@Lost Heaven-san: Sasshi is a betrayer here. But the second group’s mission is to secure Sashihara so that the first group (Yuko and Sae) can enter the recruitment without being discovered that they are from the government.
Ah, you will be surprised with my next coming up about the mysterious sniper.
@Kuro_808: Yes. Yuko chose a bad time to retire by the problems that suddenly rose up. Sashihara knows everything nd that’s why NAMBE is interested in her cooperation.
@Ruka Kikuchi-san: *lightly pats you on the back*
@ atsukojiyuu_C- san: Thank you for your compliment. I’m glad that you’re looking forward to it
Ah, you haven’t seen what I got instore next for Yuko in this chapters and coming up…
Minna-san~ Well technicall I still have one more biology exams after this but since I'm so biased at what happened yesterday, I decided to type up the next chapter. Stil, I'm planning this would go less than 10 shots and this chapter is quite a long one.
Sorry for the bad English and enjoy~
Kyou made no Melody - Chapter 4
When I arrived at the base, it was still breaking dawn. I looked at my watch, I still got three minutes before the promised time to gather in the HQ’s basement. I shouldered my knapsack and grab my equipment case before heading down using the elevator.
When the elevator door opened, I saw Umechan standing inside with her equipment case which was bigger and thicker since it contained some heavy equipment for her mission with Kana later.
We didn’t spoke for a moment before she decided to break it off between us.
“So.. I guess this is it?”
“This is what?”
“The last time we’ll be in this elevator together before the mission.” Shrugged Umechan.
“Right…” I nodded.
“Tell me..” said Ayaka. “Is it always been hard for you? You know always sticking with the elites and keeping all the secrets?”
I froze, I instantly knew what she’s trying to say. It’s been eight years since I met Umeda Ayaka for the first time and she was already ambitious from the start. We were both put up the high score on target shootings and basic hand combat, making both of us rivals. But then I was often chosen for missions with the elites before eventually I became one of the elites.
For me to understand Ayaka was a bit of a challenge. Her ambition was too high for her that she sustained an injury during a mission, making her disabled for a year. But then once she recovered, she continued doing high level missions and finally was accepted to join a mission with the elites. I was happy for her that time, and so was Sae. She and Sae were closer than I was to her, they often took missions together until Sae was transferred to Shanghai branch and Umechan was left by the elites. Umechan was able to taste her dream, but then she was yanked out from it quickly.
“It was.” I began. “The danger was higher than anything you imagined. Especially when your loved one was doing the same thing as you, being in the same situation as you..” I said. Haruna was one of the elites of course, she was an elite from the very beginning along with Takamina, Miichan, Rie, and Sae..
Umechan laughed lightly, but I could tell she was in slight pain. “Haruna’s a great person you know. She learned medics quickly before starting to help Yukirin out in surgery.” She said. “But at the same time having her in my team was a bit uncomfortable for me at first since she’s older and a senior of mine.”
“But you did a pretty good job being a captain of the health department.” I said. “You can operate an extraction surgery in the wild.”
She curved a bitter smile without looking at me. Suddenly, I regretted what I said before. The last outdoor extraction surgery was just moments before Sayaka’s death..
“Yea..” she said. “But somehow I thought that was an excuse for the higher ups to kick me out of the elite.. Especially it was just after Sashihara’s betrayal and following after that was Sae’s transfer then Chiyuu’s death.”
I fell silence after hearing Kasai Tomomi’s nickname being spoken. She was our friend among the two of us and the rest of our old team mates, her image always bring a bit of sun in the cloudy days by her girly chat and the cheerful attitude she always put. No wonder Itano Tomomi loved her so much that after Chiyuu’s death, she stormed in to the enemy’s HQ and gunned down every single man there.
“You knew it, right..?” asked Umechan fiddling with her army tags hanging on her neck. “You knew the higher ups were tired of her and moved her to the strategy team then shoved her into a field mission without any warnings.”
I shook my head, “Umechan, listen to me. I don’t know what the higher ups were thinking about us! All they do was choosing people to be the elites then play them like toys, when they get bored they can always throw it out. I’m speaking on behalf of the elites, I don’t know about all these games they were plunging me..”
“But the worst thing about being an elite is the fact that you can never quit the elite without quitting the whole organization..” I spoke again.
“Is that another reason why you quit?” asked Umechan.
I nodded, “Haruna and I.. We’re both are tired of the higher ups treating the elites like puppets. Boss is also feeling the same thing, but she just kept it down for the sake of the younger agents. She doesn’t want any of them to feel the same thing as us..”
It was Umechan’s time to fell in silence, “I’m sorry for being such a pushy friend.”
“Don’t be.” I smiled. “I’ve had worse already.”
Then the elevator door slid open and revealed the basement. We walked out to the corner and found two vehicles provided for the mission. A green jeep and a black spots Ferrari with Kana and Sae were busy packing the baggage area.
I walked towards the Ferrari’s baggage and slid my bag and case. Sae nodded silently to me before walking towards Kana.
“We’ll take this route and we can stop over at this gas station to fill up the tank. From there, we can separate the way.” Said Sae pointing on a map laid out by Kana on the car’s engine. “You can go to the safe house from this hill while this one here..” she pointed on a road on the map.
“That leads to NAMBA’s recruitment gathering.” finished off Kana. “We need to keep an eye out for anyone tailing us later. I got a feeling somehow..”
“Right..” said Sae. “Kana, wait..” Kana turned back to her car before glancing back again at the Genking.
“I’m sorry for keeping it away from you.” apologized Sae. “I should’ve made it so all of us can find out the truth from the start..”
Kana threw a relieved smile, “It’s okay. I’m sorry too for being such a kid yesterday..” she said. Then she looked at me and Ayaka, “I’m sorry for being such a kid and blaming you guys..”
“It’s alright..” I said approaching Kana. “We are commanders right..?” I asked her as I snaked my arm to her shoulder.
“Commanders forever.” Smiled Umechan doing the same thing to Sae before doing it to me.
“Like the old times?” asked Kana. The three of us nodded with smiles without further discussion.
“Shall we do it then?”asked Sae. “Our eight years of tradition?”
“Yes.” I smiled. Now the four of us has formed a circle by holding to each other’s shoulders, reminding me in the old days when many of our friends were still alive. A little flash back appeared in my eyes; Umechan’s, Kana’s, and Sae’s younger face.
Then when I blinked my eyes, it’s still there. But, the three faces has aged since those days with the same smiles.
“TEAM K, YOSHA IKUZO!!”
“OIII!!!”
===================================================================================================
“I’m sorry.” I began after about an hour of silent drive with Sae on the wheel. “I’m sorry for letting them kicked you to Shanghai.”
The Genking just smile looking at the front view, “It’s alright. I’ve been noticing they’re tired of me being the overly repulsive one in the elites.”
“You are not!” I retorted straight away. “Although you are a little too hyperactive..”
“Well, that’s where my nickname ‘Genking’ from.” Shrugged Sae. “It was good though to get casted away a bit to Shanghai, fresh air and many other new excitements.”
“Sae..” she glanced a bit at me but still focusing on the road. “Why is it you’re so persistent about Sayaka’s death?”
Sae bit her lips, “I guess I just don’t want Sayaka to feel betrayed to, I supposed..”
“Betrayed?”
“I was already about to let go about her death and was about to go to Umechan to talk to. Until then she suddenly called me to check out a bullet she pulled out, then I told her it was from a sniper.”
“She was shocked and was soon crumpling in tears. I asked her what’s wrong, she didn’t want to tell at first. But then I begged her to tell me..”
“Then she told you that she pulled it out of Sayaka’s body.” I finished off. “I thought it shot through her chest..”
Sae nodded briefly, “There were three wounds on her back. One was the one that injured her first..”
“The one that Kana and Umechan opearated on.. Then?”
“One that shot through her chest.” Said Sae with a rather shaky voice but she kept it cool somehow and only gripped the wheel a bit tighter. “And another one just below her nape, finishing her off entirely.”
“I..” I don’t know what to say. From how Sae explaining it all, I knew she was dead serious in this case. The SaeI knew was silly and very playful, but when it comes to serious talk, she can be the second one after Takamina. And the way she just talked then was damn serious.
“I don’t want Sayaka to look down on us because we don’t know what’s the truth about her death.” said Sae. “I want to revealed it all, entirely.. After that then I can be at ease and so does Sayaka..”
“You can never forget her, eh?” I asked. “You loved her so much that you simply closed your heart to anyone else.. I feel a bit sorry to Mariya now..”
“You mean Yannu?” asked Sae. “Erm I guess she’s a sweet person.. But..”
“She can never take Sayaka’s place right?” I asked softly and she simply answered with a silent nod.
===========================================================================================
No One’s POVBy the time they arrived at the appointed gas station, it was already lunch time. Yuko and Sae got out of the car which they parked close to the other car.
“It’s lunch time now, what would you like? Maybe I can find something good from the store there.” said Sae.
“I’ll have a club sandwich if they have one, if not I’ll just have anything.” I said.
“I’ll have a hamburger.” said Kana. “How about you?” she asked Umechan.
“Not sure..” said Umechan. “I’ll just come with you to the store.”
Sae hesitated for a second but then she saw Umechan’s glare to the genking, signaling that Yuko needs to talk to the other girl without them around. Sae nodded before Umechan dragged her towards the store.
Knowing what the other two were giving, Yuko sat next to Kana on the car’s engine.
“I’m sorry, Kana.” She began.
“For..?” asked Kana without looking at her as she drank her coke.
“For being secretive I suppose..” said Yuko. “It’s just that.. “
“I know..” she threw the can to the trash bin. “I don’t deserve to know it.”
“It’s not like that!” retorted Yuko. “It’s just that-“
“Stop it Yuko.” said Kana as she flashed a calming smile to her. “It’s alright, you don’t need to explain more than you need. It’s okay, I understand..”
“Kana..”
“I know I won’t make it to the elites anymore. Well I experienced it once when Acchan switched with Uchida and I think that’s already enough for me. The secrets and all the pressures as elites.. I realized that it’s not something that everyone wants.”
“And I guess that goes the same to me. Anyone else should fill in the position of elites or maybe you captaincy later in team K.”
“What are you planning to do then?” asked Yuko.
Kana looked at the sky with a weak smile, “I guess I’ll guide the younger once. You know, not as captain despite my seniority is the same as you, Umechan, and Sae. But more like an older sister to the younger members that will be potential for the elites later.”
I looked at Kana in awe. The younger Kobayashi Kana I knew instantly has been replaced with a much matured one. She has completely grown out from that irresponsible character of hers and become a better senior for the others. The sweat she produced for years has made her one of the toughest one to beat in mission records, more than 500 missions ranged from level D to A has been done by her.
“I’ll miss you so much, Kana.” Yuko pat her back before giving her a hug. It’s been hard for Yuko to leave honestly when it comes to reasons about Kana. She’s been hurt so much by Yannu’s transfer and Sayaka’s death, two of her precious friends gone in just a short time.
“I’ll miss you too, Yuko.” Whispered Kana back to Yuko’s ear.
“KYAAA!!”
The two of them immediately broke our hug and once and turned to the source of the voice. Yuko looked at the other girl who nodded and dashed off to the source of the voice. They stopped at the toilet building nearby, a girl was being dragged by a bunch of boys towards the toilet.
“Come on, we just want to have some fun~” teased one of the boy as he clenched to the girl’s fist.
“Let go of me!!” yelled the girl struggling to break herself free. The boys behind her were pushing the girl towards the toilet.
“What’s with the rush? Having fun wouldn’t hurt right..?” asked the other boy nuzzling the girl’s neck from the back.
“Kyaaaa!!”
“That’s enough, boys.” said Yuko loudly, gaining their attention. “Let go off her.”
“Oh look, someone else seems want to have fun too.” said one of the boys with a big grin. “Seems like it’s a nice day with girls coming for you.”
Yuko clenched her fist, “There’s no hell in the world I’d fuck with you, boys. Now, let go off her.”
“What if we don’t want to?” asked the boy again. He grabbed the struggling girl’s chin and raised it high. “She’s chubby but still fine enough. While you and your friend seemed to fine as well.”
“Disgusting.” spat Kana. “If you think you got the dick for it, then go for it.”
“Alright then..” said the boy licking his hungry lips. “Hold her tight while I-“
Yuko punched him right in the nose by the time he turns back to her, making the boy fell on his back as he holds to his bloody nose. Roaring in pain, the boy signaled for the others to join in.
Yuko kicked the first one coming by the chest then punched him right in the guts. Kana joined in and caught one of the boy’s incoming fists before slamming her foot to the boy’s head before then pushed the boy off to Yuko to give a finishing touch by giving a kick straight on the center.
“Still got the dick for it, huh?” asked Yuko crackling her knuckles loudly and bared her teeth to them.
The wounded boys scrambled up, “We’ll get you for this!!” before then ran away.
“You’re okay?” asked Kana approaching the shaky girl. The girl nodded and her eyes brightened up as she looked behind Yuko and Kana.
“Airi!!” she dashed off to the incoming older figure and hugged her tight. “Airi!! I’m so scared!!!”
“I’m sorry, Ojou-sama..” said the figure to the girl. Then she looked at the two other girl, “Thank you so much for saving my Ojou-sama.. Those boys managed to locked me at the store’s storage room at the back.. If no one comes.. I don’t know what will happen to Ojou-sama..”
“It’s alright.” said Kana. “We gave those boys a good round of lesson and they should not bother you again.”
“Thank you.” said the younger girl letting go off her hug. “Thank you for saving me from those boys.”
“You’re welcome.” smiled Yuko to the girl. “Boys are jerk creature being after all.” winked Yuko and made the girl laughed.
After several bows and thank you, the two of them left towards their car. Yuko and Kana watched their car getting back to the road as Sae and Umechan walked towards them with food in their hands.
“What happened? We’re missing something?” asked Sae cautiously. “Wait is that blood there??” she pointed to a dark spot on the ground where Yuko broke the boy’s nose.
“What did you guys just do honestly?” asked Umechan handing Yuko her lunch and followed them back to the car.
“Kicking ass.” answered Yuko simply as she munched her food. “We’re separating after this right?”
Umechan nodded, “Take care you guys, we’ll contact you once we got Sashihara out.” She said offering a high five to Yuko which then was answered back.
“And we’ll contact you once we got the bugs set then.” said Sae punching knuckles with Kana.
“Let’s go.” said Yuko casting her wrappers to the bin.
=========================================================================================
NAMBA HQSayanee threw back the folders she just read to the table in front of her and relaxed her back to the comfy chair. She has read the stack of files on her deck for the last hours, applications to join one of Japan’s feared group of course are in huge piles on every recruitment day.
“When are they all coming?” she asked her secretary and her torture expert whom settle a cup of tea in front of her.
“Probably around four o’clock.” answered Kei simply. “I know you’re bored Sayanee, being a successor of NAMBA must been boring.”
“Totally.” Scoffed Sayanee. “But my father has bared upon NAMBA from it’s roots, I can’t let him down by letting NAMBA down. “
“Why don’t you contact Milky now?” asked Kei. “See if she knows who’s the mice coming.”
“Good thinking.” Said Sayanee. “I hope she’s not quite busy..”
Sayanee pressed Milky’s contact and it connected her to her girlfriend after a few rings.
“Sayanee~ I miss you~”“Miss you too, Milky.” Smiled Sayanee. “Listen, lemon contacted Kei and said that there might be mice coming to the recruitments. Is that true?”
Sayanee could hear Milky giggled a bit,
“Yes there will be some. I’m only sure about two people that are coming though.. Not sure if they’re sending more than that.”“Can you tell me the names?” asked Sayanee.
“Umm…” hummed Milky.
“How about if you guessed it yourself, nee?”“Hee??” whined Sayanee. “Why??”
“Just want to make it much fun.” Said Milky.
“Either you figured it out yourself or you should ask Sashihara to point it out.”“I guess you’re right..” said Sayanee. “The problem is Sashihara is one difficult case. She’s setting a hard condition if we want her to cooperate.”
“Hee? I never heard my dear NAMBA leader giving in to a captive’s deal.” commented Milky.
“Let’s just say she convinced me by the informations I needed.” Said Sayanee. “A traitor like her is actually a good source of information I need and a hard one to catch. No wonder she’s a troublesome human.”
“What did she told you?” asked Milky.
Flashback…Keicchi pushed the door to her special room and let Sayanee came in first before she followed in. The leader’s eyes caught a figure chained up between two metal poles, the figure slumped with the chains supporting her body so it doesn’t touch the ground.
“Sashihara Rino.” Called Sayanee clearly. The figure raised it’s head a little, revealing some bruises she received beforehand on her face.
“Yamamoto Sayaka of NAMBA Group.” Spoke Sashihara. “Pleased to finally get to meet my new savior.”
By the time Sashihara finished her sentence, Keicchi’s fist landed to her stomach, making Sashihara to spit some blood which then splattered to the floor.
“What? It’s true that anyone that wants me have to keep me alive.” Croaked Sashihara with a weak grin. Sayanee pressed her lips together in sign of being convinced.
“I want information,Sashihara.” Said Sayanee. “A few years ago, Yamamoto Osamu, the first leader of NAMBA Group was assassinated. Who are the people involved in it?”
“Hmph..” Sashihara smirked. “Daddy’s little girl is seeking for revenge isn’t it, eh? You are one strong young lady, Miss Yamamoto.”
Then she received herself another punch on the chest by Keicchi who seemed to know when was best time to launch the assaults on the poor girl. Sayanee stopped her assistant’s action by holding her fist.
“I am the new leader of NAMBA Group, and you are a guest here, Sashihara.” Reminded Sayanee coldly. “I do not want to treat you badly, so you better start telling me things.”
“I will in conditions.” Smirked Sashihara. “I heard that there will be mice coming to this place eh?”
Sayanee’s raised her eyebrows in interest. “I knew it. I have ears everywhere in places you could never imagined after all.” Continued Sashihara.
“So what if there are?” asked Sayanee. “What are you intending to do?”
Then Sashihara told her a plan. Sayanee listened in anticipation and when Sashihara finished presenting it, Sayanee fell silenced.
“Second, I know you have your allies undercover.” Said Sashihara. “Tell me who they are.”
“Boss that’s too-“ Keicchi cuts off but was immediately stopped by sayanee herself.
“Why do you want to know?”
“I know about Yokoyama and Shinoda’s fate in your hand.” Began Sashihara.”and I bet there is at least one person in undercover and tell you who is it that they sent here. I bet it hurts you when they said that Yokoyama was siding with the government despite you’ve put so much trust to her.”
Sashihara smirked when she saw a flash of annoyance on Sayanee’s face which was managed to be solved quickly by the boss herself.
“I know you’re looking for someone trust worthy and I know just the one who’s sick and tired working there. It’s fine you don’t want to tell me who it is you got there, but tell them to look at folder case number 23082014. I’ll tell you, she’s the one behind that case”
“And so is there any other specific reason on why I should have ‘this person’ on my side?” asked Sayanee coldly.
“Yes, because she’s looking for the same person that you were looking for. The same person that killed her family was the same as the one that killed your father. You can use her.”
“Isn’t it much more simple if you can tell us who did it?” asked Sayanee. “Who killed my father?”
“I owe that kid an explanation and I think it’s better when you two meet up and getting the entire explanation from me at the same time since you both looked for the same thing. So maybe you two can figure out a good plan getting rid of that person.”
“Fine.” Said Sayanee after a pause to think. “I’ll hold that words of yours, Sashihara.”
“Sayanee!” protested Kecchi. “Aren’t we trusting her too much?”
“Trusts are something trade able these days, Jonishi.” Said Sashihara. “It’s not something to be created by fore but more like something traded by something else.”
“Now, tell me the name of the kid.” Said Sayanee patiently.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Hee?? Are you sure Sashihara said that??” asked Milky.
“Un. I want you to look for the folder and read it, Sashihara said that she’s the one behind that case which is written in the folder. Contact me when you’ve got it.” Instructed Sayanee.
“Then when all of these are done, will I come back?” asked Milky.
“Yes you will.” Said Sayanee. “Bring the kid and lemon back here, and of course your everything too.”
“My body and soul are forever yours, Sayanee~” said Milky with a flirty tone on the line.
“I know.” Smiled Sayanee. “That’s why you should come back so I can claim it once and for all.”
“I miss you, Sayanee.”“I miss you too Milky.”
“That’s one lovely session on the line, Sayanee.” Commented Keicchi with a smirk. Flustered, Sayanee turned her face towards the windows in her office.
“Any other news?”
“Jo is coming.” Said Keicchi. With that said, suddenly the office’s door burst open and Sayanee was quickly tackled into a tight hug.
“Whoa there!!” yelled Sayanee in enjoyment and ruffled the girl whom just tackled her. “Jo!! It’s great to see you!!”
“Sayanee~ It’s been a long time since I see you!! You’re getting much more pretty with that short haircut you got there.” said the girl with a happy grin. Sayanee couldn’t help but to smile back to and gave a slight nod to the other incoming figure.
“Airi.” Said Sayanee shortly. “I see you’ve been taking care of Jo so well here. She’s even taller than me now!”
“I know..” said Airi. “Ojou-sama has grown pretty drastically these days..”
“Ne ne, Sayanee..” said Jo letting go of the hug and looked around. “Where’s Milky?”
“Ah, Milky has been going on some business trip to the city side.” lied Sayanee. “She’ll probably back by next week.”
“Sasuga! You two are such an amazing partner doing the family business, eh?” exclaimed Jo. “I can’t wait to work with you guys one day!”
“Wait you want to work here?” asked Sayanee. “I think you would do better as a nurse or doctor, Jo.”
“Mweh~ Why? Biology class are too boring to me. I want to work with you guys instead!”pouted Jo.
“Etto…” Sayanee looked at Keicchi for help. Luckily the assistant knew the signals given.
“Well, whatever you want to be later, we’ll talk about it later. Come on now, Sayanee is still working and there will be some business visitors coming soon. You wouldn’t want to see that right?”asked Keicchi as she pinched Jo’s cheek.
“Un..” nodded Jo as she went to the door. “Airi, you’re coming?”
“I need to talk with Airi a bit, Jo.” Smiled Sayanee. “Keicchi will go with you. I think Momoka got some nice things baking in the kitchen this afternoon.”
“Whoaa!!” exclaimed Jo excitedly and dragged Keicchi out. “Let’s go!!!”
Sayanee laughed in enjoyment and nodded at Keicchi when girl closed the door, leaving the NAMBA boss with Airi.
“I bet you must been sweating when Jo said she wants to work with the both of you.” Smiled Airi.
“You bet.” Sighed Sayanee. “There’s no way I’m going to let my cousin being tainted in this dirty business.”
“But you continued anyway.” Said Airi.
‘I have no choice, I’m my father’s successor on his will.” Said Sayanee blankly. “I won’t let Jo carried up the same burden as mine.”
“You are one wise big sister.” Said Airi with a tone of approval. “No wonder everyone calls you Sayanee.”
“So..” said Sayanee turning the topic. “Any trouble going here?”
“A bit lost on the road thanks to stupid GPS but we managed.” shrugged Airi. “The gas station was a bit troublesome.”
“What happened?” asked Sayanee.
“There’s a gang lurking there and they took Jo from me and nearly raped her.” Said Airi. “I’m sorry for my weakness.”
“HEE??” Sayanee’s eyes widened. “You said ‘nearly’ there. Is there someone else whom saved her?”
“Yes.” Said Airi. “There are two girls who seemed pretty good in combat and they really kicked the ass out of those boys.”
“Two girls?” asked Sayanee in interest. “I should thanked them one day. You have any idea where they’re going?”
“It seems like they’ll be joining your recruitment this year.” Said Airi. “Two tough girls wouldn’t travelled here in the middle of nowhere for nothing.”
“Hmm… I guess so..” said Sayanee. “You should pointed it out who are they once I gather the entire participants.”
“Sure do.”
=======================================================================
“You have the file?” asked Milky. Standing in front of a train station, far away from the HQ. It’s too risky after all to share information despite they are still working in the same place.
“Yes.” Said a girl under an umbrella handing a brown document. “I had a bit of trouble from Kikuchi and Sato, but I managed to ease it.”
Lemon received the document and signaled the other to enter a small café. They settled down in a private room and opened the document.
“This…” said Milky in astonishment reading the file. “That girl did this?!”
“Do not underestimate her, Milky.” Chuckled the other girl. “I checked out her sniping record and she would come to the second place in accuracy distance after Maeda Atsuko herself.”
“That’s one amazing record indeed.” nodded Lemon. “Sashihara sure knows which one seemed to be trusted well enough.”
“Yes..” said Milky. “Come on now, let’s look for the person behind this case then.. The assassination of Akimoto Sayaka.”
Topic: Cometerz48 OS Stash: Kyou made no Melody - Chapter 10 (Read 39145 times)