Academy days (Book 2 of IA)

[5] The 5th member

"Yo, Kard! Pass me the soap." Rumble voice overlapped the sprinkling hot water.

"Go get it yourself!" I yelled back as I rubbed the soap in my hair.

"Agh, that's why brats are brats." Rumble said, as he walked by me to fetch the soap.

"That's why douches are douches." I fired back.

A small chuckle came through Rumble.

"So how many did you take out today Kard?"

"6."

"No bad for a brat. I only got 5. Our commander stole the rest of the fun, which makes me think: is she really human?"

"Don't worry, you're not the only one..."

"It looks like you both want to become dead meats." Isa's muffled voice came from the other side.

Both Rumble and I went as still as a statue.

"Tsk." Isa continued, "I would have finished the job in half the time if I'd had my MS."

Well, that part was certainly true.
"I almost forgot to inform all of you, there will be a 5th member joining the Iron Angel division tomorrow."

"WHAT?" we all exclaimed at once, and I swore I heard Kuro's voice from the other side as well.

"I was only informed by Dr. Cherrylove this morning. But from what I saw on his profile, I couldn't believe it either."

"What is he like?" I asked.

"Aside from communicating, I do not see any other obvious problems. I heard he is an excellent swimmer as well as an ice skater, and something about his favorite food being 'Stardelight'..."

"Well, that's something in common at least." I said with a shrug.

"Wait, what does he look like? Is he tall? Which country is he from?..."

Rumble's machine gun questions were ended by a loud metal squeak from the other side.

"Enough questions for now. You will see for yourself tomorrow."

Guess I will wait to tomorrow to see...

***

Back in the beginning of our training days, Isa and I would eat our daily meals inside this small room inside the squat office building. But since the new members have joined, the place has become quite lively. With me and Rumble doing most of the talking, Isa occasionally calling out orders and death threats, Kuro sat so quiet, I barely registered her existence. As the 4 of us sat around the rectangular table, Dr. Cherrylove burst through the door the exact moment we were talking about the new member:

"Hey! How's it going everyone?" Dr. Cherrylove said with a big bright sunny smile, but none of us responded, as we were all too anxious to anticipate the new member.

"I know you are all anxious, and I understand. I know it's sudden, but I am sure you will all get along. Come, don't be shy now!" Dr. Cherrylove said, as she reached her hand outside the doorway and pulled the person in by the arm...Or wings.

When the figure came through the doorway and into full view, there was a collective gasp, even Isa seemed a bit stunned.

"I introduce you all to Biggy! Your newest team member!"

In front of me stood a giant Pingu as tall as me and almost as wide. Pingus are basically dumb magic birds who don't know how to fly. They tend to be small, but not this one, it had a big round white belly, its back and side were covered in black fur, and it had a small yellow beak to go with its relatively small head.
I was in too much of a shook, to even bother to point out the fact that Dr. Cherrylove named this Pingu after exactly what I nicknamed it.

Talk about coincidence...

"Wait Dr.! Isn't this the same Pingu that robbed the Stardelight's main store 4 months ago?" I shot up from my chair. I was there that day, being caught in the middle of their 'Stardelight heist'. It was also the day I first met Isa.

"Yes, but he's reformed and tamed now! Don't you think he's cute?" to prove her point, Dr. Cherrylove reached out and rubbed the Pingu's furry belly, and it seemed to be pretty soft and bouncy. And I honestly, had to admit, it looked pretty tempting indeed.

"Can I..." Kuro bit her tongue, and she suddenly became the centre of attention.

"Can I touch him?" Kuro asked with a straight face.

"Of course!" Dr. Cherrylove replied, as she stepped aside and made room for Kuro.

Without further words, Kuro gently tapped Pingu's belly with one finger, then proceeded to rub the belly with one hand, then a brief moment later she was literally clinging to the Pingu as if it was a giant plush doll.
Though Kuro lips haven't moved, and she wasn't flushing, which I guess is being happy for her, and I glad about that. And a little jealous of course.

"It seems someone is getting along already." Dr. Cherrylove let out a small chuckle.

"I have a question Dr. How is this 'bird meat' going to fight?" Isa sounded sincere asking the question.

"Ah...there is no need to worry about that. Though the plan is still in beta, but standing right in front of you all is the world's first Pingu MS pilot."

Q: Do you like pingu's? ; p