04/23/2036; Minatogaoka Futo Park, Tokyo, SERN East-Asia Time, 02:10a.m.
After several turns, wandering among thickly overgrown stands of trees, weeds forcing through cracks in the paths, and an endless amount of leaves from years of abandonment, both teens kept their heads on a swivel, moving along a brick-paved path.
Stepping over a fallen branch, and looking out towards a rectangular fountain surrounded by matching sets of stairs, Suzuha put her hand on her hip, looking at their surroundings.
"Huh."
Continuing onward, Kamiko looked to the hill rising to the left of the fountain, eyes moving along the tops of the trees against the overcast night sky.
It's here somewhere. There can't be too ma-
Noticing a distinctly unnatural silhouette among the dark trees, Kamiko peered ahead, and upon identification, she drew in a sharp breath, clutching Suzuha's arm.
"You see that?"
"Huh? What?"
"I think... That's it, over there!"
Her finger rose, pointing towards several dim reflections on flat and curved surfaces.
"What? Are you serious?"
"Right there! On that open area!"
Blinking with complete surprise, she then gasped from recognition, and both girls burst forwards, rapidly approaching the large cylindrical object with leaves flying asunder from their footfall.
No way. No way!
Drawing to a halt, their heads rose up along the machine, filled with overwhelming disbelief and awe.
"Oh my god, Suzu."
Trading emotion-laden expressions, she slowly approached the machine, and her hand touched the exterior, fingers dragging along the smooth steel sides.
"Its real. I can't believe this thing is real!"
Sliding her hand along it, her palm moved across a small circular panel, and she blinked when it faintly illuminated green in response.
"Whoa, it just..."
Hearing a muffled *clunk* from within, a startling hiss of air emitted from above, and both girl's eyes rose upwards, watching a door slide open, followed by a hinged stairwell that began unfolding towards them.
Stepping aside, Suzuha watched the procession with awe, mouth held open as it drew to a halt on the leaf-strewn ground.
"Oh man."
Tucking the sling of her PM-9 around herself, she took a single hesitant step onto the stairwell, peering upwards into the interior, which blinked with a variety of small colored lights inside.
"It's on... After all this time."
Watching her friend slowly ascend up the steps, Kamiko tucked her rifle behind her back, and her hands came together in front of herself, not entirely sure how to react to the massive electronic machine opening itself to them.
"Wow. There's screens, buttons..."
Slipping inside, Suzuha took off her backpack, setting it beside the seat within, and she touched her hand to her head, looking at the controls within, feeling remarkably overwhelmed.
I should find dad's notes. That'll help.
Looking down from the large rectangular solar panels, Kamiko's eyes descended to the long, faded badge just beside the door.
FG204, 2nd Edition Ver. 3.71
What a strange name. Second edition... Was the microwave the first?
"Kamiko... Come up here and check this thing out."
Blinking, she stepped onto the steel stairs, heart beating as she rose upwards. Peeking into the dimly lit interior, her eyes drifted along the screens and interfaces, settling onto Suzuha sitting with several papers laying open on her lap.
"Wow, uh... Do you remember how to use this thing?"
Trembling with excitement, eyes poring over the three-paneled interface, she shrugged.
"Ahm, kind of. Just the basics. I have the notes, and dad's will said there's operational instructions programmed into the mainframe... Just in case the user somehow forgets."
"Or in case the user has never been inside it before."
"Yeah. This is pretty wild."
"I'll say."
Stepping up closer beside Suzuha, her vision panned across several screens, watching as a prior date was entered with individual pecks of fingers on the keyboard, showing up on the middle screen.
"Where are you going back to?"
"Before the third war started. Your dad told me to go back to April of two-thousand-twelve, and land on a specific set of coordinates. I have to try and stop that conference in China that leads to the third war we both grew up in."
Standing in silence, eyes taking in a lot of visual information, Kamiko swallowed.
"You're a brave soul, Suzu."
Concentration breaking from the notes on her lap, Suzuha looked up to her friend after her statement.
"Thank you. You are too... For fighting SERN when there's not much left to lose."
"Someone has to. Otherwise we'd all just succumb to nothing."
After nodding proudly, she released an uneasy breath from her lungs.
"Kamiko."
Extending her hand towards the girl, it was met with a firm grip in response.
"Thank you. For everything these past few days. Especially saving my ass back with the convoy."
A light laugh filled the interior of the time machine.
"You're welcome."
"I want you to know... Even when I'm gone, I'll still be fighting for Valkyrie. I may not be here in twenty-thirty-six, but I'll remember everything."
"I appreciate it. And so will mom and dad."
"Who knows. Maybe if I'm lucky, I can pull this off, and we won't have a crap-tastic future to grow up in."
"That would be nice. And a bit different."
"Yeah. I have no idea what I'm about to get into, but we'll see what happens."
Pausing from contemplation, their eyes met, and a pained breath left Kamiko's lungs as Suzuha's vision lowered to the girl's open mouth.
Go for it, silly. Its now or never.
Setting the papers aside, she slowly stood upright from the seat, taking hold of both of her hands and meeting her face to face. In response, her eyes widened, only to hesitantly flutter closed.
Yep. I figured she'd know.
Leaning in, noses slid past each other, hands trembled, and Suzuha's eyes shut, allowing their lips to press together in unseen mystery.
Oh, Suzu...
A faint whimper exited the young commander's nose.
Thank you.
Shifting slightly, they remained in place longer than before, imagination drifting through a calm sea of emotion.
Yeah. Kissing my only living friend goodbye... Worth it.
Drawing apart, their blush-laden faces re-entered each other's vision, and hearts pounded with excitement, only to be followed by an inevitable cascade of sadness. Releasing hands, Kamiko slowly backed down the steps of the machine, and partway down, she paused, allowing both of them to admire each other one last time.
Goodbye, you cute, badass... Friend of mine.
Offering a wave of her hand, it was swiftly returned, and Kamiko descended further, stepping down onto the leaf-strewn ground below.
"Be careful!"
"You too!"
Eyes watched both sides of the access stairs as they slowly rotated upwards back into the machine, locking in place. Watching an external cover slide over the outside of the door, Kamiko stepped back, listening as the machine hummed with active energy. Her fingers then intersected, staring towards the door.
I'll try, my friend.
Swallowing from a lump in her throat, her heart began racing as several small navigation lights illuminated on the exterior, and then the machine began whirring with a tremble of energy.
"Suzuha!"
Watching with disbelief, the machine appeared to glow, and then liquefy into vibrating matter. Then in a seemingly impossible manner, it vanished from existence before her eyes with a warping noise beyond explanation.
Blinking from the phenomenon, her vision lowered to the bare footprints left in the leaves from the machine, and her throat ached with sharp melancholy.
Well, Suzu, you just disappeared. Backwards into time, somehow. Hopefully just as we all planned.
Stepping closer, and staring down at the damp, bare bricks, a helpless sob left her lungs, permeating the silent muggy air.
My friend, the wayward daughter of Itaru and Yuki... Gone, just like that.
Fingers squeezing together tightly, she tried valiantly to hold back a wall of emotion.
I hope you are successful, dearest Suzu. If something of this magnitude is truly possible, and you succeed in altering the future... I'm not sure I can even imagine what's to come next. Whatever happens, it will probably be better than our current situation... Hopefully. I can't imagine things could get any worse.
Eyes welling up, her vision rose towards the ghostly silhouettes of the trees beyond, and a spare ocean breeze brushed a tuft of her short, dark hair aside, forcing a tear from her eye into a trail down her cheek.
I will miss you though. So very much... Maybe someday we'll meet again, and you can tell me about your adventures. I'd love that more than anything...
Swallowing from the finality, her head turned, and a sigh drifted from her lungs as she slowly walked along the leaf-strewn brick path, listening to the shuffle and crunch with each footstep.
Don't forget about me, Suzu, 'cause I'll never forget our friendship, even if it was only for a few days.
A blush burned in her neck, but her expression remained the same as she approached one of the escorting soldiers standing guard in the distance.
...And I'll never forget what we've shared.
Future Gadget 204, 2nd Edition Version 3.71; Chiyoda Precinct, Tokyo; ? ? ?
Heart beating with vigor, distracted by the glow and reflections of ethereal orbs of light floating within the cockpit, Suzuha watched the date on the screen slowly cycle backwards, until it finally lined up with inputted series of digits she had typed only minutes beforehand.
If the coordinates are correct... We should be arriving on a rooftop in about f-
*WHUMP*
Jerking downwards in her seat, she blinked as the strange feeling of multi-directional movement ceased, and the machine's mainframe sat idle, having completed its task. Looking over the screens for any alarms or errors, her eyes fell upon the matching sequence of date numbers again.
4-23-2012-14:26-P.M.
Wow. So I just flew a time machine... And now I'm in twenty-twelve? That was fast.
Looking aside, blinking from the absence of the glowing particles, she looked further towards the hatch of the machine, picturing Kamiko standing in the doorway only minutes beforehand.
I wonder what this world is like...?
Shivering with emotion and uncertainty, her index finger poked onto a nearby button, clearly labelled for the access hatch. Listening to the motorized whir of a moving panel, a hiss of compressed air emitted from a valve as the stairwell hatch began lowering, allowing daylight in around it. Squinting, she peered outside, seeing the brightly lit concrete rooftop she landed upon, and an inviting blue sky beyond, with zero haze or smoke present.
Oh... What?
Rising to her feet, her hands held onto to the sides of the machine, and she leaned outside, discovering the busy, noisy ambiance of downtown Tokyo, Japan.
Ohhh man.
Looking in all directions, the sprawling metropolis showed no signs of war and decay, filling her being with a sense of wonder.
I don't even know where to go or where to start.
Looking down at the machine pistol strapped against her bosom, she exhaled with hesitation.
Might not need you right now. Should probably keep it inside the time machine... Hopefully nobody decides to investigate this thing when I'm not around.
Hearing her stomach growl, she then looked behind at the backpack sitting by the seat, and prior meals in the Urushibara's quarters came to mind, causing another grumble.
...Alright. I know I just landed in the past, but holy hell am I starving. All that running and gunning late at night...
Looking back at the bright outdoors, she retreated inside, plopping down onto the seat and lifting the backpack to her lap, tugging the zipper open.
Pulling out the empty drum magazine, the divergence meter, and the pack of plastic explosive, her fingers then found several plastic containers.
Ah-haa. Let's see what we've got here...
Pulling one out, she pried the lid open, and a waft of home-cooked meat and vegetables met her nose, causing her to smile dreamily as her mouth watered.
Ohhh wow. Ruka, you are amazing! I'm gonna savor this goodness and enjoy it. Thank you!
Slouching back against the seat, belly full and hardly a scrap left in the container, Suzuha lazily stared at the screen ahead, and then pushed a nearby button, closing the access hatch and shrouding the interior in darkness.
I went from two in the morning, to two in the afternoon... And after that delicious feast...
Yawning, her head rolled to the side, watching the door seal shut, and she closed her eyes.
Time to take it easy.
Head resting against the cushion behind, the hum of the machine's mainframe drowned out all other noise in her ears.
Got shot at, kissed my only friend twice, and flew a time machine. Awesome. Nobody will mind if I just... Snooze...
Picturing both moments only hours earlier, of her and Kamiko's lips together, a smile crept onto her mouth, reddening her cheeks.
Kamiko... My friend. I'll remember everything, don't you worry. Stuff like that doesn't just disappear from memory.
A tingle of emotion tickled her being, tempered by a sense of regret.
I'll find you again someday. Somehow. And you'll be the happiest best friend I'll ever have. Just let me figure out how to change the future first.
04/23/2036; Valkyrie Vehicle/Munitions Storage 01 'Anthill'; 05:41am
Staring down at her hands resting on her lap, Kamiko sat in silence as the electric personnel carrier drew to a halt, safely within Valkyrie's concrete walls once more.
"Battery level's at seven percent. A little close for comfort, eh?"
"Roger that."
The gentle draft of the distant fans slowly pushed tufts of her curly hair around, and after a few moments of silent reflection, her head rose, and a heavy breath slowly moved through her lungs as the other soldiers rose to their feet, dismounting the vehicle one by one.
Home. Safe. And now on my own again.
Rising to her feet, her eyes blinked tiredly from the bright lights inside, and several hours of a hazardous overnight mission.
No casualties, and, somehow, the entire mission was accomplished. Even finding the time machine, and Suzuha...
Hands gripping the vehicle, she slowly climbed down the rear of the bed, boots meeting the concrete floor below.
...I know you're out there somewhere.
Swallowing down emotion lumping into her throat, she silently turned and began walking, weaving around crates and several other people, heading towards one of the distant doorways.
I need to sleep. This whole assignment has me so worn out... And its only been, what, eight hours?
Looking at the camouflage shirt on her arms, and then the gear strapped onto her bosom and belt, she shook her head with a groan leaving her throat.
Still have to drop by the armory too...
Shrugging off the weight of leftover ammunition and a baton strapped to her belt, she draped the rigging over her forearm, slipping the sling of the rifle over her other shoulder in an upward tug, holding it in place with her thumb as she quietly stepped over to the armory's checkout counter, dropping it onto the surface with a clatter of metal and fabric.
"Urushibara."
"Let's see... Belts, four magazines, baton and... Yep. That's everything."
Responding with a single nod, she turned and proceeded towards the nearby doorway, watching as it opened and three individuals entered, heading for the same counter in passing.
You all just woke up... I need my bed before I pass out on the floor.
Arm extending, she shoved the door open, stepping into the concrete hallway and squinting from the bright white light attacking her vision.
Ugh. Was so dark earlier. I'm surprised we even found our way to the park. The amount of luck on our side, and the time machine... I still can't believe everything worked out like it did. We all made it there and back, and gunned down every group of SERN troops we came across. Akama got hit, but other than that... Just a few scrapes and scratches for the rest of us.
Thinking about several instances of close-flying bullets and ricochets, a heavy exhale turned into an unintended yawn.
Even Suzuha was a terror. That little machine pistol of hers made for excellent suppressing fire, and took out everybody she pointed it at. Perhaps I should request target practice with one in the future... If the armory has any available.
Turning down another hallway, she slowly approached a nearby elevator, shifting the rifle on her back to a better position.
Maybe, someday. Might be a little too much to bear for now... Since she's somewhere far away, way beyond reach.
Reaching out and pressing a button on the panel, she closed her eyes, heart quietly crying.
Oh Suzu. I'm sure you'll be thinking about me... I won't be able to stop thinking about you. Not for a while.
Watching the elevator doors open after a momentary chime, she stepped inside, turning and pressing another button for a lower floor.
One day I might move on... But not any time soon. This past week has been so mysterious and amazing... I don't really know how to describe it. And now its over, and my only friend I've cared about... Gone. Somewhere in another dimension. I watched her depart our world with my own eyes... Vanishing into nothing.
Feeling the elevator car descend, her heavy heart rose upwards for a fleeting moment.
I feel lost. Empty. Something. I can't even explain my own emotions. I've never felt like this until now.
Slowly shaking her head, she stared at the separation in the elevator doors, waiting for them to open again.
I feel so tired and miserable. Everything just hurts inside, and I'm not even injured... I think I just need to sleep. For a good long while. Maybe then I'll feel a little better.
Typing a code onto a keypad, it illuminated in response, and an electronic lock clicked inside the door, granting access.
Twisting the doorknob downward with an exhale, she blinked from the dark interior, watching as the night lights along the floor illuminated from her footfall. Releasing the door from her hand, it slowly drifted shut behind, locking again.
Home sweet home. Nice and dark too.
Walking down the hall to her quarters, the floor illuminated in the familiar glow of warm LED lights, and she pushed open the door, waiting as her bedroom floor revealed the furniture within. Stepping inside, she lifted her rifle from her shoulder, setting it gently onto its side on the table.
Another mission, and we're both still functional. Mostly.
Stepping aside, she sat back on her bed, and for a moment, contemplated flopping backwards and falling asleep right then and there.
No. Boots off, and battle clothes off. Wash your face too. You can't sleep yet.
Bringing her feet close, she quickly tore apart the knots tied, casting them aside onto the floor with individual grunts, and then pulling the socks off and tossing them somewhere.
What time is it... Six forty two. Awesome. Hope they don't need me at the intel meeting this morning. I'll be dead to the world as soon as I crawl into these sheets.
Fumbling with her shirt, she paused when her bedroom door opened again.
"Kamiko?"
Instantly recognizing the voice of her mother, she leaned forward, rising to her feet.
"Mom!"
Rapidly closing the distance between them, she was collected into Ruka's outstretched arms, brought into a sudden, loving embrace.
"You're back safe... Thank goodness."
Twisting, holding each other tight, Ruka nuzzled her head, pressing a kiss into her hair.
"We made it there and back unharmed. Had several brief engagements, and Suzuha..."
"Did you find the time machine?"
"We did. And she got inside and... Now she's gone. Somewhere."
Tucking her chin over her mother's shoulder, Kamiko swallowed, throat tightening, and Ruka ran her hand along her daughter's back in a soothing rhythm.
"Get some rest, my love. We can talk about the assignment whenever you wish."
"Am I needed at this morning's meeting?"
"Not at all. Sleep is more important. The debriefing can wait."
Slowly nodding, she sighed, heart aching miserably.
"Thank you."
Stepping back, Ruka's hands settled onto her shoulders, and both of them tiredly eyed each other.
"I love you."
"Love you too, mom."
Smiles lifted their features, and Ruka looked aside down the hallway as a light was turned on nearby.
"See you in a few hours."
Touching Kamiko's chin with her soft fingers, her hand drew away as she turned, closing the door behind.
Tucking her chin into her shoulder, she then peeked further over her shoulder towards the large glass panel mounted on the wall, and several recent memories flickered across her mind.
That's right. Those paintings... They're still saved onto the data card.
Stepping towards the screen, she hesitated, eying her bed instead, and a reluctant breath left her lungs.
Sleep first. Then you can reminisce.
Undoing several buttons, she migrated towards her bathroom, tugging the camouflaged shirt off and casting it aside. Approaching the sink inside the dark space, another set of lights lit up her feet, illuminating the concrete and reflective steel surfaces within. Scrutinizing her own dim silhouette in the mirror, her thumb ran under the strap of her black tank top in a minor adjustment over her shoulder, and she turned the faucet on, splashing her hands with cool water. Rubbing her face several times, she soaked her hands again and gently rubbed her eyes, brushing aside a messy tuft of hair that drifted down in front of her face.
Straightening upright, she blinked several times, pausing as water droplets drifted down along her chin.
I'm sure it won't take long. Once I'm over this whole dead-tired shell-shock feeling...
Pulling a hand towel from its hangar on the wall, she swiped it back and forth along her chin, dropping it onto the sink afterwards and exiting the bathroom straight towards her bed. Rapidly undoing a fastener and zipper, she shimmied out of the matching camouflage pants, and with an utter lack of grace, simply flopped down face first onto the bed, rolling over and spreading her arms out as she shut her eyes.
Finally.
Head drifting down to the side, her body slowly shifted over in the same direction, and her legs curled closer, bare feet sliding along the cool blanket beneath. Pulling the pillow above her head closer with her arms, a lengthy breath seeped from her lungs, reveling in the long-awaited comfort of her bed.
Every time I go out there, out onto the surface... I always wonder if I will come back to this. To my room, my bed... And my parents. I wonder how Suzuha felt, living through these past two years. She has nothing to go back to... So she's always moving forward, moving on to something different. She came here to Valkyrie, and in the blink of an eye, she's somewhere else again. I'm sure she'll keep moving on, wherever she ends up next. Now that she has a time machine at her disposal... She could go anywhere and do anything.
Peeking an eye open, she looked at the small digital clock sitting on her nightstand.
How... Wild. She could change everything over and over. Shift everything around in the future at her whim... I wonder if she even realizes that? Her mission is to change our future. But nobody told her when to stop altering it... Did they? I guess father said as long as everything ends up being different than our world now... It would be acceptable.
Imagine if I woke up in a few hours, and we're suddenly living a completely different environment. Would I even be aware of the change? How would we know?
Yawning, and stretching her limbs, she lay still, breath passing through her nose.
Would it matter? Probably not. That would be a world without SERN or the war.
A quiet grunt left her throat, eyes growing heavy.
I don't think anybody would object to that.
Monday, April 23rd, 2012; Akihabara, Tokyo; 16:52p.m.
"...As for you, Miss Amane, I advise you find a safe place for the papers in your hands. They are essential to everything you are heading towards."
Blinking awake, Suzuha lifted her head upright from the seat behind as Okabe's voice lingered in her head from a hazy dream.
"I did. They're with me now."
Reassessing the interior of the electronic machine she sat inside, she blushed, realizing she spoke out loud to nobody but herself.
Right, um...
Rubbing her eyes with her fingers, she looked down to the backpack beside her, with the folder of paperwork and notes sitting just beside it. Leaning over and picking it up, she crossed her legs, opening the folder and setting its contents onto her lap.
Let's see. FG204's blueprints, operational notes, dad's will... And mission instructions, penned by Hououin... Kyouma.
Squinting at the list of pertinent details and short sentences alongside them, a breath drifted from her lungs as she began reading.
Greater Communist Federation; Founded on May 1st, 2012 after a private conference held in Beijing, China, starting at three in the afternoon.
Vision rising to the central screen in front of her, showing the current time and date, she looked down at the papers again.
So the conference is a week from now. Awesome. Guess I have time to be prepared. Or I can just fast forward and go from there.
Coordinates of conference hall... Okay. Building dimensions, schematics, vertical elevation of rooftop... Man. Where did he get all this information?
Disruption of conference is the main objective, and is critical for altering the world's timeline away from the third war we have survived.
Got it. Ruin a meeting somehow, and save the world. Clearly I'm the one suited for this job.
Use the divergence meter to determine state of world-line divergence. Cresting one percent results in a world line divergence event and will result in changing the timeline of the coming future.
Alright. So I keep track of the numbers on the meter, and that will show if things have changed before and after this mission.
Advisable to find assistance, though not required to accomplish objective.
Okay. So find a friend willing to come along on this. First I have to explain that I came from the future, and that this is my time machine.
Rolling her eyes, she pursed her lips in contemplation.
I'm sure anybody that sees this machine will be a bit baffled... And then curious. The real question is if they're willing to come along with me and get their hands dirty.
Vision sinking to the list again, she continued reading.
Use provided remote explosive, if necessary, to disrupt conference.
Right. Okabe said mayhem can be useful.
Avoid terminating opponents if possible. May result in undesirable fluctuation in world divergence.
Damn. That means a gunfight is probably out of the question. But what if people start shooting back?
Avoid traveling repeatedly to the same position in the same timeframe. Paradoxical events may occur, results are unknown.
Resting her head back against the seat, a breath parted her lips.
Awesome. So I can't repeat this over and over, or I'll meet myself, or something. Even though two of me would be helpful...
Heart racing from the thought, she shook her head.
That'd be wild. Probably would do more harm than good though. Identical time machines with the exact same girl showing up?
A giggle left her throat unexpectedly.
Sure would be funny. And freaky. Probably best I don't do that.
Upon mission success, deliver divergence meter to Okabe Rintarou. You are then relieved of further instructions.
Closing her eyes, her imagination attempted to picture a much younger Okabe.
He said to deliver the meter to him, since he doesn't have it here in twenty-twelve, and is unaware of the world's divergence percentage... Has he ever seen the meter before? Wouldn't that be a paradox? Giving him an object from the future before it even exists?
Re-reading the second line, she looked aside at the access hatch of the time machine.
Relieved of duty after completing the mission. Does that mean he's okay with me keeping this thing and operating on my own free will? I'm sure I'd mess up everything I've worked towards if I kept traveling through time... Should I stay here in this year then? He never even mentioned what I should do afterwards. Maybe he's not concerned? I'm sure if I change the future, it won't even matter since the past world with Valkyrie probably won't even exist anymore.
Taking in a sharp breath, she quickly dug through the backpack, retrieving the divergence meter from within.
Oh god. It was at zero zero fourteen last time I l-
0.215934
Staring at the number, her hands grew clammy.
Oh shit. That's a huge increase. Did going back in time increase it that much already? Am I already too far to turn back?
Wait, no. It has to reach one percent to achieve divergence. I just read that. It's not there yet, so Valkyrie and Kamiko... They probably still exist. This number just means we've gotten closer to changing the future.
Scratching the back of her head, her fingers ran down along one of her tied braids, settling onto the papers below.
This whole mission has me so conflicted. Now that I'm actually here in the past, I'm halfway towards changing the future, but also halfway towards losing everything I've experienced up until 2036. Everything I've done and everyone I met... Holy hell. This must be what Kamiko was afraid of. As soon as I cross the one percent line, everything changes in the blink of an eye for them, and the only way I can tell is by these little glowing numbers. All of their experiences, and every part of their lives will suddenly change to a different version of the future. As soon as I change the future, my only friend will be a different person, living in a different world.
Heart sinking, she stared at the keyboard in front of her.
Then again, if Kamiko still exists, so would Okabe and Ruka. And if they're together, that probably means mom and dad will still be their friends.
Mouth opening, she sat still, whirling with realization.
Oh my god. If I change the future, my mom and dad might still be alive. But I already exist! Would that mean they'd still have me? My birthday is September 27th... 2017. Five years from now.
Head flopping back, a light laugh of irony left her lungs.
I could literally watch myself grow up. How wild! I could check in on Kamiko too. And then I could see everybody fall in love in the meantime. That would be amazing.
Tingling with emotion and a hint of resolve, she took in a heavy breath, heart aching.
Alright. If I change the world, and give up my own past... I guess I could enjoy the future everyone else gets to have. Including a different version of myself. Sure would be weird, but I could probably handle it. Right? It has to be worthwhile. And if I can't pull it off and change everything... At the very least I could return to Valkyrie. Everything would still be shitty, but I'd at least have a home and a friend. That would be enough for me. Either way, I have to try, no matter what. Everybody's rooting for me to succeed. Even Kamiko, who's heart I probably broke by going through with this... She's out there somewhere, cheering me on.
Exhaling in an unintended sob, she nodded, holding back a surge of emotion.
It'll be worth the effort. It has to be.
Stepping towards the edge of the concrete rooftop under the afternoon sun, Suzuha set her hand onto the handle of the baton strapped against her hip, looking out at the Tokyo skyline.
Man. Sure is a lot more noise when there's a million people living here.
The distant clatter of an elevated train began a momentary rhythm, fading into the distance among the hum of rooftop fans and passing cars. Chin rising upwards, her eyes drifted across the scattered clouds floating above, marveling the distinct lack of dust and brown haze hanging in the sky. Spotting several distant airplanes cruising high above, a breath drifted from her lungs.
The air here sure is nicer. Smells better too.
Turning around, she eyed the time machine as it sat silently, hatch closed, and then began towards a nearby door.
Let's see. Backpack with food, divergence meter... Left the PM-9 inside FG204, but I have the baton just in case.
Reaching forward and twisting the door handle, it opened towards her with ease, and she peered into the dim stairwell, heart beating.
Alright. That was easy.
Looking over her shoulder towards the time machine, she sighed heavily.
Stay put, you. There's plenty of sun for your solar panels right now.
Descending along the steps, blinking as the door slowly shut behind, she continued around the corner, watching daylight appear at the bottom of the stairwell as she drew closer to street level. Slowing to a cautious halt at the wall's corner, she peered outside, looking both ways down the empty street. Stepping into the open with apprehension, eyes poring over a variety of signs mounted on the buildings and on poles along the street.
Alright, uh, which way? I don't even know where to go. Left? Yeah. Someone might be out that way.
Moving along the street, she looked aside to a small open-front store, with a lone bench out front, and a faded blue bicycle leaning against the wall nearby.
Tennouji CRT... Huh. Looks like a bunch of TVs inside. Cozy.
Taking several steps forwards, she peeked over her shoulder towards the roof line of the building she landed upon, and the tops of the solar panels of FG204 were just visible.
Good. You're not obvious from street level. I wonder why Okabe had me land up there? He wrote pretty specific coordinates for that rooftop. Must be another one of those mysterious reasons from his past.
Walking down the middle of the pavement, her eyes drifted left and right as various elements of her surroundings caught her eye, and she held her breath as somebody walked past, only to release it when their footsteps faded into the distance behind.
Right. There's no war or anything. I doubt anybody even has a gun around here.
Passing several more people, and hurriedly stepping aside as a lone automobile rolled past, she migrated further onto the sidewalk, reaching her hand out and letting the green leaves of a planted bush drag along her fingers.
Everything seems so alive here. Is this what it was like before the third war? This feels like a dream compared to Yokohama. I guess that's the difference twenty years of war and neglect does to everything.
Approaching an intersection, numerous cars and trucks rolled past, and a variety of people stood and walked on the sidewalks in all directions. Closing her eyes, she remained still, letting the sounds of the city's ambiance fill her head.
I have to admit... I wouldn't mind living in this time. There's so many people and so much of everything, and not a single destroyed building anywhere in sight. Maybe I'll accomplish this mission, and just stay here in twenty-twelve. See how things end up. I could still travel through time... But I could also live out my life like everyone else, never having to wonder if I'll make it through each day alive.
A smile slowly lifted her cheeks.
That'd be nice. But I have to get there first... And that requires a visit to Beijing in a couple days. We'll just see what happens from there.
04/24/2036; Valkyrie; 15:06p.m.
Stirring awake, eyes opening to the black vacuum of her underground quarters, Kamiko lay still, curled up in the comfortable warmth of messy bed sheets. Head turning upwards along the pillow, her eyes found the small digital clock on her nightstand, and she groggily blinked, trying to compute the time displayed.
Three in the afternoon... How long have I been out?
Eyebrows furrowing with mild confusion, she began an outward stretch of her limbs, only to retreat her arms.
"Sorry Suzu. Didn't mean..."
Mouth opening as hints of recent memories played across her mind's eye, she reached her arm out again, patting the mattress and discovering nothing but empty sheets behind herself. Rolling over as the room's floor lights illuminated from her movement, she shoved herself upward, confirming that her bed was indeed empty.
Staring at the unused pillow in the dim lighting, she slowly shook her head, and then released her body, flopping back down onto the bed in defeat.
She really is gone.
Exhaling from a sharp spike of heartache, her eyes drifted upwards to the dark ceiling.
That wasn't even a dream I saw. Those were memories seen only a few hours ago. A mission to bring Suzuha to the time machine... And now that she made it there, she's gone. Completely out of our dimension. Nothing can even reach her now that she's twenty six years in the past...
Heart racing, a spiraling sense of helplessness crept through her skin.
I'll probably never see her again... Never hear her voice or the adorable way she laughed...
Gripping the sheets with her fingers as they balled up into fists, a lump formed in her throat.
You keep thinking about her like this, and you're just going to break down.
Slowly shaking her head in the darkness, her imagination replayed the teasing experience of them held together in a kiss, and she grimaced, trying desperately to resist a wall of emotion building up inside.
You know what, maybe I should just fall apart. I've kept everything inside this entire time, and I'm...
Lip quivering, a pent up wave of sorrow cascaded through her being, and tears pooled and streamed along her cheeks one by one.
I'm just...
Eyelids hanging low, allowing sadness to freely escape from within, her previous thought drifted away unfinished, overlapped by gentle, meandering thoughts of sympathy.
There. You lost your friend that gave you butterflies. She's still alive, but she's twenty-six years away. Everything's going to be okay.
Pressing her hand against her brow, her eyes closed as a fresh flood of tears forced through, causing her breath to grow shaky.
Everything's going to be okay. You woke up and burst into tears. It was bound to happen, and its okay.
A silent sob shook her chest as it left her lungs.
Suzuha's gone. But I'll be okay.
Sitting on the foot of her bed, head resting upon her wet hands, Kamiko blinked slowly, cheeks glistening from several tear trails. In front of her, the vibrant colors of one of their cooperatively created paintings illuminated the room, displayed from the touchscreen ahead of her. On the bottom corner, several characters made up a signature left behind by Suzuha, attracting her attention repeatedly as she lazily inspected the overall picture.
Paintings. Better than nothing at all. At least I have her name written by her own hand.
Eyes rising upwards towards a splotch of golden yellow on the screen, she stared at the color.
Amber. Like her eyes. Every time they'd meet mine... I'd feel kinda silly inside. And she never even knew.
A broken smile lifted the corner of her mouth.
What else do I remember about her? Her flowing brunette hair... Either in that ponytail or hanging loose. I loved seeing it like that, and I wish I had the bravery to touch it days ago. I would've played with it all for hours, if she would let me...
Blushing beneath the veil of sorrow, her head tucked into her shoulder as a sexual thought danced across her mind.
Come to think of it... She's got a pretty fantastic figure. I'd touch more than just her hair.
Shuddering from the perversion, she closed her eyes, and a single laugh croaked from her throat.
Forgive me, Suzuha. I'm just making sense of my feelings.
Hearing her bedroom door open, her head turned with an inhale of breath, only to realize Ruka was peeking inside quietly.
"Mom."
"You're awake? May I come in?"
"Of course."
Swallowing, and shelving the prior thought in her mind, she watched as her mother stepped inside, approaching the bed with quiet, graceful footfall.
"How are you feeling?"
Eyes meeting as she sat beside her daughter, her hand rose right away, gently brushing away the tear trails on her cheek.
"Could be better."
Drawing together in an embrace, separate breaths left their lungs, and both of their eyes studied the painting on the screen.
"Did she make this?"
Kamiko nodded with a sniffle.
"Part of it. We did several. I like this one the most."
"You two always sounded like you were having fun."
"We were. Seemed like every day we'd talk endlessly and laugh about everything. We'd go for those walks and wander somewhere, and then we'd just sit and look at each other for ages, and go on about anything that came to mind... It was amazing."
Heart throbbing, fresh tears drifted from her eyes, and Ruka set her chin atop Kamiko's head, holding her close.
"You miss her, don't you."
Sitting silently, staring down at her lap, her head then moved in the slightest of nods.
"I do. A lot. We've only been friends for a short while but... I can barely describe how much it meant to me."
Brushing a lock of Kamiko's curly hair aside, she waited as her head turned, prompting Ruka to run her fingers through her daughter's hair.
"Were you able to tell Suzuha how much she means to you?"
Mouth opening, initially from the massaging of her head, a blush crept up along her neck.
"I, well... I didn't exactly tell her..."
Sensing her hesitation, Ruka's hand paused for a moment.
"No?"
Kamiko's skin tingled as the blush spread like wildfire along her face.
"I kissed her. When we were in the armory before the mission. I didn't know what else to do so I tried to find the right moment, and just..."
Closing her eyes, the rest of the sentence floated away, but Ruka nudged her daughter, smiling.
"You kissed Suzuha?"
"Yeah."
"How was it?"
Bursting into an unexpected giggle, she looked away bashfully.
"Amazing. Her lips were soft and just... Oh my gosh."
Slowly pushing her fingers back into Kamiko's hair, Ruka watched patiently as she peeked back at her.
"Was she caught off guard?"
"Completely. But she just laughed and smiled about it afterwards. I think she kinda liked it."
Eyebrows rising, Ruka's heart beat with elation.
"I think she likes you, Kamiko."
"I think so too. When we found the time machine and said our farewells... She kissed me back."
A sigh of delight drifted from Ruka's lungs.
"Was it like the first time?"
"Better... Longer. We stood there together and everything was so calm. I think she felt like returning my kiss was the best way to say goodbye."
Pressing her lips into Kamiko's head of hair, her hand drifted down behind her neck, slowly caressing her back.
"Maybe it was."
"Without a doubt. I'll never forget what it was like."
Bringing her legs up close to herself, her free arm curled around them, and her chin rested onto her knee as she lazily admired the painting again.
After a moment of sitting together, absorbing the gentle massaging of her back, her head turned to Ruka again.
"Mom... How was your first kiss?"
Head rising in heartfelt recollection, a smile spread across her lips.
"Absolute bliss."
"Yeah?"
"It was right after your father asked me out on my seventeenth birthday. We were standing together on the deck of the shrine, holding each other in a hug, and then our lips met so easily. Nobody hesitated... Somehow we both just knew how to do it. So we spent several minutes kissing, and then it turned into us making out for a little while."
"So it was a bunch of kisses?"
"In a manner of speaking... Yes."
"Must have been amazing if it still makes you blush."
Head lowering with a bashful smile, Ruka nodded.
"Your father always knew how to capture me with his charm... He always says we were a perfect fit whenever we were in each other's arms."
Exhaling with pride, Kamiko wiped her other cheek with her hand, and then leaned over, nuzzling Ruka with her head.
"He's been my weakness. Ever since I met him that one day in two-thousand-nine."
Sitting together, allowing another period of silence to drift past, Kamiko held her breath, only to release it seconds later.
"So, um..."
Feeling her head turn, Kamiko continued.
"...You don't mind that I kissed another girl, right?"
Ruka's face split into a grin from her sheepish query.
"Heavens no, my love. You can kiss whoever you want to. I think it was very brave of you."
Tucking her chin into her shoulder, she smiled warmly.
"Thank you."
"Besides... If another girl makes you that happy, Kamiko, then by all means, cherish her. Whether that be Suzuha or somebody else."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. I'll always be proud of you, no matter what, so don't you worry."
Pressing a kiss into her hair again, their arms tightened around each other in another hug.
"I love you, mom."
"And I love you, my sweet child."
04/23/2036; Valkyrie; 16:14p.m.
Rummaging through a file drawer of the desk in his quarters, Okabe pulled out a thick folder of previously drafted operational plans, setting them onto the desk and shutting the drawer. Eyes moving along the various objects and curios placed on the shelves of the hutch above, his vision passed across the beacon communicating with FG204, but after a pause, his eyes returned to it, noticing the small green and blue LED bulbs that originally blinked on occasion, were now absent.
Reaching out and picking up the small black object, he turned it over several times in his hand, staring at the small panel on the front that now was dark.
Curious. You're no longer transmitting.
An excited breath left his lungs from the sudden realization.
My god. The link is broken, which means... The time machine is no longer in our dimension. Which in turn means Suzuha...
Setting the beacon aside, he slowly grinned.
She did it. They found the time machine, and Suzuha piloted it out of our dimension. Just as planned!
Rapidly turning and sauntering out of the bedroom and past the kitchen, he slowed to a halt behind Kamiko's door, silently twisting the door handle and pushing it ajar, peeking inside.
Ah. That's where you've both been.
Studying the eclectically colored picture on the touchscreen for a moment, he then pushed the door completely open, watching Ruka's head turn discreetly.
"...You know, as Commander, you will have to debrief in intelligence eventually."
Smiling as both of their heads turned to him in tandem, he drew to a halt beside Ruka.
"I know, father. Forgive me."
Watching Ruka squint at him, trying not to smile, a faint huff left her lungs as her chin rose.
"Patience, Kyouma. She's back safe, and recovering from emotional loss."
Eyes drifting from Ruka to Kamiko, Okabe slowly nodded.
"From Suzuha's departure, I assume?"
"Yes."
"I understand. You are forgiven."
Slowly walking around the bed, he sat down beside Kamiko, reaching his arm out behind her, and watching patiently as she unfolded her legs, sitting upright and allowing both of them to embrace her together.
"I happened to notice the beacon communicating with the time machine... Is no longer active."
Watching her head sink, and then slowly nod, a heavy breath left his lungs.
"She's gone. We found it in the park like you instructed... And I watched it disappear in front of me."
Absorbing her quiet, reluctant words, Okabe silently pictured the scene with amazement.
Incredible. Not only did the team make it there and back... The girls found the machine, and Suzuha piloted it out of our time. Other than Suzuha's next task in the past... Half of this mission has been completed successfully.
"Were you able to bid your companion farewell?"
An emotion laden smile lifted Kamiko's cheeks, and bashful pride broke through the heartache.
"Yes. You could say that."
Looking to Ruka, his eyebrow rose as his lifelong partner eyed their daughter contently, knowing she had just asked a similar question earlier.
"Your vague phrasing implies further information."
She sniffled, humored by her father's obvious cluelessness.
"I kissed Suzuha. Twice, actually."
Blinking from the honest revelation, Okabe traded another glance with Ruka, and then nodded slowly, putting his hand on Kamiko's shoulder.
My daughter locked lips with her best friend before she left for the past. Fascinating.
"I see. Did Suzuha react... Adversely to it?"
"She's the one that kissed me the second time. Right before she departed."
Chewing his bottom lip, a light chuckle then left his lungs.
Miss Amane returned the favor... Indeed.
"Well my child, you've ventured into a realm that you are lucky to have experienced."
"Kissing a girl?"
"And having heartfelt feelings for one of the most admirable individuals I've ever known. Itaru would be proud of both of you."
"Suzuha's father? Why's that?"
"He always was an open-minded individual. A bit snarky and perverted, as most of the Otaku culture were, but always a firm believer in romantic and gender equality."
"He sounds like a great guy."
"Daru truly was a man to trust and rely upon. I have always been proud to call him my best friend. And once he and Yuki brought Suzuha into the world, well..."
Leaning back, and putting his arms back to support himself, he eyed the hand-drawn characters of Suzuha's signature on the corner of the painting.
"...It seems we all have benefited from that girl, one way or another.