SORA'S POV

Hi, my name is Mizusaki Sora, I'm 21 years old and I'm currently living with my little sister, Mai. About a year ago, I was a soldier from the JGSDF (Japan Ground Self-Defence Forces) serving my country but, after being with the army for 3 years, I lost so many of my closet friends in battle and because of this, it made me realise that I can't keep putting my life on the line anymore so, I made a decision, I left the army and now, I'm living with my sister Mai and I'm working full time as a martial arts teacher.

Right now, I'm teaching my students some parkour moves while combining them with my martial arts skills. I was teaching my students how to do the takedown move. Dawn, one of my volunteers, demonstrated the move with me.

"Now remember, open up, step through and then push through," I instructed her and then she gave me a good shove and tackles me onto the ground. "Nice one, excellent Dawn."

I said with a smile and then she helped me onto my feet. I watched the other students and I then watched Daisuke trip up his partner, Raiden, and I smiled at him.

"Very good, Daisuke, Raiden was stronger than you so, instead of trying to use your weight to take him down, you saw an opening and tripped him up."

"Arigato, Mizusaki-sensei!" Daisuke spoke with a smile.

Just then, the bell ring and I looked at the time on my watch.

"Okay, that's class dismissed for today, remember what we went through today and consider using the moves I've taught you to defend yourself and protect those who are important to you," I told my advice to my pupils before they thanked me and leaving the gym.

I got to the locker room so I can get changed out of my gym outfit to my casual wear. Once I got changed, I took out the camouflage scarf and the dog tags that I've always kept with me after leaving the army.

As I stared at them, I could still hear the sound of the rifles and machine guns firing along with my general shouting commands at us as we fought in the battle.

I put on my dog tags and I looked at the scarf that was given to me by my best friend before dying in battle.

'Hard to believe it's been a year since I left the army.'

I thought to myself as I remembered my best friend's smiling face. I snapped out of my thoughts and I tried the scarf on the loop of my belt.

I got my gym bag and I flung it over my shoulder before leaving the locker room. Once I got outside of the building, Mai was waiting for me in her car. I smiled at her before putting my gym bag in the back seat and entering the passenger side.

"Good evening, Sora-nee, how'd it go?" Mai asked before starting the engine.

"Let me put it this way, there's been a lot of improvements for some of my students, however, the others still need to work on their takedowns, they can't beat their opponents of they're always afraid," I explained to Mai.

"Sora, you're not in the army anymore, you don't have to keep treating your students like they're preparing for war."

"I'm not, sure my training is strict and it helps them to defend themselves but, it's how I was taught, even if that meant that meant getting my butt kicked in."

Mai giggled when I told this. I smiled at her and I asked her.

"Nevermind me, what about you? How did it go with the interview?"

"It went great! They loved my designs and bearsace! They said they'll get in contact with me once they've made up their minds," Mai explained to me with a smile.

"Jeez, first it was a hobby and now it's become a dream job."

"Of course it is, besides, you needed a different career choice too, you know."

I looked out of the window and I watched the scenery fly by.

"I had a reason for leaving the army, you wouldn't understand."

Mai looked at me shocked and then she looked straight ahead.

"You're right, I don't but, none of that doesn't matter now," Mai glanced at me with a smile on her face.

"You've served your country and now, you're here in one piece and teaching kids how to defend themselves."

I smiled back at her, "hehe, yeah, that's true."

'I'm also glad to be alive as well.'

I thought to myself as I lightly gripped onto my dog tags. We finally got back to the apartment we were staying in and I then dumped my bag on the sofa before getting started with dinner. 

"How about we have teriyaki chicken meatballs with rice and greens?"

"Sounds great to me, I'm starving."

Mai said before she picks up my bag and taking it to my room. While I was chopping up the ingredients the phone rang and I answered it.

"Konichiwa, Mizusaki residence."

"Konichiwa, is Mizusaki Mai there? we're calling from the (random fashion designing company name)."

"Yes, she is, hold on a second," I looked at Mai who was fixing her precious bear. "Mai, it's for you."

Mai came over to me and then she took the phone from me and then she spoke to the boss. As I was finishing with the final touches for dinner, Mai sounded happy as she spoke to the company's boss.

"Thank you so much! I'll start next week! bye!"

I stood there waiting for a response and then Mai shouted happily.

"I got the job!"

"Oh that's fantastic news, Mai!"

I spoke happily before she flung her arms around me and she bear-hugged me tightly. 

"This is the best news ever!"

"Mai! get off me! you're gonna choke me to death!"

Mai released me and I then cleared my throat and I rubbed my neck afterwards. Mai giggled at me and then she said to me.

"Gomen, I'm just so happy to have my dream job."

"That's...wonderful to hear..." I mumbled after catching my breath.

We sat at the dinner table and we ate our food. Mai couldn't stop smiling as we ate our food.

"Mai, will you stop grinning like a little kid already?"

"You wouldn't understand the feeling of finally having a dream job," Mai pouted at me.

"Excuse me, I joined the army as my chosen career and that was going so well for a little while until I left and started teaching kids how to defend themselves, I call that as my 'dream job'."

"Even though you're still barking orders like a Nazi trainer?"

Mai mumbled making me glare at her. Mai smiled at me innocently and she said to me.

"Hi."

I sighed annoyingly and then smiled afterwards.

"Anyway, we should do something to celebrate you accomplishing your dream job, how about we go to Kyoto? we haven't been there since we were little."

"That sounds great! you were always the history nerd in the family."

"Well, that's what everyone used to say about us, one is brave and smart while the other is creative and pretty."

"Oh thank you."

Mai spoke with a smile. I shook my head at her while smiling back at her. After dinner, I cleaned up the dishes and then Mai said to me.

"Here let me help you clean the dishes."

"Oh no you don't, as long as I am around you're not lifting a finger, now go and sit down and put your feet up."

I spoke with a grin and then Mai shrugged her shoulders before heading back to the living room to watch TV. I whistled a random tune as I cleaned up the kitchen and then I saw the group photo of me and some of my friends from the army. I put away the dried dishes and I took the photo off the fridge and I stared at it sadly.

'Maria...'

I thought to myself as I remembered how happy I was when she was still alive. Mai noticed my sad expression and she came over to me before placing her hand on my shoulder.

"You're missing her every day, aren't you?"

"Can you blame me? Maria was my best friend and she was like a sister to me whether we were in the army or not..."

I placed my hand on the scarf that once belonged to her and then Mai said to me.

"Don't be sad, Sora, Maria would have wanted you to be happy that you left the army and you're spending your days here with your family."

I smiled a little and I said to her.

"You're right," I yawned a little and then Mai said to me.

"Exhausted?"

"Yeah, I'm calling it an early night, don't stay up too late making those designs."

"Yes, 'Mom'."

Mai sarcastically said before I headed to my room. I closed my bedroom door and I placed the group photo on my mirror. I looked at the medals that I received when I was in the army for the past three years. I looked at the dog tags that once belonged to Maria and I gently ran my fingers over them.

"Maria!"

"Sora! help me!"

"I'm coming!!"

The voices that I heard in my head from that day when I witnessed my best friend getting killed in battle. I snapped myself out of it and I told myself.

'Don't think about the past Sora! you're not in the army anymore and Mai is right, I have to forget about the past and move on.'

I glanced out of the window and I stared at the city glowing brightly at night and I smiled a little.

'After all, I'm safe and away from the battle that I participated in three years ago and now...I've got a sister who has finally got her dream job.'