"I applaud all you brave souls who actually stayed so far, but the great filter is soon to come!" Mr. Hayashi said, raising his hands in the air, "Now, let's get started shall we?!" He looked at Ms. Soratani, prompting her to take out a list of names.
"We will have two groups, both of which will take up ownership of their own Anchor! You'll be split between me and Mr. Hayashi, so listen up!" She said, lifting up her sunglasses to get a good look at the list. "Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi! You're with me!" She went down the list, sending each student to either her side or Hayashi's side. Akio and Taira crossed their fingers, hoping they'd end up in the same group as one another. "Taira Kobayashi! Mr. Hayashi!" She said out loud. Akio now was hoping he'd be going to Mr. Hayashi's group, more students would be called as time went on. "Toru Yamamoto! You're with me! Kota Sakamoto! Mr. Hayashi! Koji Kuroda! You're with me!" She then saw a name on the list she recognized, having a surprised look in her eyes. "...Akio Shinohara! Mr. Hayashi!"
Akio ran over to Taira, high fiving him on the way there, "Score!" He said.
"I thought we'd be competing against each other for the rest of the school year..." Taira replied.
"You say that like you're not the smart one!"
"I'm not the one who can just hop in labors at the drop of a hat!"
"...Satomi Shinshi! Mr. Hayashi!" Ms. Soratani said.
Akio's celebration paused, "...She's going to be on our team...?"
"...I'm sure she'll hold true to her word from her introduction!"
"You're not doing your best at convincing me..."
"...And last but not least, Shintaro Mochizuki! Mr. Hayashi!" She rolled up the list and placed it in her pocket, "Alright, that about wraps everything up here! We'll each have our own separate garages, so follow your respective teacher and don't be shy to get to know each other!"
"You heard the lady! All you boys... and girl... follow me!" Mr. Hayashi said. They walked across the field to a sizable shed with a large shutter, he'd grab the bottom and lift it up revealing a workshop area for them to work and store the labor. "Normally we'd already have the Anchor here, but I figured it'd be best if I gave you all the space to chill out and mingle. Someone's gonna drive the Anchor here from the garage at the school, so we won't keep you waitin' too long."
Everyone took a moment to look around the workshop and at their new classmates, Akio and Taira would soon be approached by another boy in their group. He held up his hand to Akio
and introduced himself, "I'm Kota Sakamoto! You're Shinohara and Kobayashi right?"
"Yeah, that's us." Taira said, shaking Sakamoto's hand after he shook Akio's. Another boy would approach the three of them, waving his hand in the air.
"I'm Shintaro Mochizuki! Pleasure to meetcha!" He said.
"I assume you're all big fans of labors huh?" Akio asked the two.
"You bet! My Dad works in a construction company! He let's me see the insides of all the cool new labors they get!" Mochizuki replied enthusiastically.
"For real? My parents work with a security company, so sometimes they'll let me see the labors they use! I've always wanted to be able to pilot one of them!" Sakamoto added. "I bet we don't even have to guess about your parents huh Shinohara?"
Akio felt a little embarrassed being put on the spot like that, but understood they were all just excited to be there. "Haha yeah, my Mom and Dad loved telling me about labors and how you'd use them. I've kinda just been surrounded by them since I was a kid."
Mochizuki playfully punched Akio's arm, "You still are a kid!"
Just then, Satomi groaned out loud amidst the conversation, "Oughh, why was I put in the group filled with only boys? Who am I supposed to relate with here?"
"Hey, it won't be all that bad! I'm sure we all know how to treat a woman right?" Sakamoto said, shrugging.
Mochizuki interjected, "I don't think I'd phrase it like that—"
Taira scratched at his temple, directing his eyes up at the ceiling, "I guess that's just a result of labor piloting and maintenance being done more by guys than girls..."
Satomi leaned forward, sticking out her index finger, "Well, here's the thing Kobayashi, there are lots of women in those fields as well! One of the best labor pilots out there is a woman!"
"Yeah! My Mom!" Akio said rather energetically.
"...Oh that's right." Satomi sighed, standing back up letting her arms dangle to her sides. "What's the point, most girls taking these kinds of classes would be doing them in high school not middle school..."
"If you go ask Mr. Hayashi, maybe he can have you transfer out." Taira pointed at their teacher, who smiled and waved accordingly.
"No, no thanks, I can handle myself in any environment." She folded her arms, "Hey, Mr. Hayashi, when's that labor going to get here?" Mr. Hayashi pointed at his watch, then held up three fingers. He counted down to two and then one, before the utility vehicle would arrive with the Anchor on a reinforced trailer.
"Alright Shogo , better hurry up and pick up this labor, my group is waiting on me!" Ms.
Soratani said.
"No worries Midori , we won't keep you from your group any longer." Mr. Hayashi replied. "I'm not sure if I feel like operating a labor right now. Would any one of my students like to —" As he looked back at his group, he noticed one of them was missing. He checked back over at the Anchor, hearing the sound of the canopy shutting. The labor started up, stepping off from the trailer and stood before the rest of the group. Through the glass of the canopy, Akio could be seen observing the interior of the Anchor, already familiarizing himself with it's cockpit. "...Well then, I take it's not your first time using a labor?"
Akio popped the hatch of the cockpit, "Hachioji has a simulator for piloting labors! Normally people barf their guts out using it but I think they're pretty fun!"
"We need to put a leash on that guy..." Mochizuki said.
"So, what are our thoughts on our new head pilot for the Anchor?" Mr. Hayashi asked his group.
"Let's hope he knows what he's doing..." Satomi said.
"You bet! We're in good hands!" Taira said, assuring Satomi of Akio's potential.
Ms. Soratani called out to Akio, "Hey, Shinohara!"
"Yeah?"
She removed her sunglasses, "You're Ms. Izumi's son right? I guess it's Mrs. Shinohara now, but regardless, I want you to show us why your Mom is so revered this school year."
Akio shot back a smile, "I'll try, no promises!"
"I know you've got potential, take care Shinohara!" She waved goodbye, starting up the utility vehicle to return to her group. While she left, Akio had walked the Anchor in the middle of the work station, having it sit in the middle of the room. He then would hop out of the labor, landing on his feet and dusting himself off.
"What's it like in there?" Mochizuki asked, walking up to Akio.
"It was a lot more simple than I expected, it feels like the labor pilots itself, almost." He responded.
Mr. Hayashi walked to the Anchor, observing it as if it was the first time he had seen it. "That's cause the piloting assist is on by default, the operating system is derived from the Neural Networking System of a patrol labor called the AV-0 Peacemaker. This is to help ease into piloting, and also prevents any potential accidents." He'd flick away specs of dust and small debris from the labor using his thumb.
"Woah, could this thing work as a patrol labor like the Peacemaker?" Sakamoto asked.
"No way, this thing is still a tin can made for kids like you. But because it's made for kids like you, it's design was made to be more simple and safe. It's a tin can with velcro straps and rounded edges, made of a material that'd easily break down in the stomach in case of ingestion."
"Mr. Hayashi we're not babies you know?" Satomi said, unpleased with his infantilizing remarks.
"Yes you are babies, but by the end of this course, you'll be ready to start your transition into big boys and girls!"
"Not grown men and women?"
"Hah, you wish, wait 'till high school. Anyways, since this is your first day I won't burden you with any work or labor just yet. However, I think it's best if everyone got to familiarize themselves with the Anchor while you have the chance. Sound cool?"
"Yeah!" The five of them responded in unison. Taira would be the second to climb inside of the Anchor, he didn't put his feet on the pedals as they weren't going to be leaving the workshop any time soon. Although he did raise up the arms and rotate the manipulators of the labor, which was a fun experience for them. This would be the first time most of the students there had hands-on experience with a labor, only Akio having some experience whether it be real labors or simulators. Satomi would climb inside the Anchor, sitting down in the cockpit and observing it's interior, she'd peek her head over to their teacher with a curious look.
"Mr. Hayashi, I'm sure this labor is fine and works and all, but, couldn't you have picked something a little more... I dunno, flattering?"
"I think the Anchor is quite flattering actually!" He would respond in a pompous tone.
Akio stepped toward the labor that held Satomi, "If you're looking for something flattering, maybe you could ask the Principal to buy a Midi just for you." He joked.
"Are you saying that because I'm a girl?"
"Well it is nicknamed the girl labor."
"Hmph, maybe we should get a Taisyo too, something like that obviously would be more suited for someone like you."
"No way, that labor looks weird and can barely stand on it's two feet."
"And it's just as unflattering as you are."
"I take it back, maybe a Frogman would fit your style more!" Akio's comment made Satomi let out a gasp.
"...Akio...?" Taira said nervously, he looked back at the other two boys, both stood aside silently. He then looked at Mr. Hayashi, who was just checking his watch as the situation
played out.
Satomi jumped from the cockpit of the Anchor, she went up to Akio's face. At that moment Akio realized she had some height on her, requiring him to slightly look up at her to look her in the eyes. She had an intense look on her face, it was enough to put Akio on edge "Listen here Shinohara, I don't care who you think you are or who your Daddy is. If you're trying to pick a fight with me I'll surely give you one with no questions asked."
"Pass, it'd be wrong to fight a girl as a guy." He said folding his arms and avoiding eye contact.
"W—Where's all the chivalry coming from all of a sudden?! What happened to that big mouth of yours?! Look at me when I'm speaking to you!" The bell would then ring, signifying the end of the period.
"Would you look at that! Looks like all you crazy kids get to go free!" Mr. Hayashi said, breaking the tension.
"Already? Isn't there another hour we gotta spend here?" Sakamoto asked.
"And do what? Talk about our day? Curriculum doesn't start 'till tomorrow buddy, sorry to get your hopes up. But hey! You get to go early!"
"...I'm not gonna complain about that then! See ya everyone!" Sakamoto said, leaving the workshop.
"Well, see you all tomorrow then!" Mochizuki said, following him out quickly.
Satomi sighed and faced away from Akio, "...I don't even care anymore." She too would then leave, clearly no longer in the mood to continue the petty argument they had just had. Mr. Hayashi would wave at Akio and Taira as they'd be the last two to leave, making their way to the front gates of the school. They'd both be walking down a path together from school, navigating to the route they would normally take from elementary school.
"Man, you really messed up big time..." Taira said.
"So what? I was just making a joke. I also wasn't gonna let anyone push me around either, even if it is a girl." Akio replied.
"It would've been beneficial to stay on her good side though."
"Eh, too late now. That's a problem for tomorrow's me then."
"Akio, please consider making up with her, I don't want her to be mad at me too because I'm your friend."
"What, you got some crush on her?"
"No, She just scares me..." Akio wasn't expecting an honest and blunt answer such as that from Taira, it took him by surprise.
"Okay fine, I'll apologize and make up or whatever."
"Thanks man, just try not to do it again."
"...Man that's right, I'm gonna be home earlier than usual, and Mom's not gonna be there..." Akio thought, stopping on the path.
"You need to come over my place to wait?"
"No, I'll take a bit of a detour, I know a place I can hang in the meantime."
"In that case, guess I'll see you tomorrow Akio!" Taira held up his fist.
Akio gave him a fist bump in return, "See ya tomorrow Taira!"
A man would be working behind the counter of a small shop, he was large in size so he had to duck under the door frames to go from room to room. Another man would also be working there, though his job was mainly just watching the guests come in and out of the café. He'd be reading a tabloid or watching the television that would be sitting on a crate near the wall, but he'd take the time to observe what draws in each customer and the current demographic of the location. On this day a young boy would open the door to the café, causing the bell to ring.
"Ah- Welcome! We're glad to have you!" The large man said, doing his best to continue his work near the back of the restaurant after hearing the bell.
"No need to be so formal Uncle Hiromi! It's just me!" The boy said. He walked through the room past the chairs and tables, waving at the other man sitting near the television. "'Sup Mr. Goto!" The man only softly waved his hand in the air.
Hiromi's tone then changed, "Oh, it's you Akio! What brings you here? Shouldn't you be in school?"
Akio walked up to the front counter and sat down, placing his bag on the floor. "I got let out early, thought I could hang out here since Mom won't be back yet."
"Oh I see, so how was your first day of middle school?"
"It was alright, saw Taira again so that was pretty cool. I didn't really pay attention to what they were telling us in the other classes, I was just hyped for the labor operating and maintenance class."
"Labor operating and maintenance? Do you want to pilot labors just like your mother?"
"Something like that, I think I'm just familiar enough with labors to get by pretty well in the class. Not just that, but since Mom and Dad both have licenses I thought why not get my own eventually?"
"I bet you'll do great, the way you talk about labors tells me you'd be very dedicated."
"I just grew up around labors so it really just feels natural, though I guess at some point I'll have to inherit Dad's company just like he did..."
"Don't feel pressured to undertake your father's business, you still have lots of time to figure things out for yourself." Hiromi would pour two cups of tea for the both of them, sliding Akio his own cup. "I wasn't able to help out with my own father's business, but I'm perfectly happy with the life I live now."
"Ah, whatever, who cares anyway." Akio took a sip from the cup, "Uh, thanks by the way." "It is my pleasure." He said bowing.
The bell at the door would ring again, this time an older and mature looking woman would enter. "Afternoon Mr. Yamazaki. I'm just stopping by for now, so don't mind me."
"Afternoon Chief Nagumo." Hiromi replied. The woman looked over at the man sitting near the television with his newspaper, deciding to join him unprompted. The two would quietly converse, the man replying with sarcastic remarks as the woman is humored by his lackadaisical demeanor. They spoke as if they've known each other for a long time, much longer than Akio could ever have known. After observing the two, he'd go back to finishing off the tea, letting out a sigh after his last sip.
Akio would wait in the café for a little while longer, he'd normally rely on his mother to be at home to let him inside. Both she and her husband would be employed and away from the house, his mother at least returning just before Akio would return home from school. He had memorized the time it'd normally take for him to get home from school, getting up and ready to leave once the clock indicated that school was out.
"Alright, gotta bounce, thanks for the tea Uncle Hiromi!"
"Goodbye Akio, you're welcome to stay any time!" He said, waving in return.
Akio left the café, turned the corner and went down the path back home on foot. It wouldn't be long before he'd be back in the neighborhood, walking down the street that ran through all the housing. His home was somewhat secluded from the other houses in the neighborhood, but not too far to prevent him from hanging out with the other neighborhood kids. Akio would see other kids much younger than he was running by him and playing, and he would also see some his age as well walking someplace else. At some point he'd hear the sound of a bike motor approaching from behind him, slowly getting quieter as the bike slowed down near him. It'd be his mother, who spotted him on his way home.
"This is a weird route for you to take home from school, you're not skipping are you?" She joked.
"What? No, I was just-"
"Don't worry about it! I'm just messing with you!" She patted his head, walking with him while she had the moped at her side. "Did you have a good day at school?"
"Yeah, it was pretty cool, got to ride in their funny little training labor they gave us. Nothing as cool as the Ingram or the Arbiter."
"I bet you're already the best pilot in class, the school maybe too!"
"Maybe, I still need to see what kind of kids they have in the second group too. I only got to meet a couple new members of the class."
"Oh right I forgot to ask, was Midori and Hayashi there?"
"Yeah, they're the teachers, did you know or something?"
"Well, you know how me and Mr. Ohta work at the training camp right? They had similar jobs assigned to them like us, but instead of older people they're working with younger people like you."
"It feels like almost everyone you worked with is involved with teaching people how to pilot labors."
"I don't remember exactly how they phrased it, but It's I think it's done to accommodate the demand for qualified labor pilots. Ever since more and more people started using labors, accidents and slip ups got more common. Basically at the beginning, the process of getting a labor license wasn't as extensive as it is now; the high demand for labors over twenty years ago had people thrusted into the position to compensate. At that point, almost anyone could be a labor pilot in just a few days. Now there's a lot more hoops and hurdles you need to go through, all in the name of safety of course. But anyways, that's where people like me, Mr. Ohta, Midori, and Hayashi come in. They called for most of the members with knowledge and experience of handling labors to educate future pilots, the job pays well enough so I thought why not?"
"You and Dad taught me well enough, I'm sure you're doing pretty great teaching those other guys huh?"
"I've seen many come and go, but there'll always be that interesting bunch that shows up. Always full of energy and up to the task, reminds me of what we all used to be all those years ago."
"I bet Mr. Ohta never gives them a break!"
"Hah, you'd be right!"
At night a family of five would be sitting around a table, enjoying a nice dinner after everyone was hard at work that day. The family consisted of a father, mother, their two daughters and a son, the eldest daughter seemed rather perturbed. She held her bowl of rice up to her face, eating very quickly as the chopsticks moved back and forth to and from the bowl. Both parents would notice this, the mother looking expectantly at the father to quell whatever had ailed their daughter. In a nervous tone he'd ask, "Satomi...? Is something the matter?"
"Nothing is wrong father, don't worry." She said quickly, going back to eating. The father would clear his throat, trying to press further.
"Er, dinner time is family time where we normally talk about our day. You shouldn't feel obligated to hide anything from us..."
"...Oh alright!" She slammed her bowl down on the table, "It's that rude boy in my homeroom, Shinohara! First he tries to associate me with a Midi just because I am a woman, then he has the nerve to compare me to a Frogman—a FROGMAN! I don't know how the owner of such a prestigious company could raise such a disrespectful child, I mean really!" She folded her arms as she stuck out her bottom lip.
"Shinohara? You mean the neighbor's kid?" The father said.
"We used to babysit him when he was an itty bitty baby, you got into a fight with him?" The mother would add.
"No, but I'd like to see him try. " Satomi replied.
"Miki-chan, our families are good friends with one another, we can't let feuding between our children happen like this! It's just not healthy!"
"Tamiko, I'm sure it's just a spat..." The father replied in a meek manner.
"We can't treat this as anything less, we must sort everything out! After dinner I need you to call the Shinohara family!"
Satomi sat up in her seat, "Wait—but Mom!"
"Don't worry Satomi, Mama's gonna make things right!"