"" Dialogue
'' Thoughts
Disclaimer: I do not own "Strike Witches", so this is just a fan made.
Chapter 24: Sorting things out
(or about arguing or not)
The next day
At the hangar four girls were there, somewhat relaxed yet with questioning expressions on their faces. They were watching the plane that carried their two superiors disappearing into the somewhat cloudy sky of Ingolstadt.
"There they go," Charlotte commented.
"Yep," Francesca said, stretching herself up, "I am so sleepy."
"Hopefully this is the last time before we attack the hive over Nuremberg," Erica added a bit upset, "I'm fed up that they have to visit Berlin for every single thing."
"It will be, Group Captain Wilcke assured me so," Perrine announced yet she did not look too pleased either.
"Speaking of which, did Minna tell you why Shizuka is not here? I mean, I was expecting her to be here," Charlotte addressed her superior.
"She said reported herself as sick," Perrine added, now with troubled expression on her face.
"She looked fine yesterday, kinda," Francesca added.
"Yeah, I guess she did," Erica commented.
"She also explained me another thing," Perrine sighed somewhat regretfully, "We better talk inside."
Half an hour later
Five food trays were on the dining table, and the four girls were wearing aprons over the usual uniform. They all were preparing and cooking to get the breakfasts ready for the rest of the girls.
"You know I kinda feel like a waitress," Charlotte said, serving the fives glasses of juice, "I don't remember that something like this has happened before, I mean four of us, detained at the same time."
Perrine was preparing sandwiches, "They're not punished, Group Captain just needed to give them time, Eila and Sanya were just caught in the crossfire."
Francesca added while taking care of the teas, "Why don't we tell them?"
"Group Captain said she will come back as soon as she can, so it well be just a few days at most," Perrine served the five sandwiches, "And they're allowed to leave their rooms if they want to, just don't mention anything," Perrine added, now putting them on the food trays.
"Can't promise anything, then again I'm still surprised that Minna had let them be," Charlotte happily added.
"Told ya, we didn't have anything to worry about, Minna's got really fond of Miyafuji." Erica said, at the stove, serving the somewhat burned scrambled eggs on five plates. "If I didn't know better, I'd say she fell for her as well, Miyafuji is a heartbreaker."
"Don't you joke like that; we have enough problems as it is," Perrine added.
"How do you know how to deal with this stuff?" Francesca addressed the whole group, putting the cups of tea on the trays.
"We don't, we're just improvising." Charlotte commented with resolve in her tone, "So, you better watch and learn, we're gonna handle it like a… like a… Neuroi!"
"A Jet Neuroi!" Francesca exclaimed excitedly.
"It almost killed me the first time we faced them, heck it took you long enough to rescue me," Erica said, carrying the plates to the dining table as the group stared at them. "don't look me like that, I told you I don't know how to cook very well, Trude even forbidden me from cooking, it's edible though."
Almost all of them shrugged, "Well, here goes nothing," Charlotte added as the four girls headed to their assigned rooms.
Francesca headed to Lynette's room, and after knocking the door with her foot, she opened the door rather hastily.
"Oh," Lynette sighed in disappointment, "good morning, Francesca."
"I bring you your breakfast," Francesca positively said, with the food tray on her hands.
"Have you seen Yoshika? Did she look happy, mad, sad, angry, joyful or I don't know, like she hadn't slept well or there was something different on her?" Lynette asked her, sticking her head out of her room.
Francesca tilted her head in surprise, "What?"
Lynette took a deep breath to slow herself down, "Have you seen Yoshika today?"
Francesca shook her head, "Nope."
"Oh, okay." Lynette blushed as she took the food tray., "Thanks for the breakfast." And she began heading to the desk.
Francesca gave her a sly smile, "Wanna check on her by yourself?"
She froze on her tracks "What? Of course not, I- I just was wondering how she woke up."
"Okay, let me know if you want to check on her," Francesca commented.
"Will do and thanks again for the food," Lynette said as stoically as she could.
So, Francesca left her room afterwards and headed back to the dining hall, picking up another food tray and headed to Sanya's room.
Meanwhile, Charlotte had already taken breakfast to Eila, and she was on her room, both were sitting on the bed.
"…that's something less to worry about." Eila commented.
"Yeah, so any idea of how we can help Shizuka."
Eila rubbed her chin, "We know she's still worried about Yoshika, that's something that haven't changed, we all saw it yesterday."
Charlotte continued listening to her, with all her attention.
"But I don't think we should make them talk, at least not now, Yoshika may be a bit loss and well, Shizuka, I don't know what she'd tell her."
"So...?"
"So, I was thinking that she should get her mind occupied in something else, something that involves Yoshika but not Yoshika herself, maybe you could ask her to help you to inspect Yoshika's Strikers?" Eila asked her.
"Oh yeah, I was about to that, but I got kind of busy with moving here and training with that thing that shall not be named," Charlotte said a bit ashamed, "Heck, I haven't had time to time to paint Lynne's strikers; but I don't think Shizuka's forgiven me by now."
"She's just jealous of Lynne, she's not mad with you, at least not entirely," Eila commented a bit relaxed.
"Let's see if she wants to help." Charlotte started to get out of her room, but she stopped half-way there and glanced her again, "You know you're kinda good dealing with this type of things."
Eila just gazed away, "Just- just let me know what happens."
And so, Charlotte left the room and headed back to the kitchen.
Meanwhile, in Yoshika's room, she was reading one of the new medicine books that Althea brought her yesterday and also had a notebook beside her in which she was taking notes. She was still wearing her dressing gown until someone knocked the door.
So, she stood up from her sit and opened the door.
"Good morning, Hartmann." Yoshika happily said.
"What's up Miyafuji?" Erica entered the room, "Here's your breakfast and also this."
"Thank you," Yoshika took the food tray, as well as the autograph, and she put it on the smallish coffee table and the autograph on her bedtable, but before she took a sit on the zabuton, Erica took a sit on her bed.
"Show me your boobs," Erica stated seriously.
"What? Why?" Yoshika exclaimed in disbelief.
"To measure your pulse," Erica as serious as she could.
"But you can measure it to on my neck or on my knees or on my wrists," Yoshika stated a bit embarrassed.
Erica grinned a little, "I prefer it that way."
"But…" Yoshika tried to say but Erica just grabbed the stethoscope from Yoshika's desk.
Noticing that, Yoshika took a sit next to Erica, and reluctantly loosened a little the tie of her dressing gown and pulled it down a little, just enough to show her chest, while Erica had already put on the stethoscope, and was heating up the chest piece with her breath.
Yoshika stuck her chest out a little and tried to stay as still as she could.
"Let's see…" Erica said as she put the chest piece just below her nipple. Yoshika could not help but grasp and blush with the touch. "You know, I also want to be a medic, I know how these things are."
Yoshika nodded with a gulp, and a minute later, Erica took off the ear tips as Yoshika tied up her dressing gown right away.
"So?" Yoshika asker her curiously.
"It's normal, not too fast, not too slow, it doesn't surprise me though." Erica said, putting the stethoscope back on the desk, "You know, I wonder how you let Lynne measure you up, you're still as bashful as usual."
"Lynne and I… um" and nothing else was muttered.
"We're both girls so I don't know why you are so ashamed, but those were my orders." Erica stood up "I'm gonna come later for the food tray, see ya."
"Hartmann?" Yoshika picked Lynette's knit, "Could you give this to Lynne, please?"
Erica turned to face her, "Why don't you do it yourself?"
"Me?" Yoshika's cheeks became a little red, "it's just that… I am grounded."
"Minna is not here; the door was not even locked, and I don't think Perrine would mind it." Erica said relaxedly; Yoshika on the other hand, became even redder, "Did something have between both of you?"
"What? of course not…" Yoshika said beckoning her, "it's just that I promised Minna and Barkhorn that I'd be more obedient and I… and I want to keep that promise."
Erica gave her a sly smile, "Sure."
"It's true!" Yoshika exclaimed.
"I believe you, that's why I said sure." Erica took the knit, "Let's see what Lynne thinks about it."
"Don't do that," Yoshika extended her hand to stop her, yet she herself stop, "I mean I… yeah, you can talk with Lynne."
Erica shrugged, and left the room afterwards, leaving a pensive Yoshika behind. Even so, she began eating breakfast or at least she tried to, and she did so she peeked at the sky and noticing that no one was there, she decided to lay on her bed.
Yoshika sighed, "…and I need to talk with Lynne or with someone, and I haven't thought what the others will think about Lynne and me as a couple." She stretched herself, "Or even what we are going to do? I am going to Lausanne, that's something I promised myself, but I just wish, we could have time for ourselves just the two of us, maybe I could I ask Lynne to come back to Fuso with me, flying, it would take just a week and another week to come back, or maybe we could go to Britannia, and then I can come back to study, and Lynne well, to Gallia? Or would she stay on Britannia, I bet she misses her family too, or maybe to the frontlines, but if there's something wrong with me, what would happen?"
She rubbed her eyes and curled up in the bed, "I wish I could speak with someone, maybe with Commander Barkhorn but this is too…, I don't know personal, and she's busy, I cannot call her just for this, or maybe with Minna as she told me but…" small tears started to form in her eyes, "I wish Michiko were here or maybe I could talk with Shizuka, maybe she could give me some advice but she's mad with me but why?"
Meanwhile, in another side of the base, Perrine was also carrying a food tray, and now was outside Shizuka's room.
"Shizuka, please open the door," Perrine said somewhat firmly.
And the door was opened a little, "what now?" Shizuka said stoically, being hidden in the darkness of her room.
"Here's your breakfast," Perrine said with a comforting tone.
"I am not hungry." And the door was slammed shut.
"You haven't eaten since yesterday." Perrine said raising her tone, but nothing was heard in response, "it's an order."
Shizuka opened the door again, heaved a sigh, and she let her in, reluctantly. Perrine turned on the light and left the food tray on the table, she took a sit at the bottom of her bed. There, Perrine could notice that Shizuka was wearing her usual swimsuit and nothing else, not even shoes, and like the last time, it seemed to be soaked. Even though, Shizuka tried to avoid exchanging sights, Perrine could notice that her eyes looked reddish.
Perrine took a deep breath, "Minna told me what happened."
Shizuka shrugged, "So what?"
"We both know what's happening." Perrine calmly said.
"It was just a foolish thought from just a foolish girl," Shizuka chuckled drily and lowered her gaze, "I should have expected something like this to happen, I still remember how affecionate they were with each other when I escorted Yoshika back to the medical and again when we moved to Den Helder" Shizuka sighed, "it's just that when we were back in Fuso, just the two of us, I- I started to feel different about her, but it was just absurd."
Perrine stared her yet she could not return the sight, "It is not absurd, it's simply possible to control how you feel about someone"
"I thought I was starting to get over it, I just needed more time but, with happened yesterday" Shizuka upbraided looking at the ceiling "I've had enough, after Nuremberg is freed, I'm going to get out of here."
"Are you going to leave the 501st?" Perrine claimed in disbelief, "Is that really why you joined the squad, to be with Yoshika?" Perrine shook her head slowly, in disagreement, "I thought you joined the squad because it was our duty as Witches, that's very selfish from you."
And nothing was muttered as a response, as Shizuka lowered her gaze.
"When I spoke with Major Sakamoto, she told me how promising you were, and how you'll grow to be a great Witch, and that's back when you escorted Yoshika to Lausanne." Perrine said as sincerely as she could, "You grew up to be a great Witch in so little time, everyone knows that; Minna praises you and so does Major Sakamoto, she even praises you as teacher and they told me how proud they are of you and you're throwing everything away."
"I am- I am not going to retire," Shizuka sighed, "I'm just gonna ask to be transferred."
"That is still far too harsh, why don't you speak with Yoshika?" Perrine suggested.
"What do you want me to do? To fight for her attention?" Shizuka swore now staring her back, "I'm not like that, I'm not going to fight for her attention like we're in some sort of- some sort of… love triangle."
"Lynne and Yoshika are just friends," Perrine added, with some uncertainness in her voice.
"Are they?"
"Even if they were something else, nothing will change here." Perrine argued back, "Yoshika cares deeply about you, and you know that, for crying out loud you know what happened when she- when she thought she failed to… protect you."
"She developed a trauma? I still feel guilty about that," Shizuka upbraided, "I've even started to think that's why she got sick; she never had any health issue before what happened in Berlin."
"Don't you blame yourself for that, no one knows what's wrong with Yoshika and whatever it is, I am completely sure she will recover." Perrine added as supportively as she could, yet Shizuka did not seemed to be appeased at all. Thus, she headed to the window and stared at the landscape. "You're not the only one who has felt jealousy here."
"And how that's supposed to help?" Shizuka questioned her, raising her voice quite a bit. "Sorry about that."
Perrine took a sit again on her bed, "Let me tell you a story, remember that I told you once that I didn't like Yoshika when I first met her, that's not even close to the whole story. Not long ago I also told you that put Yoshika in a situation that got the worst of her recklessness, I did it because I was feeling jealous of her." Perrine stated, now grabbing Shizuka's attention. "Yoshika was the newest recruit just until you joined the 501st, I knew that well and so did Major Sakamoto, and as expected she was training her more than to the rest of us, and she was improving fast, even faster than I did."
Perrine slowly shook her head in shame, taking a deep breath, "I just couldn't grasp the idea that such disgrace of a Witch, a racoon dog, a hillbilly like that, could be better than me, a Witch of the nobility of Gallia."
Shizuka just kept staring at her now with a confused expression on her face.
"Indeed, that's what I used to call Yoshika, but that's not even close to the worst part, after all there are better Witches than me, in this same squad, the only thing I could not tolerate was the fact she was getting closer to Major Sakamoto." Perrine stated firmly yet a trace regret could be heard in her tone.
Shizuka tilted her head, "What- what do you mean?"
"I don't think you knew this, but… but I- I used to be… infatuated with Major Sakamoto, puppy love I would say, and I used to feel the same way you feel about Lynne, jealousy."
Shizuka's eyes widened hearing the statement.
"Just of spitefulness, I asked her to have duel with me, with loaded guns and I don't even know what I wanted to do with her back then nor I want to think about it." Perrine took a deep breath, "And as oblivious as she can be, she accepted not without second thought. After that, the Witch-Neuroi appeared, and I am sure Yoshika told you the rest of the story."
"Yo-Yoshika never told that part," Shizuka muttered softly.
"I know she wouldn't do that, she's not person to speak bad of others," Perrine smiled a little regretfully, "I also understand that the circumstances are not the same but the only thing I'm asking of you is that you think things through so that you don't do something you'll regret later." Perrine sighed again, "I never thanked Yoshika for liberating Gallia, nor I apologized either for what I did and yet she never held any grunt against me, even after I blamed her for what happened with Major Sakamoto." Perrine stood up from the bed and headed to the door, "Don't rush your decisions."
Meanwhile in Berlin
Minna was once again in Bendlerblock, alone and in front of their superiors while Mio had gone with Ursula to deliver her the supplies they brought from Ingolstadt.
Meanwhile, the three Generals were checking several papers and were talking with each other, but Minna could not really tell what they were talking. Minna had been standing in pose since she came yet she had started to get tired of them as it was as she was not even there, thus she cleared her throat, but no one heard her, so she did it again a bit louder and now her three superiors stared at her.
"Are the details clear Group Captain?" Field Marshal Kesselring asked her.
Minna sighed, "Yes sir."
"Therefore, the operation will begin in three days," Air Marshall Douglas stated.
"But sir, I explained you, several times, we need a few more days, I need to take Flight Lieutenant Miyafuji to a Witches Hospital otherwise she would not be able to take part." Minna stated firmly yet her tone was weary, "General Patton also requested Flight Lieutenant Miyafuji's participation as her involvement proved to be a crucial part of our success during Operation Southwind."
"We're burning through piles of money; we can't afford any delays." Air Marshall Douglas countered, "You can take her to the hospital and Flight Lieutenant Clostermann will take your place commanding the 501st."
"Flight Lieutenant Clostermann cannot take my place, at least not on the first part of the operation," Minna replied as firmly as she could.
"Flight Lieutenant Litvyak can take your place, she has handled such conditions before, in Kiel," Air Marshall Douglas stated.
"This is far too dangerous for a single Night Witch," Minna said.
"Are you implying you are not up to the task?" Air Marshall Douglas questioned her, daringly, "Yet again at your age, it would not surprise me in the least."
And the three commanders exchanged glances while Minna lowered her gaze.
"He is making a reasonable point, Group Captain Wilcke," Field Marshal Kesselring commented.
"The operation would be put on hiatus if you are not able to." Air Marshall Douglas upbraided.
"I am still perfectly capable of leading this squad," Minna maintained.
And to the surprise of everyone in the room, Air Marshall Douglas got a handgun out, "allow me to prove that statement."
"There's no need to resort to that," General Herr stated yet just the silence took place in the room.
Minna's gaze shifted her gaze between the three commanders and then in nothing as her wolf's ears and tail appeared, then she raised her left hand a little and a shield big enough to cover her appeared. Afterwards Minna fixed her gaze on the Britannian General.
And a metallic sound echoed in the meeting hall when the bullet hit the floor.
Minna took a deep breath to soothe herself, "As you can see, I am perfectly capable of fulfilling this mission, as we have done it before, as I have done it before, I just need time."
"Flight Lieutenant Miyafuji's condition doesn't interfere with her flight performance, that is what the report states." Air Marshall Douglas said with as he checked the papers in the desk. "Unless these reports are false."
"This is a serious accusation, Air Marshall Galland can confirm that Flight Lieutenant Miyafuji is performing well and if I could take her to a hospital, you will be to confirm her health issues." Minna stated trying to maintain the little calm that remained on her.
"That just affirms my point, she can fly." Air Marshall Douglas proclaimed, "The operation will proceed as scheduled; you're dismissed."
Without nothing else to add, Minna left the meeting hall without even addressing her superiors. After leaving the headquarters, she took a sit on a bench nearby, under a tree that somehow managed to remain alive the even the Neuroi that occupied Berlin until not long ago and quite a bit passed until someone sat beside her.
"For the look on your face, it didn't go well," Mio comfortingly said taking a sit next to her.
"It was worth the try," Minna said, with soft smile.
"So?" Mio asked her.
"I am going to wait until the operation is over." Minna sighed, "Don't worry, Yoshika is not going to take part of the operation, her health is a priority above everything."
"And the story repeats itself again," Mio commented with a hint of regret of her tone, "if that's your decision, then let me take Miyafuji to the hospital. I know you feel responsible for what's happening to her but as I told you, you don't have anything to do with that."
"It doesn't have anything to do with that Mio," Minna said, now looking at her, "it's about what could happen, if her condition is worse than what we anticipated, I have to convince her to leave the frontlines."
"I guess you're right, she'd not listen to me, I have grown a little distant of Miyafuji," Mio stated, avoiding looking at her now.
"You haven't, Yoshika really appreciates everything you've done for her, and she will listen to you, but this is something I have to do."
"I guess that left Barkhorn out of the question as well," Mio added.
"Yoshika is like a little sister to her, and I don't want to worry Trude with medical matters, she had enough with what happened with her sister."
And the whisper of the wind showed its presence, even blowing Mio's hat. Both young women rushed to catch it, yet they ended up holding each other's hands.
"You haven't told me anything about the operation?" Mio asked her as Minna let go of her hand, "I mean no disrespect, but are you sure you handle this operation?"
Minna sighed again, "about that…"
Meanwhile, in the dining hall
Charlotte, Francesca and Erica were eating breakfast now that they have served the rest of the girls.
"…She's totally in love with Yoshika, she's trying to contain herself from leaving her confinement to see her," Francesca exclaimed happily.
"And so is Yoshika," Erica added, with a little less enthusiasm.
"It'll be cute to see those two love birds together," she giggled, "our sweet little Yoshika is finally growing up."
"Miyafuji's more calmed that what I expected though," Erica stated.
"Don't tell she's going to reject her," Charlotte added worriedly.
"Nah, I don't think so," Erica said, nonchalantly, "but I don't know, she seemed thoughtful like she's worried or something."
"Is she sick again?" Francesca asked her.
Erica gulped through her glass of juice, "She's fine, maybe I am overthinking this."
And then, the door of the dining hall opened as Perrine made her way to the trio of girls.
"So?" the three girls asked her in unison.
"She wants to leave the 501st," Perrine stated as the three girls exchanged glances.
"I didn't see that one coming," Erica stated somewhat surprised.
"Maybe it was not such a good idea to tease them after all," Charlotte added with some regret in her tone. "But how could we expect that to happen?"
"What are we going to do?" Francesca wondered.
"I'm going to speak with her again after she calms down," Perrine added as she also served herself the breakfast.
In Berlin
Both Minna and Mio were walking side by side, through the still-in-process-of-being reconstructed streets of the capital. Though Minna wanted to show Mio how everything was going Mio seemed as if she was not there, until she stopped in front of a café.
"They shoot you, they dared to shot you," Mio snapped "this can't go unpunished."
"It was not as bad as it sounds Mio," Minna commented
"How could you let them do that to you?" Mio claimed trying to contain herself from going to back to Bendlerblock.
"I could not let the operation be halted, not when we are this close to finally liberate Karlsland," Minna added.
"Was it really necessary?" Mio asked her but Minna just lowered her glance, "If you couldn't stop it, you could've been injured or worse."
Minna gave her a soft smile, "that has never stopped being a possibility, after all, I am still in the frontlines."
Mio sighed, "It doesn't make it easier."
"I know, I've been there," Minna put both her hands on Mio's shoulders "haven't I?"
"You have," Mio regretfully agreed.
"Leave it on the past Mio, we have more pressing matters." Minna added as she let go of her.
"About that, Flight Lieutenant Ursula told me she's about to begin trials with her new weapon."
"It would be better if I assessed it personally." Minna stated firmly, "I just hope it can be used one day."
"Better get going them," and thus, both young women headed to the base.
The next day, in Ingolstadt
Once again, the four girls were preparing breakfast for their fellow comrades and after they were done with them, most of them headed to their respective rooms. Yet, as Perrine was about to leave the dining hall, Shizuka appeared there.
"Is that mine?"
"Yes, it is." Perrine nodded with a bit relieved to see her there.
"Is it fine if I ate here?" Shizuka asked her, still a bit gloomy.
"Of course," And so Perrine brought it back to the dining table while Shizuka took a sit there and began having breakfast as Perrine sat at the other side of the table, in front of her.
Not a word was exchanged, yet Perrine could notice that Shizuka still had somewhat lost sight as the one she had had since a few weeks ago yet she looked different somehow. After Shizuka finished with her breakfast, she was about to take everything to the sink until Perrine called her.
"Shizuka?" Perrine addressed her as Shizuka took a sit again, "may have a word with you?"
Shizuka nodded softly as she left the food tray in the sink and went back to her sit.
"Are you going to leave the 501st?" Perrine asked her, staring her deeply in her brown eyes.
"I gave a lot of thought to what you told me yesterday and you were right, in part," Shizuka made a pause, still she could not stare her back, "when Yoshika recovered her magic, I knew she'd return to the frontlines, to the 501st and I wanted to fly alongside her, to fight alongside her, I admire her, I really do and you all know that but…" Now she could get to courage to look at her, "that's the part where you are wrong, I also wanted to liberate Europe and even if I wasn't transferred here, I'd have helped to fight however I could, I come from a military family and I always kept my duties clear, whenever I am."
Perrine just continued listening to her as Shizuka took a deep breath.
"Major Sakamoto pulled some strings, and they allowed me to join you, because, after all, this is an elite squad, and I didn't have much experience in the frontlines if any. I used to tell myself that it was a hundred years too early to join you," Shizuka stated with someone regret in voice.
"You're as capable as anyone of us," Perrine said as sincerely as she could
"Yoshika told me something like that not long ago and it means a lot to me, it really does but I made up my mind," Shizuka said with a little more eagerness in her tone, "I am still going to ask to be transferred to another division, I cannot think clearly, I've been in a bad mood for quite some time now and I- I don't want to do nor to say something that I could regret later, and I- and I know I will, I mean it happened just two days ago."
"It was a challenging scenario, no one blames you for anything and regardless of that, the mission was a success," Perrine stated firmly and supportively.
"It may have been just luck; I could've made a worse mistake as I've done it before." Shizuka took a deep breath, "regardless, I don't want to hurt her nor to confuse her, I've noticed that Yoshika's happier lately and that's the thing I want the most other than her to be healthy as she deserves it." Some tears started to form in Shizuka's eyes, "Yoshika taught me a lot of things, how to be a better Witch, and most importantly, a better person and I am really thankful for that but- but there are too many things…"
"I just hope you didn't forget that Yoshika is here, alive thanks to you, you saved her, and she knows that and she's thankful that you are always for her."
"I know that; I know, and it doesn't make it any easier," Shizuka rubbed her eyes, "that's why the only thing I am asking you is to tell Lynette to look after her."
"I can tell her that but… why don't you tell her yourself?" Perrine wondered with a questioning expression.
"I… I still have not in terms with myself, I am still jealous, and I am not going to lie to myself about that." Shizuka made a pause, "I still need time, as I may say something… to her that I could regret. I just hope I can tell her after Nuremberg is freed but if I can't do it, would you do me that favor, Lieu- Perrine?"
"I will Shizuka," Perrine said with a regretful smile, "How are you going to explain it to Yoshika, that you are going to leave us?"
"That's the most difficult part and I am still thinking about it, if I may, I'd like to go back to my room," Shizuka said as Perrine nodded in agreement, and she was about to wash her dishes when Charlotte came back in the dining hall.
"Hi Shizuka, I'm inspecting Yoshika's Strikers, and they're kind of weird." Charlotte eagerly said while Perrine nodded her from where she was, "They look nothing like other models I've worked on and even seem to be missing some parts, but I am not entirely sure. I need Ursula to send me the manuals, I see if Hartmann wants to speak with her."
Shizuka now had a questioning expression, "Have you found why they consume oil or why they overheat?"
"Nope, but I don't think they're working as intended, the spark plugs are having a hard time there," Charlotte explained, "I'm gonna replace them, wanna check by yourself?"
"If it's not a bother, I would like to," Shizuka softly said.
"Of course it is not, c'mon. Francesca must be waiting for us. She's kinda handy dealing with Strikers," Charlotte positively added.
"I didn't know that." And so, both girls left the dining hall as Perrine served herself her breakfast with pensive yet regretful demeanor.
A few minutes before
As it happened yesterday, Francesca was in charge of Lynette's breakfast, after she knocked the door with her foot, Lynette opened with a less enthusiasm than yesterday.
"Good morning, Francesca," Lynette said trying to smile.
"Here is your breakfast," Francesca happily said.
"Thank you," Lynette said noticing her knit next to the food, "Have- have you seen Yoshika?"
"Just Hartmann," Francesca nonchalantly added, "I bet she's checking her right now."
"Is she- is she alright?" Lynette nervously asked.
"Yep," Francesca happily said,
"Maybe, um, you know" Lynette began playing with her fingers, "whether she asked for me?"
"She just told us to give you your knit."
"Okay," Lynette picked the food tray, "and thanks for the food."
"Alright." And Francesca left the room afterwards. Lynette left the food tray on the table and headed to the window, and it pulled it up and took fresh yet cold air from outside.
"What if Yoshika is bothered or upset?" Lynette said to her own head, "Maybe- maybe she realized that this is a bad idea after all, and she's trying to avoid me and wants to stay away from me."
Lynette then picked up her knit and checked it out and it was just as left it a few days ago.
"I- I still need to finish making the scarf, it's a gift for Yoshika after all, I just hope I didn't ruin everything."
Meanwhile in another side of the base.
As it happened the day before, Erica was in charge of Yoshika's breakfast, so she was carrying a food tray and was now outside her room. After knocking the door, Yoshika opened it, and Erica could notice that she was wearing her usual nightwear, and her knit was on the bed.
"Good morning, Hartmann," Yoshika cheerfully said as she let her in.
"Hey Miyafuji," Erica said as she entered the room. "Here's your breakfast."
Yoshika picked it up and left on the smallish coffee table. Then, she put on her almost completed scarf on the desk and took a sit on her bed.
Erica just kept staring at her as Yoshika loosened the tie of her dressing gown and then she slowly bared her chest. Erica smirked tauntingly, "How very forward of you, I was expecting a romantic date first."
Yoshika just became red of embarrassment as she put back on her dressing gown.
"Just kidding," Erica added with a serious tone, "or maybe not, strip yourself, I'm gonna give you physical."
"What?" Yoshika exclaimed in disbelief, "Do you- do you even know how to do that?
Erica shrugged, "Not really, but there's something I need to find."
"But- but-" Yoshika gulped, "is it really necessary to take off my clothes."
"As future medic you should know better than this," Erica added as serious as she could get.
Yoshika was holding her dressing gown with both her hands, "Yeah, it's just that I…"
Erica began slowly walking towards her, "Either strip yourself or I strip you butt-naked."
"Al-alright" and so Yoshika slowly took of her dressing gown and reluctantly folded it and left it near her bed and was as red she could get.
"And I thought I was the only who didn't wear panties to sleep," Erica commented teasingly, biting her lip, "looking hot."
Yoshika covered herself with her hands, "w-what?"
"Got the hots for Lynne."
"Of- of course not," Yoshika gulped loudly, "it's just that, this is embarrassing."
"I know, isn't that fun?"
"It's not!" Yoshika exclaimed loudly.
"Well, I'm in charge here," Erica said as she stretched her hands, "lay down to begin your examination."
And so, Erica continued staring at her as Yoshika hesitantly laid on her bed, in supine position, still covering herself with her hand. "There's no need to be so tense, spread your legs a little and show me your boobs."
"W- why?" Yoshika nervously asked her.
"It's part of your examination, trust me." Erica commented carefreely, "And give me some room."
Yoshika took a deep breath as she moved to the other side of the bed and moved her hands out of her body and spread her legs as well.
Erica then began palpating Yoshika with both her hands. First, she began with her hips then hands slowly moved to the lower mid-side of her body, between her pelvis and her groin, she steadily made her way up to her abdomen.
Yoshika just continued breathing as steady as she could, until Erica stopped, still with both hands on her stomach.
"You're ripped but your skin is very soft and pretty cute actually," Erica commented somewhat seriously, "Has anyone told you that before?"
Yoshika took a deep breath, "Of- of course not."
Erica continued palpating Yoshika for a few seconds, now with her hands just below her breasts. "Your boob is not scarred as I expected."
Yoshika raised her head a little in surprise, "How do you know about that?"
"Eila"
Yoshika heaved a sigh and laid down again, but to her puzzlement she could no longer stay still as Erica began massaging her chest.
"And your boobs are also really soft, taking their size into account of course," Erica added somewhat carefreely.
Yoshika just tried as still as she could, pretending not hearing the remark, yet with every touch, Yoshika was getting more and more embarrassed as the seconds went by; to her astonishment, Erica just laid on her, her head cuddled between her breasts.
"What the!" Yoshika exclaimed.
"Hush! Let me hear your heart," Erica said as she put her ear on her sternum.
And Yoshika began breathing slowly to calm herself as much as she could, and a few minutes passed that felt like an eternity to her.
"It's normal," Erica claimed as Yoshika heaved a sigh of relief. "I guess I'm gonna need to resort to the heavy weaponry."
Thus, Erica began caressing her left nipple, playing with her thumb and forefinger and even twisting it tenderly, still resting on Yoshika's chest who had started to move on the bed.
"S-stop!" Yoshika exclaimed as embarrassed as she could get, and trying not to move so much, "it's- it's tickling me!"
Erica twisted her head to face her, still playing with her nipple, "You can her my pulse if you want to, I don't mind it."
"Why- why would I want that?" Yoshika exclaimed trying to contain her embarrassment and herself as well.
"Hey, just because mine don't have the movements Lynne's do, it doesn't mean you can hurt me like that," Erica added with a trace of sarcasm in her tone.
"I mean you're healthy, why would need to measure you up?" Yoshika retorted raising her head. "it's just that this is embarrassing, I am naked!"
Erica snickered a little, "If I were Lynne, you wouldn't mind it, would you?"
And nothing was heard as a reply as Yoshika just laid again as Erica's hand was now just covering her breast.
"Just what I thought and we're almost over," Erica stated as she began hearing her heart once again and a minute passed. She stroked her blonde hair in relief with a smallish grin. "There's only thing left to do, just don't get so mad with me, okay."
Before Yoshika could say anything, Erica rapidly moved her hand out of her breast and her head onto her breast, while Yoshika raised her head and watched her as puzzled as she could ever be. Erica's lips then pressed on her nipple for a few seconds until she sucked a little which make Yoshika push her away.
"Why the heck you did that for?!" Yoshika said as she stood up, as quickly as she could.
"Hey, I told ya to not get so mad," Erica said a bit surprised seeing her like that.
"And how could not I get mad?" Yoshika snapped.
"You can get dressed," Erica added, still a bit surprised to see her that angry.
Yoshika was putting on her dressing gown, "There's no need me to tell me that."
Erica just took a deep breath, "Let me explain you, I've been researching about your condition in my free time. And well, I didn't find anything relevant." Erica commented yet Yoshika was still watching her enraged, "I asked the doctor about you, and she told me that you overextend physically and emotionally, and that's what makes your heart act up, but I don't think that's entirely right. Yeah, I know I was being a perv, but I just tried to embarrass as much as I could, but your heart is acting normal, after all that teasing and now with that rage."
Yoshika just kept stating at her with the most unconvinced expression she could have.
"I could do worse, you know." Erica smirked a little as she sat on her bed, "Well I can conclude that either you don't have anything wrong with your heart or you are really great containing your emotions."
"So… you just to embarrass me to find out if my heart acts up," Yoshika said a bit more soothed.
"Yeah, you'd not let me do that if I asked you."
"I- I wouldn't."
"I've thinking back and forth about your condition, and I noticed you do better when no one's overprotecting you."
"What are you- talking about?" Yoshika wondered.
"When you protected Ostmark, Perrine, Shizuka and Lynne said that you looked very feverish, and looked fine afterwards. That's weird but it's you after all."
"Thanks, I guess," Yoshika said, giving her a quizzically expression.
"No, I mean seriously, you got your magic back that's unique in its own right but it doesn't take away the fact that it's strange," Erica added, nonchalantly.
"I guess you're right, I mean I've never heard of something like that happening before."
"It may be a bit farfetched, but it seems your body likes to fight, I mean, literally, you're always healthy and ready when you need to fight, and your heart never acts up, that's what Lynne and Minna said." Erica stated as serious as she could be, "It's only when you're on standby for a couple days that your heart acts up, but I don't know why though, but at least your emotions may not be what makes it act up. Sure, your pulse is a little higher now, but no one can blame you, it's nothing unusual and it's nothing to be concerned about."
Yoshika put middle and index fingers on her neck, "yeah, it's normal."
"Minna will not listen to me, but she will listen to you, or I hope at least. So, in the Witches' Hospital at Gallia tell them that." Erica added with a somewhat hopeful yet regretful expression, "I am worried about you, and I wish there was more I could do for you as you have for us." Erica sighed in regret," If you're gonna be mad with me, I'll get it, it was pretty pervy. I'm gonna ask someone else to come here to check on you."
"I never noticed it that I am healthy when I'm sortieing." Yoshika smiled a little, "But yeah, I feel great, eased even when I'm flying, pro- protecting."
"That's what you do best, protect everyone." Erica said with a bit more of enthusiasm, "And you know, I am kind of envious, you have healing magic and you're still studying to be a doctor, even here in the frontlines, not even caring that you're kind of sick. I wish I have that resolve of yours."
"You're the best of us all and I am sure you will become a medic too, some day" Yoshika said with resolve in her tone, "and… and I really appreciate the gesture, but yeah it was pretty odd, I just hope there's nothing wrong with me.
"Everything is gonna be fine, don't worry about it too much," Erica made a pause, "and I know is a bit too much to ask but, don't be so mad with me."
"I am not, at least not now, and thanks for trying to find what's wrong with me, I wouldn't notice if it weren't for you," Yoshika added, with somewhat happy yet worried smile.
Erica stood up, "Thanks Miyafuji for understanding my unorthodox diagnostic."
"I will talk with Minna to see what she thinks about it," Yoshika said with a bit of resolve in her voice.
"Let me- let me know if I can help you with something else."
"Um, E-rica I keep that in mind..."
"See ya later, Yoshika." Erica said as she left the room but before she closed the door, she stuck her head into the room. "You can be pretty scary when you're mad and yeah, you have a really soft skin and pretty skin, I meant that."
And before Yoshika could reply anything, Erica just closed the door leaving a thoughtful yet embarrassed Yoshika behind and alone, again.
"Lynne told me the same, and well, it does make a bit more sense now," Yoshika blushed a little as she laid on the bed, "maybe I could talk with Erica about that," Yoshika said to no one. "But also… she's right, I feel fine when I fly, it's just when I am on standby that I feel… hot."
'Hot…' Yoshika repeated to her own head, yet she could not help but start to recall what just happened, as she passed her right hand through her dressing gown and began caressing her left breast and her nipple as well, 'that was weird, but- buy it didn't feel that bad actually.'
A few minutes went by as Yoshika continued wandering in her thoughts and fantasies, then just turned side on her bed, 'I guess I could… Lynne…' Yoshika became as blushed as she was moments ago, so she stood up rather abruptly and shook her head repeatedly as she poured as a glass of water on her own head to cool herself off. "I better left those thoughts behind," she took several deep breaths, and began eating her breakfast not long after or at least tried to.
On the other hand, Erica headed back to the dining hall only to find Perrine there, with her breakfast almost complete, so she served another cup of coffee as she sat in front of Perrine.
Erica took a sip of her tea, "So?"
"She's still wants to leave the 501st," Perrine stated.
"Yoshika's stubbornness stuck in her as well." Erica rubbed her chin, "but I don't think it'd come to that."
"Why do you think that?"
"I bet she needs time, right?" Erica asked her as Perrine nodded, "After Nuremberg is freed, that's what we always have, free time, vacations, kind of. I am sure she will, at least, give it a second thought by that time."
Perrine was left wondering after hearing the statement.
"I just hope there's a 501st to return to." Erica firmly added as Perrine now looked a bit worriedly, "You know that Minna is running out of time, Francesca and Shirley were asked to return to their countries and you as well. If something is really wrong with Yoshika, she'd have to retire as well, that would leave us with five Witches, assuming Shizuka stays or six at best, assuming Yoshika can continue serving or in worst scenario, just four Witches."
Perrine lowered her gaze.
"Sure, they can send us more Witches but there are more Joint Fighter Wings that can do our job, it will be way easier just to transfer us there."
"I've been thinking about the same thing lately," Perrine commented.
"There's nothing we can do now other than wait, though." Erica shrugged, "And where's Shizuka by the way?"
"In the hangar, with Shirley and Francesca, they're inspecting Yoshika's Strikers."
Erica stood up from her sit again and started to leave the room.
"Are you going to speak with her?" Perrine wondered.
"Nah, I'm going to have a nap," Erica yawned, "it's kind of tiring playing to be a doctor, but I'm going to check on them later, hopefully they can find why they're acting up too."
By the afternoon
The Shinden was partially disassembled with two somewhat exhausted Witches at its side, who were covered in sweat while the other two were watching them.
Just as finished tightened some bolts, Charlotte just took a sit on a wooden chair just in front of the table she was working on, "I still don't get how Yoshika manage to overheat it."
Shizuka was resting on the floor, leaning against the table, trying to stay awake, "I've used almost all magic power."
"Me as well, and almost everything seems normal, other than some worn out parts, it's fine." Charlotte added as she yawned as some tools fell to the floor, "Francesca, you take it from here."
"Sure thing" Francesca eagerly said so and continued reassembling it, supervised by Charlotte.
"Any other idea?" Erica addressed the two Witches, sitting somewhat close to them, also on the floor.
"I don't have freaking clue, but I don't think there's nothing wrong with it." Charlotte added, putting her legs on the table, "maybe, it just wears out its parts quicker?"
"What if the problem lies in Yoshika herself?" Francesca commented as Shizuka lowered her gaze.
"I don't think so, but I still need to speak with your sister to explain me a few things, I can't mess up too much with them, they're not mine."
"I'm gonna ask her to send us what you need," Erica said as she served a glass of lemonade, "And Yoshika's fine, she can fly with it just as usual," Erica added handing the glass to Shizuka.
"Thank you," Shizuka said, with a worried demeanor. "I just hope you're right, Lieutenants."
"And she can use magic just fine," Francesca exclaimed, "you should ask her to boost you up, it makes you feel like a- like a super witch!"
And moments later the engine of plane could be heard approaching the base as three girls stood up, "Speaking of flying, they're back." Erica said.
So, the four girls went to clean themselves a little as the plane taxied on the runway track.
Not long, after the two commanders got off the plane as the four girls were watching them, in attention.
"Good afternoon girls," Minna said with a soft smile as she went downstairs. "I am happy to see you're doing better Hattori."
"I am glad to see you're not wasting your time," Mio added with a more serious tone, following Minna.
The group exchanged sights, "Yeah, of course," Charlotte added.
"We were not slacking," Erica added in a convincing tone.
"And working!" Francesca exclaimed.
"As well as fulfilling our duties here on the base as you ordered us Group Captain Wilcke and Major Sakamoto" Shizuka stated.
Both commanders headed to the table where the strikers were as the rest of the girls also gathered around the table.
"We're about to finish putting it back together," Charlotte nervously said.
"Thank you Shirley, for inspecting Yoshika's strikers but it would not be necessary, she's not going to take part in the operation." Minna announced, "And please wait for us in the meeting hall, I'll meet you there."
And so, both commanders left the hangar as the whole group exchanged glances, once again.
"I didn't see that one coming either," Erica sighed, "She did a great job three days ago."
"She… did," Shizuka murmured.
Francesca shrugged "Maybe she changed her mind?"
"I bet there's more than that," Charlotte added, "Still, I'm gonna put it back together just in case."
"I better find out," and Erica headed inside the building as well.
Meanwhile, Minna was outside Yoshika's room and after knocking the door, Yoshika opened it. Inside, Minna could see that curtains were opened as well as the window, her subordinate was wearing her usual uniform and, she could notice that the scarf was already pretty long and there were a few books opened on the desk.
"Good afternoon, Group Captain," Yoshika bowed.
"Good afternoon, Yoshika," Minna said trying to smile, "I'm happy to see you're making the most of your confinement."
"Of course, but I'd have done the same even if I weren't punished," Yoshika cheerfully said.
"I know you will Yoshika," Minna sighed, "may I have a word with you?"
Yoshika dropped her smile, noticing her change of tone "Yeah"
"I'm really sorry Yoshika, I don't have the authorization to take you to the Witches' hospital in Gallia, at least not now." Minna regretfully stated.
"It's okay, I feel fine," Yoshika said, trying to add some positivism to her voice.
Minna took a deep breath, "You're not going to take part on the operation."
"But- but- I- I really did my best…" Yoshika just covered her eyes with her forearm, "to not let you down, not again, to help you, Commander Barkhorn and Hartmann to liberate your homeland."
"You've never let us down Yoshika, and I've seen myself how hard you trained but sometimes things will not go the way we expect." Minna maintained, "I'll never forgive myself if something happened to you."
"I don't think anything will happen to me, it's just that- Shizuka," Yoshika rubbed her eyes, "but as I said the other day, I'll not argue your decision."
"I am going to make myself sure that Shizuka is safe," Minna comfortingly said.
"May I- may I at least, take part on the meetings to know what y'all are going to do?" Yoshika asked her, trying to smile.
"Of course, Yoshika and everyone must be waiting for us now." And both Witches headed to the meeting hall.
Author Notes:
I know romance was never the main focus of this story, and it may be a turn off for some people, but it was stated back in the first chapter that the relationships of the 501st will more developed and there's more to come, and about the solution for the little-big-problem with Shizuka, it's not that simple.
Regarding Erica's 'medical' diagnosis, it was seen before when Eila was sick in the take off series, she wanted to strip her naked and toss her outside just to cool down her fever but Mio stopped her so it's not too farfetched the way she diagnosed (or played doctor) Yoshika in this chapter.
Sorry for the late update but my dog is feeling a little sick and I haven't had much time to write.
And finally, in the next chapter, the operation will finally begin (or at least that's what I hope)
Until the next update.