World Trigger: Specials
Beach Special 2
(Tora POV)
Everyone could not help but laugh at what Sarah had done. I mean, some of them had apparently discussed this before hand and agreed that this would be necessary to have something like this given I was still learning about this world and could be at serious risk from others. But...no matter how one looked at it, it was both adorable and silly. And for me, outright embarrassing.
"That is it! I am tearing it off! I mean, haven't I had enough of this thing?!"
"No Tora! You can't, you...hahaha...you have to wear that!"
"You...but you are all laughing at me! Come on guys! How am I supposed to enjoy today with you all like this?!"
The current me had taken off his shirt and water shoes and was now standing there in my swim trunks, which were red. Certainly, there was nothing about the swimming trunks themselves that might seem embarrassing...from the front. And it was not the color either...in fact, the thing about the swimming trunks that was silly was not even what I was embarrassed about.
Yes, the wolf tail attachment that was built into the swimsuit that Sarah made absolutely sure would not be removed easily was not what I was currently embarrassed about, at least not as much as the other issue. Of course, this was the only swimsuit Sarah got for me so it was the only one I had, probably something intentionally planned by her. But the real embarrassing thing was what was around my neck.
It was a collar. There were a few links of chain connected to the back, but it was only a few and so was rather short and not bothersome. The collar looked something between a slave collar and a dog collar. Actually, one could say it was certainly a slave collar if not for the fact that on the front, under my chin, was a small label. And it read "If found, please call Sarah Williams at..." and went on a bit like that. Also because a slave collar for my size probably did not exist.
It was completely a slave collar for this situation though that Sarah had somehow gotten in my size, and locked around my neck after forcibly putting it on me. It seemed some key was needed to take it off though. Maybe it really was a dog collar with a lock...but she would not admit that.
And she, not to mention everyone else including all of Tsukiko Squad, the Operators, Tamakoma-1, and several others all insisted I absolutely could not take it off under any circumstance. While seemingly about to burst into laughter.
"Tora, you are still completely oblivious to any sort of common sense, reason, and most truths about this world. Honestly, we all agreed that there is a dangerously high chance that you could get abducted while here by some pervert or such, drugged, and then taken somewhere for who knows what!"
Sarah explained this to me as Suzu suddenly came around and took a picture, causing me to blush massively and doubt the sincerity of this. I was not totally aware of this, but it actually made me look even more adorable, as I only stood at around four feet tall, around 120-125cm, and so was the shortest of the group. Even Sthenos, who appeared as a ten year old girl, was taller then me so people couldn't help but call me cute and adorable, especially when I made expressions of embarrassment apparently.
"Hold on though! Aside from the fact you guys almost never give me time alone, they cant do that to me because my normal body is also outrageously high spec!"
"Tora, trust me. People could easily trick you with their words. Also, again, if you went and beat up an adult in that body you would cause trouble, so instead you should scream for help or something. And if you did end up beating someone up, that would still cause trouble, and it would be nice if instead of being brought down to the station we could be called to smooth things over...or if you get called down to the station anyways, they can contact us period".
"What? I could just tell them to call you..."
"Tora, you have so far been unable to properly remember a single phone number".
I blushed as she mentioned one of my weaknesses. How could anyone remember some long stream of numbers like that?!
"I...I...I memorized the emergency phone number!"
"And that is why we feel safe letting you run free on the beach with that collar. If you couldn't remember that, I would not let you out of my sight once and hold your hand the whole time".
The mere thought of that treatment, being led around and constantly having my hand held or, more likely, getting carried around the whole time...that was extremely embarrassing.
"And so, that is also what we will have to do unless you be a good boy and keep the collar on. Besides, thanks to your distraction you are not alone now".
"Distraction?"
Suddenly, a few others that were nearby heard word of that...and a group of them then went to their necks and realized during this whole conversation, collars were also placed around their necks secretly. The people who got collared were Temba Squad, and Sthenos. For Temba Squad, it talked about that if they were caught causing some mischief or trouble to call the number of their Operator immediately and hold them there, and for Sthenos it was to call her Squad captain...and to make sure she behaved as well. Or at least remained clothed.
In other words, the young trouble makers or trouble prone that no one wanted to risk something happening to or causing some trouble.
Incidentally, each collar that was placed around our necks was specifically chosen because it somehow made us look more adorable, by Suzu and Sarah.
Yuma did not get one though because he was deemed responsible enough to not need it, which made him and Chika the only members of Team Chibi that did not have one...also, apparently Chika had a minor fear of collars after some strange incident happened "unofficially".
"Got it you guys? No removing the collars! No sneaking off or changing either! You need our permission for all of that so we don't lose sight of you! Unless you want to be babied during this entire trip...or, you know, given to Suzu for a day".
Hearing that last threat, every single one of us including Sthenos froze up at that idea. The idea of being given to Suzu for a whole day...I remembered when she made me wear that maid outfit...she probably still had it too, and she had an animal onesie in my size also with a zipper in the back. If she made me wear that...
I immediately left the collar alone, as much as I hated it. I absolutely refused to have to spend an entire day with Suzu...all the embarrassing stuff.
It would be torture! Mental and emotional torture!
I absolutely did not want any of these things to happen no matter what!
"U..understood!"
"Good. Now everyone can go play!"
With that fear of Suzu hanging over our heads, we decided to erase it by going off to play. Team Chibi, consisting of Temba Squad, myself, Shun just made it, Sthenos, Yuma, Ema also just about barely, and Chika all immediately dropped any excess luggage we had and ran towards the ocean.
Actually, when Mikumo saw Ema he was a bit shocked.
"When did Ema get here?"
"And...where did Minoru go to?"
Suddenly, it was Arafune who came up to answer.
"Ema got here on the same bus as Ninomiya, just a bit ag..ag...ag..."
But Arafune froze the moment he saw something walk up to him and lick his leg.
It was Minoru's dog, Taka.
"Awww, its adorable little Taka...oh, wait...Arafune?"
Yumi commented on the adorable puppy, but then remembered Arafune's...dog issue.
And surely enough, Arafune seemed to be frozen in fear or something.
"Uh oh...uhhh, where did Minoru go?"
Yuki however just shook his head.
"Probably to do...whatever those to do when they are alone. We will probably know when they return...or get arrested for public indecency when they get found".
And meanwhile, us smaller people who were younger had already entered the ocean. We had begun splashing each other with water, running into the waves, and all that kind of stuff.
It was a fun start to what would be an...eventful...day. If I had known then what would be up ahead, I probably would have just stayed home and watched TV.
(Mimik POV)
"So, Replica".
"So, Mimik".
"Don't you find it interesting that both of our partners ended up with white hair and red eyes?"
"Indeed, such odds are interesting. They are also both eternally short".
"Indeed. If we believed, we could say it was some sort of cosmic imperative".
"This is true. And they both possess Side Effects..."
"...and have tragic stories".
"We must do our best to support them".
"Indeed".
The two Autonomous Trion Soldiers, or ATSs, conversed like this while in the complete open on the beach. No one seemed to question it, no one seemed bothered by it. But it was not really a mystery...for weeks leading up to this Beach Day, the two had secretly manipulated TV Broadcasts, radio waves, and such to subtle provide hints about ATSs, and that they were normal everyday things.
Actually, they just had a special field up where anyone who did not have a high Trion level, never transformed using a Trigger, or were a Trion soldier themselves could not see them from a distance. If someone got close to them they might notice though...but, that was fine. Its just the first story sounded cooler.
"But first..."
"...we must decide who is the best ATS is..."
"...on this glorious battlefield..."
"...between the two of us".
The two had already begun, using their tendrils or whatever to begin constructing the greatest and largest sand castles on the beach. But it was no normal sand castle they built. Trion was infused with it, and they also built soldiers, traps, defenses, fortifications. They could even deploy shields and such. And the armies they created could even be moved around by them to do battle with. Additionally, the scale of their sand castles were far beyond what any normal human could ever achieve.
It was Yuki, who was just about to go get ice cream and was being followed by Take, that saw this.
"What are...what are you two doing?"
"Playing with sand".
The two gave a united answer.
"This seems...rather..."
"We are about to start and intense game. Please stand back or you may be hurt. Now, let us begin Mimik!"
"Indeed Replica! Let us determine who is the greatest ATS of all!"
And so an epic battle began between Mimik and Replica. Sand Foot Soldiers, Sand Tanks, Sand Artillery, and Sand Gunships. All were sent at each other, firing projectiles made of sand, and occasionally, pure Trion.
"...we should probably just pretend we did not see this".
"...you can do it, Mimik".
"You took a side Take?! That seems totally out of character! Whatever...lets just, go get ice...ooof?!"
Yuki took a step forward, only to suddenly find himself stepping into a hole...no, there was no hole there before, but it appeared under him like some sort of concealed pitfall trap. And before he could move to get out, a huge amount of sand caved in until only his head is above the surface.
"What the hell?!"
"...capture successful".
"Shobu?!"
"...we have direct orders not to let you have any ice cream today".
"Who the hell gave you that order?!"
"...he just went by a penname, TheAnimeTrain. We were told specifically not to feed your ice cream addiction by that anonymous person".
Yuki got extremely irritated when he heard no good lead, and struggled to try and get out. However, the sand had really entombed him.
"You realize someone will spot this and let me out right?"
"...this is inside Replica's and Mimik's Perception Dampening Field. I don't know how it works exactly, but apparently it makes people less shocked and surprised, and just notice less, anything odd inside the field. Like this..."
Shobu suddenly held up something that Yuki was absolutely sure he should not have. After all, it was Yuki's swimsuit.
"Now, Shobu here reckons you will probably try to dig your way out no matter what we say, but here is the deal. You will swear upon your life and any future ice cream you will ever have not to take any action against us, and you will avoid ice cream while you are here and make our jobs easier, in which case we can burry this swimsuit with you. Orr...we can tell Suzu and Mei about your current...situation..."
Yuki suddenly went white as he heard the proposition. If Mei and Suzu found out...
"Okay okay, I agree!"
Shobu knelt down, and dug a small hole into the sand. Once it was likely deep enough so that when Yuki was escaping he could grab it, and slip it back on without anyone noticing, he placed it there and filled up the hole.
"...don't forget where it is buried now. Alright, time for our other duties today".
"The superhero team, Shobu Ninja Squad, are on the case! But you have to remember to relax too Shobu!"
"...I know...maybe we should go play in the water with the others".
"Alright, but be careful..." Kaze then looked back at Yuki with a smile. "...don't want your swimsuit to get knocked off by a big wave".
And so, the trio ran off to have some fun and entertainment. After all, in truth they had already completed another one of their objectives.
(Suzu POV)
"Hmmm? Hey, hold on here...where is it?!"
When Suzu was just about to get started with her beach related plans, she had went into her bag and...
"Why is my video camera gone?! And my backup camera?! It's all missing!"
Every single person around her that knew her sighed with relief when they heard that. And Mei...well, Mei in particular had already paid Shobu Squad to make those things "disappear" for the Beach Day. Mei was not sure what Suzu had planned, but Mei would not allow her to ruin this beach day with any embarrassing pictures.
However...
"Where did those two go anyways? Minoru and Ninomiya?"
(Minoru POV)
SENSOR
(Yumi POV)
"Ahhhhh, yes. So far this was a great idea, don't you think? We all really needed a beach day".
"Agreed. I really needed to work on my tan".
"By the way, Konami...who drove you here anyways? The car seemed stable and safe, but given that you are a terrible driver, Tora shouldn't drive, and Midorikawa cant drive, how did you get here?"
"Errr, we are not in the same groups as that day. I came here with Reiji. It was Sarah, Midorikawa, Tora, and Mimik. My guess is Mimik drove".
"Ah, I see. That would make sense".
Yumi and Konami struck up a casual conversation as they lay on their stomachs and let themselves get a bit of a tan. It was quite relaxing and peaceful, and certainly enjoyable. They could hear waves crashing in the background, and the kids playing, as two others came to join them. Ita Shingai and Amalee Granger joined them in enjoying the sun.
"I cant believe Sthenos has not caused trouble yet..."
"Hey, don't jinx it".
"Not a jinx, with her it would always happen. But she is doing quite well given no screaming has started yet".
"Tora-chan is also quite unlucky...also, is it safe for them to be so close to each other, luck aside?"
"Well..."
The one who replied was Sarah, who was with a semi-dejected Suzu. Suzu had a camera again, but it was Sarah's which meant she had to be careful and could not risk taking too much video and filling it up so Sarah could use it as well.
"Tora-chan has made some progress developing mentally, but...to be honest, he is still quite shy. Maybe...maybe this beach would be the perfect place to give him another push. Public acceptance of who he is..."
"Ahhhhhg!"
Sarah was temporarily interrupted by Arafune running at full speed past them, with the small puppy Taka chasing him energetically...
"Anyways, making him accept that not just us, but the general public will see a boy and not a freak".
"So publicly humiliate him on a beach, and then point out that he is being treated just like a small boy and not a freak? Well, he is small enough so I doubt you will have an issue anyways. But you know, you can't just force it upon him either..."
"This is Tora-chan we are talking about. His luck will do that for me. Just like when he got a stain all over his clothes, so I got him to take it all off, and then locked him out on the balcony".
"What was that for?"
"Oh, it was a mental exercise. You see, the door was never locked. I just made him think it was locked. So that he had to learn that what he believed, and what is, could be very separate".
And so while the girls had started plotting something on their end, and a group of beach goers passed by them...
"Hm?!"
"!"
"Yumi, did you just..."
"Feel that? Yeah. Someone just..."
"Not just that, its that guy! He also took our bags!"
"You guys, keep plotting and what not! Excuse us, me and Konami need to go...introduce ourselves to someone who just got friendly with us and our stuff".
The entire group of girls half gulped, half nodded in approval, as Yumi and Konami already zeroed in on the scum and began to chase after them.
"Well, its probably for the best. Yumi might get mad if we went with the really fun stuff, right Sarah?"
"Definently. Gotta record this for when it happens!"
"When will it happen, any..."
And then a scream could be heard from several members of Team Chibi.
"Sthenos?!"
"Show time, Suzu!"
"...do you have a foresight Side Effect too?"
And so, the evil duo that was Suzu and Sarah decided to take the sta...
"What the hell is with that huge Trion Cube! Mei! Help!"
But they got a bit interrupted when they saw an act of retaliation.
(Another chapter of the Beach Special! Hope you enjoyed! Sarah and Suzu...truly a scary, horrifying pair!)