Episode 9: A Well-deserved Rest

-Ragna-

"Bartender, give me your best."

Kazumi ordered the moment he sat down on the counter chair with Arad. It's the day after their return to Ragna and the ace pilot really need a good dose of alcohol after the battle with Thanatos squadron. The moment the bartender placed his drink in front of his face, he gulped down his first glass in one shot.

"Oi oi, you can slow down you know."

Arad told him, drinking his more slowly by taking small sips. The leader of Delta flight is worried that Kazumi is perhaps affected by the battle more than he shows since last time they went drinking he drunk more slowly. Arad is right, if only by a little. Kazumi is thinking about the Thanatos squadron but it's not his main concern. He had been expecting something like them coming anyway after reading the details of his assignment to Delta.

"Heh, can't do that Major, I'm still a little upset that my unit is trashed but more than anything, I've never fought that hard since Vajra War. Well, there might be a few times but that one was too close for comfort."

Kazumi said as he took another shot, this time finishing only half of his glass. Truly the last battle was too close for comfort. The enemy leader was certainly skilled. If he were any less skilled than he was, Kazumi is sure that he and Mikumo wouldn't survive that encounter. That makes him frown. Last time it was a close call, next time could be harder. The enemy was just probing yesterday. If they make a proper plan, they will be screwed up at this rate.

"…you know, I was actually half hoping that this will be an ordinary guard duty."

"Really?"

Arad raised an eyebrow as he took another sip. Arad had expected Kazumi to be the type of person who lives for the thrill. Though maybe not since he can be professional when needed and he certainly does his job as best he can whenever Mikumo did not ditch him. In fact, Walkure's lead singer seems to be fond of him.

"You can't fault a man for dreaming. Easy job and peaceful life, that's what we all want. Well, except for the warmongers."

"Can't deny that. But our job will never be easy."

"Eh, true. Seriously though, I'm starting to think that those stuff my old 'comrades' said were true."

"Hmm? What did they say?"

"…that I shouldn't be part of a squadron. I attract bad luck."

Arad had no reply to that. The commander of the Delta Flight also noticed that Kazumi is now showing a sad smile as he looked at his glass. The alcohol is starting to get to him and that's precisely what he wants. He finished his glass in one gulp and asks for another shot.

"Every squad I've been in was wiped out with me being the only survivor. I've been in five squads overall. None survived. I just hope Delta won't share that same fate."

There was silence between the two for a moment before Kazumi continued.

"…anyway, let's talk about something else. How's life with our ace singer been?"

Arad asked, trying to change the topic to something more cheerful. Kazumi smirked. Of course that would be the first thing that he would ask. Kazumi took another sip from his glass and remember the events that happened since he came to Ragna and most of them features Mikumo in it.

"It's been interesting. Did you know that she's a terrible cook? Last time she tried making something not instant, it ended up as charcoal."

Kazumi fondly remember that day. Mikumo asked him to teach her how to cook and since it's one of his hobbies and something he's particularly good at, he happily obliged. He never imagined the seemingly perfect super idol could make something that can be considered as a biological weapon just by cooking.

"You're serious?"

"Yeah. Makes me glad that I can cook. Someone in the house has to be good in the kitchen and I'm glad I'm a capable cook or I had to order takeout or eat either instant food or charcoal everyday."

Kazumi chuckled followed by Arad. The two of them finish their glasses and order another shot.

"You got the better end of the deal. Kaname-san can cook, right?"

Arad suddenly became silent and like Kazumi just a minute before he look down at his glass with a complicated expression. At that point, Kazumi knew that he had stepped on a landmine… or something close enough to it.

"It's… complicated."

"I see."

Kazumi doesn't know why Arad is acting like he is now but it appears that there is more to their relationship than meets the eye if what he sees is correct. It is similar to how Michael Blanc talked about Klan Klang before they get together but not quite the same. Kazumi decided to drop the subject. He's not the best person to talk about relationship after all.

Kazumi downed another shot and ask for another one. They settled into an awkward silence for a while until Kazumi decided to speak what's been bugging him since the battle.

"Speaking of which, there is something that's bugging my mind. The unit with the brass sword emblem, I think the pilot knew me."


While Kazumi is trying to get himself wasted, Mikumo is currently shopping while accompanied by Kaname, Freyja and Mirage. Unfortunately Makina is busy repairing the damaged valkyries and planning a tune-up and wherever Makina is then Reina won't be far so they are unable to join them.

"Thank you for coming on short notice, Kaname."

"It's not a problem. We have some time off after all."

"But it's really rare for Mikumo-san to invite us on our day off. Actually, I think this is the first time."

Mirage noted.

"Yup. Mikumo-san usually disappear somewhere whenever we have no schedule."

Freyja agreed. Even Kaname silently agree with them. In all her years knowing Mikumo, this is the first time Mikumo ask them to go out with her. They're usually the one who call her whenever there is something. Even after opening up to them after the second Battle of Ragna, Mikumo is still that mysterious member of their group who always went missing.

All three of them knew that this is because of Kazumi's influence. Mikumo appears to take a shine to him from the time they first met and open up to him quickly. No, it's not as much as opening up to him as being comfortable in each other's presence. But how quickly they could adapt to each other's presence is ridiculous. Only a few days and they already have a dynamic similar to Kaname and Arad.

"So where are we going first?"

Kaname asked. Mikumo thought for a while.

"Ohh, that's our newest album with me and Mikumo-san covering Sheryl-san and Ranka-san's songs!"

Freyja suddenly exclaimed as she skipped towards the music shop. It has Walkure's latest album 'Walkure ga tomaranai' on sale. There is also Sheryl Nome's latest song 'Gorgeous' on sale. The girls follow Freyja inside. She's already listening to their newest album, particularly herself covering 'Seikan Hikou'.

"Ryuusei ni matagatte, anata ni kyuukouka ah ah. Noukon no hoshizora ni watashitachi hanabi mitai…"

Freyja continue to hum to the tune of her own voice with the newly released Walkure headset covering her ears. Mirage also put on another headset while Mikumo and Kaname went browsing. Kaname look at older songs while Mikumo got Sheryl Nome's newest single.

Some people who came noticed them and ask them to sign their 'Walkure ga tomaranai' CD. Fortunately a crowd didn't form and they managed to finish their visit to the CD shop without much trouble although only Mikumo bought anything.

"Mikumo-san, are you a fan of Sheryl Nome?"

Freyja asked when she noticed what Mikumo bought. Mirage also check out the CD. They hadn't heard about Sheryl for some time but it seems that the Galactic Fairy is making a comeback with her newest song.

"It's not for me. It's for Kazumi."

""It's for the captain/Shinomiya-san?""

Mikumo nodded though she doesn't know why Freyja and Mirage are surprised by that.

"I don't know that Shinomiya-san is a fan of Sheryl-san."

"Kazumi was there in the final battle of the Vajra war and became interested in Sheryl Nome and Ranka Lee's songs. He actually has a complete collection of Lynn Minmay, Fire Bomber, Sheryl Nome, and Ranka Lee songs but his favorite is Sheryl Nome."

"Ohh right! I saw his collection when we came visiting. But I didn't see any Walkure CD there."

Freyja recalled seeing a shelf with a collection of CDs. But she didn't see any Walkure CD on the shelf. Maybe Shinomiya doesn't like their songs. That would be sad if it were true.

"He said that he doesn't need them."

"Eh?"

Freyja quickly turn to Mikumo who is answering her unasked question although it's not hard to guess what she's wondering from the topic of their conversation.

"I see. It's because he's living with Mikumo-san. He doesn't need any CD because he has the real deal singing for him, is that right?"

Mikumo nodded. That is exactly what Kazumi said although in a different way since Mikumo asked why he didn't put his Walkure CD collection on display. He has them alright, but he didn't put them on display since he won't be using them with Mikumo herself singing around the house.

Kaname is glad that Mikumo get along so well with Kazumi. At first there's worry that the two of them might not get along but now it is unneeded concern. Kazumi's presence is doing Mikumo a lot of good and they surprisingly got along reallt well.

The girls then continue their day out. Kaname showed them to a cake shop where Freyja got a taste of apple tea and pie. After that they went around some more. The four of them spend the day together having fun like normal girls. Finally the sky starts to get dark.

Before they got back, Mikumo need to buy grocery that Kazumi asked before he left. It's quite a long list of things ranging from food ingredients to cleaning agent and some other products. Mikumo is thankful that she's with the others or she wouldn't be able to carry everything. Although Kazumi did write to just buy the necessities which is only a fifth of the list he gave her.

The quartet was about to head to Mikumo's home carrying everything she bought when they came across an unusual sight.

"Ahh Mikumo! How's your day~?"

Shinomiya Kazumi is being helped by Arad Moulders, arm slung on the major's shoulder as the ace walk unsteadily looking obviously drunk. While Kazumi is being uncharacteristically loud when greeting them, Arad looks only a little red and said nothing. Kaname figured out that they have been drinking for the whole day.

Kaname shook her head in disapproval with Arad looking sheepish. The commander of the Delta Flight really looks like a husband who had just been caught red handed cheating on his wife. Kazumi meanwhile slip away from Arad who now has to deal with Kaname and went over to Mikumo.

"Kumo-Kumo~, how's your day?"

"Kazumi, you're drunk."

"No I'm not! Hic~"

Kazumi denied even as he hiccupped.

"…alright, maybe a little."

"How did you manage to get yourself drunk?"

"Ahahaha! That's a funny question! Obviously I drunk a hell lot of alcohol! I'm gonna need them after all that crap with the Thanatos squadron."

At least he's coherent. Apparently Kazumi is an honest drunk. As he walked closer to Mikumo, she could smell alcohol coming from him. He must've drunk a lot. Kazumi suddenly put her arm around Mikumo's shoulder and took one of the grocery bag from Mikumo's hand.

"Let me carry that for you~"

"Kazumi, you're drunk, get away from me. Wait, you're wet and you have alcohol on your clothes!"

Mikumo try to get away from him but Kazumi just got closer. Seeing this, Kaname gave Arad a look that practically demanded an explanation. The commander has no other choice than to answer the glaring leader of Walkure.

"Uhh, we just went for a drink."

"I can see that but… is that a bruise?"

Kaname ask, half demanded, pointing at a bruise Arad had on his face. The commander gulped. He's not looking forward to explain what happened but he had to.

So Arad began his story with them meeting at the bar and just talking normally about life and the last mission, just a normal conversation over alcohol. But after quite a lot of glasses, Kazumi start to get drunk. Arad tried to persuade him to go home but the ace pilot refused, demanding his glass to be refilled.

Unfortunately the drunk Kazumi knocked over a bottle of scotch on someone. The person did not look happy and demand him to apologize. The drunk Kazumi told him to bug off and the man shove the ace pilot into someone's table. Obviously that escalated into a bar fight. Arad had to admit that despite being drunk, Kazumi is still a good fighter, at least against other drunkard. Kazumi did get punched in the gut once but the poor sod who nailed him got socked in the face a second later.

Said drunkard now is smiling like an idiot while chasing after Mikumo while the Mysterious Venus screamed at him.

All in all it's just another good day in Ragna.


-Night-

The siren suddenly blared, signaling an attack by an enemy. Delta flight prepared to launch. Kazumi whose VF is still unavailable due to its extensive damage and its heavy customization had to stay back and watch as the Delta flight scrambles to intercept the enemy.

"Disappointed that you can't join the fun?"

Ernst Johnson quipped. Kazumi still felt his head pounding from the hangover and so is rather cranky especially after being woken up by the siren. The captain's comment annoyed him though he's right, he's disappointed that he can't join the fun, especially after confirming that the enemies are indeed the Thanatos squadron.

"Hmm?"

Kazumi noticed something.

"Captain, zoom in on the enemy fighters."

Kazumi requested. Ernst signal his bridge crew to zoom in. There Kazumi got a better view of the incoming Thanatos squadron. There are three of them; the red scythe, the brass sword, and the black orca units. There is no sign of the red rose unit, the leader of the squadron.

"There's only three of them."

"The report said that there were five units. You trashed it so it's likely still under repair."

"Hmm, yeah, that's very likely."

Ernst and Kazumi watch as the four fighters of Delta flight engage the three Thanatos squadron units. As the battle commence, Kazumi can't help but feel anxious, mostly because he saw no sign of Thanatos 1. There is also something nagging him at the back of his mind but Kazumi doesn't know what it is.

Unknown to Kazumi and the rest of the Elysion crew, two fighters are descending down the atmosphere discreetly using the battle as distraction. Inside one of the cockpit is Thanatos 1 herself sitting in the co-pilot seat of Thanatos 5.

"Everything appears to be according to plan."