Chapter 06 - Veiled Emotions

Birds chirped as people walked up and down the bustling streets. A weekend meant free time for most people, but for those training in the academy, this weekend was one of the only times they got to freely explore the base and nearby cities as after today, leaving the base was prohibited for personal reasons. Eric and his friends were sitting at a retro styled café straight out of 1930’s America. They were all sat around a relatively small round table in wicker chairs. Iris, Alice and Eric were sipping on their respective drinks in an awkward silence, as Eric was avoiding eye contact. He felt the piercing glares from the two girls on him and he started to sweat. He knew the stares weren’t unwarranted though, as he was avoiding telling them what had happened when Halford asked him to the hangar and why his attitude towards Eric had shifted noticeably. Eric promised to tell them on the weekend and invited them out to a café. What the girls didn’t expect was the third guest.

“Is this normally how you guys hang out; in complete silence, staring at him with eyes like daggers, wishing ill and harm on him with every passing thought, hoping he would disappear into a dark, deep void, ceasing to exist?” A monotone voice broke the silence.

Sitting across from Alice and Iris was a girl with messy orange hair, a doll-like face, and an outfit that surprised even Eric. She wore a baggy black t-shirt and black jean shorts. Her arms had long fingerless gloves reaching past her elbow that matched her long knee socks, both striped red and black. She sat cross-legged in the small chair, drinking her tea as she questioned them.

“Or maybe it’s a deep passion, being impeded by self-doubt and a new obstacle?” She looked down at herself then back up at the girls across from her. “Am I the new obstacle?”

Both girls spat out their drinks and coughed out rejections to that comment. Eric sighed and pulled the hood of his short sleeved hoodie over his head, pulling the strings to tighten it.

“Look, all he said was he was going to explain why he’s been so absent minded and quiet since he was asked to meet with Halford.” Iris started to explain. “But now we get here and he’s on a date with a cute doll girl and he won’t even introduce us!”

“I’m cute?”

“I second that. How are we supposed to react to seeing an adorable goth girl having coffee after you had been ignoring us. How am I- are we supposed to feel?” Alice chimed in, attempting to sound calm.

“It’s actually a chai latte.”

“And another thing! You made us wait until the weekend to tell us!? So we went three days with being ignored and ghosted. Real cool, man!” Iris shouted, not hiding her emotions.

“She also said adorable.”

Eric slammed the small table, knocking over his drink.

“Look I-“ he paused to take his hood off his head. “Look, I know that was rude and you guys don’t deserve it, but let me explain, please.”

The two girls looked at each other and gave permission, drinking from their coffees in sync. Eric sighed and sat down. He explained everything that happened during the Yatogami test, from the fluidity of piloting the mech to the point he fainted, but carefully omitted being given a lap pillow from Laura.

“I did want to tell you guys; I hated leaving you in the dark about something so important. I was wracking my brain all week trying to figure out how to tell you and what to tell you.” He sank into his chair and lowered his eyes to the ground. “I also wanted to wait until after all the physical and mental tests were done so that I didn’t cause you two to worry. I really am sorry for making it seem like I was ignoring you both.”

Iris and Alice were silent, their faces covered in conflicting emotions. They were still upset at being avoided and ghosted, but they were also concerned and regretful over their actions. After a short pause, Iris finally let out an exaggerated sigh.

“That’s just like you, getting into so much trouble you didn’t want to bother us, but then you just end up making it worse on us. Typical boy.” Iris sat back in her chair and crossed her arms.

“I-I’m just glad you’re fine.” Alice paused. “And that Laura’s just your handler...” She finished with a mumble.

“In case you were wondering, his tests came back perfect. He has no concerning problems.” Laura chimed in. “I can verify as I was in charge of all his tests, even the physicals.”

Iris and Alice glared at Eric, their regretful faces vanishing and being replaced with ones of malice.

“Oh, is that so? How thorough were these physicals?” Iris said through gritted teeth.

“Yes, how thorough?” Alice echoed.

“Oh, very thorough. I inspected every inch of his body and made sure there were no anomalies. My reports were correct in saying he is above average.” Laura said in a quick monotone voice.

“Above average?!” The two girls shouted in unison.

“Above average physique! PHYSIQUE!” Eric shouted.

He blushed realizing that their table was now the center of attention with other customers and people walking in the streets staring at them. He rested his head on the table, exhausted from the conversation and letting out a loud sigh. He swore he heard Laura giggle again.

“You do this on purpose, don’t you?”

“I have no idea what you mean.”

Eric grumbled and looked over at the two girls. They were both sitting back in their chairs in elegant poses that were much different than how they were a moment ago. They had their legs crossed, and both holding their coffees as if they were mirroring each other.

“This requires much recompense, wouldn’t you say, sister?” Iris spoke between sips.

“Yes, it does indeed, sister.” Alice responded in kind.

“W-what? Sister?” Eric stammered out.

“Sister, I do believe we have a new rival. And a good one at that.”

“I concur, sister. Too good. We must double our efforts. Nay, triple them.”

“Agreed, sister.”

“So I am the obstacle.” Laura said quietly.

Eric sat up in his chair and stared on, completely confused.

“Since when did you start calling each other sister? And a rival in what?!”

The two girls turned their heads toward him and their menacing gaze returned.

“We have created a pact. We are kinswomen after the same thing. We shall not be beaten as we are the first.” Iris started.

“We are sisters in our mission. Our goal. We will get our recompense from you.” Alice finished.

“I may have made a mistake.” Laura whispered to herself.

“This is beyond weird. Look, I said I’m sorry and I regret it, I should have told you right away about it.” Eric pleaded. “I promise I’ll make it up to you, just stop this weird sister thi-”

At that moment, interrupting their very important conversation, a loud ringing horn echoed out from each of the four. They reached into their pockets and pulled out small, rectangular slab-like devices. As they held them out, a holographic display popped out of them. Each of them read the same thing: Borken Arrow. With a flash, the four of them sprinted out of the cafe’s patio and headed back to their academy as quick as they could.

“Wait, this way.” Laura said, almost shouting.

She stood at the edge of a sidewalk and started to fiddle with her tablet with lightning speed. Iris was about to protest stopping, but was cut short by the ground opening up and an elevator-like box rising out of the hole.

“It’s an emergency elevator that will bring us to the underground rails. From there we can get to the weapons hangars in an instant.” Laura explained quickly.

The four stepped inside and the elevator shot back down into the ground in the blink of an eye. Just as quickly as it started to move the elevator stopped, opening up to another carriage. The group stepped in quickly, grabbing the handrails. With a loud hum the room shook briefly, before launching off with a low-pitched screech. The force of the inertia nearly knocked Laura to the ground, but the other three were nearly unphased. In just a few moments, the cart stopped and the doors opened to another elevator. Coming out, the four were in the same hangar that housed the firing range. Halford was already there, arming some of the other trainees.

“Perfect, just as I expected. Guessing you led them here, Laura.” Halford said, handing suits to Iris, Alice and Eric. “Get changed quickly, this is not a drill.”

“Sir, is the enemy in perimeter?” Eric asked.

“Negative, but reliable intel is saying it’s ETA is less than five minutes.” Halford paused, straightening his shoulders. “And Valtor, you’re cleared and are authorized to use the Yatogami.”

Eric stumbled on the spot, recoiling from those words. His eyes shot open and sweat leaked from his brow. He understood exactly what Halford meant by that as he already knew he was allowed to keep operating and using the Yatogami. Halford was telling him that he needed to use it. He swallowed hard and regained his composure, standing up straight and saluting.

“Yes sir. Understood.”