Deviation Actions
Literature Text
9. DRAGON DARK SOUL
After a long trip by an old driving friend - Kuromorimine Academy, the boys from Naha Academy were returned with the people graciously welcoming them home. The tank crews had brought honor and glory, they're now being known for the victory against a famous academy like Kubinka Academy, especially on their home. Standing on the deck, recently Kurogane sees some of his men standing down at the piers. The blood vendetta finished, the fishes were on the frying pan without a single scratch. Let the presses yelling and some small conferences by the cops, everything was set and successful. Kurogane did his revenge for his boss, also playing with Soujirou that he didn't involve inside such matters. Looking to the students of Kuromorimine, they look so sad. The Okinawan commander soon realizes the thing he predicted for long: their defeat against Oarai. With all of his men talking about the defeat of that girl academy, Kurogane chooses silence, instead. Simple, he's the one who behind all of this due to his hacking for intels. Yet his men sympathize for their commander's usual silence.
The ship ports and the tanks sealed with the symbol of Naha Academy steadily march back to their sweet home. During waiting for his ride going out, Kurogane sees Maho coming up close to him. She says:
-Ryukou!
The Minotaur commander faces the girl silently. With Maho, that's enough for her to continue:
-You don't have anything to say with an old friend?
Kurogane shrugs:
-I prefer for the past sleeping tight deeply in my heart!
Maho frowns:
-You'd changed this much?
-How did I?
A cold question from Kurogane. The commander from Kuromorimine sighs with some kind of sadness on her brows. She answers that question:
-You did. Much as I know! From a boy with a golden heart to a man who ignores everything around him. Don't you see it?
Kurogane looks into the clear blue sky, sending into it a sorrowful sigh. Then, he turns back to Maho:
-I'm just seeing myself older!
Maho shakes her head:
-You are just losing yourself, Kurogane!
Those words made the young man thinking. Putting his ignorance away, he backs to his business with Maho:
-I'd heard the news of Oarai!
-So how fast the rumors?-The Kuromorimine commander shrugs-But in honor of Senshado, I congratulate you for gaining the access to the Finals!
-Isn't that you and your girls looking to my boys as gays?-Kurogane asks.
Suddenly, Maho frowns strongly towards her male counterpart. She answers:
-When did you follow the crowd, Kurogane? I'd never looked you and your crews as gays. Even, I'm respecting for your valor!
-What do you mean?-Ryukou tests his old friend.
-After my defeat against my sister, I'd watched your battle at Siberia! You'd commanded well. A role model for everyone to obey and follow you orders, also inspiring their morale anytime! With everything you have, deserved to gain an apprenticeship from our clan!
-So.-Kurogane shrugs-You are recruiting me to your side?
Maho rejects that question:
-Just my opinion, everything rest is up to you! I think, you're still a disciplined and devoted man as you used to. If my mother meet you, she must be gladly to be your personal instructor!
Kurogane smirked, but it's soon broke into laughter. He'd never thought himself to be so worthy like that. But with the further visions, the Naha commander gently replies:
-Please tell your mother. I'm deeply appreciate for her attention to me. But I refuse!
-Why?-Maho surprised.
The young man shrugs:
-I don't mean to involve in your family matter. But even she's failed to hold her daughter back, how could she do the same with another apprentices!
Maho feels a little annoyed due to Kurogane's involving in her family matter. But, she can't argue that fact, even though how hurt it is. It's still his own decision, Kurogane doesn't want to waste time hearing anymore persuasion. The unload finally finished, the whistle warns everyone from Naha Academy who remains on the deck must leave ASAP. Handshaking for the last time, the old friends leave their words:
-I'll miss you! And hope for a day we could find a good duel!
-Me too!
Then, Maho whispers into Kurogane' ear:
-And don't even think I'm a fool after what you did to my laptop!
The male commander paled, so his old friend found it. Then, Maho leaves with her assistant. Taking his luggage, Kurogane goes down to the pier. Stepping back to his homeland, he sees families who are welcoming their sons, their grandsons, great grandsons, sibblings,.etc. for the return. Sighs, he then lurks into the crowd and intend to be home.
-Oi, Kuro! Want to eat alone one more time?
It's Ken from behind. Not only the loader, but the whole crew. They say:
-We want to go to your home for a small celebration party!
That's enough for Kurogane. He feels touched with a small natural smile.
...
After a while walking and talking about anything from up above to down below, the crew made it back to Kurogane' house. Opening the door, the commander suddenly sees a pair of girl shoes neatly put at the step. Suddenly, his joy flushes away, replacing it is the darkened face of anger. Quickly, Kurogane puts the shoes on top of the garbage can instead putting it inside. This action led into a question from his friends. Groaning, the commander tries to find a reasonable answer:
-I'm just throwing some garbage!
With some whispers from Soujirou, Ken, Nihou and Hajime know what had brought Kurogane into such strange actions, especially to a girl who's still unknown inside his house. Walking through the living room, the rest of the room can now straightly see the reason for all of these: Ruko. Seeing her brother, the girl with her uniform politely bows:
-You're home, Onii-chan!
Kurogane rushes into kitchen in silence with bags of fresh food to prepare the dinner. Stepping into the living room, the Minotaur crew surprised when seeing Ruko, then they gather around her for many questions.
COP!
A slam into the table which shocked everyone. They sees Kurogane bringing the tea table up, looking to everyone except his little sister:
-I'm preparing the food. Please wait a little!
Everyone inside the room pays attention to six cups, with a special decorated one labelled as "Ruko" at its bottom. At least Kurogane didn't refuse all his care for Ruko, whispered by the crewmen to avoid pissing their commander off. Pouring the tea for Ruko first, Hajime gently asks after having sipped a little:
-So you are now having a break to go home, right?
Ruko politely nods:
-Hai! I'm now having a one-month break for our academy organizing Senshado Conference!
-Senshado Conference? We received nothing from this!-Soujirou surprised.
-It's the special conference for female Senshado.-Ruko answers-During that time, not only parading, drilling and friendly matching, the conference will vote for the best academy of the year, too!
-But how can you go home?-Nihou asks-You're supposed to attend that conference, right?
-Ah!-Kurogane' sister says-Motoko-sempai I'd deserved a rest due to my dedication in Senshado. She said that she will nominate me into the list of the best commanders!
At the kitchen, Kurogane hears all. He stays silent for a while then focuses back into slicing the meat. The Minotaur crew is happy with such news, Ken congratulates Ruko:
-Cheers! No one pays any attention to us even though how many sweats we have spilled on the battlefield. But only after months meeting you again, you're being nominated as the top commander!
-Kuro-kun...-Soujirou intends to say something, but some kind of interference stopped him.
-Onii-chan what?-Ruko doesn't get it.
Thinking for a while, the gunner continues:
-Kuro-kun must be proud of you, if that thing wasn't happen...
-That thing...-The girl knows what it means. She feels sad a little, which made the rest of the crew Minotaur surprised; she's changing her mood swiftly as her brother. From the hallway, the commander wearing a white apron bringing a plate of food with six bowls. He says:
-I'm still in busy with the hotpot and the soup. Except fried fish, please take a little all of them into my bowl, next to Soujirou!
That plate stuffed with delicious food, its decoration is attracting, too. "Itadakimasu!" as the room sounds. Everyone inside this room knows how can Kurogane cook well, they're tested him during the meeting with Oarai before. While the crew commander is busy with the cooking, Ken curiously asks:
-Why Kuro say no to fried fish? It's way too delicious!
Ruko blushes with that question. She can't answer clearly:
-Because...Onii-chan hates fried fish because of me!
-Why?
Soujirou helps his brother' little sister telling her story with Kurogane. When Ruko was going into adolescence, she tried cooking. But tragically, her food poisoned Kurogane many times when he's the only one being the judge. And in one of those, fried fish was the most deadliest which made her brother suffering 99/100 times knocked out and could have been killed if this neighborhood didn't have a pharmacy. Hearing this, the crew Minotaur paled, at least they were luckier than Kurogane. Ruko immediately reassures the boys:
-It's just a history. Before going to Kyoto Academy, my cooking got well enough! Thanks to Motoko-sempai, now I can cook much better than what Soujirou-san said!
How could that girl gain a bond of trust to the crew since her poisoning skill is too remarkable which from time many assassins attempted and died under Kurogane. After a while, the man of everyone was back with the hot soup and also the hotpot. "Feel free, guys!"; Just following the usual, he then focuses eating at the price of ignoring everyone around him. The crew with Ruko continue the dinner. Till his belly is full, Kurogane takes his bowl and leaving some words:
-Sorry for leaving you guys here because of bowls and dishes needed to be washed right now. Please finish anything remaining here, don't waste them!
Ken intended to hold Kurogane, but Hajime stopped him after receiving a wink from Soujirou. No one recalling him, the commander heads back to the kitchen. Before getting into the washing business, he sips a can of coffee taken from the refrigerator. The dinner have finally finished but sadly, though trying their best, but there're still remaining leftovers. Kurogane doesn't blame everyone, he silently takes them at another side while dirty dishes at another side. Going to the table at the kitchen, with the dishes and bowls inside the sink, he slowly deals with the leftovers. Everything down here progresses in silence, without witness it could remain invisible.
"Suddenly, Kurogane' head flashes back. At the time he's seeing, a 13-years old Ruko was trying to be a good housewife after a dinner between the siblings. Though only two of them stay at home, but this was warm enough, like a small family. Suddenly, she's slipped a dish down to the floor and got cut during picking up the shards.
Immediately, Kurogane worryingly grabbed Ruko' bleeding hand. He sucked into the cut before wrapped it with band-aid. The little sister touched by her brother's action, she then leaned into Kurogane..."
This kind of flashback helped nothing but nearly slipped away another dish out from Kurogane' hand at present. His head hurts terribly when the old memories come back though he tried to forget, making him dizzy. Staying calm for a while, he sighs, then returns till his work finished.
...
The dinner went through and the chit-chat goes next. Till the boys saying goodbye, Kurogane stays silent. When the door closes, Ruko says:
-Onii-chan...
The commander doesn't have anything to talk with his sister, he rushes into his room and locks tight. Standing before Kurogane's room, Ruko says:
-I know you're still being angry about me, but please let me talk!
-Who doesn't allow you to talk for begging please like that!
It's only a blunt and annoying answer from her brother. But, Ruko keeps talking:
-Onii-chan. Are you not accepting my apology?
But, the answer from Kurogane is the same with the previous:
-I'd never thought that you have anything wrong to me for apologize?
The girl changes her topic:
-But I want to ask you something!
-So what?
Suddenly, the door opens widely with Kurogane's face appears. Not as Ruko wanted from him: frowned, his eyeballs glaring into his sister. Looking to him, just like a devil, maybe the devils could be running miles away if they're seeing that face. Though being shocked shortly after seeing that face, but Ruko keeps calm later for talking:
-May I please taking back my old blanket?
Kurogane remembers that thing. When Ruko was young and still living with him, she was scared to ghosts. "Wait here!" he orders, then checking his drawer. Till the last blankets which belong him, Kurogane founds it. Taking the blanket from her brother, Ruko could smell a fragrance from the silk which could be explained through frequent washes from her brother while she was studying at Kyoto Academy. Having finished his job, Kurogane slams the door shut. Going back to her room, Ruko was surprised to see how clean and tidy it was, even her plants were being watered carefully. There's no need to find who did, she was already knew it. Ruko feels warm, but she's feel an agony couples with it. Whenever she feels something warm and touching, a black devil suddenly hops out and destroys everything inside his reach. Eventually, when focusing her deep hatred to suppress that monster, the warm feelings embrace Ruko, making her unable to slay that monstrosity once and for all. Holding tight her old blanket, she remembers the past, when Kurogane shared his bed to protect her from ghosts and nightmares. Leaning into the blanket, she tries to find that warmth again, though only remains blurring traces through time.
Next to Ruko's room, Kurogane reads some visual novels after spending time playing World of Tanks...
...
Next morning,
The sunlight of the early morning gently wakes Ruko up instead the loudly alarm clocks. Doesn't totally wake up yet, she walks slowly down to the kitchen in her pajamas. The smell of breakfast and a hot cup of cereal is delicious, only for Ruko while Kurogane is reading the news with his hot coffee. After her personal hygiene, the girl returns to her meal. She feels how peaceful the life is. Just like the old time, when her brother preparing breakfasts for both before going to school. Such memories...which make Ruko having something to tell her brother. But, an invisible obstacle stopped her. Instead, she focuses into her breakfast till the plate is empty for Kurogane cleaning it up in silence, like he'd never realized Ruko' appearance inside this house.
After the breakfast, the commander of Naha Academy locks the house up with his backup key while the rest put at the place where Ruko can see it easily. Riding his bike to the school, his sister looks him through the window of her room. Passing boring classes, which Kurogane ignored to resist due to it's arsed the only way going to the college. Till the final class ends, he feels relieved. Outside the classroom, a mailman calls:
-Ryukou Kurogane of Class 2C!
-I am!
The mailman gives Kurogane an envelope, stating the sender:
-Kuromorimine sent this to you!
The Okinawan commander frowns with what he heard. Opening the envelope, it's a letter of invitation inside:
"Dear: Ryukou Kurogane - Student of Class 2C of Naha Academy - Male Senshado commander
Due to the introduction of a third party and having passed the examination, now we're hereby send this letter to invite you into our crew of Senshado trainers. Waiting for your response. If you want to participate, please follow this address: Nishizumi Mansion, Kumamoto; with enough of required resume and health inspection report.
Good day to you.
Panzer Vor!"
When he finished reading the letter, Kurogane smirks, then putting it into his bag without anymore attention. The sender of this letter, must be Maho. Though he appreciate his old friend's goodwill, but Kurogane refuses this gift. Going down to the command quarter, he does his usual job as the tactical commander. Inside the office, Kitagawa stays in his room reading the reports as usual. Seeing Ryukou, the Vice asks:
-Did you receive the invitation from Kuromorimine?
-I did.-Kurogane shrugs.
-And your answer is...
The commander answers:
-I refuse!
Kitagawa was surprised with what he heard from Kurogane. Kuromorimine is the prestigious academy, gaining their invitation is such a rare occasion. Only the best people deserve to be invited like this. This made the Vice President of Naha Senshado having a question:
-Are you out of your mind, Ryukou? Kuromorimine is a hundred times above us. National renown academy, also the biggest trainer of professional Senshado teams and ground defense officers! Whatever you are participating in sport, the Defense or politics, it's all capable of to train you! But how could you refuse that invitation?
But such reasons to persuade Kurogane made him bored to tears, he was too familiar with those. Sighed, he calmly answers:
-There are three downsides when I'm going into Kuromorimine!
-What are the downsides?-Kitagawa is looking for those.
-First. Kuromorimine has lots of manpower, adding such a puny commander from an anonymous academy like us weighs nothing for them, of course disrespect is imminent! Second, with a new environment, I will have to start from scratch while it's not so easy to find another good commander to fill in my gap! The third, yet the most important one.
-I want to hear it from you!
-Kuromorimine is the top one who never leave a single chance for male Senshado progressing any further. If I accept its offer, isn't that means I accept its supremacy, too? Besides, clan Nishizumi is the one creating doctrines for Kuromorimine, and I'm not in a good mood with most people of that clan. According to my study, the students of that academy obey mindlessly into the narrow-sighted strategies and rigid discipline which might lead them into complete chaos by even a little innovation from the opponent! Their defeat this year, was mostly from using such tactics!
Kitagawa silently analyses the reasons from Kurogane. Does he want to be a revolution leader? Such ambitious, as the Vice used to be at the first time receiving this chair. No offense, but Kitagawa looks Ryukou like an upstart teenager who's trying to up against the stable world of Senshado which peaceful through 60 years with enough rights for the boys. He puts a question mark on Kurogane. Can he change Senshado, or being crushed like the previous generations? Of course it's his own preference, Kitagawa changes the topic:
-We shall head into the Final next month. Three random battles against Edelweiss Academy from Germany!
Kurogane quickly hops into the job:
-You have anything about them?
-Hai. Also sweet!-Kitagawa nods-The commander of that school is the great grandson of Heinz Guderian. And you must know, that German families teach their children following their traditions well!
Kurogane knows what would it mean. This must be rough! But he's still having one month left for preparation, the sooner the better. The commander asks:
-Do we have any German club?
-I know your thinking, Ryukou. But so sorry!
A good sign for Edelweiss but not with Naha Academy. Lacking the intelligence reports make the battle like a mere fight between two blind people who desperately seeking for the other face to punch. However, eavesdropping is not the only option, scouting might help with a network of light tanks on the high grounds. Problem is, the Germans might know this well, and they won't leave a chance going unanswered. But during the case of lacking the required information, Kurogane can't personally guess the possible tactics Edelweiss Academy could throw against him. He asks Kitagawa:
-Do you mind giving me their dossier?
Opening the drawer, Kitagawa gives Ryukou the thing he's looking for with a warning like a librarian:
-Don't try reading it during drinking or eating something have colors!
Kurogane shakes his head then grabbing the document and quickly leaves the office. From the hallway, another commander steps into the room after the knock, his eyes lurk into Ryukou till that guy disappears.
During the way riding home, Kurogane just saw a mess in an alley with Ruko at the middle of it. A gang of five boys surround the girl who's defending herself. Seeing that, Kurogane turns his bike back into another way to away being seen. Into that alley, he's not rushing inside but standing out and wait for the most suitable time. In the gang, one talks to Ruko:
-Hey, cutie! Without using Karate, you are much more prettier!
Another guy adds:
-Don't being such like a porcupine like that. Be nice, and we shall provide you all the night!
Ruko ignores what those bastards saying, she calmly at her stance. But, her failure of demoralizing the bullies, making them closer to her. Suddenly, one from behind tried to grab the girl but she evaded it and gave him a kick into the face. "You bitch!" the others rush into the fight but being fended off by Ruko. There's no choice, the boys choose cooperation. While one of them taking the kicks, the other grab Ruko from behind and they did it. Laughing out loud, they say:
-Nice kick, but you lose! Sorry, but this is gonna hurt!
They lick their lips and grin smugly. Being restrained, Ruko can't escape under these strong hands, she can't resist either.
-Did I interrupt something?
Immediately, a voice sounded. Strange to the bullies, but familiar with Ruko. As they look into that side, Kurogane is getting in with an iron pipe on his shoulder which nearly make everyone think it's a Shinai. One of the gang shouts:
-Who the heck are you trying to mess with us?
Kurogane smirks with his killing aura rises high, he asks another question:
-Then who they heck are you trying to mess with my sister!
After these words, that gang hears a strong breeze flying through them. Only in seconds, Kurogane appeared on the nose of the one who's holding Ruko. With a strong bash by the pipe, he broke that bastard's nostril before another powerful slap into next one. After throwing his sister behind him, Kurogane sees the bullies charged into him like rabid dogs. Calmly, he evades one strike before breaking its owner' arm and knocking him off with a pipe into the nape. Two remaining brats tried to cooperate once again like they did to Ruko, but Kurogane countered with a kick into one crotch, and then a slap into another face by his right hand. Sliding the pipe down to the ground, he uses his both hands to grab those heads and slam strongly into each other, testing how hard their skulls are, either. After only a couple of seconds, the gang spilled their own blood instead of semen at both inside and outside Ruko. Throwing the pipe into the garbage, Kurogane partly faces Ruko with a question:
So? How is it going with those scums?
The little sister doesn't know how her brother know this situation. She asks:
-But how...how do you know I'm having trouble here!
Kurogane shrugs:
-Accidentally. While I'm on the way home, I saw those bastards are trying to "date" you. So, I only teach them a small lesson for waiting in line!
Then, he leaves the alley to find his bike back. Going backward to Ruko, Kurogane knocks into the speed meter with a question:
-Go home or continue your hangout?
Obeying her brother, the girl takes the reserve helmet and gets on the bike. Waiting till Ruko holding him tight, Kurogane pulls the throttle. The wind slapping into his face like nothing, since Ruko's pressing chest onto his back is another problem. It's two years...everything changed so swiftly. Can't let his mind floating, Kurogane rides faster, he's still has works to do.
