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"
"Zaku Amazing!"
"SUMO!"
"TAKE OFF!"
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 4: Imagination & Reality
"Round Robin Battle 1, Winner: Meguru Airi from Class 2-8"
For a moment, the entire Gymnasium is silent, completely silent. Until a loud cheering exploded thunderously, causing Tachibana to yelp in response before joining himself.
In the middle of arena, Unicorn slumped literally on Akatsuki's chest, a symbolic hug if one can say, despite Akatsuki's sword slipped between its armor segments, impaling it.
"Senpai… won?" Imai looked in disbelief, "But why… why she could be this strong… why is she using her Iaijutsu so well?"
"You want to know the reason?" Class Rep chuckled "Obviously because she's a fighter… but what about you?"
Imai blinked in confusion.
Class Rep's expression turned serious as he walked toward Tamaki, before switching the GP base with his own "You want to defeat her, isn't that right? If so, then you have to fight me first and foremost"
Indeed, in a round robin match, each and every fighter involved is given a chance to fight each other and accumulate victory points. That means Imai will have to fight both Tamaki and her senpai, after she fought this one.
"Class rep look a bit scary don't you think?" Tamaki whispered.
"Well yea, he's one for a good fight. And if he use THAT now… Imai is boned" Tachibana nodded.
Imai stepped into the plavsky column with a doubt, her mind still wander toward the direction of her senpai. Why the sudden change? What's the relationship between her and that Azuma-guy? Why gunpla? There's enough question in her mind that she almost forgot to fight.
"Alice, concentrate!" Airi yelled, breaking Imai from her trains of thought.
"Senpai…"
"I'll tell you, everything, but please… take this fight seriously, if not, that's the same as you're looking down at your opponent, and that's disrespectful"
That's right…
Gunpla, martial artist, it's all the same. One had to put their heart and mind into it, spilling sweat, tears and blood to achieve the best result.
To win, and to have fun while at it.
Imai took a deep breath before setting her own gunpla.
"Nobel, I choose you"
Gundam Nobel, Tachibana recognize it immediately because it's mostly recolors and very minimum customization is done, at least externally. The gundam was slim and streamlined much like that of human female, as opposed of contemporary masculine and blocky design of other gundam.
Its armor even designed after sailor outfit. In case of Imai's Nobel, it's retooled to be mostly green instead of blue, as well as having brown hair instead of original blonde.
"… Nobel huh" Tachibana smiled "Good lord, this will be a curb stomp"
"Pardon?" Airi tilted her head.
Tachibana looked at her intently, before began to speak again "Nobel has a single fatal weak point in its engineering… a single hit and it'll end the match"
"A single hit…"
"Let's see it till the end…" Tamaki said, bringing their attention back to the arena as he managed to gather all the bits and pieces of his Unicorn "Win or lose, it'll be a worthy fight"
"Agreed"
On the other side of arena, a hulking green giant rise on its feet, its eyes glowing menacingly. Tamaki recognized it as Neue Ziel, but not the same one Class Rep always used. It's a bit larger and a lot more detailed in terms of superficial appearance.
"Alice! Careful and don't be reckless, it's a Mobile Armor" Airi warned, despite admittedly don't recognize the unit, she know it was different than Destroy Gundam "Just because it's big doesn't mean it's slow!"
"Alright! Nobel! Let's go!"
The feminine-looking gunpla dashed and began to jump between buildings to avoid direct line of sight, the mobility and nimbleness of Nobel is indeed famous, mostly because it's slim and lightweight nature.
"The joints are treated well, and the hair part has been thinned to shed unneeded mass" Tachibana pointed "I just hope she realize that one weak point when she built it"
Nobel managed to sneak out right beneath class Rep's massive gunpla, and use its signature weapon… beam ribbons. Constructed of high energy particles, the thin ribbon can slice and bind almost equally well, while being more flexible than contemporary beam saber equivalent.
But it do nothing more than crazed the coat of the green giant.
"1/400 Neue Ziel is indeed strong, its engineering and quality far exceed that of 1/550 HGM Neue Ziel" Tachibana smiled "And this one has been reinforced with double coating and is able to fight well under earth level gravity. Just like Azuma's Unicorn, I put my heart and soul into this machine!"
"It should be possible to attack the joints right?" Airi said in defense "Azuma-kun-!"
Tamaki can only shook his head "Class rep is different… you've seen his battle against regional veteran, and he's capable of keeping up despite winning by sheer luck… and that's with a gimped 1200 yen miniature Mobile armor. Our style might be different, but in terms of control skill Class rep is even better than me. Now… he's using a better machine, I can only imagine how difficult it is if I have to fight him"
Indeed, class Kojima's Neue Ziel move in such a way that only few of its joints are exposed to attacks, top class defensive maneuvers that executed well despite fighting against smaller, faster enemy. It retaliated with palm cannon that shoot scatter beam barrage, low power, but discouraging Nobel from constantly harassing it.
"Tachibana, just what kind of monster you create?" Tamaki thought deeply, no matter the result of this fight, the winner will fight Airi, and the loser will fight him.
Nobel finally gained an upper hand by binding the limbs of Neue Ziel, standing on top of the giant's shoulder.
"I'll cut your head!" Alice screamed before heading downward, ribbon tied around Neue Ziel's neck.
"…careless"
Four skeletal limbs unleashed form under the Mobile Armor's shoulder, emitting bright yellow beam lance each, cut Nobel's beam ribbon with ease. Recovering from the surprise, Nobel reformed the Ribbon and began to assault the Mobile Armor again.
"Too careless"
With unbelievable speed, Neue Ziel spun itself like the eye of a whirlwind; four blades slice through Nobel without mercy, right on the torso and the right leg. Any lesser pilot will lost balance doing such suicidal maneuver, but not Hirai Kojima.
The schoolgirl-shaped gunpla dropped lifelessly, followed by plavsky construct disappearing. Class Rep calmly carried his Mobile Armor and put it in a toolbox properly sized for it, because its tall size means normal gunpla casket won't fit. (Tamaki recognized that toolbox because Aoi's Exia also use the same thing as storage)
"Many people think the path of a fighter is monotonous compared to a builder's way" class rep smiled softly "But that's false, a fighter will evolve as far as their gunpla can go. Indeed, some people is better and worse in talent department, but when fighting spirit involved, you can overcome impossible odds if you keep trying"
Imai nodded, now she understood perfectly.
…
"[Result of the tournament is out!" The announcer excitedly shouted "What an interesting fight, don't you think? It's sad that we have to fold this hotblooded tournament right now, but Principal assured us that this won't be the last time!]"
The spectator run wild in the response of surprising announcement, though few people simply clapped warmly. It takes the MC to tell them off that she can continue "[Four of the round robin contestant please step up to the stage]"
A subdued applause followed as Airi, Tamaki, Kojima, and Alice walked up the stairs.
"Winner of the tournament, first place. Meguru Airi, Class 2-8, 2 Win 1 Draw!"
"Second place of the tournament, Azuma Tamaki, Class 2-4, 2 Win 1 lose!"
"Third place of the tournament, Hirai Kojima, Class 2-4, 1 Win 1 Draw 1 Lose!"
It was a miracle that Alice doesn't cry, considering she lost all three matches. Even then, her newfound spirit knowing that Airi had returned to her usual self had eased her broken heart somewhat; besides, Airi even promised that she will tell Alice immediately.
So no big deal, even if she failed to convince Airi herself, Alice can be with her once again.
As for her defeat, it was assured from the beginning, she had disadvantage in skill and machinery department.
The stalemate between Kojima and Airi is especially bloody, with Airi's second Akatsuki suffered enough damage it's considered inoperable in the next match. However, she also delivered enough whacking that Kojima decided not to deploy 1/400 Neue Ziel in his match against Tamaki's Zephyrantes, which result in Kojima's big loss.
Gunpla really knows no end, and she decided she will learn from them to improve her skill as fighter and builder.
Vice Principal was the one handed them their respective prize, Airi's prize is especially hefty, considering her small body that's a given.
The excitement from today's battle died down as people left the school, it was Sunday and there's still plenty of time to spend.
Except from a couple of student and a teacher, who decided to stay for a while…
"That was a good tournament, if this tournament can be this epic, I can hardly wait for World Tournament selection" Tachibana clenched his hand in excitement "Seriously you all should join! It should be fun and precious experience"
"You know our answer already" Tamaki chuckled at his friends' antic.
Amami-sensei crossed her arms and pouted "You guys are so carefree; don't forget about your career selection next"
The three boys shrugged mockingly "Please, that's so second semester!"
"If this bite you in the ass don't cry in front of me" the young teacher huffed "See you tomorrow"
"Hai, Sensei!"
"So, who wants to spend the rest of the day partying?" Tachibana asked "Would be really fun"
Class rep sighed, before bowing apologetically to the two girls "I apologize for his lack of tact, Hiro is that inexperienced"
"Damnit Kyoji, don't jinx it!" the geek angrily punch the taller boy's back.
Airi and Alice just laughed heartily at their antics. Alice pointed thumbs "Sure, where we should go?"
"Well, why don't we exchange number first" class rep proposed "I got a hunch this will not be the last time"
"First thing first I need to get rid of this goddamn luggage" Tamaki raised his prize bag "Model kits and their accursedly big packages… what a waste of precious space"
"Don't diss on the runner man!" Tachibana pointed "That said it's obligatory that you should carry the girls' luggage, right?"
Tamaki sneered "But of course"
"Eh, but, Azuma-kun-?!"
"Airi"
With near inhuman speed, Airi turn 180 degrees to find that her parents are there.
"Kaa-san, Tou-san…"
"I see you haven't forget" her father look aside to hide his internal turmoil from showing on his face "It might not have the same essence as martial arts… but the amount of effort you put in those toys, carrying your family style with pride, is admirable"
Meanwhile, Mrs. Meguru is torn between smiling widely and almost crying "Thank you, Azuma-kun… for convincing us to come here"
Airi's eyes, no longer hidden behind thick glasses, widened like no one else did "AZUMA-KUN, YOU-"
Azuma stick his tongue aside innocently.
"EH, EH WAIT WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP?! TELL ME!" Alice demanded at Azuma, before shortly turning on Mr. Meguru instead "SHISHOU, WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT?!"
Avoiding the hundred thousands of questions aimed at him, Tamaki ran like maniac whilst carrying the girls' luggage, gave them no choice but to chase him. Airi's father and mother looked at each other and exchanged a soft nod before shortly leaving.
"Che, Azuma always get all the girls, first Nanami-chan, then Meguru-chan, then Imai too" Tachibana complained "Seriously, he even got the parent approval this early"
"Lose ten kilogram, I assure the girls will flock around you" Kojima snarked.
"Just wait, then. Time for me to go on a diet"
Kojima just scratched his afro and wonder if Tachibana will really do it, considering his eating habit. And knowing him for years, it won't be that easy.
"Yeah, let's cut your snack budget first and foremost"
"Whoa wait, what?"
…
Arrived at Meguru's other 'home', Azuma kept his innocent poker face despite both girls are angry-no, they're outright PISSED at his strange antic.
"AZUMA-KUN! EXPLAIN!" Airi pointed, catching breath between words "Why are my parents there?"
"I called them duh" Tamaki answered flatly "They're curious, so I told them to see with their own eyes"
"But... but what if… what if I failed… what if they're disappointed…"
"Too much speculation, less taking action" Tamaki's face turned serious and cut her off "I know, it's rude for me to interfere… but your parents asked me, and I can't bear to refuse their call. Meguru-san, wouldn't it be sad if you'd never clear this misunderstanding?"
She pouted "I know that but…"
Tamaki smiled as he handed her the luggage "Either way, you need to talk with them eventually. At the very least though, they should've understood your feeling by now. My task here's complete"
And with that, the boy just left wordlessly.
"What the hell does that mean?" Alice sweatdropped, she cannot understand what's going on "Senpai?"
Airi sighed and went to open the lock of the house "Long story, Alice, why don't you come in?"
Alice stepped in warily, before removing the
"Would you prefer tea or coffee?"
"Just water is fine" Alice said as she sat on the dining table "You live alone here?"
"Sometimes yes…" Airi said as she put the serving plate away, and a glass of water in front of Alice "My relationship with my parents… is not that good, ever since the death of my sister…"
Alice knew that… Airi's older sister was a young bride; married to someone she met during high school. Died young at the ripe age of 24, Imai know her as the woman with bleached strawberry blonde hair that always smiles. No wonder Airi treasure her so much, she's a perfect Yamato Nadeshiko.
"I can understand how you feel down after that… but I don't think Shishou will be so cold about that, I know even after one year passed, he's still mourning about your sister, senpai"
"It's because of my brother in law…"
"EEEEH?"
"Yes, who couldn't have seen it? Young, handsome, rich widower… so much opportunity for things go wrong, and that's when my family fell apart…"
"I don't want to hear it" Alice refuse to believe that Airi will do something so despicable.
"Calm down, Alice… I don't have an affair with him or anything, though it's hard to disprove that…" Airi look aside, at the photo of her sister and her husband "…His health never been perfect, but after my sister's death, it went downhill steadily"
Airi closed her eyes, the images from the past rushing back to her mind as her heart boils.
"He was an orphan, and he resented his extended family for treating him like an asset than a person. That's why, he strived hard to be independent, and he did, becoming a successful business man despite his young age. Fighting against poverty and sickness, he managed to win the woman he loved and all the money and power he wanted, only to lose her to a tragic accident… too soon, and he wasn't ready"
"And that's why… I was so desperate… I promised myself to take care of him for the sake of my sister… and doing so, I am ready to sacrifice everything… that includes my relationship with Azuma-kun. But despite my effort…"
Airi didn't continue further, she's unable too. She can't even cry anymore, for her tears had been dried since months ago. All that's left is the hollowness and broken relationship everywhere.
Alice looked down at the table, so much she doesn't know about her senpai… and yet, she acted like a spoiled brat that knows everything.
And she regretted it.
"Senpai… does that mean, this house…"
Airi took a sip of her own cup of tea, to calm her strained nerve. "Yes, technically speaking, I will inherit this house legally when I'm considered an adult; and unknown sum of other wealth that I haven't heard yet."
Alice looked at her with drenched eyes "But… people can do stupid things when money is talking, and I don't want Senpai to be in danger…"
"Hahaha, I know" Airi nodded "But my brother in law knew it all too well and made several precaution, and I trust him."
"If you say so" Alice sighed "And how all this strange circumstances lead to gunpla?"
"That's because gunpla is one of their treasure… and I want to continue their legacy…"
Two Akatsuki, with slightly different waist equipment stood side by side. One is intended for gravity combat, other for zero gravity of space.
Both are damaged, though the space-based Shiranui is more so, thanks
"Those are designed by my sister and her husband… their ideal gunpla, I want to make their dreams reality… and that's why, before I knew I studied so hard about gunpla building and trained myself to near starvation in the arts of gunpla battle…"
"I fought a lot of people and destroyed one machine after another, what you see in the tournament is the result of what I did in the last seven months… and despite my clouded judgment and hollowed heart, deep down I know… I began to enjoy gunpla myself… "
Alice Imai can't help but shed her tears, seeing the old Airi she knew had returned.
~333~
"Kaa-san, I finished it!"
Sei Iori cheerfully ran downstairs, uncaring whether it's dangerous or just stupid. His prided masterpiece is finished, and he really wanted to show it to his mother.
"The unique gunpla I made for the gunpla battle championship" Sei put the gunpla in question on the counter "Build Strike"
Sei proudly raise his chest as he continue "My own original suit, based on the Strike Gundam"
The mother blinked and just smile.
"That sounds wonderful" she said.
The boy scratched his head embarrassed "It still doesn't have rifle and stuff though"
Rinko just nod in acknowledgment of her son's fruit of effort "I don't know much about gunpla as you do… but it has the same aura as the model your father built"
Sei's face flushed, he's always been proud of his father, despite being rarely at home these days. His father, a well known gunpla battler and runner up of the second World Gunpla Championship. Iori Takeshi.
"You think?"
Feels like he was one step closer to gain it… his ideal gunpla…
The sounds of glass door sliding caught Sei and RInko's attention, a young boy roughly Sei's age stood with a GIANT smirk on his face, his soft, hazel colored bowl cut hair complemented his sharp, predator-like eyes nicely.
"Looks like it's finally done"
Sei resisted the urge to deliver an epic facepalm, instead, he just slumped and pout. Of all people, why should this person came in an important time like this? Sei just want a peace, damn it!
"You again"
Rinko, meanwhile, just responded professionally and greet the boy "Welcome, Sazaki-kun"
Susumu Sazaki, sixth grader of elementary school, is a well known fighter in the area. Unfortunately, he's both cocky and annoying, and Sei was amongst those that been his harassing victim.
Without a slightest bit of tact, Sazaki went ahead and inspect the machine.
Build Strike was mainly made using Strike Gundam parts, however some modification had been done to enhance its look as well as its performance.
Though lacking both weaponry and backpack, it's obvious that the unit is incomplete.
"I see this is your new model for the championship" rubbing his hand together, the boy literally swoon upon seeing such a well made gunpla "It's beautifully made, just right for me to operate"
Lel, what? Sei's mind froze for a split second before correcting the rude entrée (Who's not even a regular customer) "This gunpla isn't for you, not in the slightest"
Sazaki gagged before continue "Oi, oi why are you still talking like that? With your control skill this gunpla will go to a waste"
Sei clenched his hand, Sazaki might be exceedingly blunt, but what he said is a fact.
Sei is proud of his building skill, but one can say that he's highly embarrassed of his bad piloting skill. Even now, he wasn't completely confident about what to do with Build Strike.
But his pride as a man is irreplaceable.
"I'll prove it in this battle, with the gunpla I built"
Grinned, the effeminate grade schooler looked at Sei "That's the spirit"
"So if you lose-"
"You can do anything you want with Build Strike. But if I win, stop pestering me"
Sei decided, it was all or nothing.
Okay, that's it. There's amusing reaction from uncomfortable Sei, and there's THIS. This escalated far beyond what Rinko expect, and so she intervened "Are you sure about it, Sei"
"If I can't win this " Sei said, his usually soft, slightly droopy eyes sharpened like the eyes of a fighter "There's no place for me in the world tournament"
Looking at such fiery determination, Rinko can't help but gave in.
"I've heard enough" a gruff, deep voice of a man interrupted the tense standoff between the two young boys.
Walking from the previously unnoticed corner of the store, a slightly overweight looking man with thick eyebrows and mustache was seen holding a 1/144 High Grade Gouf. Despite his humble appearance, the man has this charisma of a military man. "Ral shall be the judge of this battle"
"You came!" Sei's face turned bright for a moment.
"Who?" Sazaki lazily asked.
"Ral-san, one of our regulars" Sei explained purely by reflex.
The man, Ral, walked toward Sazaki before bowing slightly to look at the boy's eyes intently.
"You have good eyes, they're filled with confidence and ambition" Ral said "But nothing is guaranteed in the battlefield"
Sei walked without flinch as he stepped into the fighter's area and put his GP base.
The last time he fought Sazaki, it's a total failure on his part, got beaten in less than two minutes without putting so much as scratches on Sazaki's gunpla.
But he's not even thinking about that anymore.
Sei faced him with only pride and adrenaline as his companion.
"Please, set your gunpla"
Sei's eyes remain unblinking as he set Build strike on the catapult area, the battle machine began to permeate the gunpla with plavsky particle, causing it to move and twitch for the first time in preparation of launching.
"Iori Sei, Build Strike. Here I go!"
"Sazaki Susumu, Gyan. Here I come!"
Build Strike and Gyan dashed out of the catapult, ended up somewhere in a rural dessert area, with mountainous rock bed filled the place.
Face to face, the gray mobile suit with cross-shaped eye slit stood barely few dozen meters away from the modified Gundam.
Only then, Sei's adrenaline subdue, and his chaotic state of logic kicked in "What's his first move will be"
Unexpectedly, Gyan dropped its rifle and the big, round shield.
"He dropped his weapons?" Rinko muttered in shock.
Mr. Ral huffed "That's a sign that he'll fight on equal terms"
"That's not it" Sazaki refuted, as he unleashed Gyan's signature large beam saber, and putting on a fencing stance "I just don't want him to make excuses when he lose"
And Gyan blasted forth, with intention of stabbing Strike right on the chest.
With incredible acceleration however, Build Strike stepped aside relying solely on its shoulder thruster. Such is the power of Iori's gunpla, even the smallest engines has high output
"SO FAST?!" Sazaki clenched his teeth.
"Gunpla's performance depends on how it's built…" Ral muttered "Sei-kun's new model show just that"
Unfortunately, Sei don't have the necessary skill to handle such performance by his own, and barely managed to land safely without tripping or crashing.
"But its performance is too much for him to handle" Ral sighed, there's little to no chance for Sei to win this if he can't conquer the wild horse that is Build Strike.
"Excuse me, what happened"
A young man, roughly high school age asked. His eyes were thin and sharp, and yet his gentle gaze complimenting his handsome look and silky-smooth bangs.
"Yuuki Tatsuya-kun, isn't it?" Ral asked "You've made it into world tournament for two years straight… the strongest of all high school gunpla battler. Known as Crimson Comet"
"My reputation is exaggerated" the boy said "Iori-kun… is fighting Sazaki-kun?"
"…their banter escalated into something worrisome" Rinko nodded sadly "Sei bet his prized gunpla in this fight, if only so that Sazaki won't disturb him again"
"That's… unexpected" Yuuki know both Sazaki and Sei, though mostly secondhand info, their personalities are… needless to say, really incompatible.
"You can build a good machine, but can't control it" Sazaki laughed "What a sad reality"
Build Strike unleashed its beam saber in anticipation of subsequent assault, and Sei managed to parry several times. Unfortunately, the intensity and power of Gyan's attack overwhelmed Sei, who still fighting half heartedly because of unneeded paranoia.
Yuuki watched the fight intently, each and every button pushed, each and every move of Sazaki and Sei.
Every single of them.
And found it.
Sei's true potential.
Sei's ability as gunpla fighter, not lack thereof.
Two minutes into the fight, Sei's defense withered and Gyan kicked the Strike right unto the edge of arena.
Gyan walked slowly and cockily toward it, courtesy of Sazaki's confidence.
"I don't want to hurt your machine anymore, so I'll make it a ring out and end this futile match"
Sei looked at the monitor horrified, no matter what he did, he's unable
But still, he doesn't want to lose.
SOMEONE HELP ME!
"SEI-KUN! DON'T GIVE UP!"
Sei blinked, he saw Yuuki stood right at the doorstep to the battling room, his eyes fired up like he was a completely different people.
"Set the limiter on and autopilot to maximum evasion, now!"
Sei doesn't know what his intention is, but Sei was too desperate for any help he can get and proceed to do what Yuuki said.
Build Strike stood up and dashed toward Gyan… only to pivot and climb the bedrock with unbelievable speed. Gyan pursued it, but unable to keep up with the superior machine in both mobility and agility department, it's simply impossible for Gyan to catch up.
It was rather sad, even the simple computer AI can operate Build Strike better than Sei himself.
"Go back to builder console and follow my instruction" Yuuki continued "NOW!"
Keyboard materialized on the right corner of the room, and Sei quickly operated it.
"Auto dodge set at 25, Auto parry at 70, set the joint responsiveness to 50-65. Maximum engine thrust power to 85, set the auto-balancer to maximum. After then, set the terrain handling to surface mobility system, set under gravity 1.05"
"SET!" Sei declared.
"Back to your control sphere and don't look back" Yuuki shouted "Let your body take over, and don't think too hard!"
Sei grinned, he doesn't care anymore. He turned off the autopilot, and let Sazaki came to him.
Strike and Gyan clashed, only this time, Strike remains unmoving, holding on the place without losing balance and thrown back by the impact.
"What is this-" Sazaki muttered, his Gyan was LOCKED on the spot, in fact, Build Strike began to push it back with incredible power, despite its slim frame.
"So that is" Ral's eyes widened "All this time… Sei never use the limiter program to his advantage… so he can maximize his gunpla's performance without restriction"
"But with limiter set properly, even with his skill…" Yuuki sighed; his eyes softened once again "He should be capable of handling Sazaki in equal condition, thanks to the power of his gunpla. Now it's a matter of luck, whether he will win or lose"
"Thank you, Yuuki-kun" Rinko bowed slightly, for Yuuki managed to give something Sei had given up long before.
Hope.
…
Beam saber clashed again and again, the fight had been dragged to almost six minutes in. Sei is visibly exhausted, while Sazaki's morale seems to fade overtime. Both of them so desperate for victory, despite the amount of burden put on their brain and body.
"You should've given up, I can bring you victory! Instead, you choose to gimp your machine like this… what a joke, Sei-kun!" Sazaki snarled.
"…You're not the one" Sei grunted in between his breath, before roared "YOU'RE NOT THE ONE!"
Build Strike jumped aside and boosted all the way across the arena.
And managed to grab Gyan's missile shield on the way.
"FIRE!"
The Shield clacked open, revealing multiple munitions cells and launch the entire payload at once, no less than 16 missiles streaking toward Gyan.
Despite Sazaki's effort, he unable to dodge them all and got hit several times.
"DAMN IT!"
Gyan picked the beam rifle and began to shoot; however, Sei managed to use the shield for his advantage and tanked all the attack, which result in moderate damage on the shield surface, but leaving the missile cell intact.
Second salvo of missile took out the beam rifle along with one of Gyan's arm.
Sazaki screamed and overloaded his Gyan's thruster to get close to the Strike, large beam saber being the only thing left in his inventory.
Yellow plasma met damaged shield, the shield managed to hold for a while until the beam ignite the missile cell, caused the shield to explode, engulfed both gunpla in thick, fiery black smoke. Such is the brutal nature of warfare, and the power of Plavsky particle battle system.
Rinko bit her lip, trying her hardest to put some faith in his son's effort.
"Still not end yet" Yuuki calmly stated.
Both Gyan and Strike stood up, waggling left and right. Their frame had been pushed to their limits, the winner and loser will be decided by the last stroke.
"You're not the one-" Sei said, grinning "supposed to control my gunpla"
"That gunpla… THAT GUNPLA!"
Sazaki was totally hysterical, Sei, who's supposed to be way below average fighter, had put his Gyan into so much trouble. Everything he believed, his ego, all had been disproved by a simple
"IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE MINE!"
Gyan punched, but Build Strike guarded against the attack, before shortly retaliated with a counter punch that cracked Gyan's neck joint.
"AAAAAARGH!"
It's all or nothing, Gyan ripped Strike's beam saber out of its socket.
Yuuki and Ral gasped.
Rinko's eyes stretched wide.
Strike is now split in two, by its own weaponry.
"[BATTLE END]"
Plavsky particle disappeared, leaving Sei who stood with shock drawn all over his face. Sazaki himself wasn't completely aware for a moment
Until it register on him…
"I WON!" Sazaki screamed "I WON!"
Sei dropped on his knees, still unable to believe what happened.
He had lost Build Strike.
"As said before, if I win… Build Strike is mine" Sazaki hunched, just so he can rub his victory on Sei's face before leaving "Thank you for the awesome gunpla, Sei-kun"
Yuuki sat aside Sei and put his hand on the younger boy's shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Iori-kun" Yuuki regretfully whisper "I've failed you"
"What are you talking, senpai" forcing a sheepish smile to hide his feelings, Sei stood "It's thanks to you that I've managed to do anything at all"
Hurrdurr but where is Reiji when you need him? What will happen to Sei? What the fuck just happened?
Find out in the next chapter