Albatross Sky ~JSDF Love Story~ [Episode 7] Enduring patiently is a man's training. (1)

[Episode 7] Enduring patiently is a man's training. Once again, Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet, Isoroku Yamamoto (1)

　All that could be heard was the sound of my own ragged breathing.

　The sky and earth swapped places dizzily.

　There was no time to be captivated by the transparent sky or the cobalt blue sea. I gritted my teeth, tightened my core, and fought against the Earth's gravity.

　The white clouds scattered across the blue vault were proof of the intensity of the iron eagles' battle.

　A little more, just a little more... Alright!

“Yes! Lock-on! NUTS, you were killed”
“...All right. I was defeated”

　Nuts, also known as First Lieutenant Satoshi Namekawa, responded to the shoot-down declaration.

“Well done, EDEA”

　The formation leader's aircraft, which had been dedicated to covering me, slid smoothly alongside.

“Thanks to you, GAIA”
　I replied with a buoyant voice.

“You’ve gotten stronger, Edea”
“Not yet, not by a long shot.”

　I was certain he must be wearing a knowing smile at that response.

“OK, Mission completed. Let's return to the base”
“Roger”

　As Gaia's aircraft showed its underside, the setting sun followed suit.

　I had won. I had beaten Nuts, who was called the "Phantom of the East."

　But that was only because of the immense sense of security I felt knowing Toshio was guarding my back. I could have won even if it hadn't been me. Complacency is forbidden, and I don't want to compromise at all. Because I want to see the same scenery he sees.

　As everyone says, he might truly be a once-in-a-generation genius. But the world of fighter pilots is not so easy that one can get by on talent alone. I already know that what makes him the strongest is his high level of awareness and his tireless effort.

　To keep up with a genius who never lacks effort, I must work many times, dozens of times, no, hundreds of times harder than him. Like during RIMPAC, I never want to be a burden to Toshio again. I want to keep flying as his wingman forever.

　The love I realized I felt for him threatened to overflow many times. But each time, I desperately held it back. Until the day I can fly beside him with my head held high.

“Idea has been intense lately. Even more stoic than before, I’d say.”

Katsuno chuckles while running his eyes over the report.

“It’s having a good influence on Gaia, too. I thought I understood his talent back when he was in the Aggressor Squadron, but there are no words for these results with this total flight time other than to call him a monster.”

Vice Commander Mizushima lets out a sigh. Even the battle-hardened Mizushima cannot help but honestly admire Toshio, who is breaking the common sense of the pilot world—where experience is everything—one after another.

“Genius recognizes genius. The one who understands Idea’s talent best is Toshi.”
“Do you think the Commander believes Idea is a genius too?”
“A second-year pilot doesn’t win Chitose’s Best Guy by luck. I actually wanted to bring him under my command back in the Aggressor Squadron days.”
“If you had done that, it wouldn’t have ended peacefully. Even with Gaia, there were so many complaints about promoting a rookie in his first year of operational duty.”

Recalling those days, the two of them laugh. Katsuno had rushed to Naha Air Base after hearing that there was a rookie who had extended his study abroad period at the strong request of the US Air Force and had even undergone F-15 conversion training in the United States.

He had intended to test him out of curiosity, but one of the tough guys who accompanied him was countered, and in the end, it took everything Katsuno had to pin him down. Feeling a sense of dread at his skill, Katsuno pulled strings everywhere to ensure this rare talent wouldn’t be crushed by standard training, and he succeeded in scouting Toshio for the Aggressor Squadron.

Though, the man himself had been quite reluctant, saying there would be fewer young girls if he left Naha.

Naturally, there was a storm of criticism from the operational units receiving the patrol guidance, saying it was unprecedented to pull a rookie into the Aggressor Squadron. It was Toshio himself who silenced them.

He sent every veteran pilot from each unit who looked down on him for being a rookie straight to the bottom of the abyss. And within a year, there wasn’t a single person left complaining. He earned the title of “the most genius pilot since the founding of the Air Self-Defense Force.”

“At the very least, this isn’t the Aggressor Squadron; it’s an operational unit. I won’t let anyone complain about my organization. Besides,”

A formation of his subordinates roars past the window, climbing into the sky.

“She will eventually silence those around her with her own ability, too. Fighter pilot status has nothing to do with age or gender.”

He understands this, of course. He knows that the petty, jealous gossip about her never ends. But in the end, it is up to her to silence it. All Katsuno, as the commander, can do is create the opportunity for her.

“Even so, those two are too close, both publicly and privately. I hope they don’t cause any trouble.”

Katsuno laughs out loud at Mizushima’s anxiety.

“Come now, if they truly respect each other, no problems will arise. In fact, it would be better if they just got together. I’d feel more at ease if they settled down.”
“Don’t tell me, you intended that from the start?”
“No way. I never expected them to resonate with each other this much either.”

He laughs and drops his gaze to the report in his hand.

“Just like a pair of albatrosses.”

＊

Several months have passed since returning from RIMPAC. Days spent aiming for the heights, pushing himself relentlessly. Perhaps, as expected, the strain had taken its toll.

That morning, when Yuuhi tried to get out of bed, she felt dizzy and ended up burying her face back into her pillow with a thud.

She crawled to find a thermometer and tucked it under her arm.

39.2 degrees Celsius.

I couldn't believe my eyes, but my body's inability to get up was proof enough. I reached for the cell phone by my pillow and dialed Toshiki's number to cancel my morning training and report my sick leave for the day.

Despite it being early morning, he answered on the first ring. When I explained the situation, he asked a few worried questions, but I answered with a hazy consciousness and hung up.

This is bad... could it be the flu? If so, I have to go to the hospital and get some medicine...

But even as she tried to get up, her body wouldn't listen, and Yuuhi let her consciousness slip away.

How long had she been asleep?

Yuuhi!! Yuuhi...!!

Ah, it sounds like someone is calling me...

Thump, thump... if you knock that hard, you're going to break the door, Toshiki... Toshiki!?

Yuuhi desperately crawled out of bed and, stumbling, finally managed to open the door.

Yuuhi!! Are you okay!?

The moment she saw Toshiki's face, she felt like she was going to collapse, and he caught her in his arms.

You have a high fever. It might be the flu, so let's go to the hospital.

He carried her bridal-style and laid her back down on the bed for a moment.

Where are your health insurance card and patient registration card?
Over there... in the wallet next to the TV...
Okay. Sorry, I'm going to open it.

He took out her insurance card and patient registration card and began getting her things ready. Looking at the clock by the pillow, it was still before the start of the workday.

Toshiki... what about work...?
I got the day off from the captain. When I told him I was taking you to the hospital, he said I could take the day off. Besides, we can't train without a wingman today anyway.
I'm sorry...
Don't worry about it. You've been pushing yourself too hard, Yuuhi. You need to rest a little.

He finished the preparations efficiently, then lifted Yuuhi up and put a sweater on over her pajamas.

No...
Hmm?
Don't get so close... I'm sweaty...
That's not true. It's just the usual scent of you, Yuuhi. It's comforting and makes me feel at ease.

Toshiki held her tightly. Being treated like a lover like this made her fever feel like it was rising even more.

Alright, let's go to the hospital. I've already made an appointment. Are you cold? I have the car parked in the back lot, so please bear with it for a little bit.
I-I'm okay...

Once again scooped up into Toshio's arms, Yuuhi gently buried her face in his chest so he wouldn't see her face, which was flushed red like the setting sun.

Link

Next Episode Albatross Sky ~JSDF Love Story~ [Episode 7] Enduring patiently is a man's training. 2 | Kyo

Previous Episode Albatross Sky ~JSDF Love Story~ [Episode 6] Frustration makes a man, misery makes a man, sadness makes a man. And a powerful enemy is what truly makes you a great man. 3 | Kyo

Read from the beginning
Albatross Sky ~JSDF Love Story~ [Episode 1] It is important for a commander to be optimistic first. 1 | Kyo