"" Dialogue
'' Thoughts
Disclaimer: I do not own "Strike Witches", so this is just a fan made.
Chapter 23: About Confessions
(or about promises)
A few minutes later
The whole group was following Erica, as they went through the different hallways of the fortress. Both Yoshika and Shizuka were at the back of the group, and the former was grabbing Shizuka's hand as she was reluctant to walk alongside the rest of the girls or even with Yoshika.
"Is something wrong?" Yoshika asked her, somewhat worriedly as they continued walking
"Not at all," Shizuka replied, somewhat drily.
"I'm really sorry, I didn't want to yell at you." Yoshika apologized dreary.
"Me as well," Charlotte loudly added, still in front of them.
"We did what we were asked to, didn't we?" Shizuka took a deep breath to soothe herself, "It's in the past, and nothing can change about it."
Both girls looked down as the group continued walking for a few seconds until they stopped in front of the rather big door.
"So… what is you what you wanted to show us?" Eila decided to break the awkward silence.
"You're gonna love it!" Erica exclaimed as she pulled the door, only to show another room with some baskets stacked inside over a wooden table and some boxes stacked against the wall as well and also there was a sliding door at the other side.
"A storage room?" Francesca loudly wondered as the whole group inspected the room with their eyes.
Erica just continued walking towards the other side of the room and stayed just in front of the door. The whole group gathered behind her again and then Erica slid the door open.
Everyone gasped in surprise noticing the rather big stone pool there, at the other end of the room, there was a big window from which the Danube could be seen. The sunlight that made it through the window was enough to light the water of the pool as it had begun to dusk, and its light even reflected on the ceiling.
"A Fuso style bath!" Yoshika exclaimed in amazement.
"Yep"
"Why didn't Minna tell us before?" Charlotte questioned her.
"They were still working on it or at least that's what Trude told me," Erica stated.
"Can we use it?!" Yoshika asked her excitedly.
"Why not?" Erica nonchalantly added but not all girls seemed to be on board with the idea, "R&R time, remember?"
And thus, most of the group shrugged and entered the place.
Yoshika rushed to touch the water but shivered a little as soon as her hand was in contact with it, "it's barely warm."
Erica put her hands behind her head, "Well duh, what did you expect?"
"I pass," Charlotte firmly said.
"It's not too different from bathing in the river, is it?" Lynette suggested but most of the group did not look too convinced.
"I could try to heat it up," Francesca pointed out.
"Maybe I won't pass after all." Charlotte said, "But you sure you can heat this much water?"
"Of course!" thus Francesca rushed outside the bath and seconds later, she came back, now without wearing anything, and she jumped into the pool as her black panther ears and tail appeared.
Afterwards, Francesca started to irradiate as some smallish bubbles started to appear around her as the group continued staring at the Witch.
"It's going to take a while," Charlotte somewhat disappointedly.
"I'm doing what I can!" Francesca complained.
"I don't mind if it's cold," Sanya spoke softly.
Eila cheeks became a little red, "Me- me neither,"
"Sure you do," Erica said teasingly.
Eila's eyes narrowed, "Hey, in Suomus and in Orussia we usually take baths way colder than this, this even may be like a hot spring for us, right Sanya?"
"That is true." Sanya murmured.
"That's why I said, sure." Erica chuckled, "But maybe you could give her a boost Miyafuji?" Erica suggested as the whole group stared at her. "It's just an idea."
"Yeah, I guess I could do that," and she turned around and started walking towards the dressing room.
"You've already used a lot of magic today, Yoshika," Shizuka quietly noted.
"But I… but I feel fine," Yoshika complained.
"Maybe we can come back tomorrow," Charlotte added.
"Yeah, why not?" Eila added "It's not like we're going anywhere."
"It's been months since we used a Fuso Style bath." Yoshika exclaimed with resolve in her tone, "And you told me how much you miss it and if my heart starts to act weird, I'll stop, I promise." She added yet no one look to relieved, "And besides, we already sle-, I mean I already slept after we came back, and I am as good as new." Yoshika eagerly added but most of the girls did not look too convinced.
"Yeah, we… already rested and I don't think something would happen…" Lynette quietly added, "and I can measure your heartrate just in case."
Eila sighed, "There's no way to change your mind, is there?"
Yoshika just looked down, noticing that, Lynette just headed towards her, grabbed her hand and both girls went to the dressing room. Most of the group just exchanged glances while Shizuka just sighed, now with the same lost sight from before.
Not long after, both girls came back, arm in arm, now without anything on, and both slowly made their way to Francesca's side, inside the pool while the whole group just kept staring at them, with some curiosity.
Yoshika's mameshiba ears and tail appeared and she put herself behind Francesca and Lynette behind her. Yoshika slowly and carefully put her hands just above her bared waist and the room became irradiated as Yoshika began enhancing Francesca's inherit magic.
Now lots of bubbles started to appear around the trio of girls, Lynette on the other hand, had already put both her middle and index fingers on Yoshika's neck.
"Is everything alright in there?" Charlotte asked loudly the trio of Witches.
"Yeah, I feel great, y'all should ask Yoshika to boost you up sometime." Francesca exclaimed excitedly, "It feels amazing."
Charlotte then stared Lynette.
"It's normal, just above 70 beats." Lynette muttered.
But then to everyone's surprise but mostly for Yoshika, Francesca grabbed both her hands and made her grab her own breasts, yet they were barely able to fully cover them.
"We don't have all day! Fondle me as much as you want!" Francesca exclaimed but Yoshika just became red-faced as a response, still with both hands on her breasts as Francesca made her rub her.
Even more light irradiated from both Witches; faint steam could now be seen coming from the pool as the whole group continued staring the trio of Witches.
"That's certainly one way to get more magic out of her," Eila noted, somewhat blushed.
"In true Yoshika's fashion." Charlotte added.
Then, Francesca stretched her arms behind her and grabbed Lynette just above from her waist and made her stick to Yoshika and so her breasts were now rubbing her back. Yoshika became as red as she could and so was Lynette who could not say nor do anything in response.
Almost everyone was sharing Yoshika's expression and soon after, the room became covered in steam.
"That's hot enough if you ask me," Charlotte stated somewhat unexpectedly.
"Yep, better get going on," Eila added. And so most of the group headed towards the dressing room. Shizuka on the other hand just grabbed her own breasts as she continued watching the scene, and then she let go of herself, and she followed the rest of the group inside.
By the time they came back, the three Witches were already separated. Francesca was floating on the water, while Yoshika and Lynette were together, yet they were as red as they could get. Still, most of the rest of the group also entered the bath. Seconds later, Shizuka was the last to come and she slid the door shut and joined the group, somewhat reluctantly.
Two hours later, in the office.
The four Commanders were still talking but now about more trivial matters, sat on the couch, yet now the bottle of wine was almost empty. But then, someone knocked on the door, grabbing the attention of everyone.
"It's open," Minna said, wondering if the three girls had awakened by now.
Though, to their surprise, a tall man in his late forties or early fifties entered the office, wearing a military blue uniform with matching hat and small moustache.
"Captain, it's been a while," Minna politely said, as the rest of the commanders stood up.
"Indeed, Group Captain, but it seems I arrived in an inappropriate moment," Carlo commented, noticing the empty bottle of wine.
"Not at all," Mio stated
"We were discussing the next move," Gertrud added. "I assume you have brought what Flight Lieutenant Hartmann requested."
"I have," Carlo added still wondering who the older commander was, who was wearing brown fur coat, a gray blouse with black thighs.
"Please join us," the Air General stated, giving a step forward.
"It would be me pleasure...?"
The Air General just shifted her glance to Minna who nodded in response.
"Adolfine Galland."
"I never expect to meet the legend in person Air Marshall Galland…" The captain was about to continue but then the sound of a book being dropped was heard. The captain bent down to pick it up and a girl about Yoshika's age showed up in the office.
"Althea" Minna happily said, "I'm glad to see you're doing well."
"Good afternoon," Althea bowed to the group, still carrying several books, "I'm sorry for interrupting you."
"I assume those are for Yoshika," Minna said as she helped her to carry some of the books.
"Yes, I thought they would be useful for her," Althea commented.
"She's been studying arduously since you sent her your books, I'm sure she'll appreciate these as well." Minna then grabbed all the books, "And actually, do me a favor please, bring her here and Lynne as well. They must be in Yoshika's room." Minna pointed Althea in one direction, "And also Shizuka, they're always together."
"Shizuka..." Althea repeated to herself, she nodded and headed to Yoshika's room. Carlo on the other hand, entered and took a seat on the couch nearby and so did the rest of generals.
"I didn't know Flight Lieutenant Miyafuji was studying here as well," Adolfine commented with a somewhat interested tone.
"She wants to be a doctor, and she does it on her free time," Minna proudly commented.
"She's more committed than what I thought," Adolfine noted.
"Speaking of her, my daughter and I heard some rather alarming reports of her…"
Meanwhile, in another side of the base.
Three men in their mid-twenties were passing through the corridors. One of them was carrying a smallish toolbox.
"… have you finished with the electrical stuff yet?"
"Group Captain Wilcke ordered us that it must be completed by today."
"For the last time I have." The man exclaimed "I just need to secure the fuses box and to get rid of everything there."
And not long after, the three men entered the dressing room. One of them turned on the light and all of them were left a bit surprised when they noticed that the baskets were with clothes and all of them were stacked up, near the boxes.
"I didn't notice that before," he commented.
"Me- me neither," the man added, noticing that in the top one, a pair of white panties could be seen. "It must be what was left behind when they evacuated the fortress, and they just found them."
"I'll be willing to die to witness that spectacle." The third man added.
"You better left those thoughts behind if you don't want to be court-martialed; we need to get rid of everything."
The man posed. "Sir, yes, sir!" And so, the two men put the baskets inside the boxes, while the other one secured the fuses box. Then, the trio of men picked everything up and left the room afterwards, not before closing the door.
In another side of the base
Althea was outside Yoshika's room, and she had been knocking the door for quite a while, but nothing was heard in response. So, she slowly opened the door and was left in amazement noticing the well decorated room.
"What nice room!" Althea exclaimed to no one as she looked at it. Though, a few seconds later, something grabbed her attention on the desk near the window. "A lab's coat," and she inspected it only to notice that there were several books sorted in the shelve as well as two knits on the desk and even a stethoscope.
So, she folded the lab's coat, put it back where she found it and picked up one of the books she sent to Yoshika and began checking it for a few minutes. She did the same with more books and after she finished, she left them just the way they were.
"She's doing her best as always," Althea said to herself, now with a pensive demeanor, "I better find her."
And thus, she began searching for the trio of girls around the base.
In the dressing room
Shizuka was the only one there, and she had been moving the few things that were there, but she had not found what she needed so she headed back to the bath.
"Guys, we have a problem…" Shizuka said but no one heard her as they were resting themselves in the hot water, "guys..." She said again a bit louder now, grabbing the attention of one girl.
"You changed your mind, Shizuka?" Yoshika happily added as she continued floating in the water, "I told you I feel as good as new."
Shizuka just continued staring at Yoshika's current attire or lack of, "You… you better check yourself."
And thus, Yoshika swam to the edge of the bath as Shizuka headed back to the dressing room. Now both of them were there, yet Yoshika just continued eyeing the whole place without finding anything unusual there.
"So… what's wrong?" Yoshika asked with a curious tone.
"I can't find my uniform or anyone's for what matter," Shizuka stated.
And so, Yoshika also began searching for her clothes but after a few seconds, she realized that there was nowhere else to look. Thus, she rushed back towards the bath, but she ended slipping on the wet floor. She slid through the floor into the pool and ended up on Lynette's arms as everyone gazed them
"Is something wrong Yoshika?" Lynette asked her, lifting her up to bring her closer to her face.
The whole group was staring at both girls, while Yoshika just gulped loudly as she felt her warm breath even through the steam, and even her heart was beating rapidly, "o-our clothes are gone."
"What!" The group said in unison, and they all headed towards the dressing room and after moving the few things that were there, they noticed that the room as empty as it could be.
"Did you pull that crap again Hartmann?" Charlotte ranted.
"I was with you all the time and besides my uniform isn't here either," Erica added carefreely, hands behind her head.
"So, what do we do know?" Eila wondered.
"Someone needs to get us some clothes," Charlotte suggested.
"But who?" Sanya quietly asked.
"Yours truly," Erica voiced up.
"There could be men in the hallways," Eila worriedly and embarrassedly stated.
Erica passed her hands through herself, "Don't you think they can handle with my sexy body?"
"You're nuts!" Eila cried.
"Hey Miyafuji, you're the only who can surround yourself in shields." Erica announced.
Both Lynette and Shizuka put themselves in front of Yoshika who was as embarrassed as she could get, "No way!" both girls cried in unison.
"But I asked you to…" Yoshika was about to say when the door started to move.
Almost the whole group put out shields to stop the door from being opened.
"Overkill much?" Erica carefreely commented.
"Yoshika are you in there?" Althea said from the other side of the dressing room.
"I- I recognize that voice, it's- it's Althea," Yoshika relievedly said as the shields were dropped.
"Who?" Most of the group said, but Yoshika just headed towards the door as they gathered behind her.
Yoshika just slowly and cautiously opened the door and got her head out. "Althea, I'm so so happy it's you."
"Yoshika I'm so happy too but…" Althea was about to say but she just grabbed her hand and made her enter the dressing room.
But just as Althea made her way inside, she covered her eyes in embarrassment right away with her hands as Yoshika slammed the door shut.
"Oh my! I didn't know you were like that!" Althea exclaimed loudly, now as red as she could get, "I told you I wanted to know them better, but I didn't mean in this way!"
"We were just taking a bath, I swear!" Yoshika exclaimed, sharing her embarrassment. "It's just that we can't find our clothes!"
"What did you tell her about us!?" Eila loudly asked her.
"It's just us girls here." Charlotte noted.
"You sure?" Althea loudly questioned.
"Yes!" Most of the group exclaimed in unison.
Thus, Althea slowly uncovered her eyes, only to notice that some girls were covering themselves with their hands, some were behind others and the rest just were staring at her, not doing anything. And all of them were behind Yoshika, who was covering herself as much as she could with her hands.
"I swear, it's not like what it looks like," Yoshika appealed, as she put her hands on her shoulders. "Could you get us some clothes, please?"
Althea gave her a quick glimpse of her bared body and looked away as she was as embarrassed as she could get. "Where- where can I find them?"
In Gallia
After being done helping the children with their assignments, Perrine and Amelie were back at the former officer. The second-in-command of the 501st was filling a few papers while Amelie was sitting at the other side of the desk.
"Are you going to go back to Ingolstadt today?" Amelie asked her.
Perrine just continued working, "I will depart tomorrow early in the morning."
"Are you sure they will not need you there? Amelie asked her, again.
"I am almost completely sure, they are…" Perrine put her arm on her arm and sneezed loudly, "they are very responsible." And Perrine took off her glasses and began cleaning them.
"And… have you…" Amelie was about to say but she just stood up. "Never mind"
Perrine put on her glasses and stared at her just before she left "We have known each other for many years, Amelie, there's no need to be so bashful with me." Perrine comfortingly said as she walked towards her. "You can ask me whatever you want and ask me to come wherever you need me. You're the person I mostly rely here while I am in the front lines."
"That means a lot to me," Amelie said.
"So, what is what you wanted to ask me?" Perrine took a deep breath. "It's about my decision, isn't it?"
Amelie nodded.
"I don't know, I need to speak with Group Captain Wilcke to hear what she thinks about it." Perrine then grabbed her hand, "I need you to help me with something."
Later, in Ingolstadt
The four girls were now walking towards Minna's office, Yoshika in the middle of Althea and Lynette, and Shizuka on Althea's side.
"Yoshika… with what just happened, I forgot to say thanks to your friends and to you as well," Althea said, still a little red-faced.
"We should say thanks, I mean, I don't know what we'd have done if you hadn't come." Yoshika cheerfully commented.
Althea started to feel the blood coming back to her cheeks, starting to recall the whole scene, as she gave a quick peek to Yoshika again, "It was- it was nothing."
"So why did you want to thank us for?" Yoshika wondered.
"For protecting Helvetia." Althea stated a bit more seriously, "We were about to evacuate the school when we heard the 501st was protecting us."
"I almost forgot about that, but Shizuka protected Helvetia, I was… protecting Ostmark." Yoshika slowly touched her cheek, yet Lynette noticed it, "We needed to split up."
"Thank you, Shizuka," Althea happily added.
"It- it's just our duty," Shizuka indifferently stated, and so, the four girls continued walking towards Minna office.
"I wonder what happened with our uniforms, though." Yoshika wondered.
Lynette just shrugged.
"Hopefully Flight Lieutenant Yeager and Pilot Officer Lucchini are able discover what happened," Shizuka added.
"Yeah, I hope they can," Yoshika commented "And maybe it was not a good idea to bath today, you were right Shizuka. But at least we relaxed ourselves, didn't we?"
"I guess it could be said that" Shizuka added just they made it just outside Minna's office.
Althea slowly pushed the door, and it opened as it was not secured. She entered first and could notice that just two people were there now, "Where's my father?"
"He's on the hangar, with Trude and Mio, they'll be right back." Minna stated from the couch. "Did you find them"
"Yes." Althea entered the office and so did the girls, first Lynette, followed by Yoshika and finally Shizuka, and the three stood in attention, one next to the other. Althea went to the side of the office to give the room for whatever was going to happen, and she continued staring at the scene.
"Air Marshall Galland?" Lynette quietly said, noticing that she was sitting on the couch yet all of them heard her.
Both Commanders stood up and Minna gave a step forward, "Indeed, she's the highest ranked Witch in the world and she wants to congratulate the three of you."
"For what?" Yoshika loudly wondered.
"For protecting the fortress of course, Yoshika," Minna politely explained her.
"It's such an honor, ma'am," Shizuka said firmly as she and Lynette bowed down.
"I so want your autograph." Yoshika averred. "I- I mean, thank you, I haven't introduced myself, I am Yoshika Miyafuji, Flight Lieutenant Yoshika Miyafuji."
"Pilot Officer Hattori Shizuka."
"And… Master Sergeant Bishop Lynette."
"I've already known you Lynette, not as much I'd like to, but there's no need to introduce yourselves." Adolfine addressed the group, "Actually, I've been watching you for these past few days, and you're quite the Witches if I may say and you did a great job protecting this fortress." Adolfine added fixing her glance on Lynette and then on Yoshika. To everyone's surprise, Adolfine just headed straight to her, bent down a little and grabbed her from the chin and looked straight into her brown eyes. "So, this is the famous Yoshika Miyafuji, it's a pleasure to finally meet the person Lynette is in love with."*
"In love?!" Yoshika exclaimed as she gulped, loudly, while Lynette just became as red as she had ever got.
Althea and Shizuka kept watching at the scene, yet the latter had pained demeanor and just fixed her glance on nothing shortly after, noticing Yoshika's expression.
Then, Adolfine went to Lynette's side, "my offer is still available, Lynette." Adolfine stated, getting her face closer to hers, "And actually, both of you can join my unit, I'd not mind sharing Lynette's affections with such a nice girl, that's of course if you agree, would you?" She added, now in the middle of both girls.
"We-We are doing a great job on the 501st," Lynette grabbed Yoshika from her blouse, yet she soaked it with her sweaty hand, "aren't we, Yoshika?
Yoshika shifted her sight between Minna, Adolfine, Lynette and then on nothing, "I-I… mean, y-yeah we are, I think."
"So, thanks for the offer, Air Marshall," Lynette bowed down, trying to get rid of get redness.
Adolfine just turned to face Minna, "Was I rejected again?"
Minna sighed, "It seems not too many things have changed in these years."
"I tried at least. I better get going, are you going to come with me to Berlin?" Adolfine asked her.
"I will catch you tomorrow, I need to wait for the captain of the 501st to come back." Minna stated, "there are some things I need to discuss with her, in person."
"I understand," Adolfine said as she left the room leaving a room full of girls who did not know what to do nor what to say. They could not even exchange a single glance, and the silence took hold of the room.
Noticing that, Minna took a deep breath, "Lynne, Yoshika, I need both of you to wait for me at the meeting hall, understood?"
"Y-yes, ma'am," Lynette said, bowing down yet Yoshika was still lost on her thoughts.
Noticing that, Lynette grabbed slightly her from her blouse, making her come back to herself, somewhat.
"Yes, I am- I am going there, wherever you ask me to," Yoshika nodded, repeatedly.
"If I may, I'd- I'd like to continue- to continue unpacking my things," Shizuka requested, her voice trembling, "…please."
"Yes of course," Minna said, wondering what happened to her as she rushed out of the office, yet she heard a voice she could easily recognize just outside her office.
"Hattori, are you going somewhere?" Mio said, yet Shizuka walked right past her side as if nothing had been said. "That was strange."
Minna then got out of the office, "Mio, I hope you finished unloading the supplies."
"There's something I need you to see," Mio commented, with somewhat inquisitive look on her face, "But it seems you're busy."
"As a matter of fact, I am, I need to find Eila and Sanya." And so, Minna headed towards their rooms.
Not long after, Yoshika and Lynette did what they were asked to, somewhat separated and without muttering anything. And from far behind, Althea was also following both girls.
In one of the hallways
Eila was following Erica, yet she did not stop and continued heading to her room, as if she was all alone. She even entered her room and took off everything, and she just sat the bed, bared as Eila kept watching her.
Erica grabbed both her breasts and began playing with them, "I'm tempting you?" She teasingly said.
"Forget that! Perrine told you, didn't she?" Eila fumed a little blushed.
"Tell me what exactly?" Erica loudly wondered as she began searching in her drawers.
Eila became even more reddish, "That… you know, Sanya and I…"
"Do you realize that you're as subtle as you think, right?" Erica added as she put on her underwear, first her grey bra and her white panties afterwards, "No one needs to tell me anything."
"Perrine told me the same thing." Eila took a deep breath, yet her redness remained but now it was angriness "But don't you even think of teasing us like you did with Yoshika and Lynne."
Erica put on her blouse, "Just who do you think I am? You know we did it because Miyafuji was somewhat depressed and easily irritated. You both are doing fine, why would I do that?" Then she gave a somewhat taunting smile, as she buttoned her blouse, "Or maybe you want me to tease both of you and you're just using reverse psychology."
"Sanya and I… she'd kill me if she knows what we did."
"Overdramatic much?" Erica now put on her jacket and began buttoning as well.
"Maybe I'm overthinking this or I don't know, I- I got a bad feeling," Eila added, and the door opened, grabbing the attention of both girls.
"Oh, there you are, Officer Juutilainen, please bring Flight Lieutenant Litvyak to the meeting hall," Minna said, just under the door's frame and then she left as soon as she came.
"She's mad," Erica drawled as began folding the clothes.
Eila rubbed her chin, "But why though?"
To the surprise of both girls, Minna showed her head again, "You know what the four of you did."
"You're busted," Erica drawled, again.
"Shut up, but why just now?" Eila wondered. "I don't think we did something these past days."
"Other than getting drunk, nothing else," Erica shrugged, "But I gotta find Trude now and what you want me to do with your clothes?"
In the meeting hall
Both girls were now in the meeting hall, the curtains were opened, and the setting sun made its way inside, lighting it up a little with a somewhat orangish color. Nothing could be heard, not even the men working around the base, just their breaths, and Lynette's were becoming faster and more notorious as the minutes went by.
"You must- think I'm such a stupid stupid stupid girl. How can I possibly be in love with you? We both are Witches, we both belong to the same unit, we both fight side by side and you told me that we are just friends, many many times," Lynette loudly exclaimed, then she took deep breath to try to soothe herself, yet she was still agitated, frantic even, "and we are… and we are both girls."
"You're not stupid and never say that ever again, but… yeah, we are both girls but that never crossed my mind before," Yoshika rubbed her chin as she continued staring at her Lynette who had started to sob; thus, she began tenderly cleaning the tears as soon as they appeared in her blue eyes, "And I don't really care actually, it's just that, I mean… this is so sudden and I don't really know, and I am a bit confused but I…" Yoshika was about to say but the doors of the meeting hall were burst opened.
Both girls just stopped in their tracks, and stared at the podium as Minna made her way there while Eila and Sanya took a seat in front of them.
"So, I guess you know by now why I called the four of you, here" Minna announced.
The girls just nodded in agreement, somewhat reluctantly, then Yoshika just raised her hand.
"Yes Yoshika."
She took a deep breath, "Um, I know, I- I mean I disobeyed you; I know that but- but just punish me, they don't deserve to be dragged into this. It's only my fault."
"Yoshika…" Sanya and Lynette softy muttered.
"Been there, done that," Eila drawled, somewhat playfully.
"Indeed, and I said the last time, things do not work that way." Minna stated as firmly as she could. "Nevertheless, I will not pass a report on your respective brasses, that would be far too severe. After all, it's thanks to you that we all are here."
The girls just kept listening to their superior.
"So, after taking into account everything, I decided to punish you by giving you room confinement."
The four Witches just exchanged glances, and their sights were back on their superior.
"That's all?" Eila claimed, her tone had a trace of uncertainness.
"In separated rooms." Minna stated.
Yoshika just kept looking at her superior while Lynette looked at her then down. Meanwhile Sanya and Eila exchanged glances again as the silence took hold of the room.
"Nevertheless, there are more things you need to know, Sanya you must remain on an alert in case of Neuroi attack and you can request the aid of whoever you think is convenient, that includes Eila and Lynne, Yoshika is out of the question, she must remain on stand-by."
Sanya just nodded in response.
"And, Yoshika, use this time to…" Minna said as Lynette was becoming red again "to study, and I am going to ask Erica to measure your heartrate these following days as Alessia had departed to Gallia," Minna added. "And hopefully we will catch on her in a few days."
Yoshika also nodded in response.
Eila then raised her hand, "Group Captain."
"Yes Eila."
"For how many days are we going to be confined," Eila asked her.
"Until I came back from Berlin, I will depart tomorrow or until further notice, Perrine will let you know, understood?"
"Yes, ma'am," the group said in unison.
"Your punishment begins now, so better get going to your own headquarters, there are some things I need to get done before my departure." And so, Minna left the room.
Not long after, the four girls stood up from the places and headed towards the door. Eila and Sanya left the meeting hall first and disappeared into the hallways. Both Yoshika and Lynette were silent, just under the door's frame and since nothing was said, both began heading to their headquarters in opposite directions. Lynette was doing it reluctantly until she stopped rather abruptly and turned around.
"Yoshika. You're my dearest friend," Lynette called her, as some tears started to appear; Yoshika just turned around to face her, from the distance. "And whatever happens, I'd not like to lose you, even as a friend, it's the last thing I'd want."
"I told you the other day that that will never happen, didn't I? I promise you, you can be sure of it," Yoshika gave her a soft smile, "Let's- let's talk about… this after Nuremberg is freed, is it okay?"
Tears of happiness were falling onto the wooden floor, "Yes, it is."
"It's a deal then," And so, Yoshika began heading once again to her own room and so did Lynette now totally relieved.
Meanwhile, in the hangar
The sun had almost set, Adolfine had already embarked on the plane while Gertrud was still in the hangar as Erica had just come there.
"Are you gonna leave so soon?" Erica asked her, "I thought you were going to stay here for a few days."
"You know how these things are, the duty calls and the sooner you begin the final operation, the sooner we can be, you know, together." Gertrud commented with a reassuring tone, yet Erica did not seem to be contented at all, so she hugged her. "I promise you I recompensate you the next time I see you." And Gertrud kissed her on the forehead.
"I know you will Trude," And Erica hugged her back for a few seconds and then she let go of her. "I'll visit you in Berlin, wait for me with a bunch of chocolate."
"More?" Gertrud exclaimed, "I already left you a box in your room."
"Huh? I didn't see it, I'm gonna check it later," Erica added.
"Yeah, and I gotta go, now, Adolfine is gonna be mad if we took more time, be careful out there, Erica." Gertrud said, trying to smile, "And like the last time, please look after Minna and Yoshika for me, like a…"
"Proper Karlsland soldier, you can trust me, Trude."
"I know I can somewhat, and I almost forgot," She got something from her breast pocket, "give this to Yoshika, Adolfine told me she wants it."
Erica nodded as she picking it up, and so, Gertrud embarked on the plane, and it departed not long after. Erica now alone, just keep staring at the plane as it disappeared into the orangish sky of Karlsland, and she headed inside.
After she left, another two girls appeared on the hangar, carrying clothes on their hands.
"Damn it, I couldn't say goodbye again," Charlotte stated.
"At least we found our clothes," Francesca added with more enthusiasm.
"Yeah, but I wonder why they were on the trash though. C'mon, we need to wash them."
In Yoshika's room
Both girls were sitting on the bed and Althea was showing Yoshika what she had brought from the medical school, yet the latter could not get herself to concentrate as she had thoughtful demeanor.
"Is something wrong Yoshika?" Althea asked her.
"Nothing actually, everything is fine," Yoshika heaved a long sigh, "I guess."
"You're thinking about what happened with Lynne, right?"
Yoshika just nodded in response.
Althea sighed, "You both are really close with each other, but I don't know Lynne very much, just what you told me, and the little that I saw when she visited you, and, at least to me, it seems you're very bonded with each other."
"Yeah, you could say that" Yoshika happily said, "I mean we do everything together, we fight, we cook, we bath and we even… slee."
Althea just blushed hearing what Yoshika was about to say and looked away.
Noticing her embarrassment, Yoshika also became a little red-faced, "We don't that kind of stuff."
"I- I didn't think any of that."
Yoshika took a deep breath to try to get rid of her redness, "But yeah, we've been sl-sleeping together, and we've been doing that since we moved to Munich, I mean we had to share the same room, there were bunks but…" Yoshika put her hand on her breast without her realizing it, "but… Lynne said that I could sleep with her if I wanted to and even that I could cuddle on…"
Yoshika stopped realizing what she was about to say and what she was doing, and an embarrassing silence took hold of the room.
"It seems- it seems to me; she really loves you and she has for a long time."
Yoshika just laid on the bed, now with soft yet smile, still a little red-faced, "And here I thought I was going mad when I thought she loved me like that, but it seems I am not crazy."
Althea laid next to her, "So, how do you feel about her, do you love her like that?"
"Love her…" Yoshika stared at the ceiling, "I like being with her, that's for sure," She made a pause, "But... it's just that I've never been in love before, I mean love my mom, my grandma and even my- my father but this is…"
"This is very different, I know that" Althea added, somewhat hesitantly.
"Yeah…" Yoshika added, her voice full of pensiveness.
"So…?"
Yoshika stroked her brown hair, "I don't know, I guess I gotta really think about it." And the quietness became present in the room once again for a few minutes.
Althea then stood up, as Yoshika just continued resting alongside with her thoughts.
"Yoshika, I have to go now, my father must be waiting for me," Althea said as she started to leave, "Um, write me about your decision, okay?"
"Will do, and thanks for everything," Yoshika said as she sat on the bed and put both her hands on her chest. "Althea?" she called her, and she turned to face her.
"Is your heart acting up again?" Althea asked her, with a trace of worriedness in her tone.
Yoshika just giggled playfully, "Guess so."
"Want me- want me to measure your pulse?"
"I know why it's acting strange, at least I do now," Yoshika smiled, "And it's because I really love Lynne! And I- and I want to confess it to her, but I want it to be special!"
"Special?" Althea rubbed her chin, "you are knitting something, right?" Yoshika nodded rapidly in response, "so, knit something for her, it will be like a… a real special gift because it was made by your own hands and just for her."
"That sounds like an amazing idea!" Yoshika beamed, "I can't wait to tell Lynne! And to finish the scarf, but I gotta wait until Nuremberg is freed to confess my feelings to Lynne, that's what we agreed."
Althea just shared her happiness with a smile, "promise me you'll write me how things go."
Yoshika rushed towards Althea and gave her very tight hug, which blushed her, "I promise you and thanks for everything." And she let go of her.
"It's- it's nothing Yoshika and be careful up there", Althea left the room afterwards, still a little red faced.
Meanwhile, in the hangar
Two Commanders were in there, waiting for the missing girl as they continued checking the boxes that Carlos had brought.
"Any idea these parts are for?" Mio said as she lifted a few parts.
"Wing Commander Barkhorn just told me that Flight Lieutenant Hartmann requested them," Carlo stated.
"Hartmann?" Mio loudly wondered, "And what she could do with this equipment?"
"Hartmann, as Ursula Hartmann," Minna corrected her as she made her way to their side.
"Now that makes more sense," Mio added, and seconds later, another person rushed towards them.
"I'm sorry I'm so late," Althea was trying to regain her breath, "I was talking with Yoshika."
"And what were you two doing, if I may ask?" Carlo asked her.
"Girl stuff," Althea said as Minna tilted her head, "I mean, medicine stuff."
"Alright then," Carlo put both his hands on her shoulders, "We need to depart now, Althea."
"Are you sure?" Mio asked, "you can stay here if you want to."
"It's fine Commander, I have some pending matters in Munich," Carlo announced.
Both Commanders nodded in agreement, as Carlo and Althea headed to the jeep and got into it afterwards.
"Thanks for everything, both of you," Minna added.
"Let us know if we can help Flight Lieutenant Miyafuji with her health issues," Carlo stated.
"We will," Minna said. Carlo started as he drove away out of the fortress, while Althea wove at them.
"Mio, please, ask the personnel to embark those things," Minna said, "we need to hand them over to Ursula."
"Understood, I assume you must still have things to do."
"I have," and Minna headed inside the fortress again as Mio watched her, yet she began doing what she was asked to do.
Moments later, traversed a few hallways, and she made it to Lynette's room, and she knocked the door.
"It's- it's open," Lynette said from the other side.
And so, Minna entered her room, and she could see that Lynette was laying on her side, on her bed, over the blankets and wearing her usual blue nightgown. The curtains were open, and since night had arrived, the moonlight shone on the room and on Lynette as well.
"I thought you will be sleeping by now," Minna said as she took a seat on the bottom of the bed.
Lynette sighed, "I tried… but I just can't get myself to fall asleep."
"Does it have something to do with happened earlier today?" Minna candidly said.
Lynette nodded shily.
"It seems Yoshika finally knows how you truly feel about her."
"I guess she does." Lynette's eyes widened as she sat rapidly, "I mean how do you know? I've never told this to anyone, just to- just to my sister."
"I've been in love Lynne; I know what it looks like." Minna stated.
Lynette's cheeks became a little red, "I even thought that you've forgotten by now what happened with Air Marshall Galland."
"I haven't nevertheless, you should know that fraternization is prohibited even among Witches."
Lynette sighed disappointingly as her blush faded away, "I do know that."
"But, if you want to be in relationship with Yoshika, I will not oppose it," Minna reassuringly stated.
"Huh?" Lynette tilted her head in puzzlement, "I- I don't even know how to thank you."
Minna just gave her a polite smile as a response.
"I just- I just hope Yoshika knows that too."
"I'm gonna speak with her later, but there's only condition, or rather a favor I am asking you." Minna stated as Lynette now looked at her worriedly, "You always assess the situation whether is on the battlefield or in land and respond accordingly; you're a going to become a great commander someday, I am sure of that." Minna continued, "Nevertheless, I've noticed nowadays that you've been acting unlike yourself, just to get on Yoshika's good side."
Lynette looked down, "Yes, I've- I've doing that and I- and I thought no one noticed it."
"Look, Yoshika is a person that acts first and thinks later, yes, it's true that she has saved us lots of times, but she sometimes put herself in unnecessary danger, nowadays that's… truer than ever." Minna firmly stated, yet a trace of regret could be heard on her voice, "The only thing I am asking you is to keep her safe, by keeping an eye on the whole picture before letting her act, if there is a person she will listen, it's you."
Lynette took a few seconds and stared at her, "I will keep her safe; I promise you that."
"I know you will Lynne, and you can continue sleeping together if you want to."
Lynette blushed a little, "We- we just sleep, we don't do anything."
"I know, Yoshika's very innocent in that regard." Minna said with a soft smile, "That's why requested that you both shared the same bedroom."
Lynette now had confusion and surprised expression on her face.
"I'm going to speak with Yoshika now," Minna stood up, "Have a good night, Lynne."
"Same to you and- and thank you- thank you again." And Minna left Lynette's room afterwards, leaving her full of happiness with a blissful expression on her face.
Meanwhile in Yoshika's room, a few minutes before
After getting another piece of paper from one of her books, Yoshika was on her desk, now wearing her usual dressing gown, with the lamp turned on and with a pen on her hand and after making out her mind, she decided to write something for her family, just as she promised them.
Dear mom and grandma,
I really hope you're doing well at home in Fuso because I haven't received anything from you. We have moved to Ingolstadt recently and things are going better than ever. The base is amazing, my new room is amazing, and we even have a big Fuso style bath here and I hope I can use it after, well, I made some mistakes, and I am grounded now but I assure you, things are better than ever. We have lots of supplies and I'm going to ask Group Captain Minna to send you my salary again as usual.
This is not the only reason I wrote you, remember that I wrote you about a friend who is super nice to me that I made when I first joined the Strike Witches.
Well, it seems that I love her, I wasn't sure how I felt about her for a long time, but I came to realize that I really do love her, and she loves me back. I'm planning to confess to her after Nuremberg is freed and I am going to gift something knitted for her just like you taught me, grandma.
I hope by the time you receive this letter, Nuremberg is freed, but I am sure you will hear it as soon as the operation is over, I don't remember what it is called though.
Also, I don't know when we are going to move to Ostmark or even if we are going to be commissioned to go there, but still, I'll do what I can to help to finally end this war.
Finally, I am also studying in my free time so by the time this is over, I will return to the medical school to become a great medic, just like I promised you and hopefully I will not be that behind from them.
This is everything I can tell you for now.
P.S. Please tell Michiko that everything is fine nowadays and also about Lynne.
Your future medic,
Yoshika Miyafuji
Shortly after, she put the letter inside of an envelope, wrote the address and the recipient and left it on the desk. Then, she continued knitting the scarf, with a blissful smile on her lips. And she did so, until someone knocked on the door.
"It's open," Yoshika said cheerfully as the door was opened, "Group Captain?"
Yoshika was a bit surprised as Minna went to where she was sitting.
"As Air Marshall Galland told you, you're quite the Witch Yoshika, I myself was surprised to see how good you are engaging the enemy without relying on a gun," Minna proudly commented.
"It's just that, well, I noticed recently they are not of much use against some Neuroi." Yoshika stated, still a bit taken aback, as she stopped knitting, "My shields are way more useful."
"I noticed it, Yoshika, and I am proud to see how proficiently you can use them, for both defense and offense."
"It's- it's thanks you, Group Captain and your training," Yoshika happily added.
"I just mentored you, Yoshika, but everything is the result of your own efforts," Minna stated as Yoshika stared at her even more confused and she put the knit away, on the desk, with the needles traversing it. "May I ask you something?"
"S-sure," Yoshika hesitated.
"You're knitting that for Lynne, right?" Minna comfortingly asked her.
"Yeah, I am," Yoshika nervously said.
"I must assume that it is gift."
"I- yeah." Yoshika paused, "It's just that I wanted to…" And nothing else was muttered.
Minna just smiled at her, "It seems, you have the same feelings for Lynne."
Yoshika just blushed as she looked away, "Yeah I really…" She gulped, "I really… I love Lynne."
"I am happy to hear that," Minna soothingly said yet Yoshika did not share her feelings and looked a little down now, "Is something wrong?"
"It's just that, I am not sure if we can be, you know together, at least in here." Yoshika murmured pensively.
"As a matter of fact, fraternization is not permitted, but I don't mind it." Minna stated, as Yoshika tilted her head in surprise, "The only thing I am asking you, Yoshika, is to behave accordingly in front of our superiors."
Yoshika now had a confused expression on her face, "huh?"
Minna gave her comforting look, "Don't show to much affection between both of you in front of our superiors, that's all."
Yoshika nodded hesitantly, "Yeah, I- I can do that,"
"So, continue knitting, Yoshika, I am sure Lynne will love what you'll make for her," Minna said as she started to leave.
"Group Captain?" Yoshika called her as she picked up the letter.
"Yes Yoshika."
Yoshika stood up from her seat and walked toward her with the letter on her hands, "May you take this, it's a letter, for my family, in Fuso."
Minna took it, "Alright Yoshika."
But as Minna did so, Yoshika just hugged her, "Thank you for everything"
Minna ears and tail appeared for a second and disappeared right away, as she put wrapped her arms around her shoulders, "There is nothing to thank me for Yoshika, you deserve it, you have sacrificed a lot for us."
"I- I just want to protect everyone," Yoshika said as she let go of her.
Minna sighed as she stared at her, "I know that Yoshika, and it's been an eventful day, to say the least, you better go to rest and now that's an order."
"Yeah, it's been really eventful," Yoshika giggled, "I just hope I can sleep."
"I hope the same and speaking of which, you are allowed to move back to Lynne's room or the other way around, if you desire." Minna said as she opened the door.
Yoshika had again the same surprised expression as before, "Um, I'm gonna speak with Lynne after Nuremberg is freed, to see what she thinks about it."
"Sounds fine to me, good night, Yoshika,"
"Good night too, Group Captain," Yoshika cheerfully said as she jumped into the bed.
Then, Minna left Yoshika's room afterwards and headed to her office. As she made it there, she did not even bother to turn on the light, left the letter on the desk, opened a bottle of wine, served herself a glass of wine and went behind her desk, and just stared outside through the window, to the starry sky as the night had already arrived.
"Are you going to stay there all night?" Minna asked.
Mio just walked towards her side. "You really have got soft on Miyafuji."
"I notice that myself," Minna stated, somewhat firmly.
"I never expect that you, of all people, would allow Miyafuji and Bishop to be in a relationship while on active duty."
"And here we are," Minna added but noting was muttered in response, "when you brought Yoshika, here, I could not really tell what you saw her." Minna commented pensively, "Yeah, I knew her background and how much magic power she had but that only could take you far without the desire to fight."
Both continued staring at the night landscape.
"Yet battle after battle, I started to see the great potential in her, and how she will grow up to be a fine Witch and that's not even taking into account her healing magic, which had come very helpful in all these years." Minna sighed, "After the incident with the Warlock, in Operation Mars, in Kiel and in Berlin, I started to see something else on her, yet I still could not really tell what it was."
Mio just continued listening to her, both still watching outside.
"We spent several months together, just the two of us, me as her instructor and she as an eager student, even though she was already a pretty skillful Witch by all means. She still wanted to give her all each day, training and studying, not even caring if she exhausted herself in the process." Minna turned to face her, "That's something she learned from you Mio; you taught her well."
"What are you getting at?" Mio wondered, staring at her back as Minna served herself a glass of wine.
"By the time her semester ended, unsurprisingly, she approved," Minna chuckled drily, "Nevertheless, after that, I was the one who didn't want her to leave for her homeland."
"Now that's something I haven't heard before," Mio commented.
Minna then headed to the couch, "You may say that what I'm going to tell you may sound strange." Minna added now as Mio took a seat next to her, "Her willingness, her innocence, her stubbornness and even her recklessness, reminds of you."
Mio made a pause to process what she just heard, "Is that so?"
"Indeed, and she deserves to be happy." Minna stated.
Mio keep staring at her now with questioning expression. "Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't you implying that I am not happy?"
"That something only you can answer Mio, nevertheless I was saying, I've noticed that Lynne has such feelings for Yoshika since a few years ago. Yet Yoshika is far too innocent, oblivious if I may say, to notice the obvious hints Lynne gave her and she is far too shy to confess it to her directly," Minna sipped through her glass of wine. "If it wouldn't for Air Marshal Galland's intervention, it may have gone forever like that. Not all of us have that luck though."
Mio rubbed her chin, "What is that supposed to mean?"
Minna shrugged, "you tell me, Mio."
Just silence was heard as a response.
Minna sighed, "therefore, if both girls are happy together, I'd not object that they pursue relationship whether it's here, on the frontlines or as civilians."
"I just hope we don't get in trouble." Mio commented.
"We will not, I'm going to make sure of it, and it's not like a lot would change here." Minna stated as she stood up, "We need to go to rest, we will depart at 800 hours tomorrow, after Perrine comes back."
"Understood Group Captain."
And both commanders left the officer afterwards and headed in opposite directions.
Author notes:
*Contrail of Witches: #10
This is a chapter I've been drafting since when I first began writing this fic, and I am so happy to finally be here, it just took me over 160k words to get here.
And what a coincidence that I made it here just on Yoshika's birthday and obviously Shizuka and Sanya as well.
Then again, I am also sad for Shizuka, that's going to be addressed in the next chapter of course, which I am not entirely sure when it will be done, hopefully before this month is over.
Also, there's manga where they discover what happened with the stolen panties, (it turned out that Yoshika was doing the laundry, but she forgot but I can't remember what it is called.
There will be no more guests in quite a few chapters.
By the way, follows of the story are always appreciated, they really make my day.
Until the next chapter (which is going to be more ecchier than usual).