Ch 11 Youko Finds out about Dainan District

A month has passed and Youko had to begin another semester in her last year in highschool. Ryuuji was quite persistent about asking her to apply in different universities. Apart from college entrance examinations, there's even a national test to be concerned about. National tests help determine if students have the right aptitude for a certain university. It's like their golden ticket. And because of this, Usada had been too much obstinate in extending Youko's tutoring.

Eversince Youko was told (by Hiromu) that she was moody, impulsive and not serious in her homework, her competitive nature took over. Her grades from the last semester rose to being above satisfactory. She was able to study in advance and pass her homework in time. Although the fruits of these efforts were nothing compared to the satisfaction she received in training (to defeat Vaglass), she felt close to realizing the value of a 'dream'. During spring break, Youko discovered her dream of becoming a pilot-scientist like her mother. All credits had to go to Hiromu because of his 'straight to the point' opinions.

But Youko couldn't thank Hiromu now. As a matter of fact, he hadn't been communicating with her for a month. The last time that she saw him was before his return to the countryside. And the last thing she heard from him were the ambiguous words: who says I can't? [be with you always]. She even composed a letter which contained:

Dear Hiromu,

I'm not sure how to begin this exactly.

But I was hoping we could meet during spring break?

There's something important that I have to tell you.

With this letter is a scarf that I bought.

Gomen! I couldn't make one. And blame yourself for your sudden departure!

Anyway, I was told that the weather in the country side is quite harsh compared to what we have in the city during spring time. I hope the scarf will be useful.

Signed, Youko

But her letter and the scarf didn't reach him. For reasons that she didn't know, Hiromu disappeared without saying goodbye. Youko hid her disappointment by distracting herself with Usada's lessons.

At the Research Facility's gate, 5PM

Youko cupped her pockets and pulled a wafer which she consumed immediately. Hiromu needed not to be obstinate anymore about reminding her of her calorie-intake. Yet again, there's no Hiromu to hear praises from. Brushing her thoughts about him aside, Youko hurried to the portal which was connected to the Command Center.

Ryuuji was waiting for her at the Command Center.

"Youko-chan," Ryuuji said, "I have more college brochures for you."

Initially, Youko made a face when Ryuuji handed her the brochures. But she remembered her dream of becoming a pilot-scientist like her mother someday.

"Arigatou, Ryuu-san" she said, putting the brochures in her school bag.

"Chotto, I have a surprise for you" Ryuuji said, "he'll be here, any second now"

Youko could hear a sound from the 01 chute. During the heyday of their fight with Vaglass, only one person was able to use that chute. And that person was Redbuster.

"Uzo" she muttered. The 01 chute opened and out came Hiromu. He looked like the first time that the Gobusters met—with his hair cut shorter, leaving only a few bangs on his forehead. He was wearing a white shirt with Nick the buddyroid caricature as the design. It was probably a creation of his oneesan.

Hiromu looked surprised himself when he saw Youko. But he anticipated that the latter will be displeased for never communicating with her for a month. True enough, Youko was frowning and pursing her lips at him.

Smelling the tension from the air, Ryuuji raised his palms as if signaling surrender. He said, "Youko-chan, Hiromu can explain about his absence."

"It doesn't matter!" Youko said offensively. She narrowed her eyes to take a last look at Hiromu and walked towards the exit.

Hiromu trailed after her. He pulled her wrist to stop her. Youko forcefully removed her wrist from his grip. Delaying her was hard. He resorted by blocking her from entering her room.

"Nani-yo?! (what is it so?!)"

"Gomen, Youko, but could you please listen with good judgment?"

Youko gripped her bag tight, but she remained still.

"A few days after my return to the countryside, the EMC called me and said that I have to defend my proposal. My research was about subdimensions and the management told me if I could find any trace of the subdimension from the ruins of the teleport facility at Dainan. They will re-open the teleport facility there. It was a rigorous work and I decided not to contact you for safety purposes."

"isn't that dangerous? Isn't the ruins connected to Messiah?" Youko asked, suddenly forgetting about her disappointment.

"that's why there's a need for new vaccine programs," he replied, "The EMC insists that there are other subdimensions aside from the old dimension that we know. I'll tell you everything about my work during our dinner with Ryuu-san and the others."

Dinner time

Every person from the Special Missions was there. They listened intently as Hiromu told them about the existence of other subdimensions. Morishita-san and Nakamura-san who were experts about this field were commenting as well, all because Hiromu asked them to be involved in this on-site project.

"so with a new teleport facility be put soon at Dainan, will you be transferring there?" Ryuuji asked.

"sou-desu" Hiromu said approvingly, "afterall, everything started there."

"Quite tempting for me to transfer too," Ryuuji replied, "it has a wide place for my prototype machines".

"it sure brings back memories" Gorisaki said. Usada and Nick nodded in agreement. J wondered about the bugs there.

"atashi-mo! (me too!) I want to work there too like okasan" Youko added heartily.

Ryuuji smiled and put a hand to pat her head, "after you finish college." Commander Kuroki and Hiromu smiled at her sympathetically when Youko made a sad face.

"So will you be staying with us now?" Commander Kuroki asked Hiromu.

Hiromu nodded. After all, he just received news from the management that he'll be training as the Center Chief at the Dainan district soon.

An Hour Later…

Hiromu was at his favorite place at the hallway when Youko and her workbooks joined him.

"I'm just waiting for Usada" she said while making faces.

Usada appeared with more worksheets. Youko sighed and slumped in her seat. Hiromu tried his best to suppress his laughter.

"where's your pencil?" Usada asked. Youko forced a smile sheepishly.

"I'll get it" Hiromu offered.

Hiromu walked briskly to Youko's room. He spotted Youko's pencil case on her desk. Another glance on Youko's desk and he couldn't take his eyes off a paper bag that was addressed to him. Hiromu opened the paper bag and saw a scarf and a letter inside. He took the paper first and read:

Dear Hiromu,

I'm not sure how to begin this exactly.

But I was hoping we could meet during spring break?

There's something important that I have to tell you.

With this letter is a scarf that I bought.

Gomen! I couldn't make one. And blame yourself for your sudden departure!

Anyway, I was told that the weather in the country side is quite harsh compared to what we have in the city during spring time. I hope the scarf will be useful.

Signed, Youko

Hiromu frowned while looking at the scarf in his hands. If only he properly dismissed himself a month ago, then he'd be donning the scarf until now. He felt sunken for focusing too much in his project and forgetting about Youko's last spring break in highschool.

When he returned at the hallway, Usada was muttering gibberish about him being too slow in retrieving a pencil.

Pointing at the paper bag, Hiromu turned to Youko and said, "I'll keep this." He anticipated that Youko will complain about trespassing so he added, "it's addressed to me". Youko didn't say anything anymore and continued anyway with her homework.

Hiromu watched while Youko was doing her homework.

He had sleepless nights because of his adventures at Dainan.

He could retire to bed now, but he waited for her instead.

He dozed off unconsciously while staring at her.

Good morning, Hiromu

When Hiromu woke up, he was covered in a warm blanket. Beside him was Youko's old plush. He looked at his watch and realized that it was already past seven in the morning. He thought that Youko was already in school now.

At the table near him, he saw a tray with eggs, bacon, bread and juice. There was a letter beside it that said, "Usada made this".

Hiromu knew Usada was detailed in preparing food…

The breakfast plate looked quite sloppy and Usada knew Hiromu wouldn't eat eggs because they're related to chickens.

So he thought it's only logical that Youko made it.