Journey to Insanity and Romance p 14
Disclaimer: I do not own Full Metal Panic! Wish I did though.
Resumptions and Ground Zero
Upon their return to New York, Ayame, Kaname and Sousuke brief Shunya on what had happened during their trip to Detroit.
Shunya nods in approval of Kaname's stance toward muggers, but also frowns on her using a grenade to protect herself and the people with her.
He then remembers that, sometimes, thieves will kill the victims to avoid prosecution.
Curious, he asks, "Does Mithril make cuff-link grenades?" Kaname's jaw drops while Sousuke ponders the question.
He then grins and replies, "I'll submit the idea, sir. I'm sure they could use a challenge in the workshop over at Munitions. It's where I had obtained the grenades for Kaname. I had them custom-made, just for her. No doubt, they could do the same for cuff-links. It's a strong possibility that they can handle it."
"Good, good. I was so wrong about you, Sousuke. Kaname told me about your past some, long before you two even got together. She told me that you had seen a lot of traumatic things and done some traumatic things as well. But she never told me your name. Just that you were interesting and funny at times."
"Some things get used to, Mr. Chidori. It certainly took a while for Kaname and I to get used to each other. There are still some moments when things get out of hand. Like the 'Full Monty Bacteria' did. My arms dealer friend must have been deranged sending me a canister that could potentially cause people to die of embarrassment."
Sousuke looks over at Kaname, blushes and adds, "Were it not for her efforts, along with mine, we would both be dead hundreds of times over."
Kaname nods and steps over to Sousuke. She then jumps onto his back and latches her arm around his neck, very gently. At Sousuke's sweating, she giggles and starts kissing his scar.
He's still his shy and innocent regular self, which she finds very charming about him. Even after what they had shared together. That is something she would never trade for anything. Not even to become a regular girl.
Shunya clears his throat, smiles and says, "I'd like to start personal defense training today, Sousuke. The sooner, the better and safer I'll feel when you and Kaname leave us. Hopefully, I'll be proficient enough to qualify."
"Affirmative. I just need to get some more ammunition. The competitions with Mr. Devlin, along with Commander Murphy, have seriously depleted my ammunition stock. The only ordnance I have remaining are the rounds for the SPP. Along with the fragmentation, concussion grenades and the C-4 along with the Nitroglycerin and TNT."
Kaname giggles again as the door opens. Sousuke hears it and silently moves to intercept the newcomer. He's about to make his move when he sees Melissa in front of him. He grins wickedly, steps up behind her and clears his throat. Melissa jumps a foot into the air with a yelp.
"Sousuke, is that any way to greet a friend, teammate and colleague? If you're going to spook someone, spook Kurz. I'm ready to help training Mr. Chidori with you if you are."
Shunya comes up and says, "Then it's settled. We should take responsibility for our own lives and not rely on others to protect us. If they're nearby, that's another story. Sousuke, I'm entrusting my eldest daughter's safety to you. If you two wish to wed, consider this my blessing."
"Uh."
Kaname laughs softly at Sousuke's utterance and gently tugs on his arm, pulling him through the door. At that, the group go out to the U.N. limo, get in and head to the gun shop to get some more ammunition. They then head to the range. Once there, Sousuke begins his teachings.
"Once you've primed the weapon, keep it downrange. There are various stances when it comes to opening fire on an enemy. The best one to use is a Weaver stance. It involves placing one leg behind you to brace your body for the recoil as some handguns do have quite a kick to them. Hold the weapon in both hands, not just one. Ignore the glorified movies where the hero shoots two guns at the same time. The only way to be able to pull it off is to have sufficient grip on the weapon itself. When it comes to finally shooting, aim center mass. Kaname, pick the weapon you'd like to use, if you please."
"I think I'll start with the Glock, Sousuke. Start small and work my way up."
"Affirmative, and a good choice. When it comes to the Glock, be sure to release the trigger right after firing as the trigger safety will prevent further use until the pressure is off and the weapon is primed again."
Kaname nods and loads a magazine into the weapon. Sighting down the barrel, she aims center mass and opens fire.
To her delight, she finds she's enjoying it, as the target's center mass is rapidly destroyed with every shot. When she's out of rounds, she ejects the magazine and puts it down on the table. When Sousuke brings the target in, he nods in approval.
"Excellent work, Kaname. You're a natural."
Blushing as she beams, Kaname replies, "It could be because I have an excellent marksman as my boyfriend and another as my Father." Now it's Shunya and Sousuke's turn to beam and blush at the same time.
"Ayame, you're next." Ayame nods at Sousuke and selects the Glock. Loading a magazine into the well, she waits until Sousuke has put the target into position. "Ready when you are, Ayame."
At that, Ayame opens fire. Unlike Kaname, however, her shots go to various spots on the target. Fortunately, however, Sousuke takes time to correct her stance.
"Spread your leg back a little further there. Perfect. Solidify your grip on the handle. Excellent. Okay, try again."
This time, Ayame hits center mass with the whole magazine. Shortly after running out of rounds, her belly growls. As does everyone else's.
Sousuke nods and says, "We have some time to eat. We'll come back tomorrow and, for the next couple of weeks, teaching the U.N.'s Diplomats after your lessons." The group nods in agreement and leave the range, with Shunya giving his friend a nod as thanks.
As they walk along, they see small eateries along the street. Shunya finds one that strikes his fancy and aims Sousuke into it.
"Sousuke, my boy, you are due for a truly filling meal. I remember what you told me about your usual diet. That may be all right in the field, but you're in my world now, bubba. Today, you shall try Italian. I recommend the Spaghetti with Meatballs with a side order of breadsticks. Kaname, the same thing for you. You're much too thin, daughter. If you were to be carrying a child, you'd fall down very often."
"Daddy!" Kaname's blush has Shunya laughing richly and he goes on to Melissa.
"Melissa, I recommend the Lasagna with Meatballs. It seems to have a calming effect on those that eat it while the Spaghetti cheers people up somehow."
At that, the group that had the meals recommended ordered them while Shunya and Ayame have Ravioli with Meatballs. Sousuke wonders what the deal is with all the meatballs.
So he looks at the Menu and lightly chuckles. The name of the eatery is 'Meatball Italiano'. He looks at the sandwich portion and snickers lightly when he sees the name of one particular sandwich. 'Meatball Pastrami Sub'.
He reads the description and nods, resolving to try it before he and Kaname leave New York.
"Pastrami made from meatballs. Interesting. This may very well merit scrutiny on my part." Once they get done with their meal, they go to the most sacred spot in the city.
Ayame and Kaname look at the memorial for the victims of a senseless hate crime. A crime committed by people that soldiers like Sousuke are sworn to stop. No matter what. Kaname takes a look at Sousuke and his stance, knowing that the life of a soldier is very unpredictable. She then subconsciously rubs her belly and smiles softly.
As he stands at Ground Zero, Sousuke looks at all the items that people had left over the years and recalls his duty. He then goes to Kaname's side and wraps an arm around her. Kaname leans herself into Sousuke's arm and snuggles into his side while standing.
"Had I known what was going to happen that day, I would have brought a group of M9s over here and caught those planes before such a senseless act could occur. Maybe then the terrorists would know it's not a good idea to screw with people that like freedom in all things. Including the freedom to live in peace."
"I agree with you on the idea for the M9s. Do you have anything that'd at least give some people some kind of hope?"
"Affirmative. However, it's my Mithril patch. I don't know if it'd be a good idea to leave such an item behind. Especially if one of Mithril's enemies gained intelligence that an Agent for Mithril had been here."
"Like people such as Gauron?"
"Affirmative."
Kaname slumps her shoulders as she realizes where Sousuke's coming from. If any enemy was to learn of an Agent's presence there, they'd go to any length to defeat that Agent. Including murdering innocent bystanders that are just going about their daily lives just to take care of their families.
Sousuke thenbrings out a piece of paper and writes on it. When he's done, he puts it down with the cards, nods to Kaname and she returns the nod. As the couple walks back to Shunya and Ayame, Kaname can't help but wonder what Sousuke wrote on the paper.
Back at the memorial site, a young boy sees a piece of paper with writing on it. He then picks it up and reads it.
"Hang in there. All will be safe in time. No matter how many terrorists must die. This world will be safe to live in. Signed, Arbalest."
The boy looks around, hoping to catch a glimpse of 'Arbalest', but only sees a young couple making it's way to three other people. Once the couple gets to them, the group then turns back to the site, allowing the boy to see a young man with an x-shaped scar on his left cheek.
The young woman with him smiles at his stony visage and gives him a peck on his scarred cheek. This results in a blush on the young man's face and the others to crack up laughing.
At that, the group leaves the site, as nondescript as when they had come to the site. The boy can't help but wonder if the young man is 'Arbalest' or if it was someone else. He then starts to hope it's the former. He puts the paper back down and returns to his parents, both smiling at his courage in facing one of America's worst times in history.