Chapter 2:

Introductions of the Masquerade

October 22nd

(XO's Office)

[Recommended Music: What's Lost and Dead, Muv-Luv.]

A knock on the door disturbs the incessant rereading of the two pages, Kouzuki checks her cameras, seeing the overlong chestnut hair lying in wait.

"Come in," she calls out, lifting the lock on the door.

Slowly, Takeru enters the office, sidestepping through the babel towers of papers and skyscrapers of books with ease, brows almost touching, lips shrugging and small. She signals to a sofa, standing to grab a new cup from the shelves.

"So how did the tests go, Shirogane?" she smiles back, which seems to make him even more annoyed, going by the rising frown as fierce as the sunshine at the moment outside.

"Six hours! That's two more hours than last time! What do you need so much blood for?!"

"So last time I didn't make you take the tests?"

"Sure you did, but they only took three syringes of blood. Today not only they took seven, but they started making all kinds of tests on me and the places where they took the blood. Also, the brainwave test is a new one."

"Huh, really? Well, that's that. So, black, with cream, how do you drink your coffee?"

"Black is fine, a single cube is okay," he says, edging closer to her, receiving the cup and sitting on the usual sofa. "So, what now?" he asks, going for a sip.

"First, let's finish what we started," she says, sitting close to the wood, resting her hands atop papers. "You came from a parallel world, after being subjected to causality's whims many times over, due to a heightened leaking of metaphysical data into your home. To achieve balance without risking the integration of whatever disasters would follow, your world's version of myself used some sort of… fission on you. What does that entail?"

"To be honest, I've no clue. All I know is, the Nucleus is a magnet for causality as you guessed, and to weaken it, Sensei had to use her microwave-thingy to scatter my data, break the many layers I have as an anomaly, or so she said. Rings any bells?" he asks, leaning back comfortably.

She goes for a spin, massaging her forehead. "No, at all. I do not have any proof, but I assume she aimed to release that world of non-local forces, using your self as an anchor to drive away the merging of data. Could you tell me how you achieved this? What's the last thing you remember?"

"I exploded."

"…What?"

"No, for real. Those cerulean lights started to crack me apart, and then poof. Gone," he curls his lips, making explosion noises for a moment along tense expressions, before going for another sip. "Next thing I know I wake up in my room back home, but as I thought as soon as I set foot outside I was in the ruins."

"And then you came to the base?"

"No, I started cursing, running in circles and smashing my head against the Gekishin nearby. Also screaming a lot of 'what the fuck'. Once I chilled down, though, I grabbed what stuff I thought was useful and marched straight to the base."

"Hmm… Your room, you said. Do you think your house is still there, intact from how it was in your home world?"

"Last time you found it in ruins, don't know if it helps to go search it for anything," he shrugs, sighing.

"Might be worth looking into, just in case. Now then," she clears her throat, allows him some time to finish his drink, then leans a bit forward, "I'll begin by asking questions on your prior experiences, and you answer what you think is safe," she states, receiving an immediate nod. "Do I complete the 00 Unit in time?"

"Yes."

"Does it work as intended?"

"Yes, but actually no."

"…Are you making fun of me?"

"No, it's just, it works as it should, with the XG-70 and everything, but it has one fatal flaw."

"A flaw? My theory has a…" hands clench for a moment, before she sighs through her nose. "Can it be fixed?"

"I don't know, but I brought some intel that may help you with that. And, when the time comes, I'll tell you about it."

"Is it imperative you keep this from me?"

"Yeah."

"…Alright, for now. You said before I had until Christmas to produce results. Why is that?"

"Because that's when Alternative V is enacted, at least as far as I know. If we change history it won't happen, or it may happen even earlier."

"…Earlier? Well, one can never be too careful with the ripples of causality, yes," Assuming he is telling the truth, that is. "Now then, tell me what you know about the Alternative Project."

"Which one?"

"All you know."

Takeru takes a breath, gripping the cup softly, treading the rim with his fingertips. Slowly he tells about Alternative V, about the space fleet, the following years, and the key mission, Operation Babylon. Legs shuffling up and about, lips as well, Shirogane is unable to meet Kouzuki's eyes during the report.

Then, sigh afterwards, he proceeds to describe Alternative IV in great detail. The group of soldiers as 00 Unit candidates, the role the XG is to play, how the 00 Unit isn't made of any carbon-based material to allow it to communicate with the BETA with its ESP capabilities, how it possesses great hacking and processing abilities as if they were normal. About the Rutherford field, the Particle Cannon, and about how important it is for 'Sumika' to have emotions. Afterwards, he briefly mentions Alternative III, of how they tried to use ESPers to communicate with the BETA.

"And that's about it, I think? Sorry if I left some details rather vague," he nods down, looking at nowhere.

"No, that's alright. Should we move on to the contents of the bag?" she asks, entwining her fingers, eyes devouring the item in question.

"Oh, sure. Here's where things are gonna get nice, Sensei!" he forces a smile as he stands, messing with the zipper, that at first remains stuck when attempting to release a rectangular box.

"Whatever is that supposed to be, Shirogane? Is it pronounced… Play Stallion?"

"This, Sensei, is what allowed you to complete your theory," Takeru nods, a giant grin plastered on his face as he gives little pats to the box.

"W-What? That weird machine?"

"Yes, one program in this thing gave my world's you the idea."

"How so? That doesn't look like a normal computer, it can't be too powerful given its size."

"Do we have spare televisions available in the base?"

"Yes, of course, but I don't have one here." Televisions, and not monitors? "Can you tell me what's the function of this PC? Why is it called Play Stallion 2? Where's number one?"

"This thing is another game console, actually."

"What the… How many game devices do you even have in your world?!"

"Uh… Like… A few? There's the three versions of the Game Guy, the Stallions, the LameCube. And there was also the Dreamcost. God bless your soul, buddy," he whispers, sniffing as he salutes the ceiling.

"…I did not think you'd be the religious type," she says, sideglancing him dry.

"It's just a phrase, Sensei. I'm simply paying my respects to a good old friend," he insists, sighing as he looks up, resting his full weight onto the sofa. "You shall be sorely missed, my beloved Dreamcost, even if I almost failed a few tests due to falling to your charms. Siiigh… Those were the days…" sniffing again into a smile, Takeru simply basks in yellow, in the distant light of other days he may never be allowed to repeat.

"Hmm… You don't say," the XO whispers, spinning for a moment. "Speaking of games, was the one you showed me before truly not from America?"

"Huh? No, I already told you it's made here. I even got to meet the creators once!"

"…Why?"

"Hehe, because you're standing in front of Valgern-On's champion, Sensei," he tells, puffing his chest in radiance, a large smile decorating half of his face. "Since I won a competition back home I could meet them and all. So, yeah, they're not from the US. Why do you ask, though?"

"Well, considering the focus on Anti-TSF combat, one could easily reach that conclusion. I assume, this game was a result of leaked data into your world?" he nods, she stops the spin, again leaning onto the desk. "Why then do you think it only assimilated TSFs and not the BETA?"

"It's how the setting of the first game was made, there were no aliens in it. If you want to fight the BETA, though," he slowly smiles again, taking out a small box from the bag, "I have this version for you. Valgern-On Oratory Tango! This one should be like the TSF simulators you have on the base."

Kouzuki stares at the colorful machines in the cover, their exaggerated frames almost making her chuckle, before recognizing one of those. "Wait, is that a Takemikazuchi?"

"Yeah, it's one of the few TSFs adapted into the game."

"Hmm… Is that so? Out of all our machines, only the Takemikazuchi? Why?"

"…I suppose you should know better than me, all things considered. Isn't the delivery all but signed?" he asks, resting the box onto the table.

"…And with a monitor to connect it to, you can show me this second simulator?" she looks away, going for another spin, faster this time.

Takeru simply rolls his eyes short. "I don't know how good the resolution of the TVs here is, but we should at least be able to get the thing running."

"Again, televisions and not monitors," she repines a bit, arms resting onto her stomach. "Are there any other surprises in that bag of yours?"

"Yeah, actually. There's a few more games here, another mech sim, a stealth one and an army simulator one," Takeru takes out two more boxes from the box, one with colorful knights and the other with a soldier holding a rifle, holding them up into the limelight.

"Why did you even bring those things in the first place? I mean, I accept this seems interesting enough to mess with, but otherwise…"

"Well, reason one, as proof of me being someone from another world. Last time I didn't have any, so you didn't really believe me until something I told you would happen eventually happened," he tells, shrugging and shrinking his shoulders, throwing himself back to the sofa's cushioning. "The second is because I thought about using them to aid future cadets. On one occasion I ended up showing my Game Guy to my squadmates here, and while it was kind of a problem I think it did have its merits as a training method when I thought about it."

How convenient, isn't it. "…For example?"

"Like, making them think about the sacrifices in war like sending someone to a certain death to allow a company to escape, or methods to fight without being noticed, and stealth tactics as a whole."

"These things sound less like games and more like military software to me the more he talks," she reasons, locking her hands tighter. It is, after all, a rather convenient state of affairs, and those tense shoulders shiver in coldness the more she ponders the words.

"And, most importantly, it can turn anyone into an exceptional surface pilot," Takeru says with a nod, waving his brows up and down a bit.

Which makes Yuuko blink erratically, expression puzzling out. "Anyone? Why would they make such a program if they do not have TSFs?"

"See, when I came to this world for the first time I was just a normal person. Despite that, I had the highest aptitude not only from the members of my squad but from all Cadets that had graduated here," he sticks out his chest, arms folded as he smiles openly. "And that's all thanks to the first version of Valgern-On, I was really good at it. Just with that, I managed to become an above average pilot even if my fighting style is very… weird."

"So your supposed skill as a surface pilot was enhanced by playing this game?" she asks, lost as a penguin in a desert.

"Yes, the controls weren't exactly the same but once I got used to them I could replicate the game's moves with any TSF."

"And the second version is any better?"

"Hehe, it's literally like a TSF simulator. The controls are still not exactly the same, but the principles should be more polished, what with the leaks and all."

"So you brought this here, hoping to use this as a bargaining tool to get me to help you?"

"Eh, kind of. Didn't know what would happen once I got outside home so I just stashed all I thought was worth bringing here, just in case," he says, messing with his long bangs. Before smirking and chuckling low. "But that's not all, Sensei. I want you to make a new OS for our TSFs, based on these games."

"…A new OS? Why would I?"

"Because we will get at least a 30% boost in mobility, lessen our casualties, and you can use it to get the XG."

"Hmm… This is something you did in the past here?" she asks, low, lower the eyelids, colder too, yet Takeru goes into an explanation of the OS in point, fast and warm like a recently awoken flower. It does not thaw her facade, at all. "Are you sure of this? What about changing history?" she asks, gauging the eccentric shine in the appearance.

He nods while giving a few fast nods, without losing the smile he had been wearing for a while now. "We won't be changing history, we'll gather data for a longer period of time. The reveal of the OS can be when the time is right. Until then, we keep it under wraps."

"I suppose… Now don't get me wrong, this is nice and all, with all the information you've given me. But you still haven't told me the most important piece of intel you promised; How are you going to help me with my research?" the XO asks, in full poker.

And Shirogane remains still, sobering up, slowly crossing his arms. "I have shown you a lot of info to prove who I am, and my worth for your project as a whole. I'd like to ask you to complete the OS before we speak of the theories."

"…You have some nerve, Shirogane. Bossing me around, telling me what to do. Alternative IV is more important than some new OS," slowly rising from her seat, Kouzuki walks up to him. "Do you truly think you can demand such things from me, Shirogane? Humanity's future-"

"Depends on our success," he shoots down, not standing but frowning into her own glacial stare. "We need the XM3, this is non-negotiable. Both for our future battles, and for you to attain the XG."

"Huh, you don't say. Then, how will you tune the 00 Unit? Do you have any ideas? I'm all ears," she asks, leaning down, returning the frown.

Which makes Takeru sigh, mess with his hair again. "Well, I do, even if it's something silly."

"Doesn't matter, let's hear it."

"Fine… So, last time I made Sumika a wooden bunny. I had given her a small bunny keychain back home when we were little, dressed as Santa Claus, so I thought to mimic that present. Ever since I gave her that the 00 Unit started to slowly get better at holding conversations with me, becoming properly 'Sumika' with that memory as a crutch to lean on. I think something like that could work as a pillar for her to build from here too."

"A santa rabbit… A rabbit… Now that you mention it, I think Yashiro reported something along those lines not too long ago."

"So, good enough for you to give me a chance, Sensei?"

"Vice Commander."

"Whatever. So?"

"…Alright. You have a deal, for now. I expect you to honor your part of it, and that the spoils promised perform as you say they will. If you were being deceitful then-"

"Yeah, I know, I fucking die. Enough with the threats already, Sensei."

"How many times must I repeat myself? Vice. Commander."

"Say… Is there any reason why you're this upset about me calling you Sensei? You never were like that before," Takeru asks, losing the edge to his features, staring in earnest.

She scoffs, looking away, back to her seat. "Subordinates should remain as that. Furthermore, hinting at us having a closer relation could place you in unnecessary danger. If you do turn out to be as valuable as you claim, exploiting your talents is of utmost importance for Alt IV to reach fruition. I cannot do that if other factions realize you're higher on the totem pole than your rank suggests."

"Huh… I guess that makes sense, even if you never were this worried before. Anything I should be careful about?"

"Nothing you shouldn't have lived through already, I assume. Simply stay on your toes, as you know we are on a tight deadline," she asserts, he nods and remains looking down. "In any case, let's get our business started. I can make you a 1st Lieutenant at most, and assign you under the Alternative IV Research Team or directly into the STF. Which option would you prefer?" Kouzuki asks, already blitzing through pop ups and commands, preparing the documents to sign.

And leaving Takeru to almost slip off the sofa."Wait, what?!"

"Hm? Did I… take you by surprise?"

"Of course! Ain't it a bit too early for me to join the Valkyries?"

"And you know of them as well, huh…" she notes slowly, adding more items to the convenience store Shirogane resembles. "So you do not wish to join them despite your supposed skills?"

"I mean, it's not that I don't but, can we go with the usual route? I think that would be for the best."

"…What did I have you do in the other worlds?"

"You made me part of the 207th Cadet Squad, to disguise me from prying eyes and lend a hand to Marimo-chan."

"Mari- Pfft… Ahahahaha! W-What the hell, you. Why are you calling Marimo in that way? Don't tell me, does she tickles your fancy?" she asks, clutching her stomach, subduing the wish to cough.

"…I mean, it's what I called her back home too," he looks away, down, feeling fading heartbeats cascade even lower. Grinding to a halt, one could say. "Anyways, I believe Squad 207 to be of importance to our future, if they become commissioned then our firepower will greatly improve. That's why you used to send me there, since the Valkyries are starved for members."

"…I see, cough," patting her lips then fixing her lab coat, she again looks back at him. "However, you do know they're a rather complicated team, right? Their circumstances… are not exactly easy to navigate."

Takeru immediately nods back, unblinking, as he joins his hands. "I know them well, and I can get them over the finish line of the CCSE. I think that's where I can help you the most now, looking at things long term."

"Hmm… You make some valid points. I'll allow it, since you insist," she says, after checking her PDA. "Anything else you feel like requesting before we start dealing with the documentation?"

"Oh, yeah. Could you thoroughly clean my records?"

"…I was already planning to. Why would you ask that?" she inquires, leaning forward again, eyes narrowing.

Takeru nods, gulping slow. "Well, all the times I've come here the Shogunate realized that something was wrong with my situation; You couldn't modify their databases, and that gave me away. It never became much of a problem but, better safe than sorry, right?"

Yuuko nods, grimacing a bit. "…I see. Yes, you're absolutely right. I shouldn't underestimate the Shogunate. All right, we have a deal. I'll add you to Squad 207, and also give you a security pass with almost the same rank as me, but restricted access to secret documents. Is that alright with you?"

"Yes, it's what we usually did."

"Let's get started with all the paperwork then. I do want to see this Stallion thing running, as well."

October 23rd

(In the training grounds.)

Normally, around the skirt of noon, the hallways of the base would be filled with chatter. Be it patrols attempting to take hostage some of the daylight onto themselves, away from monotonous schedules, or pilots refusing the shackles of cold falling upon along the wind, the repeated failures to reach numbers the XO requests of them, noise usually overflows the shallow spaces of Yokohama Base.

Due to this, securing a vantage point is of paramount importance for a certain trio of Imperial Royal Guards in their quest to watch over their young lady. Passing through even the wind, resting on the shade, away from sight, hidden they remain. Usually, their watch is uneventful, sterile of emotion as the land around the base, and what truly lurks in the eyes of most of the personnel when crossing their path. Silent like the non-existent leaves of the nearby trees, in that same incognito mode they're used to watch over Mitsurugi and her squadmates. Just another shadow, just another cloud, barely even there.

Today, however, that was not the case.

"The gall!" Kamiyo repines, peeking from behind a corner. "How dare he best the daughter of the Prime Minister so savagely. Does he not know who is he sparring with?"

"Perhaps, being from abroad, this Shirogane has not been taught proper etiquette?" Tomoe whispers, lips shrugging, amassing poison. Gulped all at once. "And now he's even stomping that Ayamine girl…"

"Honestly, I feel rather sorry for them," Ebisu nods, head upside down as she observes from above. "However, Meiya-sama will show this upstart his due retribution!" she gives a thumbs up, or down actually from her position, to a small cheer from the other two, all three raising their fists.

Said cheer was cut in half faster than a kitchen exploding when left in Mitsurugi's care.

"Oi, he's parrying her!"

"Who allowed him to counter her strikes?!"

"He hit her! That's treason of the highest order!"

Slash into slash, didn't seem to matter. No steps back, no quick thrusts, no ripostes or flurry of strikes pierces the defense, wounding a river is almost impossible. Panting and eyes blazing, Mitsurugi wipes the threads of sweat of her face, he didn't even need to.

"…It's as if you could predict my every move. Care to share your secret, Shirogane?" she asks, gripping her practice blade.

Takeru chuckles, still swaying back and forth as if in the middle of a techno rave. "I can see the future, actually."

"Oh, really? What am I about to do, then?"

"…Lose horribly?"

"Wh- Enough of your jesting! Prepare yourself, Shirogane!" she declares as an imaginary red bandanna wraps on her forehead, rushing forth along a downwards slash.

That's avoided, the follow up stopped, a small sharing of strikes as he shakes his head. "I told you Takeru was fine, dude…"

"And I told you I am a woman already!"

Their struggle continues, all the strikes severed, the lines erased with each step forward he takes. Feints, two-timed slashes, full force strikes, they all met the emptiness of the air, spawning said hollowness in her breathing. And as Mitsurugi grits her teeth, stomps corroding the grace of her flow, Takeru remains with even breathing, still smiling at the pyres of purple fire emanating from her eyes.

"I cannot believe what I'm seeing…" Kamiyo gapes, rubs her eyes, then pinches her cheeks, yet the sight did not change. "How could this be happening?"

"A Nikkei, perhaps?" Tomoe suggests, features equally tense. "In any case, how dare he refer to Meiya-sama as a male. Such baseless provocations…"

"Should we be reporting back to Mana-sama?" Ebisu proposes, sliding back to the ground.

The trio share a round of nods, wiping a few tears as Mitsurugi's wooden blade is sent into a spinning take-off to meet the sun along Shirogane's in a mutual draw. One last gaze at the cadets reveals the mystery addition to the squad offering a helping hand to their young lady, keeping the smile intact, making them retch.

Through the noisy hallways they make haste, glares causing a small space of leisure around them, the other UN soldiers not even looking their way. Shortly after arriving to the barracks they knock on the door of their superior, awaiting in silence.

"…Enter."

"Mana-sama, we have a report for you!" they say, rather, shout in unison right after closing the door.

To the groans of 1st Lt Tsukuyomi, who softly rests her pen. "Must you always be so loud? Regardless, whatever is the matter?"

"Ma'am, as it were, a new cadet has been added to Meiya-sama's squadron," Kamiyo notes, taking a step forward.

"W-What?! I've heard nothing of this!" she almost stands, grinding the chair's legs away to properly stare.

"Neither did we, Mana-sama," Tomoe relents a bow, eyes captive on the floor, fearing the lunar blaze. "The Instructor simply introduced the man this morning, without warning as well. We were taken off guard, too."

"Is that so… Wait, a male? This late in the year?" Mana asks, the shared nods, the tension permeating their whole postures causes the 1st Lt to sober up, recalling the rather hectic pace of the prior morning. "Tell me all you saw, in utmost detail."

"Well, the man in question wouldn't seem to be older than twenty. He has chestnut brow hair, the dastard."

"Yes, how dare he not dye his hair black as a proper Japanese Eishi should. Peasants these days, I swear."

"It's clear this ingrate came from abroad, as well. There was not a single ounce of reverence in his posture towards Meiya-sama, or the Sakaki girl either."

All three share nods and folded arms, fuming a bit of smoke through their ears, further curses from their lips to small groans of their leader.

"Also, his combat skills are impressive. He bested all his squadmates in their morning drills, without as much as breaking a sweat."

"Yes, not even Meiya-sama could truly make a dent in his defense. I'm certain he was doping himself."

"Of course! And even if not, at least have the dignity to relent on your aggression. The honor that is sparring with Meiya-sama, and the dastard fights her in equal terms… I swear, peasants these days…"

"He should have been kissing the ground she walked on! And her boots too!"

"Hear, hear. And Meiya-sama has such beautiful feet, as well."

"…Ebisu, what was that?"

"Are you casting doubts on our lady's charms, Kamiyo?!"

"Well… No, I admit she is very- Wait, how did we get here?!"

"Because that peasant refused to hold back against Meiya-sama, without even breaking a sweat as well. Honestly, how did he keep his composure when in front of her sweating form, tanktop sticking to the skin? Males these days, I swear, they cannot appreciate true beauty anymore."

"You three, that's enough!"

"Wah! A-Apologies, Mana-sama!" and so, they hastily bow in unison, shaking like stray puppies under the rain, fearing the pull of their leash. Poor, dumb puppies.

"Sigh… So, this new recruit was able to ward off Meiya-sama in a duel, you say?" Mana asks while rubbing her temple, receiving instantaneous nods and more curses. Leaning back on her chair, spinning her pen while lifting the front legs and swaying back, she ponders, "A star Nikkei cadet from abroad, perchance? It would explain the absolute lack of respect, for an ignorant halfling to conduct himself as they reported when in front of Meiya-sama. Regardless, this is most odd. The XO wouldn't make such a miss, to not inform us of such a vital matter," she reasons, going for her PDA. Finding it empty only furthers the pit in her gut. "You three, I assume this recruit did not harm any of his comrades?"

"No, all the opposite. He had the gall to smile at them all, even refer to them by name," Kamiyo repines, bearing her teeth. "With what right does he approach Meiya-sama so casually, anyways?"

"We can't even go and say hello… Someone clearly does not know what manners are, to so brazenly break protocol," Ebisu nods, cheeks ballooning a bit.

"Trying to earn their favor by showing off those toned, firm muscles, that exquisite physique and skill with a blade… Male these days, I swear. Modesty is all but forgotten," Tomoe groans, rubbing her temple.

"And if he was going to show off, might as well have broken a real sweat!"

"The gall to hold back against Meiya-sama. Who does he think he is?!"

Mana pinches her nose, returning her chair to a proper position. "Alright, enough woolgathering. I assume, the cadets should be having lunch at the moment?" she asks, the nods are instantaneous. "Very well, let us go and see how they're faring. I'll try and ask, see what I can glean about this mystery cadet," she states, standing up.

The trio salutes, standing in attention then opening the door for their leader. The Blood squadron whole swiftly treads the shortest route, cloaking about in what few shadows were available, cutting corners and almost bumping into UN staff, that cowered in deference or clicked their tongues as they move away.

The loud warning of the PX appears on their ears much before reaching it, swimming through crowded hallways where even their uniforms did not grant them a free pass. Hunger knows no loyalty, after all.

"Alright, let's see…" Mana observes from the entrance, leaning against the wall. Quickly locating the sharp and blue ponytail, her breath leaves easy when seeing Meiya was uninjured, grayness of olden days gone from the rampart of her complexion, the shield lowered for whatever reason. "It is good to see you in such high spirits, Meiya-sama. Now then, where is- Oh, that one sitting there should… Huh?"

"See, that's the one, Mana-sama," Kamiyo presses, nodding as she points.

"Indeed, that breaching smile tells the tale on its own," Ebisu adds.

"I swear, why isn't he wearing a jacket? Simply because he has a well kept physique does not equal he must flaunt it so," Tomoe says, arms folded as she stares daggers at him.

"…You three."

"Yes, Mana-sama?"

"Do you know the name of this… man?"

"Yes, ma'am. Apparently, it's Shirogane Takeshi."

"No, didn't he insist they should refer to him as 'Takeru'?"

"However, the kanji on his tag would normally be read as 'Takeshi', wouldn't it?"

"…Tomoe, how did you even manage to read it from afar?"

"W-What? I was merely observing his movements carefully, is all. I swear, really, even his name is problematic."

"Hear, hear," Ebisu nods along, fuming as well. "Should we remain merely watching over- Mana-sama?"

Clawing at the wall, enough to leave marks similar to those of a werewolf chasing Crimson Raiding Hood. Wrists shaking, quaking along her teeth. Within the new moon of her features, only a rainfall of stars is apparent.

"…M-Mana-sama?" Kamiyo whimpers, all three of them taking their fair distance as one of Mana's eyes begins to twitch, bracing a bit.

"You three?"

"Y-Yes, ma'am?"

"Remain watching over Meiya-sama. Do not approach the young man, unless absolutely necessary. Are we clear?" she asks, they nod and take their positions, solidified by the gorgonic stare.

With one last glance at the loose smile of the male, 1st Lt Tsukuyomi takes her hurried leave. Quickly slicing through the crowds in her march and entering the library, without bothering to ask and simply showing her ID to the clerk, she walks up to the lined up computers on a corner.

Starting the system, swiping her ID on the reader, then beginning her search immediately brings her to a few pop ups, shuffled in sharp presses.

"Squad 207th, last update… Yesterday, huh. So this cadet was the source of the unrest at morning. Now then, members…"

As the list opens, she clicks on the sixth slot. A warning sounds beeps from the speakers, red flooding the screen. Regardless of the attempts she takes, if only to ensure no mistakes were made when opening the profile, the answer does not change. Her expression, however, very much does.

"Access denied, I see. Why, I wonder, would a mere cadet have such protection on his profile?" she asks no one, gritting visible teeth at the S5 clearance required to read the data. "Shirogane… Takeru…" she whispers, reading the kanji, over and over. "I know not why a dead man was made to walk once again, but you… you will come to regret this offense, be assured."