Sanada Junko

[Yaoquizque]

Once Ishikawa left the bridge and took leave of Takada, he began looking for his wing-mate in the battle-cruiser's tiny docks.
But as she was no where to be seen, he checked the shared quarters and the rest areas.

The atmosphere in those rooms was strained.
He didn't intend to spend more time than needed here, but was held back by a few people, mostly officers under his command, who felt the need to discuss with him one by one, either to make him talk about the New Tokyo operation, or simply to be reassured concerning the turn events just took.

Finally, he left his men, giving as a pretext an important task needed his attention and promising to get back to them as soon as it would be done.
It wasn't exactly lying. Junko's behaviour had been quite peculiar today. Well... At least more than usual.
And it just looked like she actually wanted to hurt others with her quick on the draw gabble; something he never really saw her specifically aiming at.

Ishikawa was reflecting on all this while he was heading to the location of her quarters he quickly inquired about to the first security officer he encountered.

"Junko? You there?" he asked after having knocked a couple of times at the door.
"Go away, whoever you are" replied a voice, muffled by the walls.
"Open the door, please."
An insolent "Why?" could be heard after a short a while.
Ishikawa answered quietly "Because I want to talk to you."

"This better be worth it" ranted the voice before the door opened.
She raised her head to look at him, surprised. "Oh that's you."

Ishikawa softly pushed her inside and then closed the door after them.
"You were gone so sudden."
The woman made a gesture of bad temper before clenching her fists.
"He will pay for this humiliation."
"What humiliation again?" pondered with curiosity Ishikawa.
"Pah... Whatever."

She reported her full attention to him and, slightly pouting, asked :
"Why are you here. What do you want to talk about?"
"You seemed .. or rather seem to be quite angry."
"You think?" asked Junko ironically.
"I think."

A smile then suddenly played on his lips.
"You were worried about me."
"Of course. I know you cannot do anything good without me." replied the Commander after having crossed her arms as if she needed to counterbalance a weakness with bravery.
"But fortunately, you found a nice little thing to save you. How nice and cute."

"And you're jealous that it wasn't you?" he finally asked, amused.
"Jealous? I?!" The woman laughed cruelly, yet without much conviction.
"You don't have to try and deny it."
"Pfff..."

Swiftly she gave up, noticing he read in her.
"Fine. I was worried. And i blamed Mr. Stupid."
"He said that." The man then smirked "I hope you didn't have to worry too much."
"You're back." simply remarked the woman while gazing defiantly at him.

"I am. I was thinking about you when I got shot down, you know.."
She kept gazing at him, but this time with uncertainty and suspicion.
"I wondered if I'd die and not see you again."

That part was too much for her granted her current mindset. She quickly sat on the small quarters' bed and hid her face in her hands. After a sigh, she almost whispered :
"How can you like me when i'm so stupid"
The man quietly sat beside her. "Why do you think you're stupid?"
"I'm... Not worth anything when i let emotions dictate my actions."
She then added after a sigh : "That's why we shouldn't."

Ishikawa reflected for a short while, no exactly knowing what to reply to this. But he eventually put his hand on her shoulder and said :
"Don't say that. Those emotions don't change that you're a great pilot and that you're doing your duty properly."

"Don't you see it's killing me? Don't you see i'm not acting the way i should?"
"Nobody said it will be easy. But I want to be with you."
"Why. God why?!" emitted Junko with an almost broken voice.

"Junko.. What's the problem.."
"Why do you want to be with me. Why not that woman who just saved your life?"
"I hardly know her. And you saved my life more often than her. But that's not important." He said, smiling to her while caressing her hairs.
"It isn't answering!" exclaimed the woman, making a move to release her head from his caresses.
"Junko..."

Seeing she was avoiding to look at him, he eventually put his hand on her chin and softly turned her head so that their eyes could meet.
"I love you. Not her. Not any other woman."

She suddenly embraced him, her arms keeping him tight and her head resting on his shoulder.
"Welcome back..."

As suddenly as she hugged him, she released him and almost pushed him away.
"Now leave. And take some rest."
He just smiled and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "When do I see you again?"
"Tomorrow... Tomorrow we will talk. Go now." She answered as if she was looking for an excuse to make him go away.

He got tempted to stay and make her face her uncertainty, but eventually nodded.
"Alright.See you."
The man got up and gave her a last gaze before heading out of the quarters.

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