Chapter 4: The University Select Team, part 1
When Miho regained her senses she found herself staring at the ceiling of a tent.
But what?
She sat up, realizing that it was her on a cot and, more importantly, that she was completely naked. She took on an alarmed expression, as her face turned scarlet. Looking around she noticed an olive green uniform on the ground, with a cap, which she quickly put on.
Where I am? What… Ah!
At that moment, her recent memories came back to her: Ooarai's defeat against Saunders, the revelation of the school's closure and her disinheritance... Two reasons that had pushed her to go there, to Aokigahara, to commit suicide. But her attempt had failed…. Someone had saved her.
And now… What do I do?
She wondered, depressed.
She barely had time to formulate that thought when three girls entered the tent. She turned to look at them.
"You're finally awake…" One of them, a blonde wearing sunglasses, said.
"Who are you?" Miho asked them, intimidated.
"We ask the questions!" A raven-haired girl replied sharply.
The third girl, who had copper-colored hair, shot the latter a dirty look.
"Onizuka, a little tact!" She scolded her, then turned to Miho.
"I'm Azumi, they're Manami Himuro…" She pointed to the blonde.
"…And Runa Onizuka." She pointed to the other girl.
The brunette looked at all three, then she said:
"I am…"
"Miho Nishizumi, younger sister of Maho, my successor as commander of the Kuromorimine team. We know perfectly well who you are." Manami interrupted.
For a moment Miho was stunned.
"Of course… My sister told me about you!" She stated.
"But now answer a question: why did you try to commit suicide?" Azumi asked her.
Caught off guard by that question, Nishizumi junior initially didn't respond. Noticing her hesitation Manami said:
"The vice-commander asked you a question."
"Because I don't have a future… I'm done for!" Miho stated, her face dark.
That sentence left the trio amazed.
"You… Without a future? You are the second daughter of the Nishizumi family, one of the richest in Japan, not a homeless person!" Onizuka exclaimed in disbelief.
The brunette shook her head at her.
"Not anymore… My mother disowned me."
That news shocked the three girls even more.
"Disowned? But why?" Azumi asked, shocked.
"The reason… I don't know exactly. Maybe it has to do with last year's defeat. She certainly considers me weak and a failure." Miho explained.
Furious, Onizuka clenched her fists.
"Damn whore… She should be on a sidewalk, not in the Federation!" She stated.
Manami on the other hand snorted and crossed her arms.
"You're in trouble, my girl… And big trouble."
Mio nodded as her eyes became teary.
"I know it well… You should have let me die."
Without warning, Azumi slapped her across the face, surprising both her and her classmates.
"What are you doing? Are you crazy?" Manami asked her.
She ignored her and turned to Miho:
"Try saying that again, if you dare!"
Miho looked at her angrily. She clenched her fists and repeated:
"You should have let me die!"
She received a second slap.
"I can always fix it by beating you to death… Suicide only serves to waste your life uselessly!" Azumi stated.
"The alternative is a homeless life, marked by hunger… And by the cold, when winter arrives!" Her interlocutor retorted.
Azumi started to reply but at that moment another blonde with gray eyes entered.
"Who is this idiot who tried to commit suicide?" She asked, giving Miho a glare.
"She is Miho Nishizumi, Earl." Manami answered her.
Surprised, the newcomer looked first at the former Kuro, then at Miho.
"Darjeeling told me about you… She described you as a brave commander. It amazes me that you would attempt such a cowardly action!" She stated.
Nishizumi junior looked at her with annoyance, before replying:
"My mother disinherited me, and now I have nowhere to return as Ooarai is set to close."
Initially Earl Gray was stunned by that sentence, then he took on a sad expression.
"Now I'm starting to understand… Now you're Homeless… As they would say at St. Gloriana."
"Exact. But do you come from that academy?"
"Yes. There I was known as Earl Grey. I was the commander of the sensha-do team. Then Darjeeling took over from me." The blonde explained.
Miho nodded.
"I understand… But now what will happen to me?" She asked.
"First you will meet our commander. If she agrees we will host you here. Then… Well, we'll talk about it again." Azumi answered her.
Miho was confused… Commander? Who were those people?
"Sorry if I insist… But who are you?"
Onizuka responded:
"We are the University Select Team."