Sky Striker Ace, but Symphogear Chapter 50

Seeing the unsteady girl offering her a USB drive, Chris was silent for a moment before taking it wordlessly—but she did more than just accept the drive.

"Ah, Chris, what are you doing?"

Raye looked at the white-haired girl before her and asked calmly.

As for why she asked, it was because while taking the drive, the girl before her had also grabbed the hand holding it with both hands.

"What am I doing? I should be asking you that, Raye! Why is it that both before and now, you always end up turning yourself into this state whenever I'm not paying attention? Come with me. You need to go back to bed and rest."

Chris Yukine glared at Raye and spoke in a tone that brooked no argument. She pulled hard with both hands, trying to drag the frail-looking girl back to her bedroom.

In Chris's mind, ever since she had first met Raye, Raye had always been exceptionally skilled at abusing her own body until it was in terrible shape whenever she encountered a stressful situation.

For nearly a month, Raye had seemed fine, so Chris had thought she had finally changed. Now, however, it seemed that was merely because her ability to withstand pressure had improved. Her tendency to push herself into this state had not changed at all.

"Are you worried about me, Chris? Hah, that's somewhat nostalgic... But don't worry, Chris. I'm not the same as before. I'm fine. This is merely a sign that I'm slightly overtired. After resting for a few minutes, I'll recover."

Supporting her swaying body, Raye pulled her hand free and gave Chris that explanation in a calm tone, as though nothing were wrong.

"...As if! You only sleep for a few minutes a day, and you work this hard. What exactly do you think your body is, Raye? Show yourself at least a little care!"

Chris had serious reservations about Raye's opinion.

She didn't understand Heresy Technology, but she understood the Raye of the past. She knew that if she ignored Raye's own way of thinking, Raye absolutely wouldn't stop until she had pushed her body to its limit.

"It really is fine. It's only this much... Besides, what matters more right now is arranging everything as quickly as possible. There's less than a week until the meteor shower. After that, I need to set up the special prison for Fusion Case One and monitor the Second Division members' movements so I can adjust our plans. I still have so much to do. I can't rest yet."

Raye shook her head as she spoke. Then she stood up, intending to leave and handle her other duties.

As her body swayed from side to side, the strap of the already precariously loose white camisole slipped from her shoulder. Her fair shoulder was exposed, while something lower down became faintly visible as well.

"Mm... Even so, you should rest properly, Raye. What are you going to do when you actually have to fight in this condition?"

Chris shook her head, forcing her attention back to the serious matter, and questioned Raye.

"I'll rest before then. I know what excessive exhaustion will lead to, and I can still distinguish priorities. Besides, even if staying up late leaves me lacking energy in battle, I'll take measures beforehand to keep myself awake."

Faced with Chris's question, Raye slowly offered the "solution" she had come up with.

She knew that overtaxing her body was not good, of course. But she had no choice. The actions of the Second Division and Hibiki Tachibana had given a definite deadline to work that originally had none, leaving her suddenly short on time.

With the principle that speed was crucial and delay invited complications, she couldn't ignore this opportunity. The only thing she could do was cut into her rest time, sacrificing future efficiency in exchange for operating at full capacity now.

"!?"

Hearing Raye's words, Chris was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Besides, as an employee, so long as I do the work I'm supposed to do within my abilities, you have neither the need nor the right to criticize my actions, Chris. Or have you forgotten the situation we're in because I've indulged you lately?"

Ignoring Chris's thoughts, Raye calmly continued explaining herself as she always did.

"That's not it. It's not like that. I..."

Hearing Raye's rational analysis, Chris's expression changed slightly. She instinctively wanted to refute her, but didn't know how.

She understood. Although she and Raye seemed to have grown somewhat closer recently, when examined closely, that closeness was merely her own wishful thinking. Raye had never given her any positive response. It had always been Raye tolerating her one-sided antics as a colleague.

"Hah, all right. The farce has gone on long enough. Rest at your own pace, Chris. I'm going to test-run the overall defense system and see whether there are any flaws."

After giving Chris, who seemed to be contemplating her words, one last look, the ethereal-looking Raye shook her head and drifted past the white-haired girl with her head lowered. Her mind gradually filled with one task after another.

Then the mind filled with tasks was completely emptied by what happened immediately afterward.

"Chris, what are you doing? What are you thinking? If it isn't necessary, could you please not interfere with my work?"

Raye kept her voice as calm as possible. The reason she said this was because of what she was feeling.

A slightly warm forehead pressed against the back of her neck. White hair brushed over her exposed skin, bringing a faint tickle. A fair arm reached around from behind and rested lightly against her abdomen, while a softness like flowing water pressed against her back.

In short, after Raye had passed by her, Chris Yukine had embraced her from behind for reasons unknown.

"I do."

Chris's voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz. If not for the strength of Raye's Sky Striker sensory system, she might not have heard what Chris said at all.

"What?"

Although she had heard the words, Raye couldn't understand what Chris meant for a moment.

"I know I shouldn't stop you from acting right now. If I keep doing this, as you said, I'll interfere with your work and affect my ideal with Fine... But even if it's false, I don't want to lose it again."

Chris's voice spread through the air as vibrations. After being received by the instruments, it was converted into text displayed beside Raye's right eye.

The heart that had once believed it had nothing left but revenge against the world had already been shattered by the brief return of the beautiful past in the present.

A beautiful, prosperous dream—a delicious illusion as sweet as honey. Faced with this, the belief she had once thought was the only thing left to her, the belief that violence could end every conflict in the world, had been proven to be like a skyscraper made of tofu: seemingly indestructible, yet...

"Hah. So what exactly are you trying to say, Chris?"

Adjusting her breathing, Raye closed her eyes with her back turned to Chris Yukine, holding thoughts she couldn't identify, and asked.

"I do have the right to make requests of you, Raye. You haven't forgotten, have you? You promised me."

Maintaining her tight embrace, Chris spoke with a firmness that Raye could feel even through the displayed words.

"Wait. You're not talking about... Are you sure you want to do this, Chris? Waste time on this instead of increasing the chances of capturing Hibiki Tachibana safely?"

Raye quickly realized what Chris meant. It was a promise she had made as a stopgap measure, believing Chris possessed enough perspective not to abuse it too badly.

"I'm sure. If an ordinary request won't make you rest, then I have to do this. What is it, Raye? Are you going to break the promise you made?"

Chris spoke firmly. Only at this moment did the scales between her ideals and desires tilt slightly toward her own desires. Perhaps they would pay a price for it later, but she did not regret it now.

To Raye, whenever Chris spoke, her warm breath slowly brushed over her body, disturbing her normally clear thoughts.

Honestly, time is so tight right now, and this girl Chris is still causing me trouble.

Raye tried her best to rein in her runaway thoughts and restore their rational glow.

Think carefully, Raye. What you should be doing now is using every means available to accomplish your goal as completely as possible.

The girl's body heat passed through their clothes and reached her body.

If I agree to this selfish request, it'll only delay the progress of "that."

Something slightly hot and soft settled on her shoulder.

More importantly, no matter how I look at it, I'm incapable of bearing these feelings right now. Just maintaining my own survival already takes everything I have.

A huge marshmallow, far larger than in the past, a sweet abyss too dazzling to look at, pressed tightly against her spine.

I have to refuse properly. I need to cut off this bond that should not continue at a time like this, without leaving any room for doubt.

A beautiful dream and a dazzling illusion appeared before her eyes. Like the song of a siren, happiness that drained the mind relentlessly corroded human resolve.

Finally, after a decision-making process that could only be called arduous, Raye once again firmed her resolve. Even if it temporarily hurt Chris, she had to protect the last fragment remaining in her heart and make the correct, rational choice, just as she always had.

"So, Raye, let's go. Today, I'm definitely going to help you relax properly!"

Then those words appeared before Raye's eyes.

[Huh?]

Her thoughts fell out of alignment in an instant, and her breathing stopped for the blink of an eye.

Raye quickly realized what had happened. Before her rationality could catch up, her rampaging spirit had already made her body respond.

Good morning—or perhaps I should say good evening.

I got up during the night, and since I was already awake, I thought I might as well finish writing.

The Movements of Each Side

Leaving aside the people who had begun wasting time day and night, over at Lydian Music Academy, Tachibana Hibiki's schedule had become somewhat more relaxed after she outsourced the reports. Although she still had to copy the study reports by hand, she no longer needed to expend what little brainpower she had.

This meant she could finally make some time for an ordinary academy life, temporarily putting battles and similar matters out of her mind, as long as she finished certain things ahead of time.

"Ah, this is wonderful."

Sitting at her desk, Hibiki Tachibana sighed happily as she continuously copied the words on her computer screen into her report notebook.

"Hibiki, what are you talking about?"

Kohinata Miku, who was helping her make the report, asked.

"Ah, nothing. I mean, it's wonderful that I have the chance to watch the meteor shower with you, Miku. I really thought it would be impossible no matter what."

Hibiki Tachibana smiled, and it was obvious that she was genuinely happy about it.

"Is that so? Then it really is something to be happy about. Speaking of which, Hibiki, how's the report they sent you coming along?"

Kohinata Miku nodded, then questioned the girl sitting beside her.

Half a day had passed since Hibiki Tachibana outsourced the report. As soon as classes ended at noon, the outsourcing agency had already packaged part of the study report and sent it to her with astonishing efficiency.

"Mm, don't worry, Miku. I've finished it. Copying it is easy."

Hibiki Tachibana confidently showed Miku her notebook. She treasured this opportunity immensely and absolutely would not let anything go wrong.

"That's good."

Looking at the notebook filled with Hibiki Tachibana's dense, wild handwriting, Kohinata Miku smiled warmly.

"Hahaha... Ah, right. Speaking of which, Miku, where are we going to watch the meteor shower?"

While still happy, Hibiki Tachibana suddenly thought of something and asked her best friend.

"Where...? Is it necessary to worry about that so early? There are still several days left."

Hearing Hibiki Tachibana's question, Kohinata Miku asked in puzzlement.

"It's fine to decide early, isn't it? Come on, tell me, Miku."

Hibiki Tachibana's expression stiffened slightly, but she still forced herself to ask.

She had been so busy nearly dying in her struggle with the study reports that she had completely forgotten Commander Kazanari's instructions to decide in advance where they would watch the meteor shower, so the Commander and the others could make preparations such as setting up defenses—things she didn't understand.

"Mm, let me think. I did some research. To watch meteors, we need to go to the outskirts, far from the city's light pollution. Considering that some famous viewing spots may be crowded, I think this place would be good. It's rarely visited, and there's an open space I know of."

Although she found it somewhat strange, Kohinata Miku opened the map application on the tablet she used for her studies and pointed out an open space in a forest outside the city to Hibiki Tachibana.

"Oh, we're going here? All right, I understand. Um, Miku, I have something to do. I'll leave for a moment."

Leaning over, Hibiki Tachibana firmly engraved the location Miku had pointed out into her mind before speaking.

"Now? All right, but remember to come back before class. Also, don't forget that the school has an important physical examination this Friday. At least don't disappear like last time. Even if you have something to do, tell me beforehand."

Watching Hibiki Tachibana's actions, Kohinata Miku understood that she was probably going to do something she couldn't tell Miku about. Somewhat helpless, she could only offer this reminder as well, lowering the chances that Hibiki would miss something important.

"Ah, I know. Um, Miku, I'm off. I should be back before lunch break ends."

Hibiki Tachibana nodded, immediately stood up, and ran out of the classroom.

Accompanied by a shout of "Tachibana, don't run in the hallway!", Hibiki Tachibana's figure vanished completely from Kohinata Miku's sight.

Deep underground, at the Second Division Headquarters, Genjuro Kazanari was holding a routine meeting. He was continuing discussions with the Main House regarding Raye and how to organize their subsequent actions.

"Then let us proceed according to this arrangement. We must use our full strength to annihilate that traitor to the nation within this inescapable net and reclaim the national treasure in his possession."

On the electronic screen in the conference room, an old man named Fudou Kazanari sat behind a desk and made this declaration.

"Understood. I will not fail you."

Genjuro Kazanari, standing in the conference room, immediately stepped forward and made this guarantee.

"Excellent. In addition, I have one question. What is the current condition of the key to everything—the bait meant to lure the traitor into the trap, the warrior who will delay his actions? Can she fulfill the roles of bait and warrior?"

After Genjuro Kazanari's assurance, Fudou Kazanari nodded. Then, maintaining a solemn expression, he asked this question.

"As for that... Well, there's no problem. I believe she can—"

Although he disliked the way the Kazanari Main House referred to Hibiki Tachibana, when faced with its questioning, Genjuro Kazanari could only temporarily follow their wording.

"Phew, phew... Master, we decided—ah, Master, are you having another meeting? Ahaha, I won't disturb you. I'll leave first."

Just as Genjuro Kazanari and Fudou Kazanari were negotiating, the conference room door was suddenly pushed open by a flaxen-haired blur—Hibiki Tachibana. She had just begun to speak, but after seeing the situation inside, she gave an awkward laugh and backed out the way she had come.

"...I see. So that is the bait. As bait, she is qualified. As a warrior, however, she still seems to require some polishing."

Apparently noticing the commotion in the conference room, Fudou Kazanari made this assessment as Hibiki Tachibana sheepishly withdrew outside.

"Tachibana... No, that's not the case. In fact, I've been giving Tachibana intensive training recently. Her strength has improved greatly compared with before, and she is fully capable of shouldering greater responsibility."

Genjuro Kazanari stopped concerning himself with the intruding Hibiki Tachibana and turned his attention back to the meeting.

"There is no need to defend her. I can judge for myself whether she is capable. You need not worry excessively about this matter. That concludes today's meeting."

Fudou Kazanari ignored Genjuro Kazanari's defense, simply left him with those words, and shut down the communication, ending the meeting.