The five of them let out a collective sigh of relief as they stepped into the absolute safety of the base. The tension of the wasteland evaporated, replaced by the relaxed hum of post-mission chatter.
"Rosaria-chan, are you feeling alright now?" Tarako asked.
"Yes," she replied softly. "I'm so sorry for all the trouble I caused today."
"Hey, don't go there. It wasn't your fault," Yamikaze reassured her.
"Exactly," Shana added, his mind drifting toward the PKers of Laughin' Coffin. "Just because the game mechanics allow for that kind of cruelty doesn't mean we have to tolerate the people who use them. I'm not trying to play the hero of justice or anything. I just plain old hate guys like that."
"They do what they like because they enjoy it; we stop them because we enjoy it. Seems fair to me," Tarako mused. "We might never wipe them out completely, but we damn sure can't just leave them to their own devices."
"In the end, might makes right. It's a game; that's just how the world turns," Yamikaze agreed.
None of them claimed to be crusaders for good. They simply had things they hated, and they had the power to act on that hatred.
"By the way, Shana," Tarako said, switching gears. "I want to show Ikoma the recording from earlier."
"Sure, I'll get it ready," Shana said. "Though I can't guarantee it's actually 'entertaining' to watch."
"I'm still a little embarrassed about it…" Rosaria murmured.
"Just deal with it," Shana said bluntly. "In a worst-case scenario, I might use it as propaganda to crush our enemies' morale."
"Oh, wow," Yamikaze laughed. "No mercy for the enemy. I don't hate that vibe at all, Shana."
The video began to play. The footage was synced to Tarako's field of vision, showing a crisp view through a high-powered scope as enemy players were systematically picked off. The editing was clever—occasionally cutting to shots of Rosaria humming or Shana's focused profile.
"Incredible," Ikoma whispered.
"See that, Ikoma? I'm a bit of a legend, aren't I?" Shana teased.
"Oh, well, your skills are already legendary in my book, Shana-san," Ikoma replied. "I was actually talking about Rosaria-san's humming."
Shana paused. "...Don't you start raising the bar for me too, kid."
"Haha, sorry!"
Ikoma continued, "I'm a fan of classical music, and I listen to it quite a bit. Her pitch was perfect, and the tone was so soothing. I don't mean to sound surprised, but it was truly wonderful. That piece is harder to hum than it looks."
"Is it now? Let's see…" Yamikaze tried to follow along with the video, though instead of humming, he went for a full-voiced 'La-la-la.'
"Laaa~ la-la-la-la-la-la-laaa… laaa~ la-la-la-la-la-la-laaa—cough, hack! Okay, yeah, that's hard. Rosaria-chan, give us a live demo!"
"What? No, I couldn't…"
"I want to hear it too!" Ikoma chimed in. "Please? Just a little bit?"
"No, it's too embarrassing…"
"I'd like to hear it again too, Rosaria," Shana said casually.
"Laaa~ la-la-la-la-la-la-laaa… laaa~ la-la-la-la-la-la-laaa…"
"She started without a second's hesitation just because Shana asked!" Yamikaze yelled.
"That's cold, Rosaria-chan! But also amazing!" Tarako laughed.
Soon, everyone in the room—despite some questionable pitch—began singing along to the video. There was a strange joy in watching the onscreen Shana drop enemies in perfect time with their clumsy chorus. No one cared if they sounded bad.
Suddenly, a sixth voice joined in.
The newcomer's voice was strikingly beautiful, possessing a volume and clarity that outclassed everyone else. The group didn't stop singing, but they all turned toward the entrance to see who it was.
There stood Pitohui, singing along with a manic grin. As the video ended, the room erupted into applause for her.
"Whoa, you're good!"
"'Good' doesn't cover it. That sounded professional," Tarako and Yamikaze remarked.
Pitohui looked at them, her eyes twinkling. "Well, if it isn't Tara-o and Yami-yami. What are you two doing here?"
Tarako snapped back instantly. "My last name isn't Fuguta, stop calling me Tara-o!"
"I guess I got off easy with Yami-yami…" Yamikaze sighed.
Shana turned to Pitohui. "I invited them. You three know each other?"
"Oh, really?" Pito smirked. "Yeah, these two are old-timers. We've crossed paths a few times, haven't we?"
"Why does that sound so ominous?" Shana asked.
"Oh, you know," Pito waved a hand dismissively. "Back in the day, I might have betrayed them once or twice… killed them, used them as human shields… the usual."
"Pito," Shana said flatly. "Sit down next to me. Now."
Pitohui's eyes went wide. "Is Shana actually being sweet? Hold on, let me go take a shower first—"
"Cut the crap."
"Yes, sir!"
The moment she sat down, looking quite pleased with herself, Shana delivered a sharp rap to the top of her head.
"Aah! You shouldn't do that kind of play in front of people, Shana…"
Shana ignored her, delivering two or three more raps for good measure. "Apologize to these two."
Without a hint of hesitation, Pitohui turned to the men and gave a polite bow. "Tara-o, Yami-yami, I am very sorry for the past."
"Wait… did Pitohui just… apologize?" Tarako was stunned.
"No way!" Yamikaze added. "I'd heard the rumors, but seeing her actually obey someone is terrifying."
Shana then bowed his head slightly to the two men. "Sorry. This idiot has clearly been a lot of trouble for you."
"Hey, it's fine. Water under the bridge," Tarako said. "Ever since we heard she was running with you, the bad rumors about her stopped completely. I don't mind. Besides, Pito, I didn't know you could sing like that."
"I love singing!" Pito chirped. "But Rosaria-chan is the one with the lovely voice! I was impressed!"
"It wasn't much," Rosaria said, looking flustered. "I can't be compared to you."
"Nonsense!" Pito said. "If your voice hits the notes, it's a song! There's no good or bad—it's about having fun!"
Pito started singing along to the video again. "Shaaa~ Sha-na-na-na-na-Sha-na-naaa~"
"Don't put my name in the lyrics to Bolero," Shana groaned. "And the fact that you're actually good at it makes it even more annoying."
Shana moved to hit her again, then realized it would only make her happy and stopped mid-swing. Pitohui looked up with a face of pure ecstasy, having expected the impact.
"Haaah… Shana is… ignoring me…"
"The result is the same either way," Shana muttered, giving up.
Tarako and Yamikaze watched the exchange and spoke in unison: "You two are really close, huh?!"
"Hah? She's just my subordinate. Nothing more, nothing less," Shana said.
"That's right! I'm just Shana's servant! The Servant of Servants!"
"Are you guys flirting at us?!"
"You two are the ones who are perfectly in sync," Shana retorted.
Pito leaned in. "So, what was that video? Even as a certified 'Shania,' I haven't seen that one."
"What the hell is a 'Shania'?"
"Short for Shana-Mania!"
"Right, right. Anyway, Rosaria was kidnapped today."
"Whaaaat?!"
Shana explained the day's events. Pitohui listened in silence, but by the end, her voice dropped into a low, terrifying register.
"Those pieces of filth… I'm going to slaughter every last one of them."
"R-right…"
Pito rushed over to Rosaria, pulling the girl's head into her chest. "I'm so sorry, Rosaria-chan! If I'd been there, I would have protected you!"
"No, it was my fault for being careless," Rosaria muffled into Pito's shirt.
"And to think… they cut your tendons and blinded you. Only Shana should be allowed to do things like that to you! It must have been so painful!"
"Wait… what? Uh… I… yeah, I guess?" Rosaria agreed, purely out of confusion.
"So, what's the plan, Shana?" Pito asked.
"If they keep coming after us… it's war. We go all the way."
"Ooh! I love it when you're bloodthirsty!"
"Only if they keep coming," Shana clarified. "I'm not looking for a random massacre."
"Well, that's no fun, but I guess a war needs an end point!"
"But if they start it, we finish it. We don't stop until their spirits are broken. Brace yourself, Pito."
"Roger!"
Shana turned back to her. "Also, Pito. I tested those AR and AL tools today."
"The Active Radar and Acoustic Locators? How were they?"
"I shredded the enemy through a building wall."
"Ecstasy!"
"Stop saying weird things. Anyway, it felt like cheating. It's too broken."
Pito's eyes sparkled. "And?"
"Until this war is over, I'm authorizing unlimited use of those tools. Go nuts."
"Yes! Kikoku-chan, it's finally time!"
Pitohui drew her Kagemitsu G3. The crimson photon blade hissed to life, flickering like a flame hungry for blood.
"Pito has one too?!" Yamikaze shouted.
"A red blade… man, that's cool! I want one!"
"Fufun. This is my Kikoku-chan," Pito bragged.
"So," Shana asked, looking at the two men. "What are you two going to do?"
"I don't have many ties to my squadron anymore," Yamikaze said. "Call me whenever you need help. Actually, call me even if you don't need help."
"Hey, no fair, Yamikaze!" Tarako shouted. He looked at his partner, then turned to Shana with a serious expression.
"I spent all my time in GGO trying to build the biggest squadron possible. I never cared about the quality of the members. Today taught me how wrong I was. I'm going to disband my squadron. I'll keep only the people who share my vision and start over from scratch. Then, I'll lead them to fight alongside you in this war."
"Are you sure?" Shana asked.
Tarako smiled. "We're friends, aren't we?"
"...Yeah. I guess we are."
The two shared a firm handshake, and Yamikaze threw his hand in as well. Just then, the rest of the crew entered the base.
"Oh, those are the guys from the BoB! Tarako-san and Yamikaze-san, right?"
"Wait, I knew Tarako was around, but since when are Yamikaze and Shana friends?"
"Hmm. Did something happen, Shana?"
"H-hello everyone."
Benkei, Sinon, Nyangoro, and M walked in, followed finally by Shizuka.
"Shana," Shizuka said, her voice commanding the room. "Who are our guests?"
"I'm sure you recognize them. This is Usshio Tarako, and this is Yamikaze."
"Uh… h-hey. I'm Tarako. Just call me Tarako."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Yamikaze."
Both men were visibly intimidated by Shizuka's regal, "Queen-like" presence.
"I am Shizuka, Shana's partner. It is a pleasure."
"I'm Benkei, Shana's sister."
"I don't think I need an introduction," Sinon said coolly.
"I am Nyangoro! You shall call me Master!"
"I'm M. Nice to meet you."
"So," Shizuka asked. "What happened?"
Shana filled them in on the kidnapping and the skirmish.
"I see… so that's what they did."
"Unforgivable," Benkei muttered.
"Whatever," Sinon said, her hand tightening on her rifle case. "I'll just put a Hecate round through every last one of them."
"If it comes to it, I'm joining the fray too, Shana!" Nyangoro declared.
"I understand," M said solemnly. "I'll stay on high alert."
The five women rushed to Rosaria's side, offering comfort. Watching this, Tarako and Yamikaze felt a deep wave of envy at the absolute solidarity of the Shana Corps.
"Hey, Yamikaze… is this Shana's harem?" Tarako whispered.
"The quality level in this room is insane, man…"
"I can hear you," Shana barked. "And for the record, it's not a harem."
"C'mon, Shana… except for his sister Benkei, don't all these girls like him?"
As those words left Tarako's mouth, Shizuka, Sinon, Rosaria, Nyangoro, and even Pitohui all began to fidget and blush. The two men crumbled under the weight of the realization.
"Oh…"
"That's the second time today we've taken massive damage…"
Shana looked on, exasperated, but he had a war to plan. He pulled the conversation back to business.
"Listen up. We're likely going to war today, so brace yourselves. These two are allies, but out there, we won't know who to trust. From now on, everyone logs out here at the base. Don't lower your guard around Dyne's group yet. Eva's crew should be fine, but still… never go out alone."
"If that's the case," Tarako said, "we can move around as scouts. We'll gather intel on what people are saying in town."
"Yeah," Yamikaze added. "There's no point in anyone taking us hostage, anyway."
"Really? Thanks," Shana said. "I'll take you up on that. I owe you one."
"Forget it," Tarako smiled. "We're friends."
"Yeah! We've got the Friendship Certificates to prove it!"
Shana bowed his head to them in thanks. With a grin and a wave, the two men headed back into the city to begin their work.
-------------------------------
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