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Two Norio jets flew by overhead a supersonic speeds just above the crowds of people, a vapor cone appearing behind their jets as they left behind trails of red and while smoke. A sonic boom was then heard earning an excited reaction from all who watched.
The announcer continued for several more moments as he welcomed the Astrean's pilots to the event as well. Kasane's coastal and the town that went with it were pack to the brim with not only Norio and Japanese Navy personnel, but the public as well.
Today was the annual Norio Air Show held every year in March, displaying the organizations power and prestige to the world.
Planned and orchestrated by Norio's public relations branch, a way to keep the publics trust and at the same time, cover up the organizations dark work aside from combating the Xenos.
Japanese and UN flags flew everywhere accompanied by fireworks, anti-aircraft and missile defense systems on the water displayed, the Astrean supercarrier hovering high above, and both Norio and Astrean fighter pilots zooming by in their jets in a parade-like formation.
Among them was Jin, who was both happy but at the same time nervous. He knew that the event was being recorded by news media crews and civilians alike, and was not too excited about being on camera. But at least Emma was watching him from below.
Given that Norio's pilots were the last line of defense for humanity, they were the most decorative element of the entire organization.
Receiving the highest honors, the most press coverage, and the largest budget. They were the public face of Norio, the knights of the sky sent to destroy the threat that invaded their planet. And the ones many children aspired to be when they got older.
It was also worth noting that this was the first air show in which the Astreans would take part in and allow the public to get a closer look at the alien race. While humanity knew of the Astreans existence and presence on Earth they weren't completely assimilated into Japanese culture, or any other culture across the world at that. The only Astreans on Earth were part of either the embassy, the research commission, or the joint strike force.
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Jin lowered his jets altitude and speed and began to slowly fly over the people below and give them a clearer view of his jet, activating his autopilot he opened the canopy and sat on the edge of the cockpit. The jet slowly floating by as he waved to the people below with the others behind him doing the same.
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Jin waved at the crowds below as he stood on the edge of his jet, eventually recognizing a familiar face. Emma.
Jin's lips curved into a smile as he and the other pilots jumped from his jet and hovered onto the ground below. As the aircraft flew off they were met with camera flashes, journalist interviews, and hugs and handshakes from civilians. The moment Jin spotted Emma he wrapped his hands around her waist, taking in her sweet cherry blossom scent coming from her hair.
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"Eh, could be better." Jin loosened his hug around Emma a bit and brought her face close to his, her hands firmly placed on his shoulders. "I'm sorry I didn't respond back you you sooner, I got held up with a training exercise."
Emma shook her head. "No no it's fine. I understand."
Emma pecked Jin's cheek for a few seconds before a group of people next to them had noticed. Among them was a woman who was a news journalist and holding a microphone with a cameraman beside her.
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Jin glanced down at Emma with a frown.
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He sighed. "
The news anchor first delivered her opening to the camera before delivering questions to both Jin and Emma, with the latter explaining her presence on Earth and the work she performs for the Astrean Research Commission.
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"?"
Jin flinched at the question. Why would she want to know that? Even if it was true he wasn't all too fond of the idea of revealing personal information to a stranger. Emma nodded slightly and look up at Jin, telling him to kiss her.
"Huh?!"
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Jin hesitated for a moment. Eventually he complied and the two locked lips with one another. The crowds of people around them chanting cat calls, taking photo after photo, and filling the air with whistling. Jin couldn't have been more embarrassed as Emma placed both her hands on his chest armor, regardless he was able to deal with it for her sake. They both parted with Emma flashing a peace sign to the camera and her boyfriend looking away. The journalist eventually left them alone and the two proceeded towards the docks.
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Jin smiled. "
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Emma pecked his cheek again. She loved it when Jin tried to apologize for even the smallest things. "
The two of them made it to the docks where several two seater versions of EX-35 jets were hovering overhead. A nearby Norio officer then explained that the next portion of their performance was to take civilians one by one on rides within the aircraft, Jin smirked and looked down at Emma.
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"Mmhm!"
The jet landed before them and after helping her into the rear seat and strapping her in firmly, Jin closed the canopy and began to slowly take off vertically. Climbing higher and higher into the air at a slow but exciting pace. Emma had begun to shout happily as she could see a full panoramic view of Kasane City, from the coastline, to the skyscrapers, to the towering mountains that surrounded the city in the distance.
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Jin did as she asked and climbed even further into the sky, several other pilots behind him with passengers in their aircraft followed suit. He made sure not to go too high or too fast in order to keep Emma from fainting from altitude sickness, but at the same type relished in the time they spent together. Jin loved seeing Emma happy and hearing her laugh, a sight that made combating Xenos all but a bad dream upon wakening.
***
While the full moon lit the night sky and fireworks ceased for a few moments the Norio air show continued, but on a more lower level than aircraft performance. Jin was now in Hanami Hall, a building within Kasane used for public events and featuring a large ball room.
Several chandeliers hung overhead, tables surrounded the large dancefloor, and the room was filled with Norio pilots, their families and friends, and a number of space pilots and explorers either private or commercial.
Jin stood beside Emma, his mother Aiko, and the rest of the research commission, he'd been dressed in his formal Norio attire. A black and red military uniform with a Meiji era characteristics, but the reflection of a marine. Alongside the left of his chest were ribbons and two military medals. The Order of the Rising Sun, and Hero of the Russian Federation.
On the stage was the announcer welcoming Aiko's girlfriend Katsumi as a special guest to the event, who like several others in the room was a space pilot and explorer. And was the first human and to date, only human to land on the hostile world of planet Vulcan.
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Jin perked up a bit as Katsumi glanced his and Aiko's way. Emma smiled as she rested her head on his shoulder.
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