Sky Striker Princess, but the swan song of Valkyrie.

After such a day, the exhaustion of being alone, coupled with the mental fatigue accumulated from last night's nightmare, made Kohinata Mirai think like this.

"Ah, future, I'm back!"

Just as she was thinking this, a cheerful yet tired voice came from behind, and the next moment, Tachibana Hibiki, who had been missing since early morning, reappeared in the dormitory.

"ring…"

Looking at her close friend, Kohinata Mirai wanted to ask something, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to ask.

"What's wrong, Future? Is something the matter?"

The words she couldn't ask were caught by Tachibana Hibiki's hearing, and she reflexively asked her warm little sun what was wrong.

"No...no, something's wrong. I need to know, report, what are you planning to do?"

Upon hearing Tachibana Hibiki's question, Kohinata Mirai was about to deny it, but after a moment's thought, she changed her mind and asked the question in return.

"Report... Ah!!! I completely forgot, I still have to write a report. [Li "Yi Jiu Qi Liu Jiu Yi San Ba ​​Lu]"

Upon hearing Kohinata Mirai's words, Tachibana Hibiki let out a sharp, explosive sound, as if waking from a dream.

For the past week, she has been learning advanced combat techniques and honing her willpower from her idol, the martial arts master, Genjuro Kazanari.

In order to be able to help everyone when facing Zero again, Hibiki Tachibana trained very hard, almost exhausting herself every day.

Therefore, she naturally forgot all about her studies, which she didn't value much to begin with.

"What will we do in the future?"

Thinking of the mountain of reports, Hibiki Tachibana suddenly felt overwhelmed. The work she wasn't good at to begin with had piled up into an insurmountable chasm.

"Hibiki, let's do our best starting today. I'll be with you until we finish."

Even if Hibiki Tachibana said that, Mirai Kohinata couldn't possibly finish writing the report for her. The most help she could offer was supervision and guidance.

"That's fine. As long as there's a future, I can definitely accomplish it."

Encouraged by Kohinata Mirai, Tachibana Hibiki managed to muster a sliver of fighting spirit and patted her chest to assure herself.

It's just a bunch of reports; having undergone extremely arduous training, she can easily get through it with sheer willpower.

"Um…"

Seeing Tachibana Hibiki's energetic appearance, Kohinata Mirai's bad mood improved somewhat.

"Speaking of which, Hibiki, according to the reports, there seems to be a meteor shower next weekend, which happens to be right after the report deadline. After we finish the report, do you want to go see it together?"

With her mood slightly improved, Kohinata Mirai took out her phone and showed it to Tachibana Hibiki in front of her. Because Tachibana Hibiki often left early and returned late, it was a little difficult to find an opportunity to extend an invitation.

Moreover, because they have been spending less and less time together lately, Kohinata Mirai also wants to increase the time she spends with her best friend.

"Well... let me think about it. I'll think about it tomorrow!"

Upon hearing what Kohinata Mirai said, Tachibana Hibiki replied with some hesitation.

"Really? Okay then, let's rest today."

Seeing Tachibana Hibiki's expression, Kohinata Mirai's pupils dimmed slightly before she said this.

Then, the two roommates, each lost in their own thoughts, drifted off to sleep.

P.S. Goodnight.

Chapter Seventy-One Worries

Dozens of meters underground, in a little-known secret location, a training ground protected by heretical technology.

"ha!"

With a loud shout, Tachibana Hibiki, dressed in training clothes and wearing boxing gloves, smashed the heavy sandbags hanging in the arena with a powerful punch.

"Tachibana-kun, well done. That's it. Always remember, your punches must be as swift as lightning and have the power to shatter thunder."

Commander Kazanari, who was wearing the same outfit as Hibiki Tachibana, nodded and said with satisfaction.

"Huff...huff, even though I don't understand anything, I will try even harder, Master!"

Hibiki Tachibana, who had unleashed a powerful attack in one breath, responded breathlessly.

"You've made great progress, Hibiki, but it's time to rest. You need to balance work and rest to avoid getting injured."

Sakurai Ryoko, who was working and watching nearby, handed her a bottle of warm salt water. As an advisor on heretical technology in Section 2, it was also her job to monitor Tachibana Hibiki's physical condition and prevent her from going berserk like she had a few days ago.

"Thank you very much, Ms. Ryoko. However, compared to Ms. Tsubasa, I am nothing in terms of progress. I am still far from being able to help Ms. Tsubasa."

Feeling a bit tired from exercising for so long, Hibiki Tachibana happily accepted the warm salt water and sat down on the sofa to rest, sipping it as she spoke.

After being sent to Section 2 Hospital, Kazanari Tsubasa survived thanks to the highest level of medical care provided by Section 2 and her own strong adaptability. Although she is not yet fully conscious, she is gradually recovering under the care of the medical staff.

"No need to be modest. I have seen your hard work and progress these past few days. Compared to you a week ago, you have indeed made great progress."

"If things continue at this pace, Tachibana should have considerable fighting power by next week. It seems I should start working harder too..."

Genjuro Kazunari, also holding a cup of warm salt water, sat down opposite Hibiki Tachibana and said this.

While Hibiki Tachibana was training, Genjuro Kazanari also didn't slack off in honing his skills.

Although these efforts may have little effect when facing noise, they are for the sake of future battles. He will undergo even more rigorous training to set an example for Tachibana Hibiki.

"Is that so? Hahaha..."

Hibiki Tachibana sat on the sofa and said with a smile.

"Oh, right, Master."

As she laughed, Hibiki Tachibana's sluggish mind suddenly remembered that she seemed to have forgotten something important.

"What's wrong, Tachibana?"

Noticing Tachibana Hibiki's words, Commander Kazaki looked at the girl sitting on the sofa.

"Um, do I still not allow myself to leave school?"

Looking at Commander Kazunari who had turned around, Hibiki Tachibana asked in a somewhat hesitant tone.

"That's right. We can't let Tachibana out of the Second Division's defense perimeter unless absolutely necessary. Under Rei's threat, we can't take that risk anymore."

When asked by Tachibana Hibiki, Kazanari Genjuro didn't think too much about it and answered after taking a sip of warm salt water.

"Is that so? That makes sense, Master. That's definitely true. We can't cause any more trouble for everyone. Waaah."

Hearing Commander Kazunari's matter-of-fact answer, Hibiki Tachibana muttered to herself, her expression visibly disappointed.

"Hmm, what's wrong? Is there something you're thinking of doing outside of Section 2?"

Sakurai Ryoko keenly sensed something, and then she sat down next to Tachibana Hibiki, asking her with a smile.

"Haha, it's nothing important, just a personal matter. I'll just bear with it a little longer. Um, Master, I've rested enough, I can continue training."

Hibiki Tachibana scratched her head, smiled, and got up to say this before heading to the dumbbells next to her to train her muscles.

"Wait a minute, Xiao Xiang."

Without hesitation, Sakurai Ryoko grabbed Tachibana Hibiki's arm in response to his action.

"What's wrong, Miss Liaozi?"

Hibiki Tachibana didn't understand why Ryoko cared so much about what she had just said.

"Xiao Xiang, you can't do that. If you suppress yourself like this, your body will have problems."

Sakurai Ryoko said in a concerned tone, the reflection from her glasses making it difficult for Tachibana Hibiki to see her eyes clearly.

"...Miss Ryoko, you're overthinking it. I feel perfectly fine with my body right now."

Hearing Sakurai Ryoko's seemingly concerned words, Tachibana Hibiki patted her already somewhat muscular chest and said...

"Ryoko-kun, do you mean that excessively suppressing emotions will cause Tachibana to revert to the state she displayed in the previous battle?"

At this moment, Kazanari Genjuro, who had been listening to the conversation between the two, stepped forward and asked.

"Well, how should I put it? Although I didn't witness Hibiki's outburst firsthand, based on other people's descriptions afterward and my physical examination of Hibiki, if Hibiki's emotions were out of control, she would most likely end up like that, which would have some negative impact on her health."

Sakurai Ryoko turned to Kazanari Genjuro and explained.

"Is there really such a thing?"

Kazanari Genjuro turned his head and looked at Tachibana Hibiki, who was still smiling to the side.

"...No problem. After my master's training, I am no longer the same as before. Even if I face the most difficult battles and pressure, I will never become like that again."

In response, Hibiki Tachibana simply stated this confidently.

"Is that so? But, Hibiki, pressure and despair can come from other places besides fighting."

"For example, something that Xiao Xiang really wants to do, but can't do because of restrictions on when it will end, which causes stress."

"Don't underestimate me as an adult. I can see right through your little schemes, Hibiki."

Sakurai Ryoko pushed up her glasses, and said with an expression that said, "I understand everything now."

"Tachibana, is that so?"

After considering Tachibana Hibiki's performance for a moment and somewhat agreeing with it, Kazanari Genjuro asked her a question.

"Even Master said so, well, actually it's like this..."

Under their persistent questioning, Tachibana Hibiki finally explained why she had asked the question.

"So, Hibiki, your friend wants to invite you to go somewhere in the suburbs to watch the meteor shower next weekend. You really want to go, but you're worried that it might cause trouble for our defense?"

Before long, the two understood the reason for Tachibana Hibiki's behavior.

"That's it. It's nothing particularly important, so Master and Miss Ryoko, don't worry. After all, there's really nothing we can do about it."

Hibiki Tachibana said with a relaxed smile, but anyone could tell that she really wanted to watch the meteor shower with her friends.

P.S. Good evening.

Chapter 72 Discussion and Decision

Compared to serious matters like fighting noise, a global calamity, and Zero, who frequently steals precious relics, the desire of an ordinary high school girl to watch a meteor shower with her friends seems so insignificant.

Therefore, in Tachibana Hibiki's view, her unreasonable request, from a rational perspective, was undoubtedly a demand that should not be approved and should be sacrificed.

Staying in the safe headquarters, I will train hard until I gain the power to protect what I want to protect and not be easily captured, before I start working as a musician in Section Two.

This is the most reasonable method in Tachibana Hibiki's opinion, the one that will prevent a repeat of the sad events of that day.

“I don’t think so, Tachibana. Doing special things with your best friend is also a very important thing in life.”

However, when faced with Tachibana Hibiki's idea, Kazanari Genjuro quickly denied it.

"Master?"

Hibiki Tachibana looked surprised.

"A week from now, I understand, Tachibana. Just enjoy watching the shooting stars with your best friend on that day."

Kazanari Genjuro continued, explaining that he had made this decision.

"But Master, what should we do if Miss Lingyi attacks again?"

Recovering from her surprise, Hibiki Tachibana asked anxiously. She did really want to go, but if it would cause danger and harm to those around her, she would rather endure it a little longer.

"Don't worry about it. In fact, even if you hadn't encountered something like this today, we had an operation involving you recently."

In response to Tachibana Hibiki's concerns, Kazanari Genjuro said with a smile.

"Action... Master, are you really not lying to me?"

Hearing Kazanari Genjuro's explanation, Tachibana Hibiki asked with some doubt.

Because this seemed too much like a lie that Commander Fengming had fabricated to put her at ease.

"Of course not. When you came to see me before, you must have heard us discussing this matter in a meeting, right?"

Kazanari Genjuro immediately denied this.

"The meeting... Ah, that terrifying thing, so Master, you were actually considering such a terrible thing? That's amazing."

After Kazanari Genjuro brought it up, Tachibana Hibiki also remembered what she had heard when she went to see Kazanari Genjuro that day.

Because capturing Miss Zero was so outrageous, she thought it was something she should consider long before she could think about it, and she never imagined it would be related to this.

"It's not that I want to consider it. In fact, in my opinion, it would be good enough if we could just preserve Tachibana Hibiki, but those people in the government don't think so."

Faced with Tachibana Hibiki's somewhat admiring remarks, Kazanari Genjuro simply shook his head slowly and said this.