What do you think about living plastic model?
Well, not like that.
We are made of plastic, mainly polystyrene, with a side dash of ABS to ensure soft movement. We are mass produced, molded into a runner to be cut off and assembled. We are molded in various color, sold and priced accordingly to the size and complexity of final product.
Our very concept and design are taken from this military science fiction anime franchise called Mobile Suit Gundam, as well as numerous sequel and Alternate Universe Spinoff.
The most attention always been given the humanoid vehicle called "Mobile Suit"
"Exia, begin intervention"
"Freedom, launch"
Early in the 21st century, a new breakthrough in technology gave us a new life, literally. Plavsky particle, this specific particle will form a holographic lattice given enough stimuli. Manipulated, Plavsky particle will also, for yet unexplainable reason, move us plastic model as if we're actual machines.
And even fight each other.
From that point onward, a new trend born and grew phenomenally.
Gundam Plastic Model Battle –usually simplified to Gunpla Battle, everyone put their plastic model at stake, and control it using plavsky-made virtual cockpit console.
Millions of gunpla enthusiasts… each have their own story.
This is just one of such story.
Gundam Build Fighters
-Colorful Rhapsody-
Disclaimer:
Bandai-Sunrise own Gundam
I buy mine from them
Chapter 2: Rise, Unicorn
Iori Rinko hummed as she began the preparation of ending today's job, two hours until closing time. Just like always, her shop has bigger revenue per online order than actual customer coming to buy on site. People that buy directly in her shop are rare enough that she know each of them individually.
Still, it's not like she undergo net loss so doesn't matter, this shop has been entrusted to her by her beloved Husband who travel around for research purposes –and loads of funds, she always wonder if it's from the sponsors-.
The door open, revealing a slightly agitated boy of high school age. The brunette was familiar to her, indeed. It's one of the neighbor's sons after all.
"Welcome to Iori shop, anything I can help, Azuma-kun"
"Thank you, Iori-san" he said.
"SEEI, PLEASE HELP THE CUSTOMER!"
"HAI!"
A high pitched, energetic voice came from the rear portion of the shop. A young teenage boy smiled At Tamaki "Anything I can help, Azuma-san?"
"Ah yes… I need something… plain"
The younger boy tilted his head "Hmm, you mean a plain looking Mobile suit?"
"Yes, something… I dunno, less color, simple, but not quite militaristic … or weird shaped"
Sei took like… a dozen kits or so, made Tamaki feel embarrassed. Sei assured him that Iori shop won't give less than perfect serving.
"It will be sad if you regret your choice" Sei crossed his arm and smile brightly, reminded him of Sakurai actually, Tachibana too. Were gundam fans always been this happy when they talk about their interest?
Tamaki was sure he won't cry even if he's disappointed with few thousand yen worth of stupid plastic robot. They all look good anyway.
But Tamaki has his reason for the specific request; it is important, and indispensable. So he began to search around, looking at the front cover of the cardboard boxes.
One of them caught Tamaki's interest, in the front; a white Mobile suit is pictured holding a very large Bazooka. The unit itself is… perfectly white, not even gray secondary tone, nothing. What made it distinct is like a dozens of seam lines and armor plate separation. The ironic contrasts between these aspects are…
Cool.
This is what he wanted.
"This… what gunpla is this?" he asked earnestly.
As Tamaki left the shop, a young girl peeked from the dark corner outside, glasses shimmering reflecting the bright street lamp as the sun began to set.
Her eyes dead set watching his figure disappear in an intersection.
"Azuma… kun"
…
School start just like usual, only slightly different for Tamaki, back then, people is intimidated by the wall he set. Now that wall don't exist anymore, at least, only half as bad.
The spiky haired gundam geek just laughed "Whatever, let's go to class before Rie-chan angry at us"
"Amami-sensei? Nah, she probably ended up overslept after a drunken binge" another familiar voice shouted, a really tall boy easily over 190 cm, the class rep Hirai 'Kyoji' Kojima is easily identifiable from his peers due to his distinct height, that and his short afro "Morning, you two"
Tachibana muttered "So what about 7th World championship?"
"Not joining, I'd better check local tourney instead" class rep said "With my combat skill as of now I stand no chance"
Tachibana put his bag on the table, looking left and right, and then pull a toolbox out.
"Oi oi our principal maybe gunota and let us brought one to school, but no way Amami-sensei will let you play with plamo during lessons" Tamaki warned.
Went immediately to check his homework, the boy with messy hair gawked in response. "The hell?"
Tachibana took the chance to switch the homework book with a magazine, apparently "Stop being a straight-laced, stuck-up bastard"
Tachibana snicker as well "Free your soul of that pathetic force called gravity and enjoy the boundless pleasure of being a newtype"
Waving the blatantly pornographic book around, Azuma just coldly stated "By freeing myself you mean this? What are you, exceedingly horny junior high student?"
Kyoji robbed him off the book "Oi oi are you gay? I can get you bara magazine if you want, all them muscles and explicit bromance. Not wanting to read porn is an insult to your own manliness"
"Ew no way, and my manliness is secured thank you"
Well, he USED to have a girlfriend… that alone sealed the deal.
Right?
Tachibana ignored them, while checking his gunpla and smile like a maniac. Kyoji went to read the book aloud causing the girls to surround him in anger and embarrassment.
Meanwhile, Tamaki can only suffer being pitted by weirdos like this.
"Can someone help me over here? The crazy is getting into my nerves"
Tamaki's honest to God dramatic complain only earn ridiculous laugh. Such is the normal life of high school student.
"Three of you, stop being so high spirited. Also, if you don't want your porn and toys confiscated, hide it NOW"
Amami Rie, 23, is the homeroom teacher of class 2-4, Kanbara Private High School. Her smooth, hazel-colored hair contorted itself around her rounded, beautiful face almost as young as her own student. It does help that she was below average height for an adult, and thus people tend to make fun of her.
Well, when you're drunk to hell and back youthful probably not the best word to describe. Her face is pale, almost blue even. Lines drawn subtly under her eyes, definitely hangover.
"See what I mean?" Tachibana grinned.
Tamaki awkwardly adjusted his collar, decided to say nothing.
"What's your problem, Tachibana-kun?"
The fat boy just calmly store his toolbox and act innocent "Nothing, ma'am"
"Alright, guys and gals; pile up your goddamn homework and feel free to do anything afterwards, just don't go outside school. It's self study now."
"Is she fucking serious?" Tamaki balked aloud, everyone look at him like a weirdo "What?!"
Followed by a loud cheering afterwards, but of course, free time made most students happy.
"Anyway. Our school committee decided to do a special event, anyone who wants to gunpla battle please fill this registration form. Azuma, bring the homework to my office, ASAP"
"Pardon me, but Ma'am, you're nuts" despite his protest, he did it anyway, struggling to carry the entire class, workbook.
"I've been told that a lot" Amami-sensei disregard his comment and left, forced him to hurry.
The teacher's lounge was rather empty; indeed it's probably planned all along. In fact, there's no one else besides him and his teacher here.
"You know, being the token good boy doesn't earn you much merit, people will take advantage of you, not to mention people talking behind your back"
He just shrugged in response "I'm accustomed to it"
"Huh?" she removed her glasses "Don't tell me you're bullied too? I'll help-"
"Nah, I'm not" Tamaki smiled, there's being bossed around and there's bullying, the latter is simply not tolerable "Anything else I can do?"
Amami's face softened greatly as she gently rub his shoulder "Well, it's rather improper for me to intervene but you can tell me anything, Azuma-kun"
"I'll keep that in mind" he nodded "please excuse me, sensei"
That boy had changed, she decided.
Usually, he's always alone, only few people bother to approach him and it was good for him that way. Now? He's a lot more open, his eyes no longer afraid to make straight eye contact. It was subtle, but easy to say he's somewhat livelier and open himself to people more.
And more handsome too, she dreamily thought
Wait a minute
…
"Yo Tamaki, fill this too" Tachibana waved the form "You want to get in don't you?"
"Kanbara Highschool Gunpla Tournament? Holy shit, the principal is really crazy" the boy in question gasped "Tomorrow huh?"
"Yea and its open for all students and teacher, this will be epic for sure"
"I don't know, how many students here do gunpla battle?"
The sheer scale of battle would be mind boggling, just where the school will get the funds to do so? The rent budget for Gunpla machine alone would be terrific.
"Cost saving measure is taken, the school is using single table for the first elimination, allowing 14 matches to happen simultaneously. As the number of fighters dwindles, the arena will grow larger and larger, until the finals where you'll find mindboggingly massive 14 panel arena is used" class rep explained.
"You gotta be kidding" 14 panels are massive, beyond what even regional tournament use. This smells fishy "What's the catch?"
"This is battle of skill and endurance, the entire selection will take at least one day" Tachibana grumbled "Better to bring at least two or three gunpla just in case"
"You can use my Zephyrantes, but told you the truth… I only have these"
Three gunpla, two of them is Zephyrantes and Physalis. The other one Tamaki didn't familiar with.
"But I doubt you can use Physalis or Xekueins properly"
Xekueins, the blue MS is bulky and quite tall, almost one head taller than Zephyrantes. Carrying a massive machinegun, it's quite intimidating.
Doesn't seems to be slow machine, judging from the engines it have, however the arrangement made Tamaki realize it's still, in theory, optimized for surface movement.
"Well you could always buy more Zephyrantes and have Tachibana replicate everything" class rep pointed himself proudly "Let me handle the programming"
"Don't worry about it, Tachibana, Class Rep" Tamaki smiled "I'm sure both of you want to fight with all your might too"
Tachibana and class rep blinked in confusion.
Aoi … I want to see, I want to see the reason.
Why you gave me your GP base too, I wonder.
Why did you tell me to do gunpla battle?
Tamaki took a deep breath as he took out gunpla casket out of his bag and clamp it to his belt
With this machine I built, I'll find the answer.
~333~
Sei Iori not exactly enjoy being a shopkeeper, but it's not like he had specific plan. He doesn't have that many friends to hang out with, and most of them are kind of wary of Sei's obsession with gunpla.
Oh well their choice, maybe it made them feel 'mature and tough'. Sei never actually minds such view on him, and he embraced his love for gundam truly.
It was a rainy day, an odd weather for the usually sunny springtime. Sei wondered if there will be customer and all.
And he was wrong.
Entering the shop is a young girl dressed in Kanbara high school attire, though only slightly taller than Sei who is a matter of fact, is one if not the shortest guy around his age. The girl was rather… well, spooky to say at the least, her expression was nigh unreadable, but Sei can tell that she's tired.
"Welcome to Iori shop, anything I can help with?"
"Ah" the girl responded rather late "WAVE custom vernier, where can I find them?"
"Ah, it's over here" Sei politely left the cashier so he could show her directly.
The girl also asked for a HG Akatsuki, and wasted no time to pay it right away.
Purely by reflex, Sei asked sincerely "Do you like Gundam too?"
"I don't watch gundam, actually" she said softly, without losing her neutral gaze. This made Sei feel weird, actually. The girl pulled assorted of craftsman tools out of her bag, skillfully held them between each of her fingers "Can I borrow the workshop? If you don't mind"
Being a fairly experienced gunpla builder and owner of model shop, he could tell that that equipment are used fairly often but handled but also taken care of pretty well.
"Sure!"
Gunpla builder that don't know Gundam? Weird, he thought, then again maybe she's simply into modeling; a lot of people do just that.
Three, no, four more patrons came. Sei decided that he'll NEED his mother after all. So Sei quickly stormed up back to kitchen.
"Kaa-san, we got tons of customers here!"
"Alright, I'll be there!"
Returning back to the shop, Sei found three high school student and a young woman formally dressed alongside them.
"WHOA, LOOK AT THOSE AMAZINGLY WELL CRAFTED MODEL, HOLY SHIT OH MAN LOOK!"
Indeed, it's easy to say that Tachibana had been caught into some kind of euphoria. Looking at dozens upon dozens of well crafted models probably will do what to gunpla maniac everywhere.
"Tachibana, you're embarrassing me you know"
Tamaki's world reached anyone, much to his chagrin.
"Welcome, Azuma-san" Sei smiled "How was it? Did you complete them?"
Azuma open his gunpla casket and pulled a high grade unit. The unit is mostly white, only the joints are dark grey. It has one horn, and a mask that conceal its face. Even at first glance, the humble yet majestic knightlike aura can be felt from it. A single bazooka strapped on it's backpack, alongside a pair of beam saber handles.
"HGUC unicorn!" Tachibana grinned so wide it might tear normal people's faces… well, that's exaggerating but still "And Normal mode too boot, you're special breed of bro-tier Feddie"
The fuck did I just hear? Is exactly what Tamaki think
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"It means you're a good person" Sei smiled brightly.
"Hear, hear." Tachibana put both his hand on Sei's shoulders "Kid you're awesome, don't tell me you made them all yourself"
"Ehehehe, well I have a lot of free time, and those are for boosting sales anyway" the younger boy scratched his head in embarrassment.
"I am surprised; Gundam Sentinel line is especially difficult to assemble" Tachibana mumbled in amazement, causing Sei's blush to grew even redder.
And thus, Tachibana and Sei drowned themselves with gundam-related conversation, caused the other three to feel out of place.
"Man, just leave them alone…" Tamaki muttered to class rep "Iori-san, can we borrow the battle arena for a bit?"
"Sure, Azuma-kun" the still beautiful mother nodded "Take your time"
"Go ahead, I need to buy something" class rep said, following Sei and Tachibana to the shelf.
"I'm sorry my students being so loud here" Amami bowed politely "But I am surprised when he said there's a hobby store so close"
"Well, yeah. It's my husband's idea" Rinko answered with pride "Also, welcome to Iori shop"
"My name is Amami Rie, currently working in Kanbara Private High"
"Iori Rinko, nice to meet you" Rinko nodded "Actually, I am happy there's so many customer coming today. It's always too quiet here"
The teacher took a glance on the shelf with distant eyes, and Rinko knew not to ask. Must be something meaningful, however bad or good.
The young teacher blinked, realizing how much of an airhead she looked like currently "Ah, what I am doing, and babysitting 16 years old… how shameful, I hope no one get the wrong impression"
Rinko shrugged "I personally see nothing wrong, as long as it's within the limit of decency. For a teacher to pay so much attention to the students' well being is a honorable act"
"Thank you Iori-san, if only every parents can be as open minded as you, I'll be a happy woman"
As everyone went to their own business, Tamaki decided that he had to do something for his own enjoyment. So he went for the Arena right away.
Plavsky pillar arose once again, only this time, Tamaki didn't fear.
He's watching.
In front of him, Unicorn knelled gracefully, heads down.
Once again, the image of 14 years old Aoi appear, smiling. A lone, large mobile suit stood proud showing its arsenal across the arena.
This is Aoi's one and only gunpla ever used in battle, 1/100 Exia Avalanche. A step up from High grade, 1/100 model used to fill the gap between cheap and practical High grade and more complex and expensive Master Grade. The production stopped somewhere in 2013, but restarted after the popularity of gunpla battle rise.
The heavily armored close combat type mobile suit began to move, eyes shining ominously, and the spherical crystal on its chest began to glow as well.
"Come at me "
Exia dashed forward with its massive blades burning from the sheer heat it emitted, the smaller gunpla jumped to avoid the attack easily.
It was a feint by Exia, as it's free hands reached for the white gunpla.
But Tamaki's too accustomed to that.
...
"Thank you for the purchase"
"Huh, Azuma started without us?" Tachibana mumbled "Exia Avalanche? I never thought he had one"
"Daily ritual, maybe" class rep joked "But if you ask me, this one is odd encounter. That Exia is a somewhat better machine than the Unicorn he use"
Raising his eyebrow, Tachibana commented "Yeah... but I never see him so caught up in the fight like that against computer"
Eyes rarely blink… full awareness against the enemy moves and the terrain. His movements are sharp and fully accounted, each finger tapping on the control spheres, each push and pull… everything is done as if it's a life and death matter, and it took some toll on his body.
Whereas usually, Tamaki always been solemn when he had to fight against computer controlled enemies, even back when he's still a total newbie that got his ass kicked multiple times.
"He's fighting against someone" a soft voice answered their confusion, both Tachibana and class rep have to tilt down their vision to see another Kanbara student aside them, seriously she's tiny enough to pass as a middleschooler.
"Huh, have we ever met before?" neither recognized her and they look at each other, eyes full of question.
Their teacher took the initiative to break the tension "Ah, Meguru Airi from class 2-8 right?"
"...yes, sensei"
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH?"
Say the fat boy in shock, are they for real? THIS is that Meguru?
"How can you change so much? Never mind, when did you meet Azuma?"
"Hmm, perhaps I read wrong but you seem to know Azuma personally, am I right?"
The timid girl nodded in response.
"Putting that aside" class rep switched the topic fast enough not to make her uncomfortable "What do you mean he's fighting someone?"
"Physically, he didn't" she answered "However, his heart is dead set at fighting something in his mind. This battle is nothing but a symbol for his resolve"
The two teenagers carefully squinted, and decide that Meguru probably right all along.
Even with the computer AI set at maximum difficulty, alongside the fact that unlike Unicorn, Exia Avalance is more powerful suit by virtue of engineering and one tier above in terms of build, Tamaki managed to grind his way out of the intense fight and destroyed the armor partly thanks to the small size of his current machine and the powerful handheld bazooka it wields.
Unicorn, meanwhile, remains untouched.
Blades clashed, attacks evaded.
And Unicorn kicked the larger gunpla without impunity, throwing it out of the arena.
He no longer saw Aoi being all knowing tease.
Aoi is laughing freely and congratulated him
"I still haven't find it" Tamaki sighed, he store both gunpla in different places, since Exia is too big for regular gunpla casket, he had to store it in bigger toolbox inside his bag "Perhaps it was correct to join the tournament"
"Yo, that was rather epic fight" Tachibana stormed inside "Good Exia you have there, performance is stellar"
"Thanks, it was a gift from my friend"
Long lost friend, but Tamaki won't give details if they didn't ask.
"It'll be nice if I can meet him, would be awesome, isn't that right, Sei-kun?"
"Mmh, indeed"
"Unfortunately, its impossible now" Tamaki just deliver a wry smile "That said, I have Unicorn as my main battle machine. With Zephyrantes you entrusted me as trump card, which should be enough"
Hirai the class rep smacked the big paperbag he held, judging from the size it's either a particularly large HG or a 1/100, Tamaki guessed. "Well you're not the only one buying spares, let's fight fair and square"
Both raised their hand, two fist tapped in the name of brotherhood, Tamaki no longer afraid of friendship. He always wonders why he even bothers forgetting bonds between human, though he still have doubt even now.
"Hmm, so that's why you enjoyed the fight so much, it remind you of your old friend" the geek hummed sagely "If it's broken, don't be shy to ask me for help, bring the spare parts and I'll make it look as good as new. Also, let my delicate fingers do some… ah, tweaking for that Unicorn, few tweaking here and there…"
Well, since its Tachibana, it'll probably get upgraded instead, Tamaki thought as sweat dropped from his temple. Tamaki already have plans for it, and Tachibana surely won't mind helping.
Amami-sensei clapped her hand once and held their fist even closer "Well well this is truly a charming scene, don't forget to give you all in the tournament"
"Yes"
"Ah, anyway just then we meet Meguru Airi, by any chance did you know each other?"
Tamaki was shocked enough that he dropped his bag, face as pale as the snow white wall of the shop.
"Ya blew it" both the teacher and class rep deadpanned, caused Tachibana to gulp in fear of causing unneeded mayhem.
...
The rain had stopped, and Tamaki walk alone, the opposite way of his home.
"She left her gunpla here" Sei said in confusion, "she's been in real hurry I think".
Meguru... and gunpla.
Doesn't seems to mix that well.
Then again, what is he to expect the unexpected, both he and Meguru surely have a secret they never share despite dating each other. Tamaki never told her about Aoi, so it won't be a surprise if she secretly into gunpla.
Still, Tamaki is having an epiphany just now, he spend a lot of time with her. So he at least knew her hobby and her daily activities, unless those are well-maintained front, and he doubt she's crazy enough to do it, there's literally no reason to do just that.
And what about the person Meguru like? Back then, Tamaki didn't bother inquiring about it.
But now, he suddenly feels curious. How did their relationship progress, if at all?
He wondered why he felt such a sudden interest.
Before he knew, he arrived in the front of a Dojo.
Meguru Dojo.
And he knocked the door.
"Pardon me for the intrusion" he said.
Greeting him is a buff-looking man with visible beard and mustache, and sharp expression drawn on his face, any lesser boy would be frightened.
But not Azuma Tamaki.
"Azuma-kun, isn't it? It's been a long time since then"
Much a displeased tone can be heard from him, and Tamaki understood his reason, not wanting to pretend being innocent.
"Meguru-san left this at Iori shop" he waste no time to deliver the package entrusted to him "I figure she will return to the shop when she realized it, but I suppose delivering it to her home is acceptable"
"Such a good kid, just like always"
He still remains displeased, oh well.
"But this... little piece of trash" the man angrily grabbed the innocent gunpla with the intention to threw it away.
But he stopped.
He's too much of a loving father to do it and hurt his daughter's heart that way, despite his stern appearance and behavior.
And Tamaki knew it.
Strong physique is inherent in the Meguru bloodline, but they're also fairly sensible people.
Indeed, just now, Tamaki realized that... never mind about Airi, he also knew a lot about her family, despite nothing more than casual boyfriend who doesn't even call her by first name.
The man sat down again, putting the gunpla between him and his wife. Tamaki wonder how long since the last time he's been here, can't remember much.
"Gunpla took my daughter away from me" he sighed "And I suppose the same can be said to you"
"Meguru-san is entitled to her decision, and our relationship ended with peaceful note" Tamaki said with zero nonsense, completely formal tone "However, if there's anything I can do for her as a friend, or even as a simple acquaintance, I am open to your suggestion"
"Never change boy, being this submissive like always" the man snorted
His wife smiled sadly and gave Tamaki a piece of paper "Just don't alienate her, that's all I can ask, Azuma-kun"
"Eh?"
The mother kept her melancholy without changing her smile "You know when she's being honest, and you will know when she's lying. She's easy to read like that... and she's all alone now..."
So even her father and mother thinks she's a loner now.
Taking a glance on it, he nodded.
And took the gunpla again as he left politely.
...
Meguru Airi is having a bad day.
Not only she caught peeking on her ex-boyfriend again, but apparently he's into gunpla too.
And now, here beloved champion is missing...she was certain she left it in Iori shop.
But she's too tired and had to rest for a while. That's the whole reason why she forgot to check her gunpla right away and fell asleep.
"nii-san, nee-san... what should I do?"
The bell rang once again, so persistent.
Airi decided to shelf her worry and look at the security cam.
It's none other than Azuma Tamaki, whose presence instantly stopped her heartbeat.
"Azuma... kun"
Judging from his expression, he's been there since forever.
And Meguru is torn whether to open the door or not.
Until he decided to leave a message instead.
Then, every single strand that held Meguru's feet on their place snap.
"Azuma-kun!"
He slowly turned his head aside. It was the same Meguru he knew.
Well not quite the same, she looks much more… thin. Her hair, formerly extend beyond neckline and flowing straight like silk thread, now cut to modest length and tied into a simple ponytail. Her eyes were tired and pale looking, with big, old styled oval glasses sitting on top of her nose.
He was surprised how much she had changed in few months; then again, they pretty much lost all contact, and even the smallest changes probably caught him off guard.
"Good evening" he smiled "You left this at Iori shop"
He handed her her gunpla, slowly, and carefully.
Unable to look straight at him eye to eye, the girl just nodded "...Thank you..."
"I heard from Tachibana, it's made from heavily modified Akatsuki parts isn't it?"
She nodded again.
"Everyone really enjoy gunpla huh... do you participate in the school tournament too?"
She can't answer, not yet. Instead, she combined all her might to ask him a single question "What about Azuma-kun?"
"I will be there" he lightly stated "see you later"
See you later...
not...
Goodbye...?
Hurrdurr BLVibe2stronk
Joking, yes this will be an important plot point for future chapters as well. If you ask me, there's about two dozen or so OC in the planning, with canon character occasionally showing up.