"What is all this?" Sousuke asked, staring at the collection of items strewn across the table. He picked up some of the objects and scowled at them: a brush, some hair gel, a portable CD player, CDs by Hiroshi Itsuki and SMAP, assorted charms from Narita-san temple, a Game Boy, a Mister Junko watch, cigarettes, energy drinks, glossy magazines, and a few other miscellaneous items of that nature.
Melissa Mao beamed. "I went around the ship and gathered up all the things a typical Japanese high school student might have."
"I see." Somewhat confused, Sousuke picked up a little square of vinyl that contained a rubbery-looking circle.
"That's a condom," said Mao.
"I know. But I can't figure out why a high school boy would need one."
"Don't play innocent, you hornball!"
"As a matter of fact, I have used them many times," said Sousuke. "They can hold an entire liter of liquid."
Melissa Mao's mouth dropped open.
"Yes, if you've lost your canteen in the jungle, these can be a real lifesaver," Sousuke concluded earnestly.
"Is that so?" Master Sergeant Mao rolled her eyes.
Clutching a remote, Kurz ushered Sousuke in front of an LCD screen. "Okay, take a look at this. These are Japanese high school students, so pay attention."
When Kurz hit play, a generic-looking classroom filled the screen. It looked like it was evening, and there were only two students in the classroom. Despite there being plenty of space in the room, they were standing in the corner, very close to each other.
"I've always thought of you as a childhood friend," admitted the young man, slowly letting out the words, "until now. I can't believe it took me this long to realize the way I feel about you."
"Oh, Tohru!" gasped the girl, hugging the boy.
As the young man leaned in to kiss her, the door to the classroom creaked open. Turning in surprise, the couple in the corner saw another student standing in the doorway.
"Naomi!" called Tohru.
"How could you?" demanded Naomi, who ran away in tears.
The boy started to chase after her, but the girl in the corner pulled on his sleeve and told him to let her go.
Kurz hit the pause button.
"Why did she run?" asked Sousuke. "Isn't the girl in the corner her enemy?"
Kurz blinked in awe of Sousuke s lack of social sense.
"Unless… Naomi now knows a secret that could get her eliminated. She ran because she's a survivor. Clever girl!"
"Or something like that," said Kurz, rolling his eyes.
As the Tuatha de Danaan rested half-submerged in the sea like a vigilant hippo, the hatch to its flight deck groaned open, revealing the tarmac from which the Arm Slaves, combat choppers, and VTOL planes could take off.
A seven-rotor transport helicopter sat on the flight deck, waiting for permission to leave. The cargo hold was stocked full of all kinds of gear, including an Arm Slave M9.
After tossing his small bag behind his seat, Sousuke fastened his seat belt. He checked to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything vital, such as the forged student ID that was stashed in his breast pocket.
Mao, who sat next to him, stared at the ID card.
"You put your real name on there?"
"I did. But I don't exist in Japanese record books, anyway, so if a problem arises, I always could change my name."
"Oh, okay."
"It's not a problem. Let's get a move on."
The helicopter began to prepare for takeoff.
"Are you nervous? I mean, it's your first day of school," pointed out Kurz from his position in the back seat.
"I'll do my best," replied Sousuke.
"Tessa seemed worried," commented Mao, referring to the submarine's captain.
"I'm not surprised. It's an important mission," said Sousuke, eliciting a simultaneous sigh from both Mao and Kurz.
Before they could continue the conversation, the pilot of the helicopter informed them that it was time to take off.
"Totally sucked," said a disgruntled Kaname Chidori.
Her dark brown eyes wandered for a moment, surveying the group of students walking with her. As Kaname walked, the black hair that hung clear to her hips swayed to and fro at a leisurely pace that was in great contrast to her walking speed.
"Completely and totally sucked," she concluded after a moment of thought.
Kyouko Tokiwa, a classmate, said "Gee, Kana, you haven't talked about anything else all morning. Was it really that terrible?"
