She'd have appeared as a beautiful woman with a stern expression had any other teenage boy seen her. Even in her black business attire, she cut a strikingly imposing yet attractive figure.
To Kaiser, she was the worst-case scenario. Shiho Nishizumi stood 2 meters away from him at the sliding door to the room as her daughter sat across from him, welcoming her home. Though still appearing with a relaxed smile and casual posture, that was only because he was unsure how to react. His mind was screaming at himself to do something, to escape. Yet he swallowed down his instincts and instead played along for the moment.
'Worst case, I'm sure I can make a run. Stealing a plane can't be that hard right?' Any way you cut it, he'd rather deal with the repercussions of stealing an aircraft than any punishment from the head of the Nishizumi household while he was aboard her alma matter without permission no less.
Shiho's eyes darted to Kaiser and peered through him. "Maho, who is this?"
Maho turned to Kaiser and back to her mother. Raising an open palm she introduced him. "This is Aiden Junkers. A schoolmate."
Shiho's indifferent expression seemed to frown slightly at the answer. "You know it is inappropriate for a male and female student to be left alone, even in one's own home."
Maho nodded politely. "Yes, mother. It was however at fathers insistence."
"Was it now?"
Maho nodded again. "Mr. Junkers helped Father out previously today. He found our dog after he had escaped father's watch and even helped him repair the Panzer II."
Shiho raised an eyebrow as if asking 'Did he now?' Then why are you two alone now? Where is Tsuneo?"
"Father had taken off urgently and left me to tend to our guest. I assume it was regarding his visit and as we are schoolmates he assumed it would be fine for us to speak."
Shiho seemed to accept the explanation from her daughter, her eyes softening as she inhaled deeply at the thought of her husband. It was as her eyes snapped open and landed on him once more that Kaiser forgot any remorse he held for Tsuneo's secret and surprise slipping.
As Kaiser sat across from Maho, Shiho sat down next to her daughter and requested a cup of tea. Both he and the imposing head of Senshado sat in silence as Maho returned with the cup. She took a short inhale and sip before lowering the cup in satisfaction.
Kaiser watched her movements as prey would a predator. In doing so he noticed two things, her movements were refined, elegant in a way. They held purpose and strength. The other was the glare she directed at him once her cup set down. He had an expression that would divert his peers and make others think twice about approaching him. He had weathered both Nonna and Maho's powerful expressions, icy and fierce respectively. Yet here he felt completely overwhelmed as he struggled to maintain his facade before the power of not only the head of senshado but also a suspicious mother.
"What is your name and age?"
Kaiser hesitated, glancing at Maho who was focused on looking outside as her mother awaited an answer. In a split second, he answered. "Aiden Junkers, seventeen."
"How are your grades?"
"I am above average in all classes, including extracurriculars."
"Such as?"
Kaiser lied easily, though each word had him frantically worried it'd be his downfall. "Nothing school endorsed. Exercise and studying to assist my father with mechanical repairs, he works on cars although not on ships." He was careful to not give her anything she could look into.
She seemed to think for a moment before rattling off more questions. "Your family? How large? What do your parents do?"
Kaiser was confused but answered nonetheless. "I am on good terms with my family, four brothers and sisters. My father builds vehicles for the military and repairs vehicles as a side. My mother is a stay-at-home housewife."
Other than seemingly surprised at the size of his family, Shiho took another composed sip. "What are your past relationships like?"
"I'm sorry?" asked Kaiser with a snicker of disbelief.
"Mother…" said Maho trying to interject.
Shiho raised a hand asking her to wait a moment. Kaiser finally felt as if fumbling now was par for the course. "Ma'am or should I call you Miss Nishizumi?"
"Ma'am will do fine for now."
"Yes, Ma'am. Now may I know why you're asking me such personal questions?"
Shiho's eyes narrowed a fraction. "I should be asking you the same. Were you not proposing to my daughter with your talk of the future earlier?"
Kaiser for the first time in his memory, froze. Despite this, a tinge of pink grazed his cheeks and regrettably, the excuse of the day's heat wouldn't fly judging by Shiho's expression. He had no idea how to respond and thus shook his head fervently. "I am sorry for any confusion but that is not the case!" Raising his head and suddenly feeling defensive. "Rather, how did you come to that conclusion?!"
Still composed Shiho frowned at his blatant refusal. "You are acquaintances with Tsuneo are you not? That is how he proposed to me when we were young."
"Mother…: pleaded Maho from the side.
Realizing his rejection came across as rude he apologized. "I don't mean to insinuate your daughter is undesirable in any way but Marriage was not my intent by speaking with her. I'm only here because I found your lost dog!"
Maho interjected firmly. "Mother, not everyone is like you and Father. Especially with how close you two are."
"Even after you two seemed to be speaking so comfortably despite just meeting? I'm inclined to think you and Tsuneo went behind my back with this boy."
"I'd never!" said Kaiser and Maho simultaneously.
Shiho raised a hand for the two teenagers to calm themselves, despite her expression being unchanged, she simply sipped her tea and said "I was merely jesting." Kaiser and Maho exchanged glances, both wondering if this is how others saw them. Kaiser gave an empathetic look to Maho who seemed caught off guard by her mother's behavior as well.
The light rumble of a small engine came from outside causing their heads to turn and listen. "Maho, your father seems to have returned. Why don't you greet him and see if he needs a hand?"
With a reluctant look at Kaiser who wished she wouldn't but urged her to regardless of his panic, Maho stood and excused herself. A glance back from her told Kaiser she would return quickly but it did little to assuage his worry,
Shiho wasted no time in staring him down. Kaiser weathered the gaze as she spoke. "We don't have much time so let me be clear. Your uniform is clean, crisp, and ironed. Moreso than the average male and some female students. You also seem quick-witted and catch on to social cues despite the obvious discomfort of this situation. Am I wrong to think you perform better than your peers?"
Kaiser bowed his head and humbly nodded. "My performance is indeed better than most but I accredit myself to strict training and my parent's guidance.
"Humility is a virtue that can become a detriment if taken too far."
Kaiser laughed lightly. "That is true but I am simply giving credit where it's due. If I must say, you would be surprised at my usual demeanor."
"Are you implying you are lying to me?"
A short chill ran down his back as he waved his hand. "Not at all Ma'am, simply that there are certain ways to act before one such as yourself."
Why does that matter? I am not here as the head of Senshado or a member of Kuromoromine's board. I do not intend on threatening your tuition or enrollment. I am speaking as Maho's mother and your intentions with my daughter."
Kaiser was baffled. In his fretting, he hadn't even comprehended that amidst his espionage and maintaining his cover, he was just some suspicious classmate her daughter was speaking to in their home. If one of his sisters had done so he would be drilling them for questions as well.
It now crossed him that Shiho Nishizumi somewhat reminded him of his mother in certain ways. Drawing this parallel he felt renewed confidence in how to handle the situation and relaxed slightly, his casual smiling returning as his tension lightened.
With renewed confidence, their conversation picked up once more. "My intentions are innocent. If I'm being honest I never expected to meet her here or more than a few times in the future. She takes after you very much from what little we discussed."
"And that means?"
"She has a stoic front but is rather kind behind it. Thinking back Tsuneo told me much the same. It's embarrassing to admit to the person in question but the way he described you, I never would have assumed it was the Shiho Nishizumi based on what hearsay there is of the 'Iron Woman.'
Shiho sighed lightly. "Please I've heard enough of that nickname. I ask of you to keep quiet about anything too personal he may have said."
Kaiser chuckled, taking a sip of his drink, noticing he had drank it empty during his prior nervousness. Motioning a zipper across his lips he agreed. "My voice is silent. Although It doesn't need to be said, The Nishizumi house is surprisingly much more close-knit than many assume. Your daughters are especially affectionate towards each other and their parents."
Shiho's expression loosened at the words. As with Maho, it seemed the reassurance that her family thought well of each other was a source of comfort. Her brow furrowed slightly as she rebounded from the momentary ease. "Daughters? You know Miho?"
Kaiser's throat became dry instantly. "Maho mentioned her. She seems like a lovely sister from what I was told. It's actually how your daughter and I began talking so earnestly. We chatted about our siblings." Kaiser gave a brief mental apology to Miho, pretending that he didn't know her but not complicating matters any further and possibly staying alive was still at the forefront of his mind.
"I see…" Shiho seemed to drift off into thought momentarily before giving a determined look at him. It was a relief from her prior glare yet he felt he still couldn't keep up with her. He almost pitied Tsuneo, if he wasn't the reason he was here in the first place that is.
"Very well then. I shall confide in you for this matter. Maho will eventually study abroad in Germany in preparation for college. I am confident in her but-"
"As a mother you're worried?" finished Kaiser with a sympathetic tone. "You know her better than I and I can already tell she'll excel at whatever she undertakes" he assured her.
Shiho nodded matter of factly, not a doubt in her mind. "It's the fact that the school will be co-ed and has older males in it. Namely college-age males."
Kaiser had no way to assure her here. He could only assume that Maho's experience with males was the same as Miho's, nearly nonexistent. So he only gave a brief "I see…"
"When I was her age I face many challenges and overcame them. I had friends, family, and my Tsuneo, my fiance at the time. I would like my daughters to be just as prepared."
Kaiser's eyes dilated a fraction in panic as he barely maintained the smile on his face.
"That is why I will approve of you and Maho being acquaintances for now. If you are as she and Tsuneo say, then you may be a friend and I will have no complaints.
Kaiser tried to not make the breath of relief he gave too obvious. He had almost misunderstood entirely, getting himself worked up by this overly concerned mother's worries. His eyes then widened a fraction in realization. He was lying. He didn't go to school here. He wasn't here by pure chance either as he was here initially to spy. Hell, there was no Aiden Junkers who existed.
With this epiphany, he tried to politely refuse. "That is very generous Ma'am but-"
"But?"
"I am in no position nor status to do so. I'm merely a regular student."
"Based on what my daughter spoke with you about, you must have a way with words to set her at ease. If you were not intending on being friends then were you attempting something salacious?"
Her eyes narrowed so sharply that it was like staring at a predator. Kaiser refused immediately. "No Ma'am, again that was never my intent! I just happen to enjoy conversation. In fact, you may be the only one other than my parents to give me such a hard time." Kaiser laughed at the matter, showing the light-hearted intent behind his statement. It seemed to pacify her momentarily.
"Then will you accept? I'm sure Maho would be pleased."
Kaiser was at a loss. Defeated once more in the same conversation, he conceded. "Yes, Ma'am. I'd be delighted." She really was like his mother, the only other to make him feel so defeated.
"Then while we are on topic. Would you be interested in assisting Maho by working on the mechanical-"
The door to the backyard swung open with a loud rattle as Tsuneo stormed in, dirtier and covered in slightly more oil than when he had left. Crashing to his knees he grabbed Kaiser by the shoulders with a frightful look on his face.
Kaiser's fight or flight rose and as he was about to fight, Tsuneo started speaking rapidly. "Aiden! Is it true you proposed to my Daughter?! I thought I could trust you! I understand Maho's beautiful and you're a boy as well but! But!" It's presumptuous for you to think about marriage!"
Kaiser tried to explain but the father seemed delirious and was speaking more to himself than anyone else. "Uhm, Tsuneo-"
"You'll do it the same way my wife and I did if you insist! You'll court her by becoming acquaintances first and you'll have to work on plenty of tanks before you even consider-"
"Tsuneo" snapped Shiho. The disheveled man's shoulders hunched at the sinister tone of his wife. Slowly turning his head he saw her frown and Maho having arrived after chasing him indoors.
"Sorry Mother, I only told him of the talk you were holding. Father seemed to have misunderstood."
"It is your father's fault, there is no blame Maho. Tsuneo, please take a seat."
Tsuneo released Kaiser and quickly took a seat next to his wife. His earlier excitement was gone in its entirety.
"Suppose you weren't ready for the inevitable talk after all?" taunted Kaiser. Tsuneo gave an embarrassed chuckle at the remark as Shiho turned to Maho.
That will do for today, it is getting late. Maho see your acquaintance out, will you? "
Maho nodded. "May I see him halfway to his home?"
Shiho seemed to deliberate over the request, turning to Kaiser and Tsuneo. She nodded once.
"Thank you, Mother." Maho opened the door and gestured for Kaiser to follow. Without hesitation, he stood along with Shiho.
Bowing his head slightly he thanked them for their hospitality and in a slight reversal of traditional roles, shook hands with Shiho noticing he was taller than the domineering woman. Meanwhile, Tsuneo waved farewell from the table as he grabbed his shoes and saw the reluctant look on Tsuneo's face suggesting his wife would be having a word with him about his behavior.
Maho shut the door behind him and raised a finger to her lips, ushering him to follow to the front door. Placing his shoes on and shutting the door behind him. Soon they crossed the front gate and began walking down the street. Once they turned the corner he breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
"Apologies, my parents are both-"
"Eccentric?" he laughed. "I have to say today was one twist and shock after another. You took your time coming back didn't you?"
Maho nodded her head apologetically. "Father had me help him offload another engine from his vehicle. Once it was off he asked if Mother was home and I told him of her questions, hoping he would speak to her. Instead, you saw what happened. I don't believe I've ever seen him run so fast in my life."
Kaiser shrugged off the apology with a wave. "He said he was ready to hand you off when the day came, guess he wasn't quite so ready after all."
Maho huffed slightly. "I suppose I should apologize for that as well. Mother has reminded me to not be forgetful of my obligations as the next head of the house and so marriage is a constant reminder as graduation nears. I will be sure to talk to both my mother and father soon."
Kaiser let a laugh escape him, catching Maho off guard as she expected him to be annoyed. "You do have a lot on your plate. I never expected the Maho Nishizumi would apologize three times to me in one day. Let alone our first meeting." Kaiser stretched his arms and took a deep breath, enjoying the air as the day's heat had passed its climax and was beginning to cool.
"I'm almost as surprised you kept calm throughout all that. Is it a usual occurrence for you?"
Maho shook her head. "Not once has this happened. We've never gotten past potential suitors let alone this fiasco. Despite my composure, I assure you I am thoroughly embarrassed."
"That makes two of us. Almost had me blushing in there." Kaiser let another laugh escape him, sheer relief overwhelming his usual calm.
Seeing no ill will or anger from him, Maho joined in with a light chuckle as well. "I'm glad. I wouldn't know what to do if one of Miho's friends hated me."
"I don't think I could grow to hate someone so like me. Though there are different circumstances, statuses, and a little bit of culture, I'd say again she was right. Even my mother harasses me from time to time, encouraging me to start a family young like her."
"Seems Miho is as intuitive as ever." agreed Maho. "My mother didn't press you too hard while I was away did she?"
Kaiser mulled over whether or not to tell her but seeing her expression, the casual way she spoke to him, it reminded him of Miho and his other close confidants. "Surprisingly she wanted me to be your friend, well acquaintance first." A glance showed Maho was more surprised than he had been.
He snickered at the sight. "I guess Miho's stories on her own got her worried you were falling behind."
The insinuation snapped Maho back to reality. "Really? I never imagined Mother would try to pick my personal relationships."
"Hey, don't get so dour about it. She asked me because she's worried about how you're studying abroad."
"She told you of that?!"
"I was shocked as well. Guess the famed Nishizumi sister's lack of male interaction is a severe oversight huh?"
Maho seemed to pout ever so slightly. "Your taunts are unbecoming of your previous demeanor."
Kaiser laughed. "To top it off she was close to trying to recruit me onto the mechanics club for your team. I'd rather not have her digging for a name that doesn't exist."
"...You do know she will find out the truth eventually."
Kaiser gave a nervous laugh. "Yeah, I'll just be thankful I live for today and hope that I won't have to meet her again."
"Hmm? You're acquaintances with Miho and me. It's inevitable, wouldn't you say."
A shiver ran up his spine as he waved the thought away. "Your taunting isn't helping me perceive you in a better light either" he joked, receiving a snicker from her. "We better part ways here lest any rumors spread. Being seen with me would only damage your reputation."
"One can imagine. I've seen that old gossip blog."
"What?!"
"Someone uploaded the old blogs on a copy site" smiled Maho. You have quite a reputation out there."
Kaiser's cheeks felt a slight heat at the recollections of absurdity Anna and her crew had thrown his way in the months prior. 'Wait…' Kaiser pulled out his phone and saw multiple messages and missed calls. Briefly scanning through them he gathered the knowledge that she and Alice had slipped away and gathered minor intel, now awaiting his return so they could depart.
Seeing him urgently look through his phone Maho extended a hand. "It seems you better leave. Till we meet again Mr. Kaiser."
Seeing the dashing smile of the girl a competitive and anticipative smirk. "Till next time Ms. Nishizumi." The two's eyes remained locked momentarily as both turned their backs, looking forward to next time.
Maho returned to her home still in slight chaos with her parents and dog running around the table in excitement as Kaiser returned to his peers. The two girls gave him an earful as he rushed them to hurry to the resupply ship that would depart any minute after having taken the ship's trash and other disposable waste.
Back on the supply ship and returning to a dock where they would have transport take them back home, The three exchanged barebones details, saving the majority for when they were debriefing Virtanen and in turn each other. This left Kaiser with enough time to bully Anna slightly as the fresh memory of her old blog having embarrassed him was still in his mind along with Maho's smirk.
The trio would arrive at Transcendence early morning the next day after their multiple means of transport. After some rest and food, The three stood before Virtanen and the other squad commanders of the team. Seeing Kaiser and the two girls behind him in casual attire, he dismissed Knight, O'Diveley, and Sokolov. All were delighted to cut the day's work early.
"Some of the cadets were beginning to think you were slacking off with how long you were gone" jested Virtanen.
Refreshed, Kaiser placed a file of papers written by him and the girls before Virtanen. "I'll be sure to remind them I'm here to stay during tomorrow's practice. Let's begin. Alice, Present your observations."
The tall girl brushed her hair out of her face and stood at ease, just as Kaiser had instructed her to do when reporting even if Virtanen's smile was disarming and didn't require such formality.
"Cadet Sergeant Alice Phillips sir, my report will be brief as unforeseen circumstances had obstructed my ability to infiltrate."
Virtanen politely smiled and waved away her worry. "These things happen, I'm just glad Kaiser didn't give you a hard time for it."
Alice's eyes drifted to the side. "I think it was harder that he left me to my own devices if I'm honest sir."
Virtanen snorted Kaiser as he didn't refute the claim. "Sounds just like him, please proceed."
"We infiltrated the enemy ship within the expected time frame and went unnoticed. Once inside the school proper however I was recognized by a familial acquaintance who then under suggestion from Ltcol Kaiser, guided us about the school to maintain our cover."
Virtanen glanced over at Kaiser, a knowing look showing he knew why he had done it, preferring to work alone and cut losses where he felt so. Shaking his head a fraction, He turned back to Alice who proceeded.
"It was here where my report becomes inundated as I was preoccupied maintaining cover and providing an explanation to our guide as to our presence. From here I believe it would be best if Ms. Anna took over."
With a nod of Virtanen and a gesture of the head from Kaiser, Anna stepped forward as Alice retreated. Unfamiliar with the militaristic formalities of the Senshado team other than a quick explanation from Kaiser, she fumbled at the mouth and stood awkwardly at attention.
Shaking slightly, she looked straight ahead as she spoke in a jittery sense. "N-newly appointed Cadet Sergeant Anna of the SDKFZ 'Puma' sir!"
Kaiser sighed as Alice snickered lightly at her nervousness. Adding too much and forgetting her last name, she realized her mistake and pressed to move on even though Virtanen was uncaring of the mistake.
"Alice did well in covering for us as I kept quiet and asked pertinent questions and perused the school. We were kept to the school proper and neighboring areas under our guides watch but were also introduced to many other students and clubs."
She took a moment to steady her breath as she continued. "It seems that much of their school is confident in their performance this year as they have kept losses low and the younger students in their team have a newfound amount of autonomy. Much of the school even looks forward to the team's weekly after-practice beer fest celebrations implemented by their commander. Even though they aren't allowed to participate-"
Anna let out a shrill sound as Kaiser pinched the back of her neck with a complaint of "Keep it short and concise."
Turning to scowl at him, Anna did as he suggested. "In essence, their team has introduced sweeping reforms and improvements of morale amongst other things. An attitude of humility has seemed to even prevail over the infamous gloating they used to exude."
Virtanen hummed into his hands as Anna stepped back with another scowl at Kaiser while their commander was distracted. "That is worrisome, they'll be less predictable than expected" he muttered aloud.
With hope, he looked up at his old friend Kaiser who was dealing with an annoyed Anna. "What do you have to add?"
Turning to VIrtanen, Kaiser pinched Anna's cheek and pulled. "Thanks to her prior work she's good at espionage and embarrassing me long after I shut her team down."
Anna swatted his hand away as Alice watched their interaction with interest. "You've been digging at me for that since we left! Will you finally tell me why?!"
With a condescending snicker to upset her, Kaiser stepped forward to report himself as Anna looked at his back, weighing the benefit and demerit of striking him in the back of the head.
"I was able to find a few pertinent details in regards to the makeup of their team and strategies which are enclosed within the file before you. When I was separated from my cohorts there was an incident in which I was compromised but those details are enclosed as well."
Kaiser was sure to leave out just how a small dog had lured him into a hair-raising meeting. It was an important detail that he did not think his reputation would survive as Anna and Alice hearing of it would be bad, but Virtanen openly mocking him was far worse.
"I was found by Maho Nishizumi, the enemy commander." The room turned silent as all eyes widened at the revelation."
"Well… what happened?" asked Virtanen in suspense.
"There were some distressing moments but in the end, I was able to speak on even terms with her. This is the most important part concerning my report. She showed a resolve I can hardly compare to many others. She will be a fearsome opponent. We are going to have our work cut out for us."
The amazement of how he had come out unscathed from such an occurrence faded quickly as Virtanen grasped his head with a groan. "I get the feeling you riled her up too. You need to stop digging us into these holes." With a sigh, he looked up and thanked the three for their work regardless. "I'll go over these reports tonight and expect you all at practice tomorrow."
The three took their leave with nods and Kaiser lingering at the door. "I'll be sure to prepare something harsh for the cadets now that we've returned. Anna especially."
"Why me?!" cried a voice from the hallway.
As Kaiser calmed Anna, Virtanen called his attention. "By the way, we will be meeting with the commanders of Kuromoromine in a couple of days. You received my message right?"
"What? No, I haven't. I thought it was scrapped due to the lack of time?"
"Well at first it was but they considered the formality a necessity. They found a window for both schools and squeezed a meeting in at the port town we'll be docking in. We'll also be transporting ourselves so to make it quick the meeting will be two on two. You and I.
Running a hand down his face, Kaiser thought over how more of his free time would be stolen by travel and more formalities. With a groan of acceptance, he took his leave and recalled his parting with Maho. The competitive declaration they exchanged. Again the heat of embarrassment crept in as he fought to walk past a curious Anna and Alice without showing it.
-The End-
