"" Dialogue
'' Thoughts
Disclaimer: I do not own "Strike Witches", so this is just a fan made.
Chapter 25: About Selfishness
(Or the calm before the foggy storm)
Minna was heading to the meeting hall, followed by Yoshika who was not too behind from her, yet she was walking at slower pace, holding her hands behind her back, with gloomy demeanor as she could not even look forward. Noticing that, Minna waited for Yoshika to catch her up.
"I know you're disappointed Yoshika, but I really did my best to get us more time, but I am still a subordinate after all."
"I understand, it's just that I'm- I'm really sorry, I really did my best to not feel powerless again, to help you, but- but it seems it was not enough."
Minna gave her a gentle smile, "As Mio-, Major Sakamoto told you the other day, there are some things that are out of our control; you did everything you could."
"I really gotta keep that in mind, but still, I hope I can fix what's wrong with me as soon as possible so that I can use my magic to protect people." Yoshika added with her pensiveness in her tone, "it's something I promised my father and myself, that I will use my powers to protect everyone."
"You have done already that, and your father would be very proud of you." Minna stated firmly. "As everyone is."
Yoshika stopped and so did Minna, noticing it. "You think so?"
"I do, Yoshika." Minna positively said. "I am certain of it."
Yoshika smiled a little as they resumed their walk, "it's just that I thought after what happened with that Neuroi from a few days ago and with what Erica told me, I thought you will…" Yoshika sighed, "never mind, but- but still, you didn't have anything to do with what's happening to me, Group Captain."
"Who told you that?" Minna stated now with a more serious tone but there was no response, "We're going to speak about that later."
Moments later, the two Witches made it to the meeting hall, and as they headed to their usual places, every glance fell on them. Yoshika did not notice anything strange, yet upon noticing her empty sit, she noticed Lynette was at her usual place, next to her sit, and she was staring at her thus Yoshika froze in her tracks. She reddened yet she lowered her gaze and slowly took a seat next to her.
"Good afternoon, Lynne," Yoshika muttered with some cheerfulness in her tone as she smiled at her, then her glance went to the two superior officers who were in front of the whole group.
"Good- afternoon- Yoshika," Lynette added now a bit troubled looking.
The silence took hold of the meeting hall as most the group stared at the duo of girls or rather the trio of girls, until Minna cleared her throat and so the attention of the group went back to them.
As the slide projector was turned on, Mio also turned off the light, and the name of the operation was showed on the wall, Operation Schwarz, then, another viewfoil was shown, that showed a map of Nuremberg.
"The initial plan was to siege the hive to launch a full assault with General Patton's divisions as the main attack force. We would be split as escorts to aid and to protect them," Minna announced as she showed another map of Nuremberg with the allied forces as well as the rest of the 501st Witches, located in specific points surrounding the hive.
"Sidelined again, why I am not surprised," Charlotte bitterly commented, "do they ever learn?"
"So why are not following that plan?" Eila wondered.
"That's easy, it's a stupid plan," Erica stated, "it's never a good call to split that much, we're too vulnerable."
"I made those observations but those were our orders," Mio announced, "Nevertheless, there are setbacks that have been encountered in order to proceed with that initial plan. Since a few days, Nuremberg is covered in a dense fog in a hundred-fifty-kilometers area and the allied forces cannot advance any further."
The whole group exchanged sights, "A hundred kilometers?" Charlotte exclaimed, "That's basically the whole city."
"And fog again?" Eila questioned the trio of commanders.
"Actually, it is believed to be miasma as only Witches are able to breathe inside for a couple of minutes before they exhaust their magic reserves," Perrine stated, "and furthermore, without any sunlight, its interior is as cold as a winter in Orussia."
"Anti-neuroi artillery shots were fired, as well as bombs were dropped but there doesn't seem to be any indication of damage whatsoever nor any change in the environment," Mio added as she turned on the light and headed next to three officers.
"Nonetheless, there are some good news, there had not been any retaliation which is why we must make our move before something changes," Minna said with some positivism in her tone.
"I remember reading that something like that happened between the Orussian and Karlslandian border a few decades ago," Shizuka muttered.
"Indeed, countless lives were lost that time, which is why it is necessary to do another scouting mission with a small group to better assess the situation," Minna proclaimed, "Lieutenant Litvyak, Lieutenant Hartmann and Flying Officer Juutilainen and myself will fulfill this part of the operation."
"Lieutenant Yeager, Sergeant Bishop, Ensign Lucchini, Pilot Officer Hattori, you will be the reserve and will follow Lieutenant Clostermann command," Mio added, "and as soon as the perimeter is evaluated, the next part of the operation will begin."
Some of the girls exchanged glances, "And… what about Yoshika?" Sanya wondered.
Minna took a deep breath, "Flight Lieutenant Miyafuji will not participate, it will be far too irresponsible to put her on risk without fully understanding what underlying health condition she possesses."
'That girl, she didn't tell Minna anything,' Erica said to her own head as her sight shifted between Minna and Yoshika.
"Why don't we find out? Yoshika just needs to be checked in a hospital, right?" Charlotte suggested as some of them nodded in agreement.
"I am well aware of that, Shirley but we cannot afford any delays, nor I have the authorization to leave the frontlines," Minna maintained.
Lynette raised her hand a little, "Group Captain, if- if I may, I would like to request authorization to take Yoshika to the hospital."
Yoshika just gave her a guilty look, "Lynne, you don't need to do that."
"I could accompany you if you want me to," Shizuka added quietly.
"Yeah, that could be a good idea," Charlotte chimed in, "you can ask any one of us to go with you."
"You bet!" Francesca exclaimed as the group started to murmur.
"Everyone, please, I don't mind waiting; you all need to take part on this." Yoshika stated as confidently as she could, "And it's not like I feel sick or something like that, in fact I feel better than ever, and I can use magic just fine."
Erica put her arms behind her head, "Yep, she's right, I examined her from her head to toe, and she look as good as ever."
Yoshika hugged herself as she blushed, "I- I can go by myself, but I don't think you would let me do that either."
"I want to be there, personally, in any case, you will remain on alert to protect the base in case of a surprise attack, under Major Sakamoto supervision, of course" Minna made a pause, as Yoshika nodded in agreement with a little more eagerness, "as for the rest of you, we will depart at 700 hours tomorrow, so I suggest you to use this time to relax using the bathing facility that had just been finalized, Erica can show you around, you included, Yoshika. You're dismissed."
An hour later
The whole group was submerged in the pool, Sanya and Eila were chitchatting, Perrine, Charlotte and Shizuka were just relaxing themselves in the hot water, and some of them even seemed to be dozing there, Erica and Francesca were swimming around the pool while Lynette kept staring at Yoshika who had a lost sight.
Noticing that, Lynette slowly crawled to her; Yoshika did not even notice her even when she was just beside her.
"Yoshika, may I have a word with you?"
"Huh?" Yoshika turned her head to notice who was talking to her, yet she got a little flustered and began playing with her fingers under the water and could not even stare at her, "Um, y-yeah, of course."
"It's- not the moment to talk about that," Lynette said gently, softening Yoshika a little in the process and grabbing her attention, "it's about Minna's decision."
Yoshika just lowered her gaze.
"I think it may be for the better, and I know it may sound selfish, but…" Lynette made a pause as Yoshika now gazed her, "I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you."
"Minna told me the same thing, but I don't think anything would happen to me," Yoshika sighed, "It's just that, it's so unfair, after what happened with… I promised myself that I'd do everything in my power to not fail you ever again, to protect everyone," Yoshika exclaimed as she got hastily her hands out of the water, "and I feel great, but- it doesn't really matter."
"I know Yoshika," Lynette grabbed her hands gently, "but you can't protect anyone if you don't take care of yourself, we need make ourselves sure what's happening to you."
"I'm sorry Lynne," Yoshika said as some tears started to form in her brown eyes, and everyone started to gather around the duo of girls, "I'm really sorry, everyone, I really wanted to help."
"Don't feel so bad about it," Charlotte commented, "it's not such big deal."
"Yeah, we can do this," Francesca added.
"There's nothing to apologize for, you have done a lot for us, Yoshika," Perrine uprightly stated, "after all, it's thanks to you that we are here, in Karlsland and in Europe."
"You have done a lot for us, Yoshika." Shizuka muttered, "…and for me too."
"Yeah, we will be back before even you realize it," Eila said.
"We've been through this before," Erica commented somewhat seriously, "and you know that."
"You can go to the hospital to look after yourself," Sanya said.
"I- I can accompany you if you me want to," Lynette added.
"I lo- love- that," Yoshika claimed, trying to smile.
Lynette then cleaned Yoshika's tears even with her soaked hand and caressed her cheek, "cheer up, please."
"I try to Lynne," Yoshika could feel her heart started racing with her gentle touch, and also noticing her kind expression, "Thank you, everyone."
Noticing what was happening, everyone gave them some space. Lynette went beside Yoshika and seconds later, she just leaned towards Lynette, and she did as well, and both were resting on each other.
All of them smiled at the scene, including Shizuka yet she just closed her eyes as she got further away from them.
Quite a long time passed and after their skin started to wrinkle, they decided to get out of the pool. After getting dressed, almost all of them headed to the dining hall and to the kitchen. Erica and Perrine, on the other hand, were asked to go to Minna's office.
Still, Yoshika rushed to catch one of them as both headed to the office.
"Erica, do you have a minute?" Yoshika nervously asked her as both stopped.
"Sure Yoshika, I bet Minna can wait for a bit," Erica commented, beckoning Perrine to leave them, "I'll be there in a minute."
After Perrine left them all by themselves, both girls took a seat on a sofa which was near the front of a rather big window. Only the somewhat quiet whispering of the wind could be heard as the silence fill the hallway.
"So…?"
"I…" Yoshika blushed a little as she lowered her gaze, "it's bad idea, just forget about it, sorry for bothering you."
"I may be called the black demon, but I don't bite, and you know that," Erica smirked a little, playing with her left breast yet Yoshika did not seem in the mood for that, "anyways, if you need to talk with someone, why don't you do it with Lynne?"
Yoshika gulped, "it's actually about Lynne I want to talk about."
"Huh? That's interesting," Erica said with a hint of surprise in her tone, yet Yoshika did not look so eased, "don't worry, my lips will be sealed."
Yoshika became a little red-faced, "it just that, it's- it's embarrassing."
"It can't be more embarrassing that what happened earlier today, can it?"
"Yeah, you're right," Yoshika said with a bit more enthusiasm, as few seconds went by as she tried to get rid of her redness, yet she was becoming even more flustered, "um, would it be weird if Lynne and I became," Yoshika took a deep breath, "Lynne and I became…"
Erica tilted her head, "you two became a what…?"
Yoshika gulped loudly, "A- a- couple."
"I wouldn't use the word weird to describe it but forbidden," Erica state somewhat seriously, "at least here in the frontlines, we're not supposed to have time for fraternalization but that's just bluffing if you ask me."
"Minna- Minna said that we can," Yoshika added.
"Now that's something new." Erica rubbed her chin, "so what's the deal?"
"It's just that… we're both girls," Yoshika nervously added, "but I- love Lynne like that, and she loves me back, I think."
"Well, if you love each other, and you have permission, I'll say go for it," Erica stated, a bit less seriously, "and yeah, you are both girls but no gives a crap about that, or at least no one should."
"Yeah, that's what I thought," Yoshika smiled a little, "Thanks, I really needed to talk with someone about this."
Erica gave her playful gaze, "So… does Lynne know how you feel about her?"
"I- I… am not sure but I want to tell her…" Yoshika sighed, "but I'm going to wait after Nuremberg is freed."
"Why after that though?"
"I want it to be special, and without being pressured," Yoshika lowered her gaze, "well, you're the ones who are pressured."
"It's not the first time we do this, but I kinda see your point, not that I agree with it though." Erica gave her a deep sight, yet Yoshika did not notice it, "But, speaking of which, why didn't tell Minna what we discovered?"
"I don't think she will change her mind," Yoshika muttered quietly, "and as I told you, I said that I will not argue with whatever she decides, and I also promised Barkhorn that I will follow her orders."
"Well, if you say so, but we're a talking about the immovable Miyafuji," Erica claimed nonchalantly, grabbing Yoshika's attention.
"I meant what I said!" Yoshika exclaimed.
"You said something like that on the past and you sneaked in the ratte, even without magic," Erica stated as Yoshika looked down again, "my point is, you can use magic now so if you're going to pull off something like that again, just let us know so we don't have to be too worried about you." Erica voiced as Yoshika gazed her, "And Minna's gonna be mad if I make her wait too long."
"Yeah, you better get going" Yoshika smiled her, "and thanks again."
"No sweat," Erica stood up, "And by the way, you'll make a cute couple, and I even thought that you were already a thing, I mean you do everything together." And so, Erica headed to Minna's office leaving a thoughtful yet somewhat reassured Yoshika behind.
'This is the second time someone told me we make a cute people,' Yoshika said to her own head as now what somewhat blissful smile, 'but… that never crossed my mind before.'
A few minutes went by as Yoshika continued diving in her thoughts, 'Eila told me something like that before, but doesn't it mean…' Yoshika heaved a sigh, then she stood up and looked outside through the window as the sun had started to set, 'Is there something wrong with me…? Lynne told me something but, is it really selfish to help them without permission? But yeah, Erica is right, I've done that far too many times, but it was with good intentions, right?'
"The day is almost over," Yoshika stroked her own hair, "I better help them prepare dinner."
Meanwhile, in Minna's office
Not long after, Erica went it to the office, and the three commanders were discussing something, sat around the desk, but they stopped as soon as she entered there.
"It sure took you long enough, Flight Lieutenant," Mio said.
"Yeah, I guess it did," Erica said carefreely, "so what did you do before I got here?"
"We're discussing about the 506th and the future arrangements of the 501st," Minna announced.
Erica's sight shifted between the three commanders, "You haven't agreed on anything, right?"
"Not yet," Minna said, "it would be better to wait for Yoshika's diagnosis."
"That's what I expected," Erica stated seriously, "Speaking of Yoshika, are you sure you're going to sideline her again, I thought you'll change your mind with what happened a few days ago, she's doing just fine, we all saw it."
"I am and that's not up to discussion."
"The last time there was fog, almost everything went down the drain." Erica said, "And now it's miasma, you know I don't back down from a challenge, when it's fun obviously, heck I don't mind dying but, if I were to die, I want it to be heroic, something worth of a super ace like me, not rushing blindly into the enemy." Erica made a pause as the three commanders stared at her, "My point is, Yoshika struggled to take down those things, heck she even got injured with those powerful shields of her, kinda."
Minna now had a serious demeanor, "As I said, this is not up to discussion and that's final."
"We needed help her to liberate Berlin, and we need her help now, at least just in the recon mission to discover what's going with the miasma, we are basically going blindly into a Neuroi hive," Erica insisted yet Minna not look convinced at all, "I get it, you're in charge, in any case, she can heal us or even, she could boost us up."
Both Mio and Perrine shifted her sights to Minna who was still watching Erica.
Erica heaved a sigh, "I am not selfish, I don't want to put Yoshika on risk but she's fine."
"What did you tell Yoshika, she said you told her something," Minna stated as she gazed her deeply in her blue eyes, "or are you aware of something I am not, Flight Lieutenant Hartmann?"
Erica took a seat on the couch, "As a matter of fact, yeah…"
By the night
After being done with the dinner, Yoshika insisted to take care of the dishes as it was the least, she could do as they had an arduous next day. Without much arguing, almost everyone agreed and went to their rooms to rest, including Lynette and Shizuka, though the latter two had to be even more convinced to do so.
It did not take too long for Yoshika to finish cleaning everything there, and with no one else there, she also headed to her own room to rest as it would be hard to fall asleep as she had a lot of things to think about.
Meanwhile, Mio headed to the office, but no one was there so after taking a look around other places in the fortress, she decided to head to the dressing room. After taking off her uniform and leaving it in one of the baskets there, she entered the bath.
There, she could notice that the lights were off, yet the moonlight was enough to illuminate the whole place, aided in part by the water reflection and the dim steam as well. Soon enough, she realized that the person she was looking for, could be faintly seen at the other end of the pool, being bathed by the moonlight too.
Mio slowly made her way next to her, "I expected to find you here."
"I needed some R&R time as well."
"It's been so long since we submerged in a Fuso Style bath."
Minna sighed, "it really is," and nothing else was muttered as both women continued resting themselves in the hot water.
"Hartmann made some good points, but as she said, you're in charge." Mio made a pause as both continued staring the starry sky, "Which begs the question, what are you going to do?"
"It would be reckless to risk Yoshika knowing she's not at a hundred percent," Minna sighed in regret, "And I will feel selfish to ask her to enhance my magic, knowing how much she want to help us."
"Is that so?"
Minna lowered her sight, "Or perhaps, it simply is disgraceful that a superior officer needs a subordinate to enhance her magic just to continue serving in the frontlines."
"Now that's a facet I never expected you to possess, pridefulness," Mio commented somewhat surprised, "if I hadn't been so full of myself back then, maybe all of this could have been avoided."
Minna turned to face her, "There's nothing we can do to change the past Mio."
"Indeed, but we can mold our fate," Mio stared her back, "Miyafuji would be glad to help, it would be as if she took part without risking herself."
Minna made a pause as she continued staring Mio, "To be honest with you, I've been always afraid about my last days in the frontlines, but it seems it has come to this."
"I know, I've been there, but you're more self-controlled that I could ever be" Mio said, her tone sincere, "That's something I've always admired from you."
Minna just took her eyes off her as her breath became a bit more evident.
"There's no need to be so flustered about it," Mio added noticing her change of expression, "I can speak Miyafuji if you want me to."
"It has nothing to do with that," Minna took a deep breath as Mio continued staring at her, "I am just grateful to know that I'll always can rely on you, Mio, for everything."
"I am glad to hear that," Mio said as both women continued resting there a few minutes went by, Then, to Minna's surprise, Mio grabbed her from the shoulders and began palpating her. "It seems Miyafuji is not the only who is stressed, let me give you a massage."
"I- I really appreciate it, Mio," Minna said but she could not help but become even more flustered noticing and feeling that Mio spread her legs a little, thus, she reluctantly moved to the available space, in between her and soon after Mio began massaging from her shoulders until her hips.
Soft moans came from Minna's mouth as Mio continued working on her body, and sometime later, Minna leaned back towards her, seemingly dozing or just closing her eyes, yet Mio was far from being fazed, she just stopped massaging her and began stroking her hair.
The next morning
Even before the break of dawn, Yoshika was at the kitchen, wearing an apron. There were a few pots boiling while Yoshika was also serving what had just been finished.
As she waited for the rest of the food to be cooked, someone made it to the kitchen and though she was expecting her, it still surprised her, even if just a bit, still she could not help but notice her wet hair.
"Good morning, Group Captain," Yoshika happily said.
"Same to you, Yoshika," Minna replied with a hint of nervousness in her tone, "it seems you're quite a busy."
"It's the least I can do." Yoshika added, putting on a soft smile, "I want to make sure that all of you are full of energy."
"Can't really say I'm surprised but I give you my sincere gratitude." Minna said as she took a seat next to Yoshika which also surprised her a little, "I have a small request for you, Yoshika, or rather, a favor."
"What is it Group Captain?"
"Minna is fine, Yoshika." She gave her a gentle smile, "I may be your superior but we're friends, aren't we?"
"I… yes, we are but-" Yoshika hesitated, "I see you more like a big sister or well, I may sound like a little kid, but you also remind me of my- of my mother."
"I sometimes felt like that with all of you," Minna tried to maintain her smile, yet her tone became a little vacillating, "this- this just makes it harder for me to ask you for this, and yes, I know I would sound selfish, but I- but I need you to enhance my magic."
Yoshika just gave her blissful smile, "I am glad I am not that useless and can help you somehow." Yoshika eagerly exclaimed "and actually, I was about to ask you to let me boost you up again, just in case." Yoshika stood up right away as her mameshiba ears and tail appeared, and she showed her palms to her. "Do you want us to do it now?"
Minna was taken aback by Yoshika's eagerness and by her remark and could not help it but flush a little, "if- if it's fine with you…"
Later that morning
Now with some sunlight, in the hangar, all the Witches were now equipping their striker units, as well as their guns while Mio and Yoshika were also there, waiting for the moment of their departure. Mio went to Minna's side to speak for a moment, as Yoshika went towards Shizuka.
"I'm sorry Shizuka, I'm really sorry," Yoshika muttered now behind her, "I can't go with you, I can't fight alongside with you, as I promised you."
"It's not your fault." Shizuka replied, trying to avoid looking at her.
Yoshika took a deep breath, "but- but if you need my help, let me know, I'll be there as you always have, for me, since the day you met me, regardless of... my permission."
Shizuka turned to facer her, "I- I will, Yoshika."
Minna's strikers began running and were followed by the rest of the Strikers. "Mio, Yoshika, I'll keep you updated," Minna announced, her tone full of eagerness, "And thanks again, Yoshika."
"I am glad I could be of help," Yoshika cheerfully said, with some pensiveness in her tone, "Be careful out there, everyone."
And so, the Witches took off one by one, Lynette was the last one to do so, not before giving another look to Yoshika who regretfully smiled at her, yet without anything else to do or to say, she still took off.
Mio and Yoshika stayed there watching them disappear into the somewhat cloudy sky of Karlsland.
"It's been a while since we both were left here, all alone, it sure brings me memories, when you first came to Europe," Mio thoughtfully commented as Yoshika nodded hesitantly, "there are some things I need to discuss with you, Miyafuji, inside." And Mio started to walk towards the base, followed by Yoshika yet she stopped halfway there, so Mio turned around to notice what was going on with her.
"I'm right behind you," Yoshika said as Mio went inside, hesitantly, leaving her alone in the hangar. A few seconds later, a sound she could easily recognize became louder and filled the whole place as a Witch flew back onto the hangar.
"Yoshika, you have to promise me you'll stay here, safe." Lynette said, seriously, overflying in the hangar.
"I'm sorry Lynne, I cannot do that." Yoshika said as determined as she could, "I've already betrayed your trust once and I don't want that to ever happen again but- but I'm going to do what I can."
Lynette got a little closer to her, "Just be careful, please."
Yoshika smiled gently at her, "I can promise you that."
Lynette's expression remained the same, "I need to go now."
Yoshika nodded as she climbed to her launching platform as Lynette watched her with a curious expression wondering what she wanted to do, "Lynne…" Yoshika muttered as she opened her arms, welcoming her for a hug.
Noticing that, Lynette could not help but smile at Yoshika, putting her antiarmor riffle behind and slowly and steadily flew towards Yoshika and soon as she was near her, Yoshika brought her closer to her body as she wrapped her arms around her waist as Lynette returned the gentle gesture and some seconds went by that felt like an eternity for them.
"I'd love to be like this, forever, with you" Lynette whispered as she let go of her with a blissful yet regretful expression, "but I need to go."
Yoshika also let go of her, "I know," then she stood on her tiptoes and gave her a quick peck on her lips, taking Lynette by surprise, "be careful up there."
Some happy tears formed in her eyes, realizing what just happened, "I will." Lynette rushed towards the sky, ecstatically and full of resolve.
Author Notes:
I'm not really convinced with the name of the operation but it's not that important, so I am open for suggestions.
The immovable Miyafuji is a reference to RtB, episode 10.
The mother reference is from Yoshika's interview, Himegoe 6.
And if anyone has forgotten by now, Yoshika's betraying Lynne's trust happened in chapter 12 and 13.
Finally, sorry for the smaller chapter but hey, I've just realized it's been a few months since the last shorter chapter (and it's not that short).
Until the next update.
(and thanks for the comment)