Todohara sits on the train, checking her phone. In the middle of doing a virtual check-in with her hospital, she quietly talks to her doctor. “Yes, I have been taking my meds, when’s the next treatment?” The response is inaudible. As the train comes to a halt yet again, a blond man in recruit uniform enters and sits down next to her, taking out a water bottle and having a sip. Todohara looks him over appraisingly but returns to her virtual check-in. “So do I pick up the new meds from the hospital or will you ship them to my apartment?” Another inaudible response. “Alright, thank you, have a good day too.” She hangs up, sitting back down, smiling slightly. “Well, aren’t you all sunshine?” the blond man speaks up. “All sunshine and rainbows actually!” She laughs at her joke, brushing hair out of her eyes, “So, you here for the Niigatan International City?” “Nah, I’m going to Kyoto. A friend of mine’s in the hospital there.” the blond guy responds. “Name’s Paul by the way.” Todohara smiles, “I’m Todohara, nice to meetcha.” “Like the reporter?” Paul puts his bottle away, “I read way too many newspapers.” He laughs. Todohara smiles, a little abashed, “Yup, the reporter.” “What drives you to Kyoto?” Paul inquires. Todohara chuckles, “Medical stuff.” “You look fine to me.” Paul shoots. Todohara starts laughing, eventually calming herself down, “I wish, I still have a bit to go until I have what I want.”
“I’m not a big fan of a second home in doctor’s offices. Always so shrewd.” Paul makes a face. Todohara shrugs, “Doctors are sort of nice, but they are a little slimy. Too many Americans for my liking.” “You should have seen our combat medics!” Paul yells. “Those are some heartless b*stards! You could get shot in the leg and they’d start digging in you without any narcotics. Usually, the adrenaline is enough but god-beware it’s an artery that’s hit.” Todohara winces, “Good thing I’m not military. You hear about the attempted assassination a few days ago?” “Not like that’s gonna keep Akimoto down.” Paul takes another sip before putting the bottle away. “She’s a beast. Not even burning shrapnel can stop her. I speak from experience.” Todohara raises her eyebrows in surprise in interest, “What do you mean?” Paul sits upright. “I used to be an embassy guard in Kyoto when the Yakuza thing happened. It was a bit chaotic.” Todohara changes her position, very interested now, “What happened next?” Paul relaxes again. “The Parliament did like my commander always told me to.” he looks her in the eyes. “Regroup and spread out in a 50 kilometre radius.” Todohara nods slightly, “How did you meet Akimoto?” “We did what any soldier in our situation would do.” he smirks. “Open fire until everything that moves that you aren’t 100% sure is allied to you is dead.” Todohara coughs, “What?” “Basically, we saw a bunch of soldiers approaching, didn’t expect any reinforcements and therefore wiped out half a regiment of Star Company soldiers.” Paul scratches his head. “Say what you will about our training but our machine guns will kill anything you need dead. Or-, well, did. They’re not being produced anymore.” Todohara looks surprised, “So, you opened fire on some Star Company soldiers during the insanity, killed a bunch and then Akimoto did something? Or did she just appear afterwards?” Paul coughs. “I like to say she popped into existence because that would be a good explanation as to why my bullet landed in her shoulder. And the dead sentry.” Todohara tilts her head to the side, confused, “I don’t understand.” Paul nods. “‘Dead sentry’ is what we call destroyed machine gun nests. God knows how but she took it out in a small while.” Todohara gasps a little, “She destroyed a machine gun nest? How the f**k?” “Ammo explosion.” Paul scoffs. “Like I said, say what you will about our training but our guns were top class. Lucky shot if you ask me but the idiots were asking for it with their exposed ammo.” Todohara thinks, “Maybe Akimoto served as a reserve soldier at some point in her life, I know some of the older Ajakons had mandatory service in the army. Reserves are trained in the basics of military stuff.” “Not my place to tell.” Paul sighs, All I know is that I had to stop her from charging into a burning parliament building by pumping her full of drugs. Otherwise she’d have gotten up and charged head first. Adrenaline makes wonders happen I guess.” Todohara laughs, “Let me guess she was being headstrong?” “I’d prefer the term reckless but whatever floats your boat.” Paul replies. Todohara looks around and curses silently, “It’s my stop, time flies fast doesn’t it.” “That it does.” Paul smiles, “Especially when you talk to nice people.” She nods at Paul and smiles, “Nice to meet you” Paul waves his hand. “See ya around.” Todohara gets off the train, leaving Paul alone with his thoughts.
Part 2
