Chapter Five: Departures and Arrivals

Rico

Social Welfare Agency Grounds, Undisclosed Location, Italy

"Good luck, Rico!"

"Rico, take care!"

Rico's friends waved as she was about to enter the black bullet-proof Agency Audi A8 waiting at the front of the Agency main building. Olga was already in the backseat.

"Hai! I'll do my best!" Rico waved back with a big beam. As she was about to enter the car, somebody shouted, "Wait! Rico!"

It was Jean. He was running towards Rico. The latter stopped and waited for her Handler. Jean then went on his knees and did something he had never done to Rico before: hug her. "Good luck Rico…do your best and take care." With that, he released Rico.

Rico's face flushed and at first she didn't know how to react. But then she also gave Jean a warm smile, "Yes, Sir Jean! I will!"

Rico entered the car and it sped away while her friends and Jean waved. As Jean gazed at Rico, he thought he saw Enrica waving at him but quickly pushed the thought aside.

Inside the car, Rico asked Olga, "Where are we going?"

"To the Malpensa Airport in Milano," Olga replied with a warm smile. "We'll just take a normal civilian flight."

"But how about my equipment?" Rico treasured her equipment especially now that Jean did something special to her. It was Jean who gave her the Dragunov SVD sniper rifle and CZ-75 pistol she is using.

"Since we're traveling as normal civilians, we can't bring them. But the Agency will take of it. Amadeo here will make sure you'll get it in perfect condition once we arrive in Japan. Right, Amadeo?" Olga was referring to their driver.

"Yes, ma'am. You don't worry anything about it, Rico. Just ready yourself for your new school and classmates," Amadeo replied.

Rico gave a nod and her usual smile in return. Though deep inside, she wished she had her equipment with her.

Sig

Seishou Academy Helipads, Undisclosed Location, Japan

A large white JASDF M-53E Sea Dragon was parked on the helipad, its rotors already roaring. Sig and the Japanese Teacher were waiting some distance away from it while her friends waved her goodbye.

"Ganbatte, Sig!" shouted Funko.

"Be nice to your classmates there! And bring some presents!" Sixteen bellowed.

"You be nice to my replacement, Sixteen! I'll bring some presents except for you!" Sig shouted and stuck out her tongue in return. In reply, Sixteen also stuck out her tongue.

Sig gave a final wave as well as a playful salute before turning and walking towards the massive helicopter. As soon as the two boarded the doors closed and the helicopter took off with Funko, Sixteen, and Elle still waving.

"Where are we going to board the plane to Italy, sir?" Sig asked the pilot.

"To the Chitose Air Base, ma'am. The JASDF Special Air Transport Corps prepared a jet to take you to Italy," replied the pilot.

"It'll be quite a travel just from here to Chitose, Sig," the Japanese Teacher commented.

"Hai, sensei. I'm sorry you're the one who has to come. I know how uncomfortable you are with military stuff" replied Sig.

"Daijobou. It's not your fault; it's an order from the headmaster. Besides, it'll be good to get out of the country. And more importantly, it's good to get away from that homicidal Funko once in a while."

Sig just replied with a smile and relaxed for the rest of the ride.

Rico

Seishou Academy Helipads, Undisclosed Location, Japan

The MH-53E that picked up Sig now touched down again in the same helipad. But this time, its passengers were Olga and Rico who disembarked from the helicopter. Rico was now much more comfortable as she was holding an Amati violin case that carried her SVD and CZ-75.

They were greeted by Instructor Garand who gave a salute. Olga returned the salute. The instructor then motioned them to follow him. "The Headmaster would like to see the two of you first before sending the girl to her class."

"Thank you, sir!" Olga replied.

A few moments later, the two of them were entered the Headmaster's office.

"Welcome! Welcome! Please do sit down," Headmaster Springfield said. He then gave a look at Rico and said, "So you are our special guest! I hope you'll like your stay here at the Academy. The students here are friendly. I'm sure you'll make friends soon."

"Wakarimashita! Thank you, Headmaster!" Rico replied in a very militaristic manner. Behind her, Instructor Garand was already getting satisfied because of her politeness.

"No need to be so formal with me. What's your name again?" Springfield asked.

"It's Rico, Headmaster!"

"Instructor Garand, why don't you lead Rico to her class while I and the good Madame discuss certain matters?" the Headmaster told Garand.

"Ryoukai!" Instructor Garand replied. "Ms. Rico, please follow me."

The two walked along the corridor. "I am impressed by your discipline, child. Not many have such here."

"Thank you, sir! I do my best to be polite always sir!"

The instructor just smiled—a genuine one. He noticed Rico's violin case. "Is that an instrument you're carrying? I could take that to the locker for you."

"No sir, this is my equipment and I…insist on having it with me always."

"No problem. I know what you mean. Just mind the rules about the use of firearms here." When the instructor said that, they already reached the classroom. The instructor opened the door to find Ms. Thompson conducting a lecture. The teacher looked at the two with a surprise.

"Excuse us, Ms. Thompson. But here is our special guest. Would you mind introducing her?"

"No problem, Instructor Garand," Ms. Thompson smiled. She beckoned Rico to the front and said warmly, "Please introduce yourself."

"Wakarimashita! I am Rico and I am the exchange student from Italy. It is a great honour and joy to meet all of you," Rico said with her casual smile and made a slight bow.

"Ooohs" and "Ahhs" filled the room. Her classmates were apparently impressed by her first impression. Then they bombarded her with questions.

"Hey, what's it like in Italy?", "Why are you not wearing the Seishou uniform?", "What is your favourite gun?", "Do you play that violin?"…

"Now, now, everyone! Rico seems to just have come here so she doesn't have a uniform yet! And as for the other questions, get to know her during breaks. Please be nice to our guest!" Ms. Thompson intervened while still smiling.

"Hai!" the class replied.

"Now Rico, time for your sit…hmm…I know, you can sit beside FNC. The seat beside her belongs to the student who exchanged with you. FNC, please be a good friend to Rico!"

"Hai! Ms. Thompson!" Funko replied cheerily. Rico walked towards the sit and sat down. Upon sitting down, Funko looked at her and said with a warm smile, "I'm FN FNC but people here call me Funko. I'm Sig's friend. She's the one who exchanged with you. I'm pleased to meet you! If you need anything, just ask me!"

"Arigatou, Funko!" Rico replied with a wide earnest smile.

Sig

Section 2 Chief's Office, the Agency, Undisclosed Location, Italy

"Welcome to the Social Welfare Agency, Ms. Sig. I am Chief Pieri Lorenzo of the Agency's Section 2," the Chief introduced himself to Sig. The Japanese Teacher already left her but not without giving the "Top Secret" briefing folder from the Academy to the Chief. "You will be staying and training with Section 2 for the next two months, Ms. Sig. Sir Jean Croce here will be your handler. You are expected to follow his orders and he is expected to train you efficiently and ensure your safety."

"Understood, sir!" Sig replied.

"If you don't have any questions, I'll now turn you over to Jean. Dismissed."

The two walked away from the Chief's office. Jean then quickly briefed Sig. "You came from a school, right? Expect the training to be different here. There are no classes, only pure training and as the Chief said, I will be your handler.

"You should rest for now. Tomorrow, we begin training immediately. I'll lead you to the dormitories. You'll find the other girls there.

As they walked, Sig noticed how silent and lifeless the Agency was—very far from the Academy. I sure will have a difficult time adjusting here…I hope those other girls are friendly enough, Sig thought.

The two reached the dormitories and Jean opened the door. In it was Henrietta, cleaning her SIG P239.

"Henrietta!" Jean called out. Immediately, she stood up. "She is Sig, the roommate Giuse told you about. The Agency will have her stay in your room so that she'll have company to fill her in always."

"Yes, Sir Jean," Henrietta replied while looking at Sig, fascinated with her Seishou uniform.

"I'm going to leave you now. Don't forget that training tomorrow starts at six-hundred hundred hours. And Sig…I'll leave a set of clothes outside the room later. Make sure you change. You won't function well in that uniform and you look awful in it." The Handler then left the room.

Sig didn't reply but her eyebrows twitched at Jean's comment. She just brushed her irritation aside and approached Henrietta. "Hi. I'm Sig. I'm pleased to meet you. Sorry if I will disturb you by staying here." Sig extended her right hand which Henrietta shook.

Henrietta then shook her head, "No, it's okay. Rico—the one who exchanged with you—is always with me, so it's quite lonely without her. So…I'm happy that you're here. Say, let's be friends okay?" Henrietta flashed a smile.

"Hai! Thank you, Henrietta…Is that a Sig pistol you have?"

"Yes. It's my favourite gun together with the P90."

"That's a good choice. You see, I'm a Sig too," Henrietta gave a confused look so Sig explained herself. The two talked for quite some time before going to bed.

"Good night, Sig. Sleep well. We have quite a day tomorrow. You'll meet the other girls tomorrow, they are nice too, especially Triela," Henrietta called down to Sig who was sleeping in the lower level of the double-deck bed.

"Good night too, 'Etta. I'm excited to meet them," Sig replied with a smile. As she fell asleep, she remembered Sixteen, Funko, and Elle and missed them. At least 'Etta's nice…I wish the others will be nice too…