Event Story – THE LINK OF GUNSLINGER, ch.4

[kozvme]

 

Jay: ♪~

Lily: Jay. You seem in a very good mood.

Jay: Oh, instructor Lily. That's because I was able to get some limited edition donuts last-minute.
I gave up the idea of getting the better part, so I was happy when I found them... and unconsciously ended up buying too much. Take one, if you want.

Lily: Donuts are the source of your strength, huh. I'll gratefully take one.
Although I don't think donuts are the only reason you're happy.

Jay: Nh?

Lily: How is it going lately? Have things settled down?

Jay: Yes, thanks to you.
The episode with the fake and the problem with Billy... teamwise, there have been a lot of rough things going on back to back, but I finally caught my breath.
Well, it's not like there aren't minor issues, like dealing with the aftermath, but I feel the team is coming together more than before. I'm grateful I can continue training with everyone.

Lily: Your team risked losing rookies twice, after all. The present owes everything to your, Brad and Commander's tenacity.
Now that things have calmed down, you have some time to spare, no?

Jay: Well, we have a bunch of very real problems, though. Gotta step out of last place in Sector Ranking, too...
Still, it wouldn't be good to suddenly overstrain ourselves, so, for the time being, I'm thinking of training steadily, the same way as before.

Lily: Is that so? That would certainly be the best now.

ー The next day.



Gast: Ren, I'll be in your care for some time starting today. Well, we're together for regular training, too, so it's kinda late, but
greetings are important. You get me? ♪

Ren: ... I'm not here to waste time.

Gast: Now, now, why are you sayin' such a thing all of a sudden?

Ren: Of course I plan to aim at full victory on the pair competition, too. However, I want to concentrate on improving my skills... That hasn't changed.

Gast: Hmm, it's not like I don't get how you're feeling? I have no intention of wasting your time either, so let's work hard together.

Ren: ......

Gast: Looks like there's equipment for the pair competition, wanna try it together at once?

Ren: No.

Gast: Wha-!?

Ren: Even if we try to team up, it's obvious we'll get the same results as yesterday. Wouldn't it be better to use this environmen to assess our own skills first?

Gast: Hmm... I see, you got a point there. Let's warm up for now, then.

(Haha, way to kill someone's enthusiasm...
But well, compared to how it was when we first joined, Ren's attitude towards me's gotten softer.
He often didn't respond when I talked to him and didn't convey his feelings either...
I should leave him be for now, watch how things go and then talk to him.)

......

(Alright, I'm almost on the right track. My hit rate ain't that bad either.
This is a good environment, though. Just being able to concentrate on shooting is like heaven.
Ain't the time to be blown away. How's Ren?)

Ren: ... Huff.

Gast: Ren, how's it going over there?

Ren: How you say; not bad, but not good either.

Gast: You made a strong showing too, Ren!
Alright. Wanna try practicing in pair now that the warmup session's over?

Ren: ... I want to do it by myself a bit more.

Gast: Dun say that~. You plan to win the pair competition, no?

Ren: ......

Gast: It's true that our battle the other day was a disaster, but nothing'll change unless we do it, ya know.

Ren: .....

Gast: If we do a good job, you can spend more time practicing for the single competition... How 'bout it?

Ren: ... Got it. I'll finish this quicly and concentrate on the single competition practice.

Gast: Haha, that's the spirit. I'll set up the drones, so take a look at the guns.

Ren: ......

To Chapter 3 | Chapter 5