Kanesaki walked to the door of the training grounds, his wounds had healed. He looked towards the gate and saw Hirabayashi waiting for it. She wiped her eyes from her crying earlier before smiling warmly. 'Hey, Kanesaki.' He smiled back and waved a little. 'thanks for waiting, Hirabayashi.'
The two walked through the outpost and spoke about a few topics, mainly Nishihara and how him and Hirabayashi met.
'We grew up together, him and Akio were like my older brothers, Sakaguchi was kinda like a younger brother. He and Akio had already left the Academy by the time me and Sakaguchi joined but they visited us occasionally. We had other friends who became officers but they died on missions, usually involving Chimera.'
Kanesaki frowned a little, Nishihara's hate towards him did seem a little harsh, but he had lost many close friends to his kind.
'Anyways, we all came here to Mushen and never looked back.' She laughed slightly, wiping a tear from her eye. 'I miss Akio too, he always made me laugh. But Nishihara knew him for longer, and they were pretty close themselves. He's been taking his death pretty harshly since whenever he tries to save people, they just end up dead. I feel bad for him, even when he lashes out. I know he doesn't really like you, but I think he can grow with you by his side. Please, promise me that you'll help him, he needs you, even if he doesn't know it yet.'
Looking down at the officer, Kanesaki smiled. 'I promise.' Smiling back, Hirabayashi went a little red before looking back down. They walked quietly until the bumped into the tall, muscular frame of Sakaguchi. Kanesaki jumped back, a little frightened by the sudden appearance of the officer. Hirabayashi laughed to herself as Sakaguchi looked at the two and smiled.
'Hey, you two, lieutenant wants us in the briefing room. Where have you two been?'
His voice was very monotone yet calming. Kanesaki went to say he had been with Nishihara in the training grounds but Hirabayashi stepped in front of him to answer. 'We were just taking a walk together, y'know, showing Kanesaki here around the outpost.' Sakaguchi examined the young officer, she smiled a little nervously but her facade didn't break. His eyes shifted to Kanesaki who also grinned nervously, raising a thumb up to send the impression home.
'Well, I hope you enjoyed the walk then.' He smiled back to the two and wandered off for the briefing room before waving back to them. 'Don't be late!'
Hirabayashi looked back at Kanesaki with a grin. She leapt over to him and grabbed him arm. 'C'mon, we gotta get there fast!' She tried to run as she dragged Kanesaki with her happily.
Within the briefing room, the two saw Sakaguchi in a chair, sitting silently with a straight face, like a statue. They looked over to the other side of the room and saw the lieutenant alongside two other people sitting; one was a young man in uniform sitting calmly whilst the other was a girl in a large, brown coat with her legs up on the table and her chair bending back over as she looked up to the sky with a bored face.
'Who are they?' Kanesaki pondered. Hirabayashi went to sit with Sakaguchi as he answered. 'First-class officer Imai Isao. He's from outpost 68. The one next to him is his Chimera, CL7-851.' Kanesaki's eyes widened. Another Chimera for this mission, seventh generation too!
Suddenly, his brain ached as sudden memories of 344 came rushing back to him. He thought of the words the Chimera had said in his dying moments. Holding his head, Kanesaki breathed heavily. Hirabayashi took notice of this and held his hand gently. 'You okay?'
'Yeah... I'm fine, thanks.' She nodded but didn't release his hand, he felt the warmth from her palm seel into his hand. The three all faced the two from across the room as the officer glanced at them with a straight face. He had short, black hair with a little bit sticking out like a needle at the top. His eyes seemed naturally wide and his teeth appeared sharp. Overall, he looked like a weirdo. Kanesaki couldn't get a good look at the Chimera given her position but he could clearly see her darkish blonde hair as it fell from her head straight down. It wasn't messy like Hirabayashi's or tied up.
'Alright, since you're all here, I should give the briefing.' They all turned and faced Wachisaka as he began speaking.
'In a week's time, you will all join on a very important operation in Grid 104. A group of rebels are planning an assault on the Takemoto airbase located in 104; they plan on stealing the frigates and bombers, most likely to attack further into our territories. Outpost 12 has also decided to assist in the operation, sending their lieutenant and Chimera to aid you all. This will be a dangerous mission and it is believed that the rebels have a rogue Chimera with them, and also may be carrying a container of Yatzul cells.'
The group all looked shocked as he mentioned the two. Kanesaki watched confusingly as the map was brought up on the screen. Sakaguchi raised a hand and went to speak. 'Will officer Nishihara be joining the operation?' Wachisaka nodded and answered.
'Officer Nishihara has been informed privately, he will be accompanying you all too. We give clearance to you all to wear YNS's. The military will also send a small force of a thousand to help alongside the airbase garrison. That concludes this briefing, any further questions?'
Kanesaki raised a hand and Wachisaka nodded to him. 'Um, what are Yatzul cells?' Wachisaka went to answer but the other Chimera interrupted harshly. 'They're weakened forms of a Yatzul that are usually used for experiments. If given to the wrong hands, they're released to merge and create a strong Yatzul that'll screw us all over.' She smirked widely as she spoke, a slight psychoticness in her eyes. Wachisaka nodded with a smile. 'Yes, that is what they are, thank you, 851.'
'Please, I go by Yamaguchi Yasuko. And I'm pleased to make all your acquaintances!' She shouted out obnoxiously and everyone stared at her with a little confusion and shock as she sat down proudly, her officer closing his eyes and not saying a word. Hirabayashi leaned in next to Kanesaki and whispered, 'They're a weird duo, huh?' He nodded in agreement.
Wachisaka clasped his hands together with a positive look on his face. 'Now, with that, each of you have a week to train and prepare for the operation. You will be notified of the day of deployment and the time you will be leaving! Dismissed!'
The group all left and Kanesaki noticed the other Chimera and her officer eagerly leave for the training area. Sakaguchi went with them, looking at the last two. 'I'll be training, I think you guys should come too.' Hirabayashi sighed and grabbed Kanesaki's arm, tugging his coat. 'Nah, I think me and Kanesaki here'll just go off on our own and do some-'
'Training sounds good.' Kanesaki remarked as he walked towards Sakaguchi to go with him. Hirabayashi went red from embarrassment and shouted from behind the two, 'Yeah, Training sounds fun!' She joined the two and they went to train in preparation for the operation.
Grid 76
Murai city
Nishihara sat on his knees in uniform, his eyes closed and his hands clasped together in a praying motion as he bowed peacefully before three gravestones. 'Be at peace, all of you.' Standing, he placed newly brought flowers in front of the three and walked off, passing by a tall tree with vibrant bright and dark blue leaves which blew past him. The gravestones read three names:
Kano Matsunaga- Father
Ishimoto Matsunaga- Mother
Akio Matsunaga- Son
Days until Takemoto airbase assault- 7
Chapter 13- end