Chapter 21: This must be a gag
It was a very dangerous situation.
The moment Meiya's speech was interrupted…
Blood will be spilt, fire will be raised, and man will be forced to fight against man once again.
Worse, my enemies are… in the dark.
I don't know the exact number of people who work for the fifth plan, the ALTERNATIVE V's agents and people who are ordered to disrupt this country from claiming its peace.
Thus, extreme measure is needed.
A measure that would bring those who orchestrated this bloodshed to cringe, tremble in fear and drop their toast of liquor to the ground the moment they realize it was them who are being duped.
A measure can stop those who received orders to bring about chaos to this land from their tracks.
A measure can give our people an edge in negotiating and dealing with the aftermath of this chaos against our real enemies.
And this is my answer I had come up.
"Capture all those who their TSFs were immobilized. They are comrades of those who were truly responsible for the flame in the capital."
I gave the Shogun such instruction… or should I say I gave the one who was acting as the Shogun such instruction.
Among 20 TSF belonged to Capt. Sagiri which participated in this aerial assault, 4 were frozen along with their Eishis, whereas a large amount of TSFs which were unrelated to the aerial assault, too, were frozen as they listened to the broadcast.
Without any effort, Sagiri ordered his subordinate to apprehend those TSFs and drag out those unconscious Eishis just like he was ordered.
Those people will be delivered to the old spy Yoroi for further interrogation along with 2nd Lt. Thesleff's unit.
Sagiri was probably shocked by this turn of event. Those who he has appointed into this suicidal aerial assault should be his most trusted aids. It's almost unbelievable to hear that they were spies. But, he was more surprise by how Tsukuyomi handle the situation. Spies that he could not determine, were dragged out in light in one go.
Tsukuyomi, too, was probably surprise, but for a different reason. She was only told that I Shirogane Takeru would freeze up all the rebel's TSFs during the incident.
I didn't mention anything about how I would only freeze those TSFs which receiving orders from the fifth plan.
If I was to tell Tsukuyomi that, I wonder if she would reward me with a roundhouse kick for my reckless of a plan that expose Meiya to danger.
It is completely different to the plan that I has briefed to Tsukuyomi. "Should any danger arise, any TSF within the vicinity except my squad and Tsukuyomi's unit will be frozen." That's why Tsukuyomi can concentrate on dealing with the TSF on the American's side since there would be no risk on my side if I can freeze the rebel's TSFs just as easily as Tsukuyomi did to the American's TSFs.
But, the device which was installed in my Shiranui meant to single out all the spies within the rebels.
While it has the ability to freeze any of the rebel TSFs, it wasn't originally made for that purpose.
With all the unexpected factors wiped out from the game, our squad and Tsukuyomi proceeded according to the plan of escorting the Shogun to Yokohama Base. I said according to the plan but the reality was something that nobody could possibly imagine.
5 Raptors belonged to Major Walken's unit were…piggybacked by our squad TSFs until we reached the 11th Fleet at Shirahama coast.
There were also unexpected and uninvited passengers which aligned the boat.
Capt. Sagiri and a woman who is his personal aid… came along in their TSFs after they have removed all weapons on their TSFs.
Meiya has given an order to treat them like one of the Shogun's escort … until she could switch with Yuuhi.
It was the only thing that has not gone according to my plan or should I say Yuuko sensei's plan. With those two people travel with us like leeches, we cannot simply switch Yuuhi and Meiya back like how we did in the last loop.
And that's probably why there are currently 3 people inside my Shiranui. 3 people… include me.
On my right is the fake Shogun who is now fully outfitted in her UN Armour suit.
On my left is the true Shogun who has her dress outfitted outside of the Exo suit.
10 minutes have passed since Tsukuyomi proposed this plan, and my Shiranui was haunted with a dreadful silence since then.
How the hell did Tsukuyomi come up with such a dreadful plan?
"Her Highness will return to your TSF. You could have her switching place with Meiya sama easier that way"
That woman in red said such an outrageous line with an unworried face.
"Wait, why don't we have Meiya gone back to her Fubuki and switch place with Her Highness?"
I retorted immediately
"That would only provoke suspicion from the Captain. There is just no reason for us to transport Her Highness to a Fubuki… now that there is no more threat to Her Highness' safety."
Tsukuyomi said as a matter of fact
"I can park my Shiranui right in front of Meiya's Fubuki and Her Highness and Meiya can switch their place within some seconds."
"So you said, you would abruptly park your unit right in front of Meiya sama's unit. Having Her Highness hastily sneak into your cockpit after running on that unstable Fubuki's cockpit lit 7 meter from the ground without letting the captain seeing that. And then Meiya sama, too, have to endure of that same process?"
"…I… I…"
Just imagining of how stupid that scene is, both Her Highness and Meiya have to sneakingly and undignifiedly switching their places in such manner, I can offer no word to rebuke Tsukuyomi.
"Even if they successfully switching their place in such outrageous manner, what are you going to do about Her Highness' outfit?"
Tsukuyomi clearly intonated the phrase outrageous manner as if she knew they would surely prick my heart.
"… and you will be fine if they were to swap their dress in front of me, a healthy male?"
I wanted to shout that line aloud… but in fact, I didn't.
Just like Tsukuyomi said, we cannot have Meiya and Yuuhi switched their role that easily under the watchful eyes of Capt. Sagiri and his aid.
Moreover, it is already awkward enough to converse with Tsukuyomi of this plan in an encrypted channel. As if I could actually let Yuuhi and Meiya switching their places like how Tsukuyomi described it.
And thus, Yuuhi aligned my Shiranui in the name of Her Highness' caretaker.
And thus, 3 people were cramped inside my Shiranui.
And thus, this ridiculous of a situation was allowed to happen.
…
10 minutes has passed since…
Awkwardly returning Yuuhi her dress, Meiya did it with a meaningful glare to make sure that I would not peek while she took off the dress. Damn, as if I would peek while the Shogun is watching. And beside, Meiya wore Yuuhi's dress like a jacket, it's not like she would reveal any area of her skin to me anyway.
Awkwardly, Yuuhi, too, returned Meiya's Armour while Meiya making sure that I have my eyes closed with another meaningful glare. As if I dare to peek while the Shogun is changing her cloth.
10 minutes of dreadful silent.
Neither of the two girls who were cramped into my Shiranui said anything nor I can say anything to any of them.
This situation will probably persist until we reach the Yokohama 11th Fleet and give Yuuhi and Meiya some private room out of respect for the Shogun, for them to switching their place, that is, not converse
I can't help but wonder if this is how Tsukuyomi get me back for my trickery.
"Is it too hot… perhaps too cold?"
I asked, trying to break the awkward silence in the air. It was already obvious that they will neither feel hot or cold as long as their Exo suits still function.
"You need not worried…"
"I am fine…"
…
Then silence descended into my Shiranui's cockpit once again.
These two won't talk with each other… even if I, a third wheel am not here. If this…
All of sudden, I felt incredibly frustrated.
Switched the Shiranui into auto-pilot mode, I immediately dragged out an external keyboard.
I typed vehemently. I inputted the commands for the Shiranui's OS with frustration.
"The audio recording function of this TSF has just been deactivated"
Said I
"?"
"?"
Then without saying anything, I turned toward Meiya, put my hand on her shoulder and…
Remove the batteries of her Exo suit
"What are you doing?"
Meiya asked confusedly while watching the batteries on my hand.
I ignored her and turned toward Yuuhi and did the same thing to her.
Yuuhi looked at me and silently questioned my motive.
Without saying anything, I removed the batteries for my own exo suit as well.
"Now, our conversation will be off the record. You can say whatever you want."
Said I, without looking at any of the girl in particular.
"You need not…"
Meiya said as she forced me to turn my line of sight at her with her hands holding to my face.
"I must"
Said I, immediately interrupted Meiya from finishing her sentence "Do you really understand that your role as the Shogun's shadow has already finished?"
"I unders…"
"Then, you must understand that those who forced you into that role have no further use for you. Once this coup is settled down, they will do whatever they can to have you eliminated since you are a liability to them now, rather than something that they can use."
Once again, I cut in and prevented Meiya finishing her sentence.
"…"
Meiya's face darkened. She stared at me in silence as if asking me how I knew such thing.
Neither Yuuhi nor Meiya said anything to rebuke. It only proved that I was right on the mark.
"Say whatever you wish to your sister. It is now or never. You might not have another chance to do so in the future. This girl is your twin sister you have been separated since birth, isn't she? Say something to her, tell her whatever you want. Otherwise, you may seriously regret it in the future."
"Takeru..."
Immediately, I removed Meiya's hands from my face and turned at Yuuhi.
"Your Highness, please listen to what I must say"
"It is our…"
"For god sake, the two of you are as stubborn as donkeys"
Said I, without averting my eye from the surprise girl. Whatever she wanted to say is showed to me with that hardened face of hers and the tinge of pain in her eyes. That's why I did the same thing to her as I did to Meiya, not letting her say anything.
"Here, it's yours"
I grabbed a soft toy which was kept inside my pocket a while ago and returned it to its rightful owner. Then, using my left hand to grab Yuuhi's withdrawing arm, I placed the doll on her palm with my right.
"…"
Meiya gasped in unison with Yuuhi. I could not tell if she was surprise by the doll on Yuuhi's palm or she has just recovered from the shock of how I treat the Shogun. Not that I care…
"You always want to give it to her by person, did you not? You always were, were you not? Then, give it to her in person and tell her of your feeling, of how you feel about her. You …"
Then, my eyes flared white for a moment. My line of sight placed on a different position from its original. And my right cheek felt hot…
"Don't speak to us as if you truly understand us and our feeling. Do you understand that your selfish action would bring nothing but hardship to any of us? Don't speak of us as if you truly understand of the responsibility that we have to bear since our birth…"
She is the fourth. There are only three girls who have ever hit my face until now, Sumika, Meiya and Hayase. And now, Yuuhi is the fourth.
Damn. I must make her really mad. But, damn, if someone who deserve to be mad here, it should be me.
"I will say whatever I want to say. The two of you are just as damn stupid and stubborn as donkeys"
Said I while grabbing Yuuhi's arms, prevent her from giving me another slap.
Meiya gasped and grabbed my shoulder, trying to stop me from my crazed action
"You idiot…"
Meiya said grabbing my arms, trying to stop me from committing violent against the Shogun
"No, the two of you are the stupid one."
I immediately interrupted with my eyes glare at Yuuhi.
"I haven't seen such idiotic of a pair of twin like the two of you before. Can't you see that this is perhaps your one and only one chance to get whatever they are in your chest out and said them to your birth separated sister?"
"You do not…"
Yuuhi darted me a hateful glare.
I may not be one who is good at reading someone's heart like Yuuko sensei or one who able to do mindreading like Sumika or Kasumi. But, even without those abilities, I can still understand what Yuuko is trying to say.
"Yes, I do not understand your feeling at all. How am I able to understand your feeling or Meiya's if I do not have a twin who separated with me from birth and has to live as my shadow? Of course, I do not understand even a ten of your feeling. But, isn't it tough for the both of you to remain the way you are even if you two are staying with each other now. Do you even understand that this maybe the last time you could see the god damn stupid girl behind my back? Do you really understand that this is perhaps the one and only chance for the two of you to be together?"
"You are in the present of the Shogun. If you withdraw of your earlier remark and your action, I will forgive you"
Her eyes only wavered for only a moment. But, they immediately directed at me with…power, unimagined power that make me realized who I am speaking with.
"You High… Damn. Do you think I care? You have no power here. This is my Shiranui, mine. Do not unfairly flaunting your power and status as the Shogun, right here and now. Your power can not affect me. You may order my execution after this. You are welcome to try. As if I would be executed just because you wish for it. I will continue to say what I want to say and do what I want to do, right her, right now until the two of you willing to speak with each other"
"You…"
"Even if you are to regain your power as a Shogun, do you think you have enough power to protect Meiya after this? You can't, right? If you are able to, there is no reason for you to be separated with Meiya and watching Meiya living her life to be used as someone else's puppet. That's why, now, Meiya is no longer your Shadow. She is just… Meiya, Mitsurugi Meiya. Shouldn't you allowed to say what you want to say to her now, since she is already no longer your shadow? You may not have another chance to do so. Who know what kind of orders will pass to her to ensure Meiya's death… Do not think… God Damn it… Do not think, only feel. Listen to your heart on this occasion. I beg of you"
"…"
Yuuhi opened her lips wanting to say something. But, no word escaped her throat.
I have succeeded.
"If I am a third wheel here, I can just plug my ears and not listen to your conversation. Just consider me as a pile of rock or something similar."
Said I while releasing my grip from Yuuhi's arms and brought out the ear plugs which I always used during my practice of mind-linking with Kasumi. Even if I have stopped doing that practice in front of other, I still do it with Kasumi at night to preparing myself for the XM3 trial.
"Now, Your Highness, give that doll to Meiya in person and tell her your feeling."
My role here has ended. I am sure this was probably the reason why Tsukuyomi cramped both Yuuhi and Meiya into my Shiranui at the same time. I have given both Meiya and Yuuhi a last push. It is all depend on them to take the leap.
I switched off the auto-pilot mode of my Shiranui, since I could not just sit still and not doing anything while watching these two girls conversed. It would only create more awkwardness for them and myself.
My vision slowly narrowed… or should I say focus. The only thing in my vision is the display of my Shiranui's HUD.
It's only now that I has realized that the flight formation of our escort team is just…ridiculous.
While it remained unchanged that my TSF is still at the centre of the formation, the arrowhead formation we used was… altered a little to the kind of situation we are.
Leading the formation is… Capt. Sagiri and his aid
Next, it is Meiya's Fubuki which was remotely controlled by Marimo and Marimo's Gekishin.
Then, come class rep, Ayamine, Tama, and Mikoto piggybacked the Raptors with their Fubukis.
My Shiranui is protected right in the middle
Last, Tsukuyomi and the idiot-trio guarded the rear.
Our vanguard is the rebel leader and his right hand, of course without any arm in their possession.
The middle guard are our commander and an un-manned TSF.
Flank guards are even weirder. A sight of four Fubukis piggybacked four Raptors is just… damn too stupid. If this is a fanfiction, this chapter has to be a gag. And surely an awful gag it is.
As the result, the main combatants in our flight formation is probably Tsukuyomi's unit,, since Marimo is currently multi tasking with both her Gekishin and Meiya's Fubuki and I cannot execute any kind of reckless movement with 3 people cramped in my cockpit and Meiya does not have a four point harness for her own safety.
…
I wondered if those two have willingly told others of their feeling.
These two are just as stubborn as donkeys. If they are dead set on not talking with each other, it would take a miracle for any of them to open their mouth even if they were alone with each other.
…
Now, I wondered. Why all the girls around me are just as difficult and stubborn as these two… no, even Marimo chan and Yuuko sensei are just as stubborn and difficult as well.
Is it common for woman in this world to be like that… I wondered.
…
It is just… weird for me to stay silent like this, not talking to anyone of anything in particular. It is the reason why people told me that I am bad in guarding.
I can't help it. Just a peek …
…
When did Yuuhi give Meiya that doll?
?
Why there is another doll on Yuuhi's hand?
?
What's going on?
Urg… they realized I peeked.
…
I told them to treat me like a pile of rock. But… this is perhaps, just embarrassing for them with a third wheel like I am here. And clearly, those two are crying.
What should I say?
"Can you not order my execution after this Your Highness? I was only bluffing a moment ago. Don't take it seriously"
I nervously laughed, can't find any proper excuse for peeking.
…
The heck!? Why the two of them are laughing right now? I don't think I said something funny or deserve to laugh at.
"I am serious. If Your Highness is ever angry about what I have said a moment ago, I can apologize at much as Your Highness want. But, if you actually go and test my claim, I will be executed for real… and I don't think I am brave enough to commit sempuku to protect my honor…"
For some reason, the twin laughed heartily, more than they already did.
Damn, I am serious here. If Yuuhi ordered my execution to test my earlier claim, I will be killed even if Yuuko sensei extended her protective arms to save my life. Damn, as if that woman has any protective arms to extend.
And thus, my execution will be unavoidable, since the Shogun can't retract such an order with an explanation "Teehee, I only want to test it."
"It's only a moment of impulse, you don't…"
I was stopped
The twin moved in harmony and removed my ear plugs without giving any sign of warning.
"Please go ahead and say whatever remained unsaid… You two can just pretend that I have never peek… This time, I am serious. I will not peek. I promise"
Said I… As if they could. The mood has turned wrong the moment the twin laughed.
Urg. I am feeling guilty now. Because of my sudden impulse, the heart-moving unison of those two was interrupted.
Tsukuyomi san… I am sorry for this. I have seriously failed you.
"Don't worry. I won't do something as thoughtless as that"
Said Yuuhi, half laughing
"Thank you... at least I can sleep without worrying of my execution now"
Breathed a sigh of relief, I said.
"It is us who should say our thanks, Takeru"
Meiya said, still half laughing just like her twin.
"…Do not mention about that. It's something trivial. Anyone would do it"
"It is not something trivia"
My left and right eardrums were almost ruptured at the same time.
No, I am not kidding.
The twin practically shouted, and a very hysterical manner.
Meiya… she rarely behaved like that
Your Highness… are you sure you are the bona fide Shogun? Your switching of role has stopped a while ago… and beside, I do not think Meiya will act like that normally.
"Sorry, was it too loud?"
They sure are twin. The two asked the same question in harmony.
"I am fine... It is good that the two of you can speak with each other as you are now"
"It's all thanks to you"
Once again, in harmony, the twin replied.
"…"
I don't know how to reply now. A moment ago, they were both dead set on rejecting my help, now they thank me for helping out.
…
Awkward silence descended once again without inform
…
"Is your cheek still hurt?"
The Shogun asked in a nervous tone
"Don't worry, Your Highness. I barely felt it. Compare to my scuffle with Meiya in our CQC lesson, this is nothing"
"It was unfair to compare to that. The situation is completely different. Those were practical lessons and I can't afford to hold myself fighting against you"
Meiya retorted while gripping onto the sleeve of my exo suit like a spoil kid.
"No, even so, even if it's not lesson, you didn't hold back either when you girls trashed me during Tama's old man's visit."
"That is…"
'And you almost went all out on me after I returned from my original world'
I almost said that aloud
It's hurt so bad that the bruises even remained for days. Though, that time I really deserve some beating since I have worried her sick. She must have believed that I was dead… since Yuuko sensei informed the whole squad that I went for a mission on the front line. And I was so devastated at that time with Marimo's death, so devastated that it was practically unimaginable that I could survive those kinds of missions given by Yuuko sensei.
"… Your Highness…?"
I asked as my train of thought was cut short.
The Shogun softly massaged my cheek.
"If you compare it to Meiya's beating, it's hurt a lot, wasn't it?"
"Anue…"
I turned my head… not at the Shogun but at Meiya.
"Did you start to call her "Anue" just now?"
I asked, doubting my ears.
"…Thanks to you"
Meiya mumbled with her face turned beet red.
"… you shouldn't be indebted over something like that. Our relationship would turn weird if you continue to act that way."
I said
…
For some reason, Meiya's face turned even redder than it already was.
Did I say something weird? Surely not. My relationship with Meiya isn't one that any of us should remain indebted with each other over something… no matter how big it was.
"Hmmm…"
I immediately turned my head at the one who make that sound.
"Hmmmm…"
For some reason, the Shogun's cheek is slightly puffed up. It looks like she was sulking over something… She looks more like an adult version of Kasumi if I look at this angle.
"You Highness…?"
"You can call me Yuuhi"
Said the Shogun
"…Pardon?"
I asked while questioning if my left eardrum has really ruptured.
"I said you can call me Yuuhi"
The Shogun repeated.
"…hah"
I breathed out a sigh of relief. My left eardrum still functioned normally.
No… even if my left eardrum has not ruptured, I can not be happy just yet.
"Your Highness… you…"
"I said you can call me Yuuhi"
The Shogun interrupted with the same line for the third time.
"Hahaha…"
I couldn't help but laugh nervously.
A sweat dropped from my forehead and rested on my lap.
"Isn't it too hot for you?"
The Shogun kindly asked as she wiped my forehead with the sleeve of her exo suit.
"Anue…?"
"Your Highness…?"
"Eh? Did I hear it wrongly?"
The Shogun asked, feigning bad hearing ability.
"Your Highness…?"
I asked, not sure why she acted in such way or why she gave me such an order.
"I think I just heard someone say bring it on. Even if it is an order of execution from the Shogun, he would not die"
"Yuuhi"
My mouth moved on its own before I could think. It moved so god damn fast that I must say I am impressed by its speed.
"Please do so whenever we are alone like this, Takeru sama"
The Shogun smiled tenderly like a bud of newly bloomed rose.
Takeru sama?
Why did she address me in that way? The only people who addressed me in such manner are Tsukuyomi san and the idiot-trio back in my original world.
"Takeru…"
Meiya muttered my name in an eerie manner
"Meiya?"
I asked while shuddering at the killing aura Meiya exuded
"….hahaha"
What's with this chapter?
Shouldn't this chapter is one of that I would be struck with remorse over my betrayal?
Damn, it's just wrong… this chapter… and this loop.
Author note:
Scream louder. Squeal louder. Make sure that the whole world will hear your voice, Takeru. Make sure that even the mad scientist at the bottom of Yokohama base can hear you. Or at least making sure that the woman who has waited for you a full whole month at some simulation deck in vain can hear you. Otherwise, you will suffer more than just some beating from the azure princess or an execution from your lovable Shogun.
My apologies to all readers. As you may have expected it, this chapter is surely a gag. I can't cope with the dark aura of remorse that Takeru is facing right now. Therefore, I just send him into a one-shot gag interlude and take a short break.
Well, the moment for Takeru to confront his sin cannot be averted. He will face his judgment at the right time… But, it's not now. We shall wait until he reports to his Yuuko sensei.
Thank you for reading and supporting as always.