KAPITEL SECHS: Pursuit, Escape, Encounter
Meanwhile, in one of the rooms on the top floor of the IS Academy...
"Instructor... Do I really have to finish all this?"
"I thought you were the type who would not complain about any order given to you."
"But still, Instructor..."
Laura looked back and forth at the large plate of rabbit-shaped marshmallow treats in front of her. She had no intention of eating them in class when she was apparently spotted holding one. No less by her homeroom advisor.
"Just go ahead and eat them, Laura," Chifuyu commented. "It's not like they're harmful or anything. And besides, Ichika mentioned to me that you had one of those during our field trip."
"My wife told you that, Instructor?" Chifuyu, although taken aback by Laura's choice of words in describing her younger brother, nonetheless responded with a nod, causing the latter to blush hard.
"Anyways, I'll be leaving you with that plate..."
Then she brought out a large pile of paperwork in front of her. "...And these papers you have to sign to cover your Schwarzer Hase buddies while they are in the Academy."
Laura's mouth went agape at the sight of the paperwork. More so of the fact that her homeroom advisor actually lifted them - piled about as high as her - with one hand.
"Now get to it, Laura. Oh, by the way, you are not to be disturbed until you finish the same, are we clear?"
"Y-yes, ma'am!"
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Meanwhile, a chase is underway at the academy grounds, and two members of the Schwarzer Hase are currently in pursuit.
"GET BACK HERE, SPIES!"
"Freya, should we not contact both the Captain and the Vice Captain about this?"
"We can't do that right now, Elda. Captain Laura's busy with paperwork while the Vice Captain's on official rest break."
"How about the academy's IS units?"
"We've not been given clearance to the IS repair bays. And even if we have, we cannot just access the suits at will."
"So, we're on our own on this one..."
Far ahead, Miho and Yukari were giving their all in escaping their pursuers as they apparently entered one of the school dorms. Unfortunately, since they only got an overview map of the entire academy, neither of them have an idea as to the paths inside the buildings...
"We need to get ourselves out of here!" said Miho.
"How are we gonna do that now, Nishizumi-dono?"
"We'll just have to split up and lure them away," she suggested
"I can't leave you behind, Nishizumi-dono! What if you get captured?" Yukari worryingly asked.
"It's better than let both of us be captured, Yukari-san." she declared, causing her companion to get a bit teary-eyed.
Just then, they were nearing the flight of stairs at the end of the hallway.
"I'll lure them at the top of the building; you take the downstairs route and high-tail it out of the academy," Miho commanded.
"What about you, Nishizumi-dono?"
"I'll try to lead them away as much as I can. Head back to the tram station with the pictures as quickly as possible."
"I understand, Nishizumi-dono. Be careful!"
With that, Miho and Yukari split up at the stairway. Surprisingly, their pursuers did the same, with the more aggressive Freya taking the flight up.
As Yukari reached the floor below, someone appeared right in front of her and yanked her into one of the rooms. "Come with me!"
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Meanwhile, Ichika was on the rooftop enjoying the cool sea breeze passing through the academy complex. It was supposedly his kendo practice session with Houki, but she postponed the same due to her participation in the upcoming inter-school exhibition game.
"Not even the others are available, I suppose. Better go back to my room..." he uttered while letting out a sigh.
As he was about to approach the door to the stairs, it quickly opened. There, he saw a familiar face standing at the door.
"Wait, are you that girl from the fish market?"
Miho froze in shock at the development. Her thoughts were centered previously on getting away from the enemy, and out of the Academy. But then he met up again with that man. What impeccable timing.
Ichika though noticed that something was off. She was panting as if she was being chased, sweatdrops forming on the side of her face. To his mind, she may probably be in danger. With that, he had to act even faster, as he was now hearing footsteps.
Out of impulse, he took Miho by her right wrist. "Come with me, and don't say a word."
Both of them hid behind the sole structure on the rooftop, while Freya has just busted herself out the stairway doors. Sneakily, both of them tiptoed towards the door; upon entering the stairway, Ichika immediately locked the door from the inside.
Freya's reaction was just too late when she heard the clank of the door knob. "Oh, scheisse!"
Ichika and Miho quickly went down the stairs and into the central park area of the academy where they stopped and sat on the bench to catch their breath. Miho was breathing a lot heavier as she was also trying to contain her embarrassment for having dragged him into her mess.
"My a-apologies for having bothered you, but thanks. That's the se... second time you've helped me."
"No biggie. I'm just wondering why you're being chased here inside the academy." Ichika commented.
Miho quickly made a semi-truthful alibi.
"Actually, I'm here as representative of the opposing team that your school will be facing in the exhibition game. I was to meet with your Council President on the matter, but I got chased away even before I got a chance to meet her."
"Oh. Well, apparently Tatenashi-Kaichou is busy with preparing the venue for that so she's not available right now. I could give you a tour around the IS Academy if you want."
"Eh? Are you sure about that? I mean, I am grateful for your offer, but I do not wish to bother you any further."
"Don't worry. I'm actually the Student Council Vice-President. That reminds me, I haven't introduced myself yet; my name is Orimura Ichika..." he said while reaching for a handshake.
Miho was reluctant to receive his handshake, but nonetheless accepted it, letting of a light smile while blushing.
"And I'm Nishizumi Miho, Squadron Commander of Ōarai Academy's Panzerkraft Team..."
"A pleasure to meet you then, Miho..."
x-x-x-x-x
Back with Yukari...
"What was that for, huh?"
"Calm down, I just saved you back there. By the way, you must be one of the guests from Ōarai Academy that Kaichou mentioned..."
"How did you know about that?"
Yukari then faced the person she was talking to...
"Wait... Aren't you-"
Just then, another figure entered the room. "I couldn't find the other one, Mizuki-sempai."
"Not to worry. I just got word from Tatenashi-Kaichou that she's safe."
Yukari approached the two and inquired. "Mizuki? As in Saemonza-dono's cousin, Sugiyama Mizuki?"
"Saemonza? Ah, you must be talking about cousin Kiyomi, yeah."
Yukari breathed a sigh of relief. "Wow. I thought I was a goner there, You have my thanks, Sugiyama-domo and..."
"Oh, I forgot to introduce you to her," Mizuki said. "This here is Shinonono Houki, one of the tank commanders for the upcoming exhibition game."
She then turned to her tank commander and introduced her cousin's friend. "Houki-san, this is Akiyama Yukari from Ōarai Girls' Academy."
"As in the school who won the National Sensha-Do tournament?" Mizuki nodded in response.
"Anyway, what about Nishizumi-dono, Sugiyama-dono?"
"Oh, which reminds me..." She then turned and faced both while accessing Tatenashi's message through her cellphone.
"Seems your comrade bumped into our Vice-President a few minutes ago..." Mizuki reported, which apparently surprised Houki.
"Wait, you don't mean..."
Before Houki could finish her sentence, Mizuki cut her off. "Anyways, we better make our way to the tram station."
"Sugiyama-dono is right," Yukari added. "I just got a text from Nishizumi-dono; she said she's safe for now and will be meeting us at the tram station, too."
x-x-x-x-x-x
About an hour later, Houki, Mizuki and Yukari has just arrived at the academy's tram station, having eluded the guests from Schwarzer Hase. Unfortunately, they did not see anyone else there.
"I thought your friend would meet us here." Houki said to Yukari, who was checking her cellphone for any new message.
"She did," Yukari replied. "Maybe they got lost inside the Academy, or worse..."
"Now now," Mizuki interrupted. "Let us not jump to conclusions here, Yukari-san. I'm sure she'll be fine."
And true enough, they saw two figures approaching the station. "Sorry, I'm late you guys..."
"Nishizumi-dono!"
Yukari ran towards Miho and immediately glomped her. "Ah, I'm so glad you're safe!"
"Oh, I thought you had your meeting for the exhibition game, Houki."
The three girls turned to see the person who spoke to them, Houki being the most shocked. "I-I-Ichika?!"
"I actually found her escaping from someone chasing her; she was supposed to meet up with Tatenashi in the first place, but she's off to check the venue."
Houki let off an annoyed sigh, then regained her composure. "Well, you sure spared us the effort of going back to find her. Where have you two been, anyway?"
"I just gave Miho here a tour around the academy. No fuss."
Houki then turned to Miho, whose cheeks was still red after having taken the tour with Ichika.
"You must be Ōarai's team captain. Word of advice: don't be so flustered around this idiot," she said, while making a pointing gesture at Ichika with her thumb. "He may be very nice and all, but he's just too dense to realize some things..."
"Houki..."
She then whacked him on the head with her paper fan.
"Anyways, I'm looking forward to seeing you and your team on the battlefield, Nishizumi-san..." She then reached out her hand towards Miho, who shook the same. After that, they both waved their goodbyes as Miho and Yukari boarded the tram.
"Okay, Ichika. Let's head to the dojo for an extended kendo session," Houki grumpily uttered, while dragging Ichika by his collar.
"Right now?!"
"You heard me, you dense oaf!"
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TO BE CONTINUED IN KAPITEL SIEBEN: The Reinforcements.
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