Muv-Luv Reversal

by Zuoriel

Takeru has been leading a normal life until now. During the summer vacation of his second year in college he's invited by his high school friends to meet up again, to which he agrees. Shirogane doesn't know that this decision would release the nightmares that have been haunting him for some time, nightmares that would be better left forgotten.

71. Rumbling Hearts (II)

Chapter 71:

Rumbling Hearts (II)

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December 3rd. 12:28AM.

(Yokohama Base, B5F. Near the infirmary.)

[Mana]

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"Again, I had ordered them to remain in standby in their rooms. They acted on their own, and I apologize for their actions against you, captain," I give a small bow to the crimson-haired captain, who merely nods to acknowledge the words.

"In the name of the Imperial Royal Guard, I also apologize for my fellows' actions," Daizaburou-sama also gives her a small bow. "We truly are not wishing to clash with any of you."

"That does little to mend the repercussions that the actions of your underlings will cause," Vice Commander Kouzuki says, the immutable ice wall undisturbed. "Under normal circumstances, this would fall into a clear case of aggression towards UN personnel."

"Wait a moment, we aren't-"

"I know, and I'm not planning on going that route," she then narrows her eyes, resting a few fingers on her chin, "if you cooperate with the questions."

All I can do is nod, tighten a fist, briefly gaze at the door to the medbay where Takeru-sama now lays resting. To think they'd go as far as prevent us from being near when he was brought in, as if we would do anything to an unconscious adversary.

In the silence of the hallway, me and Daizaburou-sama share a gaze, the consternation miring our eyes. Regardless of how this talk is resolved, if nothing is done then Takeru-sama might once more grow as adusted as he was during our darkest days. And as if this wasn't dire enough, those three idiots had to go and cause such an argument in the hangar. I should have had everyone under the cousins' watch.

…To make matters worse, he didn't even listen to me during the last moments of the fight. I had thought Maya to be jesting, that she was exaggerating the matter in her ire. I believed Raiko-sama to be lying when she said she was unable to do little against his true wrath, that she was using your anger at the cruelty of war to further her own interests. And I thought you, the shadow you had become, was simply lashing out against those who you believed were at fault for our repeated defeats.

Yet, it is entirely different. To be the recipient of your strikes than to watch them from afar.

A candlelight burning, crumbling everything around it. Tearing the UV, the sheets, the bindings as if a tornado he had become, shrieking in rage, burning and burning. Only to suffocate, be thrown into a trench, buried deep beyond the sea, away from any and all light. The only remnant of you, a small bubble of your final exhalation which will soon dissipate amidst the waves.

I know not what made you react so aggressively today, despite my careless words towards your feelings about your parents' situation now that you lack context. But if we do nothing, again…

The XO shakes her head, the blonde foreigner that stood behind her whispering something. Which causes the fox to slightly frown, then sigh. "Tell her I've no words at the moment, to proceed with the afternoon lecture as always." After shaking her head, she clears her throat and faces us once more. "Now then, let's take a moment to note what we know happened. Isumi, if you would."

The captain nods and takes a step forward, another perfect poker face in her complexion. "Throughout the battle, there were signs that your units repeatedly engaged a private frequency that we couldn't tune in. And not just a standard private connection, but a more elaborate one at that. Our recordings do not have the audio of your line, only the answers Shirogane and Mitsurugi gave you as you platicated. That in itself would be enough to suspect something is off with this mock battle," she notes, casting shadows and doubts our way.

"While I admit it is fair for you to cast doubts and punishment of our shoulders for this," Daizaburou-sama slowly begins, folding both hands behind his back, "we were aiming to share some words in private with Mitsurugi during the fight. Regarding Shirogane, we decided to try and offer our aid once more, now that perhaps the high emotion of yesterday's meeting had passed."

The captain seems perplexed, a slow raise of a brow when sending a gaze to the fox. Upon the burning coldness of the stare, the captain coughs as she rummages through her hair. "Still, I believe you'll agree that your interactions with the cadet are what caused him to become unstable to the point of requiring the sedatives."

"If you'll excuse me," narrowing my eyes, my lips and wording, "if you examine his logs, I am certain you will come to the conclusion that it was the sedatives which caused the cadet to go on a nervous rampage. He was pained after our exchanges, I shan't deny it, yet it was the dosage of sedatives applied to him what sent him into shock."

"Oh, really?" Kouzuki shrugs, daring to even chuckle dryly for a moment. "Yet, the sedatives would not have been required should you have followed the standard procedures for this battle. If you hadn't spoken to Shirogane, nothing would have occurred. Which, let me remind you, you did by employing a private frequency, a method that is forbidden and very much punishable by our code," she threatens, raising her chin as if trying to tower over us.

Daizaburou-sama taps my forearm, shaking his head, so I sigh and inhale deep, deeper until I have to exhale while he clears his throat. "Again, we had no malicious intent, Vice Commander. While I understand inquiries are required, we only employed this method to avoid any sensitive intel from being left in the air. As you know and requested of us yesterday, the cadet's situation is a rather… delicate one."

The captain hints a frown for a moment, as if she were offended, perhaps concerned at the words. Seeing the little care she had when applying the sedatives to you, I believe the woman might not have a particularly positive view of you, Takeru. And while the concerns over us using a private frequency are understandable, there is no denying the one who caused you the most suffering was this crimson haired woman, who isn't even going to receive a reprimand at all, I'm sure.

The fox doesn't even react, merely overlaps her arms, not even a faint ripple in her composure. Truly, frozen to her very heart, frost running through her veins. "I believe both me and my protegee had asked you to keep your distance yesterday," she says, still daring to insist on that wording when referring to you, still steadfast in her opposition. "While I know cadet Shirogane could have come across as being too obstinate during the meeting, you did not respect the agreement we made. I believe you'll agree it was due to his interactions with you Royal Guards that Shirogane ended up suffering a nervous breakdown, sedatives notwithstanding."

"Pardon?" Acid constricts my throat, its base and pit, and I cannot help but to frown. "How could our words be weight the same as the sedatives? Before the dosage of drugs, cadet Shirogane was pained, yes, but in no form would he have fallen into blind violence. It was the application of the sedatives what tipped the scales."

The captain takes half a step forward, her lips beginning to part, yet the XO taps her shoulder and shakes her head. Brushing her hair, she remains immutable as a perfect wall. "Had you not spoken, the drugs wouldn't have been necessary. It was a chain reaction, from which you're the origin point. And while I won't be as foolish as to threaten you with filing a claim against any of you, I believe we can be honest with each other to reach an agreement."

"What do you speak of?"

"It's simple. If you deem Shirogane so high and issue, allow me to offer to you the option to request to have him deported."

Daizaburou-sama coughs, arms folding, expression sobering, tightening. "I believe we had made ourselves clear yesterday, XO."

"And the first thing that happens the next day is my protegee being sent to medbay," she shrugs, rolling her eyes. Before I could retort, the fox clicks her lips, which then retract inwards as she frowns. "This isn't some jest or a play in a circus. Shirogane is in this room," she fires a finger to the door, almost hitting the captain in the head, "unconscious and weakened, after having one of the strongest nervous breakdowns one could have. And no, I am not amused with this outcome, at all. So tell me 1st Lieutenant, how do you suggest we tackle the consequences this little accident will have for my protegee?" Her cold eyes sink right into me, this time frowning in earnest. "Unless, of course, you rather have me filing a claim of aggression towards UN personnel."

I return the stare, the glare, yet find myself gazing at the door. To make a truce with this fox, to accept to debate over this when the sedatives are what sent you into shock would be a folly. However, more foolish would it be for me to neglect my duties to safeguard you.

Taking a moment to inhale, letting the air go softly, my lips part ways with an answer, lightly burning as they do. "I will not excuse myself from my actions, but I had no intention to bring harm to the cadet with our discussion. If you deem me the cause of this accident, I'm at your disposal for any punishment you desire to give me."

I lower my head slightly, clawing at my fists. Her Highness did many efforts to make the accord with the XO, I cannot let that crumble because of this accident. Even less now that I've confirmed he is indeed our Takeru-sama, and after he has once more almost fallen into rage.

Considering his words as we spoke, it is now clear to me. The pit he's trapped in now is perhaps the same one I left in him when we departed from Hakuryo Base, and perhaps what has always fueled his struggles. After all, he never believed the sacrifices to truly were worth the victories, if we can call them that at this point, they gave us.

"Any punishment, you say? I think you're not seeing what I'm talking about here." She rests one hand on the top of her head, sounding bored. "I'm asking you how do you plan to take responsibility for harming my personnel, and to think on how will this affect Shirogane's career from now on." Taking one step forward, she then gazes at me firmly. "Surely you understand, more so after the show your underlings made in the hangar, how others will begin to spread aggravations about my protegee and how that will affect his training, considering the punishment which still lies on his shoulders. At this point, it truly… would be the wisest choice, to send him back the way he came."

"Wh- Please reconsider! We are not requesting such a thing, and neither do we desire to be seen as those who would demand such from the UN."

"Then, I'm all ears."

"XO, there is perhaps a solution, if you'd be willing to listen," Daizaburou-sama says, giving a small nod. "While I understand the cadet's desire to recall his memories on his own terms, and that this accident will make many assume a mistaken view of him, all it truly would take to silence those voices is to-"

"Have him regain his citizenship, go with you to the Capital?" She frowns, crossing her arms. "I believe he was clear, Shirogane does not wish to go to the Capital. And moreover, we already spoke of the possible claims that may fall on his shoulders should we move carelessly. Furthermore, one could reach a wrong assumption. That you did this in order for the cadet to have no choice but to go to the Capital."

"…Excuse me?"

"Mana, it is a fair assessment," he says, holding my gaze, making me heave a sigh. "Yet, we do not have such intentions, XO. If it's not through protection in the Capital or the offering of his father's profile, I loath to affirm we have no solution to propose."

"Well, I appreciate the honesty," she says, reverting to the ice wall. "Yet, I've received many favors from Her Highness the Shogun in the last few months. While Shirogane's situation is a concern, your standing and image in this base is also in jeopardy. I doubt the personnel took it well, to have your underlings trying to force their way to the cadet, or to see the state of his Gekishin."

I bow down, biting my lips. "Again, I assure you neither me or any of the members of the Royal Guard that participated in today's mock battle desired this outcome. Nor do I support the actions of the members of my squadron. If there is no other solution, I will bear the responsibility myself as an individual, for it was my own carelessness which caused this. This was no aggression towards the UN, it was mine own folly." My hands coil and twist, my lips purse as I slightly start biting my tongue within at this turn of events. "Again, I am at your disposal for whatever punishment you wish to place on me. Please do not push this burden of mine onto the Empire."

If nothing is done, the Takeru-sama will be shunned, despised by the more loyal Japanese members of the staff. In the worst case, it might even cause discord between those who see him as a traitor, an American, and those who are against such discrimination. And as the source of the unrest, Takeru-sama himself shall be punished and removed from this base to preserve the order. Otherwise, if we do not reach an agreement and the fox files a claim, if the UN recognizes this as a hostility, this will make it's way into the media. I must not let this reach public ears, for it would raise questions, it may reveal his role and identity. And given his current mental state…

The static of the comms, the shiver on my nape when I did not dare to look back on the hallways, the pressure on the audience chamber. Every little decoration started to resemble an eye back then, an eye which judged my every movement. A gaze which remained squinted yet vacant. A fissure, a wound between us, our gazes.

I cannot allow any more harm to befall Takeru-sama, nor for him to relieve that pain once again.

"Vice Commander, I believe we all know we need each other in this trying times." Daizaburou-sama says as he returns the stare but the woman sharpens her eyes, clearly not intimidated by him. "While I cannot remain here for much longer, the time I spent here was enough to see that we can place our trust in you. There must be something that can be done to salvage this situation, without resorting to deporting the cadet with such a stain on his records." He sounds composed, still and calm, however, his arms are close to his body, as if bound by chains he were.

Yet, the fox again sighs and ruffles her hair. "Let me tell you two something, in case you forgot. Cadet Shirogane was brought to this base by my personal orders, and I am his legal tutor." Then, as a finger taps her the bottom of her chin, her features gradually begin to tighten. "And ever since he arrived here, people have been very harsh on him. Especially you, Royal Guards. He told me of how the other Tsukuyomi confronted him on a day when you received some spare parts, how you, General Daizaburou, didn't seem very welcoming when he introduced himself when you delivered the Type-00C units. And let us not forget, how the younger Tsukuyomis tried to 'make him disappear in the muck' during the CCSE. I believe it is quite fair to affirm that you do have something against Shirogane. And, if there is no dissuading you, I shall have him removed from this base before dusk."

What?! How could she- No, focus. It is only logical she would draw such a conclusion, when lined up the facts do suggest we hold some sort of animosity towards Takeru-sama. I slowly inhale through my nose, biting my tongue softly again. Little effect does it have against which ails my ears, nor what tears inside.

And for as much as I hold doubts towards her, we also must protect Alt. IV. If the XO decides to deport him, even I cannot tell what that would cause in Yuuhi-sama. Yet, if they refuse the reports on Kageyuki-san's service, if they are understandably concerned over claims of identity theft… Daizaburou-sama narrowed his eyes, the grip of his fingers on his arms intensifying. "I believe we have already told you those were nothing but coincidences. The two younger Tsukuyomis made the same mistake the three Tozamas made today, that is all."

"Pretty unconvincing, when your words do not align with your actions," she retorts, quick to cast a side glance.

I tighten my fists, breathing deeply through my nose to relax my shoulders. The boulders refused to come off them, however. "We are being truthful, XO. I concur that it might look as if we were opposed to the cadet's presence, however that is not the case. We already told you our motives for approaching him yesterday, and why we employed the frequency today. Instead of remaining on this debate, could we instead focus on what can we do to avoid this incident from turning into something larger than it is?"

For some reason, the fox smirks as the captain merely switches gazes from her to us, as if out of the loop. "So you say you have laid out all of your motives?"

"Indeed, that is the case. What other reason could we have?" I say, resting both hands on my sides.

"Oh, I see," the fox dares to remain smirking. "Then, I suppose you won't have anything to say about what's in this folder?" The blonde foreigner that was near passed her a green folder, that she held in front of us. It had Takeru-sama's name written on it. And both us and the captain twitch as we recognize the name.

For a moment, my eyes sharpened at her. I blinked, rested a hand on my chin, and restrained the vile surging in my chest.

"…Vice Commander, could you explain what is that supposed to be?" The captain asks, edging closer to the fox.

Who then shakes her head, leveling a stare at us. "No Isumi, it's the other way around. They are the ones who have to do the explaining," she says, slowly taking a step forward, raising the folder towards Daizaburou-sama.

Is that the report on how he was recovered, perhaps? The key to how he left the Empire… It's just within reach.

Yet, as Daizaburou-sama slowly opens the envelope, his eyes begin to open wide, small brushes of bewilderment betray the stillness of his complexion. Holding the folder a bit too tightly, enough for it to begin to bend, he lets out one loud sigh as wrinkles awaken wide in his face.

"Daizaburou-sama, what is the matter?" Is this about something that happened to him in America?

"Vice Commander…" Sparks, thunders in warning within a sudden storm. "If you possessed this intel, why have you idled so?" He says, low and somber. I've very rarely seen the General willing to openly display such signs of anger, just what is in those pages?

To note, the captain once more seems to be hanging at the end of a rope, lost in either the tension in her features at whatever it is that's in the pages or in questions she desires to ask to the fox. Our gazes cross, perhaps equal in our ignorance and concerns, for different motives, then we both look towards the XO.

Who remains still and firm, arms lightly overlapped, one hand resting under her chin, under the frozen lake of her features. "I have my reasons. So, now that we can be a bit more honest with each other, could you tell me if there truly is no hidden meaning to your interest in my protegee's affairs?" She says as she ruffles her hair looking away, still daring to use that word.

Daizaburou-sama looks at me, I see him gulp as he slightly narrows his brows, stormclouds receding. I give a subtle nod, understanding he wished me to remain calm, and then he hands me the folder. A moment to exhale, to lick my lips and untie the tension in my hands as I brush my hair, then I begin reading the papers. The sight of the very first sentence was enough to make me clench my fists, a searing yet momentary sting hitting the center of my back.

"Found on the outskirts of the hill near the Yokohama Hive, an unconscious pilot wearing a damaged fortified suit, believed to belong to the Empire's Royal Guard, was retrieved during our patrols on the area after the G-Bombs' detonation."

Regardless of how she got this intel… She knows, knew all along that Takeru-sama was one of us.

And the damn fox kept quiet.

When he was clearly in so much pain. When it was her negligence what caused this outcome.

How… How dare she-

A hand rests on my shoulder, he shakes his head. "I believe we should continue this conversation somewhere else. What say you, Kouzuki?" Daizaburou-sama says with stern eyes as he hands the folder back.

"Oh, dropping the rank now? Fine, let's go to my office. But don't think of making any sudden move, I have us being watched by the best soldiers on the base. Come on, let's go." She turns around and briskly makes her way to the elevator.

We follow her closely, switching glances with each other. The captain also observes us as we walk, yet the hints of fire and confrontation which laid in her eyes before are no more. Rather then weapons raised, confusion and inquiries would seem to plague her mind as she marches. I suppose, she was in the dark as much as we were. And even if she was who applied the sedatives, the one who has crafted this scenario… is who walks ahead of us, straight as an arrow.

I cannot believe it, she knew of him being a Royal Guard and she didn't tell him? She didn't consult with us, despite the possible risks? If she assumed he was an exile it makes sense, one could say. Which is why she insists on deporting him, perhaps to avoid his past as an exile from resurfacing. If she so assumes, it becomes understandable why she refuses to send him to the Capital, for the clarification would then have Takeru-sama branded as a recognized traitor. Yet, for her to have withheld the intel, to not have consulted with us in person despite the risks to her project… and to still safeguard Takeru-sama as she does, what could she be aiming to do? For as much frustration as this causes me, the fox did give us a detailed report on his condition before she was notified of the trio's folly at the hangar. She is taking good care of Takeru-sama, perhaps… perhaps truly treating him as her protegee… but, why?

The Kouzuki I know, the cold and analytical leader of Alternative IV wouldn't put her hands over fire for anyone. She wouldn't even allow a situation which caused so much friction with our organization. And if she had been certain of it, there would be no negotiation possible. The fox would send you away, using her power and influence without a care, throwing you away as a mere pawn. But she hasn't, and not only that, she is still vying for your safety.

…It is quite an odd feeling, to be thankful and angered at the same time.

Sigh, had I been more careful this wouldn't have happened. All our efforts to set up that private frequency to be able to talk with him without being listened on, all for him to end up hurt once more. He's remembering, he's coming back. But that also means his shadows are resurfacing once more as well. All my attempts to remind him of our teachings, to calm him down failed just like back when we met again, after Mogami was reduced to ash and blood. I should have disabled his machine faster, or maybe I should have mentioned a book or one of the toys he favored?

"Mana, what do you think about this?" Daizaburou-sama spoke to me in a whisper as we waited for the elevator to arrive.

Covering my mouth, I also endow a whisper. "It all depends on whether she's using him to gain something or not."

"Indeed. I would like to give Her Highness a pleasing report today, however…"

That, too, is a concern. If the Vice Commander refuses to either have Takeru remember his identity or chooses to deport him back to America, I cannot imagine what Yuuhi-sama will do in retaliation. Under normal circumstances perhaps she'd merely compromise in another area, yet according to Maya and Tsuhi she has been more forward in her ways as of late. In no small part, due to the mere mention of your possible survival.

The elevator arrives and all five of us present ride it. No words are spoken on our descent nor on the way to her office. The other two remain outside as the scientist so orders, the blonde assistant sporting a neutral expression unlike the minute displeasure of the captain. Once inside, the fox tells us to sit where we please as she slowly goes to the chair behind a desk and sat down.

After brushing her hair and joining her hands atop the wood, she looks our way. "Now that we're in a secure location, could you tell me why are you so interested in Shirogane?"

I took a glance at Daizaburou-sama, who after closing his eyes for a moment nodded at me. So, I cough and clear my throat. "Before we speak of this, why have you remained silent on the knowledge of the cadet being a member of the Royal Guard until now?"

"Did you know he was one, by any chance?"

"Could you kindly answer the query, XO?"

"…Because I haven't known this for long. In all honesty, it wasn't too long ago that I… requested this report to be delivered to my hands, after some words Shirogane told me didn't exactly line up."

"What do you speak of?" Daizaburou-sama asks, resting an arm on the sofa. "Did he remember something… regarding how he was found?"

"You could say that. You see, Shirogane has mentioned a few times a recurring dream he has. A dream of," her lips recede momentarily, breaking eye contact, "an eternal wasteland."

"A… what?" Was it just a coincidence? Or, did he truly have those nightmares once again?

She shrugs, proceeding to talk while barely moving her lips, still not looking at us. "The mention of how he lived before the lakes in his memories led me to believe he was perhaps just a normal person who suffered from an unfortunate accident. Yet, some details do not align. As he mentioned yesterday, he should have been sent to an orphanage but didn't lose his surname. He should have fought in the war, but there were no records of his training or deployment anywhere. So I consulted with his prior location, to ask for a detailed report on how was he recruited as a cadet while in Yukon and if any contacts had been found in the Empire, or if that was tried at all."

"And the answer was this?"

"Indeed," she says, returning our stares, never faltering. "When he arrived here and I noticed how little intel there was on his profile, I asked someone to double check his intel, and to fix the profiles somehow. While Shirogane's public profile was filled with the leftover data he had from Yukon, my contact brought me some intel as a… warning, he said, shortly after I had received this report I showed you," sighing audibly, she leans on the chair. "It seems like his data was erased, and not only that but he was a member of the Royal Guard, one who engaged in unsavory matters it would seem," she says, almost chuckling as she rests her chin on a hand. Deep inhaling and a grip on my knees, that is all which seals my lips. As if you could ever judge him, damn fox. "Which meant, Shirogane was either an exile or a traitor. If I can be frank with you, I was considering disposing of Shirogane after the CCSE, to avoid any issues from arising."

"Then, why didn't you?"

"Because when examining all facts, I saw he had made the right call during the CCSE," she says, and dry ice would be warmer than her very being as of now. "So that made me think, what if his prior sentence was done on similar terms? After all, he was found unconscious and hurt, unable to legally defend himself for months. And when he woke up, he didn't have many memories clear on his immediate past. So, while it might have been dangerous to keep him here, on Mitsurugi's squad no less, I saw in Shirogane a decent person and a very valuable asset. That's why I've been keeping a close eye on him, especially since the CCSE, and why I am now showing you this report now." Leaning forward, again resting her arms on the wood, her unblinking stare meets ours. "I would like to reach an agreement to have him stay in this base, without any repercussions to either his career or the project. So, could you tell me what has you delving in my protegee's affairs?"

The clarity of her words is apparent, as is the foul mood she is in at the moment. However, the matter of the databases should have been informed to her via Chief Yoroi, who also should have suggested to her that sending him to the Capital would be the wisest choice. Yet, she once more is using her body as a shield. Why would this fox of all people go to such lengths to safeguard anyone? Because then, that would mean that she truly does see him as a valuable pawn, that she won't lift her vile paws off him.

I claw at my palms, my bottom lip suffering the hail of my nibbling. Daizaburou-sama and I share a brief glance, he waves a hand down my way. I nod, once more inhaling deeply.

His brows arch, he lets out some air through his nose. The edge of his lips is retreating inwards, he then coughs. "Well, if you had confirmation that a Royal Guard he was, then you should have contacted the authorities to find a solution to this problem at an earlier date. As his current legal tutor, it falls to you to contact the Shogunate for his missing data, or to mention it to us during the meeting we held yesterday." He thus says, slow yet firm. She slowly looks towards a wall, clearly uninterested. He once more coughs, dispelling the minute tension in his features. "Then, would you be willing to share with us some intel about his time in America? Could you allow us to see the full report on how was he found near the hive?"

"We don't really have much data about what was of him in Yukon, since after that terrorist attack the majority of it was lost. And before I show you anything, I want to hear why are you so interested in Shirogane's affairs," she then frowns slightly, staring at us. "Because if he really is an exile, I'm willing to deport him tomorrow morning." She says with a slight smile on her face.

"Could you kindly stop taunting us, XO? We've already said we do not wish for the cadet to be exiled," I say, hitting a leg as I do, as I frown.

Daizaburou-sama sends a look at me, his eyes narrowed as he leans back onto his seat. I nod and look towards the woman, who remains still, not revealing a single hint in her posture or gaze.

"As it were, I was a fellow of his father while he was in service of the Royal Guard."

"Is that so."

"…And I met the cadet when he was little, as well. So, that's why I've been insisting on a personal level. As fellows of his father, we cannot turn a blind eye to Shirogane's woes."

"You say that, but he was found near death close to a hive and his data banks were erased."

"What was that?!"

"Mana," Daizaburou-sama gives a few pats to the sofa, holding my gaze, "the XO's concern is valid." He then looks at the damn fox, who seemed to chuckle for a second. "You see, we had thought him dead after that mission. So, whenever it is that the database suffered an error, we didn't notice it until he had returned."

"I see. Then, I suppose you do not have the authorization to see the report, in the end."

"…Excuse me, what?"

She holds my gaze, bumping a hand on her chin. "1st Lt, if you're merely an acquaintance, you've no authorization to delve into my protegee's affairs. Only relatives can request such things."

"Pardon me? I had believed we-"

"Only if you clarified your intentions, and had a motive to delve into his affairs. I can understand why would you be concerned with Shirogane's safety, and we can debate on how to avoid this incident from affecting him negatively, but regarding his identity I shall-"

"We do have a justification to receive the report, XO," Daizaburou-sama says, then exhales heavily when he nods back to me.

"Huh, you do? Enlighten me, by all means," she says, resting her hands back on the desk.

"Mana, you may proceed."

"Huh? Are you… certain?"

"It is this or wasting more time. Now that we know that Kouzuki is aware Shirogane was one of us, there is little reason to withhold the intel."

"Yes, sir." Inhaling deeply, a small shiver on my nape, I then look forward, into the glacier. "XO, to tell the truth, cadet Shirogane was put under my House's protection after Kageyuki-san's passing."

"…Huh?" Raising a brow, blinking in quick succession, she then grasps her chin. "So you're saying that Shirogane became a Tsukuyomi?"

"No, I said he was entrusted to our care. In the nobility, when a fellow passes away, it is not unheard of for the patron house to look after the heirs of said person. Kageyuki Shirogane was a good fellow to my Father and Uncle, and while it was debated whether or not we should tend to a commoner at the time, it was decided that Takeru Shirogane would be taken under our care to join our fellowship."

"So… He became a vassal, then?" She asks, narrowing her eyes, retracting her lips.

"A fellow-in-training. A squire, if you allow. Due to his fascination with his father's work, Shirogane accepted to join the training program of my House back then, going as far as to declare he would become an Imperial Guard instead of choosing another profession from the options then available."

For a moment, I stop and lick my lips. The cakes, the books, the ruckus in the gardens, much noise among the trees of a national park we once visited, where he apparently stole my sister's lips in his innocence, the incessant smoke coming from the kitchen when he once challenged Yuuhi-sama by saying she wouldn't be able to even boil an egg, and hitting the nail straight on the head with an industrial press. Recalling those days, the days before the war took your heart from us, before we gave up on it more accurately, brings an odd taste to my mouth as I cross a leg, fiddle with a strand of hair.

And looking elsewhere, I continue. "While it would be impossible for a commoner to be admitted into the Royal Guard with ease, his father's service was appreciated and devoted so Shirogane was given the chance to show his worth. Due to the results he obtained in his efforts, he was formally inducted into my House's training program at age twelve to be instructed along other selected young heirs and inductees to become Imperial Guards."

"So what you're saying is that he was smitten with the Guard, and since he had talent and his father had been a loyal vassal, your House inducted him? When he was just twelve years old?"

"…Yes, that is the case. Unlike what he believes, he was not left alone after his father's passing."

"Is this the reason why in his data it says he left his school without moving away from the Hiiragi district?" She holds my gaze, I nod back.

"That is the truth. We cannot tell you of what trainings he did nor where was he trained, yet Shirogane was under my fellowship's care since then," I say that without wavering or looking away, for it is the truth. "And thus, as one of the highest members of my house, Shirogane is also my protegee, XO."

She then narrows her eyes and lips, small daggers within the ice. "And why have you not disclosed this until now? I would have welcomed this honesty during yesterday's meeting."

"You'll have to forgive me, but I could ask you the same thing regarding the intel you possessed. If you had reached out to us, inquiring on whether he was a fellow or an exile, all of this would have been avoided. Quite careless, coming from the leader of Alternative IV."

"Mana, keep your poise," he admonishes, giving a minute bow to the fox. "In any case, all of this was truly nothing but a chain of unfortunate events. Thus, could you hand over the full report on his departure, XO?"

"Before that, I want you to confirm something. You are not going to do anything that would… be detrimental to the project, would you?"

"What are you implying?" I ask, frowning despite the glare Daizaburou-sama gives me.

She smiles, waving a hand in the air. "Oh, I would rather not end up on the black list of the Shogunate for meddling on your 'private businesses', you see. Because when the UN asked the Empire to treat Shirogane's wound before taking him to Alaska, the Imperial forces refused to do so."

"What did you say?!" Daizaburou-sama shouts, eyes parting wide.

I barely held my breath at the words, the certainly false and insulting declaration of this fox. We refused to treat him? That's preposterous! We both glare at her, she remains as calm as a pond.

"Just as you heard. Apparently, a few UN scouts found him close to the area where the G-Bombs were dropped. As the first page should have detailed, Shirogane was wearing a damaged fortified suit with the helmet and all, broken and burnt beyond recognition. However, thanks to the patterns in the section guarding his neck, they could tell the suit was from the IRG. Not to mention, he was holding a bloodied sword tightly on his chest, and despite being unconscious he refused to let go of it."

"A… sword?"

"Yes, that little and troublesome sword Mitsurugi found on his room. The one Shirogane now returned to you, I believe."

"Wait, are you saying-"

"Yes, he defended himself with that blade, it would seem. What little those who rescued him told me suggests that's the reason the sword had to be repaired, and why it's far less sharp than one would expect of one of our armaments," she notes, wiggling a finger up and down. "By the by, might I ask why did he have that katana?"

I grimace on a reflex, of course she would ask about it. But she shouldn't know of it's meaning. "All members of the Guard are given katanas, Vice Commander. Even the fresh recruits."

"So Shirogane had that blade since he was made into an Imperial Guard?"

"As I said, he was given a katana as all other fresh members do, XO. It is a standard practice you can easily confirm with any Instructor from the IRG." Why is she insisting on this point? Could she know what the Minaru Kamui is meant to represent? No, she shouldn't… unless he recalled it and told her.

Tapping some papers, she again looks away as if bored. "Well, back to the point, when they found him, the scouts immediately tried to apply treatment to Shirogane, but after removing his helmet they realized he was Japanese. After giving him some first aid and confirming he could be saved through his suit's signal, they tried to contact the IJA to send him to them, but they refused."

Taking another moment of silence to gauge our reactions, as I was grimacing at the image of him surrounded by BETA, she then stands up to serve herself something. As she was filling her mug, she looks back and sighs.

"The records indicate that those from the IJA claimed Shirogane was probably a Japanese that was on the UN's side and didn't want to receive him, since the area where they found him was supposed to be covered by international forces." Sitting down, taking a brief sip, the stalwart ice wall without heart resumes her cold monologue. "However, the UN didn't have any data about him on its databases. Since Shirogane's wounds were severe, he was not going to make it without proper treatment. And the UN code forbids any soldier from abandoning a wounded person, if they can be saved. Due to Lucifer ending in a total victory without risk to the scouts, the took him to one of their ships to apply the required treatment."

"And then, why did they not contact the IRG? What athwarted Shirogane from the Shogunate?"

"…Do you truly not remember what transpired after the G-Bombs were dropped during Lucifer, 1st Lt Tsukuyomi? How most of the IRG's men were too busy trying to infiltrate the hive, debating with the American forces and almost starting another bloodbath on the field?"

"T-That's…"

"Look, we hold similar feelings towards the usage of the G-Bombs on that day," she says, nodding our way. "However, as you should know, the state of the UN's relations with the Empire at the time was dire at best. Nobody had the time to lose negotiating for a single soldier, I doubt any person with enough power to speak with the IRG's commanders ever knew Shirogane was receiving treatment at all."

"…Which would make sense," Daizaburou-sama nods, grimacing, darkening as a new moon night. "I myself and Her Highness were in charge of overseeing the operation that day. Anyone who could notify anything to us would have had to do so through our ship and official channels."

"And the officers on the field were all gathered at the hive," I sigh, feeling emptiness setting inside me.

"Simply put, no one wanted to get in trouble over an almost dead soldier," she says, shrugging. "So, since nobody answered the plea that was already forwarded, the officer in charge of the ship decided to bring Shirogane to Alaska since they couldn't just abandon him, waste time negotiating, or at worst get in an argument with the Royal Guard, who was beyond wrath at the usage of the bombs and, as you would recall, blamed both the UN and the US forces for it." Taking a momentary silence to drink, she spins in her chair. "After all, once he regained consciousness, Shirogane could simply contact his fellows and return on his own to the Empire. Maybe it would be a small showing of cooperation with the IRG, how the UN saved one of them amidst the fire of Lucifer's closing moments."

"But when he woke up, he had lost his memory?" I stare at her, she nods back immediately without delay.

"Indeed, 1st Lieutenant. He remembered his name and even how to write it in kanji, it would seem. Despite that, when the UN tried to contact the Empire once more, they said no such person had taken part of Operation Lucifer among the Imperial Troops on August 5th according to their databases, and refused to accept him back. The attempt to contact the IRG went far more poorly, and the report lists it as an utter waste of time," she notes with a nod, once more grabbing her mug to drink.

…Of course, Yuuhi-sama erased his data as soon as she learned of his supposed death. If only we had not tried to enter the Hive, if we hadn't had to deal with those damn Americans that tried to infiltrate the hive, if one of us had been left behind to intercept that call for help… Acids again claw up my throat, lush vines constricting an otherwise sturdy tree. An invisible noose, as the floor feels like giving up on my feet.

Uncaring, the fox continues in her slow telling. "Without relatives, with his nation turning its back to him, the UN made Shirogane sign some papers to request formal asylum so that he could stay in the hospital until he completely recovered. Once he healed, there were two paths available to him. Either become a Cadet on the UN or become a refugee. The UN, knowing he was a pilot, decided to push for the first in hopes of him recovering his memories and then becoming a sign of their good intentions towards the Empire. I can't show you all the documents, bureaucracy you'd understand, but here are a few of them about his hospitalization in Alaska." She stands up and offers the folders, yet when I grasp them she does not release them. Looking at me, her features tighten, "I hope this is enough to prove my and Shirogane's goodwill to you, Royal Guards."

"Worry not, it is much appreciated," Daizaburou-sama says, nodding my way.

When I do, she releases the folder. Opening it atop the small table between both sofas, we treat each sentence in utmost care.

…

Takeru-sama had a broken arm and many broken ribs as well when he was found. His pulse was also abnormally low, even after receiving treatment, and his heart stopped twice on the way to Alaska despite all the efforts of the paramedics on the UN's ship. It was a nothing short of a miracle that he survived long enough to reach the hospital. It took him two weeks to regain consciousness for the first time, but was unable to form words and couldn't remain awake for more than a few minutes. His condition continued to improve on the following days, and on the third week he could finally remain awake and conscious enough to talk and focus on the people around him, that's when he told the doctors his name.

During the months of his recovery, he told the doctors of what little he remembered about Japan and his life, despite having serious headaches when trying to remember some things, and he was prone to suffering panic attacks when asked too many questions about his past. On reiterated occasions, it seems he would wake up in the middle of the night, plagued by abstract dreams. Recurring words on the subject included 'wasteland', 'black fire', 'coldness'.

"What do you mean, why did I change? What exactly do you expect me to do, 'Mana-nee'? The fucking nation is on fire and you'd rather have Her Highness blindly remain drinking tea in the veranda?"

However, what surprised the personnel of the hospital was his demeanor. He was not hostile with them, showing no distrust or anger at the foreigners that approached him. On the contrary, he showed himself to be a peaceful and relaxed person instead.

"No, you have to take a break, Mana-nee. I'm telling Yohime-san if you stay up working so much again!"

After the talks with the Empire had failed and his rehabilitation finished, he chose to enlist in the UN army, on the condition that if the chance arose for him to return to the Empire, the authorities would allow it without question. After all, it would serve as a proof of their goodwill to the Empire.

The conditions of his return were different, however, as he was perhaps transferred in a hurry during the aftermath of the Yukon Incident. Yet, this… this is…

Lips retract and I hold the air it, tightly veiling my sight.

Stings and darts would sooner pierce my flesh before I exhale, exhale and allow dampness to reach my eyes.

This is nothing sort of a miracle. For his body and soul to have healed so in these years, despite what he had to got through. For so long we thought him gone, for so many nights we wept for his death, and yet he was struggling for his life. For fate to have given him the chance to survive, for luck to have shielded him from so many risks. Yet there is one very important matter that has to be addressed here.

Kouzuki knew all this time. And she did nothing. While her concerns over supporting an exile could be justified, these papers grant another layer to her refusal. She should have known of his innocence, yet the project could not be jeopardized by an unknown actor. And even then, she kept him close, safe and sound. Even now, despite her threats of deporting him, she is merely saying that instead of acting on the words, as one would think she would if she deemed this issue such a danger.

So, one question remains. Why?

"This had cleared up many things, Vice Commander. Is it possible for you to give us a copy of this file?" Daizaburou-sama asks as he returns the folder, no longer frowning, his hands relaxed, his voice flowing easily as a downstream river.

"Sadly I can't, since this is a UN document," she shakes her head, resting the folder atop one of the large piles of papers in her desk. "You can consult with the databases or ask for permission if you do not have the authorization. Now then, I believe it's finally time for you to tell me who was Shirogane before this accident happened to him. If he isn't an exile, and you truly were looking after him then, why was he fighting on Lucifer and why is there no records left of him anywhere?" She again entwines her fingers, locking her cold gaze on us.

Daizaburou-sama waves a hand down, nodding to me before facing the fox."As it were, Shirogane had formally joined the ranks of the Imperial Guard after the defeat we suffered on the first night of the Defense of Kyoto. Starved for pilots, his training was hastened and he joined one of the squadrons of my battalion as a 2nd Lieutenant." He affirms, slowly joining his hands. I suppose we can use his former role to deceive her. "He was a most promising member of the Guard, despite his age he was on par with the rest of the new recruits. And it was not an odd occurrence at all, as much as it pains me to admit."

"As you perhaps already know XO, by the time Arashiyama Base fell, the IRG was forced to deploy most of its trainees to the battle, as the MDF did before," I admit, recalling and lowering my gaze.

"Yes, it's reasonable considering the state of our defenses back then. So, you made a sixteen-years old boy a 2nd Lt? Did Shirogane do anything that warranted the erasure of his data banks during his service?" She asks, leaning slightly forward.

"Of course not," he answers, shaking his head. "Shirogane was a most devoted member of our ranks, despite the, ahem, irreverence he displayed at times."

"What does that mean?"

"I believe you should know how he is by now, XO. Shirogane refuses to stay quiet in front of what he believes to be mistaken," He nods, and while at first his lips seemed to curve upwards, Daizaburou-sama ends up sighing and running a hand on the sides of his head.

Yet, the XO doesn't immediately reply. Leaning back on her chair, she was looking at a bookshelf nearby, at a small tray left by the coffee machine. Lips twisting in, composure piked slowly, slowly, cracks surfacing in the minute tension in her eyes.

"I suppose I know of… that trait of his, yes," she says as she closes her eyes. Sighing as she shifts her posture on her seat, a complete restoration of the mask when she looks back at us. "So, you're saying a child became a respected member of your squadron?"

"Pardon me?"

"Mana," he admonishes with a sigh. "It is unbecoming of you to grow upset so easily."

"…My apologies."

Nodding and clamping my lips, I rest against the sofa's cushioning. Were we not on her personal office, on such a dire situation, I would have demanded the fox to retract the insult. Takeru-sama is by far more skilled than the average person, that boy learns too fast. And he had a knack for piloting, despite how much we dreaded sending him to practice only to hear him start to sing. If there is one thing me, Maya and Raiko-sama agree on, is that none of us know how did he apprehend such finesse and knowledge, or why would he choose to use it on so offensive methods.

"But it works! If I spin, people can't lock onto me, the sensors can't keep up with the changes in direction. Then, I can just whack 'em hard from behind or something. What do you mean, I could crash? Heh, just you wait until I manage to pull off a backflip with Watermelon-kun. Now that's gonna be awesome! ATSUKUNARE! YUME MIRU KANATA E-"

I honestly don't know how he did that, or how he came up with all those odd songs, nor why he would nickname his Zuikaku as watermelon. True, 'Suika-kun' does resemble the name of the craft, but it is distressing to recall he refused to refer to his Zuikaku as anything other than Watermelon-kun. Or to remember his adusted shouts, calling the Tank-class as crimson capybaras that would die starving.

Sighing as I shake my head, recalling his blazing eyes of motivation and his darkening glare of fury only serves to further retract my tongue into my throat when coming back to reality. All I can do now is silence, swallow down my venom, claw at my fists and wait.

"Vice Commander, he had an innate talent like no other. I believe his performance on this base is enough proof of that," Daizaburou-sama says, again patting the sofa's armrest.

"So you're saying he was as good as he is now, despite being just a child soldier?"

Hmph, such insolence… Crude taunts as such might work with most, but not with us, fox. We will not trip so easily.

"Of course not, but he was a natural leader," I nod, crossing my arms. "Despite his tendency to speak up, no one can deny the talent he had to manage a Zuikaku on a level similar to a seasoned warrior."

"I see. Then, did he remain under your care all the way until Lucifer?"

Daizaburou-sama's features tighten for a speck of a second, yet he quickly returns to his usual stoic expression. "Yes, though he did not retreat when we told him to do so. Which is why he ended up on the G-Bomb's area, and we lost his signal then. We assumed he was dead, seeing the overall destruction caused by the detonations. And I am loath to admit, little could I do to rein in my troop's ire in front of that treason."

"Is that so," she nods, not pressing the matter, finishing her drink in silence for a moment. "Then he isn't an exile or a traitor, I suppose? Shirogane was a rightful member of the Royal Guard?"

"Yes, however, you made a little mistake Vice Commander," Daizaburou-sama says, low, as closes his eyes, nodding slowly.

"A mistake? What are you talking about?"

"Shirogane still is a member of the Royal Guard, as far as I'm concerned. His records merely suffered from an error after the digitalization we did when restructuring our offices after Lucifer was confirmed to be successful."

And all pressure to have us send our population as refugees to another land were halted cold, might I add. Which is why, we needed a thorough accounting of all survivors and missing papers. It was time to supervise all that was left behind, to once more set root for good in our rightful land. Even if in this case, it is all a lie. What truly erased his data were the permanently weeping cries of Yuuhi-sama on all following nights after that accursed August 5th, after all.

Coughing, he leans forward, looking straight into her eyes. "Now that you we have told you all we can on his situation, I must ask you to return Shirogane to us, his rightful tutors. I'm sure he'll recover his memory much faster back home with us, and of course the UN will receive the proper thanks for saving his life, and for safeguarding him thus far since his return." He bows at her, deeply, and I immediately follow.

Yet, the woman laughed quietly. As I look up, I see she endowed another wicked grin and a curvature to her eyes. The sight filled my insides with ice, rough and jagged, piking at my composure.

"Excuse me Vice Commander, but what is causing you to laugh?" I narrow my eyes at her, yet she just looks away with a smile. What is this woman even thinking? What is so entertaining, fox?

"I suppose you didn't notice, but Shirogane isn't a member of the Royal Guard anymore. He's part of the UN now."

…

"XO, I believe we have made ourselves clear," Daizaburou-sama gestures with his hand at me, his eyes slightly narrowing, unsheathing the inner blade. "Shirogane is one of us, a member of both my squadron and the network of 1st Lt Tsukuyomi's House. Such was the reason which fueled our inquiries, to see if he truly was himself. And seeing the proof you presented, our doubts are no more. Thus, I am asking you to return him to the Imperial Royal Guard's care," He asks with a firm pat to the sofa, leaning forward and slightly raising his voice to his usual loudness.

Still, the fox crosses her arms as she shrugs. Not masking the smirk, the combative tint in her glare. "Then, how about you make a formal request for him? As far as the databases go, he's dead here. Bring the papers with the data of his service, the proof that he is indeed a member of the Tsukuyomi House's trainees, and request us to transfer him officially. Assuming you have the papers, that is."

"What did you say?! Are you insinuating we're lying?!" Hitting the sofa, my teeth clench further when he remains smirking.

"Considering your databases lost so much data, it would not be odd for his records to have been lost as well. I won't hand my protegee in front of mere words, I'd be liking you to present proof that confirms your claims before I allow Shirogane to leave this base. Of course, that's if he agrees to it."

"If he- Are you saying he would oppose the notion of recovering his past?!"

"Mana, please keep your poise," he says, holding my glare with a frown. Then, expression unchanged, his inner sword becomes unchained, its edge brimming through his posture as he looks at the fox. "The same for you, XO. Let's not fall to animosity, we can debate over this reasonably."

"Oh, I'm not doing this to test you or anything," she affirms, sobering up, her brows beginning to cross. "Seeing how he reacted to your talks today, the nervous shock he had to endure, I believe he may not want to return to the Guard. Actually, it might not even be good for his mental health to allow him to return."

"What did you say?! How dare you speak such-"

"Tsukuyomi! Do not say words you'll later regret."

"Daizaburou-sama, how could I remain calm when this situation was clearly caused by the damn sedatives they injected him with? If the sedatives hadn't been forced on him by that-"

"Enough!" He stares at me, unflinching, as he hits the sofa, strongly enough to leave it sunk.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, futilely trying to restrain the shaking present in my hands. How could I remain calm? Isn't it obvious what's going on here?!

"XO, forgive the screams," He gives her a brief, subdued bow. "However, I must ask you again to transfer him back to the Empire. Shirogane wasn't exiled nor is he a traitor. Procuring the reports would be the more formal procedure, yes, yet I would like to take him with us back to his rightful place in the Royal Guard when we depart tomorrow. At the least, I believe we should tell him the whole truth and let Shirogane himself decide."

"And how do I know you're not lying just to dispose of him?" She says as she again locks her gaze on us, narrowing her eyes.

Such insolence! All I'm allowed to do is grit my teeth, so long as this woman has him under her. To be so close, and yet so far… All because they used who knows what drugs on him, to suggest our presence is harmful to him.

"Please, there is no need for further hostilities. Me and 1st Lt Tsukuyomi have told you all we can within our boundaries." He says relaxing onto the sofa, despite his tightening arms as he crossed them once more. "All we would ask of you is one final talk with Shirogane, to dispel all these misunderstandings that have plagued his return to this land."

"Really? Then, might I ask you another question?"

"Of course."

"Why was he alone on the vicinity of the Yokohama Hive, on an area that was not supposed to be covered by Imperial troops? If you were his leader, why did his squadron not restrict his movements?"

"…Such details are military secrets, XO," he quietly answers.

"Then, can you tell me exactly under which squadron was he stationed? I could easily double check the databases I have available on Lucifer, to see if there is indeed missing data in a team's formation. If Shirogane's data was erased by an error, then even his presence on Lucifer should be missing."

…

There's no way we can tell her the truth. If she knew how important he is, she wouldn't let him out of her grasp. It's the type of person she seems to be. But then…

"Ahem… Have you not checked this data before, XO?" I ask, leaning forward.

She squints her eyes, saying nothing for a moment, before she brushes some hair as she sighs. "There are many holes on Lucifer's ranks, you should know we lost many soldiers to the G-Bombs. And I can't have detailed access to Imperial records, as much as I would like to. Even if I know he was part of Lucifer, I don't know where to look in the squadrons from the IRG that took part in the operation. But now," she then smirks, resting her chin on a hand, "you are here to point me in the right direction. If you are telling the truth then, what's stopping you from telling me the name of his squadron?"

"Isn't the knowledge that he was part of the Wolf battalion plentiful?" I ask, eyes narrowing.

"You had three TSF squadrons deployed, I assume. And on the vanguard as well. If you said Shirogane refused his orders to retreat, and seeing he was found alive and alone, I assume the rest of his comrades followed the command and did not die to the G-Bombs. So, it would be easier to confirm that the blank spot on the formation is him by seeing other collaborations with your unit and finding that same spot missing. If there's multiple members missing from the team, it will grow harder to confirm your story from my position. And as I said before," she leans forward, hiding her lips behind interlocked hands, while beginning to frown, "I won't hand over my protegee until I am certain you mean him no harm."

"Yet, we told you all we can at the moment," Daizaburou-sama says, hitting the sofa once more.

"And you cannot confirm anything else as of now, request some documents to be sent to you?" She asks, low, as she stares. We both share a gaze, I grimace and look down as he sighs and runs a hand into his head.

We cannot, under no circumstances, present the last papers of his service. And the other records have been erased, so to attain what leftovers remain… we would have to request such to Yuuhi-sama herself. And by that point, I might as well have jumped straight into an erupting volcano. Notifying this to her, with how her mood as been lately, would be placing further burdens on her shoulders. Or risk retaliation against Kouzuki, and for as much as I dislike her way of being I cannot deny she has been one of our most important allies. Alt. IV notwithstanding, her favorable reception to Her Highness' requests, her fair treatment to Meiya-sama, and the protection she is extending to Takeru-sama, albeit odd, is enough to earn her my respect. Yet…

"…I doubt we could request such documentation in such short notice," I admit, Daizaburou-sama nods in agreement.

"Is that so? Well, there is nothing to be done then. Shirogane will remain here until you present the proper documentation."

"Wait, you could at least tell him about-"

"I do not believe it wise," she says, a small pursing of her lips as she crosses her arms. "Letting him recall his memories on his own is for the best. It is not unusual, for survivors of wars to lose their memories, to never regain them. Forcing him as he is now would only bring further suffering to Shirogane, so I won't be disclosing anything that he does not ask for."

"True that might be, however-"

"As of now, he is my protegee, 1st Lieutenant. And allow me to remind you, you're in my base, as well. If you truly care about Shirogane, allow him to recall on his own."

Hands shaking as they grip and distort my dress, I look down, biting my lips. To just turn around and do nothing? Is this truly all I can do? Yet, even before the sedatives, Takeru-sama did sound pained. It is true, forcing him to remember might backfire…

"Ahem…" Daizaburou-sama nods my way, sighing heavily. "However, if we can procure the documentation or if he comes seeking answers, you won't withhold him from the truth?"

"You have my word, I have no intention to let this become an issue," she nods, holding our gazes, never faltering, never wavering.

So this is all we can get? No, once Takeru-sama recovers his memory I'm sure he'll come to us immediately. Yuuhi-sama may not be particularly pleased at this outcome, but now we possess confirmation of the path forward. Bidding our time to present the papers should allow us to aid Takeru-sama in his recovery. And if Kouzuki were to be lying… I pity her, for she shall become the recipient of Yuuhi-sama's blue fire.

"I suppose we can agree to that." Daizaburou-sama nods slowly at her, I do so too.

"Well then, now that we got that out of the way, it's time to see how we deal with this little incident. 1st Lt, I would like to ask you to reprimand your underlings, where others will see and hear it, to ensure their previous outburst doesn't cause any rumors."

"…Very well, I shall do as you ask. Is there anything else you'd request out of us?"

"No, nothing else. This was nothing but an accident, and if you're being truthful about this, I suppose I can see why did you go as far as you did. There won't be any punishments or claims filed, let's not make this bigger than it is."

I give her a small nod, sighing softly. "Your understanding is appreciated. Then, would you allow us to see Shirogane before we return to the barracks?"

Narrowing her eyes, quick to she is to shake her head. "No, I do not think it wise. Please give him space, let's not risk any rumors from brewing."

"However, you can't simply-"

"Mana," he shakes his head, grimacing. "Would you be willing to give 1st Lt Tsukuyomi updates on Shirogane's condition, XO?"

"Updates?" She raises a brow, compacting her shoulders. "Look, Shirogane isn't in any danger. He only needs some rest and a detox, a full day at most," she affirms while sounding bored, drawing arcs on the air. "Also, I will limit the movements 1st Lt Tsukuyomi and her squad can do on my base. I know you've been keeping an eye on Shirogane for quite some time, and I think it would be for the best to keep you away from him just in case. You will only be able to be in the vicinity of Mitsurugi's position. If I find you or any of your three partners approaching-"

"They will not act against Shirogane or anyone else from your personnel. I will make sure they understand our position as mutual allies in this base," I say, holding her stare, trying to crack the ice.

Yet, she once more looks away, immutable as a frozen pond. "So long as they do not show any hostile intentions towards the UN, you can proceed with your watch over Mitsurugi as always. Now then, was there anything else?"

"…No, I don't think so," I look at Daizaburou-sama, who shakes his head.

"Well, this shall be all, then. I hope I made my terms clear, and that there is no repeat of today's 'accident'."

"There won't be, XO. I assure you of it," I say, meeting her glare, the seemingly endless dark within the ice.

We give her a small bow, turning to leave and exiting the office. Kouzuki dismisses the blonde foreigner, calling the captain to her presence. So, us two are free to return to the elevator.

Stomping the floor, finally frowning in full force, the myriad of arrows within me are released with each step, each small swing of my arms on the march.

"Mana, please remain composed," he slowly asks, pacing behind me.

"How could I? After revealing so much, after disclosing such intel, she still dares to refuse our petition to see how he's faring? It's unacceptable," I turn away, once more storming to the elevator.

"Kouzuki is merely being overly cautious, I'm certain," he says, remaining calm and composed. "And, even if it isn't immediate, now that she has been made aware of his identity it is but a matter of time."

"Do you truly believe so?" I ask as I press the button, calling the machine to our location.

He leans closer, whispering. "Do you believe Yuuhi-sama would remain idle on this board we face?"

"I'm frankly more concerned with her possible retaliation," I whisper back, sighing as I curl a strand of hair. "It is all so puzzling, however. I did not think Kouzuki would… well, defend someone to such lengths."

"She's merely covering her own trails, in case he was an exile or someone who would be in our 'black list', as she put it," he notes, nodding. Yet, he then sighs as his shoulders sag and crumble. "It is all very sad, however. At the very least he isn't badly injured."

The elevator arrives, we enter it and begin our ascent. In the narrow silence, under the monotone of the whirring of gears, of the changing numbers, I can't help but feel the vibrations spread to my neck, daring to make my shiver on my own, to lose stable footing.

"Daizaburou-sama, do you truly believe my words were what caused him such harm?"

"I believe he was hurt by them, however slightly. Yet, the breakdown was caused by the sedatives, it is clear."

"Then, shouldn't we-"

"Casting blames won't aid us, or him," he says, crossing his arms, a tread of light extending in his otherwise stoic features. "And at the moment, we have a few tasks to tackle. Both the reprimand to your fellows, as well as the report to Yuuhi-sama. We did literally all that was in our reach, Mana. Now, it is time to wait."

"Sigh… Is there truly nothing else to be done?"

"Not us, no. Whether something else occurs today will be in Yuuhi-sama's hands." He then narrows his brows, rubbing his forehead. "I only hope your hunch doesn't prove right and she can keep her composure at the news."

"As unlikely as it seems, I also hope for the same."

Even if that may allow us to reclaim you faster. Sigh… Resting on the cold wall of the elevator, becoming aware of my heartbeats, I can only look up in silence. Look up at nowhere, at all that I recalled, all that we learned just some moments ago.

And in the end, there is only one thing I can think of, one simple wish.

"Please be alright, Takeru. Please get well, and don't let whatever lies within you obstruct your vision again."