Two days later, Hoshina was at a hospital under Defense Force jurisdiction. His head and feet were wrapped in bandages, but his injuries were minor, and soon he was going to be able to leave the hospital.
In his hospital bed, Hoshina opened up a newspaper. One page featured an article about the recent neutralization operation. There was a photo of Ashiro leading her division. According to the article, the Defense Force Third Division had neutralized the yoju under Mina Ashiro’s command. The damage had been kept to a minimum, and rebuilding efforts were underway.
There was a knock at the door of his room.
“Come in.”
Hoshina was expecting a nurse, but the ones who entered turned out to be Ashiro and Ebina.
“Captain Ashiro! And Platoon Leader Ebina!”
Ashiro cracked a smile when Hoshina saluted them.
“No need for formality,” she said. “I had business in the area, so I’m just dropping by.” Ashiro seated herself in a chair near the bed and set a basket containing an assortment of fruits on the desk.
“Thank you so much. You didn’t have to come all the way over just to see me,” Hoshina said.
“This is about more than that,” Ashiro said solemnly. “Officer Soshiro Hoshina, as captain of Third Division, I want to thank you again for your help in the Oume neutralization operation.” Ashiro lowered her head deeply.
“Stop it, please!” Hoshina insisted. “I just did what I could as a Defense Force officer. Why thank me? I couldn’t even make much of a contribution during the operation.”
Ebina, standing perfectly straight behind Ashiro, chimed in. “The child you rescued had no serious injuries. He’s apparently headed toward recovery.”
“That’s good news,” Hoshina said, relieved.
“I understand you were a katana specialist,” Ashiro said, staring straight at him. “You were unquestionably the one who saved the life of that child. So, I still haven’t heard your answer yet.”
“My answer?”
Ashiro stretched out her hand in front of Hoshina. “Will you come over to my division, Hoshina?”
At Ashiro’s words, his heart was once again stirred.
When she’d asked the same thing in her office before, Hoshina thought it a sort of social convention and that she didn’t really mean it. But Mina Ashiro wasn’t flattering Hoshina. She really did consider his swordplay a necessity.
Even so, Hoshina couldn’t just nod his head and agree obediently. “I appreciate the offer, but honestly, I’m conflicted,” he said. “The katana is the only thing I’m skilled at. In this last operation, though, not even that katana turned out to be much use, so—”
“Hoshina, will your katana skill evolve no further than what you displayed today?” Ashiro asked.
“Huh? No, of course not.”
Hoshina didn’t believe an ending existed on the path of the warrior. Be stronger tomorrow than you were yesterday. That’s what he would think while swinging his sword day after day.
“In that case, Hoshina, you should refine your swordplay skills even further. Come over to my division and do so. Take your abilities as far as you can.”
Hoshina had never heard such encouragement. Ashiro knew that his present skill was not enough, but even so, she had invited him to join her division.
Of course, his father and his supervisor also had a point with what they had said. No matter the degree to which Hoshina mastered the katana, his low unleashed combat power with firearms was a strike against him. Fighting large kaiju by himself would be difficult. But now Hoshina had a certain belief to hold on to.
I don’t have to be the one who makes the kill.
Hoshina and the other officers could hold back a giant kaiju while the captain came running. If they could coordinate with Mina Ashiro, she’d be sure to finish the kaiju off.
Hoshina realized such a future was now possible. He let out a laugh and said, “Up until now, I’ve been treated like a boil on the neck of my own division. If you’re saying you can use somebody like me—then please, allow me to transfer to Third Division.”
Hoshina gripped Ashiro’s extended hand and said, “It’s settled, then.”
“Well then, I’ll be going now. I still have to run this by your division captain as well,” Ashiro said.
“Most likely it’ll sail right through,” Hoshina said in a friendly tone of voice. “His lips have gotten puckered from all the times he’s told me to get off the front line.”
Despite the joke, Ashiro remained serious. “Hoshina, there’s one other thing I’d like to mention. During the last mission, you ignored the orders of your platoon leader, Ebina, and ran off to take action on your own recognizance, correct? Obviously, I can’t let that go unanswered.”
Hoshina was at a loss for words and could only say, “Uhhh.”
“When you’re released from here and inducted into my division, I’m going to whip you into shape good,” Ashiro said.
“And don’t expect me to go easy on you either,” added Ebina.
That night, in his bed, Hoshina put a hand on his stomach and grimaced. “Ha ha. Honestly, this division looks like it’s gonna be a fun one.”