“I was Suzuka Hachishiki’s sister in my previous life. And you were…”
Kuon nodded back. “I’m Suzuka Hachishiki’s reincarnation. And I guess that does make you my sister.”
Tooka’s eyes seemed to glisten. “Before my memories returned, I always felt like I was looking for someone. A boy about my own age. One who’d been nice to me. But I couldn’t remember who,” Tooka whispered. “I was so lonely. I had no memories, so I felt like I couldn’t even prove that I was myself. I always felt like I was watching someone else’s life go by.” She paused. “Then I remembered you, onii-chan, and I knew that wasn’t true. I finally understood. I was the sister of the Hero, Suzuka Hachishiki. That must be why I was a Division 5, why I knew so much about Division Maneuvers. That gave me the confidence. Put my feet on the ground. I was really me.” Tooka looked at Kuon. “I was so happy,” she said. He caught the faintest glimpse of a smile. “For you, I’ll do anything. That’s the reason I was reborn.”
“For me?”
“If you fight for the people of the Empire, then I’m here to help with that. If you want to make Hanabi-onee-sama happy, then I’ll help with that. I won’t get in the way. But…but if you want a child with me, just say the word.”
“I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear that last bit. Uh…thanks.”
Expressionless, she leaned in close. “That last one was the most important.”
“Please don’t.”
“That was a joke. Was it funny?”
“It was hard to tell you were joking!”
“When you were reborn, did you have your memories?”
“Um…yeah, I did. I died inside the Gate and immediately after that I was a baby. My memories transferred to Okegawa Kuon’s body. Although I lost my magic…”
“That’s strange. I have the same body and magic, but you have a different body and different magic.”
“I thought I was reborn because I was inside the Gate…but you never were?”
“I really don’t remember. We were in the car, then everything went black…and that’s where my memories end,” she told him.
“Maybe you were Division 5 then, so they took you into the Gate…”
“I read that report. That’s why they took Hanabi-onee-sama through, and then you risked your life to save her. That was wonderful, onii-chan.”
“Th-thank you.”
“Hanabi-onee-sama’s wonderful, too. She’s beautiful, and strong, and really understands the Kiryu, and gives me lots of donuts.”
Like a pet, Kuon thought wryly.
“I’ll work hard. I’ll make the Kiryu stronger, make lots of other frames, and the Jave—” Tooka suddenly froze mid-sentence, as if her batteries had just run out. Her mouth and eyes were both wide open.
“Tooka…?” Kuon said cautiously.
She blinked and began to move once more. It were as if she’d just rebooted. “…Sorry, I fell asleep. I’m usually in bed by now. What was I saying?”
“Um, you’ll work hard…”
“Right. Let’s work hard together, onii-chan.”
Kuon nodded “S-sure…” What on earth was that freeze about? Something was definitely off. Their conversation ended there. They went back to the lodge and went to sleep.
Despite that bit of weirdness, Kuon’s world was still at peace.