The Witch of the Neuroi
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Except for the OC's. I own all the OC's.
Chapter 6: The Calm before the Storm
After the events that have unfolded, all the humans present were tired.
Some questions were raised. Some were answered but the whole picture remains blurred to the end.
"Yoshika…" Ichiro said to his daughter who is looking at the sun silently.
Sayaka is at his side and Akimoto watches from the back.
"Dad… Mom… Grandma…" Yoshika whispered loud enough for them to hear.
"Yoshika…" Sayaka said as she started to sob.
Yoshika then starts to walk closer to her family and said with a warm smile "Don't cry mom… or you'll make me cry too."
Sayaka and Ichiro nodded and hold their tears while Akimoto is just happy watching her family reunited once again and sighed in bliss.
"How do you do while I was gone, dad?" Yoshika asked shyly.
"I'm quite fine, actually." Ichiro said trying to sound cheerful like he used to.
"Hah! You two were crying all the time taking faults for your own self and you say that you're okay? Hahahahahaha!" Akimoto exclaimed while laughing.
"Mo… Mother!" Sayaka and Ichiro said at the same time embarrassed about the fact being told to their daughter.
"Ahahaha… It's just like you mom… dad… but… I'm not the same you know…" Yoshika says the sentence sadly.
Ichiro, Sayaka and Akimoto were surprised at the statement.
She choked out the sad words at her parents, "I'm… not the Yoshika Miyafuji you used to know…"
"It doesn't matter…" Ichiro said calmly.
"No matter what you are, what form you take, you will always be our daughter." Sayaka says lovingly.
"It doesn't matter that I'm partially Neuroi?" Yoshika asked.
"It doesn't matter." Sayaka answered immediately.
"It doesn't matter that I'm a monster?" Yoshika asked again.
"It doesn't matter." Ichiro answered immediately.
"Why...? Why don't you care? Im a monstrosity! I can live with all of you anymore! I'm too strong! I'm…!" Yoshika said as she started sobbing.
"You're a hard-headed fool! So similar to your parents! Do not reject a parent's love!" Akimoto says as she is irritated by the words her granddaughter had said but continued kindly, "You are you. Nobody can say otherwise… we love you no matter what."
Yoshika's eyes opened wide as she accepts that one truth.
~Nothing could ever compare to a parent's love. ~
As she thinks this she smile thinly and wiped her tears.
"Then this will be fine for now… but I… can't go back yet… I still have things to do." Yoshika strengthened her will.
The three nodded in unison for they know about responsibilities.
"Then at least know this…" Sayaka answered.
"We are here…" Ichiro continued while hugging his wife from behind.
"Our home will always be your home… we will accept you no matter what… come home once in a while…" Akimoto concluded.
Yoshika laughed a little and said, "I'll make sure to visit sometimes."
Suddenly a sound of a few people falling over was heard nearby and the Miyafuji's were all shocked.
"UWAaaaaaaaaaaahhh!" Lucchini cried loudly.
"This… is so touching…" Lynne said with tears in her eyes.
"Trude~ you're crying~" Erica teased.
"I'm not crying!" Trude denied and said, "These are manly tears!"
Perrine is just panicking, looking around thinking of an excuse.
Minna just smiles with a little tear in her eyes.
Sanya sobs quietly.
"Mouu… Sanya here blow your nose." Eila says as she hands a handkerchief to Sanya. (I wish I could put a nose blowing SFX/Sound effect here).
Ursula just smiles looking at the group.
Mio however laughs hard like and old man, "HAHAHAHAHAHA! All's well that ends well!"
"Wha… Wa… Whe… When did all of you come out?!" Ichiro stuttered.
"Have you been watching all this time?" Sayaka asked while being embarrassed.
Akimoto only showed a little smile while looking down.
"Ahahahahah… HaHaHaHa… HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Yoshika started laughing out loud.
Ichiro and Sayaka too laughed with their daughter and soon the Witches follow.
In Gallian Airspace
"Yoshika… how did it go?" Axion said with a little worry.
"It's all right~ I'm happy to meet them after all this time." Yoshika answered cheerfully.
"What are we going to do now?" Ixia asked.
"Hmm… I know!" Yoshika exclaimed while pointing her finger upwards.
"I will act as a representative of the Neuroi to the humans. I would be what you call a diplomatic ambassador. I will forge a bridge between the humans and the Neuroi. I will also act as a representative of the Red Queen. With this we can stop our battles with the humans and maybe can win support from them." Yoshika calmly explained her plan.
"Will the humans accept you?" Xalia asked.
Axion "head-butted" Xalia for that sensitive question.
Yoshika giggled at their behavior and said, "Maybe… My family still loves me but it doesn't mean that the others will… The Witches accepted me somewhat but they're just too friendly…"
"Then it all rests on a discussion with the human higher ups, doesn't it?" Ixia suggested.
"Yes… it seems so." Yoshika pondered to herself.
"Then… what should we do?" Axion asked.
"I guess you three should stand by in the Hive. Axion! You will replace my position for a while. Report all movements of the Karlsland Hive or anything suspicious to me immediately!" Yoshika ordered.
"What about you, Commander?" Ixia asked as Yoshika did not fly with them.
"I… will stay at the Witches' base for a while." Yoshika says as she looked back.
"Ehehehe... Is that strictly for business? Or something else?" Xalia teased.
Axion "head-butted" Xalia again.
"Ahahaha… well… it's both~" Yoshika answered gleefully.
"So be it." Ixia says as he flew away.
"See ya~" Xalia shouted as he flew off.
"Have fun… Little Sister." Axion whispered before flying away.
Yoshika beamed and went flying in the direction of the Witches' base.
"So, that's how it is~" Yoshika grinned while explaining what had happened.
In the background, Lynne dropped a plate that resulted in a loud breaking sound in the silence.
All the Witches were too shocked to speak.
Sanya and Eila however are still sleeping.
The Miyafuji's are still in their own house provided by the military.
"Ho~ Yoshika~" Ichiro said with a little surprise while he walked in the cafeteria.
He grabbed a loaf of bread bit it in his mouth and said, "whaf ah yu doingh hfere?" (What are you doing here?)
"I'll be staying here as a diplomat~" Yoshika cheerfully stated.
Perrine who started to get the idea started stuttering in outrage, "Wha… What the?"
"Here we go again." Ursula said in the sidelines.
"What do you mean by that!?" Perrine angrily asked.
"Nothing~" Ursula said as she ran away.
"Wait!" Perrine shouted as she chased her.
The other Witches were still petrified when Ichiro walked out saying, "See you later~ make sure to see your mom~"
"Will do~" Yoshika said as Sanya and Eila walked into the cafeteria.
"What's for break…?" Eila paused what she wanted to say when she saw Yoshika.
"Ah…" Sanya says sleepily.
"Sakamoto-san~ Nice to meet you!" Yoshika said to the major.
"A… ah yes… nice to meet you too… wait, how did you know my name?" Mio asked.
"I spoke with my father a bit and of course told him of my plan~" Yoshika said with a smile on her face.
"Let me introduce myself… I am Yoshika Miyafuji, former 1st Lieutenant of the 500th Joint Fighter Wing, aka the "Proto Witches". Now I'm the Commander of the Neuroi force on Earth. Please take care of me." Yoshika introduced herself and bowed politely.
"Lieutenant Commander Minna Wilcke." Minna introduced herself and Mio, "Major Sakamoto Mio."
"I know~ Dad talked a lot about you helping his research Sakamoto-san~" Yoshika said as she pointed to Mio.
"I am Charlotte Yeager, I come from Liberion and my rank is Flight Lieutenant. Do call me Shirley." Shirley introduced herself.
"Eila Ilmatar Juutilainen, Suomus Air Force Pilot Officer." Eila introduced herself and continued to introduce the sleeping Sanya by her side, "This is Sanya Litvyak, Orussia Army Flying Officer."
"I'm Francesca Lucchini." Lucchini introduced herself as she hugs Shirley and continued, "Romagna Regia Aeronautica Pilot Officer."
"Gertrude Barkhorn." Trude said her name as she finished her food and left the room.
"I'm Erica Hartmann. Nice to meet you." Erica said.
Suddenly, Ursula ran into the cafeteria with Perrine at her back.
"Ursula Hartmann, Erica's twin sister. It's nice to meet you!" Ursula introduced herself.
Perrine then stops and elegantly introduced herself, "I am Perrine Clostermann, Flying Officer of the Gallian Armée de l'Air."
"Ah… yes, nice to meet you too." Yoshika said to them.
"Lynette Bishop… nice to meet you…" Lynne said shyly.
"Enough for introductions. All of you, it's time for duty. Miyafuji what are you going to do?" Mio asked Yoshika.
"Ah~ I'll look around the base and have some time with my mom and dad~ maybe I'll see you guys training~ oh! Remember that all of you will escort me to Rome~ I wish to meet the Duchess."
"What about Gallia? What will happen to it?" Perrine asked worrisomely.
"Do not worry. We can compromise; we can even protect the citizens." Yoshika said.
"Oh~ and don't forget~ don't tell anyone that I'm half-Neuroi okay~ to others I, will be a full Neuroi." Yoshika requested.
"It is a logical decision. I can comply with that." Minna said while nodding her head.
"Well it wouldn't matter here." Yoshika whispered to herself but loud enough for others to hear, confusing the present Witches.
Yoshika's whole body flashed bright. Her gloves, suit, Neuroi Strikers and wings dematerialized and what's left of it was a sailor suit she used 4 years ago.
Her tanuki ears and tail disappeared and her eye turned hazelnut brown.
The Witches can only stare in shock as each of them thought, 'She perfectly look human!'
"What… What is that transformation?" Ursula asked with shining eyes.
But Yoshika wasn't listening; her attention is taken elsewhere.
She was looking at the food on the table and her stomach growled hard.
The sound was so loud that it shook the base.
Ichiro came running in a panic. "Earthquake! Yoshika where are you?"
The Witches can only stay frozen to their spot.
Yoshika, whose face was beet-red in pure embarrassment, shyly asked, "Can I have some food?"
Yoshika was eating in the cafeteria... but she is eating way too much.
"Yoshika… don't you think it's enough?" Sayaka asked with some concern in her voice.
Yoshika keeps wolfing down food and replied when her mouth is empty, "Sorry mom… really hungry… it's been 4 years since I've last eaten."
"What a metabolism… how can you eat all that?" Ursula questioned from the side.
"I'm sooo hungry..." Yoshika answered as it is obvious.
Thirty Minutes Later...
"Ahhh… this is bliss…" Yoshika said as she rubs her full stomach now quite gloated.
Mio, Ursula, Ichiro and Sayaka can only stare in disbelief on how much the little girl had eaten.
"Dad…" Yoshika suddenly said while her eyes droop low, "I'm tired… couldn't… hold it anymore…"
Ichiro confused by the statement suddenly panicked as Yoshika toppled over.
After catching her in his arms did he notice that she is sleeping soundly.
"Uhuhuhu!" Sayaka laughed to herself as she took Yoshika up, "She is always cute when asleep."
"She is our daughter after all." Ichiro said.
"Can I ask some questions later when she wakes up Professor?" Ursula asked with a glint in her eyes.
"You can ask her later, Ensign Hartmann." Mio commented. "Now it's time for training."
Yoshika woke up on her mother's lap.
She looked around and started to notice where she is.
It's a small house.
The room feels nostalgic... it is decorated in an eastern style with the tatami and all.
She could see a family photo on top of the fire place.
The picture is brown and old.
'It's been four years…' Yoshika thought to herself.
"Ara… did you wake up Yoshika?" Sayaka asked silently.
"Ah… mom… how long did I sleep?" Yoshika asked her mother as she looked outside the window that the sun is still high. (After noon I guess 1-2 pm?)
"Only a few hours… why don't you sleep some more?" Sayaka replied.
"Don't worry about me mom… I'm okay." Yoshika said as she woke up, stretched her body and looked around some more.
"How do you feel? This room? We made it to look like our home." Sayaka asked.
"Hehehe… it makes me feel like I'm little again." Yoshika said as she reminisced her childhood.
"How is Micchan?" Yoshika asked.
"Michiko? She is fine…" Sayaka said as she smiled, "She is now in college."
"So she is well…" Yoshika said as she remembers her childhood friend.
"Why don't you visit her? Though Fuso is quite far from here but you can right?" Sayaka asked, concerned.
"Not now… she thinks that I died, right?" Yoshika replied.
"Well…" Sayaka couldn't answer.
"Is that so…" Yoshika can only say that.
"I'm gonna see dad." Yoshika said as she started walking to the front door.
"Your father is in the lab; don't bother him too much okay?" Sayaka reminded.
"Sure!" Yoshika cheerfully walked out of the house in the direction of the base.
She walked through corridors, moving through halls and she was confused.
"Where am I?" Yoshika asked to herself.
"Kya!" Lynne bumped into Yoshika in the corner of the hall.
"Ah! I'm sorry!" Yoshika said as she started helping to pick up the fallen laundry.
"Ah… no… I'm sorry." Lynne stuttered, embarrassed.
Yoshika then helped Lynne to bring laundry and hang them up since she had nothing to do.
"Sorry to impose on you, Miyafuji-san." Lynne said.
"Ah don't worry, Lynne-chan. I had nothing to do anyway." Yoshika said.
"Ly… Lynne-chan!?" Lynne face went beet red when she got called.
"Ah sorry… I'm sorry if I'm not polite." Yoshika apologized.
"No… it's alright. It's fine." Lynne said.
As they hang up the laundry Lynne said, "Yoshika-chan… you're so great…"
"Eh? Why?" Yoshika asked, confused.
"I mean… not seeing your parents… fighting you own battles…" Lynne continued with sadness in her eyes.
"Ah… it's normal…" Yoshika answered as if it's obvious.
"To protect the ones you love, a person can do anything." Yoshika continued.
"But… I couldn't… I'm scared…" Lynne said while she started trembling.
"My homeland… it's the last battle front for the Karlsland Hive… and now that I know what's happening… I'm scared." Lynne started sobbing.
"Lynne-chan…" Yoshika started to speak, worried.
"Ah… it's no matter." Lynne stopped Yoshika, "I'm useless after all."
After saying that, she took the basket and ran away.
Yoshika couldn't follow her and was soon lost in the base again.
'There must be something I can do for her…' Yoshika though to herself as she finally reached the lab.
Ichiro who heard the door opening said, "Ursula did you get the oil lubricant I…"
He stopped midway and saw his daughter.
"Yoshika~" Ichiro almost jumped in happiness as he continued, "What are you doing here?"
"I just want to see you work." Yoshika replied.
"Is that so… then I better make you proud." Ichiro said with fire in his eyes.
"I'm looking forward to it." Yoshika said as she went beside her father and see him tinkering with a Striker Unit.
She then noticed that this Striker was far different than any other Striker she has ever seen. 'This Striker… it's different…'
"Dad… this Striker Unit…" Yoshika started to ask.
"You noticed? As expected of my daughter!" Ichiro said as he tried to hug Yoshika.
Yoshika who evaded quickly continued to ask, "What is this?"
Ichiro, who missed his hug with a dejected face answered, "A prototype Striker… we call it…"
"Jet Striker!" Ursula said as she entered the lab and brought a tin can onto the desk, "Here professor, the oil."
"Jet? How does it work?" Yoshika asked, filled with curiosity.
"It's a powerful magic engine will convert all magic into pure force that will speed up the wearer." Ichiro explained.
"Flight will be less restricted and its speed is much higher." Ursula continued.
"No problems whatsoever yet for now… we will soon test it… in a few days or so." Ichiro concluded.
"So… now I have some questions for you…" Ursula took a pen and a notepad as she came close to Yoshika.
"How does it feel to be part Neuroi? Can you fly? What are those thing you wear that is similar to a Striker Unit?" She asked.
"Ah…" Yoshika is overwhelmed by the questions.
"Any changes to feelings, lifestyle, thought process?" Ursula continued her barrage of questions.
"Ummm…" Yoshika tried to interrupt.
"How is your magic? What have you done all these years?" Ursula ignored her and continued asking.
"Excuse me!" Yoshika shouted as she ran as quickly as possible.
At her back she can only hear Ursula shouting "WAAIITT!" and her father, Ichiro, was laughing out loud.
She ran and stopped when she found herself on the outskirts of the base facing the sea.
She looked up into the air and was blinded by the bright sun for a moment.
Suddenly she saw some flying figures.
Trude and Erica are flying around firing at each other with paintballs.
Mio is on the flight path watching something and when Yoshika walked close, she saw Lynne on her belly with her anti-tank rifle and was aiming at a faraway target.
Suddenly without warning she fired.
"Not bad! But aim lower!" Mio said as she looked at the practice target 1 km away.
"Try again!" Mio ordered.
"Yes!" Lynne answered as she cocked her gun and aimed again.
She fired again.
"Nice shot!" Mio said as she confirmed the destruction of the practice target.
"Woooaaahh~" Yoshika said in admiration.
The sudden voice shocks the two.
"Miyafuji! What are you doing here?" Mio asked in confusion.
"I wandered around… and I got lost." Yoshika answered.
"By the way Lynne-chan what do you mean you're useless when you can shoot like that?" Yoshika asked.
"I… I um… I'm sorry!" Lynne shouted as she ran away.
"Wha… wait!" Yoshika wanted to stop her.
"Miyafuji!" Mio said as she stopped her, "Let her be."
"…" Yoshika could say nothing as she stared at the running figure now quite far away.
Minna then walked near the two of them noticing Lynette running and said, "You know that the front line against the Karlsland Hive is her homeland right?"
"I've been told so… by herself." Yoshika said sadly.
"That's quite surprising… Lynette is rather… shy." Minna said while raising her brows.
"Why? Why did she say that she is useless?" Yoshika asked.
"She… doesn't perform well under pressure." Minna replied.
"What do you mean?" Yoshika asked curiously.
"She has always been good in training…" Mio said.
"But the pressure of protecting her homeland causes her to… slip in the battlefield." Minna concluded.
"Oh…" Yoshika understood the meaning of the sentence.
"Then she has to believe in herself!" Yoshika said as she strengthens her resolve to help Lynette.
Suddenly the Neuroi Alarm blared, signaling a Neuroi.
"Tch! Neuroi!" Trude says as both Erica and Trude stopped their training.
"We need to change to live ammunition!" Erica says.
They flew back to the hangar.
On the other side, Mio shouted into the intercom, "Where is it heading?"
"It's here…" Yoshika whispered to them
The person in the intercom replied, "It's on a straight course towards this base!"
Minna and Mio looked at Miyafuji.
"How did you know?" Mio asked
"I can feel them… they're not here to attack… call off your friends." Yoshika assured them.
"I'll trust you for now." Minna says as she ordered, "Witches stand by at the hangar! I repeat! Stand by at the hangar!"
A Neuroi then flew straight above them before stopping and flying to Yoshika.
"Yes… what is it…?" Yoshika asked the single Neuroi (I want to put a classification, the rocket class made for speed not really a combatant but any Neuroi can do fine).
"I have a report from Axion, Commander! The Karlsland Hive has made its move! We are readying our forces at the Gallian Hive to repel the incoming threat!" the Neuroi reported.
"Is that so… tell Axion this… If this is a battle of attrition, hold the fort well and hold out! I hope that I can get the humans' help for this on time." Yoshika ordered. "Leave! Now!"
The Neuroi screeched an affirmative before speeding towards the Gallian Hive.
"What was that?" Mio asked.
"You don't understand?" Yoshika replied.
"We couldn't understand… Sanya did not interpret anything and nothing is going on our intercoms." Minna said.
"This is a problem… we need to understand each other… I'll ask my father for help… but for now I need to tell you some bad news." Yoshika said grimly.
The Witches that are on standby were called to the meeting room.
Ichiro and Ursula too were called.
When they reached the room, they found Mio, Minna and Yoshika waiting.
"It seems I have bad news…" Yoshika started.
She tells them about the report of the war and about the Neuroi warfront on the border of Gallia and Karlsland and proposed to quicken her plans.
"This can cause serious damages." Yoshika said, concerned.
"To the Neuroi!?" Perrine exclaimed in anger.
"Calm down!" Mio said.
"I did not say that… I'm concerned about the land… this war may scar both Gallian and Karlsland lands." Yoshika explained her concerns.
Perrine who sped up to her own conclusion sat down and apologized, "Sorry… I… don't know what got over me."
"It's alright… I know you're concerned." Minna consoled her and asked, "What are we going to do?"
Yoshika looked at the watching witches and said, "I would try to convince your higher ups to help…"
"It's impossible!" Mio exclaimed, "Those warmongers wouldn't even lift a finger for something not beneficial to them!"
"It is true…" Ichiro agreed with Mio and so does every Witch.
"Who said 'they' are going to help?" Yoshika replied.
All were confused… 'Who will she be asking help from?' they wondered.
"I would request the 'Strike Witches' to help me." Yoshika said with a mischievous smile.
Mio and Minna understanding the statement nodded at each other.
The rest of the Witches however were shocked about the proposal.
Fighting alongside Neuroi.
"I know that it'll take some time to sink in, but it's fine for now." Yoshika concluded.
Yoshika walked to her father and said with her Commander's voice, "Professor Ichiro."
Ichiro was shocked at how his daughter addressed him.
'So this is official business… Can't help it then.' Ichiro thought to himself and replied, "Yes? What did you call me for?"
"I need your help. We need a device to translate the Neuroi language to human language." Yoshika stated.
The Witches except Mio and Minna were shocked at the preposterous request
"Is this possible?" Ichiro asked.
"It is… I know how but I need the right tools and a pair of hands." Yoshika said with a smile on her face (not a cute one… it's a hybrid between mischievous smile and evil grin… showing superior intelligence!)
"Is that so… then I shall help to the end with all my power..." Ichiro replied.
"Ursula." Yoshika looked at the ensign.
"Yes!?" Ursula replied with a shocked voice.
"I need your help too… you had some experience with the professor, right?" Yoshika asked with a Commander tone.
"Quite a bit, actually." Ursula replied.
"Then come with us and maybe I'll answer your questions, too." Yoshika grinned as she exited the room with Ichiro behind her.
Ursula ran after them in a hurry.
The still in a daze Witches are staring at their Commander questioningly as if all of them ask, 'What should we do now?'
"It's been a long day for all of us! You can rest for now but be alert! You are dismissed!" Minna concluded the meeting.
They then all went back to their rooms still a bit dazed at the information that was received.
"This will take quite a while for them to understand it all." Mio said to herself.
"Don't speak like you know it all Mio… you too were confused like they are." Minna commented as she giggled.
"Ah, it's all right… I'm going to rest for a while… hope she could do what she said." Mio said, full of hope.
Minna knowing of who 'she' is, Miyafuji, also said, "We can but only hope can we?"
They then exited the room going to their respective rooms.
In the lab, things were going the wrong way.
"Should we put this part here?" Ichiro asked.
"No… here… this is a better position." Yoshika countered.
"But it wouldn't work best!" Ursula exclaimed.
"We only need to be able to communicate. The batteries must be as efficient as possible." Yoshika replied.
"Who suggested making an ear piece?" Ichiro asked in despair.
Yoshika and Ursula both shouted, "You did!"
"What about miscommunication? It will be constantly be in the battlefield!" Ursula continued her argument.
"Not being able to communicate is a worse matter!" Yoshika countered again.
"Umm… you two…" Ichiro said timidly as he tried to stop their argument.
"What?" Both of them looked at the professor with blazing eyes.
Ichiro cowered but managed to say, "If they are magical… we don't need batteries."
The two then notice that and both nodded in acceptance.
Their work continued till the sun fall into the horizon.
"Ahhh finished at last!" Ursula sighed tiredly.
"Ugh… I need a bath." Ichiro said to himself.
"I need one too… whose fault is it that the oil can blow up?" Yoshika asked as she looked in Ursula's direction.
"What did you say!? It's not my fault!" Ursula replied irritated.
"Who charged magic that unstable into a small piece?" Yoshika argued.
"Well can you do better?" Ursula said starting to get angry.
"Now, now, you two… it's okay… it's no one's fault… make up now." Ichiro tried to make both of them to reconcile but the two of them just said, "Hmph!" as they looked away from each other.
Yoshika and Ursula both head to the bath house both still irritated at each other.
Both of them undressed themselves and entered into the bath.
"Woaaahhh~" Yoshika exclaimed as she looked at the large bath. "So big..."
"Heh... it's one of the benefits of being in this base." Ursula explained while taking a bar of soap. "Here, I'll help you clean it..." Ursula said as she brought Yoshika to a nearby mirror and started scrubbing.
"You are actually kind are you?" Yoshika asked.
"Hmph! I'm not being kind!" Ursula replied "It's just my mistake..."
"It's all right... let me help you too later." Yoshika said.
They take turns scrubbing each other's back cleaning the oil and tar on their body and finally slipped into the hot water.
"Ahhh..." Both sighed blissfully.
"Its been quite a while since I've had a dip in hot water..." Yoshika said blissfully, relaxing in the water with her towel on her head.
"Hot water? How did you take a bath?" Ursula asked with curiosity in her voice.
"Even though I dont sweat when im Neuroified... I still take a bath you know... I try to find underground springs or waterfalls where I could be hidden from radar and sight..." Yoshika answered.
"It's a wonder we've never seen you." Ursula said.
"Of course~ I planned everything perfectly!" Yoshika exclaimed proudly puffing her noexistent chest.
Luchinni then come barging in and jumped into the bath while shouting "Wheeeeee~!"
After making a big splash she then started swimming in the bath.
Shirley came in not long after and asked in surprise , "Oh! Yoshika~ Ursula~ how long have you been here?"
"Not too long." Ursula answered.
"We've just entered." Yoshika continued.
Luchinni then slipped to the back of Yoshika and grabbed her chest while dissapointed said, "Consolation prize..."
"AHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Shirley laughed as she went and dipped herself into the hot water. Shirley continued, "If you don't eat, you will never grow up!"
Lynne then came in and after seeing Yoshika went to the far edge of the bath.
Yoshika is a little worried about the fact.
"Don't worry... she can be... quite shy..." Shirley consoled Yoshika.
Yoshika went near her anyway.
"Hey... Lynne-chan..." Yoshika called her.
Lynne can only jolt in shock and paused whatever she is doing.
She then turned back and asked with a little voice, "What is it...?"
"I want to be friends with you." Yoshika asserted her.
"Friends..." Lynne wavered.
"I will help you to the best I can... so... don't lose hope..." Yoshika said.
With a little tear by her side she answered, "All right then..."
"Yosh!" Yoshika happily exclaimed and continued, "We're friends right?"
"Yeah... I would love to be friends with you... Yoshika-chan" Lynnete answered.
Yoshika was happy about her new friend and nickname so she voluntered to help Lynne wash her back.
Yoshika and Lynne went to the cafeteria together and had dinner.
Both chatted happily about random things, like what they have been doing lately and what they want to do...
"Whats you favourite food?" Lynne asked.
"Yellowtail sashimi, I guess..." Yoshika wondered.
"You guess?" Lynne though out loud, confused.
"Ah... I've not eaten anything the last 4 years..." Yoshika explained.
"..." Lynne can only stare in shock.
Eating their food, the conversation continues.
"How did you become a Commander?" Lynne asked questioningly.
"Umm... I... just got the position somehow..." Yoshika answered reluctant to explain.
Lynne that noticed the reluctance switched topics.
"Can you cook?" Lynne changed the topic.
"Not really... I haven't cooked in 4 years..." Yoshika said as she looked at her hands.
Lynne smiled and said, "Don't worry... It's easy... I'll teach you how."
"Thanks." Yoshika said as she sipped on her Miso soup.
"Ahh... its been quite a while since I've been this full." Yoshika said in bliss.
"If you don't eat how did you live?" Lynne asked.
Ursula who heard this came close to eavesdrop on them.
"As long as my Core is active I will live. Although its maintenance is hard..." Yoshika said before sighing.
"Maintenance?" Lynne asked confused.
"I have two hearts both Neuroi and human..." Yoshika tried to explain.
"..." Lynne tilted her head still confused.
"Ummm.. this is hard to explain..." Yoshika gave up explaining.
Ursula was disappointed that she couldn't hear any interesting information.
After dinner...
"It's getting late... we better rest for tommorow." Lynne said.
"Yawn~~ you're right Lynne-chan... but where can I sleep?" Yoshika asked as she wondered.
Mio who heard the conversation as she exit the cafeteria said, "The Miyafuji house has a room left. You can even sleep with your parents... its been quite a while, hasn't it?"
"Ah..." Yoshika heard about living together and went silent.
"Aa... did I say something wrong?" Mio asked in confusion.
"If you dont want to... you can share a bed with me..." Lynne said out of consideration.
"Lynne-chan.. what you said..." Yoshika said with a light blush on her face.
Lynette, who then started to understand the meaning of her sentence, went full tomato red and panickly said, "Ah... no... no... that's not what I mean!"
"I'm just kidding..." Yoshika said as she laughed and continued, "The house still has an empty room, right?"
"Are you sure?" Mio asked.
"Yeah, I'm okay..." Yoshika said as she went in the direction of the beach.
The two Witches stand there looking at Yoshika's back for a while in concern before heading back to their rooms.
Yoshika managed to get to the house near the beach without getting lost.
She tried to knock the door but her hand suddenly stopped...
She is reluctant.. for a while she doubted her decision...
Ichiro who noticed someone is outside went to open the door.
Through the window, he saw Yoshika outside.
When he saw Yoshika outside he smiled brightly and shouted, "Yoshika's here!"
Sayaka and Akimoto rushed out onto the door.
Ichiro opened the door.
Yoshika is quite happy with this so she said with a slight smile, "I will be sleeping in the empty room on the second floor starting from today. I will be here quite a while so please take care of me mom.. dad... grandma..."
Sayaka and Ichiro looked at each other before saying "Welcome home, Yoshika."
"I'm home..." Yoshika whispered quietly as she entered the house.
In the house, Yoshika went up to the second floor while saying, "Goodnight mom... dad..."
"How about me?" Akimoto asked.
"Ehehe.. you too grandma..." Yoshika said as she giggled.
"Good night sweetheart..." Sayaka said.
"Sweet dreams." Ichiro said.
Yoshika went to the empty room quickly.
Tired, she fell onto the bed head first.
'Finally... tommorow will be the beginning...' Yoshika thought to herself before blacking out.