Tides Of Protomis LXXX
Return Of The Tides
2017 CE
To say that Tokyo was affected by the Kaemerge war would be an understatement. Whether it be the Shima Inferno, the fifth fleet’s attempted attack on the four tides and their allies, the battle between the silver lions and a former member in Sashigai. Or the subsequent attacks that took place as the Kaemerge tried to retake their foothold, with the Tide’s absence, thankfully, they did not make it far inward. Rebuilding efforts began even before Tsugashuan fell. Their progress was in no small part due to proto-humans who had the relevant abilities along with HAUs, and their civilian counterparts.
The hum of power tools and clanking of machines was not uncommon to hear nowadays. Though someone who didn’t grow up there would have found it grating, the same could not be said for Tokyo’s natives. However, when one considered how much progress they made in a short time and how quickly they were able to get back to their homes, they did not mind so much.
Though it’s not to say all was done, some rebuilding efforts were held back by the bureaucracy, or arguments on whether to rebuild it like it was or turn certain areas into something else. Which wasn’t too uncommon in Yamato. Though, for those who were involved in such battles that caused the damages, their thoughts were not on the restoration itself but rather on how the government didn’t hound them about it… Not anymore, at the least. They were, as one would expect, within North Shima High School. The school was as it normally was, with most students in their respective classes.
A floor above the first-year classrooms, where the likes of Gouto taught, were the second-year classrooms. The students who were first years the year before the split into different classes. Within class 2-D, a certain chestnut-haired girl wrote down her notes as she listened to her teacher speak. Though she looked somewhat older, the changes were mostly subtle, at the least, aside from her height. Looking to be about two inches taller. Beside her was the class president, Tsuchiya Shizuko. Yudei sat on the other side of Asami. Though he was quiet, that was mostly because he wasn’t awake... This quietness was shared by those in the next room over. In the classroom, 2-C was the last Von Zaisen, or rather, the former last Von Zaisen. After all, he had since discarded any title of his.
Sat next to him was a heavy-set man, thin wired glasses over his eyes, Shinto. Though Alarick was somewhat taller than he was before, much to his chagrin, he still found himself the shortest among them all... At the least, he was taller than the girls. That was a start. Beside them, in 2-B, Megumi and Kasumi chattered their words, for the most part, being about their plans that day. As for 2-A… Well, it wasn’t exactly like the other classes.
A broad-shouldered dark-skinned youth sat in his seat, his expression blank. Though some things had changed about him, most noticeably, the wealth of facial hair that made its way onto his face. Compared to most of those there, at the least. Growing a thin mustache and what could just barely pass as a small beard, Arctaius Corde.
“It’s been about six months since we got out of Tsugashuan and took care of that Kaemerge fiasco. Though we did, they were just the beginning of a chain reaction- considering how many government agents worldwide proved to have worked with them and how many conflicts started with nobody to stop them... Old grudges between ethnicites, governments that were waiting for the chance to jump on eachother, you name it."
Thinking about what he'd observed during the time since his battle, he began to lean his face onto his fist
After that, things became much less stable, I Helped a bit, but it wasn’t as if it was my problem. Had to work into getting my protomis working again, especially after that attack I used against… Him. We mostly had our own problems to focus on, So I never really helped outside of Yamato… I somehow managed to become a second year, along with the others… Though, even with this peace- it’s not like we’d stop training…”
A lighter-skinned Auburn-haired man beside him, of a mostly similar build, leaned in, causing him to gaze toward his old ally, Kazimir Rhuskov.
“Taius, Lei thought that we should do some training later, you up for that?”
Arctaius turned his gaze forward as he leaned back into his chair, pausing for a moment.
“I would, but I’m going to go look for a new apartment with Watanabe. I’m still not keen on leeching off of Yudei’s parents…”
Kazimir squinted his eyes at this response, clearly displaying his suspicion.
“Guess they aren’t finished rebuilding then.”
He sighed.
“Something tells me they won’t be for a while.”
He went silent for a moment before he spoke in a quieter tone.
“Damn that Yuutaro…”
Apparently, their conversation didn’t go unnoticed. A pale-skinned woman at the front of the room glanced between the two. She looked to be in her 20s at the most. Not as far off from any of the students there as most of the teachers. Though someone short, her body itself was well developed. Her back-length red locks swayed as she made her way to the back of the room. As her pink eyes fell upon the two. Though, the two continued regardless.
“You two, chattering away again? We’re in the middle of class… Have you not realized you’re the only ones talking?”
It was only as she spoke did the two pay her any attention. Had they not noticed her, or had they simply ignored it. Given who they were… It was doubtful the former was the truth. Something that Tanaka Shinju knew quite well. As she eyed the two, Arctaius simply looked back to his desk, as did Kazimir.
“...Fine then.” Arctaius responded.
“You, of all people, listening to teachers? That’s still a surprise to me.”
Arctaius began tapping the point of the pencil on his desk as he spoke.
“Believe me, I couldn’t care less about her being a teacher. It’s more that she isn’t nearly as much of a nuisance as Gotou…”
She stood there with a blank expression, her eyes moving between the two. Did they really care that little about policing their words? It seemed what they said about Corde was true. Though she attributed much of that to Gouto at first. They were colleagues, yes, but that didn’t mean she had to like how the man acted.
“I’m still right here…You could at least wait until I’m in the front to start this routine.” She commented.
Arctaius looked at her again, silent for a moment as he pondered a response.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“Why would I do that?”
Something which drew the gazes of many of the students. Especially one in the back, a few seats away from them.
“Yup...Sounds like him alright.”
The woman sighed as she began making her way back to the front of the room. All things considered, she found the boy to bring some sort of entertainment to the class, even if he wasn’t exactly the most caring about the content. She made her way back to the board and continued on with her lesson.
“Now then, can anyone tell me who the leader of the Kaemerge’s European Branch was?” Tanaka questioned.
“Michael Cross?”
“Correct… Continuing on from yesterday, he was the one who created a novel tactic known as the-”
As Arctaius heard the teacher begin speaking about the enemy he formerly fought, he seemingly began to tune her out… Though he’d got his revenge already, it didn’t exactly mean he wanted them to be in his thoughts. Given this was a history class, however, it didn’t exactly come as a surprise that a faction with that big an impact was discussed. Regardless, he would let his mind drift to other subjects.
The day mostly continued as normal from then on, the teacher shifting to their next respective classrooms, hour after hour. All things considered, the day was rather unremarkable. And, as usual, the four tides stood within a circle in a hallway on the school’s third floor. Though someone was missing. Rather than four, there were three. Alarick, Zhao, and Kazimir. The shortest among them was throwing a coin up and down in his hand.
“Looking for an apartment again, huh…” As Alarick trailed off, he stopped throwing the coin.
“As if, that’s an obvious lie… He must be doing something else.”
Zhao nodded at his statement.
“Arctaius usually isn’t one to postpone training for no reason, especially with Jirou around. Those two never were willing to let one surpass the other.”
Kazimir placed his hand on his chin in thought as he looked up at the ceiling.
“I do wonder what he might be doing… But, not really our business.”
Unbeknownst to them, another one of the school’s students was approaching, apparently, somebody who had an interest in the very same subject they discussed. An orange-haired boy with a school bag slung over his shoulder. Though his look had changed somewhat, his hair had grown longer in the past months, and most could still recognize him. And, of course, he could recognize the ones who spoke about his old friend. So, as he saw the three, he turned the corner and began to walk toward them.
“I can help you with that!”
The familiar voice caught their attention, as they glanced over, seeing the boy with a smirk plastered on his face. Kazimir pivoted, now facing him entirely.
“Ketamura?” He questioned.
Alarick turned as well.
“Knowing you, I’m guessing you know something we don’t.”
Akashi soon made a finger gun, pointing at him.
“Ding Ding, we got a winner! I’ve seen Asami and Taius walking around together lately...On what may be, dare I say, A date…”
Soon, they were joined by two more of their group, Yudei, and Shinto, who came in, reforming the circle they previously had. Yudei was the first of them to speak.
“Well, that’s interesting indeed… But what are you gonna do with this information?”
Ketamura glanced at him.
“What else… I’m gonna make some closer observations…”
Alarick turned his gaze away as he began throwing the coin again.
“‘Observations’? As if he’ll sense you long before you get close to him.”
Yudei nodded.
“He has every time you tried to sneak up on him these past years…”
Shinto pushed his glasses up.
“Agreed.”
Ketamura glanced at Shinto as he spoke, parting his lips to respond.
“Don’t worry about that. All that means is that I just have to observe from a distance.”
Alarick scratched the back of his head as he began to walk away.
“Well, that’s your business… I’m gonna go get something to eat.”
Kazimir followed.
“Well, I may as well go too, you’re buying, right?”
The blonde raised an eyebrow as he glanced at him.
“Why would I do that?”
Alarick and Kazimir soon walked down the hall, before descending the stairs. Zhao soon joined them, waving at the three youths as he did so. Ketamura, however, paid this no mind as he looked out of the window. The youth noted something among the waves of students that exited the school.
“Well, look who it is!”
Walking toward the school’s gates were Asami and Arctaius. Yudei stepped forward, his gaze moving to the two as well. Though, he would glance at Akashi soon after.
“Akashi, why exactly are you doing this again?”
“Because I’m bored… Not really much else to do. I don’t work until tomorrow. Well, I’m off!!”
With this, Ketamura dashed off as well. Making his way down the stairs. Yudei facepalmed as he sighed.
“I gotta get back to the Garrison anyway. I have pilot training…”
Yudei began to walk in the other direction, not willing to get involved in his friend’s antics, as much as usual, at the least. Elsewhere, Arctaius and Asami continued their stroll in silence, ignoring the crowds of students that traveled with them. Asami stepped closer to him as he began to speak.
“At least you actually showed up this time… Need I mention all those times you ran off to fight or train with those three. Even after all that time, I guess some things haven’t changed.”
Arctaius shrugged.
“I don’t see a problem… Never know when a new enemy could pop up. Or someone worth fighting.”
She only responded to his apparent aggression with a raised eyebrow.
“Enemy this, fighting that. You took care of the Kaemerge, didn’t you?”
“The main force. Though we stomped out most of them, and Ardam revealed his true colors, what’s left of the noble clans are probably running around somewhere…”
Silence soon returned between the two, as they exited the gates, and turned, beginning their walk to the west. As they did so, Asami stepped closer to Arctaius once again, grasping his hand, then holding it. Arctaius, however, does not stop her, continuing to walk with her… For a short time, at least. Soon enough, he removed his hand. Asami glanced at him in her confusion and parted her lips to speak until she heard a familiar voice.
“Oi, Taiu-”
However, even as time passed, the results did not change, As Akashi found himself crashing into Corde’s arm once again. An event that didn’t go unnoticed by those around them. Chatters began between them as Arctaius turned, putting out his hand, with Akashi grasping it and being pulled up to his feet.
“Akashi... I’ve explained this before. You can’t sneak up on me.”
“While that’s true, that’s not the point here. What’s going on with you two? I thought you were just friends.”
Though one usually expected to see a blush on her face, she seemed composed.
“Of course we are… Why would you think anything else?”
Ketamura’s smirk grew as he began to walk closer to them.
“So a boy and a girl who are- “Just Friends” walking down the street, holding hands, acting all lovey-dovey is nothing.”
Once again, there was no blush, but this made Asami turn away, looking in the opposite direction as she spoke.
“Believe what you want… But, I know this is just a meeting between friends. Does everyone not do that?”
“Even if you say that, I just think I’m getting closer to the truth… I think I have a good idea of what’s going on here…”
She glanced back at him once again.
“And what would that be?”
“Perhaps you were just hoping for something extra…”
He nudged her, and soon the three stood in silence. All the while, Asami stood there confused. What did he mean something extra… Oh. Soon, as she realized his intent, Asami’s face turned red like a tomato. Akashi chuckled, or at the least, he did until he was thrown back by a slap from Asami. Who would soon begin yelling.
“That’s what you thought this was? I don’t know how you came up with that, but you’re dead wrong!”
She huffed as she turned her attention from Akashi to the crowd that had formed around them. Great, embarrassed twice in three minutes. Not willing to stay there, Asami began walking briskly in the other direction. With Arctaius glanced over, watching as she did… Elsewhere, Akashi watched as she left from the ground, putting his thumb up.
“Worth it.”
Elsewhere, three of the four watched this with burgers in hand. As Alarick finished, he flung the paper that held his into the trash.
“Well then, that went about as well as I expected…”
Kazimir soon did the same.
“Whew, she was livid. Though, I do wonder how she got that strong…”
Zhao turned on his heel.
“Likely training… I’m going to go do that.”
“Alright then…”
“I think I’m gonna meet up with Junko if we’re not training, so I’ll see you guys later.”
As the three began walking away, a violet-haired girl, Tsuchiya, stepped into Akashi’s view, raising an eyebrow as she noted him sitting on the ground.
“What did he get into this time? Bet it was related to that Corde guy somehow.”
The man himself, however, either didn’t notice or didn’t care. Instead, he watched as Asami walked away. Rather than pursue her, he simply walked onto the opposing street.
“Oh well… Guess I’ll just see if I can find Tadashi and Kenzo around here.”
Unbeknownst to all of those there, however, something else was happening right under their noses. On the rooftop of one of Shima's many buildings, space seemed to warp as, with a flash of light, a red vortex appeared. But, that was not the strangest thing, no. The portal could be explained by it being some Proto-human. It was what came out that was truly strange. A humanoid skull-clad beast, about 10 feet tall in height, humanoid, made its way outward. Its thick fur blew in the winds around it. As it began moving its gaze around the city… Though it remained unseen for now, would that be the case for long?
To Be Continued