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"
"BEGINNING, TAKE OFF!"
"MARASAI, GO"
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.
Gundam Build Fighters
-Colorful Rhapsody-
Disclaimer:
Bandai-Sunrise own Gundam
I buy mine from them
Chapter 6: Soldier of Sorrow
"AAAHHHH!"
Sei Iori was violently woken up by a terrible nightmare. It had sucked out all of his liveliness - evidenced by the pale face like death had consumed him.
"...Hah... Hah..."
It feels like One year War has taken place inside his head -the pain and terror of it is unbearable. His hair was a mess, disheveled because of cold sweat, covered the bloodshot eyes...
"... 2:30 AM... No good..."
The boy forced himself back to sleep, but instead of the blissful rest, all he got is an endless cliff...
When it comes to Gunpla Battle, Sei Iori knew nothing but defeat. For some people, it's nothing but hurdle.
For him, it's an ironic hell. He can build his model so well - every fighter in the region will drool at the first sight of it. And he was really proud of it. But when it comes to gunpla battle, none of that matter.
Except yesterday...
He was in the verge of defeat, and then…
He came...
Yuuki Tatsuya, the famous Crimson Comet, blazing ace of Seihou Academy. Somehow stranded to his little shop just in time. And taught him a way to achieve domination…
… But Sei failed anyway.
He doesn't care about his defeat - he's too accustomed to it. What he regret the most, is that Sazaki get a hold of his beloved gunpla, Build Strike. All his effort, tears and sweat he shed for its construction, all sort of ideas he might apply for its completion…
It's all useless now…
Build Strike was in the wrong hands, Sazaki wouldn't be able to use it. He will recklessly use it, disregarding the safety of the Gunpla. In the end, Build Strike will be…
"Build Strike… I'm sorry…"
He can see it, all too clearly, Sei screaming from outside the avenue, watching as Sazaki fight, one opponent after another. While cackling manically and insulting his opponents after thoroughly humiliate them.
As the time goes, Sei began to scream horrified, but he was muted by the deafening cheer of the spectator, congratulating Sazaki's flawless victory.
Build Strike had been abused through and through, without proper maintenance, the damage is piling up even though it's vastly superior that many of the gunpla it defeated.
Sei screamed, pleaded, but his voice doesn't reach Sazaki no matter what. It was painful, and his heart was crushed by such pitiful display, mockery of his prized masterpiece.
...
Sei was crying soundlessly.
And wake up to find him at the edge of the bed, looking at the clock.
"Build Strike…"
No less than three times Sei woke up from the same nightmare, and it took a great toll on his body. He slumped and stretched himself, but his muscle is aching heavily.
Scratched his head, he went to the bathroom to wash his face.
It was Monday - time to go back to school. Perhaps at school, he can get himself distracted from sorrow. Well, fat chance, but he can try… can't he?
On the top of his desk, there's a big sketch of the 'completed' Build Strike… However, the more he looked at it, the tighter his throat feels.
He wanted to cry, but he can't. Not this time.
And so, he took a deep breath before vacantly continued with his preparation.
"Sei, it's time for breakfast" his mother called.
"Hai"
Walked downstairs, his mother prepared a plate of sandwich, cheese sandwich for convenience indeed. Sei took no time and went to eat immediately. And he didn't enjoy it either, no, not because it's not tasty or anything since she can make anything tasty.
It's just that the sorrow caught him so bad that everything seems miserable and bothersome task for him
"What's with long face, Sei" the youthful mother asked innocently "This is not the end of all"
"I know that, Kaa-san" Sei said full of melancholy "I just… need to find a better way to deal with this"
She sat on the other chair, across the table. Her gentle hands suspend her chin as she smiled. "Tell me anyway"
"Suppose Sazaki use Build Strike… he will do it so badly that Build Strike will suffer throughout entire tournament, and if that happened… I…"
Sei gulped, even though his meal hasn't been finished, he put it on the plate. His expression is nigh unreadable.
But as a mother, Rinko knew him all too well. And despite not showing it at all, Rinko was all but fine inside. It hurt her to see her cute little boy being so broody.
"You don't know whether you should accept if he asking for help right?"
Sei jolted as if someone put a thumbtack on his chair, eyes stretched wide.
"Right?" she asked again, giggling.
Sei nodded rather weakly.
As much as his pride and anger held him from doing so, part of Sei's mind still worried and want him to repair it no matter how many times Sazaki broke it. This is the extent of his love for gunpla.
But still… that's where his doubt lies…
Should he keep being the oppressed bottom and follow Sazaki's whim, if only to keep Build Strike safe?
Or should Sei change himself and ignore him for real, with force if required?
But that's also against his moral codes…
So then, what is the answer?
"Follow your heart, Sei." Rinko's childish grin disappeared, replaced by softer, mature expression befitting a woman of her age "Just remember, no one is invincible!"
That's right!
Even his father, Takeshi Iori, is 'mere' runner up in the world championship. That doesn't discredit his performance as a fighter, not at all.
He had to consider this disaster as a warning for further screwup.
"Thanks for the meal, I'm going to school" Sei surely was more relaxed after hearing his mother's encouragement. Rinko raised her thumb up and smile - After all, who know a boy better than his mother?
"Careful on the way, Sei!"
"Hai!"
At school, his mood remains latent - it's certainly better than this morning, and better than the night before. Still, his thought was filled by the same thought that nagging him, about what he will do to solve this.
Should he let Sazaki do what he wanted?
He sat on the wooden chair uncomfortably, looking around the half-empty class with no real purpose. It wasn't like he had many friends he hung out with a lot anyway.
"Iori-kun"
"Ah, Class Rep" Sei turned his head, and found a brown haired girl sit aside him. Kousaka China, class representative and member of Art Club.
"You left this last week." She put a nipper gently on his table and smile. "No one in Art club use nipper, so I figure it's yours the moment I saw it!"
"Ah, thanks" Sei scratched his head, embarrassed.
This nipper… how I could forgot?
They met and talk a lot, if only because Sei tend to ask the teacher permission to use art room, and illegally bring gunpla to work on to school while at it. And he owe her a lot for keeping his little dirty secret safe, he had to repay it someday, but didn't quite dare to ask how.
All in all, she's the only girl in the class he talked a lot with. His obsession with gunpla is chronic and some people just can't understand it. Not that he mind.
Okay, that was random.
"Are you still working on it?" She asked, curiousness flashed behind the glasses.
"Huh?"
"That gunpla"
If she meant Build Stike…
"Well, there are… problems…"
She raised his eyebrow, confused. Well, Sei wasn't comfortable enough with her to share the story…
"IORI-!"
"WHAT ABOUT-"
"SAZAKI-"
"WHOA? SLOW DOWN!" Sei wailed in panic.
A couple of boys rushed inside classroom and circled, no, ambushed the truly frightened Sei. Poor boy just can't catch a break, can he? Sei's mouth gaped like a fish as he tried to calm himself and then ask "What happened?"
"Last night, Sazaki…" one of the boys slammed the table, his face split between confusion and anger "He came with an new gunpla and…BOOM, he steamroll all of us"
Sei's throat tightened again, his eyes stretched wide in anticipation.
"With a straight build Gyan he's already difficult enemy, but with that Gunpla, he's a MONSTER. He defeated everyone in the Arcade, EVERY, SINGLE, ONE"
"That was a Strike, wasn't it? Really fast, I barely saw it moving" the other boy said.
Sei slumped, completely catatonic. What he saw in his dream is true; his greatest fear might be…
"How was it… how was the gunpla condition after that?" Sei asked weakly.
"We can barely touch it; outside of the damage already there it's clean and shiny as new" the third boy answered "He gloated that you made the gunpla, is that true?"
Hiding his despair with fake grin, Sei raised his face "Well, you could say that"
At least Sazaki has yet to break it, there might be hope… time is running out, but Sei had to take a deep breath and relax himself.
"Awesome"
A hint of pride streaked across Sei's eyes, even though it was hard for him to accept, deep down he was proud that Build Strike made Sazaki even stronger.
His feelings as a builder now torn apart even more.
And China, more or less could get a grasp of his state of mind.
"Everyone" she said softly, yet, her glasses gleaming ominously, made the three boys frightened. Oh well it did catch their attention "Class is about to start"
"Oh yeah, thanks for reminding us"
And the three boys left.
"You saved me there, Class rep" Sei sighed "I really don't know what I should say".
"Silence is golden!" She smiled sympathetically. "It's okay to refuse if you don't like to talk about it"
"Class rep…"
While second guessing someone might be rude, it's a consolation for the current Sei that someone can understand his feelings without asking too much. Their eyes met, and the way blood pumped hard to color her skin forced her to turn away from him, made him confused.
Regardless, Sei's mood is improving. And she was happy for that…
~333~
"WHAAAAAT?!" a collective scream of disbelief echoed within the comfortable room that is principal's office, the four round robin participant plus Tachibana was responsible for it.
"Pardon me Sir. Are you seriously telling us to come and fight them… In gunpla battle?" Airi's lips trembled, her throat sore.
"To put it shortly, it's seems that Yuuki Tatsuya-kun, the renowned gunpla fighter is interested with the result of our tourney. Footage leak, apparently."
"That was irresponsible!" Tamaki deadpanned. "I understood they look down on Kanbara being second rate school, but I'm not understand how a prestigious elite academy like Seihou can do something like this"
Kanbara might be clusterfuck of a mess at first glance, but even then, Tamaki still carry his pride as a student. Doing something so blatant like sending a challenge for gunpla battle during weekday is too much…
The man in front of them chuckled before put off his smoke on the tray.
Kanbara's principal was hardly a straight laced man, always went to school with casual getup (occasionally pajamas, even), and his room was literally filled with action figures and all sort of toys.
No one wants to tell him off, though, because he saved this school from being folded due to financial and population issues. He bought this school from the previous committee, and on his own made the campaign to appeal the potential students. Apparently, he's also a top class stock market player, too lucky, rich and competent for his own good. Despite that, the student also treat him like an equal peer because his own request. His quirks aside, he's a pretty friendly man deserving their respect.
"Money talking, stuff like that, Yuuki-kun asks, the school will deliver." The principal put it out bluntly.
"Well yeah, Yuuki family is kind of famously rich." Tachibana agreed "Hardly surprising if you ask me."
"You mean…YUUKI TATSUYA THE CRIMSON COMET?!" Alice yelled, unlike her normal self, her eyes sparkled with exciment. "WE'RE REALLY GOING TO FIGHT HIM?! OH GOD OH GOD!"
It took a chokehold by Airi to calm the freshman's hysteria. Grade-A fangirl is the worst fangirl, indeed.
"If you ask me, we should just use this to our advantage." The principal grinned mischievously. "If you guys performed so well, things will be interesting afterward"
"Genius!" Kojima nodded in approval "Think about it Tamaki, it's the same as usual student meeting."
Tamaki rubbed his naked chin, thinking. What they said was true enough.
It was a direct invitation by model club, therefore, whoever this Yuuki dude was interested with them personally. The semifinalist of the tournament, the best and the luckiest gunpla fighter in Kanbara high school.
Whether the intention was benevolent or malevolent, the result is the same.
"Consider me in." he said.
"That's the correct answer, boy. Consider you're free from the lunchtime and onward." principal put a big pile of DVD cases as well as multiple photo album. "Do some research before you fight."
"You gotta be kidding!"
"Well, aside from Imai-chan none of you have problem with your grades." the man laughed manically before puffing his smoke again.
Both class rep and Airi reacted "You have bad grades?"
"Just average." Alice huffed, face bent red. And considering what kind of grade counted as average in Kanbara…
Tamaki sighed; he can never be accustomed to this school's lack of proper regulation.
It was lunchtime, Sei took out his box and open it, another sandwich is inside, cut neatly to fit the shape of the box nicely.
His sketchbook slipping out of his bag caught his attention.
He still had it huh.
"Whatever"
Even though it's against rules, he decided to sneak out to the school roof. That way, he can enjoy solitary peace, even if it's short.
"Iori-kun"
Crap.
He turned aside and found that Kousaka the class rep stood there, next to the stairs.
"Are you… going to the roof?"
If it's her, probably she will not make a big deal out of it but still…
No, that's the wrong mindset. She helped him a lot already, it's cowardly to ask more…
"Well, at first I think to do just that." He hid his uneasy feelings with a small grin "But come to think of it, that's a bad idea."
"…Are you still feel awkward about… that?"
"Kind of." Sei blinked "I'm that easy to read, huh?"
The girl just chuckled briefly "I know a place where you can eat peacefully"
Following her to the southern side of the school, she was right. Around the place, there's very few, if any, students hanging out or eating their lunch.
He was confused at first.
"People didn't come here often because this." She picked a dried leaf and raised it. "Unlike the front yard, these parts of the school are less favorable and almost neglected."
"However, if you can see from another angle, you can see naturally growing grass and thick bushes, beautifully growing around the tall, untrimmed tree lines… it's quite charming in its own way."
"As if…" Sei nodded. "we're in the middle of the woods itself."
She was surprised, or not quite, but impressed nonetheless. "You can tell."
"I can imagine it" he smiled "Class rep likes to paint after all"
Her face flushed red once again, forcing her to hide it away."A-anyway, if Iori-kun fine with it, I should just leave."
"Ah... I'm sorry... and thanks, class rep!"
He bowed slightly out of honor.
Sei DID survive his lunchtime in peace, and it eased him somewhat. It gets easier to let things out of his head, the silence helped him to focus on what to do, and even if he failed to get the answer, his head hurt much less.
He still need to think about Build Strike's fate, but he still have time to give more thought on it.
"Iori-kun"
That voice...
"Yuuki-senpai" he said with a flat, neutral tone. Not out of hostility, but complete awkwardness and shame.
The brown haired young man stood in front of his class, behind him the students are crowding themselves because of his immense charisma.
"Can we talk for a bit?"
Okay, weird, this time it was YUUKI himself who brought the idea of sneaking on the roof. It was like... unlike what a real model student will do. From this point alone, Sei knew whatever Yuuki brought is no joke.
The breeze softly ruffled Yuuki's soft bang slightly, exposing his prominent forehead as he spoke "Let me put it short... Iori-kun. Today, I will host an inter school gunpla battle challenge, our guests being the finalist of Kanbara tournament that takes place yesterday. I want you to join with me and Gonda, as a representative"
Of course, he was joking right? Sei prefer to think so but...
"Why me? You know how terrible I am as a pilot?"
Yuuki furiously shook his head "...you will understand... I want YOU, and no one else. You have the chance, to make things change."
"I... but senpai"
That chance had been waster with yesterdays' fight, with the loss of Build Strike...
But even then...
"Please"
Sei don't know him that much, but at the moment, everything he knew about it was like illusion. Yuuki always look strong, confident, and respected by teachers and student alike. The Yuuki most people knew is not one guy possessing sad, vulnerable eyes.
"...It'll take place after the school finished...so..."
"...let me think about it...senpai" was Sei's reply.
...
"So, are you scrubs ready?"
Waiting in front of the Kanbara school gate, the petite teacher lean on a compact, crimson colored city car. Even with the small vehicle in the background, she looks absolutely tiny. Amami Rie wore her formal uniform, as the invitation are considered official.
"What are you doing, Amami-sensei?" Tamaki furrowed his eyebrow.
"Babysitting you… this time its official" Amami-sensei sneered, when she saw the student just look at her incredulously, she popped a vein and balked. "What are you looking at?"
Tachibana snorted, "Do you have driver license? Is that even allowed?"
It takes both Alice and Airi to stop the teacher for hitting the geek, Taachiban truly knew when to ruffle her temper at times.
"That was rude, Hiro." Class rep dope slapped the geek. "Even if she looks like a junior high school student; she's an adult you know?"
"You're rude too!" Tamaki commented from behind.
"Stop fighting!" Airi chided, holding all three boys from trading fist with each other. "We'll be late!"
The three of them blinked, then lower their guard in response "Oh right"
Tachibana then inspected the car. It's a compact, 4-seat city car that barely fit the monstrously tall Kojima the class rep, let alone all of them. Where Amami got it, they don't even want to know. "It's too small, would five of us even fit, Rei-chan?"
The teacher just pointed her thumb down. "Go reduce your weight, fatty. But seriously, just cram yourself in!" She proceed to shove Tamaki to the front seat despite his protest. "The hell is your problem?"
"I'm NOT fat, just a bit overweight!" Tachibana said in defense, because it was technically true anyway. Kojima already seated on the rear right, followed by Tachibana.
"Wait, what about us?" Alice frantically asked; the black haired girl looked left and right in confusion.
Amami-sensei "Sitting on their lap of course"
Cue the girls chorused in response "EEEEEEE?"
"You bitch" Tamaki cursed inward, but of course she will use the chance to make everyone uncomfortable.
"It's impossible to stick all three guys on the back, too cramped" Amami's face turned more serious "Stop wasting our time already"
One could wonder why she can't get bigger car; Tamaki's common sense is STRAINED, HARD. He was sure this is not her personal car.
"T-there's no choice-"
Airi decided to save face and went to the rear seat, but Alice already seated inside, both she and Tachibana block the way by crossing their arms, grinning like a couple of perverts.
Oh yeah, they definitely do it on purpose.
She bit her lips and looks at Tamaki, he jerked his head to tell her to eat the bait and stay calm.
And thus the uncomfortable- or perhaps too comfortable ride started. Alice seems not to mind and sat cozily, perhaps because Class rep is sleeping and Tachibana too preoccupied on checking the gunpla again and again, instead of thinking about the cute girl sitting on their lap.
Tamaki? Zero shit was given, in the ends it was Airi who took the brunt of awkwardness, and she can't help but conflicted whether she's happy or not.
It does help that Alice CONSTANTLY babbling about how awesome and perfect Yuuki Tatsuya is, how the boy is extremely handsome, how he's rich and suave, smart and on top of everything, a really tough contender in gunpla battle, called the strongest high school student and twice participated in the world tournament on Japan's behalf.
It was borderline obsession, and that amused Airi to no end.
At least until Tamaki shuffled his position, then Airi had to remember that he sat on the boy's lap, the same boy she loved long time ago and still can't decide whether she still have that feeling or not anymore.
"Want some?" he pulled a small-sized pack of [Snickers] and offered Airi "I don't think we'll have time to eat before the fight, but this would be suffice I think"
"T-thanks" she accept it with trembling hands, looking at it intently before rip the pack and took a small bit out of it.
It was warm, sweet, sticky and slightly uncomfortable. Just like the state of her heart now.
Maybe… just maybe… she fell in love once again?
"You guys want it too?" He asked people on the backseat, Alice refused politely, class rep still sleeping and Tachibana didn't respond.
"Mou, mou Azuma" his teacher winked "Aren't you going to offer me too?"
"But you're driving"
"Feed me, then?"
Amami don't know why she did that, though. It was spontaneous and stupid of her, oh, did she just express… of all thing, JEALOUSLY toward her own student? What a scandalous thought.
"Don't be absurd, that's dangerous and distracting" Tamaki said coldly.
"I'm joking, learn to comprehend, idiot" Amami chuckled "Besides, what kind of man not being aroused having a cute girl sitting on their reach?"
Temperature rising, maximum emotion overload. Airi literally turn into a red, steaming statue, her mouth agape and her eyes were blank. The girls just can't hold it anymore.
Tamaki just chuckled before proceed to laugh, he pointed on the backseat and pointed his classmates for good measure "their kind of men"
Tachibana stopped play-er inspecting the gunplas to momentarily look at him with confusion on his face "What?"
Disregard cute girl, acquire gunpla indeed.
Airi leered at Tamaki as he turned his head aside; hiding a faint blush from everyone else's field of view, but Airi at least noticed that one.
Oh well.
~333~
"Reiji, stop robbing the poor refrigerator!" Nanami shouted "It's time to go already?"
"You wot woman?" the red haired boy asking while his cheek stuffed full of cake, in front of him a sizable plate has been cleaned of its content, courtesy of the cake he took from the aforementioned cold storage device "Lemme finish this one"
"Geez" Nanami put a palm on her face "If you want to eat, eat properly, don't ask for help if you're choked on the cakes"
He gulped, swallowing everything in a go. Truly a monster of culinary, Reiji managed to munch everything.
Taking a glass of water to flush the leftover, he smiled "Let's go"
Wearing the glorious white drab that is PPSE uniform, both teenagers walk away from the kitchen. On the main hall of the castle-sized mansion, maiden and butlers waiting for their arrival, bowing uniformly. It was surreal, and yet, neither Nanami nor Reiji paid much attention, growing too accustomed to it.
Waiting near the front door is a woman in business suit and a man in black, Ayame the caretaker, and Kurama the bodyguard. Both adults looking at them without slightest hint of emotion.
"We're going to work, Ayama-nee, Kurama-niisan"
"Be safe" Ayame nodded "Reiji-sama, be careful and don't get into random fight"
"You really don't trust me, Ayame?" Reiji sneered "Don't worry, I'll protect Nanami just like usual"
Ayame coldly stated "I trust you to do that, I don't trust you doing anything else"
Reiji just made a face in response, while Nanami laughed.
"We're going"
As the giant door open, strong breeze flushed their body with great force, as a small helicopter landed right on the helipad in the front yard. PPSE logo emblazoned on both sides, the helicopter is clearly there for one and only one purpose.
Nanami flipped open her phone and began to call "Hello, Tatsuya this is Nanami"
"Yeah, Reiji is with me, we'll be there in a moment-yes a helicopter-what-no-well I know that but-TATSUYA!"
Nanami sighed, put back the phone inside her pocket "He's mad"
Reiji blinked, momentarily stop eating chips, and curiously asked "What? Why?"
...
"I told them not to do something so reckless."
Yuuki sighed in disappointment. Only him and his aide remained in the Seihou Academy's model club room. Everything is in order, both inside and outside of the window.
Monta Gonda can easily distinguished from the crowd, his enormous height and broad shoulder made him looks absolutely stunning compared to other boys, even disregard his distinct facial structure that he hates a lot.
Being a member of Student Council and "Hmm, are those the people you personally invite from PPSE? Or the Students from kanbara?"
"The former, Gonda. Honestly, I regret involving people from the corporation in this little game of persuasion" Tatsuya answered "This is a contingency plan… It isn't not mine, but I owe her too much... At least I'll help kickstart it carrying my own agenda"
He said everything with no nonsense
"Once again, I'm really sorry I had to involve the model club and the school as a whole"
Gonda didn't even bother to raise his brows.
"… I trust you, captain. If you decide to give your all, I know it's not something that could be taken lightly"
"Thank you, Gonda"
Yuuki stood and straightened his uniform, gunpla casket on each of his sides. The much taller sophomore walked just behind him, fully on guard.
They have guests to welcome.
His heart started to work faster in repressed excitement, his feet followed suit afterwards.
The buzzing sounds of helicopter getting closer and closer - the people from PPSE had come. Considering its Nanami, she probably landed on the roof or something.
"What part of being subtle did you not understand?" Tatsuya frowned "Nanami, Reiji. This is a school, I need remind you."
"Iyaa, we've been caught~!" Nanami mocked with an innocent face, caused Tatsuya to pop extra veins in response.
"Chill down, dude!" Reiji waved his hand mindlessly. "You lost your cool there"
"Now I see why captain looks so stressed." Gonda chuckled. "My name is Gonda Monta, welcome to Seihou Academy!"
"Sakurai Nanami"
"Sakurai Reiji"
The proceed to formally exchanging a handshake as proper.
"We from PPSE came here to the new battle console and its function" Nanami continued "Needlessly to say, it's rare to see 6-meter class hexagon operated by private parties"
"Waste of money if you ask me" Reiji shrugged, caused both Nanami and Tatsuya to nudge him for his ignorance. It's time for they to get irritated - Their eyes became much sharper then before.
"What? As if seven-hex arena is not enough!" He said in defense, looking at their 'angry cat' eyes without fear.
Indeed, seven-hex arena already considered a luxury, with each battle system about 1.5 meters wide and more than enough for a head to head fight. A single 6-meter class arena is really expensive and power hungry, but the most grating part is that they're difficult to move around due to lack of modularity. To carry one here last night, they had to use a cargo helicopter - with the knowledge of school staff, of course.
"We're considering whether it's feasible to use 6-meter class battle arena for the upcoming world tournament selection, specifically in Japan." Nanami explained.
Finally getting the hang of the required professionalism, the redhead boy continued "The higher ups think that in order to increase the participant's spirit, this type of battlefield is the best choice"
"I certainly can understand that reasoning." Gonda huffed and grin, this is getting more exciting. "I am certainly fired up for this fight, and as such, the Student Council and Model Club approve your presence"
"Thank you for the consideration. Shall we go, Tatsuya?" Nanami winked, yanked the Student Council President's arm like it's nothing. Tatsuya was surprised himself, but the unbreakable smile was still there.
Needless to say, the mob of lovestruck girls around the place is screaming internally out of panic and jealously - Who is this girl, what is her to Yuuki, etcetera etcetera...
All in all, Nanami's intimate demeanor to her friend and collaborator already crushed several maiden's dreams – some innocent, and some are not - that Yuuki Tatsuya, their idol, is unreachable and only could be worshiped by them.
Gonda of course, noticed that, and whispered to the brother of that girl aside him.
"If I may ask… what is their relationship, exactly?"
"Officially? Hell if I know, but they're more than simple friends." Reiji sneered. "Won't be surprising if their parents suddenly call for engagement party."
"Ah..." The tall and muscular student signed. He knew how difficult to understand relationship between teenagers from rich family can be. "They're quite close then… You look jealous, though."
"What? Even as a joke that's crazy!" Reiji chided "I don't even know whether to call her my sister or my mother, and she's head over heels for that bastard. It was annoying to see her being so lovestruck, trust me."
His way of speaking start to get into Gonda's hair - he need to remind Reiji the social norm for sure
"… You're quite rude and immature for someone sitting on an important position in PPSE. I thought having a real job and responsibilities would fix people's attitude."
Ignoring the fact that he was being scolded, Reiji furrowed his eyebrow "Japanese doesn't even allow me to work fully due to age restriction"
Gonda stopped to give a second thought, before asked bluntly "… How OLD are you again?"
...
"Iori-kun…"
"…I…"
In the small, and yet extensive Seihou's own gunpla battle venue, students have gathered with anticipation. They want to see for real the stunt the renowned Crimson Comet in action, and the people he invited. Sei, just like most people, decided to pick the second floor so they can get a clear sight of the entire battlefield. Aside of him, class rep and few other students from his class are watching from there as well.
The fact that he, of all people, invited them personally, involving formal request with the school faculty, is something to consider.
Speculation flew left and right, but one thing for sure, Sei was conflicted.
On the other hand, he knew that he'll become a burden if he joins.
But if he refuses, he will betray the honest feeling his senpai had given to him.
Sei… doesn't have the heart to do it.
But he had to decide… or else…
"I don't know what I should do"
"…Iori-kun… what's wrong" China asked with worried feeling drawn all over her face "You don't look too well"
"I'm okay, don't mind me" again, he tried to hide it with a sheepish reaction, as if it ever worked...
Stepped inside the venue at last, Kanbara high school students walked tall and proud, despite not having people cheering for them. Their eyes glistening with passion, ready to fight the insurmountable wall in front of them.
Sei rubbed his eyes in disbelief; it was Tamaki and the gang "Azuma-san?"
"Iori-kun, you know one of them?"
"Azuma-san is my neighbor and customer, and those are his friends" Sei answered "SO they won that tournament huh"
"I am honored that the famous Crimson comet to go such a great length to invite us" Kojima the class rep open his mouth, softly and politely, offering his hand.
"I apologize for coming off so suddenly" the student council president nodded, answering the handshakes while at it "I hope "
"….I can't hold it anymore!"
"ALICE! NO!" Airi shrieked, but the black haired girl already dashed toward the direction of Yuuki "My name is Imai Alice, I'm just one of your many fans but I hope you can at least remember, Yuuki Tatsuya-san!"
"Oh shit, a fangirl?!" Reiji winced, while Nanami chuckled. "I don't think she's an ordinary fangirl! The worst type!"
"Imai-san isn't it?" Yuuki didn't lose his cool at all, it's just another fangirl indeed. He's way too accustomed to the attention his reputation brought, even though he didn't feel he deserved it "I'll remember it"
Alice smirked and lower her head, shades overtaken her face except her vicious grin "Good because I'm not going to ask for a photo session or your signature…"
That was when Yuuki lost his cool, again. When she raised her face, the face of a chirping lovestruck naive girl already disappeared.
Instead, left a pair of eyes burning brighter than the sun, the eyes of a fighter looking at him with unbridled passion and emotion. She clenched her hand so tight one can wonder if she's bleeding from it.
"All I want is a chance to fight with THE Crimson Comet, no more, no less! So come on!"
Scanned each and every single one of the Kabara students; they all shared the same expression.
Releasing the pent up battle lust repressed all the time, Tatsuya released a heavy sigh of arousal. It's time to let out his inner warrior.
Many thanks to Fireminer for beta-ing this chapter, two more chapters until the ride ends.
Stay tuned!