Shirogane Takeru
December 15, 2001
Simulation Chamber
"Just a recap before we start here. First, your wingman, or maybe wingwoman would work better…? But I have to count myself as well…"
"Can you please just get a move on?" Carryover salt pricked me in the form of Class rep's criticism.
Our group came together after breakfast for today's simulation training. Class rep was still totally upset and not willing to listen to any explanations, not like I planned to tell her anything but this attitude was quite amusing.
"What's your hurry? Anyway, your wingman is your most important buddy on the field. Your safety is number one priority and your wingman is number two, don't be slacking off just because you're safe, be sure to check up on your partner at all times."
"That doesn't mean you shouldn't worry about the others on the team though. Keep an eye out for the rest, but just know that keeping your Element active is the most important objective outside the actual mission, got that?"
"Yes, sir." Nice and easy lessons, just how I liked them.
"For today's training, we'll be practicing against Laser-class mixed in with frequent BETA strains. Take a look at your screen." The details of our drill were given out from my pod.
"As for anti-Laser strategies, does anyone still remember them?" I decided to involve the team in plan-making as well.
"The Laser-class have a delay between the acquisition of their target and the actual firing. During that time they cannot move in any direction, so I believe it will be most effective to eliminate any stationary Laser-class." I mentally rewarded Meiya with a sticker.
"Good, good. What else do you all remember?"
"The Laser-class never shoot their friendlies, right? So we can use the other BETA around us as cover and shoot them back." The next one to reminisce her training was Mikoto, she also understood the core concept of combat against the Laser-class.
"That's pretty much it, well done, everyone. The exercise should teach you the rest."
—
The simulation was set in a jungle environment with a Regiment of BETA forces, the selection of hostiles was from a regular composition of BETA during a large-scale attack. Placing eight Eishis against a thousand to two thousands of those bugs was a huge disadvantage; for the BETA, that is.
—
"And… clean house! Hahaha… that was marvellous, girls. " It wasn't an understatement to say we destroyed the virtual enemies so bad that their virtual mothers wouldn't recognize them, if that was how things worked.
The monitor in front of us slowly faded to black before I instructed for everyone to disembark their pods. We gathered on the catwalk outside afterwards to discuss the recent successful simulation.
"Such a magnificent score, huhu. Our capability as a team is truly impressive indeed." A rare case of boasting came from Meiya.
"That was amazing, everyone! We cleared the simulation in record time!"
"Everybody, good job." Sumika and Kasumi congratulated the team.
"I'm so glad yesterday's training wasn't wasted…!"
"Two days ago… it was two days ago." Ayamine reminded Mikoto of the actual dates.
"Ahha… it was sooo tiring! But totally worth it too! I was almost twice as good compared to our first simulation yesterday!"
"Ahehe… we did really well, Yoroi-san!"
"Right, right, Miki-san!" The two flat chests were also enjoying their moment of victory.
"What're we doing next, squad leader? It's still a bit while until lunch, only ten and three quarters right now." Class rep inquired for our next step.
"Let's dismiss for the time being, I have other things to attend or take care of. We'll start again at 1:30 in the afternoon." Seeing no reason to hang out in the empty room, I called for an early discharge.
"What're you going to do, Takeru-chan?"
"Nothing you need to know. Although you did just remind me— Kasumi, come get my paperwork later." I had no clue how Sumika's question triggered my memories, but since I remembered, it was all dandy.
"Okay."
"Ehhh?! You're making Kasumi-chan do your homework?" Calling that homework was shockingly fitting.
"It's okay, Sumika-san. I like helping Takeru-san." It's not child labour if they like it… wait, that came out wrong…
"Really? Okay then. Are we dismissed then? Can we go now?" It was a little strange for Sumika to be this eager at leaving, but I paid it no mind since her behaviour was always the same.
"Yep, just don't forget to come back later, Archangel Squadron dismissed."
PX
Weird, normally by now the girls would have collected here to eat lunch. In their stead, I was greeted by the members of the Valkyries.
"What's up with those candies and flowers? You gonna visit the hospital?" Haruko, Kazama, Munakata, both Suzumiyas and Hayase sat around the table picking flowers and organizing boxes of chocolates.
"Yes we are, Capt. Shirogane. This is for 2nd Lt. Takahara and Asakura, they'll be released from the hospitals soon." The elder Suzumiya kindly informed me. On the other hand, I didn't expect my guess to be right on the money.
"Those two are coming back, huh? That's good news, your 9th Squadron will be back on par."
"That's right, Shirogane! Then we'll officially challenge your team to a battle!" The leer was shot my way by none other than Hayase, I replied in kind with mockery.
"Then you can officially get your asses kicked."
"Huh!? What did you just say!?" Same old, same old.
"Don't mind her, Capt. Shirogane. Hayase only says things like that because nobody else can relieve her sexual frustration excluding you." An instant change of mood in the PX could be observed.
"MU-NA-KA-TA! I dare you to say that again!"
"Ahehehe, Hayase, please. You have to find a better hobby other than trying to play around with me. Why don't you trying playing with yourself? What do the girls call it? Like, flicking the bean or something?"
"Prrffff! Oh, Hayase, get rekted!" Munakata rolled on the ground from laughter right then and there. No, no, she literally fell down from her seat and was on the floor cracking up.
"AHHHAA! I'm gonna kill your dumbass, SHIROGANE! You mark my words, boy!" Hayase jumped out of her chair and almost charged me head on, her face shaded in a bright red.
"Making such a threat while blushing crimson doesn't help your cause. But again, everyone has their own method of releasing pent up stress. Don't worry, Hayase, your way is quite common; although more in men than women, but I'm sure you can count as a bit of both."
"Aheheee… HAhaha! Oh… my god!" Despite her best attempt, Haruko just died, completely died right there.
"Auraa! You're so, SO LUCKY that you're just a little bit higher in rank than I am!"
"Hahaha! Shirogane! Where do I tip you for that?" With childlike enthusiasm, Munakata hopped off the floor and patted my shoulders with extreme delight.
"Right here, yo!" I reached out my open palm which she clapped with utmost excitement. That brought a few more laughs from the Suzumiyas and Kazama, while Haruko didn't even bother to stop her chuckling.
"That was good fun, you okay, Hayase? Know that I have no ill-will against you." Giggling in joy, I patted Hayase's head to her further upset.
"Ummuu… damn you… Shiiroogaanneee…! Remember this!" Accepting her total defeat with a heavy dose of spice, Hayase wisely decided continuing the verbal fight would be disadvantageous. So she sat back down in shame and proceeded to work on the flowers.
"Hihihi… anyway. When exactly are those two getting discharged?"
"In about three or four days, I believe." Kazama answered me with her usual peace.
"That's great, it'll make our teams even… didn't I say that already?" She quietly giggled without stopping her hands.
"Capt. Shirogane, what're you doing then? If you don't mind me asking."
"Looking for my team, you girls seem them around?"
"Oh, yeah. I saw 1st Lt… emmm… was it Kanami…?" Akane tried guiding me only to fail as she forgot Sumika's name.
"It's Kagami. Have you seen her?"
"Right, Kagami— I mean 1st Lt. Kagami took her lunch along with Chiz— 2nd Lt. Sakaki, Tamase, Yoroi, Ayamine and 1st Lt. Kasumi somewhere else." That list was missing a name.
"Wait, what about Meiya then?"
"Emmm… 2nd Lt. Mitsurugi…" It appeared that Akane had no memory of seeing her.
"2nd Lt. Mitsurugi wasn't with them." And my guess was confirmed by Haruko.
"That so, no matter. Guess I'm free for the day, you girls want some help with the flowers or the candies?" My assistance was warmly welcomed by most of the girls present.
"Having you tending to these will probably just break these poor gifts though." A pitiful shot at me by Hayase.
"At least I won't accidently shove them up where the sun doesn't shine. Looking at you, these are about the right size. You should watch out with stuff like that, they don't come out easy." A flustered Hayase and entertained Munakata later, we finished the packaging together with the power of friendship like a good team should.
Hallways
'If those girls really are putting effort into whatever they plot, then I have no reason to interfere.' To be honest, it wasn't hard to predict what my team was up to considering the date. But if they wanted privacy, they'll get privacy.
I found myself often wandering the halls when my hands were free from any labour. Kasumi got me covered on my paperwork, and as a Captain there wasn't any reason for me to worry.
"Huh? Ah, Capt. Shirogane, good day."
It was Takamura who I ran into, nothing about her had changed since I last saw her; she wore the same Honour Guard uniform as Tsukuyomi, just in yellow instead of red. I honestly don't know why they use colour to represent the ranks, just Japanese stuff, I guess.
"Sup, Takamura… Lieutenant, good afternoon to you as well." Calling her by the name alone was so much easier compared to adding a status, probably just my laziness speaking, though.
"You are not one to take greetings respectfully, are you?"
"Depending on the situation, it's too much of a pain to speak nicely with everyone. Nobody really cares about this stuff, anyway." Takamura gave me a wordless sigh like so many others before letting out a soft snicker.
"Talking with you sure is very tiring, Capt. Shirogane."
"That was just mean. You want some respect? Sure." I swiftly changed my grimace to a much more mature one.
"On a more serious note, I would like to thank you for your aid during the last training." With sincerity this time around, I saluted Takamura as the leader of my team. She returned my show of esteem with a firm hand signal as well.
"I am glad to be of assistance, however it is the performance of yourself and your squad members who deserve such praise. I merely helped with assignment of orders and combat statists."
"For two days straight, First Lieutenant. That's not a feat to swipe under the rug by any means." It wasn't like I actually disliked Takamura, so flattering her undeniable achievement wasn't hard.
"It's nothing, as a person of military myself; it's not unusual for operation commands to last that long. Your team were the ones who endured through nearly thirty hours of combat simulation."
"Hehe, a polite one, aren't you? Nevertheless, you did help us out, Takamura. Maybe I'll give you a reward." My smug smile unsettled Takamura as to the true meaning behind my words.
"…Reward? What do you have in mind?"
"Come on now, walk with me, First Lieutenant."
Hanger
"…So my guess is right, after all." For the first time since her arrival, Takamura's sight was finally graced by the magnificence that was my YF-23 Arondight. The two of us stood on the bridge outside my TSF's cockpit, the closest a person can be without actually entering the frame.
"Quite a magnificent machine, won't you agree?"
"Indeed, for the Type-94 Second to travel this world and end up here is most… unexpected." I detected a hint of nostalgia in those violet eyes.
To Takamura, the TSF was still the Shiranui Second even after many modifications by the Americans. She must had her share of fond memories together with this unit, no doubt together with her test pilot.
"Why don't we discuss how this machine ended up in my hands, huh? Bet you're interested in that." She only watched me silently without a word.
"During the 12/5 incident, I happened to pick this up when fighting some CIA dudes. After investigating a bunch of stuff and whatnot, we learned about the XFJ Program, and how this used to be the Shiranui Second Phase 3 01b." Her expression was that of a concealed disbelief.
"The reason this thing got revised so much was for it to beat the Phase 3 01a. I'm sure you know what happened to that unit." Takamura continued to keep her mouth sealed.
"Then about a week ago the DIA called us, offering a contract of sorts. They want the twins and 01a in exchange for the YF-23's license and import restrictions. Not a bad deal coming from the US of A, so we agreed easily." This time she was clearly frustrated by my revelation.
"…Are you telling me what I think you're telling me, Captain?" Takamura's glare was starting to fill up with loathing.
"Cryska Barchenowa, Inia Sestina, and Yuuya Bridges. Shiranui Second Phase 3 and Su-47E Berkut. Pretty sure you know those names better than I do." The pressure she applied on her lip was rapidly turning it purple without her realization.
"Does the UN… really want to work as US hounds?"
"That is a clear and absolute no, Takamura. Let me finish." Caught off guard, The XFJ leader was once again wordless.
"The UN, namely Alternative IV is captivated by the Phase 3 and the Scarlet Twins. We wish to further understand their working and how to best incorporate them as part of humanity."
"So just like what the DIA wants." My use of general and empty words was not effective on her as predicted.
"That is up for you to decide, however I'll show you this much—" I handed her a PDA as I cut off my sentence.
"Take a look at this." Takamura ambiguously took the tablet I offered her and studied it thoroughly.
It was after she carefully read every line on screen when she stared back at me in shock.
"This team…! Why gather such exclusive group of soldiers?!" It was my Squadron's tally that I presented Takamura.
"Highly intriguing, right? From the Prime Minister's daughter to Alternative III espers, we got them all. Also the heir of Mitsurugi family, our empire's nightfall, so to speak." It became impossible for Takamura to hide her total astonishment, she tried and failed multiple times to speak without success.
"How… how?!"
"Let's say we have a certain way of recruiting people, Takamura. Nevermind that, you're looking at the Eishis who will be sent after the trio of escapees." The topic was returned to where it started.
"What is it… that you seek, Capt. Shirogane?" From the way Takamura stated her question, it appeared that I have pushed her to the edge.
"Alright, that's enough mind games with you. Normally I would have just cracked your pretty head mentally and gotten what I want. However, this one time I'll try a different technique with you." Takamura slowly closed her eyes as she realized how I completely outplayed her without actually playing anything.
"I had a talk with Meiya earlier and that changed my plan, you should thank her for your sanity."
"Mitsurugi-sama…?" So that was how Takamura addressed her, huh. I learned something that day.
"Doesn't matter, I'm gonna tell you exactly what I want from you, okay?" After minutes of hesitation, Takamura lightly nodded.
"I want you to tell me where Bridges and the twins are going, that's all."
"What do you plan on once you have such intel?" It was a natural question to ask.
"Like I said before, we want to help them, honestly. You see how I got an esper on my team as well, there's no way I'll ever harm someone close to Kasumi." My earnest truth seemed to have an effect on Takamura, she rested her chin in her palm and went deep in thought.
"Then what will you interchange with me for that information?" A while after, Takamura demanded her payment.
"How about the revival of your Program, then? Alternative IV will take over the XFJ; so you people can keeping making TSF while we write you blank-checks."
There was even more dead-silence following that. Takamura was obviously abstracted within her thoughts, considering and weighing both options and their payoff.
It was an exchange between herself as a solider of the Royal Guards and herself as a person. She will sacrifice one or the other, that alone wasn't a choice.
"Please… give me some time to carefully evaluate your offer." When she couldn't deliver a single answer, Takamura instead bowed to me and asked for more time.
"Very well, you have until your departure. Examine wisely, Takamura. For only one road leads to your future." Dropping my final words in a condescending fashion, I headed out of the hanger with Takamura far behind.
Simulation Chamber
"Welcome back, girls. Ready for the afternoon lesson?"
"Yes, sir." If they said that with any less integrity, I would be getting called out for not disciplining my team. Meiya was the first to reach the hanger, everyone else came about a minute later.
"Before we start today, what were you girls doing for lunch?" The only one whose reaction diverged from the rest was Meiya, since she wasn't invited to whatever the crew planned behind my back.
"Eating at a new place." How Kasumi squeeze that lie out through her teeth, I didn't know; then again, she only has only expression… so.
"Ahha… r-right! That's what we were doing!"
"True, true… don't doubt." Two comments from Ayamine and Tama were the only cracks at backing up Kasumi.
If Meiya was somehow upset, she sure as hell didn't let it show. I soon lost interest in their side act and directed the topic back on track.
"For today's training, we'll do something a little different. As Eishis, we must be prepared for all situations at all times. So to amplify that ability to react suitably under any circumstances, we'll be having a simulation with both anti-BETA and anti-TSF factors taken into consideration."
"So are we like, fighting both sides at the same time?" Asked Mikoto after she raised her hand like a cute schoolgirl.
"Yep, good times, right?"
"Huhuhu, this could be very interesting, admittedly." Meiya also inserted her share of thought.
"Any questions then?" All I got was confident eyes gawking back at me.
"Good, Archangels, embark your units."
"Yes, sir."
—
"And here're the teams, red team is Vanguard and Rear Interceptor; me, Meiya, Ayamine and Class rep. Blue team is sweepers and Clear Guards; Sumika, Kasumi, Tama and Mikoto. Colour based teams are the easiest to identify so that's that. Questions, anyone?"
After loading into our JIVES and selecting our gears, the team now waited for the end of my elucidation.
"Emm… you didn't say we'll be fighting each other." The little bit of agitation didn't sit too well with me from Class rep.
"From previous training, I have determined the team's capability is far from the norm, therefore fighting against simulated enemies won't improve your skills that much. As you all should know, our world is based on survival of the fittest. So if you don't step up your game here, you'll just lag behind in battle." The girls took some time off from complaining and seriously reflected my statements.
"Takeru is right, this is nothing but a simulation. To improve our aptness for combat here without the risk of actual injuries should be viewed as a great privilege."
"Me too! I agree with Meiya-san!"
"Same."
"I agree as well."
"Looks like everyone else likes it! Then Miki won't have a problem either!"
"If fighting each other here can improve our skills, then it's a good thing, right?"
"Alright, alright. I wasn't disagreeing in the first place."
—
"Timer, Kasumi."
"T-minus 90 seconds until activation." Running through my system check one last time before combat, I got Kasumi to read the countdown as I prepared my final speech.
The combat arena was being loaded in the background when I last checked the status of the team. They were nervous, sure. But more importantly, they were excited. Very, very excited for another mock battle within the added flavour of the BETA.
"Alright, teams. Let's get this show on the road. Your objective, is the eradication of all hostile forces; be it BETA or TSF. Your mission time is 30 minutes on the clock and the estimated BETA unit size is two Battalions from a regular large-scale attack."
"Refreshment of ammunition and weaponry will arrive via airdrop every 10 minutes so you probably should to secure those if you want a real chance at winning. There won't a CP for either team so your data source will be from your data link alone, and your teammates, of course."
"That's pretty much it, good luck and if you're on the other team, screw you." The girls chuckled a bit before we all kicked into action once the start timer hit zero.
Takamura Yui
This afternoon, Yui visited the Command Post again in hope of catching the Archangel Squadron in training. After some light talk with the other Command Post operatives she sat down and focused on the simulated mock battle of the A-01's 9th Squadron.
The comms were already filled with shouts of orders and yells for support, Yui put on a set of headphones and observed carefully the game battle happening before her.
"—Arga…! Archangel 5, spotted two hostiles to 4 O'clock; distance, two hundred! Moving to engage!"
"—Archangel 7, copy. Covering."
"—T-this is Archangel 4, just downed a target! Requesting backup!"
"—Archangel 1 copy. Don't break formation, let me get the BETA off you."
It was quite a pointless training, to be honest. Fighting against programed, predictable foes in a controlled environment was nothing but a game. Yui knew firsthand how unforeseeable the BETA really were; they strike fast and hard, destroying everything in their path and left no survivors to report their advance.
"—Archangel 6 is down! Kasumi-chan, cover our left frank!"
"—Copy, Archangel 3 will engage hostile units."
"—This is Archangel 8, ayaa, I have multiple targets in sight! Firing!"
"Archangel 3, confirmed one E.K.I.A. Requesting suppressive fire."
Nonetheless, this little game prepared by Shirogane was of some entertainment value, she must admit. Both teams fought against the aliens as well as each other, she never saw this type of training put into action before today.
If Yui was two months younger, she would have simply dismissed such an activity as nothing but a waste of time and resources. Yet, after her involuntary participation in the Yukon Base incident, she realized exactly how uncooperative some people could be.
"How's the front role seat, 1st Lt. Takamura?" A sudden voice belonging to the one and only professor on base made itself heard to Yui.
"Professor Kouzuki, good afternoon." While saluting an officer of another army wasn't mandatory, Yui really couldn't afford to be on Yokohama Vice-Commander's bad side.
"To you too, Lieutenant. How's the impression of Alternative IV? Liking it so far?" Professor Kouzuki lightly patted Takamura's shoulder to her slight annoyance and took a seat beside her.
"Your project is… powerful, ma'am. Very, powerful." It was a nice way of stating Alternative IV's dictation over the UN.
"Ahaha… why thank you, 1st Lt. Takamura. It pleases my heart when others compliment me like this." The only wise course of action for Yui was to speak no more in front of the teasing genius scientist.
"Huhuhu, it appears so that you're quite conflicted on a matter of things." Kouzuki said after Yui didn't reply to her earlier comment.
"If that is what you see in me, ma'am." Kouzuki grinned again. She leaned in much closer to Yui's ear than she would be comfortable with and whispered with a hint of kindness.
"Capt. Shirogane, right? He's causing you some distress."
"Ahh… yes, I'm quite bothered by what the Captain offered me." Yui thought about simply lying to the Professor, yet the sudden caring aura she projected made her confess to the truth.
"A man of great interest, that Shirogane. He stuck you in between a rock and a hard place, correct?"
"That is true, ma'am." Kouzuki sat back down slowly and watched her with a friendly gaze.
"Guess he doesn't give off the best impression, huh? The boy is just that type of a person. He can't afford another loss, ever again."
Staring tranquilly at the picture of Shirogane from his cockpit camera, Kouzuki was letting a mixture of anxiety and affection. And Yui wasn't sure which was her intention.
"…Professor Kouzuki?" She called out to the Vice-Commander shorty after.
"He is a good guy, 1st Lt. Takamura. He has his own ways of doing things, they might not be the most sensible, but definitely the most practical. He could be your ally, as long as you don't see him as an enemy."
"Professor, do you know the subject we discussed earlier?" Yui needed a way to solve the puzzle spoken by Kouzuki.
"No, however I can guess well enough." With a rapid movement of her arm, Kouzuki again patted her shoulder; this time applying more menace than fake friendliness.
"What do you inten—"
Yui lost her words when the Professor leaned in close once more, a hidden grin of evil pasted over her beautiful front.
"Don't worry, whether he succeeds or not; I'll still get what I want, I always get what I want."
"Profess—" Yui's resist was futile from the second she tried to speak back.
"Your time is almost up, Takamura. Take his deal, it is much better than mine." And then the Professor just left peacefully, leaving Yui alone while a fearful sensation slowly crept through the cracks in her mask.
Shirogane Takeru
"That was fun, eh?" Seven rounds and multiple player changes later, we ended the training session after five hours of continuous combat.
"I did not foresee simulated training to be this entertaining, today was truly a day well-spent." Starting with Meiya, the rest of my team all gathered outside the pods a short while later.
"That was fun! Who had the highest score out of us?"
"Takeru-san won six rounds, confirmed thirteen kills and assisted four." Of course it was Kasumi who remembered my achievements.
"Wow! That's amazing, Takeru! I only got four kills!"
"I got six… but died eight times…"
"Ahehe, that's what Takeru-san calls a negative K/D, isn't, Ayamine-san?"
"Still, even if we tune out the scores. The time for each mission was so much shorter than other training with the same settings."
My genius plan of making a game out of the training class yielded great results as the crew had the highest kill per second record than ever before.
"That was some good games, girls! We'll continue to practicing like this as long as we don't have operations to prepare for. You're all dismissed for today, let's go grab some food."
PX
"Kashiwagi! Come here for a minute."
"Huh? What do you need, Capt. Shirogane?" Haruko ran over after dropping off her tray with the rest of the Valkyries.
"You see Ayamine over there, right?" my finger directed Haruko as she also saw Ayamine sitting quietly by our table.
"Yeah, what about her?"
"Here, this is a piece of Yakisoba bread. I want you to sink it right into her mouth, think you can do that?" It was this time when Haruko shot me this weird look, mix of confusion and an added touch of discontent.
"Enm, I can probably do that. Are you sure it's fine with her?"
"Yeah, she's good. Alright, shoot it when I give you the sign." Turning back to the crowd, I called Sumika mentally for her to ready up Ayamine.
"Looks good, you think you got this?"
"Errr… okay, I'll try."
With Ayamine's open mouth as the target, Haruko aimed her bread 'ball' carefully and packed it with pin-point precision right in Ayamine from five metres out.
"Heyyy! Three-Pointer! Someone pass me an air horn!"
"Beeeeeerrrrr."
"…Thank you… for the sound effect, Kasumi…"
"You're welcome." Then she just sat back down like nothing ever happened.
"…What…? What… what did she…?" Haruka shifted her gaze between us in total bewilderment.
"No, don't even worry about this. Good shot, by the way, you played basketball before?" Derailing the previous subject at light speed, I asked Haruko for an answer I knew years before.
"Yeah, when I was young. Before being recruited into the army, I used to play basketball with my brothers." Recalling back to a nostalgic time, Haruko let out a soft moan thinking about her family.
"Those days were good times, how're your brothers now?"
"They're still at home, the older one will be conscripted in another three years… or maybe it's two…? I-I can't remember…" It didn't take a genius to noticing her melancholy, I patted her back as a small share of comfort.
"It's okay, you're still fighting to protect them, and I know that." Haruko raised her gaze and shockingly placed it on me.
"I… I'll be going back now, Capt. Shirogane."
"Have a good dinner, Haruko. See you tomorrow." I left for my group as Haruko's slight blush form being addressed by her forename was starting to take shape.
—
"What're you gonna do now, Takeru-chan?"
"Emm, not too sure. How about you, Sumika?" I fired the question back.
"Eh? Err, I-I'm gonna… go to sleep early with Kasumi-chan!"
"Yes, we're going to bed." It felt like an insult to my intelligence if I believed such a lie; still, I was generous enough to let them off the hook this one time.
"Welp, Meiya, want to play Shogi?"
"I see no reason to refuse you, Takeru. I shall bring us the board." With that, Meiya made a path to her room.
"T-then we'll be going, Takeru-san! Goodnight!"
"Goodnight, Takeru. I'll work on that emblem for us soon." Class rep and Tama left behind a nervous send-off and a friendly reminder respectively.
"See you then, Takeru-chan!"
"See you."
"Going now… till tomorrow, Squad leader."
"Bye, Takeru!"
I casually waved them off as every member of my squad vacated the PX.
"Ahh, they left." Without Meiya, of course. She returned with our game in hand.
"What, you lonely, Meiya?"
"Well, the team all exited the PX together without me. I cannot think of a motive for their action." Maybe Meiya was just dense when it came to this sort of activities.
"You really don't know why?"
"I do not, no."
"Naaaah, you'll figure it out tomorrow. Don't worry about it for now." Meiya tilted her head with a baffled fashion as I setup the chess.
"Have you informed them about my change of identity?" She inquired me after I unfolded the broad.
"Not yet, they don't need to know yet."
"Indeed, I do not wish to cause them further nervousness than need be." Meiya spun the king piece in her hand as she spoke about her care for her team members.
"Right. Let's play first, I even let you have the first move."
"Huhu, you will come to regret such a decision."
Yashiro Kasumi
Shirogane's room
"That was a terrible lie, Sumika-san."
"Wuuuu… it's not my fault! Lying is hard!"
"Please keep quiet, others may hear us." Giving her companion a quick scold before stealthily closing the door and turning on the lights, Kasumi surveyed the room she almost visited every day.
"Let's look for clues, then! Takeru-chan must have something hidden here!"
"Okay." The two girls rushed to work under the cover of the night, even if they happened to be in a well-lit room.
—
"Mou! Takeru-chan has nothing hidden here! This is so boring!"
"Where didn't we look?" Sudden, a light bulb of idea was lit in Sumika's mechanical head.
"Ah, that's right! We can look through his computer!"
"Good idea, Sumika-san." Swiftly pacing over, Sumika gently pushed the power button on Takeru's desktop and impatiently waited for the display to greet her.
"Awa! A password! No! Bad password! Go away!" And it was gone.
Kasumi said nothing about her friend's method of computer hacking as Sumika dug through the database in joy.
—
"Arra! There's still nothing! Takeru-chan must have some secret somewhere!" Upset with their lack of progress, Sumika doodled on the front screen using sheer brain power.
"Let's check his classified files."
"Okay!" Following Kasumi's suggestion, Sumika opened up the database of Takeru's computer without realizing that was a great offense in military law to inspect classified documents of an officer.
"I was joki— nevermind." Sumika didn't even catch Kasumi's confession, her inability to kid around could often be hampering.
"Wooo, what's this? He got a new file!"
"Looks like some kind of important information." At this moment, both girls knew exactly what must be done. Takeru's slice of private life was robbed so effortlessly by the super hacker Sumika.
"Huuuh? Ehhh? This is all military stuff! That's boring!" Sumika complained about her lover's affair with the army instead of his actual lovers.
Off on the side, Kasumi scanned the pages when Sumika browsed through them with little interest. While she was still as deadpan as ever, a couple of slides instantly demanded Kasumi's attention like no other.
"Sumika-san, wait. Let me see."
"Okay." Willingly releasing her rule over Takeru's computer, Sumika stepped a bit to the side for Kasumi to take over the mouse.
Scrolling back up a bit, a sense of urgency and anxiety assaulted Kasumi's ever-calm mind. Before her, the monitor displayed two military profile shots; both characters had slick, beautiful silver hair just like Kasumi herself. And both had clear violet irises similar to Kasumi's own pupils.
"Inia… Cryska…" Even with her past long behind her, the stoic Russian girl just couldn't escape from her previous life.
"Hum? Do you know these two, Kasumi-chan? They do look the same to you."
A clueless Sumika leaned in to better examine the pictures and texts that caught Kasumi's eyes. To Sumika, those were nothing but another mission; and if Takeru required for its completion, Sumika will stop at nothing to fulfill his order.
"Hmm… I'm not too sure about this but, doesn't HVT means 'High-Value-Target'? Do you think we'll be sent after these two?" Just the same as Sumika, Kasumi also noticed the description under their names.
"Can you find where this came from?"
"Emm… I'll check… Aha! This is sent from Kouzuki-sensei's computer!" Tracking a file back to its root was a piece of very digestible cake for Sumika.
"…Why is this happening?" A thousand thoughts constructed within Kasumi's judgment, none was more possible than the next.
"Errr, so do you know these two or not, Kasumi-chan?" Faced with a personal interrogation for her first time, Kasumi pandered and pandered without reaching a solid conclusion.
"They're… like me."
"But do you know them? I think we might meet them soon!" Her cheerful friend was totally incognizant of Kasumi's perplexity about the problem at hand.
"I… no. Yashiro Kasumi doesn't know these two." It was a painful answer Kasumi delivered, it was a decision full of sorrow made by the brightest esper of Alternative III.
"…I see, then maybe one day Kasumi-chan can be friends with them! They look like nice people too! Maybe not the tall one… ahehe, she looks kinda mean." Sumika ran her soft fingers through Kasumi's scalp, leaving a few scratches and certainly messing up her twin-tail.
"Maybe one day…"
"It's okay, Kasumi-chan. Takeru-chan and I and everyone else are all here for you! Don't worry about these hard stuff, they'll work themselves out!" Tightening her head-pat to a hug, Sumika embraced Kasumi firmly to ease the girl of her inner-pain.
"Thank you, Sumika-san. I'm sure we can all be friends. Let's get back to work now, Takeru-san may come back soon." Even if Kasumi showed no more emotion than what she exhibited on a daily basis, Sumika still perceived that little sign of relief in her tiny voice.
"Alright then! Let's keep looking—" It was Sumika whose attention got stolen this time.
"What's wrong, Sumika-san?" When Sumika laid her mind's eyes upon the next section of the report, she couldn't help but neglect Kasumi's callings until she fully understood the text's significance.
"What… is this? Prafra? Plrfora? Prakfa?"
"Prafka, it's pronounced Prafka."
"The… Prafka effect… it looks so… strong." Kasumi turned to her friend when her use of vocabulary was highly questionable.
"Please let me see as well." Taking over the mouse once more, Kasumi read the couple of paragraphs describing what absorbed Sumika's interest.
"Do you know about this, Kasumi-chan?"
"…No. I don't know about this." It was obvious to Kasumi as to why Sumika got so attracted to this abnormal phenomenon that only applied to esper Eishis.
"Do you think we can use it?" And the next sentence was when Sumika dropped an easily anticipated metaphorical bomb.
"…I don't know."
"We're both espers, right? There shouldn't be a reason we can't use this." Bypassing common sense had always been Sumika's forte.
"This looks dangerous, and we don't have the proper training to active Prafka."
"There is always time for training. I want this, this looks so strong." At this point, Sumika's mind was already deadset on making the effect hers.
"Sumika-san… but…" Having discarded her usual cheerful self after entering this topic, the eyes of the 00 unit was beaming a powerful will; a will to possess as much strength as possible, for she will require every ounce of that potency.
"I know the risks, Kasumi-chan. I can read too, you know? But with this, maybe we can be on par with Takeru-chan. Maybe we can finally stop being the ones protected by him, we can finally protect his back instead."
"Sumika-san…"
"We're still not strong enough to protect him, Takeru-chan bears all the burden for us since we can't watch ourselves. With this, everything could change!" Sumika found her resolve in an instant. Kasumi took a few steps closer, her hands connecting with Sumika's palms.
"You're right, Sumika-san. We'll need to be stronger." It turned out Sumika's perspective was shared by one other, her best friend also wished the potential to shield their lover.
"Then we'll look into this, okay?"
"Yes, the Professor should be able to help us." And in silence, the two stood for what felt like an entirely.
"Ah, that's right! Let's keep looking for clues to his present!" Banishing the dire moment away, the bunny combo continued to ransack the world saviour's room without mercy.
Shirogane Takeru
"Huuooaa…" I stretched my body for some instantaneous feedback in my muscles after opening the doors to my room.
It was a tiring hour matching wit against Meiya, her tactics and strategies were on par with many great military leaders. If it wasn't for my ability to time-travel and coming to a painstakingly understanding of her personality, my loss was a matter of reality.
—
I showered quickly was all ready to sleep for the day when a sequence of perfectly timed knocked were perceived from outside my door.
"Who?"
"It's me, Takeru-san." Kasumi's flat voice called out.
"Alright, get in." My door was pushed open to reveal a calm rabbit girl.
Kasumi wore her night-time one-piece, the black overall covered most of her slim body and reached down to around her ankles. It was actually a long time since I last saw her in her sleepwear with her ears at the same time, mostly it was one or the other, almost never both.
Carrying her oversized rabbit toy on her back, she somehow balanced the other creepy bunny on top of her head like a circuits… rabbit? Both furry toys were dangling loosely in her care and she would occasionally swing her body around so they wouldn't fall off.
"Here for what, Kasumi?"
"I want to sleep with you tonight, Takeru-san." Her line fazed me for a good dozen seconds.
"So like… that sleep. Or Thaaat sleep?"
"That sleep." Kasumi's total lack of emotions made my stressed vowels entirely pointless.
"That sleep it is." I decided to play it safe and climbed on my bed first.
Instead of getting in the bed with me, Kasumi carefully dropped her two bunnies on the spot I made for her. We stared at each other without communication for what felt like an eternity before I threw my arms in the air, declaring my unwillingness to take action.
"I wore your favourite panties, Takeru-san." So it was probably the other sleep she wanted.
"All your panties look the same though, they're just all black and does… not— hnggra…"
As the Causality Conductor, I proud myself with the capability to predict the future fairly accurately. Nonetheless, this one time I'll admit my defeat in the face of my Russian girl.
"Takeru-san like these the most, right?"
Kasumi utterly shocked me when she lifted her one-piece higher and higher until it no longer served to purpose of covering her nether region, some very suggestive strings of fluid were dripping down along her thighs. The reflective light overhead would often shine on her strands of juice, making them flash brightly under their source.
"Hnnngggaaa… the emperor panties… not gonna lie, this is getting me on, Kasumi."
"Please have sexual intercourse with me." It was doubtless she was asking me for the other sleep, or the lack of sleep we'll be having.
—
"Kasumi, no. We can't 4P like this."
"How abou—"
"We also can't 3P as well."
"Why?"
"Because your bunnies here don't have a hole for me to… insert."
"But usa-san and big usa-san will feel lonely."
"Why don't we let this watch us? Maybe they can film it."
"…No."
"Then let's put them off to the side and we can get going."
"That's unfortunate."
"Indeed. It's gonna be just normal sex, sorry."
Author's note
What? An update so early? What is this witchcraft? Boom, your mind is blown.
Seriously though, I'm posting this chapter early for two reasons. First is this is the double chapter week I promised you people and second is because I'm probably not uploading until the break is over. So that's about two weeks of no content, sorry guys.(Then again, my update rate is like super good around here. So not feeling too bad.)
Also sorry for the short chapter. Look, pacing, okay? You don't want me to rush outta content and make you all wait like two month for an update, that's bad.
Now here I talk about my usual self-advertising stuff and ask you all to favourite and all that. You know, because I'm shameless. However, I'll promise everyone that I'll never hold this fic hostage by demanding reviews or any of that stuff. If I don't update, the possibility if that I'm lazy or just busy, but mostly lazy.
Also shoutout to that guy who linked me a Muv-Luv whatever-it-was video in his/her review. You know who you are, good link, buddy.
I liked how the animation or whatever when they fight was accurate to how the fight scenes are done in the visual novel. When they do a first flip, someone literally just photoshopped the picture of a TSF and sprung it 360 degrees, budgets! (Please let the new release be better.)
BETA done by chad001. I'm really outta jokes, so instead I'll link you and everyone a video to watch.(not the same video) You won't know what this is but I promise it's not NSFW like hentai or stuff, it's on YouTube.
So type the usual YouTube address, youtube dot com (because this site doesn't actually let people post links. Must been a great idea at the time.) And add this. /watch?v=uD4gVjlMpvI&list=FL7uQfmuE8BQnFTzCkZt-SZQ&index=10