Chapter 17: If Only It Could Last

Kazumi sighs as he sat on the sofa, feeling tired despite not doing anything that consumes energy. Then again, he hates playing uno… when he loses. It's a different story altogether if he was winning but to lose multiple games in a row is just embarrassing.

"Feeling tired already?"

Mikumo asked. Kazumi chuckled as he drunk another bottle of his scotch. He prefers sake but since he can't find any in Ragna, he has to make do with other alcoholic drinks. Mikumo look at the bottle in Kazumi's hand and remember the last time he went drinking with Arad. Out of curiosity, Mikumo asked;

"Kazumi, you're not an alcoholic, are you?"

Kazumi shook his head.

"Nope."

"That's your second bottle."

Mikumo said, pointing at the bottle he's holding. Kazumi look at the bottle and shrugs as he pour the rest of the content down his throat and put the bottle aside.

"Lately you've been drinking too much alcohol. Should I be worried?

True, Kazumi had been drinking more alcohol lately. He didn't drink when he first came and only did so when he was offered or when Arad asked him to go out for a drinking night sometimes joined by Kaname. But the frequency had increased lately… since the appearance of their new enemy.

"It's nothing to be worried about."

"…do you have a bad habit of drinking when you're stressed?"

Mikumo guessed. Kazumi did not reply and simply smile at her. Mikumo sighs. He did not show it but he is frequently worried and focused on their new opponent, particularly the one who is known as Mary. Whenever he is not relaxing with her, Mikumo would see Kazumi in deep thought and usually when he is in deep thought, there would be a bottle of alcoholic drink not far from his grasp.

To be honest, it is worrying her. Kazumi had confessed that Mary is the strongest opponent he had ever faced and his failure in protecting her that night is eating his mind. Mikumo knew that he fears he could fail in their next encounter with Mary and she could die. The news brought by Keith also didn't help and only serves to worry him further and increase the Delta flight's training regimen.

He needs to relax, which is why Mikumo dragged him to play with the younger people group in hope to get him to relax. He may not have reached his stress limit yet and perhaps he's still far from it but Mikumo would rather help him before he reached that level.

"Kumokumo is really worried about Kazukazu~"

Makina suddenly commented in a teasing manner while elbowing Reina who knowingly nodded.

"Is there a problem with me worrying about Kazumi?"

"No~"

"Makina tried to act innocent but Mikumo knew that she was meaning to tease her about her relation with Kazumi, as usual. The two of them are quite aware about the rumor going on around concerning their relationship. Usually they would brush it aside as nothing but when Mikumo look at Kazumi, she lightly blushed and her heart skipped a beat when she saw his face close to hers and her eyes meeting his. She didn't react though and simply look away.

Makina who saw her reaction grinned along with Reina and Freyja while Hayate and Mirage blinked in confusion, not really understanding what just happened in the split second.

Kazumi then spotted Arad at the corner of his vision taking another bottle of scotch from his fridge. The Delta flight's commander has one hand around the White Knight's neck and is looking quite red. Keith look rather put off by the presumably drunken man being all friendly with him. At least he hadn't found his wine stash.

"Oi Arad, how many bottles have you drunk?!"

Kazumi yelled. Arad's response is simply a hearty laugh. Kazumi shook his head in exasperation. Well, it's a party so he can let it slide. Though maybe he should bill Arad based on how much he drinks. Those things did not come cheap after all. He could only afford all of that plus the new house thanks to his largely untouched paycheck from his years of solo missions.

"Is it fine leaving the old man like that? The White Knight looks like he's ready to kill him."

Hayate pointed out. Kazumi chuckled. Keith does look quite pissed and he was hoping that Keith would give Arad a good punch since it will be amusing so Kazumi waved it off nonchalantly.

"He'll live at least as long as he doesn't break anything. If he does, I'll break his nose."

Hayate wryly chuckled at Kazumi's half serious and half humorous reply. He's not entirely kidding about punching Arad if he broke anything around his and Mikumo's new home. The bill for everything is still fresh on his mind after all and he's not too keen on spending more money on anything other than grocery for quite some time.

Then Kazumi remembered something.

"Speaking of which, I have something great to show you guys."

Kazumi said. He got up and gestured to the group to follow him. They got up to the second floor and Kazumi lead them to a room beside Mikumo's. All of them filed in one-by-one. The room is padded and the door was made to be sound-proof. There's a pair of large sound systems flanking a large monitor at one side of the room and rows of sofa on the opposite side.

"Waa! This is a karaoke room!"

Freyja happily exclaimed as she jumped onto the sofa and switched on the tv followed by Hayate and Mirage. Chuck and Makina admired the karaoke system Kazumi personally set up. Mikumo blinked and turn to Kazumi.

"I thought you're not done setting up the sound system."

"I finished it three hours ago."

Mikumo sat beside Freyja who is giggling and start browsing through the songs. Kazumi of course sat beside Mikumo.

Kazumi personally bought the whole karaoke set and renovate the room for Mikumo to use. It took quite a lot of money to make the karaoke room but Kazumi has a lot to spare from his high-risk solo jobs which he rarely spent. It's worth it in his opinion since Mikumo was quite pleased when he told her he made a karaoke room.

"Wow, there are lots of Lynn Minmay songs, Sheryl Nome songs, even Fire Bomber songs!"

Freyja exclaimed as she browse through the song lists.

"Where did you get the money to buy all this stuff?"

Hayate whispered to Kazumi, knowing how expensive the whole thing is just from seeing the sound system. Kazumi chuckled.

"Quite a lot but I saved up enough money to buy several houses."

"Ehh? Chaos paid you that much?!"

Chuck was surprised. He knew how much pay they got from Chaos and with the current situation all of the pilots got a raise from their job as individual bodyguard of the Walkure. But still, even ten years of their salary shouldn't amount to as much as Kazumi described.

"Solo jobs, and the really dangerous ones, tend to pay much more."

"Hee, is that so?"

"Well, the danger is proportional to the amount paid. There is this one time I got a mission to destroy a small battle group of survivors from Macross Galaxy that consists of twenty five VF-27 and two battleships. The pay is good but facing that number alone along with two battleships in a VF-25F is not fun."

Chuck imagined himself in that situation. Facing more than two dozen valkyries of superior spec and two battleships in an inferior fighter, that is certainly not fun. He's not sure he could pull that off, especially since the VF-27 was made to be piloted by cybernetically enhanced pilots.

"Hmm… Kazumi, you have not uploaded all our songs?"

Mikumo asked him while she browsed through several of their own songs. She spotted only Ikenai Borderline, Bokura No Senjou, Walkure Attack, Koi Halation The War, and Ichidou Dake No Koi Nara. It's not even the full set of their first album.

"Ahh that. I was in the middle of uploading them. I'll continue tomorrow."

"Muu, I wanted to sing some of my songs~"

"Too bad."

Makina pouted since she can't find her songs on the list. Freyja though had found a song that she wanted to sing. It's a duet and surprisingly, she didn't give the second mic to any of the Walkure but instead gave it to Mirage who look at the mic in her hand and to the grinning Freyja and then back to the mic.

"Mirage-san, let's sing together! I picked a Sheryl Nome and Ranka Lee duet song and I want to sing together with you!"

"E-ehh? Me? Why not sing with Mikumo-san? I-I can't…"

Mirage began to panic. She's not confident in her singing, especially with the members of Walkure present. But Freyja look expectant. She turns to Hayate for support but sadly she will be disappointed since her boyfriend is grinning and slap her on the shoulder.

"Just go for it. I also want to hear you sing!"

Hayate cheered.

"Hayate!"

"It's starting!"

"Aaaahhhh! What do I do?!"

"Ohh come on Mirage, just sing!"

"Miramira, sing!"

"Good luck~"

"I expect a good performance."

"Ohh, Mirage is going to sing! I must record this!"

Seeing no way out of this after everyone expressing their excitement, Mirage sighed and prepare herself to sing. She's nervous since everyone's attention is now focused on her. She gulped and hope she doesn't make any mistake. Kazumi just watched everyone in amusement but froze when he heard a familiar opening instrumental.

"Chiheisen wo yusaburu kaze
honoo wa mada moeteiru ka"

It's a song he's very familiar with. One that he could never forget as he heard it on that fateful day, the day he went to war and lost all his friends in one single battle.

"Furuenagara sekai no iriguchi ni tatsu
omoi todokeru made shirenai."

As if in a trance, Kazumi stare at the monitor, seeing not the music video but instead the sight of the gigantic Vajra Frontier and of course, the battle going on around him that he saw through the cockpit of his VF-171 on that day. He could even feel like he heard the explosions and the screams of his friends like it was happening right on that very moment.

"Sono tsubasa wa valkyria
kizutsuita senshi no mae valkyria.

Maioriru gensou no koibito
sono tamashii michibiku tame niji no hashi wo wataru valkyria"

Finally he saw it, the VF-27 and its complement of Ghost V9. He could also hear the voice of his commander calling his name and his comm suddenly being cut off along with another explosion.

"Unmei ni somuite mo valkyria
namida ni hikisakarete mo valkyria

Yoake mae ni kagayakanai inochi wa nai
Aishiteru"

Kazumi saw that scene where he chased that VF-27 with his VF-171. He remembered it so clearly. He could even feel his finger touching the trigger that ended his enemy's life all too clearly.

"Hikari no yoroi kono mi ni matoi sora o kakeru
valkyria… SAYONARA NO TSUBASA"

When the song ended, he broke out of his trance and sat back as everybody clapped at Mirage and Freyja's excellent performance. He held his head in his hand, knowing that what he saw was just his memory even if it felt real. It just means that even now he's still not over it yet. He straightened his back and tries to act like his usual self, joining everyone in the festivities and clapping. Thankfully, nobody noticed his momentary relapse.

Kazumi did not relive anymore memories after that. The group enjoyed themselves as they took turn singing. The Walkure would sing the most but Chuck also sang a few Fire Bomber songs together with Kazumi while Mirage and Freyja would sometime rope in Hayate to sing with them.

After singing their last song for the day, Kazumi fell back onto the sofa with Hayate beside him. It was fun and everyone is laughing and having a good time. Kazumi and Mikumo sang the last song together, Holy Lonely Light by Fire Bomber, and it took a lot out of him since he never sang so much in his life.

"That was fun!"

Hayate exclaimed. Kazumi nodded. He picked up a glass of water from the table in front of them and drink the whole glass in one gulp. Hayate also drink another glass of water. Their throat is rather sore after so much singing. Now that everyone have had their fun, it's time to sit back and relax.

It was the most fun Kazumi had ever had since his academy days and the last time he had so much fun was when he hung around the SMS Ouroboros branch and Frontier branch people, especially when he was watching the trouble Alto would get himself into with Sheryl and Ran…

"Hey Hayate, I never manage to ask you since it slipped my mind but can I ask you something now?"

"Ehh? Ask what?"

Hayate wondered what Kazumi wanted to ask as suddenly he looks quite serious. He is now looking at Hayate straight in the eyes and with a flat look on his face, he asked in the most serious tone Hayate had ever heard coming from him.

"Tell me Hayate Immelmann, how do you manage to juggle a relationship with two girls at the same time?"

There's a second, two seconds, three seconds pause from when Kazumi asked until Hayate finally managed to give out a reaction.

"Haa?"

"Ooo~ Kazukazu said it! He asked what we've been wondering all this time!"

"Daring."

Makina and Reina commented as Hayate gave the ace a look that says 'are you serious?' while Freyja and Mirage look away from the blue haired boy that they're sharing together. Chuck is amused by Kazumi's question. It has been nagging on his mind a bit. Mikumo had told him about Hayate's relationship with the two girls and he was honestly surprised when he heard it from Mikumo.

He had seen several love triangles, hell, he was close to two guys in a love triangle when he was in Ouroboros! Lyon Sakaki and Alto Saotome were in a love triangle and they resolved it by picking one of the girls in the end. Alto chooses Sheryl Nome while Lyon chooses Aisha Blanchett.

He was surprised when he heard that Hayate didn't choose one but instead decided to date the two of them and so far it works out just fine for him and Kazumi is intrigued.

"What the hell are you talking about?!"

"Well, I am curious how you managed to pull this off without being castrated.

Everyone started laughing hard, well Chuck and Makina are laughing while Reina smirked and Mikumo chuckled. Kazumi still remain as serious as ever while the triangle trio's faces turns beet red.

"…please kill me."

Hayate muttered as he slumped down to the floor.


It is only after its past midnight that Chuck, Arad, Kaname, and Keith left. Kazumi was thankful that Chuck, Kaname, Keith and Mikumo helped him cleanup the mess after everyone fell asleep. Kaname with Chuck and Keith's help carry Arad home while the rest of Delta and Walkure are sleeping right in front of the couch after playing some games on Kazumi's console after they came down from the karaoke room.

Kazumi washed the remaining dishes while Mikumo put a blanket over their friends. Mirage and Freyja fell asleep on each side of Hayate's shoulder while Reina slept on Makina's lap. Mikumo smiled fondly as she put the second blanket on the triangle trio. It was a fun evening with her friends.

After putting a blanket on their friends, Mikumo yawned and stretched her body. She's also quite tired and need to sleep soon. But first, she need to brush her teeth. She went to the bathroom and inside she met Kazumi who is also brushing his teeth after he finished with the last of the dishes. Kazumi gave Mikumo her toothbrush and brush their teeth together. After they finished, they went back to the living room and not to their respective bedroom.

"So… what do we do? Should we leave them here and go to bed?"

Kazumi asked his housemate. Mikumo gave it a thought and went to the sofa. She sat and then pat the empty space beside her, telling Kazumi to come seat with her. Kazumi did as he was told and sat. Now that the party had ended, the house become rather quiet except for the sound of their friends sleeping.

"Did you have fun?"

Mikumo asked him.

"Yes, somewhat."

"Then that's good."

Mikumo said. Kazumi stare at the diva for a moment and then suddenly lie down with his head on her lap. Mikumo was surprised but she didn't push him away. Her lips curled upward as she gently let her fingers flow on his hair while staring at each other's eyes.

Kazumi lift his hand and touch her cheek. From the very first time he saw her, he had always thought that she is the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and that said something as he had met many beautiful and cute women in his carreer including Sheryl Nome and even Lynn Minmay herself.

"Are you really alright now, Mikumo?"

Kazumi asked. Mikumo sighs. He's still worried about her injury even though she's already well enough to be discharged. He had been asking her that same question since that day that it's like a daily ritual. Mikumo appreciate his concern but sometimes he just worry too much.

"I'm fine. There's no need to worry about me."

Mikumo assured him. She place her hand over his that is touching her cheek. Makina would be teasing them if she were to see them like this, and so will Hayate as payback for what Kazumi did a few hours ago. Ever since the infiltration of Ragna, the two of them have grown even closer. There is something growing between them. Mikumo is not sure what it is yet but she knew it is inevitable. They have been quite close since the first time they met after all.

Kazumi suddenly got up from Mikumo's lap and assume a sitting position. He put an arm around her shoulder and pull her closer to him. He rested her head on his shoulder and his own on hers. Mikumo doesn't know why he suddenly did that but she like it. she snuggled closer to him as he put a blanket over them.

"It's late. Let's go to sleep."

Mikumo nodded.

"Kazumi?"

"Yes?"

Kazumi turn to Mikumo who is looking up to him and suddenly he felt Mikumo's lips touching his cheek. It's just a peck but if the room was a little brighter, Mikumo would see the rare sight of Kazumi blushing.

"I wish that times like this would last."

She said to him. Kazumi was stunned by what she did and touch where her lips met his cheek and smiled. Yes, he agrees with her. If only times like these could last. If only. That's why every moment of peace they can get is valuable. Because he knew it will be scarce in the future once their conflict with the Thanatos squadron started for real.

"So do I Mikumo, so do I."

The two of them drifted to sleep side by side together with their friends. Neither of them noticed that a Windermerean girl and a part Zentran girl saw everything and promised to themselves to never say a word about what they witnessed.


Sorry for the long wait but I was busy with other stories plus I had to rewrite this chapter a few times since I can't decide what to do in this chapter. Finally got it though and it took quite a long time. Anyway, Kazumi and Mikumo are becoming closer. Soon they will become a legitimate couple. Next chapter will finally start the Windermere story arc. The Aerial Knights will return! Ohh and Keith will be piloting Messer's VF-31F since he lost his Draken III.

Anyway, an announcement. I will be updating several of the old chapters to fix small mistakes and maybe add some contents. No, it's not a rewrite but just a simple refinement so expect the next chapter to be slower. Ohh and have you guys heard of the Macross Delta movie? Of course you have. I hope the Delta movie receive the same treatment as the Frontier movies. I mean getting an alternate retelling like maybe Messer could survive in the movie or something. Michael Blanc died in the Frontier series but lived through both Macross Frontier movies! And I'm looking forward to the new song!

akihisakaito332: although I will take credit for the Star Knight idea, Fold Evil is not mine. The whole Fold Evil and time travel stuff came from Macross 30 Ginga wo Tsunagu Utagoe.

TheEmeraldMage: The scene just came to me. You're talking about the uno blocks, right? This chapter is a bit longer though.

cl9763: Well, we'll find out what's going on in Windermere soon.