03 Tactics of Pursuit

The simulation began with a completely blurred line between personal and professional.

Jin, though somewhat regained his composure, had already spoken — there was no turning back now.

……No, really. What was I thinking, trying to catch Shirley with an assault frame simulation?

Counterattacks are prohibited this time.

Evade solely — avoid the trainees’ pursuit without retaliation.

To Jin, this was difficult, even with three opponents who had improved considerably.

But —

This might be a good opportunity to shed the rust from my own limbs.

For some time now, Jin had fought only against his still-inept students, having been removed from actual combat. His skills were undeniably dull.

Now, to test just how much he could manage against this trio of problem children, who had finally begun to offer some resistance.

It wouldn't hurt to find out.

Simulated combat zone: debris field.

The debris field seemed more realistic for实战 (Sharon pursuit), yet it could only be explained as a malfunctioning mind.

Focus.

Recently, the initial strikes from the three showed almost no warning signs.

Traces of movement.

The concealment techniques used just prior.

These have advanced significantly.

They are attempting to bypass Jin’s eyes—no less.

The required skill level is boundless, and merely keeping up is impossible for ordinary humans.

To add to it, their coordination has improved dramatically since April.

Multi-stage ambushes would overwhelm even Jin if he were not alert.

Truly refined.

The thought crossed her mind when Yuriya’s gunfire signaled the start.

Thrust thrusters to evade.

The maneuver had already been anticipated.

A shadow ahead, positioned in the space where evasion would land.

Kou’s Leopard draws the Ether Dagger and closes in for melee combat.

This isn’t retaliation.

Drawing his Ether Dagger in turn, he meets the blade in close combat.

Jin realizes too late that his legs have locked up. A single click of his tongue against his teeth.

He’d forgotten, despite having set this scenario himself.

Deflecting Kou’s slash, he shifts into evasion.

“Guess it’s just not my style…”

An ace’s instinct is to strike the enemy, not flee.

Frankly, this situation was as unwelcome as it could be. Even though he’d set it up himself.

“And you’re a Bellwale trainee, aren’t you?”

May’s unit follows without hesitation.

Fast.

It traces the exact path Jin’s机体 will take.

“Hm…”

He tries to break free, diving hard through the debris field.

Between the debris, gaps too narrow.

At this speed, contact would result in immediate destruction. Such velocity wouldn’t be possible without near-total Ether coating—yet barely any Ether flows through the surface.

May’s arm, clinging tightly, extends noticeably.

At first, Jin felt Kou was the ace’s vessel.

But the trajectory of the arm—viewed solely from that angle—indicated May surpassed Kou.

Especially the growth since the end of May.

Something had changed since that day—the day Kou and she reconciled—undoubtedly.

“Can you keep up?”

A smile forms.

Reverse maneuver from abrupt braking.

One hundred eighty-degree turn.

Simulator G presses against Jin’s body.

This acceleration—May had once been unable to endure it.

Yet she follows.

Chasing Jin’s frame, now moving in the opposite direction.

Then—just within his mind—he murmurs.

Seeing May’s reversal, Jin turns again.

His entire body feels crushed by G in the opposite direction.

May—she followed.

Just slightly, resisting G, the corner of Jin’s mouth lifts.

She’s truly improving.

Then once more.

A third reversal—feigning it, then turning ninety degrees.

Just before impact, shifting only the thruster orientation from an otherwise identical motion, carving a sharp trajectory.

Even that, May followed precisely.

Incredible. Jin feels exhilaration.

This is the first time he’s failed to break free.

Then again.

Attempting another reversal—.

“Ah.”

He’d completely forgotten this was a three-way simulation.

A massive debris field looms directly ahead.

“This is it.”

Cornering her with no escape. Jin is certain now that Sharon must do the same.

Realization dawns one second later—having fallen straight into the zone meant to lure the opponent.

And one second after that—Jin recalls he is the one being pursued.

Caught up in the chase, Jin instinctively swings the ether dagger.

The Co-Unit, halted by debris, was struck down as it attempted to flank.

The ambush, intended to be a decisive maneuver, was severed in two.

Judgment. Instructor’s disqualification.

The day’s debriefing was uncomfortably heavy with the gaze of the trainees.

◆ ◆ ◆

“So, Jake. You don’t know?”

“……No. Wait, Jin. One more time. What did you just say?”

“Just—do you know of any place where you can block off an escape route that no one ever goes to?”

“What would you do there?”

“I’m thinking of stripping off Sharon’s disguise.”

“Didn’t I tell you to think about the consequences?!”

Jake clutched his head.

There was no doubt—Jin’s delivery was the issue.

After a pause, Jake continued listening, gradually grasping what Jin was actually seeking.

“So… you mean, you want to catch someone running around in a weird mask and just take it off so you can talk to them?”

“That’s what I said.”

“You didn’t say anything. Why’d it turn out like that?”

“That’s… not something I can say.”

“Don’t play coy. It’s annoying. Something’s pissing me off.”

A single click of the tongue. Jake crosses his arms.

“You don’t have to do that. Just call him outside the base.”

“…Oh.”

True. He wouldn’t wear the welding mask outside the base.

“Good thinking, Jake.”

“No. You really okay? Did your IQ drop or something?”

“Actually, I’m sleep-deprived… Honestly, my head’s not working right.”

“You’re serious? That’s not good…”

“Exactly why I need to fix it somehow.”

“Ah. So the insomnia’s Sharon’s fault, huh.”

Jake grins, offering a mug of herbal tea to Jin as if he’d just had a clever idea.

“Don’t tell me you can’t sleep because you’re in love with Sharon or something.”

A sharp flinch.

Jin's shoulders trembled as he froze in place.

"That's not how it is..."

"Right. Thanks for the obvious reaction."

There was no pretending.

Jake didn't press further, didn't pursue.

He'd already heard Jin's feelings—charred and clear.

Only a flicker of pity for Shirley.

The other party was at fault.

"Can't help it. I'll step in then."

"Got something in mind?"

"Yeah. Got a trick up my sleeve."

Jake smirked, a confident grin spreading across his face.

"Leave it to me."

He touched the back of his left hand, initiating a call to somewhere unseen.

"Hey. It's me, me... no, not a scam. Jake Hudson."

Suddenly labeled a scammer.

Jake's expression twisted into confusion.

"Yeah. Thought I'd grab dinner out somewhere after a while. Place is booked for two though. You gonna stick around for a bit?"

Ren thinks, listening to the conversation—sounds like he's hitting on someone.

"No! What kind of seduction game is this, or some kind of punishment?"

Ren realizes what Jake is trying to do. He presses a hand over his mouth, careful not to let his voice slip into the call.

"Alright. Then tomorrow night."

Jake gives a firm thumbs-up.

"Right. You're the one who called me..."

"Actually, you're the one going there. How's that for a flawless plan?"

"Damn, Jake. Honestly, anyone could've come up with that."

"You couldn't have. And by the way, the place has private rooms. No easy way out."

"Jake. Today, you're the genius."

"Stop praising me. You're praising me, right?"

In addition, that night Jake would look after Mio.

"Sorry about this, Jake... I really appreciate it."

"Well, there's no point dragging these things out. Leave her to me. I'll treat her to something good."

Seems he wants to get back at Mio for being enchanted by Chi's hamburger.

Jin silently cheers Jake on in his heart. It'll be hard to surpass that, you know.

"Anyway."

"Hmm?"

"From the outside, we look like parents dropping off a kid with relatives for a date."

"Who said anything about relatives?"

"Guess you're the one who's supposed to be sarcastic."