Shirogane Takeru
December 16, 2001
Shirogane's room
"Uumm… huh…?" I greeted another charming morning with a yawn. A moment out of fiction occurred as I noticed nobody bothered to wake me up during this particular daybreak.
"Agaaa."
To wake up naturally was the equivalent of lighting a fire while under the sea for me. After thinking about my schedule for this day I foolishly realized today was actually Sunday; AKA the sleep-in day, which was exactly what I tried to do.
"Agaaaaa."
It was sort of difficult to find my way back to dreamland after being pulled to this cold reality, yet I attempted to reunite with my hibernation without giving up hope.
"Agaaaaaaaaaaa."
"…What?" Ignoring Kasumi any further was impossible since she literally mounted me. I could detect another source of wetness somewhere on my stomach which I will not investigate for now.
"My butt hurts, Takeru-san."
"Not my fault."
"You were spanking me really hard yesterday." Maybe it was my fault.
"Not… like forcefully though! I was making you feel good."
"Takeru-san is too much of a S." She said while calmly trying to ride me. One of her hands was pushing down on my chest for support while she seductively moistened her other hand's finger in her mouth.
"Who even taught you this, Kasumi?" Her completely deadpan character while performing provocative acts was erotic in its own right.
"You did, Takeru-san." I sure did that long ago, no regrets though.
"Wanna get me back then?
"Okay, this will be round fifteen." Apparently, we were both very… energetic people.
Takamura Yui
Hallway
"Taka— 1st Lt. Takamura, wait." Hearing her own name being addressed, Yui turned and became instantly unnerved by the presence of a perfect copy of Japan's Shogun, Mitsurugi Meiya.
"…Mitsurugi-sama! Please do not address me so formally! I am only a servant of the imperial family!" Almost instinctively, Yui bowed her head in the direction of Mitsurugi. The Imperial Household member only smiled inwardly to herself.
"Very well then. Huhuhu, you can raise your head now, Takamura."
"Thank you." Yui quickly stood back up with respect.
"I am pleasantly surprised by your knowledge of me, Takamura. My presence here is currently still a secret, even if it happens to be not very well kept."
"Eh? Ah, yes. I have read your profile along with the rest of your team." Yui answered honestly.
"Is that so? So you only realized my identity recently?"
"Yes, Her Highness' announcement for the incorporation of the Mitsurugi bloodline into the Koubuin Household was delivered to all Imperial Royal Guard divisions shortly after."
Yui came to know the news two days before her arrival at Yokohama, so no doubt it shocked her to a fair amount when she noticed the purple Type-00 just casually parked in the hanger. Finally, seeing Mitsurugi's name confirmed her suspicion about the true identity of its Eishi.
"Huh, interesting. Her Highness certainly makes some… rash selections as of late. I only pray that her heavy duty does not cause any extra burden." Mitsurugi closed her eyes and ignored Yui for a while when she had no comments to add.
"Well, nevertheless, what is your purpose here, Takamura? Of course, you do not have to answer if your doing is considered as classified."
"Ah, no, Mitsurugi-sama. I am here as a representative for the Ministry of defence, they wish to cooperate farther with the Alternative project." A look was shot Yui's way when she spoke half of the truth.
"Is that it? You have no other agenda besides carrying out an inspection?" It was fearsome how Mitsurugi pinpointed the missing part of her story so easily.
"…I also wish to seek the Alternative Project's support for my own program."
"That is much more logical, I now understand why Takeru was acting unpleasant towards you." Again, Mitsurugi's reveal disconcerted Yui.
"You have something that he wants, do you not?" She closed the distance between them two with a riveting smile, Yui opted to say nothing back.
"I have no right to sway your opinion, Takamura. However, I do believe that whatever he demanded, he offered something equal or greater of value in exchange. Did he not?" Yui avoided Mitsurugi's sight when she questioned.
"…I ca—"
"Do not answer that. I understand that it will still be your choice by the end, so I do not assume anything I claim will be of help. Still, allow me to say this; as someone who worked closely with Takeru for months, he is still an honourable man. Even if his personality does not present himself as such, he is worthy of the potential risk."
"Mitsurugi-sama…" Yui lifted her head to meet a gentle, affectionate gaze from the Imperial member before her.
Mitsurugi's eyes were not that of a master looking down on a servant, they were candid views of a trustworthy friend; something Yui was direly missing from her life as of the moment.
"You can rely on me if you so desire, Takamura. For it is I who owes you and your family for their life-long service and dedication to my bloodline." With that, Mitsurugi kindly gave Yui a short hug and a light pat on her back.
"…Thank you very much, Mitsurugi-sama. I… will wholeheartedly consider your words."
"That is enough for me. You have my thanks." It was such a bright, beautiful smile Mitsurugi gave her, a smile Yui haven't seen in ages.
"Really… thank you… Mitsurugi-sama." For once, Yui was able to found another friend in her journey filled with sorrow and sadness.
"Huhuhu, let us leave that topic behind then. Do you have any time as of now?" She was interested in switching the subject of their discussion.
"Ah, yes, of course."
"Then walk with me, Takamura."
Path by the cherry blossoms
"Why… are we here, Mitsurugi-sama?"
"These cherry blossoms, we believe the souls of those we fell in battle rest here. They watch over us, silently praying for our safety and success."
Of all places, Mitsurugi took Yui to the hill of dead trees in front of the base. It was a road paved with cherry blossoms on either side, a curvy walkway leading up to the hilltop.
"Yet loss of lives in war cannot be avoided, our fight still has no end in sight. With that said, I wish to thank you, for you and your family's sacrifice."
"There is no need, Mitsurugi-sama! You have already given me this honour once before!" It was several minutes ago when Mitsurugi said something very similar.
"Takamura Masatada… he is one of the most influential Fudai to have ever lived. The man who designed both the Type-82 Zuikaku and the Type-74 PB Blade. While I do not know your father personally, his name carries not a small fame along."
"…My father…"
"So bringing you here… is the least I can do. May he watch over us as he has watched over all those that have been saved thanks to his creation."
"Father…" When Mitsurugi paused for Yui to speak her thoughts, she only repeated the same word over and over again.
"What is the matter, Takamura?"
"…That's right… isn't it? He… he died here, during Operation Lucifer… hihihi…" As Yui remembered the heartbreaking fact, a few creepy giggles escaped her mouth.
"Takamura?" Mitsurugi moved closer to Yui's back, she was probably unsettled by her untimely chuckle.
"Haahaa… I completely forgot him. Until just now… it has been so long, too long now." Yui shook her head slowly, expressing her hidden regret for failing to keep her father in mind.
"Three years ago mankind made its first ever retribution towards the BETA right here, it was our first ever victory in this age long war. Yet the price we paid was immeasurable; a Pyrrhic victory, if you will."
Yui softly nodded to Mitsurugi's statement, the countless lives lost during the battle of Objective 22 rested under the cherry blossom by her feet.
"After the battle, His burde— commitment was passed on to me. The dream of my father and the hope of my mother, both rest upon my shoulders…" Her mouth mumbled words of conviction, yet her soul was uncertain of her future.
"Do you believe in your loyalty to my nation, Takamura?" An off-topic question from Mitsurugi took Yui by surprise.
"…Yes. My family has endured plentiful of hardships throughout the years for the sake of Japan. I am the heir to my blood, a vassal to our empire. My entire life is for the glory of our homeland."
"Such are vague words, Takamura. I asked you as person, not a mere servant." The manner of a vassal taught to Yui was rejected by Mitsurugi who required an answer from her heart.
"I… with the blood of father in my veins, the duty to my household is where I stand." Yui swallowed her true feelings again when she replied the second time. She just couldn't split out the truth that troubled her mind.
"You are still dishonest with yourself, I can see this much."
"I—!" Maybe Yui already knew her lie was going to be seen through this easily.
"It is fine. As you said, your family has been a great service to Japan, your father gave his life for our triumph; an honourable feat, no doubt. So many will say it is your obligation to fill the shoes he left behind, and they would be mostly correct."
"And I plan on achieving the honour bestowed upon my name, please believe this much, Mitsurugi-sama." If there were doubts directed in Yui's direction, she will make sure they no longer exist by the end.
"I do know that you will not bring shame to your name. Nonetheless, you are still tormented by your inability to decide."
A soft sigh was released into the air as Yui finally resigned her attempt at tricky. To her credit, she followed the template for an Honour Guard as close as possible, but it just wasn't enough to fool the eyes of Mitsurugi.
"Do you know… of our conversation?" Yui realized how Mitsurugi was leading her to a particular conclusion.
"Indeed, I overheard your discussion with Takeru in the hanger." It took Yui some time to remember who she was referring to.
"Haa… I really can't hide anything… Mitsurugi-sama… in the end, I am still lost… I cannot choose between my two selves." It should had been a simple decision for Yui, it should had been so simple to abandon one and save the other; however, she just couldn't pick what she valued more.
"Do you know what this is, Takamura?" When Yui turned around in response to Mitsurugi's words, a pair of swords was presented before her.
"Are these your Daisho, Mitsurugi-sama?" The most eye-catching feature of the Shogun's twin; other than her appearance, was the set of blades she carried by her waist at all times.
"Indeed." Mitsurugi held both her weapons with dignity, her hands twisted each of the swords gracefully as they drew arcs perfectly in the air.
"May I ask why they do not match?" While both the Katana and the Wakizashi were absolutely stunning in their own right, the two did not complement each other to any degree.
Mitsurugi pushed up on the hand guard of her Katana and revealed the thin steel to the tiniest amount. She then carefully reached it out to Yui, meaning for her to unsheathe it completely.
"If you don't mind, Mitsurugi-sama." Delicately, Yui drew the blade of her lord, its flawless edge and breathtaking design awed her with its beauty.
"Minaru Kamui, my sword who accompanied me even before my language was learned. It represents my role, it is who I am to our land." It wasn't like Yui didn't think Mitsurugi's burden would be any lighter than hers. It wouldn't even be an exaggeration to say Yui's trouble was a little bother in the eyes of her.
"And this… hehehe, my naming sense is surely lacking—" While Yui was still very intrigued by the long sword shown to her, Mitsurugi had pulled her Wakizashi and was studying its tip with an unreadable expression.
"This is Yamato Takeru. Given to me by the man of my life." Yui's face was mildly tinted red after she understood the implication of what she heard.
"He is my purpose, my guardian, my entirety. Without that man, I would not be myself. Instead only a shadow, a failsafe in case of emergency. Maybe only a slave to my endless night."
"Do you… dislike your previous duty, Mitsurugi-sama?" Asked Yui naturally.
"Of course not, the furniture's role is only to serve; its value determined by its capability. However, I will never detest what is asked of me before he took me along. For without seeing a colourless world, how can I truly enjoy this luminosity?"
A gaze brimming with candour and fulfillment was beaming from Mitsurugi's pupils. That was the appearance of a righteous heart, an unwavering resolve.
Yui was rendered speechless by the lines of Mitsurugi. In front of her was a person who had broken away from the function demanded of her by their society, a person who was free from her shackles even when she should be the one bounded most firmly by her fate.
And this was also when Yui felt jealous for the first time in ages. She too wished to have everything, to have her own good end. However, the possibility was just not there, her dream had no intention of becoming fulfilled.
"Takamura, you have two selves. The Takamura Yui of the Imperial royal Guards, a servant to the Imperial family, to me. However you are also Takamura Yui, a person, a woman of Japan."
"So while you are a vassal to the nation, you are still a free soul. An end has to be reached; if not now, eventually. And you can choose, you have to choose for yourself."
"T-that's what I don't know how to do…! Please help me, Mitsurugi-sama!" Since the beginning, Yui only had one dilemma.
"Seeking assistance from outside is the first mistake. 'A man chooses, a slave obeys.' Do not disappoint me with your lack of resolution, no servant of mine is incapable of thinking for themselves."
"Then… how can I select my end…?"
"Ask yourself this, Takamura. Just who are you, exactly?"
Shirogane Takeru
Shirogane's room
"Kasumi… you doing good?"
"Haa-aaa… Aggaaahh." Well, at least she had an expression this time.
Kasumi's tongue was tiredly hanging outside her mouth, her pair of pearly amethyst eyes slightly rolled up towards the ceiling. If there was ever an aspect of Kasumi that I could describe as ecstatic, this was the closest I was gonna get.
"You… are too… rough… T-Takeru-san…"
"…Sorry, I tend to forget you're… kinda fragile."
I sat to the side of an incapacitated Kasumi, she was in no shape to pull herself together after the short session we enjoyed this morning.
"Please… let me rest here for… a while."
"Okay, I'll take a stroll around the place then." I pulled up my blanket over Kasumi's naked figure before quietly exiting my own room.
That classic tree behind Hakuryou
'I seriously don't get this. It's like every bitch on this planet loved the fuck outta this dead tree behind the base. Like honestly, what the fuck?'
My aimless wandering brought me to a classical location where I met up with a newcomer to this tradition.
"Takamura, sup. What you doing here?" A lone, Japanese girl leaned onto the old, dead tree that oversaw countless tales between the hearts of people. It was a tree of memories, a place of reminiscence.
"Ah, Capt. Shirogane. Good morning." Takamura took a proper stance and saluted me, there was a trace of misery in the eyes that stared me back. She was also in pain, like all those that lived in this desperate world.
"You too. How's the view from here? Like what you're seeing?" I slowly walked up to her opposite side and felt the dry bark that witnessed many conclusions.
"This place… this scenery… is our bloodshed not enough to end such brutality?" Takamura's sight extended far out to the sea, over our old home.
She saw a ruin in front of her, a destroyed town and destroyed past. I, too was contemplating the same landscape. We stood together with only the tree in between us, it was an unexplainable environment we shared.
"This path… the only path we could take is crafted from our own blood, painted in the blood of those who went before us so we could continue walking." Humanity lost so much in this war, and it will continue losing until its end.
"Where did those days go… I wonder? How much more do we have to lose… before we can go back to that time?" From where I stood, Takamura's feature was not perceptible. Yet somehow, I could clearly understand the sadness that overshadowed her face.
"We can keep everything, or we can forfeit everything. It all depends on the people of tomorrow, how they will fight, how they will protect those they hold dear. This stage is for those are living, at this present. You and me, we will make a difference." Since the mood called for it, I dropped some wisdom on Takamura in an attempt to brighten her spirit.
"…The stage of the living… there's a way… as long as people are alive… right?"
"That's why our existence is so precious, only the living can fight for our future." She spoke no more afterwards, the sound of irregular breathing coming from the opposing side was all that remained.
"Capt. Shirogane, are you busy right now?" Takamura asked me a normal question after minutes.
"Only reason I'm discussing philosophy with you is because I'm not getting paid for today's work. So yeah, I'm free."
"Huhu, as an Eishi of the UN, you sure don't take your job seriously." Now she just got to insult me for no reason.
"You want me to go back to work then?"
"I did not say that, I only stated the fact that you're unoccupied despite being a soldier." Did this girl want to fight me or something?
I emerged from the opposite side and came face to face with Takamura, but her slight smile was pleasant enough to stop me from further argument.
"Then I'll just leave, give me a time."
"I can provide that." Takamura reached in her uniform's chest pouch, a pocket watch was pulled out instinctively before she suddenly discerned her action and blanked out for a bit.
"Ara, nevermind, Captain. I forgot my watch broke." I caught a glance of her silver pocket watch and came to the same assumption instantly.
The metal timepiece had an oval structure just like every other pocket watch, the only and major difference was a giant crater of impact in the middle and many cracks that expanded from that point outwards.
It was obvious the damage was caused by nothing else than a high calibre sniper, as nothing else could bend a Super-carbon watch like this. I logically assumed the material to be Super-carbon as it's game over for any normal metal.
"…Did you… shoot your watch?" I gawked at Takamura with a confused expression.
"No, someone else did."
"…When they tried to shoot you?"
"Yes." She answered me in the most nonchalant manner possible.
"…Just how lucky are you? I'm gonna just guess the shooter had either piss-poor aim or is a god-tier sniper, one of the two." The princess only shrugged off my comment.
"It was kind of funny, I only lived because this watch blocked the bullet. The shot hit my mid-torso, just instead of a .338 it was an 8 centimetre Super-carbon that impacted." Takamura subconsciously moved her hand to the left side of her chest, below the breast.
"You okay now? Any permanent wound?"
"No— well, I have this scar left. The watch still hit me pretty hard, sometime it itches when I take a bath but mostly it's only a change of the skin." That was very unfortunate, bikinis for Takamura will have to wait. Or maybe it can be enjoyed as fashion.
"Huh, I see." Suddenly we had no more subjects to continue on about, I retracted behind the tree again as to avoid her sight and this awkward moment.
"Will you be going, Captain?"
"Do you want me to leave?" I took Takamura's silence as a denial to my question.
"I have dragged this on for long enough, continue to talk with you will not yield any further results."
"Again, do you say stuff like this just to piss me off? Because let me tell you; it's working great." Like a deer caught in headlight, she gave me a puzzled look like she had no clue to what I was on about.
"If I happened to offend you, I apologize. However, I do think you would be interested in what I have to say."
"I don't doubt that, so talk." Before whatever real conversation she wanted to have, Takamura first giggled awkwardly to herself.
"Eehehe… my willpower really can't be compared to him… after all. Ahhha, sorry, Yuuya. Take this as my resentment for your ignorance." I watched her monologue without a word.
"The family of Takamura has passed down its name through ages as a Fudai Household for our empire. I cannot drag that name into the dirt for my own selfishness, that… is my verdict, that is who I am."
Duty over feelings, this was the final answer Takamura presented me. It wasn't my place, nor anyone's to judge that. Ever.
"Huh, I really thought that I'd have to try harder." By Takamura's announcement and facial expression, I already guessed to my victory.
"You guessed wrong, I have always been this weak when it came to making decisions. I couldn't pick the more noble choice, so I'll fold here." Her foot twisted swiftly and her back was once again all I saw.
"As the head officer of the XFJ Program, I will do what I can to see it to fruition… even if this indicates working under the Alternative IV Project. I'll expose the intelligence you seek, Capt. Shirogane."
Takamura's determination and loyalty to her family had trumped her personal feelings. It was inevitable, really. For a princess held high in a castle who knew nothing of the world, she wouldn't have picked anything else.
"But do not be mistaken about one point. I did not, in any form, come to this conclusion easily. If I must betray that man, then I'll make sure to at least be the one who selects his pursuer." She turned around and declared to me with a sad light in her eyes.
Maybe the princess was learning to be human faster than others believed. But that didn't matter anymore, I caught her before her opinion wavered. Still, she received my full respect for the brave struggle she endured. As a person of our world, I truly believe she will live beautifully till the end.
"Thank you, 1st Lt. Takamura. And Alternative IV welcomes your program, we'll discuss the details together with the Professor." We came to an agreement I knew she couldn't back away from soon enough.
Takamura Yui
Kouzuki Yuuko's office
"Is there anything else you wish to know, Professor?"
"No, this here is plenty. Alternative IV thanks you for your help, Takamura."
"Then please uphold your end of the deal, ma'am." With the same smug smile as when she met her, Kouzuki slid some sheets of paper across the desk to Yui.
"I need you to sign here, here, here, here and here." It was more like a mountain of paper, in reality.
Yui promptly picked up the articles and examined the contract thoroughly, multiple times before finally writing her signature down carefully.
"Will this be all, Professor?" Asked Yui after she passed back the papers.
"Pretty much, yep. Let me restate our agreement then." The Vice-Commander secretly laughed from before the neatly stacked pages.
"With regards the case #2231: In response to assistance provided by First Lieutenant Takamura Yui of the Imperial Royal Guards, Alternative IV Project hereby agrees to five covenants."
"Number one: UN guarantees the proper treatment of United States Army deserter Yuuya Bridges in case of arrest."
"Number two: The team tasked with the subject's arrest will carry out regulated protocol during the subject's capture operation and will not apply lethal force during the operation."
"Number three: After the subject's apprehension is confirmed, he will be escorted safety to an UN operated Base."
"Number four: Once the subject is secured, he will be delivered to US mainland and brought forward to a proper trial before the United States Courts-martial to determine possible crimes."
"Lastly number five: The UN will witness the subject's fair and just trial. In case of the subject's discharge; regardless of honour, the subject will be offered a suitable position within the United Nation Army. Specifically under the Alternative IV Project. That is all."
The temperature in this office as of now was cool, a good and comfortable Celsius for us humans. However, the ice, the freezing glaze trapping Yui's heart in her chest showed no sign of melting.
"Happy with this, Takamura? Anything you want to add?" There were a million things Yui wished for Kouzuki to promise, none of them she would actually give her word on.
"…No, ma'am."
"Good, let's talk about your side of the deal, then. XFJ may just be valuable enough."
—
"—and thus, all property of the XFJ Program; whether owned permanently or on loan will be fully transferred to the Alternative IV Project. All rights to the procession and usage of said assets will belong to Alternative IV's direct overseers. That is all."
There was not a smidge wiggle room stamped in the spaces between each merciless line of text. Yui knew she no longer possessed any part of the XFJ Program in reality, and she was okay with that; she must be okay with that.
"Looking at the big picture, we really just helped you twice, you know?" A while later, Kouzuki provoked Yui again in a conceited manner.
"…"
"I mean, we're taking up your request to not hurt your cute boyfriend and, and also saving your precious family business from shutting down! You're welcome for that."
"…" If Yui did her best to filter out Kouzuki's sarcastic comments, maybe the aching pain deep in her chest could fade away.
"I said. You. Are. Welcome. Takamura Yui, Lieutenant." However, Kouzuki was not that kind of a person.
"…Thank you… very much for your assistance, Professor… Kouzuki." Even though Yui knew the humiliation she was suffering was worth it, the knowledge somehow didn't making swallowing her pride any less painful.
"C'mon now, say it with a bit more enthusiasm. Act like how all you Honour Guard people act." The Professor didn't seemed satisfied with her previous demand and shamelessly added another.
Yui clenched her teeth, hiding the newly formed flame of fury that co-existed with the earlier frost. She slowly raised from her chair in front of Kouzuki's desk and very slowly and painfully bowed down until her forehead bonked the cold surface of the table.
"…Takamura Yui of the Imperial Royal Guards… is forever grateful… for the magnanimous aid… that was kind-heartedly granted to me by the brilliant director… of Alternative IV…"
"Hihihihi… hehehehe… AHAHAHA! Alright, that's good enough for now, Takamura! Don't forget who'll be feeding you from now on. Hahaha… leave." With a laugh befitting for a mad-scientist, Kouzuki waved her hand to scoot away an extremely disgraced Yui.
"Please, excuse me." Lucky for Yui, she couldn't stand another second in the same room as her new superior.
"Oh, wait. Call Shirogane for me. He's probably somewhere just outside."
"Certainly, ma'am."
Hallways
Shirogane Takeru
"Ah, hey, Takamura. What's the matt—"
"—the Professor wants you."
"Huh, okay. What did she say she wants with…" Not waiting to hear my sentence, Takamura hasty walked away leaving a trait of angry footsteps in her wake.
Kouzuki Yuuko's office
"Hey, sensei."
"Morning, Shirogane. Takamura called you?"
"Sure did, very pissed off, but did call me. Is she on her period or something?"
"Wow, going straight to that, huh? Guess elegance is not your strong suit."
"Well… either that or you played with her too much. You played with her too much, didn't you."
"…I refuse to answer that question, and I refuse to reveal why I refused."
"Ahhhaa… just… don't break her, okay? She's my piece as well."
"Funny, I thought we're playing on the same side."
"Which we are, but it's like one side of chess for two players. We have our own moves in mind, however there's only one of each of the pieces."
"Heh, then find your own chessboard."
"The only seat that's not here is the opposite one, and I don't think you want me to be playing for the other side."
"…I'll keep that in mind, let's move onto something else."
—
"Alright, the mission plan is done." Almost immediately afterwards, Yuuko-sensei announced the completion of our operation outline.
"…Isn't this too fast?"
"What? Don't trust me or something?" I raised my arms in mock surrender to show her my confidence.
"Of course not. In fact, if you say we go; we go."
"Good, because you'll be going on the 21th of December." After stating the date, sensei clicked a few times on a remote and the monitor lid up to show me a bit more detail.
"This… is surprisingly simple."
"I'm not some cartoon villain, Shirogane. The simpler the better." Which sensei was very right about.
"Got ya. A classic insertion and extraction, catch and release."
"Exactly, grab them and bring them here. Even a child could do this much."
"One question though, will you be notifying the DIA of this plan?" There were hidden threats and dangers behind every step we take, after all.
"…Not giving them everything, but we can't keep them in the dark any longer. Now that they delivered their end of the deal, they'll be watching carefully to make sure we do the same."
"Alright, how about this. We'll give them that date, but I want to mobilize a day early." Yuuko-sensei gave me a judging look before losing interest.
"Security is important, I agree. Have it your way then." For a matter that didn't appeal enough to sensei, she quickly let it slip her by.
"Cool, I'll arrange accordingly."
Shirogane's room
I was much more tired than usual this afternoon. Having dealt with Takamura and the upcoming mission, I lacked the energy to continue working when such a comfy bed was waiting for me.
Since it was still my break and Kasumi had already left, I cleaned up a bit and went for an afternoon nap.
Kagami Sumika
"Ekkk! Takeru-chan is still asleep!"
"It's four in the afternoon though …let's just sick him."
"Please don't, Kei-san."
"That'll be terrible! And we don't even have animals around here!"
"A-anyway! Let's think of a different way to wake Takeru-san!"
"Don't worry, I got a plan."
"Please don't, Kei-san."
"…Trust me."
"Yeah, that'll end great."
Shirogane Takeru
I saw a dream, it was a dream of people living innocently, without knowing the meaning of peace. Until a giant ass cake fell on the world and caused several tsunamis which wiped out the east coast of America, killing millions while damaging—
"AGRAAwhatthefuck!" The sensation of ice-cold water splashing on my face followed by a metal bucket dropping on my chest ruined any remaining chance of going back to the dream world.
"…Wait… that was an accident." Beside my wet bed stood Ayamine, she only looked stoic now because she was about to receive a full dose of my rage.
"The FUCK, WOMAN!?" The first thing I did that afternoon was furiously banging the forehead of Ayamine.
"Aaaa, ouch. You don't have to be so—" The rest her sentence was interrupted by the bucket that I dunked over her useless head.
"Shut the fuck up! I'll have you lick up this water, shithead! Now GET THE FUCK OUT!" Throwing my tantrum as I repeatedly pound on the bucket which covered Ayamine, she got the boot right out of my room under a minute.
"Argaaa." Then I properly slammed the door in her face, along with the rest of my girls who chose to wisely watch from the safety of the halls.
Kagami Sumika
"You deserved that, Ayamine."
"My hands slipped." After receiving a beating for justifiable reason from Takeru, Kei regrouped with the girls outside him room for another meeting.
"Mou… that was dumb, Ayamine-san." Sumika lifted the bucket off Kei's head and patted the spot of transferred collision.
"At least Takeru woke up, right? Right?"
"Don't worry, he's up." Mikoto was relieved of his concern after being advised.
"What should we do now?"
"Let's wait for him to get ready and then we can all go there!" Answered Sumika when Chizuru asked.
"What about Meiya-san? What should we do?"
"Ohh… riiight." Sumika simply forgot the existence of her rival in love.
"We'll leave a note for Takeru and get Mitsurugi, she's probably in her room now." No one disagreed with Chizuru's plan.
"Haaa, shouldn't we have done something more for them?" Everyone pondered a bit over Mikoto's words, thinking about how little they prepared.
"There's nothing we could do, Yoroi-san. Besides, if we make it too fancy, Takeru-chan will say we're wasting precious military assets and stuff!" The rest were somewhat content with Sumika's justification.
"Then let's put all our feelings into it! I'm sure they'll like that!"
"That's right. Takeru and Mitsurugi are understanding people, after all. And we're still soldiers."
"Let's all do our very best!"
Shirogane Takeru
"Alright! I'm gonna make you all pay…" And there was nobody waiting to face my wrath outside.
After overcoming my misery for missing a good one-sided beat-down, I noticed a little anomaly stuck to my door. A piece of note that read 'Come to the Royal Guard PX at 9!' in bold red marker, like some sort of low-quality bait.
I honestly wouldn't have paid any heed if it's wasn't for the obviously childish handwriting that could only be the work of a stupid supercomputer. Since my attendance was requested about three hours from now, I put this free time to good use by gaming seriously.
Imperial Royal Guard PX
As I paced casually toward where Tsukuyomi and her bunch housed, an outline of a certain blue haired girl reflected in my eyes.
"Yaho, Meiya. You going to their PX as well?"
"By all means, I was invited by Sumika to gather here at nine. A bit later than I would have liked, but welcomed nonetheless." Meiya wore her UN fatigues with her dog-tags loosely hanging over her bouncy chest; wordlessly, I reached out to give them both a firm squish on instinct.
"K-kyaa! W-w-what are you doing, Takeru!?" She instantly retracted back and covered her fully-clothed chest.
"What? They were just there, a shame if I didn't do anything."
"Urra, such inelegance… baka! I cannot believe such a man like you somehow captured my heart." The shocker Meiya dropped fazed me moderately, but then her follow up kiss almost ruined my composure.
—
"Muurrnnmhaa…"
"That… was very skillful, I applaud your braveness." The kiss kinda sorta lasted a bit longer.
"Still so confident, Takeru." I was never a man to back down from any fight, not even in relationship.
"—you two wanna stop flirting and come inside instead?" A very emotionlessly upset Ayamine suddenly appeared.
"A-A-Ayamine! When did you arrive?!" Meiya then proceed to get immediately flustered in the presence of another.
"I didn't… you arrived." She pointed to the building that we ended up at without realization.
"Nice, very smooth, me. Now let's go inside instead of freezing out here."
I was all ready for a surprise when an open palm denied me of entrance into a much warmer location.
"Me too." Ayamine seemed unhappy about some issue.
"You what?"
"Kiss, give me one too. Make up for the beating today." I had to overcome a great dilemma that time, it was whether to tongue her until she drops on her knees or just an affectionate peck on the cheeks.
"Ayamine! Do not—" Meiya's sentence got shortened to an unsettled sigh when I already inserted my tongue into Ayamine's mouth.
"Murrnn… that was nice… aumaa" As the string of saliva that connected our lips broke apart, Ayamine moaned softly in ecstasy from the slight tease of pleasure I passed her.
"…This is somewhat unpleasant to watch."
"You want another one, Meiya?"
"…I shall remember this as a lesson, the next time I will be sure to mark you properly, Takeru."
"Let's go now, others are waiting." Ayamine then led the way as the trio of us entered through the doorways into an almost dark room.
We walked a bit further in darkness until I heard the faint footsteps of others that no doubt prepared all this. And it was during this time when my pupils slowly adjusted to the darkness that I understood exactly how important all these girls were to me, not like I didn't grasp their eminence before.
"…Psst, are we ready?"
"…Yeah." Some particularly quite whispers travelled around the room and eventually reached my ears just before the lights all flipped on simultaneously.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Takeru-(chan, san)! Meiya-(Mitsurugi)-san!" A shower of confetti rained down upon us as the claps and shouts of the girls washed away any boredom in my system.
"…This is…"
"We know it's your and Takeru-chan's birthday! So we put together this celebration for the both of you!" An ultra-cheerful Sumika rushed ahead of the pack and equipped both Meiya and I in birthday party hats.
"And we cooked some food for you too! Everyone spent a lot of time together trying to make all this!" Mikoto who was on par with Sumika in joy came forward next, behind her was a table of banquet to show their effort.
"Err…! I know this isn't the best or anything, but everyone tried r-realllly hard to cook all this!" Tama covered for the lack of grandeur with her enthusiasm.
"You all should like it. Happy birthday."
"Birthdays only happen once a year, after all. This is for you two, happy birthday." Ayamine and Class rep also sent us their heartfelt words of congratulation.
"…Ahhaa… I… I do not know the proper way to respond…" With an expression of pure bliss, Meiya shined with the most beautiful smile.
"You are thankful, right? Just tell them what you think, it's easy." After a short period of hesitation, Meiya stood tall, having taken my advice to heart.
"Everyone! I am very grateful for everything you have done! Being together with all of you has granted my life with many new meanings! Maybe I have yet to completely come to understand the prime method of being your friends, but the time we spent together will not be forgotten!"
It was a simply speech, a simply yet straightforward speech that drove home the point Meiya tried to convey.
"Meiya-san! We're all happy to be your friends, too!" The girls announced in unison, their friendship just reached a new height.
—
It was a plain dinner we had; much more stylish compared to our daily meal, sure, but the food of my old world was still peerless in my memories.
"How is it, Takeru-chan? I made the Mapo Tofu and the Takoyaki!"
"I'm just happy you didn't put everything in a pot and cooked it with spice. Good work."
"Yaay! I learned!"
—
While Tsukuyomi and the idiots weren't there to celebrate with us, they left us this elegant dinner in their diner with some per-cooked dishes for our enjoyment.
"…What could this be? Fish… and potato?"
"Ah, that's called fish and chips! An English food! You're supposed to dip the fried fish with this sauce, Meiya-san!"
"Hmm… did you make this sauce yourself, Yoroi? It is quite delicious."
"Ahehe, I did! My dad brought me this book on easy food from his travels!"
—
My team also added their own touches with extra plates and cookeries which reminded me of the fond days back home. It was so peaceful then, everyone was so naïve during those days.
"I made this."
"Don't lie, woman. I made this, that's my yakisoba."
"I added some more stuff."
"You put it on a plate, that's not adding."
—
Even if that sort of happiness had long since died, I still found this slice of rapture within my new home.
"Here, Takeru-san. The curry is left by Tsukuyomi-san."
"I can eat by myself, Kasumi."
"Okay."
—
We sat together by the round table, enjoying this glimmer of glee before the fated path covered in blood. Even if our lives were nothing more than a flash in this dreaded world, those wishes for a better tomorrow cannot be more pure.
—
However, all good things, like food, will eventually come to an end. And just like the fun we had together was over when we depleted our supply of nourishment, the happy day reached its conclusion when everyone left for the night.
Kouzuki Yuuko
Kouzuki Yuuko's office
"That wasn't very funny of a joke, Kagami."
"Because I'm a hundred percent serious, sensei." It was a humourless conversation between Kagami and her creator.
The usual bright office was all darkened out expect for a dim source of light originating from Kouzuki's computer. She was all done for the day when Kagami and Yashiro came in with a not-so-pleasant surprise.
"First, this is a Russian project that we only recently learned about from the CIA's database. And second, the risk of undergoing this experiment isn't even worth the reward."
"It will be worth it, I'll make it so." Kagami was no stranger to rejecting logic.
"Ahhaa, you know you're the 00 unit, right? Who's going to pilot the XG-70 if you're running about the field in a TSF?"
"I won't be in the Susanoo all the time, right? Besides, it's not hard to climb from one machine to the other." While Kagami indeed had changed her machine during an attack, Kouzuki wandered if it was nearly as flawless as she exaggerated.
"That's not the problem here, you understand that too. I cannot risk modifying the people's last hope, MY project's last hope." Kouzuki was hard-set on refusing Kagami's demand, it was just that Kagami wasn't in a position where she would back down.
"Kouzuki-sensei, I only want to use this as a way to better protect Takeru-chan, our friends and also this world. There was too many times… too many times when I could have saved others, but I was too weak to do anything. The Susanoo could only carry me this far, I need everything to better protect his dream." With a hint of trauma, Kagami ended her unprepared speech.
"We need more power, Professor. Please." Yashiro also added her opinion.
As a scientist, Kouzuki only believed in what she could prove. The feeling and determination of others was always a non-factor to the genius. Then again, the past month and a half had been the most mind-boggling time in her twenty-seven years of life.
A self-proclaimed Causality Conductor knocked loudly on her door and fixed her theory with his more successful version that brought the 00 unit into being. Then the man accomplished some magnificent feats during his short stay such as scheming and achieving Alternative V's downfall, albeit with her support.
It was willpower and commitment the young man showed to her, and it was with such strength that he overcame the desperate past.
"Kagami, do you know the procedure we need to make for this operation of yours to work?"
"Yes, install a stimulation concept to the central processor and route the conductors, right? I think I can do that myself." Kouzuki was about ninety-nine percent sure Kagami couldn't perform the surgery on her own, it was that one percent which she doubted.
"How about you, Yashiro? You know the procedure to activate Prafka for you?"
"Fine-tune the Prafka effect undertone with medication and releasing mental barriers." Kouzuki-sensei let out another sigh at Kasumi's correct answer.
"…Ahh, I'm tired too… here, look at this." Even when she was unwilling to further their conversation, Kouzuki still transferred the computer feed to the big screen for the duo of espers.
When Kouzuki first came upon the discovery of Prafka in one of the CIA's classified files, she herself even suspected its credibility. Nevertheless, all that reluctance was blown away when she saw a video clip of the said effect in action.
The tapped record was one of the few evidences of Russian esper experiment left. While its quality wasn't in 1080P HD, Kagami and Yashiro were able to appreciate the survival of such importance document.
In the video itself, a Su-37 could be recognized standing before a massive wave of BETA, they couldn't decide if it was either simulation or real-life. But it clearly didn't matter a few more seconds in.
The machine moved, faster than the eye could follow. As it rushed headfirst into war, into death, there was only one certainty that will result from the vibe of its action.
It will kill quicker, better and deadlier than anything they seen before. With a strange ray of light behind it, the TSF slayed all that stood before it.
Unfortunately, the clip ended just as things were getting good. Its abrupt termination brought Kagami and Yashiro back to the present day.
"…As a scientist, I have a craving to understand the unknown. I am as interested in this Prafka as you two, to be honest. We do have the equipment required to undergo the experiment here, there's only one concern I have. Kagami and Yashiro, how can you to be sure that nothing will go wrong?"
"Because I'm willing to take this risk, sensei. This… I can't let this chance go."
"Me too, it's for Takeru-san." Kouzuki's downward casted stare was useless on the two espers.
"Then you two should prepare yourselves. I don't think it's gonna be a fun time."
Shirogane Takeru
Hallway
"What a neat and satisfying dinner, they must have put tremendous effort into preparing such an event."
"True, I'm pretty sure they been working on this for three days now." My memory failed my again when I tried to recall how many times Sumika had celebrated my birthday in past loops.
After our party, we cleaned the place up and disbanded for the night. Meiya tagged along with me on a whim when I headed for my room, which only made sense since our quarters were metres away.
"Tell me the truth, Takeru. You knew about their plan beforehand, correct?"
"Emm, not really. I mean, kinda? Sumika is too dumb to hide this sort of stuff completely and it's not like there's another reason for them to act all secretive on our birthday."
"Huhuhu, if that is what you say. I shall believe that." I chuckled along with Meiya on our way back to the barrack.
"Yes… today is my birthday, which means it is also Aneue's birthday." Meiya, stating that obvious.
"Uh-huh, got that right."
"Haaa, I must be satisfied with my feelings alone for now. One day, I shall be by her side when this date comes around once more." A saddened sigh was heard, but in the sorrowful voice was a beacon for future happiness.
—
"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow, Meiya." With a light smooch on her forehead, I was all ready to leave Meiya for the night.
"…T-Takeru! Do you have any plans for tonight?!"
"Nope, I am free as a bird. Not like I'll be going anywhere though, so that example doesn't make much sense… how about like a plane…? That also wouldn't work—" I was lost in thought thinking about the better use of a metaphor.
"T-That is not what I meant!" A flustered Meiya shouted at me for my attention.
"Huh? What do you want then?"
"Y-you said you are free tonight, right?"
"Yeah."
"And today is our both of ours birthdays, c-correct?
"Sure is."
"And there should not be any misunderstanding between us about o-our r-r-relationship, right?"
"Unless you're wrong, we're fine."
"S-so-so-so i-i-is it okay for m-m-me to-to…" This was taking forever and some more time. Meiya was painted pure red at this point for obvious reasons, and I didn't help her out just because.
"You keep stuttering like that it's gonna be a habit. Meiya, speak!"
"Can I spent THE NIGHT WITH YOU!?" And there it was, I got bored seventeen times during her reveal.
"You wanna hang out? Sure, come on in."
"Ahaaa…" Once I unbolted my door and basically dragged a super embarrassed Meiya with me, another long night was about to take off.
Shirogane's room
"See? If you fold this edge backwards and clip the sizes, it makes exactly NOTHING!" I shouted as a blanket was thrown to the back of the room.
"Emm…" Meiya nervously rested on my bed without as much as moving a finger, which was what caused my frustration seconds ago. Many of my methods of getting her to react all ended in failure.
After inviting her in, we stood around in total awkwardness before sitting down in total awkwardness. I clearly knew what she wanted, I just desired to force the feelings out of her first, which was clearly making no progress.
"So it's almost midnight now, guess I'll get this over with." My impatience won out in the end.
"H-hum? W-what is that you wish to end?"
"Your virginity." I delivered that line without missing a beat.
"WHA—" I didn't give her a chance to protest before I sealed her lips.
"Shh, shh. You wanted this, right? Just keep your head down and ass up, let me take care of this." The sentence was whispered seductively as I lightly bit on Meiya's ear, she was about to yelp if I didn't insert my fingers into her mouth.
"Ummuura…! T-t-t-t-TAKERU! W-w-what are you— Muuuunn!" Starting off a bit forceful wasn't too bad of a play either.
I clutched both of Meiya's hands and held them down by pushing her down onto my bed, her short struggle wore off in seconds followed by a mutual kiss that lasted much longer.
"Meiya… sorry about that, couldn't control myself."
"Takeru… it is fine, that is much more like you."
"I… I love you, Meiya."
"Me too, my heart is destined to be yours, Takeru. Let us continue this moment, I will forever be with you."
"Same, I'll never leave you… again." Our lasting evening sustained its peace and tranquility after Meiya missed my last word.
Author's note
Did you all think I was dead? Well you thought wrong. Sure, I took quite a long break, but here's an update, so stop complaining.
For the part about Yui being shot, that's canon, I didn't make it up. Short version is: One day Yui was walking, some sniper guy went pew! She was like ouch, fell down, starts bleeding, passes out, brought to the hospital, found out her watch saved her life. The end.
In other news, the Sarwnchemarken (I refuse to Google the actual spelling.) anime aired its first episode. It's about 1980s German people in the Alternative universe, go watch if you're interested. Airs every Sunday morning.
If you absolutely hated my portrayal of Yui and Meiya in this chapter, make sure to tell me, by reviewing, of course. But if there's actually a problem, be sure to let me know so I can fix it.
BETA done by chad001. As someone in college or university, I think you should be really thankful for your student loan. It did so much for you that I don't think you can pay it back.