25th December, 1926 (Taisho 15)

Imperial Theatre, Tokyo

Kanna grumbled incessantly to herself as she scrubbed the stage. "This is unfair! After that show we put on yesterday, we should be enjoying our day off!"

"What, didn't you have fun yesterday, Kanna-han?" asked Kohran.

"It's not that I didn't, but..." She hoisted the mop over her shoulder, taking aim briefly; it launched through the air into the bucket at the other end of the stage, raising squawks from the other girls who were splashed with water. "Spending Christmas morning cleaning the theatre's hardly what I had in mind!"

"Cheer up!" beamed the Chinese inventor. "I heard Yoneda-han's treating us to a nice lunch as a reward!"

The news brightened Kanna up instantly. "Well, that changes things!"

"There's nothing better than a good meal after hard work!" exclaimed the cheery Okinawan as the Hanagumi walked in the streets of Ginza.

"... says the gorilla who was just earlier complaining about the aforementioned hard work."

"... I heard that, cactus woman!"

"Now, now, we shouldn't fight on Christmas Day," soothed Sakura.

"Yeah! Iris doesn't like it when you two fight!"

"You tell that to that prickly woman!" growled Kanna. "She's seriously got a problem!"

"At least I'm not as large and clumsy as you are, Kanna-san," sniped Sumire.

"... Let go of me, Maria! I'm gonna teach that stuck-up brat a lesson I should've a long time ago!"

Maria's eye flashed. "Stop this childish behaviour, the both of you! What would the Taichou say if he saw this?"

A silence fell over them. Ogami Ichiro, currently captain of the Paris Kagekidan, posted away in April and it was uncertain if he would ever be back. Each of the Hanagumi had been to visit him and each had noticed the Paris Kagekidan members were just as charmed by the lieutenant as they were – though all would rather die than admit it.

"... I'm hungry. Let's get to the restaurant fast, shall we?"

No one answered Kanna's valiant attempt at lightening the mood.

A beaming Tsubaki was waiting in the main entrance hall when the girls got back.

"You got back just in time!" she exclaimed.

"Huh? What's up?" asked a bemused Kanna.

In reply, she held up a familiar thick envelope, an address in English printed neatly on the front. The Hanagumi stared for a moment –

"Onii-chan's letter! It arrived!" squealed Iris.

Kohran grinned. "Finally, I'd thought it was never goin' to get here."

"Thank you, Tsubaki." Maria took the large envelope and slit it open neatly, handing individual smaller envelopes to their intended recipients. The gloomy mood of the morning was instantly dispelled, the girls excited over the letters from a faraway captain.

Kanna looked hers over; her name was written in Japanese on a thickish-feeling envelope. She slit it open once safe in her room, and opened the letter inside:

Kanna,

Thank you for that last letter of yours. It arrived during breakfast here a few weeks ago but before I could open it, a demon attack forced us to respond... That is partially the reason it took so long to reply to you and the others. The city was very nearly destroyed by a very powerful enemy.

I am glad to hear that the last performance went well. Thank you very much for the bromide you enclosed, it went into my collection immediately. It is nice that I can keep adding to it despite being halfway across the world from Teito.

You asked me if I missed Teito. To be honest, a part of me does, but... Paris needs me and the Paris Kagekidan. My duty is to protect the people, no matter where I am. However, I do miss the Teigeki, Yoneda-shihainin, the Hanagumi... I regret a little now, not bringing a photograph with me. While it was nice to see you all in Paris, it is not quite the same. Sometimes I wish we could go down to Ginza for ramen, and then a sparring session afterward.

As of the time of writing, Paris has been relatively peaceful ever since we defeated the enemy. Owner has hinted that I might be posted home in a few months' time now that the Paris Kagekidan has grown strong. If so, I hope to write and let you know when I am transferred.

Respectfully,

Ogami Ichiro

She smiled and put the letter down. Despite being on the Teigoku Kagekidan for two years (and exchanging letters for close to a year), he was still stiffly formal in writing – and only a shade less in everyday life.

It was nice to know he missed them, almost as much as they – she – missed him.

Taking out a roll of paper, she picked up her pen (the brush was far too sloppy for her) and began to write her reply.

30th December, 1926 (Taisho 15)

Koubu Hangar, Imperial Theatre

"Ratchet Altair," said the blonde girl with a half-smile. "Pleased to meet you all."

Kanna stared at the newcomer, trying to figure out something to say – when Reni burst out angrily and left. The other girls stared after her as Iris' calls echoed through the cavernous hangar.

"... I'm sorry, Altair-san." Maria stepped forward. "The battle must have been tiring on Reni."

"I understand."

The Russian extended her hand. "My name is Maria Tachibana, vice-captain of the Teigoku Kagekidan Hanagumi. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Ratchet shook it. "No, it's my pleasure. Please call me Ratchet. I'm sure we'll get along just fine."

"Indeed!" Orihime seized her arm in a familiar gesture that had Kanna raising an eyebrow. "We have so much to catch up on!"

The rest of the girls watched, bemused, as she led the newcomer away, chatting all the while.

"I've never seen Orihime-san this friendly before," sniffed Sumire. "She was most snobbish, if I recall correctly."

"They – along with Reni – were former members of the European Hoshigumi. Our predecessors."

Every head swiveled in Kohran's direction. She stood a little apart from them, her arms folded. "I watched the declassified battle video while buildin' the original koubu. There were five girls in the team – I jest realized Ratchet was one of them."

All were momentarily silent.

"So that's why Ratchet-san is here," mused Maria aloud. "Perhaps to make up for the Taichou's posting elsewhere."

"Very likely." The Chinese inventor fiddled with her spectacles. "Ratchet-san was the former captain."

Kanna frowned. "There's no way she's replacing the Taichou! I want to know what Yoneda has to say about this!"

January 27th, 1927

Ogami Ichiro's apartment, Montparnasse, Paris

As he sat down to breakfast alone – for the first time in days – Ogami reached for the bulky packet of letters that had just arrived that morning.

There was quite the mix, as usual; Iris' childish scrawl, Maria's careful hand, Sakura's neat characters... Each one bursting with news of home, and the feelings of the young women there. He took an envelope at random.

"Huh. Kanna's..."

Taichou,

I'm afraid I can't be like you, and write in such a formal hand. Even though it's been a while since we started exchanging letters, I always want to apologise 'cos you always write so nicely.

Glad to hear you and the Paris Kagekidan defeated the enemy. It must have been tough but I'm sure you did fine. It's really great to hear that Paris can depend on you to keep it safe.

I'm (Ogami frowned; most of the next line was heavily crossed out) really excited to hear about the chance of your being posted back. You know I'm not good with words, so I'm just going to say "Congratulations" here and I really hope to see you soon. I think some of the others must've wrote to you about the new girl, Ratchet, who was posted here a few months after you left. Kohran said she might be replacing you, 'cos she used to be the captain of the European Hoshigumi (Ogami smiled at the squiggly misshapen kanji that had been crossed out and replaced with katakana). That old man Yoneda wouldn't say anything either way, that old geezer...

The truth is, Taichou, (more crossed out, heavily smudged words) we're all missing you very much. Even the cactus woman, who still won't admit it. I know you're going to say it's most unlike me, but I don't feel very happy about Ratchet's Eisenklied (whatever that is) taking your spot in the hangar. I really do wish Paris wasn't so far from Teito – maybe like the distance between here and Okinawa.

But even if you never come back, I'm prepared for that. It's selfish to say we in Teito need you more than Paris does. You know, my old man used to spar with me all the time and that was how I knew he cared; he was making me stronger for the time in the future when he wouldn't be able to protect me anymore. It took me a long time to understand that.

He would have liked to meet you, Taichou. Maybe when you get back, I'll take you to meet him.

Kanna

Ogami folded the letter neatly and put it away. "... Ah, look at the time... the manager wanted me to see her in her office today. I'd better hurry or I'll be late."