Vol. 4 Ch. 2 Ep. 12: Determination

"...I'm back."

"Where did everyone go?"

"I even brought some high-quality beef lunch bentos."

"This is..."

Read the letter on the desk.

Dear Sensei,

Hello, this is Miyako. I'm sorry that I'm delivering this news in a letter.

Starting today, we are officially ending our Kousagi Park occupation and protest to rejoin our senior classmates.

When we talked... I truly did believe in what you told me and the things we discussed.

But with Acting President Kaya supporting the revival of SRT Academy, our protest no longer had a cause.

I couldn't justify asking my squad members to continue living under these conditions when there was no longer a fight to rally behind.

Living in the park has been hard: scrounging for expired bentos and stealing barrels just to have somewhere to bathe. I can't forget how difficult it was for my squad members when we first moved here.

But, despite all that, your support was invaluable. I don't want you to think it wasn't.

Any one of those struggles I mentioned would have brought us to our knees had you not been there to pick us back up, every single time.

It's thanks to you that we can now look forward and accept support from others too.

All their needs will be met. We can follow Saki's regimented daily routine, and Moe will have enough firepower to blow up Kivotos. (I'm just kidding. I hope.) Even Miyu will finally get to have that comfy bed she's always wanted.

It wasn't an easy decision. It required sacrificing my principles.

But, maybe my principles were wrong. At the end of the day, a weapon that can't serve its purpose is useless, right?

I do hope this decision was best for everyone...

I'm sorry I didn't discuss it with you first.

I wanted to ask you for advice in person at first. I wanted to know what you thought of my choice.

But... I felt that hearing your voice would've made me second-guess myself.

So, I hope you understand why this letter is the only thing we left you as a good-bye.

We put you through a lot, didn't we? Thank you, Sensei.

We'll come back to clean up the park and gather our supplies after completing our operation.

I hope our paths cross again one day... Maybe in a different place, in a different world...

Sincerely, Miyako

Clean up what was left behind.

Based off the coordinates, this is where they said to meet them...

This is the biggest training facility I've ever seen, if that's even what it is.

W-We're so far out... Who knew there was a whole facility all the way out here...

Weird... It doesn't show up on satellite images.

ECM devices blocking cameras, maybe?

This was an SRT Academy training facility before the council president disappeared.

It was meant to serve as a base of operations in the event of an emergency, so its very existence was highly confidential. This is my first time here as well.

You've made your choice?

Yukino...

...Reporting.

I have received orders that Tsukiyuki Miyako and the other three members of the RABBIT Squad are to join the FOX Squad.

As squad leader, I hereby disband the RABBIT Squad and transfer authority of its members to FOX Squad Leader, Shichido Yukino.

Confirmed. As of now, Tsukiyuki Miyako and the three members of her squad will serve as an active unit under the FOX Squad.

Welcome to the FOX Squad, Squad Leader Tsukiyuki.

...Thank you.

There they are. I found the rabbits.

You took your sweet time! We've been waiting.

Otogi and Kurumi...!

Thank you for coming all the way here.

Are you hungry? Or would you like to shower first?

Sh-Shower?

We get to...shower? In a room?

Absolutely. Cleanliness is vital for combat readiness.

No matter how dire the situation, you can't train efficiently if you're not...

Ah. Sorry, I forgot.

Not at all. We were the ones who chose to live in a park.

Well, I'm happy to say we're equipped with showers and individual beds for each of you! Please make yourself at home.

Thank you!

I'm exhausted... I just want a good shower and a soft bed...

That does sound nice. But before that...

We're starting all of your specialty training routines! Up and at 'em, bun buns!

Specialized training? R-Right now?

Based on recent observations, your combat skills need sharpening. A lot.

Consider it a bonding activity! We'll get to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses.

RABBIT Squad, gear up and meet at the training area!

Ugh... Just when I thought I could finally experience luxury and comfort in my poor, hard-knock life.

Heh. Heh. We're going to get special training, directly from our seniors! Heehee.

No dilly-dallying! Unpack and gear up! Now!

You're probably the only one in SRT history to be excited about surprise training.

At least there are showers. We don't have to worry about being sticky if we sweat!

Since our adorable underclassmen are here, I'll have to put in some extra effort in today's dinner menu.

Miyako? Everything okay?

O-Oh. Everything's great.

...Yeah. Everything's great.