Anju landed first. The field was an empty plain-no places to run or hide.
She saw Erena about to land on the other side of the field.
Immediately she fired her missile launcher at her. Erena was quick though; as she landed, she shot the missiles.
"Nice try, but it will take more than that to beat me."
Anju fired her smaller gun at Erena, but Erena dodged it before returning fire.
The Command Gundam was able to dodge, despite it's bulky armaments.
Erena kept firing though, and she managed to fit Anju's smaller gun.
Quickly Anju grabbed one of the grenades attached to the Command's left shoulder armor and threw it at Erena.
Erena shot it down before it even reached her, creating a huge explosion.
"Give it up," Erena said. "You can't beat me."
"I don't think so!"
Anju had used the smoke to get closer to Erena. She lunged forward, holding the Command's melee weapon-the combat knife.
Quickly Erena raised her shield to defend herself. Unlike on most mobile suits, the Ahead Sakigake's shield was mounted on the right hand, to take into account that it's pilot was left-handed. This suited Erena well, since she was also left-handed, making the Sakigake an easy suit to use.
The Command sliced through the shield. Erena retreated, firing her rifle as she did so, but Anju fired her other gun at it, destroying Erena's rifle.
"I admit, that was a nice move," Erena said. "However, now I am in my element."
She drew her sword and attacked.
Panicking, Anju threw her remaining grenade. Erena simply sliced it in half, not even slowing down. Anju countered with her knife, parrying Erena's blow with one of her own. She then fired the knee guns of the Command, forcing Erena to retreat to avoid the shots.
However Erena still had ranged weaponry- the Ahead also has vulcans. She fired them, and it hit the Command's missile Launcher.
Anju tried to counter with her large gun, but Erena was able to shoot it down too.
"Not yet! I can still fight!"
Anju activated the special feature of the Command Gundam-purging all it's armor, making it lighter and faster.
"Why do you keep on fighting? You know I'll beat you anyway."
"My brother taught me that sometimes battles are the best way to find out about someone's feelings. I can sense it in your blows; you want to join us, to help us. What's stopping you?"
Anju attacked with her knife and Erena countered it. This continued, the two exchanging blows.
Erena could see the determination in Anju's eyes. Despite knowing that the odds are against her, she still chose to fight. She suddenly smiled; Anju reminded her of herself back in her early days. At that moment, she has made her decision.
Finally she made her move, catching Anju off guard and destroying the Command.
Battle Ended
"Wow, you really are strong," Anju said. "Good thing the battle damage was set to C."
She looked at her Command Gundam, which was still intact.
"Well, a deal's a deal…"
"Ah, about that…." Erena said. "I… I think I'll help you guys out."
Anju was surprised. "Really? That's great!"
At that moment Tsubasa entered the room. She had no idea what Anju was up to; it was a surprise for her to see Erena in the clubroom.
"Aren't you… Toudou-san from the kendo club? What are you doing here?" Tsubasa asked.
"Erena has decided to join us!" Anju said cheerfully.
"What? Wait, I did not say that-"
"A new member, huh? That's great!" Tsubasa said. "Say, can I call you Erena now? Since you're a member an all."
"Like I said, I'm not-oh why not. Sure. You can call me Erena," the purpled haired girl said in resignation.
Afterwards Anju filled Tsubasa on what happened.
Tsubasa looked at Erena with something like disbelief. "You're this Ms. Bushido? I've been hearing about her for a while, been meaning to fight her. And now I find out that she's you!"
"Please, don't tell anyone. That's a secret," Erena said.
"Why? You're a talented fighter!" Tsubasa said. On the club room's TV screen was a replay of Anju and Erena's battle.
"No one is supposed to find out about this, okay: Erena insisted.
Tsubasa decided not to push the subject. "Fine, if you insist like that."
Erena breathed a sigh of relief.
"Great work getting us a new member, Anju," Tsubasa said. "The school is almost closing, I think it's about time that we go home too."
Erena hurried home.
She still can't believe her decision to help those girls out. What's gotten into me?
Of course she knew the answer; it was that girl, Anju. Her determination had won her over.
Finally she reached her house.
"I'm home."
Erena's father had just arrived from work. He was now sitting in the living room, reading the night edition of the newspaper.
"Welcome back Erena. What took you so long?" her father asked.
"Nothing, dad…"
Her mother came from the kitchen.
"Surely you aren't up to anything bad, aren't you?"
"No, no," Erena said with a smile. Her mother can be overprotective at times.
"That's good!" Mrs. Toudou proclaimed. "Every now and then I see more and more girls doing that robot thing. Ridiculous, if you ask me. That's not the way to become a proper lady. Just focus on your studies."
Erena nodded, and she went up to her room. Her mother may mean well, but sometimes it just feels so restrictive. Her parents don't approve of Gunpla battle for her, viewing it as a male sport. Erena didn't get it; a lot of girls also play it, and Gunpla is for everyone, isn't it?
She opened her cabinet, where she kept her cosplay.
No matter. As long as she has Ms. Bushido, she can keep on playing.
I have no idea if Erena is actually left handed or not. But for the purposes of the story, I assume that she is.
Also, I'm not very knowledgeable in kendo, and if there is anyone there who is, I apologize if I made mistakes (which is very likely).
Anyways I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
