"Are you sure about this?" The school's headmaster skims through my withdrawal letter.

I nod. "Yes, Ma'am."

She sighs. "I've prayed hard it will not come down to this, Momozono."

I smile at her. I know she's concerned but I believe this is the best for me now. "I think this is a great opportunity for me that I should not pass."

I told her that I've scored a traineeship and I need full concentration because if I do this well, I'll be set for the next few years which is exactly what I need given my circumstances.

The real reason of course is I want to focus on being a sentai. We heard some movements of Deathdark. It seems like they're trying to find out who we are. So Professor suggested we work undercover at the stadium and the amusement park to guard our base.

"Will your mother be happy about this?"

"I think her most concern is whether I would be able to survive on my own. Taking up this traineeship will help me financially," I reason.

What nobody knows except the school's headmaster is that my mother has been in comatose for the last six months or so. Not something I like to talk about as people would immediately feel the need to offer symphaty. I don't like them to feel sorry for me. And my father...ahh don't even ask about him.

Life hasn't been easy for sure. It forces me to grow up before my time. But I don't like to think about it. It's the only way I know how to cope and this sentai gig is the perfect distraction.

"Okay, Momozono. Looks like your mind has been made up. Remember, you can always come back whenever you want."

"Thank you. And thank you for watching over me all this time."

She nods. "Good luck."

"Miki!" Everyone is surprised to see me turning up in the lab earlier than usual.

"I can no longer let you guys have all the fun without me." I grin widely. "I quit school."

"You what?" Aoyama can't believe his ears while Kijima makes face.

"You're kidding, right?" Kuroda doesn't look impressed.

I can't judge what Akama thinks as he just sits there stoney-faced.

"Not kidding. I don't do well in school anyway. I better off concentrating on what I do best."

"But Miki, when this is all over, you'll still need a job, and that's impossible to get without a proper education," Kuroda says being all fatherly.

"I'll worry about that later. Now we have a civilisation to protect."

"Professor, surely you didn't agree to this." Kuroda hopes Professor Hongo will be able to change my mind.

"Miki is not a child anymore," he says in his full-of-wisdom voice. "She can make her own decision."

I stick my toungue out to Kuroda. Professor is on my side.

Kuroda sighs and shakes his head. "What does your parents think about it?"

I bit my lips and try to think of a way to steer the conversation but the others are quicker.

"Do your parents know what you do?" Kijima asks.

"My parents...let's just say they trust me a lot."

"What does that mean?"

It means that they can't care less, damn it.

"They're fine with it," I say instead. "Anyway, what are you guys up to?"

"There has been some movement from the enemy," Akama tells me. "I think we should start patrolling around base."

We decide that Akama will become normal civilian and walk around the area looking for anything suspicious. The other boys will work undercover at various spots in the amusement park while I'll pose as the announcer in the information booth. When any of us finds anything suspicious, we'll light up three blue lights at the score board at the stadium which is visible from the park. I will then make an announcement to alert the other guys.

"Let's do this!" Akama invites us to join hands. "Go!"

It's actually quite fun being undercover. I get to do real jobs as well. The park isn't busy today though so I'm able to keep my eyes on anything suspicious.

It hasn't been long and already I see the three blue lights flashing. Looks like someone has found something. I quickly reach for the microphone. "This is a test announcement. They sky is blue. I repeat, this is a test announcement. The sky is BLUE."

I trust Aoyama and Kijima get my message. I quickly leave the booth and look for the others. Looks like it was Akama who found something. He signals to us to check out this lady in black. She's followed by some men in black as well. They definitely don't look like amusement park go-ers.

We follow them into the staged area where they usually have performances during weekends. There isn't anything going on today so why are they going in there?

Akama tells us that they've been walking around the stadium as well. The stadium is where Caesar is kept.

We quickly enter the staged arena and holy crap! We're greeted with gun shooting and soon after we're flying off the ground.

Who in the world are these people? They keep attacking us, lucky Akama has his rope and Kuroda has his chess pieces, they manage to buy us time to transform.

The lady in black transforms into an evil looking woman in black helmet. She looks smug to see us. She introduces herself as Mazurka. "Now I know who you are!" She laughs.

It's a trap! They wanted us to follow them so they know the faces underneath the suits! We're so screwed.

We battle the Madaramen but the Mozu is way too strong. It defies gravity. He destroys the freeway sending cars flying around. It sends us flying around too!

Akama suddenly receive instruction from Tatsuya, his computer boy, to withdraw.

We quickly make our escape and run back to the lab. Professor Hongo gives us a pep talk to lift up our spirit. He tells us they're the people who uses evil science to destroy the world and they've existed since the first sharp edged weapons were discovered.

He says we must not be afraid. The Future Science Institute is fully equiped to support us. As long as we work together, we can beat them.

Akama looks all pumped up. "Everyone, we can do this!" His energy is catching. Yes, we must try our best.

We're back on the road. In our suits we fight them with a renewed spirit. At the time things get hard, the kids help us analyse the enemy's weakness.

Mozu is gone, come the giant one, called the Kong. We call Caesar and Goggle Robo easily slice the thing into half!

Professor Hongo decides it's time for him to go. I think we're all feeling like we've been abandoned by our father. Not the first time for me, but still, it hurts. But unlike my father, he leaves us with everything we will ever need. He trusts that we can do this. He's watched us done it and he believes together we can build a better future for the human race.

We're all nervous but determined. We've been chosen for a reason, we just have to keep believing in that.

It's been quiet on Deathdark's end for several days now. We've decided to take a bit of a break. We take turn to have some personal time while the other four keep on patrolling. Today is my turn.

I visit Mom at the hospital. I hate this place. It reminds me of what I have to deal with and the decision I eventually have to make.

"Hi Mom." I choke back tears. I've had my share of crying so I've sworn I will not cry again but it's always hard whenever I see her lying helplessly on that bed and especially when I remember how she got here at the first place.

"Mom..." I place my hands on hers. "You'll never believe this but I'm a sentai now. I fight evil Mom. Real evil. People who want to destroy this world. People who influence other people to be bad. I hope when we're done, this world will be a better place and noone will have to suffer the way you do."

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll be okay. I fight with good people. We're a strong team. I feel like I'm meant to do this. I finally find a purpose in my life. I finally can wake up in the morning and not feel like I need to drag my feet to live another day."

"Miss Momozono." A nurse pops her head into the room.

"Yes?"

"The doctor would like to speak to you."

I nod. "Sure."

I give Mom a kiss and I walk outside. I sit at the chair outside the room waiting for the doctor to arrive. A dozen scenarios run in my head. I'm prepared for the worst.

"Doctor." I stand up and shake his hand.

"Momozono, good to see you. How are you?"

"Not too bad actually."

"That's great to hear. You look really well."

"Thank you."

"Momozono, I hate to be the bearer of bad news..."

My heart sinks straightaway.

"Your mother is hanging there but she has been getting progressively weaker. I just want you to be prepared."

I nod. "I understand."

"I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, Doc. We know this from the start."

"You're really strong, Momozono."

I just smile at him. I don't really have a choice, do I?

"We'll let you know as soon as possible when there's any change. Good or bad."

"Thank you."

"Hey Miki!" I'm lost in my own thoughts when Aoyama suddenly appears at the information booth.

"Hey," I greet him back. "What are you up to?"

"Bored," he complains.

I laugh. "Bored is good news in this line of work."

"True." He chuckles. "Good to see you smiling."

"What do you mean?"

"You've been looking a bit sad lately."

"Really?" I try not to let the news from the doctor affects me but I guess it shows.

"Still down because Professor left?"

"Hmm...I guess."

"We'll be fine. You know that."

I nod and smile. "Yeah."

"Hey, I have an idea!" His face suddenly brightens. Aoyama has the innocence of a child. He doesn't hide his feelings and speaks his mind.

"What?"

"Chief is away today." He winks at me. "What do you say we abandon post and play some shooting games?"

"He'll be mad if he finds out." Akama has gone hiking with his friend but before he left he gave us clear instruction to keep being alert and let him know as soon as possible if there's anything suspicious.

"We make sure he doesn't! Come on!"

It is very tempting to just have a bit of fun. After all we won't be far. We're still going to be in the area.

"Okay!" I agree. I get out of the booth and follow him.

Kijima joins us and together we have a bit of giggles trying to put down the ducks. We pretend they're Madaramen and the biggest duck is the mozu.

I'm so grateful for these guys. They really brighten my days. They're the family I never have.

"Yo guys!" We hear Kuroda's voice. "Having fun without me huh?" He yells as he crosses his arms in front of his chest and shakes his head.

"I thought you're team Mister Uptight!" I yell back.

He roars in laughter. "Who says so? I just act like I am. Someone has to. Poor guy works and thinks so hard, someone has to take him seriously yaknow."

We all laugh. "Well then, come on and join us!" Aoyama invites him.

Kuroda beats us all hands down with his precision. We groan and complain and beat him up playfully. He protests and threatens to tell on us to Akama. We just beat him up some more.

Then our braces beep. It's Akama. Apparently Deathopia rose where he was hiking. Shit. As much as I dislike his uptightness, I would hate to have anything happen to him.

We ride the Caesar and immediately come to his aid.

Finally we spot Deathopia from afar. Kuroda launches some missiles towards them while I frantically search for Akama on the radar.

Deathdark isn't happy with our missiles and send jets towards us in return.

Tatsuya instructs Akama to use his jet to match them but I still can't find his exact spot in the radar to bring him up into Caesar. Damn it Akama, where are you?

I'm starting to panic but the others calm me down. "Breath Miki, breathe. He's not far. We'll find him."

There he is! I nearly cry in relieve when I finally see the red dot on the radar. We hover above him and bring him up. There's no time to chit chat. He's off to his jet straightaway.

My hat off to Akama's piloting skill. He single-handedly tricks Deathdark's jets to crash into their mothership.

Losing their precious jets, Deathopia sinks into the ground straightaway.

We all breath out relieved sighs. Our job however isn't done. Akama tells us they had kidnapped his friend's sister and take her as hostage. He rushes back to the ground to save her.

We try to tell him to wait for us but he's unstoppable.

By the time we manage to park Caesar and go back to the scene, we've lost him.

Makoto, Kuroda's computer boy, informs him that they can't track him down. Kuroda assures him he'll be fine.

"Maybe he's lying low so he doesn't get caught," I suggest.

Before I can close my mouth we see a group of Madaramen. We quickly hide and then take them by surprised.

After that we regroup to reasses the situation. There were Madaramen everywhere, we can't even get close to where they keep Mariko, the hostage girl. We don't want to be careless as we're one man short. A kinda most important man at that.

"There's no way we can save Mariko!" Kijima obviously looks frustrated.

"But we have to save her!" I insist.

Kuroda agrees. How can we think of attacking Deathopia if we can't even save this girl.

We come up with a plan. Kuroda, Aoyama, and myself will distract the mozu while Kijima tries to get close. He can dig up the ground to sneak into the hut where they keep Mariko.

The Mozu keeps throwing explosive ball after ball towards us. We just hope Yellow makes it otherwise all of these will be in vain.

We finally manage to escape from the mozu to join Kijima but nothing would have prepared us for what we're seeing. Akama is held at gun point by Mazurka. What the hell is he doing there? What was he thinking going there alone without us? I suddenly feel angry. Did he think he's so great he can defeat them all by himself? What did he take us for? Aren't we supposed to be a team? Aren't we supposed to be in this together?

Nevertheless we have to save him. I'm ready to go and attack but Kuroda stops me and tells us to wait. He points to the movement on the ground. Kijima has it under control.

Kijima digs right up to underneath Mazurka and he grabs her ankles and sinks her into the ground. Mazurka shrieks and loses grip of her gun. At that point Akama frees himself from the Madaramen who hold him and then he frees Mariko. Thank goodness.

"What were you thinking?" I confront Akama after everything is over. We defeated them and Deathopia had retreated. We've said goodbye to Akama's friend, Koji, and his sister.

"Miki, take it easy," Kuroda holds me back, probably worry I would attack him like I did before. He knows how mad I'm at him.

"Let's go back." Akama says ignoring me.

I free myself from Kuroda. "I said WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?" I yell at Akama.

Akama sighs. "What now Miki?"

Hang on a second. Why is he looking like I'm being annoying? He's the one annoying us all!

"You could have died out there today!" I scream at him.

"I didn't. So calm down."

"Calm down?" Oh I almost wish Mazurka had shot him dead just now. I clench my fist ready to punch his arrogant face. "You're the one who always preach about team work, being careful, and not put ourselves in risky situation without backup! And look what you did today!"

"Enough, Miki." Kuroda tries to hold me back again. "I'm sure it was a calculated move."

"If it was calculated he wouldn't have his life at Mazurka's fingertip. What if Kijima didn't come on time?"

"Akama must have his reason..."

"I want to hear that reason!" I insist. "I want to hear the reason he risks his life and ours and essentially our mission! If he's dead, everything is over!"

Akama's face reddens. He looks like he's had enough of me. "Fine, Miki. Go on. Punch me if that makes you feel beter." He takes several steps closer to me and closes his eyes. "Do it. I won't stop you."

I conclude he has officially lost his mind. "I hate you Akama." There. I say it.

I turn around and walk back to Caesar. I'm done talking to him.

"She has such a bad temper." I can hear Akama tells the others.

Maybe I do. But I think I have a very strong reason to lose it at him. He's such a selfish jerk.

"Onee-chan." Akane hands me cookies and sits with me.

"Thanks." I just want to be alone but the girl knows my weakness. I can't say no to good cookies and she makes pretty damn good ones.

"Is everything okay?" She asks.

"Mmhh. What have you heard?"

"You're not talking to Akama-san again?"

I chuckle. "I guess."

"Koji is his best friend. I think he was acting out of emotion. I don't think he means to endanger himself or all of you."

"You're saying that guy has emotion?"

Akane laughs. "He probably has the most."

"Hah."

Akane rubs my arm. "I think both of you are equally passionate about being a sentai. You should really get along instead of fighting with each other."

"Hmm."

"Give him a chance."

I sigh. "Okay, I'll try."

Akane smiles. "Good. I think he could use some good coffee right now," she hints as she points to Akama on the other side of the room. He's frowning and reading something on a large piece of paper. He's been studying that piece of paper for hours.

I groan. Fine. Maybe Akane is right. Maybe I should stop my silent treatment. But why am I always the one to break the silence? I guess because I was the one who started it. Argh. Okay, maybe I was overreacting. I don't even know why. Akama always makes my emotion runs high.

Akane winks at me and leaves me with my own thoughts. That little scheming peacemaker!

I pace the room for awhile before deciding on making that cup of coffee. For HIM.

My heart races so fast and my hands are shaking. Why on earth am I putting myself through this?

I put the cup of coffee in front of him without saying anything. He doesn't even look up. Fine. I'll go away.

As soon as I turn away, I feel a tug on my jacket. I freeze. What do I do now?

"Thanks," I hear him says. "Your coffee is always the best."

Gee.

"Don't go."

I turn around. "Huh?"

"I said don't go. Sit." He pulls a chair for me. Gah! So I sit down.

"Sorry for making you mad." He surprises me with an apology.

I look down on my fingers, I don't know what to say. I'm not prepared for a voluntary apology. Usually I have to squeeze it out of him.

Akama sips his coffee but I can feel his gaze burning into mine.

"Kuroda told me you were really worried about me."

"Did he?"

"Mmhmm. Thank you."

"Ah."

"Really. I appreciate it. I thought you hated me."

"I do feel that way sometimes."

Akama laughs. "Okay, fair enough."

"Look Miki." He suddenly pats my hand causing me to lose that last bit of control over my heartbeat. "I admit I'm not very good at dealing with you. I'm still trying to understand your character but you're not making it easy for me."

"Oh."

"Give me time, okay? Try not to beat me up in the process."

I bit my lips in embarassment. "Okay."

He chuckles. "Good. Thanks again for the coffee."

"You're welcome."

He gets back to studying his paper so I leave him alone. I'm getting more and more agitated with myself. Why am I reacting this way around him? My stomach feels strange, my heart goes into turbo mode. Argh!

I get out of there and ride the rollercoaster. I scream my heart out. It feels so good.