Chapter Text
You two can't be serious, can you? 29-year-old Eva Wingfield can't believe what her two most important people have just told her. You want to move to Japan? But why? The 185 cm tall woman simply can't understand their decision. You were just promoted to captain of the Special Forces, Babygirl. She turns to the other man in the room. And in a few months, the Soyuz you've been building for over five years is supposed to launch! Do you want to quit so close to the finish line, puffball!?
Amused by the minor emotional meltdown of his childhood friend/lover/work colleague, 25-year-old Stanley Snyder (aka Babygirl) lights a cigarette. I've applied both of us for a job abroad in Japan, and it’s been approved.
Senior Chief Petty Officer Eva Wingfield raises an eyebrow at her superior as the top Navy mechanic asks. Wouldn't you need my approval in advance for this?
But then it wouldn't have been a surprise anymore. The blond's grin makes him seem more like a mischievous boy than a grown man.
At this answer, the redhead can only wearily massage her temple and light a cigarette herself before turning to the NASA scientist. And what about you, puffball? An exchange program as well?
Her husband, Xeno Houston Wingfield, wrinkles his nose as his two lovers' relapse into their addiction. As a Liaison Scientist for Space Propulsion and Energy Sources, I'm only officially on loan to JAXA for a few years. So, I wouldn't have to wait for a position to open up here to get back to my old job.
His wife's red eyes don't look away from his black ones. It's too perfectly timed. What's the catch, and why all the effort? Why Japan exactly?
My student is still a teenager who doesn't want to understand that science must be used to control the foolish masses. The would-be dictator begins his lecture. So, I decided to integrate myself into his private life and guide him onto the right path.
Wasn't your original plan to lure your student to the USA by securing him a position as a NASA intern while he studies at Stanford and letting him live with us so you can 'guide him on the right path' almost 24/7? Eva is aware that both of her husband's plans are both illegal and morally reprehensible, but since he's her puffball, she'll simply ignores this. What changed your mind?
The apartment next to my student is currently empty, so I rented it immediately. Xenos's eyes are so pitch-black that no light can be reflected in them. And your brother should be the same age as my student, which should make it easier for him to influence him.
Eva flinches at the mention of her brother. Puffball. Her bored expression would hide from anyone how she truly feels, but Xeno and Stanley have known her for years. They see that for the first time, the woman before them is truly angry with them. How do you know about my Otouto? I never mentioned him to you.
I once told Xe years ago that you had a brother when you sent me a photo of him. Stanley calms the situation by simply telling the truth.
That's right. Eva's shoulders, which had just been slightly tense, slump again. I remember doing that once. Her gaze narrows. I was 16 and so happy to have a baby brother, and you had to ruin it for me by calling him a spring onion.
What can I do if his hair reminds me of it? The soldier feigns self-defense, relieved that the situation has calmed down so easily.
Whatever. Even though Eva is still offended by the comment about her beloved brother, whom she's never met in person, she'd rather find out something else. When are we going to be transferred, Babygirl?
In a week. The female soldier looks at the two in disbelief before hiding her face in her hands.
-
The move went smoother than Eva had expected. Before February was over, Stanley and Eva were already living in their new apartment in Japan. Finally finished.
Stanley throws himself next to her onto the couch. We'll have to do this again in a few years when Xe's student is going to Stanford.
Neither of them is looking forward to the future stress that will definitely await them. Babygirl? Stanley looks over at Eva as she gives him a pained look. We have to do the weekly shopping today.
Stanley looks into her eyes, pleading. Can't we just get food delivered?
The mechanic has to smile sadly as she shakes her head. If Puffball gets wind of this, we'll have to listen to his lecture. He barely tolerates the fact that we're both smokers.
The two look desperately at the door before someone knocks loudly. HELLO! IS ANYONE HOME?
Both Eva and Stanley grimace at the volume, but they both get up to open the door anyway. Stop shouting like that, you big guy. You could have just used the bell.
You're right! Stanley is just opening the door when the doorbell next to them rings.
Can you please not do that? Eva asks, annoyed, as both soldiers cover their ringing ears.
Oh! Sorry! Says the tall boy, who even towers over Eva. His hair may be brown, but it stands on end. Less crazy are his brown eyes, which are brimming with emotion. I know him from somewhere.
That was it with your good first impression. Says the boy next to him, whom Eva immediately recognizes.
Otouto? Red eyes meet identical ones as they both look at each other in bewilderment.
Aneki? Asks the white-to-green-haired boy, recognizing the older woman from old photos.
Stanley and the big boy look back and forth between the two siblings in confusion. The spring onion brother? / Senkuu's older sponsor sister?
-
A quarter of an hour later, Stanley, Eva, her little brother Senkuu, and his friend are sitting in a ramen restaurant, which the boys apparently frequent, if Eva interpreted the staff's reactions correctly. I hadn't thought we coincidental be your neighbors Otouto. Now I also know who the other boy is, Oki Taiju—Otouto's childhood friend.
I was surprised too. Who would have thought you'd end up in Japan? I thought 10 billion percent that you'd never voluntarily set foot in that country. Eva actually thought her Otouto wouldn't want anything to do with her and would hate her for never visiting him. If you never expect anything from someone, you can't be disappointed.
Puffball rented the apartment and wanted us all to move to Japan for a few years. Then Puffball's student probably lives in the other apartment. So, we'll probably only be there for three years before moving back to America. Puffball been so upset about the Japanese education system because he can't just see his student at college this year. This reminds me... You'll also be graduating high school in about three years, right?
Yes. We're both just in the first grade of high school. Taiju answers excitedly, while Stanley looks suspiciously over at Eva.
So, don't you want to move to the US too? If Puffball can bring his student, then I can at least let my brother live nearby. I could rent you an apartment while you study.
Eva. Both boys look around in confusion when they hear the man's voice, before sharply turning to Stanley with wide eyes. It occurs to me that he hasn't said anything in front of them. Taiju looks like his eyes are about to pop out, while Senkuu examines the grown man with his sharp gaze. Discuss this with Xe first.
The older soldier looks at him amused. Be glad I'm not letting them live with us like Puffball's pupils. A mischievous look comes into her eyes. Besides, I think Puffball will like my Otouto after he learns that the little one here builds rockets as a leisure activity - among other experiments.
How many teenagers build rockets in Japan? Stanley murmurs not so quietly. First Xe's student, and now your leek brother.
He has a point. It's a strange coincidence that both boys are the same age, live in the same neighborhood, and have the same hobby. It's almost as if... What do you mean with this? Interrupt Taiju Eva's train of thought.
Xe’s a scientist at NASA. Stanley answers, but his gaze is fixed on Eva's brother. The man, who wears permanent makeup, seems to be looking for some kind of connection, even if he doesn't yet know what it is.
How funny! Senkuu's Dr. X also works at NASA. Taiju says carelessly, but everyone else at the table flinches. Then you can talk to two brilliant NASA scientists, Senkuu!
Senkuu looks at his childhood friend with a sweaty expression, even though he still tries to keep the adults at his table in sight. Let's hope he doesn't have such loose morals as Dr. X.
The conversation ends with the serving of the ramen, even though three of the four guests still have questions for each other.
-
Eva. Says Stanley serious as he closes the door to their apartment.
We're waiting for Puffball arrival. The addressed person obviously doesn't want to talk about the pink elephant in the room. It could all just be too many coincidences. We could simply be reading too much into the situation!
Are you listening to yourself right now? Stressed, the blonde lights one of his cigarettes. Or are you just trying to deny reality?
Stanley. The soldier's golden eyes widen when he actually hears his own name coming out of Eva's mouth. If this is truly reality... The red eyes staring at him aren't cold with rage, but dull with self-loathing. ...then I have condemned my brother to be a Xenos puppet.
What are you going to do now? Stanley asks before approaching her.
The strong woman, whom he had only ever seen crying over the death of her parents, doesn't shed a single tear, but her eyes look like a doll's - lifeless. Her strong shoulders and back aren't bent, but firm, as expected of a soldier. Her hands aren't clenched into fists, nor are her fingernails digging into anything; they simply rest serenely on top of each other, as wives like to do for a family portrait. But worst of all is her broken smile, full of love, given to him by the older sister. Knowingly condemning my brother.