Sky Striker Ace, but Symphogear Chapter 42

After getting through such a day, the exhaustion of being alone combined with the mental fatigue accumulated from last night's nightmare made Kohinata Miku think this.

"Ah, Miku, I'm back!"

Just as she was thinking that, an energetic yet tired voice rang out. The next moment, Hibiki Tachibana, who had been nowhere to be seen since early morning, reappeared in the dormitory.

"Hibiki..."

Looking at her dear friend like this, Kohinata Miku wanted to ask something, but in the end, she could not bring herself to say it.

"What's wrong, Miku? Is something the matter?"

Hibiki Tachibana caught the unspoken words in Kohinata Miku's voice and reflexively asked what was troubling her warm little sun.

"No... no, there is. Hibiki, I want to know—what are you planning to do about the reports?"

Upon hearing Hibiki Tachibana's question, Kohinata Miku had initially wanted to deny it, but after thinking for a moment, she changed her mind and asked her that.

"The reports... Ah!!! I completely forgot I still have to write reports!"

Hearing Kohinata Miku's words, Hibiki Tachibana let out a piercing cry as though she had just awakened from a dream.

For the past week, she had been learning advanced martial arts techniques and honing her will under Genjuro Kazanari, the martial arts master in her eyes.

In order to be able to help everyone when she faced Raye again, Hibiki Tachibana had trained incredibly hard, nearly exhausting herself to collapse every day.

Thus, she had naturally forgotten all about her studies, which she had never considered particularly important to begin with.

"Miku, what am I going to do?"

Thinking of the mountain of reports that had piled up, Hibiki Tachibana instantly felt as though her head had grown twice as large. Work she was already bad at had become an insurmountable chasm after piling up.

"Hibiki, let's work hard starting today. I'll stay with you until you finish them."

Even if Hibiki Tachibana said that, Kohinata Miku could not possibly write the reports for her. The most help she could offer was supervision and guidance.

"That'll be enough. If Miku's with me, I can definitely finish them."

Encouraged by Kohinata Miku, Hibiki Tachibana barely managed to kindle a bit of fighting spirit and patted her chest as she made that promise.

They were only a pile of reports. After enduring such grueling training, she could absolutely push through with sheer determination.

"Mm..."

Seeing Hibiki Tachibana so full of energy, Kohinata Miku's sour mood improved somewhat as well.

"Come to think of it, Hibiki, there's apparently going to be a meteor shower next weekend. It'll be after the report deadline, so once we finish them, do you want to go watch it together?"

Feeling a little better, Kohinata Miku took out her phone and showed Hibiki Tachibana the news. Since Hibiki often left early and came back late, finding an opportunity to invite her had been somewhat difficult.

Also, because they had gradually been spending less time together lately, Kohinata Miku wanted to spend more time with her dear friend.

"Um... I'll think about it. Tomorrow—I'll have an answer tomorrow!"

Hearing Kohinata Miku's words, Hibiki Tachibana answered with some hesitation.

"Is that so? All right, then. Let's rest for today."

Seeing Hibiki Tachibana's expression, Kohinata Miku's eyes dimmed slightly before she said that.

Then, each wrapped up in her own thoughts, the two dormmates drifted off to sleep one after the other.

P.S. Good night.

Worries

Dozens of meters underground, in a secret facility known to few and protected by Heresy Technology, there was a training area.

"Ha!"

With a fierce shout, Hibiki Tachibana, dressed in training clothes and wearing boxing gloves, sent the heavy sandbag hanging in the room flying with a powerful punch.

"Good work, Tachibana. That's it. Always remember: your punches must be as swift as lightning and possess the force to shatter thunder."

Commander Kazanari, dressed in the same kind of clothing as Hibiki Tachibana, nodded approvingly from the side.

"Phew... phew. I don't really understand any of that, but I'll work even harder, Master!"

Having unleashed a powerful blow in one go, Hibiki Tachibana replied between breaths.

"You've improved a lot, Little Hibiki, but it's time for a break. You need to balance work and rest so you don't hurt yourself."

Ryouko Sakurai, who had been working while watching from the side, handed her a bottle of warm salt water at the right moment. As Second Division's Heresy Technology consultant, monitoring Hibiki Tachibana's physical condition and preventing another rampage like the one a few days ago was also part of her job.

"Thank you very much, Miss Ryouko. Still, compared to Miss Tsubasa, I'm nothing right now. I'm still far from being able to help her."

Somewhat weary from the long training session, Hibiki Tachibana happily accepted the warm salt water, then sat on the lounge sofa and took small sips as she spoke.

After being sent to Second Division Hospital, Tsubasa Kazanari had barely survived thanks to Second Division's highest-level medical support and her own powerful adaptability. Though she had yet to regain consciousness, she had begun gradually recovering under treatment.

"No need to be modest. I've seen your effort and progress over the past few days. Compared to who you were a week ago, you have indeed made tremendous progress."

"If you keep up this pace through the week, Tachibana should have considerable combat ability by next week. Looking at it that way, I should work harder too..."

Holding a cup of warm salt water himself, Genjuro Kazanari sat opposite Hibiki Tachibana and said this.

While Hibiki Tachibana trained, Genjuro Kazanari had not relaxed his own efforts to hone his strength either.

Although such efforts might have little effect against Noise, for the battles ahead—and to set an example for Hibiki Tachibana—he would train even harder.

"Is that so? Ahaha..."

Hibiki Tachibana sat on the sofa and laughed.

"Ah, right, um, Master."

As she laughed, something suddenly occurred to Hibiki Tachibana's slow mind. She seemed to have forgotten something important.

"What is it, Tachibana?"

Noticing Hibiki Tachibana's words, Commander Kazanari looked toward the girl seated on the sofa.

"Um, am I still not allowed to leave the school?"

Looking at Commander Kazanari as he turned toward her, Hibiki Tachibana asked in a somewhat uneasy voice.

"That's right. Unless necessary, we cannot allow you to leave Second Division's defensive perimeter. With Raye threatening us, we cannot take that risk again."

Faced with Hibiki Tachibana's question, Genjuro Kazanari did not think much of it and answered after taking a sip of warm salt water.

"Is that so? Right, Master, that makes sense. I can't cause everyone more trouble..."

Hearing Commander Kazanari's matter-of-fact answer, Hibiki Tachibana muttered softly to herself, her expression visibly falling.

"Hmm? Is there something Little Hibiki wants to do outside Second Division?"

Ryouko Sakurai sharply sensed something. She then sat beside Hibiki Tachibana and asked her with a smile.

"Hahaha, it's not anything important. Just a personal matter. I only need to endure it a little longer. Um, Master, I'm rested now. Can I continue training?"

After scratching her head and saying that with a laugh, Hibiki Tachibana stood up and prepared to train with the dumbbells used for building muscle nearby.

"Wait, Little Hibiki."

Ryouko Sakurai did not hesitate. She grabbed Hibiki Tachibana's arm.

"What is it, Miss Ryouko?"

Hibiki Tachibana did not understand why Ryouko cared so much about what she had just said.

"Little Hibiki, that won't do. If you keep suppressing yourself like this, something will go wrong with your body."

Ryouko Sakurai spoke in a concerned tone, though the glare on her glasses kept Hibiki Tachibana from seeing her eyes.

"...Miss Ryouko, you're worrying too much. I feel like my body is fine right now."

Hearing what sounded like concern from Ryouko Sakurai, Hibiki Tachibana patted her chest, which had already gained some muscle.

"Ryouko, are you saying that excessive emotional suppression could make Tachibana enter the same state she displayed in that previous battle?"

At that moment, Genjuro Kazanari, who had been listening to their conversation from the side, stepped forward and asked.

"Mm, how should I put it? I didn't personally witness Little Hibiki's rampage, but based on the others' descriptions afterward and my examination of her body, if Little Hibiki's emotions spiral out of control, there's a high chance she could become like that again and suffer some harmful effects."

Ryouko Sakurai turned and explained to Genjuro Kazanari.

"There was something like that?"

Genjuro Kazanari turned to look at Hibiki Tachibana, who still had a smile on her face.

"...It'll be fine. After Master's training, I'm not the same as before. No matter how difficult the battle or how much pressure I face, I definitely won't become like that again."

In response, Hibiki Tachibana merely said that with confidence.

"Is that so? But, Little Hibiki, pressure and despair can come from places other than battle."

"For example, something Little Hibiki really wants to do, but cannot do because restrictions on your movements have no known end—something like that can cause stress."

"Don't underestimate me just because I'm an adult. I can see right through that little thought of yours, Little Hibiki."

Ryouko Sakurai pushed up her glasses and said this with an expression that said she understood everything.

"Tachibana, is that true?"

After considering Hibiki Tachibana's earlier behavior, Genjuro Kazanari somewhat agreed and asked her.

"Even Master says so... Well, actually, it's like this..."

Under their questioning, Hibiki Tachibana finally explained why she had asked that question.

"So, Little Hibiki, your friend wants to invite you somewhere like the outskirts to watch the meteor shower next weekend. You really want to go, but you're worried about causing trouble for our defenses?"

Before long, the two understood the reason for Hibiki Tachibana's behavior.

"That's right. It's not particularly important, is it? So please don't worry, Master and Miss Ryouko. After all, there's really nothing that can be done about it."

Hibiki Tachibana smiled easily, though anyone could see that she truly wanted to watch the meteor shower with her friend.

P.S. Good evening.

Discussion and Decision

Compared with matters that needed to be treated seriously, such as fighting Noise, a world-class disaster, and Raye, who frequently took precious Relics, an ordinary high school girl's wish to watch a meteor shower with a friend seemed incredibly insignificant.

Therefore, in Hibiki Tachibana's view, such an unreasonable request of hers was undoubtedly something that should not be approved from a rational perspective—a desire that ought to be sacrificed.

She should remain safely at headquarters and train hard until she gained the strength not to be easily taken away and to protect what she wanted to protect, then work as a Singer for Second Division.

That was what Hibiki Tachibana considered the most reasonable way, and the way least likely to let tragedies like that day happen again.

"I don't think so, Tachibana. Doing something special with a dear friend is also a very important part of life."

However, Genjuro Kazanari swiftly denied Hibiki Tachibana's thoughts.

"Master?"

Hibiki Tachibana revealed a surprised expression.

"One week from now, is it? I understand, Tachibana. On that day, go watch the meteor shower with your dear friend properly."

Genjuro Kazanari continued, making that decision.

"But, Master, what if Miss Raye attacks again? What will we do?"

Recovering from her surprise, Hibiki Tachibana asked anxiously. She truly wanted to go, but if she brought danger and harm to those around her again because of it, she would rather endure it a while longer.

"You needn't worry about that. In fact, even if you had not encountered this situation today, we already had an operation planned around you in the near future."

Faced with Hibiki Tachibana's concern, Genjuro Kazanari spoke with a smile.

"An operation... Master, you're really not lying to me?"

Hearing Genjuro Kazanari's explanation, Hibiki Tachibana asked doubtfully.

It simply sounded too much like a lie Commander Kazanari had made up to put her at ease.

"Of course not. When you came to find me before, you should have heard the meeting where we discussed this, correct?"

Genjuro Kazanari immediately denied it.

"The meeting... Ah, that terrifying thing. So Master, you were actually considering something that frightening? That's amazing."

After Genjuro Kazanari mentioned it, Hibiki Tachibana remembered what she had heard when she had gone to find him that day.

Because the idea of capturing Miss Raye had been so outrageous, she had assumed it was something they would only consider much later. She had not expected it to be related to this.

"It isn't that I wanted to consider it. In fact, as far as I'm concerned, being able to keep you safe would already be good enough. But the people in the government don't see it that way."

Faced with Hibiki Tachibana's somewhat admiring words, Genjuro Kazanari merely slowly shook his head and said this.