Chapter 23: The first resonance
7th December 2001
It was an unfamiliar ground.
Yet, he felt like he always knew this place.
There was a slight touch of nostalgia within this place.
It was like a Déjà vu.
A crimson vermillion dyed the whole scene red as though to highlight the current state of the life deprived battleground.
Blood soaked in the earth and streamed like rivers.
TSF's frames scattered among the ground like junks.
Weapons lay wasted on the earth like garbage.
Corpses of what were once the terror, the nightmare, and the despair of mankind, stacked like mountains.
It should be an extremely nauseous scene for him, and yet,
He remained unmoved.
He walked as though he was possessed by a kind of vengeful ghost.
There is something calling out for him, sought out for his acknowledgement
Somewhere in this life deprived ground, beyond those mountains of junks and corpses, beyond those crimson rivers, there is something faithfully waited for his arrival
People would normally panic to find themselves suddenly transferred to this hellish place.
Normally, the very first questions that one should ask are: Where am I? What am I doing here? Is there anyone here?
However, he has neither such questions to ask nor he panic.
The boy just wandered across this ground and looked for the thing that keeps calling out to him while remaining completely unmoved, completely indifferent to all of the surrounding nauseous gory.
However, it was different.
The moment he first laid his eyes upon it, he was moved.
The dam in his eyes gave and tears flowed.
His heart throbbed in pain
With the very first glance, he knew immediately that 'it' was the something that kept on calling out to him and waited for his arrival.
'It' was a blade which is nothing like he has ever seen or known.
Unworldly exotic, exquisite, beautiful… he was at loss at how to describe it.
No word could do that blade justice of its beauty.
Reigning over a sanctuary, a piece of land whereas completely untouched by the terror and destruction of war, the blade rested.
Contrast to all existences on the surrounding battlefield, those chose to be ruled under the glory of the setting vermillion. The blade was indifferent to the radiance of the vermillion, for it has enshrouds itself in a color that could even eclipse the radiance of the vermillion by a far cry.
It was such a beautiful color that makes even purest obsidian paled in comparison and drives even the coolest starless night sky to a point of jealousy.
It was such a color as though it could devour all spectrums from the surroundings.
It was such majestic of a color that it could never be tainted by anything in this world.
"Why?"
The boys asked, stutteringly and unbelievably.
"Why?"
The boy asked while walking toward the blade with his trembled legs.
"Why?"
The boy asked while reaching out his arm to touch the blade of starless night.
"Why?"
Was the only question, the only word he could manage to squeeze from his throat.
He must have his answer no matter what. Even his legs could not bring themselves to work like he commanded; he could not bring himself to stop because something likes that. His eyes were blurred with tears; his heart plunged into a world of pain. Still, he must have his question answered.
He walked with his feeble pair of legs as memories which didn't belong to him continuously flooded into his head, memories of how this blade of starless night was forged and tempered.
But, they weren't complete. Those memories were jumbled, scrambled and fragmented just like the state of Sumika Kagami's mind before Yuuko successfully completed her medical operation.
If only these hands of his will reach that blade, he felt he could understand…he would have his answer.
No matter how beautiful this blade is, the boy could never bring himself to admire its beauty. Even if the whole world would be rendered speechless of the beauty of this blade of starless night, the boy would not.
He could not feel any but sorrow, pity, loath and grieve. It was as though that the boy knew that such a beautiful object wasn't meant to be a part of this world. It shouldn't become something like this; it shouldn't be forged into something like this.
"Why?"
The boy growled at the top of his lung capacity, not at the blade this time…
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Takeru"
"Takeru chan"
Sumika and Kasumi were the first things came into his vision.
"Are you alright?"
Both of the girls looked at him worriedly for some unknown reasons.
"Why are you asking that?" Takeru felt the urge to ask that question as he was still confused at the behaviour of the genius hacker duo.
His vision was kind of blurry. At the same time, his limb felt weak. Perhaps it was the result of built up fatigue from the operation.
Takeru started to rub his eyes. But, he immediately realized the reason for the girls' odd behaviour. The reason could be no other than the tears on his face.
"Did I have a nightmare?"
Takeru wondered as he wrought his brain to remember with his fuzzy brain.
"It looks like that to us. We saw you tossing and hollering on your bed the moment we came in.
"Is that so…?"
Takeru mumbled. He could not remember anything. He didn't see those crimson nightmares where he hacked and slashed his unknown enemies, or the nightmare where he woke up only to find himself the sole survivor of the Valkyries.
Why can't he remember anything? If he had a nightmare like Kasumi and Sumika described, he should able to remember it…
Inside his chest, there is only a mysterious feeling, as though he has lost something…as though, he has forgotten something important.
"Stop worrying about it. I a fine… Oh yah, did you have a good rest? The two of you were so busy helping Yuuko sensei out the last few days."
"We did. But Takeru chan, you…"
"Don't worry. I am totally fine…see?"
Swinging his arms around, Takeru said
"…"
Neither Sumika nor Kasumi looked convinced by Takeru's word. They seemed to be even more worried in fact.
"Why did you two come here so early? It's not even 6.00 am. And besides, we have no further morning lecture or simulation practice to attend."
Switching the topic, Takeru hurriedly said while scratching his head.
"But you still have that"
Sumika answered as she darted her eyes at a stack of paper resting on Yuuko's lab table.
"…I forgot"
Takeru droop his head as Sumika's previous sentence has completely squeezed out all of his energy.
"That" was refer to Marimo's reward for his insubordination during the coup d'état. While he wasn't sent to detention barrack thanks to Marimo's generosity and his connection with his Yuuko sensei, he could not get away so easily, not without some punishments.
While everyone just has to deliver a single piece of report into Marimo's office regarding of their action during the coup d'état, he was special. A total 50 copies of the same hand written report of his were to deliver at the end of today in Marimo's table. It's a total waste of paper and natural resources to rewrite those crappy reports if someone was to ask him…
On a side note, his report was obviously longer than most because he was assigned to a solo mission by Yuuko and assigned to be the Shogun's personal guard. While he only has to write one copy of that report to file into his military profile, Marimo decided his punishment would be to replicate that long and crappy report.
Damn, and he was so busy dealing with that old spy yesterday that he could barely finish 7 copies. The old spy was as expected, hard to get to contact with, since he has double crossed both the UN Army and the US's CIA. At the moment, his safety rest on his negotiation skill and Takeru's disk of evidences. And thus, Takeru pushed the old spy into working his ass out to buy back his safety.
The first task was to investigate on those assassins Takeru met on Izu Skyline. Apparently, the old spy still cannot trace the origin of those assassins with his net of information. Even Yuuko could not track them down using her connection within the Imperial Army, and so does Tsukuyomi's Imperial Household Department Network.
16 Eagles of all different origin were assembled for that attempt. 5 Eagles from Yokosuka UN Base, 6 from the 2nd Defence Line and 4 from the Imperial Capital barrack. It's really a serious issue seeing how those assassins came from such a variety background. It's possible that it wasn't the full extend of the enemies who have manipulated those assassins in the shadow, since all 16 Eagles were used like sacrificial pawns… Whoever the mastermind of that assassination attempt is, they are surely extremely powerful organizations. As the result, the incident was never disclosed to public and all of the data record within our TSFs of that incident was all confiscated to avoid leaking of data.
The second task Takeru asked, was regarding Capt. Sagiri and his aids. Apparently, most of the work has already been dealt the moment Yuuhi returned to the capital. Yuuhi has made clear that the captain and his aids were to treat with honourable treatments while they waiting for the trial of their crime of insubordination and uprising as well as assassination of cabinets to be held.
But, in order to pardon for such crime of their, the Shogun's words are not suffice. Even if Yuuhi could reclaim her full authority and power as the Shogun, to simply pardon Sagiri and his aids from those crime would simply…unthinkable on military ground.
And thus, Takeru and the old spy have to manipulate the force that can change the circumstance in the favour of Capt. Sagiri. They have manipulated the only force which could cause a headache to those who want to have the captain and his aids vanquished, including the government and military head… and the old spy effort into doing so has showed fruits.
At the moment, a crowd of civilians has gathered in front of the Imperial Palace to beg for the Sagiri and his men's pardon. Since this move was planned before the eve of the coup d'état, it was carried out fast and efficient. This way, the military and the government can't pressure Yuuhi into execute the captain and his aids or dishonourably discharged them from their duty.
The third request Takeru made, was to have the old spy contact with the US's CIA before they could begin their investigation and pressurized Yuuhi into hand them Tsukuyomi. This should be a walk in the park for the old spy with his trolling skills and the undeniable evidences inside Takeru's disk. There shouldn't be any trouble for the old spy as long as the American Army still worrying about their public and international image.
The fourth request was regarding of Sumika's hacking attempt to the CIA's and the ALTERNATIVE V's database using the Imperial Household department's protocol.
Even if the CIA and the Fifth plan ate up Yuuko's lies and believed that it was the Imperial Household department's deed that causing mayhem on their network and operation, there is no way the Imperial Household department would believe so. They would think that it was the Shogun's secret plan instead. But, with a little investigation on the incident, they will able to trace Takeru's relation toward the incident as well as Sumika's involvement in hacking into the American Army data base using their protocol.
Thus, such investigations were to stop at all cost before they could begin. Takeru has the old spies fully informed his plan to Yuuhi so she could prevent those investigations using her authority.
"Oy, earth to Takeru chan"
"Eh? What are you doing?"
Takeru barked as he was surprise by Sumika pinching his cheeks to get his attention.
"We were talking and you started daydreaming on your own"
'Eh? I did…?"
Takeru asked in an incredulously innocent voice
"You did…"
The two girls answered in harmony with a dead pan look.
"Urg… I am sorry for that"
Immediately Takeru stood up from his bed and apologized. He could not bear to have both Sumika and Kasumi stared at him in such a strange way.
"And your face, it seemed that you was thinking about some girl in particular"
Sumika aid in a low tone, as though trying to mask her hostility away.
"Bffft. Where the hell you get that idea from? I… I… I was thinking whether that Yoroi Sakon has finished all the tasks I assigned him. How on the earth you came up with such terrible conclusion"
"Lie…You are lying. You should have a look at a mirror before lying of such an outrageous lie. As if a person could have the same expression you had just now while thinking about that weird man"
"…"
Takeru's tongue froze solid. He urgently needed a mirror to see what kind expression he had.
"No, you see, I was thinking about how that old spy has completed the task I gave to him. I didn't think about him or anything."
"Remove my white buff limiter. Sensei has already authorized it."
"As if I would! If you have Yuuko sensei authorized for that, than ask her to remove that limiter for you as well."
"Takeru chan…"
"Wha…what?"
"You stupid"
And then Takeru saw stars and the whole universe despite he was just standing at the bottom of his Yuuko sensei's lab. The Sumika Milky Drill punch surely did the job as effective as always.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Takeru"
"Class rep, Tama, Mikoto"
"Do you know why we were summoned here?"
"…I have an idea… but I don't think it worth mentioned"
Takeru feigned a laughing. He has almost forgotten about this after coming back from the mission. But, he would not spoil the moment.
"Every members of squad 207th were summoned at the auditorium at nine."
The moment he heard that message from Kasumi, he totally knew the reason for that summon. Other than the graduation ceremony of the Eishi training school, there is nothing else come to his mind.
"You had a guess…huh?"
Chiruzu quipped as she looked at him expectantly.
"Don't be bothered about that, I am quite sure that my guess is off the mark by a distance"
Takeru waved his hand, gesturing to stop speaking in this direction.
"Ah Meiya"
Takeru called as he spotted the azure princess slowly entered the auditorium.
"Takeru, did you finish your report?"
Meiya asked in a restless manner.
Damn, she has asked the sore spot.
"I still have another 19 copies of that report to finish"
Takeru answered as his facial muscle cramped. He didn't know whether he should laugh or cry about those reports.
"I might able to finish them at the end of the day, just before the dead line though… Anyway, I didn't see you this morning in the PX. Why did you have your meal alone? What's wrong?"
Even if he knew the answer of his question, Takeru still asked. I might be meaningless to him, but if such a question could help Meiya to lighten up a bit, it's all good.
"Forgive me. This summon has me strangely unsettled."
Meiya restlessly answered.
"Don't think too much about it. Whatever it is that you have expected, it definitely missed the mark."
Takeru lightly tapped Meiya's shoulder and smile.
"I hope so… So Takeru, you knew why we were summoned here?"
"I just said it with class rep and Tama, I had an idea… but I don't think it worth mentioning here"
Takeru feigned a laugh and repeated the lie he fed both Chiruzu and Tama. It was close. Meiya is damn sharp regarding this matter.
"Is that so…?"replied Meiya, unconvinced.
Before Takeru could add anything to back up his weak claim, Meiya smiled.
"Thank you for your good intention, I will compose myself shortly. Forgive me"
"Don't worry about it."
"Ah. Ayamine san"
Tama called toward the short raven hair girl who has walked into the auditorium.
"Yo"
Takeru waved his hand, try to act funny. The mod right now is rather heavy for his squad. The coup d'état affected all of them in one way or another.
Tama's old man was hold responsible to bring foreign troops into the conflict and made the situation worse than it could be. Ayamine's fiancé is under house arrest and waiting for his trial. Mikoto unknowingly wasn't imprison this time due the fact her old man has made his stance clear by supporting the Shogun with the negotiation and his Intelligent Agency backing him up.
However Meiya's case was different. Especially Meiya, it wouldn't be weird if she was this nervous even she was the coolest head among the squad. The role given to her since her first breath has ended, as well as her role as a political hostage inside the UN army. If she was to summon all of a sudden just when she was back after a decisive operation, it has to be… related to her new position and status. She is now a liability for the Imperial Household Department and those who at top echelon of the Empire Government after exposing her identity as the Shogun's relative. Therefore, it would be weird if she was to assign to some sudden suicidal mission right now.
"Yo"
Ayamine replied, with her expressionless voice and look.
"Are you all right?
Takeru asked, darting his gaze at Ayamine.
"I am sure I'm fine"
Ayamine answered without meeting Takeru's gaze.
"I see"
Suddenly find himself at lost of what to say, Takeru could only nodded his head.
"Did I worry you?"
Ayamine then slowly turned ardat Takeru and asked.
"Kind of… you all are"
Takeru replied as he beamed his gaze at the girls. He, too, has yet to get over of his responsibility of allowing this coup d'état to recreate.
"Then, it's fine now"
Ayamine answered as her lips formed a smile.
"Hahaha, Takeru, you are such a worrywart"
Mikoto light-heartedly chuckled
Without any agreement, the girls beamed their smile at Takeru.
"Then, I guess it is fine"
Takeru said, in return to the girls' feeling.
"Attention"
Suddenly, Chiruzu ordered
Takeru obeyed by reflex, turned his body 180 degree and saluted.
Marimo walked into the auditorium with some files on her hand, and then followed her, a man who Takeru recognize as the personal secretary of the base CO. However, the third person entered the auditorium with surprise gasps of the girl greeting him, it was the Base CO General Radhabinod. They wouldn't normally see him in this place, and not with a personal summon involved a whole squad like this occasion.
As the trio aligned the platform, Marimo ordered "Salute General Radhabinod"
As ordered, Takeru and the girls saluted.
"At ease"
The CO's secretary said.
"I know this is rather sudden, but we will now carry out the graduation ceremony for the 207th Eishi Cadet Squadron of the UN 11th Pacific Army's Yokohama Base Eishi Training School. The CO will commence"
"Attention"
Once again, Marimo called out her trainees to attention.
"At ease" the CO said after the squad saluted as ordered.
"It is worthy of celebration when cadets complete their training and earn the right to be commissioned. Normally, we would just do that for your graduation…but given the recent events, we must allow the Japanese people time to mourn. The world needs more young men and women with strength and courage. Yes, we must have soldiers and commanders with widespread combat experience in order to achieve victory"
It was a memorable event for Takeru. After all, this is the fruit of his relentless effort in pushing the girls together with him throughout their tough training. But, sadly, this is not the first time Takeru attended his very own graduation ceremony. The accumulated number of Takeru attending his own graduation ceremony could make a gag out that of a certain vampire family's siblings who famous for their special diet.
Though, this is the second time the CO General formally celebrated Takeru's graduation ceremony with this speech.
"But there is something else no less important. Hearts which believe we can win. Young soldiers, do everything in your power without fear of failure. Whatever dire straits you may find yourselves in, always believing you will emerge victorious. Your young hearts, with an unyielding faith in victory, are your sole and greatest weapon."
That's what Takeru has believed. He has thought that it was his heart which constantly seeking victory and his unyielding spirit his greatest weapons… But, fate has proven that he was simply too naïve and stupid. It was the calculating mind, the carefully preparation and the mindset of not afraid of dirtying his own hands were his greatest weapons. The greatest model for that is no one else other than his Yuuko sensei.
His Yuuko sensei didn't hope. In fact, the phrase "Hopefully it would work out" was the phrase that Yuuko despite the most. She didn't do thing without carefully planning and preparation for all sort of possible outcomes. Her success was the result of her thorough plan and preparation.
"Humanity is in the midst of an unprecedented crisis. The war is long and hard, but that is precisely why we cannot let our faith in victory be shaken. The moment we give up is the moment we lose. For the first time in history, all humans on Earth share a common bond. It is the fundamental bond between members of the same species, which surpasses all political, religious and ethnic divisions. Yes, we all share this, all the people of the Earth share the same red blood"
The CO continued speaking as he has no way to listen to Takeru's inner thought. If he could, he would definitely stop and correct Takeru's thought.
"Nothing can be obtained without action. Achieve your mission at any cost. You have already learned all too well…how much spirit it takes to do that… what you did right or wrong will be for the next generation to judge. What we can do here and now is follow is to the path we believe in and expend all our efforts toward regaining humanity's future. Humanity's long and vibrant future must be passed onto a future generation. And that is the future we have been entrusted with."
Speaking of future, Takeru himself is a person who burdened with the knowledge of future on his shoulders. He has arrived at this point thanks to many people who gave him their lives believing he was their hope and future. Those combined factor could easily drive Takeru into insanity. He alone is the only person has the ability to change the fate of mankind, to assist Yuuko making the ALTERNATIVE IV a success. Yet, he chose a different path. A path that made light of the sacrifice those people made for him, a path that risked the future of the whole humanity's race for his selfishness.
"Young cadet Eishi of the Training Squad 207th. I am convinced that you all believe in the same thing we do. Today, you have all earned the right to stand on the front lines as Eishi of the UN Army. Reflect upon that honor, that responsibility. I want you to be certain of victory and give all your strength to taking back our future. Your pride is also my pride and the Japanese's people pride. Not only that, it is the pride of all humanity. Look at your hands. What will you grasp with those hands? What will you protect with those hands? Clench your fists. What will you destroy with those fists? What will you destroy with those fists?"
Takeru looked at his hands as he listened to the CO's speech. Has he really strayed from the path of a true military man? Has he not wielded the power which granted to him to protect those who have no power? Was his goal and reason not just?
"Finally, although it is very exceptional…we were sent a message in time with your commissioning"
It seemed that the last line of the CO surprised the girls a great deal.
"Take to heart the congratulatory letter from the Grand Shogun of the Japanese Empire Her Highness Koubuin Yuuhi."
Other than Takeru, the CO and his secretary; the girls and even Marimo looked genuinely surprise this time. It was such a great honour that they could never imagine of.
"Your recent labours has been truly arduous"
The CO calmly read the letter aloud with his warm and charismatic tone.
"I was glad for the opportunity to know firsthand the strong will of those young men and women who sought to correct my mistakes. However, many lives were lost and can never be replaced. I felt as though the sadness will tear me apart. I pray that the souls of those who left us are at peace. Those warriors loved and adored this country and its people, and wished for them to last forever. That feeling of theirs has been entrusted to all the people who now live in this land. It is a rare thing for their wish to be granted in the world as it is now. However, when each and every one of us does what we are meant to do, overcoming petty differences, and combining our strengths... There will be nothing we cannot accomplish. I earnestly wish that you all manage to walk down the right path. And if you ever find the right path for yourself, persist till the end believing in yourself and the choice you have made. And my heart will be forever with you all"
This time, even Takeru was surprise. The last words at the end of the letter were meant for him. But, other than he Takeru himself, nobody would know that. Nobody would actually understand that those words were directed at him and him alone. Since none of them knew of his true motive and his conversation with the Shogun.
It's kind of scary for him to see how far the Shogun has understood his personality. She has even expected him to antagonize himself listening to the graduation speech of the Base CO. While the letter was delivered to the whole squad and her words were meant for the squad 207 as a whole, the words at the end of the letter were meant for Meiya while the very last lines of the letter were meant to deliver to him.
Yuuhi has discovered his messed up plot in double crossing with the rebels and backstabbing the American Army, how on the earth that the Shogun still trust him to this extent? What is it that she saw in him that she would supporting his cause this far? Takeru could never understand that. Unless the Shogun words it to him in person, there is no chance for Takeru to understand that.
"You have all earned with your own hands the honor of being directly addressed by Her Highness for your promotion. And I would like to add that your brilliant contribution to the successful effort to save the Shogun recently is major for this sudden promotion. That's all."
The CO concluded his speech with a vague line. To people who are unrelated to the squad 207B, it would be "Because your valiant and brilliant achievement in your most recently operation, this early graduation is your reward. "However, to people of the squad 207B it can be understand as "Your position as political hostage for the UN Army is over. The only usage you have for us now is your ability as militarists."
It's obvious that the CO of all the people would never resort to the use of hostage and when people of no longer usage to him, he would discard them. The CO just wanted to warn the squad of their new position and the actual reason for this early promotion so they can at least prepare themselves. Takeru and his squad members understood that much just too well and they appreciated for the good will of the CO.
"Attention"
Immediately, Marimo ordered "Salute General Radhabinod"
Once again, the squad obeyed the military procedure and salute the general in harmony as they were ordered.
"I will now give you your Eishi insignia"
The CO's secretary announced to his microphone. Then, he walked down the platform with the CO while passing a tray to Marimo. From a distance, Takeru could see that inside the tray are the certificates and insignia emblems.
The CO and Marimo stopped in front of Chiruzu, and then he addressed the girl in a warm voice "Cadet Sakaki Chiruzu"
"Sir"
Chiruzu stepped forward from her rank and saluted.
"As of now, you are a UN Army Eishi. Congratulation second Lieutenant"
The CO said as he handed Chiruzu the certificate and plant the insignia emblem on Chiruzu's uniform.
"Thank you sir" proudly replied Chiruzu while receiving her certificate.
Nodded his head, the CO walked to the next person in the rank, then he addressed "Cadet Mitsurugi Meiya"
"Sir"
Meiya stepped forward to receive her certificate and her emblem.
Ayamine, Mikoto and Tama, too, went through the same process as Chiruzu and Meiya to receive their certificate and emblem.
"Cadet Shirogane Takeru"
The CO called out to Takeru.
Just like how his friends acted, Takeru stepped forward from his rank and saluted the CO.
"As of now, you are the UN Army Eishi. Congratulation, Second Lieutenant."
Handing Takeru the certificate and pinning the wing insignia emblem on Takeru's uniform, the CO said.
"Sir"
Takeru replied and saluted.
This time, he managed to complete the formality according to military procedure as his friends. Thanks god that he did. Otherwise, Marimo chan will give him another glare and another lecture after this like for his failure like how she did in the last loop.
"That concludes the ceremony."
The CO's secretary announced
"Do your very best"
The CO said while looking at Takeru and his squad expectantly.
"Attention. Salute General Radhabinod. That concludes the graduation ceremony for the 207th Eishi Cadet Squadron of the UN 11th Pacific Army Yokohama Base Eishi Training School"
The CO's secretary concluded the ceremony.
"Eishi Training Squad 207. Dismissed"
Marimo ordered
"Thank you very much"
Takeru and his squad saluted and replied in harmony.
The, the CO and Marimo walked out of the auditorium.
"Your afternoon schedule is as follows. Assemble in the No. 7 Briefing room at 13.00 Hours. Your news unit assignments, mean of procuring new uniforms, and other logistical details will be provided there. That is all." the secretary announced
"Salute"
Chiruzu ordered another salute until the secretary walked out of the auditorium.
"We… finally…"
Tama choked out the words as her eyes were watering.
"Yes, we did it. We are now UN Army Eishi"
Chiruzu said with a disbelieving voice. Apparently she was just as emotional as Tama.
"Well done enduring all of it…all of you"
Meiya put her arms around Chiruzu's and Tama's shoulder.
Certainly, the whole squad has endured more than just Marimo's hellish training regime so that they can arrived at this point.
"You too Meiya san. We all work hard for this. Didn't we?"
Mikoto joyously hugged Tama and said.
"That's right. All of us, we all worked together to get this far"
Tama wiped her streaming tears and replied.
Ayamine, too, could hide her joy, patted on Tama's head like a cat "That's true"
"Thank you… everyone"
Chiruzu choked out.
"Chiruzu san that's I should be thank you everyone"
Mikoto said.
"Thank you"
Ayamine smiled while patting Mikoto's head like how she has patted Tama.
"Than…uuuuwa"
Tama could no longer endure the feeling that kept on bubbling within her chest. She cried.
"Miki san. Don't cry. You should be happy" Mikoto corrected with tears of joy steamed down from her eyes.
"I would like to say it as well… I give you all my thanks"
Meiya agreed.
If this was a normal graduation for students, perhaps family's members of the graduated students would be here and share the joy with them. But, sadly, this wasn't the case. Takeru reckoned that sad fact.
The moment Takeru and his squad passed the aptitude test for Eishi training school, they have already put a leg into their awaiting coffin. Now, being commissioned as a front line Eishi, they have finally put half of their body into their coffin.
If these girls' family members were given a choice, Takeru was sure that they would not desire those girls to be commissioned at all. Takeru was sure that they would rather watch these girls cried tears of bitterness of seeing the result of their hard work, the result of their relentless endurance destroyed.
While the tears streamed down from the corner of their eyes were genuinely tears of joy, Takeru was sure that if family members of these girls were here and watching this… they could not stomach this scene.
"Shirogane, thank you"
The mentioning of his name immediately brought Takeru back from his dreamland.
"Class rep"
Takeru mumbled while scratching his head.
"Your enlistment made us all much stronger"
Bowed her head gracefully, Chiruzu said.
"Thanks, Class rep. But, I only remember doing thing that make you all worry. Ahaha"
Takeru joked to shy away from Chiruzu's compliment.
"Shirogane…"
Chiruzu gazed at Takeru, unable to take his joke in this occasion.
"Well, keep it up" Takeru said while lightly jabbed the girl's shoulder
"Stupid"
The megane girl replied with tears at the corner of her eyes.
"Takeru sannnn… Miki is… Miki is so …uwa"
The squad's mascot unable to finish what she want to say to Takeru. She broke out in tears.
"Don't cry too much. Ok? You are now a second Lieutenant"
Takeru patted the short girl's head and joked.
"But… but…uwa"
Still unable to master her feeling, the girl sobbed and put her arms around Takeru's waist.
"Hahaha… thank you, Tama"
Patting the girl's head, Takeru replied.
"I can't believe how sudden this is"
Mikoto said while patting her best friend's shoulder.
'That makes all of us… I guess"
"Takeru… thanks for everything"
Mikoto bowed her head
"Thank you too"
"I hope we get assigned to the same unit again"
Mikoto cheerfully said with tears dropped from her eyes.
"… I hope so"
Takeru replied nervously. He doesn't want to spoil this scared moment. Knowing how bad his acting skill is, Takeru immediately turned toward Ayamine.
"Forgive me if I was too pushy lately. OK?"
"…I'm actually grateful" replied Ayamine.
His heart almost sank. If it wasn't for him, Ayamine would not bear that burden. And yet, right now, she thanks him…
"I see…"
Takeru replied as he turned at Meiya.
"Takeru"
Meiya softly called his name.
"Thanks for all your help Meiya"
"What are you saying?"
Coolly came Meiya's rely
"You are always there when I need you the most… and I have learnt a lot from you. I am really grateful" Takeru said
"You…are a wonderful man"
Meiya said with a distant look on her face. "If only I can be as strong as you"
"Thank you Meiya… you are plenty strong on your own. And hearing you say that really makes me happy"
"…we may not know own reassignment yet… but remain in good health" Meiya answered with a smile.
Once again, knowing how bad his acting skill is, Takeru immediately bowed his head and replied "Yeah… you too."
If he looked at Meiya and replied, he might spoil the mood.
"Well, shouldn't we go now? We have to be ready before 13.00."
Light-heartedly, Takeru suggested avoiding Meiya from suspecting him. "Wait… there is also something we need to do as well"
"That's true"
Chiruzu agreed as the rest of the girls nodded their head in mutual agreement.
Without voicing their thought aloud, everyone was sure that they must think of the same thing. Matching their pace with each other, they whole squad walked out of the auditorium and look for the last person they want to say their appreciation.
Without much trouble looking for their target, the whole squad immediately located the person they want to see, for she was waiting for them just outside of the auditorium.
"Sgt. Jinguuji you have done a great deal for all of us"
Chiruzu was the first to step forward and say her appreciation.
'Second Lieutenant, congratulations on your promotion. I pray that you may find fortune on the battlefield"
Marimo saluted
"We will never forget what we owe you"
Chiruzu said with her head bowed down.
"Relax second Lieutenant. I'm a non commissioned officer. There is no need to speak with me so formally"
Marimo tenderly replied with a smile on her face
"Ma'am"
Chiruzu barely managed to choke out her reply as tears gushing out of her eyes like a dam was broken.
"I give you my thanks for training us"
Meiya stepped forward and said.
"Congratulations on your promotion, Second Lieutenant"
Marimo answered
"I shall be diligent in my role as humanity's shield on the battlefield, so not to defile your teachings or the honourable name of the Eishi Training Squad 207"
Meiya bowed her head and said
"Ma'am. Your words make me happy. I pray for your fortune in the battlefield"
Now that the whole squad was promoted to second lieutenant ranking and got commissioned, they has outrank Marimo. It's just unnatural for Takeru to see Marimo saluting to him and his squadmates.
"I only ask that you will remain in good health"
"Ma'am. Thank you very much"
"Instructor Jinguuji. I wish to express my gratitude for everything you've done to make me a better soldier."
Mikoto stepped forward and said
"2nd Lieutenant. I am no longer your Instructor"
Marimo replied.
Only now that Takeru must admit that he really loves his Yuuko sensei. She just doesn't give military regulation and formality a damn. That's one of the biggest similarities between him and his Yuuko sensei.
If this is really a graduation ceremony in his original world, Marimo chan would have pat Mikoto's head and say "You have done well" or something similar.
But, sadly it's not.
"Ah, my apologies"
Mikoto hurriedly replied.
"You don't need to apologize either. Anyway, congratulations on your promotion"
"Thank you very much Segeant"
"I pray for your fortune on the battlefield, Second Lieutenant"
"You take care too, sergeant"
"Thank very much"
Marimo replied.
This time, it was Ayamine's turn. The short raven hair girl stepped forward from her rank and saluted
"Thanks for your hard work, Sergeant"
"Congratulation on your promotion, Second Lieutenant. I pray for your fortune on the battlefield"
"…"
Wordlessly gazed at Marimo, Ayamine shredded her tears.
"2nd Lieutenant. Thank you very much"
Just as Ayamine stepped back, the squad's mascot Miki Tamase stepped forward and saluted.
It was obvious that she is struggling to keep her emotion in check to say her thought and her word of appreciation to her mentor. She sobbed while struggle to wiping down her tears.
"Sgt. Jinguuji…"
"Congratulations on your promotion, 2nd Lieutenant. I pray for your fortune on the battlefield"
Marimo coolly said
"I'm really…really…uuuuu"
"2nd lieutenant"
"uuu"
The short girl still unable to voice out her thought as she kept sobbing non-stop.
"I understand how you feel. Now please go join the others"
Marimo smiled tenderly and said
"uuu"
The short girl nodded her head and returned to her rank.
This time, it was Takeru turned.
"Marimo chan, can I make a request?"
"…."
Marimo obviously was taken aback by Takeru's words and reaction. From time to time, the boy kept surprises her to no end. Same case for the girls. They could never expect those were the first words that escape from Takeru's mouth in this occasion.
"2nd lIeutenan…"
"Please forget about military formality between us. Of course, it should apply only when we are not in front of strangers. Isn't it always the custom of all of the previous Eishi who were trained by you?"
Takeru smiled and interrupted Marimo.
"..."
Once again, Marimo was taken aback. On her face, the question "Where did you heard such a custom from?" was written.
Maybe Yuuko told him. No, Yuuko would not bother about such a trivial thing. Her formers student…? Right… This is the same guy who dares to stalk after the ace of the Valkyries that she is speaking about. It wouldn't be weird if he knew about such thing.
"I allo… Roge… You may"
Marimo stutteringly replied while bitting her lip.
"Geez. This boy really good at disrupt someone's pace." She sighed inwardly.
"Thank you for everything Marimo chan"
Takeru said with his head bowed down.
Marimo felt the urge to face palm. Now, she could not give him the same cold treatment as she did to the girls. Using his new rank to pull such an order… Geez, who taught this boy to masterfully manipulate the situation to his advantage to this scary extent? Must be Yuuko…. Of all the people she knew, why did this boy take after Yuuko?
"Congratulations on your promotion, Shirogane. I pray you find fortune on the battlefield"
Marimo replied as she heard the girls gasped. Life is… surely unfair. It's not like she want to give this troublesome guy a special treatment… it's just that he is special…
"Being trained under your arm is my lifelong pride. It's thanks to you that I've gotten this far"
"I am honor 2nd lie…Shirogane. However, you were exceptional to begin with. I have done nothing"
Marimo replied with a slight struggle to accustom to the situation. While at it, she even pressed the word "exceptional" as though to mock how the boy has pushed her into this troublesome situation.
In contrary to Marimo's sarcasm, the boy seemed to be genuinely emotional as he looked at Marimo.
Geez, it's really unfair if he make that kind of face. Now Marimo felt guilty for saying something like that.
"Even so, it would never change the fact that you made me who I am today, Marimo chan"
Said Takeru, as tears welled up at the corner of his eyes.
This surely remind Marimo of her first meeting with Takeru… It surely brought back memory. This boy also cried his eyes out the moment he met her. And he spoke to her, treated her as though he knew her for a long time. Even now, he still call her as Marimo chan…
Geez, what does he mean by it was her who make him the person he is today? She didn't remember about teaching him something that makes him this manipulative. Shouldn't he save that line for Yuuko instead?
Marimo has trained many many batches of trainee. But, this boy alone is the most special case.
"Shirogane. If you really want to, I don't mind if you use Marimo chan to address me, but wouldn't it more appropriate to call me Sgt. Jinguuji or Instructor in this occasion?"
Marimo said what she thought to be the most fitting for the situation.
"I will… practice from now on"
The boy replied.
Geez, it meant that he has no intention to correct it... Marimo once again felt the urge to face palm. This should be the most touching moment of the whole graduation ceremony…and yet this boy once again manages to make it more like a gag. Marimo can't help but wonder if it's not for the war, the boy would surely become a world renowned comedian.
"Please do. See you again"
"…eh? What do you mean? Shouldn't you still responsible for our new unit?"
The boy asked.
"…?"
Marimo stared at the boy once again.
"What are you talking about?"
Chiruzu asked with a confused look on her face.
Only then, Takeru turned back and said
"Sorry… I never informed you girls about it. I didn't want to spoil the mood… you see"
"What do you mean?"
Meiya asked, her expression tell other that she already has a clue.
"All of us will be assigned to the same unit and Marimo chan will be responsible for our squad's logistic."
"Eh….?"
The girls cried out with the same dead pan expression on their face.
"Ahaha… I made my connection with Yuuko sensei into good use you see…?"
The boy nervously laughed…only to find his face suddenly planted into the auditorium's outer wall.
Ayamine magnificent executed a roundhouse kick and sent the laughing boy right into the wall. It was a kick that would not shame her title as an expert in CQC.
"What did yo…"
Before the boy could finish his complain, his face was once again stamped into the wall with another flurry of kicks form his friends.
"What the hell? You keep such a thing from us?"
"You could have inform us of that before"
"You didn't inform us the trick and hog Instructor all to yourself"
"I was crying for nothing. You stupid"
"…die"
Blah blah blah
The stomping exercise session continued for a straight long 10 minutes until the girls all satisfied.
The boy didn't have a chance to make use of his new rank to beg his mentor to spare him from his punishment. Not that he dare to ask such an outrageous thing any way.
"I was only trying to be considerate of your… feeling. Why do I deserve something like this?"
Another stomping session unfolded.
This time, the auditorium was decorated with a crimson human face engrave on the wall.