Chapter 21: Isolated Rains
November 20th. 09:27 AM. Fourth Day of the CCSE.
(Near the Evacuation Point.)
[Captain Nanase]
"How are Ogun and Ito, Tachibana?"
"Stable. We could prevent an infection, thankfully. Ogun needs surgery and one of those expensive cyborg eyes, but he sustained no further injuries. Ito's hand is fine, but he won't be able to move for a while. Shirogane did harm his eye too with one of his kicks."
"Thank God. I'm more surprised you got out of there without no injuries to speak of. Which of the girls was the one who stopped him?"
"I think it was the one with glasses. I was kinda out of it so I might be wrong, but she was the one that shot me, so…"
"Captain, what are going to do now?" Yanuo looks terribly distressed, her small figure trembles despite the unbearable heat. "I.. I don't think we can win against that monster. The look in his eyes… H-He's not human."
"He is human. We drove him into a corner and he fought with all he had, that doesn't mean that what he did was right. Shirogane went too far. Zanama's arm is broken, the medics here can't determine whether she will heal or not. She might have to undergo surgery." Both of them wince as fear and hatred fill their eyes.
"What the hell is even that boy?" Tachibana says, ruffling her red hair as she grits her teeth. "This was supposed to be an easy job. Scare the kids with some shots, capture them, mission complete. We got a whole load of offers here. The Diet, the Shogunate, even the UN! This was some life changing opportunity, with how much money they put on the table. Why didn't they tell us the boy was like that?!"
I can understand you very well. It's true that accepting bribes is a crime, but we have a responsibility to our families here. I couldn't care less about the political struggles or who is the current Shogun. This chance was a one in a lifetime deal, the amount of money we will be paid if we succeed looks more like a telephone number than a payment check.
All of us frontliners know that eventually we will die, so we must leave as much as we can behind for those we abandon. Rin, I know you wouldn't forgive me if you knew of this, but I wanted to buy you a draft exemption. If I could save you from this living hell, I don't care how I'm called or if lose my 'honor'.
"Captain, I ask of you to continue the pursuit!" Ruri Tachibana, you're completely crazy.
"We barely got to you in the jungle before you collapsed, Ogun, Ito and Zanama can't join us, we lost both Nikaido and Shijima already. What exactly do you want to do with just the three of us?"
"Huh? Three? Where is the pair the Shogunate sent?" Yanuo looked around and was surprised that they weren't anywhere nearby.
"I don't know honestly. As soon as they heard of Shirogane, they asked about his whereabouts and then departed without a word."
"So they're after the bounty that's placed on his head too?"
"I don't know, Yanuo. What I know is that we should steer clear of them. Tachibana, can you tell me how you plan to keep pursuing the Cadets?"
"We can intercept the ones that ran away first, then we can move to the first evac point with a boat, and ambush the other three before those dogs of the Shogun get them. It's the least we can do for our partners!"
"I agree with Tachibana. If we let them get away, that Shirogane will be allowed to ride a TSF. Who knows what horrible things a monster like that will do with such a weapon? He killed them when they couldn't even fight back."
"You say that, but why exactly did he do that? You both have been very vague on your encounter with him. He didn't kill me when he had me completely defeated, and he looked absolutely livid then. I don't think he would have killed them without a good reason. What were you doing when he found you?"
Both of them fall silent. I think I already know what happened, Ogun must have gotten pissed off for some reason and you all went along with him. Why do you always listen to him?
"And? What did you do?"
"We defended ourselves from the girls… And we had to rough them up a bit." Tachibana is looking slightly to my left, not meeting my eyes.
"A bit? How so?"
"Captain… what will happen to us if… if we kinda were beating them up?"
"Yanuo, you traitor!"
"Tachibana, the kids will talk. Think of who they are, of who they can talk to, of who will come after us. Captain, what do you think?"
"Hmm… How bad of a beating are we talking about here?"
"…Kicking them over and over as they were collapsed?"
"Oh… Oh, that's… You're both getting kicked out of the army, at the least. That's abuse of power against defenseless adversaries, the UN does not tolerate that kind of conduct." I wish the IJA did so too.
"We… also left the Mitsurugi girl unconscious." Tachibana finally admits with a bow.
"Sigh… Well, if you didn't overdid it then one could make a case of-"
"No, we kept kicking her. We… didn't even realize she was unconscious." She… isn't lying this time.
"…This isn't a lie?" They shake their heads. "Well, I think you're… No, we all are going to be in some deep shit after this. You must have seen her face, this offense won't be overlooked."
"Then, if that's the case… Shouldn't we focus on bringing down the other three and then go off Shirogane?" She lowers her tone as a dangerous look appears in her face.
"…So, since we're already deep in this there's no point in turning or holding back. That's what you're saying?" Both of them nod. Yanuo speaks up with a serious tone.
"I really don't care about politics or the nobles, but I need that money. My boyfriend suffered a grave injury in the battle of Niigata. The Shogunate said he should be glad to have had the honor of losing his flesh for the Empire, that there was no greater proof of his loyalty. Easy for them to say that, they're not the ones stuck in a wheelchair. Those mechanized legs are too expensive, there's no way we could pay for them with our wages. But if I got this payment… The Empire has driven my family into smaller and smaller houses every year. Those little cramped rooms cannot even be called homes anymore. I don't care if I have to kill a cousin of the Shogun, my family is what's most important to me."
Yanuo's long orange hair swayed in the air. She's usually reserved, but can occasionally say very serious words when she feels strongly about something. The one reason I'm glad to be the Captain of this squad is not because of how skilled they are, but because we all agree on that feeling.
Only those with money can keep studying to have a better job and have the hope to someday own a house. Only those that can buy the draft exemption to keep living normally, go to college or get a job on the media. Of course, on the media they said that's given to 'gifted individuals' but that couldn't be further from the truth.
So… who cares if they brand us as traitors? We get nothing in return, more than a few little, empty words of praise. But a raise? Better housing conditions? More food tickets? Hell no, that's too much for us commoners to have.
Sigh… But even so…
"I do so too, Captain." Tachibana speaks up before I could muster an answer. "Me and Ogun wanted to buy a big apartment for our families, to get them out of the slums. But now we also need money to treat his eye, otherwise he might not be allowed to pilot anymore. He'll be demoted to a mere MP, and you know how much lower their wages are." Sigh… I know. I know all of us saw this as our chance to obtain what we wanted the most.
"We all need the money. So, if you two promise me to not harm the Mitsurugi girl, we'll go deal with the other three, and get the big reward for killing Shirogane if we're swift. He did us a great harm, let's return the favor." Both of them doubt for a second, and then they give me a nod.
Same Day. 12:14 AM.
(Somewhere in the jungle.)
[Kei]
And another pitfall over there. Really, how many traps are they going to put in this damn island?
At least Yoroi is taking care of the tough ones. While I keep the rear safe, Tamase helps by checking the sides for any cables Yoroi might have missed.
I almost got shot by those two gun batteries they put near the evac point, damn chopper ran away, and now they want us to go behind the batteries. We barely slept yesterday since we wanted to put as much distance as we could between us and those soldiers, so we're destroyed today. Between running in the rain, disabling all those traps and not being able to sleep much we're now in a horrible state.
Things don't look good, neither here nor there. I might stay quiet most of the time but I'm always looking at everyone. I can tell these two are in no condition to fight. Yoroi is trying to not use her left foot much as she walks, she strained herself as we ran yesterday. Tamase is already agitated, she never had much stamina to begin with. We've been slightly slowing down for the last half an hour.
And what the hell happened there? They joined forces with Shirogane? How did he find them? He's suspicious.
You can't fool me, Special-kun. The others might need an excuse like you being from overseas to suspect you, but you can't hide your game from me. I know you aren't a Cadet since the start of November.
All people have flaws and, no matter how much they train, they always have things that can be exploited. Habits, signs, patterns. By watching your opponent carefully, one can pinpoint their strengths and weaknesses. Then it's a choice on whether you can exploit that weakness or nullify their strength.
But you didn't let anything show. You keep switching your pace, you mix movements randomly, you even fake your glares. There's no way a Cadet learned to do that, it's terribly complicated to achieve something like this. Even if you were a genius, you would show something. If I had a hat, I'd be tipping it to you. As a soldier, I hold nothing but respect for you.
Sadly, as a person it is a completely different thing. He's involved in the development of foreign technology, he's faking his rank, he has a lot of knowledge only someone that was throughly trained by foreigners could have. Bad Special-kun. I'd like to see his face when his cover gets blown up. It's so obvious his a soldier sent to keep us in check, acting all friendly and never complaining.
But why did those two agree to be with him? Weren't they also suspicious of him? Doesn't matter, I need to pass this thing. I won't let a foreigner screw with me, and I won't fall to that false friendship you propose. I can deal with this myself, not like I can rely on these two right now. Tamase is now barely walking, Yoroi is on her limit. We should rest here for a while.
"Hey, I'm hungry. Let's rest." They look at me and, without answering, they throw themselves onto the ground.
"Haah… Haaa… I don't think I can keep this up." Tamase said weakly as she chewed some mushroom Yoroi got for us last night.
"There's too many traps. Pitfalls, wires, hidden stuff on the trees, guns. This is insane…" Yoroi wiped the sweat off her face as she sat on the ground.
"Agree. Too much stuff in here."
We all then fall silent as we eat. Not that I mind, but those two surely do. Neither is a leader, so they follow whoever is the strongest. So far we managed because we had a clear goal but now both look worn down. Their minds might give up before their bodies do at this rate.
I can't really do much myself. I have no idea what's ahead and I'm not good at giving speeches. I'll have to lead them with my actions. But if we run into more soldiers… I doubt I'll be enough to protect them if they enter into shock.
"Say guys, what do you think we'll see near the new evac point? Tamase asks barely raising her voice.
"Traps. Lots of." That's why I recommended to rest now.
"Yeah… Say Miki-san, what do you think happened with Takeru?"
"I don't know, he was being restrained when we abandoned him. I hope they can get to finish the test."
"That's assuming he's helping them." Both of them glare at me. "What?" Tamase held my gaze for a second before speaking.
"Ayamine-san, why do you always treat Shirogane-san so badly?"
"He's too suspicious. Can't risk it."
"But Kei-san… He's not a bad person. You have all been horrible with him."
"What about the sims then?" I can't believe someone so young could help in the development of those things. Why was he chosen as the tester out of all the people in the base?
But even if that could be explained, there's many other little things that make no sense about him. His records are locked, he's too close to the XO, and he is almost always on a special mission, his fighting quirks are all hidden, he fights like a pro in CQC, he's terribly skilled with a gun, and he has never missed a question wrong and all his assignments are always getting good scores. He is no mere Cadet, he has experience in this field. Why is he lying? Is he an undercover agent? How can we know he isn't on those soldiers' side? What a coincidence that he joined right before the CCSE, isn't it.
"…If it's suspicious people we are talking about, how about you?" Huh? I didn't expect Yoroi of all people to talk back.
"I'm suspicious?"
"You're always quiet, and you're always doing your own thing without a care. You're not thinking of getting rid of us later, aren't you?"
"I wouldn't do that." Foreigners are one thing, but I wouldn't betray my comrades!
They're… looking at me with those eyes again. The same eyes they made when they heard my surname for the first time.
Daughter of a pair of traitors, how many times have I been called that? And many more insulting and degrading names as well. I think Special-kun has been the only one who hasn't looked at me like that when he first met me, which is very weird. At the least, he must have heard about my Father's betrayal.
"Ayamine-san, you won't just storm off on your own?" Tamase moved away from me slowly on the ground.
"I can't pass the test alone. I wouldn't harm you, you're my squadmate."
"Takeru and Chizuru-san are part of your squad too, and you always treat them badly." Yoroi said, looking away from me.
"He's too weird. And the Leader is unbearable." I'll never rely on a foreigner, or anyone who I can't get a read on. I can't screw this up, if people get suspicious of me that's it. My life depends on whether or not I get commissioned, I can't involve myself with possible traitors or idiots.
"Oh, is that how this is? You don't like them so you're willing to leave them behind? Ayamine-san, I thought you were different."
"What's that supposed to mean?" She looks away before replying.
"…That you are how the rumors said you were."
…That hurt. A lot.
It's always the same, no matter where I go. Why even bother talking? Why bother trying to be nice? In the end, that's all they can see in me. The rumors are more important than my actions for them.
…
"I see."
"Is that all you have to say?" Tamase looked at me as if waiting for me to react somehow.
"Yeah, sure."
"Kei-san, you won't even try to explain yourself?" Yoroi didn't seem to agree with Tamase. She was looking really nervous now as she gripped her canteen.
"Why should I? I don't trust Special-kun or the Leader, that's it." I need no complex reason.
If he wasn't a foreigner and I saw that I could trust in him, I would do so. Even if everybody told me he was a criminal. Because I know that people say ugly lies when they want to bring down people they don't like, I know that very well. I can tell when someone's honest or not.
"Please, Kei-san you have to talk to us. How can we work together if you don't tell us what you're thinking?" Yoroi, it's all up to you two. If you don't believe me, nothing I say will convince you.
"We can just do the same we've been doing so far, right?"
"…What are we even going to do?" Tamase's worry was obvious from a mile away. Yoroi also looked in bad shape.
"Go to the evac point. I can disable the guns, we just gotta get there." I have to lead them, even if they don't trust in me. I can't do this alone.
"…I guess. We're still quite far away from it though." Yoroi said as she looked at the map while also taking glances towards the coast.
"We have been walking quite fast since dawn. We have a bit more stamina, so what do you guys think? Yoroi-san, think we can make it tonight?" Tamase asked as she rubbed her legs.
"Hmm… Maybe. We already covered more ground than I thought we did. But… well, if we encounter the soldiers, what should we do?"
"Fight, obviously."
"Ayamine-san, how are we even supposed to?!"
"We knock 'em out. We also have knives if they don't give up." She starts shaking.
"I can see what you mean. But Kei-san, do you really think things will be so easy?"
"Doesn't matter. We gotta pass. So, you coming with me?"
Yoroi looks at Tamase, who returned a troubled look. She stayed on the ground, shaking. I don't know what I even expected, it's always like this. I will never find people that accept me for who I am, as soon as they hear the rumors and learn of my parents…
"I'm rested. I'll be going in five." I get up and start stretching.
"Kei-san, there's no need to rush. We still have two days, right?"
"Better sooner than later."
"I mean, yeah… But with all the traps that are laid out, we could use just a bit more rest? We can then decide what we-"
"We're going to the evac point, and we're clearing anything in the way. Traps or people. That's my plan. You two coming?" I cannot falter. Even if I'm doubting, I must not show weakness. They need a leader and I'm the only one who can be that for them right now, regardless of how they see me.
"And… you won't abandon us? You won't ditch us?"
"It's up to you Tamase. You believe in me or not?" She's trembling again.
"I do want to believe you. So if you say you'll lead us, I'll believe in you."
"Fine by me."
Retreating is not an option, relying on them is also out of the question. I did like this squad quite a lot, despite Sakaki's presence. Mitsurugi was always calm, and was a serious person who we could rely on. She never lies and is always straightforward with everything. I can't say I agree with her most of the time, but I don't hate people like that.
Yoroi and Tamase were always the pacifists of the group. Yoroi's quirkiness made her be the only one I could joke around with without getting Sakaki's evil stare. As a fellow free spirit, I wish I could have her selective hearing. Silencing Sakaki would be a godsend. Tamase's kindness was a relief to have, I thought… I thought she would be the one I could call friend the fastest. She was always making conversation with me, always trying to stop Sakaki from annoying me. Looking so innocent yet being such a good comrade, she reminded me of myself when I first enlisted in the IJA's Training Program.
I really wanted to fit in this squad, that's the only reason I put up with the princess. Always so righteous, she always has a retort for everything. And she has to always be right, because she's the Squad Leader. Mitsurugi would make a better leader than you, you have the position only because of your Father. She never listens, is always forcing her views on us, and can't lose an argument without picking a fight. As if she had a right to be here, she's no soldier. She's only Daddy's little girl trying to get to a position of power as soon as she can. What does she know of sacrifice? What does she know of the hollowness that follows you everywhere when you lose someone irreplaceable?
Unlike all of you, I have nowhere to go back to. Mitsurugi has a title of being a noble samurai, even if one didn't knew that the Mitsurugi are a family of samurai just by looking at her you could tell she's a noble. Tamase and Yoroi did talk sometimes about their houses so they have a lot of money, to own a house in this day and age you have to be rich. And the princess can run away to the safety of a mansion in the Capital whenever she wants. They can stop fighting whenever they want, they have people looking out for them. Someone out there is waiting for them to return safe, someone out there is thinking about them with a hole of worry in their chest.
But me? I have nothing. No home, no friends, no family. I can only fight, try to clean my name, and maybe hope I can at least afford an apartment for when I get my vacations from the army. Nobody would lend a hand to the daughter of a pair of traitors, nobody would even show some sympathy.
I'm no stranger to betrayal. How many times was I approached by some lecherous dude who just wanted to take advantage of me? How many times was I blamed for things I didn't do? Why bother talking if no one will listen? That's why I must have a perfect record. I can't put into words how thankful I am to our Instructor, she has never reported my fights with Sakaki. She only gave me lectures about it, no matter how many times we fought. That's why I can't get close to foreigners, who knows what kind of weird rumors people would start? I already have a lot of shit to deal with, I don't need more.
Even so, it makes me wonder. How did Special-kun got away? How did he find them? Why are they working with him? Or is he threatening them? 'Do what I say or I kill you' kind of thing? I see Sakaki helping him though, results are all she cares about. Even if her plan involves sacrificing people, she would stick to it no matter what anyone says. I can see her backstabbing Mitsurugi if it meant reaching her desired result. Like a politician, today's your friend but tomorrow your enemy.
"Kei-san, we're ready. Should we go?" Yoroi broke my inner monologue as she tapped my shoulder.
"Sure."
The good thing of having her around is that I can follow her without thinking, she takes care of the traps with utmost effort. If only I could find a commander like that, someone who valued my efforts as much as I value their leadership. They say I treat the Leader badly, but she's looking for it. It's not like I always fought with Sakaki, I gave her many opportunities to prove to me that she had what it takes to be the one to lead me. But she disappointed me time and again. Sigh… Is wishing for one trustworthy person such a sin?
It's not like I enjoy being quiet and only answering with jokes and witty remarks all the time, I also have worries and need advice in a lot of things. But I have no one. Not yesterday, not today, and probably not tomorrow. Who could want to get close to someone like me?
To make matters worse, I'll have to keep dealing with Shirogane if he passes the test. And if he got dirt on Sakaki, I expect her to start covering him. If he takes her to the result she wants… She just might fall for him. She only cares about awards, numbers and reports. She lives for the opinion others have of her. She is thirsty for recognition and high ranks. And the money that comes with those, probably. I mean, she is the daughter of the Prime Minister that's leeching all the power from the Shogun.
I hate her. She gets praised for everything she does, everyone is nice and respectful to her. Yet I work twice as hard, my plans are better than hers, I get better results in our trainings and all I get is side glances. I'm the only one that can keep up with Shirogane, I'm the only one that gives him trouble, and yet Sakaki is the one that gets praise and words of encouragement in the hallways and the PX. Only Kyouzuka-san can see all the effort I put everyday. And Shirogane, since he still gives me advice from time to time.
Sigh… Why did he have to be an American trainee? I was hoping we could be friends. Just remembering our first sparring sessions is enough to send shivers down my spine.
So talented, so calm, and yet so humble. To be praised by someone so skilled, I think my heart skipped a few beats the first time he complimented me, I could tell he was being honest by his body language. He wasn't trying to woo me and he wasn't lying either. He does… look really handsome when he's all sweaty. Sigh… All the people I put my sights on end up being liars or judging me by my parent's actions.
If he just was Americanized… I guess I could overlook it if he were willing to fight for the Empire alongside us, he is Japanese. And I deal with Sakaki on a daily basis, who's much more annoying than him. But he's too suspicious.
Shirogane is someone I cannot get close to. As much as I don't care about other's opinions, I have to lower my head and take their insults. Otherwise, I'll end up either on the street or serving as a common laborer, living in the slums. I rather give my life for my land than waste my days in those dirty buildings again. And moreover, no one would bat an eye if an 'unfortunate accident' were to happen to the daughter of a traitor. If rumors spread about me being friendly with him… people might assume I'm an American sympathizer.
Sakaki, if you're helping him… I'll never forgive you. You two better not lay a hand on Mitsurugi, she may not say it but she is a relative of the Shogun, not matter how distant. I'll kill you two myself, or I'll report it as soon as I can to the Guards stationed at the base.
The Royal Guard… Dad, if you adored them so much, why did you betray them? Why did you went along the plans of the Americans? Mom, if you always told me how important the Shogun was for us, how it was the only person with power who would spare a thought for the common people, why did you help the terrorists? Why did you treat their wounds?
Were they lying to me? Was all just an act so that I wouldn't talk? Why? Why did you abandon me? You two knew what you were doing, did you not care about my future? Why…
"Ayamine-san! Quiet! There's a cable in front of you!"
Oh… I always zone out when I think about my parents. I should know better by now.
Everyone I ever liked ends up abandoning me. Even you Naoya, I thought I could trust you. Yet when I was blamed at the IJA Training Program you negated knowing me. You knew I would never break gear or do anything against our army. And yet… It's thanks to that accident that I got kicked out of the IJA and had to go back to the slums. Because of that I had no choice but to join the UN to someday be able to fight for my country. And yet, you dare to send letters to me?! You damn liar, you also were nothing more than a power hungry son of a…
No, focus Kei. You have to pass this test, to be able to someday have my own house. To clean my name and be able to uphold the values I was raised with, even if the ones who raised me were just lying.
I cut the cable and rejoin the other two. I trust in you two, I know I can space out and you would still look after me. I… I'm… not very good at expressing myself without getting really nervous. That's why I'll protect them, I'll make sure we pass this thing. Even if it's only us three taking the piloting test, I'll… try to become someone you can trust. I'll be that someone that was never there for me. I'll be that soldier who protects Japanese lives, instead of obeying comfy orders to suck up to High Command.
(Near the wooden bridge. 19:17 PM.)
[Miki]
"Hauu… What are we gonna do?" We reached a bridge to cross to the other island where the evac point is, but it's completely tattered. There is another bridge made out of steel on the other side, but we would have to cross the jungle again.
"We should repair the thing and cross." Ayamine-san was pretty adamant in her idea, to have her and Yoroi use the rope we had to fix the bridge. However, that would leave me here alone, and after both of them made it to the other way she can knock Yoroi-san unconscious and leave us here.
No, I shouldn't think like that. I… I'm no one to bear a grudge against her, I also didn't do anything to help Shirogane-san. I abandoned him as well. So much for helping your fellows, Miki. Papa would be disappointed in me.
"Hmm… I do think you're right Kei-san, but we should wait until tomorrow. There's barely any light right now."
"We could get ambushed by the soldiers in the night. We gotta get outta here yesterday."
"I do agree in that. But Ayamine-san, what if you have an accident?"
"Don't worry. I'll be fine." She says that but… Look at the state the bridge is in. Some of those logs might be rotten.
Sigh… I have no idea what is the better choice. We do need to make haste, but if we hurry too much the others won't be able to finish in time. Hauu… What should we do?
"Even if we crossed right now, you won't be able to rig the batteries. It's too dark to risk it." Yoroi-san brought a counter.
"It's better to be there than here, in case the soldiers come at us. And no way we're going back to the jungle."
"I agree with Ayamine-san on the last part. I don't think I could walk much more with all the traps that are around here." I did get a bit more fit, but my feet are killing me. We are also short on water, we only have a few sips enough for one day more. Hauu…
Ayamine-san and Yoroi-san went to check the wooden bridge, seeing if we could use the rope and the tools they had brought to fix it. If only I could help with something…
Rustle Rustle
Hmm? What was that? I think I heard something… Nothing looks out of the ordinary. Was I just imagining it? Hmm? What the…
On the corner of my eye, some sixty meters into the forest, I saw something weird. A tree… was twitching. And moving towards us. And it has a gun. That's… no tree.
Wait a moment… EH?! T-They're here!
"Ayamine-san! Yoroi-san! T-The soldiers are here! Take cover!"
I hide behind a rock as I hear the sound of bullets boom through the night. Ayamine-san and Yoroi-san ducked and got behind another rock to my right. W-What are we gonna do?!
"You three! You have been found, come out with your arms raised or we will have to pacify you." A man's voice addressed us.
Ayamine-san makes a gesture with her hands. To… get near and attack them?! Are you crazy?! Why are you nodding?!
"I won't repeat myself. Come out on you own or we will shoot at you."
Ayamine-san looks at me again, first me, then her and finally Yoroi. Awawa, this is… No, I gotta trust in her. I'm no one to go doubting people when I'm the weakest link here.
I slowly come out of the rock I was hiding behind, the man had a rifle but I can't see if there are… No, there were other two soldiers hiding near the trees. They… don't have guns, going by their positions?
"Tamase, can you see them?" Ayamine-san had come out behind me and whispered to me.
"Two, behind the trees. They don't seem to have guns."
"Stop whispering! Come right here, no sudden movements or we'll shoot." We'll shoot. Yet he's the only one near with a gun, if they had guns they wouldn't be hiding.
On Ayamine-san's cue, we start getting closer. The man has his eyes locked onto us, the other two on the woods are not moving. Are they snipers? I don't think they have guns going by their silhouettes, but I might be wrong.
Then as we got to the place he told us to be, he got a bit closer. The other two were coming towards us. What are we-
In the blink of an eye, Ayamine-san moved forward and hit the man with a sudden kick. Doing a short hop back, the soldier dodged it but then she got closer in a flash and took the rifle from him, tossing it towards me, as she started to wrestle with the man.
"Quiet! Stop moving or I'll s-shoot!"
The man didn't stop, he didn't seem to care. He punched Ayamine-san in the stomach quite strongly, making her fall to her knees. I fire once to the air.
"That was your only warning, leave us o-or I'll shoot!" But then, he crouched and grabbed Ayamine-san. He was hiding behind her. With one hand pulling her hair and another bending her left arm backwards, Ayamine-san couldn't struggle.
"Go ahead, little girl. Shoot me. What is it?" He was grinning from ear to ear. Is this what a sadist looks like?
"Miki-san… You can do it, you can shoot at him without harming Kei-san." Yoroi-san was standing near me while she was looking at the other two soldiers.
Shoot? At another person? Kill… No, that's… That's not why I joined the army… I don't want… to be like them…
"Augh!" I lost my focus and before I could realize it the man had kicked the gun out of my hands. As I stumble backwards to not fall he punches me in the face.
"Heh, seems like he was the only one with guts in this squad!" What is he saying?
"Captain, we got this one too!" Ayamine-san was being pinned by two women, is this… the end for us?
"You three. Leave them alone." Yoroi-san's voice was… weird. Cold and angry, unlike anything I've heard of her. She had picked up the gun and was aiming it at the women.
"C'mon, you too? Stop resisting or-" The man's words were drowned by the sound of the rifle.
RATATATATATA!
She opened fire?! Both soldiers had to roll onto the ground to not be hit by the bullets. The man tried to assault her, but she tossed the rifle above him. It landed near me.
"Miki-san, shoot him!" She was grabbing the man as hard as she could, but obviously… she was no match for the him.
"I… I…" But… shooting at people… I'm not like… But if I don't…
I grab the rifle and, while remaining on the ground, aim it at his legs and shoot once to each. He screams in pain as he buckled down.
"Captain! You bitch, you won't get away in one piece!" One of the women screamed at me. Ayamine-san was having quite some trouble with both of them.
"Miki-san, shoot at them. We gotta cross the bridge now!" Yoroi-san's nose was bleeding, she swiped her hand to clean the red line from her face.
"I… They're moving too much. If I end up hitting their vitals…" The two women were moving quite fast around Ayamine-san, trying to hit her with some sort of baton.
"This has rubber bullets, they won't get killed by them!"
"But…"
Ayamine-san lost her balance as one of the women hit her shoulder from behind. The other used that opening to strike her face with the baton, sending her to the ground. I… I gotta…
I aim at them and open fire. The red haired one dove into the ground, but I hit the other one and she fell to the ground. I heard another noise close by, looking to my left I saw Yoroi-san hit the man in the head with a rock when he tried to get up. I didn't knew she could be so… aggressive.
"I'll go get Kei-san, you cover my back."
"…Y-Yes." Who are you and what did you do to our Yoroi-san?!
We get near them as I aim the gun at the soldier. The red head was leering at us so hard that returning her gaze was like having to swallow a bunch of thorny leaves. Ayamine-san was slowly getting up, one of her eyes was purple and blood was dripping from her mouth. She grabs one baton from the ground as she makes her way to us, wobbling as she gasps for air.
"Kei-san, lean on me. Let's get outta here."
"You bitches… Don't think we'll let you go like-"
"Quiet! If you don't leave I'll shoot you!" I know I can't do it. My knees are shaking, and I can barely hold her gaze.
"Miki-san, let's move towards the bridge again. I'll fix it while you cover us with the gun."
"Okay, let's- Augh!" My hand! That hurt!
The other soldier threw her baton at me, I thought she was collapsed. Yoroi-san! The red head had leaped as soon as I screamed, knocking Ayamine-san to the ground again. She was now choking Yoroi-san on the ground.
"You all… What do you know?! We gotta get this done, I don't care about the regulations or the honor. You're all going to come quietly with us!"
I tried to get up but found myself kissing the ground. The orange haired one kicked me as I was trying to get up, and started pulling my hair as I struggled to get up.
"It hurts! Stop!" She's scalping my hair! It hurts! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Please stop!
"It hurts? Ooh, poor little girl. Those two bullets I got on the shoulder hurt much more! And he is in even more pain than you on that wheelchair!" What is she talking about? She punches me in the face, and then throws me to the ground again.
"Hauu… Please… Sto- Augh!" My face burns with pain as she kicked me straight on the nose when I tried to get up. I can't see anything, there's a weird taste in my mouth.
"We gotta pacify you, you know? I don't know if you'll try to do something like that Shirogane did." Shirogane? Did he run into them?
Augh! She starts kicking me, really hard. Stop, please… Augh! Ough! Anyone… Help…
"Leave her alone." I couldn't see very well from the ground, but Ayamine-san assaulted the woman. She stopped kicking me as she moved away.
"What's this? They won't give up?!"
"Tamase, get up. We gotta fight."
"I can't…" I slowly raise from the ground. Yoroi-san was coughing some meters away, looks like Ayamine-san helped her too. The women were ready to pounce at us.
Ayamine-san sent a glare at me, pointing with her chin to something that was between us and the women, the rifle. Whoever got that was going to have the advantage. But… can I shoot it?
"Haah… Haah…" I can't even stand upright, my knees feel like jelly.
"You two think you can step up against real soldiers? You lot are a bunch of problem kids!" The red head was really mad, her words filled to the brim with venom.
"We can't mess this up, I don't care who you are. Surrender now or face the consequences!" The orange haired one's face twisted, it looked like one of those animals called lions when they open their mouths.
"Tamase, on three." Huh?! You can't be… We can't win… We're gonna…
And after three seconds, Ayamine-san moved forward. The soldiers did so too. The red head threw herself onto Ayamine, trying to block her from messing with the other one. I'm not gonna make it, she's faster than me! If only I could…
And as the woman reached the rifle, I saw a stone big enough on the ground. Doubting for a second, I grabbed it and threw it towards the… Oh, that must have hurt a lot. As she raised after picking up the rifle, the stone impacted in the middle of her face. Blood splashed out of her nose as she collapsed.
Did I… just knock her out? I harmed… I… W-What did I just do?! I acted on impulse as the fear of them getting the rifle took hold of me! Awawawa…
"Tamase!" Ayamine-san screamed at me. She was having some trouble restraining the woman, who kept going for her left side. Right, with her eye like that she can't fight as well as she normally could.
I rush to the rifle, and see that the woman I hit with the rock was wailing on the ground. There was… a lot of blood coming out from her nose. She held it with both hands as she sobbed and quivered. I did this… This is my fault…
I slowly grab the rifle and put some distance between me and the woman with heavy steps, feeling as if I was trudging through mud, and take aim at the other soldier, that was parrying Ayamine-san's attacks with a knife.
"Stop that! I… I will…" I can't even finish my sentence. The soldier freezes for a second as she hears me, then her face contorts, her brows arch up, it's as if she had become a monster when she sees her comrade.
"Yanuo! What happe- Ugh!" Ayamine-san used her distraction to hit her head with the baton, she quickly grabbed her and threw her into the ground hard enough to make an uncomfortable noise.
"Tamase, give me the gun. Go bring Yoroi."
"Eh? Oh… Yes, here." I get close to her and give her the rifle.
Yoroi-san was hunched just some meters away from us. She was holding her neck in pain with rivers of tears in her face.
"Yoroi-san, can you stand?"
"…Yeah, I'm fine." I lend her my hand and shoulder as she slowly gets up.
"Alright. You two, no more struggling. Move and I'll shoot you down." Ayamine-san threatened the soldiers with not an inch of doubt in her voice, walking backwards towards us while aiming the barrel at the women.
"Oho, really now?" Huh? Awawawa! I suddenly was lifted from the ground, a strong arm wrapped itself around my neck.
The man… was holding both me and Yoroi-san from behind. How did he get so close? I can't… breathe…
"Let them go!" Ayamine-san sounded enraged.
"Or what? Are you going to harm your fellow Japanese soldiers? But of course, what can I expect from the daughter of a traitor? Isn't that right, Cadet Ayamine?" They know of us? Uugh…
"Let them go now."
"You're free to shoot at me if you want. But I'd like you to stop this futile resistance. I don't wish to harm any of you further, I don't enjoy hurting my fellows like your pig of a father did." His grip on my neck gets softer, I try to let out a scream but I can't even… As his grips slightly loosens, I gasp for air. No more… please…
Looking at her, Ayamine-san was standing still. Which made the slight trembling of her hands all the more obvious.
"Look at you now, cowgirl." The other soldier was circling behind Ayamine-san. "Drop the rifle, do as the Captain says or you'll be in a world of pain. We gotta pay you for what you did to Yanuo." She didn't listen and remained in position, aiming at the man. Stop fighting, we already lost.
But then, in my blurry vision I could see it clearly. Ayamine-san was smiling, not a smile of joy but it's as if she were… resigned? She quickly took aim and-
POW! BANG!
Suddenly, the man released me. I could hear a scream, I don't know who or why. I gasp for air as I squirmed in the ground, trying to get up.
"Miki-san… Are you alright?"
"Yoroi-san… What…"
"We gotta move, c'mon!" She took my hand and moved me away. As I looked back, I saw a big figure with eyes full of fury coming at us. The man was limping, I guess Ayamine-san shot at his feet? He couldn't walk fast, tripped with a rock as he tried to make haste and fell.
"Where is Ayamine-san?"
"She's fighting with that other woman over there." Yoroi-san's breath was irregular like a kitty that got chased by a horde of dogs, she massaged her neck slowly.
I take a deep breath leaving my mouth open, and as I recover my calmness I look around trying to find her. She was still trying to fend off the soldiers, but she was being overwhelmed. Her swings were getting more slow, it seems she dropped the rifle at some point. What happened?
"Yoroi-san, what should we do?"
"We have to deal with that man, I don't like this any more than you do but we have no choice. If… If they're willing to harm us, then…" She takes out her knife with shaking hands. She closed her eyes shut, biting her lips.
"Yoroi-san… You don't mean…"
"I thought we could… You know, calm them down if we showed them how we fight. This is a test, so I thought that if we proved them that we have good teamwork… But they don't want to let us go, so we gotta… we gotta…" Of course, I'm not the only one conflicted right now. This is as hard for them too.
"Yoroi-san, let's… let's knock them down. One of us can distract them while the other hits their head with a rock or something."
"Yeah… Anyways, take out your knife. First, we have to deal with that man."
We both take our knives out and try to go towards Ayamine-san. The man had stood up and was coming towards us with his baton ready to attack us.
"You two… Surrender now or I'll have to hurt you." He was still keeping his cool, despite the pain he must be feeling. I'm sorry, for what we did and for what we'll do.
Yoroi-san moves quickly and tried to attack him from his left, I follow closely and try to attack his right. He dodged both attacks, and hit Yoroi-san with his baton. I tried to slash at him as he hit her, but he quickly sent his baton towards me. I almost got hit on the head, I stumble backwards to dodge his attack.
He directs his attention towards me and sends strike after strike. I can't even get close, with his size and weapon there's no way I'll be able to counter him!
"And what can you do when you can't hit your opponent?" Then, as if by chance, I remembered one conversation I had with Shirogane-san when I asked him for advice.
"If you can't hit your enemy, then you just gotta wait until they attack you and hit their hands or something. They have to get close to attack you after all. So try to knock off their weapons from their hands if you can't retaliate normally. If you can only get one hit in, you have to win with that strike!"
He told me this during our second match. I always had problems at CQC so I was always trying to improve. But Sakaki-san, Mitsurugi-san and Ayamine-san were always so far ahead, I could barely keep up with them. But… if I can knock their weapons off… I did improve my fights against Sakaki-san thanks to his advice…
The man swings are getting slower as he frowns when he comes after me. His feet must be wringing in pain, I can… I can use that to make him stop fighting!
Then, Yoroi-san moved from behind him and made him stumble forward as she slashed at him from behind, seeing him lose focus I put force into my feet, raising my knife at his hand as I moved. I feel the contact with his flesh as I stumble forward.
"A-Aaaahh!" The man falls backwards, holding his hand as blood poured from within his glove.
I move quickly and kick his feet, another scream leaves his mouth and he falls to the ground. Yoroi-san was just about to pounce on the man, but her eyes became wide as a cat's after smelling fish. Is she alright?
"Yoroi-san? Are you hurt?"
"No… I mean, Miki-san what was that?! Are… Are you possessed by Meiya-san's spirit or something?"
"Huh?"
"I mean… You knocked the guy's hand so gracefully… You just moved so swiftly…"
"Oh… I just… Oh, his hand! I…"
"Miki-san, let's leave that be. Go grab the rifle, I'll watch over him." She grabs the baton that the man dropped and…
THWACK!
Oh, she hit him on the head with all her might. Yoroi-san, you're scaring me.
"Okay, I'll go get the rifle!" Focus Miki! You have to help, I can do it! I won't be dead weight, and we can leave without harming them any more.
I look around and spot the rifle to my right, I run to it and after picking it up I look towards Ayamine-san, who was now barely dodging the soldier's attacks.
"What's up?! Is this all you have? Huh?!" The soldier barked, she looked completely insane.
"Don't move! We… We defeated your Captain! Desist or… or I'll shoot!" I felt my breath become irregular, my hands are shaking again.
"You… Captain?! What the…" In that instant where she looked at the man and froze, Ayamine hit her jaw with the baton and the soldier fell backwards.
Ayamine-san looked completely spent. She had bruises on her hands, most of them was purple. Her eyes looked dazed and she was wobbling as she slowly walked towards me.
"Good job… Tamase… Haah… Haaa…"
"Don't worry, Ayamine-san. We're safe, everything is over now. Let's move towards the bridge."
The red headed soldier seemed to have given up on us as she looked at me pointing the rifle at her, she then moved towards the one I hit on the face.
Yoroi-san comes up to us to help Ayamine-san walk as we retreat to the rocks where we hid when they appeared, the sky was now pitch black. But even so, we have to cross the bridge.
"Well, I'll go and fix the thing with the rope. You two wait here." Yoroi-san grabbed the rope and started to nimbly fix the bridge.
"Um… Ayamine-san?"
"Stay… on guard." Her voice was faint, she must be in a lot of pain.
"Um… I'm sorry, for what I said earlier. I shouldn't… have talked to you like that. I should have known how hard it's for you to deal with the rumors. Forgive me."
"…Fine."
"Huh?"
"You saved… me today, so you're forgiven." She was looking downwards so I don't know what kind of face she was making, but I could feel some emotion in her voice, which is rare for her.
Hauu… I'm so lucky to have squadmates like you all. If it were for me, we would have been captured. In the end… Maybe they were right… I don't have what it takes… to perform my duties.
After some minutes, Yoroi-san comes back to us.
"Okay, Kei-san you grab me tightly. We'll cross first. Miki-san, you stay on your guard with the rifle, and as we finish crossing you come too."
"Okay!" Ayamine-san pets my head before crossing.
"Don't… worry… You'll cross just fine." Hauu… Despite all the mean things I said to her, she still worries about me. If you can be so kind, why do you antagonize Sakaki-san so much? Why can't you trust Shirogane-san?
They slowly begin to cross, minding their steps on the wood. I take my spot near a rock, but none of them seem to want to get close to us. The man had made his way near the two women and they seemed to be talking, I can't see them well in this darkness at this distance but I don't think they'll come after us.
What felt like an eternity eventually passed and Yoroi-san gave me the okay to cross. I take a deep breath, I just don't have to look down.
Taking a first step, the whole bridge begins to sway from side to side. Awawawa, this is so wobbly! If I fall from here I'll be shark's food. No, don't say that. Slowly, don't panic… One step at a time.
Sigh… I made it. Oh God, I feel my heart pounding in my neck.
"Well, what do we do now?" I said, taking some distance from the bridge.
"Hmm…" Yoroi-san looked worriedly at logs, then at the other side of the cliff. "Should we take the bridge down? The soldier are still over there."
"If we leave it like this, they may come after us. But then the rest will have to take a detour to the other one." I don't want to take the bridge down, but…
"Let's rest… for tonight. Once I'm feeling better, I'll go take care of the gun batteries. You two… take turns keeping watch with the rifle." Ayamine-san proposed her idea as she threw herself on the grass.
"Hmm… If we do that, then the others will still have a way to cross. Otherwise we would have to take down the bridge." And I don't want to do that.
"Sigh… Well, Miki-san do you want to take the first shift? Or should I?"
"No, let me do it. I… don't think I could go to sleep now."
"Okay, I'll take you up on that offer. But damn… We don't have much fruits left." She takes a yellow one and starts munching on it.
I also lay on the ground and aim my rifle to the other side of the bridge, I can't believe what just happened. It all happened so quickly, I was so scared through all of it. I can't believe… I hurt them so badly. I ended up burdening my comrades again too. If only I was better…
At the following dawn.
"Uuugh…"
"Good morning, Miki-san. How are you feeling?"
"Yoroi-san? Yaaaawn… I'm fine. How's Ayamine-san?"
"She already went to destroy the batteries. I want to sleep for a while, can you keep watch?" She rubbed her eyes as she left her position near a rock.
"Sure, don't worry." I drink the last drips of my water and eat some leaves I had left. I get up and look to the other side, the soldiers were nowhere to be found. Well, they could be hiding behind some rocks or something. I can't let my guard down, I gotta do my part here!
…
Yet, there's nothing going on. It's so… quiet, almost as if yesterday's battle was nothing but a nightmare we had under the sky. A nice wind blows, refreshing me as I was starting to sweat under the sun. I wonder… How are those three? Will they be alright?
…
"Tamase." Ayamine-san calls out to me as I was yawning from boredom.
"Oh, good morning Ayamine-san." Her face looked like a mess. Her hands were all full of bruises, her left eye was swollen and she still looked weak.
"Batteries… Broken. Let's go."
"Yes, let me wake up Yoroi-san. Hey, Yoroi-san!"
"Snore… Mmgh… Yaaawn… Whut ish-"
"Yoroi, let's go."
"…Oh, Kei-san? Okay… Uuugh, let's go then." She slowly raises from the ground and we make our way to the evacuation point.
"Um, Ayamine-san? Thanks for… everything."
"No problem." Her tone was more like a whimper and she's still walking wobbly, she must be feeling horrible after the beating she took.
We slowly made our way up the hill, but there was no helicopter in sight. What is the meaning of this?
"Where is the helicopter?"
"I dunno… Wait, don't tell me we gotta go somewhere else now?!" Yoroi-san freaked out and started to shake as her eyes widened again, but what she said is totally possible. Knowing our Instructor, she might just say that there's actually a third evac point.
We reach the place on top of the hill, no sign of a helicopter.
"Congratulations, you three." That voice! The Instructor came over to us from the other side of the hill.
"Instructor, did we…"
"Yes, you three have reached the end of your CCSE."
"Oooh! Yes, we did it!" Yoroi-san jumped in happiness. Ayamine-san was also grinning faintly.
"Now, it's time for you to know your score."
"Huh?" Oh right, we do get a score. Just reaching the end doesn't guarantee passing the test after all.
"Well, you three dealt with your objectives quite fast. All of you did it at dawn break, so you got a perfect score on that. However…" I don't like her tone change right now. "Could you explain to me what happened when you first encountered the chasers?" Her eyes narrowed, sounding like an army of bees ready to swarm us, a hand playing with her hair slowly.
"Instructor… We… I told Tamase to shoot down the tree when she was doubting, and told them we should run." Ayamine stepped forward, ready to take the blame. "We had decided to give Mitsurugi and Sakaki a chance to escape, since Shirogane was being restrained."
"Oho… And what about you two?" She looks at us without changing her glare or tone.
"I… I didn't object. I was… too scared." I also abandoned Shirogane-san. I didn't have it in me to propose something else or to do another thing with the rifle.
"I… I prioritized my test, and also decided to run away."
"Do you all think that's enough to justify abandoning your comrades?"
"Eh? No, I don't-"
"But that matters not. There is no rule that says you can't abandon a member of the squad, for whatever reason it is." Huh? What is she saying? "That gave you plenty of time to lose your pursuers and reach the evac point in time. I did have a talk with the squad you faced yesterday, I was watching you from a vantage point here. They went too far and will be punished for their acts accordingly, but you all got passing grades. Swiftly dealt with your targets, managed to get away from your pursuers by leaving your teammates behind as bait, fought with bravery to finish off the last pursuers, broke both batteries efficiently and finished with one full day left of time. You all got a Ninety on your CCSE. The only reason I'm not giving you a hundred is because you did the stupid thing of using the anti-materiel rifle too early. You could have cut the rope and escaped on your own while keeping the weapon, and because you resorted to leaving your Leader behind. That is all."
"Eh? We got… a ninety?" Huh? Eh? Awhawhawha! She's kidding, right?
"Miki-san, you heard that too right?"
"Yeah."
"Me too." Ayamine was also shocked, she stood still with her mouth half open.
"Hm? What is it, you three?"
"We're sorta… uuhh…" I can't find the words. We scored a ninety? A nine with a zero behind it?
"Yoroi-san we… aren't dreaming, right?" She pinches her cheeks quite strongly, at least she isn't dreaming.
"Squad I don't know what got into you, but you've passed the CCSE with flying colors. Come along, we have set up a mobile command post near the shore, we have food and warm water ready for you."
We… We did it! We passed the- Oh, wait. Not yet, the others…
"Instructor, what will happen to the rest?"
"Oh? I'll contact them in a short while. They have twenty four hours to reach this place, otherwise they will fail the test." She says it in a matter of fact way as she continues walking towards the mobile post.
"I hope those three make it in time."
"Me too, Yoroi-san."
"…They're tough. Don't think they'll give up." Ayamine-san is right, those three are really stubborn. Plus, they have Shirogane-san with them.
I'm sure that by tomorrow we all will… But, what are we going to do? Will Shirogane-san resent us for abandoning him? Will we get punished for harming the soldiers? The Instructor said that they went too far, but we did so too.
Haau… Deep breaths Miki, for now just relax. I did it, I passed the CCSE. No matter what comes from now on, I have to improve. I just hope things don't get worse with the squad. And… I hope I get the chance to apologize to those soldiers, I know I hurt them very gravely.
Sigh… Let's leave that for when it happens. For now, I'm so hungry I could eat a fridge whole by myself.