Echoes of War: From the Frontlines to Fantasy

Chapter 18:

I woke up and noticed the sun was already out, and Iroha must've already gotten up since she wasn't next to me. I stood up, walked over to my uniforms, and donned my work uniform, making sure that everything was accurate according to specifications before walking out.

I looked around, and realized that Iroha wasn't out there either, making me concerned.

"Maybe she's in the garage." - Hanz

I opened the garage door, but her car was still there, and no indication that someone had left. I went back inside, grabbing a pop tart from the pantry to quell my grumbling stomach before returning to searching for Iroha.

I checked the bathroom, living room, laundry room, office, guest bedroom, closet, and the porch, but still didn't see any trace of her.

"Iroha? Are you here?" - Hanz

Each time I called out, there was no reply, making me more worried each time. I pulled out my phone and tried to call her, but an automated voice picked up saying that she didn't pick up.

I paused for a few seconds, before regaining my composure, and then promptly panicked.

"Well, maybe she already left for a meeting at pandemonium society and forgot to tell me? But then why would her car still be here? Maybe she got a ride with someone there? That's probably it..." - Hanz

I started rushing around, grabbing the keys to the motorbike, along with my helmet, and got on it, starting it, and then speeding down the road to the headquarters. While I was at it I checked if she was in the Hangar, but there was no indication of her there either.

"Maybe she was ordered to go watch Makoto's meeting today? Hopefully, because I don't know where else." - Hanz

As I approached the parking lot, I slowed down significantly, then turned in, taking the closest spot to the stairs. I took off my helmet, put my hat back on, and then ran inside, walking up to the receptionist.

"Excuse me, have you seen Iroha come in this morning?" - Hanz

"Not to my knowledge, however I did arrive late this morning so she could be here." - Receptionist

"Alright, thank you." - Hanz

I then walked back outside, still completely dumbfounded as to where she could've gone. I took a seat on the steps, ruffling my hair.

"Where could she be of all places? Definitely not over at the Perfect Team, nowhere around the house, not the hangar, and now not in her club's headquarters? It doesn't make sense..." - Hanz

A car then pulled in, and Hans stepped out. He was most likely to chew out Makoto over what happened yesterday, which I didn't blame him. He then paused in front of me, taking me out of my thoughts. I stood up and saluted him as if nothing was bothering me, but he seemed to have already known something was up.

"Good morning, sir, I presume you're here to talk to Makoto?" - Hanz

"Yes, your presumption is correct. But what's wrong? I can see it in your face, something has happened?" - Hans

"Eh, it's probably nothing you could help with, just that I can't seem to find Iroha anywhere." - Hanz

"Interesting... You two are usually inseparable." - Hans

He then drifted off into thought for a few seconds before I snapped him out of it.

"If there is any place you would recommend, I've already searched there, though interestingly enough, someone was spying on me last night as I was fixing a few cars in the Hangar, but it always vanished before I could discern any characteristics or chase after them." - Hanz