Strike Witches: The Wandering Ace

Chapter 9: Revelations and Bonds

Sarah's morning started with a newfound lightness in her step. Her squamates noticed the subtle shift in her attitude as she made her way to the dining room. The warmth of the morning sun filtered through the windows, painting the room in a warm glow as the smell of breakfast floated throughout the air.

"Morning, Sarah! You seem unusually cheerful today," Lucchini exclaimed with a mischievous grin, noticing Sarah's glow.

"Yeah, did you win the lottery or something?" Eila chimed in, her eyes twinkling with playful curiosity.

Sarah chuckled softly, offering a sheepish smile in response. "Maybe I did. Or maybe I just got a good night's sleep," she replied, not wanting to dive into the details of her dream.

As breakfast came to an end, Sarah excused herself from the table and made her way to the hangar for routine maintenance on her gun and Striker Unit. Immersed in the meticulous task of assembling and fine-tuning her firearm, she lost track of time.

Unbeknownst to her, Minna quietly approached the hangar entrance, carrying a tray of sandwiches. Leaning against the doorway, she observed Sarah's focused dedication. Sarah's concentration was evident as she handled the equipment, completely absorbed in her task.

Sarah looked up from her work, meeting Minna's gaze. The hangar's ambient noise of maintenance equipment and distant conversations provided a backdrop to their conversation.

Minna hesitated for a moment before responding, "Well, I couldn't help but notice you seem more... content today. Anything you'd like to share?" There was a warmth in Minna's eyes, a genuine curiosity mixed with concern.

Sarah paused, a small smile playing on her lips. "It may sound silly but I had a dream last night. It was about someone from my past, someone important," she admitted, choosing her words carefully. The weight of her past seemed a little lighter now that she had found a measure of closure in her dream.

Minna, sensing the significance of Sarah's words, offered a reassuring smile. "Dreams can be powerful. It sounds like it brought you some peace," she remarked, her tone comforting.

"Yeah," Sarah agreed, a subtle softness in her expression. "It's been a while since I've felt this... at ease."

Minna nodded, then shifted the conversation slightly. "And how about you? Anything on your mind?" Minna exhaled softly. "It's just... seeing you like this, happier than usual, it's a welcomed sight. I've been worried about you these last few days," she admitted.

"Sorry about that, it's been years since I had someone care for me," Sarah confessed, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability.

"You don't have to apologize, Sarah. We're a team, and we look out for each other," Minna replied, her eyes reflecting a genuine concern.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it, I've been hearing that from everyone lately, all this nagging is reminding me of my mom." Sarah said jokingly, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

As they continued their conversation, the camaraderie between them deepened. However, their moment was interrupted when Mio entered the room, her expression serious.

"Minna, I just got off the phone from headquarters. They want us to continue with the mission," Mio announced.

Minna exchanged a quick glance with Sarah before nodding in acknowledgment. "You go ahead, Minna. I'll quickly finish up over here," Sarah said, resuming her work on the Striker Unit.

Minna gave a reassuring nod and left the hangar, leaving Sarah to complete her maintenance. As the sound of footsteps faded, Sarah worked with focused efficiency, her hands moving skillfully over the equipment.