"So, what did you call us out here for, Mine?"
In the evening, Tatsumi, Lubbock, and Mine were sitting around a campfire, discussing something.
"Are you guys really okay with that? With the way she talked about Sheele, Bulat, and even Asahi?"
"I don't want... anyone talking about the three of them like that..."
"Then you need to be much angrier at Chelsea! Tell her, 'You're far too wide open yourself,' then laugh in her face. And while she's in shock, I'll deliver the final blow and declare victory!"
"It's perfect!"
Mine spoke in one continuous breath with a determined voice. Tatsumi stood dazed; he felt that things wouldn't end well if they actually went through with it.
"What's with that look? You're mocking me, aren't you?"
"Alright, alright. So, how are we going to teach Chelsea a lesson?"
"You discuss it with Lubbock. I'm going to think on my own."
Mine headed back inside, not forgetting to remind the two of them.
"Got it? we're doing this tonight. We're going to teach her a lesson."
The two racked their brains for a way to prank Chelsea. Finally, Lubbock's eyes lit up as an idea struck him.
And so, because of Lubbock's "ridiculous" plan, Tatsumi was now crouching behind a rock. Nearby was the natural hot spring where Chelsea was bathing.
Lubbock's plan was for Tatsumi to use Incursio's invisibility to sneak up while Chelsea was bathing and then dump a bucket of water over her head.
"Using a Teigu... for stuff like this?"
"Whatever, I have to hurry. If I drag this out, it'll be bad."
"But... I can't! No looking! Just dump the water!"
Tatsumi took a deep breath, silently masking his presence. Holding the wooden bucket, he slowly approached the bathing area.
As he got closer, the silhouette leaning against the edge of the pool became clearer. His mission was nearly complete. Only... why did that back look a bit strange?
Tatsumi had a bad feeling. The figure leaning against the edge suddenly stood up. That muscular, rugged physique belonged to a man, not Chelsea.
"Are you there? I know you're there."
It was Susanoo's voice. Having been exposed, Tatsumi could only reveal himself.
"Susanoo, why..."
"You hid your presence well, but you still left an opening. You rely too much on Incursio's invisibility; you need to mask your breathing as well."
"Don't forget that."
Tatsumi deactivated Incursio and nodded heavily. He felt he was still far too inexperienced. But in that situation, "Susanoo" suddenly smirked mischievously.
Poke!
"Got you."
A hand chopped lightly onto Tatsumi's head, and that voice... it wasn't Susanoo's. His face was filled with question marks.
"Eh? EH??"
"Hehehe, just kidding! It's me."
Chelsea, now wrapped neatly in a bath towel, smiled at Tatsumi.
"I just wanted to give you a surprise."
"So that's why you transformed and waited for me... Please forgive me!!"
Tatsumi immediately dropped to his knees and bowed his head. Trying to prank someone only to get pranked in return—he had truly lost all face.
"No need to feel ashamed. Deception is my specialty. You'd need to study for ten more years to hope to surpass me."
"Well? Are you angry?"
"Not at all."
"Hmm?"
"What you said about invisibility and masking my breath... it was all true. I'll... keep it in mind during real combat."
Chelsea was somewhat surprised by Tatsumi's answer; she could sense it was a sincere statement. The slight bitterness from the morning evaporated.
"It seems you know how to take advice."
"Not long ago, I returned from a mission where my entire team was wiped out. I... don't want that to happen again to the people here."
"Sorry about what I said this morning. I didn't know Asahi was that important to you."
Chelsea had turned her head away, so he couldn't see her expression, but it was likely very different from her usual cheerful self. Tatsumi smiled gently; his slight resentment from the morning vanished without a trace.
In the end, Chelsea was just worried about everyone's lives.
"Honestly... you really are a good person, Chelsea."
Chelsea's face flushed slightly. She turned away and splashed the wooden bucket of water Tatsumi had put down earlier into his face.
"I'm not. It just makes me feel better."
"Also, if you peek at me bathing again, next time I'll snip it off. Be careful."
Chelsea made a cutting motion with two fingers. Tatsumi shuddered, nodded like a chick pecking grain, and bolted away.
…
The Capital's Central District
Esdeath strolled through the crowded streets. She wasn't very focused at the moment, her eyes unconsciously scanning the crowd as if searching for a certain silhouette.
"Commander, what is the matter?"
Run asked from behind with a puzzled tone. She pulled her cap lower, trying to hide her flustered expression.
"Every time I come to a crowded place, I unconsciously look for Tatsumi."
"Commander, we are trying to find people like him in the army. If you wish, I will arrange for them to meet you."
"No need for that, Run. There is only one Tatsumi that I love. I will not accept a substitute."
"My apologies."
The topic of Tatsumi ended for the moment, shifting toward the former servant of Night Raid, Asahi.
"Run, how is the investigation into Asahi going?"
"We have searched both his room in the palace and his coffee shop. We found nothing suspicious. The incident that night was a complete surprise to both Asahi and us, so I have ruled out the possibility that evidence was cleared away in advance."
"This person does not belong to any faction. I am leaning toward the possibility that this was an independent action on his part."
"An independent action?"
Esdeath felt that the man named Asahi was somewhat similar to the black-armored warrior she had faced before. The style of action was extremely unique. Coincidentally, when equipped with black armor, it matched Kurome and Wave's description of Asahi's appearance at that time.
Could it be that the two were one and the same?
Asahi, the Nameless Warrior.
However, since Asahi had suddenly vanished into that purple circle, the trail had gone cold. The Jaegers could only leave the investigation for later. Their ultimate goal remained the annihilation of Night Raid.
"Tell Seryu to quickly pull herself together. Her depression must not affect the next mission."
"Understood."
Esdeath walked on, and Run bowed. His face no longer held its usual kindness but rather the cunning of an old fox.
"This isn't good at all."
"A brutal woman, a close ally of the Prime Minister. I once thought that aside from her strength, she was nothing but trash."
"Observing her will be quite interesting."
"Asahi, you must not be dead yet. I have a feeling we will meet again soon. When that time comes, you do your thing, and I'll do mine. Our paths won't cross."
In contrast to Run, the thoughts in Esdeath's heart were currently very strange.
"What is this feeling in my chest? Is it because I want to see Tatsumi again soon? Or is it... that the final battle with them is drawing near?"
…
"Hey!! Hey!!! I'm lost! I'm lost!!"
Seeing a caravan in the distance, Asahi was moved to tears. After walking for three days amidst the sun, wind, and sand, he had finally found people!