Episode 2: A New Arrangement

-Macross Elysion-

"So this is the Macross Elysion."

"You look as if you've never been in a Macross-class battleship, Shinomiya."

Somehow, Kazumi found himself being accompanied by Mikumo as he tries to find the briefing room where he will be introduced to his current job. He's thankful that Mikumo offered to come with him. He had never been on the newest Macross-class battleship so he has no clue on the Elysion's layout.

"I've been on one of the older model and several Battle-classes. I used to serve on Battle 22 when I was fresh out of the academy. I've also been on a Quarter-class but this one is new to me."

Kazumi explained.

"I see."

The two of them walk in relative silence. Kazumi had been given a brief overview of Chaos' Ragna branch, including the famous Delta flight and Walkure. Hearing Delta's exploits certainly remind him of some rather famous characters he had met like SMS Frontier's Skull platoon. But what caught his attention the most is Walkure, especially Mikumo Guynemer.

He had read the report concerning the battle on Ragna. The Star Singer they called her. Using the power of the protoculture ruins, she can control the whole star system using her song. It is not something surprising for him considering this is not the first time he witness protoculture's power, which is one of the reason why he's chosen to replace Messer Ihlefelt. Though this is the first time he see a protoculture.

That is what the rumor said, that Mikumo Guynemer is either a protoculture descendant or one of the remaining protoculture in existence. It is not a farfetched idea since she could control the protoculture ruins but Kazumi has his suspicion. But it's not his job to find out. He knew by experience that things like these tend to lead to something troublesome and unless it is overly serious he is fine in not knowing much. He had learned his lesson in sticking his head into things.

He probably should finish reading the more detailed report though. He fell asleep before he can read through the whole thing which, in his defence, is quite a lot of information that he tries to cram into his brain.

"We're here."

The duo arrived at the briefing room and Kazumi's eyes move to scan the whole room. There are only two people there apart from Mikuo and himself. One is a young woman with short brown hair holding a tablet pc and the other is a middle-aged man wearing a red Chaos jacket. The young woman is Kaname Buccaneer, the leader of Walkure. That means the middle-aged man standing beside her must be Arad Moulders.

"Captain Kazumi Shinomiya reporting for duty, major Arad Moulders."

"You're right on time, Shinomiya. At ease. We're not a stickler for the rules here so there's no need for all those military formality."

Kazumi is glad that Arad seems to be an easy-going person. He too doesn't like all the formalities, one of the more minor and petty reasons why he quit NUNS. He doesn't like all those stuffy military protocol. It sometimes made him think why he even joined up in the first place.

"Ara, Mikumo? Are you the one who brought captain Shinomiya here?"

Kaname who didn't expect Mikumo to be there asked.

"We coincidentally met. He doesn't know Elysion's layout and could've gotten lost so I helped him."

Mikumo explained. Meanwhile, Kazumi and Arad are having a conversation of their own.

"So Shinomiya, do you know why you were chosen to be our newest pilot?"

"I have a few theories. I'm ashamed to say that I fell asleep and got here before I could read the details of my job."

Kazumi rub the back of his head sheepishly as he admits that he didn't read something so important earlier. Arad chuckled and began his explanation.

"You knew about the battle to retake Ragna, right?"

Kazumi nodded.

"With Mikumo's identity as the so-called Star Singer known, Lady M has expressed her worry that there will be people who would target her for her power. So far there have been no signs of anyone targeting her and Lady M has been trying to suppress the information from spreading too far before we can release the official version."

"Official version means omitting a few details, right?"

"Correct. The situation is different from the one with Frontier that you experienced."

Kazumi nodded. Indeed he can see why there is a need for that. The situation is definitely different. So far divas had been playing an indirect part in battle with their songs like becoming keys or through indirect communication. But what the Star Singer did was directly weaponizing her singing voice and almost subjugated the entire galaxy in one single battle. He only knew that because he was given the true, unedited files since he will be working with Delta from now on.

A power like that, of course someone would like to get their hands on it.

"Which leads to why you are here. Lady M has no doubt that some people had obtained the information and are targeting Mikumo as we speak. This is where the Delta team came in. We are to protect Walkure from this threat. Even if their goal is Mikumo alone, Walkure can become a powerful leverage against her and Walkure themselves are impressive in their own right. To protect them, it has been decided that one Delta member will be assigned to each Walkure member. So basically, we are just doing what we usually does, but with increased awareness. The problem is that we lost one of our member in Al Shahal. That's where you come in."

"A bodyguard?"

Arad nodded.

"You are one of the best around according to your track record and Lady M herself recommended you."

"It's not like I never got shot down. I admit I'm good but I'm not the best."

"Hee, you're a humble one aren't you."

"Overconfidence can kill me. I've seen good pilots killed due to overconfidence."

"Well it doesn't change the fact that this is your job from now on."

Arad suddenly approach him and put his arm around his shoulder. The Delta squadron leader then spoke in a whisper to Kazumi.

"So what do you think about Mikumo?"

"…haa?"

"Come on, you came here with her. She's not the type to walk with a stranger. What charm did you use?"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Nothing, just work related matter."

"Oi oi oi, what you're asking is not related to work at all… unless."

Arad grinned as realization dawned on Kazumi. He will be the bodyguard of one of the Walkure. Arad asked him about Mikumo and called it work related matter. Then that means…

"You gotta be kidding me. You're assigning me to her?"

"Well, there's already some kind of team dynamic between Delta and Walkure. Unfortunately Mikumo is not very close to anyone in the Delta."

"…so we're kinda like the leftovers?"

"I wouldn't put it that way but… yes?"

While Arad is briefing Kazumi on his new job, Kaname too explain the situation to Mikumo.

"I understand."

No she didn't, Kaname thought. There's a very high probability, no, a definite possibility that Mikumo will ditch her bodyguard at a moment's notice. Mikumo has always been a lone wolf like that and she enjoys the company of very few people, only four actually and those four are them, her fellow Walkure members. She even ditched Mirage everytime they were paired together in missions.

But…

Lady M seem to know that so she made a compromise.

"Mikumo, there's a probability that Windermere or anyone else who knew your power could target you. This is a compromise from Lady M. She said it is either lieutenant Shinomiya or a full contingent of soldiers to serve as bodyguard."

Mikumo only kept her silence without showing any change in expression but years of knowing her and being her best friend allows Kaname to have an insight to her young friend's emotion. Mikumo is not pleased. She's quite irritated actually but Kaname knew what her choice will be.

"It seems there is no choice. I suppose Shinomiya is better than some people I don't know."

"That's good. I already knew you would choose him over those bodyguards."

"Shinomiya is the better choice."

"So what's your impression of him?"

Mikumo stole a glance at Kazumi who is still talking with Arad and then look back to Kaname. Mikumo can't help but smile a little when she remembered what happened just an hour ago. they have only just met but she felt like they could get along.

"He's interesting."


Kazumi sighs as he walks past the streets of Ragna. It took a while to complete the transfer procedure and get his keys. Lady M had provided him with his own living arrangement. Strangely, he won't be living with the other members of the squadron or even in a dorm.

Arad also took him to the hangar where Delta's units are kept. He will be receiving his own customized unit in two or three days. The unit itself is mostly ready. All that's left is to transfer his combat data from his old machine and some tuning along with applying his personal color. Kazumi is looking forward to his new machine. Just like with his old VF-25, he also got VF-31's F type. What puzzles him though is why the A type was designated as Kairos while the rest of the 31 are all designated as Siegfried. Still, he's not the designer or the manufacturer so it's not really important.

He won't be meeting the rest of the Delta platoon and Walkure until tomorrow so Arad told him to come to Elysion at nine for introduction. He already read about the other members of the Delta though and they have two interesting names; Mirage Falyna Jenius and Hayate Immellmann. They played an important role in the battle and both had shown outstanding skill and teamwork. He can't wait to see them and maybe test them.

After almost more than two hours of searching, Kazumi finally reached the place he will be living in for a while. It is near the edge of town and close to the sea and is located in a rather secluded area. It fits the image of 'a cabin by the sea' though it is not much of a cabin as it is a normal two storey house. He's a little bit disappointed that it's not a cabin or a mansion by the Cliffside. It would've been interesting.

Kazumi enters the house after double-checking the address just to be sure. When he got in, he got a full view of the living room and the kitchen along with the dining room all in one place surrounded by pristine white walls. It looks normal with all standard modern day appliances available. A TV, comfortable sofas, complete set of kitchen appliance, a fridge, and other basic things. It is a standard 10x7 family home. Though this led Kazumi to wondering why he was sent here but with the lights on and everything he might not be living alone.

Kazumi decided to find where his room is. On the note given to him it says second room to the right after the stairs. The stairs is located to his right. He walk up the stairs slowly while wondering who his housemate is, probably someone from the military or maybe even Arad. He heard that the leader of Delta platoon did not live in the dorms. When he got up to the second floor though, he got himself a surprise.

He felt something cold and familiar being pressed to his head.

"Don't move."

A familiar voice, one that he had heard just a few hours ago. He almost trembled in fear when he heard that voice. He knew he'd been had, whether it is by Arad or by Lady M doesn't matter because he had the suspicion that his housemate doesn't know about this new arrangement. How can he be sure it's not someone trying to kill him? Because only at that moment did he read the note below the address. It reads 'Enjoy your surprise' along with a badly drawn picture of Arad and Kaname sticking out their tongue.

Fortunately the gun lowered immediately when the person noticed who he is. Kazumi slowly turn his head to the one who held him at gunpoint just moments ago and his blue eyes meets red once again. For the second time that day, Kazumi Shinomiya found himself face-to-face with Mikumo Guynemer… who happens to be clad only in a bath towel.


"I see. I should've expected this when I heard the arrangement."

Mikumo said after she heard Kazumi's explanation. Kazumi tries to be professional about this arrangement and he succeeded for the most part except where he can't keep the red tinge on his cheek hidden after seeing the lead singer of Walkure in nothing but a towel, a sight many males would be eager to see.

"Right, this is supposed to be a temporary arrangement but I won't know how long this'll be so I hope you don't mind."

"I don't. I just wish someone informed me beforehand… so that's why Kaname was smiling when I left!"

"Come to think of it, captain Arad did ask me a lot of questions about you."

The two of them sighs when they realize that they've been had. Nothing that they could do about it though, not that Mikumo care. Kazumi doesn't look like someone who would try anything bad. After all, this is an arrangement made by Lady M and both Kaname and Arad don't seem to have any problem with. The two decided to take things in strides.

"So captain Shinomiya…"

"Call me Kazumi. I'm not much for formalities plus we'll be living together for a while so just call me Kazumi."

"Then Kazumi, you can just call me Mikumo. There is no particular house rule here. Each room has their own bathroom so we don't have to share and that's it. I need to warn you that I don't cook though so do not expect breakfast to be served in the morning."

Kazumi nodded. It seems like he will need to brush up on his cooking skill. Mikumo most likely eat out almost everyday, probably at Ragnyannyan which he heard is the Delta platoon male dorm along with being a restaurant. Speaking of which, he hadn't eaten anything since his briefing.

"That's fine with me. I'll cook. Anyway, do you have anything in the fridge? I haven't eaten anything since that fried jellyfish we got on the way to Elysion."

Mikumo blinked at his unexpected response.

"Yes, there's not much in the fridge but there should be something. You can cook?"

"Somewhat."

Nothing fancy really. It is just a hobby of his, or a way to remember old times. He hadn't cooked anything lately due to his job so he hoped his skills had not degraded completely.

Kazumi open the fridge and began checking what's in there. There are some tomato, eggs, and fish. He also began checking the cabinet and is actually surprised to find some rice. There are also some basic spices in there. Kazumi start by cooking some rice first.

"I'm actually surprised that you have rice here even if it's not much."

Mikumo blinked and look at Kazumi as if he had just said something unusual.

"I have rice there?"

"…how can you not know the content of your own cabinet?"

"Hmm, that's probably Kaname's. Only the other members of Walkure would come to visit me and out of all of us only Kaname can cook something other than canned food."

"Hee… It's kinda unexpected… or I should've expected it. Kaname-san looks dependable and kinda like a housewife. She takes care of things like briefing and stuff, right?"

"Yes. What about you? I didn't expect that you can cook."

Mikumo's question brought a smile to Kazumi as he remembers how he first learned how to cook. It was something long ago, back when he still lived with his mother. He never knew his father but he remembers his mother perfectly. She was the one who taught him how to cook. At first, he just wanted to help her in the kitchen but then he grew fond of it. It is more because he can spend time with his only family that way rather than enjoying cooking itself and even now he still cook for himself from time to time to remember her.

"Just something I pick up along the way. Anyway, are you hungry? I can make enough for two servings."

"I'm curious. Show me how good you are."

"Hehehe, very well."

Mikumo continue to watch as Kazumi gets fired up and began cooking. The violet haired woman had been making an effort to connect more with her friends after the final battle against Roid. She has become a little more open and even invited them to her house (though she rarely spend time there other than to sleep). But never in her imagination had she ever imagined sharing a house with a man she barely knows. She would've made a great fuss about this if she was remotely normal but Mikumo is not a normal woman.

For starters, she's a young adult whose actual age is only three years old. An artificial life form, a clone made from ancient Protoculture DNA. Nothing matters for her as long as she can sing. With all that taken into consideration, normal is not exactly a word that can be used to describe her. That is why she can easily accept the new arrangement if it is what's necessary for her to continue singing. Plus Arad and Kaname knew and seem to be fine with the arrangement. Mikumo would trust their judgement if nothing else.

Little did they know that their meeting is just the beginning of a new adventure.