Binding: Rain - Chronicles 改 (Defunct)

Chapter Five Part Twelve | Kaga's Surprise

　Chapter 5 Part 12 | Kaga's Surprise

　2 days. It certainly isn't much time. Shigure doesn't know if Akasha squadron will make the cut. Some peacekeeping won't prepare them for combat against Nephilim - or more specifically - the mecha and other weapons Nephilim commandeer. It'll be fun for him, in a sense, operating a Gleipnir is like playing a video game. Yet, that comes with having to face fields of mud and rust again.

　It disturbs him to think the people he just met could die. No, will die. There will certainly be some, even in the first contact. However, this concern he feels doesn't seem right to him. More like he is afraid to witness death itself, not losing squad members.

　2 days will pass quick, and by then Ryuuji, Zhoajun, and Yato would have transferred.

　'Yato... Ryuuji... Zhaojun...'

　Ryuuji is an asshole, but he can't help feel upset over the thought of his death. So much talent, hell, he even dodged a bullet, literally. All wasted on joining the military...

　Zhoajun. Well, he doesn't know much of her. Speaking briefly with her gave him some insight. She seems like an honest to God person under that silent front. Zhaojun doesn't deserve to die, she's still so young, so much to experience...

　Now, who crushes him.

　Yato.

　He's spent so much time with her, even if it's just been near a year. Her voice, attitude, appearance, things that seem to kick up randomly. She's just not fit for the battlefield, he knows it, and he hates himself for allowing her to don the white of an operator. If she dies... 'I don't know how I'll get by...'

　Snapping the pen held within his grasp.

　That's it. Now is prime time to make a pledge. He's sick of being so callous and empty. If there is something to protect and hold onto, he has to do it. He will NOT let them die, even if his death is commanded of him. He's lived enough and seen more than deserved, their lives are more important than his own. Even the members he met today... 'Why is everyone so young?', he won't let them die either.

　But a sudden outward change will cause concern, so, like everything else, he'll keep it to himself.

　Besides, his vows are his alone.

　"Shigure." Swinging her legs, seated on his bed's side. Kaga calls his attention.

　'Right.. time passes when I think.' Turning around to meet her gaze. "Yes?"

　She tilts her head. "Would you like to see my ship? The Jormungandr?"

　Time is better spend elsewhere, especially now. That look in her eyes however, suggest she sees straight through him, into that turmoil. "No. I'm busy."

　Kaga stands, walking to him. She pinches his cheek. "Come on, don't make me make it an order~♪..." She gives an irritatingly endearing giggle.

　"Tch" A quick glance at the shattered pen, he rises from his desk, swatting her hand away. "Evil ENNB."

　NGDI-Hitachinaka's harbours, massive concrete constructions barring the sea's advance. Truly beautiful, in more ways than one. Soft sounds of waves, and echoes of seagulls.

　Blocking the sun from his eyes, Shigure looks to Kaga. "Well? What am I meant to be looking at."

　"Heheh~" With a little jog towards the ocean, she hops and makes a stance, gesturing behind her. A big, gleaming smile upon her face. "This~♪!"

　"This...?" 'What? A big wall of metal?' Shigure isn't very impressed with being presented to a wall. What's there to see? Gazing along the length, upwards slightly. 'Railings..? Command... tower?' "Holy... This is Jormungandr?"

　"Yep~♪!"

　That boring 'wall' of metal, in actuality, is the towering hull of Jormungandr. Bobbing around contently in the sea. The largest ship ever manufactured, with a sister ship on the way. Looking down the length of it, he can't even see the ends. Just riveted, welded, metal panels of a hull.

　From any plane passing by, they'd be pressed not to assume they're looking at a sandbar. A massive one at that. Upon closer inspection, it's presence as a Navy Dreadnaught easily reveals itself. 981m of steel, topped with guns literally large enough to walk through.

　Kaga is evidently chuffed with herself. "The ancient Yamato's big, big sister~! The Jormungandr class name ship~♪! A true beauty, hmm~♪? I'll only accept 'yes' as an answer hehe..."

　"You are the Captain of this...?" Shigure is completely awestruck by the behemoth before him. He knew it was constructed, but numbers on a page don't transcribe well to reality it seems...

　"The one and only Kaga~ Captain of Jormungandr~ I could swear I told you this, Commodore~♪!"