Chapter 30 – Gloria

It seems that Yoshika possessed the art of stealth exiting, because when I woke up the morning of the next day, she was already gone. While I may pout because I didn't see my sunshine sleeping beside me, I can only compliment her way of thinking. If Mio caught her again, she would torture her for the whole day… That day wasn't especially fruitful in terms of work done. The girls were still reminiscing the panty crawler, I did some paperwork with both Minna and Trude, and then I helped Shirley with her racecar. Well, actually, I did receive a weird call…

"Colonel Edelweiss…"

"Toshiro, it's me."

"Adolfine? Why are you whispering?"

"Toshiro, I have only one thing I can tell you – be sure to have your full squad tomorrow, and for God's sake make them behave!"

"But why…"

"Oh crap, have to go!"

The connection was interrupted.

"What was that about, Toshiro?" Minna asked.

We were sitting in the office, taking stock of our office supplies.

"Adolfine called, and told me that our unit should be complete and behaving for tomorrow…"

"What's tomorrow?"

"The hell should I know… Nobodies' having birthday…"

"This is weird… Good that we don't have any leaves planned for the girls, we can control the situation a bit easier… Just make an announcement at supper; that will probably do."

"Good idea, Minna. I won't feel bad, since I'm also in the dark here."

After my little announcement, the girls were tilting their heads, but they accepted it without any fussing and complaints. Yoshika of course gave me a pleasant surprise later, eheheheh…

Now I'm lying in my bed. Its 0530, Wednesday, May 16, 1945. The sun is shining brightly over the horizon and slowly creeping into my room. Time for a jog.

The jog went as usual, taking an hour or so. However, when Toshiro was going to the dorm to sit and wait for breakfast, he received a message through his transponder.

"Herr Oberst, are you there?"

"Yes, I'm here… Udo, was it?"

"Jawohl, Herr Oberst. Permission to land?"

"Land with what?" Toshiro asked totally surprised.

"With the Wiking of course."

"Welllllll… Judging by the fact that you are piloting, Adolfine must be about twenty meters behind you… Permission granted, but I doubt I could refuse."

"Indeed, Herr Oberst, but ordnung muss sein."

"Yeah…"

Toshiro looked around the sky, and he saw the BV 222 airboat approaching to land from the east.

Just what exactly…

Toshiro jumped down to the small docks the base had, and saw as the plane slowly drifted to the pier. Udo opened the door, and threw a hawser, which Toshiro tied down securely. Udo placed a gangplank, and took a step back.

"Come on, Adolfine… I'm eager to know what kind of bullshit you want to impose on me this time…" Toshiro said with a resigned voice.

"It's rude to talk to your superior like that, you know?" A male voice sounded from the inside of the plane, and a figure came out.

"U-Uncle? What in…"

The Kaiser carefully crossed the gangplank, followed by Adolfine holding a brown briefcase. When he crossed the gangplank, he opened his arms and said, "Won't you greet your dear uncle?"

"Hahahah!" Toshiro laughed and threw himself into his uncles' arms. "Uncle! Good to see you!"

"I'm also glad to see you... Now, stop squeezing me so hard, or I'll pop…"

"Oh, sorry…" Toshiro said while releasing his uncle from his grip. "What brings you here?"

"Well, one reason is in that briefcase. Adolfine, let him take a peek."

"Jawohl, Mein Kaiser…" Adolfine said and walked up to Toshiro. "Hi."

"Hi, Adolfine. Show me what you have there…"

She opened the briefcase slightly, and Toshiro could catch a glimpse of what was inside.

"Oooooooh… You sure are fast to give medals…"

"Minna deserves it more than anyone, Toshiro."

"So, what's the second reason then? And why is there no press?"

"The press will be here tomorrow. We have to… make out one version of what happened two days ago…"

"Oh… Heh…"

"Also, your dear uncle and our mutual Kaiser took a day off so to speak, and wanted to see how this unit works on an everyday basis."

"A day off? For an Emperor? Is that even possible?"

"I am the Kaiser, Toshiro. I make the rules in my country…" The Kaiser said with a smug face.

"Heh… Well then, uncle, when will we award that shiny piece of metal to Minna?"

"After breakfast maybe? I'm starving! I would kill for some scrambled eggs and wurst!"

"Hahah! I'll tell Yoshika and Lynne to make it!"

"Also, do you have a flagpole somewhere?"

"Before the hangar entrance."

"Good. I want the award ceremony to look at least somewhat official. Adolfine packed a flag into the briefcase."

"Practical as always… While we're at it, I could play the anthem on the trumpet…"

"Magnificent! Now, let's go for that breakfast."

"Jawohl, Mein Onkel!" Toshiro shouted with a wide grin and they scaled the stairs up.

Toshiro went on first, and as his head peeked over the end of the stairs, he saw Mio waiting for him.

"Hey, Toshiro, what's that plane doing here?"

"Wait a few seconds. And please move aside."

"Huh…" Mio moved aside. "What are…" She saw the Kaiser coming behind him and saluted immediately.

"You must be Major Mio Sakamoto, right?" He asked.

"Y-Yes sir!" She answered nervously.

"Friedrich Josef Wilhelm Edward Roland von Hohenzollern." He said with his hand extended. "I would like to thank you personally for taking care of Toshiro, both in Britannia, and in Fuso."

"I… I… It was natural for me to do it…" Mio answered flustered.

"Don't leave my uncle hanging…" Toshiro whispered.

Mio carefully grabbed the Kaisers hand, which he shook firmly.

"Care to join me for breakfast, Major?"

"Why yes, of course! If the girls won't make it in ten minutes I'll…"

"There's no rush, Major. Let everything flow as if I was inexistent. I do not want anything to change, just because I am around. You could say I am on private vacation here."

"O-okay sir…"

Toshiro went forward, and Mio tagged along with Adolfine, which was behind the Kaiser. Toshiro could hear the angry muttering of Mio from his position.

Eheheheh…

They entered the building, and Toshiro led the 'tour group' to the dining room. He quickly reorganized the chairs, adding one that was always standing in the corner of the room.

"Please uncle, sit on my usual spot."

"Oh, thank you."

The Kaiser sat on the chair and asked, "Why aren't you all standing? Sit down already."

Everyone sat down, besides Toshiro.

"And what are you waiting for, dear nephew?"

"I'm thinking if I shouldn't drag Yoshika and Lynne here…"

"Those two are the cooks?"

"Yup."

"No rush, if they come, they'll come."

"Okay…"

Toshiro sat down on a chair. Just as he did it, Yoshika and Lynne wandered in, half-asleep and with serious cases of bed hair.

"Mhhhmmm… Hi, Toshiro…" Yoshika mumbled, and Lynne bowed her head slightly after her.

"Morning, sunshine."

"Good morning, Miss Sakamoto…"

"Good morning, Miyafuji." Mio tried to keep calm no matter what.

"Good morning, Miss Galland."

"Morning, Yoshika."

"Good morning, Mister Emperor."

"And a good morning to you, my hopefully future niece-in-law."

"Niece-in…" Yoshika rubbed her eyes and opened them wide. "W-w-wha? W-w-why is Galland… Why is your uncle here, Toshiro?!" Yoshika shouted in panic, trying to get her hair straight, which also affected Lynne.

"High time to wake up, Yoshika…" Toshiro mumbled. "Uncle wants scrambled eggs and fried sausage; I think you can also make it for the rest…"

"Okay! But I still don't know why the two are here…"

"I'm on vacation, Yoshika. Is it okay if I call you Yoshika?"

"Y-yes… Emperor sir…" Yoshika answered with red cheeks.

"Just call me Franz." The Kaiser said with a bright smile.

"But!" Both Mio and Adolfine protested at the same time.

"Shush you two, I'm the trustee of my name, and I get to decide who calls me how." He said with a firm voice.

The two immediately looked down.

"T-Toshiro, could you help me get all the supplies? That will be a lot…"

"Kay, Yoshika. Pardon me, uncle."

"Go where you have to go, don't mind me."

Toshiro stood up from the table, and walked behind Yoshika to the pantry.

"Toshiro, what's going on?" Yoshika asked when they arrived in said room.

"It seems uncle decided to make some kind of pseudo inspection on us. Just behave naturally, and everything will be okay."

"Mhhhmm…" Yoshika nodded. "I sense that he is a good man…"

"He must be, he's my uncle, hah!"

"And what was that niece-in-law business, huh?"

"I do plan to marry you one day, you know?"

"Ohhhhh…" Yoshika blushed vividly. "Well, I could have known… Eheheheh…"

"You are such an airhead sometimes… My shweet wittwe aiwhead…" Toshiro pulled Yoshika's cheeks.

"Oh come on, let's get back… You don't want to make out in the pantry in the morning, right?"

"Who knows… But yeah, let's go back."

They took a handful of ingredients, and returned to the kitchen, in which the three sat silently like salt pillars. Toshiro dropped off the ingredients, and returned to the table. He wanted to ask something, but then, Trude came in.

"Good mo…"

She stood frozen in place for a few seconds, but Franz quickly pulled her out of this state.

"Good morning." He said.

Trude snapped out of it, quickly stood in attention, saluted and yelled, "GUTEN TAG HERR KAISER!"

"Stand down, and take a seat. No need to yell like that in the morning…"

"Jawohl." Trude said a tone more silently.

"Hi everyone!" Erica suddenly shouted from the entryway.

When Toshiro looked at her, he saw that she was just in her usual tank top that she wore under her uniform.

"Oh, good morning Herr Kaiser!"

"Good morning, soldier. Isn't that a rather informal uniform?"

"Ah well, it's only breakfast, so I don't mind."

"Hartmann, for fu… Get dressed, now!" Trude yelled.

"Oh? Why? The boss himself doesn't mind."

"I do mind to be honest. Please, put on your uniform, let's be civilized. Oh, and you are Ursula's twin sister, right?"

"Yes! Be right back!" Erica cheered and ran out. "Oh, Minna, we have guests!" She shouted from the doorway.

Minna came into the dining room, and she was stumped. Before she could make a move, Franz put up his hand and said, "No need to greet me as formally as this Hauptmann did. My ears are still ringing…"

"Verstanden… Good morning, Herr Kaiser, what do we owe this visit?" Minna asked calmly.

"That's better. To avoid repeating myself, I will tell the reason when everyone is here."

"Everyone won't be here, uncle, we have a night witch that's sleeping off her shift now."

"No problem to relay her the information, I suppose? Then I correct myself – I will tell the reason when eleven out of twelve of the members of the 501st are present at this table."

"Then let's wait…" Minna mumbled and leaned over to Toshiro. "Did Erica…"

"Yeah… But she couldn't have known, right?"

"She couldn't… I'll leave it at that…"

The next one to come was Shirley.

"Yo everyone!" She cheered from the entryway. "What a good day to… wrong room, sorry…" She turned around immediately.

"No, Shirley, come on in." Toshiro said.

"Eheheh, good morning…"

"Good morning." Franz said.

Shirley didn't even get to sit on her chair, because Francesca run in soon afterwards.

"Hi! Oh, Toshiro's uncle!"

She ran up to him, and extended her hand.

"Francesca Lucchini pleased to meet you!"

"Friedrich Josef Wilhelm Edward Roland von Hohenzollern, also pleased to meet you."

They shook hands, and Francesca went to her chair, receiving both angry and surprised looks.

"Whaaat?" She asked.

"At least you didn't jump on his lap…" Toshiro sighed.

Francesca made a wide grin, and they waited. The girls started to fry the sausages, making everyone thrice as hungry as they came in.

"Mon Dieu! Not again!" Perrine shouted from the corridor. "Could you stop making such fat breakfasts?" She came into the room looking angry, but looked amongst the gathered, and said, "Um, I mean… I have to watch my weight and… Uh…"

"Please, sit…" Franz said calmly.

"Y-yes sir!"

"Move over, Perrine!" Erica shouted and forced her way past Perrine.

"Really now…" She sighed.

The only one missing now was Eila, but they did not have to wait long for her, as she appeared in the doorway soon after Perrine. She swiftly bowed, and said, "Good morning" and sat at the table.

"Cheater…" Toshiro grumbled.

"Well, now I see that everyone is here, so I can say it… You two in the kitchen, can you hear me?"

"Very good!" Yoshika said.

"Fine then. There are two reasons for which I am here today – one is the fact I wanted to visit my dear nephew, and see how the fabled 501st works on a daily basis, and the second thing, well… Oberstleutnant Wilcke, today is a day to celebrate for you."

"Me?" Minna asked dumbfounded.

"Yes. In Adolfine's briefcase is your award, of which you should know already."

"But… So fast…"

"Heroes have to be decorated fast so they will feel appreciated, and so that the people know who they can look up to."

"Jawohl!" Minna responded.

"The decoration is planned twenty minutes after breakfast, so everyone has some time to prepare and to gather at the flag pole before the hangar." Adolfine explained. "Yoshika, how much more do we have to endure your tortures?! The Kaiser and I didn't eat for a day!"

"Coming!"

Toshiro leaned over to Adolfine and asked, "Awfully friendly you are getting with Yoshika, huh?"

"I have a feeling she wants to be called by her first name."

"Womanly intuition?"

"You could say…"

"What are you whispering about? Planning to overthrow me or something?" Franz asked with a wry smile.

"Yeah. We just need a million Reichsmark to hire an assassin, so I don't have to get my hands dirty."

"Hohohohohohoho!" The Kaiser laughed heartily. "You really are something, Toshiro."

They all waited for Yoshika to finish doing breakfast, and the first portion of course went to the good emperor.

"Guten Appetit!" He said once he received the plate and cutlery.

Everyone was looking tensely when he took a bit of the sausage into his mouth, and had started chewing. Without showing emotions, he scooped some scrambled eggs afterwards.

"Yoshika, if you'll be cooking for Toshiro like this all the time, he'll get fatter than me, because this food is simply divine, hohohoho!"

Everyone sighed with relief, and awaited for his portion.

"Uh, thank you, Franz…" Yoshika said.

Everyone tensed up again, with Trude being the first to voice her opinion.

"Yoshika… Did I just hear what I heard…"

"Shut up, Trude. Uncle allowed it." Toshiro cut off Trude short.

Trude raised her hands and said, "I saw nothing, I heard nothing."

Everyone received his or her food, and after some time, breakfast was concluded.

"My… That was surely something…" The Kaiser said. "Well now… Toshiro, show me that new equipment of yours. I have to know what the taxpayers' monies are going to."

"You didn't see it, uncle?"

"No. I totally trust Adolfine, the twin sister of this cute little Oberleutnant here…" Franz pointed to Erica, making her giggle. "… and Helma Lennartz that the money goes on the right things."

"Helma Lennartz?" Toshiro asked.

"She is our test pilot in the Rosario Experimentales Hochwissenschaft Forschungsinstitut, Experimentalflugzeug Abteilung." Adolfine explained. "She's in the Luftwaffe's Erprobungskommando 131 "Halb" 3rd Squadron. A neat little blonde 13 year old, with more motivation than some of her seniors."

"A 13 year old testing prototypes? She must have balls…"

"Right? She wants to see you one day. She's been breaking her back testing your prototypes…"

"But isn't she a bit too small for them?"

"Nothing an adapter can't fix…"

Toshiro felt as somebody stared at him with a burning intensity. He turned his head around, and faced the new danger.

"What?"

"Oh nothing… I would just like to fly that Striker of yours…" Trude said with a demonic smile.

"Use of the Wotan by somebody else than Toshiro is prohibited." Adolfine said.

"But Elwyn flew it multiple times!" Trude protested.

"Elwyn?"

"That's Shirley's middle name." Toshiro said.

"Elwyn… Uncommon… Well, anyway, Shirley can fly too, since I know she can control that mountain of potential speed."

Trude puffed her cheeks and looked to the side.

"You know, Adolfine, Trude was the one that flew the Me 262…"

"She was? Oh right, I've read it in your report… Good then, Hauptmann Barkhorn, you are allowed to use the Wotan under explicit permission from Toshiro, understood?"

"Jawohl, Frau Generalmajor!" Trude responded with a smile on her face.

She then turned to Shirley, and stuck her tongue at the redhead's direction. Shirley wasn't going to be worse, and did the same.

"The two are always like that?" Franz asked whispering.

"Yup… But I can assure you, uncle, that that's just a façade, they really like each other."

"Nothing like some good old rivalry… We always teased each other, your father and me… Oh how I miss him…"

"At least you knew him…" Toshiro sighed and turned to the rest. "Okay, everyone prepare, and I want you all before the hangar in twenty minutes."

The girls went away without a word. Mio and Yoshika however staid back.

"And you two?" Toshiro asked.

"I want to be with you, stupid…" Yoshika said.

"I want to talk with Galland a bit." Mio said.

"What is it, Mio?" Adolfine asked.

"Can we talk on the side?"

"We could but…" Adolfine looked at the Kaiser.

"Be my guests. I know that you two are old friends."

"Thank you, Herr Kaiser. Come on, Mio."

The two dark haired beauties went out of the room, and Toshiro was left with his uncle and girlfriend.

"This situation is quite at hand for me…" Franz murmured.

The Kaiser, who measured a hefty 182 centimeters, walked up to Yoshika, and embraced her with one hand.

"Tell me, Yoshika – do you really love my nephew?"

Yoshika looked up to Franz with a bit of fear, but soon she smiled radiantly, and while looking at Toshiro she said, "He is the only man in my life that I loved, love and will love with such passion."

"A very good answer. But I have to warn you – he might become the next Kaiser, and earlier he might become a General and be relegated somewhere far away from you. What will you do then?"

"If I can't follow him, it's not such a big problem as it may seem. A century ago, it would have been a problem, but now we have telephones and telegraphs almost everywhere, and Toshiro would always be a call away from me…"

"You really don't deserve her, Toshiro. Two men wouldn't deserve such an angel…" He said while ruffling her hair. "Yoshika, if you ever need anything, you can call me. Anything that money can buy is at your disposal, within sane limits of course."

"Thank you…" She said silently.

"You didn't spoil me so much…" Toshiro puffed his cheeks.

"Oh shush, you have such a high pay, and pocket money from me, that you should be the last to complain. By the way, did you get your present?"

"Yeeeeah… I triple checked if it was correct, because well… Five hundred pounds, damn it…"

"You got how much?" Yoshika asked deeply surprised. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"You don't show much interest towards money, Yoshika. Besides, gentlemen don't talk about money…"

"But me knowing your financial state would make me a bit easier…"

"Isn't it a bit too early to talk about my finances?"

"Hey, you know mine…"

"Sort of… I only get the money, pack it in an envelope, and give it to you. I don't know what you do with it, and frankly, I don't care. You have food, water, a warm bed, a roof over your head, friends, and a lover here; money should be your tertiary concern."

"You're right…" Yoshika said and hugged him.

"Okay you two; we don't have time for your lovey-dovey hugging. Toshiro, to the hangar please."

"Oh okay…"

Toshiro felt that Yoshika grabbed his left hand. He looked down on her, and she said, "Let's make Sakamoto mad, heehee."

"He…Heh…Heheh…" Toshiro gave a creepy laugh.

The two went before the Kaiser, holding hands. As they exited the dorm, Adolfine and Mio befell them.

"Oh look at you two, how cute…" Adolfine said.

"What were you two talking about?" Toshiro asked.

"Bodybuilding."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously. Mio wanted to hhmpmmfpff…"

Mio suddenly silenced Adolfine by putting her hand over the latter's mouth.

"Don't bother Toshiro with such trivial matters, I believe you have something more important to do, right?"

"Yes…" Adolfine said when her mouth was liberated from Mio's hand.

Mio tagged along with them, as they went down the stairs aside the wall down to the runway, and inside the hangar. Toshiro led his esteemed guests to his Launch Unit.

"Uncle – the embodiment of your taxpayers' monies – the Wotan." Toshiro pointed out the all-black Striker.

He approached the Striker with almost pious reverence, stroking the metallic paint job.

"So this is what Arbeitsgruppe B was doing all the time... Mein Gott… Toshiro, please, show me how this Striker performs!"

"We don't have much time, uncle. I'll show you after the ceremony, with some practice shooting from my new cannon included."

"That's a new cannon? Also marvelous!"

"Hey, Galland, not happy seeing all this equipment?" Mio threw a snide remark.

"Why? I watched the prototype trials, dummy. I still remember this Striker and that cannon in clamps on their respective testing ranges, painted in orange-red stripes."

"Snap…" Mio said bitterly. "Oh, looks like the star of this party is arriving."

Toshiro turned around and saw Minna marching proudly towards them, with the rest behind her. Eila carried the half-conscious Sanya on her back as if she wasn't weighing a decagram. Minna herself had a side cap on her head, in a color matching her limed ash uniform.

"Ah crap, wait a second everyone, I have to dress up. Will be back in a few seconds."

"Second, Toshiro?" Franz asked.

"Watch, uncle."

Toshiro used Yuki's magic, and ran outside, jumped up back to his room, dressed into his full uniform, put on all insignia, took a trumpet and returned to the gathered.

"Tada!" He said after resuming a normal time flow.

"Hohoho! Impressive, Toshiro! And you look impressive… Hmmm…"

"Na, na… Toshiro… You look stunning in that coat… I'm glad I paid for it, heheh…"

"Riddle me this, Adolfine – is wearing a Wound Badge something honorable or shameful?"

"Honorable, Toshiro, of course! Especially if you have the golden one! It means that you were gravely injured fighting for your Vaterland, and your deeds were recognized."

"Ah, okay…" Toshiro pulled out the badge from a pocket. "Help me pin it on then, heh…"

"Ugh… Like a baby…"

Adolfine took the badge, unbuttoned part of Toshiro's shirt, and fastened the award on his left lower breast.

"Thanks." He said while buttoning his shirt back.

"Everyone let us commence the ceremony. Form an orderly row before the flag pole." Adolfine commanded.

They wandered in the direction of the pole outside. Toshiro joined Minna, who was surrounded by Erica and Trude.

"Nervous?" He asked.

"A bit… I'm receiving a Knight's Cross from the Kaiser himself."

"Meh, don't worry. Just treat him as my uncle, not the ruler of your homeland."

"How could I even think about that…"

"Try it…"

"I can…"

"By the way… I noticed you are wearing two Iron Crosses of different classes and a golden Verwundetenabzeichen… Am I right thinking I know who the owner is?"

"Yes, Toshiro… Those are Kurt's…"

"Your way of honoring him is very noble, Minna. I commend your effort."

"Thanks… I'd rather have him by my side now…"

"Everyone lost somebody in this war…"

Toshiro left Minna, and joined Adolfine. They both walked up to the flag pole. Adolfine pulled out the flag from the briefcase, to which the Karlsland Trio saluted. Toshiro put down his trumpet, and took the flag from Adolfine. He unfolded it, and attached it to the snaphooks of the pole. He then tugged the halyard and raised the flag to the top position.

"Now would be a good time for that trumpet, Toshiro." Adolfine said.

Toshiro nodded and picked up the trumpet from the ground. He put up the mouthpiece to his lips, and started playing the national anthem of the Empire of Karlsland – Das Kaiserlied. Surprisingly, after the first note, the Karlslander Trio and Adolfine started singing.

Gott erhalte, Gott beschütze (God save, God protect)

Unsern Kaiser, unser Land! (Our Emperor, Our Country!)

Mächtig durch des Glaubens Stütze, (Powerful through the support of the Faith,)

Führt er uns mit weiser Hand!(He leads us with a wise hand!)

Laßt uns seiner Väter Krone (Let the Crown of his Fathers)

Schirmen wider jeden Feind! (shield against any foe!)

The feeling of playing the national anthem… I'm so proud I want to cry…

After three more stanzas, Toshiro went silent.

"Beautiful…" Franz said with a tear in his eye. "But now, let's go to the part everyone is waiting for. Adolfine, Oberstleuntnant, approach me."

"Jawohl!" They both said and walked up.

Adolfine pulled out a box Toshiro saw a few times in his life already, and presented it open to the Kaiser.

"Oberstleutnant Minna Dietlinde-Wilcke. This is a truly glorious day for both Karlsland and yourself. Through numerous battles, you have proven your loyalty and commitment to your Vaterland, and now the time has come to make a sign for the current and future generations of what you have achieved. For attaining two hundred confirmed shutdowns, I, Friedrich the Fourth, Kaiser von Karlsland, bestow upon you the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. Wear it with pride, daughter of Germania."

He put the award over her neck, and extended his hand to her. Minna reluctantly took it, but Franz gave her a hearty shake.

"Lang Leb der Kaiser!" Minna shouted close to tears.

"Lang Leb der Kaiser!" The rest of the Karlslanders concurred.

Everyone started clapping, and Erica even threw herself in Minna's arms.

"Wooohoo, Minna!"

"My, my, why are you so fired up, huh, Erica?"

"You got the Knight's Cross!"

"This is only a piece of metal, Erica. What happened that earned me it, is what is important. Never forget about it."

Erica nodded and let go. Trude was more formal, but she still succumbed to the moment, and she simply slapped Minna in the back and said, "I guess it's time to have a party, Minna?"

"Trude asking about a party? You have a cog loose it seems, heehee… We can have a bigger dinner, with wine and such."

"Good enough! I'll help cooking!"

The girls swarmed Minna who was now being personally congratulated by the Kaiser, so Toshiro could only look at her from distance.

"Bring down the flag, Toshiro. It's time to show your uncle what that Striker of yours can do." Adolfine said calmly.

"Okay, Adolfine." Toshiro replied with same calmness.

"Don't you want to congratulate Minna?" She asked.

"I have all the time of the world to do it, Adolfine. I'll let the girls do their job first. I shame you didn't tell me clearly that you are going to fly here today, I would do some arrangements…"

"Arrangements you say?"

"Three birthday parties made by me alone or with my invaluable help. The girls took a chip of the old block, and totally surprised me on my birthday."

"You mentioned wine, Toshiro. How is the cellar I left you standing?"

"Oh don't worry; we took maybe two or three bottles out of it. We got six bottles from the Duchess, so we are actually in the clear."

"Good to hear, Toshiro, but you won't be mad if we venture there?"

"Of course not, why would I? Besides, you're my boss, if you have forgotten it."

"Oh, yes… I do forget it sometimes… Talking to you is so… I can't find a word for it, but it just feels good."

"Nice to hear. Talking about talking, what was it with Mio again?"

"She told me that she knew from certain sources, I guess it was you, that I'm rather ripped, so she wanted to know how to get such results."

"I would tell her that muscle building exercises and those building up raw strength and stamina are a whole different world."

"You are right, Toshiro, and that's what I told her. So if you see Mio change her training regime from tomorrow, it's because of me."

"Mio ripped like you… hmmm… good that Yoshika is there to save me from blue balls…"

"Oh? Are you doing it now?"

"Well, everyone here knows it, why shouldn't you… Yes, we started having sex. Her first time was a present for my birthday."

"Yoshika is really something… Don't squander her love to you, or I'll kick your ass."

"You'd probably jump right in her place, hah! Maybe I would prefer Shirley…"

"Uh, well… Wait, what?! You would prefer that cow tit hussy to my perfect body? Get that flag down, Oberst!"

"Hahah! Jawohl, Frau Generalmajor!"

Toshiro lowered the flag, unhooked it, folded it and passed it to Adolfine.

"The nerve…" She mumbled while she was stuffing it in the suitcase.

"Assuming the hypothetical situation that Yoshika somehow disappears from this world and everyone's conscience, including mine, Shirley would probably be the first that would woo me."

"She told me something similar, you know?"

"I could assume so much… Was it when I was lying unconscious in Africa?"

"Yes."

"Heh… Oh, uncle, come on, let's show you that Striker of mine."

"I would be glad to see it."

"Wait a second, okay?"

Toshiro did the same as he did before the award ceremony, reverting to his previous clothing, and getting rid of the trumpet.

"Ready." He said once he arrived back.

The Kaisers names – beside the first one, it's original

Germania – I guess it's the historical name of Karlsland

And if you want to praise/rant about my story, please leave a signed review, so we can continue via PM's. Seriously, I don't bite. Unless provoked :]