A/N: The start of this chapter picks up after the end of Ch. 49, instead of following right after the end of the prior one.
Chapter 63: Downtime in the Masquerade (II)
December 2nd, a bit after noon.
(Yokohama Base. Valkyries' Hangar.)
The whirring of gears, the clanking of tools, the whispers and jokes of mechanics and the beeping of computers was all that could be heard in the background of the ample space of this hangar at the moment. Alongside a sharp and firm smacking sound, which drowned all idle chatter in the place.
As wide as the reddening of her left cheek were 1st Lt Hayase's eyes becoming, standing still, frozen in place as her hands wrung tight. Equally petrified were the younger members of the squad, as if they had caught a glimpse of Medusa having intercourse with the Basilisk through the crack of a door. Static and jolts ran through the older ones, caught off guard by this sudden action.
And so, with a stone-cold facade which betrayed no emotion, save for disapproval in this occasion, the slender shape took a step closer to Hayase as her most delicate voice aimed to pierce through, "I believe I had already given you all a most thorough briefing on how to handle the Takemikazuchi units you were bequeathed with," Mst Sgt Kazama calmly said as a single finger cruised her chin, the hollowness in her gaze betraying her tone, "Could you kindly explain to me what idea caused you to perform such an idiotic maneuver at the end of the battle, 1st Lt Hayase?"
"…Excuse me?" Hayase glared at the woman, whose complexion did not waver, "I already told you, I was aiming to shoot down that-"
"Your unit collapsed on top of the aggressor you were facing," quietly lashing out, holding the Lieutenant's glare, "Not only you employed quite barbaric maneuvers throughout the entirety of this mock battle, you also put your own unit at risk of being severely damaged. Let me remind you, even if they have been loaned, these Type-00C units belong to the Shogunate. And as the Chief of their maintenance crew, I'd like you all to take proper care of them. I won't accept another excuse as an answer for your mishandling of such an asset."
One of her brows twitched as she inhaled sharply, "Listen here, you… Ahem… I understand your concerns, Master Sergeant," Sheathing the anger, Hayase gave a minute nod, feeling the pressure of her captain's glare skinning her nape, "However, as I said before, I was not expecting such intense output from the Takemikazuchi. It was vastly different to the sim runs we have been doing as of late. And if you watch the battle, I am sure you'll realize most of my 'idiotic' maneuvers were done to counter the eccentric patterns of our aggressor."
A single finger treading her short jade green hair, the Chief frowned slightly, "I do not believe it proper for you to place blames on other pilots for your own failings."
"W-What?! I am not-"
"Regardless of your foe's dexterity, 1st Lt Hayase, weren't you the one who chose to face that pilot on your own? Am I correct in that she dismissed your support nearing the end of the battle, 1st Lt Munakata?"
"Eh? Ah… Well, yes, that is correct," She answered, low.
Unabated, the Chief continued, "Thus, I am expecting no more… recklessness from your mock battles, Valkyries. To think the A-01 STF would be made up of such novices…" Shaking her head, Kazama allowed a sigh to escape her slim lips.
"…Bold words, aren't them," A minuscule shaking on her tight fists, Hayase's lips twisted in, bit by her teeth, "Then let me ask you something, Chief Kazama. Compared to other units, how was our performance with the Type-00C? I believe we piloted them far better than most in the IRG would, for a first sortie with them," She ascertained, in part due to her frustration at the woman's conduct, on the other due to the excitement that was still rushing through her veins after her very first time piloting an XM3 machine, after her bout with the Viking that had just ended but moments ago.
Taking a second of silence to consider her words, the Chief treads her chin slowly, "The younger ones were not even up to par to our fresh recruits in the IRG, no," The calm assessment sent Asakura's gaze and mood to crash down a ravine, whereas Takahara's frustration came out pouring in ample quantity. The other three of the newest members could only wring their hands, look away. Uncaring to the overall stiffness and emptiness in the younger ones' eyes, the Chief continued, "Cpt Isumi and 1st Lt Munakata performed at an acceptable level of aptitude, in my opinion. However, despite the difference in the OS, your skill in close quarters is very lacking," She stated, firm, grabbing a wrench from a nearby supply crate, spinning it in her grasp, and doing slow, precise movements with it in the air, bending her wrist just slightly, "I did not see you employ any such parries. And I believe you'd be accustomed to wielding something more delicate than a wrench."
"…May I ask what exactly do you think our piloting is lacking, Chief Kazama?" Touko asked, rather dryly for her own person, as she stared straight into the other Kazama's eyes.
She brought the wrench to her person, bumping it slightly on the base of her chin, "Surely you should know. A seasoned member of the Guard wouldn't have been bested as Cpt Isumi was."
"…In my defense, the reaction time of our adversary was like nothing I've ever seen," A small dose of embers shot out, looking straight into her eyes, "Even with the XM3's superiority and the technological advantage a Type-00C grants, I still am in disbelief that my firing line was so easily predicted and avoided," Michiru commented, taking a step closer to the Chief in an attempt to ward off her crew's rising animosity, "I believe you'd agree that such sharp dodging techniques are not commonplace in our doctrine, or in any combat doctrine as far as I'm aware. Our rival on this occasion was… an outlier," Descending to a whisper her voice, descending onto her throat a pair of knives, she then coughed to clear the stagnant frustration of her defeat at the hands of the 'Vikings', "Ahem… While I would welcome your advice in how we should handle the Takemikazuchi from now on, I don't believe this battle in particular can form a fair judgment of our abilities, Chief Kazama," Stoic and sober, she stated.
A small nod afterwards, the Chief dulled her disapproval, placing the wrench back in the crate, "Yes, perhaps such final judgments are too early to be spoken. However, I was led to believe you were the cream of the crop, the elite within the elite, the mighty sword of the Fourth. And yet…" A narrowed gaze towards Hayase, a shaking of her head, the Chief sighs, "…all I see here is arrogance, recklessness. And immaturity, above all else, for your second-in-command to have chosen such a barbaric end to this mock battle."
Brows twitching, Hayase ruffled her hair to try and calm down. It was not very effective, you'd understand, "…Look Chief, I merely wanted a one-on-one with those pilots. I admit it was… childish, almost, but I had no intention to cause my Takemikazuchi to collapse like that. I was answering to the display of my aggressor, testing the limits of my new craft."
"Excuses don't create solutions, 1st Lt Hayase," Chief Kazama dryly said, Hayase flinched slightly as she again bit her lips, "I am not allowed to know how exactly does the XM3 function, thus I cannot judge your dexterity with this new OS. However, what I can offer are my critiques on your overall movement patterns. Which, to be frank, seem to not be anything new besides this supposed ability to bypass the shock countermeasures. Compared to the aggressor you faced… I found you all lacking tempo and dexterity, 1st Lt Hayase in particular. Remove the advantage this new OS gives you, and I can't say you're a fair match for the IRG's elites, save for your captain," She nods, placing both hands behind her back, finished with her small piece of advice.
Putting a hand over Hayase's shoulder, gripping it, Michiru forced her subordinate to bow down alongside her, "Thank you for your words of advice, Chief Kazama. We shall take them to heart for our next training drill. On that regard, was 1st Lt Hayase's unit damaged?"
Brows furrowing, lips shrinking, she nods, "Slight damage to the head visor, and we are still evaluating the state of the cockpit's outer armor. Sigh… I know I am repeating myself, but do take care to not hurt these units. Spare parts are very scarce, and expensive. Should you continue to abuse the craft in this savage a manner, I will have to notify this on my reports to the Shogunate."
"Alright, we'll make sure to redouble our efforts from now on," Michiru affirmed, hoping to end this discussion here and now, "If there's nothing else you'd wish to tell us, we shall be on our way."
"Excuse me, Captain?" The younger Suzumiya stepped up, still petrified, unable to meet the gazes which fell on her person.
"…Suzumiya? What is it?" Michiru asked, blinking fast for a moment.
"I was… wishing to ask a question to Chief Kazama, if you would allow me," Barely squeezing the words out, she said.
"Well… I suppose you can, go ahead," She nodded to her subordinate.
Who took another step closer, stealing glances at the immutable ice wall garbed in the white attire of the IRG, "Chief, you had mentioned before how our performance was lacking to your eyes. To what exactly are you comparing us? And, what did you make of our rival's piloting?"
The questions reigniting the interest, the honest curiosity in the Valkyries, most of their members stared in wait. Hayase took a step back and shrugged as she saw Haruka's nervous smile, both awaiting the answer as anxiously as their captain did. All the younger members were also eager to hear this reply, as their adaptation to the XM3 has been rather… dicey, to say the least. Touko was the only one who closed her eyes and sighed, wishing to be able to divert the talks or halt the answer.
After a second of pondering, the minute, delicate movements as she caressed her hair once more betrayed the harshness of the equally tender voice of the Chief, "You have been lauded as the top squadron of this base, of none other than this base. Thus, I am comparing you to what is, in my honest opinion, the most formidable squadron in the IRG I have seen. And as I said moments before, save for Cpt Isumi and 1st Lt Munakata, none of you are deserving of such a title. I highly doubt the young ones could fend for themselves on the battlefield should the need arise," A quiet collapse, the crumbling of concrete against towering waves of Destroyers was caused on the newest recruits' complexions by the words, yet the Chief continued, "I would suggest them to return to the Shiranuis, they do not deserve to pilot a Takemikazuchi with such meager skill. And should you fail to restrain your recklessness, I advise the same to you, 1st Lt Hayase."
"…Oh, really? It's a shame we have orders to field test all these units, though," Hayase replied in full venom, ignoring the hand Munakata placed on her shoulder and Michiru's warning glare, "And just so you know, all of us here were trained by one of the best pilots in the whole Empire. I can get that our approaches may not mix but, you know what? All the Valkyries were forged by the one known as the Reaper, a veteran like no other. You won't find a better crew than us in the Empire, no, in the whole world, I bet," Endowing the entire blaze yet restraining it barely under her skin, she affirmed as she returned the frontal gaze of the Tozama.
Who dismissively shook her head, "Such arrogance will only lead you to an early grave, 1st Lt Hayase," Or perhaps, you're shielding your ego behind this anger? She mused momentarily, "Anyways, failing to account for the difference in skill between your crewmates will only serve to beget an incident on the field," Chief Kazama coldly ascertained, Michiru and Munakata grimacing at the prospect, recalling failures of the past, burnt hopes and dreams, "Furthermore, it would be in the best interest of the newest members to not form their skills with the Takemikazuchi as their baseline. Such power and performance can be… limiting, addictive. I do earnestly suggest you try to perform some trainings with the Shiranui again, either live or in the JIVES," She said, giving a minute bow.
"Huh?" Hayase recoiled at the mixed signals, void of words for a moment, "Wait, so, how could that be? I don't think using a better machine up to higher standards could backfire on us. Isn't that why the Fubuki was made as our training craft?" She asked, rhetorically, as she looked back at her squadmates. Munakata nodded with a perplexed expression, the newbies were also as lost as a penguin in a desert, whereas Michiru had folded her arms and words inwards as she pondered the Chief's suggestion.
So another tender voice rose in answer, as Touko took a step, feeling acid on her throat, "In the reality we live in, shortage of units and spare parts is something we as pilots must always take into account," A hand swimming through her long hair, she states as she looks at the ground, continuing as if on a monologue, "Adaptability to the field's conditions and the availability of crafts is a must for all surface pilots. And while our circumstances as the STF are vastly different to most other units, there is certain risk in allowing our new members to blossom under the Takemikazuchi, as it differs greatly from the Shiranui in many aspects," She concluded, softly.
Chief Kazama nodded in agreement, a small smile on her face, "Precisely. For example, 1st Lt Hayase would not have performed such savage maneuvers at CQC had she been piloting a Type-94, I'm certain," She stated, giving a minute glare to Hayase, which she returned, "Which is why I suggest you to allow the newest members of your crew to continue training with the Shiranui, so that they don't grow complacent under the Takemikazuchi's specs. There might be a time when you won't have access to such a machine… and your habits as pilots will make you take wrong lines of thought, and may lead you, and many others, to an early grave."
Michiru nodded, thankful for the insight, "I see… You're right, I hadn't taken that into account. If I may, is this how the fresh recruits of the Guard learn to pilot before receiving a Takemikazuchi?"
"Well… Sadly, this procedure is not always followed upon," Frowning a bit, she taps her ear, looking away into the swirling cables and rows of crates, "As I'm sure you're aware, the IRG does not have access to the Fubuki due to…" Lips twisting, eyes closing for a second, "…bureaucratic decisions. However, even if it is recommended to train at least half a year with a Zuikaku, there are those who receive a Type-00 as their first unit, due to their House's… connections. Seeing the performance and attitude of such individuals is what makes me think you should not discard the Shiranui just yet, as it has advantages that the Takemikazuchi units do not."
"Um…" Akane again stepped closer, "What would those advantages be?"
"Figuring that should be your first priority, 2nd Lt Suzumiya. As well as those of your same generation," Chief Kazama nods, sheathing her ill mood. Hayase and Michiru share a gaze, both sighing and shrugging, wordlessly deciding to relent on their arguing wishes.
"I see… So, well, about our rivals…" Akane insisted, gulping slowly, awaiting the answer, "…What did you think of their performance?"
Eyelids almost closing, expression dulled into another poker face, the Chief remained silent for a moment, then another. As she looked up into the vast hangar, into the colossal shapes of the Type-00Cs of the Valkyries which reflected the bright glare of the overhead lights, she quietly began, "While the… adusted impulse of its stride was rather concerning, I must admit that said pilot's skill was… exquisite," The smile, the small smile as she threaded her hair, that surged forth shocked all Valkyries, but Touko in particular, who felt something acid, unpleasant swirling and twisting in her stomach. The feeling only worsened when Mst Sgt Kazama continued in a slower, calmer tone, still smiling, "Despite the… odd craft they were made to pilot, all of its movements were connected through purpose, and the execution of them was near perfect, to boot. As Cpt Isumi mentioned, I believe the greatest point in favor of your aggressor was not their eccentric movement pattern but… its ability to foresee your movements, to predict your attacks and counter them with swift precision. And even then, they still contributed to the learning experience of the mock battle by not neutralizing all of you from a sniping position, crossing strikes with you all despite the advantages available. If you might forgive the rudeness, I believe that pilot to be more skilled than any of you, truly fitting of the reputation of your unit."
Michiru and Munakata frowned at the words, very strongly so. The younger members shared a surprised, flabbergasted round of gazes, while Hayase begrudgingly nodded in agreement as Haruka tried to appease her friend, gently patting her arm. Touko had remained composed, her gaze squarely on the Chief despite the stomachache, and slowly looked away as she saw the words to be genuine.
Taking a moment to gauge their reactions, the Chief then asks, "If I may, where is your comrade as of now? I… would be liking to share some words with them."
"Huh? Oh…" Michiru coughs, "That pilot is not a member of our unit, sadly. They are working under the XO's personal orders, and not even us have ever met the person."
"…Is that so?" Chief Kazama sighs, dejectedly, "Well then, I believe there are no further questions?"
"Actually…" Michiru's tongue lashed against the back of her teeth, half of her wanting to ask, the other wanting to stay quiet, "…You had compared us to 'the strongest unit' of the IRG. To your eyes, how does our aggressor fit in your ranking?"
"Mmh…" Veiling her sight, she pondered for a moment. Again looking elsewhere, arms cradling her elbows, the Chief's voice barely rises from her lips, "…If it were up to me, I'd say that pilot is worthy of an induction."
"W-Wha…" Touko was struck by harsh lightning, as if Thor himself had delivered his hammer through her chest, "S-Surely you're joking?"
"Why would I be? You saw it yourself, the most polished control of the jump units, the careful evasive maneuvers, the decisive yet not blind charges. Had the pilot been on equal grounds with a Takemikazuchi, I do not doubt all five of your squadmates would have been bested soundly, without any sniping support on their side," She concludes, nodding in serenity.
Which salts the wound on Michiru's neck, reminded of her failure when arranging the members for the battle. The newest members' gazes crash across and beyond a ravine, yet manage to keep their cool as Munakata smiled at them, shrugging. Despite how she, too, bit her lips as she turned around.
"That's… taking it too far," Hayase said, her chuckling creaking at times, "I mean, even with a Takemikazuchi, there's nothing a single pilot can do against five of us. They… had luck on their side, because we didn't know their tells that well."
"I see you severely overestimate yourself, 1st Lt Hayase," Chief Kazama noted, low, "Yet, there is no reason to debate. I believe we both can agree that pilot was truly skilled, regardless of our personal assessments," The quiet tone appeased the wish for conflict within Hayase, who took a step back as Haruka pulled her arm, "I suggest you rewatch any available footage of this sparring, and see for yourself the minute detail of that pilot's movements."
"That we shall do," Michiru states, nodding, "Well, I suppose that is all?"
"If you have no further questions. All that's left is this report. 1st Lt Suzumiya, if you may?" Chief Kazama approached Haruka, who immediately solidified herself into a statue. Extending a folder towards the operator, who remained stiff and moving as if bolted to the ground, the Tozama then briefly brushed her hair as she looked to Michiru once more, "Then, I shall be overseeing your units during the afternoon. If you wish to ask anything, come back here and I should be available."
"Understood," Standing in attention, they shared a salute, along the rest of the Valkyries, "We shall endeavor to truly master the Takemikazuchi from now on, I assure you."
"I expect as much from the fabled Valkyries," Once more gazing at Hayase, she noted, "Well, if you'd excuse me," And with a faint bow, Chief Kazama turned around and approached the crew working on the Type-00Cs that had fought with the Vikings moments before.
Taking a second of pause as the Tozama paced to the other end of the hangar, Michiru breathed a heavy, oh, so heavy sigh. Combing her hair backwards as she shook her head, feeling a needle poking her forehead, she then turned and faced her crew, expression sober and firm.
"Well, you heard the woman. Looks like we're not even worth a dime in comparison to the Guard," A wry smile, she commented.
"Uh, Captain?" Hayase asked, a step forward, her eyes narrowing quite tightly, "Should we really let her trash talk us like that?"
"While I'd normally ask for some peace in the talks, don't forget that woman is the one in charge of the new units. And the Professor made herself clear, she wants us to take good care of the Type-00Cs. Whether or not they are adopted as the Imperial branch of the UN's top craft will be decided by our performance. So we all have to redouble our efforts from now on, you hear me!?"
"Yes, Ma'am!" All replied in unison, even Haruka.
"Good. However, just making an effort isn't enough. We got our heads handed to us some minutes ago by a pair of unknown pilots using a much inferior machine, after all."
A chuckle as she leans on Hayase's shoulder, Munakata smiles with an eye closed, "And when we had the chance to subdue the Vikings, someone got so needy."
"You raise a valid point, Munakata," Michiru smirked, arms folding, "Hayase, what do you have to say for yourself?" She inquired, piercing her sight into her second-in-command's own gaze.
She then stood in attention, grimacing a bit, "I fucked up the battle, Ma'am! My own selfishness made us lose the chance to subdue the Vikings without any damage to my unit!"
"You're goddamn right you screwed up," Michiru plays along, chuckling. Then sighed, raising a brow, "Really, why did you try to end on a one-on-one? You're not telling me you actually had an org-"
"No, Ma'am!" Frowning, she retaliates, "I merely was wishing to spar with the Vikings, to test their strength. I… was expecting them to join our unit, so I wanted to see for myself the ability of a possible partner as a Storm Vanguard," She admits, sighing at the end.
"Uh, Captain?" Akane asks, voice as frail as the step forward she took, "Is the Viking truly not going to join our unit?"
Sighing, ice down her throat and filling her stomach, Michiru shakes her head, "It seems so, for the moment. There's nothing we can do about that, so don't waste time worrying about it," Smiling a bit, she nods at her subordinate before glancing towards her 2IC, "However Hayase, I expect you to rein in your mood from now on. I won't tolerate another tactless comment towards the mechanics from the IRG while we're testing the Takemikazuchis. Kazama, could we rely on you for when we need advice on formal speech?" She asked instead of ordering, guessing right at the ties that bound her squadmate to the Chief.
Touko then nodded, forcing a smile, "Of course, Captain. Just ask when you need anything."
"Touko, are you sure?" Munakata inquired, "I know you're used to Keigo and the formal etiquette, but-"
"Misae, it's okay. If I can bridge our point of view with the Chief's one, that's what I should do. So don't hold back and rely on me whenever you need," She smiled at the rest, who eased up on the tension that permeated them ever since they saw the similarities between both Kazamas.
"Alright, that's much appreciated," Michiru smiled in approval and thankfulness, "Now then, we have the rest of the day free of duties. Does anyone have any proposals?"
"Yes, yes!" Hayase immediately rose her hand, Munakata and Haruka sighed.
"What is it, Hayase?" Michiru asked, rather resigned.
"Could we gain approval to train with the WMTS later in the afternoon, Ma'am? There are some patterns I want to try before our night sim runs with the XM3."
"Hmm… Do you all want to have another practice run today as well?" She asked and immediately received firm nods in answer, even from the hesitant Tsukiji, the eyes of all Valkyries blazing with motivation, driven by frustration, "Siiigh… 1st Lt Suzumiya, could you try to contact the Professor for the approval?" Haruka swiftly nods with a smile, Michiru returns the gesture, "Well, waiting on that is all we can do. After we eat, you can go train with the WMTS if we're allowed. However! I will be taking this as another official training session, so don't think on slacking off. For now, though, our duties are finished. Dismissed!" She declares, her crew returns a salute and all of their postures loosens up, "Alright, let's be on our way to the PX. Kyouzuka-san must be waiting for us."
"Oh, hell yeah! I really need some of that good shit right now!" Hayase said, stretching her arms upwards, cracking her shoulders, walking to the exit of the hangar.
"Sigh… Mitsuki, could you at least mind your tongue around the mechanics?" Haruka admonished as she followed her friend's lead.
"Don't worry Suzumiya, not like she'd listen to us," Munakata said with a wink, to which Haruka groaned in disagreement.
"…That's right, don't worry too much about it. There's nothing to be done, after all." Akane reassured, lowly, walking side by side with her sister.
As the rest of the crew moved towards the hallway, relaxed and refreshed from the prior talk's issues, Michiru felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning to her right, Touko was hesitating on whether or not to meet her gaze.
"What's the matter, Kazama?"
"Captain… Would it be okay for me to approach the Chief?"
"…For a personal talk, I assume?"
"Yes, Ma'am. I won't disclose any sensitive intel, I merely want to… ask some questions, is all."
"Relax, Kazama. I wasn't implying anything," Chuckling, she pats her squadmate's shoulder, "Just don't try to defend Hayase too strongly. She was at fault for dismissing the Chief's earlier points."
"Yes, Captain. I… do think the slap wasn't deserved, however."
"Well… I agree, but at the same time, I do think Hayase needed to come quite a few steps down from her high," Shrugging, she then ruffles her hair, "Anyways, we'll be waiting at the PX. Don't take too long, Kyouzuka-san will get worried."
Touko smiles and nods to her captain's words, watching her depart along the rest. A moment of silence around her, when she gulped down and all other noises around blurred against what laid within, she found her knees quivering.
Slowly turning around, pacing towards the crew servicing the Takemikazuchi units. Long steps, hesitant steps. The smell of oil, the clanking of the tools, it all vanished from her perception. Focused only on the jade green hair, on the dismissive and neutral expression her older sister made when they crossed gazes.
"…Chief, do you have a moment?" Touko asked, bowing down slightly.
"Do you have an inquiry regarding the mock battle?"
"No… I would like… to share some words with you."
"As you can see, I am in the middle of work."
"…Please?"
"…Sigh. Onimura, I leave the check-ups to you," She says, nodding towards the young mechanic that she was tutoring, who gulped hard at the words, at the responsibility.
Both Kazamas then move away, walking over the sprawled cables, the echo of their footsteps on the bare metal of the hangar growing more and more as they grew distant to the work area. Reaching a corner filled with crates bustling with simple supplies, bolts, cables, tools and other equipment, the Chief remained looking at the wall, upwards.
"So, what do you want, Touko?" She says, low.
"…Are you still upset at me, Sister?" Hanging her head, a hand clutches her elbow.
"I do not reproach your decision, no," Turning around, still calm and collected, the Chief shook her head, "There is no blame on you. Just as you chose to walk your own path, I chose to remain serving our family's traditions. However… If we are seen talking, people will reach a wrong assumption. Thus, what did you need?"
"…How have you been as of late? You… haven't answered my letters."
"I cannot disclose such information. As you surely know, my duties are tied to the businesses of the IRG. And you… are a key member of the UN's STF."
"…Please, Sister."
"I am fine, as you can see. Considering the state of our nation, even when I find some displeasure in my line of work, I don't have it in me to complain," Her eyes lower along her shoulders, "These last few months have been hard on me… but I am well. And I know… you're in good care in this base, with the people you chose to live with."
"I see… That's… good to know," Smiling, sighing the pincers out of her chest, the acid still remained. So, clutching the edge of her BDU's neck, Touko took a step closer, "Sister, I know you take your job seriously but… Was there a reason for you to be so harsh to us? I… do not believe the slap was warranted."
"Holding back on my critiques won't aid anyone. Without listening to the maintenance crew, pilots will grow complacent, arrogant, reckless," She nods, fuming a bit, releasing a puff of air from her nose.
"Sister, you could have worded your answers better. Why… did you say such harsh words to us? Are you… displeased to be here?"
"No, I merely believe sincerity to be a virtue, is all," She nods, Touko sighs, "By the by…" Staring, she interlocked both hands, hiding them behind her back, "have you found your answer yet, Touko?"
"Eh? Ah… Well, I've been… busy with my duties in the Valkyries. I have been meaning to try, but I haven't found the time to."
"…As dull and hollow as always, I see," Shaking her head, she sighs.
Causing a flinch, a tear in Touko's heart as her breathing hiccuped, "W-What?"
"Must I remind you of my advice again, Touko?"
"I… I have been trying, Sister. It's just… the missions keep coming, and I don't… find the drive to-"
"No, you're just refusing to," She affirms, causing all words to vanish from her sister's lips, which clamps shut as her gaze crashes down, "Regardless of how skilled you are, if hesitation resides within you, you will never be able to shine."
"T-That's… not true."
"Then, what of Munakata's and Higurashi's own struggles?"
"Huh? Why are you bringing them up?"
"You know. Munakata parted ways with her family, she cut her ties to it. I don't know if… she has found some measure of peace, however… she still hasn't come to terms with her failure, has she?"
"…No, Misae is still… But this has nothing to do with-"
"It does. Take Higurashi as an example. She, too, turned her back from her issues, using your and Munakata's departure as an exit."
"Don't… talk about Eiko in that way…" Gritting her teeth, her hands tightened.
"I merely speak the truth. I… didn't see her today, by the way. Is she injured or…" Touko grimaced, moistness in her eyes as she bit her lips, shaking her head frantically a few times. Short of air for a moment, Mst Sgt Kazama bowed her head, "I'm sorry."
"…You didn't know, it's alright. But… But Eiko… did try. No one answered her letters… no matter how many she wrote. So that's why…"
"Sigh… My apologies, I have been busy," Leaning back, she rested against a crate, grabbing a wrench and spinning it.
"No… It's fine. So, Sister…" Wiping a hand over her face, regaining her composure, "Why did you… bring them up?"
"Because their issues limit their viewpoint for the war, there is unresolved chaos in their hearts. Remember the code," Pointing the wrench at her sister's face, she slowly recited, "Within the warrior…"
"…Dread must not make nest. Nurture your own valor, to luster your life and mind," Touko softly sang the answer, sighing at the end, "Sister, no one in the Valkyries allows fear to impair their decisions. We also have a motto to uphold. To carry out our mission at all cost; to fight to the very last breath; and to make our death count, above all else. I know you take pride in our traditions, but please, do try to not bring the honor code up. Your words may end up misunderstood. I can only do so much to keep my squadmates' temper in check," She reminded, snatching the wrench from her sister's hand and throwing it back into the crate.
"Then, why are you unable to answer my query?" She asked, stepping closer, breaching Touko's personal space.
"I… I did answer. I haven't had the time to-"
"When was the last time you played the violin?"
"I… well… a few months ago…"
"And why did you not simply answer that?" Upon her sister's silence, Chief Kazama shook her head as she stepped back, allowing her heel to get caught on a cable, falling back and resting her hips' weight on a crate, "If you cannot endure the shame, you're merely using your duty to douse your mind. Then, you won't be able to truly perform at your best. Or in the worst case… you'll overload when your allies might need your aid."
"I just haven't… It's heavy, on my hands, on my chest," Touko admits, hunching over, walking and resting by her sister's side, kicking the cables softly, "I got many unpleasant looks when I played it last time on the roof. Just holding it… makes my hands burn."
"Pay them no mind," She reassured, again spinning a wrench, "If any Japanese sees your talent with the violin as "treason", then they're only narrow-minded fools."
"…It just hasn't been the same… since everyone died…"
"…Was Higurashi the last one?" Touko nods, looking down. So the Chief sighs, looking up at the beams and machinery, and the light that filters in between the cracks, "Then, won't you honor them with a performance?"
"…I can't. I just… can't. How did you… manage to keep serving amidst the war? When everything started crumbling…"
Looking down, coldness in her neck. The smell of intense oil, the feeling of sweat mixing it in her hands, smearing her entire face. And the nights that turned to days, the hours that blurred in a flash. Chief Kazama frowned for a moment, until a particular day came to mind. A day of intense heat, the sun reddening her skin to the point where she could peel it off without much effort. A day of battle, a sleepless night. The day she was forced to stop, catch up with her stress and drown in cold. And it is quite fair to affirm, Touko could again feel the acid crawling up her throat as if an ant army it were. Never had she seen her stoic and composed sister wince or shake, not even in front of her Father's admonishing belt whips.
"Sister?" Placing a hand on her shoulder, whispering in concern, Touko brought the Chief back to reality.
And sighing, a hand in her forehead, she took a moment to catch her breath, "Those days were… arduous to endure. To this day those echoes linger in my ears, if I'm foolish enough to recall them. However…" Clutching the crate, pressing the wrench to her stomach, a small ember rose in her eyes, "I saw a small glimmer of hope shining through."
"…What was it?"
Coughing, halting herself before she spoke words she had sworn not to disclose, she merely spun the wrench again, "A lesson on how to see the war, and my own struggles. Someone… set a good example for me, for all of my fellows, and we… could do little else than to follow in his footsteps. That is why, despite my own reservations, I am here in this base. That is why I will remain honest on my criticism. To honor his death, his life besides me, and all he taught me and I could never fully repay."
"I… Sister, were you… in love with that person?" Touko asks, a few fingers tracing her lips, eyes wide at the words she just heard.
"Huh?" Equally wide were the Chief's eyes now as she gaped.
"I've never heard you speak of another, much less a man, in such fashion. Did you…"
"Wh- No! Why must you always equal respect with romance?!"
"No… Sister, you never, ever, have shown such… light in your eyes, graced another with such praise. Who… Who was that person?"
"I… cannot tell you," Looking away, standing from the crane and throwing the wrench back in, making it bounce a bit, she sobered up, "But he showed me what… true tenacity is."
"…I see," Twirling her hair, Touko was left bereft of words in front of the development, you'd understand, "To be honest, I did find it odd that you'd welcome the order to work in a UN base. Was this person in favor of the UN as well?"
"…No, at all."
"Eh?"
"He did not… favor the UN Farces in the slightest."
"S-Sister… Why must you still use those words?"
"Because they are true, to an extent. However, herein this base lays a path to the victory I long to see. That is why I am here, and in aiding your squadron to adapt to the Type-00C the war efforts will certainly benefit. The Empire will benefit, our people will. Thus, even if it is against my better judgment, chasing this superior alternative is what I must do."
"I didn't… think you'd be so resolute about this," Licking the back of her teeth, watching her sister's back, she couldn't help but to ask, "Have you found your answer, then?"
"Yes, I now have no regrets. My path… lies in the Imperial Guard," Smiling, nodding back to Touko, she held her sister's gaze, her own eyes blazing, "I merely… have to keep moving forward in caution, to honor the lives of those who aided me during the invasion. Thus, in their stead will I work towards our shared dream, so that this war ends in our victory. No matter what trials might lie in wait… I have a duty to uphold. I've already pondered, doubted enough. It is now time for action and not words, for me to carry on the fire which I inherited within the shadows. I've a goal to achieve before I vanish, so I shall despair after I perish," She finished, bumping a fist into her bosom, looking up sharply at nowhere. Feeling that blaze of a gaze enveloping her once more, from the top of her head to the tip of her toes.
Touko felt the acid recede, replaced with a dense confusion at her sister's display of raw emotion, "Despair after… you perish? That's… an odd turn of phrase."
"No different than the motto of your squadron," She countered, arms folding as she twisted her lips.
"Our words have a rousing effect. To make our death count, to fulfill the duty we're entrusted with. Why would you mention despair?"
"It's simple, Touko. Despair and dread must not make nest, they do not belong with the living. Therefore, since it is a waste of precious time to dwell in regrets, I shall despair after I perish. My time alive has better uses than to wallow in such negative, self-destructive thoughts."
"However… I can see what you mean, Sister. However… to ignore your regrets?" She bit her lips, the last moments of the Niigata battle, the beating of her head, the buzz in her ears, Eiko's broken, teary voice, her own frantic and manic concern as she saw the Viking's machine swarmed by Tanks while she was recovering her friend, whose lower half was limp and unresponsive, having to be forcefully removed from the seat, "…Just marching on through the pain? I… am not convinced that is wise, Sister."
"Let it be a reminder."
"Huh?"
Her eyelids slowly fell, a hand firmly planted in her chest. And so, she chanted the mantra he had made for himself, which she recites as gospel, "Let the voices that don't stop serve as a reminder of all you failed to achieve, all you still wish to accomplish. Let it take you to your feet, let it drive you forward. Take it all in, and break through the dread of today. And when the time to strike comes," Eyes opened wide, a cold feeling creeping up her back, the piercing stare again in her nape, so Chief Kazama couldn't resist and her sight crossed, "we shall crush the fangs of any and all obstacles that stand in our way."
"…Sister?" Touko stared, frozen, at the tightened expression, wrathful gaze her sister had endowed. Taking a step back, hitting herself on a crate and sending a wrench and a few bolts to the ground.
The echo startles both sisters, and Chief Kazama runs a hand over her face and into her hair, sighing heavily as she regains her composure while Touko lifts what she had tumbled down.
"In any case…" She begins, breathing deep, "I merely decided to further my career in the IRG, even if I still do not agree with Father's desires to have me married to someone from another fellowship. I do not regret everything that has happened, even if… some nights are harsh to endure. I am certain this is what will lead me to see my objectives to fruition, which is why…" A step closer, a stare into her eyes, "Touko, you should also reach a resolution. Soon."
"I… am trying, thinking. But my role in the STF-"
"Clinging to your duty doesn't make you stronger, Touko," Smiling wistfully, she then sighs, "If you had decided the UN was your path, you wouldn't have remained so silent at my questions. No, you wouldn't even have approached me. Are you pleased here?" Touko looks down, hands fumbling about on her arms, before she nods, "In that case… don't let my presence disturb your progress. You and me, we're merely working in the same place, nothing else. Go back to your squadmates, they must be waiting for you."
"…I see. I will do just that, then. I suppose… we'll be seeing each other in our next training?" She didn't mean to ask it, but couldn't even hold her gaze.
"Of course. If you do have something to tell me, wait until my shift is over. Let's not… force any rumors while we're on duty. And… I hope you let me hear your violin at least once before my duties on this base are finished," Smiling again, she patted her sister's shoulder.
"I… will try. Um… Ahem…" Taking a step back, standing straight, she rose a hand in salutation, "We shall be seeing each other then, Chief Kazama."
Returning the salute, back to a neutral expression, "Until then, 2nd Lt Kazama," And with a nod, the Chief returned to her duties.
Watching her sister's back, Touko remained thinking on the words, the new expressions she had seen. The advice, the decision her sister had taken. As she saw her aiding the young man she had left in charge, her soft yet serious voice echoing in the hangar, Touko couldn't help but to smile. Turning around, she slowly paced towards the hallway, dodging the working crew, the crates and machinery.
The smell of oil subsiding, the pristine and sterile scent of the hallways replacing it instead, she tapped her hair, grasping it, closing her eyes and dragging her feet. Recalling the weight on her hands and shoulder, the sounds of her instrument in her ear, the shiver on her back right before a performance. The booming cheer of the crowd at times, the tapping, slapping of a long baton of her instructor. And the imposition that with her talent came, the cage she did not want to live in.
"Sigh… And yet… I can't even play anymore…" Pressing the button of the elevator, gaze firmly planted on the bottom of its steel doors, she sighed again, hollow.
Once the doors parted, she moved to allow those inside to leave. Throwing herself onto a wall once the ascent had started, she hugged her sides.
"Still… Sister's words do have much truth behind them. I… shouldn't be second guessing my decisions so much," A small smile, a relaxed leaning of the back of her head against the wall, "But… to think she'd praise someone to such lengths…" A brow corked, she then giggled, "I wonder who that someone was, to leave such an impression. Someone gallant, brave, perhaps cold and logical… Yes, that does seem to be the kind of person Sister would favor. Still… That last expression was… completely out of character for her, even the wording was far more aggressive than I've ever seen her be," Touko pondered, massaging her chin for a moment, "Hehe… Imagine if he was actually a brute, uncivilized and reckless, daring and temperamental. Oh, Father would faint at the news. Who would have said you'd favor such savage a man, Sister?"
Same Day. Near 6 PM.
(Takeru's Office.)
[Takeru]
"Achoo!"
Ugh… Dammit, what the hell. Rubbing my nose, I look for a spare tissue or anything to use. Damn… I hope I'm not getting sick. Either that, or someone is talking shit behind my back. I bet Sensei is chuckling at something I said back then.
"Sigh…" Sitting back after grabbing a handkerchief, I reread the graphs, redoing the math.
The business on Hangar 90 seems to be going well. The Shin is not anywhere near done, so luckily my calcs about the extra armor helped the crew. Especially since we can make the fins turn and bend, to give the craft a boost in the air instead of leaving them locked in place. Shame we can't make the chainsaw blades faster… Everything else is going good, though it seems like we're gonna have to talk with the Guard's crew before we can mount the machineguns on the last Type-00C. And most likely… since the idea is mine, I'm gonna have to be the one asking the questions…
"Thank God I can use the punishment as an excuse for being involved in these projects…" Even if it means working nonstop even on Sundays like I'm doing now, "Still… I hope the crew of mechanics ain't the prideful type. Just imagine their reaction to the questions…"
Hey! I wanna put more GUNS on the IRG's best machine! Would you tell me how to vandalize your pride and soul with large doses of More Dakka?
And then, they slash me in half and I gotta restart the loop. Sigh… if they don't start openly calling me an American sympathizer, I'll take it as a victory.
"Maybe I should ask Sensei for some support… Nah, can't back down. My idea, I gotta stand my ground. I'm the only one who can explain it in a fitting way… since everyone from the crew thinks I'm nuts, heh," At least, the mechanics here are still as chill as always.
Leaning back on my seat, shielding my face from the light with a hand, I take a breath with my nose. And keep inhaling. Until my stomach can't take it anymore. Partners… Did you have them in the Guard? Your squadmates… why were there with you? Did they agree with your views? Or…
The cold pokes at my sides, pressing itself onto my back. The quietness of the room, the blinding white of the walls, of the furniture, even of the tower PC…
"No, I don't wanna be eaten!"
Chewing sounds, on metal, on bones. And something… a squelching echo…
"Shi-Shirogane… Uugh… Please… It burns!"
Bursting bubbles, as if someone had thrown a dozen mint candies inside soda. But along the slick, burnt feeling on my teeth like when stuff got stuck on a frying pan. Stuck to metal, reduced to liquid… boiling and melting…
"…The only thing a dead soldier can do…"
And a sudden explosion. The rumbling of the shockwave. And then… silence.
Pain, on my cheeks. A hand was clawing at my mouth, covering it with the cloth I had used moments before. It now was drenched in…
"Blergh… Cough… Fuck it…" It really is the same… Fuck, I can't… No, calm down… Breathe in, exhale… Feel the air coming to the stomach, hold it it, hold it… and let it go… empty the lakes… calm down… "Haah… Haah… Fuck… I almost lost it again."
Throwing the dirty handkerchief away onto a small trash bin, I support myself on the desk with a hand. Wobbling, my ankles shivering as a jolt tries to rouse them from the slumber, I approach the coffee machine. Preparing the brew, I lean on the wall.
It's the same. The feelings are mirrored, and only serve to rouse my memories of Iceberg… of every one of them… every death… of my beloved…
Then… Wait… if these feelings are mirrored… Someone who was irreplaceable… Who was…
"Ugh! Kgh… No… Fuck, no…"
Legs shake, knees feel weak. Throat closes up, I can feel the acid burning its base, my chest hiccuping as I claw at it, to try and breathe in. Hunching over the desk, a ringing in my ears grows louder and louder.
A strong slap on my cheek, burning as if I had been hit by a laser.
"Farewell, Shirogane…"
A heavy weight on my hands, crushing me. Cold… and fading…
"…Goodbye, Bro."
My eyes hurt, gouged by needles in slow motion. I might not be about to drown, yet my heart suffocates with every breath I take.
"A small compromise it is. Rid yourself of this excessive empathy you have. It binds your actions."
The echoes continue, I hit the desk with a coiled fist. Gritting my teeth, breathing through them, panting through them, I cough and cough to calm down. Easing up my breathing, running a hand over my chest, I blink, touch the desk, become aware of what's around.
And taking one last deep breath, sighing and screaming the air out at the end, my eyes water.
Because… his answer… it's the same as mine… when I lost it during Iceberg…
"…I guess we really are similar, you and me," Grabbing the mug, I slowly trace the rim as I sip, sitting down slowly.
But I can get it together… because I had someone there for me. Marimo-chan, even if my stupidity got her devoured. Sumika, even if being near me sent her to a fate worse than death. And Yuuko… both of them during last loop, and before I came here, too. I have an oath… a hope I chase after…
Even if it is only to mend my own mistakes, that difference lets me draw the line. I… don't have anyone to direct my frustration at. I did hit Dad back then… but only because he talked shit about Meiya. Same for when Meiya herself pushed the wrong buttons… and I almost raped her.
"But now… I've nowhere to send my frustration at, save my work."
It's all just a matter of giving myself time, since I don't have anyone to hate for my fate. But… I wasn't always like this. Learning to grin and bear it during the CCSE as we shared our rations with Mikoto, learning to make a little of daily effort to make large progress down the line as Tama tutored me in sniping… and so many more things…
"…Why did you fall in that rage then? Wasn't there… anyone with you?" And… why are you so different to the me from the other world's loops?
Well… I don't really know anything about him… But Her Highness didn't recognize me during the coup, and Tsukuyomi-san was only suspicious of me due to my lack of data. I had thought this world was just another branch of the BETAverse I traversed in my loops… but stuff is so different…
"…Well, to be fair, compared to my world, this one is fucking crazy. The differences aren't that big with the other worlds. I mean… yeah, I have already seen two completely different timelines. Some small changes aren't that surprising."
Meiya didn't knew me either in this universe or in my first loops, nor did anyone else from the squad. Chizuru wasn't the daughter of a politician back home, either. And Mikoto is a guy over there. I guess this timeline just has its own unique aspects and that's that. Just that, for some reason, this world's me was actually made to fight… and just like me and Meiya, he and Yuuhi knew each other.
"You did say that his situation reminded you of your marriage with Mitsurugi, correct?" The XO's question floats back up.
Yeah… I'm sure he was getting tested to join them. But in the end… Wincing, I finish my coffee, gulping all that remained in a single go. Sigh… At least his feelings are enough to tell that's not the case, they ended up falling off, drifting away for whatever reason. Imagine if this world's me was actually Yuuhi's love as I was for Meiya in my world…
…
…Then, his feelings would make sense, I guess. The hurt, the anguish, the disappointment… would line up. If he were the one who held those feelings, if they had a similar relation… No, how did he even remain near her? I… can't see that being the case, with all this sadness.
"Sigh… No point in dwelling over this. Let's return to- Oh?"
The door slowly opens, two small bunny ears walk in. Her gaze hesitating as she approaches, Kasumi was holding her hands together.
"…Good afternoon, Takeru-san."
"Hey, Kasumi. Feeling better?"
"Eh? Yes, I'm fine."
"Really?" She nods, her eyes shining clear like crystals. Looks like me cutting off the recovery session didn't harm her this time… Sigh, "So, what's up? Sensei wants her report now?"
"No, I was free for the moment and… Would you have some time to give me your opinion on our mock battle of this morning?"
Ah… Right, after we came back the XO had us do the recovery. We couldn't talk about the fight, huh.
Flashing her a smile, I pat the desk, "Alright, bring a chair closer. My PC should have access to the footage, I think."
Blossoming widely, her smile grows as her eyes spark to life. Quickly procuring a chair, even faster she gets to my side, making sure to bring the chair right besides mine. Her bunny ears flap a bit, she sits down and stares at the screen while I was getting through the confirmations.
"Oh? Takeru-san, what's this?" She lifts a paper, with my drawings of the weapons.
"That's a Drive Blade."
"Why does it have spikes?"
"Because it's supposed to be a chainsaw."
"But… the motor has an odd… vial-like chamber here. What is this for?"
"Oh, that? A small idea I had, to place a small bullet or something in it."
"…Why?"
"To shoot out the HM-Cloud ammo from it during NOE flight," Clicking the mouse, tapping it as I wait for the slow OS to do as I tell it to, two of my fingers from my free hand tap some papers scattered about the desk, "Saves us the need to load it, or lose the 120mm rounds of a rifle to deploy the cloud. If that one rifle has to be discarded, we lose much by no longer having the HM-Canister with us."
"But why did you put the vial inside the blade?"
"To shoot it with the force of the motor. Also, having a gun-chainsaw-sword sounded metal as fuck in my head!"
"Takeru-san, I don't think this is how weapons are designed. All the small parts might fail at the most crucial time."
"That's what the self-des button is for! Pop the blade, spray the cloud, hit 'em in the confusion. Better yet, you can thrust the blade into a BETA and use them as carriers before detonating it," Waving a finger, I smile. She groans a bit, picking some pages to read, "Most of our swords end up unusable after a BETA skirmish, even when being careful and precise with the amount of CQC battles we engage in. I think the versatility of the design is worth considering. You can keep using regular swords, it's not like they're gonna disappear or anything," Checking a few pop-ups, I reach out for the keyboard to input my ID and junk.
Kasumi groaned, resting her arms and chin on the table, looking at the drawings, "Takeru-san… What does 'MMM' means?" She asks, pointing to one of the papers.
"Magrozzo Missile Massacre, basically spamming enough missiles to sink the moon in. It's kind of like what we did in Niigata, use the air assault as bait to then rush at the Laser-class. And it also works against other TSFs, very few units can dodge as I do."
"I see… You did use some of those odd terms when we were fighting," She leans on my arm, some of her hair falling inwards, "Is how we fought today your ideal way of fighting?"
"Yeah? I mean, I never had the sniping you do nor the larger radar," Makes me understand why so many players picked the Frei back in the tournament, the extra reach is too much of an advantage, "Still, having some more options in weaponry wouldn't be a bad thing. Hard to believe we've been using the same model of blade since the start of the war, actually. With how different current TSFs are to what the Gekishin was back then, one would think someone would have devised a lighter sword, with a better center of gravity. I dunno, maybe even have it share the pylons with our rifles. You know what I mean?"
"Yes… The Professor also complains about old stuff that's outdated from time to time," She then sighs.
"Haha… Yeah… Yuuko does not like things to stay static for long. Sigh… Still, I'm not asking for much with these designs I believe. It ain't like I'm telling the crew I wanna make a lasersabre or anything."
Just imagine it. Dual wielding those red lasersabres, shooting lightning out from your hands, choking them with the Flow's power… the BETA wouldn't stand a ghost of a chance!
A shake of my arm, clinging tight. The tingly feeling on the back of my head, remaining there. Still, unmoving, merely there… as if watching.
"Kasumi?"
She was staring at me, blinking slow from time to time. Her bunny ears move, remaining up, "Takeru-san… What were those swords of light?"
"The lasersabres?"
"Is that what they're called? Are they… from one of your other lives?"
"Ahahaha! No, no. They're from a movie, Galaxy Wars."
"A movie?"
"Yeah. You see Kasumi, in another timeline, in a cluster of stars far, far away from Earth…"
Telling her of the movies, she forgets all about the training. The tingly feeling covering the back of my head, falling like a warm blanket at night, remains there as she grabs onto my arm with both hands, staring as I tell the story, remembering the details.
"…But why did he became bad? If he protected his son in the end… Why?"
"No idea. The prequel movies didn't get to that part yet back in my world. But there's a lot of cool stuff in the movies, and more in the games and comics!"
"There's also games of this?"
"Of course, Kasumi. You get to shoot out lightning from your hands and wield a sword of light. Who would not want to play a game like that?" I chuckle as she curves her brows, "Imagine if we could actually make the lasersabres in this world… That would be so hype," Well… the XG is kind of like a mini Doom Moon, so maybe we could?
"So…" She pulls my arm, "In the end, does Lucky have a happy ending?"
"Yeah. The last scene is with him seeing the ghosts of his mentors and his father, as energy beings united to the Flow, as everyone else is celebrating. It's a nice ending for the first three movies, though I still like the second one more."
"I see… Those Shedi Knights sound like good people," She smiles, making a doodle of Master Iota in a paper, wielding five lasersabres for some reason.
"Of course they are. They follow their teachings at all times, trying to not tip the scale of balance in the galaxy. I mean, it's a tossup between them and the Zith. Can you imagine a world where the authorities hold everyone by the throat under the threat of the Doom Moon's beam?"
Shivering, the tip of her pencil breaks off, "Don't say that, Takeru-san. That's…"
Petting her head, some hair strands in between my fingers, I smile at her, "Don't worry. That's not going to happen in real life. It's just a movie, Kasumi. And anyways, no matter how dark life gets, the Shedi will always be there to restore the balance."
"They're like a light of hope, kind of," She smiles, going back to finish her doodle.
"Heh, yeah, I guess."
Looking at the drawing, she nods, pleased, "So Takeru-san… Why do you like the second movie more?"
"Oh, because you get to learn what the Shedi are. Or were, anyways. Lucky gets to train with Iota, and he teaches him about the Light and Dark currents of the Flow. It's where you get to see the difference between them and the Zith, besides the color schemes."
"…I see. You seem to remember much of these movies," She says as the tingly feeling got stronger, as she again rested her weight on my arm, "Did you watch them with Sumika-san?"
"I mean, yeah, but Sumika liked Kaiju movies the most."
"Kaijus?"
"Giant monsters. Like… Kingzilla, and all of its movies, Slothra, Reykong, you name it. If it was a giant monster, she would get super hype about it."
"…Why? Sumika-san doesn't seem to like that kind of violent things."
"Oh, because she liked rooting for Kingzilla, most of the time. You have no idea how many times she made me watch that thing…" Even when we got together, she'd drag me to the cinema, or to the rental shops, to watch them over and over again, "And somehow, she'd find new details with every rewatch!"
"Really? I see… So Sumika-san liked that…" Nodding with her eyes closed, her shoulders sunk a bit, "So, did you watch the Galaxy Wars movies with her?"
"Yeah, but… the time I watched them the most was with Meiya," I lean back, hands behind my head as I lift the frontal legs of the chair, swaying in the air, "When we… got married, I showed her a lot of stuff so that she could enjoy her free time, however short it was. But since playing games was kind of hard for her, we settled for watching movies together as we cuddled each other," Closing my eyes, I can almost feel the lavender scent of her perfume, her grasp on my shoulders, over my knees, her breath on my neck… those small, short, quiet moments where we just held the other… and nothing else…
"Takeru-san," Kasumi pulls my uniform, brows furrowing and almost touching, staring unblinking at me, "what does 'cuddling' means?"
"…You'll understand once you grow up," She puffs her cheeks a bit, and they enlarge more as I chuckle, "Anyways… Meiya really loved Galaxy Wars, the second movie the most as I did. I think even my parents loved the saga, what with the Shedis and all the homages to some old films. The Shedis are basically space samurai monks, so you can imagine how much Meiya liked them."
"Yes… That does sound like something she would enjoy…" She says, low, as she looks away.
"Yeah… until I jokingly told her it would be cool to have a laser version of the Minaru Kamui. We had a goddamn blackout thanks to her crazy idea. Sigh… Ahahaha…" I keep on chuckling, remembering her pout as her face was smeared in dust and oil, complaining much about how me and Tsukuyomi-san dragged her out of the place before she tried something even more stupid. So innocent yet so bright… compared to her, this world's Meiya is just… Sigh… "So… Me and Meiya would usually rewatch the movies before going to sleep, or as we were in bed. She got really into it, lemme tell you. Before I knew it, half of the master bedroom was filled with figures of the series, and she even bought most of the games and comics."
"Really?" Kasumi's bunny ears flap up, the tingly feeling intensifying, "That… looks fun. She seems…" Kasumi pursed her lips, eyes squinting, voice creaking, "happy."
"…Yeah. She was. Sigh… You have no idea how much she always insisted me to be like Lucky, to follow the right path. She even started trying to do the handwave thing during the meetings, too. Can you believe it?" Worst part is, it worked for some fucking reason.
"…The handwave?" She tilts her head, moving her bun ears. Only to twitch as I tell her about it, puffing her cheeks, "That makes them sound kind of bad."
"Well, some deception is unavoidable, Kasumi. Intrigue is necessary to achieve your goals," I nod, petting her head.
"You sound like the Professor," She counters, still pouting.
"Huh? No, get real. Yuuko would be a Zith, no questions asked," I can clearly picture her zapping everyone while laughing like a madman, screaming like 'Unlimited Processing Powah!'.
CHOP!
"Takeru-san, the Professor wouldn't do that."
"My world's Yuuko totally would, just for the kicks of it. And… I don't see her agreeing with the Shedi's code."
"But she wouldn't use her powers for bad things. She wouldn't be like that old creepy man in the cloak."
"Yeah… That makes her a gray one, then."
"Why don't you think she'd be a Shedi?" Her shoulders drop as do her bunny ears, looking at some of the doodles she had made, then back at me, "The Professor isn't a bad person."
"…I know. But the Shedi are kinda too passive. Yuuko wouldn't be like that."
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, the things Iota tells Lucky as he trains him in the swamp. Meiya loved that part, she actually made part of it a slang for our attendants."
Clearing my throat, readjusting my posture on my seat, inhaling slowly, slowly as those days come back. Kasumi brings her chair closer, hitting mine, as she leans on me, the tingly feeling spreading. And it's… as if she were right in front of me…
The perfume coming from her hair, the light seeping through it as she walks hurriedly from one corner to the other, aligning her figmas with utmost care.
The rapid stream of words, the sun that she emanated with her eyes when she used to tell me about the new comics she read at night, as I massaged her back and shoulders, or her feet at times.
The smile… the gentle caress that covered me, that enveloped me as she brought me closer, brought herself closer, until my shoulder was made into her pillow and her hair into mine. As we watched the movies, simply… spending the night… together…
"…Takeru-san?"
"Hm? Oh, sorry. Ahem… Well, let me remember that part…" Petting the back of her head, that scene, those scenes come back… as did the grasp, the pull on my sides, the weight on my right shoulder, "So… the lesson goes like this… Iota tells Lucky about how the Dark current of the Flow is easier to link with, easier to gain power from, but that once it seeps into you it'll never release its grasp, and you'll basically become a vessel of the darkness."
"…Like Dersh Blader," Kasumi says, her bunny ears moving as she groaned.
"Exactly. So Lucky asks Iota how can he tell which current to follow, and that's where the line comes. Iota tells him 'You will know when you're serene, calm, at peace. Passive. A Shedi uses its knowledge and power for defense, never to attack.', and that… stroke a chord in Meiya, with all her samurai teachings and all. She took it to heart as if it were another line of the honor code," And… I think there was a game or a comic, I can't remember well, where she could actually train in a Shedi academy. Those latter years are more fuzzy than the ones closer to that day when I had to choose between her and Sumika, but… Yeah, I don't see Meiya falling out of love with that franchise.
"I see…" Kasumi smiles, releasing my arm, "But yes, I don't see the Professor agreeing with staying quiet."
I nod, smiling back, "See? I mean, just imagine Yuuko having Flow powers. Reading emotions, psychokinesis, shooting thunderbolts from her fingers…" A shudder ran down my back, cold, "That'd be real bad."
"But then… Um, Takeru-san, do you think I could be a Shedi?"
"You? I mean…" Suddenly smirking, I poke her forehead with a single finger, then part her hair away, "I dunno, Kasumi-kun… You're always dressed in dark clothes and you're so close to Yuuko…"
"I'm not bad," Pouting, she protests, her feet lightly hit my legs.
"See? You're falling to anger, young Gadawan… to the Dark Flow…"
"Uhh… You're mean, Takeru-san. I would never be a Zith."
"But think about it, you could erase all carrots from existence! Who would oppose the reign of Dersh Bnnuy?"
CHOP!
"Takeru-san, stop it!"
"Ahaha… I'm kiddin', I'm kiddin'," Blocking her hand as she kept chopping while I chuckled, her cheeks puffed and puffed, "But, you're right. You're too good to ever be a Zith," She flinches, her hand stopping cold, and as I pet her head she can't hold my gaze.
"…Thanks."
"I mean, if you were to become a Zith… you'd have to become the complete opposite of you. Like… wearing only white clothes, getting all assertive… and eating carrots."
A large flower field comes to my mind, the plants waving as the wind blows. The sun shines, down at the grass, at the giant carrots that bounce back and forth like dancing. And in the middle of it… Kasumi, dressed in all white, swaying in circles, dancing along the carrots, wearing a smirk as evil as Yuuko's one.
Stopping cold in her tracks, crouching and plucking a carrot from the ground, she chuckles, "The world belongs to me… and the carrots… Mmfh!" Biting into it with gusto, the carrot is devoured in a second by the bunny.
"Takeru-san…"
"Ouch! Not my ear! Kasumi, stop!"
"Then stop teasing me…" She lets go, pouting.
Rubbing my ear, closing an eye, I chuckle, "Why did you even look into my thoughts?" She just holds my gaze, silently, "I get it, I get it. Sorry… So… Right, what were we talking about?"
"Hmm… I think about the movi-"
Beep!
A sound comes up from Kasumi's pockets, she quickly fumbles in there until she takes out her comms.
"Yes? Eh? No, I'm with him now," She says, nodding, "Yes… Takeru-san," She offers me the comms.
Sigh… Now, what? Grabbing the thing, I bring it up close, "What's up, XO?"
"Shirogane, what is Yashiro doing with you as of now?" She asks, sounding confused, curious.
"Nothing productive, that's for sure."
"Huh? Then, why is she there?"
"She merely came to talk, that's all. Is there a problem with that?"
"…No. So, are you done with your work for today?"
"I mean… Yeah, kinda. Did you need me for something?"
She coughs, seeming to take a sec to drink something, "The Valkyries are having some… difficulties with their training session in Valgern-On. Isumi called a moment ago, asking for advice on how to handle this… 'Hard Mode' setting of the software. If you're done and feeling up to it, can you go train with them?"
"…As the Viking, I imagine?"
"Of course," She sighs, I can practically see her shaking her head with a hand on her hair as always, "You can send me your report now, I'll be setting up a separate room so that you and Yashiro can practice against the Valkyries using the ethernet connection. Once you're done in your office, come to mine and I'll take you to the room."
"…Roger. Just so we're clear, I won't have to talk with anyone, right?"
"I'll leave a comm so that Isumi can speak with you, but it's going to be distorted too. Don't worry, they won't have a way of knowing who you are."
"…If you had prepared everything, why even ask me if I'm up for it?"
"Because it's no use to send you to them if you're not capable of offering them a challenge. I also thought you'd welcome the change, to enjoy some time in that game after all that happened. If you're not up to it, I'll tell them you're busy for-"
"Nah, I can do it," Cracking my neck, I reach out to the keyboard to start closing up stuff, saving what I had worked on, "Just… What did you have in mind? Do I go serious against them?"
"I mean, if you wouldn't mind…" I bet you just rolled your eyes.
"Yuuko, let me remind you I'm better at Valgern-On than I'm at piloting," Mostly because I don't get subjected to any G-Forces as I play. And we have lasersabres in there, too, "If you want me to give them a training session… I'm gonna go at 'em seriously," And also, I'll probably end up enjoying myself, so holding back is gonna be out of the question.
"That's fine by me. Do let Yashiro practice as well, and try to teach her whatever you can."
"Got it."
"Good," She takes another sip, "Then, that's all."
"Oh, one thing."
"Hm? What is it?"
"Eat something with the coffee."
"…Shut up."
The sound cuts, leaving only static coming from the comms. Sigh… I bet she hasn't eaten anything substantial since the meeting, too. Goddammit, Yuuko…
Looking to my side, Kasumi had arranged all the papers already. Sorting my drawings and schematics in folders, she was taking them to the nearby bookshelf. She even put all her doodles in a neat folder too, left it besides me.
"Takeru-san, are we leaving right now?"
"No, I gotta send a report. Lemme write it down real quick. Hehe… I guess this is gonna be the first time I'll show you my skills in Valgern-On, right?" Smiling at her as bring my chair closer to the desk, I wait as the OS lags when firing up a doc while I close everything else.
"Ah… That's true," She again sits by my side, grabbing and clutching her folder to her stomach, "Is it going to be as shaky as a battle?"
"The camera? Maybe, depending on how fast you move. But don't worry, I'm sure they must have not yet gotten very good."
"Why?" She asks, resting herself onto the desk.
"Because if they're having trouble with Hard Mode, then they're still fooling around. The game has four difficulty modes: Beginner, Normal, Hard, and finally, Maniax. And, honestly? Even on Hard the AI is kind of bad at times. So I don't think you're gonna get steamrolled or anything."
"I see… So, what mech should I use?"
"Hmm… Maybe the Xao-Myun, to let you get used to both melee and ranged fighting, and since it moves fast it's good for you to learn well in it," Mikoto did say he thought the Xao was better for new players compared to the base Kaizer, who was a jack-of-all-trades mech with average stats across the board. Sigh… Stopping my typing for a second, his face returns, his shock and fears during the tournament. Heh… I wonder if I'll be able to teach Kasumi as well as we did together when we just started.
"I hope I don't crash…" She says, hiding her eyes into her arms.
"Did you… have problems piloting before?" She nods, bunny ears cascading down, "Well… Don't worry, Kasumi," Petting her head slowly, I smile as she raises her sight up, "Let's just work slowly, one step at a time. Okay?"
"…Yes," And then, another of those precious, shining smiles. She truly is too good for this world… "So, um, Takeru-san, what will you be using? The Raioh?"
"The what? Oh, right," We had to edit lots of stuff in the games, namely the credits, and also the Takemikazuchi's name and look. Now it's called the Raioh, and has three horns instead of one. How did Yuuko manage to hack into the game and replace the model, I've no idea, "No, the Take would expose too many of my tells. It's literally what made me shift my style to full-blown hyper-offense in the first place, with the machineguns I wanna put in the Type-00C and all. So…" Smirking, I drown a chuckle, "I'm gonna have to bust out the secret unit of the game…"
Her bunny ears move, tilting her head she stares at me, "…Secret unit? What's the secret about it?"
"You see… once you clear the game in Hard, you unlock one secret mech. It even has a special campaign mode that's different to the rest of the other mechs in Oratory Tango. This story follows up right after the bad end of the game, with this unit as the main character. I played through it back home, when seeing if the game could be used to train here. And, not gonna lie, if the Take didn't exist I'd be maining that unit."
"I see… And, what kind of mech is it?" She asks, looking straight ahead into my eyes. Only to flinch, rise her bunny ears in attention, letting out a low, cute squeak.
"Hehehe… It's none other than an improved version of the original main unit, the Skull Kaizer!"