Chapter 19
A/N: this chapter is dedicated for my Mother, for always pushing me to do my best and the best man I can be – Thank you Mom.
The days that had followed the arrival in Hoja City two months ago were very lax. Discipline was still in effect but most of the high schoolers had been acting as if they were back in school. Talking, eating, playing games, or even doing their hobbies. That fact had not changed. A courtyard in the center of the Headquarters for the unified high school team was very spacious. In the headquarters was a combination of two buildings. A high school on one side and a city owned maintenance yard on the other. The tanks were being stored around various different buildings close by and they would be relatively easy to access in a hurry.
Miho took a glance around the courtyard and smiled at the way things were going. The volleyball team and the first years from her school were playing a game of soccer with Uncle Sam's soccer team which consisted of Adam, the Abrams commander, his crew, and a crew who used a Chaffee. Suffice to say they were losing. Some guys from Montana were playing basketball with guys from Virginia, most people were just talking, some guys were throwing around a football, the American kind, and the rest were eating. It was a very enjoyable setting. Especially for the Americans.
"Duke go long!" Mark yelled holding the football.
The guy ran forward for several yards and turned his head to see Mark throw the ball. It soared and when it descended Duke caught it easily.
"Yeah, that's a good throw." Mark said.
"Yeah, but a good quarterback is only as good as his receiver." William said.
"He's got you on that one Mark." Austin said.
Mark simply laughed. The Anglerfish team were hanging out with the American Tiger 1 team, sitting around in lawn chairs, drinking soda, and enjoying the day. William was currently in front of a grill cooking barbeque for the group. In fact, most groups around the yard were doing the same thing.
"So, this is what you guys do on your Independence Day? Play games, eat and just have fun?" Yukari asked.
"Yep, in celebration of our countries founding we party like no other. USA Baby, USA!" Mark chanted.
Yep. The day was July 4th, the day the Americans celebrated their independence from the British Empire. The thought of such a party was one of curiosity to most of the girls but from how loud the yard was it seemed everyone was enjoying it. Most people were even out of uniform, wearing shorts, shirts, summer dresses, the works. It was relaxing.
"And you normally have fireworks go off at the end, right?" Saori asked.
"Yeah but unfortunately we don't have any of those. Other wise we'd light the sky up." Austin answered.
"Yo, whats happening guys, got room for more?" a voice said.
Coming up to the group was Kay, Alisa, and Naomi. Like everyone wearing summer outfits.
"Yeah, pull up a chair. We got soda in the cooler to." Hans said.
"Let me tell ya, this idea was awesome. I don't think we've had this much fun since we got to the island." Kay said.
"I cant believe you guys do this every year." Alisa said.
"Yup. Greatest party on earth." Mark boasted.
"Yo Mark, heads up!" Duke yelled.
"Whoa!" Mark sprinted out of his seat running as he saw Duke lob the football back his way. He it thirty yards away before jumping and catching the ball.
"Whoo that's how its done baby. Yeah!" Mark cheered.
"Ha, Marks still got game." Austin said.
"Good day everyone. Hope we can join you." Another voice said.
This time Katyusha, Nonna, and Klara walked up to the group.
"Always room for more. We have extra chairs right here, let me help." Austin said giving the girls a hand.
"Blagodaryu vas." Klara said
"Can she speak anything other than Russian?" Hans asked.
"Yes, I am fluent in Japanese but still work in English." Klara said.
"Yeah I can tell." Hans said.
"So how are the girls from Pravda enjoying the party?" Austin asked.
"Its amazing. I cant believe you do this every year." Katyusha said.
"Ha, Alisa said the same thing." Mark said returning to his seat.
"Alright, I got burgers and hotdogs ready, there's plenty so who wants one?" William asked.
Everyone raised a hand. "Of course. Coming around, grab what you want." William said.
The fun and games continued for several hours. It to the point where the sun was beginning to set. A beautiful orange and yellow glow painted the sky, its wonder was enough to make this the perfect end to the day. Though some of the people had chosen to go to sleep the majority just now sat around several small fire pits roasting marsh mellows or singing a tune. And yet the surprises were not done yet.
"Mark, Austin, where are you two!?" Edward called.
The two boys in question turned to see their two commanders coming from the work yard with two cases in hand. They looked familiar.
"Over here boss!" Mark called.
Edward and Maho walked over to the group and Ed brought forward his cargo.
"Special delivery from Johnathan. Thought you could use some entertainment." Edward said smirking. He handed the two the cases and their eyes widened.
"No way! Awe man my keyboard!" Mark yelled.
"Yes!" Austin said opening the case to reveal a Cello.
"Wow, I didn't know you guys played instruments!" Yukari exclaimed.
"Yep, Austin and I played in elementary school. Now it has become more of a hobby." Mark said.
"Oh, baby I've missed you." Austin said giving his Cello a big kiss of affection.
"Dude. Don't make out with your Cello." Mark exclaimed.
"You're just jealous of the everlasting bond of companionship we share. When we perform together the stars dance at our grace." Austin said in a sarcastically sophisticated voice.
This got the others laughing.
"Well come on then, play us something." Alisa said.
All the others in the group agreed with Alisa and starting saying the same thing. Austin and Mark gave in and tuned their instruments. With a simple glare at each other they began playing. Mark started first with a simple chain of keys he hit twice. Afterwards Austin started following along and symbiosing the tunes from both instruments. After a few second those who recognized the tune pointed to John Legend's-All of Me-the Piano/Cello cover. The two boys continued to play bringing the soft elegant tune to visual perfection. Not so long passed when the final bit been played that the two stopped and nodded a bow to everyone. The group clapped at the pair. It was amazingly done.
"That was great." Saori said.
"Austin you were off by two hits." Mark said.
"Jokes on you, you were off by three." Austin said. The two laughed.
"So, what else can you play?" Hana asked.
"Oh, I think I got one. Remember fourth grade symphony?" Austin asked.
"Oh no, of all the songs you had to pick that one?" Mark complained.
"What about fifth grade nationals?" William spoke up.
"Oh yeah lets do that one." Mark said.
Austin nodded and the two got into position. Mark started again with a simple set chain. Once Austin started it was easy to make out what song the two were playing. Christina Perri's-A Thousand Years-Piano/Cello cover. The two were entirely focused on their instruments. Neither glancing at each other or anyone else. Eyes solely focused on their musical partners. After a while people started to bob their heads at the music.
With a noise of shuffling behind most of them all looked to see William and Yukari were dancing with each other. Laughing as they went. This got the others to laugh as well. Austin and Mark chuckled at their childhood friend and continued playing. Nearing the end, the beat slowed down, and the two dancers slowed with it. Now the music stopped and with it so did the dancing. Though William bowed and Yukari did a curtsy to each other to continue the humorous actions.
During that time Peter and his crew showed up with the girls from St. Gloriana. Even Davis, Rivers and Erika managed to find her way to the group of people. In fact the ever growing crowd kept getting bigger and bigger as people came to join in on the music.
"How's that. Come on give us a hard one William." Austin taunted.
"Alright Fourth grade summer camp second audition." William challenged.
"We need a violin to help us with that one." Mark said.
"And one you shall have." Klara said standing next to the two with a violin in hand.
"You have one?" Hana asked.
"Da, I couldn't go a whole year without practice." Klara said.
"Alright Mark tell her the song. Lets get started." Austin said. "Ready your dance partners everyone, this one will be fun."
Once ready Austin started. But he used his hands to strum on the strings. After that Klara started and she matched her tune to Austin's beat. Once Mark started it seemed like a fun Hawaiian song. Only William knew the name of this one. Over the Rainbow/Simple Gifts. A combination of two of the trio's mothers' favorites.
Once the song picked up its pace Yukari and William's dancing had become more enthusiastic. And with that plus the music an even bigger crowd was forming. It seemed that there was no place better for this type of flow than the one right here.
After the song Austin gave two hand signals to Mark and he in turn relayed the message to Klara. At this time both Austin and Mark started at the same time. Austin bringing a more aggressive stance to his tune while Mark matched it with some extra elegance. Once a good pitch was hit Austin ceased and Klara joined Mark in one nice chain. Afterwards the three started again. Almost everyone recognized the chorus. It was Frozen's let it go. The chorus was rapid enough where the two-dancing started to actually move and dance around the small fire pit.
People then started to clap for the two. Maho was one of them. she was enjoying the fun filled talent show that was being showed to the whole group of people. The dancing was so sporadic it was clear the two were not in any sync. It was all just for fun and laughs. Now once the song was ending the dancing stopped and everyone started to cheer.
"Oh, that's some nice moves the two got, anyone think they could beat that?" Mark challenged anyone willing.
Surprisingly two people did come forward. The girl was from St. Gloriana and the guy from Virginia. the three musicians restarted the same song and the dancing begun. The two new dancers were in more sync then the previous two. However, their coordination could be better. After them, another two had come forth. And then, surprisingly, Rivers and Naomi tried it out. It was an amazing spectacle. Mark had turned this mini concert into a fun dancing game. After a bit Edward nudged Maho and pointed to their two seconds both entering the newly administrated dance floor.
It shocked Maho to see Erika dance with Hans. In fact, it was more shocking to see the pair were actually very compatible with each other. The dancing seemed way to good to be just on the spot. After Erika and Hans, it seemed most people were quite done. Not wanting to be shown up after that display. However, intervention showed one more pair would dance.
"Oh, that's going to be hard to beat. Anyone else got the guts to tackle the couple of seconds of our wonderful co-commanders?" Mark said. No one moved. It had seemed like the end.
"Well now that you mention it, why don't our two-co-commanders pair up and show us how things are really done?" Austin suggested.
Everyone present looked towards the two Commanders. Maho felt extremely embarrassed from the sudden attention. She never really was a fan of dancing, but she knew her mother was good way back when.
"Oh no. I don't think we could handle that." Edward said.
"Oh, come on Ed. You cant let your seconds show you up now right!" Hans began to rile up the rest of the people watching. Everyone agreed. They all wanted to see the two Commanders of the force try to out dance their seconds.
"Maho, you want to try it?" Edward asked.
"Sure. lets get it over with." Maho reluctantly said.
The two Commanders stepped towards the center of the group and soon enter twined themselves with each other. Edward gave the go ahead to Austin and Mark and the two started up. At first Maho and Edward started with a simple waltz. It was a perfect pick to begin with before the music started to get more aggressive. Once Klara started the two began upping their movements. The two Commanders began to move their feet in more of a lee way pace. Maho felt very uneasy. She never was one for such public actions. That is why she felt comfortable inside her tank. She could focus on the task and not worry about on lookers. However here she did not have that luxury. Edward seemed to sense her uneasiness. He grunted and got her attention. Once Maho looked at Edward he flashed her a smile. Maho's nerves seemed to calm down instantly. He then leaned forward and whispered into her ear.
"Just focus on me, no one else." His words showed his confidence. And hers seemed to skyrocket as well.
Once the Chorus started up the two began moving faster. No longer staying confined inside the enclosed waltz, the two started to move around each other giving one another a hand to aid them in their new performances. Edward would give a slight tug and Maho seemed knowledgeable to understand his intent. She followed the tug and twirled into his embrace only to spin back out duck under one of his arms to grasp his hand and flick herself away. Once the two separated the music calmed down slightly. The two would walk clock wise opposite of the firepit for a few seconds before the music picked back up and the two joined together again for sporadic but coordinated dancing. Once the chorus started again Maho's mind was filled only of her and Edward dancing like they were surrounded by the stars in the sky. No one else mattered at that moment, and no worries would be focused on. Instead Maho was contempt with it just being Her and Edward.
Maho's movements match the new ferocity of Eds own. She would lift her legs high virtually fly over Ed's head back on the ground. Ed would life her into the air and she would rap her legs around him twirling her upper body down until her hands touched the ground and her pulling her legs back over herself to touch the ground. Ed would then kneel down and Maho would touch her shoulder to Ed's and she would vault over his back with her own landing on her feet giving herself another spin once Ed stood up he grasped her hand slightly tugged her into a more ballroom move set, twisting her and guiding her posture with his own. Now the music was nearing its end. Both dancers seemed to be thinking of a similar way to show off their amazing work. The two continued with their sporadic movement before Maho again vaulted over Edwards back. However, this time Ed's hand reached out and grasped Maho and pulled her in. she wrapped her legs around Edwards body and grasped her arms around his neck. Edward, in turn, placed one hand behind her lower back helping her keep her stable while his other hand grasped one of her lower legs. The two finally stopped moving, foreheads pressed together in a heavily breathing stare down.
Once the music stopped the two came back to reality. The crowd around them cheered and whistled loud enough for the entire island to hear. Once Maho realized her position with Edward her face lit up like a Christmas tree. She put her legs down and once she stood, she backed away from Ed and for whatever reason felt afraid to meet his eyes.
"That was amazing! Holy cow I say the two Commanders of Hoja City win by a landslide!" Mark yelled to everyone. The cheering only got louder.
After the cheering died down Edward told everyone to begin heading off to bed. The night was early, but the day was late, and everyone would need proper rest if work was to resume tomorrow.
Maho however could only think back to her and Edward entangled in a beautiful artwork of motion that made her feel that she was dancing through space itself. It was amazing to feel such a rush, her heart could not stop its thumping. Though as she regained her stamina from the dance her heart still would not calm down. It was not a feeling Maho had really felt before. Yes, her heart rushed during Sensha Do matches but never of this length. Maho could only wonder what caused it. Or if maybe it was a who that caused her feeling.