Chapter 6 - First Love under the Aurora: Difference between revisions

From February 1^st the bitterly cold weather of Suomus began to deteriorate even further.

 

 

With such a raging storm, training was also an impossibility.

“It's your promotion orders,” replied Sqn Ldr Häkkinen as she adjusted her spectacles.

 

 

“Promotion?”

 

 

: 『Fuso Imperial Army Pilot Officer Anabuki Tomoko; the afore-mentioned individual is henceforth assigned the rank of Flying Officer.』

“Aah, umm... Pilot Officer Tomoko, ah no, now it's Flying Officer isn't it... Flying Officer Tomoko, I was the one who recommended you for the position of squadron commander."

 

 

Looking a little embarrassed and hanging her head, F/O Elma spoke towards the floor.

F/L Elma's outburst left Tomoko feeling as if she had been struck in the head with a baseball bat.

 

 

“Flying Officer Elma...”

 

 

Because she appeared to be quite upset, Tomoko walked over thinking she should try to comfort her. But thereupon, F/O Elma emphatically raised her head.

 

 

F/O Elma grasped Tomoko's hand, and forcefully shook it up and down.

 

 

“You are not a pilot of the Suomus air-force. We have no authority to order you to do so. Therefore I can only ask; please, I request that you to do this for us.”

With a nod, Tomoko gave a vigorous salute.

 

 

  

“Everyone wants to see what you're capable of with that state-of-the-art aircraft.”

 

 

“Everyone has trouble when they use an unfamiliar Striker Unit for the first time.”

“Until a new Ki-27 is delivered, I will not be engaging in combat. Until then, I want you to do your best in my stead. Have you considered that recent battle? Where we lured the Laros-kai down to low altitude, didn't we completely obliterate them? Even that feat was made possible by the Ki-27's flight performance.”

 

 

Shaking her head, Tomoko walked away.

Rudel shook her head.

 

 

Beurling nodded. From mid-January onwards, the bombing runs on Slussen had been kept up tirelessly... but as of yet, there had been no report of the Neuroi occupation weakening in any way.

F/L Rudel lowered her head to Beurling.

 

 

“Why are you telling me this? I was the one who brought about that scar across your face.”

“I know that.”

 

 

Beurling demonstrated a textbook example of a Britannian air-force salute. Which F/L Rudel returned, along with a rare smile.

“We dive bombers must choose our shields, it is the sorrow of the spear. But because you wouldn't ever just give up, I think you ladies make a fine shield. It's what I expect of you, Silver Fox.”

 

 

That, was Beurling's call-sign during her time with the Air-Wing for International Neuroi Observation in Ostmark.

“Look,” F/L Rudel said, pointing towards the sky.

 

 

“According to folklore in this part of the world, the northern lights are caused by light reflecting off the armour of Valkyrie.”

Without responding to Beurling's cynical comment, F/L Rudel continued as if speaking to herself; “Should we not pray that this aurora guides us to victory? Will we become the modern era's Brünnhilde, and bring about the twilight of the gods? Or become Beowulf, magnificently destroying Grendel?

 

 

 

The two of them continued to gaze at the aurora shining across the sky.

Ignoring him, Tomoko tried once more to enter the room and distance herself from the source of her smouldering rage.

 

 

“No thanks. I'm not going to talk with a shameless person like you who doesn't understand common courtesy.”

“Who is the one doing things to be hated for?”

 

 

Tomoko's face was dyed bright red. Without even a thought, she sent a slap flying is way.

  

 

 

To get to Mikkeli, they had no choice but to traverse a battered agricultural track that was clearly meant for farm vehicles.

“There's smoke coming from some of the tents. Has a fire broken out?”

 

 

 

''If we had only done a little more for them in Slussen... ''

 

 

''Is it even possible for a restaurant to function in a town overflowing with refugees? And supposing they are open for business, there's no way I could bring myself to eat an extravagant meal in front of them.''

“The Fuso Empire.”

 

 

Looking uneasy, Tomoko nodded.

“Ah, what's going on?”

 

 

Overwhelmed, Tomoko bowed her head.

“What a strange girl,” she commented. “Indeed, everyone here has been driven from their homes, but you've come all the way here from a distant land to help them. They wouldn't resent such people.”

 

 

“She says; 'Everyone has times of failure in life. What's important is to not give up.' These people haven't given up, neither have I. That is why they are able to laugh, even given these harsh conditions. And that is why you mustn't give up on them. We expect nothing less from our witches!”

“......”

 

 

Itokawa handed a package wrapped in brown paper to Tomoko.

What she took out was a beautiful evening dress made from black velvet. Tomoko stared at it with wide eyes.

 

 

Tomoko's eyes couldn't get any wider upon hearing that remark.

''Wouldn't that mean that Itokawa bought this for me before we had even met?''

 

 

This line affirmed Tomoko's unspoken question. Her face reddened at the realisation that the mood resembled some kind of destined meeting.

“Try it on.”

 

 

 

She continued to mumble something, but still resigned herself to accepting Itokawa's coercive offer.

While gently brushing aside her hair, Itokawa asked; “So you'll use the Ki-44 for me then?”

 

 

''I guess so...''

“Flying Officer Tomoko... I, I've become such a hopeless girl... But, but but! Absolutely, unconditionally, I will rescue you from the evil influence of that engineer! At that time, you'll notice me for sure... Ah! You, who is the most important person to me!”