Ch 2: Going Back in Time (Part 2)

Combat

I don't fight girls, but why does it sound like she knows something about me?

17 year old Hiromu was calculating whether to proceed or not with the fight. There were two reasons why he was being pulled back: first, the opponent was a girl and second, it was not a simulation (or training) to begin with. Carrying on will only make the fight superficial. Plus, his combat training with Nick was the only simulation that he thought as genuine.

But he was starting to get suspicious, so he had to be discreet in investigating the identity of his challenger.

"I accept your challenge" Hiromu said indifferently

Youko and Hiromu positioned themselves in the center of the gym. Hiromu's classmates and their sensei sat anxiously at the benches nearby. The gym was as silent as an empty classroom. Only the passing wind and the noises outside can be heard.

After the defeat of Vaglass, Youko thought she had more advantage in combat training. So she deemed it necessary to show her actual fighting skills.

Youko attacked first with punches, Hiromu dodged and blocked some of it. Youko followed through with roundhouse and side kicks. Hiromu was able to block them also without using his superhuman speed.

Hiromu attacked in a combination of punches and kicks. Youko was successful in dodging and blocking them. For two minutes, the simulation appeared to be a deadlock. The two contenders paused for a while to ponder.

Hiromu thought, she anticipated my attacks as if she had known my fighting style for so long. On the other hand, Youko said to herself, he has not used some of his special attacks yet…I wonder if he's just toying with me. She decided to use her superhuman ability in her next attack.

The two contenders met at the center again with the same series of attacks. But Hiromu didn't anticipate that Youko will use her powerful jump. She jumped and rolled in the air and caught Hiromu by his back. Her arm locked his chin well. Youko felt strange to lock him—it was as if she was hugging him by surprise.

Hiromu's classmates cheered at Youko's attack. Hiromu felt humiliated. His competitive nature took hold of him.

He used his super human speed to release himself from Youko's lock. Both contenders used their super human abilities while fighting their best. Youko finally saw a familiar side from him—the endeavor to win and shut her down. However, Youko had the advantage because of her fighting experience with Vaglass; and to mention also the subdimension training that she and the others had with Jin-san. So the last attack was by her, by pinning him down successfully on the floor.

Their faces were only a few inches away from each other and Youko felt unnaturally awkward. Hiromu's eyes were glued on her wrist. He saw a glimpse of Youko's morphin brace. On the top of that, Youko's morphin brace rang.

Youko panicked and released him. Hiromu saw this as a chance and grabbed Youko's wrist. But he had pulled greatly that she fell on the top of him.

Hiromu's sensei intervened to stop the fight. She declared it as a draw. Youko immediately excused herself and ran towards the exit. She said to herself, why did you call now, Usada? I'm sure he suspects that I'm from the Special Missions!

Going Home

"Youko, let's go home. Ryuu-san has a marker prepared for us already."

Youko was running towards the school gate, "But Hiromu saw my morphin brace! What am I going to do Usada?"

"The time machine has a weapon that will erase the memories of the persons you've met there, Youko".

Sighing in relief, Youko said "yokai" and dropped the call.

She had only advanced in five steps when Hiromu called out to her.

"are you related to the important plan that I've been preparing for years?" Hiromu asked

Haha, how innocent, Youko said to herself. She turned to him and made a face. Hiromu thought how dense it was.

"you'll soon forget about what happened today, then you can save your face from defeat". Youko was implying about the effect of the time machine on the people that she had encountered that day.

With enthusiasm, she ran towards the forest and vanished from Hiromu's sight.. Hiromu was left standing by the gate with his hands on his sides.

Meanwhile, a twenty three year old young man and a twelve year old girl passed by him. Hiromu was already walking towards the gym that he didn't hear what the two people were talking about.

"what are we doing here on the country side?" the eleven year old girl asked

The twenty three year old patted the girl's head and smiled, "we will train here later, Youko. Let's check the enetron tank first, ne?"

Youko and Usada's Return

Even if it was a short visit back in time, Youko was sure entertained. She was glad that everyone she met on that day will have their memories erased (although she greedily hoped that Hiromu wouldn't forget his defeat). They returned at the base and received worried stares from the Special Missions.

Nakamura-san welcomed Youko with a hug. Gorisaki, Nick and J huddled at Usada and threw questions every now and then. Youko apologized to Commander Kuroki and Ryuuji and made a promise never to touch the time machine again.

Youko was alone when she walked towards her room. She didn't expect to see Hiromu waiting at her door.

Hiromu put his hands on his sides and stared anxiously at her, "daijobou?".

Suddenly, Youko had an idea. She said, "Let me check something".

She attacked Hiromu using her punches and kicks. She used her superhuman jump to distract him while she tried to lock him down. However, Hiromu was too quick for her and finished the diversion by locking her fist.

Hiromu was smiling widely at her.

It was by that gesture that Youko realized how different Hiromu had become. Hiromu was still straightforward, but at least he knew how to smile.

And his smile was too likeable that Youko couldn't forget when their faces were so near with each other during the combat. Baka, baka, baka! Youko said to herself, brushing away that thought. She was swatting in the air as If she's whacking mosquitoes. She excused herself and hurriedly went inside her room.

Hiromu was left with his hands on his sides.

"chotto—" he said, contemplating aloud on his familiarity with Youko's clothes, "that's my highschool uniform!"