Shirogane Takeru
December 06, 2001
The rooftop
"Why don't you just setup camp here? I'll help move your furniture."
"Takeru… stupid talk." That was along what I figured from Ayamine.
After sending off Yuuhi abroad that ship of hers. I dismissed my team for the rest of this day, other than Mikoto, who was unfortunately arrested for whatever Yoroi did. She should be out soon so I wasn't too worried, but it still gave me an uneasy feeling.
"Those letters, you getting rid of them?" At this time, I was atop of the base, conversing with the same stoic Ayamine who sat with her legs crossed on the chilly winter floor, her back facing the entrance that I came from. I stood over her shadow, staring down the top of her raven coloured head.
"Yeah… I can finally put these letters of regret to rest." The said envelopes were all bunched up together in a neat pile beside her. Not once had Ayamine turned around to face me. It was kind of a tradition we have, speak to each other's backs. But it was just me speaking to hers most of the time.
"Is that so. Then I guess I'm not needed here." An icy wind blew by that I took as my signal to exit, but my sleeve was seized before I could gain some distance.
"Wait… stay with me."
"If you say so." Not wasting my energy, I also joined Ayamine on the roof's floor. Sitting back to back with her as I straightened out my legs. We rested in total silence for what felt like hours. It was the sound of wrapping paper that eventually broke our solitude.
"You are going to rip those?"
"Yeah."
"That's going to take ages, you know?" With my sight unfocused away from her, I thought of a better idea than manual labour. I pulled my trusty lighter out of my pocket. This thing hadn't seen any action since I stopped smoking, now was a good chance for it to get some screen-time.
"Here, use this." The sensation of a weight being lifted from my outreached left hand was how I knew Ayamine had received my lighter.
"Takeru, you smoke?"
"Used to." The sound of my lighter being toyed around with was heard. But I believed Ayamine to be mature enough to avoid self injury.
"Got a pack?"
"Yep."
"…Pass it here." An outrageous demand almost caused me to turn around. Still, my laziness and the atmosphere suppressed my curiosity to observe Ayamine's expression.
"Can't do that, you're still a minor, you know? I can't have you die from lung cancer of all things."
"So? My life expectancy says otherwise." Ayamine used my old argument perfectly against myself.
"That's… true. But still, it'll be a pain in the ass if you get addicted."
"I just want to try… I can't?" While unethical, I couldn't think of a reason to reject her. So I took my cigarettes out of my pocket and passed a single stick to her.
"Thanks." Again, the sound of a lighted lighter and burning paper was perceived.
"How is it?" I asked after a dozen seconds.
"…Tastes like shit…"
"Because you would know what shit tastes like." No response came from Ayamine for my witty remark.
"I don't want it anymore." She tried to hand me an almost unconsumed cigarette which I took without thinking.
"Ah, just remembered. I can't smoke anymore." The promise I made flashed in my mind moments before my mouth came in contact with the tapping paper.
"That's not fair, you have to finish it."
"Don't be ridiculous, woman. I have to do no such thing." Her prescriptive was lost to me.
"Fine… I'll take it. But you have to turn around." Noticing nothing wrong with her request, I rotated my body 180 degrees and crossed my legs as well. Ayamine took the stick while still facing away and inhaled a great quantity at once.
"Hey! Don't overdo it now! Breathing in that much isn't good for your body—" Before my complaint could be finished, Ayamine turned herself around and kissed my lips with rapid speed. Replying immediately, our tongues wrestled within our mouths, enjoying a moment of arousal before I backed off due to lack of oxygen.
"…And why?" My only question was a direct one.
"I was sharing the smoke with you, since you don't smoke yourself." Such air-tight logic, for a toddler maybe.
"That's not how things worked, woman. We just French kissed for no reason." Ayamine blushed slightly, then was overshadowed by her much more apparent grin.
"Did you like it?" Ayamine passed me the rest of my cigarette during that question, which I carefully put out and wrapped with tinfoil. We have enough things hurting this earth as is.
"I did, but that changes nothing." I was still a good, honest boy.
"Then it's fine… I liked it too."
"That's great. While I don't mind tonguing a pretty girl, I still would like a reason." Her blush increased in intensity and her gaze shifted elsewhere. However, after a short while, Ayamine's appearance became melancholic with a bit of remorse.
"…You know, you're the second person who hid their smoking from me."
"That's not right, I didn't hide anything." Accusation without proper evidence doesn't make a case.
"My dad… I didn't know that he smoked." And neither did I.
"Really now?" But the difference was how I didn't care.
"Yeah." Ayamine was clearly recalling old times from the way her pupils drifted around.
"I first saw him do it when I was little. He was outside on the balcony, talking about something with Sagiri. Dad tried to offer him a cigarette but Sagiri refused quickly. That's all I remember." What a lackluster ending that was.
"Wasn't Sagiri around your age?"
"I think so, probably why he didn't take it." Made much more sense this way.
"That's great, so your point is?"
"Takeru… making the girl say it… so shameless." That comment followed by her smirk was a little pissy, but was also the reason I love Ayamine. Having just thought up of a proper response, I rested my hands on her knees and looked at her with gentle eyes.
"Look here, I don't care that much about your father and the truth behind what happened to him. Just like everything else, this is about viewpoint. Either you believe your father did the right thing, or he did not. I can't tell you what to pick because I'm not you."
"…Then tell me what you think." Being truthful here could hurt Ayamine a lot. Then again, holding but would only hurt her more.
"I think he made a mistake. By saving those few civilians and abandoning his duty, he collapsed the defence line and caused massive casualty to our forces. While I do understand his resolve of saving the citizens, it's dubbed as a failure for good reasons."
"…I see." A dejected light was reflected in her beautiful eyes.
"But none of this matters. Whether it's right or wrong, you father is dead. Nothing can change that. But you're still here, and that means you can choose. If you ever feel that my command isn't the right one, feel free to just disobey it. If you're ready for the consequences of making a mistake, my back is always open to you." If I went so far as to be killed by one of my closest friends, I will accept it with no problem.
"I'll never do that." Her line was said with utmost confidence in me. I almost got caught off guard and failed to return her of determination.
"Thank you, Ayamine. May I perceive your reason?" Taking a rare, but sincere attitude, I asked Ayamine a question I already knew the answer to.
"You'll never betray me."
"No, no I will not." Her stare was powerful, it felt that all her emotion was gathered in one place. And all her effort was put into delivering that feeling to me.
"You also trust me… right?" Our cosy conversion was directed to a different topic.
"Of course, how can I leave myself in your hands if I don't?"
"But… but I failed you… I failed everyone…" Ayamine lowered her head on my chest as to hide her features from my sight. She was warm and cozy even on this December night, her skin that came in contact with my own was smooth and bloomy just as she always had been.
"It's not your fault, you know?" It didn't take me three guesses to think of what was bothering Ayamine.
"I was so confident… I thought I had them." She must be blaming herself for what happened during the coup, it was only natural for cadets to lose it under such circumstances.
"This probably sounds old, but everyone's first was like that." Mine would be a great example.
"I got so scared… for myself! How pathetic was that!?" Ayamine glared at me with such intense guilt, sorrow and a bit of anger at herself.
"You're still alive, right? It shouldn't matter that much."
"But… it does. I can't just forget about it…" It was a bit nostalgic how Ayamine was acting like the old me.
"Alright, I'm gonna be honest with you. Yeah, that was pretty pathetic."
"Eh…?"
"You were screaming your head off like a little bitch that just can't get it together. It certainly didn't help anyone, Meiya was so distracted that she almost got taken out as well. If I didn't save your dumbass back there, you'll be pounded meat. Happy now?" Now I just needed to make sure no Soldier-class sneak up on me and finish this lesson.
"I… that was… really hurtful." Women are so difficult.
"Argg, what do you want me to say then? I tried comforting which clearly didn't work. So I went with insulting you, but you complained about that too."
"I…!" And no comeback came.
"Look here, like I was telling you. Everyone's first time is like that. I certainly got scared shitless when I thought I was about to die. Now don't spread this, but Marimo-chan told me she was also the same."
"The Instructor?" I could clearly recall that talk with Marimo-chan, but now wasn't the best of places to think.
"Yeah, that's a story for another time. My point is, I'm not asking you to be a superhuman or something. Because I'm not one, all you need to do is to not die. That's all I'm asking here. You can cry, shout or beg for your life, but no matter what happens, I won't let you die. That's my goal here."
"…Why? Soldiers aren't treated like that." Words may not deliver the point across so I firmly held Ayamine by her shoulders and stared her right back.
"Because none of you are mere soldiers in my eyes. You all are so, so much more. And I cannot and will not ever lose you, Ayamine." Ayamine blushed. It wasn't her normal blush, it was a blush of affection, and I was confident it was for me to see.
"I actually… have something to tell you." Finding now to be the perfect time for a distraction, Ayamine attempted to drive away the topic.
"About what?" Playing dumb had its own merits.
"Takeru… are you an S?"
"Think for yourself, woman. Or maybe your training isn't enough yet."
"…How ruthless." And then she went quite, I didn't feel generous enough to help her with whatever she wanted to express.
"We can sit here all day, and you'll never get any assistance from me."
"That's fine." That called for a change of tactic.
"Nevermind, gotta go." I worked my legs to provide the energy required to get up from sitting. But Ayamine grabbed me by the collar, hard, before I could stand up.
And out of nowhere. Our lips touched for a second time with she reached forward forcefully, it was filled with her intense passion and strong feeling, which I rapidly responded in kind by kissing her back just as ardently.
"Ahh… Takeru… I lov—" Finally letting my mouth free after dozens of seconds, Ayamine's follow up confession was stopped half way.
"You… you're probably not ready to say it yet." While her boldness was greatly appreciated, I didn't think my answer was good to go just yet. When did I collect this much Ayamine flags anyway? If this was the Causality Conductor thing at work, it would make my conquest a whole lot easier.
"No… I don't want to wait. I'm ready." Her crimson flush was deep, but her resolution was deeper.
"I don't think you'll be happy with what I say, won't you be patient a bit longer?"
"No, I'll be fine with whatever you decide." The pair of eyes that looked me back was filtered of any distraction and second thoughts. Ayamine had one goal that day and she was going to achieve it no matter the cost.
"Wow, you got really demanding, abruptly."
"Because I want this." Her new method of direct attack proved to be much more effective than I would have thought.
"But… there're others…"
"It's fine… I'm okay with not being number one." A little guilt leaked into my heart, but it was overshadowed instantly by the overwhelming joy.
"…Are you sure that's okay? I won't be very faithful, you know?"
"It… it's fine. I never thought I alone could be enough… Takeru… too alpha." That truth always brought music to my ears.
"Why're you acting like this anyhow? Was it something I did?"
"…I don't know, but I don't want to lose… You. Mitsurugi was the same." She must have seen another that shared her feelings for me, causing her to react in such a way. I didn't want the girls to seriously fight over me if I can help it, but it's never that much of a concern.
"One last time then, are you absolutely certain about having this kind of relationship with me?"
"Takeru… I love you." Could be that it was too abrupt, or maybe keeping myself in check wasn't a bad idea; yet, if Ayamine really asked for this, even if it was on the spur of the moment. I didn't want to deny her of any wish.
"Good enough answer." With no delay, our tongues wrapped around each other and explored the very details of the other's mouth.
—
"Takeru… more…"
"I don't want to freeze to death here. Your room should be good enough."
"No… here's fine. I… I can't wait any longer." While not satisfying her yearning had its own appeal, I was also running low on patience.
"…Munm… but it's cold." Stopping our kissing for a second of normal speech wasn't an option any longer.
"Use these… mwwa… as sheet…" Not bothering to pull her tongue out, Ayamine took the letters off the ground and passed them to me. Seeing no other alternative, I clumsily laid out the paper with my hand while the other was working its way around her body.
"Mmmwah… hurry…"
"Shut up."
The next few windless hours were the most enjoyable and uncomfortable hours of my life.
December 07, 2001
Ayamine's room
"Woman, wake up already." No response from the comatose girl that was resting on my chest.
If I must say, yesterday was kinda fun, in one way or another. After two rounds on the rooftop, we relocated back to Ayamine's room where the long night only extended to greater length. In conclusion, because talking about it in detail is weird; it was a good distraction from my day to day activities and more importantly, it shortened the distance between me and Ayamine, both mentally and physically.
Ayamine was still dead asleep with her hands wrapped around my back. I carefully pushed her off my body and covering her naked self with the blanket instead before getting on my two feet and redressing. I thought about putting her clothes for her, but seeing how unresponsive she was it was probably better to leave Ayamine to her own device. Guess it's true that no one will help you out once you're fucked, so many meanings.
"Hey, I'll be going now, you hear?" Having finished dressing, I checked up on the normally cool girl. I only said normally because it certainly wasn't the case last night. My words reached a pair of deaf ears as Ayamine was still in deep slumber. I should really learn to control my personality these days.
"…Wait." Calling me out on the last second was a sleepy Ayamine, her drowse that surrounded this room was no longer with us. Instead, she looked up; with a strange yet pleasant smile.
"Good morning, Ayamine."
"Morning." I returned to her bedside while she casually took off the sheet that shrouded her wonderful body from the outside. Seeing those assets again was tugging my urges the wrong way. But since it was only the morning and I plan to not spend my entire day completely wreck— pleasuring Ayamine, my self-control kicked in to preserve my image as a gentleman.
"So then, I'll be going now. What're you gonna do today?"
"We have these days off, right?" She asked her question after putting on a simple t-shirt and jeans. I didn't see any underwear being donned, then again, assumption can only end up as assumptions.
"Yep, the team is free until further notice."
"…What'll you do now?" Her second question was before she adjusted her hair and put on her shoes.
"Just gonna wander around for today, nothing to do, really."
"No… I mean about us." And even if nobody knew, I loved discussing relationship problems like a middle-class housewife, I really did. Yep, sure did.
"What do you want us to be like?"
"…I don't know." No matter what anyone says, I still felt a bit cheap for bedding her right after what should be seen as a confession. But at our time, the luxury of having a normal affair was just not there.
"There aren't many things I can promise you. There are others who seek what you seek, and I won't turn down anyone without a good reason. You know what I mean, right?" Ayamine shunned away from my passionate gaze, she must be hurt too from my behaviour. A sense of regret was creeping up my throat and threating to leave my mouth in the form of an apology. But that would only make Ayamine feel more used than now.
"…Then tell me, where am I… on your list?" Do I even have a list? If I do, it must be too unclear for me to read it.
"I don't know."
"Then who is in first place?"
"…I don't know." I will never be able to sort out my feelings regarding the girls of my life. They're too precious, too significant and valuable for me to ever find a favourite.
"Do you know anything?"
"…I know that I love you as well, Ayamine. If one day love can be measured somehow, then that's when you'll find your answer. Until then, my emotions are unknown even to myself; but know that, even if the amount is ambiguous, my love for you is very real. One of the only real things left about me, that is." Her mouth hung open for a short while before Ayamine snapped back to her senses. Her emotion was in between shocked, glad and a bit of uncertainly.
"…I'm not fitting… I… don't deserve you…"
"That's not true, Ayamine. I love you and I'm willing to do anything for you."
"…Then I have a request." She spoke again after a few dreadful seconds, or maybe they were enjoyable seconds.
"Go ahead."
"Can you call me Kei… when it's the two of us?" Ayamine watched me closely with eyes of impatience. She wanted my answer, she demanded the distance between us to be condensed even further.
"I thought you didn't like that."
"…Things change." Very true indeed.
"Then Kei. Know that no matter the time or place, I love you. Even if this feeling isn't exclusive, even when there are times when I may go to others. My love for you will never diminish and I will always hold you dear." She hid her blush to her best ability, but it wasn't enough to disguise it from me.
"I know it's a little late, but I'll ask you one last time, it'll be the final chance you have to hate me. Ayamine Kei, will you accept my feelings?"
I didn't exactly receive my answer in words. Instead, Ayamine rushed me and pushed me to the floor for a long, tedious but delicious kiss.
"Muun… Takeru, I love you!" Getting to hear emotions in her words was a treasure beyond many people's wildest dreams. But for me who is destined to take everything, hopefully; this was the second step in my conquest— of girls as well as the world.
Hallway
"~Nananananan ~Batguy! Batguy~! ~Nanananana~! Batguy~!" Singing very awfully to myself was entertaining to a certain degree. Definitely not that effective at diverting my attention from last night's activity, especially my sore back.
Having bid my goodbye to Ayam— Kei, she's Kei now. We went our separate ways for our day-off.
"~Never gonna give you up~ Never gonna let you—"
"…Just, what do you think you're doing, squad leader Takeru?" My amazing performance was interrupted by a super disappointed Class rep.
"No, you saw nothing, understand?"
"What? You were clearly just singing to yourself seconds ago—"
"You. Saw. Nothing." Class rep flinched a little from my excessive menace. But she only sighed in return.
"Okay, okay! I didn't see you sing or anything like that, fine?"
"Alright, good girl!" My attempt at a head-pat was rudely slapped away, but the frenzy on Class rep's face had brought her my mercy.
"Please! Don't… do that." The awkwardness between us got turned up to eleven all at once.
"What? Has nobody ever patted your head before?" My line was said as a joke, but clearly, Class rep didn't take it as such.
"No… it's just… sorry, I was overreacting." She avoided my vision and turned to leave. But that was also when I realized the situation.
"Hey! Did you get to meet your father?" My shouted question stopped Chizuru in her track.
"…That's… none of your business, isn't it?" She answered while facing away from me.
"I prefer for everything to be my business. But if it's really personal for you, I won't ask. Just know I'm always free if you want me." There wasn't any reason to force a reply out of Class rep right away. Her father was fine, and that was all that mattered.
"Actually… have you see him around yesterday, Takeru?" That, on the other hand. Was a much simpler inquiry.
"Nope, he was with the Professor and Her Highness most of the time. Only saw glimpses of him."
"Then you did see him!" Class rep whirled around, a little upset for no reason.
"If that's what you meant, then yeah. I see him at least one a week. On the television." Some time passed before a slightly embarrassed Class rep spoke again.
"I guess you're right. Sorry for that." She sure was apologizing a lot for a tsundere, kind of unusual in many ways.
"Well, that's not totally true either. I spoke with him once, personally." Class rep took some time to react. Once she did, she still kept her mouth closed to let my next line flow out.
"Here, he gave this to me."
"…This is…" The same wooden container returned its content to the rightful owner.
"They're your glasses, right?"
"…Yeah…" A sorrowful look was Class rep's aspect, she studied the glasses thoroughly before placing them back inside the case.
"They're yours now, again."
"Thanks, Takeru." Class rep was less than thrilled to pocket her old pair. And she was not at all interested in why her father had them in the first place.
"You… don't want to ask anything?"
"There is really nothing I can ask, is there? If I ask you about why the Prime Minister had my old glasses, would you answer?"
"Classified."
"There you go then." Class rep's train of thought was surprisingly simple.
"Welp, don't expect me to come up with anything." Nothing else popped into my head, so I just turned around to leave.
"…Thank you, Takeru. For everything." I didn't see Class rep's expression, but somehow I just know, she had this smile that surfaced from the bottom of her heart.
"Not a problem." Waving my hand behind me, I increased our distance with every step.
"These glasses… I won't need them anymore." I couldn't identify as to which pair she spoke about, but I knew that was only a symbol, and I was terrible in literature anyway.
Medical bay
I strolled over the base and decided to visit the injured Tsukuyomi on impulse. For god knows why, it was another samurai that I ran into.
A golden opportunity has never been more obvious. Meiya sat on bench with her face down on her knees, kinda reminded me of the old Meiya when she fucked up my dinner. Eggshells are not edible, I don't care what the doctors say.
"BOO!" Seeing an unaware girl being upset fuelled my inner troll like no other.
"KYAA!" In a comical fashion, Meiya jumped out of the chair and banged her head hard on the concrete wall with a painfully loud thud.
"Owwwww!"
"Hehehe, idiot." After settling down, Meiya stared back at me with tear-filled puppy eyes.
"T-T-Takeru! That was exceptionally spiteful!"
"Then don't get caught off guard next time, you weren't even paying attention to your surroundings."
"Ahaa…" Her slow reaction prompted me to understand the cause of her depression.
"I… for me to show others such a crestfallen sight… I really am… an incapable being…" And right back to grieving she went.
"I won't say that, you did nothing wrong during the fighting. How can anyone blame you for this?" While comforting her, I sat down beside Meiya and casually wrapped my arm around her shoulder.
"That is because this must not be who I am! Others must not know of this weak side of me! There were expectations of me! And I let them all down…" I laughed a bit too loud at Meiya's absurd way of thinking.
"Are you… making fun of me…?"
"I was laughing at what you said, not what you did. It was just funny how thick-headed you are, that's all." With that, I smiled gracefully and patted Meiya's head in one smooth motion.
"I talked with Ayamine yesterday, along many other things; she was also blaming herself for acting out like that during the fighting. Would you accuse her for distracting you when we tried to evac?"
"Of course not! The fault was mine alone when I failed to react to the fluctuating situation!" Like in all my past, Meiya was too noble for her own good. I had to pull her away from such settings if she were to be someone that will always accompany me.
"So what? You messed up, no big deal. Just got to try again, right?"
"That…! Such matter cannot be solved so easily!" Watching her now, she behaved just like me after Marimo-chan got bit. Ah, the good old days of the dumbass Shirogane, god I hate myself as a kid.
"Huhuhu, that's correct. Every failure comes with a consequence, or that's what you wish to believe. However, the truth is that nobody is blaming you for your mistake which just lead to this self-pity going on here, I am wrong?" Meiya gave me a look of bewilderment and hidden anger this time around.
"…" Noticing that Meiya couldn't think of a comeback, I decided to try what I used on Ayamine on her.
"I'll blame you, Meiya. You clearly wasn't in the right state of mind after the negotiation broke down , you slow-wittiness was what put Tsukuyomi in the hospital today, happy now?"
"…That is not the issue here… I… I broke the promise we made together! Such a simple oath… and yet…" Damn, Meiya was such a masochist... probably not the right word to use here though.
"Yeah, guess you did do that. Let's discuss your punishment, then. What do you propose you do to make up for this?"
"Eh? I-I do not know… I was the one who failed you… please decide for me." Meiya always had two strings attached to her, normally her tie to the empire would be severed after the coup, but my gut feeling was telling me that wasn't the case.
"Well, how about this. When we talked last time, you promised your life to me. Now I'm demanding you as a person. Come hell or high water, you'll always be by my side. Never betray me, never let me down, never disobey me and never walk another path." She looked at me for a few seconds before becoming a bit outraged by my order.
"…Are you demanding my will!? I cannot submit myself like that!" And there we go, finally Meiya was back to her old self, relatively speaking.
"See? You have nothing else to offer me as of now. I'm still here, you're still here, if Tsukuyomi wake up with a better personality, we're golden."
"…I am still unsure…"
"Yuuhi freed you of your duty as a shadow for the empire, and I just freed you of any shackles I tied. Follow your own will, Meiya. You cannot be anyone else other than yourself." This time around, the eyes that gazed upon me had a sense of hope and wish attached to them.
"Takeru…"
"Mitsurugi Meiya, you are a member of the UN Army, the twin sister of our Grand Shogun and my irreplaceable partner in life. Your mistake during our fight will be your last, you live entirely for yourself now. Do not allow others to impel their views upon you, burn your life brilliantly until you breathe your last; with your everlasting friends by your side, that final second will not arrive anytime soon."
With tears of joy slowing leaking, Meiya threw herself into me. While being stable enough for us to remain on the chair was easy, I picked to 'accidentally' allow myself to be pushed down.
"Aggressive, aren't you?"
"I-i-idiot! This was not my intention!"
"Then let's hear what you really want to say." Then she spoke, without helping either of us back up. Meiya started talking when we were still on the floor, just like that.
"T-T-Takeru! M-my entire life has being nothing but a shade of my sister… s-so-so please stay with me…a-and teach me how to life for myself…!" Since I had no problem with Meiya anyway, what excuse she used didn't bother me one bit.
"Sure, if that's what you want. I'll be with you, anywhere and anytime." Hearing my acceptance painted Meiya's cheeks in red.
"Ahaaa… Takeru…!" Closing the gap between our mouths quickly, Meiya's warm, moist lips were virtually touching mine, virtually.
"Ahem! Meiya-sama, I am very glad to see you in good health." As a sudden rush of wind swiped to my side, Tsukuyomi stepped out from the recently opened doors with the most deadpan appearance I've seen yet.
"Ahhh… no, wait! T-t-this is merely…! I-I… it was only…!" Without as much as a twitching vein, Tsukuyomi very patiently waited for Meiya's answer.
"I'm interested too, Meiya. What were you gonna do?" Add that fuel to the flame, go me go.
"N-no! Do not misunderstand! I-I-I was o-only trying to…! …Excuse me!" Temporary reaching the speed of light, Meiya dashed away right from our sights.
"Huh. That was fun. How're you now, Tsukuyomi?" After the natural period of awkward silence for when a girl runs away before delivering a kiss, I tried an icebreaker with an injured Tsukuyomi.
"I am well enough. Let us never speak of this again."
"Yeah, yeah. That'll work." And so both of us forgot this event forever and ever.
Kagami Sumika
Ayamine's room
"So you're really okay with this, Kei-san?"
"Yeah, if it makes Takeru happy."
"Then let's work together! Takeru-chan would really appreciate that!"
"If you say so."
Hallway
It was infrequent for Sumika to be by her own lonesome when traversing the base, she would normally be accompanied by Kasumi or Takeru for most of the time, or with her other friends who she would bump into.
Having nothing else she wished to do for that day, Sumika ran around the base looking for Takeru. Finally given up on searching for him normally, she quickly scanned the base with her esper ability which revealed Takeru's location to be around the Medical Bay. However, he wasn't on his own; Sumika also detected the presence of Meiya along with Tsukuyomi-san that was right next to him. So because Sumika was Sumika, she increased her steps to reach the destination faster to see what commotion was taking place.
Shirogane Takeru
Medical Bay
Tsukuyomi sent me off with a refined nod before returning back to her room, flashing me a nice, juicy view of her ass thanks to the hospital gown. I instinctively wetted my lips when deliberating a way to tap that rear later in life.
"Ah! Takeru-chan! You're thinking about lewd stuff again, aren't you!?" A much loved, and yet annoying voice echoed loudly in the corridor.
"Absolutely, did you not see that butt? Perfection in flesh." I jokingly blew a kiss toward the closed door and helped myself off the floor.
"Moooou! Stop looking at other girls!"
"Even though we agreed I can do that?"
"Then stop thinking about dirty stuff with other girls!"
"We agreed I can do that too."
"…Tsk, can't win." She never could.
"Come here, I'll be nice to you too." I adjusted Sumika's irritated look under a second by giving her a warm kiss on her moist lips.
"Mnnnua… guess I'll forgive you, Takeru-chan."
"Good, cause the next one's gonna cost you."
"That's okay, Takeru-chan is cheap anyway."
"You… that was a good one, I'll admit." We both chuckled a bit at our back-and-forth insults.
"How is Tsukuyomi-san?"
"She should be fine, I knew she was just great when she interrupted me and Meiya." What a damn shame too.
"Oh yeah, I saw that. Meiya-san is getting really brave these days."
"Sure is, she— wait, you saw? The whole thing?" Sumika turned to give me two innocent nods.
"You are really nice to Meiya-san, you know? Like how you told her that she is free from you and stuff." We had this weird moment when Sumika changed her attitude and yet was still smiling cheerfully at the same time.
"Do you… want the same thing?" I never bothered to consider Sumika's feelings in depth; maybe that was another huge mistake on my part.
"Not really, I mean; Meiya-san and I are different people, right?"
"So you don't want to be free?" Sumika must have thought about this question long before I asked it, since she answered me back without the slightest hesitation.
"I want to be by your side, Takeru-chan. I will never betray you and never disobey you, I'll always follow your command and do whatever you want!" Sumika took a few steps in front of me and swung around, placing both of her small hands on my cheeks.
"Sumika… you are willing to go that far…? For me?"
"Of course! Takeru-chan is the only one I have! You're the only one that matters in my life! Without Takeru-chan, I wouldn't even be here right now… so I will be forever yours. Anything, I'll do anything for your sake!"
"Sumika… thank you… really, for everything." From the first day forward, Sumika was always with me; she never left, she never had any second thoughts. That strong will never once wavered through our endless journey in time.
"There's no need, Takeru-chan. You are more than I ever want." With that, another tender kiss was formed between two special lovers.
Sumika was always the same, a happy girl, a cheerful girl. She was a girl that never gave up, a girl that never left my side. From time to time, I seriously wonder for what reason have I earned the loyalty of such pure feelings, surely there was something else that deserves her allegiance more than a guy who couldn't even stay with the same girl. And not only Sumika, all other girls had dedicated their fruitful lives to a man like me. It just wasn't logical for there to be nobody that was better than me.
Fortunately, no such thing existed on this earth. I was an exotic being, no others mimicked my persona and no man copied my character. I have since came to term with that fate, if I owned the key to unlock such happiness, then what a fool would I be if I didn't use that tool for myself.
December 08, 2001
PX
My timing definitely could use some improvement.
"God… why…" The current time was three in the afternoon. I was alone in the PX, not even Kyozuka-oba-chan was present in the kitchen at this time. And obviously, without a chef there was no food to speak of.
"Ahha… I'm dying." I overslept by nine hours today since my team was off duty for the time being. And so now, my stomach was aching in pain due to the lack of nutrition provided.
My face laid down on the table, its hard exterior didn't help in relieving the stress of my abdomen. Nor did those complaints assist me in forgetting about my hunger.
"What are you doing, Shirogane? It is unsightly for an UN Eishi to be openly upset in public." The person that called me out was Tsukuyomi. Bringing my sight up and returning her glance, I noticed that her head was still covered in multiple layers of bandages. My first thought was to bring up Meiya's little incident yesterday, but being the better man that I was, the topic didn't resurface.
"Shouldn't you be back in the hospital, Tsukuyomi? Walking around with that head injury might cause further damage… to your personality." Still, some shots must be fired for the two of us to commune.
"You—!" Her menacing glare was deflected by the dead-fish gaze I shot back.
"Well, have a seat while you think of a comeback." After some intense seconds of trying to stare into my soul, Tsukuyomi surrendered to my blank-look and took the bench across from me.
"You did not answer my earlier question, what are you doing here?"
"You know, just starving and stuff." Tsukuyomi got a little confused before she understood my meaning.
"Then I take it that you have plenty of free time?" That was a little heartless, she could at least offered me some food or, I don't know, a personal service of sorts.
"Sure, nothing really going on here." Some more timed passed before Tsukuyomi abruptly stood up from her seat. She had this mixed look of gratitude and displeasure.
"1st Lt. Shirogane… thank you very much… for protecting Meiya-sama." To my personal amusement and a bit of surprise, the Honour Guard bowed her head in my direction, clearly displaying her appreciation to me for saving Meiya.
"Our objective lined up, that's all. I did not protect Meiya for you, Tsukuyomi. Although I will gladly accept your recognition."
"Is that so, then I shall take my leave here." Tsukuyomi unquestionably was about to ditch me after a mere thank you.
"Wait-wait. Are you just going to get up and go? At minimum give me something."
"What do you want?"
"Make me some food." I just spurt out the first thing on my mind.
"…Does it appear to you that I work as your personal maid?" Now that was a good joke, but I withheld my laughter for a chance at an actual meal.
"Well, I mean you were K.O.-ed when Meiya was about to be sliced like a salmon. But I saved her from all those bad America people, does that count for something?"
"Such insolence… very well, come with me." With that, Tsukuyomi walked out the door without as much as a peek back at me. I followed after her, looking forward to whatever dish she'll put together.
Yokohama Base, Imperial Royal Guard PX
"Man, this place is small."
"There is no need for a huge diner when it will only serve four." Couldn't argue with sound logic, or with someone who is about to save my stomach, for that matter.
The Honour Guard cafeteria was small, but still had this very elegant feel to it. Instead of having rolls of branches like us common peasants, they enjoyed comfy chairs with a proper backrest and elaborate round tables that had a rotatable plate in the center. I remembered as a child, I loved spinning those things every my family went out to eat at a fancy restaurant. Messing with others as they were about to pick their food was always great fun, until I get kicked out for being a kid.
"Sit here, Shirogane. I will prepare your meal."
"Personally?"
"Is that not what you requested?" The last time I got to enjoy Tsukuyomi's cooking was decades ago, my mouth watered uncontrollably just thinking of such a feast.
"It is, please get going." Shooting me an irritated look on her way out, Tsukuyomi disappeared behind some counters.
—
"Here, enjoy your meal."
"Ohh… curry, haven't seen this in years." It was a plate of Japanese curry Tsukuyomi made for me. Just like the curry back in my world,; it was brown with rice, some carrots, potatoes and most importantly, the rice.
"Did you made this using synthetic material?"
"Yes, but I had modified them for better savouriness." Tsukuyomi sat down and studied me sluggishly while I dug into the food.
Such nostalgic favour, its texture was the best of what the current world could provide. With a taste that wasn't too sweet or too spicy, I relished the food faithfully made by Tsukuyomi. Well, it had as much dedication as Tsukuyomi was willing to spend on me, anyway.
"So, Tsukuyomi. How're you doing?"
"I have no reason to hold a conversation with you." Rejected so bad, but I wasn't about to give up.
"Come on, now. We have the same goals, right? Let's try and be friends."
"I also see no motive for me to befriend you. However, for this once I will entertain you." She smirked wryly like how I often do.
"Then some questions, if you don't mind."
"That all depends on what knowledge you seek to know."
"I'll just ask away. What's Meiya's position now?" My guess most likely would have been correct, but hearing it first-hand from a Royal Guard should set my theory in stone.
"…You understand you are asking me to divulge information regarding the current Shogunate and the structure of this Empire?" If Tsukuyomi kept using such vague words, someone's head will be smashed with a plate soon. And I knew my head wasn't on a list anywhere.
"Was I? Arra, just tell me anyway."
"The likes of you… very well, for this once I shall trust you, Shirogane Takeru; for Meiya-sama held even greater convection in you." The affection points I put into Meiya rewarded me out of the blue. Tsukuyomi briefly surveyed around the diner before leaning in close.
"With the current state of the government. Her Highness has yet to reach a conclusion regarding her decision to reform the government. However, the Emperor has given Her Highness his permission to dissolve the cabinet and her request to form a new party." Good news so far.
"As of now, the collapse of the American intelligence agency has caused their loss of power over the provisional government. Taking this chance before the election, Her Highness has temporary seized all authority over the Central Department, the top administrative agency of the Diet and all matters of state." I did like how Yuuhi started what should be called an 'absolute monarchy' the second she got in power.
"So Her Highness took all matters of national affairs? Just like that?"
"Yes. The details of Her Highness' method are unfamiliar to me as well." The old Yuuhi probably would never perform such an act, her belief in the good of people was just too strong. But now, Yuuhi should understand just how important power really is. She will not let me down as the Shogun, I still need her to perfect her role.
"So is Yuuh— Her Highness acting as the monarch over the newly founded sovereign state as of now?"
"That is correct." I chuckled quietly at the thought of Yuuhi evolving the country into a dictatorship.
"How about Meiya then, you still on her protective duty?" Tsukuyomi debated within herself as to whether she should reveal more detail to the situation.
"Yes. As of this moment, Meiya-sama's relation with Her Highness is still concealed from the public. And therefore I am still ordered to guard Meiya-sama at all times."
"That's good to hear." I scooped up some more rice and listened to Tsukuyomi's next line.
"However, the Americans have yet to salvage their crafts back to their homeland, which means Meiya-sama's identity could still be in danger." Now for the bad part of the update.
"Can we not stop their recovery?"
"No, while the CIA took full responsibility for their plot, the American government have yet to compensate for our losses. They still wish to reclaim the cost of their operation or at least retrieve any intelligence they may have gotten."
"That's… not so good. If they get their TSFs back, they could easily discover Meiya's identity." Scrapping up the last bits of food off my plate, I returned Tsukuyomi's serious look with my own.
"So while our position as of now is a beneficial one, another risk to our sovereignty could be on the horizon."
"America really wants us, huh? " As the Far-East Defence line, the dices in our hands had more value than any other country.
"Conflicts are unavoidable. There could be a time when Meiya-sama is no longer desirable for our state. And when that time comes, my position most likely will be altered."
"Is that inevitable?" In my heart, I already knew Meiya's worth had ran out for this nation, then again, I cared not for such business.
"Indeed, so it is only natural for me to ask this of you as her squad leader. 1st Lt. Shirogane Takeru, do not let down the trust both I and Her Highness have placed in you."
"Of course, 1st Lt. Tsukuyomi. I will protect all members of my team without fail, for this goal is what my mind is set on from the very beginning."
Kouzuki Yuuko's office
"Here, Shirogane. Congratulations to your victory."
"To our victory, Yuuko-sensei." Sensei passed me a wine cup which I gladly accepted. For some reason, it was still sake that we drank together no matter victory or defeat.
"Huhuhu… But still, the president must be in so such a mess right now."
"You think if he got all the letters of resignations in a pool, right? Someone definitely can swim in that." We were drowning in expensive alcohol to celebrate our triumph over Alternative V.
"If you add in all their tears, I'm sure they'll manage." I laughed out loud at Yuuhi-sensei's excellent joke.
We won. Alternative V was completely cancelled after the CIA was busted for their involvement in the 12/5 incident by Yuuhi.
She announced the entire incident after arriving at Tokyo yesterday. At first, many found her tale to be ridiculous and only as an attack on America, but evidence was still evidence. The plot she unveiled was a giant scheme that linked all the way up to the vice-president of the United States.
Most of the Alternative V conspirators had initially scheduled for this coup to knock down both the Shogun and the Imperial Diet so their influence within Sendai can find a way to sabotage Yokohama and Alternative IV. That plan backfired magnificently when I convinced Yuuhi to take over the Diet directly. The Shogun, together with Prime Minister Sakaki found most of their agents inside the provisional government and along with the plans form the coup, exposed everything on the international field.
Thanks to that, their leverage over the government disappeared overnight. With Sendai pretty much emptied of all American control. Yuuhi and Class rep's old man quickly established a much clearer Imperial Diet and Sendai. Eventually, anyway.
"Here, Shirogane. Another cup."
"And to you as well, sensei." We proposed our toast and cheered for a future without Operation Babylon.
"Now that Alternative V is gone, all of the UN's funding for the project comes my way. Tell me anything you want, Shirogane. I'm pretty sure I can buy anything money can buy."
"I will ring you up when the time comes, sensei."
The CIA was running around like a headless chicken, trying to point their fingers at another department when they were the only existing target. The shitstorm blew all over America, from whoever directed the CIA full blasted to the Vice-president. So that means many Americans have lots of chances at new employment options over the next couple of weeks.
"Oh, yeah. Didn't you bring back an F-22A or something? The head mechanic was trying to contact me earlier about that."
"Yeah, but not exactly. A customized YF-23 Black Widow II. That machine is first-class. Its jump unit, the weapon attachments, manoeuvrability and even the camouflage is state-of-the-art thanks to Uncle Sam's infinite back pocket."
"You really like that unit, huh?"
"Sensei, please. I sexually identify as Third generation frames. And what's better is that they can't even ask us for their toy back. Because, technically it wasn't even there." We laughed some more and drained another toast.
The American Army, on the other hand, actually was branded as heroes who helped the Shogun together with us the UN, the Imperials and the Honour Guards. Credit goes to Yuuhi's very accurate speech she presented that left no room for misinterpretation. The CIA equals bad, the American Army equals good. Many people still despised the rebels for obvious reasons, but Yuuhi also made it distinct that they were tricked and the first shot wasn't fired by the insurgents.
"Since we're on this topic and since you said we have the funding now. I need the blueprints for an Yf-23 Black Widow II and all of its weapon systems."
"That is one of the most ridiculous demands I have ever heard, Shirogane. You are asking the Americans to handover their national treasure, you know?" That didn't change the fact that I still required the sketch for the TSFs and weapons. Without those, my new toy wouldn't last longer than a rundown pickup truck.
"Well, technically I'm not asking America. I'm asking Northrock or McDaell Doglam to pass over whatever plans they could salvage when the YF-23 got cancelled back in 1990. From what I heard, one of the head developers for YF-23 transferred from Northrock to Boening; but if Doglam also got the data I'll need, then whichever one of the companies is fine."
"You're seriously thinking about using that frame, then? I don't know how people will take to the fact that an UN Eishi will be piloting an America 3rd generation fighter. Not to mention that it's a completely unknown unit." The opinions of others were microscopic on my list of concerns.
"I don't care about what the higher ups think. We're in a pretty invincible spot right now thanks to Alternative V's crash and burn. I want that unit to be functional because it's better than Type-94s. And I want the best toys available to me."
"Why do you want their blueprint anyway? Can our guys just reverse engineer what you brought along?" That was my first idea, but it was sadly unrealistic.
"Nope, that'll take too long. I am many things, but patience is not one of them."
"…I don't know, that machine is customized, right? I don't know if the weapon system and armoury are compatible with the main frame." That concern failed to pass my mind.
"Ah, shit. I forgot about that, can you get the mechanic dudes to check it out for me? The weapon system should work but the attachments might not."
"Sure, I'll take a look at its specs and cross-reference it with our database on Third-gen TSFs."
"Do we have data on all TSFs? I mean, mine is a classified unit." To answer my question, Yuuko-sensei first had to smug up her expression and look down on me.
"Please, there is nothing I can't get with a little money and influence. And I have a lot of both as of now."
"If you say so, sensei. I'll leave this matter with you."
"What now, Shirogane? What do you have on your calendar?"
"Not much, really. The next time we see any action won't be for a while. A good time to relax and enjoy the ride." I flipped through my memories to spot any details that I left out. None could be found at this time.
—
Time passed swiftly without our realization, the empty bottles were the only proof that we spent many hours enjoying each other's company.
"Alright, sensei. It's been fun, but I gotta get back to my room." I placed my cup carefully and tried to bail out before the beverage gets the better of me.
"Shiroganeee! What's your hurry? We still have a long night ahead of us!" Yuuko-sensei was obviously drunk. For someone who kept such high quality liquor in her room, she was unexpectedly intolerable to alcohol. Or maybe my tolerance was just too high for anyone else to compete.
"Yuuko-sensei, I really need to go or Sumika and Kasumi will pick on my ass tomorrow."
"It's fineeeeee, Shiroganeee. I'll make sure they don't bother yoooou, professor's orders!" Yuuko-sensei then very suggestively pulled down her collar.
"…Yuuko, you saying what I think you're saying? I still need to get up early next day." Her hidden meaning wasn't very difficult to distinguish.
"Come on, Shirogane… Your beautiful sensei awaits you. I'll make sure to wake you tomorrow, personally. Huuiiii…" Normally, as a logical man. I would have clearly escaped before any flags could show result. Let's just say that the sake was a bit stronger than I thought it would be.
"Hummm… Alright. But you sure you'll still be able to move tomorrow?" I went over and locked the door before the night started.
Author's note
I really thought I would have to delay this chapter this time if it wasn't for my editor guy, so shout out right away to chad001. Thanks for always reading a crappy vision of my story so others don't have to do the same.
I realized that I never really explained the YF-23 thingy, this is kinda unprofessional for me to talk about a plot point in the AN, but it's not like I am getting paid for writing this anyway. (No, still don't own Muv-Luv. I wish.)
For the uninformed, there was an American program in mid-1980's to upgrade from the F-15 Eagle series to a new third generation fighter called the ATSF program. So in 1990, the final competition was between the YF-22, the Raptor and the YF-23, the Black Widow II. After 4 years of testing, both machines had similar stealth and target finding capability which meant the battle was down to CQC. The YF-23 won more matches because it had a sword and could move faster, it also killed more BETA in simulations.
Nevertheless, America being America picked the Raptor over the Black Widow for its high fuel efficiency, cheaper building cost and longer operation time. This choice was also probably swayed by America's habit of G-bombing the shit out of everything, so there you go.
So the YF-23 got scrapped and the American Army ran with the F-22A Raptor instead. Now it's for you to decide which machine is better, but in the hands of BASED Nippon, fast movement and a sword win against halls of bullets any day. Now the lecture is over, you can find much more information on the Muv-Luv Wikia page but I know all of you are lazy so that's why I went over it.
All jokes aside, thank you again for reading another chapter of my fic. I'm really happy for all the support I have gotten over only about three month since I first posted this. We're at 4700 views right now and it gets a healthy increase every day, you guys are quite awesome for always reading this crazy rambling of mine.
Thank you very much, everyone.
BETA done by… wait, I talked about you already, get out of here.