Hiro, having the conviction of MECHA pilot went to Raj and Yuki, telling his plan. They could only look at him with eyes of pity. Hiro expected their response but it didn't affect him.
"Hiro, you know dreaming is good but there are times you need to face reality.", Raj said to Hiro.
"But this something I must do and I need some of your support.", Hiro replied.
"What kind of support do you need?", Yuki asked him with a smile.
Hiro was surprised and happy.
"Oi, Yuki.", Raj told her.
"Wait, dear. If Hiro has conviction, maybe let him do it. He will either rise high or have a strong fall.", she told Raj and asked Hiro, "What kind of help do you need?"
Hiro was happy and replied, "Please let me stay at the inn and work here as a part-timer. While, I try to get into the training academy for pilots."
"Do you think, you can get into there despite being a commoner?", Yuki asked him in a serious tone and continued, "How will you take care of your siblings then?"
"Yes, that is also a part of my request. Please cut it from my payment or so but please let me and siblings stay here at the inn and please take care of them.", Hiro replied.
"Hmm", Yuki smiled and continued, "Ok, I take the offer under two conditions. First, you must not exploit the amount of money you have left."
She looked towards Raj saying, "Dear, do you know any places that can give the reference material for the entrance exam of the academy?"
Hiro was really happy at her words. She looked at Hiro seriously, "The next entrance takes place two months from now, in September. It takes place twice a year, in 3rd month and 5th month. It officially starts in the 2nd month."
"Yes"
"Show it to me that you can pass it in this attempt or we will not support you at all.", Yuki declared and continued, "That is my other condition."
Hiro was happy at her words.
"I will try my contacts to see, on how much I can get the reference material for the exam.", Raj said to Yuki and Hiro.
Raj soon got the information and was able to secure the books and material for Hiro.
Hiro started working part-time while studying in free hours. He looked at the examination pattern about how the qualification went and the rules behind it.
It stated:
1. Anyone irrespective of class can write this examination to become a MECHA pilot.
2. Anyone writing must have the qualifying mark to get into in the academy.
3. Total marks are 500. The minimum qualifying marks is 180.
4. The written examination is 400 marks and the qualifying is 140.
5. Each question is worth 8 marks. There is a negative marking for each wrong answer.
6. There are a total of 50 questions.
7. The physical examination takes place after written examination which is worth 100 marks.
8. The minimum qualification for physical examination is 40 marks.
9. Any sort of malpractice will lead to immediate expulsion from the examination. The candidate can be blacklisted also.
10. (Only applies to MECHA pilots), in the qualifying candidates, they must take a special examination to become the selected candidates to become MECHA pilots.
"The rules stated above must be strictly adhered by all candidates and examiners."
Hiro was pleasantly surprised after reading the rules.
"Well, it doesn't seem so bad.", Raj said.
"It was hard for me to believe that commoners can take this exam.", Hiro enunciated.
He breathed a sigh of relief and thought closely again.
"What about the physical exam?", Raj asked him.
"I'll manage somehow.", Hiro replied.
Yuki sighed by putting her hand on her forehead saying, "We'll train you."
"What!?"
"Just as Yuki said. We both'll train you.", Raj exclaimed and continued, "We were both former combatants in the military."
"Seriously?"
"And Hiro, don't try to escape.", both of them said in sync.
Hiro and his siblings had settled inside the single room which was given to them. They forced themselves to live in that single room. Hiro, often tried to give them the best comforts.
The next day, Hiro's training truly began.
In the early morning, at 5 am. Raj was there, half naked exposing his strongly built body from training. He was tying wraps to his arms saying, "Hiro, we'll begin your combat training and exercises."
"Yes"
"First let me test your reflexes,", he said to Hiro and went to punch him. Hiro felt the animosity and dodged his heavy punch on fluke.
"Ohh, that's good."
"Thanks."
"Let's see if you dodge this then."
Raj did a leg sweep which Hiro didn't notice and he fell down, losing his balance. Hiro fell sidewards on the ground.
"Ok, you need to train your reflexes. But first, it seems as though you barely have any sort of arm and back strength.", Raj claimed to Hiro.
"Really?"
"Come, we're gonna begin from the basics.", Raj said and continued, "30 crunches, 15 sit-ups, 10 pull ups are fine for now."
"Yes let's do it.", Hiro said those words while being so Gung-ho. Hiro went on to do the exercise.
After the warm-up was over Hiro, was lying on the ground, breathing heavily.
"Come on, we've just begun the training.", Raj told him and continued, "You barely have any stamina."
"Training has just begun!?"
"Yes, what're you getting scared for?"
"Nothing."
"Listen, Hiro, it is your aim. Not only your future depends on you now. Remember."
Upon hearing Raj's words, Hiro motivated himself to continue.
"Let's spar."
"Really."
They both began their spar. His training went on for two hours till 7 am.
"Now, Yuki will train you."
"Ok."
Hiro went to a small house which have a different exterior and interior design which existed at the back of the inn.
"It really looks out of the place.", Hiro claimed as he opened its sliding doors.
Yuki stood in front of him, holding a wooden sword which was sharp on one side and blunt on the other.
"What is this place, Mrs. Yuki?", Hiro asked her.
"This is called a 'dojo', Hiro. It was passed down from my ancestors to me. Also, the sword I am holding in my hand might seem a bit different. It is called a 'Katana'.", she replied.
"So what will be training here?"
"You'll see."
Yuki told Hiro to follow her and he followed to the main hall which had many sets and a yard beside it. It had training dummies and other things to practice martial arts.
"I will teach you everything about 'kenjutsu'.", Yuki told him
"What is 'kenjutsu'?", He asked her.
"It is a way of moving the sword. I will be teaching you the swordsmanship.", she said.
"But I can use a short-handed weapon easily."
"Silence, I am your master and you are my disciple.", She told him and passed him a wooden katana similar to hers claiming, "Now, fight me with that sword."
Hiro being impudent, "Don't blame if you get hurt" and went to attack her.
Hiro held the sword and moved quickly, slashing the katana at her diagonally downwards from the left to his right. Yuki saw the openings he had and swiftly dodged it and she slashed her katana on his abdomen dealing a strong blow to him, making him fly backwards.
He was sent flying backwards and he landed on his back.
"What the hell was that?", Hiro wondered.
"Take up your sword. Fight me till you can't."
Hiro got up and took the sword, rushing towards her. Only to get beaten up over and over again.
Hiro's face was filled with small bruises. He touched one, only to feel strong stinging pain.
"Get up, Hiro, your training isn't finished yet.", Yuki told him.
"Ahh, I am gonna die, I really am.", Hiro muttered in his mind.
Hiro got up to her training regime and started his training.
She made him to swing the sword, practice leg movement, practice holding the sword for a time period and the final exercise was meditation. It the exercise where Hiro felt the most at peace.
After his exercise was over, Hiro ate the breakfast made by Yuki.
While eating Raj told him, "Hiro, you're gonna have to help out at the store too."
"I know that. I have no problem.", He replied.
"And also, you have one hour training session from me and Yuki.", Raj said to Hiro.
Hiro started shivering at Raj's words and he started trembling.
"Look, dear you've scared him. Let's extend it to two hours each for us both.", She said.
Hiro got more and more scared.
"I am just joking.", she said while smiling and continued, "Hiro, you also need to study, right?"
"Yes.", he said and immediately chomped down the food in front of him.
"There's no need to rush, we always open the inn at 10 am. It's just 9:15."
"This couple, they're scary.", Hiro thought in his mind.
The inn was pretty popular in the district. As soon as the clock hit ten, many customers would come there to eat something. The rest of the staff who worked there had come. Hiro also helped them. His siblings volunteered to help the inn but Yuki didn't accept their proposal. Hiro made the store more popular, as his words were the one which actually raised the flames of unity within the district.
His work time was till 5 pm in the evening with a few breaks in between. He used to take some rest from 5 o' clock to 5:30 and began studying till 8 pm with breaks in between. He also used a run a few errands, take care of his siblings' needs. Alma would regularly visit him from time to time.
A few weeks had passed and he got used to the training regime.
"Hiro, today we'll be going to another city.", Raj told him.
"Why?", Hiro asked.
"We're gonna run some errands and I'll be paying for your ticket."
"Wait, the problem is that I haven't visited another city."
"Change quickly, we'll go to the train station.", Raj said him after ignoring his words.
Hiro went upstairs grumbling and changed his dress to a more formal attire.
"He's growing up right?", Yuki asked him and chucked.
"He used to be that small brat then."
"Seriously I wish I could back in the past", Raj said.
"Why?", Yuki asked him.
"To enjoy your beauty from the start again. But you're no less beautiful now."
"Really, say the words when you mean it, Mr. Handsome."
Raj held her chin and pulled her closer him by catching her back with his latter arm.
"Should I show what I mean in the bed?", Raj told to Yuki as he got closer to her.
He went closer to her and she also did the same. The lips were about to connect.
"Uhmm", Hiro cleared his throat as he saw them.
The both of looked at him and then at each other, becoming flustered. Yuki pushed Raj away from her and tried explain the situation to Hiro.
"No, you see Hiro, this was just us trying to..."
"No need to explain.", he said and continued, "Its ok to flirt, but consider the time and place."
Yuki and Raj both felt dejected over being lectured by someone younger than them.
"Let's go uncle, to the other city."
"Yes"
The both of them went to the train which connected to other city. The cities existed in different locations, far away from each other, being protected by the pillars due to RIORS. They were connected by underground trains and transport through air and MECHA was also possible.
Outside the cities is nothing more than plain lands without people. There were mostly animals and RIORS. There weren't any other sort of beings. But outside there were various habitats and normal people couldn't move out from the cities easily due to the threat of RIORS.
They both reached the underground trains. They both themselves ticket and got inside the train.
"Isn't this the first time you got yourself in a train?", Raj asked Hiro.
"Yes it is.", he replied.
"Well, it kinda feels good that there's no segregation when it comes to these trains.", Raj exclaimed.
"Well, it depends on the price of the ticket.", Hiro said.
The announcer announced the train towards the city 'Veteroni' was starting.
It started and took off at extreme speed at the start which suddenly jerked the passengers but they settled down.
"Hey, I've always wondered, did your studies in school end?", Raj asked Hiro.
"They've ended back in third month.", Hiro replied.
"Then did you sit empty those four months?"
"Don't ask me anything."
"Huh."
The conversation was put to a sudden end and the rest of the journey went silently.
They both reached 'Veteroni' city. They got down from the train and did some shopping and stuff.
They bought a heck ton of stuff required for the store.
"Do you think we need this much stuff?", Hiro asked Raj.
"Yeah we need it."
"Damn, how much do you want to impress your wife?"
"You will know once you get a wife."
"I don't even have hope to find a girlfriend."
"Really, you're pretty good-looking though."
"Really!"
"If you knew more of a woman's heart you'd already have a girlfriend."
"What do you mean?", Hiro asked him.
"Does this numbskull seriously not know about the crush Alma has on him?", Raj thought in his mind.
"Well nothing.", Raj replied.
"Now you've got me thinking."
"Listen kiddo, less talk more work."
"Yes, yes."
The both of them had some tough time carrying those stuff towards the train and they carried all the stuff in a backpack. People were slightly scared and creeped out looking at them.
They both went back to Macross district and had a hard time carrying all those stuff back home.
Hiro was breathing heavily as he took down the stuff from his back down.
Hiro fell down breathing heavily, Alma who luckily there ran upto him while holding a bottle of water.
"Are you ok, Hiro?", Alma asked him.
"Thank you, Alma. You're a goddess.", he said to her as he took the water bottle and drank from it.
"Does Hiro know about it?", Yuki asked Raj who was walking towards the kitchen.
"That numbskull, is thickheaded. He only has his goal in mind.", Raj replied.
"I feel bad for Alma but Hiro isn't a position to live in luxury now.", She said to Raj.
"I know, he must take care of them and prepare for the test at the same time.", he replied and walked into the kitchen
"Hiro, come and help me.", Raj shouted from the kitchen.
"You demon, how much more work will you make me do?"
"Who's a demon?", Raj with an angry look on his face and continued, "Do fifty pushups before eating after you finish cooking."
"NOO!!!", Hiro screamed which sounded even outside.
The hectic day passed with everyone sleeping silently at the end of the day.
Two months had passed, the day of the examination had finally come.
14th day, 9th month, C619, it came. The day he which had decided his fate.