Chapter 49 – Diving dilemma
A week has passed since Toshiro's visit to Britannia. Three days after he returned, a courier delivered a film roll with the final version of the movie, to be screened the next day worldwide, plus all the necessary equipment to view it. On the evening of that day, the common room was made into a makeshift cinema. The screening went on in total silence, and after the last film frame passed before the lens of the projector, a rumbling applause filled the room. Toshiro gave a few shy bows, and he forced Yoshika to also do the same. This also marked the end of an era, because somewhat at the beginning of the movie, there was an information that Yoshika is Toshiro's girlfriend. Afterwards, the equipment was taken away.
The days passed in bliss, without the press bothering them, but Toshiro had Adolfine's words in mind – something was brewing.
The 29th of July started fairly normal – Toshiro went jogging as usual. But instead of the empty junction in the castle, he saw Yoshika standing in the middle of it.
"Hey, sweetie. What's up?" He asked.
"I want to train with Yumemaru a bit…" Yoshika asked shyly.
"What an attitude… I don't know if I should praise you or be afraid… How's your progress by the way?"
"I feel that I could do the Rending Gale by tomorrow!"
"You're shitting me!"
"Nu-uh! After I mastered the Cloud Spark, it's all coming faster!"
"You want to train individually or with Mio?"
"With Miss Sakamoto, of course. She can motivate, berate and correct me when she's there."
"Then let's jog to her together, okay?"
"Okay!" Yoshika cheered and ran forward.
Ehhhh… Why does she have to have her period now…
He gained up on her quickly and they both jogged to the beach. Mio, instead of swinging her sword wildly, just sat on the sand with her left hand wrapped around Reppumaru.
"Morning, Mio." Toshiro said.
"Good Morning, Toshiro, Miyafuji." Mio responded.
"Good morning, Miss Sakamoto. It's odd to see you simply sitting on the beach and not training."
"I was meditating. I can't train fiercely every day or I'm risking a serious injury. I believe I told you this already, Miyafuji." She explained calmly.
"Yes, Miss Sakamoto, but I thought that you weren't applying this to yourself."
"Hahaha! Nice of you to have such expectations from your old mentor! So, what is it now?"
"I wanted to train!"
"In the dead morning? Commendable!"
Toshiro summoned Yumemaru to Yoshika's hands and said, "You go with Mio and I'll jog around as usual."
"Kay! See you at breakfast!"
"Don't overdo it!" Toshiro shouted and jogged off.
"Yuki, did you also find it a bit suspicious?"
"It has begun…"
"Already? Damn…"
"She brought it upon herself… Drink the beer you've brewed up…"
"You think I can reason with her? Forbid her anything?"
"Forbid – yes. You're her superior after all. Reason? Pffffff… A missionary citing the fourth verse of the 23rd Psalm to a charging rhino would have better chances…"
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me… Fitting… I'll just wait a few days…"
"Nice memory, Toshiro."
"If I've read it, I've read it."
After the usual jogging, Toshiro went to the dining room to get some water and cool off. He met Mio and Yoshika there, drinking water and eating crackers.
"How nice to see the two of you looking like two equal people." Toshiro said when he saw them.
"Maybe I'm getting soft…" Mio sighed. "But Miyafuji is really progressing at an astonishing rate. Maybe she can fill my shoes one day."
"Awww, Miss Sakamoto, I can never fill your shoes! You're still ahead of me in many aspects…" Yoshika said while covertly looking at Mio's not-so-average chest.
"At least you admit it, and that's a good step in the right direction, hahaha!" Mio laughed in her usual way, but then she said, "Okay, time for me. I'll go do some light exercises."
Mio left them, and Yoshika asked, "Water, Toshiro?"
"Yes please, Yoshika."
Yoshika brought him water with a splash of lemon juice and ice cubes.
"Hoho, pampering on your boyfriend as usual, huh?"
"Heehee, I have to sweeten up these days for you, or you'll go and use up your pass too soon…"
"You know what came to my mind yesterday?"
"What?"
"Minna has a bigger headcount then me…"
"Oh? Me… Shirley… You… Oh, and her boyfriend… Hahaha! Poor Toshiro… Your male pride must be in tatters right now…"
"Somewhat…" Toshiro said with a pouty face.
"You know whaaaaat… You get a second pass from me, free of charge."
"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaa…."
"I'm serious. I want us to be on equal standing in this relationship, so now you can bang TWO women I know."
"I sense a trap…"
"No traps, Toshiro. Better clear this up now, then find you in a bed with some fling ten years into our marriage, just because your male ego had to be repaired..."
"You really are too mature for your age sometimes… Okay, I'll concede."
Lynne walked in slowly, yawning and rubbing her eyelids.
"Morning." Both Yoshika and Toshiro said in unison.
"Good… morning you two…" Lynne said half-asleep. "Coffee anyone?"
"We'll pass." The two said in sync.
"My… Are you two in harmony together… What happened…? Just don't tell me you had sex!"
"That's out of the question until the 2nd at least…" Yoshika mumbled. "Unless…"
"Please, no…" Lynne squealed silently.
"Sorry, sorry…"
Breakfast rolled in, and Minna made an announcement, "As you all probably know, today is payday."
Everyone cheered wildly.
"As usual, Toshiro and I will go to the bank in Pescara and fetch the money for you. Behave while we're gone."
"Yes ma'am!" A choir of voices sounded.
"Hey, bro, buy me some sweets!" Erica cheered with an energetic voice.
"No damn way! She didn't brush her teeth for two days in a row!" Trude protested wildly.
"Bawwwwwwwwwww…" Erica sulked.
"Anybody got any requests that only I could fulfill?" Toshiro asked.
Not a single word or even monosyllable was uttered.
"Okay then. Let's finish breakfast, and I'll be going."
As breakfast finished, Minna went with Toshiro to the castle. She went up to the office to get the strongbox, and he went down to check the motorcycle. Seeing that the fuel was a bit low in the tank, he refilled it from a jerry can. It took him enough time for Minna join him.
"Have everything, Minna?"
"Yes. Let's go, the girls are giddy already I think."
They drove up to the bank, and withdrawn their money as usual. When they were exiting the building, and old man, sitting on the bench talked to them, "Bambini, why don't you listen to an old man's story?"
Minna tried to ignore him, but Toshiro caught her hand, and asked the man, "And what is this story about?"
"Treasure, of course!"
"Treasure… But we don't look like we need treasure, do we?"
"You certainly don't. But you look like you could hear out a good story, si?"
"What do you say, Minna?"
"Oh okay… But have the strongbox in your arms at all times."
"Sure. May we sit beside you?"
"Yes, please… The bench is wide enough for everyone…"
Toshiro and Minna sat on both sides of the old man, and he started his story.
"It was the year 447… Flagellum Dei was ravaging the Eastern Roman empire… Do you know who I mean?" The man asked Toshiro.
"Attila the Hun."
"Correct. Attila forced the currently reigning emperor, Flavius Theodosius Junior Augustus, to pay a tribute of six thousand roman pounds of gold in gold coins. To minimize the risk, the gold was divided in two parts, and then divided further. One part of it was being transported by land, and the other was transported by sea. To minimize the risk, the gold on the ships was divided in five. And so, five ships sailed from the small port of Aternum, now Pescara, towards the eastern part of what we now call Venezia. Fate however had a bad day, because one of the ships was attacked by a swimming Neuroi. Yes, back then Neuroi somehow liked swimming… So you see, the ship sunk with six hundred pounds of gold and a slew of men on board. They say that the gold was never found…"
"Interesting story…" Minna said. "But we're on duty, so if you don't mind…"
"Go, go… Serving the people is more important than my rambling."
"It was a nice story though." Toshiro said. "Thank you."
"Prego, Colonnello."
Toshiro and Minna returned to the base, but they debated a bit on the way back.
"You think he told the truth?" Toshiro asked.
"Doubtful, but who knows… Interested in the treasure?"
"Unless I sold if off on the black market, I'd only get a finder's fee or something. But still, a percent of 600 roman pounds of gold… Shiiiiit…"
"How much is that in normal weight?"
"Hummm… About 200 kilograms I believe…"
"Toshiro, Toshiro!"
"What is it?"
"Remember when you rescued She-man after she crashed?"
"Somewhat…"
"There was a shipwreck there!"
"A shipw… Oh… Oh! There was! Yuki, do you remember the coordinates?"
"Roughly."
"Thanks anyway! Now I know what I'll be doing today!"
"Toshiro the Treasure Hunter… Hmmm… Has a nice ring to it…"
"Minnnnaaaa…"
"What?"
"Would you mind if I take Trude with me for a little expedition?"
"What in heaven's name are you thinking about?"
"Yuki reminded me of something. I want to check it out."
"You and your crazy ideas… Go, take her… Uh, I mean, go with her… You know what I mean, sheesh! Stop snickering you dingus!"
"Hey, maybe we should repeat what we did back then, huh?" Toshiro said with an alluring voice.
"Sorry, but no can do. It seems that the three of us has our periods at roughly the same time…"
"Ah, so you don't oppose?"
"Toshiro… If I could, I would tell you to pull over behind a bush big enough to conceal us and…"
"Okay, okay, I understand… Sheesh, why does everyone crave me so much after I did it with them…"
"Maybe because… hmm… Shirley was a virgin and I didn't have a man since Kurt died?"
"Plausible explanation… Oh look, the base already… I'll leave you with the money, okay?"
"I just hope you won't do anything stupid…"
"Heh… Just wait."
Toshiro parked the motorcycle and Minna left him with the strongbox in her hands. Toshiro approached the PA panel, and he said, "Trude, come to the hangar, I have a special assignment for you!"
He quickly jumped to his room and changed to his swimming trunks. Before Trude entered the hangar, he would pull off the FFG from his Launch Unit and take it in his right hand. Trude ran up to him and asked, "What is it, Toshiro?"
He threw her the FFG and said, "You're my ride now."
"Huh? What?"
"I'm going diving off-shore, and I need somebody to take me there, plus… hmm… maybe I won't tell you the details for now."
"But why me then?"
"You're strong, reliable, trustworthy, diligent, and you know how to pilot my Striker."
"Heh… Okay, I'll give you a ride. But how long will I have to hover above your position? I wanted to do some work in the archive…"
"I promise it won't take more than two hours."
"Ugh… Okay then…"
Trude strapped on the FFG and she jumped into Toshiro's Striker. He positioned himself on her back, and Trude took off. Guided by Yuki and Toshiro, Trude flew over a spot above the sea, in the middle of nowhere.
"Are you sure you want to dive HERE? I mean, it's the end of civilization here…"
"Don't worry, Trudy. It's not that far off shore to be honest… Oh, and if you see me not emerging for half an hour, don't worry…" Toshiro said and activated the Sacred Flame. "This little flame will be keeping me alive."
"Whatever, Toshiro. Just be careful…"
"I will. Diving time!" Toshiro shouted and jumped a hundred meters down into the sea. The warm waters of the Mediterranean surrounded him as he started diving down. Almost immediately, he saw what he came for – a shipwreck of an ancient trireme. The mast was broken in half, and the ship was full of holes.
He swam up closer to the wreck, and dove through a hole under deck. Thanks to the light that the Sacred Flame gave off, he saw it immediately. Five red iron-banded chests lumped together in one corner. He swam up closer, and he saw that the chest of one of the lids had a small hole in it. When he peeked over to see the inside, the content of the chest glittered. Toshiro stuck his fingers inside, and he managed to fish out one coin. The obverse presented a helmeted man with a spear over his right shoulder and holding a shield in his left. From what he could recognize, the letters above him were 'D N THEODO-SIVS P F AVG'. On the reverse, there was a standing man with a globus cruciger in his left and probably a standard in his right. Also, there was something like a star on his right. Under him there were the letters 'TESOB', and on his sides 'GLOR ORVI' and 'S TERRAR'.
"Yuki…"
"Yes?"
"We literally struck gold…"
"Ding ding ding!"
Toshiro hid one coin in his hand and he surfaced. He waved in Trude.
"What is it?" She asked, hovering a meter above him.
Toshiro extended his hand and opened his palm.
Trude's eyes were now bigger than the coin he held.
"Is that..."
"A fifth century gold coin… Trude, if I get a finder's fee for this, we'll be so fucking rich…"
"We?"
"Of course I'll share with you! You're my accomplice now, heheh…"
"How much more do you have?"
"Slightly under 200 kilograms, if my source is correct."
"Mein Gott…" She said with her face paling quickly.
"Trude, prepare yourself. I'll jump out of the water with five big chests at once, so be ready to take me on your back."
"Verstanden!" Trude yelled and activated her Strength Magic. "Ready!"
Toshiro dived down, and he stacked all five chests. After swimming out of the ship, he stood on a rock, concentrated his magic and jumped up. He used a shield to lower the drag, making him pop out like a dolphin. Trude immediately flew under him and placed her shoulders under his thighs.
"Stable?" She asked.
"Stable. Let's go back."
"What's the plan?"
"We take it to the bank in Pescara and phone the authorities. Then we pray that we get something out of it."
"I would snatch some coins for myself…"
"Don't worry, thought about it…" Toshiro said with a mysterious smile.
Trude steadily flew back to the base. After she landed, Toshiro moved the chests into the truck.
"You're going so fast? Awww… Let me at least take a look…"
"Right, right… Go to the PA panel and call in EVERYONE. Tell Erica to swipe Minna's camera, tripod and that timed shutter thing from her room."
"That's more like it!" Trude cheered and did Toshiro's bidding.
The girls slowly came in, with Sanya a tad sleepy as usual.
"What's going on, Toshiro? Why did Trude call us here and ordered Erica to take my camera?" Minna asked.
"My dear ladies… I present to you…" Toshiro took a treasure chest from the back of the truck and opened it in his hands. "…treasure."
The girls looked at the content of the chest like rabid wolves, but before even one finger was lain on the gold, he shut the lid tight.
"Nu-uh! This belong to Romagna, and we don't have any right to it. But I believe there's a finder's fee… And this would be a nice story for the news, heheh…"
"So what will we do now?"
"Simple…" Toshiro said and placed the four chests before him. "We take a photo, two maybe, so we have a nice memento. Then I go to the bank in Pescara, and they call the authorities. I go back to the base and we wait."
The girls had sour faces but they agreed. A photo was taken, and just as Toshiro loaded the last chest back on the truck, he said, "Wait, everyone. I have something for you…"
All the girls turned around immediately.
"I suppose nobody will miss twelve coins, right?" He said with a sly smile.
The girls all made roguish smiles, and the approached Toshiro. He gave them each one coin. Yoshika got two, because his trunks didn't have any pockets. Then, he boarded the truck and went to Pescara. He parked just before the bank. The old man was still present, which made Toshiro smile. He approached him and said, "Old man, I guess all stories of old man have some truth in them."
"You look you've been diving, ragazzo mio. Did I spark your interest?"
Toshiro took the old man's hand, and he placed something in it. When the man retracted his arm, he said, "Santa Maria Dolorosa… So it was true… Do… Do you have more?"
"The whole shipment. You can take the coin, it's a present."
"Grazie! But what do you intend to do with all that gold?"
"Give it back to Romagna, what else?"
"How noble… Men more petty than you would just hoard the treasure and live a happy life…"
"I don't need so much gold, my uncle and the Wehrmacht provide for me. Now excuse me, I have some gold to move…"
Toshiro took all the chests at one time and he entered the bank. He heard the bank manager from behind the chest.
"What are you doing, moron! Get out with those murky chests before I call the police…"
The manager came around the chests and saw Toshiro.
"Hi." Toshiro said with a smile.
"Santa Madonna! I'm so sorry, Colonnello! But your bare feet and…"
"No, no… You're right… This is hardly the clothing to go to the bank…"
"But what is it that you're carrying?"
"Six hundred roman pounds of gold coins from the fifth century. I leave them in your keepsake. Call some museum in Rome or something."
"Colonnello! It will be an honor to guard such a treasure! Please, follow me to the vault!"
They went on, Toshiro led only by the manager by his side. The manager went forward, and keys started ringing, lock clacking and a big door opened.
"Please, go inside."
Toshiro careful went inside, almost tripping on the entrance.
"Place the chests here, Colonnello."
He placed the chests in a seemingly empty room. When he looked around, he saw a lot of deposit boxes around him.
"So this is the wealth of Pescara?"
"SI, Colonnello. Now we must leave, company policy so to speak."
"Sure, sure. But I'll need a receipt or something. Trust but control as they say."
"I see that your head is level, Colonnello." The manager said. "Follow me to the office."
They entered and office, and they sat. The manager started writing something quickly, and in two minutes, Toshiro was presented with the result.
"I, Colonel Toshiro Edelweiss, have deposited approximately six hundred roman pounds of ancient gold coins, to be returned to the Romagnan government, which was witnessed by the current bank manager." Toshiro read aloud. "Looks legit. If I get a finder's fee, please store it on the account of the 501st with an annotation that half is mine and half belongs to Gertrud Barkhorn."
"Si, Colonnello."
Toshiro left the bank, entered the truck and drove away, waved off by the old man still sitting on the bench.
"You could have just taken it…"
"You like treasure, Yuki?"
"I won't tell that I don't like shiny, valuable stuff…"
"But that was a treasure of historical value, you know…"
"I understand… But I would be mad at you if you didn't take a coin for each of the girls, heh…"
As Toshiro parked the truck, Yoshika approached him.
"Toshiro, sword, now!" Yoshika shouted with a voice full of excitement.
"Woah, woah, why so fast?"
"I want to train! Don't you like it that I'm finally starting to be less of a burden for the unit?"
"You never were, you aren't and you'll never be a burden, Yoshika… You're just unexperienced compared to the rest…"
"And compared to you?"
"Honestly?"
"Yes, Toshiro. Hit me."
"Your healing magic is your trick pony, Yoshika, but that doesn't do much good in the heat of battle to be honest, because if somebody gets injured, you have to stop fighting to tend to that persons wounds, so we have two people disabled. But your shields are something extraordinary, I doubt I could top you without putting a ton of magic into it. However, your concentration is lacking sometimes, so others have to bail you out. Your shooting skills are good, your maneuvering is very good and now you're also getting ahead with your sword training. So all in all, you're not a burden, Yoshika, you're just a bit rough on the edges."
"Gee, thanks for the honesty…" Yoshika puffed her cheeks.
Toshiro patted her on the head and asked, "Shouldn't you be doing dinner now?"
"Don't try to detour this conversation… Francesca is doing it…"
Toshiro summoned Aganaimaru to his right hand and extended it to Yoshika.
"Go, prove me my evaluation is wrong."
Yoshika's eyes darted between the sword and Toshiro, and her pouty face turned into a mellow one as she said, "Oh sorry, Toshiro… I'm not used to being evaluated like that, especially by you…"
"Heh… Okay, go training, Yoshika."
"Kay!" Yoshika cheered and took the sword from him.
"No running!"
"Heehee, sorry!"
Toshiro watched as Yoshika went out of the hangar in a fast paced walk, and then we walked up to his room to change himself. Just as he was finishing, he saw a gold coin on his desk.
Heh, this is where she placed it… Forgot about it totally…
He hid the coin in one of the award boxes he had in the chest, and he went down to the office.
"Ah, Toshiro! How good to see you here!" Minna cheered with a smug face.
Toshiro turned around as if he wanted to exit the room, but Minna immediately shouted, "No, wait, don't leave me with all the paperwork!"
He turned his head around, and this time he was the one with the smug face.
"Why Minna… A gentleman can't leave a damsel in distress, can he?"
"You're lines are so cheesy at times that I could make fondue…" Minna sighed. "But I don't imagine doing paperwork without you now… Thanks to you, I have so much free time right now…"
"And I get to learn the ropes while we're at it. Military symbiosis, heheh… I really owe for all those lectures you gave me while doing paperwork…"
"Ah pshaw… It's the least I can do for the Hero of Karlsland, Star of Romagna et cetera, heehee…"
"Oh come on, Minna… You know I don't give attention to those titles…"
"But the people do, you know?"
"Well, I wasn't assaulted by a ton of fans while I was in Pescara…"
"Heehee, nobody recognized you because of your attire…"
"Maybe… Okay, no more gum flappin', work time!"
"Jawohl!" Minna answered with one eye shut and the tip of her tongue stuck out.
Time flowed quickly, and dinner rolled in. A plain, normal and mundane dinner. If not for the fact that Mio was sort of in a melancholic mood. Nobody noticed it, at least that's what Toshiro thought.
After dinner, Toshiro decided to replace Francesca on the radar. The boring task was made definitely less boring around 1800.
"This is the Venice Forward Lookout, 501st, come in!"
"501st reporting." Toshiro answered.
"There's a big Neuroi coming at your direction. ETA one hour, it's coming from the direction of Trieste!"
"Thanks' for the info, 501st out!"
Toshiro sounded the siren for about ten seconds, and he used the PA system.
"Neuroi inbound for our base! We will intercept it over water! Everyone, to the hangars, now! Eila, Sanya – you can rest if you want."
Minna peeked into the radar room.
"What's the situation?" She asked.
"Come to the map." Toshiro said, and waited for Minna to approach. "A big Neuroi is coming from Trieste, right for our base."
Minna looked at the map and said, "This should be easy. Can I take command?"
"If you want, sure."
"Thanks, Toshiro. Let's go then!"
"Roger!"
They ran into the hangar only to see all of the girls, sans Eila and Sanya, preparing for battle.
"What loadout should I take, Minna?"
"If it's really a big Neuroi, take your cannon only. No need to overload yourself and your Striker, since you have a sword as backup."
"Roger. You have a knack for this, Minna."
"I'm a unit commander for much longer than you, tee-hee…"
"Toshiro, Toshiro! Will you let me use Yumemaru?" Yoshika shouted to him from her Launch Unit.
"Too risky, Miyafuji." Mio said. "You only have a melee technique handy."
"Says the one that jumped onto a beam…" Yoshika pouted.
"Miyafuji… Is that back talking I hear?"
"No ma'am…"
"Good. Everyone, last minute to prepare!"
Toshiro quickly took his ammo backpack and stuffed it with cannon mags. After putting in on, strapping the FFG to his forearm and picking up the cannon, he jumped into the Wotan.
"Everyone ready?" Minna asked as Toshiro was warming up the engines.
"Ready!" Everyone beside Toshiro answered.
"We're waiting for you, Toshiro." Minna said calmly.
"Wait a few seconds, these damn things take their sweet time to warm up."
"You don't say that in bed, Toshiro…" Yoshika said with a devilish smile.
Everyone, Toshiro included, looked at Yoshika, who was now red like a ripe tomato in the summer.
"Yoshika, did you just publicly crack a lewd joke?" Toshiro asked.
"Y-yes…"
"My girl!" Toshiro shouted. "Minna?"
"Everyone, forward!"
"Roger!" A choir of voices shouted and they flew off in the slightly orange sky.
Halfway to Trieste, Mio shouted, "Neuroi spotted! It's a big one!"
Using the Hebigan, Toshiro spotted a dim orange dot on the horizon.
Yup, it's a biggun…
"Toshiro, stay back with Lynne. The rest, follow me!"
"Roger!"
"So, Lynne, a good occasion to try out your rifle again, huh?" Toshiro asked while giving some distance to the rest.
"Yes, a very good one. I really like it, it has comfortable padding on the stock."
"How girly of you, haha! My cannon's padding is as hard as a damn horses butt! And the recoil, urrrhhg… I doubt a grown man could fire this if he wasn't a wizard…"
"Heehee… The recoil on mine is actually lower then on the Boys…"
"Good for you. Now, let's pick off the bastard, okay?"
"Okay!"
The rest was scrambling and zipping around the enormous Neuroi, that looked no more and no less than like a simple paper plane, but with the usual hexagonal markings. It was very aggressive in terms of beam shooting, as it was shooting multiple times at one witch.
"Time to make him rue the day he was… spawned… or something…"
Lynne was faster than him, and she started shooting as fast as the gun allowed her. She expended five bullets in less than four seconds, placing them all in one spot. She detached the empty mag, popped on in and pushed the cocking lever forward.
"Wow, impressive…"
"Heehee… This is so much better than the Boys!"
"Okay, my turn!"
Toshiro aimed through the Zeiss telescope sight and pressed the trigger button. One after another he expended the APCBC-HE rounds until he had to change the mag.
"Ah, damn it, no core hit…"
"And we dug so deep inside…"
"Toshiro, Lynne – move forward." Minna's voice sounded in Toshiro's transponder.
"Understood." Both answered and flew forward.
Perrine shot a few rounds at the top of the Neuroi, revealing the core.
"Mine!" Mio shouted through the transponder.
Toshiro looked at her as she charged up her sword.
"REPPUZAAAAAAN!" She shouted fiercely and released a fierce attack.
The half crescent vertical magic wave cut the enemy straight in half, destroying the core along the way.
"Yay, you did it, Miss Sakamoto!" Yoshika cheered.
"Good job, Mio!" Trude shouted.
Mio didn't look as if she was to cheer right now, because she flinched a bit after sheathing the sword.
Damn it… Damn it to hell! Mio, you fucking idiot…
"Did you see?" Minna asked from behind him, making Toshiro shudder. "Judging by your reaction – yes. If you have anything to tell me, please do it as fast as you can."
"Later, Minna…"
"I'm holding you by your word…" She said with a concerned expression. "Good job, Mio! Everyone, back to base!"
"Roger!"
Yoshika flew up to Toshiro and she asked him, "Toshiro, why didn't you use your sword from the beginning?"
"Minna was commanding this mission, I can't undermine her just because I'm ranked higher…"
"Ah… Okay… Let's get back, I'll make a big supper, heehee…"
"Oh I'm counting on it, sweetie."
After they landed, Toshiro was going to write a report with Minna on the mission, but as he was climbing the stair after Minna, he heard something.
"Psssss."
Toshiro stood in place, and he looked around. He saw Perrine, leaning from behind the corner like some spy and waving him in. He quickly jumped down the stairs and went behind the corner.
"What's is it, Perrine?"
"Is… Is something wrong with the Major?" She asked out of the blue.
"Hmmm… Why do you think so?"
"She looked really weak after using her sword…"
"Well, you know… A Reppuzan ain't nothing to laugh at, both at terms of destructive power and magic consumption… Maybe she put in too much effort, that's all…" Toshiro lied like a politician.
"Oh, good… I wouldn't like to lose her…"
"Perrine, why do you admire Mio so much? I want a serious answer."
"Heh… Well, wouldn't you admire somebody who defeated you fifteen times in a row?"
"Fifteen?!"
"Yes. It was back when I was in the Gallian 602nd. You know what I thought about her back then?"
"Dunno?"
"The same as I thought about Yoshika when she came to Britannia… Poorly skilled, behaving weirdly… A true carefree child that hasn't experienced the horrors of her country being invaded… So after being defeated for another time, I fainted and was taken into the infirmary by her… I cracked open in tears, and told her why I'm so gung ho about defeating her… She understood. Then she told me about the 501st. When she told me that one of the purposes of the 501st formation was the liberation of Gallia, I cried again and begged her to take me in… She agreed. That's why admire the Major so much… She gave me the opportunity to take back at the Neuroi and… I could meet you, heehee…"
"Wow… Now I understand your outburst when the liberation of Gallia was confirmed…"
"Ah… That…" Perrine's cheeks reddened. "That was the least I could do to reward you… If you'd want… I… could…"
"Stop, Perrine, stop… You're totally of limits for me."
"Really?"
"Yup. Yoshika wouldn't even dare to molest you herself."
"Oh… Nice to know…"
"Okay, shoo now. I want to make a report."
"Thanks for the info!" She shouted and ran towards the exit.
"Toshiro… You're really heartless, you know?" Minna said suddenly from behind him. "Lying to an innocent girls like that…"
"And you are shameless for eavesdropping on me… Let's go to the office."
As they were scaling the stairs, she asked, "So, what do you know, Toshiro?"
"Wait until we reach the office."
As they entered the office room, Toshiro pointed to the guest chairs around the small table. Minna took a seat, and Toshiro sat before her.
"So?"
"I'll use an allegory, Minna. Let's say we are all light sources…"
"Light sources?"
"Shut up and let me speak." Toshiro ordered.
"Yes sir…" She grumbled.
"So, I, with all my pizazz and flair could probably rival the sun, but that's short term, so let's use my normal power level – I could be a searchlight – a big one, like those used to point out Neuroi in the night. Yoshika, with all her potential is also a searchlight, but a mobile and smaller one, like those you can see mounted on jeeps. The rest of you are normal light bulbs in about 80-120 Watt range – you shine bright but in a limited radius after all. Now let's sidetrack a bit – Anabuki, Katou, Rudel and Galland even – they all are past their retirement age, they all have over 20 years and can't use their shields as a defensive measure – they are 40W light bulbs – they shine with a dim but steady light."
"You mean that Mio…"
"Not even, Minna… I could say that about her while she was still in Fuso in February, bah, she could be a 50W back then, but now… she's a candle…"
"Lieber Gott im Himmel…" Minna gasped.
"She's a dim light, with a limited energy supply. But when she uses her sword, it's like you would put the candle in a tube connected to a tank with pure oxygen – the fire shines brighter than ever, but you know what happens if you give too much fuel to a fire?"
"It burns out quicker…" Minna said with a lifeless voice.
"Yes. Every time she used Reppumaru, her allegorical wax and wick were burned out fast. Now she's only a small stump, flickering beside a windy window…"
"But… Why… Why didn't you warn her…?" Minna asked visibly shaken.
"She knew the risk from the beginning. Moralizing her would only piss her off, just as trying to limit her. She takes too much pride in her status as a warrior, a pant-less samurai…"
Minna hid her face in her hands and said, "Toshiro, can you leave me here to mope and go write the report?"
"If you want… But don't you want to simply cry yourself out into my chest?"
Minna raised her head. Tears were already streaking with a wide stream on her face. She jumped at Toshiro and let it all out.
"Minna, Minna… It's not like Mio will die… She's just deplete her magic, and she'll retire…" He said while caressing her head.
"I know, Toshiro… But Mio is already a part of my life… I'll miss her…"
"She doesn't have to leave, you know… Maybe she could be a… consultant or something…"
"Oh Toshiro… You're such an optimist at times…" Minna sighed. "Let's do the paperwork, I have to take my mind off Mio…"
"You should. But please, don't do anything about it now. If Mio senses something, she might get even more stubborn, and I wouldn't like to use force against her…"
"Sure, sure…"
As they were ending the paperwork, Toshiro received a transmission.
"Good evening, 501st." A familiar female voice said.
"And good evening... Say, aren't you the blonde witch that's giving us directions each time we land in HQ?"
"Yes indeed, heehee… I have a message for you, Oberstleutnant Wilcke and Major Sakamoto."
"Let 'er rip…"
"You are to be transported to HQ tomorrow at 0900. The final strike is at hand."
"Any more details?"
"Generalmajor Galland gives her regards."
That Adi… She was right…
"Thank you for the message."
"Have a good night, Herr Oberst."
"Likewise."
"What is it, Toshiro?" Minna asked.
"Tomorrow at 0900 a plane will come for us and take us to HQ. This is it, Minna…"
"It… You mean…"
"Adolfine told me there was something brewing up, and she was right. The brass is setting up for the final strike…"
"First Mio, now this… Shit… When it rains, it pours…"
They finished the paperwork and went for supper. Now both Toshiro and Minna looked at Mio carefully. She barely ate her food, and when the rest was still eating, she stood up and said, "I'll go turn in. Must be those days already…"
"Night, Mio." Toshiro said.
"Good night, you all." She responded and silently left.
"Toshiro, eat up and go to her…" Minna whispered.
"Kay, will do."
After Toshiro finished up, he quickly but cautiously ran towards Mio's hut. While he was passing the bath building, Yuki shouted something.
"Toshiro, I can hear the shower!"
"Thanks!"
He ran up to the bath building and went into stealth mode. As he approached the entrance, he heard a thud. The inside of the room was dark, but he charged in nonetheless. Mio was standing naked under the shower with her back towards him, leaning over the wall.
"Mio, everything okay?" He asked.
"Woah!" Mio shouted and turned around while covering herself with her hands. "You scared me… No, everything's in perfect order."
"Really?"
"Really."
Toshiro sighed, shook his head in disappointment and turned around. He didn't take one step, and Mio said, "You know…"
"I know." Toshiro answered, still turned around to her.
"When?"
"After you've shown be the Reppuzan on the beach for the first time."
"Why didn't you stop me?"
"I know that you're a Fuso blockhead."
"Hah…"
"Yuki told me you would run out of steam at the end of summer. She missed a bit…"
"Does Minna know?"
"You think something like this will escape her keen eye?"
"Nope… Does Miyafuji know?"
"No."
"Good… Please, don't tell her…"
"Why shouldn't I? She'll know anyway… After another Reppuzan or two, you'll have trouble flying…"
"Please…"
"Okay… But you take the blame for everything, I wash my hands like Pilate. You'll explain her why you destroyed your magic, despite knowing the risk, and despite ME having a sword that I could use without such penalties. Good night, Mio. I hope you can sleep with all that on your mind... Oh, and we're flying to HQ at 0900 tomorrow."
Toshiro went away, with not a single peep coming from Mio. He went on, passing the dorm.
"Toshiroooo… What about your good night kiss, huh?" Yoshika said from his side.
"Come on, my little bunny rabbit…" Toshiro said with a smirk, and Yoshika jumped up to him for a passionate kiss.
"Good night, Toshiro."
"Good night, Yoshika."
He went on to his room. He pulled out his uniform so it could catch some air and straighten out, and he went to sleep.
The bit about the gold is mostly true ;)
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 :]