Chapter 11: Unwanted
"You got to be fucking kidding me. Monroe?"
"Yup! The one and only Monroe that you know," he said, pointing his thumbs towards himself.
Monroe was dressed in a black and blue T-shirt with cargo shorts and had a backpack slung over his shoulders. Swears everywhere he goes, he still finds a way to tick me off in the most agitated way possible. No matter if it was on the ship, over the phone, or by text. But now this? What the hell does he even want?
Pinching the bridge of his nose, he let out a heavy sigh. Turning back towards Monroe who was just giving a ready smile.
"What is it that you out of all people doing here?"
"Well, you see. I found a better offer for an art class here coincidentally. The locals here say that the Azur island is barely within eyeing distance when standing on the beaches. Apparently, it's a tourist attraction here. I must admit, the sakura trees off the island and the architecture of the place are certainly picture-worthy. And hey, you probably got the picture of why I am here."
"Because you are a damn fool, you son of a bitch."
"I'm touched that you have met my mother," he sarcastically stated, making the other guards push back their snickering.
Shikikan, disappointed by his remark of his own mother let a sigh escape his lips, responding to his buffoon of a friend, "Same as ever, Monroe. Now get out of here! If you are thinking that you can get in here because I am in charge, you are not being welcomed into this place. This is a military island, not a tourist attraction."
"Aww…Don't be such a stick in the mud. I was part of the military, does that give me entry?"
"No. If you want to get in here, you have to sign up. If you want I can recommend you to the central command."
"Nah, I just want to see some ship baes. You still owe me a favor and I talked to you about this."
"Okay, one I barely check my phone due to work, and two what exactly do I owe you?"
"For saving your sorry ass while we were in the war."
"That occurs naturally."
"And also saving you from getting your teeth kicked in from the captain," he added.
"The others were there to stop me also," Shikikan stated in his rebuttal.
"Either way. You still owe me one."
"How about we do this another time? I'm busy."
"Busy doing what? Chasing tail?"
"You know well enough to know that I wouldn't do something as dirty as your mind."
"Well, that doesn't add up."
"What doesn't add up," Shikikan questioned Monroe's comment, making him raise a brow.
He pointed at Shikikan, "That hickey that you have on the back of your neck."
Upon hearing this, Shikikan froze and stared with wide eyes and raised eyebrows, "What? I don't have a hickey."
"Really? Then turn around and ask your soldier buddies if I'm joking."
Shikikan spun on his heel towards Claire and asked her, "Do I really have a hickey?"
She moved herself to view the back of his neck and spotted a small red and rustic-colored spot on the valley between his neck and left shoulder.
"It's hard to tell, sir. Did you get into an accident?"
"I don't think so. I remember that I— oh you gotta be kidding me! That bitch!"
"Who is it," he questioned.
"None of your business, Monroe. Just shut up!"
"Geez, sorry for asking," he said, raising his hands.
"Ugh, I'll have to increase her numbers even further than they are. Okay, Monroe. You win. I'll let you in, but you aren't even taking foot on the military part of this island, not even looking in the direction of the facility."
"Sir, is this really okay," questioned Claire.
"As long as he doesn't see anything about or bring anything in or out that we see as contraband. It will be fine."
"Yes, finally. I can see these kansens in person instead of on a screen."
"Alright, get in the Jeep. We're taking you to inspections and tell me about what you have been sending me."
Opening up the gates, it made an unpleasant metallic screeching until the gates were completely open. He eagerly jumped into the backseat of the Jeep and started yapping away as Claire drove us down towards the inspection center.
"Well, you see when I was researching the place of my new school. I saw that where you are working was here. I was planning to get a gift for you. Cause you know, I'm in town now. I know that I am a bad friend for not getting it for you when you were at the whole inauguration speech or whatever. But, I'm here to give it to you now."
"Uh, shouldn't I be the one greeting you?"
"Nah, it's fine. It's fine. You did get a house here right? Why don't we take a look at it?"
"Right after we get you checked out alright?"
He nodded in response. Reaching the inspections building, all of them entered and watched as Monroe dropped everything into the scanner and walked through the metal detector without issue.
"Alright, you're clear. Have a nice day, I guess," spouted the man operating the inspection area.
"I didn't know this place had an airport security checkpoint," Monroe said as he slung his backpack over his shoulders.
"We have to be careful. A war just ended and those pricks can be anywhere trying to gather more information to cause another potential war. You are lucky that I even let you in at all, but there is no next time. If you want to see me, you will have to invite me outside this place whenever I have off duty."
"It's fine. You're giving me a massive gift."
"What exactly are you giving me as a gift anyway?"
"Oh right!"
He started to remove his pack and began to rummage through his art-supplied bag. After sifting through his bag making various sounds of pencils brawling with each other, he fished out a black colored box with gold-colored trimmings and engraved logo on it and presented it to the commander.
He didn't even have to think about what the gift was. He immediately knew just by the expensive box by itself.
"You really shouldn't have spent this much money for such a gift."
"Hey, the ladies will love you if you put it on."
"Now why would I need such a thing as a cologne?"
"I don't know? You might go on a date with one of them or some other lovely lady," he hinted, clicking his tongue while looking at Claire.
"How flattering," she responded, "But, you two aren't really my type."
"Ouch," Shikikan said, "Better luck next time Monroe."
He shrugged it off and responded, "Hey, plenty of fish in the sea."
Hopping back in the Jeep, Monroe started giving out his life story to Claire as if they were old friends who haven't seen each other for years. Claire just simply nodded and said okay repeatedly as he kept talking. Shikikan honestly felt sorry that this had to be her of all people who had to tolerate him.
"We're here at the plaza," Claire announced.
Giving a quick scan around the perimeter, he knew that he was about thirty minutes away from his house. Enough time for Monroe to do his little tour of seeing kansen given that we aren't disturbed nor Monroe causes trouble, which now that he thinks about it which will be highly probable.
Claire was already driving off to go back to her post and Monroe was well, being Monroe.
The plaza was rather bustling with kansens. It was only logical as it was the weekend where most of them would have time off. Most of them were children energetically running around playing their game of tag or whatever kids play these days. Others were just taking their time in clothes stores or enjoying the radiant sunlight while eating their sweets.
Monroe, who kept himself in front of Shikikan at all times, was just twirling his head in multiple directions from kansen to kansen checking every detail and feature they had. This earned him a few questioning glares at the strange man that was with their commander.
"You are really wasting your life not hitting on these girls. They are a lot better looking in person."
"Standard protocols with males and females in a base of operation. You should know that."
"But do you at least hit on them whenever it is offduty for the both of you?"
"No."
"Does that mean I could?"
"Honestly, I don't care if you do. But, I highly doubt you can get them to even talk to you for more than what? Five minutes?"
"I bet you I can get a date in under five. Just point me in the direction of any of the ladies."
"Alright uhhh," Shikikan spun around on his heel to look for the perfect target that would be fitting for Monroe. His eyes spotted the perfect one to make his odds unfavorable, humiliating, and conclusively hilarious.
"Go and try to get that woman to swoon over you," Shikikan suggested, pointing at Akagi who is peacefully sitting inside a tea shop with her sisters.
"Hmm, a nine-tailed fox. I wonder."
"What? Are you lacking in ladykiller skills now?"
"No, just watch me."
"Alright, I'll be standing here as I watch you fail."
"Watch me, kid, on how it's done," he grinned. Moving to the location as Shikikan watched as he watched his friend walk towards his death from a distance. Shikikan was able to make out a few of Monroe's multiple and questionable gestures towards the brown kitsune with Kaga and Amagi watching.
Amagi… He should probably reconcile with her soon after the incident that happened a few days ago. How should he do it? Buy a gift? An in-home apology? Invite her for dinner? Is it best to go to her now or will that just kill the mood?
He tried to stop thinking for a little as he watched his friend fail miserably at trying to get her back as her sisters moved to another table. Chuckling a little bit as his friend was now trying to forget his failed attempt in getting Akagi by sitting himself at their old table and gesturing toward Shikikan to sit with him.
Moving past the doors, where he was immediately greeted by Akagi like an owner coming back home to be greeted by his dog. Only it isn't a dog, but a weaponized kitsune that is also a psychopath who is madly obsessed with him.
I guess that is what you would call yandere. An over obsessive and possessive person who is head over heels for the one they love. Or is she just simply misunderstood and has a true reason for why she is obsessed? Maybe it was just obsessive love like Atago.
The commander, as soon as he opened the door. He was overwhelmingly greeted by the brown kitsune as she threw her entire body while similarly wrapping her arms as another kansen with her head lightly rested on his shoulder.
"Shikikan-sama~"
"Akagi..."
"You came here to see me? Akagi is over the moon."
"Uh... Sure. I came to see you, Kaga and Amagi."
"You must be tired. Why don't you sit with us?"
"Uh, I'd rather not bother you three at this time," he said taking glimpses at Amagi and back to Akagi, "I have a friend that I have to talk to after a recent heartbreak."
"If you are referring to the man that had talked to me recently. He is nothing but an annoying insect. I only pledge my love to you and only you, Shikikan-sama. You must not forget that or we will have a private lesson together~"
"I will— for now, I have to go consult with a friend. I'll see you another time," he said, moving away from her.
In response to his actions, she frowned a little. Before he was able to get away she forced his head to look toward hers uttering, "Shikikan-sama, is that man worth spending more time than me?"
Unphased by her threats, he bluntly stated, "My friend came all the way here to see me. I'll be seeing him off in a couple of hours. So please, I know that this is selfish of me to say this, I want to spend some time with my friend before he goes. So can you please, leave us be. I can promise you that I will be with you another time."
"If you say so. Akagi will wait for your arrival," she pulled away walking back to her seat in a graceful manner.
It was a mistake choosing her.
Reaching Monroe who is drinking out of a cup of black tea, he opened up with a cheeky grin, "So… How'd it go, ladykiller?"
"You knew. Didn't you?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't act dumb. I saw what happened. Damn liar," he answered aggressively, putting down his tea.
"Hey now. We aren't a thing, it's just a misunderstanding."
"Then explain to me what had just happened."
"She has an obsession disorder. That is the best way that I can put it. Nothing more, nothing less."
"My bs detector is going off."
Shikikan once again shook his head in disappointment at his friend's disbelief and simply stated, "It's whatever. Believe what you want. I know how stubborn you can get, but you should know that I never and I can't emphasize this enough, never play around when it comes to the military."
"I still find it hard to swallow when you have a hickey on your neck."
"It's a bruise from an accident."
"Well, either way. If you find someone special in your life, be sure to tell me. I'm sure that one of these lovely ladies around here will accept you."
Chuckling a little, the commander replied, "Well, we will see about that. But, the chances for any real relationship is next to zero."
"Why's that," he questioned picking up his tea for a quick sip.
"You know damn well why."
"Hey, now kid. It wasn't your fault. You need to let go of that. You have other people to see and your sister is going to be fine. How do you expect to make new friends around here if you are always a stiff guy."
"I'll create a fake persona for those who don't know me. That's the benefit of meeting new people. Their first impressions of you will always stick hard to whoever they know," he whispered.
"Sounds dumb. How are you not exhausted from keeping up that charade?"
"I had a little bit of skill when I was a little younger. Will never forget what had happened during my time. And no I don't want to talk about it."
"Well, there goes my only question. Hmm... Oh! Does anybody know your true intentions?"
"A colleague here knows. There might just be another person who also knows, but that is just my intuition."
"Well, I hope you drop the charades. You're wasting your life for not getting a piece from the kansen. I mean c'mon— any woman would kill for a body like that."
"There might be an opportunity, but it isn't guaranteed. And I'm not as excited as you. These girls aren't what you think of them as."
"Oh, so you have someone of interest?"
"Maybe, but I'm not sure. She is— interesting to say the most."
"Can I see her?"
"Not today. Maybe another time. We should probably get going. My house is quite the way."
"Alright," he finished the rest of his tea and left his payment on the table, "Lead the way."
"Oh? A new person had decided to step onto the island," a teasing voice rang behind them.
"Prinz Eugen," the both of them turned, and there stood the Iron Blood heavy cruiser with her hands on her hip.
"Damn, is this one you are talking about?"
"No. But I'm not sure if she is just teasing or she just likes to bully me."
"Well, she seems perfect. Go for her."
"What? No! Standard protocol remember?"
"Ah, come on. Just grow a pair and do. You'll do fine," he assured, pushing him towards her.
Stumbling forward onto his knees because of Monroe's physical assurance, he was greeted by the Iron Blood who looked down at him as picked himself up, brushing himself off.
"My, oh my. Commander?"
"Uh... Yeah, hi," he stammered, itching the back of his neck all while looking at the ground as if he had dropped what he was about to follow up with.
She took a sharp notice in the commander's anti-social pause and decided to end the factor by talking about another subject at hand or rather behind him.
"Who's your friend over there?"
"Oh him? Yeah, I don't know that loser."
"You know I can hear you right?" He blurted in the background.
"Yeah, just ignore that guy. So— it's been a while."
"Indeed, Kommandant. I haven't seen you personally since our little tour together~" she remarked, taking a few steps closer to observe his slightly flushed face.
"Yes, yes indeed," he interjected as he unconsciously looked away to gain back his composure so he can achieve a regular conversation with the Iron Blood heavy cruiser.
"You know. It's rude to look away when you are talking to someone. Shikikan, am I that hard to look at?"
"No, you are quite attractive— I mean it isn't you, it's me," he quickly corrected himself, his expression was unsettling and dark red. His mind now repeatedly telling him to stop and run from his troubles but his body wouldn't respond as he stood motionless with his hand over his face hiding. If had a genie as of right now, he would wish to move out of this conversation without the memory of it ever happening.
As he perched in front of Eugen, she simply giggled at his embarrassing opinion of her. She moved closer to him and started to tug on his free arm gaining his attention.
"You know, I like you when you are standing high giving out commands. But, this side— this side of you is probably the most fun to see," she professed, flashing him a coy smile pulling on his arm still.
"Well, I have enjoyed our little conversation, but I have a person to take care of before he takes his leave. I will talk to you on another occasion," he told her as tried to remove himself from her grasp only for her to pull him closer.
Even though he wasn't in any danger, his heart unconsciously started to beat as fast as a hummingbird's wings, beads of sweat started to trickle down his neck. He tried to steady his breathing, avoiding his brain to freak out as she inched closer and closer moving closer to his face.
"Then I'll look forward to what you have to say next~" she whispered into his ear before pulling away, walking to a group of her Iron Blood friends as they all broke out into a laugh.
Shikikan let probably the heaviest sigh of relief from the overwhelming pressure from the little exchange that he had with Eugen. He thought that his heart would beat out of his chest if she kept at it with her unhuman-like teasing. Rubbing off the sweat from his neck, he started to head back towards Monroe only to see that he had left him in the middle of the plaza looking like some lost child.
I shouldn't have let him out of my sight.
Turning his head around while spinning on his heel, he made brisk surveillance of the surrounding area trying to identify his friend. Unbenounced to Shikikan, the idiot that he was looking for was fawning over a katana-wielding destroyer cladded in black, white, and blue matching her own character of black and white animal ears, white hair, and ocean blue eyes.
"Leave us alone. Or do you have a death wish," threatened Kawakaze as she began to unsheath her blade.
Nagato and Mutsu were both sitting down at a nearby bench enjoying a nice mochi along with some tea while watching the Sakura petals fall and a man about to be shred to ribbons by Kawakaze.
Monroe, completely oblivious to her warnings just stated, "You look just like Shirakami Fubuki."
"I don't know who you are or what a Shirakami Fubuki is. Just note that if you take another step towards Lady Nagato, I won't hesitate to cut you up."
He kept on ignoring her and kept his legs moving forward with his gaze fixated on her ears as both of his hands were reaching out in trying to floof her ears. Kawakaze took a few steps back as he kept on venturing forward, swiftly looking back at Nagato and back at Monroe, she brandished her black blade with a red edge as her eyes are fixated on his hands which were reaching out for her. Swiftly, she swung her weapon at her target.
"Stop," a voice yelled out to them, making the Kawakaze stopped as her blade was aimed at Monroe's wrists creating a small laceration drawing a droplet of blood.
All four of them looked over to see an out-of-breath commander had appeared a couple of feet away from the scene.
"You... are so lucky... that I had found you so quick..." he retorted, taking breathes in between his words.
"You didn't tell me that this organization has a real-life Fubuki working here," he said, moving his hands away to have them loosely hanging.
"Fubuki... is just... a streaming avatar. That's Kawakaze... and also I'm sorry Kawakaze, Nagato, and Mutsu for... my buffoon of a friend here for ruining your day," he apologized profusely, respectfully bowing his head.
"Speak when you aren't out of breath," stated Nagato, "Maybe we can hear you more clearly."
"Yes," he acknowledged.
Closing the distance between him and Monroe. His friend opened up with, "What's up Sh—"
The commander balled up his fist, recoiling his arm back, and threw a right hook at Monroe right at the side of his head knocking him down.
Rubbing his well-deserved bruising, grunting, "What was that for?"
"You would have lost your goddamn hands if I didn't show up in time," he chided, steadying his breathing, "We are leaving this place. I should have left you at the gate. As I was supposed to."
Shikikan lunged for Monroe's ear and started hoisting him upwards, making his friend call out a series of complaints and moans as he pulled him away from the scene.
"Once again, I'm sorry that he caused you trouble. I hope I can make it up to you three sometimes."
"You two are very similar. If you and Fubuki get together. It would be like two sticks in the mud," he sneered, trying to suppress the pain from Shikikan's ear pulling.
This enraged Shikikan a little, so he twisted his ear, driving Monroe to squeal a little.
"One, standard male and female protocol. Two, Fubuki— I mean Kawakaze here doesn't believe in the ideals of love. Now, come! I'm sending you back to your stay!"