Taisho Love Story - The First Battle
Epilogue

'...Time has passed since those first battles. I have been with the Tai Kouma Butai for almost an entire year. During this period of time, I've gotten used to the tactics of war and learning all I can about the enemy... and all about myself. With these friends it hasn't been difficult. We have become like a family. But, please don't get jealous, Kaede-san. You know I still care about you the most - my number one person always. I cannot wait for your next visit home. Please try to stay out of trouble.

Love, your sister - Fujieda Ayame'

"Who are you writing to?" asked a voice. Ayame turned around and saw Kazuma. "Aa, to your younger sister?"

"Hai, I was wondering if we could drop it off at the post office today on the way to the meeting." she replied, preparing the envelope.

"I too have a letter to mail," he replied, holding up the envelope addressed to Sendai, "For my little angel. She enjoys hearing from me so I try to write as much as I can." He then put on his hat and turned for the door, "Yoneda-shirei went ahead with Yamazaki to try to calm him down... Shall we get going as well?"

"Hai~!" Ayame cheerfully replied. Today, she had tied her hair up into a bun and wore a white suit and knee-high skirt. Whistling her favorite song, she got her coat and purse and followed Kazuma out the door. While she was putting on her gloves, she noticed that Kazuma was watching her closely. "A-ano... is something wrong?"

"Iya... it's just you seem to be in a good mood today. Did something happen, Ayame-kun?"

Ayame clutched her blushing cheeks. "I-is it that obvious??" He nodded. "It's not a big deal... In fact, I think it'll be forgotten by the end of the day... I'm sure..."

Kazuma patted her on the shoulder. "Daijoubu yo. I'm sure he won't forget." Ayame slowly nodded and gazed on ahead.

Today, there was to be a conference at the Ueno Base. Yamazaki was to give an information speech about his research to the troops in hopes of making more awareness. Yamazaki had been up all night rehearsing and worrying about it. Fortunately, Ayame was there to console him.

Walking down the street, Ayame closed her eyes and felt the warmth of the sun against her face. 'Yamazaki-shousa...'

* * * * * *
"Oh! So you're here now!" Yoneda said, signaling the two over when they arrived at the base, "The kid was such a nervous wreck, but he refused to drink anything. Heh! I figured that sad guy wouldn't want some insurance up there, even if he might get booed."

"Dame desu," Ayame scolded, "Yamazaki-shousa is going to do great. We have to cheer him on."

Kazuma nodded in agreement, while Yoneda shrugged.

"Aa! There he is now! SHOUSAAAAAA~!" Ayame called, waving her hand. At the podium, Yamazaki went red and hid behind his papers.

As soon as the crowd hushed up, Yamazaki began his speech. As he spoke, he focused on his friends in the back. "... To increase our resistance against demon attacks, we need to develop a special type of armor that can withstand the acid-like substance secreted from the demons' mouth..."

Yoneda stifled a yawn. "Does he knows what he talking about? I think I'm about to lose my breakfast with this talk about demon secretions..."

"Shhh, this is very important!" Ayame again scolded, clasping her hands over his mouth, "Be quiet and listen!" Hanging onto the squirming older guy, Ayame finally actually started listening. 'Come to think of it, it is kind of gross...'

Pretty soon it was over with. Everyone cheered, especially Ayame and Yoneda who were glad it was over. "Yamazaki-san, could we take your picture?" asked a couple of press from the newspaper.

"Aa..." he uttered. He then turned towards Ayame who had started to fuss over him. "Nani o surunda!?"

"You're about to take a picture," she replied, fixing his necktie and then smoothing out the wrinkles in his blue suit, "You must look a bit more presentable, ne?"

"It's no use! Give up!" Yoneda sighed, scratching his head, "No matter what you do to the kid he'll always look like a punk. Gotta just cut the hair..."

"URUSAI, JIJI!!" Yamazaki growled, then angrily turned to Ayame, "PLEASE get your hands off me!!"

"Arara," She slyly teased his chin with her fingertips. "You had a different attitude last night..."

Yamazaki turned very pale. "A... Ayame...!!" he gasped. She just innocently smiled.

Yoneda suddenly burst out laughing. "WAHAHAHAHA!!!" Soon Ayame joined him, the two of them hanging onto each and laughing their hearts out. "AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"

"YAMEROOO!!" Yamazaki snapped, his face getting SD-scary. It was then that the picture was taken. As the photographers walked away, Yamazaki fretfully turned to Kazuma. "Taisa... they're making fun of me..."

"Daijoubu da yo! Your speech wasn't that bad!" Kazuma replied, totally oblivious to the real matter. Yamazaki dropped his head in despair and sighed. Kazuma then patted him on the back. "Takamura has invited us to a picnic. Saa Minna, ikou?"

"Hai~!"

Somewhere in the park, Takamura and his dogs waited with a bento and sake. "Help yourself, Tai Kouma Butai! We'll be working together for a long time!"

"Yahoo!" Yoneda cried, happily holding a large bottle over his head, "Mm mm! Sake~! Want some, Kazuma!"

"You know I do!" Kazuma chuckled, readying a cup.

Ayame cheerfully poured sake and the officers all got drunk pretty fast. Watching the three military guys start to do some silly things, she noticed that Yamazaki had moved away from the festivities. Putting down her glass, she walked over and joined him.

"What's the matter?" she asked, sitting behind him with her arms around his neck, "You look so serious. Come have some fun with everyone."

"Aa, I will..." he uttered, lifting a hand to stroke one of her arms, "I'm just thinking about some stuff... about all that's happened and what's to come... soshite, about you and me..."

"Yamazaki-shousa... daijoubu desu. It will be all right." she assured him. Slowly he nodded his head and smiled, turning towards her and stealing a kiss. While he checked to see if any of those drunken guys saw him, Ayame blushed and savored every last taste of it. "Yamazaki-shousa..."

"Nan da?"

"Your eyes shining back into mine - deep blue like your precious clear sky... I want to stare into them for as long as I live."

"Sou ka..." he replied, "Demo, I've found another treasure even more precious to me..."

Ayame smiled and tightened her hold on him. Knowing she would have to let go in time - either to save Yamazaki the embarrassment or when they had to go home - Ayame held on for as long as she could.

'Even if we're still fighting demons, even if the world is ending... I just want to stay here in Teito, with Yamazaki-shousa and these friends... And feel this warmth always...'