Chapter 26: A New Challenger Approaches
Kazuma sat by the bed on a chair he'd dragged over, looking down at Aqua as she snored softly. She was still in her school uniform, just with her shoes off. He wasn't undressing her tonight.
She actually does look pretty cute, sleeping like that, Kazuma thought to himself, then roughly slapped his own cheek. No. He couldn't think thoughts like that. He was going to ruin everything. Was ruining everything.
He clasped his hands together, leaning back to look up at the ceiling. It had been such a simple plan. Find this Goddess Haruhi, get her to give him and Aqua a lift back to Belzerg. Shack up with Megumin. Bid this useless deadweight goddess goodbye forever.
Only...somewhere along the way, long before they'd gotten back to Earth, Kazuma had stopped thinking of Aqua as a useless deadweight. Sure, she was annoying and frustrating, not to mention about as bright as a guttering match, but….but she was his best friend. Had been, for a long time.
"Dammit Aqua, why did you have to make this complicated?" Kazuma hissed to himself. He'd given up on Aqua as a romantic partner. At first, she'd been way too annoying. Then, she'd shown zero interest in him, whereas both Megumin and Darkness had opened up and showed him some affection. Hell, Iris had shown more romantic interest in him than Aqua had. So why pine for Aqua, even if she was his first and best friend, when he had a cutie like Megumin?
And it wasn't like he and Megumin weren't good friends too. She was a great friend, and even if her chuuni delusions and Explosion obsession could get in the way she still cared for Kazuma. And well, she'd been the mover and shaker in their relationship if he were honest with himself. Which was something he usually avoided, but he was feeling rather mauldin this evening.
So, Kazuma did love Megumin. Not like a sister, not like a friend, like a lover. Hell, they'd basically promised each other to hand in their V cards together once the Devil King was defeated. He'd really been looking forward to that. Not just because no one would be able to call him a virgin NEET anymore, but...but because he loved Megumin and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
"Harem ending is probably off the table," Kazuma grumbled to himself. Aqua might actually be up for that, all things considered. Her Axis Cult was...well weird didn't even begin to describe it, but orgies were apparently a part of their religion or something. Kazuma had stayed the hell away from that. But Megumin? Megumin would sooner kill Kazuma than share him. Even with Aqua. She'd made that abundantly clear to Darkness when she hadn't realized Kazuma could overhear her. And Darkness was just as good a friend to them as anyone.
"Like my perverted older sister. Wonder what she's up to, anyway?" Kazuma sighed again and looked back down at Aqua. That brought back...memories.
I'll do anything to get Aquarius back, and I know he'd do the same for me!
Oh, just you wait, Bunny Boy. When we get home, I'm going to-
Kazuma cut off that line of thought and blushed, feeling a little sick. Fem Kazuma was, well, she was mostly him, but a few things were different. Namely that she had a very vigorous physical relationship with her boyfriend. He was infinitely grateful that he and Aqua had not slept together while in...whatever world that was.
"It's Haruhi's fault. I wouldn't feel this way if not for that damn Princess," Kazuma grumbled under his breath.
That wasn't true though, and he knew it. He was lonely. Scared. And this wasn't the first time he'd felt this way. And just like before, who was there for him at every turn? Aqua. She'd apparently remembered while they were in that other world, and done everything she could to get back to Kazuma.
It doesn't matter. You're here. Thanks. Love you.
That kiss...it wasn't Kazuma's first kiss. Darkness had claimed that one. Anyway, he and Megumin had been playing tongue hockey since after that festival they'd put on in Axel, and some of them had been a lot more creative and much more prolonged than the quick press of the lips Aqua had given Kazuma. Here and now though….
"What happens if I get into bed with you?" Kazuma asked the sleeping Aqua. "You said you love me. So, you wake up, I'm in bed with you. We cuddle, we kiss, what happens?"
He had a pretty good idea. He wanted to stay loyal to Megumin, because he did love her, and he'd promised her something. But if he tempted himself like that…
Grumbling, Kazuma stood up, got a blanket, and stalked out to the futon by the TV. He lay down and gave up thinking for the night.
"Welcome to Japan, Major...?" the US Embassy Economic assistant officer paused, eyeing the woman who had just stepped off the C-5 Galaxy. The line where her name should have been simply read "Smith." She didn't look like much, but then, neither did he. He appeared to be a weedy little nerd who haggled about tariffs and import fees and other such economic concerns. Not that he wasn't, but he was also a CIA operative with years of field experience and a double-digit body count to his name.
"Major is fine," the woman answered, her head slowly shifting to take in the Yokota Air base. "You may refer to my assistant as Lieutenant."
The operative glanced back at the plane, which was being unloaded. Another woman, also in a USAF jumpsuit appeared, loaded with two packs. She was much taller than her companion, though she also wore dark glasses. The rank tab on her suit indicated she was a 2nd Lieutenant, but just like the Major's rank was likely a complete fiction.
"Very well. I take it you're the ones who've been sent from Over the Rainbow?"
That produced a small smile on the supposed Lieutenant's lips, while the Major nodded at the code phrase. "Yes. We've come to see to the Witch of the East."
"There's been a development while you were in flight, Major. If you'll come with me, I'll brief you."
The two women followed the agent to a conference room that had been set aside for just such a purpose. From his secure briefcase, the Lieutenant pulled out a dossier once the door was locked, passing them to the two Delta Green operatives.
"It seems that there is not one Wicked Witch, but two," the agent explained.
The major reviewed the papers, her expression completely neutral. She passed them to the Lieutenant after a minute, returning her attention to the agent. "I see. This changes things. The girl, her name, it is familiar..."
"She's the daughter of that famous Japanese athlete," the Lieutenant said, looking up from the papers. "The one who competes in the triathlon at the Olympics. I believe he plays baseball as well."
"That is correct. He's something of a national hero in Japan. Removing his daughter from the equation will be a...sensitive matter."
"So you are saying simply removing the threats with a sniper round from two kilometers off is out of the question," the Major sighed. "Never the simple jobs."
"No, ma'am. There is also one more. We don't think she's a Class Apollyon like the two Witches, but she's at least Keter. She has a companion, also a Keter, who could pose a significant combat threat."
The agent produced two more dossiers, handing them to the Major. For the first time, her expression altered, a slight widening of the eyes. The Lieutenant glanced over, sucking in a breath through her teeth.
"Are you familiar with these two? They just popped up on our radar. Potential extradimensional origins."
"I see." The Major tucked the new dossiers away as well. "I'm afraid I'll need to contact my command in regards to this. Anything further, Agent?'
"One thing further. We have an asset that could be of some use to you in this situation. They've just been cleared for operations. You can use the asset as you see fit, or not. It's up to your preferences, Major."
"What asset is this?" the Major asked.
The agent pressed a call button in. "Richards? Send in the asset to meet our guests."
A few moments later, the door opened, and a redheaded young girl of about highschool age stepped in. She was dressed in a green Chinese martial arts uniform with yellow buttons and embroidery. She bowed to the room, exposing two oddly decorated tonfa on her belt.
"I am pleased to meet you," the girl said in lightly accented English. "I will assist in your efforts to protect the world as best I can."
"She seems rather young," the Lieutenant pointed out, sounding uncertain.
"Yes, but we are dealing with highschoolers. Perhaps she can be of assistance in this matter," the Major said, stepping forward and looking the girl up and down. When the younger woman straightened, she was slightly taller than the Major, who was far too short to be an actual pilot in the USAF. An oversight on her uniform.
"Do you feel adequate to infiltrate a highschool and carry out an elimination mission against dangerous, high value targets?" the Major demanded bluntly.
"I'll do whatever I can to preserve the continuity of this time plane," the girl promised. "I am well trained in combat."
"Hmm. We shall see. Very well, we can make use of her for now," the Major agreed.
After a few more handing over of various physical assets such as a place to stay, proper clothing, and cover identities, the agent returned to his car for a drive back to the embassy. He felt a bit bad sending someone like X11 after two highschool girls, but he was just following orders, after all.
Tsruyua strode into the foyer, grinning broadly. That had been fantastic! Being a boy for a couple of days!? Talk about a riot! She couldn't wait to get to school tomorrow and ask if anyone else remembered! Weird that she hadn't remembered being a girl while she was a boy, but she sure did now!
"Ah, Miss Tsuruya, your parents wish to see you in the dining room," Jeeves said. Jeeves wasn't his real name, that was Tamaru, but Tsuruya thought a butler should be called Jeeves. Or maybe Alfred, but sadly her dad wasn't Batman. More like Carmine Falcone.
"Really? I didn't even do anything this time!" Tsuruya laughed, then headed for the small family dining room. Why did their house have to be so big? Tsuruya would be totally cool with just a little one. Sometimes it was a bother.
As always, Tsuruya slid the door open just a little too hard. "Hey Mom, hey Pops, what's up?"
"Tsuruya. Come sit, please," her mother said gently. Her father didn't say anything, his face locked in a scowl, head bowed, eyes closed.
Oh shit, what was up now?
"Look, Pops, if this is about my run in with the other organization...I was like, super sure it wasn't our guys. I texted Nitta first and everything! I took out some competition! That's totally fine, right?"
"Tsuruya. What have your mother and I told you about using your abilities? About fighting?" her father ground out, slowly opening his eyes and glaring at Tsuruya.
She sighed. "Not to use them just because, but only if my life or the life of someone else is in danger. And try not to kill the normals if I can help it. But Dad! Nagato and Mizu were totally in danger! I had to help them!"
She hadn't killed that many people. Probably. And they had super deserved it anyway.
"And what have we told you about the Suzumiya girl!" her father thundered, pointing an accusatory finger at Tsuruya.
"Not to get caught up in her diabolical schemes. But Dad! She's my friend, Asahina's my friend, I can't just-"
"We have tolerated your behavior long enough, young woman. If you cannot behave yourself, your mother and I will send you to a boarding school. In America," her father hissed.
Tsuruya's mouth flopped open, and she looked to her mother. For once, there was no gentleness there, but steel. It was easy to forget that her Mafia Don father wasn't the dangerous one. It was her mother that was the demon.
"Tsuruya. Do you understand what you have gotten yourself into? You are now affiliated with Haruhi Suzumiya in the minds of the community. Not just the other organizations. Those in the know now think that Haruhi Suzumiya has tamed a demon."
"Well what if she has? She's a perfectly nice girl! And she's fun! Look, if you care so much about this, why'd you even let me go to North High in the first place?!"
"There were...extenuating circumstances. We thought Haruhi was going to enroll elsewhere," her father grumbled. "That was the understanding. It seems you are not the only one with powers of persuasion."
"And there is...another. Someone we have not told you of before," her mother added.
"Oh, wow, my parents are keeping secrets from me! Big shocking twist there!" Tsuruya cried, throwing her hands up in the air dramatically.
"And for good reason! We do this to keep you safe. You do not understand just how dangerous this world can be!" her father lectured.
"Think I got a pretty good handle on it. You two know what happened the past couple days?" Tsuruya taunted.
That got her parents to shut up, and they exchanged a startled look.
"Ha! Bet you didn't know we all swapped junk for a couple of days! And I know just who was responsible for it, too! Haruhi, Aqua, and that other chick."
"How do you know about Kiriko Ryuuguuin?" her mother demanded.
"Didn't know her name, but thanks! Wait, Ryuuguuin? You don't mean- HA! Oh, that's great! So I guess the Invincible Seiya has some sort of super powers too?! Oh man, is he like, a demon, or a kami or-"
"He is an old...school friend," her mother answered, sighing heavily. She looked to her husband, distrubed. "This changes things."
"I know, I know," her father muttered, rubbing at his forehead. He looked back up at Tsuruya, frowning. "What, exactly, do you know?"
"Well, I don't know everything, or all the stuff I bet you two know, but I do know that Aqua's some sort of goddess, Kazuma's from another world, and Haruhi and her cousin are goddesses, or something, and that they are the most fun and interesting people on the planet! And-!"
Tsuruya drew herself up, pausing for dramatic effect. "-that every freak and weirdo in Japan is going to be gunning for them! Which means, they need my help! Ha! You told me I could use my powers to help people, well they need help! And Tsuruya Natsuki isn't a quitter!"
"Tsuruya, those girls are gods. You're a demon," her father said in exasperation. "You know what sort of rivalry exists between the kami and oni."
Tsuruya blew a very loud, very wet raspberry to show what she thought of that.
"This isn't something you can just dismiss. The ancient war between the gods and demons extends far beyond this planet, or even this reality," her mother lectured, sounding exasperated. It was, of course, all things Tsuruya had heard before.
"Well, I get along great with Haruhi! Why not try and bury the hatchet and stuff? I could be the first demon that becomes buddy-buddy with a goddess!"
"No! That never ends well, for the demon or the god! Haven't you listened to anything your mother and I have been trying to tell you?" her father cried.
"Dear…" Tsuruya's mother put her hand on her husband's arm. "It is...her. And Haruhi is her daughter. Maybe…?"
Before the argument could continue, there was a polite rap on the door.
"Sir? Mr. Nitta is here with a business matter. He says it is urgent," Jeeves' voice said.
"What? I've told Nitta not to come to the family home on such matters!" Tsuruya's father snapped, standing up and sliding open the door, revealing both Jeeves and an embarrassed looking Nitta.
"Er, yeah, boss, it's just...well, this is business and family," Nitta said, his eyes sliding over Tsuruya before snapping back to her father.
"Hey Nitta! Is Hina here?" Tsuruya said excitedly, jumping to her feet.
"She's, um, busy. Look boss, I wouldn't have come if it wasn't important," Nitta said nervously.
"Fine. What is it?" Tsuruya's father asked, motioning Nitta inside. "If this involves Tsuruya, you can speak in front of her and my wife. Is this in regards to the incident with the Ishikawa-bunke?
"Eh, maybe? Look, a foreign woman just showed up. Real piece of work. Anyway, you said you wanted to know if anyone started asking questions about that stuff…"
Nitta went on, and Tsuruya's eyes lit up as a cheshire grin spread over her face. She was going to have so much fun in the next few weeks!
The apartment on 68-01 Yama Street appeared to be perfectly normal from the outside. Even a casual inspection of the inside showed a place that was furnished with plain but functionally. To discern the abnormalities, one would have needed data processing powers far in excess of what even most of the more exceptional residents of Sol Teritus possessed.
Emiri Kimidori, the usual occupant of the apartment, sat quietly at a table, sipping tea. She did not strictly speaking need to, but the ritual was a part of her programming as HN-0002. At precisely 12:00am, there was a flickering in the hall, the folding of data, and a new form appeared.
"Hello, HN-0001," Emiri said pleasantly, setting down her tea cup on her saucer. "Won't you sit down?"
"Oh, hello, Kimidori!" Ryouko Asakura said brightly, giving her counterpart a wide smile. "Why, this isn't my old apartment! I was staying in Nagato's building. Come to think of it, so were you. Why are we here? I was hoping to pay a visit to Nagato. Do you think Kyon would be there?"
"I suggest you sit down and take tea. Things have changed, HN-0001," Emiri stated firmly.
"Oh, does that mean I shan't be permitted to kill Kyon? I had determined his death would have the most interesting effect upon Miss Suzumiya!" Asakura giggled as she knelt by the table across from Emiri.
Silently, Emiri poured out the tea for Asakura, topping off her own cup before setting it back on the table. She inhaled the aroma of the tea, closing her eyes and smiling. She didn't take any particular pleasure in the odor; it was simple data after all. But it was her programmed response to that stimuli. Emiri was the later model, an iteration based on correcting the mistakes that had been made with the earlier humanoid interfaces.
"Your reconstitution was unexpected. It was calculated that HN-0000 had permanently erased you," Emiri said, opening her eyes to regard Asakura.
"Oh don't be silly, I'm not that easy to get rid of," Asakura said with a girlish giggle. "Besides. I think we both know how I came back."
"No. That parameter was not calculated by the Data Overmind," Emiri said with a shrug.
"Why, it's because of what I am, and what Yuki is! And, our connection to Kyon! I'm her...well, Yandere Urgings for Kyon Interface! She's very attached to him, you know."
"So you are not the original, but an aspect of HN-0000?" Emiri replied.
"That was a pun, Kimidori. It spells out Y-U-K-I. Come on, it's ok to have some fun at this!"
To make her displeasure readily apparent, Emiri fixed a disgusted look on her face. "You are a humanoid interface. I had hoped with you, at least, the various trappings humans use to obscure their data exchange could be dropped. You are as corrupted as HN-0000."
"Oh, I'm still loyal, don't worry! I'll download my updates," Asakura tittered. Then she spun a knife out nothing, fabricating it in a most egregious display of data powers. She really was defective.
"You are permitted to exist because the Data Overmind has a mission for you," Emiri continued, ignoring the obvious ploy. As if a mere knife could threaten her. She was the Data Overmind in many ways, and it her. Unlike the previous humanoid interfaces, she had no sense of self in the human meaning of the word.
"Is it to kill Kyon?" Asakura asked eagerly, leaning forward with a smile that was all too bright and chipper.
"It is to secure unit HN-0000. It cannot be permitted to continue to operate independently. Indirect methods of re-securing HN-0000 have not met with success. More direct methods must be applied."
Asakura leaned back, wrinkling her nose. "Well I don't think Nagato likes me very much. Just talking to her isn't likely to get her to rejoin."
"We are aware. That is why your mission parameters are thus." Emiri laid out the Data Overmind's plan. Her plan. She would not be synching with HN-0001. The probability of corruption of further systems was low, but not nonexistent. After the success of this mission, both HN-0000 and HN-0001's programing would be erased and the platforms repurposed for the Data Overmind's true goal.
Secure Haruhi Suzumiya, and attain auto evolution.
Mikuru was delighted to find herself waiting for her when she got home. She then had to pause and think about just what it meant that she had made herself dinner despite not having been home at the time.
"Oh, hello, you're back already! Just a moment, the tofu's nearly done," Big Me said, smiling and waving to Mikuru.
"Um, yes, I was just going to check in with you. Did you, er…?" Mikuru did not know how to ask if her older self had also been turned into a boy.
"I wasn't on this time plane at the time of the Event, so I wasn't caught up in it. I came by to get a debriefing, actually. I need to make sure events match up," Big Me told Mikuru as she spooned out some rice into two bowls, followed by some tofu and vegetables in shoyu sauce.
"Thanks for the food!" Mikuru said happily, then paused, and spooned a bit of rice out to the side. "And, um, thanks Aqua, for fixing things."
Big Me made a similar offering, and the rice vanished in a flurry of blue sparks.
"Does it always do that?" Mikuru asked curiously, watching as the food dissolved to light.
"No, only when she really needs them," Big Me explained.
Mikuru made to offer her entire plate, but Big Me shook her head. "No, it's not the amount, just the thought. At least, that's how Aqua explained it to me."
"Oh, you know her?" Mikuru asked curiously.
"Well, of course I do. I'm you, remember?" Big Me teased.
"Well, yes, but do you still know her? Are you still friends?" Mikuru prompted.
"Um. I don't think I can tell you that," Big Me said, looking uncertain.
Mikuru gave her older self her very best puppy dog eyes.
"Look, I would tell you if I could, but I really can't," Big Me protested. Fortunately for her, Wells picked that moment to meow loudly and look in confusion at the two humans who both smelled like his maid.
"Oh, Wells! Who's a good kitty?" Big Me cooed, picking the cat up and stroking him, then feeding the cat a bit of tofu. Wells accepted this offering as his due, and decided it was permitted for two humans to fawn over him.
"Don't you have your own Wells?" Mikuru asked.
Big Me's eyes suddenly filled with tears, and she sniffed, suddenly hugging Wells tightly. "...I did."
"Oh." Mikuru looked down, feeling sad herself. But Wells was already an adult cat, and Big Me looked like she was at least a decade older than Mikuru. Of course Wells wasn't around anymore.
"He had a good life," Big Me said quietly, letting the annoyed Wells hop back down to the floor.
"I'm glad," Mikuru sniffled, and the two of them finished their meal in silence.
"Um, thanks for the food," Mikuru said. "S-should I give my report?"
"Yes, I'll make some tea," Big Me agreed. "Same place it usually is?"
MIkuru nodded, then blinked. Wait, would that be where Big Me thought it was?
Apparently it was, and Mikuru launched into her recounting of the very confusing and embarrassing events of the past two days. She finished with a question. "So...did all that happen to you?"
"Yes. Everything is still well within established parameters for this timestream," Big Me agreed, leaning back and sipping at her tea. "You did well, Little Me. That was a risky point of possible divergence."
"What could have happened?" Mikuru asked curiously.
"I...I'm not sure. But sometimes...time planes just...vanish. Poof. And that is one point it could happen. You were cut off for the entire time. I don't know if it means those time planes are destroyed or I just can't get to them," Big Me admitted. Then she smiled. "But don't worry about it! You did excellently!"
"Thanks!" Mikuru swelled with pride. She rarely got such unconditional praise. Actually, she never did. It was rather nice.
"I wish I could tell you that the hard part is over, but…" Big Me bit her lip, looking worried.
"Oh. Is this about my date with Haruhi? Do we...work out?"
Big Me hesitated, then glanced around and leaned closer. "Look, sometimes it does, and sometimes it doesn't. It's a major event, yes, but really don't worry about it and try to have fun, OK?"
"Um, ok. But if it's not the date, then…?" Mikuru felt herself growing nervous, gripping the table edge with sweaty palms.
"There is...danger, ahead. There are certain things that are likely to happen, but I can't be certain. Time is…"
"Like a ball of yarn?" Mikuru ventured.
"Well I suppose, but that always makes me think of kittens, not time travel," Big Me admitted, glancing at Wells who was cleaning himself and giving her dirty looks for her over enthusiastic affection earlier.
"Oh. Um, then what is it like?"
"It's like...um, one of those games that Kazuma likes. N-not the perverted kind!" Big Me said hastily. "But… the kind with many paths. The choices that you make matter. Sometimes, you say something instead of being silent, and the timeline forks one way instead of the other. Perhaps you end up with a good ending either way, or perhaps you end up with a bad one. And you don't know which is which. And worst of all, even if you have a guide, like me, you can still get lost because the same choice can have different outcomes here. Does that make sense?"
"Not really. Maybe I should ask Kazuma to show me one of those games," Mikuru sighed.
"I tell you what, it won't come out for a few years, but I'll bring you back a copy of Steins;Gate. I enjoyed it. Oh, and My Darling's Embrace. I like that one much better, the original was too much like work sometimes," Big Me offered.
"Oh. Um, is it OK to have future artifacts? That's against regulations," Mikuru pointed out.
Big Me giggled and winked. "Don't worry, there's no regulations except the ones that we impose on ourself! Well. It was good talking with you. Call if you're in trouble. I can't always come and help. There's a lot of dangers ahead. But also new friends. And maybe...a happy ending."
"I'll work hard for a happy ending for everyone!" Mikuru promised, puffing out her chest and raising her fists to show her determination.
"I always do. Good night, Little Me."
Mikuru slept well that night, even with the threat of an uncertain future. At least someone thought she was doing a good job. Even if that person was her future self.
The next morning, Mikuru happily prepared for school, then hurried off after giving Wells a goodbye pet. She tried to keep alert for dangers, but she wasn't certain what they would look like. She was just about to the school when something large and scary jumped out of an alley at her, causing Mikuru to cry out in panic and jump away.
"MIkuru~! You're a girl again!" Tsuruya laughed, scooping Mikuru up in a big hug. "So am I! How about that?"
"Y-you scared me, Tsuruya," Mikuru gasped. Then she blinked, looking up at her grinning friend. "You...remember? Does everyone?"
"Nah, just me so far. At least from what I can tell, my parents and everyone else didn't remember. But you do?"
MIkuru nodded, and Tsuruya hooted with laughter. "What do you want to bet it's only the SOS Brigade that remembers? Oh, oh, I hope Haruhi will make me an official member! That would be megas awesome!"
"Well, you did help save Yuki and Aqua, so I think so," Mikuru agreed as they started off towards school.
"Even if I'm a demon?" Tsuruya asked, suddenly sober and eyeing Mikuru out of the corner of her eye.
MIkuru hesitated, and she saw Tsurya deflate. Quickly, she took her friend's hand in hers. "Tsuruya...you're my first and best friend. I don't care if you're a demon, or a goblin, or what! You're a good person, and that's what matters! And I think Haruhi would agree."
"Ha! I knew I picked right when I decided we should be friends! Didja know, I didn't even realize you were a freak like me until later? Ha! That was a twist! You should have heard my Dad! 'Careful with that Asahina girl, she's a time traveler!' As if I would leave a poor shy cutie like you to languish alone!"
The first period of the day was PE, so MIkuru didn't have time to check in with the others, instead having to change into her gym uniform. To her surprise, an administrator was waiting for them in the gym, looking stern.
"Well, girls, Ms. Nishida is officially having a baby. She's taking time off as the pregnancy is giving her some troubles," the admin told the group.
Mikuru gasped happily, clapping and smiling for her teacher. Most of the other girls looked pleased as well, as their gym teacher had been popular, and it was known she and her husband had been trying for a child for some years.
"As such, we've hired a new teacher to take over for her class. She's a foreigner, but she speaks Japanese very well and has all the right references. I hope you won't give her any troubles."
Mikuru turned to see a tough looking foreign woman with a stern face step into the gym. She had blonde hair, blue eyes, and several scary looking scars on her face. Mikuru bit her lips, uncertain of what to think.
"Thank you, Ms. Yamamoto, I can take it from here," the woman said stiffly, standing before the girls and falling into a stance of attention. "Stand up!"
MIkuru and the rest of the girls jumped to their feet at the barked order, and she came rigidly to attention herself. Ms. Yamamoto nodded, apparently satisfied that this foreign devil could handle her class, and left as the new teacher stalked around the girls.
"The world is a dangerous place, recruits, full of vile monsters that would tear you limb from limb," the woman growled as she started to pace back and forth before the class.
Mikuru felt a cold knot of fear form in her belly. Was this one of the dangers she was supposed to face?
"What, like the creeps that try to peep on us in the shower?" one of the girls muttered.
"What was that, recruit!?" the new teacher snarled, jumping over to glare at the poor teen.
"N-nothing, ma'am!" the girl squeeked.
"Hmph. You will have to learn to be strong. If you are not strong, you will not be able to stand against the horrors of the world!" the woman declared. "Are you strong?"
"HECK YEAH!" Tsuruya hooted.
That seemed to take the woman aback, but she rallied quickly. "Yes, of course! You will be strong young women, with bodies that are weapons and shields! You will-"
MIkuru timidly raised her hand.
"What is it, recruit?" the new teacher demanded.
"Um, I just...what's your name?" Mikuru blurted.
For a moment, there was dead silence, the teacher glaring at Mikuru as the poor girl shrunk in on herself.
Then the teacher flushed, looking away. "H-how embarrassing. I have shamed myself in front of my own recruits! Captain Shinfornea would be so disappointed in me! Oh, the humiliation, the degradation!"
Mikuru blinked. Was the new teacher...panting?
"Um...it's ok, I forget sometimes too. I-I'm Mikuru Asahina."
"I'm Tsuruya!"
The other girls hastily called out their own names, and the teacher nodded.
"Yes. I understand. You may call me Tina Ford, or Ms. Ford. Now! We shall begin the physical exams!"
MIkuru nodded and quickly got down to do push ups. She really hoped this wouldn't be embarrassing.