Chapter Text
“I want you to trust me,” Soushi says to Kazuki once they are alone in his room.
The reason he brought him to his room is to talk to him about the expedition. He feels like it's wrong to keep this from Kazuki when it directly concerns him. Soushi is going to tell Kazuki that the reason that he can't go on the expedition is Kazuki's attachment to him.
“Trust you?” Kazuki asks, confused.
Soushi nods his head, then sits down. “I want you to trust me to handle myself,” Soushi confesses, his voice serious.
“Is this… about the expedition...” Kazuki's voice is careful. Soushi nods his head in response. Kazuki places his hand on his upper arm and averts his eyes away from Soushi. “I… thought it would be that… You want to go, but you can't because of me.”
Soushi doesn't want to word it like that, but in the end, that's the truth of the matter. Soushi isn't allowed to go on the expedition out of concern for Kazuki's welfare.
He stares at Kazuki and waits for his response. There's nothing Soushi can say to sugarcoat it. He doesn't think Kazuki will agree, but he feels like if he keeps this from him it would be wrong.
Soushi stares at Kazuki, waiting for him to say or do something. Kazuki just crosses his arms and lets out a defeated sigh.
“You can be an idiot sometimes, you know that?” Kazuki smiles wryly, then walks over to Soushi and sits down beside him. “You don't have to ask for my trust when you already have it.”
Soushi's eyes widen. He probably has been underestimating Kazuki. Soushi believed that Kazuki's feelings towards him would not allow him to leave him alone, but that's not the case.
Kazuki holds his hands together as he stares down at the floor. “I really don't have much of an opinion on the plan, or its safety, but if you want to go… I can't stop you, even if I want to.”
A part of Soushi wants to tell Kazuki that if he wants to, he definitely can make him cancel his plans to be a part of the team. For some reason, though, Soushi feels like Kazuki is aware of that.
Kazuki leans on Soushi's shoulder and continues looking down at the ground. “If you let anything happen to you, I won't forgive you.”
***
Soushi feels a sense of relief after his conversation with Kazuki. He's also happy to know that while he and Kazuki were talking, Maya and Canon settled things between each other.
So after a… short nap, Soushi sneaks out of his home and goes to search for Misao. If his memory is correct from his conversation with Karin during the festival, Misao is probably still hanging around his room.
Soushi uses the Alvis entrance in his backyard and calmly walks through the halls. Soushi feels a shiver as he realizes he forgot to grab a jacket. Maybe he should have changed out of his pajamas. Alvis is always too cold.
When Soushi reaches his room, he glances down at the vending machine opposite of his door and debates getting a can of coffee, but shakes his head and decides against it.
He enters his room and isn't surprised to see Misao curled up on his bed asleep. Soushi smiles wryly. He feels bad for leaving him, but a part of him thought Misao would just follow him. Is he waiting for permission?
Soushi softly sits on the bed and caresses the top of Misao’s head. “I'm sorry I left you,” Soushi mumbles.
Misao rolls over and stares up at Soushi. “You said you would come back, so I waited for you.” Misao smiles sweetly, which only makes Soushi feel worse. “Welcome back.”
“You can come with me to my new home, but there's something I need to ask you first.” Misao sits up and looks at Soushi curiously. “You've mentioned going to another island with humans correct?”
***
Morning arrives and Soushi has to face the fact that he has a lot of explaining to do. The first person he has to explain something to is Kazuki, who awakes to Misao sleeping between himself and Soushi.
Soushi's answer is straightforward and truthful. “I picked him up last night,” Soushi says. He doesn't bother to waste time telling Kazuki about the long talk they had since he's going to go over most of it when it's time for the meeting.
Kazuki looks at him with an expression of disbelief, before eventually smiling and letting out a sigh. Kazuki reaches his hand out and pats Misao on his head. “Good morning, Misao,” Kazuki says.
Soushi watches the two and assumes that explanation is enough.
After getting dressed, he leaves his room along with Misao and Kazuki. On the couch, Maya looks up from Canon's chest, which she appears to have been using as a pillow, then stares at Misao.
Misao is the first to greet her. “Hi there!” he says brightly.
Maya blinks at him, then smiles. “I was wondering how long it was going to take you to randomly appear here. Hi.”
Soushi lets out a breath of relief at the fact that Maya doesn't seem to mind, since she is the other resident of the house. With that done, time for business. “Maya, Canon, get dressed, we have a meeting.”
Maya looks a little annoyed by the order and immediately protests. “But we haven't even had breakfast!” Soushi chuckles at her reaction. He told her the other day that they are having a meeting today, so he doesn't know why she's complaining.
Soushi places a hand on his hip and looks at her with clear amusement. “We can eat after the meeting. It won't be long, so come on.”
Maya groans, but gets up anyway and pulls Canon along by her hand. Soushi tries not to look at the girl's attire or lack thereof. Maya has really been a bad influence on Canon.
Kazuki, who appears to have been doing the same thing as Soushi, turns to him and says, “Why don't we wait outside?” Soushi nods his head and is about to head for the door with Kazuki and Misao but remembers something important.
“Ah… you two go on ahead. I have to make a call,” Soushi says. Kazuki gives him a curious look as he exits but, doesn't voice whatever is on his mind.
Soushi goes to the phone and dials Koyo's number and waits for him to answer. He smiles when he hears his voice. “Koyo… could you come by the Alvis entrance near my place?” Soushi wants to tell Koyo about the change of plans along with Kazuki and the others as they head to the conference instead of waiting to tell him during the meeting. Koyo agrees, so Soushi hangs up the phone after telling him he'll see him there and leaves to meet up with Kazuki and Misao outside.
When Kazuki sees him, he looks a little disappointed. “I was hoping Maya and Canon would be with you,” Kazuki explains, upon noticing Soushi's confusion.
Soushi wants to give them the benefit of the doubt but… “I'm sure Maya is probably fooling around,” he says, and is almost immediately rewarded with a ‘playful’ smack on his shoulders.
“I was not!” Maya says in her defense as she glares at Soushi.
Soushi rubs the part she smacked with slight terror in his eyes and feels himself subconsciously stepping away from her and closer to Kazuki. Soushi starts to consider bringing Kazuki with him on the expedition as protection against Maya.
They continue to the Alvis entrance closest to Soushi's home. On the way there, Misao asks him why they don't just use the one they used the other night.
“Because we have to meet someone,” Soushi answers, earning confused stares from the group. He isn't going to bother explaining who because they are already close.
Soushi stares up at the sky and is about to start spacing out when he's drawn back to reality when he feels hands on his shoulder and a weight on his back. Soushi looks to the side to see Kazuki's face right by beside his.
Kazuki smiles at him. “I just wanted to cling to you,” Kazuki says, his tone cheerful.
Soushi feels his face heating up and looks away. “And you call me weird…” Soushi mumbles. He hears a small laugh from Kazuki at his comment.
There's a silence Soushi and Kazuki, but Soushi can hear the girls talking to Misao. The silence between them continues until Soushi can see the location in sight. “I accept your proposal,” Kazuki whispers into his ear before removing himself pushing Soushi forward.
Luckily, Koyo is close enough to catch him. Soushi looks up at Koyo as he starts to gather himself, and Koyo simply smiles at him, seeming just about as confused Soushi.
Soushi wants to question Kazuki's actions but instead shakes his head. “Let's go inside, I'll explain the reason I called you there,” Soushi says, then proceeds to head inside of Alvis.
The rest of the party follow him inside, and Soushi begins to explain why he wants them to hear the plan early.
“All of you that are with me now, excluding Kazuki, may very well be a part of the team, risking your lives. Therefore, I want you all to hear this new plan now, and if you all object, I won't propose this idea,” Soushi explains. The one walking beside him, Koyo, nods his head in understanding.
“So this way, you won't have to convince everyone to support a plan your own team doesn't support?” Kazuki says.
Soushi nods his head, then continues to explain the plan. “Misao found an island some time ago populated by former Neo U.N. forces. The leader of those people has agreed to give up the energy crystal as payment for Misao’s help.”
Maya crosses her arms. “If the people are trustworthy and not lying, then it sounds a lot more solid than the other plan,” Maya says.
Of course as she said the real problem is the if. Because if they aren't trustworthy, then this can be even more dangerous than the other plan.
“Regardless, the mission has risks. The only question is if the risk is something you all are willing to take,” Kazuki says. Soushi glances at him and sees him looking down at the ground.
They stop in front of the door to the meeting room and Soushi closes his eyes, then turns around and looks at everyone. “With that said, what do you all say?”
***
“The team will be going to a former Neo U.N. island base to retrieve the material we need to upgrade the barrier. Misao saved the people of this island some time ago, so they've agreed to hand over the item.” Soushi explains, then sets his tablet down. “The people on this island were betrayed by the Human Army. I understand you all may have some aversion to this plan, but I ask that you please cooperate.”
Soushi waits impatiently as he stares at everyone in the meeting room who looks at him with mild confusion.
“You changed the plan?” Fumihiko questions. He folds his arms and leans back with a sigh. “It sounds good, but what does your team think of it?”
Maya stands. “We support this change of plans,” Maya says, speaking for everyone else that is a part of the group.
Fumihiko looks at her, then turns his head to Orihime. “The final decision is yours.”
“I support it. Nothing will happen on the island while they are gone.” Orihime looks to Soushi and grins at him. “Soushi, why don't you tell them the other change?”
Soushi's eyes widen at her suggestion. He isn't surprised that Orihime knows about it. Soushi hadn't been sure when to mention it, but since Orihime has put him on the spot, it’ll be now.
“I'll also be joining the mission as Tatsumiyajima’s representative,” Soushi explains. He sees a few surprised looks, and doesn't miss Kazuki averting his eyes. “If anyone has a question or request, say it now.”
Shoko raises her hand and sits up. “I… I would like to join!” she says. Canon, Maya and Youko look at her in shock and Soushi frowns in response to her words. “I know I'm not allowed to pilot but… I have some medical knowledge, I could help if someone gets injured…”
Soushi considers it. Shoko has book smarts but little experience. She also has studied under Chizuru a lot, and despite the fact that she really is only a vet, she has been taught how to treat human injuries as well.
In complete truth, Soushi is almost certain she knows much more than he does. If anyone does indeed get hurt she definitely will be of use. However... “You'll be a liability. You won't be able to defend yourself.”
Shoko looks down. However, Koyo stands in her defense. “I'll protect her,” he says. Koyo stares at Soushi with determination and he feels a wry smile form as he looks at them.
Like a knight standing up for his princess, Soushi finds himself thinking. “Then Maya and Canon will be the only fighters.” Soushi wants to give them what they want, but he has to keep risk to a minimal.
“What if I come along?” Akira says suddenly. Soushi is taken off guard by his suggestion, but he doesn't really have to ask his reasons. Soushi's eyes drift to Maya then back towards Akira.
“If he's going, so am I!” Rina adds. Soushi wonders if her reasons are to protect her brother or something else entirely.
Soushi looks to Orihime. This feels like too many pilots leaving to be reasonable. Even so, Orihime smiles at him. “I allow it. Let them all go along, Soushi. Everything will go smoothly, and the island will be safe.”
Soushi is hesitant, but nonetheless says. “If the core allows it, then so be it.”
Shoko smiles happily, but her family and Maya don't appear to look so happy about his decision. Soushi isn't sure himself if this is such a good idea, but there's not much he can do.
“Meeting adjourned. We leave tomorrow morning, so prepare everything you will need.”
***
Soushi leans against a wall in Alvis break room and takes a small swallow of the drink in his glass. He makes a face at the subtle burn in his throat, then looks at the drink sullenly.
“I didn't know you drank. Soushi-senpai,” Seri speaks as she approaches him.
Soushi looks at her and smiles. “Not really.” Soushi holds the drink out towards her, offering her the rest of the wine. He sees her stare at rim of the glass before eventually taking it and having a small sip.
“This… is really strong.”
Soushi laughs lightly at her reaction, then stares out at the ocean beyond the large glass window. “Do you think… this mission is the right idea?” he asks.
Soushi is unsure of himself. He doesn't know if this mission is the right idea, or if maybe he needs to try harder and come up with something better and safer.
“I just can't shake the feeling that something is going to go wrong…” Soushi mumbles, then sees his glass held out in front of his face. Soushi looks at Seri curiously and she smiles at him.
“Orihime-chan believes everything will be okay, and this is a plan you came up with, Senpai, so I think you should believe in yourself,” Seri says.
Soushi stares at her in surprise. “Tatekami…” Something about her words gives him a sense of comfort, and he can feel some of his anxiety about the mission leaving.
Seri uses her free hand to grasp Soushi's hand and holds it firmly. “Kazuki-senpai isn't the only one worried about you. Make sure you do everything to protect yourself as well.”
Soushi's cheeks redden and he notices his face start to get hot. Soushi looks away from her, but doesn't pull his hand away. “I… understand.”
“Do you really?” Seri edges closer. “Soushi, look at me.” Soushi turns to her at the soothing yet commanding voice, and Seri lets go of his hand and holds up her pinky. “Promise me you will make sure to come back safely, so we can properly share a drink,” Seri says. Something about her tone is making it hard for Soushi to refuse.
He thinks about the way he acted towards Chizuru, when he was asking about if they can pilot. How he discarded feelings of his friends that care for him, then tentatively holds his pinky out as well.
Seri wraps her pinky around his and smiles. “Promise.”
Soushi nods his head. Even if he doesn't know what may happen on this mission. Even though he can't shake the ominous feeling in his gut. “I promise. I'll come back with everyone, no matter what.”
Despite how anxious Soushi feels, he wants to keep this promise. He wants to come back home and share a drink with Seri, and tell her about everything. He has to.