-Asako Himeri, one of the finest cadets ever enrolled in the JSDF academy and was later recruited by the ICTF. She has gone on many operations ever since she was 15. She was always accompanied by her mentor and lover Dino Paprizo till his disappearance on operation Arrowhead.-

(A chill ran down Asako's spine as she awakes from her nightly sleep.)

"Tch..."

Waking up, I then made my way towards the drawers to take my daily medicine.

"Bleh! This taste as bad as always. Well, no used mourning over the dead, It's a new day after all. "

Finishing my thoughts, I then took my time putting on my suit. Not my favourite thing to wear, but today's a special day, the opening ceremony for the cadets and I also have to meet the kid I just rescued. I wanted to make a good impression so first thing after suiting up, I went to the infirmary where Niko just transferred to.

Julia was on the scene, appearing to be chatting with Niko while having coffee in the lounge.

Asako: "Morning Julia! What are ya’ll talking ‘bout?”

Julia: "Oh hello, Asako…I'm afraid that I have some bad news."

Upon hearing her saying bad news, I took a chair next to our desk and sat straight down. With a firm voice, I then asked her.

Asako: "What's wrong?"

Julia: "About 23:00 yesterday, he had a schizophrenic freak-out"

Asako: "Why would he do that?"

In unison, Niko and Julia said.

"We don't know."

Julia then continued.

"The recent MRI scan showed us that the boy had Schizophrenia."

Julia then gave me 2 MRI pictures and asked.

Julia: "What do you see in this?"

Asako: "Well, these two black spots are different in sizes?"

Julia: "Correct! These two black spots are the amygdala of the human brain. The recent size of the amygdala shows us the fact that the boy has schizophrenia."

Asako: "Wait the previous result didn't show that?"

Niko: "No, it didn't. Apparently, his slight amnesia contributed to this. During the interview with him, the boy experienced spacing outs and emotional stress. Maybe the pictures and files reminded him of something or at least restore some of his memory fragments."

Asako: "So what you are saying is that the boy remembered something bad or had some sort of illusion or delusion that made him behaved like that?"

Julia: "Pretty much, and the schizophrenia was hinted because of his blunted emotional expression this morning. He didn't react to my jokes like yesterday and was not even able to give out flirtatious responses."

Asako: "Yeah, I hear you…Well, let's lighten up the mood, we’ll have to give a speech later so let’s keep our head straight. Niko-senpai you are fairly quiet today, how come?"

Niko: "Well…I didn't want to interrupt your talks and also I'm just a nurse, I mostly take care of the patients rather than look in something as deep as analyzing data and all that. Plus besides, I didn't want to tick Julia off with my virgin jokes about her."

Julia: "HEY! It's not funny. At least, I still retain my lady innocence and not like you!"

And so their tantrum about the purity of a maiden continued on till the opening ceremony.

Part 2

Walking down the marble pathway, the two women kept going with their fierce argument about being experienced and being pure while I read the schedule for the opening ceremony.

Asako: “Hey JB-senpai…what’s “operation wet and dirty” for the male cadets?”

Julia: “Wait...WHAT?!”

Asako: “I mean behind the two schedules, there is a signed form by Niko stated to be mission Afterglow?”

I finished the sentence and pointed my finger at the headline of the page. In unison, we both read out loud the lines stated on schedule.

“Operation Wet and dirty………….more experience in manipulation…………..seducing………….”

“ENOUGH ALREADY!”

Without even finishing the dossier, Julia then grabbed Niko by the arm and asked her about the operation.

“I’m just gonna say this once…WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?!”

“Oh…hehe…you see…I thought the kids would by far acquire…ahem…new experiences…Am I right…Asako?”

“Eh?... me? Well, I think It’ll be good if the cadets are able to learn new experience if it’s beneficial to their future operations.”

“WELL, I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVEN’T NEED THAT SORT OF SKILL SET YET!!!”

The argument then continued like always. These two had been at it for a long time now, ever since the academy. (However, the subjects of their arguments varies and changed from time to time.)

-6 years ago- August 15, 2034. Shinjuku Cadet program school.

“I’m finally going to see you again…Dino.”

I said to myself I walked through the large gates of the academy, high hopes filled my innocent mind as I was excited to once again meet my beloved Dino. As I was daydreaming about meeting Dino, I accidentally bumped into another cadet and fell on my butt.

“OW!”

“Hey, Niko watch where you’re going would ya.”

“SorrygottagoI’mlate”

As soon as she finishes her sentence, the cadet in white ran with her medic bag across the long Turning herself at me, she then gave me her hand and asked.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“I’m sorry about Niko, she slept in today so she’s late for her homeroom session. Are you ok?”

“Yeah, I’m ok.”

Pulling me to my feet, she then kneed down and helped me with my luggage

“The name’s Julia, Julia Bron. What yours, my fair lady?”

“Asako…it's Asako Himeri.”

“Well, Asako I’ll help you your luggage. Call it a favour, I’ll need help sometimes too so I’ll take note of this ok?”

“Wait what about yours?”

“It’s alright I pack light like I only have this mini bag.”

“Thank you.”

“Shall we?”

“Sure.”

And with that Julia helped me with my luggage and later introduced me to Niko

“OI! Niko you owe this fine lady an apology for this morning.”

“Oh yeah, sorry about that. Sorry”

“What’s with the half-ass apology?!”

Walking over to Niko as she was reading a pair of PX magazine, Julia then grabbed her hand and made her stood up straight.

“N-O-W A-P-O-L-O-G-I-S-E!!”

“OK! OK! STOP SLOWLY SPELLING THINGS OUT AND GAZING ME WITH THOSE DEAD FISH-EYES OF YOURS! I’ll do it…just stop with the eyes and the slow talking.”

Taking a deep breath she then sincerely said sorry to me.

Since then we were the popular trio both for our skills and charismatic charms, most notably Julia and Niko, they were in the sights of every boy in their class. Quickly we were able to rise to the rank of Private first class due to our involvement in the crowd control mission in Ginza square.

We remained as a fire team for 2 years before going our separate ways. Now, coming back to our roots, we attended JSDF cadet course as veteran instructors while still being a part of our own PMCs.

-Opening ceremony. Welcome junior cadets of the JSDF.-

The sound of cadets chatters, loud footstep made by combats boots and the cold morning wind gave me a slight reminiscence of the old times when we still had our innocence.

“Hey, Asako...Oi. Kid, A-chan…”

“EH?! Uh, what? Oh, what’s wrong JB.”

“You had been spacing out a lot this morning is something wrong?”

“Nah. It’s nothing. I’m just tired, I didn’t really have a good night sleep from last night…”

“Well if you say so then ok. Because you’re gonna deliver the first speech so…”

“Yeah yeah I got ya. I’ll review the speech now.”

Snapping off from my thoughts, I then shifted my focus back to the file of paper I had on hand.

Arriving at the opening ceremony, after the praising of old cadets and operatives, I was then given the chance to give my speech. Carefully and loudly, I gave my speech in fluent English.

Finishing my speech, I got a round of applause from the cadets with their admiration for us. If only they knew what they were getting themselves into.

Part 4: I just want to forget…

-3 hours later after the ceremony-

As the ceremony finished, I went to the dressing room to change out of my sweat-drenched suit. I had never been a fan of suits and such. They tend to overheat when the temperature is too hot.

After a short period of time I was able to change to my shirt and skirt then made my way to the cafeteria since I was famished.

The cafeteria was as I remembered, the smell of precooked MREs and the loud noises of chatting and eating.

Getting my ration, I then found the booth where Niko and JB were residing and had lunch with them like any day.

Sure my presence was mostly unknown for most of the time when we attend lunch or dinner, but I still enjoyed their company. It had always been like this, I didn’t mind though.

Like always, I managed to finish my portion first and went to my dorm room.

“Welcome back Asako!” the AI housekeeper addressed me.

“Good afternoon Clocksword. I’ll take a bath so if you don’t mind put on some hot water and my pre-recorded shows please” I answered him. (I named him Clocksword after a character in the book nuclear fallout New America.)

“Yes, mum.”

Calling him a housekeeper wasn’t really right, he was more of a hologram based on the prewar house management system by Ony* 2015 model designed to tend to the owner’s needs.

“Miss Asako, may I part-take in the pleasure of listing out your plans for today?” Clocksword addressed me.

Asako: Yes Clocksword.

Clocksword: At 4:30 this afternoon there will be a car here to pick you up at the nearby urban centre for groceries. In 6:40, JB and Niko will come over to help with your mission report…

Asako: Oh and Clocksword call a car for me to the ICTF West base,… Depart in 1 hour. We’ll finish the rest later.

Getting out of the bath, I made my way to the bookshelves hoping to find a few old comics, anime CDs or at least something to bring with me on my trip to see him again. Things weren’t going well this morning with me having to subdue him to prevent his schizophrenia.

-30 minute later-

During the 30 minutes time limit, I was able to gather some reading materials and films including an old laptop that I used to use. I then head for ICTF West base, eagerly wanting to converse with him.