Sky Striker Ace, but Symphogear

"I need to buy a better camera so I can capture these precious memories."

With these thoughts in mind, Kohinata Miku walked towards the photography equipment store she remembered.

66..."

The female doctor, who seemed like an ordinary passerby, paid no attention to the female student she had just met. She simply took some food from the restaurant, found a secluded spot, sat down, and took out her phone.

[Mission complete. The device has been installed on Fusion Case No. 1. ]

[Understand and report on the specific task details.]

[Understood, action log has been sent.]

[Infiltrate... through official channels, as a medical examiner, into the Lydian Music Academy (√)]

[Trust Acquisition... Gain the trust of Biological Relic Fusion Case No. 1 through performance and forged documents (√)]

[Device installation... After gaining the trust of Fusion Case No. 1, taking advantage of the physical examination, the Relic Rampage Induction Device was secretly installed at the designated location (back of the neck) (prototype)()]

[Intelligence disguise... Through performance, prevent Fusion Case No. 1 from exchanging intelligence with others (√)]

[Evacuation... Mission accomplished. Evacuation of the Lydian Music Academy proceeding according to plan (in progress)]

[In conclusion, all for the sake of Kazanari, this is my final word.]

After transmitting the private information about san ling7mS through an information channel known to only a few people internally, the female doctor turned off the specially made privacy screen mobile phone and began to eat like a normal ordinary person.

P. S. Goodnight.

Chapter Ninety discusses the awakening.

After saying goodbye to Kohinata Miku, Hibiki Tachibana arrived at a conference room in the Second Division Headquarters. At this time, a considerable number of people had already gathered there, most of whom she did not recognize, either wearing police uniforms or military uniforms.

"Master, who are these people?"

Hibiki Tachibana, somewhat puzzled, went to her master, Genjuro Kazanari, who was sitting in the dominant position, and began to ask what was going on.

"Yes, Tachibana, you're here. These are the people who will be assisting us in the operation. We're here today to coordinate and discuss the operational procedures."

Upon seeing the somewhat hesitant girl approaching, Genjuro Kazanari briefly introduced the identities of the people around her.

"I see... Oh my, this is really terrifying. It seems there are some people we only see on TV. Are they going to provide support later?"

Looking at the group of people in the conference room, all exuding an aura from a completely different world, Hibiki Tachibana, who was witnessing such a scene for the first time, shrank back, somewhat at a loss.

"Don't be nervous, Tachibana. Tachibana with these people is my job. Just do what you can. And if Tachibana feel uncomfortable, you don't have to force yourself to stay here."

Seeing that the girl beside him was a little flustered, Genjuro Kazanari made this suggestion.

"Hey, but don't you need to discuss our next steps with me? Is it really okay if I'm not here?"

Hibiki Tachibana did want to leave, but she didn't want to shirk her responsibilities.

"As for that, Tachibana, you don't need to worry about it. As a combatant, your job only involves a small part. For now, Tachibana, you just need to know and remember the meaning of a few special signals."

Genjuro Kazanari explained that, after all, Hibiki Tachibana herself had not received professional training, and with her level of intelligence, she would not be able to understand overly complex tactical instructions.

"Ah, is that all?"

Hibiki Tachibana thought she would have something difficult to tell him, after all, it was Raye, and she had no idea what kind of hand she would have.

"After all, we can't possibly put a child like you, Tachibana, in any particularly complicated work. Here, Tachibana, these are the specific details. We've tried our best to explain Tachibana in a way that you can understand."

In response, Genjuro Kazanari, standing next to Shinji Ogawa as his assistant, simply said this before handing a illustrated notebook to Hibiki Tachibana.

"Ah, Mr. Ogawa, thank you very much. Since there's nothing else, I won't bother you any longer. I'll be going now."

After receiving the notebook from Shinji Ogawa, Hibiki Tachibana sensed that he would be very Hibiki Tachibana, so she decided not to bother him any longer and went outside to check things out on her own.

"Wait a minute, Tachibana, there's something else I think I should tell you."

Just as Hibiki Tachibana was about to leave, Shinji Ogawa suddenly called out to her.

"What's wrong, Mr. Ogawa? Is there anything you need me to do?"

Hibiki Tachibana, who was holding the notebook and about to open it, asked in confusion.

"Yes, I do have something to ask of you, Tachibana, but before that, I have some good news for you: Tachibana has regained consciousness."

With a smile on his face, Shinji Ogawa told Hibiki Tachibana some very encouraging good news: after half a month of treatment and recuperation, Tsubasa Kazanari, who had been seriously injured by the Swan Song, had finally woken up.

"Tsubasa... wait, Mr. Ogawa, you mean Miss Tsubasa woke up? When?!"

Upon realizing the information implied by Shinji Ogawa's words, Hibiki Tachibana's expression immediately became very excited, and she said this with great joy.

"Just last night, the doctor on duty found Yi conscious, and according to the latest information, Yi has recovered to the point where people can visit her."

Shinji Ogawa said with a smile, clearly pleased that Tsubasa Kazanari had recovered.

"That's wonderful, Miss Tsubasa is finally alright. So, is the matter Mr. Ogawa asked me to ask related to this incident?"

After the joy, what appeared in Hibiki Tachibana's heart was the feeling of a huge weight being lifted off her shoulders. Although the doctor kept saying that Tsubasa Kazanari was recovering very well, her coma still made people somewhat worried.

"Yes, you're right, Tachibana. To put it simply, now that Tsubasa has awakened, as her manager, I should have visited her immediately."

"But as you can see, Tachibana, because of today's operation, I really don't have the time right now. So, I hope you, who are closest to Tsubasa, can visit Tsubasa who has woken up on my behalf."

After being questioned by Hibiki Tachibana, Shinji Ogawa naturally explained his request and his reasons for doing so.

"Yes, I understand. I'll go right away. I'd also like to visit Miss Tsubasa. Well then, I'll head straight there. Goodbye, Mr. Ogawa."

Hibiki Tachibana naturally wouldn't refuse. She happily agreed to Shinji Ogawa's request, then left the room, carrying the illustrated notebook she had just received, and headed towards Tsubasa Kazanari's hospital room, which she was already very familiar with and visited almost every now and then.

"Ah, I'll leave Tachibana to you, Commander. I have some ideas about the construction of the defense perimeter."

Seeing that Hibiki Tachibana had already left, Shinji Ogawa simply said this and then discussed the details of the next operation with Commander Kazanari and many supporters.

In a white-themed room filled with the smell of disinfectant, a blue-haired girl lay flat on a white bed. On her right wrist, a tubing and needle were connected to an IV drip on a shelf.

This is Tsubasa Kazanari, who is recuperating here. At this moment, because her body has not fully recovered, she is lying flat on the bed, sleeping soundly with even breathing.

"... Kana?"

At this moment, the girl, who had been lying quietly on the bed, suddenly frowned slightly, and then, as if she were having a dream, uttered these words.

And she was indeed dreaming. It seemed that her brain, which had been exhausted for a long time, was finally getting a good rest. When she fell asleep, Tsubasa Kazanari's brain was always very active.

In reality, this means she's been having many dreams lately, and right now, Tsubasa Kazanari's consciousness is in a dream.

[Play?]

In the dream, Tsubasa Kazanari reached out his hand to the red-haired girl who was supposed to be unable to move, trying to grab her.

[Tsubasa, what are your thoughts now?]

The red-haired girl, seemingly right in front of him yet also seemingly far away, asked Tsubasa Kazanari this question.

[I've been fighting, honing myself, striving to defeat that guy who made Kanade unable to move that day!]

Faced with the phantom-like girl's question, Tsubasa Kazanari hesitated for a moment, then, as if trying to persuade someone, uttered these words.

[But no one has ever asked Tsubasa for this before.]

The phantom seemed to appear beside Tsubasa Kazanari Tsubasa Kazanari, embracing him and sending those words into his mind.

[I will definitely defeat her... Kanade, I will avenge you.]

As if emphasizing something, Tsubasa Kazanari made these words echo all around him.

[Ah, Tsubasa, is that really what you think?]

A dreamlike figure, a voice not heard for a long time—after Tsubasa Kazanari expressed this attitude, she asked Tsubasa Kazanari in a tone that was not one of joy, but of doubt.

[...]

Despite feeling nothing, Tsubasa Kazanari felt his pupils dilate considerably.

[Yi, no matter how much you try to deceive yourself, you were there at the time, you witnessed everything, you couldn't possibly not understand, could you?]

The red phantom slowly shattered before Tsubasa Kazanari's eyes, and a nonsensical phrase appeared in Tsubasa Kazanari's mind.

[But if I don't do this, what should I do...?]

As he pondered the ideas conveyed in her words, a brief moment of confusion appeared in Tsubasa Kazanari's eyes.

[Didn't you already understand, Tsubasa?]

The crimson phantom transformed into starlight before Tsubasa Kazanari, leaving behind these final words.

[ErjiuqPi6H9yibaliu, I understand... Do you?

"I understand... Er Er Yi Ling Ba Er?"

As she muttered to herself, the familiar ceiling appeared before Tsubasa Kazanari's eyes, making her realize that everything that had just happened was nothing more than a dream.

The blue-haired girl, dressed in a patient's gown, sat up in bed and silently looked out the window.

Sunlight slanted through the window, quietly illuminating the spotless white floor. Then, with reflections that were either mirror-like or diffused, it created a comfortable natural light environment for the entire ward.

"It seems like it's been a long time since I've simply rested like this, without thinking about any fighting or studying."

As Tsubasa Kazanari sat up, looking out the window at the familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar scenery due to lack of attention, this thought came to mind.

"After this rest, it seems impossible to get perfect attendance at school anymore, even though I've maintained it for a long time. I wonder if I can get a leave slip from the teacher."

The blue-haired girl, now relaxed and earnest, began to ponder these concerns and carefully consider the relevant matters.

"Miss Yi, I've come to see you!"

"Hey, don't be so loud, the patient is still resting."

"Oh, sorry, sorry, I'll keep my voice down."

Just then, as Tsubasa Kazanari, who had just regained consciousness, was considering this, a familiar, cheerful female voice came from outside the door, followed by a nurse's scolding and a girl's apology.

"Tachibana, have you come to visit me at this time?"

After recognizing the owner of that very catchy voice, Tsubasa Kazanari immediately understood the other party's purpose.

"Ah, Miss Yi, you're awake already?"

Just as Tsubasa Kazanari was thinking this, Hibiki Tachibana, carrying three or four fruit baskets, peeked out from the open door with a silly grin on her face.

"Um."

Tsubasa Kazanari replied simply, and at the same time, Hibiki Tachibana walked to Tsubasa Kazanari's side and placed the fruit basket she was carrying on top of the empty cabinet next to the bed.

"Um, Miss Tsubasa, thank you so much for what happened before. You used that power and paid that price to protect me. I'm truly grateful."

After setting down the fruit plate, Hibiki Tachibana thought for a moment, then thanked Tsubasa Kazanari very sincerely.

After reflecting on the battle, Hibiki Tachibana realized that if Tsubasa Kazanari hadn't been so determined to fight to the death and hadn't disregarded the fact that Tsubasa Kazanari had used Raye, her Swan Song, she might have been taken away directly.

It can be said that it was precisely Tsubasa Kazanari's determination to achieve victory even at the cost of his own life that prevented Miss Raye from moving freely through Second Division.

"Thank you? No need for that. I was just doing what I should do; it's my responsibility."

In response to Hibiki Tachibana's gratitude, Tsubasa Kazanari gave a very distinctive reply.

"Haha, Miss Yi, I knew you'd say that. But it's so good to see you're alright. By the way, would you like some fruit with me? The fruit here is delicious."

Hearing Tsubasa Kazanari's expected reply, Hibiki Tachibana smiled, pointed to the fruit basket on the side, and changed the subject.

While expressing gratitude was necessary, Hibiki Tachibana felt it would be better to talk about something lighthearted and not put pressure on Tsubasa Kazanari, since he had only just recovered.

"Fruits? Let me see what kinds there are... Hmm, this notebook..."

Upon hearing Hibiki Tachibana's words, Tsubasa Kazanari, who was sitting on the bed, turned her head to look at the fruit baskets that Hibiki Tachibana had brought. Then, she noticed a notebook in one of the fruit baskets that seemed out of place with its surroundings.

"This is your work notebook, right? Why are you carrying this, Tachibana? Are you showing it to me?"

Soon, Tsubasa Kazanari noticed that the notebook was the same style he used to record information at work.

"This isn't anything important, eh, Miss Tsubasa?"

When confronted by Tsubasa Kazanari's question, Hibiki Tachibana tried to change the subject, but before she could finish speaking, Tsubasa Kazanari, thinking it was about assigning her work, took the notebook, opened it, and began reading its contents.

"This notebook... Tachibana, what exactly happened? What are the plans for Operation Raye?"

Then, upon noticing the contents inside, Tsubasa Kazanari's expression changed drastically.

Although many abstract drawings and descriptions were included, Tsubasa Kazanari, who had been a combatant for many years, easily extracted the information and learned about the operation that Hibiki Tachibana was going to participate in next.

"Well, anyway, here's the thing... roughly like this..."

Seeing that she could no longer hide it from Tsubasa Kazanari, and in order to avoid worrying Tsubasa Kazanari, Hibiki Tachibana briefly explained the action she was about to take.