"" Dialogue
'' Thoughts

Disclaimer: I do not own "Strike Witches", so this is just a fan made.

Chapter 15: Ingolstadt: Part II

(Let go)

The next day

As usual Lynne and Yoshika had prepared breakfast for the rest of the Joint Fighter Wing, yet only four Witches were there as well as the two commanders and one of the Witches was trying to stay awake as hard as she could. Nevertheless, after being done with that and with the cleaning as well, the group headed to the meeting room.

As the two commanders readied the projector, Minna could not help it but notice that Shizuka was kipping on her sit, resting on Yoshika's shoulder, arm in arm, and even snoring softly yet it could be heard by everyone, as now they were staring both Witches.

"Hattori," Minna said from the podium, "Hattori."

Yoshika nodded and grabbed her lightly from the jacket. "Shizuka, Shizuka," Yoshika gently said, now waking her up.

"I'm awake, I was- I was just resting my eyes," Shizuka added a bit embarrassed, rubbing her eyes.

"It's fine, you can go to your room, to rest," Minna stated with a comforting tone.

"I can manage just fine," she said as splashed the water from a glass on her face as everyone watched her a bit puzzled.

"All right then," Minna stated, also disconcerted. "I'm going to make this brief as possible. The patrols had been dealt with, but Ingolstadt's current status remains unknown. Therefore, a recon mission must be carried out as it was already stated." Minna showed a map of the city.

"Flight Lieutenant Litvyak, Flying Officer Juutilainen, this is when you take part on this operation Lieutenant Clostermann and Group Captain Wilcke will be there, to provide assistance," Mio announced.

"Understood," both sub-artic Witches said in unison.

"We will depart at 0700 hours tomorrow," Minna announced.

"Tomorrow?" Sanya wondered.

"I thought we will sortie today, that's why you woke us up so early in the morning," Eila stated.

"It's almost midday Flying Officer," Mio stated from the podium, "and we didn't wake you up." As Eila chuckled nervously.

"I mean, we can do the recon today, Sanya and I are well rested and so are you, I think," Eila added, addressing Perrine and Minna as Sanya nodded hesitantly. Still, the three commanders just switched glances.

"It is possible to rearrange the schedule if you desire so, there are several hours left of light." Minna took a deep breath. "We will depart 1400 hours. Eila, Sanya and Perrine please rest until we depart, and you too Hattori. You're all dismissed." Mio then turned off the projector and the six Witches exited the meeting hall.

"We're gonna be in our room," Eila said.

"I'll wake you up when lunch is ready," Yoshika happily said.

"Thank you, Yoshika," Sanya added as Eila grabbed her and then both headed to their bedroom. Meanwhile, Lynette and Yoshika went to the kitchen, followed by Shizuka from behind.

"Hattori, you really need to rest," Perrine commented as she began walking behind her.

"I'm gonna be there in a moment." Shizuka said as she stopped, turning to now stare her roommate, "there's- there's something I need to do." Trying to contain a yawn.

"All right then," her roommate said, wondering what she needed to do, still, she headed to their shared room.

Now in the kitchen, both Yoshika and Lynette put on aprons and began preparing lunch as Shizuka went to the couch and picked up the newspaper to make time and to clear her mind. Operation Schwarz has begun: Ingolstadt the Primary Objective of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing. Shizuka read the headline on the front page, yet she could not get herself to read the rest of the article as she had another thing in mind as well as trying to stay awake.

Still, after quite a bit, she noticed that both Witches had seemingly finished preparing the lunch, as both were now sat in the dining table with several pots boiling behind them, then Yoshika stood up from her sit and headed towards her.

"Shizuka, you sure you don't want to rest?" Yoshika asked with a curious look on her face.

"I'm still not that sleepy," she replied, trying to contain a yawn.

"All right," Yoshika cheerfully said, "I'll be right back. It says in the notes there's a book I really need to find." She left the room afterwards.

Shizuka then rubbed her eyes and headed to the only other person that was left there. "You and Yoshika sortied to take on the Neuroi yesterday."

"I- yeah, we did," Lynette replied surprised a little.

"She was supposed to be resting and you were supposed to make sure of that," Shizuka replied, raising her voice a little.

"I know, but Yoshika was worried about you." Lynette replied, as calmly as she could.

"And I'm actually worried about her," Shizuka argued back with a reproaching tone.

"Do you think I am not?" Lynette countered back, now standing from her sit. "Yoshika would've still sortied however she could, that's why I went her, to make sure that she was safe." She took a deep breath. "Are you going to tell Minna?"

"I don't want to get neither of you in trouble, but you still disobeyed direct orders," Shizuka countered.

"Is this what this is all about?" Lynette retorted, "orders?"

"I spoke with Lieutenant Yeager and she… and she…" Shizuka hedged, now avoiding visual contact.

"And Shirley told you what?"

"She told me Yoshika was given a dishonorable discharge for disobeying orders and going AWOL back in Britannia." Shizuka confessed.

"I didn't know that occurred," Lynette trembled, recalling what happened back then.

"I just find out and I don't want that to ever happen again to Yoshika," Shizuka shook her head. "You were supposed to keep her on check, that's what we agreed, why?" She upbraided.

"She just wanted to be sure that you were safe." She said, gazing at her.

"That's not enough reason, you know Yoshika is not thinking things through and you both sortied," Shizuka said bitterly. "You should know better than that."

"I just accompanied Yoshika because…" Lynette gulped, now avoiding visual contact.

"Because what?"

"I wanted to be with Yoshika because I..." Lynette was about to said, when the door wide-opened unexpectedly, surprising both Witches.

"I'm back," Yoshika happily said with several books in her hands. "Are you talking about something?" She wondered as both Witches were just staring intensively at each other.

"We were discussing about something," Lynette said as she headed to the kitchen and served herself a glass of water.

"Yes, we were but we've finished; I really need to rest now," Shizuka fumed as she turned around and left the room.

"Did you…?" Yoshika asked noticing how abruptly Shizuka left them.

"No, we didn't and I'm gonna stand for you no matter what." Lynette interrupted her, as she put water to boil in a kettle. "I'll make us some tea."

"Thanks…?" Yoshika said, as she began checking the books, still wondering what just happened, yet she also was side gazing Lynette, but she was just reading the newspaper, with a serious gaze. After Lynette prepared, both Witches continued with what they were doing and half an hour passed, so the lunch was already cooked.

They began serving and to their surprise, the group started to come. First Minna, then Mio followed by Perrine and just when they were about to finish serving, Eila and Sanya made their way to the dining hall. Yoshika was a bit surprised that Shizuka did not come again making her wonder what happened earlier, still she was a bit relieved that she was resting.

After a bit, the group finished with the lunch, and they headed to the hangar. Mio went behind the steering wheel, Minna at her side and the three Witches behind them, at the back seat.

"You sure you don't want us to come?" Yoshika asked the three commanders.

"We're very well rested," Lynette added, "and we're ready."

"Thanks for your concern girls, but it's just a recognition mission. We can manage just fine," Minna stated, "you still need to rest Yoshika, it's for your own well-being. I hope you understand me."

"I do." Yoshika mused, with a thoughtful expression on her face while Lynette just barely nodded not muttering another word.

Mio then started the jeep. "And Lynne, continue helping Miyafuji with her studies," Mio said, as the jeep slowly began moving, "and actually, remain here." They drove off the hangar afterwards, yet only Lynette heard her, she then grabbed Yoshika's arm and headed inside.

On the jeep both sub-artic Witches just exchanged sights and gulped while Perrine gave them a questioning look.

"Let just get this over with," Eila commented, now gazing at the somewhat cloudy sky, as Sanya rested on her shoulder.

Meanwhile, in the base.

Both Witches went back to the kitchen to do the dishes. Yoshika was washing them while Lynette was drying them with a towel. Nevertheless, Yoshika could not help it but ask herself why Lynette looked so serious, irritated even. She recalled seeing her like that very few times throughout these years, the last time being just a few days ago.

"Did I do something that bothered you?" Yoshika softly asked, taking off her apron and drying off her hands.

"You didn't do anything," Lynette said, but she was still staring at her with a curious expression. "I mean, I'm not upset or anything like that," she added, trying to fake a smile, still, she did not do a good job.

"I don't like seeing you like that," Yoshika said, tenderly touching her cheek; Lynette just could not help it but blush and softly smile feeling her soft caress. "Now that's better, what happened?" She asked but Lynette could not mutter anything, "you said you trusted me, but it seems it doesn't go both ways."

"I trust you with my life." She held her hand, "it's just that…" She sighed. "I think they find out what we did yesterday."

"Shizuka told you, didn't she?" Yoshika commented as Lynette nodded hesitantly, "don't be angry with her; the least thing I want is to cause more trouble here." Yoshika sighed. "I should've been expecting that, I'm not a very good liar. But don't worry, I'll take the blame for both of us."

"Yoshika you don't need to do that," Lynette countered.

"I dragged you into this mess," Yoshika argued back.

"I said I'm gonna stand with you whatever happens," she firmly said, with gaze full of resolve, staring her in the eyes, now with both her hands over her shoulders.

"There's no way I can thank you enough for all you've done for me." Yoshika caressed her other cheek. "At least Minna did not seem very angry to me."

"It seemed so," Lynette said, feeling her pulse increased with every touch.

"Let's go to the garden." Yoshika grabbed her from the arm. "I need the fresh air."

Somewhere near Ingolstadt

An hour later, and after mostly silent journey with a small talk in between, Mio finally made her way to their destination. As soon as she stationed the jeep on the side of the road, both Witches jumped out of it and rushed towards the trailer.

"It seems you're pretty eager to sortie Officers," Mio stated.

"We are Major," Sanya stated.

"Yeah, the sooner we're done, the sooner we can go back to the base," Eila added.

Minna sighed. "You know your objectives, officers."

"Yes, ma'am," both Witches said in unison.

"Maintain radial communication," Minna said, "don't forget this is recon mission so avoid engaging the enemy if it deems unnecessary."

"Understood," both said.

"We are going to be here on standby, waiting for your report and to provide assistance if it is required," Minna added.

"We know the drill," Eila stated, as both Witches jumped into the strikers.

"Flight Lieutenant Litvyak, you're going to leading this mission," Minna announced, as Sanya nodded in agreement, with the map on her hand. "You can depart now."

Thus, both Witches sortied and as the three commanders watched them disappear into the now cloudy sky over Ingolstadt.

"As we suspected, they did sortie yesterday," Mio commented.

"Yoshika's giving me quite a trouble nowadays." Minna served herself a cup of coffee. "I thought she has matured since…"

"She has grown, Group Captain; I can assure you that," Perrine interrupted her, "the thing is, she's letting her protectiveness command her actions, to protect Shizuka more specifically."

"She still hadn't let go," Mio added with a pensive tone.

"If she let go of that feeling, I'm sure Yoshika could fly much higher," Perrine stated, "she's quite the Witch nowadays."

"If only…" Minna uttered, "nevertheless, her health is the priority right now."

"Is she going to take part on the operation?" Perrine asked her.

"I am still deciding about it," Minna added.

Meanwhile over the skies of Ingolstadt

Both Witches had already made their way to the outskirts of the city. Eila was at Sanya's left side, looking at every side for Neuroi, yet she could not foresee anything or see anything. The Night Witch's antenna was also blue, signaling no enemy nearby.

Most buildings had roof tiles, which were surrounded by large trees, still most of them had already lost their leaves. Due to its abandonment for several years, vegetation had made its way to the city, yet other than that, it looked almost normal.

"It's looks way older than what I expected," Eila commented.

"It looks historic to me," Sanya added.

"Yeah, that's a better way to describe it," she said, a bit embarrassed.

"It is a large city, but it feels so lonely," Sanya said, slowing down a little to admire its traditional buildings as well as it smallish, cobbled streets.

"At least it's still standing," Eila said, hands behind her head, flying on her back.

"If we can secure this place, I think people would return to their homes."

"You can be sure of that," She added, "I mean, people had already returned to Berlin, I don't see why it should be different here."

"There's the Danube," the Night Witch stated.

"Which means the fortress we are looking for, must be nearby." Eila continued following Sanya, still searching at every side, but nothing could be seen or heard other than their Strikers as well as the river flowing.

"Group Captain, we can see the fortress," Sanya said, closing her eyes to try to find the right frequency, but there was no response. "It's strange, there's only static but I cannot sense anything near."

"Me neither," Eila added, and just afterwards, they made it to their objective and began overflying cautiously over it, until both Witches stopped mid-flight.

"What's that?" Eila said noticing at large black object in the middle of the fortress. Sanya then began slowly flying towards.

"It's Neuroi," Sanya stated, yet her antenna was still blue, "a high-speed Neuroi."

"It's a jet," Eila corrected her as she slowly flew to the other side, "but it's on standby?"

Sanya antenna's then turned red. "Eila, flee at once," she commanded her rushing out of the fortress as several ground Neuroi dropped their camouflage and readied themselves to shoot.

"Watch out." Eila revved up her Strikers and rushed towards her, until smoke came out of one. "What the hell!"

"Eila!" Sanya exclaimed, noticing that, she was now flying towards her, but a beam came towards her and passing through, shooting her down.

"Sanya!" Eila cried, flying with now just one striker, catching her just before she crashed. "Talk to me!" She screamed, now shielding them both and trying to maintain the balance.

"I'm uninjured" Sanya said, as she tried to fly again, only to realize that she just had one striker remaining and even her tights were ripped off from that leg. Meanwhile, Eila was still trying dodge the beams as hard as she could, still shielded and now Sanya putting out a shield as well.

Though, both Witches tried to make some distance, the jet began revving up and soon enough they were overwhelmed by the beams. "Too- strong!" Eila cried, now descending and letting go of the damaged Striker.

"We- we need to find cover before it takes off," Sanya panted, as she tried to help Eila to maintain her balance with her single Striker.

"I'm gonna protect you," Eile roared, putting all her magic into her shield, and heading to a somewhat tall house far from the river. Cries echoed in the empty streets of Ingolstadt as Eila lost her balance and crashed into one of its windows, breaking the glass on the process and landing on a bed, Sanya below, legs opened up, and Eila's body over her.

"That was close." Sanya gasped trying to regain her breath.

"Very close," Eila added, resting her head over her chest, and also trying to regain her breath and feeling hers. She, then used both arms to get up, and now she was now, face to face with Sanya, feeling her breathing. Though, she closed her eyes, Sanya just moved her away, let go of the Striker and rushed to close the wooden covers of the windows as well as the curtains.

"We are safe here for now." Sanya searched for more windows but apparently there were no more in that bedroom, and it was as dark it could get, only slightly illuminated by Sanya's red magic antenna.

"I- I think we are alone now." Eila gulped.

"I can still sense them, but they are not too far from here," she added, "but the Jet is still patrolling the city." Eila then took a sit on the bed.

"We need to report our status to Group Captain Minna." Sanya's magic antenna brightened up and so did the whole room in the process. "It's no use, I can't get through."

Eila shook her head as she looked at her only striker. "What we need now, is to get out here."

"There's no way we can both flee from here, not with only one a striker." Sanya took a sit beside her.

"With yours, I can get both of us from here."

Sanya gulped, "Eila it's impossible, yours is barely working."

"Don't worry about it, I mean I've never got my wingman shoot," Eila nervously said with a gaze full of resolve.

"And I want to continue to remain that way, which is why you're going to get out here." Sanya held her hand, gazing her deeply in her eyes.

"Have you gone mad? I'm not going to leave you here." Eila swore back.

"Eila, if something happens to my Striker, we're going to be trapped here and someone needs to inform the rest of the current situation."

"Not chance I'd do that," she argued back.

"I can sense every Neuroi from here and I can hide pretty well."

"Again, I'm not gonna do that," she shot back.

"The sooner you go, the sooner you can get help," Sanya said, yet Eila just looked down. "wasn't the hanged man was about let it go?" She added with the same results, "if we didn't report our status soon. Minna and Perrine would come here, and they could also get trapped or shot down."

"Let me try again." Eila rushed to open the curtains as well as the window wooden covers. She took a look outside only to notice that several ground Neuroi were roaming around the streets. She gave a step back as her black fox ears and tail appeared, then she put on both Strikers and grabbed Sanya from the waist, even though she was reluctant.

A magic circle appeared as both units began revving up and she blasted off through the window, soon several beams came from all sides, and even though she tried to dodge them all, she ended up using a shield and so did Sanya, yet Eila continued ascending until the jet cut them off.

"There are too many," Sanya claimed as Eila did a hard turn, and crashed into another window on the second floor, now into a corridor, still she used herself to soft the impact. "Eila, I told you, it's not possible to get out of here, we both cannot escape," Sanya stated, still being hugged by her, feeling how hard she breath.

"If only both my Strikers were working, I could get you out of here." Eila tried to contain herself from crying, as Sanya embraced her.

"Even if mine was working, we'd still be trapped here." Sanya gazed her in the eyes and cleaned them, only to end staining her face with blood. "You're bleeding," she exclaimed, sitting in front of her as Eila touched her own back, noticing several small pieces of glass embedded there, and even cutting her hands in the process.

"It's nothing." She cleaned the blood of her hands in her tights and was now on her knees.

"Don't forget why we are here, to do a recon a mission and to inform the rest of the current situation here. I'll be here hiding, there is nothing worry." She cleaned the blood of her face with a piece of her ripped tights.

"I'm sorry," Eila grieved now tears falling from her blue eyes.

"I'm sure you can get out of here, unharmed," Sanya stated, "just don't rush anyone coming here, I'm going to be just fine," she said with soft smile, "you must think things through."

"I'm going to come back with help." Eila stood up, then she cleaned up her tears. "But you need to stay hiding here."

"I'll be staying here, hiding and safe," Sanya commented, "it's a comfy place," she said gazing the living room as well as the bedroom at the other end of the corridor. There was not electricity, but the natural light made its way through the place, still that did not matter to Eila as she just handed her MG-4.

"You're gonna this more than I do," she said, with a gaze as serious as she could have.

"I agree," Sanya said, then Eila put both Strikers on and a smallish magic circle appeared.

She then flew towards her and hugged her to her chest, then she kissed her on the forehead. "I'll be back before you even realize I'm gone." The Strikers revved up and the magic circle increased its size.

"Don't rush things, please," Sanya said, but Eila just blasted off through the window, even dropping a few paintings from the walls.

"I'm going to come back with help," Eila shouted dodging several beams, still they ended up overwhelming her as now she was using a shield. Seconds later, the jet cut her off again, but she also avoided it, flying just above it, even staining it with her blood, blasted off again from Ingolstadt.

By late in the evening.

Mio barely stationed the jeep, yet Eila jumped out of it and triggered the alarm, followed by Minna from behind.

"All Witches be at the meeting hall at once." Minna announced through the loudspeaker.

Not long after, the Witches made their way to the hall, half-sleep and still wearing her sleeping clothes, yet no commander made was there.

Yoshika, Lynette and Shizuka were there, wearing their usual clothes. Charlotte was wearing a pink bra with matching panties; Erica was wearing a black bralette with her usual underwear and Francesca was wearing a white and yellow top that was not large to fully cover her chest with matching panties. Not long after, the two commanders headed to the podium, then Perrine and finally Eila slowly entered the room, the latter wearing a coat, and they made it to their usual places.

"Where's Sanya?" Erica asked, addressing Eila, who just looked down.

"Sanya is trapped in Ingolstadt," Minna stated, now fully waking up the rest of the Witches. "Keep calm, she's uninjured."

"One of her Strikers sustained damage and became inoperative after engaging the jet that we're not able to find yesterday," Mio stated.

"On the other hand, one of Eila's, malfunctioned," Minna stated, as Yoshika's felt a heartbeat skipped on her and the same happened with Lynette. "She had to use Sanya's remaining striker as well as hers to escape, nevertheless, thanks to that, it has become known that Ingolstadt is under heavy Neuroi occupation, there are an unknown number of units using camouflage as well as jet."

"That's why surveillance could not detect the enemy," Minna added, "and why there was not patrol in the eastern part of Ingolstadt.'

Yoshika unexpectedly stood up from her sit. "There was a patrol in the eastern part of Ingolstadt, and I took it out," Yoshika announced as Minna's expression became one of disappointment mixed with a hint of anger, "and I- and I used Eila's Strikers."

"I helped her," Lynette added, standing from her sit.

"Sit down both of you." Minna ordered them. "I told you there will be dire consequences if you disobeyed me Miyafuji and for you Bishop as well."

"I escaped and Lynne caught me near Ingolstadt; you can't punish her." Yoshika pledged, "you can't do that to Lynne please."

"Yoshika, that's not…"

"Whatever happened, you hid information from me, and that's a fact." Minna interrupted her as both Witches sat down. "Nevertheless, there are more important matters right now, tomorrow at 0630, we'll do a rescue mission." Minna stated.

"Tomorrow? Are you crazy? We can't leave Sanya there." Eila fisted the table and stood from her sit.

"Stand down Pilot Officer," Mio said raising her voice.

"It's far too late," Minna added, trying to maintain the little calm she still had on her.

"I'll go back myself if it's necessary." Eila swore, now fists with her hands.

"You can't do this alone, and you know that, officer." Minna stated firmly from her place. "That's why you did abandon the mission, to ask for help."

"Abandon!? I didn't…" Eila muttered, watching them from her place, dropping her coat as the Witches gaped noticing her jacket stained with blood as well as her tights.

"At least let me heal you," Yoshika mourned, yet Eila just unexpectedly turned around and a slap resonated in the meeting hall.

"Like I need that, this is all your fault," Eila snapped, trying to contain her tears, yet Yoshika did not move at all nor muttered anything. And when Eila was about to slap her again, Lynette stood up from her place and put herself in front of Yoshika, Eila stopping on her tracks.

"You can't blame Yoshika; she told you what happened with your Striker," she barked back.

"And she only did it to help us all," Shizuka added as she also put herself in front of Yoshika.

"As if it had helped," she mourned, "Sanya is not here." She stared at the floor; tears had started to fall.

"Everybody, stop that." Minna walked towards the group, while the rest of the Witches were watching in silence.

"You can stop defending me, it's my fault, I admit that." She stood up from her sit and faced Eila between both Witches, yet she could not return the sight. "I assure you; I'll do whatever I can to rescue Sanya" She pushed the chair back to its place. "Whatever the cost is, I'll make sure of it." She left the room, being followed by Lynette and Shizuka.

Shortly afterwards, Eila also left the meeting room, not muttering another word. Meanwhile, everybody sighed a bit more relieved, Minna then, we want back to the podium and sipped through the glass of water.

"After Sanya is rescued, I'll think what to do about them," Minna commented, taking a deep breath, "nevertheless, several unauthorized actions were performed that led to a Witch getting miss in action; these are some serious offenses."

"Are they though?" Erica chimed in, making the three commanders stare at her.

"Be more clear Lieutenant," Mio stated.

"Even if Yoshika and Lynne hadn't engaged the Jet, there's was no information about a fifth jet," Erica stated, "it was recon mission, and everybody knew that Ingolstadt was unexplored and dangerous."

"I hate to say this, but she kinda saved our butts," Charlotte chimed in, "I was pretty beaten yesterday and I'm not sure if I could take on another jet," she made a pause, "yeah, yeah, I said I could do it all day, but it was tiring you know."

"I was also exhausted," Francesca commented, "I could barely stand today, and I even slept on a bed!"

"I'd been MIA, and I know how Trude felt, I really do; you can't blame Eila or Yoshika for what matters."

"We know Yoshika is stubborn, and we also know why she's pushing herself too far nowadays," Perrine stated.

"I knew there was something more than what they were telling me yesterday; I know them very well," Minna stressed taking a sit.

"What surprise me is that Lynne had agreed to go with her," Mio commented as every Witch now stare at her, "I know she's her closest friend, but she's never been so willing to disobey direct orders."

"You can say that they are even closer now," Charlotte added as Minna stared her intensively. "I'm just saying," she said, nervously.

"I'll decide what to do about them in a few days." Minna rested her head on her hand. "Nevertheless, I'm not sure, whether they should participate."

"I'm not saying what Yoshika and Lynne did was right, but Minna, you've always been fair with us." Erica stood up from her sit. "And she'd come whether we like it or not." Erica left the room afterwards.

"We know that Sanya is uninjured, just trapped," Charlotte commented, "and if Ingolstadt is as heavily guarded as you said, everybody's gotta help if we want to have a chance."

"She makes a good point, Group Captain," Perrine added.

"I guess we have no choice," Minna added, "everyone's dismissed."

On the other side of the base

Yoshika was being followed by Lynette and Shizuka. "Yoshika, wait!" Lynette exclaimed yet she just continued walking to the bathroom, yet she did not close door so both Witches also accompanied there, reluctantly. There, she took off her clothes, opened the cold-water faucet, entered the shower, and just stayed under it, let it cool her body.

"You know, it's kind of ironic," she said, bitterly, her face facing the showerhead. "I always just try to protect people, but it always ends backfiring me. I just make things worse for everyone, with Sakamoto, with you Lynne, with you Shi-."

"Stop that Yoshika," Shizuka said with a neutral yet regretful tone.

"Stop reproaching yourself," Lynette added.

"Whether I like it or not, it's the truth." Yoshika closed the faucet and picked up a towel with one hand, dried her hair a little. Then she put it on her shoulders, picked her clothes up and left the room, still followed by both girls.

On the other end corridor, Erica and Charlotte were watching the scene a bit surprised, two Witches following her bared comrade.

"Huh, since when Miyafuji is that… open?" The Liberion Witch wondered.

"I don't think she cares about that now," Erica commented, as both Witches continued walking towards their own rooms. "Not like we're better clothed, though," she said, side gazing Francesca.

As Yoshika made her way to their room, Lynette also entered just behind her, Shizuka this time though, did not.

"I'll speak with her." Lynette closed the door. Yoshika then put her dressing gown and began to climb to her bunk.

Lynette just lightly grabbed from her clothes, though she almost took it off, as it was untied. Yoshika just stayed there, breathing deeply.

"Yoshika please," Lynette nervously said, "let's talk about it."

"I'm sorry but…" She sighed, "I really need to clear my mind." She took of her arm of the sleeve, to continue climbing.

"I understand," Lynette said letting go of her grip.

Outside the base

Perrine climbed up to the watchtower and slowly made her way to where Eila usually was, watching the night sky.

"I'm sure Sanya is also watching it," Perrine said as she went just besides her, yet Eila did not say anything. "Accidents happen you know, but I'm sure she's fine and tomorrow we're going to rescue her, everybody will help, including Yo-."

"Always so noble and so aristocratic, are you done yet?" Eila snapped at her, as she turned, now gazing her intensively in the eyes. "Because if you are, I'm not going to apologize, it's Miyafuji who got Sanya in this mess," Eila said, then she began going downstairs. "It's the least she can do."

Meanwhile, in Ingolstadt

Every window closed as well as their curtains, except the one who was broken earlier that evening.

Even though, it was late in the night, Sanya could not help but stare at the cloudy dark sky, with reddish shooting stars now and then. They harmonized with her antenna, warning her that those were not starts but Neuroi overflying the city. Though, she should be hiding as she promised her roommate, she could not get herself to do that.

"I hope Eila made it safely," she said to no one, sitting in the balcony with her Fliegerhammer on one hand, and the MG-42 on the other.

Quite the long time had passed, yet she still remained there, as lively as usual, patrolling like she had done more times that she even recalled, still wandering in her thoughts and what Eila did just before she departed.

"Why?" She wondered, caressing her forehead, "Why she did that?"

Author notes:

There goes the angst.

Though I'd like to write more about the 'bedmates' cuddling, it will get a bit too repetitive but if I have time, I'll add a scene at the beginning of the chapter and I'll let you know if I do so. On the other hand, in the next chapter there will be a cuddling scene but not with the usual protagonists, that's what I can tell you for now plus the fact it's almost ready.