Chapter 48 – A love lost

I'm staring at the ceiling of the room 126 in the London Ritz... Yoshika is lying beside me on the king-size bed, cute as ever when she's asleep… I have to try to wake up and slip away, I don't want to drag her with me…

Toshiro started to move slowly, but his body betrayed him, causing the phenomena knows as the morning thunder.

"Mmmmmhhh… Toshiro… Are you going already?" Yoshika asked waking up. "Whew…. It smells…"

"Sorry, I didn't want to bother you…"

"Take me with you, Toshiro…"

"You don't even know where I want to go."

"But I want to always be at your side…" She said with a smile that could melt an iceberg.

"Oh okay… I suppose I should take you, it would be selfish if I didn't… I'm going to Folkestone."

"You want to see the base?"

"If I get to, then good, but that's my far, secondary objective."

"What could you see… oh… wait… I understand now… I have to go with you now." Yoshika said with a sad face.

"You don't have to, you know…"

"No, I have to. I won't have an occasion later…"

"Okay, Yoshika. Let's go then. Maybe we can get some grub beforehand."

"Kay."

They dressed up, with Toshiro taking on everything he had. They walked down to the foyer, and before Toshiro could even open his mouth, the man at the reception said, "I have something for you, sir."

"Oh?"

The man pulled out something wrapped in paper and a big vacuum flask.

"Your superior ordered these for you, since the buffet is closed." He said with a smile. "If I were in the military, I would build her a shrine."

"I should build her a cathedra already…" Toshiro muttered. "Thanks."

"Much obliged, sir. How was the room, if I may ask?"

"We slept, right, Yoshika?"

"Mhm." She nodded. "Not much time to enjoy the room. But the bed was so comfy, heehee…"

"I'm glad. Have a nice trip."

"And have a nice shift." Toshiro answered.

"Hah, thank you, I'm going home in a few minutes."

"Wait a second, Yoshika, okay?"

"Okay."

Toshiro approached the door outside. Through the glass he saw that nobody was waiting for them yet. He returned to Yoshika and said, "Let's eat somewhere…"

He looked around and pointed out a table, "Can we eat there?" He asked the receptionist.

"Of course you can, sir."

"Come on, Yoshika."

They sat at the table and started eating. The contents of the packages were sandwiches, and the flask was filled with delicious tea.

"We ate, we drank… Time to go, Yoshika. It's time."

"Let's."

They exited the hotel with some of the sandwiches and a half-filled flask with them. The same Rolls Royce was waiting for them. The driver hastily exited and opened the rear door.

"Good morning, Herr Oberst." He said.

"And a good morning to you, Herr Josef. In you go, Yoshika."

"Heehee…"

Yoshika and Toshiro sat in the rear. The door beside them was closed, and the driver sat in his place.

"The Generalmajor told me you would be driving to Folkestone, right, Herr Oberst?"

"That is correct."

"Let us depart then."

They arrived in Folkestone in slightly under two hours. Toshiro told the chauffeur to stop by a flower shop in town, which was thankfully open, and he bought two bouquets with Yoshika. After a few minutes, they were there.

"We'll be back… well, it depends."

"No rush, Herr Oberst."

They exited the car and went forward. The two tombstones were almost greeting them from the distance. When they approached them, they saw that the tombstones were surrounded by edelweisse growing freely around them. Toshiro looked at his father's tombstone. The sash that his uncle placed on it was still there, a bit tattered by the weather, but hanging there strong.

Without uttering a word, they placed the bouquets on the graves. Toshiro stood in attention and saluted. After he went to ease, he started talking silently.

"So here we are, father… This is my girlfriend, Yoshika, your best friend's firstborn and only daughter..."

Yoshika caught up the mood and said, "Hello, papa… Long time no see… This is my boyfriend, Toshiro. Your friend probably told you about him constantly, although he didn't see him once…"

"We will get married one day, so we wanted to let you know…"

"I hope you will give us your blessings…"

Toshiro and Yoshika looked at each other, and they let their emotions flow freely.

After a few minutes, still sobbing, Toshiro said, "You know, Yoshika, I shouldn't be the one crying here…"

"Why is that, Toshiro?"

"You had a father, you knew him personally, you could play with him, sleep with him, argue with him, eat with him, get scorned by him, get praised by him… And me? My father is only a row of numbers, a few loose facts and a sepia photo with him in the background… People I know have better knowledge of my father… You lost your father, Yoshika, but I never found one in the first place… Yet, why am I crying? Why does my heart ache after this ephemeric memory of a man that died almost six years ago? Why am I seeking his acceptance and blessing before his grave…"

"That only shows that you have a good heart, Toshiro…" Yoshika said with a smile. "We really are meant to be together, not just because Yuki and Kuji are lovers… But… Say, Toshiro… If our fathers are dead, then can't you… visit them in the afterlife?"

"Why Yoshika! That's brilliant! I'll…"

Suddenly, the world darkened for a split second for Toshiro, as if someone flicked the light switch. He heard the faint, female voice of someone saying "Not yet".

"Yoshika, did you say something?"

"How much I love you?" She grinned.

"Heh… I must have had a phase…"

But what was this… I think Yoshika told me about something important… There's something in the back of my head but it's all hazy and slippery…

"Let's go back, Yoshika. Our driver is probably bored already.

"Heheh… Okay, let's go…" Yoshika smiled and turned to the graves. "Bye papa, bye papa-in-law!"

"Hahaha! Bye fathers!"

"Oh, Toshiro! I can't leave just like that!"

"What is it?"

"Gimme Yumemaru!"

"Whatever…" He said and summoned Againaimaru.

When it rested in Yoshika's hands, it immediately changed shape. Yoshika moved two steps closer to the grave and said, "Papa, this is the power that I will protect many with!"

Her familiars ears and tail popped out and an aura enveloped her body. She raised her sword above her head and shouted, "UNYOU!"

She swung the blade downwards. Just as it started moving in an arch, the sharp part of the blade glowed intensively blue. As the sword stopped, a small pressure wave could be felt coming from Yoshika. She dispelled Yumemaru and shouted, "I did it!"

"Oh you did it! That's my girl! Mio will be green from envy!"

"Heehee!"

"Okay, this time back with us…"

They returned to the car and went back to London. Just as they drove out of Folkestone, Yoshika devoured all the remaining sandwiches alone, but she left some tea for Toshiro. While traversing the streets of London, Toshiro told Josef to look for a certain stand. Needless to say, Angus almost exploded from joy seeing Toshiro. He bought a big portion of fish and chips, which he ate almost alone. Almost is the keyword here, because Yoshika looked at him with deer eyes, and managed to bum off a few chips.

As their car approached the hotel, they saw another car pulling up at the same time.

"It's a wild guess, but you probably know who's in that car, right?"

"Yup!" Yoshika cheered.

Their car stopped, and Yoshika shot outside. The door of the other car opened violently and the well-endowed Britannian with her trademark braid sprinted forward.

"Yoooshika!"

"Lynneeee!"

They both hugged as if they were reunited after twenty two years, not twenty two hours. Toshiro shook his head with a smile on his face and exited the car, at the same time as Lynne's mother. This time her dress was light blue, and she wore a small remembrance poppy pinned to her chest. While the girls were cheering and giggling, the two approached each other.

"So lively…" Minnie said. "She really is the ideal friend for Lynnie…"

"Right? So, how was it, ma'am?"

"Oh please, call me Minnie…"

"Then you have the obligation to call me Toshiro, Minnie."

"Heehee, okay… It was great. We bought so much things, we had so much fun… I heard she had a proper birthday party thanks to you, Toshiro?"

"Yes, Minnie. But it was a joint effort of all of the girls in the 501st, from top to bottom."

"I must thank you for that. She didn't have a proper birthday party since she left to the army… And your present was… peculiar, heehee…"

"Doh well, I was always a practical guy, heh…"

"Don't worry, I bought her so many impractical trinkets and knick-knacks that we had to ask Jeeves to carry it."

"Jeeves you say… Pardon for the intrusiveness, but your family must be rather… wealthy…"

"A keen eye I see… Well, you could say we are the old money but… the war impoverished us a bit, but we are the proud representatives of the upper-middle class." Minnie said with pride.

"No wonder Lynne is so well-behaving and all… Let's end at that, gentlemen don't talk about money."

"Or rather they don't talk about small money, heehee…"

"Haha, true!"

"You know what, Toshiro… I want to give you something for keeping my daughter safe…"

"But Minnie… Twas' a trifle…"

"Nu-uh! Don't refuse a gift from a lady! Jeeves!"

"Yes milady?" The old driver asked.

"The present for the Colonel, if you please…"

"Yes milady…"

The old man dived into the boot of the car and emerged with a giftwrapped box. He approached Minnie from the side and gave the box to her. She in turn gave the box to Toshiro and said, "They say a man should be gifted either a tie or whiskey. I'm giving you both, Toshiro. Thank you for caring about Lynnie."

"Heh… This gift I can accept. Thank you."

Suddenly Lynne appeared on by her side.

"I hope I can visit you again soon, mommy!"

"And I hope I can see you again, Lynnie. Be strong, and behave, okay?"

"Yes mommy!"

Minnie stroked Lynne's hair and said, "Good girl… It's time for me now."

"Bye!"

"Goodbye Mrs. Bishop!" Yoshika cheered.

Minnie smiled in glee and waved to Yoshika.

"Goodbye, Minnie." Toshiro said.

"Goodbye, Toshiro."

Minnie entered her car. Jeeves came in with a load of baggage, and put it before Lynne. He then entered the car and Minnie was driven off in some direction unknown to them.

"Come on, Lynne, you need to meet my new friends." Toshiro said.

"Oh?"

"Yes, Lynne, come on!" Yoshika cheered. "Toshiro, could you…"

"Yeah, I'll be the Moore…"

Toshiro took all the packages and he followed the girls inside. Toshiro saw that there was another man behind the reception counter, but he reacted immediately.

"Bellboy! Work for you!"

A young lad dressed in a red hotel uniform rushed to Toshiro and asked, "Sir, may I help you?"

"Please, room 126."

"Certainly sir…"

The young man took his stuff and rushed upstairs. Toshiro looked around, and saw them through a door that was previously closed. He entered the room, which was probably the hotel restaurant. From the distance it was obvious that Yoshika was acquainting Lynne to Tomoko and Hanna. Adolfine was also sitting by the table. And it was obvious that Tomoko had interest in Lynne's upper body.

Toshiro approached them and said, "Tomoko, stop looking at Lynne's mammaries so hard or you'll stare a hole in them…"

"Wah! Oh, it's you, Toshiro. Caught red handed, heh… Morning, Toshiro"

"Good morning, everyone. How was the night?" He asked.

"Sufficient." Hanna answered.

"The bed was so soft…" Tomoko answered with a dreamy voice.

"Good." Adolfine said. "Wait! You stole my line!"

"Oh, sorry… I think being the star got to me a bit, heh…"

"Hey, Adolfine, I hope you'll get me a new gig soon, huh? It's boring in Suomus…" Tomoko asked with a long face.

"When I'll want someone to die in a dramatic way, I'll know who to call." Adolfine said and stuck the tip of her tongue out.

"Bawwwww… You could take me serious for a moment, you know…"

"Sorry, sorry… Now that I saw you in action, I think I could weasel you in some movie… Chaplin is on a tight leash now…"

"Heehee, thanks Adi!" Tomoko cheered but was immediately slapped in the back of her head. "Owww, sorry!"

"Adolfine, tell me one thing – why don't you like that diminutive so much?" Toshiro asked.

"I have my reasons…" Adolfine pouted. "I won't tell, no matter what tortures you submit me to!"

"Tortures… I wonder if Yuki has some knowledge regarding that topic…" Toshiro said with a blank expression.

"I forbid you to even think about this, that's an order." Adolfine replied coldly.

"Spoilsport…" Toshiro pouted.

"Everyone, go to your rooms. We are checking out in an hour."

"Roger." Everyone answered.

Lynne was led by the eager Yoshika to their room. When he entered the room, he saw that all the stuff Minnie bought for Lynne was nicely stacked near the door.

"I will tell you eeeeveryyything!" Yoshika cheered while dragging Lynne to the bed. "Everything!"

"Just don't tell her too much, or we might lose her…" Toshiro said with a smirk.

"Not THAT everything… Sheesh…"

Toshiro sat in the chair and he let the girls talk, seldom throwing in a remark. Then Adolfine came in and took them to the cars. Split into two cars they were driven to the airfield. Two identical planes were waiting for them.

"I'll stay in Europe for the next few days, Toshiro, so if you want anything, just phone the Ritz."

"The Wehrmacht sure knows how to take care of their Generals, heh…"

"Bah!"

Hanna and Tomoko approached Toshiro and his two companions.

"Was nice to meet you three!" Tomoko cheered. "And greet Little Mio from me! And Ursula if you meet her!"

"Yeah, yeah… It was nice to meet one of the Fuso Sea Triumvirate in person."

"Not happy because you met me, Toshiro?" Hanna asked.

"Of course I am, Hanna. A fellow Karlslander is always a good meet, heh…"

"I suppose so… And thanks for not asking about the scar. That is usually the first thing people ask me about when they thought they broke the ice with me…."

"I didn't want to be rude…"

"It's the aftermath of a crash. If I had a healer like your girlfriend, then maybe the scar would be much smaller or even inexistent... But whatever, have a safe trip back home."

"Likewise, Hanna. Bye, Adolfine."

"Bye, Toshiro. Bye you two."

"Goodbye!" Lynne and Yoshika cheered.

Each group boarded their appropriate planes, and flew back to their bases.

It was about 1700 when they landed in Pescara. Toshiro unloaded all his gear by himself this time. The one to greet them were Mio and Minna.

"Ah, our movie star returns!" Mio shouted.

"Movie STARS." Toshiro answered with emphasis on the last word. "Yoshika also had part in this… operation."

"Oh really? Then maybe she is now too important to train with me?" Mio asked with a smirk.

Yoshika turned her head and looked to Toshiro. Before she could even ask, Yumemaru appeared in her hands.

"Thanks!"

Yoshika concentrated and repeated her little show from before, now watched by a bigger audience.

"Miyafuji… Damn…" Mio said surprised. "It seems all that training went in the right direction! Hahahaha! I wanted to torture you a bit with some running today, but you deserve to rest."

"Thank you!" Yoshika cheered like a school girl she in fact was.

"Toshiro, was it a success?" Minna asked.

"I think so. It was fun, however you look at it."

"You have to tell us all the details!"

"Wait for supper, I want everyone to know of my tales! Oh, and Mio?"

"Yes?"

"Or should I say… Little Mio…"

"Wh…! Toshiro… Do you have a death wish?"

"Tomoko told me to greet you."

"You've met Anabuki? Hahaha! Now you definitely have to tell what happened during the time you were off-base!"

"Yeah, yeah, but now – bath time. Coming, Yoshika?"

"Of course!"

After taking a good and long bath, Toshiro decided to make supper with Yoshika and Lynne. When he sat to the table, he told his tales of limelight, stars and fake beams. The girls were of course mesmerized.

"But bro, when will we get a look at it?!" Erica asked impatiently.

"Oh shit, I forgot to ask… Doh well, I'll phone Adolfine…"

Toshiro and Yoshika landed in bed, as was to be predicted, but before it came to anything, Toshiro halted her off.

"What is it, Toshiro?" Yoshika asked.

"Wait a minute, okay?"

"Kay…" Yoshika pouted.

"Yuki, you told me you wanted to use my body a bit more, right?"

"Not exactly what I said but… What are you implying?"

"You could use my body… Kuji could use Yoshika's…"

"Gods… Are you… serious?"

"I know it sounds preposterous but…"

"No, Toshiro, would you seriously let me do this? I dreamt about it for… long… To be able to physically… with Kuji…"

"Ask Kuji to persuade Yoshika first, okay?"

"Okay, okay! Doing it now!"

"Hey, Toshiro, are you talking to Yuki while we are supposed to do it?"

"Wait a second, you'll get to talk to Kuji in a few seconds."

"Wha… Oh… Uhuuh…" Yoshika's cheeks reddened fiercely. "No way! Nu-uh… Oh fine…"

"You talk to your familiar very… openly…"

"I'm not used to talking with him so covertly like you… So you want to lease our bodies to our familiars for one go?"

"Yup."

"But after that it's our turn with our personalities et cetera?"

"Yup."

"Okaaaaay…" Yoshika sighed. "Yuki, Kuji – do your worst."

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