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>>2714217
“As you can see, she was not harmed in the slightest.” Aiteng pointed out as if giving me a present. “But as per procedure, the both of you must be tied up.”
“Should you two choose to cooperate, then I can consider releasing you both on parole,” she concluded with an exasperated sigh.
“And if we don’t?”
“I believe you know the answer to that quite well, Kurokawa-kun.”

“And threatening me with Yanagi is supposed to make me magically know what I don’t?” I yelled angrily as I glimpsed at Yanagi, signaling her on how to react in a follow-up. Hopefully, she will take up the cue.
“My country lost a war, with also costed the life of my father, the only income this family depended upon. Are we guilty now for simply wanting to put food onto the table?”
Guang shot a confused look onto his aunt, who in turn guided her vision onto Yanagi, expecting her to answer with something different.
“Please, we really don’t know anything! I swear!”

The Admiral lets out a long, exasperated sigh.
“Kids these days…”
“Aunt Aiteng, I suppose being civil is too much for them. These are ultimately Island Monkeys we are dealing with, after all.”
“Now, now, Guang, our guests here do not warrant that level of disrespect.” She gave her nephew a slight pinch on the cheek. “Though I did expect Kurokawa-kun to be… a bit different from the others.”
Aiteng trained her eyes back onto me. From here, she looked rather sad, and most of all, disappointed.

“Kurokawa-kun, I'm afraid I must keep you here until the shop has been completely searched for evidence. If found innocent, the two of you will be free to go.” The two Simas walked out of my cell, closing the door behind.
“Aunt Aiteng, are you really just going to leave that bastard off the hook like that?”
“We have other matters to attend to, Guang, but perhaps someone else can make him a little more cooperative.”

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>>2714232
I exhaled out whatever anxiety that pent up within my system. The interrogation in itself felt dragged out and excruciatingly long, and despite all that, I still had no idea if I made the right choice in this situation.
“Are you okay?”
Alas, I decided to focus more on what’s in front of me.
“I… I guess?” Yanagi answered with uncertainty. “Did I say the right thing?”
“You did well,” I whispered as she planted herself right across where I sat. “Did they question you about anything?”

“Of course.” She replied tiredly, “I tried to play dumb, but I’m not sure if the Admiral really believed my words.”
I assumed Aiteng probably said the exact same words to me as she did to Yanagi. In this case, we were quite lucky that both our stories complimented each other quite nicely. There was no telling what might have happened to us if our stories differed from each other.
“And Koishimizu-senpai?”
“I didn’t hear about a third person, so she must’ve gotten away… hopefully.” She paused, then looked at me with worried eyes. “But I think they’re still hunting for her...”

“Koishimizu-senpai has been under the radar-evading hostiles ever since she left the Air Wing. She’ll be fine.” I tried my best to reassure Yanagi, though I couldn’t help but imagine the worst possible scenario where she doesn’t make it.
It was the beginning of spring, and in this part of the world, it translated into searing days and chilling nights. Our cell, situated under the Beiyang headquarters, was reasonably insulated, but not enough to completely block out the cold of the night. With our movements bound and no other clothing to keep us warm, Yanagi and I resorted to using each other’s company to get some bit of warmth and comfort.
Her face, flushing slightly red, rested silently beside mine. There were a whole lot of things we could talk about, but our minds were too tangled up on one particular subject for the moment to really say anything else.

“What happens to us now?” She asked, head resting on my shoulder.
“Have faith in Koishimizu-senpai, she and the rest of the crew will find a way.”
"Will they?"

>Roll a 6d10 for Hibari's success, taking the set with the highest value

Rolled 1, 9, 3, 4, 10, 4 = 31 (6d10)

>>2714247

Rolled 7, 9, 4, 2, 6, 1 = 29 (6d10)

>>2714247

Rolled 4, 6, 1, 4, 9, 4 = 28 (6d10)

>>2714247
I'm gonna start reading this from the beggining so I'm just gonna drop this roll here while I head to the archives, see you in a bit

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“Of course.” I gave her my answer. “Those guys are masters at rescue operations.”
Satoru bailed me out of a certain death scenario while jumping through multiple dangerous hoops, the same three of us also managed to infiltrate behind enemy lines and aid the retreat of comrades who would otherwise be dead by now. If there was one thing that I could rely on them, it would be a rescue.

Yanagi opened her mouth to speak but abruptly retracted as a long shadow was cast upon the two of us. Standing against the light, the figure was a bit hard to make out, but the words it spouted gave away its identity almost immediately.

“YOU MOTHERFUCKERS!!!”

Fuxiang kicked the door open, storming angrily inside, the sheer force of this action made a tremendous clank as if the metal bars that contained us were about to fall apart.

“Now I don’t know where you hid that cheeky cunt, but for all, I fucking care she’s charcoal now!”
She could barely hold her footing, indicating that she most likely helped herself with quite a couple of drinks earlier. But despite this goofy display, both of us knew first-hand how much more dangerous this person was, drunk or not.

“You think it’s fun to fuck with ME?” She yelled in my face, grabbing me by the collar and pulling me off the ground.
“I don’t kno-”
Before I could refute, I felt my entire body slamming onto the wall by such force my head was spinning from the impact.

“Oh, I’ve got a little gift for you fuckers!”From her pocket, she took out a… potato peeler? “Recognize this?”
In any other situation, this act would’ve made me laugh my lungs out, not so much now.
“I’m going to make you fucks SING, or my name is not Chu Fuxiang!”

With one forceful, impact-filled strike, I found my right arm penetrated by the blunt tip of the kitchenware. Needless to say, it was more than enough to make me scream out in agony.

“AHHH! THAT’S MUSIC TO THE EARSSSS!” The pirate cackled maniacally, twisting the kitchenware and pulling it down in a peeling motion. Coated with the strong odor of alcohol were her elated, uncompromising, bloodshot lust for violence and physical torture. Completely unmasked for the two of us to see, Chu Fuxiang reveled in her brutal nature and infamy.
“Stop this!”
“Oh?” With one swift yank, the potato peeler exited my body, scraping away a part of my flesh as it did. The subsequent flaring pain left me crumpled down on the floor, eyes concentrated on Fuxiang turning her attention onto Yanagi.
“Trying to save your prince charming huh? How absolutely quaint! Maybe you can sing me with a better song!”

>Focus on the open wound
>Try to free yourself from the bounds
>Attempt to distract Fuxiang
>Write in

>>2716707
>Attempt to distract Fuxiang

>>2716707
>Attempt to distract Fuxiang

>>2716707
>Attempt to distract Fuxiang
>Poke fun of her choice for a torture tool

>>2716707
>Try to free yourself from the bounds
>Attempt to distract Fuxiang

>>2716707
>Try to free yourself from the bounds

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“I’m the one you’re after, not her!” I weakly formed those words out my mouth, mind still fresh from the assault earlier. I cannot allow Fuxiang to hurt Yanagi the same way she did to me.
“Aren’t you two lovey dovey.” The distraction worked, and the drunk criminal turned her attention back on me. “Unfortunately, I DID NOT ASK FOR YOUR INPUT!”

My nerves burned ever so painfully as Fuxiang placed the heel of her boot onto my wound, and she received an ever strained yelp of pain as I succumbed to her abuse.
“Heh.” She smirked in satisfaction. “I wonder what your darling say if I skinned you right in front of her?”
This wasn’t a threat, she actually did mean her words.
“Don’t worry, I’ll violate you first.” She flashed the bloodied potato peeler right in my face. “Just to drive the screws deeper into that wound of yours.”

“CHU FUXIANG!”
I closed my eyes, gritted my teeth for the worst to come, and how ironic it was, that I felt a sense of salvation the moment I heard the hollering voice of an enemy who was openly hostile to me.
“Eh? The fuck are you?”
“So boozed up you can’t even make out your employer is it?” I opened my eyes, only to see the Admiral’s nephew staring down at the drunken mess of a pirate. Despite standing in such close proximity to someone this dangerous Guang appeared completely calm and poker faced.

“I’ll take over from here.” He said, unmoved by Fuxiang’s taunts. “Aunt Aiteng has given you new objectives.”
With the words out, the two continued to stare down one another. Being at the same height, it looked almost like two animals trying to size each other up in some form of weird dominance display.

And finally, Fuxiang smiled.
“Ah I get it, you want the girl, dontcha?” Her eyes drifted to the bounded Yanagi. “Well, well, I never knew you had that in you, cutie.”
With a pat on Guang’s shoulder, she walked out of the cell.
“Then please, do enjoy yourself.”

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>>2718849
The Admiral’s nephew sighed, then slowly made his way towards Yanagi.
He stopped abruptly, then brandished his sword.
“Wa… wait! Stop, what are you doing!?”
I tried to lurch forward, yet my posture, wound, and bounded state made this action impossible. Yanagi’s eyes went wide, beads of cold sweat cascaded down her forehead, and caught like a helpless deer in a headlight
Guang raised his sword, levering the weapon above his head.
“NO!”
The blade was swiftly brought down, slicing open it's intended target
…
…
Yanagi opened her eyes, still breathing heavily from that intense, life and death situation.
She then looked confused at her wrists and ankles, both of which had been freed of the bounds earlier.
That done, Guang shifted his focus to me, first freeing my bonds as well, then applying Ragnid onto my bleeding wound. Like a professional, the young Sima made his work quick and even helped me up back on my legs.
“The harlot burned down that restaurant the two of you worked in,” He said before either of us started asking questions. “along with all the evidence. What an imbecile.” He sneered.

“Either way, the two of you are free now thanks to that whore and her stupidity. Now get out of here before I change my mind and lock the two of you back in.” Guang sheathed his sword, but even so, his hostility towards us was still clearly there.

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>>2718861
The morning sun rose from the horizon, gradually illuminating Kure as a new day started.
Yanagi and I walked out of the Kure Naval Arsenal, silent on our one-way trip out. My childhood friend appeared somewhat jaded, most likely related to what happened back in the cell. Of course, it shouldn’t continue on like this, but what am I supposed to do?

Out awkward silence continued, but unconsciously, the two of us did begin shortening the gap between our strides. Gradually, the two of us were already walking shoulder to shoulder.
And it was here where the tensions reached a breaking point.
My heart raced for a moment, blood flushing through my face as Yanagi held my hand with one of hers. Like me, she exhibited the same reaction, despite being the one who initiated it.
“Suba---”

“Oi, you guys alright?”
In a perfectly timed sequence, a car pulled up beside the two of us. The woman who drove it wasn’t very tall, and many of her features were hidden by a hat and a pair of shades. However, it was all but obvious to us who this person was.
“Koishimizu-senpai!” Yanagi exclaimed in joy, only for Hibari to reply with a “Shhh” hand sign.
“Dear lord you lot are moronic, now get in. The game is up.”

>”We… we thought you died. How did you do it?”
>”Where are the others?”
>”You… set fire onto the safehouse?”
>Write in

>>2718868
>”We… we thought you died. How did you do it?”
>”Where are the others?”

>>2718868
>”We… we thought you died. How did you do it?”
>”Where are the others?”

>>2718868
>”Where are the others?”
>”You… set fire onto the safehouse?”

>>2718868
>Other: DO NOT LET GO OF YANAGI'S HAND

>>2718868
>”Where are the others?”

>>2718868
>”Where are the others?”
>”You… set fire onto the restaurant?”

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“We… we thought you-” I asked, as the two of us got into the back of the carriage.
“What, you thought I’d go down that easily?” Hibari turned towards us from the front seat, eyeing me sideways as she lifted her shades. Then, out of nowhere, she tossed two bottles our way. I instinctively swatted one off which was on the trajectory to strike my forehead, while the other one landed squarely on Yanagi’s lap.
“Could’ve caught that if your other hand was free.” She huffed and drove the car forward, conveniently reminding me where my other hand was holding.

“Ah--!” Blushing after being reminded of the act, Yanagi tried to jerk her hand free.
I did not allow it to happen, staunchly refusing to let go.
There wasn’t much reason for my action, just that… what Yanagi did back there wasn’t wrong by any stretch. I turned and made eye contact with my childhood friend, her eyes flashed, flickered, and wavered unsteadily.
“ I guess I shouldn’t have tossed the bottles. ” Hibari interrupted with a regretful sigh. “Let’s get going. The others are waiting.”

“Where’s everyone else?” I asked Hibari as I sipped from the bottle of what turned out to be an energy drink. From the view out of the window, the car was driving away from the town, into less populated areas opposite to the port. This wasn’t an unfamiliar route, however- in fact, it was the same road that leads to the construction site Margaret dropped Satoru and me off right after our escape from Osaka.
“Doing their part and preparing for the night.” Hibari took off her cap, freeing her overly long hair from their bonds. “Some have already gone to work.”
“Akasaka-san?”
“Worry more for your own part, Kurokawa.” She said as the car reached its destination. “Morishima, you’ll come with me once we’re back at base.”
“Ye..yes senpai!”
Hearing the reply, Hibari answered with a reassuring nod. “Follow me.”

Disembarking the vehicle, the three of us took an all too familiar route back to our base of operations. For me, at least.

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>>2722012
“Koishimizu-senpai has… changed a bit.” Yanagi whispered at me as the senior led the way in front of us. “Did something happen to her?”
“Maybe we just got used to her.” I commented, thinking back to Itaru’s words when we first met the two of them in that warehouse. Perhaps this is that ‘other side’ of her that we’ve talked about?

The same metal doors creaked open for one last time in this underground hideout, and a vastly different scenario laid in our sight. What used to be maintenance areas for munitions, vehicles, and weapons were now long gone, stripped clean to the bone, packed, and very much ready to move.

“Go find Shirataki, he’ll brief you on what to do tonight.” She commanded, taking Yanagi with her. “Or alternatively, let the others know you’re fine. As you might’ve guessed, a few of them’s been on their toes since you two got caught.”
Mentioning this part in itself made Hibari appear as if she had aged a decade. They must have gone through hell and back trying to restrain Margaret and Tewi from rushing out to rescue me.

>Find Itaru for a final debriefing on the rescue tonight
>Find Margaret and Tewi, assure them that you’re fine and unharmed, for the most part.
>Ask about the Captain’s situation, he wasn’t in the best shape the last time you met him.
>Write in

>>2722014
>Find Margaret and Tewi, assure them that you’re fine and unharmed, for the most part.
>Ask about the Captain’s situation, he wasn’t in the best shape the last time you met him.

>>2722014
>Find Margaret and Tewi, assure them that you’re fine and unharmed, for the most part.

>>2722014
>Find Margaret and Tewi, assure them that you’re fine and unharmed, for the most part.

>>2722014
>Find Margaret and Tewi, assure them that you’re fine and unharmed, for the most part.

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“Where’s my sister?” I asked, if there were people still concerned about my well-being, then it would be better for me to put those worries to rest
“Living quarters, the gaijin is there too.”
Margaret as well? Now I am more concerned by her possible influence on Tewi. Let’s just say that not many can really stomach Margeret’s approach, should she choose to be friends with someone.
This prompted me to rush my way to the living quarters, bidding a short farewell to the two. Luckily for me, I bumped right into my sister just exiting the vacant storage, evacuated just like everywhere else in the base.
…
…
Unfortunately for me, she wasn’t going to go soft.
“YOU DUMBASS!” Her scream was further enhanced by the echoes from an empty corridor, acting like the insides of an orchestral instrument and dialing the decibels up for everyone to hear.
This did not only apply to her voice, but also to the incoming slap she landed on my face.
“I’m sorry,” I replied, it was useless to start a fight with her at this point.
“Why, why are you always hanging my heart on a line!? Why are you always so reckless!?”
Tewi’s teary face buried deep into my chest, wetting my already battered shirt. In turn, I embraced my sister, allowing her to vent all the negative emotions that came cascading out of her.

“Subaru-kun?”
Margaret’s head peeked out from the slightly opened doors of the living quarters.
“Ah- Please don’t mind me. Take your time and enjoy your moment!”
Observing the situation between siblings with a wide smile, she opted to not stick her nose in the business and slipped back in.
This wouldn’t have been a problem, had Margaret’s perception of a sibling relationship be just like everyone else, but since that was not the case, this may as well mean trouble in the future.

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>>2732832
“Oh, there you are.”
Another familiar voice from behind stopped me from disengaging from my sister to go after Margaret. Tewi raised her head at the same time I felt a hand placed on my shoulder.
Wearing a ‘welcome home’ smile on his face, Satoru applied some force on his hand, right over my previous wound inflicted by the pirate.
“Does it still hurt?”
“No, not particularly.” It was a bit coincidental for him to place a hand right over my wound, but he probably didn’t know better.
”You seem quite lively for a guy who just got tortured,” he commented on my situation, taking his hand off. “Looks like our benefactor patched you up quite thoroughly, good to see him holding up his part of the bargain.”
“Be--benefactor?” Tewi quipped into our conversation, just as confused as I was. “Who?”

>Wait, the Simas are actually on our side?
>So you planned this escape as well?
>I think I know the identity of our rescue target today.
>Write in

>>2732844
>I think I know the identity of our rescue target today.
>Wait, the Simas are actually on our side?

>>2732844
>Wait, the younger Sima is actually on our side?
The older one can't be, or she wouldn't capture us in the first place.

>>2732844
>I think I know the identity of our rescue target today.

>>2732844
>Wait, the Simas are actually on our side?
>>2735224
Still possible, just that she most likely bears other motives that will come into conflict with us in the near future.

>>2735439
If she had "other motives" she'd capture us after cooperation with our side stopped being useful to her, not before.

>>2732844
>Wait, the Simas are actually on our side?

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“Wait…” I tried my hardest to digest and piece everything together. “Are you saying that the Simas are on our side?”
“Not the Beiyang Admiral. She would’ve made things way too easy.” Satoru adjusted his glasses, not forgetting to crack a bad joke. “But yes, as you have guessed, the younger Sima is indeed our benefactor.”
I believe I do have a vague idea who our rescue target is for tonight.
“Him!? But how?” My sister appeared genuinely confused, quite appropriate a reaction considering Guang’s general demeanor towards us. Compared to his aunt, he certainly didn’t feel like someone who would be willing to work with us.

“Because he’s young, naive, lacks the virtue of patience, and most importantly hates the Khaganate, just like his aunt and their countrymen.”Satoru explained in detail. “Unfortunately for them, the Khagan has his aunt’s hands firmly tied, leaving her with little choice besides doing their bidding. His motive is to use this operation to somewhat loosen that bound.”
I was instantly reminded of the dinner, and how rigorously the Beiyang Admiral tried to recruit me to her side in the two instances that I interacted with her. She never stated her true motives, but it became much clearer after Satoru’s explanation.
“However,” my friend continued. “I don’t suppose we absolutely have to hold up our part of the bargain with him. As a matter of fact, calling him a benefactor is way too flattering. A more fitting description would be… an useful idiot.”

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>>2738594

I have always known for a fact that Satoru never liked some of the codes and philosophy of our culture, but this was also the first time I’ve seen my friend acting as malicious as this. Even if I didn’t live completely according to the values of the Bushido like Ayafumi, a part of me still felt repulsed by this.
“So this isn’t as much to secure the Admiral’s nephew as to kidnap him and use him as leverage, am I correct?”
Satoru flashed me a decisive glare, and with a finger held up, responded by shaking his head.
“No. We’re going after his fiance.”
“The Khagan’s daughter!?” Tewi exclaimed, eyes staring wide open in disbelief.
“Wait, you mean… he’s selling his fiance for his personal gains?”
“Precisely. Now are the two of you still thinking about honoring his deal?”
There really wasn’t much to say.

“Good.” he concluded. “Now, our VIP will most likely be staying in her own estate for the night, and same as for all royalty of the Khaganate, expect the place to be heavily guarded. Not by your usual Yu conscripts, but royal guards.”
“Let me guess, you want me to cover you while you go sneaking in alone.”
“Take out the watchtowers, to be more precise. I have my own way to handle the palace guards, and Shirataki-senpai can handle the transport.” He responded confidently, as if a plan has already been set in motion. “The nephew of the Beiyang Admiral is one thing, but not as potent as a princess of the Khaganate.”
“Looks like you have everything worked out.” I said, impressed by how Satoru had handled the situation.
“Not so fast yet, we still have to count on you to watch our backs.” He patted me on the back. “Enjoy the moment as much as you can, pretty soon the Captain would be make his speech. I’ll see you then.”

I swallowed a mouthful of saliva as my friend walked off, towards the direction of the Captain’s quarters. While he was still the same Satoru Aono that I knew since young, I couldn’t help but notice that the war has changed him a bit. Hardened, yes, much like everyone who participated in the conflict, but certainly more ruthless than he used to be.

Spend the remaining time with someone?
>Yanagi
>Margaret
>Itaru & Hibari
>Suwabe & Ayafumi

>>2738595
>Yanagi

What is our deal with Sima?
I think we should honor it if possible. If doing it will loosen the Khagan's hold over Aiteng, who hates him, it will be to our advantage.

>>2738595
>Margaret
Haven't really interacted with her for a while.

>>2738597
>Margaret
Childhood friends are in charge of not winning the MCbowl

>>2738762
You can't be more wrong, anon.

>>2738597
>Yanagi
>>2738762
Shite taste
>>2738633
Even so it's still very possible for her to "borrow" Zipang to stage some rebellion, only to never return it.

>>2738908
>Even so it's still very possible for her to "borrow" Zipang to stage some rebellion, only to never return it.

No one said we should give Zipang to her. And in any case, if we wanted to distract the Khaganate a little we could always give them a tip on some Yu rebels...

>>2738597
Yanagi
>>2738762
>picking inbred over loyal osananajimi

>>2738597
>Margaret

>>2738597
>Margaret
Nobody should be passing up on the Slavic ubermench who's literally offering you the keys to her ride. It's even more poetic justice given that we're part Darcsen

so my idea is canon now :V

reminder that xilinx >>>>>> altera

will we still get the feds and gallians involved in the whodunnit clusterfuck??

>>2740690
Dunno about Gallia, but I don't see why the Feddies won't try taking advantage of this situation, especially when the Empire has already dipped it's hand into the conflict.

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“Tewi, can you come with me for a minute?” I gestured my sister to follow.
“Hm? Sure, why?”
“I have a bit of explaining to do with Margaret.”

“Ah, Subaru-kun?” Margaret immediately took notice the moment Tewi and I entered the room. “Should I give you some space?”
“No, wait.” I stopped her halfway from moving out and found myself a seat on one of the few chairs left in this particular compartment. My sister accompanied me, doing the same.

“The two of you are a lovely couple, just like brother Konstantin and sister Vione!” she commented joyfully with hands clasped, as Tewi turned to me and back at Margaret, looking all confused by the comment. As expected, Margaret failed to understand the point of us being here by the slightest bit.
I suppose proceeding with a more direct message is all that’s left to try.
I crossed my arms, trying to assert any form of dominance in Margaret’s presence wasn’t an easy thing to do, but I was determined to get my message across.
“Tewi, are we a couple?” I asked out of the blue.
“Huh?” My sister looked at me, still confused and desperately trying to figure out what this is all about.

“As in, are we going to get married?”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
I felt my insides churning from cringe at the exchange I just had with Tewi. There were certainly better ways to approach this topic, but I felt going in as blunt as possible was the easiest way to get Margaret to understand.
And here she stands in genuine shock.
“You mean… the two of you are not promised to each other for life?”

“What? No! Where in the world did you get that idea from!?” My sister was genuinely frustrated at this point. She probably thought the two of us were pulling a prank on her. “That’s just ins-”
“Alright, Tewi, let me handle the rest.”
I said as I covered Tewi’s mouth, almost getting bitten by her in the process. A small price to pay, to say the least.
Now that I’ve hooked in Margaret’s attention, I could finally drive the nail in.
“Not every sibling were… well, close the way your family is.” I coughed for a histrionic effect.
“Do the two of you not get along?” She inquired like someone amiss of directions.
“No! Tewi and I get along far better than most siblings do. The fact here is…”

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“Wait… WAIT!” My sister, escaping from my grasp, frantically interrupted our exchange, just as confused as the Valkyria. “Your brother and sister are getting married to one another?”
Margaret nodded without a second hesitation. “Is something wrong about it?”
“Just what in the world-”
“Cultural difference, I’d assume?” I once again jumped in stopped my sister from speaking anything too blunt, which successfully added one new bite mark on my hand in the process.
“Tewi, could you leave us here alone for a moment? I’ll explain everything later. I promise.” I pulled my sister aside as she flailed her arms violently in an attempt to break free.
Taking in my explanation, Tewi finally loosened up herself enough to convince me that it’s safe to let her go.
“Yeah, you’d better.” Tewi huffed. “I’ll maul you dead if this goes anywhere even weirder.”
With that she left, slamming the door behind as she did.

“Is she alright?” Margaret was genuinely concerned, sights following my sister’s footsteps as she walked out.
“Don’t worry, she’ll revert back to normal within half an hour.” I sighed in a defeated tone. “That’s how siblings work. Never had arguments with your brother or sister before?”
The Valkyria took a second to ponder. “Hmmm… none that I remember.” She replied innocently. “Sister Vione and brother Konstantin always looked for my best interests.”
It was possible that Margaret just failed to remember those times, but judging by her upbringing, I’m not sure if her siblings were in any way ‘normal’, even by Europan standards.
“That explains it,” I commented, deciding to wrap things up. “Long story short, I am not engaged with my sister, nor is either of us in any kind of romantic relationship.”

“Not even promised to anyone?”
“Excuse me?”
It was a question quite out of the blue, and I’m not sure if I’ve caught onto it correctly.
“Arranged marriage,” Margaret stated in a considerably more serious tone. “Someone from a house as prestigious as yours ought to have an assigned partner, no?”
Political and arranged marriages had pretty much declined much in Western Europa among the Federation and their allies but were still the norm in the Empire. Zipang was the same, and was practiced far more frequently- even my own parents were no exception.
Come to think of it, both Tewi and I probably might as well have ended up engaged with someone had it not been for this war.

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“Not that I know of,” “Even if there was, such arrangement would’ve been nullified by the war.”
Margaret didn’t answer, but instead sat and listened idly by. Her gaze lingered over my stature as if she was giving me a thorough inspection.
“So… Oh, I see.” Margaret said, nodding, as her serious expression faded away. I guess I’ve finally hammered the point through. “

“Alright, I guess it’s about time meet up with the others.” I stood up from my seat, only to suddenly find my head bumping onto a shelf of something soft and pillowy.
“Please hold on for a moment, Subaru-kun!”
Somehow, I found myself at a touching distance with her, faced directly with the most pronounced part of her body as she towered like a wall right in front of me.
“Ma-Margaret-san?”
I raised my head to look at her face, only to be flustered by how close we’re standing to each other. Whilst this was by no means the first time we stood this close, it didn’t stop the sudden cascade of blood that surged into my brain as I tried and failed to calm myself. The most unexpected, however, came from what followed- a light peck on my forehead from Margaret’s lips.

“Mama does this to us to wish us good luck,” She said nervously as she took a step back, making a bit of space between the two of us. “Would this be in any way inappropriate for your culture?”
As if there could be any other answer to that question.
“Not at all.” I replied, touching the spot where she planted her kiss “Thank you, Margaret.”

For a moment, her pupils glowed slightly brighter, and for the first time, I noticed a faint blush over her cheeks as she gave me that brilliant smile of hers.
“Let’s go find the others, shall we?” She suggested, happily locking her arm to mine, leaving me with nothing else but to gladly comply.

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And the thread is archived. I guess this is a good place to end things.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2714217/

Next thread will be up sometime next week, as per usual, it'll be informed via twatter.
As always, thanks for participating in this little pet project. I hope the actual action scenes in the next thread can be pushed through as smoothly as possible.

It's been quite a while since I wrote one.