Chapter 4 – Love and shenanigans

Aya and Nami were running around, aimlessly to a bystander, but they knew their way around. At least one of them did.

"Ayaaayaaaa…" the tall Fusojin moaned. "Where are we going?"

"A bit indirectly, but I already told you where I want to go. I'm just taking a route on which we won't meet too much people."

"Ah, straight to the target, huh?"

"Yup," Aya smiled and they continued running around.

Only a minute later, they Aya finally spotted the one that she was looking for. A young man with a moustache was sitting under a pine tree, being spoon-fed by a stunning black-haired beauty.

"Woooow…" Nami gasped. "Your great-grandparents are beautiful… Just as you, heehee…"

"Come on, Nami…" Aya blushed. "I saw the photos of your great-grandparents, they also look nice, heheh…"

"Hey you two, stop giggling alone and join us!" Lucas shouted all of a sudden, startling the two girls.

They looked at each other abashed and ran to Aya's ancestors.

"Uh, good morning…" Aya said shyly. "I'm…"

"You're Aya, our great-granddaughter," Akiko said with a smile. "Despite what you think, news gets around here quickly. And hello, Nami."

"Mornin', Akiko-san, Lucas," Nami bowed her head slightly.

"Hey, you're already acquainted with them!" Aya protested. "Unfair!"

"I had a head start into the afterlife," Nami giggled.

"Damn, it seems your genes have made it through, my love," Lucas said, looking at his wife. "Again."

"Ohohoho…" Akiko chuckled. "Yes, my granddaughter not only shares my name but my transcendent beauty, and my great granddaughter is just as beautiful! Ahhh…" she sighed. "It's nice to finally see you, Aya."

"Likewise, Grandma," Aya smiled. "Oh, I have a favor to ask…"

"Not too fast, are we?" Lucas asked. "You know, we just met."

"Oh can it, hubby," Akiko poked his side. "Please, Aya, what can I do for you?"

"Hmmm… Since the both of you are here together, I would like to hear your stories."

"Did our good-for-nothing son skimp on the details?" Lucas asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh no, no… Grandpa told me everything about you two, just as he was told, and what he remembered himself. The least I know about you, great-grandpa, since Grandpa is in the dark himself on quite a few accounts…"

"Well then, it can't be helped I guess…" he sighed. "I'll start, okay?"

"Sure," Akiko said.

"As you may know, I was born in a rather poor family, in the village of Klausdorf in the eastern part of Karlsland, now the uh… What was it again?"

"West Pomerania, the European Republic of Lehistan," Akiko said.

"Ah, thanks… Life wasn't exactly stroking me on the head, but my parents focused on my development. I never skipped school, because father would hit me if I even went truant on one lesson. I was an investment, so to speak. Of course, back then, I didn't know of my bloodline, because it could have been troublesome, I guess. For middle school, I had to go to the nearby town of Karlskrone. I managed to find a room quickly, a shabby shithole at an old hags house. Damn, I almost felt like Raskolnikov, if not for the fact that I had three roommates."

"And I thought that an army barrack was bad enough…" Nami muttered.

"Oh believe me, four men in a ten-square-meter room in times where you bathed less than once a week? The apocalypse… Anyway, besides attending to school, I was working part-time in an antique bookshop. Thing was that despite his good heart, he could only give me enough for me to survive, since business wasn't exactly going peachy."

"Did it influence your scientific career?" Aya asked.

"In fact, yes, it did," Lucas said with a smile. "One perk of working there was the fact that I had free access to all the books. Since the owner said that anything older than ten years is worthy of him selling it, the selection wasn't all that bad. Physics sparked my interest in middle school, so I dabbled in the books related to the topic. The old man was always smiling at me when I picked up another tome of knowledge, heheh… And so, my days at Karlskrone came to an end after a few years. I graduated as an honor student with top grades, which earned me tuition for a university of my choice. My parents were so damn proud of me that we were drinking for a whole day, hahaha!"

"Woooow… Nice!" Nami cheered.

"Right? I decided not to run off too far away, so I picked the closest possible city – Posnania. And that was where I met him…"

Posnania University

Posnania, Karlsland

1st September, 1908

The young Lucas went out of the aula, after the inauguration of the academic year, Gaudeamus and pompous speeches included.

"What a Gaudeamus that was…" he muttered under his nose, while moving forward with his hands in his pockets and whilst looking at the ceiling.

Suddenly, he bumped into something, and almost lost his footing. He saw that somebody lied before him. A young man dressed in an expensive suit, was there on the floor, looking confused at Lucas.

"My first day and I already bump into a professor…" he sighed. "Come on, sir, I'll help you up."

"Ah, please, I'm a fellow student," the youngster said with a smile and stood up on his own. "Frederick," he moved his hand forward.

"Lucas," he replied and gave him a firm handshake. "Sorry for bumping into you, but this is… well, all this is so new to me…"

"It's also new to me, since I'm a freshman, but I keep my head level," Frederick snickered. "Since we're free now, how about frequenting a bierhalle?"

"Only if you're paying, because…" Lucas sighed. "…the only money I have is the tuition I'm getting paid, and some spare change…"

"Don't worry, look at me," Frederick pointed to himself. "Do I look poor?"

"You look like a million Reichsmarken!" Lucas laughed.

"This was the beginning of our friendship…" Lucas said with a melancholical voice. "Only the next day I learned that he was the young prince, but we were already such buds that it didn't matter. Bah, Fritz was such a damn bro that he supported me financially during the whole course of my college education, just because I was such a good guy, heheh…"

"You sure struck a gold mine, Great Grandpa," Aya smiled. "What about after college?"

"Well, then our ways parted…" Lucas sighed. "He went his way, and I… well, I was offered a job at my alma mater as a teacher, since I excelled at my subjects. After a quick pedagogical training, mind you, those were different times, I began teaching, which was until 1914."

"The First Neuroi War broke out, right?" Nami asked.

"What a bright child," Akiko giggled.

"Heh, indeed, it was that event that changed my life a bit. I was immediately drafted and assigned to a team of scientists that were developing Strikers for the army. One of my successes of that time was working on the Albatros , the first Striker that Manfriede von Richthofen flew."

"The Red Baroness?!" Aya asked amazed. "Woah! You knew her?!"

"The who now?" Nami asked clueless.

"Nami, that's the greatest witch of the First Neuroi War!" Aya explained with passion. "A noble witch a fiery spirit that raked in so many kills that then it was viewed almost as a miracle!"

"A fan, huh?" Akiko whispered to Lucas.

"Seems like it…" he whispered back with a smile not leaving his face. "Aya, I indeed met Manfriede. Bah, I was there when she crashed for the first time, and I fine-tuned her Striker. She seemed to take liking in me, since me and my team were somehow making Strikers that suited her perfectly. She was also very vocal about every shortcoming, which we tried to fix."

"Woooow, so cool!" Aya squealed from joy.

"She was a bit hissy at times, but whatever, the war ended soon, heheh… Anyway, after the war, I didn't find myself on the unemployed list, oh no! Despite the war being won, the army still needed me and my men. Unfortunately, because of the war expenditures, the budget of our research facility was rather meager, so the development was rather slow, since prototypes cost money. But in 1926, I met a certain young lady…" Lucas looked at Akiko.

"Well I wonder who that was?" she giggled. "1926 was a rather… fruitful year for me."

"Oh, tell us!" Nami said. "Tell us!"

"Okay, dear cousin, okay…" Akiko smiled.

Yokosuka Community Park

July 7th, 1926

A beautiful woman in her mid-20's was moving along the festively decorated park in Yokosuka during the evening. She was clad in a simple yukata, and carrying a paper fan in her hand, shielding her face from the manly part of the population. He long dark hair were dangling along loosely on her back as she moved forward nonchalantly.

It's nice to finally have a break from work, and it's Tanabata! But tomorrow it's back to the sewing workshop… I might put on some air though, ha!

As she casually walked further, she saw a young man with a moustache, dressed in a brown suit, with a matching traveling suitcase and a black fedora on his head, walking straight towards her.

Gaijin? I wonder what he wants?

The man indeed approached her, and asked, "Excuse me, ma'am, I would like some directions, if that's possible?"

How polite… Well, he overestimated my status right now but… I feel like I can help him.

She folded the fan, revealing her face, which made the man raise an eyebrow barely visibly.

"Of course you can get some directions, I think I can help you, mister…"

"Edelweiss. Lucas Edelweiss," he introduced himself, topping his fedora. "Can you please guide me to the research institute here? They didn't send a guide, and I somehow got lost myself, despite having written guidance."

"Research institute? I think there's only one here so… Ummm… My, the way is rather complicated, so…"

Get yourself together, Akiko, he's just a foreigner wanting directions!

"I'll lead you there myself," Akiko said. "But you'll have to excuse me, my sandals aren't meant for running."

"Oh thank you!" he cheered. "I was told to arrive till tomorrow, so I think I have some time to spend with such a beautiful lady."

Oh my… What a flatterer… And he looks somewhere around my age, as far as I can tell… And there's a lot of people everywhere, so I think I don't have to be afraid of an assault… Hmmm…

"I will be happy to help you, Edelweiss-san," Akiko smiled and turned around. "Please, follow me."

Lucas made a huge leap and stood by her side, saying, "Watching your back would be a waste, madam."

Akiko giggled and said, "Well, if you insist…"

Just a minute of silent walking later, Lucas asked, "So, Miss, what is with all the decorations around here? Is there a holiday currently being celebrated?"

"It's the seventh day of the seventh month, Edelweiss-san, thus, it's time for Tanabata."

"Never heard of it to be honest… Just like your name," he snickered with a cheeky smile.

"Oh, pardon me, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Akiko Akayama, your guide for this moment," Akiko said with a smile.

"Akiko…" Lucas pondered visibly. "The name has a nice ring to it. What do you do for a living?"

If this isn't outright flirting, then I'm the Empress of Fuso… But I suppose a foreigner can have a bit of a period for settling in…

"I make clothes for a living."

"Oh, so you're a fashion designer?" he asked with interest.

"Hahaha, no!" Akiko laughed honestly. "I'm just a simple needlewoman, doing what I'm told. But I did make this yukata I'm wearing."

"It suits you," he smiled.

No honorifics already? Maybe it's customary in the West? Or is it even more flirting?

"What do you do then?" Akiko tried his approach.

"Oh, I'm a scientist, a Striker engineer and designer to be precise."

"Strikers? Then you definitely will work with Miyafuji-san."

"Who's that?" Lucas asked.

"He's our local pride," Akiko smiled. "He's a genius in your field, so you'll most definitely be under his care."

"I see…" Lucas scratched his head.

"Oh, that's his wife, Sayaka-san!" Akiko suddenly pointed a young woman with brown hair, about the same age as she was. "Sayaka-san, konnichiwa!"

The woman called Sayaka casually walked up to them and said, "Konnichiwa, Akiko-san, how are you today?"

"Fine, thank you, that twisted ankle healed like on a dog thanks to you!"

"And who is this gentleman?" Sayaka asked. "Maybe you finally found a suitor?"

"Saaaayaakaaaa!" Akiko shouted with a red face. "He's a scientist, and I'm guiding him to Ichiro-san's workplace!"

Sayaka giggled and said, "Ah, is that so? Then have fun, dear scientist-san, and please take care of my husband!"

"Will do, ma'am," Lucas saluted with two fingers flippantly, and Sayaka left them.

"Sayaka Miyafuji-san, the lovely wedded wife of Ichiro-san…" Akiko sighed. "I visit her clinic sometime, and when we meet, she always teases me about my lack of a husband, or even a lo… Wait, why am I even telling you this?!"

"Dunno, maybe you're just an honest woman?" Lucas shrugged. "So she's a doctor?"

"Y-Yes… Both a conventional doctor and a healing magic user."

"Convenient…"

"Ah, snap, let's go, Lucas-san!" Akiko grabbed his hand, but she quickly released it, and started bowing, apologizing at the same time. "I'm sorry, that was rude of me!"

"I don't know, that was rather fun," Lucas grinned. "Come on, Miss Akiko, lead me to my destination, I don't want to foil your plans any longer."

'Ah, okay, right!"

During the fifteen minute trip to the research facility, Akiko was mulling over what happened in her head, while answering some general questions to Lucas. Finally, they wound up before a massive building with a soldier guarding it.

"This is the place, Lucas-san," Akiko said. "Have a good day."

"Thank you for allotting some time for me, Miss Akiko. If I could repay you somehow…"

"Oh please, you can always visit me in my home on a daaaaawaaaah! Why am I telling you this?!" she panicked again.

"I really don't know," he snickered. "Tell me at least your workplace, that's more neutral ground than your home, right?"

"Ask about the Kumamori Sewing Company…" Akiko mumbled. "I bet half of the people here will tell you where to go even if drunk…"

"Expect a visit from me then!" Lucas laughed. "Bye!"

"Bye…" Akiko waved her hand with a faint smile, watching as Lucas went to the guard at the gate.

Is this… love?

"That's how we first met," Akiko said. "A bit romantic, a bit hasty, with a dash of stupid."

"I didn't know that you knew my great grandparents back then already…" Aya pondered.

"Who cares, Ayaya?! That was so romantic!" Nami squealed.

"Heh, indeed, it was…" Aya smiled warmly. "How did it go from then on?"

"You won't guess…" Lucas smirked.

"Then I won't," Aya shrugged.

"Oh you little rebel you," Lucas patted her on the head. "Akiko actually visited me on the next occasion! There was some hubbub with the guard, so I met her outside the facility."

"It went a bit smoother, since I hammered into my skull that I actually might be in love," Akiko giggled. "I invited this klutz on a real date… in a ramen shop…" she sighed.

"My first ramen, and already with such a fine woman!" Lucas laughed vividly. "It went really smooth from that point."

"Lucas and I did it soon…" Akiko mumbled with flaming cheeks. "That's how Toshiro was made…"

"Under the starry august sky…" Lucas sighed, receiving as smack in the back of his head. "Okay, I understand… Well anyway, I took responsibility, but since my parents were far away, and Akiko could only visit hers on the cemetery, the formalities were rather simplified. I obtained permission to live with my dear Akiko in her apartment, and we lived happily… well, until I had to go…"

"Thankfully, it was already after Toshiro was born, so he could at least see him for some time… Lucas left me a nice stack of money he has been saving, and he was sent back to Karlsland…"

"Almost a tragic love story…" Nami sighed. "But almost makes a great difference, heheh…"

"Right?" Lucas asked. "Skipping a bit in time, I was developing Strikers for my glorious Karlsland, and in 1936, was sent to Britannia where I met who?" he looked at Aya.

"Ummm… Wait… Ah, I know! It was Mio and great grandfather!"

"Bingo, full marks!" Lucas laughed. "Yeah, I met the two… Ichiro was still the good old hairy perv he was, and Mio… Did she tell you how she was back then?"

"Yes," both the girls nodded.

"Mio got in the mood at one reunion, and told us young'un's her life's story," Aya said. "The whole thing, including the… ehem… adventures with Grandpa…"

"How she changed…" Lucas sighed. "Well, now you know about the two of us?"

"Yup!" Nami cheered. "Thank you for the story!"

"Yes, really!" Aya added.

"It was fun to talk to you," Akiko smiled. "Have a nice day, my little goddesses,"

"Sure is weird that grandpa turned us all into gods, right?" Aya asked.

"I didn't ask for it, but I rest easy that I'm… hmmm… how to say it… independent from the old gods," Lucas pondered. "Right, Mein Liebchen?" he looked at Akiko.

"Of course, anata," she looked at him lustfully and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Eh, we'll be going," Aya said to Nami quietly.

"Where to?"

"I think we should talk a bit to Grandpa…"

"Ah… Kay, going!"

The two ran girls ran off as Lucas and Akiko decided to elevate their kissing into something more intimate.

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