Chapter 34 – Yoshika's problem
I literally have the first case of morning wood since… Holy shit, middle school? Yoshika! Damn you and your period! And damn you, Francesca, for making so much good food! Damn you all for teasing me! Use my hand they say… I wonder how everyone fucking feel, if they knew that at least one being is observing them all the time? Would anyone masturbate if they all knew that God really exists, and is watching him or her all the time? Or if they had such a familiar like Yuki? I don't think so…
After Toshiro's ailment receded, he went out to jog, just to receive a radio message.
"Möbelwagen 1 to 501st, come in."
"Colonel Edelweiss here."
"We have a small shipment for your unit, Herr Oberst. Permission to land?"
"Granted." He said, and he saw a Ju-52/3m plane approaching from the east.
Is that my desk flying in? Probably… And they have a callsign Möbelwagen, heh…
Toshiro jogged down to the runway, just as the plane touched down. The side door opened, and a soldier jumped out on the runway. He immediately turned back, and caught a trolley that was pushed down to him. Once he placed the trolley, a big wooden desk was pushed down on it with a loud thud. Afterwards, a pled placed on it, and some heavy looking crates landed on the desk, along with two solid looking chairs. The soldier pushed the trolley into the hangar. Toshiro could hear a loud thud, and the soldier returned into the plane with the trolley, and the plane flew off.
What the fuck did I just witness?
He went inside of the hangar, and looked at the delivered goods.
Hmm… The chair is heavy but… a blind man would see that you could probably crack several skulls with it… And is it… ebony? No way! Whew, the desk itself is mahogany but… a granite top… holy crap… Wonder what's in those crates…
Toshiro looked at the crates, and saw an envelope sticking out. He pulled it out, ripped it apart, and started reading.
Dear Toshiro,
Yes, it's me again, heehee… The content of these boxes should interest you. They contain twenty one-hundred round belts for your Type 99. What's so special you might ask? Well, the special thing about it, is that it's a totally new type of ammunition. We call it High Explosive Incendiary, or HEI-T for short, T standing for tracer. Since Neuroi seem to be particularly weak to explosives, these should provide an edge against them, and additionally they will cause a fire upon impact, so all the better! I know that you have an ability allowing you to set bullets aflame, but please, test these rounds if you can.
Ursula
High explosive incendiary… More bang is always welcome! But now I have to move that desk… Doh well, it seems my jogging will be partially replaced my lifting, heheh…
Toshiro moved the crates under the weapon rack, hung the chairs on his neck, and lifted the desk.
Oh damn… This thing weighs half a ton…
He slowly went up the stairs, first to the junction, and then to the office.
I wonder why I still didn't order to repair the lift…
After dragging in the desk into the office, Toshiro had to move every piece of paper from his old desk to the new one. Completing that arduous task, he replaced the desk and chair, the latter also valid for Minna's, and kicked out the old ones to the corridor.
Toshiro sat on the chair, put his feet on the desk and said to himself, "Yup, I'm the boss here… I wonder who would like to have the desk, and two chairs…"
He jumped down of his chair, and went on search of Mio. She was found on the beach, heading back to her hut.
"Hey, Mio."
"Morning, Toshiro. What brings you to me? And what was that plane all about? It landed and flew away in what, two minutes?"
"Both of these topics have one common denominator – me. I received a new desk and two chairs, so I now have some hand me downs."
"And I'm the first one to know of this? I'm flattered, Toshiro."
"Heh… I just thought that you could need a desk of your own…"
"No thanks. The two of you, and Trude as the archivist are just enough for the bureaucrat team here, haha!"
"Then maybe Trudy would want the desk… Her room is barer that a hospital room, especially after the sweep…"
"Good idea."
"But jeeez, I'll have to carry it down… Ah, whatever, it's at least a lot lighter than the new one it got… Jeeez… Granite and ebony…"
"Granite and ebony? The Karlslanders sure don't pinch their pennies when it comes to showing who's the boss… Anything else you've gotten?"
"Yeah, High Explosive Incendiary Tracer rounds for my MG."
"Fancy... I bet your antsy to try it them, huh?"
"I may just fire some into the ground, heh… Kay, till later. I have a delivery to do."
Toshiro hiked back to before the office and pondered.
Hmmm… I'll leave my old chair here, for interrogation purposes…
Toshiro took Minna's old chair and his old desk, and hauled it before Trude's room.
"Time for some fun… Yuki, could you change my voice?"
"In a limited spectrum… What do you want to do with it?"
"Scare the shit out of Trudy."
"Okay, try it."
"Testing voice… Oh, nice…" Toshiro said silently in a deep voice.
He cleared his throat, and while slamming the door he yelled, "Militärpolizei!"
It didn't take more than ten seconds, and Trude was standing in the door, full attention, while holding Erica like a sack of potatoes.
"You! Again! I hate you!" Trude shouted when she realized she had been played.
"I seriously couldn't resist…"
"What's with your voice? Did you catch a cold?"
"Ah, that… Yuki, if you'd please?" Toshiro waited a second and continued. "Well, it seems Yuki can change my voice a bit. So anyway, I have something for you, Trudy."
"What is it?" She tilted her head in surprise.
"Look down will you…"
Trude looked a bit and saw the desk and chair by Toshiro's feet.
"You're giving me your desk and Minna's chair? Why for? You two won't have a way to work… I can't accept!"
"Shut up and take my furniture. Replacements arrived not more than an hour ago. You should see them, heheh…"
"Oh… OH! So I really can have these?!" Trude asked all lively.
"Yes. Do whatever you wish with it. And let down Erica already…"
"Ah, right… Sorry, Hartmann…"
She placed her down on the floor, and Erica simply curled up around Trude's legs and resumed sleeping.
"I'm telling you, Toshiro, one day, I'll break her neck…" Trude said through her teeth.
"Don't be mad at her, she was just a kid when the Neuroi attacked…"
"I suppose you're right… The Neuroi stole the childhood of most of us… You're really lucky, you know, Toshiro? There was only the Fuso Sea Incident in '37, some skirmishes in Hispania, and besides that – nothing…"
"Except for my father, who I didn't even see, dying in '39… But I was ten back then when the FSI happened, and seriously didn't give a fuck about the Neuroi… Well, I was a little bit in love with Tomoko Anabuki, heheh… I guess you three from Karlsland had it worst, right? Twelve-thirteen years, happy military school (or normal school) days and suddenly – bam, war…"
"The Neuroi did a true Blitzkrieg to our country and Ostmark…"
"Oh stop it you two…" Erica mumbled from down under. "Don't dwell too much on the past, or you'll be unable to see the future."
Toshiro and Trude looked shocked at each other.
"Judging by the fact that you two went silent, I'm guessing you didn't expect such words of wisdom from me at this time of the day, huh?" Erica said while slowly rising from the floor. "I'm eighteen, damn you! I'm just behaving like I'm behaving because of inertia. I can't just change my ways as if I flipped a light switch… Give me a year or two, and you'll have a new and improved Erica Hartmann Ausf.B, I promise."
Toshiro's and Trude's jaws just opened wider after that exposition.
"I decided on it at the night after my eighteenth birthday party. If Trudy wants me to change for the good of our country, I will do it. But slowly, gradually… Anyway now… Anybody got any sweets?"
"Uh… Nope…" Toshiro said.
"Nothing…" Trude mumbled.
"Crap… Could anyone fetch me some?" She asked with a cutesy smile.
"Hell no, it's almost breakfast time!" Trude yelled at her.
"Aaaaaw, Truuuudy!"
"Get that desk in the room for God's sake, now!"
"Slave driver…" She mumbled and started pushing the desk inside.
"Hey, Toshiro… Do you think she'll keep her promise?"
"She might be pulling our leg, but it would be a shame to be honest. I like Erica how she is – proficient to the max in combat, and not giving a single fuck outside of it. I know you, as a True Soldier of Karlsland can't accept it, but Minna seems lenient… Maybe you should go that way? You made it with Shirley…"
"Oh no, that won't work a second time. I'll be doing with Erica what I want, and when I want!"
"Even if I forbid it?"
"Uh well, not then…"
"Whatever, just don't pick on her too much. I like how you two always quarrel, at least you have someone to vent on, heh… But if Erica starts complaining… Well, you know that I can be a son of a bitch when it comes to punishment, heheheheh…"
Trude gulped and said, "Heh, okay, only the regular amount of nagging…"
"I'm glad you understand. Well anyway, I hope you'll use my present."
"Oh I will, don't worry. I sort of wanted to present a requisition form to you but…"
"You didn't want to siphon money from me, huh?"
"Yeah…" Trude replied with slightly red cheeks.
"Nah, don't worry. A desk would be a reasonable request, and I don't have anything to spend money on anyway. So the next time, just holler if you want something bought."
"I will remember."
"I'm going now. Till breakfast!"
"Bye!"
Toshiro went to the dining room, and fetched himself a glass of water. When he finished it, Yoshika and Lynne walked in. Yoshika looked as if she was in fifth gear already, but Lynne made the appearance as if she slept only an hour at most.
"Hi!" Yoshika cheered and kissed Toshiro on the cheek.
"Ho ho, are you energetic today! And a few hours ago you just moaned…"
"That mint tea and sleep helped, heehee…"
"But why is Lynne looking like a scarecrow in a hurricane then?"
Lynne blushed immediately and started squirming in place.
"Uhhmm… Well…"
"Girly issues?" Toshiro asked.
"No…"
"Something was keeping you up, right?"
"Yeees…"
"Who or what?"
"Y-Y-Yoshika…"
"Huh, what?!" Both of them asked surprised.
Lynne's face bloomed red and she shouted, "You were farting for the whole night! Sorry…"
"Hahahahahah!" Toshiro started laughing uncontrollably.
"I-I-I was what?" Yoshika asked stutteringly.
"You were having gas for the whole night, Yoshika… I almost suffocated because of the amount of flatulence in the air… And you were so loud…"
Toshiro looked at Yoshika after he stopped laughing, and saw that she had an even redder face than Lynne did. But she approached Lynne and gave her a sincere hug.
"I'm sorry, Lynne…"
"Don't worry, Yoshika… Just make me a coffee, and I will be fine."
"Okay! I will make you the Yoshika Special!"
"Yoshika Special?" Toshiro asked "I want one too, if it's not a problem."
"I took a recipe from Eila and modified it. And of course it's not a problem!" Yoshika cheered and went to the kitchen.
"Gods protect us…" Toshiro mumbled.
Lynne sat at the table and started napping.
Daaawwwww…
Toshiro waited for Yoshika to finish her brew, and she returned with two cups full of something that looked like normal cappuccino.
"Yoshika, I hope you know how to perform CPR, just in case…" Toshiro said with a sly smile.
"Oh shut up! I was extra careful to dose the coffee…"
"Of course my sunshine, I'm sorry I ever doubted you…"
"Heehee…"
She wouldn't detect sarcasm if it hit her in the head and raped her afterwards…
Yoshika poked Lynne, who slowly woke up, and saw a cup near her.
"Oh, thank you…" She mumbled and took a sip. "Ooooh! It's so good!"
"I know, right? I should tell the modified recipe to Eila, so she can make such coffee for Sanya."
"Who, what, where?" Eila entered suddenly, in a state similar to Lynne.
"You look as if you molested Sanya for the whole night…" Toshiro said.
"I'd wish it were so… No, I just had some troubles sleeping… Oh, is that coffee, Toshiro? Are you drinking that?"
"I see that you're in bigger need of caffeine then me… Here, you can have it." Toshiro shoved the cup to Eila.
"Thanks." Eila took a big gulp. "Yummm! Hey, Yoshika, did you use my recipe? Doesn't feel like it though..."
"It is, but I modified it heavily. I can tell it to you afterwards."
"You do, sister! I want Sanya to drink this!"
Eila chugged the coffee down and sat on her chair.
"Aaaaaaah… Now I can work normally…"
"Me too, heehee…" Linne giggled.
"Then have at it, I'm hungry!" Toshiro shouted in mock anger.
"Yes sir!" Both Lynne and Yoshika replied and ran to the kitchen.
"Hey… Toshiro…" Eila leaned over the table whispering.
"Sup?"
"So I hear Yoshika has her period now…"
"Nothing is a secret in this unit, huh? And what of it?"
"Oh, nothing… Just asking…"
"Woman solidarity in pain?"
"Exactly."
"You could sympathize with me, you know… No banging for about a week…"
"Some fasting didn't hurt anyone, heheh… Or maybe I could help you with that…" She made a curious smile.
"Eila, please, not you too… Why is everyone here teasing me to the point of blue balls when they learned Yoshika has now a time-out?"
"Also woman solidarity, I guess… Give her some rest, sheesh..."
"I would, but I'm not going to refuse a lady, right? Say, Eila… How often do you and Sanya…"
"Not even once, damn it…" She hissed. "Sanya is really adamant about it…"
Toshiro sighed and said, "Then cheat on her and finger Yoshika, sheesh…"
Eila's jaw almost fell to the table as she heard it.
"You… You're sure?"
"Did you take that seriously? Damn, you are desperate…"
"Don't bring my hopes up, you pervert..." Eila pouted.
Or maybe that wasn't and unfounded claim by me? Maybe Yoshika is bi-curious, and I just don't know it? I can never now… Her newly awakened sexual desires probably didn't take a final shape yet… I heard from those dicks in the Navy, that every woman, without exception, had a same sex fantasy at least once… I have to watch out for Eila…
Time passed, the rest of the crew assembled, and breakfast began.
"Miyafuji, Lynne, Perrine, did you rest well?" Mio asked while chewing down on a sandwich.
"Yeees…" The three answered hesitantly.
"Good. Because before the mock battle, you will do laps. Don't worry; I have a good day - only ten around the runway."
The three looked amongst each other with faces full of dismay.
"Don't look like that, or I'll double the amount…" Mio said with a firm voice.
They sighed and answered, "Yes ma'am…"
"Good."
"Minna, I need sweets!" Erica jumped up from her chairs.
"Present me a requisition form and the appropriate amount of money, wait for my decision and wait for a transport."
"But I want them today!"
"Then present me a leave form, wait for my decision, and then you can hike to town and buy yourself some…"
"What is it with everyone…? Bro?" She turned around to Toshiro.
Before he even said a word, he was ran into the ground by Minna's stare.
It seems that something is aloof… It's best I play along…
"Sorry, Erica, but nothing can be done. If you want to consult me about this, make an appointment at Minna."
Erica fell on the chair immediately and slammed her head against the table.
"I have been forsaken…" She mumbled.
Breakfast ended, and Toshiro went to the office with Minna.
"Minna, what's with that stare at breakfast?"
"I want Erica to cut down on sweets, she'll get caries…"
"Did you check her up?"
"No, but it's better to blow on something cold than burn yourself with hot stuff..."
"But she could eat some, right? We could ration candy to her…"
"Well, we could…"
"So it's settled. By the way, did you enter the office today?"
"No…"
"Prepare for a small surprise then…"
Toshiro opened the door, and let Minna in.
"Woooow… This desk is simply stunning… The materials... The finishing… And this chair… This must have cost a fortune!"
"Not my money at least, heheh…"
Minna suddenly laid down on the desk.
"It's as big as an aircraft carrier… And cold…"
Contrary to what she said just now, she unbuttoned the top button of her uniform.
"Toshiro… We are all alone… And the desk is so big… Why don't we…"
He looked at her for a second, and said, "Why don't we what?"
She picked another button, and with the most alluring voice she ever used against Toshiro, she said, "Let's do it, here and now, on this desk…"
"Yuki… Bear with me for a while, okay?"
"No more carefree blueballing?"
"Precisely."
"Well, okay then!"
Toshiro unzipped his pants, and jumped on Minna.
"W-wait a second! I was just…"
"Joking? Minna… I don't joke about your sexual experiences, and yet all of you mock me now with full force… Maybe I should silence you with my dick in your mouth?"
"S-stop! I'll report this!"
"Report what? I'll just slice you up, and throw your remains in the sea. I'll do it so fast, nobody will even notice…"
"P-please no… Please…" Minna was already on the brink of tears.
"Toshiroooo… You are going too far, you know…"
"Shush."
He lowered his head, and when his face was parallel to Minna's, he whispered, "I'll fuck you so hard, you'll literally die."
He could feel that Minna is getting tense already, so he ended his charade, and simply blew into her ear.
"Waaawawawah!"
He jumped down on his chair and said, "So, did I cure you of unnecessary sexual related jokes?"
Minna looked at him as if he'd really raped her and said, "Animal…"
"Seriously, Minna, please, stop teasing me… It's unfair…"
"Oh okay… But you have to compensate me somehow…"
"What again…"
"Rub my tits, now." She said and skilfully unleashed her two perfect breasts.
"I don't know…"
"Just do it, for fucks sake… She's like a damn rabbit in heat…"
Toshiro shook his head, and grabbed her breasts to which Minna moaned slightly.
"I… I didn't think you'd do it immediately… Are you not satisfied with Yoshika?"
"Yuki let me. I'll tell you one thing, Minna. If Yoshika had breasts of two sizes bigger, I wouldn't even look at any other woman. You all would be men for me for all I'd care."
"What a pragmatic approach…"
"But hey, even the most beautiful of jewels has some flaws. But I'm happy I found mine…" Toshiro said while doing circular motions with his hand.
Minna took a step back, and started dressing herself.
"What is it, Minna?"
"It hit me right now… Like a mammoth freight train… I can never replace Yoshika to you, nor can Shirley or anyone else…"
"Finally…"
"If only that familiar of yours wasn't so nosy…"
"I can't even imagine what could happen… Oh wait, I can. I would probably be somewhere in Orussia, freezing my ass off, and probably Shirley and you would be close to labor or with infants on her arms already."
"Rather pessimistic approach…"
"Believe me, Minna, you should thank all gods in the universe that Yuki is with me, and that I'm not the last son of a bitch."
"I should… Everyone here should… You'd have the ultimate harem here, with your looks and silver tongue…"
"Heh… Well, anyway, I'm going to watch the girls train."
"Sure. I don't have much paperwork, you can do it later."
"Heh… By the way, did you look at your chair?"
"No… Wh…"
She quickly ran to her chair, and squealed like a little girl.
"Thank you!" She sat, squirmed around a bit and said, "Perfect…"
"Okay, I'll go, before you'll start thanking me more… physically…"
"Oh what, afraid of a peck in the cheek?"
"If it's only that…" Toshiro sighed.
Minna approached him slowly, and gave him a quick kiss on his left cheek.
"You know how to take care of a woman, heehee…"
"Oh shut up already…"
Toshiro got out of the room, with a feeling it got very hot inside.
He found Mio looking at the girls doing laps from the side of the runway in her trademark pose, supporting herself with both hands stretched out on a bamboo sword.
"Hmm… Toshiro, why is your face all pink?"
"Is it?"
"Yes."
"Probably because Minna started pissing me off…"
"Ah, she did it?"
"Mio… Are you perhaps plotting something with her? I already gave her a lesson she'll remember, want to try it on yourself?"
She looked at him with a dose of fear, and asked, "What did you do to her?"
"Oh well… She wanted for me to do her, and I kind of followed up, contrary to what she believed would happen…"
"No way!"
"Way, way… So, maybe I should attempt something on you?"
"No thanks, I know when to retreat."
"Spoilsport… You sure don't want to get down and dirty?"
"Fuck you…"
"Oh come on, Mio. Minna liked coercing me so much, why not follow her lead?"
"I don't have experience with men…"
"So you officially admit to being a virgin?"
"That word won't leave my mouth!"
"Hey, Mio, no shame in that… Until I was seventeen, the only woman I kissed was my own mother… You are saving yourself for the right man, yes?"
Mio was silent as a grave.
"It seems that in terms of love, you're as talkative as a box of rocks. Well, fuck it, you have your secrets, I have mine, although, I have to say that mine outweigh yours by a hundredfold."
Mio was still silent, but her face changed to that of a pissed off cat.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry for trying to pry into your private life. Although since '37 your private life is nigh inexistent…"
"That's true…" Mio answered, loosening up a bit. "Since I joined the Navy, my life is identical with my life as a soldier…"
"Oh, so you can talk?"
"Toshiro… I can talk about everything with you, but please, for the love of Amaterasu and Izanagi, leave out my love life."
"Ugh… You really don't feel comfortable about that?"
"No."
"Kay, fine. So… How are the girls doing?"
"Look at them yourself, you will see a difference."
Toshiro looked at the three running around, and saw that Yoshika was running in an upright position, fresh like a spring daisy, while the other two are slumping around.
"Do my eyes deceive me, or is Yoshika… enjoying running? And she's not even tired?"
"Yuki?"
"I know what you're thinking, but no – Kuji swears on his love for panties that he's not doing squat. Something changed in Yoshika, but Kuji didn't yet pinpoint what exactly…"
"I hope it's positive…"
"I like that change in Miyafuji…"
"Yoshika."
"As I said, Miyafuji…"
"Yoshika, for the second time."
"Miyafuji for the last time. I won't change my mind on how I call her."
"Fuso blockhead… Maybe I should order you to do so?"
"Bite me, I won't obey that order."
"Feisty are we… Oh well, steel bends easier when heated up…"
Toshiro quickly moved his hands along Mio's sides, under her uniform. He could hear a snicker coming from her.
"Ah, I may have found something…"
"Stop…"
Toshiro moved his fingers gently slightly under Mio's armpits, making her wiggle slightly.
"No fucking way… You're ticklish!"
"I am not!"
To prove the opposite, Toshiro attacked again, leading to a spasm and fierce snicker.
"Toshiro…" Yoshika's voice suddenly sounded from their ten. "What are you doing to Miss Sakamoto?"
"Uh well… Mio has an itch…" Toshiro said to the slowly trotting Yoshika, while really scratching Mio now, causing her to almost explode.
Yoshika shrugged and went off her way.
"Toshiro… I will kill you… With fire, if possible…" Mio grumbled with an angry voice.
"Revenge is mine…" Toshiro said and withdrew his hands. "But seriously, I'm surprised you're ticklish."
"Uh well… Maybe because my body is used to rough treatment, it can't take such gentle maneuvers…"
"I hope the man that will deflower you will have earplugs handy…"
"Are you implying something?"
"Nothing at all, heh…"
They watched as the girls finished their rounds. Lynne and Perrine slopped down in the hangar, with Yoshika simply sitting down beside them.
"Half hour break, and then the mock battle." Mio said. "Miyafuji, you look energetic enough, fetch the paintball guns for yourself and Perrine."
"Okay!"
"Wh… Why is she so lively today…?" Perrine wondered.
"You ask me, I'll ask you…" Toshiro sighed. "Maybe she slept good…"
"The opposite of me…" Lynne mumbled.
"What happened, Lynne?" Mio asked.
"It's too embarrassing to say…"
"Suit yourself…"
After a while Yoshika returned with two orange painted weapons – a Bren MG and a Type 99, and with a box of ammo.
"Where should I drop this?" She asked.
"Here will be good." Mio said.
Thus, Yoshika dropped everything where she stood.
"Load up, and let's go."
"But Maaaajoor…" Perrine protested.
"Oh okay, fifteen minutes… Miyafuji, fetch these two some water, I don't want casualties here…"
"Okay!" Yoshika cheered. "Hey, Toshiro, care to go with me?"
"Why not…"
The two went on to the dorm, and underway, Toshiro started discreetly inquiring, "Hey, Yoshika… You are really lively today… Not using Kuji's focus, are you?"
"Nope, that's all my energy! It must have been Francesca's food… Or the tea… But anyway, I feel like moving mountains!" Yoshika cheered.
"Nice to see you all fired up. Shame you have your days now…"
"Ohoho, Toshiro… If we only had some contraceptive right now… But don't worry, I'll make it up to you, I promise!"
"Okay…" Toshiro sighed.
They went up to the kitchen, where Yoshika took a two full glasses of water, and returned to the pooped friends, who siphoned the water out of the glasses like a motor pump.
"Okay now… Miyafuji, Perrine – arm up." Mio commanded and pulled out a whistle. "Lynne, you'll be the arbiter."
"Roger!" The three responded.
"Wish me luck, Toshiro!" Yoshika shouted as she ran to her Striker.
"My thumbs will be sore!" Toshiro responded.
Yoshika mounted her Striker, and rushed out of the hangar. Toshiro however saw something.
"Mio, did you see the Striker sputter?"
"Yes I did… But you know, that could have been some lingering magic, or a backfire…"
"Yeaaah… But I NEVER saw Yoshika's Striker malfunction."
"Then keep an eye on her, I'll watch the battle as a whole."
"Okay."
They went to the runway, and started watching the mock battle. A minute after the first round started, Yoshika already did a Swallow Turn, shaking Perrine like a newbie, but then, her Striker sputtered again, the latter gained on her, and shot her.
Lynne blew the whistle and announced, "One-zero for Perrine!"
"What the hell was that…?" Toshiro muttered. "She clearly had the victory in her grip…"
"Happens to the best… They still have two rounds, let's see the outcome."
The outcome was a hat trick for Perrine. The reasons for it – same as the previous two rounds – sudden engine failure. The girls landed, and Toshiro with Mio approached them.
"Gloria victoribus, huh, Perrine?"
"Hahahaha! I pounded Yoshika into the ground!"
"I don't know what happened…" Yoshika pouted.
"My clearly superior talent happened, hah!"
"Puh… I'm going to take a bath… Alone…"
Yoshika went away with a pouty face paint stained attire northwards. Lynne joined her, not minding Yoshika's grumpy mood.
"M-Major… I have something to report…"
"Shoot away, Perrine."
"Yoshika wasn't behaving like normal today. Three losses in a row were possible only in Britannia in the first week, but now? Something is wrong with her…"
"I commend your watchfulness and concern for your sister-in-arms, Perrine. Indeed, there's something smelly here…"
"Oh… But… Uh… I wasn't concerned about her, just about our whole unit and…"
Toshiro approached Perrine and stroked her head.
"Now, now… I know you're concerned about Yoshika… Run after her."
"O-okay!"
Perrine darted after Lynne and Yoshika in a cloud of dust.
"So, what now, Toshiro?"
"Hmmm…"
Toshiro went silent for a few seconds, and then he said, "I need Shirley, and I need you."
"That combination is rather… weird… You sure you're not trying to form a threesome?"
"Shut up already…"
Toshiro went to the PA panel and said, "Shirley, come in to the hangar, now."
Then, he went down to the supply room, and pulled out the diagnostic equipment for Striker Units.
"Aaaah, now I see…" Mio said as she approached him.
Shirley stormed inside of the hangar quicker than expected.
"Yo, sup?"
"Shirley, help me with the diagnostic equipment, we need to check Yoshika's Striker. Mio, you'll be revving it up and down."
"Will do." Mio said and jumped into Yoshika's Striker.
Shirley and Toshiro hooked up the cables and wires to the Striker's engine, and Mio started alternating between high revs, low revs, mid revs, idle, and a full stop.
"Okay, thank you, Mio." Toshiro said.
She jumped out of the Striker and asked, "So, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. Shirley's preventative maintenance is doing wonders. The Striker is almost new in terms of wear."
"Oh really now?"
"Yup." Shirley confirmed. "I'd bet my last cent that this Striker will work a few more years at least."
"Then what the fuck is going on with Miyafuji…"
"Something's wrong with Yoshika?" Shirley asked.
"Her engine failed like mad during a mock battle earlier this morning. She lost three-nil to Perrine." Toshiro explained.
"But the Striker is in almost pristine condition!"
"I know… Ah, what the hell, I'll fetch a damn doctor from town. Shirley, can I use your bike?"
"Always!"
"Thanks. I'll just announce my visit…"
Toshiro went up to the office, where he of course bumped into Minna.
"Toshirooo… The chair is so comfy…"
"Heh, I aim to please…"
"Heehee… What's up?"
"I have to make a call, don't bother moving anywhere."
"Okay."
Toshiro picked up the phone, and after a few switched connections, he heard, "Ospedale Civile Santo Spirito di Pescara, how may I help you?"
"Good morning. I'm calling from the 501st and… I have one subordinate for a physical…"
"Ah, si… The dottore is free for private visits now, you just have to pick her up."
"Will a bike with a sidecar be appropriate?"
"Oh, don't worry, the dottore is young and energetic, she will like it. Shall I inform her you will be coming, signore…"
"Edelweiss. Colonel Toshiro Edelweiss."
"Okay… Will you come immediately?"
"Of course!"
"Then have a nice day, Colonnello."
"You too… nurse?"
"Yes, thank you."
Toshiro unhooked the phone, and had to endure the drilling look of Minna.
"Toshiro… I hope you didn't do anything you'll regret…"
"I'm innocent this time. There's something wrong with Yoshika, and I can't pinpoint what…"
"Ah… Okay… Is it serious?"
Toshiro told her what happened, and she corrected herself, "It is serious. Go, Toshiro."
He ran down to the hangar, pulled on a helmet, sat on the motorcycle, and rushed out of the base.
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 :]