(Disclaimer: I do not own the Gundam franchise. Credits go to Bandai and Sunrise for making this amazing mecha franchise.)

Gundam Build Divers: Division Cross Rays

Chapter 3: Day Off

Over a week has passed since Aoi started practicing with Amaryllis.

It wasn't like she was part of the team or anything. They had been spending a lot of time on high difficulty missions and they usually let her tag along, so long as she didn't derail whatever Iris was planning to improve upon. Not to mention one of the members, Takaya, didn't seem to be interested in practicing with the team. Yes. She overheard Iris complaining about it once.

She also befriended the shopkeeper, Maya Idabashi during her frequent visits. They would usually spend a few minutes chatting about random things before diving in the game. At least Maya appreciated the small talk. She's usually left alone to watch over the shop after all.

"Greetings Aoi!" Maya beamed at the girl as she entered. It was a particularly slow Thursday afternoon and there was barely anyone in the 'store' section of Idabashi Models. "I've just about caught up with the final episodes of 00's first season. Man, seeing Lockon die always brings a tear to my eye!"

"Yeah, me too. It was pretty sad." Aoi chuckled as she hit up the lively shopkeeper for a quick chat. There was a noticeable silence, even as she leaned close to the partition separating the game room from the register.

"By the way, Amaryllis isn't here today."

"Really? That's a surprise." Indeed, the competition is looming ahead. Still, a break is good every now and then. Plus, they did have schoolwork to consider. "I guess I'll be practicing alone then."

"You didn't see them at school?"

"I saw them but outside of GBN, we don't really talk much...yet." Aoi explains. "Misuzu-san and I are on friendly terms but she usually hangs out with her own circle of friends within the class and the Cultural Studies Club. As for Ayamine-san and Takanashi-san well, they're a bit harder to approach at school."

Maya nodded at Aoi's observation. "Iris definitely looks like the unapproachable type. She tends to get lost in her little music player. But, she's not a bad girl. As for Rio well...he always seems a bit odd. I appreciate him pre-ordering stuff from the shop though. Definitely a loyal customer!"

Maya's observations were quite spot-on. Iris always didn't seem like a very social person. Very quiet in class and is usually nowhere to be seen during dismissal. As for Rio well, Aoi doesn't get to talk to him much so she'll just have to take Maya's word for it.

"Hey, we're loyal customers too! I play GBN here quite frequently."

"Well...you know? Commissions from sold kits are higher than GBN fees ehehe…" Maya sheepishly fidgets with her glasses.

"Ain't that the truth?"

"You should have seen us during the GP Duel era! I remember always being sold out of stock due to players snapping up kits left and right."

"GPD…" Aoi had heard of GBN's predecessor before. "That's the game where actual Gunpla do the fighting right?"

"Yep. So damage sustained in the game carried over to the actual model. It wasn't unusual for me to see players coming in with a big box full of kits to play with." Maya's eyes suddenly lit up over the course of their little history lesson. "Speaking of which, I think we still have the machine somewhere. We should play it sometime. I don't look like it but I was quite an avid GPD player back in the day!"

"Ehehe...I'm not too sure. I prefer my models to come back in one piece as much as possible." Aoi reaches into her carrying case and shows a completed Schwalbe Graze to Maya. She was quite proud of how the model turned out.

"Wow! Gaelio's Schwalbe Graze! Good construction Aoi. Hehehe! You made this from the regular release plus the optional lance parts huh?" The shopkeeper marveled at the smooth, semi-gloss finish of the painted piece. "Between this and the Graze Ritter the other day...you're a purist aren't you?"

"No. I just want to practice and gather data while I complete my main unit." Aoi thinks back to her almost completed Gundam Barbatos. "I want to implement stuff while the thing is being built, just so I don't have to redo a whole lot in case I find something wrong."

"That's a very disciplined approach to it, I guess. But don't you think it's about time to get some actual practice with the main machine?" Maya turns the Schwalbe Graze over to check out the painted detailing on the high-speed thrusters. "Custom units will handle differently from lore-accurate ones after all."

Aoi recalls her practice during the scenario battle. "True. I'll probably bring it next time then, once I finish up the weapons."

"Cool! I can't wait!"

The two girls finish their little chat as some customers approach the counter to pay for their purchase. Collecting her model, Aoi descended to the practice room and saw that it was empty, just as Maya told her. With no one else to talk to, Aoi slips into one of the available units and initiates the game.

"Live practice with the Barbatos huh? Can I do it though?" The game interface loads and a flash of light and color engulfs Aoi as she dives back into GBN.

By the time Aoi finished playing, the sun had already set. Maya had already started doing an audit of the remaining items in the store while the lights on the upper play area were turned off. Aoi rubs her eyes as she takes off the headset. Every mission in GBN feels like hours thanks to the advanced, immersive environment. She could still feel the blows of Gundam Gusion's hammer rocking her machine even as she exits back to the real world.

GBN's technology will undergo more developments in the future. Just how sophisticated is this technology?

Bidding Maya goodbye, Aoi packs up her kit and heads on back to her apartment. The lobby was just as empty as the store when she arrived, with only the guard to keep an eye out on the entrance. This at least meant she did not have to wait long for an elevator to take her to the unit. Upon opening the door, she notices a pair of heavy, well-polished black shoes tucked neatly on the bottom rack.

"Aoi." A deep male voice calls out from the kitchen. Her stepfather heard her arrive. He was in the kitchen, preparing a simple fried meal for their dinner. Aoi kept her head low as she approached. The man had always intimidated her no thanks to his own tall stature. "Home late again?" He asked.

"Good evening...father." Her voice was a lot softer as she sat down on her place at the dinner table. Her mother was already seated; her attention fixed on a manuscript she was editing on her laptop. "I was just playing online." She takes out the Schwalbe Graze and places it on the table for her parents to see.

"Gunpla huh?" Her stepfather muttered as he gave the model a passing glance. He had finished cooking and started distributing the plates and bowls to the two girls at the table. Aoi helped pass them out; her movements small and skittish. Her stepfather immediately notices this. "You know, I used to have a bunch of these when I was younger. They're probably still in my parents' house locked up in a chest somewhere."

"R-Really?" Her eyes widened a bit at the man's reply. It was the first time her stepfather had talked to her about her hobbies. She could see her mother pause what she was working on for a bit to pay attention to their small discussion. "Are they still in good shape?"

"Hard to say. I wasn't exactly the best builder when I got them." The man settles down in his seat. "I just got the ones I liked from the shows. I built them, played with them and I guess, forgot about them as time passed." He gazes off a bit in the distance as if recalling an old memory. "Shame I guess. Those toys might be rare now."

"Ahahaha! Well...we do get reissues sometimes."

"Perhaps. But you should take care of your models nonetheless." The man points a finger at her Schwalbe Graze. "Keep them in great condition and they'll probably make a good heirloom for your kids if you decide to have them. Or you can sell them. An associate told me that a well-built model can still fetch a high price in the market."

"It's a little tough parting with them though."

"Of course. I once did interior design and installation for this duel game involving those toys. It was very surreal to see kids playing with these as if they were really moving like they would in the show." Her stepfather brings up a memory from a while back. "Admittedly, it was hilarious seeing those boys throw a tantrum when their toy gets wrecked."

"That's mean!" Aoi's mother suddenly joins in the conversation. "Those kids worked hard on those models."

Her stepfather shrugs his shoulders. "Should've thought about that before entering a toy deathmatch."

"GP Duel huh?" She and Maya had just been talking about the old game earlier. "Well...it's a lot better now. They just get scanned and turned into a game model you control in a VR environment."

"So that's what you've been doing for the past few nights?"

Aoi nodded her head. "I have other classmates who play so it's not like it's just me. Plus, I found a place close by. It's called Idabashi and it's right by the warehouse…" Her voice trails off. Was she getting into trouble?

"I see. Still, you need to be careful, especially when walking at night."

"Okay."

The rest of their dinner talk now shifted to more conventional topics like school and homework. Throughout the whole affair, Aoi's mother observed quietly, letting Aoi and her stepfather talk a bit. When dinner was finished, Aoi helped clean up before heading to her room in order to check up on the progress of her custom Barbatos Lupus.

The Gundam was mostly complete, having been given a more unified paint scheme. Like the original Barbatos, the armor was predominantly white with some blue around the lower chest area. Its shoulder armor was further refined as it now resembles original parts rather than kitbashed ones from the Graze Ritter. All that was missing were the suit's weapons.

"I think I'll be able to practice with you soon." Aoi mutters as she takes out a makeshift rack designed to hold in skewers where the suit's weapons were clipped on. She gives what looked like an assault rifle a light tap with her finger. So far, the enamel paint no longer chips even when she buries her nail a bit.

"Almost there." She sets the piece back on the clips and stretches her arms. She reckons she'll finish the final assembly in two days' time.

The Actaeon 2-A students seemed to be engaged in animated conversation come lunchtime. Aoi could hear her classmates talking excitedly about going out somewhere on the weekend. Misuzu was right in the middle of the crowd and she called the girl over to let her in on their little discussion.

"Hey, Aoi! Are you free tomorrow?"

"I was planning on going to the Gundam Base-" Before Aoi could finish her explanation, Misuzu suddenly perks up, cutting her off.

"Great! We're all headed there too. To Odaiba at least. A boutique clothing store opened within the vicinity of the base and we want to check it out." The taller girl points at the other girls around them. Everyone seemed to be raring to go.

"Oh. That's cool. Let's meet up at the station then?" Aoi glances at the clock. "Will eight in the morning work?"

"A little too early. How about nine o'clock?"

"Alright."

Aoi looked around the room to see if anyone else was interested in coming along. Her eyes were immediately drawn to Iris. She was sitting away from them; her gaze fixed on the view from the window, lost in her own thoughts. Was she always spacing out like this? It wasn't really easy to bring up during practice. Misuzu apparently noticed this as well.

"Ayamine-san!" The taller girl sits down on the seat adjacent to Iris'. "Do you want to come tomorrow?"

The sudden call worked and Iris immediately took out her earphones, turning her attention back to the present. "H-Huh?"

"We're going to the Gundam Base, Ayamine-san." Aoi joins in the conversation, following Misuzu's opening. "Wanna tag along?"

"Tomorrow's Saturday right?" The girl checks the date on her phone. "Yeah, sure. I don't mind."

"Man, Ayamine-san is always spacing out huh?" One of the girls chuckled as they crowded around the girls of Amaryllis.

"No, she was just listening to music. At least she's not being a loudmouth like you."

"Heh! You girls play nice now." Iris just chuckled, showing them the display on her phone. It was a new song written by this rising boy band based in Shibuya. "I was just checking out their latest hit. See if it's worth the preorder."

"Oh yeah!" Misuzu speaks up first. "I think they'll be performing live at the Base tomorrow."

"Wow! Hopefully, we'll be allowed to ask for autographs."

"So you like pop huh, Ayamine-san?" Aoi asks while the other students conversed around themselves. She certainly didn't seem like the type for one.

"Maybe. I don't think I value one particular genre over another. But I know the lead singer for this group." Iris turns down the volume on her device. "We'll be facing them there you know? During Cross Rays."

"Huh?" Misuzu's eyes widened at Iris' remark. She obviously wasn't expecting that one.

"You guys sure got your work cut out for you huh?" Aoi chuckled.

"Yeah." Iris nodded, turning her attention back to the window, her expression once again, distant. It was as if she was recalling a memory from the past.

The girls took the train towards the city center where the Gundam Base held its annual promotion event. GBN footage was displayed all over the venue, with some even playing the advert for the upcoming Division Cross Rays. A complete lineup of bands and musicians were scheduled to perform, promoting the game as well as the other related businesses and partners associated with the administration.

The popular boy group, Force J-Falcon was scheduled to promote the new teenage clothing line by one of the more high-end fast-fashion shops situated in the Base. A few of Aoi and Misuzu's companions were big fans and had been looking forward to the meet-and-greet after the event. Unfortunately, their group arrived late, causing them to miss both the initial performance and the meet-and-greet.

"My apologies. I should have followed Izanami-san's suggested meetup time!" Misuzu bowed sheepishly at the other girls.

"Aww...I was hoping to get Numakura-san's autograph here!" One of the girls whined as the shop attendants gave her a sorry look.

"Well, the merchandise still looks great. No need to be too sorry Misuzu-san." Another just chuckled. She had already started browsing the catalog.

Aoi takes an elegant black halter from one of the racks. Her eyes widened upon reading the retail price. Granted, it was reasonable given the current economy but it was a little too pricey for her right now. It costs around the same as a Master Grade, which she had been eyeing for some time. Looking back to her companions, she noticed Iris just patiently staring at one of the screens broadcasting the main demonstrations live throughout the store. The shop was on the second floor so it gave them a good view of the main events below. Aoi steps towards Iris, checking out the same demonstration playing on the screen.

"J-Falcon." Iris points at the Force currently displayed on the screen. She was familiar with them after all, given that she could tell based on the Gunpla alone. The Force was taking on a mission to destroy the Tanhauser cannon from SEED Destiny. Rather than rely on the cavern maneuver in order to succeed, the team was approaching head-on, using the sheer speed and maneuverability of their machines in order to dodge the incoming positron blasts.

"Cool!" Aoi beams as the lead machine, a custom Proto Zero ascended to the sky, taking out a pair of Windams with a well-timed shot from its Buster Rifles while remaining in its Neo-Bird Mode. An impressive display of speed and power.

The Proto Zero swoops in; boosters propelling it to top speed. The cannon was now in range. Proto Zero transforms into its full Mobile Suit mode, combining the two rifles in its hands and aiming it at the cavern entrance. Target was in range!

VOOOM!

A long-range shot struck the Tanhauser cannon from the right, just as the weapon was about to fire, immolating it and the surrounding defensive units in a massive explosion, much to the shock of the spectators and combatants. A new machine has just entered the mission. It tore through the cavern entrance, managing to maneuver through the tight passage despite the bulk of the wings on its back.

It was a Freedom Gundam, armed with a custom long-range rifle. The ZAFT Mobile Suit itself looked stock but the custom rifle stood out in particular to Aoi's eyes. A magazine-fed sniper rifle with a custom telescopic scope and retractable barrel. It was certainly a style that she had seen before.

The Proto Zero turned to face the Freedom Gundam. Yet it kept its rifles low, disengaging the combined form. The whole mission was just a demo to get fans hyped up. And it worked. Excited cheers erupted from the audience stands while the girls processed what had just transpired.

"Scouting out the competition this early, Ayamine-san?" Rio calls out as he walks towards the two. "From what I heard, you probably already know their group well."

"Yeah well, times change. Also, I don't recall Uehara-san inviting you, Takanashi-san." Iris asked.

Aoi wonders what Rio just meant but decided to just keep her mouth shut for now as she directs her gaze on the event below. After all, she was not a Force member.

"I come and go as I please. Anyway, do you guys have plans? I think we can catch J-Falcon by the cafe if we head out now."

"Sure. There's a few things I've been meaning to ask Yuuji as well." Iris turns back to Aoi. "Do you want to come?"

"Alright." Aoi nodded. Guess they'll just have to catch up with Misuzu later. Still, she had her reasons. "There's someone I want to see as well."

J-Falcon preferred to hang out in a nice cafe-style restaurant just outside the demonstration grounds. In contrast to the chic and modern facade of the Base, this eatery had rustic inspiration with mahogany tables and countertops and brick red walls. The popular Force had already taken their spot at a table by the massive glass windows, waving to fans who recognized them.

However, they were not the only Divers commanding attention inside the place.

A young man stood, surrounded by other Divers, laughing and possibly cracking some jokes. He dressed plainly; a simple gray shirt, jeans and sneakers. He turned to face the three Actaeon students as soon as they entered the premises, calling out to one.

"Fancy seeing you here, Aoi."

"Hey, Ayato."

It was a very casual exchange yet Aoi could see Iris and Rio's eyes widen. After all, they probably weren't expecting her to know this young man. She decided to introduce the guy to the two.

"Ayamine-san, Takanashi-san, this is Asanuma Ayato, the pilot of the Freedom Gundam earlier. I suppose you guys probably met during the previous tournament, even if you didn't realize it yet."

"Yeah." It was Iris who stepped forward first. "I certainly wasn't expecting to see the 'Lone Wolf Champion' in this place."

Author's Notes:

This one took a while but, Chapter 3 is up! Also, I've remastered the previous three chapters. Mainly fixed some details and pretty much rewrote most of them while preserving the events as they own. I mainly did it to tighten up the narrative distance and make the chapters flow better.

I hope you guys enjoy! See you in the next chapter!