Chapter 15 – Restoration

Today, Toshiro woke up on his own.

"You can't sleep, Toshiro?" Yoshika asked from his right.

"I slept, it's just that I woke up a bit earlier than yesterday… And now I'm really not in the mood for sleeping further…"

"Despite what happened last night, Master?" Livy asked from his left side.

"Okay, I'll admit it, I slept like a baby," Toshiro smiled. "You were stunning, Livy."

"Thank you, Master," Livy said in her usual manner. "You and the Mistress made me experience the joys of having a female body."

"No problem, Livy," Yoshika giggled and planted a surprise kiss on Livy's cheek.

Livy looked a bit surprised indeed, but then she just jumped over Toshiro and hugged Yoshika all of a sudden.

"You know, Neuroi don't work in set patterns all the time…" Toshiro sighed. "I have the grim feeling they'll pull a fast one on us in some way or another…"

"Don't worry too much, Master…" Livy embraced him with one hand, and placed him between her and Yoshika. "When the time comes, then you'll worry."

"A compress of young, tender bodies, combined with some good words… What did I do to deserve this treatment?"

"You are the champion of my Master, Master," Livy smiled.

"And you're my beloved, fiancé, and life saver," Yoshika added in.

"Ehhh…" Toshiro sighed. "This is just too good… And kinda unfair – I have to girls, and some in this building are still virgins…"

"Everything has its time and place, Master," Livy said. "Yesterday we had..." she giggled. "Fun, and today it's time to battle. The rest of your friends will have their own pleasures and adventures with men, that I can assure you, Master."

"Yeah, I think even Perrine will get laid…" Toshiro snickered. "Oh, did you and Mio undergo some culinary training, Yoshika?"

"Yes, and in fact, Sakamoto is now able to make sandwiches, scrambled eggs and she knows how to prevent the water from boiling hard."

"Bahahaha! Not bad! Maybe one day she could fry some fries… It's Belgica after all!"

"Good idea, Toshiro! Even a total idiot can make fries! Thanks!"

"Hey, are you implying Mio is an idiot?"

"Nooo… She's an idiot only in a culinary context… I would never insult Sakamoto like that!"

"Well, that ship sailed off for me long ago…"

"You had your reasons, Toshiro. Not to mention you have a much better relationship with her. I wish I could get along with her like that…"

"She'll break sooner or later, be it during the war or after it. But it's not like your issuing a formal complaint to your commander right now, huh?"

"No sir, never sir! Heheh…"

"As I thought, First Lieutenant. And it came to my attention that you still have some punishment due."

"Sir, I motion for another time to enact the punishment!"

"Granted."

"Heeheehee… Oh Toshiro… It's so funny with you…"

"And vice versa, Yoshika… So, I guess it's time to move our butts and do breakfast?"

"Yeaaaaaah… Maybe you really should stop making breakfast though?"

"You're trying to spoil my fun too? And what would I do in the morning anyway? You would be out, and the only thing I could actually do is flap my gums with Kye or Livy. And maybe Kaylie…"

"I see… Okay then, let's go, my versatile fiancé."

"Ah, it's a shame I can't just walk among the mortals like that…" Livy pouted. "Unless you want to allow me, Master?"

"Nah, not yet… Maybe later, but not now, okay?"

"Okay, Master," Livy smiled.

"You probably know the answer already," Yoshika said with a roguish grin.

"Ah, no no no, Mistress," Livy waved her right index finger. "I have decided not to know what my Master will say or do, unless I deduce it like a normal human."

"Oh, that's gallant of you," Toshiro patted her on the head. "But isn't that kinda like throwing away your pride as an Elder God?"

"Serving you comes first, Master," she replied with a stern face. "If this is beneficial for you, and not demeaning for me, I can't complain about my pride, since I'm meant to serve my current Master, be it you or the Allgod."

"So in other words, you take pride in your servitude, right?" Yoshika asked.

"Indeed, Mistress. And pardon me, but I think the two of you want to dress yourselves and go and tend to your daily chores."

"Right on both accounts," Toshiro said. "See you later."

After Livy disappeared, they dressed themselves, with Yoshika wearing her normal clothes, and they went to the dining hall. They were surprised the doors were open, and the lights were on.

As the two entered the room, they saw Minna, Trude, Mio and Adolfine, each with a steaming cup of coffee.

"Now what is this, dear ladies? A secret meeting in the morning to dethrone me, or maybe y'all just hungry?"

"Nothing of the sorts, Toshiro," Adolfine said. "It seems that the four of us were the most anxious for today."

"And we were pondering on one matter…" Mio said.

"And what would that be?"

"You know awfully lot about that new Neuroi type, and yet, Eila was basically the first one to see it from all of us. Care to elaborate?"

"You won't get that info out of me, unless I get clearance from my… informer…"

"Dabbling with the immortals again?" Mio asked.

"Sort of. But it's not Amaterasu this time."

"Not Amaterasu?"

"Nope."

Toshiro saw Minna's curious look towards him.

Minna probably knows already that my informer is no one else than Kye… But I won't tell that just now…

"So, any other concerns you'd like to voice?" Toshiro asked.

"I'll be participating too, right?" Minna asked.

"Yup. You're shields are still strong, as well as your magic, so why shouldn't you? If you're concerned about leaving the base unmanned, we have Mio and Adolfine."

"Ah, yes, you're right. I should get into combat, or I'll get rusty."

"And Mio, and you too, Adolfine. You are to stay away from the Neuroi if they would appear near the base under any circumstances. If the situation proves difficult, direct artillery fire from the Yamato if it's necessary, but don't engage them in any way directly. Mio, that's an order."

"Understood."

"And I can only ask you not to do anything stupid, Adolfine."

"I'm banned from sortieing anyway…" she shrugged.

"Toshirooooooooooooo, anytime soon…" Yoshika chimed annoyed from the kitchen.

"Ah, yes. Now, dear ladies, I have to think about something more down-to-the-earth…"

"I'll help you…" Mio mumbled.

"You'll help?!" Trude shouted surprised. "God help us…"

"Shush, Barkhorn! I have advanced in the cooking arts enough to make a simple breakfast."

"So I heard," Toshiro said. "Come on then, Mio."

Mio followed Toshiro to the kitchen.

"Okay, Mio. As you see, Yoshika is handling eggs right now, and the sausages are already lying on the table. You know what that means?"

"Scrambled eggs with fried sausages?"

"Bingo. Time for you to shine."

"Good morning," Lynne's voice sounded from behind. "Oh? Miss Sakamoto?"

"Good morning, Lynne," she responded. "No, you're not dreaming. I will help you all with breakfast."

"Oh…"

Mio made a disconcerted face expression and said, "Even you don't believe in me? Ehhh…" she sighed.

"Um, I'm sorry if it seems so… But I've never seen you cook, Miss Sakamoto…"

"Seeing is believing! Time to put some belief in your hearts!" Mio said with a voice that could crack walls.

But after a few minutes, Mio turned from her usual haughty and foolhardy self into an almost scared and cautious young woman, as she was carefully frying the eggs. Thanks to the fact that three pairs of eyes were watching her, it didn't end in a catastrophe.

When Mio went out with the first pan of scrambled eggs, everyone from the 501st was shocked.

"Impossible!" Francesca shouted.

Erica was already standing up, but Minna forced her down and said, "I won't give you my camera…"

"Aaaaw…" she moaned.

"The Ragnarok has begun…" Trude said silently.

"Okay, who wants a taste of my scrambled eggs?" Mio asked.

Everyone unanimously pointed their fingers at Toshiro, who was standing behind Mio.

He raised his eyebrow and said, "Whatever, I saw her make it… But let me take a seat first…"

Toshiro took his usual place, and he placed the pan he harried on the table. He took a normal portion of the scrambled eggs onto his plate with a wooden spatula, and while being watched by the girls from the 501st, he transferred a part of it to his mouth.

"Hmmm… Not bad. Maybe a bit too much pepper for a normal person, but still edible."

"See? See?!" Mio asked. "Toshiro approves, dig in you ungrateful bastards!"

"Yes ma'am!" The fear struck girls responded and started munching their breakfast with reverence.

After a bit of time, Toshiro started a micro briefing.

"Shirley, Francesca and Perrine, who will you take from the NJG as your emergency comms so to speak?"

"Oh, oh! I can go!" Georgina waved her hand fiercely.

"Okay, Georgi can go," Shirley said. "I hope you don't mind hauling some spare ammo, heheheh…"

"If it's not too much…"

"I didn't quite expect you agreeing so fast…" Shirley answered.

"Good thinking, Shirley," Toshiro said. "Remember what I told you yesterday about calling help?"

"Once we see that shit hits the fan, I do everything in my might to reach you?" Georgin asked.

"Precisely. Now, Godspeed you four!"

"Roger!" They responded and ran out.

"Soooo… What are you doing now, bro?" Erica asked.

"I'll be in the radio room with the gear set to full sensitivity. If anybody wants something, just come to me."

"Oh, okay… I thought you'd help me with… you know what."

"Tomorrow, Sis, tomorrow… Today's too much to bear for me already…"

"Okay, I understand. Time to get lazy then…"

"Lazy my ass! Training, now!" Mio yelled.

"Seriously? We're on standby, Mio," Toshiro said. "We should be half-relaxed and half-vigilant, not whole-dead from fatigue."

"Pardon…" Mio mumbled.

"Meh, honest mistake. Kay, I'm going now. Sorry that I don't have time for you today, Yoshika."

"No problem, Toshiro. I'll just play around with the rest."

"Good idea, Sweetie."

Toshiro went on to the radio room and started his listening. After an hour, the door behind him opened and Minna entered the room.

"What's up, Minna?"

"I guess you know what I want to ask."

"Is it about a certain blonde?"

"Yes."

"Does her name start with an A?"

"Yes."

"Okay, watcha want to know?"

"Did she tell you about the new Neuroi?"

"Yeah, she did. We encountered one over Cologne that day."

"Ah, yes… That's why you dabbled with fighting it so long? To reset its danger level?"

"Yup."

"Can you tell me a bit more about the Neuroi? The stuff you can't tell the rest right now, but you can disclose to me?"

"But only you, understood?"

"Of course."

"That kind of Neuroi, called the Probe, starts appearing in worlds in which a certain threshold of power is crossed. But, since they appear out of the blue, and nobody knows what the Probes do, they usually get killed when they're blinking red. And the next day – genocide."

"I see… But… How could Alissa get to our world?"

Toshiro sighed and said, "Alissa, maybe you can explain on your own? I'm tired…"

"Who are you…"

"Morning," Kye said as she appeared near Toshiro.

"WAH!" Minna shouted surprised.

"It never gets old. It's just little ol' me, Minna…"

"But… How…"

"It's a normal thing for a goddess to appear out of thin air."

"Goddess?"

"I'm the Goddess of the Seven Stars in my universe. I'm nigh omniscient and nigh omnipotent, so traveling between worlds is a piece of cake for me."

"I see… So how did you two meet?"

"I sent my daughter to fetch him, since I planned an event in my universe. If you're all nice to Toshiro, I'll come and show the footage."

"And what was the exact theme of the event?"

"An all-out war with Neuroi. A realistic, full-blown simulation, something even I, as a mortal, haven't experienced."

"And Toshiro took part in that? So why didn't he destroy all the Neuroi single handedly in this world after he returned from yours?"

"He was artificially powered up to match the rest of us. However, I couldn't just let him keep that extra power when he was sent home. I must explain, that in 1953, specifically in our world, the girls are MUCH more powerful, some easily exceeding Toshiro's current level of power, including all of the 501st."

"More powerful than Toshiro? Whew… Well okay… I know more stuff… A shame you split, I started liking you…"

"Don't worry, I'll send my two daughters your way if they don't stop misbehaving. And they will be about as powerful as Toshiro here, so they won't be dead weight."

"Uhuh… But please give us a heads up."

"The time between our universes scales differently, so it will be after you move to Frankfurt if I send them here."

"Okay, thanks, Alissa."

"Bye now, Minna. And Toshiro?"

"Yeah?"

"Keep your cool today."

"Cryptic as usual…" Toshiro sighed and Kye disappeared.

"Toshiro…"

"Yeah?"

"Just how many secrets do you harbor?"

"So much that my head hurts sometimes…"

"Um, Master, maybe now would be a good time?"

"Err… Hmm… Ah, whatever, just wait a second."

"You know, Minna… There's somebody else I could introduce to ya…"

"Mein Gott…" she sighed. "Who else?"

"She's also a goddess, but I have to give you some background first. It turns out that Amaterasu was only a stand-in."

"A stand-in?" Minna tilted her head. "So you, de facto, are under the care of another god?"

"Yup, a much more powerful one, but I haven't had the occasion to meet him… But I did meet his servant and consort, Oblivion Lost, or Livy for short. She's that big-ass sword I recently gained."

Minna looked at him with squinted eyes for a few seconds and said, "Ugh, this is really beyond me… Get her here if you want…"

"Livy, please…"

She appeared out of thin air behind Toshiro, and said, "Good day," while leaning from behind him.

"Hmmm… Good day…" Minna said while eyeing her thoroughly. "Toshiro, you must be glad that she looks like that, huh?"

"Heh, I won't say no…"

"Does Yoshika know?"

"Of course she knows. And uh… We're having… a love triangle going on since last week…"

"Is that true?" Minna asked surprised, looking at Livy.

"Indeed," Livy answered calmly. "Master has given me a chance to reciprocate my feelings towards him, and the Mistress allowed me into her sanctuary."

"Master? Mistress? Toshiro, I hope you're not treating her weirdly?"

"This is her way of being, Minna, you won't change that," he shrugged.

"Bigamy in my former unit, wow…" Minna shook her head. "Incredible as hell… Toshiro, seriously, I do hope you'll keep this a secret, as I promise I will do. If this gets out, we're all on the short line to unemployment."

"You don't have to worry, I have enough common sense…" Toshiro muttered.

"Master, I will take my leave. Is it okay with you?"

"Yeah, go."

"Thank you, and goodbye," she said and disappeared.

"So, what was that about reciprocating feelings?" Minna asked curious.

"The poor girl fell in love with me during the simulation, but I don't know why exactly…"

"And how do you feel about her now?"

"She's… devoted to me… But I feel that indeed it's beyond obligation."

"I asked how you feel about her, Toshiro," Minna said firmly.

"I think something is beginning to spark towards her from my side…" he sighed. "She's a good girl, and she deserves attention, but I really am at a loss… I thought that Yoshika would be the only person I would love in a romantic sense, but…"

Minna's hand landed on his shoulder and she said, "Now, now… I have one last question – does Yoshika like her?"

"Yeah, she does, at least that's what I think. The two almost behave like sisters…"

"Three only children met together…" Minna smirked. "Ahh, Toshiro… When you land in shit, it's head deep… I'm going now, have fun."

"Yeah…"

Minna went her way, and Toshiro resumed his interrupted activity.

After an hour, he checked with the patrol.

"Shirley, how is stuff?"

"Boringly peaceful…" Shirley moaned.

"Today, you should be grateful for such a turn of events."

"I suppose so… How is stuff on your side?"

"Take a wild guess…" Toshiro mumbled and yawned.

"Ugh… Forget I asked… Shirley out."

Toshiro's boring task was later interrupted by Yoshika barging in.

"Toshiro, dinner, now!"

"But listening…"

"I'll jump in for you. While I was making dinner, I munched away my fill."

"Ah, okay. Since you have my memories, you should know how to operate all of this…"

"Take your time, I see already that you want to storm into the dining hall, eat everything in one go, and return here faster than I could sing the Kaiserlied."

"You got me there, Yoshika. Okay, I'll take my sweet time, or I can welcome ulcers…"

"Heehee, have a good meal!"

Toshiro went down to the dining hall, and he felt as he was standing before a tribunal as he entered the room.

"What? Nothing's happening," he answered. "Yoshika jumped in for me so I can eat in peace and quiet."

Some of the girls shrugged and continued eating. Toshiro noticed that the patrol teams have already swapped places.

"Nothing happened, Shirley?"

"Totally and utterly nothing. Same boring shit, but with a pinch of suspense."

"Did Trudy and the rest fly out properly equipped?"

"You wouldn't see the girls from under the gear. And Shizuka got to be the mule, heheh…"

"And I see they picked Hanna for the link?"

"Yup. She actually volunteered, just like Georgi here."

"How nice. But I guess she was bloodthirsty… Okay, eating time, and back to work for me."

"You should REALLY take your time," Adolfine said. "You look a bit on the pale side."

"Well, wouldn't you after sitting for six hours on your ass and hearing to static and occasionally some chatter?"

"I probably would… Even paperwork seems like grade S fun in comparison…"

Toshiro munched down his portion of dinner slowly, as recommended, and topped it with some freshly pressed apple juice.

"That was good… Okay ladies, I'm going back up, and you all behave and stay vigilant."

"Roger!" The girls responded with smiles on their faces.

He ran up back to the radio room and saw Yoshika on his chair, humming Die Wacht am Rhein and looking at the ceiling.

"Hey…"

"Wha!" Yoshika got startled and turned around violently. "Oh, it's you… So, was the dinner good?"

"Yeah, it sure hit the spot."

"Guess who helped?"

"No way…"

"Way, Toshiro. Sakamoto is getting better by the minute. But let's not talk about that, come on, back to work for you."

"What, you're already bored?"

"Uhuh…" Yoshika murmured.

"Heheh… You have my memories, but you're still the simple Yoshika I first loved… Well, gimme that headset and you're free to go."

Yoshika took the headset off her ears and popped them on Toshiro's head. As soon as they were in place, he heard a transmission.

"yday… day… surr… enem... diatelly… HELP!"

Toshiro felt as his blood turned into jam in a split second.

"Yoshika, it's time!"

"Oh crap!" Yoshika shouted and she sounded the siren.

Impressive that she did this on her own…

He fired up the PA system and shouted, "This is it, ladies! Every capable witch is to help our girls near Frankfurt!"

"I'll rush ahead, Yoshika. Remember, don't overpower your Striker, or we can have a potential accident."

"Okay. Run now!"

Toshiro found the first viable window, opened it, and jumped outside. He slammed on the runway with a thud and ran to the hangar.

Much to his surprise, Georgina, Shirley and Francesca were already there.

"You tinkering with stuff again, huh?" Toshiro asked as he ran around gathering his gear.

"Of course!" Shirley responded.

"Haha!" Toshiro laughed as put on his ammo jacket.

"Oh, you're taking the big gun?" Georgina asked.

"Yup. Try to test it in a field environment."

The jacket was already preloaded, so Toshiro could proceed to the second phase of his preparations. With trained moves, he started dismantling the ammo drums of his MG and he wrapped them around his waist.

"You're taking the MG too?!" Shirley shouted shocked.

"My sword is a last resort. Any my pistol is the lastest of last…"

"Have it your way."

Toshiro took both of the guns he intended to use and jumped into his Striker to start warming up the engines. Shirley did the same only a second later.

"Kickstart?" She asked.

"Kickstart!" Toshiro shouted.

Both of them utilized the kickstart capabilities of their Strikers and the engines came into revs and temperature almost immediately.

"Francesca, Georgina, you go with the rest of the girls. We'll be the spearhead of the reinforcements."

"Roger that!" Francesca answered with a serious face.

The two of them flew out with blinding speed out of the hangar, almost toppling the girls coming into the hangar by the sheer air pressure they produced.

After just five minutes of traveling at mind blowing speed, they saw it, and again, Toshiro felt as his blood almost froze. The girls were relentlessly being attacked by the insurmountable odds of the small, rocket shaped enemies, and by the enormous carrier Neuroi. To add insult to injury, the Tower Neuroi were also closing in.

"We're here!" Toshiro yelled through his transponder.

"We're doing well in the air, but the ground forces are beyond us now! Get the towers!" Trude answered.

"Roger." Toshiro responded to her. "Shirley!" Toshiro looked to his side but found only air. "Where the…"

"She's down yonder."

Toshiro looked down and saw that two of the towers simply exploded and Shirley appeared beside him in a blur.

"How do you like them apples?" She asked with a grin.

"Not bad," Toshiro responded. "But I prefer a more… indirect approach…" He said and pointed his cannon at the Neuroi down below.

Open breech… Load projectile… Load cartridge… Close breech…

He thought to himself while loading his cannon for the first shot.

"And… Fire…" He said silently while pressing the trigger button.

The cannon kicked hard and spat a two-meter long flame, but in a second, one of the Towers was no more.

"Nice, huh?" He asked Shirley with a sly smile.

"Heheheh… Okay, let's get serious!" Shirley cheered and blurred away from him.

Toshiro, this time using time dilution, reloaded the cannon. He saw as Shirley was slowly approaching the Towers for another strafing run, but he was faster to shoot, and another of the Towers was no more. Once he reloaded again, he looked at the carrier.

"Let's see how big a hole this baby can put into you!"

He fired into the side of the enemy, and ripped a nice hole in it.

Not half bad… But no core hit, and that sucks hard…

Toshiro now surveyed the patrol which was fighting the enemy. Erica and Trude were like two berserkers, relentlessly pouring a stream of lead towards the Neuroi. Hanna was pounding the enemies by the dozen, using precise shots from her Solothurn rifle. The only odd one out was Shizuka, who was barely shooting straight.

Oh no… This is too much for her…

Toshiro flew up to her and grabbed her arm from behind. She twitched and turned around.

"Stay with me if you want."

"But… I'll be a burden…"

"You're a damn witch! Witches are never a burden!"

With those words, something changed in Shizuka.

"Yes sir!" She shouted, and suddenly, her accuracy went up dramatically.

The simplest motivation works best…

Toshiro looked down and he saw that the Towers were no more and Shirley was approaching him at a normal speed.

"I see you had a blast?"

"Bah! But it seems my Striker is overheating like fuck when I'm diluting time… Not to mention I'm tired…"

"So, maybe I should kill that big one over there?" He pointed out at the carrier with his cannon.

"You still didn't do it? I know that you're modest, but sheesh! Go for it you dingus!"

"Ah, thanks for your blessing!"

Toshiro flew down and placed his cannon on the ground. Then, he summoned Oblivion Lost.

"Oh yus! Massacre time! So, what will you use?"

"Of course the Tenkai Reppuzan! But! Why don't we use that little tidbit we learned in Kye's world to make sure I hit the right spot, huh?"

"Oh, I'm on it! Tekkaku Hebigan!"

Toshiro's field of view narrowed drastically, but he could see the texture of the Neuroi's body. After a little alteration, he saw a bit more, and then, Yuki applied a filter to his vision. Thanks to using different sensitivity for both eyes, he could discern the core's location based on thermal vision.

"Same spot as before! Let 'er rip, Toshiro!"

Oblivion Lost burst in a blue flame, mixing with the white Sacred Flame dancing on Toshiro's body. The blade of the sword slowly started growing, as Toshiro held it above his head.

"Tenkai…"

Toshiro made last corrections, and he yelled with such force that some straggler Neuroi around him just exploded.

"…REPPUZAN!"

The attack soared with a supersonic speed towards the enormous Neuroi, cut in in half horizontally, and flew on until it exploded a few kilometers away.

"Aaaaah… That was tiring… But the small shits are still here… Clean up in aisle five!"

Toshiro unholstered his MG and loaded it. After grabbing his cannon, he flew into the air and started picking off the random Neuroi with his friends. After a few minutes, Shizuka didn't have a spare belt or drum on her back. Everyone was tired equally, but with high spirits after the victory.

"Good job, everyone…" Toshiro said while catching his breath.

"Yeah, you were as good as always…" Trude said. "And not bad, Elwyn…"

"Thanks…" Shirley responded.

"And me?" Erica asked.

"You were on par with Trudy," Toshiro said.

"Heheh, good enough."

"A-And me?" Shizuka asked.

"After your initial mediocrity, you started shining. Some real battles and you may get real good…"

"Oh… Thanks you, sir…"

"Ugh… Hmmm… I think it's time to report back to base…"

As Toshiro was raising his hand, he heard something.

"Mayday! We picked up an enormous Neuroi coming in from the south for SInt-Truiden!" Adolfine shouted. "Everyone who can, go back!"

"Adolfine, stay put! I'm coming!" Toshiro shouted. "Guys, on me!"

"Tired…" Shirley said while swaying a bit.

"Okay, I'll try my best!" Toshiro said and dashed back while using the afterburner.

After slightly over three minutes, he felt immense heat in his legs. He looked at the temperature of his engines on the FFG and it was already in the far-red zone.

"Ah shit!" He shouted and slowed down below a thousand km/h. "Shit!"

He saw the rest of the girls flying in the same direction. He was still a lot faster than most of them, so he just zipped past without saying a word. Then, he saw Yoshika a considerable distance ahead of him, because despite her ailment she was still faster than most.

He flew up to her and asked, "Everything okay?"

"Yes, yes, its' flying rather good! But why are you so slow?"

"Overheated my Striker…"

"Aw… Come on, grab me and maybe this way, we'll have a slightly better speed."

"Okay!"

Toshiro grabbed Yoshika's hand and they rushed towards the base.

They were incoming from the south, and thirty kilometers before it, they saw the Neuroi. It was an enormous craft, even bigger than a carrier. The shape reminded Toshiro of something.

It looks… Like a rail gun… Only without those supportive pieces of metal along the barrel… But… Oh shit… If that whole thing is a cannon…

"Yuki, I need some oversight."

"Roger!"

Yet again Toshiro zoomed in deeply. The core was located exactly at the center of the rear part of the Neuroi. Suddenly, something exploded atop of the Neuroi.

Nobody is around here so… Oh no…

Toshiro shifted his view to the base, and he saw the in one of the emplacements, Adolfine was sitting in the gunners seat, and Mio was loading one of the dual 128's.

"Adolfine! Mio! What the fuck are you doing! I told you to stay put!"

"If that fucker gets to town, it's over!" Adolfine responded.

"Toshiro…" Yoshika said. "Loook…"

Toshiro unzoomed and looked at the Neuroi. The cannon was now glowing, and before he could spew any profanities, the Neuroi shot. A beam, roughly two meters in diameter, soared straight at the gun emplacement. He felt as time around him slowed down, but not only for him, since Yoshika blinked in normal speed.

No… This cannot be… No way… I can't help them…

"ADI!"

"MISS SAKAMOTO!"

Both of them shouted at the same time, and something weird happened. Both of their bodies gave off a rainbow glow and a steady beam of energy shot toward the gun emplacement, a hundred times faster than the Neuroi's beam.

The time flow resumed, and the beam plinked off something in a cloud of dust, instead of smashing straight through the building.

"What… What happened…" Yoshika asked trembling in fear.

"Come on, let's go!"

Toshiro looked at the temperature gauge, which was now half-full. With Yoshika on his back, he rushed forward. When the dust slowly cleared, Toshiro once again zoomed in his view. He saw something impossible.

"Mio's magic… It's… Back…"

"No way!" Yoshika shouted in disbelief.

"She has her animal features!"

"Oh my… Maybe it's because of that rainbow energy… What was that…?"

"I don't know but… Yoshika… Stay here…" Toshiro said in a cold voice.

"Why?"

"I have a score to settle with the Neuroi…"

"Please be careful, Toshiro… You're on your last leg…"

Toshiro's fury flipped a switch inside of him, because suddenly he remembered something.

"Oh… That attack…"

"Hmm?"

"Watch and learn…"

Toshiro rushed forward, with afterburner enabled. He concentrated all of his magic, both his own and from the Sacred Flame in his right fist. He had only one goal, and one shot at this. He diluted time, just to avoid unnecessary risk.

"You fucking abomination... I'll be generous… I'll show you an attack that this world had never seen!"

His right fist shone with a radiant light, leaving a trail in the air.

"ATOMZERLEGER!" He yelled and planted his fist right in the center of the Neuroi.

The time flow resumed. Seemingly, nothing happened, but after a few seconds, the Neuroi simple started crumbling into fine dust and was scattered by the wind.

Now… I have a bone to pick…

He heard something on the radio, but he didn't understand, such was his rage. He landed at the place where the gun emplacement was and jumped out of his Striker.

"Toshiro! Look! I have my magic back!" Mio cheered like a kid while running up to him.

Toshiro grabbed her by the neck and lifted her up.

"Wha… What are you doing…" she croaked with her constricted throat.

"Toshiro!" Adolfine protested.

"Shut the fuck up. I have a bone to pick with you too, so wait for your turn…"

Adolfine was suddenly silent as a mouse.

"Mio… Didn't I tell you to hide? Didn't I ORDER you to NOT engage the Neuroi? And what do I see?! You fire a peashooter like that towards a Neuroi bigger than the Chrysler Building! YOU FUCKING IDIOT! YOU UTTER MORON!" He yelled from the bottom of his lungs. "What were you thinking?! After all what happened to you, you're still doing it! I HAD ENOUGH! YOU'VE DONE THIS FOR THE LAST TIME! PACK YOUR FUCKING BAGS! I'M BOOTING YOU FROM THE MILITARY!"

Toshiro felt as his tears were unusually warm and that the bottom of his field of view was now red.

"To… Toshiro… What… I…"

"NO BUTS! I'M CALLING YAMAMOTO AND… and…nd…d…"

Toshiro's head suddenly became light and his vision darkened.

A sudden headache woke him up. He was in some dark room, but the bed under his back felt familiar.

"What happened…" He said to himself.

"Boy, did you lash out…" Kye suddenly said and appeared in the darkness, glowing slightly.

"Kye… What…"

"You passed out, airhead. A Tenkai Reppuzan AND an Atomzerleger in short succession, topped with afterburner flight? Are you serious? You know your limits here; this is not the simulation anymore."

Everything suddenly came back to Toshiro, and tears flowed from his eyes anew.

"I can't take it… I simply can't… This is too much for me… All this responsibility is killing me… Mio and Adi almost died…"

Kye sat down beside him and patted his head.

"Sssshhh… Calm down, Toshiro… Such a big boy like you crying... The two couldn't die."

"But… How?"

"Remember when I kissed you back then, after Yoshika regained her magic?"

"Yes…"

"I gave you both my blessings. Small scale, one-time miracles. The strong emotions of the both of you activated them, and now, both of them have their magic power restored to their prime for approximately one year."

"But… Kye…" His tears dried up immediately as his heart was yet again filled with fury.

"Why didn't I tell you? Simple. Your wishes had to be strong wishes that came from the bottom of your hearts. At that moment, both of you wanted to save the one person you liked the most out of the two."

Toshiro sighed and said, "Why am I even getting mad… Sorry…"

"You should apologize to Mio. You gave her such a big scare that she's already packing."

"Oh right… Shit…"

"But I understand you. Mio has always been a stubborn blockhead, regardless of universe."

"How long did I sleep?"

"It's 2034 hours. You haven't slept long enough for the immense strain you put on your body. Also, Mio and Yoshika will come here in a few minutes. Don't be a dick."

"Don't worry, I'm already drafting my apology. But you already know that, heheh…"

"Indeed…" Kye said with a smile. "Bye, Toshiro."

"Bye, Kye."

Toshiro relaxed on the bed and waited. After a few minutes, the door opened.

"Toshiro, are you awake?" Yoshika whispered.

"Yeah…"

"Oh, I'm turning the lights on then."

Yoshika flicked the light switch, and he saw that Mio was behind her, with her duffle bag in hand.

"Toshiro… I've heard what you've said to Miss Sakamoto… And… Could you perhaps…"

"Reconsider?" Toshiro asked. "Mio, c'mere."

Looking at the floor, Mio approached his bed. Toshiro lifted himself so he could sit.

"Now sit on the bed."

She raised her head slightly and looked at him surprised.

"Sit."

She sat beside him.

"Mio… You've broken a direct order from your superior, I don't recognize you…" Toshiro said softly.

"I'm fully prepared to take the consequences of my actions," she answered in a neutral tone."

"Your were really reckless… I mean REALLY REALLY reckless… But it was bad from me to treat you like that nevertheless. I'm sorry, Mio. Get back to your room and unpack. Now that you're magic is back, I don't want to lose such a precious asset."

Mio looked as she was about to cry, but she just hugged Toshiro tightly.

"Heheh… But Mio, I still have to punish you."

"Hit me."

"I can't come up with a good punishment that wouldn't hinder your new daily routine, so… Remember about that whatever-some we've planned?"

"Yeeees…" Mio stopped hugging him and backed off a bit.

"You're taking it in the ass, Mio."

Mio paled in an instant.

"B-But… But…"

"Yes, in the butt. No excuses. One quick shag in the pooper and you're free."

"Toshiro… That's barbaric… You didn't do anal with me…" Yoshika fidgeted. "Or anyone else for that matter…" Yoshika said a bit flustered.

"Heh… So, Mio?"

"I… I'll accept my punishment! If it's only such a trifle, I'm okay!"

"Wonder what you'll be saying when I rip your bunghole apart…"

Mio gulped loudly.

"Anyway, wait a second…"

Toshiro tried to stand up, and managed to do so.

"Okay, I can walk… Now, bath time. Yoshika, coming?"

"Sure!"

"Mio, off to your room. Sleep tight."

"Um… Good night to you too, Toshiro."

"And Yoshika," Toshiro added.

"And Miyafuji."

"Urgh… Damn blockhead…"

Yoshika quickly fetched their bath supplies and they went on to the bath. They were fortunate to be alone. Once they dipped in the bath, Toshiro asked, "So, ready for that foot rub?"

"After you explain what happened."

"In our room, I don't want anyone hearing us by chance."

"Ah, okay… Then…" Yoshika raised her leg and rested it on Toshiro's lap. "Have at it…"

Toshiro started to massage her foot from the heel. Yoshika moaned slightly.

"Seriously?" Toshiro asked.

"Mhm… Just… Do it slowly with the metatarsus… I'm ticklish…"

"Kay, kay…"

Toshiro slowly rubbed the middle part of her foot, with Yoshika biting her lower lip and keeping her ecstatic moans in check.

"Stop… Toshiro… Stop…"

"Oh, what is it?"

"It would be awkward if I came in a public bath…"

"Heheh… So why don't we… Carry it over to the bedroom?"

"Is it okay already?"

"Yup, I'm safe!" Yoshika cheered.

"Okay! Come on!"

They quickly dried up and put on their clothes. After reaching their room, they landed on the bed and let loose.

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