Chapter 2: The starting line
(October 22, 2001) Yuuko's office
It's has been almost 20 minutes since I gave Yuuko sensei her thesis. She is clearly on a world of her own now. No matter what I say, she just can't hear it. She is just too focused on stack of notes that I wrote.
"Oi, Yuuko sensei, are you there?"
"Oy, don't ignore me. Stop ignoring me or I will kiss you right now."
Suddenly, Yuuko sensei put down the stack of notes. Urg, I got a bad feeling about this. I try my best to divert this conversation "S…en…sensei, I was kidding about that. Don't bother. Hahaha."
Yuuko sensei immediately shows me a flurry movement that I was so stunned at the fact that she could produce such movement. When I realize it, Yuuko sensei arms were already wrapped tightly at my back. Not again. Chuuuu. Yuuko sensei just stole another kiss of mine again. " Geh, sen…sensei, this make the Fifth time"
"Ah haha, I am really a genius. This is definitely me after all. Only I can understand myself."
Urg she is clearly in her own world. "Phew…" I sigh outwardly. Lucky me, so she didn't hear anything I say before. If she did, I don't know what sort of scheme she would come up with to make me her toy. Takeru solemnly swore to bring that piece of memory with him to the grave without sharing anyone else.
"With this, I could fasten the process of the XG-70 and the creation of the 00 unit by a huge margin."Yuuko sensei finally comes back to her sense.
"Hold it, Yuuko sensei. I told you that this thesis has some major flaws, didn't I?" Takeru cut in before the crazy scientist could do anything.
Even Yuuko could not hide her surprise with her poker face. "Let's hear about it Shirogane"
"Firstly, regard the generator we use for this base. It works as a monitor for the BETA. You may think it as a computer connects to the large information network of the BETA. So if you plan to use it to power up the XG-70, you have to be stealthy". This piece of information was gained by the strongest warrior of the Valkyrie, Lt. Hayase at the cost of her life.
Yuuko was extremely astonished as she heard it from Takeru. "So depend on how we use it, it could be a double edge sword. Either working to our advantage or leaking our information to the BETA"
"Yes. You got it. Secondly, regard the construction of the 00 unit. Her real name is Sumika Kagami. I suggest that you have to rework a little bit on your theory as well as consult with your sister, Yuuko sensei. If you rush to create the 00 unit with our current technology now, she will become extremely unstable in mentality and physically. Furthermore, if she uses her power for her certain period of time, she has to be filtered with the solution from the generator at the lowest level of this base to keep her alive. During that process, whether she wants it or not, she can't help but leaking all information she know to the BETA." The image of how unstable Kasumi back in my last loop haunted me like a ghost. She was extremely fragile and unstable. Yet, she pushed herself over limit for my sake time after time. I was too powerless to save her. She blamed herself greatly for the fact that she has unknowingly leak the information to the BETA. This time, I definitely won't let it happen again.
Yuuko sensei expression turn grimed as I manage to finish my sentence. She glares at me with an icy look. Even without Kasumi mind reading ability, I could work out what she going to ask next. I cut in quickly before she could even ask "That was one of the most crucial factors for our failure in the last loop sensei. Who could have ever believed of such thing to happen? Aside from that, this is entirely for my personal reason, please don't hurt her. She is an important person to me."
"I understand. I will do what I could to meet up with your expectation" Yuuko sensei expression soften as she spoke to me in kind words. This is definitely Yuuko sensei truth self. Despite being eccentric and a mad scientist, she was extremely kind and compassionate in my former world, a world without the BETA.
"Last but not least, the current design of the XG-70 is unsuitable for HIVE operation. In my last mission, we manage to destroy the original Hive together with the Primary Unit only by a slim chance." It's not just a slim chance. It was basically a miracle which was traded off by the sacrifice of many. The great number of the Orbital Divers, Tama, Mikoto, Class Rep, Ayamine, Sumika and Meiya death will forever haunted me.
Yuuko sensei is extremely surprise now. She is clearly shaken by that piece of information "You said you had destroyed the original Hive and the Primary unit? Even after that much, you said what you did in the past was a failure"
I guess it is only natural that she would be shaken that much. Destroy the Original Hive was humanity wish for decades. Its destruction could have seen as the icon of victory for mankind. "It was truly a failure, sensei. Something unexpected happened. However, I scare that this is not yet the time for you to know that. Just at the mere knowledge of it, you will change the future greatly. If it is this much, I won't able to guarantee the success of our plan in the future anymore."
"I got it. I will ask you that part again when it's time. Continue on the part when you say the XG-70 was incompatible for Hive operation."
"Despite the dominance in power, the XG-70 only trade off was its mobility and firepower at close quarter combat. I guess you can argue that the Rutherforth shield that the 00 unit put up will make up for its lack of mobility. In the last operation, I operated the XG-70 with both Sumika and Kasumi. The Rutherforth take a heavy toll from Sumika mind during our combat against the horde of BETA. That lead to the delay in operating of the main cannon. Furthermore, the BETA primary unit has a psychic ability. It's able to bypass the Rutherforth Shield without meeting any resistance. If you ask my personal opinion of the XG-70, it's a great TSF with the power to turn the tide of war against the BETA. However, for it to take on the Original Hive with its current design, it likes throwing egg against stone. It may be asking for the impossible but I need something agile and packed with the firepower that equal to the main cannon of the XG-70."
"I will give it some thought, boy. You have proved yourself extremely helpful today. I truly appreciate all the information that you brought" Yuuko sensei was clearly in deep thought right now. It is as if she was re-evaluated all of her planning in this single moment.
"Yuuko sensei, it's clearly not your character to act so humble. Please keep your head high like you always are. I am your assistant, your accomplice and your student. Without you, none of my information could be put to any use."
" Haha. It's true that only I could make use of your information. I guess that's all for today. I already inform your squad mate about your coming. You can go and meet them now."
"Thank you sensei. However, I intend to meet them tomorrow. Today, I would rather spend some time get to know Kasumi again and have some speech with Sumika. By the way, can I spend the night at your lab?"
"Sure. I have granted you the permission to access to all facility in this floor. You can freely do what you want. Just a reminder, do control your manly urge at night! It would be a crime otherwise if you go for Kasumi"
I yell off immediately "I won't. I am not that sexual derived". I head out of the room completely worn out while waving my hand to Yuuko sensei.
"That was tough!" I muttered silently as I sighed inwardly. It was extremely tough to maintain my poker face in front of Yuuko sensei while sprouting some lies to her. I would never able to get her co-operation if I let she know that it was my own selfishness that drives me to reconstruct her own plan. By stating the fact about the short coming of the generator, the XG-70, and construction of Sumika; I wiped away Yuuko sensei doubt regarding my intention and goal. Secondly, it helps to mask my real intention. To create a world that I truly desire.
Yuuko sensei's resolve is different from me. She is willing to sacrifice herself and those around her for the sake of her goal including her humanity. I-on another hand, will never able to accept any death of those around me. Yuuko sensei will never accept my naivety idea of doing things. That's why; I lied about the failure of the Original Hive operation. By stating the truth and lie at the same time, including the unexpected fact about the generator and the 00 unit construction and my lie about the Original Hive, I plant a seed of doubt into Yuuko sensei mind. It makes her doubt about the success of her plan, even doubt about her own genius ability. This ensures that she will never let me in the dark for I know way more information than she is ever expected. Knowing all of her plan will ensure that I will always have an advantage over her in regard of changing her plan into my own. Giving Yuuko personality, she hasn't trust me a hundred percent yet, but this is more than enough. "Sorry sensei, I can't afford to lose anything dear to me again" I solemnly swore again.
(Brain room)
Just as I open the brain room, I could see Kasumi hurriedly tries to hide herself at the corner. This is just like the first time I have seen her in my previous loop. She was really shy at first.
I kneel on the floor one knee before Kasumi and speak as kindly as I could "Nice to meet you Kasumi. My name is Shirogane Takeru."
The silver hair rabbit girls replied in a slightly trembling voice "Nice to meet you, Shirogane san"
Wow. This is a huge improve as compare to the last loop. She's clearly not as shy as herself in my previous loop. "This may sound weird. Even though this is the first time you have seen me, I have known you for a long time. You had become someone precious and irreplaceable for me. I don't mind if you would look into my mind at all. In fact, it would save me time to explain. If you don't mind, there was a message that I have to relay to you by Kasumi Yashiro of the previous loop. It's fine even if you do not understand what I am speaking about. But please look through it."
Kasumi's face despite its usual emotionless was clearly shows a small twitch. I show her a kind smile to encourage her to look into it. Suddenly, a jolt of information run through my mind in a familiar manner as the previous world Kasumi Yashiro has imprinting into the depth of my mind. If there was any different, it would be the direction of the flow of information this time. I hurriedly catch Kasumi as she crumbles to the ground. I am truly worried now. What effect that the gift from the previous world Kasumi will have to this world Kasumi?
Kasumi then slowly open her eyes after a few seconds. "Takeru san, it's good to see you again. It wasn't fair of you to leave me behind like that". She spoke in a complex expression mix of both joy and sorrow. She has an unexplainable smile on her face while trying to wipe away her tears of happiness.
"Welcome back, Kasumi. I am glad we are able to meet again."
"Me too. I am glad. Truly glad", the silver hair snow fairy replies.
From what I already know, the gift Kasumi has bestowed me was simply just as precious as the last miracle Sumika perform before I cease to exist in this world last time. Kasumi uploaded and imprinted every single piece of memories that she could into my mind. From the hundred pages of thesis of Yuuko sensei, Yuuko sensei trail of thought to all the secret sensei keep me away from. Given Kasumi ability of reading mind, it's no wonder she was able to get these stuff. On the other hand, the act of accessing to that gift in my mind was probably similar to download all the information from it. No matter how dumb am I, I could deduct at least that much from what happen to Kasumi just now.
"Are you alright Kasumi? That surely was tough with such vast knowledge rushing toward your head in just a few seconds."
"I am fine. Don't worry about that Takeru san"
"Also, could you keep these memories a secret from Yuuko sensei? It may affect the plan I had in mind if she come to know these memories."
"It is a secret among the two of us"
"You should rest now Kasumi. You look really pale. I hope you will be better tomorrow. Today, I will sleep in the lab next door. If you need anything from me, just give me a call."
"Good night, Takeru san"
"Good night, Kasumi"
The brain room is finally returned to its former eerie silent state. Takeru slowly walks across the room toward the brain tube. He gently touches the transparent tube and speaks "I have come back Sumika". However, only the sound of bubbles in the brain tube replies to him. Takeru pays no heed to such thing. He continues to speak with his childhood friend without caring she hears it or not.