Chapter 12: Rebirth
November 20, 2001 Marimo POV
In Marimo's dictionary, the word trouble always associates with Kouzuki Yuuko or Shirogane Takeru. Whenever those names come up, only troubles awaited. However, there is a slight difference in the meaning of those two words. If the word Yuuko means expected and intentional disaster, then Shirogane means unexpected, uncontrollable and unintentional bombshell.
Marimo personal today schedule was completely thrown out of the window. She wasted a large and precious amount of time on a certain walking disaster. She lost 50 minutes of her recess for listening to explanations toward a certain incident in the PX including 5 minutes of awkward staring contest from a certain weirdo. Her lunch time was cut short into half by a certain kind heart oba san who regaled a 'Shirogane Takeru-the hero of the day' grand banquet. Worse, Marimo's teaching period was also cut short significantly in order to investigate the incident from other spectators in the PX and listen to the Honor Guard testify on Shirogane's innocence. That's why, Marimo feels extremely conflicted toward dealing with the man called Shirogane Takeru. Her professional feeling told her that this guy is the least deserved to be punished in this incident. In contrast, a devil inside of her tells Marimo to punish this guy for good for all sorts of troubles that he brought.
Finally, Marimo has come to a conclusion. She is currently delivering the final judgment on a certain walking bombshell. "Shirogane, I heard what happen".
"Marimo chan…" a swollen face guy gazed at Marimo with his puppy like eyes.
"Cadet…fixes that habit already. How many times have I told you stop calling me that?" Marimo complained as she strictly looked at the offender.
"Yes…Ma'am" Takeru glanced at Marimo with his puppy like eyes and drooped down hisears pitifully like a puppy just got scolded by his master after he heard Marimo's complain.
Marimo immediately avoided looking at Takeru. That kind of eyes and reaction is just too effective and unfair in this situation… She can't let her personal feeling mixed up with what her job. "What you did was a violation of military law and insubordination…didn't Sakaki told you to stop"
"Yes, Ma'am"
"…well, I won't lecture you about it. I'm sure that you understand the severity of what you did… I'll just state your punishment."
"Yes"
"In the next 24 hours, you will not be allowed any free time except what you need to sleep and eat. You will forfeit all of your free time. Refine your piloting skills with the TSF lessons and help the rest of your squad mates to improve as fast as possible. Also, put more effort into Professor Kouzuki mission given to you."
"…? Isn't it … exactly the same as usual?" Takeru's ears perked up as he asked.
"No. This is punishment. You may not smile over this period. You are not allowed to loosen your facial muscle. Train and accomplish your mission with the gravest sense of responsibility you can muster." Marimo spoke quickly and glared at the boy to hide her own embarrassment.
"…Roger that"
"Thank everyone afterward, they are the reason you got away with so little."
"Everyone…" Takeru smiled softly as he heard it
"Tighten that face" Marimo furrowed her brows and harshly scolded
"Sorry Ma… Instructor"
"Stop causing troubles for me already. Every last one of them came to petition me one at a time…it was worse than if they'd all come in a group. Each of them spent an average of ten minutes in my office. Even Ayamine coerced me in silent for five minutes straight. And when I went to the PX, Sergeant Major Kyozuka held me up for 20 minutes enlightened me with story of your bravery deed" Marimo glared furiously at the young man.
"Ahaha… even oba chan" Takeru was obvious to Marimo's frown. He was on a world of his own for a moment and smiled carelessly.
"…" Marimo sighed. She knew that of all the person she knew, this boy is the least suitable to become a soldier no matter how amazing is his military achievement. "It's only a month since you come here. However, you've built up a solid relationship with everyone. Everyone has acknowledged and pay close attention to you. Therefore, think of your squad mate's position before accounting any action. "
"I understand…only too well. I will never…" Takeru meekly replied
"…How is your injury?" Marimo sighed once again while patting the boy's head. No matter how big of a trouble maker and a walking disaster the boy named Shirogane Takeru can be, Marimo couldn't help but grow a soft spot for him during such occasion. Clumsily incompetence and full of flaws in many aspects, yet the strong sense of righteousness trait and protective in Takeru's action make everyone naturally acknowledged and grew fond of him.
"Yes, Ma'am."
"It's good to hear that. You should applied medical oil treatment in those injuries, they should be healed in a few days."
"Yes, thank you very much"
(Brain room) Takeru POV 11.00pm
"What the…"
After 3 days not visiting the brain room, Takeru was speechless at the complete renovation of the room. The usually large and empty room was completely packed like sardines with all sorts of connecting cables and unknown devices lying around. The transparent brain tube was replaced with a metallic cylinder connecting to different kind of unknown devices. Then, his heart skipped a beat as a transparent circular window on the metallic cylinder revealed a face of a girl who Takeru cherished more than his own life.
"Sumika!" Takeru called out while leaping through the room toward the metallic cylinder. "Sumika, Sumika, can you hear me? Sumika" Takeru knocked the cylinder non-stop, trying to get a reply from the girl.
"Calm down. The operation hasn't started yet." Yuuko's voice echoed.
Only now, Takeru has finally realized the presence of Kasumi and Yuuko in the room. At a dark corner of the room, his Yuuko sensei was typing feverishly on a monitoring device while Kasumi doing something on a device resemble an electronic board. "Yuuko sensei, Kasumi"
"I said calm down" Yuuko irately yelled as she continued to type commands on the monitoring device without looking at me. "Even if you continue to scream, nothing will happen. She can't hear your voice in this state. Her brain and nerves have yet to connect with her artificial body."
"…"Takeru tried to compose himself as much as possible. Despite his command, his body was doing its best to defy the order. His heart beat like war drum and his brain couldn't think straight. Even though he has expected this event with his vague imagination, the lifeless body of Sumika floating in the cylinder just painfully reminds Takeru of her death once again.
"Takeru chan, Takeru chan,…" Abruptly, the dark and devices cramped room turn into a vortex of jumbled memories. The vortex was like a colossal snake with the ability to devour careless wanderers to the depth of an ocean floor where sunlight doesn't exist. Yet, even in the midst of such chaotic whirlpool, "Takeru chan, Takeru chan,…"Takeru's ears could only hear Sumika's voice calling his name. Takeru's eyes could only see familiar and unfamiliar memories of Sumika and my younger self.
"She is safe" Takeru silently mumbled as he came back to reality once again. Takeru sighed out in relief and look at where Kasumi standing. He understood that Kasumi just linked him and Sumika's mind together to reassure that Sumika is safe. "Thank you Kasumi. I am fine now. You don't have to worry about this."
"Yashiro chan, did you finish tuning the device?" Yuuko's demanding voice echoed in the room with the noise of her typing.
"Yes" Kasumi replied
"Shirogane, you and Kasumi will begin to establish the connection to Kagami. Do your best to maintain the connection with Kagami as long as possible while drawing her consciousness away from her own body. I want to avoid the possibility that her mentality may be damaged during the reconnecting process. The treatment process may trigger a relapse of traumatic memories of hers. That's why during the treatment, you should draw Kagami's consciousness toward you to avoid her relapse. Can you do that?" Yuuko locked her vision at Takeru. Her eyes were filled with expectation and seriousness.
"Isn't it too late to say it now sensei? Besides, I have no intention to let her condition turn to anything worse."
"Good, you may begin now."
"Thank you sensei. Kasumi, let's do our best. We will definitely save Sumika"
"Yes…" Kasumi replied determinedly.
The scenery once again changed abruptly. Once again, Taker found himself in a chaotic world of jumbled memories.
"Kasumi, I will dive deep this time. If the situation gets messy, you withdraw first. I will handle the rest" Takeru send his thought to Kasumi through their synchronization link.
"…I won't. I want to save Sumika san as well. You won't able to do anything on your all Takeru san. Let's me help."
"No, it's my own responsibility. It is my own selfishness that we come to this. You don't have to."
Then Takeru detect a tingle of sadness from Kasumi, it feels like Kasumi is crying. "It's not fair… I want to help. Takeru san… you of all the person I knew… you should understand the pain of being powerless... I don't want to stay from the side and watch you and Sumika san suffer…"
"… "Takeru face twisted hearing that from Kasumi. [Yes. More than anyone else, I understand well the feeling of being powerless to protect what I treasure. After all, I was entrapped in the cage of time longer than anyone. Repeatedly taste the pain and sadness of being helpless and powerless]
Then, Kasumi's memories stream into Takeru's head, piece by piece. XM3 trial day, he fought like a madman against the BETA. On that same day, he cried bitterly as his reason crumbled after witnessing Marimo's death, unable to do anything. During that, a silver hair girl was crying anguishingly in the eerie brain room for unable to help. Sadogashima battle, Takeru lost a mentor and a dear friend once again, powerlessly to do anything. The same day, a silver hair girl cried in the dark and cold brain room. She cried in vexation and lamented her powerlessness to help. Battle at Yokohama base, people Takeru loved disappeared one by one. Takeru alone was far too powerless to stop the gear of fate. The same day, a silver hair girl got sick of crying and praying. She solemnly decided to fight with everyone else. Even her strength may not amount anything compare to everyone else, even if she could not change anything, she will never taste the feeling of doing nothing while her friends dying again.
"…I am sorry…I shouldn't…"
"…No, It's alright Takeru san. Let's save Sumika together."
"We will"
Without any further delay, the duo dived into the abyssal vortex. They knew if they want to drag Sumika's consciousness out of her body, they have no choice but took the risk and sank to the bottom of the vortex. However, one mistake, both Kasumi and Takeru will forever trap in Sumika mind without a solution to return to their body. However, having that risk in mind, Kasumi and Takeru wouldn't have another method to save Sumika.
The strength of the vortex increased exponentially as Takeru and Sumika dive deeper into Sumika's mind. However, even against the odds, the duo determinedly plunged further and further into darkness. They resolutely braced against the colossal torrent while letting themselves sink to the depth of Sumika's mind. Unanticipatedly, the duo realized a blatant change as they sank into the dark and cold ocean floor. "Takeru chan, Takeru chan…" those words began to sound more like a desperate plea than an earnest wish. Something has changed. A certain something crept in the profound darkness and haunted Sumika's mind.
"Sumika, Sumika" Takeru called out desperately to his childhood friend.
It was as if the whole world responded to Takeru's calling. The torrent swirled even more violent than it already was. Sumika's memories became even more jumbled and disconnected. "Takeru chan, Takeru chan…" Sumika's wailing voice reverberated agonizingly throughout the darkness.
Takeru shouted with his all his might "Sumika, Sumika…Can you hear me? It's me Takeru. Reply me"
All of a sudden, Takeru's vision distorted. He opened his eyes and found himself in a BETA HIVE. There were tons of people who were captured with him. Among them were this world's Sumika Kagami and Shirogane Takeru. Then, one by one, people keep taken away by the BETA. Everyone was scared, wondering when they'd be killed, what would happen to them. Everyone was drowned in nothing but despair, madness and fear. Affecting by the atmosphere, Sumika was exceedingly scared. Like everyone else, she was on the last straw of her own sanity. An invisible hand slowly tightened the grip on her heart. Her faith, reason, courage was slowly squeezed dry as time passed by. She clutched helplessly to Takeru like a baby. Cuddled Sumika tightly in his arms, Takeru continually told Sumika that she will be fine, that he will protect her no matter what; despite the terror eating up inside him.
Then the inevitable happened. The group of hundreds quickly reduced to only two. Hideous creatures came to take Sumika away, Takeru did everything he could to protect her. Against the colossal monsters, the boy fought desperately in order to protect the crying girl… Then, Sumika's world painted red. The figure of the boy she loves so much was deformed and tore to pieces in front of her eyes. The last straw of sanity in Sumika dissolved just like the figure of her childhood friend.
"Sumika, I am here. I'm here. It's me Takeru"
"…" Nobody responded to Takeru but the flashback. Like someone just clicked a replay button, the hellish scenario repeated. The whole world once again turned red and Takeru saw himself reduced to pieces of flesh.
"You can hear my voice right Sumika?"
"Go away" the girl shrieked. Once again, Takeru's body deformed. The world painted red.
"I am still alive Sumika. I am alive"
"Leave me alone." Sumika plead bitterly. Takeru flailed his arms and desperately stop the hideous BETA taking Sumika away from him. Abruptly, Sumika's irises reflected a red world and a deformed body of Takeru.
"Listen to me Sumika. I know you can. I come to full fill my promise with you. I will definitely protect you this time without fail. Please don't make me a liar."
"You only have yourself hurt staying by my side" Sumika earnestly begged while weeping like a child. Over and over again, Takeru saw himself was continuously torn to pieces in front of his childhood friend in the repeating flashbacks.
"I won't. I am much stronger than I used to be. I won't let something like that happen again. Come out Sumika. Let's talk it out."
"Takeru chan. You don't understand anything. Go away…Please…My mind and body…aren't human anymore... Leave me alone please" Sumika sobbed bitterly
"It doesn't matter to me Sumika. I'd accept all of you exactly as you are, whether good or bad. Sumika is Sumika. I don't care what you think of yourself. I don't even care what other people think about you. To me, you are Sumika Kagami, a precious fragment of my soul. I will not let go of you. I won't"
"…that's…" Sumika sobbed and cried so much that she could not finish what she intended to speak.
"Stay where you are, I will come and get you." Takeru immediately signaled Kasumi to resume searching for Sumika consciousness.
"…No…that's…" Sumika still sobbed non-stop as her voice became even more panic.
"Stay where you are. Don't even think about hiding after all of this"
"…"
Forcefully, Takeru thrust his arm through beneath the lightless ocean floor. Then, he touched something soft and warm. Without even look at the object, Takeru immediately grabbed it. "Come out Sumika". Then in one swift movement, he dragged out the crying girl from the ocean floor.
Suddenly, bright lights pierced through the darkness ocean from all directions. The lightless and cold abyss dissolved instantly as if it was nothing but a mere lie. In no time, the world of profound darkness transformed and made way for a brighter-than-white world. Stood out from the colorless world, a pair of lovebird wordlessly hugged each other tightly after their long parting. Yearning for each other warm and affection, they remained in each other arms and sobbed. Pearl-like tears of joy silently gushed down their ashen cheeks and drenched their shoulders.
"Takeru chan, Takeru chan…" Sumika choked in her own words. She can't come up with anything else other than the name of the boy she tightly embraced. When is the last time she met him? Sumika can't remember. When is the last time she could hug him like this? Sumika could not know. Even knowing the Takeru she hugging is just a projection of her mind, Sumika doesn't mind. She kept him tightly in her embrace to forget all the painful time and filled up the empty spaces in her heart.
Takeru silently cuddled Sumika in his arms and softly patted her head. He was so overwhelmed by many unknown emotions that no words could escape his mouth. He sobbed quietly as tears of mix bitterness and happiness flowed down his cheek.
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After an unknown expanded of time, Takeru has finally remembered his mission. He worriedly called "Kasumi, can you lead us back to my body. If we don't begin the treatment soon, Yuuko sensei will be mad."
"…We are currently inside your mind now Takeru san and the treatment has started for a while" Kasumi replied
"…Sorry, I totally forgot the objective" Takeru guilty apologized "Sorry, I pushed all the hard work on you"
"Don't be…I know that both Sumika san and Takeru san miss each other very much. I wanted to leave some space for you two." The silver hair doll sweetly replied.
"Thank you…Ah, I forgot. Sumika, it's thanks to Kasumi assistance that we could talk to each other as we are now. …Wait, never mind. The you in this loop haven't known her yet. Anyway, say thank you to Kasumi. Kasumi Yashiro, you can call her Kasumi chan. I will share my own memories with you later. It is faster than wasting our time here to explain it"
Sumika was confused at my behavior and my word. She wiped tears away from her cheeks using her sleeve. After that, Sumika bowed her head "Thank you Kasumi chan. I glad to be acquainted with you"
"Me too Sumika san"
"Arg, don't bother about formality. The two of you were as closed as siblings in the last loop." I complained only to see Sumika looked confusedly at me "You are currently missing some memories right now Sumika, I will fill it up later. Anyway, treat Kasumi chan like your own sister, okay?"
"Ah, sorry about that Kasumi chan. Please take care of me."
"Likewise Sumika san"
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"It's not my fault" Takeru tearfully clutched his stomach and yelped.
"It was definitely your fault" Kasumi stared icily at the boy who lying flatly on the ground
"Idiot…I can't believe it. You had no delicacy at all" Sumika was hiding in a large towel while ruefully fuming at the perpetrator.
"I told you I am sorry, didn't I? Moreover, it wasn't my fault at all. I was really worried." Takeru stood up on his trembling legs. The damage he just received is almost lethal if not for the military training he went through.
"Idiot, idiot, idiot,idiot, idiot,idiot, idiot,idiot, idiot,idiot, idiot…" Sumika tearfully pouted
What did I do to deserve such treatment? Takeru asked himself while recalling the whole incident.
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The trio was talking with each other until Kasumi receive a notice from Yuuko sensei that the operation has finished. Immediately, they exchange goodbye. Takeru and Kasumi sent Sumika's consciousness back to her body and slowly cut off their synchronization link.
Takeru opened his eyes groggily. He got a terrible headache. He could only assume it was the effect of diving deep to someone else mind.
"It's good to see you still in one piece"
"It's only thank to Kasumi incredible mind power. If it was someone else, I don't think I would able to make it back like this" Takeru massaged his temporoparietal while turned his head at the source of the voice. "Sensei, how was the operation?"
"So far, no abnormalities. Her brainwaves showed stable result. Both Kasumi and you did a good job." Yuuko observed through the monitoring screen.
"Thank goodness" Takeru felt a huge burden on his heart was lifted.
"Do not relax yet. We can't be so sure until she wakes up" Yuuko furrowed her brows and looked at the metallic cylinder. "She may…"
Suddenly, a siren sound cut in before Yuuko could finish. Yuuko went stiff as she looks at the screen tensely.
"What's wrong sensei?" Takeru anxiously waited for Yuuok's answer.
"The device detected a large fluctuation in Kagami brainwave. Shirogane, unlock the tube and retrieve her at once" Yuuko fervently typed command on the keyboard and issued order to Takeru.
Without wasting another second, Takeru leaped into action. Hastily, he turned the wheel located sideway of the metallic tube to unlock its emergency hatch. Then he activated the pumping device to drain the G-element liquid from the metallic cylinder.
"Hurry up Shirogane" Yuuko ordered
My heart raced so fast. The pumping device works so slowly. Not even 10% of the liquid was drained. I don't know what going on but, I have to get Sumika out of the tube as fast as possible. I can't afford to lose her again. Something, I have to come up with something…
I slammed my elbow furiously at the window of the metallic cylinder. I could drain the G-element liquid faster if I could break this window.
Wham. Wham
Only a small crack appeared on the glass. I smashed my elbow feverishly against the opaque window with the fastest speed I could. "Break, break, break"
Wham. Wham. Wham
The cracks extend and enlarge with each smash. However, the window still refused to give in. "Stop kidding me. Break." Fueled with anger, I slammed frenziedly against the window with every ounce of power I had. "I said break"
Ching!
With the last effort, my elbow smashed through the thick glassed. The submerging G-element liquid in the cylinder gushed out through the broken glass and splashed on my head. It was chillingly cold.
"Sumika, Sumika, ARE YOU OKAY?" hear a choking sound from the tube, I promptly asked.
"(cough)…Ta…Takeru… chan?…(cough)"
"Thank goodness. Stay still for a moment. I will open the hatch immediately."
"Hah? N…no! (cough)…no…" Sumika choked endlessly and barely make any audible sound.
"Stay still. I open the hatch now" I grabbed the metallic tiller and pulled. However, it seems that the different in air pressure in the tube and outside of the tube prevent it from opening.
"Sumika, stay still and stick close to the back of the tube. I will force this hatch open" I called to Sumika. There is something just weird. With the amount of liquid flooding out like this, the different in air pressure was already fixed. Despite that, the hatch refused to budge.
"Sto(cough)…ppp..stop…(cough) Idi…(cough, cough)ot!"
Sumika's voice is noticeably panicking. I don't know what is going on inside, but I have to get the girl out as quick as possible. Place a leg on the wall of the metallic tube, I gritted my teeth tightly, gathered every ounce of power remain in the body and pull the tiller. "ARGGGGGGGGGG…."
"Stop... (cough) I…said(cough cough)… stop) Sumika choking's voice is barely inaudible. It's only fueled to my determination to bring her out as quick as I can.
"Argggggg… stop messing with me" I growled and yanked the hatch open.
Then Sumika screamed hysterically "Nooooo"
Respond to her scream, I automatically leaped into the opened metallic tube "Sumika, are you all…?"
Sumika wordlessly knelt on the ground with her back face my direction. She tearfully and viciously glared at me while folding her arms to hide her exposed naked body.
I swallowed a large chunk of saliva. I totally didn't expect this one bit. "Ahahaha, calm down Sumika. This is clearly an unfortunate accident…Neither of us is wrong here…you see" My body tensed up at the rising killing intent.
"Uuuuuu" Sumika growled
"I heard you choked and screamed. I was just…worried. Yes, worried about you. So, this must be an act of God"
"Uuuuuu" Sumika's growling become more and more like a corner beast
"It was unfortunate that… I see you in state. But it was your fault for not wearing any…"
Before I could finish, a Sumika's Drill Milky punch dug deep into my gut in a flash.
CHOBAM
My vision turned white as my body pathetically flew across the room.
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"Idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot…" Sumika fumed
"I said it was an unfortunate accident" I wearily clutched my stomach and replied
"Idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot…"
This girl sometimes could become a pain with her annoying tantrum. Once she pouted in this way, she is not likely to be stop for a while.
"Idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot…"
Couldn't control my anger anymore, I chopped the forehead of the fuming girl.
"Ouch"
"You are the only stupid one in this room. Hearing you calling me stupid is just darn annoying"
"It's hurt. Takeru chan, you are a meanie. If you keep hitting my head like that, I will be more stupid"
"Don't be stupid. It is a given fact that there is no amount of hit could make you become any more stupid than you already are"
"What did you say?" Sumika growled and tighten her fist
"All right, stop your lover quarrel here." Yuuko irritatedly cut in "Kagami and Yashiro, you both will follow me to the lab room after this. If you could put up such a fight, it's clear that you are fine Kagami. However, I still need to check your health condition."
"Yes, sensei" Sumika joyously replied.
"Sensei?" Yuuko questioned
"Ahaha, I just shared with her a piece of my memory back when we were in a world without BETA"
"I see... That's explained why she is so mentality stable now… Shirogane, you will go back to your barrack now. Better take a shower while you are at it."
"Ahh, you are right." I am soaked wet from head to bottom with the G-element liquid. If I remain here any longer, I may catch a cold at this rate. "Thank you sensei, please take care of that idiot for me"
"Argg, Takeru chan, you are mean" Sumika denied.
November 21, 2001 (Simulator training room)
"Sorry I'm late" A voice boomed through the training room
In response to the voice, Marimo irriatedly turned her head back and asked "Shirogane, could you explain…" But to Marimo dismay, she doesn't recognize the person in front of her at all. "Who are you?"
The rest of the girls in squad 207b also look curiously at the newcomer and wonder "Who is he?"
"Eh? You do not recognize me? That's mean…Marimo chan"
Immediately, Marimo realized the person in front of her right away from his tone. There is only one guy in this Yokohama base would address her as such. "Shirogane?" She hesitatingly asked.
"Who else do you think?" Takeru scratched his head and asked.
Everyone in the room except the late comer was startled. They stared at the young man and doubted their eyes. The guy who stood in front of Marimo has some subtle resemblance to Shirogane Takeru a squad member of squad 207b. However, his look was out of place. He is clearly too attractive to be the Takeru that everyone acquainted with. His long and unkempt hair makes him look more like an actor or a model than a clumsy idiot everyone knew.
The ladies stood speechless for several seconds before they could register this piece of information into their head. Marimo was the first person able to do so. She stammered and asked "W…What happened to you?"
Takeru could only shook his head and replied "It's a long story"
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Takeru groggily woke up this morning only realize that he was already late for morning roll call. The intense headache from the previous night still assaults him. Takeru has a hunch that both Kasumi and Sumika probably experience the same kind of headache just like him. That was probably the reason why Kasumi didn't woke him up this morning.
Takeru exhaustedly dousing his face with cold water, hoping it will somewhat relieve the headache he feel right now. Then, he discovered his reflection in the mirror to his horror. His hair looks like a lion mane. Perhaps it could even rival Meiya's hair in term of length.
"This must be a joke"
Takeru sketched his cheek to check if he is still dreaming or he was facing a sick reality.
"This must be a joke, right?"
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"Sensei, do you have any answer for this strange phenomenon?" Before Takeru knew it, he was already inside Yuuko's office.
"I expected that you would be somehow affected, since you contacted with the G-element liquid yesterday. But it's interesting that it has such intense effect after a few hours like this" Yuuko scratched her cheek and pondered.
"So it was because that liquid?"
"Yes, you can say so. Majority of that solution was made up of compounds with the ability to regrow cell tissues and hasten the cellular growth. That explain why your hair is so long as it is now"
"…You should at least inform me such thing. Now I have to go to the barber room and have a haircut before going to Marimo class. Otherwise, she is going to kill me soon…So, can I assume that Sumika is doing great?"
"Much more than I have dared to expect. I don't know what cause the abnormal fluctuation in her brain yesterday, but she will be fine now. Her physical and mental condition is great. She will able to practice in a simulator in no time."
Takeru felt extremely relieved hearing that. "It's great. See you later sensei."
(Simulator training room) Marimo POV
"So you said that this phenomenon is a side effect of one of Professor's experiment?" Marimo tried to double-check what she has learned so far from the boy information.
"Yes"
"And you said that the barbers refused to cut your hair short?"
"Yes, I asked her to cut it short. At first, the girl in the barber shop agreed. Then after she trimmed it to this stage, she looked extremely weird. For some reason, she started daydreaming or something. It took me a while to bring her back to reality. When I ask her to cut it even shorter, she adamantly refused. She told me something like she would rather die than listen to that opinion of mine. Worse, the rest of the girls in the barber shop just observed me strangely. They even obstinately agree to the barbers."
"…" It's not like Marimo doesn't understand why those girls at the barber shop did so. No, she understand it clearly why the girls were so adamantly in their decision. It is definitely a waste to cut Takeru's hair any shorter than this. The girl's sense of fashion is completely dead on. This hair style just perfectly suit Takeru to a scary extend. Normally, Takeru looking is passable as a handsome young man. But with the addition of his new hair style, he is rather qualified to become a lead actor or a model.
"They are really a strange bunch. They even told me to visit them regularly at any time I want." Takeru scratched his head and continued his report.
"…" Marimo shook her head disbelievedly at the ultra-dense-head boy. He is a natural source of distress of the great many people yet he himself had never realizing that. Now, he became a natural philanderer to boost. That's a dreadful fact about Shirogane Takeru that Marimo could probably never able to understand. "Hah…What's so good about this stupid guy?" Marimo silently grumbled in a volume that only she could hear.
(PX)Takeru POV
"Arh, this feels very uncomfortable" Takeru growled while putting his food tray down to the table.
"…"
"Can you girl stop acting all fidgety like that? Say something, don't hold back like that. The atmosphere right now is just too weird"
"This hair style suits you Takeru san" Tama said. Her face went beet red as the result.
"Ah…Thank you. You don't have to force yourself to praise it. I know it must look strange on me. Everyone in the PX keeps glancing at me from the start."
"Don't worry about that Takeru. It really suits you" Mikoto nonchalantly praised "Don't you think so everyone?"
"Eh? Why are you asking us Yoroi...? I guess…it does suit him" Chiruzu stuttered as her face marred red.
"It does…" Meiya followed while looking away to hide her embarrassment.
"Looking good…" Ayamine thumbed up
"You all think so? I guess I might keep it like this for a while…"
"Ah, did you know that Instructor Jinguuji will join us in our training after we finish course A? You weren't there when she announced it." Chiruzu asked while twirling her spoon.
"Oh, yeah. I was wondering why she didn't join with us just now. So it has to be until all of us make it through course A." Takeru scratched his head
"Eh? You know?" Mikoto asked
"Ah, yeah. Yuuko sensei kinda informed me yesterday. I guess she really look forward to our performance. Did you know that Marimo chan used to be in the elite Fuji instructional unit? It was the most elite experimental unit in the Imperial army. I really look forward to her teaching."
"She was?" all the girls were utterly surprised
"Yes, isn't it awesome? Those units were like the best of the best"
"Woa, I can't wait to see her in action" Tama excitedly chirped
"Me too" Mikoto brimmed cheerfully.
"It means that all of us need to work harder. The faster we finish the training course, the faster we will see her in action." Meiya nodded her head and spoke.
"That's why we need our super genius Eishi to teach us as much as he could now. Even though, I had a really hard time to replicate his movement just by looking at his control log. Even with the XM3, those acrobatics were clearly too crazy by any standards" Chiruzu grumbled
"Eh…?"
"True. It was really hard to imitate your style Takeru" Tama nodded her head.
"I understand the concepts behind those movements, but to be honest…it's just absurd." Chiruzu furrowed her brows and shook her head resignedly.
"Hey now…don't say that."
"We can't understand your mindset and where you get the ideas from, so we can't predict what you would do next." Meiya looked as if she got a headache just by thinking about it.
"That's why it really tough. It means nothing in just simply copy what you've already done... it does really make Takeru an oddball if he could pull them out so easily." Mikoto shrugged her shoulders as if it was the obvious.
"Mikoto, don't say such cruel things with a smile on your face" Takeru wearily protested.
"Ahaha…" the girls giggled in harmony
"But, Takeru become really popular because of that. There were an incredible number of people asking us about you since yesterday. I heard rumors about a super genius Eishi appeared in our base around lately, and it turned out to be you Takeru" Mikoto chirped excitedly
"Eh? That's just plain crazy"
"It's only natural for anyone to curious you after you set such a surreal world record on both TSF aptitude test and the Eishi training course. Even Akane kept interrogating me about you lately" Chiruzu unenthusiastically spoke.
"Eh? Suzumiya as well? Is that the reason why everyone gave me those weird look this morning?" Takeru turned around and scanned the PX. As the result, he noticed several girls were gazing at him. However, the moment they met his eyes, all of them blushed and looked away immediately.
"…" For some reason, the girls in squad 207b entered a mutual silent state due to Takeru's earlier remark.
"What? Did I say something wrong?" Takeru scratched his head and asked.
"…" Once again, the girls sighed outwardly in harmony and said "You are just too stupid"
Takeru POV (Yuuko's office)
I walked into Yuuko sensei's office the moment Marimo released us of our TSF training. Even I have demolished the training course A, I still have to complete the rest of the training course to meet the requirement. Though the girls did a better job than anyone can expect. Today is only their second training day, yet all of them had make it into course C. I guess it was mainly due to the early installation of the XM3 in the simulator and data from my control log. At this rate, we probably could have our mock battle in around 2 days from now.
"Good evening Kasumi" I waved my hand to the silver hair girl who sitting on the sofa while hugging her soft toy rabbit.
"Good evening"
"How are you feeling now? Any headache?"
"No"
I patted Kasumi's head and asked "That's good to hear. Where is Yuuko sensei and that idiot childhood friend of mine?"
"Kouzuki sensei is taking care of Sumika san right now. She is doing some readjustment and checking"
"Oh, I see. Maybe I will come back later."
"Why don't we wait until she comes back? I am sure it won't take long"
"Uwa" I turned and entered a combat stance immediately at the direction where the voice came from. A man figure slowly emerged from the dark corner of the office.
"I don't think we've met" the man calmly said
"Yoroi Sakon? You are Mikoto's dad" I stared at the man. That's smug. That's Indiana Jone's dressing style and navy hair color. This man is no one else but Yoroi Sakon, the section two chief of the Foreign affair of the Imperial Ministry of Information.
"Oh, it's strange. I don't think I have introduced my name yet Shirogane Takeru. Did you stalk after me?"
Yes, he is the only one has this kind of annoying talking style "I do not swing that side. And definitely not you"
"Ahaha, you are funny Shirogane" the man laughed and (yoink) yanked my face
"Ouch what are you doing?"
"Hoh? You are a very elaborate fake…hmm , well make even" the man pondered while continuing yanking my cheek
"Ow-ow-ow-ouch. Stop that will you? It's not a mask" I tearfully pushed him away and massage my swollen cheek.
"Hahaha, you are a funny man" the man once again laughed. I had totally no idea what inside that head of his. He is just as strange as ever.
"So, are you the real one, Shirogane Takeru?" Yoroi's dad stared at me and asked. I unknowingly stepped back from the pressure he exuded. That was when Kasumi grabbed my hand and hid behind my back. Perhaps this man just thought something dangerous. Kasumi slightly shivered as she hid behind me.
"You don't have to be scare…Yashiro Kasumi chan right?" Yoroi's dad nonchalantly said
"Don't worry Kasumi. Just stay back. He won't do anything to you"
"Kasumi chan, if you need someone to cling to why not a big and strong man?" Yoroi's dad joked
"Sorry, she is with me. Besides, there is no way she would cling to a plenty suspicious man as you"
"Oh? But don't worry. I'm quite proud of this suit actually, it's a valuable piece that you would have trouble finding nowadays. The material is surprisingly incredible. Want to touch it Shirogane Takeru?" Yoroi's dad pointed at his own suit and asked.
"Ha….?" I don't know how this is connected to our conversation. He is definitely not Mikoto's dad for nothing.
"It seemed that you are extremely wary of me Shirogane Takeru. I am only a subtly suspicious man."
"…repeating my name repeatedly is not going to help you at all" It's not that I am wary of him. I have met him enough to able to trust him somewhat. It was just that talking to him make me feel so tired. I could understand how even a master at poker face, Yuuko sensei always annoyed when talking to him.
"So noisy. What are you doing in my office?" an angry voice bellowed
"Ah, sensei" I looked at the angry figure just entering the room. She is visibly irritated at the sight of chief Yoroi.
"Good evening, Professor Kouzuki. You are as beautiful as ever."
Yuuko sensei ignored the man's flattery and walked to her working table "The Imperial Ministry of Information has no manner at all. I never give you the permission to enter this room"
"Oh well, I just found this room by chance. And when I stood in front of this door, it just opened" the man gestured his denial and smirked.
"You always have a clever answer for everything"
"Ahaha, talking is my job. If I stop talking, I'd never get anything done"
"If you had nothing to talk, then hurry up and disappear. I have no use of you today" Yuuko grunted
Sakon bowed "Ah, We can't have that now, Professor Kouzuki… you're wasting your lovely face. Oh? Now that I look closer you appear to have bags under your eyes. Are you getting enough sleep?" Geh, I can't tell if he really want to make a move on sensei at all. There is no way in hell, Yuuko sensei will be moved by something at this level much less coming from him. If anything, he succeeds to invoke sensei's wraith on himself.
"You are annoying" Yuuko sensei glared fiercely at Sakon. She must be sick of his stupid joke. Man… this is definitely Mikoto's dad. Other than him, I don't think there is another human who can tire sensei this much. "So say it already. What did you come here for?"
"It's about the XG-70 deal…Interest?"
Such a disgrace for the UN army, they have resorted to a third hand party to handle the negotiations between the member nation's armies"
"Currently, America views the UN as the nuisance. They don't want anything more than act amicably"
"So, that means you can move all of them here, right?"
"That would be a little… problematic." Yoroi answered indifferently. "The plan may have been abandoned but that doesn't mean that they'll simply give it willingly without a price. Even if it is nothing but junk to them now, garbage that is interested by another is simply another opportunity waiting to be exploited" Still as cryptic as ever, I was totally out of the page the first time I heard this XG conversation.
"So it's impossible even for you"
Sakon raised his hand and deny "No, it's quite the opposite. If your plan is progressing smoothly. They will hand them all without a question. They always prioritize their country's benefit, so they have no reason to keep it in this case. If anything, they would want you to indebted to them."
Yuuko sensei gave him a glare "You wanted to say anything else"
"Ohh… now, now, let us be civil here. I am only but a pawn of another player and I've been trained not to stick my neck out when I shouldn't.
"Stick to the point. I'm getting sick of this boring conversation" Yuuko sensei is visibly irritated.
"Oh my… was it really that boring?" Sakon feigned shock. "Then perhaps I should talk about the origin of the dodo bird. [No thank you, even I had enough of my share about your stupid DODO bird topic] Dodos were originally…
"Stop" I raised my hand and interrupted him immediately.
"What's it Shirogane Takeru? You don't want hear more about Dodo?"
"Excuse me chief. Before you talk about those stupid Dodo birds, I have a present designed specifically for you. Can you close your eyes for a second?"
"Ohoho, I'm impressed Shirogane Takeru. I'm afraid that I could not close my eyes obediently in front of a stranger such as you. Let me express my apologize by finishing the tale of the Dodo bird. Dodo were…"
Before I could hear any more of his nonsense, I stepped close to him and delivered a blow into his gut. "Excuse me, I am getting sick of listening to your babbling. Sensei, I will come back later" Without waiting for any response from sensei or Mikoto's father, I walked out of the room.
XXXXXXXXXX
Man, I must say that this Mikoto's dad can be the most annoying man in this earth if he wants it. He is more or less a king of trolls. If he wasn't a useful chess piece on Yuuko sensei's board, he would be the first to sacrifice.
Wearily, I walked to the hill after the base. At time like this, that hill is the best place to ease someone minds. The cool breeze and the large scenery could easily blow away pent up stress and worry. That's just what I need at the moment. My mind were fully occupied by many things like Sumika's condition, the coup d'état, the XM3 trial and my plan against Yuuko sensei. With the coup d'état is coming in the next few days, things will get more and more complicated. "… So tiring" I sighed out loud.
"You look like an old man Shirogane Takeru" a figure emerged from the shadow
"Took you long enough chief Yoroi" without turning my head and look, I know immediately the owner of that cryptic voice. I slowly stood up and looked at the man.
"What do you want from me?" Sakon brought out a piece of paper from his suit
Well, that punch was meant to hide this piece of paper after all. He probably realized it immediately the moment he took my blow. "Nothing much, it's just a little oracle."
A.N: Wahahaha, finally exam over. Freedom at last. I am almost too jealous of Shirogane Takeru who doesn't have to pull all nighters and study for his exams. Played valgern on, got a zero on his physic exam and just go to a hot spring with his yuuko sensei to got his credit for that subject. Damn, that's just too good to be true.
I apologize for those mistakes in the previous chapter. Really glad that someone pointed them out early. Hence, I will try my best not to let history repeat.
The main heroin Sumika Kagami has finally joined the fray much earlier than her screen time schedule. Completely energetic as she was in muluv Extra, things only become more complicated for our main protagonist from now on. He deserved it. How could he so god damn carefreee and enjoy his youth while i have to work my ass out for my exam?