Volume 13 Chapter 294 Shirogane Aqua, A Narrow Escape Special
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Nice to meet you, Shirogane Aqua-kun. I’m Ernie Maitrix, President of the States.”
”Nice to meet you. I’m Shirogane Aqua from BERYL. Thank you for having me.”
I clasped President Maitrix’s hand firmly.
Wow… even through that tight suit, I could feel how well-trained they were.
I looked up at them with sparkling eyes.
Th-this is the real Ernie Maitrix.
Just like in the movies, President Maitrix flashed a dazzling grin, their white teeth gleaming.
”Thank you very much for coming to meet us, President.”
”Think nothing of it. We’ve shared the same hot pot, after all—yours and mine, Japan’s and the States’. That makes us friends, doesn’t it?”
President Maitrix gave Prime Minister Habu a friendly slap on the shoulder.
It seemed they had built a private bond with Prime Minister Habu after arriving in Japan three days ago. Just last night, the two of them had been photographed by the Seibaku Newspaper, sneaking into a no-pants shabu-shabu place with suspiciously lewd grins on their faces.
Earlier this morning, the Prime Minister had come crying to me.
“Aqua-kun, please! Sana-chan says I’m filthy and refuses to talk to me. Do something!”
I’d told her:
“Prime Minister, I get that the call of no-pants shabu-shabu is irresistible, but as Summer King… shouldn’t you at least come up with your own excuse for your daughter?”
She’d then shot back, eyes gleaming:
“Aqua-kun, wouldn’t you like to go to no-pants shabu-shabu with Congressman Kokuchō Agewa?”
No-pants shabu-shabu with Agewa-san!?
Gripping the Prime Minister’s hand firmly, I had promised her on the spot that I’d solve their problem.
”Since we’re here, why don’t the three of us give the press a handshake photo they can enjoy?”
”Good idea. Aqua-kun, you stand in the middle.”
”Got it.”
Standing between them, I realized again just how huge they both were.
At this year’s health checkup, I’d measured 185 cm, but sandwiched between Prime Minister Habu at 193 cm and President Maitrix at 188 cm, I felt small in comparison.
”Shirogane Aqua-san! We hear you’ll be traveling to the States soon on your school trip. How do you feel about it?”
”I’m really looking forward to it! I plan to buy lots of souvenirs for Tenga-senpai, who’ll be holding down the fort alone!”
In the meantime, I had also asked Haruka-san to spoil Tenga-senpai as much as possible while we were away.
After answering more questions, the three of us boarded the presidential car and headed toward Haneda Airport.
”Everyone, feeling thirsty?”
President Maitrix opened a fridge.
Prime Minister Habu quickly raised both hands to stop them.
”President, I appreciate the thought, but alcohol in front of a minor is a bit—”
”Alcohol? Relax, Chiyoko. There isn’t a single drop of booze in here. And besides, the press are gone now. Let’s drop the stiff language. HAHAHA!”
He handed us each a container filled with some kind of drink.
Huh? This color… banana juice maybe?
”That’s my special protein blend. Banana-flavored, easy enough for kids to drink.”
He then pulled out his own shake—packed full of raw eggs.
So the rumors were true: even after becoming president, he still kept up his training.
The three of us raised our drinks and toasted to a safe journey.
”Um, excuse me—”
Once we’d caught our breath, I pulled a square autograph board from my bag.
”President, could I trouble you for an autograph? It’s for someone important to me.”
”Of course!!”
I handed over the board, and he signed it with a flourish.
”Ah, please add ‘To Tenga-senpai’ at the end.”
We hadn’t even reached the States yet, but now I already had a souvenir for Tenga-senpai, who loved American action movies.
”Thank you so much! I know Tenga-senpai will be thrilled!!”
”HAHAHA! I’ll sign one, or ten, or as many as you like! By the way… Shirogane Aqua-kun, may I have your autograph as well?”
”Of course.”
But just as I reached for the board, President Maitrix gave me an apologetic look.
”No, uh… sorry. Not your autograph.”
”Huh?”
Could it be Tenga-senpai’s? Or Toa’s? No… maybe Mayuzumi Shintarō, my personal favorite?
I even wondered if he meant Maruo, Kujaku, or Hajime from our office.
”…What I really want is Morikawa Kaede-san’s autograph.”
”Kaede!?”
”Kaede-chan!?”
Why Kaede!? Prime Minister Habu and I both froze, staring at each other.
President Maitrix pointed at the gorilla face on his protein bottle.
That ridiculous mug—I knew it at once. The symbol of the Power Cult, Hogegorilla!
Damn it! I used the same bottle every day. How had I missed the mark until now!?
”The truth is… I’m a member of the Power Cult too.”
”President, I’m Power Cult as well!”
”Ernie, naturally I’m Power Cult too!!”
We looked at one another and clasped hands again, tighter than before.
It felt like our bond had suddenly grown stronger.
”I see. So that’s why you wanted Kaede-chan’s autograph—the Power Cult’s symbol herself. But wait, Ernie, didn’t you appear on the national broadcaster with me the other day? Couldn’t you have just asked her directly then?”
”Impossible! That was Morikawa Kaede-san! I could barely stammer out a greeting and manage a handshake before panicking!”
President Maitrix reacted like a nervous fan, cheeks flushed.
Kaede really was amazing. Even Kohina-senpai always scolded me, saying I spoiled her too much. But if even a Hollywood action legend like Ernie Maitrix turned bashful in front of her, then she was undeniably special.
”Um, Aqua-kun… about that autograph. I mean, she’s pregnant right now, so I don’t want to impose. After the birth, once things settle down, even then would be fine.”
”Don’t worry. Next year, when we’re on our world tour, I’ll bring her to you directly.”
”R-really!? Then come to the White Home, where my office is! I’ll gladly welcome all of BERYL!”
That sounded like something Tenga-senpai would love.
We hadn’t managed to go on the school trip together as four, but on a world tour, we’d finally have time to enjoy ourselves as a group.
”Look, I even brought some chicken to go with the protein. Let’s snack on this together and chat about muscles, shall we?”
After riding in the presidential car for about twenty minutes, the three of us arrived at the airport in Haneda.
”Whoa… this is the presidential plane?”
Stepping out of the car, I looked up at the massive aircraft from the runway. Reporters from both Japan and the States were already waiting, cameras pointed at me as shutters clicked nonstop.
”You don’t need to stop here. Just keep chatting naturally with the other two as you board the plane.”
”But once you’re at the top of the stairs, raise your hand and wave to the press.”
”Understood.”
I did as I was told, raising a hand at the top of the stairway. But just waving felt too bland, so for the fans watching through the cameras, I added a loud, “I’ll be back!”
”Good work. You can relax now.”
”Ah, yes.”
President Maitrix entered their office with their secretary, while Prime Minister Habu immediately began discussing upcoming matters with their aides. Both of them looked busy—as expected from heads of state. Luckily, I’d heard in advance from Prime Minister Habu that if I wanted an autograph, it was better to ask in the car than after boarding.
I sat down in my assigned seat and opened a tablet to review the schedule. I wasn’t the only one with work ahead; I was headed to the States for business as well.
Before I knew it, hours had passed.
”…Huh?”
It seemed I’d dozed off. I stretched as I stood from my seat.
”Why is it so noisy out there…?”
Opening the door, my eyes met a woman’s—a tall, well-built beauty in a suit. Typical States style: her blouse was unbuttoned so far her cleavage was fully visible. Wait—seriously!?
”Tch!”
Crap! She suddenly pulled a knife from behind her clipboard, but I grabbed her wrist just in time.
”Hey, lady, just to be sure—this isn’t some honey trap mix-up, right? I’d be fine with that version.”
She struggled, but I twisted her wrist and forced her to drop the knife.
”Sorry, but I need to ask one more thing. Don’t tell me you’re working for that insane Japanese show, Berry-Berry…?”
Without answering, she lashed out with a kick aimed at my face. Damn! A hidden blade shot out from the tip of her pump. What kind of spy crap was this!?
”Sorry, but I’ll have to restrain—”
Before I could finish, the entire aircraft lurched violently. An enormous explosion boomed outside.
”What the hell!?”
Looking out the window, I saw one of the left engines engulfed in flames. No way… what the hell was happening up here!?
”Aqua-kun, are you safe!?”
”Prime Minister Habu!!”
The woman shifted her focus from me to the Prime Minister.
”Aqua-kun, look outside!”
I followed her order and glanced through the window. What the—!? A giant transport aircraft had opened its cargo bay directly in front of us, and inside… weren’t those the multi-launch rocket systems I’d once seen at a Self-Defense Force exhibition!?
”Aqua-kun, I’ll handle this! You, take the others and board the emergency escape pod stored in the rear hangar!”
”Understood. But, Prime Minister—”
”Don’t worry about me! I’ll join you later!”
One of the PM’s security guards grabbed my arm.
”Hurry, sir! By President Atori’s orders, it’s our duty to protect you!”
With that said, I couldn’t argue. I ran with the SP toward the back.
”Everyone except Prime Minister Habu and President Maitrix has already evacuated! The last two crew will parachute after stabilizing the plane, so don’t worry!”
We reached the hangar where the escape pod was stored—just as another violent jolt spun the plane. I barely caught a handhold to keep from being thrown. Then the spin reversed! Luggage belts must have snapped, because dozens of suitcases floated up in zero-g before crashing back down.
Too many—there was no way I could dodge them all. I braced myself.
”Look out!”
The SP shoved me aside. Suitcases slammed into their back, and I heard the sickening crack of breaking bones.
”Go! Hurry! I’m finished… but I’m glad I could protect you. Please, if you can, tell Prime Minister Habu that it was my honor to serve you to the end…”
”Don’t give up! And say that yourself when we’re safe!”
Thank god for all that protein earlier. Power solves everything. I pulled the SP out from under the pile and shoved them into the pod.
”No, Aqua-sama! Someone must stay outside to press the release—”
”I’ll handle it!”
I forced the pod door shut, hit the release controls, and pulled the lever to unfasten the locks. Good. They’d make it out alive.
Just then, the captain’s voice came over the intercom.
”This aircraft is no longer controllable. Repeat. This aircraft is no longer controllable…”
Wait—was that President Maitrix themself!? Could it be true they sometimes flew the plane themself, like I’d seen in the news?
I rushed into the next cabin for a parachute—only to face the same sexy woman again, gun aimed at me.
Damn! I ducked back, but she fired into the parachute locker, ruining most of them.
”Goodbye, Shirogane Aqua.”
With a mocking smile, she leapt out into the sky.
”You’ve got to be kidding me…”
I checked the box. Useless—most chutes were shredded. Still, after pulling them all out, I managed to salvage two intact.
”Aqua-kun, why are you still—never mind, are you unharmed!?”
”You didn’t run into that woman, did you?”
Prime Minister Habu and President Maitrix rushed over. Apparently, the woman had been defeated and handcuffed earlier, but used the explosion to slip free—only to cross paths with me again.
I handed them the two parachutes.
”Wait. You should take one. I’ll be fine without it—it wouldn’t be the first time I jumped barehanded. Probably.”
”No, President Maitrix. Aqua-kun, take mine. I’ll manage—I can belly-flop to the ground and somehow survive!”
No, no, it’s not okay at all.
First of all, they are the president and prime minister of a country, so they should put their own lives first!!
”I’m the one who’ll be fine. Worst case, I bump my head a little and Kohina-senpai tells me I’ve gotten even dumber.”
My master, Akio-san, once led a team to retake a hijacked plane. The duct connecting the stealth jet to the aircraft broke, and he was thrown into open sky with nothing but his body—yet he came back alive without a scratch.
So, as his disciple, I should be fine too. I’m about ninety-five percent confident.
Normally we’re decisive, but now we were fumbling, shoving parachutes at each other like idiots. You get it, right? Not a single one of us actually doubted we could survive a freefall barehanded.
Then another explosion shook the plane, and it lurched hard to one side.
”Ah—!”
The parachutes we’d been shoving around went flying out into the open air. We looked at each other in silence. A lesson learned: nothing good comes from fighting.
Except—this was not the time for lessons! Jokes were about to get us killed!!
”The presidential car! That’s it—I remember now! The presidential car has a parachute function! To the back, hurry!!”
”What? That’s a thing?”
We rushed to the hangar and piled into the president’s special car parked in front of the escape pod.
”Wait, it won’t start?”
”Don’t joke around! This isn’t the time for comedy skits!”
Maybe… it’s bolted down. We probably need to pull the release levers.
I jumped out, slammed the door shut, and shouted, “I’ll unfasten it!”
”Wait, Aqua-kun—then let me—”
No time for that. I yanked every lever I could find. The locks holding the presidential car and containers snapped open, and everything started sliding toward the hangar exit.
”Aqua-kun, hurry!”
”This way! Move!!”
I sprinted and leapt for the presidential car. But another explosion rocked the plane, tilting it steeply.
”Uwoooooooah!”
”Aqua-kuuuuuuun!!”
I was flung into the sky along with the car.
Crap. This was not in the plan. Just like Master Akio once had, I was tossed out barehanded. Spreading my limbs, I tried to steady myself. Think. Think, Aqua. Diving like this without anything is suicide.
Scanning the air around me, I spotted one of the containers—still fitted with a parachute.
That’s it. My only chance.
Folding my arms and legs tight, I dropped straight down, aligning myself with the container.
”Gh—!”
I caught up, clung to it, and pulled the cord. The chute burst open, slowing me down, stabilizing the container.
Hah… hah… Thought I was a goner.
Looking up, I saw the presidential car above, its own chute deployed. Seemed they were safe. Good.
”Wait—no, no, no!”
The cords of my parachute snapped right in front of me. You’ve got to be kidding! I was thrown off again, tumbling into open sky.
Fine. Then I’d face it head on.
If it came to this, I’d dive with my bare body.
”I can do this. I’ll make it!”
I told myself over and over. The chute had already slowed me plenty; now I just had to trust in my training, my muscles.
Just then, from far above, Prime Minister Habu shouted, “Aqua-kun! Use thiiiiiis!”
President Maitrix ripped the car door clean off with brute force, and Habu hurled it down at me.
That’s it! Remember, Aqua—remember that OP from Zandam, the one I voiced! That scene might just work here!!
Leaping off the tumbling container, I caught the door.
Using it as a sled, I landed on the snowy slope below, sliding down the mountain.
Behind me, the presidential car itself landed and began sliding the same way.
But—damn, a cliff! I sprang off the door, aiming for the car.
Habu and Maitrix both reached out, grabbed my arms, and hauled me inside.
”Uwoooooooooah!”
”Poooweeeeer!!”
”One shooooot!”
Of course, the chant was straight out of that energy drink commercial with Kaede and Iria-san.
I collapsed inside, gasping, as Maitrix slammed the brakes. The car screeched to a halt right before the cliff’s edge.
We all turned to face one another, catching our breath.
”You okay, Aqua-kun?”
”Aqua-kun, are you safe!?”
”I’m fine. Thank you—both of you.”
We grinned, flashing white teeth. Once again, power had saved the day.
But our relief didn’t last. A rumbling echoed around us.
”What’s that sound?”
”Maitrix, if that was your fart, just admit it.”
”Idiot! My power-farts don’t sound like that! Look—an avalanche!!”
”Shiiiiiiiit!”
We bailed from the car and clung to the sturdiest trees we could find as snow thundered past.
”Hah… hah… Everyone okay?”
”Yeah. Nobody hurt?”
”All good here. Thank God.”
Looking up, we saw the presidential plane itself, blazing, falling far off in the distance.
”Uh… lots of questions I could ask, but… what now?”
Habu and Maitrix exchanged a look.
”Phones are useless. Worse, GPS could give us away—ditch them here.”
”Agreed. Maitrix, any leads?”
The president nodded.
”Plenty. You must have some too, don’t you?”
”…True. Best not to contact anyone until we know who’s friend and who’s foe.”
Leads, huh… That sexy woman who tried to kill me flashes through my mind. Could it be I was the target? Did I drag these two into danger with me?
”Sorry. Honestly, I have no clue. But maybe this is my fault.”
Shirogane Aqua—at least I’d never lived in a way that should’ve earned someone’s grudge. Furia-sama’s face flickered through my mind, but that had to be nothing.
”No. Even if it was you, it doesn’t matter. Any incident aboard the presidential plane falls on me. Besides—that woman carried one of our passes. I can’t prove she was the mastermind, but what’s certain is that there’s a traitor among our upper ranks.”
”Then our first step is to smoke out that traitor,” Habu said.
Maitrix nodded in agreement.
We couldn’t tell who was an enemy and who was an ally, nor did we know what their true objective was.
The three of us folded our arms and sank into thought.
”So… where exactly are we right now?”
”Judging from the flight time, somewhere near the eastern Stars, in the Belarusian region. At the very least, staying here won’t solve anything. I suggest we head into the city to gather information. What do you think?”
”I agree. We should also find out how this accident is being reported. That alone might reveal something.”
I nodded at President Maitrix’s words.
All three of us were in agreement.
We pulled our phones from our pockets and tossed them into the snow.
Everyone back home must be watching the news and worrying…
But—sorry. I couldn’t contact anyone right now.
So please, just wait for me a little longer.
I swear, I’ll make it back to all of you safe and sound!!
With that resolve burning in me, I crushed my own phone underfoot.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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