, I think Dai is a good name, don'tcha think?" Kanna enthused.
"It's too crude! Hana-maru is more refined," Sumire countered.
"Well, I think Altair is better~," Orihime said.
"That's so formal!" Iris complained. "He's cute, like a Torte."
"A what?"
"I think it's a type of French pastry," Ogami explained.
"Uh, Iris, I think it's bad to name a dog after edible things," Jason said.
"Why?" Iris asked innocently. The Exodusian hesitated; he didn't want to tell her that dog meat was an exotic delicacy in several Asian races. Kohran, knowing what he meant, sniggered.
"Long is good too," she quickly came to his rescue.
"As in dragon?" Jason asked, to which she nodded. He frowned, saying, "How can a dog be a dragon?"
"It's just a name," the inventor said defensively.
"Well then, what about Shiro? It fits his white color," Sakura suggested.
Jason watched on amusedly while they bickered about the name, while the puppy, stirred by the noise, barked and ran around their legs excitedly. Its fur was ruffled this way and that, making the dog feel uncomfortable. Still, it enjoyed the noise.
Jason noticed that only Reni kept quite. Jason took a moment to gaze at the German. He realized that he did not know much about the quiet youngster.
'It's not that I purposely avoid Reni. Reminds me too much of... Nah, better not think about it,' he thought to himself.
"Hey, Reni didn't suggest anything?" he whispered to Ogami. The Ensign shook his head.
"Well, ask away then," the Exodusian urged.
Ogami nodded. "Say Reni," he began conversationally, "do you have a suggestion?"
The Hanagumi paused to listen interestedly at the quiet teenager.
A moment passed.
"Any name will do. What's the first thing you thought of?" Ogami encouraged.
"...Hund."
Jason smirked. "Simple and direct."
"Hund?" Ogami repeated.
"It means dog in German," Reni clarified.
Ogami smiled. "That's a very good name, Reni. Thank you."
Uncharacteristically, the German's head bowed, blushing slightly.
"Reni's blushing!" Iris said in wonderment.
"As rare as a blue moon~!" Orihime exclaimed.
"Well, does everyone agree? I think this dog should be called Hund as Reni suggests," Ogami said, looking around.
Everyone smiled. They knew how private a person Reni was, and they understood just how important it was to make Reni comfortable being in the Hanagumi. Nobody disagreed as the dog yipped playfully and nibbled at the Reni's pants.
"See, Hund really likes the name," Ogami said.
Reni didn't know how to respond, so the youngster didn't.
"You should play with it sometime," Jason suggested.
"Play?" Reni asked.
"You know, have fun with it," Jason explained further.
"Fun?"
"Just try spending time with it. I'm sure he will like your company," Jason said, beginning to run out of definitions.
"..."
'Like talking to a brick wall,' Jason thought wryly. "Reni, you can start communicating with the dog like this," he said, stooping to ruffle the dog's fur.
Unfortunately, his ministrations were unwelcome. The small puppy had already been petted, ruffled and handled by the Hanagumi in their fussing. Although liking the attention, Jason's touched on an irritated spot.
Thus, Hund suddenly turned around and bit on his finger.
"Gah!" Jason yelled in pain. The Hanagumi laughed at his predicament.
"...I do not want that," Reni said and left.
"Haha, nice try," Ogami said to Jason, who was blowing on his bleeding finger.
"Is that dog clean?" the Exodusian demanded.
"We haven't gone to the vet for its checkup yet," Ogami said.
"I think you should go to the infirmary for that, Jason-san, it could be infected," Sakura said in concern.
Jason grimaced. "Later," he said, wanting to let the wound heal first. He didn't want them to know his embarrassing fear of needles. It was an excuse to avoid Saki as well.
---
Hours later, Sumire found him out and then demanded that he get to the infirmary for an injection. With Kanna uncharacteristically backing her up, Jason sighed in defeat and went on his way.
Jason was surprised to see Sakura and Kohran emerging from the infirmary with determined faces.
"Yo..." Jason greeted, but they virtually blew past him without a single word or gesture.
'What's with them?' Jason thought as he glanced back. He shrugged, thinking nothing of it as he entered the infirmary and told Saki he wanted an injection.
"Oh my, why do you need a rabies shot?" the sultry black-haired woman asked when she heard Jason's request.
Jason's wound had already closed due to his unique physiology, but Jason was leery about diseases, having several encounters that nearly finished his life off for good.
"Just do it," Jason grunted, not bothering to explain. He didn't want her to know about his Exodusian status, so he didn't say anything about being bitten.
"Now now, don't be so impatient," Saki admonished.
She sashayed towards the cabinet and stood on her tip toes and stretched upwards to get a medical box.
Jason was about to take a seat when she suddenly cried out in alarm as she fell over backwards.
Dashing forward, he caught the falling woman in his arms.
"Hey, you alright?" Jason asked as he sat her down on a chair.
"My, I'm glad you were so quick and strong," Saki said breathlessly and brushed against his arm.
"Uh, think nothing of it," Jason muttered, trying to get away. He couldn't because she kept a hand on his arm.
"We don't get to talk in private much, do we?" she asked, batting her eyelashes at him.
"Not particularly," Jason replied, trying to figure a way to get free from her grip.
"Pity. I have –so- many things to discuss with you," Saki said.
Jason sighed. He slowly and deliberately pried her fingers off him and sat down on a chair across from her.
"Saki, what is this all about?" he asked.
Her eyes stared widely at him, her fingers splayed over her breastbone in a show of ignorance of what he meant.
"Why, whatever do you mean?" she asked.
"Come off it," Jason said sternly, "enough is enough. You're a very attractive woman, Saki, but I think you better give up on this ploy to make Ogami jealous."
"Eh? Ogami-kun?"
"Yeah. Hey, I know it's tough, but he's got more women trouble than he can handle right now," Jason explained. Sakura's affection for Ogami was obvious, but Jason also knew of Sumire's on-again, off-again interest in the Ensign as well. Not to mention Iris's crush, Kohran's friendship and Kanna's familiarity with the Japanese man.
Jason had often marveled at Ogami's restraint, being surrounded by so many nubile and attractive women. Whenever Ogami asked him how he did it, Jason would answer vaguely about being a captive of female pirates[iii] and being an Exodusian.
"You're not making things easier by flirting with him in front of the others," he added.
"I see..." Saki said, a little crestfallen.
"Forgive me," Jason said with a little trace of regret.
Saki shook her head slowly. "Mm, I don't mind."
"I'm sorry for being too harsh and direct, but I'm speaking as his friend."
"He's lucky to have a friend like you," Saki replied wistfully.
"Well, I can be your friend too," he offered.
"What?" Saki asked, genuinely shocked.
"I said, I can be your friend," Jason repeated, unable to understand why she was so surprised.
"...are you sure?"
"Well, that is, if you want me to," Jason replied with a frown.
"You don't know anything about me," Saki countered.
"To be a friend is to learn about each other," Jason said easily.
She turned away sadly. "But you might not like everything you might learn about me."
"Nobody's perfect. Everyone has secrets, some more than others... like me," Jason said, mindful of his real identity and past.
"I-I'm not sure..."
Jason rolled his eyes. He stretched a hand in an offer of handshake. "Put your hand there," he urged.
"If only we met earlier..." Saki said sadly, shaking her head.
"Oh come on," Jason said. He strode to her seat and pulled her hand and placed it in his own.
"Friends, alright?" Jason asked.
Saki's lips trembled, her eyes shimmering. "Friends," she finally said, willing herself to shake hands with the Exodusian.
"Now, about my injection shot..." Jason started.
The sudden change in topic caused her to laugh, and Jason smiled.
Then Ogami popped in. "Hey, what's with the laughing?"
Jason and Saki grinned. Ogami was pleased to see that the two were finally acting as friends should.
"Nothing much. What's up, did the dog bite you too?" Jason asked.
Ogami shook his head. "No. Actually, it's about time for dinner. I'm looking for Sakura and Kohran as well, did you see them?"
"I saw them leaving the infirmary as I came," Jason answered. Then he turned to face Saki. "What happened anyway? They gave me the brush-off when I called them."
Saki hands flew to her face in a gasp. "Oh no, could it be..."
"What is it, Saki-san?" Ogami insisted.
"...I just told them that I heard a rumor. Then they just got up and left when I told them about it," Saki said distressfully.
"What rumor did you tell them?" Jason asked with a frown.
"That Minister Kyougoku Keigo was having dinner at an expensive Fukugawa restaurant."
"Oh no," Jason groaned.
"You got that right. No telling what those two are up to now, with all that had happened," Ogami said grimly.
---
The Hanagumi immediately gathered at the salon for the emergency.
"I-I'm sorry everyone... I was too careless," Saki apologized, genuinely remorseful.
"No use crying over spilt milk now," Jason sighed.
"Still, those two, what could they be thinking~?" Orihime complained.
"Hey it's something –I- would have done," Kanna said.
Sumire tossed her hair in irritation. "This shows that your brutish behavior has rubbed off on them. You should try to repair your faults once this is over."
"What!? You snake-woman!" Kanna yelled. Kaede hushed them with a stare. She then turned to look at Ogami.
"Well, what do you suggest we do, Ogami-kun?" Kaede asked.
The Ensign did not hesitate in answering. "I'll go get them! Those two could unintentionally cause more trouble."
"Shouldn't we all go? Easier if we split up," Jason suggested.
"No, we could cause a commotion if we all go," Ogami said.
"That's right Ogami-kun," Kaede said in approval. "Please, bring those two back. We'll stay here and wait for your return."
"Yes ma'am!"
"Bring them home safe, fearless leader," Jason said with a grin.
"I will," Ogami promised.
---
Despite his confident assurance, the Hanagumi could not help but wait restlessly for his return.
Orihime was the first to speak up. "The Ensign is just so unreliable, just how long is it going to take~?"
"Yeah, they are really late," Kanna said, tapping her foot impatiently.
"Will you stop that infernal noise?" Sumire complained as she fanned herself vigorously.
"Oh yeah? How about stop flappin' that hideous fan of yours?" Kanna retorted.
With a sharp movement, Sumire snapped her fan shut. "How dare you call it hideous! You have absolutely no tastes, you gorilla-woman!"
"Hey, can't you two just relax? I'm trying to read here," Jason said as he nonchalantly flipped through a thick book.
"Your book..." Reni pointed calmly.
"Yeah?"
"It is upside down."
"Gah!"
Then the alarm sounded.
Jason closed his book shut as the Hanagumi shot to their feet.
"About time too," Jason sighed.
---
"What the hell happened here?" Jason exclaimed as his Koubu landed. There were several other thunderous booms as the rest of the Hanagumi landed nearby.
They had launched from the Shogei-Maru and landed on a scorched battlefield. The Fukugawa district was in flames.
A high-pitched screech signaled the launch of several crudely built missiles aimed towards them.
"Scatter!" Kanna called in warning. The missiles exploded harmlessly around them.
"Damn, Wakiji!" Jason swore. From the wreckage of burnt buildings, a score of the steam-beasts emerged.
"The fire is gaining strength! We have to stop the enemy before the firefighters can do their job!" Sumire said.
"Fan out! Keep the enemy at bay and look out for Ogami and the others!" Jason yelled, subconsciously taking command.
"Roger!"
"Look! There's Sakura!" Kanna said excitedly.
"Sakura! Where's Ogami and Kohran!?" Jason demanded through the external speakers.
"They are still inside the building!" Sakura answered frantically.
"Alright, I'll do something. Get to your Koubu! The Shogei-Maru is standing by!" Jason said. He stomped his Koubu towards the burning restaurant as Sakura headed for the Hanagumi airship.
"Hope I don't get the bill for this," Jason muttered. With a swipe of his sword arm, he created a firebreak by cutting off the burning sections of the restaurant.
Several tense minutes later, Ogami and Kohran emerged. A tired looking, middle-aged man was behind them.
"You guys alright!?"
Ogami waved as an answer. "We need to get this man away!" he yelled over the roar of the flames.
Jason glanced about before spotting a parked steam car in a roofed shack. He pointed at it with his Gatling arm.
"Use that! Hurry, there's Wakiji around!"
Ogami conferred with the man for a moment before reaching a decision.
"Alright! Have the others gather here, we'll distract the enemy and let the car escape from the battlefield!" Ogami yelled as he and Kohran ran towards their Koubus at the Shogei-Maru.
---
A slim man danced around the top of his squatting steam-beast that breathed flames every now and then.
It was the arsonist's waltz.
"Hiyahahahahahaa! Such beautiful flames! Such a work of art!" his maniacal laugh accompanied the terrible symphony of the fire.
"Stop right there!" Ogami's voice thundered from his white Koubu's external speakers.
"My my, such a surprise to see the Teikoku Kagekidan here," the slender man said in an effeminate voice. He wore black glasses, a black tie, white gloves and a leather jacket. Strands of his brown hair occasionally brushed past his cruel eyes.
"Who the hell are you?" Jason growled.
"I am one of the Kokkikai... Kasya is my name."
"Why are you doing this!? Burning this restaurant... what is your objective!?" Ogami demanded.
"I suppose there's no harm in telling people who are going to die anyway. I am aiming for a certain Yamaguchi. You being here is just a bonus."
"Yamaguchi? But-"
"Did you happen to see his burning corpse?" the Kokkikai man interrupted conversationally. His Wakiji minions gathered protectively around him.
"You monster!" Kohran cursed, "How could you do this?!"
"I can do this and more!" Kasya screamed. From his pocket he pulled out a control of sorts. He held it high above him grandly.
"Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to burn an entire district with the touch of a button?" Kasya asked, horrifying the Hanagumi.
"No, you couldn't have..." Kohran gasped.
"That's right," Kasya gloated, "I've taken the liberty to rig your foolish buildings of wood and paper with explosives. It will be a memorable display of fire..."
"No, stop!!" Kohran's Koubu lurched forward. Reflexively the Hanagumi charged forward to stop Kasya from pressing the button... everything seemed to happen in slow motion.
"You will all die," Kasya said with crazed eyes.
A gunshot boomed.
Suddenly, Kasya felt an intense pain blossoming on his hand. Splatters of red fell on his face. With detached emotion, he realized his entire left hand was missing, leaving a bloody stump.
"Looks like I made it in time," a female voice spoke.
The Hanagumi looked up behind Kasya and saw a deep blue-colored Koubu with a long gun barrel pointed at Kasya, still smoking.
"Y-you... you did this..." Kasya whispered in shock, still looking at his bloody stump of a hand.
"Maria Tachibana of the Hanagumi, reporting for duty!" the Russian said crisply via the external speakers.
"Maria!"
"Maria-san!"
"Taicho, everyone... I am back," Maria said.
Jason smiled. "Welcome back."
"And I am glad to be back," Maria had a smile of her own. "Now, shall we finish this?" she said, her voice becoming business-like.
"You will pay for this! I'll remember this!" Kasya screamed and disappeared, leaving his Wakiji to fend for themselves.
Deprived of his leadership, they were easily dispatched. With the enemy destroyed, the Hanagumi stayed behind to help the fire-fighters to stop the fire.
Because of the Hanagumi's speedy reaction to the attack, the fire was contained and most of the houses suffered light damage. However, the restaurant which Kasya was attacking was totally burnt down.
Despite that, the Hanagumi felt a certain sense of relief and satisfaction in seeing the people emerging from their homes shocked but otherwise unscathed.
"Looks like we did it," Jason said as he watched a firefighter helping a young child back onto her feet. The little girl wept with joy as she ran towards her parents in the distance.
"Yes, luckily for us, Maria came back just in time," Ogami said.
"Yeah, welcome back, Maria!" Kanna added.
"You know, that's the second time you shot off a bad guy's hand off," Jason chuckled.
From inside her Koubu, Maria smiled. "Everyone seems well enough... what about Yoneda-shihainin?" she asked in concern.
"Don't worry, Maria-han... when I visited him before he was well and healthy. I think he's sick of staying in the hospital," Kohran answered with a chuckle.
"Then we better get ready his sake when he's released," Jason said mischievously.
"That's right! We should have a party for him! And I know just what my Great Party Machine can do for him!" Kohran said enthusiastically.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Maria asked.
"You're right," Ogami said, "we still need to do the usual thing, it's the first time now that everyone's in place."
"Well, is everybody ready?" Kohran asked excitedly.
"Shouri no pose...kime Victory pose... decided!!"
---
The next day, the theater was visited by a distinguished man dressed in a senior naval officer's uniform.
Jason, who was (reluctantly) sweeping the floor of the main lobby, was the first one to see him.
"Sorry, the theater's closed..." Jason began to say when he heard the grand doors opening. He stopped when he saw the military man standing in the doorway.
His brown hair was combed back, his slight moustache immaculate. He was tall, his face clear and dignified.
"I'm sorry to interrupt," the man said apologetically. "Is there an Ensign Ogami Ichiro here?"
A few moments later, Ogami and the rest of the Hanagumi stood stunned when the man revealed his reason for the visit.
"I wish to personally thank the people who had saved my life during the fire at the Fukugawa District," the man said, his eyes shining with laughter as he pointedly looked at Ogami, Kohran and Sakura.
"What?" Ogami exclaimed.
"It's you!" Kohran said in recognition. She looked at Sakura who nodded in agreement.
"You're the old man we rescued from the restaurant," Sakura said.
"Correct. I'm that old man... my name is Yamaguchi Kazutoyo, Minister of the Navy."
Sakura gasped in dismay. "Oh no! And I've been calling you old man all that time! Please forgive me!"
Ogami was mortified. "I-I'm sorry! I had no idea... please excuse my rudeness at the restaurant!"
The minister smiled. "Come on now, what is past is past. Besides, you could hardly recognize that the drunken old man was actually a cabinet minister."
Jason placed a hand on the back of Ogami's head and pushed downwards, telling Ogami to bow in forgiveness.
"I'm sorry sir, please forgive his mistake," Jason said gravely as he kept Ogami's head down.
Yamaguchi laughed genially as he helped Ogami back up. "Don't worry Ensign... Treat as if nothing happened, I wasn't supposed to be there myself," he said and winked knowingly at Ogami.
"Yes sir, I understand," Ogami nodded with a smile. Being a navy man, Ogami heard scuttlebutt that the minister had a penchant for disappearing for impromptu drinking sessions. That night at Fukugawa must have been one of those sessions.
"I am here to congratulate you on a battle well fought, Hanagumi. Your swift and decisive actions have saved a lot of lives. For that, I thank you," Yamaguchi said solemnly and executed a shallow bow and held it for a moment.
The Hanagumi were stunned by the degree of honor being heaped upon them.
"I am aware of your financial difficulties. Truth be known, I don't like Minister Keigo's policies myself... it's unfortunate that he took a personal interest in your affairs," Yamaguchi said as he straightened up.
"Can you please put in a good word for us, minister?" Jason said suddenly. He gestured to his teammates, who were surprised by his brazenness. "These young women and Ensign Ogami have risked their lives for Teito time and time again..."
"Well, I could..." Yamaguchi mused aloud.
"Please sir, consider it. All we want is a chance to serve the Imperial Capital well!" Ogami said earnestly.
"I'll do better than that, Ensign," the Minister for the Navy said suddenly.
"Sir?"
"Since the Ministry for the Army is so anxious to get rid of the Teikoku Kagekidan, then the Ministry for the Navy will take over it. Once I get the paperwork done in a few days, the Teikoku Kagekidan shall come under the jurisdiction of the Navy," Yamaguchi explained.
"What does that mean? We're back in business?" Jason asked.
Yamaguchi grinned. "Naturally, the Navy will be more than happy to fund the illustrious Teikoku Kagekidan and all its subdivisions. As for funding for the Grand Imperial Theater, I will advise the financial world to help. I'm sure they are willing to listen to –me-."
"Heh. I'm sure they will," Jason grinned in return.
"Besides, I'm a fan of your plays as well," Yamaguchi confided.
"We're saved!" Kanna exulted.
Sumire strode forward to grip the Minister's hands in gratitude.
"Please, enjoy more superb performances from Teito's top star!" she gushed happily, flattering the older man.
Iris popped up between them and hugged the Minister cheerfully. "Wai wai! Thank you, old man! You're wonderful!"
Yamaguchi laughed heartily at their boisterous behavior. "Hahaha, I'm sure all of you will do well!"
"Sir, yes sir!" Ogami said and bowed formally.
"It seems everything turned out well, doesn't it?" Maria said.
"Mm. We defeated the enemy, we saved lives, and now we got our funding back. I'd say that's pretty good," Jason agreed.
"All because Kohran and Sakura got a little too rowdy," Ogami said lightly.
The guilty duo blushed and laughed sheepishly.
As the others crowded the Minister to extend their thanks, Maria stood beside Jason to watch the scene.
"I am glad to be back to see all their happy faces," she said.
Jason coughed. After the excitement from yesterday's battle, Jason couldn't find time to greet her properly.
He averted his eyes and turned away in embarrassment when she looked enquiringly at him.
"And I'm... umm... glad that you are back, Maria..."
She smiled in pleasure.
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Author's Note:
At last, the gang's all back together! FINALLY, I can get this gorilla off my back and get on with my original additions... slowly, but surely...
As always, thank you for all the reviews and kind emails!
[i] Shogei-Maru – before the final battle in Starting Over.
[ii] Judgment of Paris – the cause of the Trojan War. Greek Classic Literature 101
[iii] Female Pirates – the pirates of Vandread, where the word 'ugly' doesn't seem to exist among them.