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“Um… Denisov-san invited me to a little outing...” I tried my very best to squeeze that embarrassing line out my mouth. To be honest, I can’t believe I actually connected it all in one go. Now I’m just going to wait for that inevitable “Oh, you.” look Satoru would give me.

“So it’s a date.” He recites wearing an incredible, stone-cold, poker-faced as if he got turned into a stone statue.
“No… no… The two of us aren’t in that kind of relationship.”
“Yet.” He supplements my sentence flatly, wiping away that smokescreen of an excuse I threw up instantly.
…
..
“So it’s a date.”
There was really no refute I could put up without me sounding like a criminal in denial. In Satoru’s presence, I felt like a traveler being judged by a sphinx.

“I guess so.” I sigh, finally bringing myself to face reality.
It wasn’t that I disliked Margaret Denisov, quite the opposite really. Unfortunately, many of her qualities made me feel quite disconcerting on a psychological level. Her bold and upfront approach when it came to socializing didn’t help either.

To put it short, there’s that part of me that feels embarrassed whenever I’m placed next to her. Emasculated? possibly. Jealousy? probably. In the end, I really just wanted to do something that made me appear as someone who’s reliable in her eyes. But… how was that possible when I’m outclassed in every way possible?

Satoru, the reliable friend he had always been, gave me an ever reassuring tap on the shoulder.
“Good luck.”
Then in near blinding speed, suited himself up and escaped downstairs, leaving me to my own devices.
Oh, I will pay him back for this, trust me.

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Exiting from the back door, I began making my way to the Kure’s center square, the commercial heart of the city which also held the city’s largest traditional open market. While the blockade during the war sank the place into serious depression, its recovery after the war was swift as the infrastructure was largely intact, businesses quickly reopened, and stores resumed their commercial activities.

As I got closer to the center square, I happened to reach a hill that overlooked the port city. Over the horizon stretched the majestic sight of Kure’s full naval arsenal. While once one would see the silhouettes of the Combined Fleet’s finest warships, it had since been replaced by those from the Beiyang Fleet- an equally magnificent sight, except…
Seeing a hostile foreign fleet docking in the port I once called home was more disheartening than I had thought.
I decided to get the thought out of my head and hurried to the rendezvous point.

Soon I got to a park near the square where Margaret and I had planned to meet-
“Kurokawa-kun! Over here!”
Considering that she quite literally was the definition of a Triton among the minnows, Margaret really didn’t need to call my name, or wave at me to catch my attention.
While her calling out at me got myself in a spot of unwanted attention, it would also be very disrespectful of me to not wave back.

“Good- good morning, Hauser-san.”
I tried my best to avoid appearing too awkward, but this task appeared borderline impossible with practically every single bystander in the plaza looking. Not to mention the moment I actually got to her…
“Rise-chan picked this for me. I’m not too used to long dresses or heels, but it’s nice for a change. What do you think?”

The quality of her outfit was evident with just one glance. The custom-made pitch black, one piece long dress perfectly contrasted with the Valkyria’s pale skin and glimmering platinum hair. Completing this outfit was a black sun hat trimmed with gold ribbons and a web-like accessory that stuck out from the side.

And thanks to the heels, Margaret stood taller than ever. Indeed, standing beside her made me appear like a middle-schooler in comparison. In fact, I feel like I might have just verified the existence of the yokai Hasshaku-sama. If only Akane was here to do her disturbing laugh...

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“You look... gorgeous.” I gave her my honest compliment while trying to hide my bashfulness in her presence. Despite the general inconvenience for me to view her in full form, I cannot dispute Akane’s tastes when it came to picking out clothing.

That said, my mind was more captivated by the Valkyria’s, wide, buoyant smile that made its way across her face. As much as the compliment gave her joy, seeing Margaret amiable smile also eased my initial discomfort of being at her side.

“Where are we going today?” Ever so quick to jump into action, I felt the tug as Margaret forcefully held my hand, in a way that was really no different from a happy couple.
As for myself, was it really a surprise when that caused my heart to beat like a combustion engine on high gear?

>Ask if there’s any restaurant around that suits her fancy
>Take her on a little adventure around Kure
>Bring her to your old family residence to avoid the crowd

>>2398422
>>Take her on a little adventure around Kure

110% not a date!

>>2398422
>Take her on a little adventure around Kure

>>2398422
>Take her on a little adventure around Kure

>>2398422
>Take her on a little adventure around Kure
I want us to date Yanagi instead...

>>2398422
>Take her on a little adventure around Kure

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“I’ll show you around,” I replied, unconsciously tightening my grip on her hand.
So this is it, the two of us have taken off like this. Now that there’s no way of walking out, I might as well try giving my best shot.

Kure, this was my hometown, one that I am the most familiar with. Traversing through this busy port city to me was equivalent to taking a walk in my backyard. In this case, I might as well take Margaret over to all the relevant spots.

“Have you eaten for today?” I ask the Valkyria, the two of us strolling across a full street of small food vendors. These stores, tend to all come and go by the whim depending on the season. Fortunately for us, January was the season when the squids gather and spawn.
“Hmm… no, but I’m not exactly… Oh?” She appeared mildly surprised when I presented her a whole grilled calamari, skewered on a stick.
“Give it a try.” I coaxed, passing her the foodstuff while I went to purchase my own share. When I turned my attention back, Margaret has already munched down half the squid’s body.

“How was it?” I ask, watching her chew away happily. “You can’t find these back in the Empire.”
“I never thought street vendor food can be this tasty!”
“Lucky that we’re in the season for squid,” I reply, looking down the long hall of food stalls to come. “There’s more down the road, want to take a look?”
Needless to say, she accepted this invitation with absolute glee.

Enthralled by this first-time experience, Margaret was all too happy to visit all the food stalls down this road. Instead of sitting down to have an actual meal, the two of us opted to scavenge each store for bits, and practically ate our lunch from the get-go. There was no romantic afternoon tea or resting our heads on each other’s shoulders while watching the port, and to be honest I liked it that way.

Margaret’s attitude all this while was akin to that of a fledgling experiencing its first successful flight, its first time out of the nest and into the skies beyond. Thus, even things that I would consider mundane and common appeared mysterious and exotic to her. And seeing Margaret enjoying herself to this extent dispelled whatever disconcerting feelings I held initially.

I watched silently as the Valkyria examined through the windows of a souvenir shop, eyes beaming with curiosity at the overpriced, banal items made to scam tourists, foreigners, and now, the sailors of Beiyang. All this only spoke to just how secluded her upbringing was.

Moving beside her, I examined the rows of souvenirs displayed outside. Since we’re already here, on a date nevertheless, I might as well buy her a present. The only thing was, which present exactly?

>A carved emblem of Zipang’s crest
>A Darcsen doll
>A Keychain of the Kongou, the flagship of the Combined Fleet
>Buy her a ring.

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>>2398918

>>2400782
>A Darcsen doll

>>2400782
>A Keychain of the Kongou, the flagship of the Combined Fleet

We will buy the doll for Yanagi and only for her.

>>2401797
Also doesn't a proper doll have to be handmade from our underpants?

>>2400782
>A Darcsen doll

>>2400782
>A Keychain of the Kongou, the flagship of the Combined Fleet

Choosing this since if we are going to give her the doll we might as well make it ourself.

>>2400782
>A Keychain of the Kongou, the flagship of the Combined Fleet

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>>2401799
Well, to be more accurate its spare/scrap clothes, not that an underwear can't be included in this category.

There's also a rather marked difference between Darcsens living in Zipang and all the others in the outside world, nominally on how they view their own culture. But alas, that's a point I would like to explore in the story a bit later.

>>2406066
>What was your family like?

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Missed a bit just now
------------------------
“Wait here for a moment.”
Making up my decision, I stepped into the store, and seconds later, returned with a keychain.
A keychain of the Kongou, pride of the Combined Fleet, the same warship my father was captain of. This keychain was also ended up more costly than most newer souvenir in the store, but considering the circumstances it’s hardly a surprise.

“Here.” I offered Margaret the battleship keychain. “It’s yours now.”
“Ah… this…” Startled by my actions, she hurriedly stuffed the keychain back to me. “No, no, I can’t take this!”
“Why not?”
“Kurokawa-kun, you spent quite some money on it right?” she stated, embarrassed. “All for my sake…”
“Yeah, this indeed cost quite a sum for a mere keychain.” I admit, swaying the miniature battleship on the background of the bright afternoon sun. “It’s an old stock souvenir that survived the bombing after all, and considering that Zipang is part of the Khaganate’s domain now, this might be the last of its production line.”

With that, I placed the keychain back into Margaret’s hands.
“But that’s what makes it such a good present, doesn’t it?” I ended it with a smile.
“Thank you, Kurokawa-kun.”
Accepting my present, she nodded and held it close to her chest.
“It meant alot to you as well, right? ”
…
…

Other than the Kongou keychain, there also were the keychains for Haruna, Hiei, and Kirishima, her three sister ships in the store. However, I did not hesitate to pick this one out of the lot, and I well understood why…
“I have his legacy to carry after all.”
“Looks like we both have inherited something to live up to.” She nodded, smiling warmly.

Indeed, both of us were burdened to carry the glories of our heritage, be it my father’s name and prestige, or Margaret’s Valkyrian legacy grafted into her blood. With nothing else in common, it was the one quality that we shared, but this was also the one part that made me feel the most different.

Margaret wore her heritage very much like a medal, full of pride and confidence- something I could not do, or rather, have yet found a legitimate reason to. In a sense, I admire her, but at the same time… I couldn’t help but envy her.

“Denisov-san”
“Hmm?”

>What was your family like?
>I want to be more like you.
>Let’s go somewhere else
>Write in

>>2406070
>What was your family like?

>>2406070
>I want to be more like you. Your awesome

>>2406070
>>What was your family like?
AITENG WHEN

>>2406070
>What was your family like?

>>2406070
>What was your family like?

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>>2406086
>>2406195
>>2408422
>>2409288
>>2406069
“What was your family like?”
Come to think of it, I know so little of Margaret compared to what she knew about me.
While we were on the topic, I felt this would be a good opportunity to learn a little bit more about her and her family, the mysterious Denisovs.

“What do you mean?”
“I’d love to know about your family as well.”
Margaret closed her eyes, looking like someone in deep meditation.
“It might be a bit long. What about we find a place to sit first? I can elaborate on the way.”

In the end, the two of us decided to spend the rest of noon around the local park. Though with the merciless abuse of the war, I doubt there was anything of value left there other than meter-wide craters.
That didn’t mean it was a dull boring place, no, not with what Margaret has been telling me in this way.

“Papa was a stern, cunning man. He kept me in secrecy, trained me vigorously, and taught me everything I needed to know…”

That would be Vlastislav Denisov, a man whose life, for the most part, was shrouded in mystery, then again that could be said for every other member of that family. He stood out the most simply due to a chain of events that led to him being featured twice in a global magazine.

Then again, for someone who was never part of the nobility or the ethnic ruling majority to advance that far in the Empire was in itself a feat rarely heard of, hence her description of him wasn’t surprising in the least. As for keeping Margaret’s existence a secrecy… I guess everyone knew the reason.

“He wanted me to be his ace in the hole.”
“Is that really what he wanted?” I asked, walking over a bridge set across a dried pond. “Sounds like he was did everything he could to shield you away from the research facilities.”
“But what kind of father throws his own daughter off a five-story building without warning?”

What? Did I just hear that correctly?
“Is there something wrong?” she crooks her head, staring at me who was stopped dead in my tracks.
“Your father… threw you off a building.”
“Yeah, and I was only eight then!” Margaret continues with a pout. “He could have at least told mama and brother Konstantin about it first!”

Am I hallucinating?
There was just too many things ‘wrong’ in that revelation, an answer that only lead to even more questions that clogged my brain like algae in a pipe.
Why did Vlastislav toss his own daughter off the roof?
Why is Margaret not scarred at the least by this event?
How did she survive falling off five stories when she was only eight at the time?
Why is she only upset at him not telling this to her mother and brother?
What in the world is wrong with this family!?

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>>2410547
“But thanks to that event, I awakened the legacy sealed in my bloodline,” Smiling with confidence, her eyes beamed with a dim red glow. “And I will thank him forever for what he did for me.”
“He.. seems to be quite a strict person…” I still had no idea what she was talking about, however, I fear asking her to explain would only lead to a thousand more questions.

“I am very close to mama, brother Konstantin and sister Vione! Though they were overprotective at times, particularly brother Konstantin. Ever since papa passed away, he took up his position and became the head of the family.”

Konstantin Vladimirovich Denisov, the current CEO of Denisov Industries. This man, like all his predecessors, had a life shrouded in mystery. He was also the one Denisov with the most rumors and gossip orbiting him. Most notably, how he funded the Rus faction in within the Empire’s recent internal political struggle, and how the guy had hands in everyone’s pockets.

Well, since he was the architect of the Yamato and this operation, I guess I could call him our boss.

“As a matter of fact, my brother and sister planned to spend their lives together!”
“Together, as in?”
“Husband and Wife, obviously!”
…
…
I’ve opened up Pandora’s Box

>What a lovely family you have
>No… I don’t get it, please explain
>Is this… all normal to you?
>I feel, you might fare better off without them around.
>Write In.

>>2410554
>What a lovely family you have

>>2410554
>Is this… all normal to you?
Not surprising that the family ended up being some Habsburg-tier fuckery, but still.

>>2410554
>Is this… all normal to you?

>>2410554
>I feel, you might fare better off without them around.

>>2410554
>Father is called Vlastislav
>His son is Konstantin Vladimirovich
Patronymics don't work like this Focus. He should be Konstantin Vlastislavovich.

>What a lovely family you have
>Is this… all normal to you?

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>>2411062
I swear to god this will be the last time I make updates without consulting my editor

.>>2406195
Most likely would show up in the next couple updates

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>>2410555
>>2410590
>>2411062
>>2410613
“What a lovely family you have,” I say, trying to distance myself away from this topic altogether.
“Right?” Margaret follows me, the two of us entering a pagoda situated in the middle of the dried pond.
“As a matter of fact, sister Vione is planning to have kids soon, but my brother is… well, not quite ready to accept her offer yet.”

Of course, he isn’t, normal people don’t engage in such relationships with their own siblings. Just what type of dysfunctional family is this?

Entering the two-story-tall pagoda, the two of us settled down on one of the remaining circular marble benches which still stood around after the ravages of war. If not for this conflict, the two of us would be sitting in a beautiful winter landscape, perfect for a date… though I think this ‘date’ has so far derailed into a dive down the rabbit hole that is the Denisov family.

“Is this… normal?”
“Hm? Which part of it?”

There was a part of me that really wanted to tell Margaret just how abnormal this is, but it’s clear that she clearly knows no better, being sheltered from the outside world her entire life.

“The, erm, lifestyle?”
“Oh, you mean papa’s training? For as long as I can remember! ”
I tried to be as euphemistic as possible while approaching the topic, though I think the implications flew right over Margaret’s head.

“I’ve had regular combat training on a weekly basis, and field training every few months! Have I told you about that one time I spent the winter in the Perm Mountains?”

“Um, no, but please elaborate.” Normally this would be someone telling me about her camping trip, but after what Margaret just told me now, it’s highly unlikely that this ends up being anything normal.
“I just turned twelve that winter, so papa thought I was old enough to go into the wilderness alone. It was quite an exhilarating experience!”
“What equipment did you bring?”
“A survival knife, a sleeping bag and some clothes, of course.” She clasped her hands together in joy. “Could it be that Kurokawa-kun likes camping as well?”
Camping? That sounded more like fighting for survival, and child abuse. And no, I’ve never heard a single account of living person who went camping in the Perm Mountains alone during winter and not end up as a mistaken relic from the ice age.... Until now, that is.

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>>2416659
“I used to spend some my summer days in Mino.” I reply, reminiscing the past. “Not alone, but with my sister, and sometimes Yanagi and Satoru would come as well.”
I turn around to see Margaret listening to my tale diligently like a kid listening to a fairy tale. While I guess this was probably nothing special in the eyes of others. To her, this ‘normal’ occurrence most likely appeared.. abnormal.
“Fishing, telling ghost stories, watching the night skies, swimming in the lake...“ I shrug with a wry smile, “All the usual stuff, I’m pretty sure your experiences are far more entertaining than mine.”
…
…
“Umm… Hauser-san?”
Something was wrong, as in… Margaret was staring at me with morbid curiosity. Sure, what I said might not be an everyday occurrence to her, but surely it wouldn’t warrant her locking onto me like a cat preparing to pounce on a toy.
“So, how’s it between the two of you?”
“Between me and?”
“Your sister, of course, Kurokawa-kun!” The Valkyria exclaim, suddenly shoving her face dangerously near my own. “Say, are the two of you engaged as well?”
“En--engaged?”
“Yes! Like brother Konstantin and sister Vione!” she held my hands, and shoved herself even closer, her abnormally tall stature practically demanded to know whether or not Tewi and I were in a relationship that we should not have.

“Hauser-san…?” Facing Margaret’s overwhelming pressure, I instinctively scooted farther away from her. Yet she just keeps pressing the issue.
“The trip to Mino is your little honeymoon, isn’t it? How was the first night?”
“Um…”
Straying my line of sight away from her in embarrassment, I unintentionally caught a glimpse of something else - a lone young woman sitting at the bench not far from the one we occupied who appeared to be… sobbing?

...Have I seen this person somewhere?
For some reason that was how I felt, yet her identity just kept escaping my mind.
More surprisingly, I realized that Margaret has… stopped her advances? Turning my sight back to her, I realized the Valkyria was also pinning her attention onto this lone flower in this winter park.

“...”
Margaret narrowed her eyes, no doubt trying her hardest to discern the identity of that person. Yet at the same time, seeing her like this also cast a worrying atmosphere upon the two of us.


>“Hauser-san, do you know her?”
>”Should we find out what’s wrong?”
>Suggest switching to another location.
>Write in

>>2416691
>“Hauser-san, do you know her?”

>>2416691
>“Hauser-san, do you know her?”
>”Should we find out what’s wrong?”

>>2416691
>“Hauser-san, do you know her?”

>>2416691
>“Hauser-san, do you know her?”

>>2416691
>”Should we find out what’s wrong?”

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>>2416720
>>2417217
>>2417446
>>2417593
“Hauser-san, do you happen to know her?”
“No, but I feel I’ve seen her before, somewhere…”
A co-worker? A celebrity of sorts? The latter seemed more likely considering Margaret’s current persona, but a celebrity to a war photographer, all by herself? Something didn’t feel quite right.

“Should we find out what’s wrong?” I suggest, partly due to genuine concern, and partly due to me wishing to escape from whatever forbidden topic Margaret might bring up again.
Nodding in agreement, Margaret stood up and together we walked over to the lone maiden sitting near the edge. Mustering my courage, I cleared my throat to voice my concern.
“Are you alright, Miss?”
Noticing that she has caught someone else’s attention, the girl hurriedly wiped away her tears with her sleeves.

“I- 'm fine,” she replied bluntly, trying to hide her emotions by feigning a weak smile. While she did her best to make herself appear composed and presentable, her red, watery eyes only gave away her woes.
Undeterred by the girl’s reluctance for help, Margaret stepped in and offered the girl a handkerchief.
“Here, use this.”
Surprised by the Valkyria’s towering stature, the girl cowered back initially. But as soon as she saw Margaret’s ever amicable smile and her kind gesture, she realized the Valkyria meant no harm, and gradually softened up.
“...Thank you.”
Seeing the girl finally accepted her kindness, Margaret responded with a nod before taking a seat beside the woe-struck girl.

“What happened?”
“I was just waiting for someone, though...” the girl said, once again lowering her eyes, sighing wistfully.
“Who might that be?” Margaret asks, sitting beside her, a question the girl chose not to answer. Looking at the two of us, she lets out a wry smile.
“The two of you are quite close, aren’t you?”
“Ah… um… we…”
I found myself stuttering and unable to respond. A ‘no’ would appear like a cop out while a ‘yes’ would be a false admission that I’m in some sort of relationship with Margaret, which I am certainly not.
“I am quite envious, to be honest.”
“Did you have an argument with someone?” Margaret questioned, to which the woman fell silent again. However, the answer could not be more obvious.
“I wish I meant more to him.” With a sigh, she spilled out the underlying problem of her relationship. “We were supposed to meet here, but it seems like he’s not coming after all.”
“Why not break up?” I suggest, “Seems like an option that benefits both of you.”
“It’s… not that easy.” she mutters, “Not just for me, but for the both of us.”

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>>2422739
Well then, going any further would warrant this lady to reveal more than what I would consider appropriate ‘privacy’, and I certainly wouldn’t want to be the guy to take the first step. However, without more background, it was quite hard to grasp what exactly was happening between her and her significant other.

“Is that him?”
Out of the blue, Margaret pointed to the entrance of the park. Someone was making his way into the park and heading right towards this direction. Given that the three of us were the only people who ever bothered to come here, this might just be...

And as the figure came closer to view, her face gradually lighted up, all the way until her melancholic attitude was washed away completely as she stood up to wave at the young man.
So this was the person she was waiting for?
He was a young, handsome man with a slender build, around the same age and height as I am and donning Beiyang’s uniform. His clean, delicate face and a neatly cut natural gray hair gave him of the impression of a proper, confident, earnest youth- the type of person I imagine many young women would fall heads over heels for. The wakizashi holster around his belt appears to be a trophy taken from fallen Zipangnese soldiers.

However, unlike his girlfriend, this young fellow did not display the slightest bit of emotion, even when she was running to him.

“There you are.”
He muttered in an utterly monotone voice tone as he caught her running into his arms.
Then, without giving her time to respond, the young officer held shut her lips with a deep kiss, leaving his girl in a state of shock, which quickly turned to bashfulness as her face flushed red as a tomato.
“I-I’m so glad you cam…”
“Come, let’s go. We don’t have time to waste.”
Once he released her from his arms, he didn’t take a moment to hesitate as he grabbed her hand and took off, but not before taking one last look at Margaret and myself.

This sequence would have been fine, if not for the fact that he has his eyes fixed on Margaret and I the entire time, even when kissing his girlfriend. It felt eerily unnatural, and it seems Margaret shared the same opinion, sending off the two of them with a concerned look.

“Hauser-san?”
“... I can’t believe we would meet them here.” She spoke in a more serious tone, her arms crossed over her chest.
“Them?”
“That was the former prince of the Yu Dynasty, Sima Guang.”
…
…
“What? Why would someone like him… No, if he’s here then that girl must be…”
“Amile Berke, third princess of the Tengar Khaganate.” Muttering those words, Margaret instinctively grabbed my arm and quickly brought us out of the park, keeping a close eye on our surroundings for possible pursuers.

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>>2422746
To our luck, there did not appear to be any, but Margaret insisted that we lay low for a short while just to be safe. In the end, we took refuge in back alleys of the residential area, a few blocks away from the park while I took some time to think about the encounter.
A disgraced prince being forced into a union with the family that took over his country... no wonder Amile said this relationship wasn’t that easy to break off.
However, I couldn’t help but feel disturbed by his actions, particularly the way he treats her…

“I think we’re clear here.”
Margaret called out to me shortly after, as we returned to the main street once again.

>Suggest tailing the pair
>Ask Margaret about Sima Guang
>Invite Margaret to your home
>Write In

>>2422754
>Suggest tailing the pair
If we're caught, we have the war photographer legend to fall back to.

>Ask Margaret what would happen if we managed to take Amile hostage.

>>2422754
>>Suggest tailing the pair

>>2422754
>>Suggest tailing the pair
Aiteng SOON

>>2422754
>Suggest tailing the pair

>>2422754
>Suggest tailing the pair

>>2422754
>Suggest tailing the pair

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>>2422967
>>2423142
>>2423441
>>2423937
>>2424793
>>2426583
“Kurokawa-kun, is something on your mind?”
“I can’t get those two off my head.” I explain, “Something about him doesn’t feel right to me.”
“I felt the same as well,” Margaret replied, looking back at the direction we just came from. “Kurokawa-kun, what do you suggest we do?”
“Tailing them I suppose, but would that sit well with you?”
As much as I wanted to follow the two, Margaret, be it her appearance or her size, was hardly fit for a task like this. Since this was supposed to be a date, I should prioritize on her…
“Most definitely!” She waved off my concern instantly. “Should we return to ground zero and follow their tracks?”
“I have a better idea.”

This was the hillside which led directly to Kure’s city square, the place where Margaret and I met for today’s date. It was also the place where I can get the whole view of the port city, and if I’m a sniper of any worth, finding them in a sparse town like Kure shouldn’t be that hard of a task.
“Can you see them from here?” Margaret asks, trying to find the duo as well, but if there was one thing I’m better than her at, it would be this without a doubt.
“I see them,” I reply, quickly tracking the couple down as they made their way north of Kure.
Now came the hard part, catching up to these two. Sure, from here we had a gist as to where they were heading but combined the time needed to follow them to get to that location, the two would likely have switched routes and went another direction, and when that comes we’ll need to do this all over again...

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>>2427805
!!!
“Hauser-san, what are you…”
Her arms wrapped around my waist, I was pulled right onto Margaret’s soft, voluptuous body. Other than the confusion that came from this sudden act, there was also my body heating up from my circulatory system going overdrive.
“Hold on tight.”
I immediately realized that it was not me who was heating up, but rather Margaret herself. The tall, imposing woman was now cloaked in a shimmering azure light, reminiscent of the polar lights one could see on a clear winter night at Ezo, Zipang’s northernmost prefecture. Her crimson eyes similarly shined with a lively glow.

I did not have the luxury to feast on this view for long, however, as the next thingI knew the two of us were off the ground, flying off with just one leap. With another step, Margaret propels herself farther by stepping on the many fenced balconies protruding from the buildings that littered the residential area below. In a flash, I found myself standing on the tallest standing building in the residential area, with a clear view of the town, along with the duo.

“Are you hurt, Kurokawa-kun?” Margaret asked with a concerned look, putting me down.
“No,” I reassured her, placing a hand on my head to shake off the dizziness. “Just… not that used to this form of travel.”
It was incredible enough how she was capable of doing this in the first place, but to also pull it off wearing such restrictive clothing and not getting a single speck of dirt on it? Looks like all that ‘training’ she spoke of weren’t a farce after all.
…
…
Wait a minute, this direction is…
“What’s the matter?”
“They’re heading towards our cafe…”

Alright, so this was going to be another long update, which I decided for convenience sake splice it up into two parts to post.

The second part, along with the next choice of action, would be completed and up later today.

And to those of you who waited so long for Aiteng, you're in for a treat.

>>2427832
Who even is Aiteng?

>>2427832
Hype! Aiteng is the best!

>>2427920
Superior waifu that leaves the boring childhood friend, brainlet Valkyria, and tsunbitch femlet all in the dust

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>>2427822
Another day, another peculiar batch of patrons visiting this mock-restaurant we’ve set up for espionage purposes. Sometimes I wonder, was this all a calculated placement by Captain Suwabe? Or could it be that his luck played a part as well? And to think that I’ve come full circle, back to this place I started this morning...

As we move closer and closer, we caught a glimpse of the prince and princess entering through the front door, followed by the usual greeting from Itaru at this time of the day. A look through the windows revealed that even Ayafumi has joined in as one of the various workers. Usually the man would be at the main base training people into shape.

Shortly after the duo entered the cafe, another figure appeared exiting the door, bumping right into us.
!!!
For the very first time, I witnessed Margaret being caught completely off guard. Not only did her eyes went wide in shock, her entire body seemingly froze right on spot. This happened to also be my reaction as I saw the person exiting the cafe, though I am quite certain that our reasons differed.

The lady before us was someone I could not possibly pry my attention off from.
She exuded all the qualities only women of a certain age and specific social standing acquired, her sense of style and demeanor perfectly mirrored that of someone from a prestigious background and authority. Even though this individual has passed the prime age of youth, the traces of such days were still preserved on her well-kept figure, now veneered with a layer of maturity.
And despite clearly more senior in age, her figure could easily give Margaret a run for her money.
However, none of that was why I found myself unable to take my eyes off her- seeing her brought forth memories of my childhood, and of a person so dear to me, someone I so sorely missed...

“Go--Good Afternoon, Lord Admiral!”
Margaret’s words soon snapped me out of nostalgia and back into reality.

“Oh dear, isn’t this Miss Hauser?”
Her soft, tranquilizing voice was a perfect fit for her appearance, yet hardly matching for her title.
Lord Admiral, there was only one person on these islands who held that title…
Sima Aiteng, Admiral of the Beiyang Fleet, and the younger sister of the last Yu Emperor.
“A...Ah, so the Lord Admiral remembers me…”
“Someone of your qualities is hard to forget, Miss Hauser.” The Admiral returns with a warm chuckle as if to tease Margaret.

This was the person who defeated the Combined Fleet, who played a major role in the Khaganate’s conquest of Zipang.
This was the person responsible for my father’s death, and for countless deaths and suffering, yet…
The Sima Aiteng standing before us was no different from that of a friendly, amiable next door neighbor.

I… cannot bring myself to hate her.

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“What brings the Lord Admiral to a tiny cafe like this?” Margaret inquires, trying her hardest to swallow her anxiety.
“Why, my colleagues would buy me coffee from here daily. I figured it would be nice to finally visit this place myself.” She answered, taking a look back in the store. “Their cheese tarts are quite a pleasure to the tongue.”
Cheese tarts? Must be the ones I prepared yesterday. Quite heartening a compliment to hear, I must say.
“But my, this place sure is popular with couples.” She muttered as she turned her attention towards me, grinning. “And aren’t you the lucky one.”
Being in such proximity to the Lord Admiral of the Beiyang Fleet should be a highly stressful encounter. Yet, I felt nothing of the such. If Margaret’s smile was one that boosted morale and motivated me to go forward, then Aiteng’s smile could be described as a soothing bell, alleviating me from all stress present.

“Enjoy yourselves, little lovebirds.” Spoken almost like a command, she left the scene just as quickly as she entered, leaving Margaret sighing in relief and me unable to remove her from my mind.

Maybe a cup of coffee and two cheese tarts are really what I need to clear my mind now.
Entering the cafe, the two of us were greeted by the confused eyes of our squadmates as we settled on the seat right behind Guang and Amile, with Margaret sitting to my left.

Itaru was handling the counter while Ayafumi was taking orders from the duo, surprisingly professionally considering his distaste for who they are. Satoru was nowhere to be seen, presumably on his downtime. To my surprise, Yanagi was here as well, presumably returning from her shopping trip, was at the counter chatting away with Itaru, though now she appeared to be more focused on the two of us than anything.-

Lastly, it was also no surprise that we caught the immediate attention of one of our targets. The Lord Admiral’s nephew clearly recognized us, and eyed us with suspicion like a bird of prey spotting a rabbit.

If we don’t do anything now, we will certainly blow our cover.
Though according to his aunt, our cafe was apparently a popular dating spot, and… Margaret and I are on a date now.

>Start by ordering something that fits the atmosphere
>Hold Margaret’s hand
>Ask Margaret to take the lead
>Write in

>>2430718
>Hold Margaret’s hand
>Start by ordering something that fits the atmosphere

>>2430711
>I… cannot bring myself to hate her.
That's because you're a horny moron with a mind of a VN protagonist, Kurokawa.

>>2430718
>Start by ordering something that fits the atmosphere
>Hold Margaret’s hand

>>2430718
>Start by ordering something that fits the atmosphere
>Ask Margaret to take the lead
A vote to destroy the childhood friend

>>2430718
>Start by ordering something that fits the atmosphere
>Ask Margaret to take the lead

>>2430922
To be fair, most quest MCs start off as essentially a blank state VN protagonist, gradually straying farther away from the mold as the story progresses

>>2430718
>>Start by ordering something that fits the atmosphere

Aaaaah, Aiteng <3
>>2430922
>That's because you're a horny moron with a mind of a VN protagonist, Kurokawa.
Lies, it's because Aiteng is a good girl who didn't do anything wrong!

>>2430718
>Ask Margaret to take the lead

Thread Archived
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2398387/
The next update will also be a rather long one, but I'll post it here given that this thread is still alive when I'm done with it.

Otherwise, thanks for participating, one more thread with Tewi and Aiteng and we will get straight into the Yamato heist.